JP2005339734A - Information recording / reproducing apparatus and information reproducing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an information recording / reproducing apparatus and an information reproducing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing contents across a plurality of recording media.
In an information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of accommodating a plurality of recording media, when recording one content, a plurality of continuous or related contents across a plurality of recording media, link information between the recording media is recorded. To do. The link information includes a group name indicating that one or a plurality of contents recorded on a plurality of recording media are the same, continuous, or related contents, and a plurality of recording media that record contents having the same group name. It includes an end code indicating the last recording medium and a disc number indicating the recording order of contents having the same group name.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention can store a plurality of disc-shaped recording media (such as an optical disc) at a time, and can record and reproduce one content, a plurality of continuous contents, or a plurality of related contents across a plurality of recording media. The present invention relates to an information recording / reproducing apparatus and an information reproducing apparatus.

  In recent years, an information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing information on a large-capacity disk-shaped recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk or Digital Video Disk, hereinafter simply referred to as an optical disk) has been put into practical use. These optical discs use moving picture experts group (MPEG) 2 moving image compression technology, and usually, moving images of about 2 to 3 hours can be recorded on one optical disc.

  By the way, in an interactive program that has been attracting attention in recent years, it is necessary to record 5 to 6 times as many moving images as usual in order to enable a variety of story development. One content will be recorded. Alternatively, not only one content but also related content such as a continuous television program may be recorded across a plurality of optical disks. In any case, in the current optical disc system such as DVD, there is no mechanism for controlling recording across multiple optical discs, so there is no mechanism for controlling playback across multiple media, and content across multiple optical discs. Could not be recorded and reproduced efficiently.

A conventional program recording / playback apparatus records time-sequential continuous program information across a plurality of volumes and records volume group management information for managing program information across each volume. And a reproducing means for controlling the reproducing operation of the program information recorded in each of the plurality of volumes based on the volume group management information recorded by the recording means. In a program playback apparatus that plays back a volume in which program information that is serially continuous is recorded across a plurality of volumes and volume group management information for managing the program information across each volume is recorded The programs recorded in the plurality of volumes based on the volume group management information recorded in the volumes Consisting comprises a reproducing means for controlling the distribution of the reproduction operation (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-52466 A (Claims)

  As described above, the conventional information recording / reproducing apparatus and the information reproducing apparatus have a drawback that the content over a plurality of recording media cannot be managed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information recording / reproducing apparatus and an information reproducing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing contents across a plurality of recording media.

    According to one embodiment of the present invention, in an information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of storing a plurality of recording media, each recording medium is recorded when recording one content, a plurality of continuous or related contents across a plurality of recording media. Means for recording link information.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is a storage unit that can store a plurality of recording media, and each recording is performed when recording a single content or a plurality of continuous or related content across a plurality of recording media. An information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording link information between media includes means for reading link information from the recording medium, and means for recording content on a recording medium on which link information is not recorded and recording link information. To do.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, when recording a plurality of recording media and recording one content, a plurality of continuous or related contents across a plurality of recording media, link information between the recording media. In the information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording the content, when content is recorded on the last storage medium stored therein, if an unrecorded portion of the content remains, the user is prompted to set another storage medium in the storage unit. Means.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, an information reproducing apparatus capable of storing a plurality of recording media recorded across one content, a plurality of continuous or related contents, and also recording link information between the recording media. Means for reading link information from the recording medium, means for reproducing the recording medium in the recording order of the contents based on the link information,
It comprises.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information recording / reproducing apparatus and an information reproducing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing contents across a plurality of recording media.

  Embodiments of an information recording / reproducing apparatus and an information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The present invention can also be applied to an information reproducing apparatus. In that case, it is only necessary to omit the part relating to recording.

