JP4686569B2 - Information recording medium, recording method and reproducing method thereof, and reproducing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information recording medium, a recording method, a reproducing method, and a reproducing apparatus, and is effective when standardized in common among a plurality of manufacturers that manufacture information recording / reproducing apparatuses.

  In recent years, research and development on optical disks as information recording media have been actively conducted. The optical disk includes a CD (Compact disk) that is currently popular and a DVD (Digital Video Disk) that boasts a large capacity. In addition, DVD includes DVD-Video capable of recording / reproducing video information. The format of information recorded on information recording media such as CDs and DVDs is defined by a unified standard described in the standard document. Manufacturers of information recording media record information formatted in accordance with the unified standard on the information recording medium.

  An information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording information on an information recording medium and reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium is manufactured by a plurality of manufacturers. However, as described above, since information is recorded on the information recording medium in accordance with the unified standard, only similar reproduction results can be obtained with any information recording / reproducing apparatus manufactured by any manufacturer. That is, there is a problem that the function cannot be differentiated and unique for each information recording / reproducing apparatus. As a result, the competition principle of each manufacturer in terms of function does not work, and technical development in the DVD-Video market may be hindered.

  In addition, since information recording on the information recording medium is performed in accordance with a fixed unified standard, there has been a problem in that it is not possible to quickly expand the function in response to technological progress. In other words, to add a new function to the information recording medium, the unified standard must be upgraded with the addition of the new function. However, since it takes a lot of time to update the version of the unified standard, it has been difficult to add timely new functions in response to technological progress.

  An object of the present invention is made in view of the above circumstances, and when information recorded on an information recording medium is reproduced by an information recording / reproducing apparatus, each information recording / reproducing apparatus having a different manufacturer or selling source is used. In addition, an information recording method for recording information on an information recording medium and an information reproducing method for reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium are provided so that the functions can be differentiated and unique. It is based on that.

The present invention is a recording medium capable of recording video information, still image information, and audio information. A video object file including video (video object) information, a picture object file including still image (picture object) information, and audio ( Audio object) including audio object file information, video information recorded in the video object file, still picture information recorded in the picture object file, and audio information recorded in the audio object file A video management data file can be recorded, and the video object file and the picture object file are composed of VOBs. Video object information for managing video information, video information and still image information playback sequence, and video chain control information for playback and program chain control information specifying the playback order of cells, which is the basic unit of still image information. a plurality of program chains on a recording re video management data file is configurable, and the cells in each program chain, it is possible specify the arbitrary section including the same location within the VOB, the program The control information of the chain is basically based on being arranged at a position preceding the usable information of only a specific manufacturer in the over-recording / re-video management data file.

  According to the present invention described above, when information recorded on an information recording medium is reproduced by the information recording / reproducing apparatus, the function is differentiated and unique for each information recording / reproducing apparatus having a different manufacturer or distributor. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information recording method for recording information on an information recording medium and an information reproducing method for reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium. Also, recording usable information only for a specific manufacturer does not unnecessarily affect the usage pattern of general manufacturers.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<1> Outline of Data Structure on Information Recording Medium The structure of data (video information, music information, etc.) recorded on the information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001) shown in FIG. 1006) is directed to the outer side (outer side 1007) as shown in FIG. The details of the data structure shown in FIG. 1B are as shown in FIG. 1C, FIG. 1D, FIG. 1E, and FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1B, the information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001)
・ Embossed data zone with an uneven light reflecting surface, Mirror Zone with a flat surface (mirror surface), and Rewritable data Zone (rewritable zone) where information can be rewritten Lead-in area 1002,
・ Volume & File Manager Information (Volume and File) that is recorded in the Rewritable data Zone that can be recorded and rewritten by the user, and that records information related to audio and video data files or the entire volume. Manager information) 1003,
A data area 1004 composed of a rewritable data zone that can be recorded and rewritten by the user,
-Lead-out area 1005 composed of a rewritable data zone in which information can be rewritten,
It is divided into.

In addition, the Embossed data Zone of the Lead-in Area 1002 is
Information relating to the entire information recording medium, such as a disk type such as DVD-ROM / DVD-RAM / DVD-R, disk size, recording density, physical sector number indicating recording start / recording end position,
・ Recording / reproducing / erasing characteristics information such as recording power and recording pulse width, erasing power, reproducing power, linear velocity during recording / erasing,
・ Information on the production of one information recording medium, such as a production number,
Is recorded in advance.

The Rewritable data Zone in the Lead-in Area 1002 and the Rewritable data Zone in the Lead-out Area 1005 are respectively
-Unique disc name recording area for each information recording medium,
-Trial recording area (for confirming recording erasure conditions),
A management information recording area relating to a defective area in the data area 1004 is provided, and information can be recorded on the area by the information recording / reproducing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, a data area 1004 sandwiched between a lead-in area 1002 and a lead-out area 1005 includes a computer data (computer). Data) and Audio & Video Data (audio and video data) can be mixedly recorded. The recording order of Computer Data and Audio & Video Data and the size of each recording information are arbitrary, and the area in which Computer Data is recorded is a Computer Data Area 1008 The area in which Audio & Video Data (audio and video data) is recorded is named as Audio & Video Data Area 1009.

The data structure of information recorded in the Audio & Video Data Area 1009 is as shown in FIG.
Anchor Pointer for Control Information (anchor pointer for control information) 1015: Audio & Video Data Area (Audio and Video Data Area) 1009 is placed at the first position in the Audio & Video Data Area (Audio and Video Data Area) ) Information indicating the head position (head address) in which Control Information 1011 in 1009 is recorded,
• Control Information 1011: Control information required for recording, recording, playback, editing, and search processing.
• Video Objects 1012: Video Data (Contents) recording information,
Picture Objects 1013: Still image information such as Still images and Slide images,
Audio Objects 1014: Recording information of the contents of Audio Data (Audio),
Thumbnail Objects 1016: This is composed of information such as thumbnails (Thumbnail) used when searching for a desired place in Video Data or editing.

  The Video Objects 1012, Picture Objects 1013, Audio Objects 1014, and Thumbnail Objects 1016 shown in FIG. 1 (d) are classified by content contents (data contents). Means a group of information. Accordingly, all video information recorded in the Audio & Video Data Area 1009 is included in Video Objects 1012, and all still image information is included in Picture Objects 1013. All audio / audio information is included in Audio Objects 1014, and all thumbnail information used for management / search of video information is included in Thumbnail Objects 1016.

  A VOB (Video Object) 1403 shown in FIG. 3 is a block of information recorded in the AV File (A / B file = audio video file) 1401, and is shown in FIG. This definition is different from Video Objects 1012. Use similar terms, but use them in completely different ways, so be careful.

Furthermore, Control Information 1011
AV Data Control Information 1101: Manages the data structure in the Video Object 1012, and also manages information related to the recording position on the optical disk 1001 that is an information recording medium. ,
Playback Control Information 1021: Control information necessary for playback,
Recording Control Information 1022: Control information necessary for recording (recording / recording),
Edit Control Information 1023: Control information necessary for editing,
Thumbnail Control Information (Thumbnail Control Information) 1024: Management information related to a desired place search or editing thumbnail (Thumbnail Object) in Video Data (Video Data).

In addition, AV Data Control Information 1101 shown in FIG.
Allocation Map Table 1105: Information regarding information such as address setting along the actual arrangement on the information storage medium (Optical Disk 1001), identification of recorded / unrecorded areas,
Video Title Set Information 1106: As shown in FIG. 3, the overall information content in the AV File 1401 is shown, and connection information between VOBs, management / retrieval Multiple VOB grouping information and time information such as Time Map Table (title map table)
Video Object Information (Video Object Information) 1107: As shown in FIG. 3 (c), it shows information about each VOB in the AV File 1401, and attribute (characteristic) information for each VOB and VOB Information about the individual VOBUs (Video Object Units) included,
PGC Control Information (program chain control information) 1103: Information on video information playback program (sequence),
Cell playback information (cell playback information) 1108: This includes information on the data structure of the basic unit of video information during playback.

  The content up to FIG. 1 (f) is as described above, but some supplementary explanation is given below for each piece of information.

Volume & File Manager Information 1003 includes
-Information about the entire Volume,
・ Number of PC data files included, number of files related to AV data,
・ Information related to recording layer information, etc. is recorded.

In particular, as recording layer information
-Number of configuration layers (example: RAM / ROM 2-layer disk counts as 2 layers, ROM 2-layer disk counts as 2 layers, n single-sided disk counts as n layers),
・ Logical sector number range table (capacity for each layer) assigned to each layer,
・ Characteristics of each layer (eg, DVD-RAM disc, RAM / ROM dual-layer disc RAM, CD-ROM, CD-R, etc.),
-Allocation logical sector number range table in units of zones in the RAM area for each layer (including rewritable area capacity information for each layer),
・ Unique ID information for each layer (to discover disk replacement in multiple disk packs) is recorded, and continuous logical sector numbers are set for multiple disk packs and RAM / ROM double-layer disks. Can be handled as one large volume space.

Playback Control Information (playback control information) 1021 includes
・ Information about playback sequences that integrate PGC (program chain),
-In relation to the above, information indicating a pseudo recording position in which the information recording medium is regarded as one tape like VTR or DVC (sequence for continuously reproducing all recorded cells),
・ Information on simultaneous playback of multiple screens with different video information,
・ Search information (cell ID corresponding to each search category and start time table in the cell is recorded, and the user can select the category and directly access the video information) is recorded. Yes.

In addition, Recording Control Information 1022 includes
・ Program recording information is recorded.

Furthermore, Edit Control Information 1023 includes
・ Special editing information for each PGC unit (corresponding time setting information and special editing contents are described as EDL information),
File conversion information (a specific part in the AV file is converted into a file that can be specially edited on a PC such as an AVI file, and a location for storing the converted file is specified) is recorded.

In addition, Thumbnail Control Information 1024 includes
Management information related to Thumbnail Objects 1016 (Audio & Video Data Area (Audio and Video Data) 1009) The recording location of each thumbnail image and the VOB or Cell designation information related to each thumbnail image, VOB or Cell location information related to each thumbnail image (VOB and Cell will be described in detail in the description location in FIG. 3)).

<2> Directory structure of data files in the data area All information recorded in the data area 1004 in FIG. 1B is recorded in units of files, and the relationship between the data files is as follows. As shown in FIG. 2, it is managed by a directory structure.

  A plurality of subdirectories 1451 are installed under the root directory 1450 so as to be easily classified for each file content to be recorded. In FIG. 2, each data file related to Computer Data (computer data) recorded in Computer Data Area 1008, 1010 in FIG. 1 (c) is recorded under Computer Data (computer data) storage subdirectory 1457. Audio & Video Data (audio and video data area) recorded in the Audio & Video Data Area 1009 is recorded under the rewritable video title set RWV_TS1452. When the video information recorded on the DVD-Video disc is copied in FIG. 1A, it is copied under the video title set VIDEO_TS1455 and the audio title set AUDIO_TS1456.

  The control information 1011 in FIG. 1D is recorded as one file as recording / playback video management data. In FIG. 2, the file name is named RWVIDEO_CONTROL.IFO. In addition, the same information is recorded for backup as the file name RWVIDEO_CONTROL.BUP.

In FIG. 2, all of Video Objects 1012, Picture Objects 1013, Audio Objects 1014, and Thumbnail Objects 1016 in FIG. 1D are all AV File (AV file). ) 1401 (file name in FIG. 2 is RWOBJECT.OB) and recorded together in one file.
Although not shown in FIG. 1, recording / playback additional information 1454 that can be used at the time of video recording / playback can be recorded at the same time, and the information is collectively recorded as one file. In FIG. 2, RWADD.DAT With the file name.

<3> Data Structure in AV File (AV File) FIG. 3 shows the data structure in the AV File (AV file). As shown in FIG. 3B, the entire AV file (AV file) 1401 constitutes one VTS (Video Title Set) 1402. The VTS 1402 is made up of a collection of a plurality of VOBs 1403, 1404, and 1405 separated in accordance with the order of information recorded in the contents of Audio & Video Data (AV & AV File) 1401. ing.

  VOBs 1403, 1404, and 1405 in FIG. 3 (d) are defined as a group of Audio & Video Data (audio and video data) recorded in the AV file (AV file) 1401, and are video information / still image information / audio information. / Has a definition content different from that of the Video Objects 1012 shown in FIG. 1D, which has strong classification item colors such as thumbnail information. Accordingly, not only information classified as Video Objects 1012 is recorded in VOBs 1403, 1404, and 1405 in FIG. 3D, but also Picture Objects 1013 and Audio Objects (audio objects). Information classified as 1014 and Thumbnail Objects 1016 is also recorded.

  Based on the information content (contents) recorded in each VOB 1403, 1404, 1405, grouping is performed for each related VOB, and each group is grouped as PTT (Part_of_Title) 1407, 1408. Yes. That is, the PTTs 1407 and 1408 are configured as an aggregate of one or a plurality of VOBs. In FIG. 3C, a PTT 1408 is composed of two VOBs, a VOB 1404 and a VOB 1405, and the PTT 1407 is composed of only one VOB.

  The minimum basic unit of the video information is called VOBUs 1411 to 1414, and the data in the VOBs 1403 to 1405 are configured as an aggregate of the VOBUs 1411 to 1414 as shown in FIG. In many cases, MPEG1 or MPEG2 is used as a video information compression technique in VOB1012. In MPEG, video information is divided into groups called GOPs every 0.5 seconds, and video information is compressed in units of GOPs. Video information compression units of VOBUs 1411 to 1414 are formed in the same size as the GOP and in synchronization with the GOP.

  Further, the VOBUs 1411 to 1414 are divided and recorded for each 2048 bytes Sector (sector) 1431 to 1437. Each Sector 1431 to 1437 is recorded with a Pack structure format, and for each Pack, raw video information, sub-video information, audio information, and dummy information are stored in V_PCK (Video Pack) 1421, 1425, 1426, 1427, SP_PCK (Sub-picture Pack) 1422, A_PCK (Audio Pack) 1423, DM_PCK (Dummy Pack) 1424. Since each Pack has a 14-byte Pack Header at the beginning, the amount of information recorded in each Pack is 2034 Bytes.

  DM_PCK1424 is used for post-recording post-recording information addition (inserting dubbing into audio pack and exchanging with dummy pack by inserting memo information into sub-picture pack) Inserted in advance for the purpose of use.

  A recording area of a DVD-RAM disk, which is an example of the information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001) shown in FIG. 1A, is divided into a plurality of sectors. A data amount of 2048 Bytes per sector can be recorded. This DVD-RAM disc performs recording / reproduction in units of sectors (2048 bytes). Accordingly, when a DVD-RAM disk is used as the information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001), each pack is recorded in units of Sectors 1431 to 1437 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3D, a VTS 1402 is configured by a series of connections of all VOBs 1403 to 1405 in the AV File 1401. On the other hand, in the playback procedure described in Playback Control Information (playback control information) 1021, it is possible to specify an arbitrary range within an arbitrary VOB and to play back in an arbitrary playback order. The basic unit of video information at the time of reproduction is called Cell 1441, 1442, and 1443. Cells 1441, 1442, and 1443 can specify any range within an arbitrary VOB, but cannot be specified across VOBs (a range cannot be set by connecting multiple VOBs with one Cell) .

  In FIG. 3G, Cell 1441 designates one VOBU 1412 in VOB 1403, Cell 1442 designates the entire one VOB 1404, and Cell 1443 designates a specific pack (V_PCK 1427) in VOBU 1414. Only the range is specified.

