JP4483679B2 - Information processing apparatus and method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, method, and program, and in particular, information that allows a user to specify an arbitrary position as a playback start position of a medium recorded for each predetermined unit regardless of the unit or the current playback position. The present invention relates to a processing apparatus, method, and program.

  In recent years, recording apparatuses have been adopted in various fields.

  For example, in the field of distributing content such as a movie, a recording device (see, for example, Patent Document 1) that records the content on a predetermined medium is employed. Specifically, for example, a recording device that records content on a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) is employed. Such a recording apparatus records one whole stream data constituting the content as one title.

  In such a title, reproduction from an arbitrary position desired by the user is possible.

Further, for example, in the medical field, a recording device that records an image of a patient's body taken by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus on a predetermined medium is employed. When the recording target medium is a DVD, the recording apparatus employed in this medical field is, for example, a single image of a patient's body taken by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from a recording start instruction to an end instruction. It is recorded as a title. In other words, a DVD recorded by a recording device employed in the medical field may have a plurality of titles.
JP 2002-158971 A

  However, if the playback start position (time) desired by the user is a position that spans multiple titles with respect to the current playback position (time) (long time spanning multiple titles), Patent Document 1 is included. The conventional playback apparatus has a problem that playback cannot be started from the position where the user desires playback (the function itself for starting playback is not installed). In other words, conventionally, the user cannot designate the reproduction start position unless it is within the title to be reproduced, that is, the user cannot designate the position within the other title outside the reproduction target title as the reproduction start position. was there.

  Note that this problem occurs not only on DVDs but also on all playback devices that target the following media. That is, as a method for managing the recording or reproduction time, a method is adopted in which the time axis is completed within a predetermined unit and does not extend over other units, and data is recorded for each unit. This problem occurs in the entire playback apparatus that plays back media.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the user designates an arbitrary position as the reproduction start position of the media recorded for each predetermined unit regardless of the unit or the current reproduction position. It is something that can be done.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention employs a method in which the time axis is completed within a predetermined title composed of one or more GOPs and does not straddle other titles as a recording or playback time management method. In an information processing apparatus that reproduces a DVD in which data is recorded for each title, it is separated from a reference position on the continuous time axis over the entire DVD by a time that can span two or more titles. When a command for starting playback from the playback start position is input with the position expressed by the CTL standard as the playback start position, command interpretation means for interpreting the command, and the playback start position expressed by the CTL standard are By specifying which title of one or more titles exists on a DVD, and specifying which GOP corresponds to one or more GOPs constituting the specified title, The playback start position specifying means for specifying the playback start position specified on the continuous time axis in the command interpreted by the command interpreting means, and the title of the DVD specified by the playback start position specifying means is specified. And a playback control means for controlling the start of playback from the beginning of the GOP .

In the information processing method or program of the present invention, as a method for managing the recording or reproduction time, a method in which the time axis is completed within one predetermined title composed of one or more GOPs and does not straddle other titles. An information processing method or program for reproducing a DVD in which data is recorded for each title, and a length that can span two or more titles from a reference position on a continuous time axis over the entire DVD. If a command to start playback from the playback start position is input with the position expressed by the CTL standard separated by the time of, and the command interpretation step for interpreting the command and the CTL standard are used. The playback start position is specified in any one of one or more titles existing on the DVD, and any one of one or more GOPs constituting the specified title is selected. A playback start position specifying step for specifying a playback start position specified on the continuous time axis in the command interpreted by the processing of the command interpretation step, and a playback start position of the DVD And a playback control step for controlling the start of playback from the head of the specified GOP in the title specified by the processing of the specified step .

In the information processing apparatus and method, and program of the present invention, as a recording or reproduction time management method, the time axis is completed within one predetermined title composed of one or more GOPs and straddles other titles. This method is used, and a DVD in which data is recorded for each title is played back. Specifically, a position expressed by the CTL standard, which is separated from a reference position on the continuous time axis over the entire DVD by a length of time that can span two or more titles, is set as a playback start position from the playback start position. When a command to start playback is input, the command is interpreted, and it is specified in which title of the one or more titles existing on the DVD the playback start position expressed by the CTL standard exists. By specifying which one of one or more GOPs constituting the specified title corresponds to the playback start position specified on the continuous time axis in the interpreted command, the DVD is specified. Of these, playback is started from the head of the specified GOP in the specified title .

  As described above, according to the present invention, as a method for managing the recording or reproduction time, a method in which the time axis is completed within one predetermined unit and does not extend over other units is adopted. It is possible to play back media on which data is recorded every time. In particular, the user can designate an arbitrary position as the reproduction start position of the media regardless of the unit or the current reproduction position.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between constituent elements described in the claims and specific examples in the embodiments of the present invention are exemplified as follows. This description is to confirm that specific examples supporting the invention described in the claims are described in the embodiments of the invention. Therefore, even if there are specific examples that are described in the embodiment of the invention but are not described here as corresponding to the configuration requirements, the specific examples are not included in the configuration. It does not mean that it does not correspond to a requirement. On the contrary, even if a specific example is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, this means that the specific example does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. not.