  The information recording / reproducing apparatus includes a key operation / display unit 4. When the user operates the key operation / display unit 4, the recording data is reproduced from the optical disk 10 or the recording data is recorded on the optical disk 10. The recording data includes video data, sub-video data, and audio data, which are converted into a video signal and an audio signal. The monitor unit 6 displays an image using a video signal, and the speaker unit 8 generates sound using an audio signal. As shown in FIG. 1, the information recording / reproducing apparatus includes a disk drive unit 30, a system CPU (Central Processing Unit) unit 50, a system processor A unit 54 that performs packet separation, a reproduction video buffer unit 59, and a reproduction audio buffer. Unit 61, playback bitmap buffer unit 63, video decoder unit 58, audio decoder unit 60, bitmap decoder unit 62, video D / A (Digital / Analogue) unit 66, and audio D / A unit 68. Further, the information recording / reproducing apparatus includes a system processor B unit 55 that performs system streaming, a recording video buffer unit 200, a recording audio buffer unit 202, a recording bitmap buffer unit 204, a video encoder unit 201, an audio encoder unit 203, and a bitmap. An encoder unit 205, a video A / D (Analogue / Digital) unit 206, an audio A / D unit 207, a selector unit 210, a command creation unit 208, a synthesis unit 64, and an input device 209 are provided.

  The broadcast signal input from the antenna 300 is selected by the tuner 301 and further supplied to the packet separation unit 303 via the demodulator 302. The output of the packet separation unit 303 is stored in the hard disk device 100 via the buffers 59, 61, 63; decoders 58, 60, 62. The output of the video decoder 58 is displayed on the monitor unit 6 via the D / A 66, and the output of the audio decoder 60 is reproduced on the speaker unit 8 via the D / A 68.

  When recording, the key operation / display unit 4 selects an object to be recorded by the user, and the system CPU unit 50 receiving the selection drives the selector unit 210. The selector unit 210 selects a signal to be recorded based on a signal from the system CPU unit 50. The target of the signal to be recorded includes data of the hard disk device 100 that stores the output of the packet separation unit 303. The analog video signal and analog audio signal input by the selector unit 210 are converted into digital signals by the video A / D unit 206 and the audio A / D unit 207, respectively. The digital video signal is converted into recording video data such as MPEG2 by the video encoder unit 201 and input to the recording video buffer unit 200. When the digital video signal has already been converted into recording video data such as MPEG2, it is directly input to the recording video buffer unit 200. The digital audio signal is converted into recording audio data such as AC-3 by the audio encoder unit 203 and input to the recording audio buffer unit 202. If the digital audio signal has already been converted into recording audio data such as AC-3, it is directly input to the recording audio buffer unit 202.

  Bitmap information such as a sub-picture and a homepage is converted into recording bitmap data by the bitmap encoder unit 205 as necessary, and is input to the recording bitmap buffer unit 204. Of the digital signals, those that have been converted in advance into a form such as an MPEG2 transport stream or an MPEG2 program stream are directly input to the system processor B section 55.

  Various data output from the recording video buffer unit 200, the recording audio buffer unit 202, and the recording bitmap buffer unit 204 are supplied to the system processor B unit 55 and converted into a system stream, and the optical disk 10 is connected via the disk drive unit 30. To be recorded.

  The information recording / reproducing apparatus can store a plurality of optical disks, and records and reproduces one content, a plurality of continuous contents, or a plurality of related contents across a plurality of optical disks. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, a plurality of, for example, five optical disks 10 are set on a disk-shaped multi-disc tray that can be arranged along the circumferential direction. It may be set in an autochanger type rack in which a plurality of disks are stacked and set.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of optical discs are regarded as one optical disc, and a single content, a series or a plurality of related contents are recorded and reproduced across a plurality of optical discs. When recording over a plurality of disks, link information between the disks is additionally recorded. The link information is recorded in a user area of the disc or a wireless tag attached to the disc.

  The link information includes a group name indicating that the content (same or plural) recorded on a plurality of discs is the same, continuous, or related content, and a plurality of recorded discs that record the content of the same group name. It includes an end code indicating the last disc and a disc number indicating the recording order of the content of the same group name on the plurality of optical discs.

  For example, group names “000001” to “FFFFFF” are used sequentially, end codes “0” (middle), “1” (last), and disk numbers “01” to “7E” are used sequentially. . When recording on eight optical disks with the group name “00001E”, the link information of the first to seventh disks is “00001E01” to “00001E07”, and the link information of the eighth disk is “00001E88”. Become. For example, when recording a 24-hour TV program, since the total number of optical disks required for recording is not known when the program is not finished, the end code is set to “0” (in the middle) with the same group name, and the disk number is sequentially increased. While recording, proceed with recording. At the end of recording, the end code of the optical disk that was recorded at that time is set to “1” (last).