  Information indicating a video information playback sequence is set by a PGC (program chain) 1446, and this playback sequence is described by specifying one cell or connection information of a plurality of cells. For example, in FIG. 3 (h), the PGC 1446 constitutes a reproduction program as a connection of Cell 1441, Cell 1442 and Cell 1443 (detailed description of the relationship between Cell and PGC will be described later).

<4> Contents of Allocation Map Table As described above, the recording area of the DVD-RAM disc is divided into a plurality of sectors (Sectors), and the sector numbers (LSN: LSN: Logical Sector Number).

  Consider a case where video information is recorded in the following procedure in the Data Area 1004 of the information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001).

  (1) An AV File 1401 recording area is secured in a continuous area (a <g) from sector numbers (LSN) a + 1 to g in the Data Area 1004 in the information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001).

  (2) Data of VOB # 1 1461 is recorded in the continuous area (b <c) from sector number (LSN) b + 1 to c in the AV File 1401 recording area.

  (3) AV File 1401 VOB # 2 1462 data is recorded in a continuous area (d <e) from sector number (LSN) d + 1 to e in the recording area.

  As a result of the processing from (1) to (3) above, the AV File 1401 has three unrecorded sector numbers (LSN) “from a + 1 to b”, “from c + 1 to d”, and “from e + 1 to g”. The area remains. Next, when video information of VOB # 3 having a large data size is recorded in this unrecorded area, it is as follows.

  (4) AV File 1401 The data of VOB # 3 is divided into a plurality according to the size of the unrecorded area in the recording area.

  (5) The first data of the divided VOB # 3 is recorded in a continuous area (a <b) from sector numbers (LSN) a + 1 to b.

  (6) The next data of the divided VOB # 3 is recorded in a continuous area (c <d) from sector numbers (LSN) c + 1 to d.

  (7) The last data of the divided VOB # 3 is recorded in a continuous area (f <g) from sector numbers (LSN) f + 1 to g.

  As a result, an unrecorded area 1460 with a sector number (LSN) of “e + 1 to f” remains in the AV file 1401. This process is necessary. FIG. 4 shows the physical recording position distribution of each VOB in the AV File 1401 obtained as a result of the above processes (1) to (7).

  As can be seen from the above description, when the data in the AV File 1401 is partially erased or additional recording of new data is repeated in the unrecorded area in the AV File 1401, VOB # 3 1463, 1464, 1465 Therefore, it is necessary to record one VOB data in a plurality of locations.

  Information indicating the physical recording position distribution for each VOB of each data distributed and recorded in the same AV File 1401 is the Allocation Map Table 1105 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows the information contents of the Allocation Map Table 1105 when the data arrangement of FIG. 4 is taken as a specific example. Allocation Map Table 1105 is composed of unrecorded area position distribution information 1621 and data recording position distribution information 1622, 1623, and 1624 for each VOB.

  A block in which the connection of consecutive sector numbers is secured in each VOB is defined as “Extent”. In FIG. 4, VOB # 3 data is recorded in three groups. In the above example, sector numbers (LSN: Logical Sector Number) a + 1 to b have a continuous sector number connection, so this area constitutes “Extent # γ 1473”. That is, the position distribution in which the data of VOB # 3 is recorded has three locations of Extent # γ 1473, Extent # δ 1474, and Extent # ε 1475.

  First, extent numbers 1601, 1602, 1603, and 1604 are recorded in the position distribution information regarding the unrecorded area and each VOB in the Allocation Map Table 1105 shown in FIG. Thereafter, the head addresses 1606, 1607, 1608, 1609, 1610, 1611 for each extent and the extent sizes 1614, 1615, 1616, 1617, 1618, 1619 are recorded. The start address is expressed by a “difference number” from the start sector number (Logical Sector Number) of the AV File 1401. When expressed in this way as a difference number, when the entire contents of the AV File 1401 are ported to another information recording medium, the information change in the Allocation Map Table 1105 becomes unnecessary, and the portability of the file is improved. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the extent size is expressed by the number of sectors. Instead of expressing the extent size as shown in FIG. 5, it can be expressed by the last address of the extent.

  In the DVD-RAM disk standard, information indicating a physical address on an information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001) is called a physical sector number (PSN), and an entire address handled by the file system is a logical sector number ( The address defined on the file system in the data area 1004 in FIG. 1A is called a logical block number (LBN: Logical Block Number) for distinction. However, if the description method is faithfully followed, the explanation contents become complicated. Therefore, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, importance is placed on the ease of understanding, and explanation is given in terms of logical sector numbers (LSNs).

<5> Contents of Playback Control Information 1021
Playback Control Information 1021 The contents will be described with reference to FIGS. PGC Control Information (PGC control information) 1103 in Playback Control Information 1021 has the data structure shown in FIG. 6, and the playback order is determined by PGC and Cell. PGC indicates a unit for executing a series of reproductions in which the reproduction order of cells is designated. Cell indicates a playback section in which playback data in each VOB is designated by a start address and an end address as shown in FIG.

  PGC Control Information 1103 includes PGC Information Management Information 1052, one or more Search Pointer of PGC Information 1053, 1054 and PGC Information 1055, 1056, 1057. Composed.

  The PGC Information Management Information 1052 includes information indicating the number of PGCs (Number of PGC Information). Search Pointer of PGC Information 1053 and 1054 points to the head of each PGC Information, and facilitates the search. PGC Information 1055, 1056, 1057 includes PGC General Information 1061 and one or more Cell Playback Information 1062, 1063. PGC General Information 1061 includes information indicating the PGC playback time and the number of cells (Number of Cell Playback Information).

  As shown in FIG. 7, playback data is designated as a cell in a playback section from Cell-A to Cell-F, and PGC Information is defined in each PGC.

  (1) PGC # 1 shows an example composed of cells specifying continuous playback sections, and the playback order is Cell-A → Cell-B → Cell-C.

  (2) PGC # 2 shows an example composed of cells that specify intermittent playback sections, and the playback order is Cell-D → Cell-E → Cell-F.

  (3) PGC # 3 shows an example in which playback is possible regardless of playback direction or overlap playback. The playback order is Cell-E → Cell-A → Cell-D → Cell-B → Cell-E. It becomes.

<6> Contents of Video Title Set Information 1106 As shown in FIG.
Video Title Set General Information 1751: Information on general content items of Video Title Set,
Video Object Sequence Information 1752: In the data structure of FIG. 3, a serial order is set for all VOBs in Video Title Set 1402 (= AV File). The order information of each VOB according to this sequence is described here.
Part_of_Titles Information 1753: Each Object data recorded in the AV File 1401 is grouped for each related data for the purpose of data management and search, and a video title name is set for each group. . The group (Part_of_Title) is composed of a collection of VOBs. The VOB information included for each Part_of_Title is described here.
• Video Title Set Time Map Table 1754: VOB classified into Video Objects 1012 and Audio Objects 1014 in Video Title Set 1402 above. VOBU position information for each specific time interval according to Video Object Sequence) is recorded.

  As shown in the right side of FIG. 8, the specific data structure in the Video Object Sequence Information 1752 is the total number of VOBs 1756 included in the Video Title Set. Yes. Thereafter, VOB_IDs 1757, 1758,... Corresponding to VOBs are recorded in order according to the sequence (Video Object Sequence) order.

  The sequence indicated by Video Object Sequence Information 1752 is, for example, “recording order to AV File 1401 (order from the earliest recording time)” “recording order on the information recording medium (Optical Disk) as shown in FIG. It can be arbitrarily set on the user or information recording / reproducing apparatus side such as “in order of VOB size”. By sequentially ordering all VOBs in a VTS (Video Title Set) 1402, a user interface similar to a VTR that records video on one tape can be provided.

For example,
・ Find the place you want to see by fast forward (FF) or rewind (FR)
・ Check the entire recorded content by fast forward (FF) of the tape.
・ Search for an unused place already recorded by fast forward (FF) or rewind (FR) of the tape, and overwrite the new video information on the unused place.
Such processing can be performed using Video Object Sequence Information 1752.

  The video object sequence information 1752 shown on the right side of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. First, VOB # 1 to VOB # 3 are recorded in the state shown in FIG. 4 in the arrangement order on the information recording medium (Optical Disk). This recording order is described in “<4> Contents of Allocation Map Table” (1 ) To (7) are considered. FIG. 9 (a3) shows the sequence order arrangement when the sequence order is set in the “recording order to AV File 1401 (order of recording time)” for these data. Compared to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the arrangement order from Extent # α 1471 to Extent # ζ 1470 is changed. 8 designates “VOB # 1 1461” in FIG. 9 (a3), and the second VOB_ID 1758 in “Video Object Sequence” designates “VOB_ID 1758” in FIG. 9 (a3). VOB # 2 1462 "is designated.

  FIG. 9 (b3) shows another embodiment specified by Video Object Sequence Information 1752. VOB #A 1771 and VOB #B 1772 belong to Video Objects 1012 (classified), VOB #C 1773, VOB #F 1776, and VOB #G 1777 belong to Audio Objects 1014 (classification). VOB #D 1774 and VOB #E 1775 belong to Picture Objects 1013. In this way, the sequence order can be specified in a mixed manner regardless of the type of VOB. In FIG. 9, VOBs (VOB #H 1778, VOB #I 1779) belonging to Thumbnail Objects 1016 are collectively set last.

  Next, the schematic structure of the information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording video information (video recorder) will be described with reference to FIG.

  The apparatus main body of the video recorder roughly rotates an information recording medium (optical disk) 201, a disk drive unit for recording and reproducing video information on the information recording medium (optical disk) 201, and a recording side Encoder unit 1550, a playback side decoder unit 1560, and a ROM or RAM (semiconductor memory) inside, and a system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 that controls the operation of the apparatus main body. ing.

  The encoder unit 1550 includes an ADC (analog / digital converter) 1552, a video encoder (V encoder) 1553, an audio encoder (A encoder) 1554, a sub-picture encoder (SP encoder) 1555, a formatter 1556, and a buffer memory. 1557.

The ADC 1552 receives an external analog video signal + external analog audio signal from the AV input unit 1542 or an analog TV signal + analog audio signal from the TV tuner 1544. The ADC 1552 digitizes the input analog video signal with, for example, a sampling frequency of 13.5 MHz and a quantization bit number of 8 bits. (That is, each of the luminance component Y, the color difference component Cr (or YR), and the color difference component Cb (or YB) is quantized with 8 bits.)
Similarly, the ADC 1552 digitizes the input analog audio signal with, for example, a sampling frequency of 48 kHz and a quantization bit number of 16 bits.

  Note that when an analog video signal and a digital audio signal are input to the ADC 1552, the ADC 1552 causes the digital audio signal to pass through. (The content of the digital audio signal is not altered, and processing for reducing only the jitter accompanying the digital signal or processing for changing the sampling rate and the number of quantization bits may be performed).

On the other hand, when a digital video signal and a digital audio signal are input to the ADC 1552, the ADC 1552 allows the digital video signal and the digital audio signal to pass through. (Jitter reduction processing, sampling rate change processing, etc. may be performed on these digital signals without changing the contents.)
In addition to the video signal input, for example, when still image information is input by the digital camera 1543, the information is directly input to the V encoder 1553 without going through the ADC 1552.

  The digital video signal component from the ADC 1552 is sent to the formatter 1556 via the video encoder (V encoder) 1553. The digital audio signal component from the ADC 1552 is sent to the formatter 1556 via the audio encoder (A encoder) 1554. Alternatively, the still image signal directly input to the V encoder 1553 is sent from the V encoder 1553 to the formatter 1556.

  The V encoder 1553 has a function of converting an input digital video signal into a digital signal compressed at a variable bit rate based on the MPEG2 or MPEG1 standard.

  The digital camera 1543 records still image information in a format such as a bitmap format or JPEG format. On the other hand, in the present invention, a still image is recorded on the information recording medium (optical disc) 201 in the MPEG2 I picture format. Therefore, in the present invention, the V encoder 1553 has a format conversion function such as “bitmap → MPEG2”, “JPEG → MPEG2”.

  The A encoder 1554 has a function of converting an input digital audio signal into a digital signal (or linear PCM digital signal) compressed at a fixed bit rate based on the MPEG or AC-3 standard.

  When a video signal is input from the AV input unit 1542 (for example, a signal from a DVD video player with an independent output terminal of a sub-video signal), or a video signal having such a data structure is broadcast and received by the TV tuner 1544 In such a case, the sub video signal component (sub video pack) in the video signal is input to the sub video encoder (SP encoder) 1555. The sub-picture data input to the SP encoder 1555 is arranged in a predetermined signal form and sent to the formatter 1556.

  The formatter 1556 performs predetermined signal processing on the input video signal, audio signal, sub-picture signal, etc. while using the buffer memory 1557 as a work area, and records data that conforms to a predetermined format (file structure). Is output to the data processor 1536.

  In the case of digital broadcasting, the video signal is transmitted in the MPEG2 TS (transport stream) format. In general, when a video signal is recorded on the information recording medium (optical disc) 201 in the MPEG2 format, a PS (program stream) format is used. Therefore, when a digital broadcast is received, the received signal is directly sent from the TV tuner 1544 to the formatter 1556, and “TS → PS conversion” is performed in the formatter 1556.

  Here, a standard encoding process for creating the recording data will be briefly described. That is, when encoding processing is started in the encoder unit 1550, parameters necessary for encoding video (main video) data and audio data are set. Next, the main video data is pre-encoded using the set parameters, and the optimal code amount distribution for the set average transfer rate (recording rate) is calculated. Based on the code amount distribution obtained by the pre-encoding in this way, the main video is encoded. At this time, audio data is also encoded at the same time.

  As a result of pre-encoding, if the amount of data compression is insufficient (when the desired video program does not fit on the information recording medium (optical disc) 201 to be recorded), if there is an opportunity to pre-encode again (for example, the recording source) (If it is a reproducible source such as a video tape or video disc), the main video data is partially re-encoded and the main video data part of the re-encoded main video data is pre-encoded before Is replaced with By such a series of processing, main video data and audio data are encoded, and the average bit rate value required for recording is greatly reduced.

  Similarly, parameters necessary for encoding the sub-picture data are set, and the encoded sub-picture data is created.

  The main video data, audio data, and sub-video data encoded as described above are combined and converted into a data structure of a desired video object.

  That is, a cell as a minimum unit of main video data (video data) is set, and then the configuration of the cells constituting the program chain, main video, sub video, audio attributes, etc. are set (one of these attribute information). The section uses information obtained when each data is encoded), and management information including various information is recorded in the management information recording area (Control Information 1011).

  The encoded main video data, audio data, and sub-video data are subdivided into packs of a certain size (2048 bytes). A dummy pack is appropriately inserted into these packs. Note that time stamps such as PTS (presentation time stamp) and DTS (decode time stamp) are appropriately described in packs other than dummy packs. For the sub-picture PTS, a time arbitrarily delayed from the PTS of the main picture data or audio data in the same reproduction time zone can be described.

  Each data cell is arranged in units of VOBU so that the data can be reproduced in the time code order of each data, thereby forming a VOB composed of a plurality of cells.

  In addition, when video information is digitally copied from a video information recording information recording / playback device (video recorder), the contents of the cell, program chain, management table, time stamp, etc. are determined from the beginning, so they are created again. do not have to.

  A disk drive unit that executes reading and writing (recording and / or reproduction) of information with respect to the information recording medium (optical disk) 201 includes a disk changer unit 1500, an information recording / reproducing unit 101, a temporary storage unit 1534, and a data processor 1536. And a system time counter (or system time clock; STC) 1538.

  The temporary storage unit 1534 buffers a certain amount of data (data output from the encoder unit 1550) written to the information recording medium (optical disc) 201 via the information recording / reproducing unit 101, or This is used to buffer a certain amount of data (data input to the decoder unit 1560) reproduced from the information recording medium (optical disk) 201 via 101.

