JP4254530B2 - File recording method, reproducing apparatus, and recording / reproducing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a file recording method for recording a file on a recording medium having an area for recording a file of a specific format , and a playback apparatus for outputting the file to a recording apparatus to which a recording medium having an area for recording a file of a specific format is applied. And a recording / reproducing system .

  In recent years, various technologies for increasing the capacity have been developed. There is also a need to be able to freely record and reproduce various data, such as audio data and computer data, for one medium. However, with regard to the development of general-purpose media, compatibility and consistency of conventional recording / reproducing devices and the like are also important. Also, from a physical viewpoint, it is preferable that old assets can be used effectively.

  An example is the Mini Disc (MD (registered trademark)), which is currently widely used. As is well known, the mini-disc is a magneto-optical disc having a diameter of 64 mm and can record and reproduce audio data such as music. In a minidisc, audio data is recorded with the data amount compressed to 1/5 to 1/10 by the ATRAC method. Taking audio data as an example, recording for about 80 to 160 minutes is possible.

  Since audio mini-discs can be easily obtained by users, it would be convenient if the mini-disc could be used for purposes other than music, such as data storage media for computers, but the recording capacity was about 160 MB. As a small and wide-ranging data storage, there is no area for recording copyright protection information such as media-specific ID required for distribution data storage, etc. There are problems such as failure to respond to copyright protection requests. Further, since a management method (PTOC, UTOC) using a unique management area other than the audio data recording area is employed, it is difficult to cope with general-purpose file system applications such as a FAT system. Furthermore, when data other than audio is recorded on a track managed by UTOC, problems such as abnormal noise being generated during reproduction by many audio devices (MD players) may occur. In other words, when it is assumed that the audio mini-disc is used as a general-purpose storage medium, special information such as recording capacity, management system, copyright protection and the like, problems with old models, etc. have been problems.

  As a standard for recording data other than audio data in a mini-disc system, a disc standard called “MD-DATA” or “MD-CLIP” has already been developed, but MD-DATA is an audio MD. The above-mentioned demands are not satisfied, such as a different dedicated disk, a point that can only be used by an MD-DATA compatible recording / reproducing apparatus, and a recording capacity of about 140 MB. The MD-CLIP uses an audio MD and uses an inner peripheral portion that is not subject to UTOC management. Therefore, there is no inconvenience in a conventional audio device, but the general-purpose data recording area is only about 2 MB. Therefore, the use was naturally limited.

  Therefore, the density of recorded data is increased by making improvements such as narrowing the track pitch, changing the linear velocity and modulation method, etc., and in addition to the normal recording area, a secret area that can be used by authentication There has been proposed a next-generation mini disk that solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a (secure area). In the next generation mini disc (next generation MD), data such as copyrighted music content and video content is recorded in a secure area in a predetermined format, and can be reproduced only by a device that can refer to the secure area. Yes.

  In this manner, unlike the conventional MD, the next-generation MD does not select the data type, so it is possible to record WMA files, MP3 files, WAVE files, and the like. However, if these files can be recorded on the next-generation MD, a secure area is prepared to protect the music files based on other file formats even though the copyright of the data recorded here is realized. The problem was that it was treated as data that cannot be handled.

JP 2001-289380 A

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems , and a file recording method for recording a file in a specific format on a recording medium having a recording area for recording the file in a specific format , and reproduction for outputting the file to a recording device An object is to provide an apparatus and a recording / reproducing system .

According to the file recording method of the present invention, the first playback device that plays back the first recording medium can play back the second playback device that plays back the second recording medium using the second playback device. and file formats inquiry step for inquiring file format, the first and the read step to read out the recorded file in the recording medium, the first recorded on a recording medium the process determination of determining the file format of the file If, when the file format of the file read from the first recording medium is playable file format by the second reproducing apparatus, and records the file in a specific area of the second recording medium And the file format inquiry step is performed before the reading step.

The playback device according to the present invention is a playback device for playing back data recorded on a first recording medium, and includes a specific area for recording a file in a file format that can be played back by the playback device, and a normal file. Output means for outputting a file to a recording device for recording the file on a second recording medium having a normal recording area for recording the file, and a format for inquiring of the recording device a file format that can be reproduced by the reproducing device and inquiry unit, a determination unit form of the first of the file recorded on the recording medium to determine whether the playable files format by the playback device, read out from the first recording medium when format of the file is playable file format by the reproduction device starts the file output against the recording apparatus, the file to be said output Output control means for controlling not to output a file to the recording device when the expression is not in a file format reproducible by the playback device, and the file format query by the format query means is the first recording medium This is done before reading the file from.