  Further, this description does not mean that all the inventions corresponding to the specific examples described in the embodiments of the invention are described in the claims. In other words, this description is an invention corresponding to the specific example described in the embodiment of the invention, and the existence of an invention not described in the claims of this application, that is, in the future, a divisional application will be made. Nor does it deny the existence of an invention added by amendment.

According to the present invention, an information processing apparatus is provided. This information processing apparatus (for example, the recording / reproducing apparatus having the hardware configuration of FIG. 1 and the functional configuration of FIG. 3)
As a management method of recording or playing time, time axis, one or more consisting of GOP and completed within a predetermined one title and methods it has been adopted that not span to another title, the data for each of the titles In an information processing apparatus for reproducing a DVD in which DVD is recorded (for example, DVD 31 in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3),
Playing from the playback start position, with a position expressed by the CTL standard that is separated from the reference position on the continuous time axis over the entire DVD by a length of time that can span two or more titles. When a command to start (for example, direct search reproduction command in FIG. 3) is input, command interpretation means (for example, command interpreter 51 in FIG. 3) for interpreting the command;
One or more titles of the one or more titles existing in the DVD are specified in the reproduction start position expressed by the CTL standard, and the one or more GOPs constituting the specified title The reproduction start position specifying means for specifying the reproduction start position specified on the continuous time axis in the command interpreted by the command interpretation means ( For example, the direct search control unit 52) of FIG.
Playback control means (for example, the playback control unit 53 in FIG. 3) that controls starting playback from the head of the GOP specified in the title specified by the playback start position specifying means of the DVD . It is characterized by providing.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a recording / reproducing apparatus as an information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus of the example of FIG. 1, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1 executes various processes according to various programs loaded from a FLASH memory 2 to an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 3. As a result, the operation of the entire recording / reproducing apparatus is controlled. The SDRAM 3 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 1 to execute various processes.

  A control signal input / output control unit 4 is also connected to the CPU 1. The control signal input / output control unit 4 is configured as a microcomputer, for example, and includes various control signals between the blocks such as the operation unit 5, the 232C interface unit 6, the USB interface unit 7, and the display unit 8 in addition to the CPU 1. Control the transfer of.

  The operation unit 5 includes various input devices such as a keyboard, a power switch, and a foot switch. That is, the user can input various commands and various information to the recording / reproducing apparatus by operating the operation unit 5. In other words, the operation unit 5 can supply a control signal corresponding to the user's operation content to the CPU 1 or the like via the control signal input / output control unit 4.

  For example, an external device 41 is connected to the 232C interface unit 6 via a dedicated RS-232C cable. That is, the 232C interface unit 6 relays various information (control signals) transmitted / received between the external device 41 and the CPU 1 in accordance with the RS-232C standard. For example, an external device 41 is connected to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface unit 7 via a dedicated USB cable. That is, the USB interface unit 7 relays various information (control signals) transmitted / received between the external device 41 and the CPU 1 according to the USB standard.

  That is, in the example of FIG. 1, the external device 41 can communicate with the recording / reproducing device of FIG. 1 via the 232C interface unit 6, the USB interface unit 7, or the i.LINK interface unit 21 described later. it can. Specifically, for example, the external apparatus 41 can control various operations of the recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. 1 by transmitting a control signal such as a predetermined command to the recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. A specific example of a command supplied from the external apparatus 41 to the recording / reproducing apparatus in FIG. 1 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The display unit 8 is configured, for example, as a front panel display, and displays various information related to the recording / reproducing apparatus, that is, various information corresponding to various control signals supplied from the CPU 1 or the like via the control signal input / output control unit 4. .

  Incidentally, the CPU 1, the FLASH memory 2, and the SDRAM 3 are connected to each other via the bus 9. The bus 9 is also connected to an encoder / decoder 10 and a read / write control unit 11.

  Under the control of the CPU 1, the encoder / decoder 10 converts a digital video signal V supplied from a switching unit 22 described later and a digital audio signal A supplied from a switching unit 23 described later into, for example, MPEG (Moving The data is encoded (compressed and encoded) by the Picture Experts Group method, and then supplied to the read / write controller 11. Hereinafter, encoded video data and audio data output from the encoder / decoder 53 are collectively referred to as compressed content data.

  The encoder / decoder 10 also decodes (decompresses and decodes) compressed content data supplied from a read / write control unit 11 described later based on the control of the CPU 1, for example, using the MPEG method, Are supplied to the D / A converter 19, and the digital audio signal A is supplied to the D / A converter 20.