  For example, when the temporary storage unit 1534 is composed of a 4 Mbyte semiconductor memory (DRAM), it is possible to buffer recording or reproduction data for about 8 seconds at an average recording rate of 4 Mbps. Further, when the temporary storage unit 1534 is composed of a 16 Mbyte EEPROM (flash memory), it is possible to buffer the recording or reproduction data of about 30 seconds at an average recording rate of 4 Mbps. Further, when the temporary storage unit 1534 is composed of a 100 Mbyte ultra-small HDD (hard disk), it is possible to buffer recording or reproduction data for 3 minutes or more at an average recording rate of 4 Mbps.

  The temporary storage unit 1534 is used to temporarily store recording information until the information recording medium (optical disk) 201 is replaced with a new disk when the information recording medium (optical disk) 201 is used up during recording. it can.

  The temporary storage unit 1534 can also be used to temporarily store data read out from the normal drive within a predetermined time when a high-speed recording / reproducing unit of 2 × speed or more is adopted as the information recording / reproducing unit 101. . If the read data at the time of reproduction is buffered in the temporary storage unit 1534, the reproduction data buffered in the temporary storage unit 1534 is switched and used even when the optical head 202 of FIG. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the playback video from being interrupted.

  Although not shown in FIG. 10, the EEPROM can be sold separately as an optional IC card by providing an external card slot in the video information recording information recording / reproducing apparatus (video recorder). If the information recording / reproducing apparatus for video information recording (recording / reproducing recorder) is provided with an external drive slot or a SCSI interface, the HDD can also be sold as an optional expansion drive.

  Note that in a form in which the personal computer is converted into a DVD video recorder by software, a part of the free area of the hard disk drive of the personal computer itself or a part of the main memory can be used as the temporary storage unit 1534.

The data processor 1536 is controlled by a system control unit (MPU unit) (with built-in ROM / RAM) 1530.
Supply of the video information signal for recording from the encoder unit 1550 to the information recording / reproducing unit 101;
-After the video information signal reproduced from the information recording / reproducing unit 101 is taken out, transfer processing to other parts,
Rewrite processing of management information (Control Information 1011) recorded on the information recording medium (optical disc) 201;
-Partial deletion processing of video information and management information (Control Information 1011), which are data recorded on the information recording medium (optical disc) 201, is performed.

  The system control unit 1530 includes an MPU (or CPU), a ROM that is an IC memory in which a control program and the like are written, and a RAM that is an IC memory that provides a work area necessary for executing the program.

  The contents to be notified to the user of the information recording / reproducing apparatus for video information recording (recording / playback recorder) among the execution results of the system control unit 1530 are displayed on the video recorder display unit 1548.

  The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 controls the disc changer unit 1500, the information recording / reproducing unit 101, the data processor 1536, the encoder unit 1550, and / or the decoder unit 1560 based on the time data from the STC 1538. (Recording / playback operations are normally executed in synchronization with the time clock from the STC 1538, but other processing may be executed at a timing independent of the STC 1538).

  The decoder unit 1560 includes a separator 1562 that separates and extracts each pack from video information having a pack structure recorded on the information recording medium (optical disk) 201, a memory 1563 and a separator 1562 that are used when performing pack separation and other signal processing. A video decoder (V decoder) 1564 that decodes the separated main video data (contents of the video pack), and a sub video decoder (decodes the content of the sub-picture pack) separated by the separator 1562 (SP decoder) 1565, audio data (audio decoder contents) separated by separator 1562, audio decoder (A decoder) 1568, video data from V decoder 1564 and sub-picture data from SP decoder 1565 are appropriately combined. A video processor 1566 for outputting a menu, a highlight button, subtitles and other sub-pictures superimposed on the main video, and a video / digital / analog converter (V.multidot.V) for converting the digital video output from the video processor 1566 into an analog video signal. DAC) 1567 and an audio / digital / analog converter (A / DAC) 1567 for converting the digital audio output from the A decoder 1568 into an analog audio signal.

  An analog video signal (video information signal in an analog state) from the V · DAC 1567 and an analog audio signal from the A · DAC 67 are sent to an external component (not shown) (2-channel to 6-channel multi-channel stereo device) via an AV output unit 1546. + Monitor TV or projector).

  OSD (On Screen Display) data output from the system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 is input to the separator 1562 of the decoder unit 1560, passes through the V decoder 1564 (and is not particularly decoded), and is input to the video processor 1566. Is done. Then, the OSD data is superimposed on the main video and supplied to the external monitor TV connected to the AV output unit 1546. Then, a warning text is displayed with the main video.

  Next, the internal structure of the information recording / reproducing unit (physical block) 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

<A> Functional Description of Information Recording / Reproducing Unit <A-1> Basic Function of Information Recording / Reproducing Unit In the information recording / reproducing unit,
Recording or rewriting new information (including erasing information) using a focused spot at a predetermined position on the information recording medium (optical disk) 201.
A process of reproducing recorded information from a predetermined position on the information recording medium (optical disk) 201 using a focused spot is performed.

<A-2> Basic function achievement means of information recording / reproducing unit In the information recording / reproducing unit as means for achieving the basic function,
Trace the tracking spot along a track (not shown) on the information recording medium 201;
Switching the recording / reproducing / erasing of information by changing the light quantity of the condensed spot irradiated to the information recording medium 201;
The recording signal d given from the outside is converted into an optimum signal for recording at a high density and a low error rate.

<B> Structure of mechanism portion and operation of detection portion <B-1> Basic structure of optical head 202 and signal detection circuit <B-1-1> Signal detection by optical head 202 The optical head 202 is basically illustrated. It is composed of a semiconductor laser element as a light source, a photodetector, and an objective lens.

  Laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser element is focused on an information recording medium (optical disk) 201 by an objective lens. Laser light reflected by the light reflecting film or light reflecting recording film of the information recording medium (optical disk) 201 is photoelectrically converted by a photodetector.

  The detection current obtained by the photodetector is subjected to current-voltage conversion by an amplifier 213 and becomes a detection signal. This detection signal is processed by the focus / track error detection circuit 217 or the binarization circuit 212. In general, a photodetector is divided into a plurality of light detection regions, and changes in the amount of light applied to each light detection region are individually detected. A focus / track error detection circuit 217 calculates a sum / difference for each detection signal to detect a focus shift and a track shift. A signal on the information recording medium 201 is reproduced by detecting a change in the amount of reflected light from the light reflecting film or the light reflecting recording film of the information recording medium (optical disk) 201.

<B-1-2> Defocus detection method As a method for optically detecting the defocus amount,
Astigmatism method: An optical element (not shown) that generates astigmatism is arranged in the detection optical path of the laser light reflected by the light reflecting film or the light reflecting recording film of the information recording medium (optical disk) 201, A method for detecting a change in the shape of a laser beam irradiated on a photodetector. The light detection area is divided into four diagonal lines. For a detection signal obtained from each detection region, a focus error detection signal is obtained by taking a difference between diagonal sums in the focus / track error detection circuit 217.
Knife edge method: A method of arranging a knife edge that shields a part of the laser light reflected by the information recording medium 201 asymmetrically. The light detection area is divided into two, and a difference between detection signals obtained from each detection area is taken to obtain a focus error detection signal),
Often use either of these.

<B-1-3> Track Deviation Detection Method The information recording medium (optical disc) 201 has a spiral or concentric track, and information is recorded on the track. Information is reproduced or recorded / erased by tracing the focused spot along this track. In order to stably trace the focused spot along the track, it is necessary to optically detect the relative positional deviation between the track and the focused spot. As a method of detecting track deviation, generally,
DPD (Differential Phase Detection) method: A change in intensity distribution on a photodetector of laser light reflected by a light reflecting film or a light reflecting recording film of an information recording medium (optical disk) 201 is detected. The light detection area is divided into four diagonal lines. For the detection signals obtained from the respective detection areas, a difference between the diagonal sums is taken in the focus / track error detection circuit 217 to obtain a track error detection signal.

Push-Pull method: detecting a change in intensity distribution on a photodetector of laser light reflected by the information recording medium 201. The light detection area is divided into two, and a track error detection signal is obtained by taking a difference between detection signals obtained from the respective detection areas.

Twin-Spot method: Reflected light amount of ± first-order diffracted light irradiated on the information recording medium 201 by arranging a diffraction element in a light transmission system between the semiconductor laser element and the information recording medium 201 to divide the light into a plurality of wavefronts. Detect changes. Separately from the light detection area for detecting the reproduction signal, a light detection area for individually detecting the reflected light amount of the + 1st order diffracted light and the reflected light amount of the −1st order diffracted light is arranged, and a track error detection signal is obtained by taking a difference between the respective detection signals. There are, etc.

<B-1-4> Objective Lens Actuator Structure An objective lens (not shown) for condensing the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser element on the information recording medium 201 corresponds to the output current of the objective lens actuator drive circuit 218. The structure is movable in two axial directions. The direction of movement of this objective lens is
Move in a direction perpendicular to the information recording medium 201 for focus deviation correction;
Move in the radial direction of the information recording medium 201 for track deviation correction;
Although not shown, the objective lens moving mechanism is called an objective lens actuator.

As an objective lens actuator structure,
・ Axis sliding method: A method in which the blade integrated with the objective lens moves along the central axis (shaft). The blade moves in the direction along the central axis to correct focus deviation. A method of correcting the track deviation by rotating the blade with respect to the central axis, or 4-wire system: The blade integrated with the objective lens is connected to the fixed system by 4 wires, and the wire is elastically deformed. A method of moving the blade in two axial directions by using it is often used. Each method has a structure in which a blade is moved by passing a current through a coil connected to the blade having a permanent magnet and a coil.

<B-2> Rotation Control System of Information Recording Medium 201 An information recording medium (optical disk) 201 is mounted on a rotary table 221 that is rotated by the driving force of the spindle motor 204.

  The rotation speed of the information recording medium 201 is detected by a reproduction signal obtained from the information recording medium 201. That is, the detection signal (analog signal) output from the amplifier 213 is converted into a digital signal by the binarization circuit 212, and a constant cycle signal (reference clock signal) is generated from the signal by the PLL circuit 211. The information recording medium rotation speed detection circuit 214 detects the number of rotations of the information recording medium 201 using this signal and outputs the value.

  A correspondence table of information recording medium rotational speeds corresponding to radial positions to be reproduced or recorded / erased on the information recording medium 201 is recorded in the semiconductor memory 219 in advance. When the reproduction position or recording / erasing position is determined, the control unit 220 refers to the semiconductor memory 219 information, sets the target rotational speed of the information recording medium 201, and notifies the spindle motor drive circuit 215 of the value.

  The spindle motor drive circuit 215 obtains a difference between the target rotation speed and the output signal (current rotation speed) of the information recording medium rotation speed detection circuit 214, and supplies a drive current corresponding to the difference to the spindle motor 204. Control is performed so that the rotation speed of the spindle motor 204 is constant. The output signal of the information recording medium rotation speed detection circuit 214 is a pulse signal having a frequency corresponding to the rotational speed of the information recording medium 201, and the spindle motor drive circuit 215 controls both the frequency and the pulse phase of this signal.

<B-3> Optical Head Moving Mechanism An optical head moving mechanism (feed motor) 203 is provided to move the optical head 202 in the radial direction of the information recording medium 201.

  In many cases, a rod-shaped guide shaft is used as a guide mechanism for moving the optical head 202, and the optical head 202 moves using friction between the guide shaft and a bush attached to a part of the optical head 202. In addition, there is a method using a bearing in which frictional force is reduced by using rotational motion.

  Although a driving force transmission method for moving the optical head 202 is not shown, a rotating motor with a pinion (rotating gear) is arranged in the fixed system, and a rack that is a linear gear meshing with the pinion is arranged on the side of the optical head 202. The rotary motion of the rotary motor is arranged and converted into the linear motion of the optical head 202. As another driving force transmission method, there is a case of using a linear motor system in which a permanent magnet is arranged in a fixed system and a current is passed through a coil arranged in the optical head 202 to move in a linear direction.

  In both the rotary motor and linear motor systems, basically, a current is passed through the feed motor to generate a driving force for moving the optical head 202. This driving current is supplied from a feed motor driving circuit 216.

<C> Functions of Control Circuits <C-1> Condensed Spot Trace Control In order to perform focus deviation correction or track deviation correction, the optical head 202 has a function corresponding to the output signal (detection signal) of the focus / track error detection circuit 217. A circuit for supplying a drive current to the objective lens actuator (not shown) is an objective lens actuator drive circuit 218. In order to make the objective lens move at high speed up to a high frequency range, it has a phase compensation circuit for improving characteristics in accordance with the frequency characteristics of the objective lens actuator.

In the objective lens actuator drive circuit 218, in response to a command from the control unit 220,
・ ON / OFF processing of focus / track deviation correction operation (focus / track loop),
A process of moving the objective lens at a low speed in the vertical direction (focus direction) of the information recording medium 201 (executed when the focus / track loop is OFF),
A process of moving the focused spot to the next track by slightly moving the information recording medium 201 in the radial direction (the direction crossing the track) using a kick pulse;
I do.

<C-2> Laser Light Amount Control <C-2-1> Playback / Recording / Erasing Switching Processing Playback / recording / erasing switching is performed by changing the light amount of the focused spot irradiated on the information recording medium 201.

For information recording media using the phase change method,
[Light intensity during recording]> [Light intensity during erase]> [Light intensity during playback]
In general, for information recording media using the magneto-optical method,
[Light intensity during recording] ≒ [Light intensity during erase]> [Light intensity during playback]
There is a relationship.

  In the case of the magneto-optical method, the recording and erasing processes are controlled by changing the polarity of an external magnetic field (not shown) applied to the information recording medium 201 during recording / erasing.

  When reproducing information, a certain amount of light is continuously irradiated onto the information recording medium 201.

  In the case of recording new information, a pulsed intermittent light amount is added on the light amount at the time of reproduction. When the semiconductor laser element emits a pulse with a large amount of light, the light reflective recording film of the information recording medium 201 locally undergoes an optical change or a shape change, and a recording mark is formed. In the case of overwriting on an already recorded area, the semiconductor laser element is similarly pulsed.

  When erasing already recorded information, a constant amount of light that is larger than that during reproduction is continuously irradiated. In the case of erasing information continuously, the irradiation light quantity is returned at the time of reproduction every specific period such as a sector unit, and information is reproduced intermittently in parallel with the erasure process. The track number and address of the track to be erased intermittently are reproduced, and the erase process is performed while confirming that there is no error in the erase track.

<C-2-2> Laser emission control Although not shown, the optical head 202 incorporates a photodetector for detecting the light emission amount of the semiconductor laser element. In the semiconductor laser driving circuit 205, the difference between the light detector output (detection signal of the light emission amount of the semiconductor laser element) and the light emission reference signal given from the recording / reproducing / erasing control waveform generating circuit 206 is taken. The drive current to the laser is fed back.

<D> Various Operations Related to Control System of Mechanism Part <D-1> Activation Control When the information recording medium (optical disk) 201 is mounted on the rotary table 221 and activation control is started, processing is performed according to the following procedure.

  (1) The target rotational speed is transmitted from the controller 220 to the spindle motor drive circuit 215, and a drive current is supplied from the spindle motor drive circuit 215 to the spindle motor 204, so that the spindle motor 204 starts to rotate.

  (2) At the same time, a command (execution command) is issued from the control unit 220 to the feed motor drive circuit 216, and a drive current is supplied from the feed motor drive circuit 216 to the optical head drive mechanism (feed motor) 203, so that the optical head 202 is supplied. Moves to the innermost circumferential position of the information recording medium 201. It is confirmed that the optical head 202 has come to the inner periphery beyond the area where the information of the information recording medium 201 is recorded.