  By recording such link information on an optical disc, a set of a sixth recorded disc is set when playback of the fifth disc is completed during playback using a multi-disc tray containing five discs. It is possible to determine whether or not to request.

  Instead of automatically adding the group information, recording time information, electronic program guide information, or a number unique to the recording apparatus may be used.

  The disc numbering method can be arbitrarily set, such as a mode in which “disc 2” is added to the next disc after recording of “disc 1” is completed, or a mode in which disc numbers are assigned to all discs before recording. .

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the recording method. In the case of a multi-tray disc having five trays A to E, recording is performed in the order of tray A to tray E. For this reason, the unrecorded disks stored in the tray A to the tray E are referred to as “recorded disk 1” to “recorded disk 5”, respectively.

  Also, a number may be assigned to each layer instead of each disk. For example, in the case of a single-sided dual-layer DVD, “disc 1” and “disc 2” may be attached to one disc. The end code may arbitrarily set the presence or absence of an end flag for the last disk.

  In the information recording / reproducing apparatus, it is necessary to record the group name once used so that the group name does not overlap. However, if the group name is used sequentially from “000001” to “FFFFFF”, it is used last. Just remember the group name.

  FIG. 3 shows another example of the recording method. In the example of FIG. 2, “recorded disc 1” to “recording” are sequentially performed on the discs stored in tray A to tray E regardless of whether the discs stored in each tray are unrecorded discs or recorded discs. In the example of FIG. 3, it is confirmed whether or not there is a disk in each tray, and if it exists, whether or not the disk is an unrecorded disk. Write link information between disks (assigned disk number). If the existing disc is a “recorded disc”, it is free to set whether to format the disc and give a disc number, or to skip the disc and give a disc number only to an unrecorded disc. If the “recorded disc” is skipped and the disc number is assigned only to the unrecorded disc as in the latter case, it is possible to prevent the “recorded disc” from being overwritten by mistake. However, according to the former, there is a merit that recording can be performed reliably when recording in real time such as TV recording. Therefore, according to this, a recording apparatus easy to use for the user is provided.

  In the illustrated example, there is no disc in tray A, and the discs stored in tray B are “recorded discs”, so the unrecorded discs stored in tray C and tray E are “recorded”. Disc 1 ”and“ recorded disc 2 ”.

  FIG. 4 shows another example of the recording method. In the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the size is set so that the content can be recorded on all unrecorded discs set on the tray. However, FIG. 4A shows all the unrecorded content set on the tray. It is assumed that the size is too large to be recorded on the recording disk. That is, when recording on the last disc on the tray is completed, an unrecorded portion of content remains. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, a screen display or a sound notification is made to additionally set an unrecorded disc on the tray. Therefore, even a large-capacity content recorded on five or more discs can be recorded with link information added to all the discs, and a recording device that is easy to use for the user is provided.

  (A), (b), and (c) of FIG. 5 are examples of the reproduction method. In this reproduction method, link information is read from a disc, a disc number indicating the recording order of contents is read from the disc, and the discs are reproduced in the order according to the disc number regardless of the arrangement of the discs. According to this, when setting a plurality of discs on the multi-disc tray, it is not necessary to set the discs carefully in consideration of the playback order, and it is only necessary to set the discs in a random manner, so that a user-friendly playback device is provided. .

  (A), (b), and (c) of FIG. 6 are other examples of the reproducing method. In this reproduction method, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), content link information is read, a disk number indicating the recording order of the content is read, and the order according to the disk number is independent of the arrangement of the disks. Play with. However, when the disc number is discontinuous (when the disc number is skipped), as shown in FIG. 6B, an insufficient disc (here, “recorded disc 2”) is additionally set in the tray. The screen display or notification by sound is made. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6C, either a mode in which an insufficient (missing number) disc (here, “recorded disc 2”) is additionally set in the tray, or a mode in which the missing disc is skipped and played back is selected. A screen display or a notification by sound may be made so that the user can select.