Furthermore, a recording / reproducing system according to the present invention includes a reproducing device for reproducing data recorded on a first recording medium, a specific area for recording a file in a file format that can be reproduced by the reproducing device, and a normal file. A recording / reproducing system comprising: a recording / reproducing apparatus that records a file on a second recording medium including a normal recording area for recording and reproduces the file recorded in the specific area; An output means for outputting a file to the apparatus; a format inquiry means for querying the recording apparatus for a file format that can be reproduced by the playback apparatus; and a format of the file recorded on the first recording medium. Determining means for determining whether or not the file format is reproducible by the playback device; and the format of the file read from the first recording medium is the playback format. If the file format is a file format that can be played back on the recording device, file output to the recording device is started. If the file format to be output is not a file format that can be played back on the playback device, file output to the recording device is started. and an output control means for controlling so as not, the recording and reproducing apparatus, input means for inputting a file, the decision means that file format the input to determine whether it is playable file format by the playback device If, when files the input is a playable file format by the playback device records the files the input to a specific area for recording the file in a file format that can be reproduced by the reproducing device, and the input file If the non-playable file format reproducing apparatus, the serial files that are the input to the normal recording area And recording control means for, the file format of the inquiry in said reproducing apparatus is performed prior to the reading of files from the first recording medium.

  According to the file recording method, the reproducing apparatus, and the recording apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to distinguish and record a file in a specific format and a file based on any other format. In particular, when a specific recording area is a copyright-protected area, copyright protection can be realized when dealing with copyright-related content such as music content and video content.

  In this specific example, a case where the recording medium is applied to a recording medium of an MD (Mini Disc; registered trademark) system will be described. An MD player shown as a specific example of the present invention is a recording device that records content data including a plurality of different data and image data created in different formats on the MD. MDs that can be played back by this MD player can handle data created in different formats, such as audio data, PC data, etc., and can be used without authentication and a secret area that can be used by authentication Normal recording area. The secret area is an area where only specific data such as music content and video content for which copyright is generated can be recorded. In this specific example, audio data in the ATRAC (registered trademark) format can be recorded in this secret area. Is treated as specific data. Audio data other than ATRAC, such as MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer-3) format and WMA (Windows Media Audio) format, data such as image data and text data are recorded in the normal recording area. Details of the mini-disc having the secret area and the normal recording area will be described later.

  A CD player 1 and an MD player 2 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. A CD player 1 and an MD player 2 shown in FIG. 1 are portable players. USB hubs 4 and 5 are provided on the side surfaces of the CD player 1 and the MD player 2, and are connected by a USB cable 3.

  The CD player 1 is a multi-disc driver that reproduces other CD families such as CD-R and CD-RW as well as CD-DA commercially available as a music CD. The CD family has substantially the same appearance, but records different types of files as shown in FIG. For example, a CD-DA records a PCM WAVE file. CD-R and CD-RW can record all types of files. The ATRAC-CD records an ATRAC file. The CD player 1 can read information recorded on any disc.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the CD player 1. The CD player 1 rotates the optical disc 6 to read out optically recorded information, a media drive unit 11 to read data read by the media drive unit 11, a CD decoder 12 to decode the CD, and to improve data reliability A CD-ROM decoder 13 that performs error correction, a memory transfer controller 14 that controls data transfer, a USB interface 15 that controls input / output of signals via USB, a mechanical controller 16 that controls the media drive unit 11, and a WAVE file An encoder 17 for converting into an ATRAC file and a system controller 18 for controlling the entire CD player are provided.

  The system controller 18 performs overall control of the CD player 1 and file transfer control. The file transfer control is a process of transferring only files that can be reproduced by the MD player 2 to the MD player 2.

  In the file transfer control, the system controller 18 first determines the type of the file, and then determines whether or not this file can be reproduced by the MD player 2. The file type can be determined from the file extension. The extension of the file corresponds to 3 to 4 characters after the period, with the file type being a character code. The file extension is described in the disk volume descriptor.

  The system controller 18 inquires of the MD player 2 about a file that can be reproduced. A file that can be reproduced by the MD player 2 is an ATRAC file. When the read file is an ATRAC file, the system controller instructs the memory transfer controller 14 to transfer the file.

  When the format of the read file is a WAVE file, the system controller 18 outputs this file to the encoder 17. The encoder performs ATRAC compression on the WAVE file to generate an ATRAC file. The system controller 18 outputs an instruction signal to the memory transfer controller 14 to transfer the generated file to the CD player 1.