  (3) When the spindle motor 204 reaches the target rotational speed, the status (status report) is output to the control unit 220.

  (4) A current is supplied from the semiconductor laser driving circuit 205 to the semiconductor laser element in the optical head 202 in accordance with the reproduction light amount signal sent from the control unit 220 to the recording / reproducing / erasing control waveform generating circuit 206 to emit laser light. Start.

  * The optimum amount of irradiation light during reproduction varies depending on the type of the information recording medium (optical disk) 201. At the time of start-up, the lowest irradiation light amount is set.

  (5) The objective lens (not shown) in the optical head 202 is shifted to the position farthest from the information recording medium 201 in accordance with a command from the control unit 220, and the objective lens is slowly moved closer to the information recording medium 201. The actuator drive circuit 218 controls.

  (6) At the same time, the focus / track error detection circuit 217 monitors the amount of focus deviation, and outputs a status when the objective lens comes near the in-focus position and notifies the control unit 220 of the status.

  (7) Upon receiving the notification, the control unit 220 issues a command to the objective lens actuator drive circuit 218 to turn on the focus loop.

  (8) The control unit 220 issues a command to the feed motor drive circuit 216 with the focus loop turned on, and slowly moves the optical head 202 toward the outer periphery of the information recording medium 201.

  (9) At the same time, the reproduction signal from the optical head 202 is monitored, and when the optical head 202 reaches the recording area on the information recording medium 201, the movement of the optical head 202 is stopped, and a track loop is made to the objective lens actuator drive circuit 218. Issue a command to turn on.

  (10) The “optimum light amount during reproduction” and “optimum light amount during recording / erasing” recorded on the inner periphery of the information recording medium (optical disk) 201 are reproduced, and the information passes through the control unit 220. Recorded in the semiconductor memory 219.

  (11) Further, the control unit 220 sends a signal in accordance with the “optimal light amount at the time of reproduction” to the recording / reproduction / erasure control waveform generation circuit 206 to reset the light emission amount of the semiconductor laser element at the time of reproduction.

  (12) The light emission amount of the semiconductor laser element at the time of recording / erasing is set in accordance with the “optimum light amount at the time of recording / erasing” recorded on the information recording medium 201.

<D-2> Access Control <D-2-1> Reproduction of Access Destination Information on Information Recording Medium 201 Information about what content is recorded at which location on information recording medium 201 Varies depending on the type of the information recording medium 201, and generally in the information recording medium 201,
Directory management area: recorded in the inner circumference area or outer circumference area of the information recording medium 201.
・ Navigation pack: Recorded in VOBS (Video Object Set) conforming to the data structure of MPEG2 PS (Program Stream), where information about where the next video is recorded is recorded There is.

  When reproducing or recording / erasing specific information, information in the above area is first reproduced, and an access destination is determined from the obtained information.

<D-2-2> Coarse access control The controller 220 calculates the radius position of the access destination by calculation, and determines the distance from the current optical head 202 position.

  Speed curve information that can reach the optical head 202 moving distance in the shortest time is recorded in the semiconductor memory 219 in advance. The control unit 220 reads the information and performs movement control of the optical head 202 by the following method according to the speed curve.

  After the controller 220 issues a command to the objective lens actuator drive circuit 218 to turn off the track loop, the feed motor drive circuit 216 is controlled to start the movement of the optical head 202.

  When the focused spot crosses the track on the information recording medium 201, a track error detection signal is generated in the focus / track error detection circuit 217. Using this track error detection signal, the relative speed of the focused spot with respect to the information recording medium 201 can be detected.

  The feed motor drive circuit 216 calculates the difference between the relative speed of the focused spot obtained from the focus / track error detection circuit 217 and the target speed information sent from the controller 220 one by one, and the result is calculated as an optical head drive mechanism ( The optical head 202 is moved while applying a feedback to the drive current to the (feed motor) 203.

  As described in “<B-3> Optical head moving mechanism”, a frictional force always acts between the guide shaft and the bush or the bearing. When the optical head 202 is moving at a high speed, dynamic friction works, but at the time of starting and immediately before stopping, the moving speed of the optical head 202 is slow, so that static friction works. At this time, since the relative frictional force increases (especially immediately before stopping), the amplification factor (gain) of the current supplied to the optical head drive mechanism (feed motor) 203 is increased in accordance with a command from the control unit 220. .

<D-2-3> Fine Access Control When the optical head 202 reaches the target position, the controller 220 issues a command to the objective lens actuator drive circuit 218 to turn on the track loop.

  The focused spot reproduces the address or track number of the portion while tracing along the track on the information recording medium 201.

  The current focused spot position is determined from the address or track number, the number of error tracks from the target position is calculated in the control unit 220, and the number of tracks necessary for moving the focused spot is calculated as the objective lens actuator drive circuit 218. Notify

  When one set of kick pulses is generated in the objective lens actuator drive circuit 218, the objective lens slightly moves in the radial direction of the information recording medium 201, and the focused spot moves to the adjacent track.

  In the objective lens actuator drive circuit 218, the track loop is temporarily turned off, the kick pulse corresponding to the information from the control unit 220 is generated, and then the track loop is turned on again.

  After the dense access is completed, the control unit 220 reproduces information (address or track number) of the position where the focused spot is traced, and confirms that the target track is being accessed.

<D-3> Continuous Recording / Reproducing / Erasing Control The track error detection signal output from the focus / track error detection circuit 217 is input to the feed motor drive circuit 216. In the above-described “startup control” and “access control”, the controller 220 controls the feed motor drive circuit 216 not to use the track error detection signal.

  After confirming that the focused spot has reached the target track by access, a part of the track error detection signal is sent to the optical head drive mechanism (feed motor) 203 via the motor drive circuit 216 by a command from the control unit 220. Is supplied as a drive current. This control is continued during the period of continuous reproduction or recording / erasing processing.

  The center position of the information recording medium 201 is mounted with an eccentricity slightly shifted from the center position of the rotary table 221. When a part of the track error detection signal is supplied as a drive current, the entire optical head 202 finely moves in accordance with the eccentricity.

  When the reproduction or recording / erasing process is performed continuously for a long time, the focused spot position gradually moves in the outer circumferential direction or the inner circumferential direction. When a part of the track error detection signal is supplied as a drive current to the optical head moving mechanism (feed motor) 203, the optical head 202 gradually moves in the outer peripheral direction or the inner peripheral direction in accordance with the drive current.

  In this way, the burden of correcting the track deviation of the objective lens actuator can be reduced, and the track loop can be stabilized.

<D-4> Termination control When a series of processing is completed and the operation is terminated, processing is performed according to the following procedure.

  (1) The control unit 220 issues a command to turn off the track loop to the objective lens actuator drive circuit 218.

  (2) A command for turning off the focus loop is issued from the control unit 220 to the objective lens actuator drive circuit 218.

  (3) The control unit 220 issues a command to the recording / reproducing / erasing control waveform generation circuit 206 to stop the emission of the semiconductor laser element.

  (4) Notify the spindle motor drive circuit 215 of 0 as the reference rotational speed.

<E> Recording Signal / Reproduction Signal Flow to Information Recording Medium <E-1> Signal Format Recorded on Information Recording Medium 201 For signals recorded on the information recording medium 201,
-It is possible to correct a recording information error caused by a defect on the information recording medium 201.
・ To simplify the reproduction processing circuit by setting the DC component of the reproduction signal to zero.
・ Record information on the information recording medium 201 as densely as possible.
As shown in FIG. 11, the information recording / reproducing unit (physical block) performs “addition of error correction function” and “signal conversion (modulation / demodulation of signal)” with respect to recording information.

<E-2> Signal Flow During Recording <E-2-1> ECC (Error Correction Code) Addition Processing Information to be recorded on the information recording medium 201 is in the form of a raw signal as a recording signal d and a data input / output interface unit 222 Is input. The recording signal d is recorded in the semiconductor memory 219 as it is, and then the ECC encoding circuit 208 performs ECC addition processing as follows.

  An embodiment of an ECC addition method using a product code will be described below.

  The recording signal d is sequentially arranged one line at a time for every 172 bytes in the semiconductor memory 219, and a set of ECC blocks is formed by 192 lines. For the raw signal (recording signal d) in a set of ECC blocks composed of “row: 172 × column: 192 Bytes”, an internal code PI of 10 Bytes is calculated for each row of 172 Bytes in the semiconductor memory 219. Record additional. Further, an outer code PO of 16 Bytes is calculated for each column of Bytes unit and additionally recorded in the semiconductor memory 219.

As an example of recording on the information recording medium 201, a total of 2366 bytes including 12 lines including the inner code PI and one line for the outer code PO.
(2366 = (12 + 1) × (172 + 10))
Is recorded in one sector of the information recording medium.

  When the addition of the inner code PI and the outer code PO is completed in the ECC encoding circuit 208, a signal of 2366 Bytes for one sector is read from the semiconductor memory 219 and transferred to the modulation circuit 207.

<E-2-2> Signal Modulation Signal modulation, which is a conversion of signal format, is performed so that the DC component (DSV: Digital Sum Value) of the reproduction signal approaches 0 and information is recorded on the information recording medium 201 with high density. Is performed in the modulation circuit 207.

  The modulation circuit 207 and the demodulation circuit 210 have a conversion table indicating the relationship between the original signal and the modulated signal. The signal transferred from the ECC encoding circuit 208 is divided into a plurality of bits according to the modulation method, and converted into another signal (code) while referring to the conversion table.

  For example, when 8/16 modulation (RLL (2,10) code) is used as the modulation method, there are two types of conversion tables so that the modulated DC component (DSV: Digital Sum Value) approaches 0. The conversion table for reference is switched one by one.

<E-2-3> Recording waveform generation When recording a recording mark on the information recording medium (optical disc) 201, generally, as a recording method,
Mark length recording method: “1” comes to the front end position and rear terminal position of the recording mark.
-Mark-to-mark recording method: the center position of the recording mark matches the position of “1”.
There are two types.

  Further, when mark length recording is performed, it is necessary to form a long recording mark. In this case, if the recording light amount is continuously irradiated for a certain period, a recording mark having a “raindrop” shape having a wide width only at the rear portion is formed due to the heat storage effect of the light reflective recording film of the information recording medium 201. In order to eliminate this adverse effect, when a long recording mark is formed, it is divided into a plurality of recording pulses or the recording waveform is changed stepwise.

  In the recording / reproducing / erasing control waveform generation circuit 206, the recording waveform as described above is generated in accordance with the recording signal sent from the modulation circuit 207 and transmitted to the semiconductor laser driving circuit 205.

<E-3> Signal flow during reproduction <E-3-1> Binarization / PLL circuit Information recording medium (optical disk) as described in “<B-1-1> Signal detection by optical head 202” A signal on the information recording medium 201 is reproduced by detecting a change in the amount of reflected light from the light reflecting film 201 or the light reflecting recording film 201. The signal obtained by the amplifier 213 has an analog waveform. The binarization circuit 212 converts the signal into a binary digital signal composed of “1” and “0” using a comparator.

  A reference signal at the time of information reproduction is extracted from the reproduction signal obtained here by the PLL circuit 211. The PLL circuit 211 has a built-in variable frequency oscillator. The frequency and phase between the pulse signal (reference clock) output from the oscillator and the output signal of the binarization circuit 212 are compared, and the result is fed back to the oscillator output.

<E-3-2> Demodulation of Signal A demodulation table 210 has a conversion table indicating the relationship between the modulated signal and the demodulated signal. The signal is returned to the original signal while referring to the conversion table in accordance with the reference clock obtained by the PLL circuit 211. The returned (demodulated) signal is recorded in the semiconductor memory 219.

<E-3-3> Error Correction Processing For the signal stored in the semiconductor memory 219, the error correction circuit 209 detects the error location using the inner code PI and the outer code PO, and sets a pointer flag for the error location.

  Thereafter, while reading the signal from the semiconductor memory 219, the signal at the error location is sequentially corrected in accordance with the error pointer flag, and the inner code PI and the outer code PO are removed and transferred to the data input / output interface unit 222.

  The signal sent from the ECC encoding circuit 208 is output from the data input / output interface unit 222 as a reproduction signal c.

<< 1 >> Extended Information Utilization Method for Common Information Compliant with Standard FIG. 12 shows a basic concept of the present invention.

  For example, a standard is set in a public place such as DVD-Video, and information recorded on an information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001) in accordance with the standard is called common information 2001 compliant with the standard.

  The common information 2001 compliant with the standard is separated into Object information or Contents information 2012 indicating information of content itself such as video information, still image information, audio information, and management / control information 2011 for managing / controlling the information. Is done. Since both information conforms to the standard, any manufacturer's driver (information recording / reproducing apparatus) can reproduce and edit the information.

  When only a specific manufacturer's driver (information recording / reproducing device) performs an original function that exceeds the functions specified in the above standard, and records information related to the original function on the above information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001) Has a structure capable of recording in a recording area of specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer. The specific information 2002 usable only by the specific manufacturer is recorded in a different area on the information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001) from the recording area of the common information 2001 compliant with the standard. Among the information that can be reproduced only by the driver (information recording / reproducing apparatus) of the specific manufacturer, information relating to the information content itself such as video information, still image information, and audio information is specific object information (specific content information) that can be used only by the specific manufacturer. It is defined in 2008. Information necessary for managing and controlling the specific object information (specific content information) 2008 that can be used only by the specific manufacturer is defined by management / control information 2006 that can be used only by the specific manufacturer.

  The driver (information recording / reproducing apparatus) of a specific manufacturer having the unique function basically operates in accordance with the function rule defined in the standard. Therefore, the driver (information recording / reproducing apparatus) basically executes the operation / process using the common information 2001 compliant with the standard, and can be used only by the specific manufacturer only in a portion where a specific function is required. Information 2002 is called to perform special processing. That is, it is set in association with the content of the common information 2001 that complies with the above-mentioned standard when or when the specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer is required. Information indicating the relation to the common information 2001 that complies with the specification of the specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer is defined as “link information 2003”.

<< 2 >> Basic concept of the present invention (the aim of the invention)
The basic concept of the present invention and the aim of the invention are summarized as follows.

・ Allows multiple link information created independently by multiple companies' recorders (information recording and playback devices) to be written and used in parallel.

-With regard to manufacturer ID information for setting link information, ID distribution processing at a specific organization is made unnecessary. As a result, new manufacturers can easily enter the market without having to apply for permission from a specific organization.

・ After editing video with another company's recorder (information recording / playback device), make sure that the in-house recorder (information recording / playback device) understands the effect of video editing on link information.

<< 3 >> Information Contents Recorded in One Link Information FIG. 13 shows information contents recorded in one link information. The characteristics of this information content are summarized below.

(1) One link information can indicate a plurality of link sources / link destinations at a time.
-If you want to specify the same unique function (function that can be implemented only by a driver of a specific manufacturer) at multiple locations in the management / control information 2005 conforming to the standard, link information by pasting parallel links at multiple locations like this You can reduce the number.

・ If you want to specify multiple unique functions (functions that can be implemented only with a specific manufacturer's driver) at the same location in the management / control information 2005 that conforms to the standard, link information by pasting parallel links at multiple locations like this You can reduce the number.

  (2) A method that allows the link information created independently by the recorders of multiple companies to be written and used in parallel.

A structure in which a plurality of pieces of link information can correspond in parallel to one VOB or Cell. In each link information, “time (year / month / day) information 2061 when the corresponding link information was last recorded / changed” is recorded. Each link information includes “drive manufacturer group ID information (group ID created by a plurality of manufacturers) 2034 that can use specific information related to corresponding link information” 2034 or “use of specific information related to corresponding link information. Drive manufacturer ID information (drive manufacturer name, etc.) 2035 "is recorded, and the manufacturer name that can use the corresponding link information is known from this information.