  According to this, considering the playback order when setting multiple trays on the multi-disc tray, it is not necessary to carefully determine whether there is a shortage, it is only necessary to set it randomly. A user-friendly playback device is provided.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B show other examples of the reproducing method. In this reproducing method, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the discs existing in the tray are sequentially reproduced according to the disc number of the link information, and the last disc (end code is last) does not exist in the tray, FIG. As shown in (b), a screen display for setting a further disc to be reproduced on the tray or notification by sound is given. Note that when additional setting is performed, even if the contents of the disc are unknown and another disc is set in error, the link information is read, so that the notification requesting the additional disc is made in the same manner as described above. According to this, it is also possible to play back content recorded across more than the number of discs stored in the multi-disc tray.

  (A) and (b) of FIG. 8 are other examples of the reproducing method. In this reproduction method, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the discs existing in the tray are to be reproduced sequentially according to the disc number of the link information, the same disc number with different group names (content A and content B) is obtained. Is displayed, a screen display for allowing the user to select which content is to be played back or notification by sound is made, as shown in FIG. According to this, when setting a plurality of discs on the multi-disc tray, not only discs of the same content (same group name) but also discs of a plurality of group names can be mixed and set at a time. An easy-to-use playback device is provided.

  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.

The figure which shows one Embodiment of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the recording method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. The figure which shows the other example of the recording method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. The figure which shows the other example of the recording method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the reproducing | regenerating method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. The figure which shows the other example of the reproducing | regenerating method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. The figure which shows the other example of the reproducing | regenerating method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. The figure which shows the other example of the reproducing | regenerating method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Key operation / display part, 6 ... Monitor part, 10 ... Optical disk, 30 ... Disk drive, 50 ... System CPU, 58, 60, 62 ... Decoder, 201, 203, 205 ... Encoder.

Claims (10)

In an information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of storing a plurality of recording media,
An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising means for recording link information between recording media when recording a single content or a plurality of continuous or related content across a plurality of recording media.   The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the link information recording means records the link information in a user area of each recording medium.   The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the link information recording unit records the link information on a tag of each recording medium.   The link information includes a group name indicating that one or a plurality of contents recorded on a plurality of recording media are the same, continuous, or related contents, and a plurality of recording media for recording contents having the same group name The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an end code indicating that the recording medium is a last recording medium; and a disk number indicating a recording order of contents having the same group name. An information recording / reproducing unit that has a storage unit that can store a plurality of recording media, and records link information between the recording media when recording a single content or a plurality of continuous or related content across a plurality of recording media. In the device
Means for reading link information from the recording medium;
Means for recording content on a recording medium in which link information is not recorded and recording link information;
An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: In an information recording / reproducing apparatus that can store a plurality of recording media and records link information between recording media when recording a single content, a plurality of continuous or related content across a plurality of recording media,
An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising means for prompting a user to set another recording medium in a storage unit when an unrecorded part of content remains when the content is recorded on the last storage medium stored. In an information reproducing apparatus capable of storing a plurality of recording media recorded across one content, a plurality of continuous or related content, and also recording link information between the recording media,
Means for reading link information from the recording medium;
Means for reproducing the recording medium in the recording order of the content based on the link information;
An information reproducing apparatus comprising:   Means for prompting a user to set a shortage of recording media in a storage unit when reproducing the recording media in the order of contents, or confirming that a shortage of recording media is skipped for playback 8. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: The link information includes a group name indicating that one or a plurality of contents recorded on a plurality of recording media are the same, continuous, or related contents, and a plurality of recording media for recording contents having the same group name Including an end code indicating that the recording medium is the last recording medium, and a disc number indicating the recording order of contents having the same group name,
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for prompting the user to set another recording medium in the storage unit when an end code is not recorded when the last recording medium stored is reproduced. Information playback device. The link information includes a group name indicating that one or a plurality of contents recorded on a plurality of recording media are the same, continuous, or related contents, and a plurality of recording media for recording contents having the same group name Including an end code indicating that the recording medium is the last recording medium, and a disc number indicating the recording order of contents having the same group name,
8. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for confirming to the user which group name recording medium is to be reproduced when recording media having different group names are stored.

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