  The encoder 17 also performs conversion from ATRAC to ATRAC3PLUS. When the compression format of the read file is ATRAC, the system controller 18 outputs this file to the encoder 17. The encoder 17 converts ATRAC into ATRAC3PLUS.

  The memory transfer controller 14 is, for example, a DMA controller, and outputs data stored in a buffer (not shown) to the USB interface 15. Data output to the USB interface 15 is transferred to the MD player 2 via the USB cable 3.

  The MD player 2 records and reproduces the next generation MD. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the MD player 2. The MD player 2 includes a USB interface 21 that controls the exchange of signals via the USB cable 3, a memory transfer controller 22 that controls data transfer via the USB cable 3, and converts the input data into a next-generation MD recording format. An encoder 23, a decoder 24 that returns encoded data to an original state, an address decoder 25 that calculates a physical address, a media drive unit 26 that reads and records optical information, and a mechanical controller 27 that controls the media drive unit 26 And a system controller 28 for controlling the entire MD player 2.

  The next generation MD is an extended disk of MD, and can record data other than music files. As shown in FIG. 5, the next-generation MD format includes a secure area 90 for storing files that can be reproduced by the MD player 2 and an area 91 for storing other data.

  In the secure area 90, an ATRAC file can be recorded. In the cluster constituting the secure area 90, an attribute indicating whether the data can be disclosed, information for protecting the copyright, information for checking data falsification, and the like are recorded. This unpublishable area is limitedly accessible only by specially authorized external devices, and includes information for authenticating the accessible external devices.

  A data recording area other than the secure area 90 is called a FAT area 91 and is managed by a file system of a personal computer. The FAT area 91 can store all types of data including music files.

  The system controller 28 calculates a logical address according to the next generation MD format and outputs it to the address decoder 25. The address decoder 25 calculates a physical address corresponding to the logical address and outputs it to the mechanical controller 27.

  The media drive unit 26 rotates the disk 6 in accordance with an instruction from the mechanical controller 27 to adjust the position of the optical head and the laser intensity. The media drive unit 26 records data by changing the magnetization direction of the magnet head.

  Further, the media drive unit 26 optically reads data recorded in the next generation MD8. At the time of reading data, the media drive unit 26 irradiates the disk with laser light and outputs a value obtained by digitizing the reflected light to the decoder 23. The decoder 23 decodes the data recorded in the next generation MD8 to the original state.

  The decoded data is stored in the buffer. The data stored in the buffer is output to an external electronic device by the memory transfer controller 22 or reproduced as music by the reproducing unit 29.

  Next, operations of the CD player 1 and the MD player 2 described above will be described with reference to FIG. When the user instructs file transfer from the CD player 1 to the MD player 2, the CD player 1 first inquires about a file format that can be reproduced by the MD player 2 (step S11). The MD player 2 responds to the inquiry from the CD player 1 with a reproducible file format (here, an ATRAC file) (step S12).

  Next, the CD player 1 reads information recorded on the disc 6 to be transferred by rotating the disc 6 (step S13). The system controller 18 determines the file type based on the file extension described in the volume descriptor or the like of the disk 6 (step S14).

  When the format of the read file is an ATRAC file compressed with ATRAC3PLUS (step S15; YES), the system controller 18 outputs an instruction signal to the memory transfer controller 14. In response to this instruction, the memory transfer controller 14 transfers the file to the MD player 2 (step S16).

  On the other hand, when the read file is a WAVE file (step S17; YES), the system controller 18 outputs this file to the encoder 17, and the encoder 17 compresses this file with ATRAC3PLUS (step S18). If the read file is compressed with ATRAC or ATRAC3 (step S19; YES), the system controller 18 outputs this file to the encoder 17 and compresses it with ATRAC3PLUS (step S20).

  When the encoder compresses the file, the system controller 18 outputs an instruction signal to the memory transfer controller 14. The memory transfer controller 14 transfers the file compressed by the encoder 18 to the MD player 2 (step S16).

  When the read file is a file other than the ATRAC file and the WAVE file (step S19; NO), the system controller 18 interrupts the file transfer and outputs a message indicating the file format inconsistency on the display screen (step S19). S21).

  When the MD player 2 inputs data, the MD player 2 records this data in the secure area 90 of the next generation MD (step S22). Data recorded in the secure area 90 can be reproduced by the MD player 2.

  As described above, the CD player 1 reproduces a plurality of discs belonging to the CD family such as a CD-R and a CD-ROM. Files of a format that cannot be reproduced by the MD player 2, such as WMA files and MP3 files, are also recorded on this disc.