(3) A method of making the manufacturer ID distribution process in a specific organization unnecessary.
Similarly, a specific embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The manufacturer group ID information 2034, the drive manufacturer ID information 2035, and the model information that can use the specific information (which model can be used later) 2073 are all recorded as text information.

  Furthermore, in order to cope with the case where the same manufacturer name is mixed (such as affiliated companies), “additional information 2037 regarding this link information that can be set by the drive manufacturer” is further provided in the link information, and it becomes possible to avoid confusion by setting a password. ing. As the text information recording method, “ID information 2033 of the drive manufacturer description character code” (for example, JIS code ID) is set in the link information.

  FIG. 14 shows another embodiment relating to the “drive manufacturer ID information” setting method of the present invention.

<< 4 >> Explanation of Link Form FIG. 12 shows a schematic association between the common information 2001 conforming to the standard and the specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer. A specific link method between the two will be described in detail below. As shown in FIG. 13, information on the link form for each specific information 2002 is recorded in the column “information 2041 regarding the link form of the specific information related to this link information” in the link information 2003.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the following four types of links exist.

(1) Link form A: Call processing from the external program / specific information side In the processing method shown in FIG. 15, the management / control information 2006 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer is changed to the standard in the common information 2001 based on the standard. This is a form in which compliant object information 2007 is directly used. Since each object information is managed by the Video Object Information 1107 side, a call is actually made to the Video Object Information 1107. As another method, there is a method in which a call is made to Cell Playback Information 1108 which is a display unit or PGC Control Information 1103 indicating a continuous playback program.

As a specific method of using this form,
Management information 2006 that allows only a specific manufacturer to use video information, still image information, and audio information for an entire information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001) having multiple recording layers such as multiple disc packs and multilayer discs. The information (information for each recording layer) of PGC Control Information 1103, Cell Playback Information 1108, and Video Object Information 1107, which are managed in an integrated manner and managed only for each layer, is collected.

Management / control information that can be used only by a specific manufacturer The program recording reservation information is provided on the side of 2006, and information obtained by recording using the information is recorded as common information 2001 compliant with the standard (recorded video information is recorded). This is recorded as Video Object 1012, and management information related to the video information is recorded in management / control information 2005 conforming to the standard).
-Search information (such as finely layered tree structure information or keyword search information) is waited for management / control information 2006 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer for video information or a large amount of recorded still image information. Is used to search and display necessary video information and still image information recorded in Picture Objects 1013 and Video Objects 1012.

There are.

Management / control information 2006 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer shown in FIG. 15 has information content for realizing a function related to the basic function shown in the standard related to the common information 2001. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there is a method of using it as an external component for a specific external application program 2110. For example, information on Picture Objects 1013 or Video Objects 1012 can be pasted on a part of a document created on document creation software, or Picture Objects 1013 or Video objects can be pasted on presentation software as well. Objects (video object) There is a method to paste 1012 information. In addition, a function that takes part of video information in Video Objects 1012 and automatically converts it to CG (computer graphics) using contour extraction technology, etc., and then moves it as desired by the user using morphing technology. (2) Link form B: Partial exchange processing A standard having the structure shown in FIG. 3 by the processing method shown in FIG. In contrast to object information 2007 conforming to the above, for example, information that has similar information contents corresponding to VOB 1403 and Cell 1443 and information corresponding to a unique function is blown as “extended Video Object Information 2115”. Record in “Extended Cell Playback Information 2114”. Then, by selecting link information 2003, the portions of VOB 1403 and Cell 1443 are replaced with the above replacement (replacement) information in the specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer at the time of information reproduction / display.

  Specific applications using this processing method include the following.

-Object information recording format conversion In the DVD Video standard, the recording format of video information is limited to the "MPEG1" or "MPEG2" format. For example, when information recorded in the DV (Digital Video) format is recorded with the data structure shown in FIG. 3, the video information is converted into the MPEG2 format and recorded (this information is the Video Objects in FIG. 16). The original video method in the DV format is simultaneously recorded in a separate file in the computer data area 1008 of FIG. This information becomes specific object information (specific content information) 2008 that can be used only by the specific manufacturer in FIG. Further, management / control information related to the video information in the DV format is also recorded as a file in the computer data area 1008 and handled as management / control information 2006 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer.

  At the time of reproduction, an information reproduction apparatus of a general manufacturer reproduces video information recorded in the MPEG2 format in the Video Objects 1012 in FIG. On the other hand, the information reproduction apparatus of a specific manufacturer can reproduce the original video information in the DV format recorded in the specific object information (specific content information) 2008 that can be used only by the specific manufacturer using the link information 2003. In general, DV-format video information has better image quality than MPEG2 information, which is a differentiation technique for the specific manufacturer.

  A similar usage method can be adopted not only for video information but also for still image information. That is, Picture Objets 1013 shown in FIG. 16B is recorded in “one MPEG2 picker format”. When recording still image information in a bitmap format or JPEG format photographed with a digital camera, the format is converted and recorded in Picture Objects 1013 in FIG. 16B. A current image in JPEG format is recorded in specific object information (specific content information) 2008 that can only be used. A specific manufacturer's information playback apparatus can use the link information 2003 to play back a high-resolution (high-quality) JPEG current image.

Variable Speed Playback Only normal playback speed information is recorded in Cell Playback Information 1108 shown in FIG. For example, when performing FF (high-speed playback) or FR (high-speed winding) at double speed or quadruple speed, it is necessary to specify frame drop playback. Information indicating the playback procedure corresponding to FF or FR is recorded in advance in the expanded Cell Playback Information 2114, and only the information playback device of a specific manufacturer can use the link information 2003 to perform FF or FR playback.

・ Post-record insertion processing When playing back the video already recorded in the Video Objects 1012 in FIG. 16B and recording the audio information over the record after recording, only the additional recorded audio information conforms to the standard. Recorded in Audio Objects 1014 in information 2001. As video information and post-recording in the above Video Objects 1012 as information instead of the corresponding information in Cell Playback Information 1108 for playing back the video already recorded in the above Video Objects 1012 Information indicating a mechanism for simultaneously reproducing the recorded information in Audio Objects 1014 is created and recorded in expanded Cell Playback Information 2114 in specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer. Only the information reproducing apparatus created by a specific manufacturer can simultaneously reproduce and output the above-described video information and post-recording audio information using the expanded Cell Play Information 2114.

-Video information display after special editing In the common information 2001 compliant with the standard, special editing information for video is not included. For example, when it is desired to perform special editing processing of “fade in” and “chroma key” on the VOB 1404 in FIG. 3D, the contents in FIG. 3D included in the Video Object Information 1107 in FIG. Management / control information in which special editing processing information of “fade in” and “chroma key” is added to the management / control information for the VOB 1404 is created and recorded in the extended Video Object Information 2115. An information reproducing apparatus manufactured by a specific manufacturer reads the corresponding information recorded in the expanded Video Object Information 2115, and displays and outputs the video after special editing processing. In the expanded Video Object Information 2115, the special editing information is described in the EDL format.

(3) Link form C: Tokuchi information insertion process The processing method shown in FIG. For example, an information reproducing apparatus created by a general manufacturer will be described with reference to an example in which reproduction is performed in the order of Cell 1441 → Cell 1442 → Cell 1443 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, a specific manufacturer records Cell * in the expanded Cell Playback Information 2114 of FIG. 16B, and designates the insertion location “immediately after Cell 1442” in the link information 2003. When the specific manufacturer reproduces the PGC 1446 shown in FIG. 3 (h), it can be reproduced / displayed in the order of “Cell 1441 → Cell 1442 → Cell * → Cell 1443” using the link information 2003.

  As a concrete example, there is automatic CM insertion using the above method.

(4) Link form D: Function expansion processing This is a method of directly adding a unique expansion function to Video Object Information or Cell by the processing method shown in FIG. Specific examples include the following.

Parental lock and security function For example, only the VOB 1404 in FIG. 3 has a security management using a password setting and a parental lock function. This password information is recorded in the extended Video Object Information 2115 shown in FIG.

-Simultaneous display function for small screen For example, extended function information shown in FIG. 17 (c) can be displayed only on the Cell 1442 in FIG. 3 (g) and another video can be displayed in parallel with the small screen. Hold it in the expanded Cell Playback Information 2114.

-Display image characteristics improvement function Videos recorded with camcorders, etc. are backlit or lack of proof, resulting in dark or worn images and poor color tone. Parameters such as “brightness adjustment” and “color adjustment” can be recorded in the expanded Video Object Information 2115 in FIG. 17C, and parameters for improving image characteristics are set during editing after recording. . A specific manufacturer's information reproducing apparatus corrects and displays image characteristics according to this parameter value using link information during reproduction.

・ Location setting information at the time of recording / playback that can be set by the user For example, if the location last viewed by the user during previous playback is recorded in the expanded PGC Control Information 2113 in FIG. You can play from the continuation when you do.

<< 5 >> Explanation on Category ID Information is recorded on an information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001) by dividing it into a plurality of contents (PTT 1407, PTT 1408, etc. in FIG. 3). In addition, on the information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001), common information 2001 conforming to the standard and specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer are recorded for each content. Further, on this information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001), link information 2003 indicating the relationship between the common information 2001 conforming to the standard and the specific information 2002 is recorded. Here, by using the category ID described below, different functions can be realized for each content.

  FIG. 18 shows the contents of functional information (category ID) 2040 common to a plurality of companies regarding the specific information in the information included in the link information shown in FIG. FIG. 18 shows a list of category IDs in company A as an example. The common function contents and the link form symbols shown in FIG. 18 are the same as the contents explained in “<< 4 >> Explanation of Link Forms”.

  As shown in FIG. 18, an information recording / reproducing apparatus that can be used by the information contents (PTT 1407 (one content), PTT 1408 (one content) in FIG. 3C) recorded in the information recording medium (Optical Disk 1001). Alternatively, the major feature of the present invention is that the manufacturer name of the information reproducing apparatus is different and the corresponding category ID can be changed and set. As a result, for example, parental lock is applied to the entire adult video, and it is possible to set a category ID that allows the parental lock to be released only in a portion that may be shown to the child. In this case, by making it possible to set the category ID according to the recorded contents, it is possible to greatly contribute to the healthy development of young people.

  When only a plurality of specific manufacturers implement a specific function in common with the agreement, the function information (category ID) 2040 common to the plurality of companies regarding the specific information is effectively used. For example, let us consider a case where A company, B company, C company, and D company are individually contracted, and common functions related to common functions other than category IDs 6, 9, and 10 are set as common functions. The common functions other than the category IDs 6, 9, and 10 shown in FIG. 18 can be used not only by A company, but also by B company, C company, and D company according to FIG. Therefore, for example, the company B searches for the link information in which the company A is described from the drive manufacturer ID 2035 in the link information shown in FIG. 13, and 1, 2, 4, 7, 7 in the category ID 2040 among them. Look for 12 and if it is found, share it with Company A. This also indicates that the usable drive manufacturers can be changed according to the recorded contents as described above.

  Incidentally, Company A, Company B, Company C, and Company D may be regarded as manufacturers of information recording / reproducing devices, or may be regarded as distributors of information recording / reproducing devices.

<< 6 >> Corresponding method for changing the content of common information 2001 based on the standard by editing processing Change the content recorded on the same information storage medium (Optical Disk 1001) by editing processing with another company's information recording / playback device (recorder) After that, a method for determining whether or not the link information set in the information reproducing apparatus of the company has an influence will be described below.

  FIG. 19 shows an internal data structure of Edit Control Information 1023 shown in FIG.

  When data in the Audio & Video Data Area 1009 in FIG. 1C is edited (including when new data is added), it is always edited in the editing history information 2141 in FIG. 19B (adding new data). ) Is recorded. As the editing history information 2141, the date and time information 2144, 2145, and 2146 when editing (additional recording or change) is recorded together with information 2149 relating to the details of the editing history. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 19 (c), date / time information 2145 and 2146 that have been edited up to three generations before are recorded together with date / time information 2144 that was edited last.

  A plurality of link information 2003 having the data structure shown in FIG. 13 is recorded on an information storage medium (Optical Disk 1001) as shown in FIG. For example, a case where link information # β 2164 is used will be described. Each piece of information shown in the classification item 2020 of FIG. 20E or FIG. 13 is recorded in one link information # β 2164, and in particular, the classification item 2020 of “time information 2027 related to this link information” therein. As shown in FIG. 20 (f) (or FIG. 13), “time (year / month / day) information 2061 when this link information was recorded last” is recorded. The time (year / month / day) information 2061 when this link information was last recorded is reproduced, and the date and time when link information # β 2164 was last created or edited / changed are read. This date / time is compared with the date / time of the last editing of the information in the Audio & Video Data Area 1009 shown in FIG. Link information # β 2164 was created or changed (changed) at the same time as the last editing of the information in the Audio & Video Data Area 1009 or after that when the latter date is earlier or at the same time It is considered a thing. In this case, link information # β 2164 can be used without any problem.

On the contrary, when the information in the Audio & Video Data Area 1009 is edited after the time when the link information # β 2164 is created or changed (changed) (“FIG. 19 (c) the date of the last editing”). If the date / time information 2144 "is later than" Figure 20 (f) Time (year / month / day) information 2061 when link information was last recorded ", link information # β 2164 is created or changed (edited) ), The information in the Audio & Video Data Area 1009 is changed, so that there is a possibility that the link information # β 2164 cannot be used. Management control information 2011 (FIG. 12) in the common information 2001 compliant with the standard includes PGC Control Information 1103, Cell Playback Information 2162 to 2155, and Video Object Information 2167 to 2169 as shown in FIGS. The date / time information 2151 to 2159 when all information is created / changed (edited) last is recorded. Therefore, in the above case, the location in the common information 2001 conforming to the standard specified by the link information # β 2164 is checked. In the embodiment of FIG. 20, since link information # β 2164 specifies Video Object Information # 2 2168 as the link source, the date / time information when this Video Object Information # 2 2168 was last created / changed (edited). 2158 information is reproduced and compared. The time (year / month / day) information 2061 at which the link information # β 2164 was last recorded is more simultaneous than the date / time information 2158 at which Video Object Information # 2 2168 was last created / changed (edited). When it is late, it is considered that the place other than Video Object Information # 2 2168 is edited, and this link information # β 2164 can be used without any problem. Conversely, when the date (year / month / day) information 2061 when link information # β 2164 was last recorded is earlier than the date / time information 2158 when video object information # 2 2168 was last created / changed (edited). After setting link information # β 2164, Video Object
Since the content of Information # 2 2168 has been changed, there is a possibility that the link information # β 2164 cannot be used. In this case, the information recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. Using the “inspection information 2042”, the video object information # 2 2168 is changed, and how the specific information 2002 that can be used only by the specific manufacturer corresponding to the link information # β 2164 should be changed and corrected Automatic change / repair processing of specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer is performed.

  When the contents of Video Object Information # 2 2168 are changed / edited, the date / time information 2158 last created / changed is changed in accordance with the changed / edited date, and the corresponding link information # The contents of specific information 2002 that can be used only by specific manufacturers linked to β 2164, # γ 2165, and # δ 2166 are changed and corrected, and each “link information last recorded date (year / month / day) information 2061” The date / time information is also changed.