  If a file in a format that cannot be reproduced by the MD player 2 is recorded, the user may be confused. Therefore, the CD player 1 does not transfer a file that cannot be reproduced by the MD player 2. As a result, only a file (ATRAC file) that can be reproduced by the MD player 2 is recorded in the MD player 2.

  Further, the CD player 1 includes an encoder, and even a file that cannot be reproduced by the MD player is converted into a format that can be reproduced by the MD player and transferred.

  Next, Example 2 will be described. In the second embodiment, the MD player 7 selects a file recording area. FIG. 7 shows an internal configuration of the MD player 7 in the second embodiment. The MD player 7 includes a USB interface 71 for exchanging signals via USB, a memory transfer controller 72 for controlling data transfer via USB, a media drive unit 76 for reading and recording optical information, and a media drive unit. A mechanical controller 77 for controlling 76, an ATRAC encoder 73 for converting input data into an ATRAC file, an ATRAC decoder 74 for decoding an ATRAC file, an address ATRAC decoder 75 for calculating a physical address, and a system controller 78 for controlling the entire MD player Is provided.

  The USB interface 71 is connected to the CD player 1 as shown in FIG. The CD player 1 transfers the data read from the disc 6 to the MD player 7. The CD player 1 in Embodiment 2 does not control the file to be transferred. The MD player 7 also inputs a file in a format that cannot be reproduced by the MD player 7.

  The system controller 78 determines a file recording area. As shown in FIG. 5, the next generation MD format includes a secure area 90 that stores files that can be played back by an MD player, and a FAT area 91 that can store files of all formats. The system controller 78 determines in which area the file is recorded based on the format of the file transferred from the CD player 1.

  A file that can be reproduced by the MD player 7 is an ATRAC file. When the file transferred from the CD player 1 is an ATRAC file, the system controller 78 searches for an empty area in the secure area 90 and outputs a logical address of the empty area to the address ATRAC decoder 75.

  On the other hand, if the format of the file transferred from the CD player 1 is a format that cannot be reproduced by the MD player 7, the system controller 1 searches for a free area in the FAT area 91 and sets the logical address of the free area to the address ATRAC. Output to the decoder 75.

  When the file transferred from the CD player 1 is a WAVE file, the system controller 75 outputs this file to the ATRAC encoder 73. The ATRAC encoder 73 compresses the WAVE file with ATRAC3PLUS to generate an ATRAC file.

  Further, when the file transferred from the CD player 1 is compressed by ATRAC1 or ATRAC3, the system controller 75 outputs this file to the ATRAC encoder 73. The ATRAC encoder 73 compresses the input file with ATRAC3PLUS to generate an ATRAC file. The system controller 78 searches for an empty area in the secure area 90, calculates a logical address of the empty area, and outputs it to the address ATRAC decoder 75.

  The address ATRAC decoder 75 calculates a physical address corresponding to the logical address input from the system controller 78. Each controller 77 moves the optical head to a position corresponding to the physical address calculated by the address ATRAC decoder 75 and records information in the next generation MD9.

  Next, the operation of the MD player 7 described above will be described with reference to FIG. When a file is input from the CD player 1 (step S31), the system controller 78 determines the format of the input file (step S32). The file format can be determined from the file extension.

  When the format of the input file is an ATRAC file compressed with ATRAC3PLUS (step S33; YES), the system controller 78 records this file in the secure area 90 (step S34).

  On the other hand, if the input file is a WAVE file (step S35; YES), the system controller 78 outputs this file to the ATRAC encoder 73. The ATRAC encoder 73 compresses this file with ATRAC3PLUS (step S36). The system controller records the ATRAC file generated by the ATRAC encoder 73 in the secure area 90 (step S34).

  When the input file is compressed by ATRAC or ATRAC3 (step S37; YES), the system file outputs this file to the ATRAC encoder 73. The ATRAC encoder 73 compresses this file with ATRAC3PLUS (step S38). The system controller 78 records the file compressed by the ATRAC encoder 75 in the secure area 90 (step S34).

  When the read file is a file other than the ATRAC file and the WAVE file (step S37; NO), the system controller 78 stores this file in the FAT area 91 (step S39).

  As described above, the MD player 7 according to the second embodiment determines whether the input file can be played back or cannot be played back, records the file in a playable format in the secure area 90, and does not play back the file. Is recorded in the FAT area 91.

  Further, the MD player 7 in the second embodiment converts a file that cannot be played back into a file that can be played back, and records the file in the secure area 90.

  Although the present invention has been described with respect to music files as files to be recorded in the next-generation MD, not only music files but also still image files and moving image files can be applied. For example, a display screen is provided in the MD player, and only files in a format that can be displayed on this screen are recorded in the secure area.

  In the above embodiment, the portable device is connected by USB. However, the present invention can also be applied to a device in which a CD player and an MD player are integrated, such as a component system.

  Furthermore, although the transfer source recording medium has been described as a CD, it is a recording medium other than a CD. A flash memory, a DVD, or the like may be used as a transfer source recording medium.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the CD player and MD player to which this invention is applied. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of the file recorded on CD family. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a CD player in Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MD player in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a next generation MD format. 3 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the CD player and the MD player in the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of MD player in Example 2. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the MD player according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 CD player, 2 MD player, 3 USB cable, 4 USB hub, 5 USB hub, 6 CD, 8 Next generation MD11 Media drive unit, 12 CD decoder, 13 CD-ROM decoder, 14 Memory transfer controller, 15 USB interface, 16 mechanical controller, 17 encoder, 18 system controller, 21 USB interface, 22 memory transfer controller, 23 encoder, 24 decoder, 25 address decoder, 26 media drive unit, 27 mechanical controller, 28 system controller, 29 playback unit, 73 ATRAC encoder , ATRAC decoder, 90 secure area, 91 FAT area

Claims (9)

A file format inquiry process in which a first playback device that plays back a first recording medium inquires a second playback device that plays back a second recording medium about a file format that can be played back by the second playback device. When,
A reading step of reading a file recorded on the first recording medium;
A determination step of determining the file format of the file recorded in the first recording medium,
If the file format of the file read from the first recording medium is a file format which can be reproduced by the second reproducing apparatus, a recording step of recording the file in a specific area of the second recording medium It has a door,
The file recording method wherein the file format inquiry step is performed before the reading step . It said second recording medium is provided with the specific region, a normal recording area for recording regular file,
Wherein when the file format of the first recording medium recorded file not playable file format by the second reproduction apparatus, a file recording method according to claim 1 that records the file in the normal recording area. If the file format of the file read from the first recording medium is not a playable file format by the second reproducing apparatus, converts the file to a file format that can be played in the second reproduction device further file recording method according to claim 1, wherein that having a file format conversion process. The second file format playable by the playback apparatus, the file recording method Oh Ru claim 1, wherein in ATRAC file. The second recording medium includes the specific area that can be used by authentication and a normal recording area that can be used without authentication.
The file recording method according to claim 1. A playback device for playing back data recorded on a first recording medium,
It said reproducing a specific area for recording a file of a file format that can be reproduced by devices, normal output for outputting the file to the second recording medium and a recording area to the recording apparatus that records a file for recording a normal file Means,
Format inquiry means for inquiring of the file format reproducible by the playback device to the recording device;
Determining means for determining whether or not the format of the file recorded on the first recording medium is a file format reproducible by the reproducing apparatus ;
If the format of the first said file read from the recording medium is a file format which can be reproduced by the reproducing device, and start the file output to the recording device, format the playback of the file to be said output If the file format is not reproducible by the device , comprising output control means for controlling not to output the file to the recording device ,
A playback apparatus in which an inquiry about a file format by the format inquiry means is performed before a file is read from the first recording medium . The reproducing apparatus file format playable in the playback apparatus according to claim 6 wherein Ru ATRAC der. A playback device for playing back data recorded on the first recording medium;
A specific area for recording a file playable file format by the playback device, the second recording medium and a normal recording area for recording normal file records file, the file recorded in the specific area A recording / playback device for playback ;
A recording / reproducing system comprising :
The playback device
Output means for outputting a file to the recording device;
Format inquiry means for inquiring of the file format reproducible by the playback device to the recording device;
Determining means for determining whether or not the format of the file recorded on the first recording medium is a file format reproducible by the reproducing apparatus;
When the format of the file read from the first recording medium is a file format that can be played back by the playback device, file output to the recording device is started, and the format of the file to be output is the playback If the file format is not reproducible by the device, comprising output control means for controlling not to output the file to the recording device,
The recording / reproducing apparatus comprises:
An input means for inputting a file;
A determination unit file format the input to determine whether it is playable file format by the playback device,
If files the input is a playable file format by the reproducing apparatus, a file that the input and recorded in a specific area for recording a file of a file format that can be reproduced by the reproduction apparatus, files the input is the reproduction If not playable file format apparatus, and recording control means for recording the files the input to the normal recording area,
The file format of the query <br/> recording and reproducing system is performed prior to reading of files from the first recording medium in the reproducing apparatus. The reproducing apparatus file format playable, the recording and reproducing system according to claim 8, wherein Ru ATRAC der.

Images