Since the information storage medium (Optical Disk 1001) shown in FIG. 1A is excellent in portability, it is highly likely to be used in place of a plurality of information recording / reproducing apparatuses. Therefore, for example, after the link information 2164 is set by the information recording / reproducing apparatus of company A, the link information 2164 is used by changing / editing the link source portion in the common information 2001 compliant with the standard by the information recording / reproducing apparatus of company B. It can be impossible. As explained above,
(1) “Time information last changed / modified (edited)” is recorded on both the link information 2164 side and the common information 2001 side, and the link information 2164 is compared before the link information 2164 is used. Make it possible to confirm
(2) By recording “correction content automatic inspection information 2042” in the link information in advance, the content of the specific information 2002 is automatically restored even if there is a change (edit) in the common information 2001 compliant with the standard. There is a great feature of the present invention in that it is possible.

<< 7 >> Method of Setting Link Source Corresponding to Each Link Information (Specified Location in Common Information Compliant with Standard) Link Source Corresponding to Each Link Information in the Present Invention (Specified Location in Common Information Compliant with Standard) There are four types of setting methods as shown in FIG. (The symbols (A) to (D) are set for each setting method.)
Arrange a pit string that can never exist in the common information 2001 compliant with the standard (for example, all 8 bytes are followed by “1”) at an arbitrary position, and set the pit string as a “tag” for setting a designated location. There is a method in which the “tag” insertion position is used as the designated place of the link source. An information reproducing apparatus that does not use link information can ignore the influence of link information by skipping from the “tag” information to the portion of inserted data size information that immediately follows. “Pointer information” is placed after the “tag” information, and the corresponding link information (ID information or link information number 2031) is designated in this “pointer information” (FIG. 21A); There is a method (FIG. 21B) in which the link information 2003 is arranged directly behind the “tag” information. In the latter case, the link information is distributed and arranged in the common information 2001 conforming to the standard. The method of the above two embodiments is suitable for the link form A (call processing from the external program / specific information side) shown in FIG.

  Tag information is, for example, bit string information that cannot be present in the common information 2001, such as all eight bytes being “1”, inserted into the common information 2001, and “pointer information” immediately after the bit string arrives, or Place "link information". In a drive (information reproducing apparatus) created by a drive manufacturer that does not use link information, the pointer size or link information size described immediately after the tag information is checked and the range is skipped.

  On the other hand, in the case of the link form B (partial exchange process), the link form C (specific information insertion process) and the link form D (function expansion process) shown in FIG. The designated ranges are determined as PGC Control Information 1103, Cell Playback Information 1108, and Video Object Information 1107. (In the link form A (call processing from the external program / specific information side) in FIG. 15, it is also possible to fix the designated range of the link source as described above.) In this case, FIG. The setting method of D) is suitable.

  In the setting method (C), an information recording field for specifying link information (ID information or link information number 2031) is created in advance in each PGC Control Information 1103, Cell Playback Information 1108, and Video Object Information 1107. .

  The link information designation location setting method is the method (D) without changing the common information 2001 most compliant with the standard (without burdening the common information 2001), and is related to the link source and the link range within the link information. It is a method with information. “Number of link designation locations 2044 in the common information compliant with the standard” in FIG. 13 “first priority link designation location information 2045 in the common information compliant with the standard” to “second in the common information compliant with the standard” The “priority link designation range information” is an information item set assuming that the method (D) is adopted.

<< 8 >> Explanation of Link Information Location First, the file structure when there is no link information 2003 or specific information 2002 corresponding to the extended function will be described.

  All information recorded in the Data Area 1004 in FIG. 1B is recorded in file units, and the relationship between the data files is managed by a directory structure as shown in FIG.

  A plurality of subdirectories 1451 are installed under the root directory 1450 so as to be easily classified for each file content to be recorded. In FIG. 2, each data file related to Computer Data recorded in the Computer Data Areas 1008 and 1010 in FIG. 1C is recorded under the Computer Data storage subdirectory 1457, and the Audio files recorded in the Audio & Video Data Area 1009 are recorded. & Video Data is recorded under the rewritable video title set RWV_TS1452. When the video information recorded on the DVDVideo disc is copied in FIG. 1A, it is copied under the video title set VIDEO_TS1455 and the audio title set AUDIO_TS1456.

  The Control Information 1011 information in FIG. 1D is recorded as one file as recording / playback video management data. In Figure 2, the file name is named RWVIDEO_CONTROL.IFO. In addition, the same information is recorded with the file name RWVIDEO_CONTROL.BUP for backup.

In FIG. 2, all video information data belonging to Video Objects 1012 in FIG. 1 (d) are recorded together in a Video Objects File 1447 with a file name of RWVIDEO.VOB. That is, all the video information data belonging to Video Objects 1012 in FIG. 1D is continuously combined in one VTS (Video Title Set 1402) as shown in FIG. Are continuously recorded in a single file. (That is, all files are recorded together in one file without dividing the file into PTT (Part_of_Title) 1407 and 1408.)
Also, all still image information data belonging to Picture Objects 1013 are collectively recorded in Picture Objects File 1448 having a file name of RWPICTURE.POB. Picture Objects 1013 contains multiple pieces of still image information. The digital camera employs a recording format in which each still image is recorded as a separate file. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, unlike the digital camera recording format, a plurality of still images included in Picture Objects 1013 are used. A feature of the embodiment of the present invention is that all of them are continuously connected in the same format as in FIG. 3 and collectively recorded in one Picture Objects File 1448 having a file name of RWPICTURE.POB.

  Similarly, all audio information belonging to Audio Objects 1014 is recorded together in one Audio Objects File 1449 named RWAUDIO.AOB, and all thumbnail information belonging to Thumbnail Objects 1016 is also Thumbnail named RWTHUMBNAIL.TOB. Recorded together in Objects File 1458.

  Video Objects File 1447, Picture Objects File 1448, Audio Objects File 1449, and Thumbnail Objects File 1458 are all handled as AV File 1401.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, recording / playback additional information 1454 that can be used at the time of video recording / playback can be recorded simultaneously, and the information is collectively recorded as one file. In the embodiment of FIG. It has a file name of .DAT.

  The embodiment of the present invention relating to the location of link information will be described in comparison with the file structure of FIG. In the embodiment of the present invention, there are four kinds of arrangement place examples including each application example.

  First, an embodiment in which link information 2003 is arranged in the common information 2001 shown in the first stage of FIG. 22 will be described. In the case of the above embodiment, the link information 2003 is 2 of Control Information 1011 = RWVIDEO_CONTROL.IFO (recording / playback video management data) and backup data of Control Information 1011 = RWVIDEO_CONTROL.BUP (recording / playback video management data backup) in FIG. They are recorded together in the file. As for detailed recording locations in the two files, all link information is recorded together in the recording location of link information 2003 in FIG. 19B in Edit Control Information 1023 shown in FIG. In the link information 2003, a plurality of link information 2163 to 2167 are continuously arranged as shown in FIG.

  In the embodiment in which the link information is arranged in the specific information 2002 shown in FIG. 22, for example, as shown in FIG. 24, the common file 2181 = RWADD.ADD (a kind of recording / playback additional information 1454) for recording the specific information is used. It means a state recorded together with the specific information 2002.

  All link information is put together in a unique place As shown in FIG. 23 shown in FIG. 22, a unique link information file 2171 = RWLINK.DAT is set under the subdirectory 1451 of the rewritable video title set RWV_TS 1452. The individual link information 2163 to 2167 are arranged side by side as shown in FIG. This unique link information file 2171 = RWLINK.DAT is positioned as a kind of recording / playback additional information 1454 = RWADD.DAT (recording / playback video additional information) shown in FIG.

The embodiment in which the link information used for each drive manufacturer shown in the fourth row in FIG. 22 is arranged together means a file structure as shown in FIG. That is, a subdirectory (subdirectory 2185 dedicated to company A, subdirectory 2186 dedicated to company B) is created for each drive manufacturer under the root directory 1450, and link information 2191 dedicated to company A 2191 = LINKINFO_A.IFO, etc. Set a file for link information for each drive manufacturer. In the link information file, individual link information 2163 to 2167 are arranged and recorded side by side as shown in FIG.
<< 9 >> Description of Placement of Specific Information Available Only to Specific Manufacturer FIG. 23 shows an embodiment of an arrangement method of specific information 2002 usable only to a specific manufacturer in the present invention. Basically, it is recorded in a subdirectory 1451 of a rewritable video title set RWV_TS 1452 in which common information 2001 compliant with the standard is recorded. As shown in FIG. 23, the specific information directory 2173 = RWADD_A of company A and the specific information directory 2174 = RWADD_B of company B are separated from each other in the directory in which the specific information 2002 is recorded for each drive manufacturer. By separating as shown in FIG. 23, for example, the risk of accidentally destroying the specific information 2176, 2177 of the company A by trying to change the specific information of the company B is prevented. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, among the specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer, the management / control information 2006 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer is the specific management / control information 2176 dedicated to Company A in FIG. 23 = RW-A- The specific object information (specific content information) 2008 recorded in the CONTROL.IFO file and usable only by a specific manufacturer is the specific object information 2177 for company A in FIG. 23 = RW-A-OBJECT.VOB To be recorded.

  FIG. 24 shows another embodiment relating to the arrangement method of the specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer in the present invention. It is characterized in that all the specific information 2002 is recorded in one file regardless of the drive manufacturer of the information recording / reproducing apparatus that created the specific information 2002. The file name of the common file 2181 for recording this specific information is RWADD.DAT, and is placed under the rewritable video title set RWV_TS 1452 which is a common subdirectory 1451 in which common information 2001 compliant with other standards is recorded. Has been. The common file 2181 for recording this specific information is positioned as a kind of recording / playback additional information 1454 = RWADD.DAT (recording / playback video additional information) shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, FIG. 25 shows another embodiment relating to the arrangement method of the specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer in the present invention. In FIG. 25, unlike FIGS. 23 and 24, the specific information 2002 is arranged outside the subdirectory 1451 of the rewritable video title set RWV_TS 1452. A subdirectory (a subdirectory 2185 dedicated to company A and a subdirectory 2186 dedicated to company B) is created under the root directory 1450 for each drive manufacturer of the information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording the specific information, and the specific information 2002 is created thereunder. Is recorded. Also, among the specific information 2002 that can be used only by the specific manufacturer shown in FIG. 12, the management / control information 2006 that can be used only by the specific manufacturer is specific management / control information 2192 = CONTROLINFO-A.IFO dedicated to Company A in FIG. The contents of the specific object information (specific content information) 2008 recorded in the file and usable only by a specific manufacturer are recorded in the specific object information 2193 = A-OBJECT.VOB dedicated to company A in FIG.

<< 10 >> Description of Method for Reproducing / Displaying Information Using Link Information A procedure for reproducing / displaying link information in the video information recording information recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 10 will be described. The embodiment will be described by taking as an example the case where the information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording video information is a product of drive manufacturer A. FIG. 26 shows a procedure for performing reproduction / display in this case.

  First, the entire flowchart shown in FIG. 26 will be described.

(ST201) Starting process of information recording / reproducing unit 101
The information storage medium (optical disk) 201 is rotated, and the focus / track servo of the optical head 202 is turned on to enable information reproduction from the information storage medium (optical disk) 201.

(ST202) Information necessary for recording / reproducing video information is taken into memory.
A system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 controls the information recording / reproducing unit 101 to read Control Information 1011 information and a link information file 2171 (FIG. 23) from the information storage medium (optical disk) 201, and a system control unit (MPU unit) 1530. Is temporarily recorded in the internal semiconductor RAM.

(ST203) Extraction process of link information created by company A,
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 searches all link information in the link information file 2171 temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit, and the drive manufacturer ID information 2035 (FIG. 13) extracts link information corresponding to company A. .

(ST204) Processing for confirming whether or not common information is edited after all link information setting time corresponding to company A,
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 examines the last recorded time (year / month / day) information 2061 (FIG. 13) for each link information corresponding to company A in the link information file 2171 temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit. , Common date and time after all link information setting time corresponding to company A as compared with date / time information 2144 (FIG. 19 (c)) in which common information was last edited (including addition of new data). Check if the information has been edited.

(ST205) determination,
Whether or not common information has been edited since all link information corresponding to Company A has been created / changed.

(ST206) Confirmation processing of the final editing time of the corresponding place in the common information designated by the link information of company A,
In the system control unit (MPU unit) 1530, the last recorded time (year / month / day) information 2061 (FIG. 13) for each link information corresponding to the company A in the link information file 2171 temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit and each Corresponding location information in the common information designated by the link information (designated location and designated range 2026 in FIG. 13) is extracted.
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 lastly created / changed the link source designation location in the common information from the Control Information 1011 information temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit. 20) is extracted and the temporal relationship between the two is examined.

(ST207) determination,
Whether or not the link source designated location in the common information has been edited since the creation / change of all link information corresponding to Company A.

(ST208) Specific information restoration processing corresponding to link information set before the last editing time of the link source,
A system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 shows how the link source designated location has been changed using the repair content automatic inspection information 2042 (FIG. 13) for the link information set before the last editing time of the link source. Are automatically determined, and the corresponding specific information (specific management / control information 2176 dedicated to company A and specific object information 2177 dedicated to company A in FIG. 23) is changed accordingly.

  The time information 2071 (FIG. 13) recorded at the end of the link information is updated to the repair time.

(ST209) Extraction process of usable link information of other companies specified by category ID,
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 checks the category ID information 2040 (FIG. 13) for link information other than the company A in the link information file 2171 temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit.

  In the system control unit (MPU unit) 1530, the category IDs of other companies that can be used are recorded in advance in the semiconductor ROM unit (the information that can be used by the company A from the category ID list of other companies in advance as in FIG. 18). And the other company's category ID recorded on the information storage medium (optical disc) 201, and the link information of the other company that can be used is extracted.

(ST210) determination,
Whether or not common information editing processing has been performed after the creation / change of link number information usable by other companies examined in ST209.

(ST211) Confirmation processing of the final editing time of the corresponding place in the common information designated by the link information of the other company,
In the system control unit (MPU unit) 1530, the last recorded time (year / month / day) information 2061 (FIG. 13) and each of the link information files 2171 that can be used in the link information file 2171 temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit. Corresponding location information in the common information designated by the link information (designated location and designated range 2026 in FIG. 13) is extracted.
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 lastly created / changed the link source designation location in the common information from the Control Information 1011 information temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit. 20) is extracted and the temporal relationship between the two is examined.

  The link information of other companies finally set before the time when the corresponding place in the common information designated as the link source was last edited is not repaired as the specific information 2176, 2177 is not restored as in ST208. Treat it.

(ST212) An inquiry about whether or not link information can be used to the user,
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 uses the unique function of the recording / playback device for video method recording (video recorder) using the available individual link information selected by the above process, or a common standard compliant An inquiry as to whether playback / display is performed using only the information 2001 is displayed on the recording / playback recorder display unit 1548 to confirm to the user.

When the user refuses to use the link information, the link information is not used, and the reproduction result is recorded while reproducing the information from the information storage medium (optical disc) 201 using only the common information 2001 compliant with the standard. Display on display unit 1548 (ST213) Playback / display processing using link information and specific information,
The content of the link information file 2171 temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit in the system control unit (MPU unit) 1530) is searched, and the common information 2001 specified in the link information specified by the user by the inquiry in ST212 is stored. Extract the link source corresponding part.

  The position in the PGC Control Information 1103 (FIG. 20 (a)) of the link source specified location is determined from the Control Information 1011 information temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit in the system control unit (MPU unit) 1530) of the semiconductor RAM unit. Record in another location.

  While reproducing / displaying the common information 2001 on the PGC designated by the user (FIG. 20 (a)), the specific information 2002 is transmitted via the link information 2003 when the reproduction location comes to the link source designated location. Calling, playback based on unique functions, and display on the recording / playback recorder display unit 1548.

Further, the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 26 is continued. As described in “<< 6 >> Method for Handling Common Information 2001 Content Change Compliant with Standard by Editing Process”, “time information when link information was last recorded” recorded in the link information shown in FIG. 13. 2061 ”and a place where“ before / after the date / time information 2144 in which the common information 2001 was edited (content change / addition / deletion process last) ”shown in FIG. ST204) has a great feature. As a result, it is possible to check whether the content information of the common information 2001 has not been changed (edited) by the video information recording information recording / reproducing apparatus of another company after the corresponding link information is set last. If the content of the common information 2001 has been changed (edited), whether the location specified by the corresponding link information as the link source has been changed (edited) (after the link information was last set) (ST207 and ST210). If the link information is affected as a result of the editing, the drive manufacturer ID information 2035 in the link information is checked.
(1) When the link information is created by the company (Company A in the above embodiment), the link information is designated as the link source using the repair content automatic inspection information 2042 (FIG. 13) in the link information. How the place is changed by the editing process is automatically detected, and the specific information 2002 side (FIG. 12) is automatically changed according to the result (ST208 in FIG. 26).
(2) If the link information is created by something other than its own company (Company A), the use is prohibited (ST211 in FIG. 26).
In addition, in the procedure shown in FIG. 26, even if the drive manufacturer ID 2035 indicates not only its own company (Company A in the above embodiment) but also the drive manufacturer ID 2035 indicates another company, the category ID 2040 which is the function information common to a plurality of companies regarding specific information The link information that can be used for the company (Company A) is usable (ST209 in FIG. 26).

  A specific example of ST213 in FIG. 26 will be described.

  In the case of “search processing using search information” as the unique function, the search information is recorded in advance in the management / control information 2006 (FIG. 12) that can be used only by a specific manufacturer, and the recording / playback recorder display unit 1546 In the common information 2001 using the link information 2003 from the information extracted from the management / control information 2006 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer as a result of having the user select information using the content displayed in FIG. Video Object Information # 2 2168 (FIG. 20C) is selected, and it is reproduced and displayed.

For example, when “variable speed playback” is performed only for the CM location in the recorded information as an original function, for example, Cell Playback Information #c 2164 in FIG. 20B is the CM portion in the recorded information. Extended cell playback information 2114 (FIG. 16) corresponding to partial exchange processing 2121 in which information for high-speed playback (FF) is recorded via link information # ε 2167 can be used only by a specific manufacturer. The management / control information 2006 (FIG. 12) is recorded in the file RW-A-CONTROL.IFO (FIG. 23) for the specific management / control information 2176 dedicated to the company A. When the PGC Control Information 1103 shown in FIG. 20A is played back / displayed, the Cell Playback Information #c 2164 portion is replaced with the expanded Cell Playback Information 2114, and the CM portion is displayed at high speed.
<< 11 >> Description of Method for Recording Common Information, Link Information, and Specific Information Simultaneously FIG. 27 shows a flowchart of a procedure for simultaneously recording common information 2001, link information 2003, and specific information 2002.

  First, the entire flowchart shown in FIG. 27 will be described.

(ST221) Starting process of information recording / reproducing unit 101,
The information storage medium (optical disk) 201 is rotated, and the focus / track servo of the optical head 202 is turned on to enable information reproduction from the information storage medium (optical disk) 201.

(ST222) Dedicated directory creation process for recording specific information on information storage medium
A system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 of an information recording / reproducing apparatus (video recorder) for information recording / reproducing receives a command for simultaneously recording common information, link information, and specific information from a user.

  A specific information directory RWADD-A 2173 (FIG. 23) of company A is created on the information storage medium (Optical Disk 1001 and optical disc 201) (if the directory already exists, the above processing is omitted).

(ST223) Information necessary for recording / reproducing video information is taken into memory.
A system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 controls the information recording / reproducing unit 101 to control information 1011 information and a link information file 2171 (FIG. 23) from the information storage medium (optical disk) 201, and specific management / control information 2176 dedicated to company A. The file is read and temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit in the system control unit (MPU unit) 1530.

  When the link information file 2171 or the specific management / control information 2176 file dedicated to the company A has not yet been created, the uncreated file is not read.

(ST224) Temporary storage processing of specific information,
When specific object information (specific content information) 2008 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer is input from the AV input unit 1542 in FIG. 10, the specific object information is not converted into the above information in response to an instruction from the system control unit (MPU unit) 1530. The data is transferred as specific object information 2008 to temporary storage unit 1534 via ADC 1552 → V encoder 1555 → formatter 1556 → data processor 1536 → information recording / reproducing unit 101 → temporary storage unit 1534 in the form as input.

  As a transfer path, it passes through the V encoder 1555 and the formatter 1556, but here, the data as it is input is transferred without performing data conversion.

(ST225) Object information recording location setting process,
Based on the Control Information 1011 information (and link information file 2171) read in ST223, the recording location (positioning as viewed from the management / control information) of the object information 2007 and the specific object information 2008 conforming to the standard is set.

(ST226) Object information 2007 creation processing based on parallel standards
The information input from the AV input unit 1542 in parallel with the ST222 is converted into a recording format (such as MPEG2) compliant with the standard by the V encoder 1553 and the A encoder 1554, and then shown in FIG. The data structure is reconstructed and temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 1534 as object information 2007 conforming to the standard.
(ST227) Recording process of object information and specific object information conforming to standard to information storage medium
A command is issued from the system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 to the information recording / reproducing unit 101, and the specific object information 2177 recording file RW-A-OBJECT dedicated to the company A is stored on the information storage medium (Optical Disk 1001 and optical disc 201). Create .VOB 2177 (omitted if it already exists)
Under the control of the system control unit (MPU unit) 1530, the information recording / reproducing unit 101 alternately reads the object information 2007 conforming to the standard and the specific object information 2008 from the temporary storage unit 1534, and information storage media (Optical Disk 1001 and Optical Disc 201). ) Record on.

  The object information 2007 conforming to the standard is additionally recorded in the Video Object File 1447, Picture Object File 1448, and Audio Object File 1449 of FIG.

  Specific object information (specific content information) 2008 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer is additionally recorded in a specific object information file RW-A-OBJECT.VOB 2177 dedicated to company A in FIG.

(ST228) Additional recording processing of management / control information 2005 conforming to the standard
When the recording process on the information storage medium of ST227 is completed, the system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 summarizes the additional contents according to the recording result of ST227 with respect to the management / control information 2005 compliant with the standard. The information recording / reproducing unit 101 is controlled to execute recording processing so that additional information is additionally recorded in the two files RWVIDEO_CONROL.IFO and RWVIDEO_CONTROL.BUP recorded in Information 1011.

(ST229) Additional recording process of management / control information file that can be used only by a specific manufacturer,
At this stage, if the specific management / control information 2176 file RW-A-CONTROL.IFO dedicated to Company A in FIG. 23 does not exist, the above file is newly created (if it already exists, new creation is not necessary).

  The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 is additionally recorded in the specific management / control information 2176 file RW-A-CONTROL.IFO dedicated to company A based on the recording result of specific object information (specific content information) 2008 in ST227. And the information recording / reproducing unit 101 is controlled to perform additional information recording processing on the file.

(ST230) Link information addition processing,
If the link information file 2171 shown in FIG. 23 does not exist at this stage, a new link information file is created (if it already exists, new creation is unnecessary).

  The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 summarizes the link information contents to be added based on the contents of the management control information 1011 and 2176 recorded in ST228 and ST229, and controls the information recording / reproducing unit 101 to control the link information file 2171 RWLINK. Record additional information in the DAT.

As shown in FIG.
・ Drive manufacturer ID information 2035
・ Category ID
-Information 2042 for automatic inspection of repair details of specific information,
Also record such information.

  The date and time information in which the additional link information in ST230 is set is recorded or updated with respect to the time (year / month / day) information 2061 when this link information shown in FIG. 13 was last recorded / changed.

  Further, the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 27 will be continued. As an example, an embodiment in which a JPEG format still image photographed by a DV (digital video tape) or a digital camera 1543 (FIG. 10) is recorded on an information storage medium (optical disk) 201 will be described. In ST224 and ST227 in FIG. 27, DV format digital video information or JPEG format still images are recorded in the specific object information 2177 recording file RW-A-OBJECT.VOB dedicated to Company A in FIG. The control information is recorded in the recording file RW-A-CONTROL.IFO of the specific management / control information 2176 dedicated to the company A (ST229).

  At the same time, as shown in ST226 and ST227 in FIG. 27, the V encoder 1553, SP encoder 1555, A encoder 1554, and formatter 1556 in FIG. 10 make DV format digital video information or JPEG format still images conform to the DVD standard. 23 is converted into MPEG2 format digital video or MPEG2 I-picture format still image information, which is a recording format to be recorded, and as object information 2007 (FIG. 12) compliant with the standard, Video Objects File 1447, Picture Objects File 1448, Audio in FIG. Record in Objects File 1449. At the same time, management / control information 2005 related to them is recorded in two files RWVIDEO_CONTROL.IFO and RWVIDEO_CONTROL.BUP related to Control Information 1011 (ST228).

  At the time of playback / display, the user selects which to play back, and based on the result, either object information 2007 conforming to the base standard or specific object information (specific content information) 2008 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer is selected. It is played back and displayed on the recording / playback recorder display unit 1548.

<< 12 >> Description of Method for Adding Link Information / Specific Information to Common Information Already Recorded FIG. 28 shows link information 2003 for common information 2001 already recorded on the information storage medium. A flow chart diagram of a method of adding information 2002 is shown.

  First, the entire flowchart shown in FIG. 28 will be described.

(ST233) Starting process of information recording / reproducing unit 101,
The information storage medium (optical disk) 201 is rotated, and the focus / track servo of the optical head 202 is turned on to enable information reproduction from the information storage medium (optical disk) 201.

(ST234) Information necessary for recording / reproducing video information is taken into memory.
A system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 controls the information recording / reproducing unit 101 to read Control Information 1011 information and a link information file 2171 (FIG. 23) from the information storage medium (optical disk) 201, and a system control unit (MPU unit) 1530. Is temporarily recorded in the internal semiconductor RAM.

(ST235) Receiving unique function contents and unique function setting range designation information by user
Through the user interface using the recording / playback recorder display unit 158, the user selects the unique function content of the video information recording information recording / reproducing apparatus (video recorder) and designates the range for designating the unique function.

  The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 interprets the unique function content specified by the user using Control Information 1011 information which is management / control information 2005 conforming to the standard temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit.

(ST236) Information addition processing to management / control information 2006 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer,
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 creates additional information to the management / control information 2006 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer based on the content and range of the unique function specified by the user. The information recording / reproducing unit 101 is controlled for the control information file 2176 RW-A-CONTROL.IFO to perform additional information recording processing.

(ST237) Link information addition processing,
If the link information file 2171 shown in FIG. 23 does not exist at this stage, a new link information file is created (if it already exists, new creation is unnecessary).

  The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 adds link information content based on Control Information 1011 information temporarily recorded in the temporary recording unit 1534 in ST234 and management / control information 2006 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer additionally recorded in ST236. And the information recording / reproducing unit 101 is controlled to record additional information in the link information file 2171 RWLINK.DAT.

As shown in FIG.
・ Drive manufacturer ID information 2035,
・ Category ID,
-Information 2042 for automatic inspection of repair details of specific information,
Also record such information.

  The date and time information in which the additional link information in ST237 is set is recorded or updated with respect to the time (year / month / day) information 2061 when the link information shown in FIG. 13 was last recorded / changed.

  Further, the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 28 is continued. As a specific example, an example of parental lock setting or security setting by password setting for Cell Playback Information #c 2164 of FIG. 19B will be described. A parental lock setting or security setting is received from the user at the above location (ST235 in FIG. 28).

  Management / control information 2006 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer in the expanded Cell Playback Information 2114 (FIG. 16) corresponding to the partial exchange processing 2121 in which password information is additionally recorded via link information # ε 2167 for the portion. (FIG. 12) is recorded in the specific management / control information 2176 file RW-A-CONTROL.IFO (FIG. 23) dedicated to Company A (ST236). When PGC Control Information 1103 shown in FIG. 20A is played back / displayed, Cell Playback Information #c 2164 is replaced with expanded Cell Playback Information 2114. When the display timing of this part is reached, a password inquiry display for the user appears on the recording / playback recorder display unit 1548. This part can be played back and displayed only when the user enters the correct password without error.

<< 13 >> Processing Contents at the Time of Editing the Common Information 2001 FIG. 29 is a flowchart regarding processing at the time of editing the common information 2001.

  First, the entire flowchart shown in FIG. 29 will be described.

(ST241) Starting process of information recording / reproducing unit 101
The information storage medium (optical disk) 201 is rotated, and the focus / track servo of the optical head 202 is turned on to enable information reproduction from the information storage medium (optical disk) 201.

(ST242) Import information necessary for recording / reproducing video information into memory
A system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 controls the information recording / reproducing unit 101 to read Control Information 1011 information and a link information file 2171 (FIG. 23) from the information storage medium (optical disk) 201, and a system control unit (MPU unit) 1530. Is temporarily recorded in the internal semiconductor RAM.

(ST243) Extraction process of link information created by company A,
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 searches all link information in the link information file 2171 temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit, and the drive manufacturer ID information 2035 (FIG. 13) extracts link information corresponding to company A. .

(ST244) Receiving information of editing contents in the common information by the user,
Through the user interface using the recording / playback recorder display unit 158, the user receives instruction information regarding the editing contents in the common information 2001 compliant with the standard by the video information recording information recording / reproducing apparatus (video recorder).

  A system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 determines a specific method for editing specified by the user using Control Information 1011 information which is management / control information 2005 conforming to the standard temporarily recorded in the semiconductor RAM unit.

(ST245) Execution of editing processing in common information,
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 performs an editing process on the common information 2001 conforming to the standard based on the processing method determined in ST244, and controls the information recording / reproducing unit 101 as necessary to provide an information storage medium (optical disk). Recording processing for 201 is performed.

(ST246) Update processing of date / time information created / changed last in the management / control information conforming to the standard,
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 changes the contents of the management / control information 2005 conforming to the standard based on the editing process performed in ST245, and controls the information recording / reproducing unit 101 to control information 1011 shown in FIG. Rewrite files RWVIDEO_CONTROL.IFO and RWVIDEO_CONTROL.BUP.
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 simultaneously creates / changes the date / time information at the end of the part related to the editing (the part related to the part changed during editing from 2151 to 2159 in FIG. 20). The update process of the last edited date / time information 2144 shown in FIG.

(ST247) Company A link information content change processing related to editing,
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 has link information that is influenced by the editing process to the common information 2001 performed in ST245 from the link information corresponding to the company A by the drive manufacturer ID information 2035 (FIG. 13) extracted in ST243. The specific information 2002 portion designated as the link destination of the link information is changed in accordance with the editing process, and the change result is controlled by the information recording / reproducing unit 101 and the file in the specific information directory 2173 of the company A The contents of 2176 and 2177 are changed and recorded.
The system control unit (MPU unit) 1530 updates and records the time information 2061 (FIG. 13) recorded / changed at the end of the link information corresponding to all companies A regardless of the presence or absence of the influence of the editing.

  Further, the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 29 will be continued. Common information as described in "<< 6 >> Method for Handling Common Information 2001 Content Change Compliant with Standard by Editing Process" and "Description of Method for Reproducing / Displaying Information Using Link Information" A recording process is required to make the link information available even when the information storage medium (optical disc) 201 is used in an information recording / reproducing apparatus manufactured by another company after editing 2001. That is, the update process of “last created / changed date / time information 2151 to 2159” (FIG. 20) and “last edited date / time information 2144” as a whole (ST246). (ST246) At the same time, the content of the specific information corresponding to the update of the “last recorded time information 2061” in the link information is also changed (ST247).

  Next, application examples of the present invention will be described.

  The present invention records program (software) information described in various program languages such as “C language”, “visual C”, “JAVA (registered trademark)” on an information recording medium, and program (software) from the information recording medium. The present invention can also be applied to a program (software) recording method in an information processing apparatus that reproduces information and performs execution processing according to the contents of the reproduced program (software). In other words, an arithmetic processing device that reproduces a program (software) from the information recording medium according to an information recording method (program language description rule) for recording on the information recording medium, and performs execution processing according to the contents of the reproduced program (software) It can also be applied to an information recording method that is standardized and recognized in common among a plurality of manufacturers.

  In the arithmetic processing field (computer department), arithmetic processing programs are described according to rules (standards) of various program languages such as “C language”, “visual C”, and “JAVA”. If a command deviating from the programming language rule is described in the program, it is rejected as an error.

  For example, processing functions that can be controlled by programs related to “communication protocol”, “graphical user interface”, “image processing function”, etc. are greatly restricted by the program language used. In other words, the differentiation and uniqueness of functions cannot be achieved. On the other hand, there is a great demand for executing functional processing exceeding the above-mentioned restrictions on a specific programming language. In various programming languages, each time a new function is added, the program is upgraded. However, since it takes a lot of time to upgrade, it has been difficult to add new functions in a timely manner in response to technological progress.

  When the present invention is applied to a program recording system, program control that makes it possible to execute function processing exceeding the limitations of the conventional program language on conventional program languages such as “C language”, “visual C”, and “JAVA” A method can be provided.

  Further, when the present invention is applied to a program recording system, a program language having command extensibility can be provided even on a conventional program language such as “C language”, “visual C”, and “JAVA”. As a result, it becomes possible to add function processing exceeding the restrictions on the conventional programming language on the individual information processing apparatus (computer) side.

  Next, the points of the present invention will be summarized.

  Information created in accordance with a recording format (recording method) compliant with a standard for recording video information, audio information, still image information, etc. on an information recording medium is referred to as “common information 2001 (FIG. 12)” as an information recording medium. Record above. The common information 2001 includes program (software) information created in accordance with conventional program language rules (command rules) such as “C language”, “visual C”, and “JAVA”.

  Furthermore, information created in a recording format (recording method) that does not conform to the standard for realizing the functions unique to the information recording / reproducing apparatus manufacturer or the information recording medium manufacturer is referred to as “specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer ( FIG. 12) ”is recorded at a position different from the recording location of the common information 2001 on the information recording medium. The specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer includes extended program (software) information created using new command information that does not follow the conventional programming language rules such as “C language”, “visual C”, and “JAVA”. Is also included.

  In order to make the specific information 2002 usable, “link information 2003” indicating the relationship between the common information 2001 compliant with the standard and the specific information 2002 that can be used only by each specific manufacturer is further recorded on the information recording medium.

The link information 2003 includes
・ Manufacturer information of information recording / reproducing apparatus that can be used for individual specific information 2002 or model information of usable information recording / reproducing apparatus ・ Relationship with common information 2001 for individual specific information 2002 Link type information ”
Is described.

  In the above description of the embodiment, the information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording video information, audio information, still image information, and the like on the information recording medium, and reproducing the information from the information recording medium, and the recording method thereof have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the above-described embodiments can be applied to a program language having command extensibility on a conventional program language such as “C language”, “visual C”, and “JAVA”.

In this case,
-An information processing device (computer) corresponds to the information recording / reproducing device,
-Common information 2001 conforming to the standard corresponds to programs (software) created in accordance with conventional programming language rules such as "C language", "Visual C", "JAVA", etc.
-The information recording medium corresponds to an optical disk such as an HDD (hard disk drive), MO, or DVD-RAM in which the program (software) is recorded,
・ The specific information 2002 that can be used only by a specific manufacturer is created according to the original command information that does not follow the conventional programming language rules such as “C language”, “Visual C”, and “JAVA” created on the information processing device (computer) side. Program (software) data,
The link information 2003 corresponds to a call command or a link command (anchor information) that calls between the two programs (software).

Further, in this case, in the information content list of one link information shown in FIG.
The information content of the drive manufacturer ID information (such as the drive manufacturer name) 2035 that can use the specific information related to this link information is “the information processing device (computer) that can use the specific information related to this link information” Changed to “Manufacturer ID Information 2035”
The model information 2073 that can use the specific information is changed to “model information 2073 of the information processing apparatus (computer) that can use the specific information”.

  The following effects can be obtained by the embodiment of the present invention described above.

  (1) On an information recording medium for recording information uniquely created by a manufacturer of an information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing information with respect to the information recording medium (unique information other than the common information 2001 compliant with the standard) (The recording area of the specific information 2002) is secured for the first time by the present invention. As a result, the manufacturer of the information recording / reproducing apparatus can record unique information on the information recording medium without being restricted by the standard.

  (1-1) On the information recording medium for recording program (software) data, the information processing device (computer) side does not follow the conventional program language rules such as “C language”, “visual C”, “JAVA”, etc. A location (recording area for specific information 2002) on an information recording medium for recording program (software) data created in accordance with command information is secured for the first time by the present invention. As a result, information processing devices (computers) that do not follow conventional programming language rules, such as “C language”, “visual C”, and “JAVA”, have been created uniquely in order to perform unique functions on the information processing device (computer) side. It becomes possible to add program (software) information according to the command information.

  (2) Since unique information other than the common information 2001 conforming to the standard can be recorded in the specific information 2002 area that can be used only by the specific manufacturer, information can be recorded without being restricted by the functions set in the conventional standard. Information corresponding to the unique function set by the manufacturer of the playback apparatus can be recorded in the specific information 2002 recording area. As a result, each manufacturer can give the information recording / reproducing apparatus a unique function, and uniqueness and differentiation among the information recording / reproducing apparatuses can be derived. As a result, the development of information recording and reproducing devices in terms of functions based on the principle of competition is expected.

  (2-1) A command uniquely created by an information processing apparatus (computer) that does not follow conventional programming language rules such as “C language”, “visual C”, and “JAVA” in the specific information 2002 area that can be used only by the specific manufacturer. Since it is possible to record program (software) information according to the information, each manufacturer can give the information processing device (computer) a unique function. Differentiation can be brought out. As a result, the development of information processing devices (computers) in terms of functions based on the principle of competition is expected.

  (3) Since unique information other than the common information 2001 conforming to the standard can be recorded in the specific information 2002 area that can be used only by the specific manufacturer, information can be recorded without being restricted by the function set in the conventional standard. Information corresponding to the unique function set by the manufacturer of the playback apparatus can be recorded in the specific information 2002 recording area. As a result, new functions can be added to the information recording / reproducing apparatus as needed in response to technological advances, and the information recording / reproducing apparatus functions can be improved in accordance with technological advances.

  (3-1) A command uniquely created by an information processing apparatus (computer) that does not follow conventional programming language rules such as “C language”, “visual C”, and “JAVA” in the specific information 2002 area that can be used only by the specific manufacturer. Program (software) information according to the information can be recorded, allowing each manufacturer to have an information processing device (computer) with its own functions, and new information functions that respond to technological advances. It becomes possible to add to (computer), and the information processing apparatus (computer) function can be improved in accordance with the progress of technology.

  (4) By providing the link information 2003, the usage relationship between the common information 2001 conforming to the standard and the specific information 2002 becomes clear. As a result, the information reproducing apparatus can use the specific information 2002 without error.

  (4-1) By providing the link information 2003, the usage relationship between the common information 2001 conforming to the standard and the specific information 2002 becomes clear. As a result, the information processing apparatus (computer) can use the specific information 2002 without error.

  (5) Information is recorded by providing link information 2003 and recording manufacturer information of usable information recording / reproducing devices or model information of usable information recording / reproducing devices for each specific information 2002 therein. It becomes very easy to determine the specific information 2002 that can be automatically used on the playback device side. As a result, it is possible to use the specific information 2002 while ensuring high reliability without causing an error in the information recording / reproducing apparatus created by all manufacturers.

  According to the above embodiment, the following information recording method, information reproducing method, information recording / reproducing method, and information recording / reproducing apparatus can be provided.

  (1) When information recorded on an information recording medium is reproduced by an information recording / reproducing apparatus, the function can be differentiated and unique for each information recording / reproducing apparatus having a different manufacturer or distributor. An information recording method for recording information on an information recording medium.

  (2) When information recorded on an information recording medium is reproduced by an information recording / reproducing apparatus, it is possible to differentiate functions and uniqueness for each information recording / reproducing apparatus of different manufacturers or distributors. An information reproducing method for reproducing information recorded on an information recording medium.

  (3) When information recorded on an information recording medium is reproduced by the information recording / reproducing apparatus, the function can be differentiated and unique for each information recording / reproducing apparatus of different manufacturer or distributor. An information recording / reproducing method for recording information on an information recording medium and reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium.

  (4) When information recorded on an information recording medium is reproduced by an information recording / reproducing apparatus, the function can be differentiated and unique for each information recording / reproducing apparatus having a different manufacturer or distributor. An information recording / reproducing apparatus that records information on an information recording medium and reproduces information recorded on the information recording medium.

  (5) An information recording method for recording information on an information recording medium so as to have excellent function expandability.

  (6) An information reproducing method for reproducing information recorded on an information recording medium so as to be excellent in function expandability.

  (7) An information recording / reproducing method for recording information on an information recording medium and reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium so as to be excellent in function expandability.

  (8) An information recording / reproducing apparatus that records information on an information recording medium and reproduces information recorded on the information recording medium so as to have excellent function expandability.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the data structure on the information recording medium which can record and reproduce. It is a figure which shows the outline of the directory structure of the data file in a data area. It is a figure which shows the outline of the data structure in the AV file recorded on an information recording medium. It is a figure which shows the recording place of the video object along the arrangement | sequence on an information recording medium. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the data in an allocation map table. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the data in PGC control information. It is a figure which shows the example of video information reproduction | regeneration using PGC. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the data in VTSI. It is a figure for demonstrating the VOB arrangement | sequence order according to VOBI. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of an information recording / reproducing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the outline (physical system) of an information recording / reproducing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the common information based on a specification, and specific information. It is a figure which shows the content of the information which one link information has. It is a figure which shows the content relevant to drive maker ID information. It is a figure for demonstrating the link form A. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the link form B and the link form C. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the link form D. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the category ID in A company. It is a figure which shows the data structure inside edit control information. It is a figure which shows the link relationship between management / control information based on a standard, and link information, and a time relationship. It is explanatory drawing regarding the setting method of the designation | designated place in the "common information based on a standard" corresponding to each link information. It is explanatory drawing regarding the arrangement | positioning location of link information. It is a figure for demonstrating the recording place (the 1) of specific information. It is a figure for demonstrating the recording place (the 2) of specific information. It is a figure for demonstrating the recording place (the 3) of specific information. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which performs reproduction | regeneration and display using link information by the information recording / reproducing apparatus of A company. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which records simultaneously common information, link information, and specific information with an information recording / reproducing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which adds link information and specific information with respect to the common information already recorded on the information recording medium. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of performing an edit process with respect to the common information already recorded on the information recording medium.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 ... Information recording medium, 101 ... Information recording / reproducing part, 1500 ... Disc changer part, 1530 ... System control part, 1534 ... Temporary storage part, 1536 ... Data processor, 1538 ... STC part, 1542 ... AV input part, 1543 ... Digital Camera, 1544 ... TV tuner, 1548 ... Recording / playback recorder display unit, 1552 ... Analog / digital converter, 1553 ... Video encoder, 1554 ... Audio encoder, 1555 ... Sub-picture encoder, 1556 ... Formatter, 1557 ... Buffer memory, 1562 ... Separator, 1563 ... Memory, 1564 ... Video decoder, 1565 ... Sub-picture decoder, 1567 ... Video / digital / analog converter, 1568 ... Audio decoder, 1569 ... Audio / digital / analog converter

Claims (4)

In a recording medium capable of recording video information, still image information and audio information,
Video object file including video (video object) information, picture object file including still image (picture object) information, audio object file including audio (audio object) information, and video recorded in the video object file Recording and playback video management data files for managing information and still image information recorded in the picture object file and audio information recorded in the audio object file can be recorded,
The video object file and the picture object file are composed of VOBs.
In the above recorded re-video management data file,
Video object information for managing the object information, video information and still image information reproduction sequence, program chain control information specifying the reproduction order of cells, which is the basic unit of video information and still image information at the time of reproduction, and Have
A plurality of program chains can be set in the upper recording / re-video management data file, and cells in each program chain can designate arbitrary sections including the same location in the VOB,
A recording medium characterized in that the control information of the program chain is arranged in a position preceding the usable information of only a specific manufacturer in the upper recording / replaying video management data file.
In an information recording method for a recording medium capable of recording video information, still image information, and audio information,
Video object file including video (video object) information, picture object file including still image (picture object) information, audio object file including audio (audio object) information, and video recorded in the video object file A recording / playback video management data file for managing information and still image information recorded in the picture object file and audio information recorded in the audio object file;
The video object file and the picture object file are composed of VOBs.
In the above recorded re-video management data file,
Video object information for managing the object information, video information and still image information reproduction sequence, program chain control information specifying the reproduction order of cells, which is the basic unit of video information and still image information at the time of reproduction, and Including
A plurality of program chains can be set in the upper recording / re-video management data file, and cells in each program chain can designate arbitrary sections including the same part in the VOB,
The control information of the above program chain is placed at a position preceding the usable information of only a specific manufacturer in the recorded video management data file.
An information recording method for recording the video object file, the picture object file, the audio object file, and a recording / playback video management data file.
A recording medium capable of recording video information, still image information, and audio information includes a video object file including video (video object) information, a picture object file including still image (picture object) information, and audio (audio object) information. Recording and playback video management data file for managing video information recorded in the video object file, still image information recorded in the picture object file, and audio information recorded in the audio object file Can be recorded,
The video object file and the picture object file are composed of VOBs.
In the above recorded re-video management data file,
Video object information for managing the object information, video information and still image information reproduction sequence, program chain control information specifying the reproduction order of cells, which is the basic unit of video information and still image information at the time of reproduction, and Have
A plurality of program chains can be set in the upper recording / re-video management data file, and cells in each program chain can designate arbitrary sections including the same location in the VOB,
The control information of the above program chain is arranged at a position preceding the usable information only for a specific manufacturer in the recorded video management data file.
In the reproducing method, the pre-recorded re-video management data file is reproduced, and a VOB having information usable only by the specific manufacturer is reproduced.
A recording medium capable of recording video information, still image information, and audio information includes a video object file including video (video object) information, a picture object file including still image (picture object) information, and audio (audio object) information. Recording and playback video management data file for managing video information recorded in the video object file, still image information recorded in the picture object file, and audio information recorded in the audio object file Can be recorded,
The video object file and the picture object file are composed of VOBs.
In the above recorded re-video management data file,
Video object information for managing the object information, video information and still image information reproduction sequence, program chain control information specifying the reproduction order of cells, which is the basic unit of video information and still image information at the time of reproduction, and Have
A plurality of program chains can be set in the upper recording / re-video management data file, and cells in each program chain can designate arbitrary sections including the same location in the VOB,
The control information of the above program chain is arranged at a position preceding the usable information only for a specific manufacturer in the recorded video management data file.
The reproducing apparatus comprises means for reproducing a pre-recorded re-video management data file and means for reproducing a VOB having information usable only by the specific manufacturer.

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