  An SDRAM 14 is connected to the encoder / decoder 10. The SDRAM 14 appropriately stores data necessary for the encoder / decoder 10 to execute the above-described processing.

  The read / write control unit 11 controls the reading / writing of various data with respect to a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) 31 mounted on the HDD 12 or the drive 13 based on the control of the CPU 1.

  For example, in this embodiment, when compressed content data is supplied from the encoder / decoder 10, the read / write control unit 11 first records (writes) the compressed content data as recording data in the HDD 12. Control. Next, the read / write control unit 11 controls recording data recorded on the HDD 12 to be read and recorded (written) on the DVD 31 mounted on the drive 13.

  In this embodiment, since the ATA (AT Attachment) standard is adopted, the recording data is recorded on the DVD 31 after being recorded on the HDD 12. However, by adopting a predetermined standard other than the ATA standard, it is naturally possible to record the recording data on the HDD 12 and the DVD 31 in parallel (each independently at substantially the same timing).

  Further, for example, the read / write control unit 11 performs control to read data (compressed content data, various management information, etc.) recorded on the DVD 31 attached to the HDD 12 or the drive 13, and the read data is encoded as necessary. / Supplies to other blocks such as the decoder 10.

  An SDRAM 15 is connected to the read / write controller 11. The SDRAM 15 appropriately stores data necessary for the read / write control unit 11 to execute the processing described above.

  The AV signal interface unit 16 is connected to an external device 41 or an external device (not shown) via various cables. For example, an analog video signal V supplied from the external device 41 (specifically, for example, the video signal V corresponding to the above-mentioned image inside the patient's body) is converted into an A / D conversion unit via the AV signal interface unit 16. 17 is supplied. The analog audio signal A supplied from the external device 41 is supplied to the A / D conversion unit 18 via the AV signal interface unit 16. On the other hand, an analog video signal V supplied from the encoder / decoder 10 via the D / A converter 19 and an analog audio signal supplied from the encoder / decoder 10 via the D / A converter 20. Each of A is supplied to an external device (specifically, for example, a monitor) (not shown) via the AV signal interface unit 16.

  For example, an external device 41 is connected to the i.LINK interface unit 21 via a dedicated i.Link cable. i.LINK is a trademark of Sony Corporation, the applicant, and is a high-speed digital serial interface of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394. Therefore, the i.LINK interface unit 21 receives various information (video signal, audio signal) transmitted / received according to the IEEE1394 standard between the external device 41 and the CPU 1 or between the external device 41 and the encoder / decoder 10. Relay of control signals, etc.). That is, when a control signal (command or the like) is supplied from the external device 41, the i.LINK interface unit 21 supplies the control signal to the CPU 1. On the other hand, when the video signal V is supplied from the external device 41, the i.LINK interface unit 21 outputs the video signal V in an appropriate form (in this embodiment, output from the A / D converter 17). Converted to a digital video signal V) and supplied to the switching unit 22. In addition, when the audio signal A is supplied from the external device 41, the i.LINK interface unit 21 outputs the audio signal A from a signal in an appropriate form (in this embodiment, output from the A / D conversion unit 18). Converted to a digital audio signal A) and supplied to the switching unit 23.

  The switching unit 22 switches the input end and supplies the digital video signal V input to the switched input end to the encoder / decoder 10. That is, the switching unit 22 includes an input terminal for inputting the digital video signal V from the i.LINK interface unit 21 and an input terminal for inputting the digital video signal V from the A / D conversion unit 17. Either one is selected, and the digital video signal V input to the selected input terminal is supplied to the encoder / decoder 10.

  The switching unit 23 switches the input end and supplies the digital audio signal A input to the switched input end to the encoder / decoder 10. That is, the switching unit 23 includes an input terminal for inputting the digital audio signal A from the i.LINK interface unit 21 and an input terminal for inputting the digital audio signal A from the A / D conversion unit 18. Either one is selected, and the digital audio signal A input to the selected input terminal is supplied to the encoder / decoder 10.

  The power supply unit 24 supplies necessary power to the above-described blocks constituting the recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 1, various lines representing that the power supply unit 24 supplies power to each of the blocks constituting the recording / reproducing apparatus are illustrated together as one open arrow because the figure is complicated. Yes.

  Although not shown, the drive 13 can be configured so that a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory can be appropriately mounted in addition to the DVD 31. In this case, the removable recording medium becomes a control target of the read / write control unit 11. That is, the above-described recording data and the like are recorded on this removable recording medium. When a computer program is recorded on the removable recording medium, the computer program read from the removable recording medium via the drive 13 is installed in a memory such as the HDD 12 as necessary.

  In other words, the type of media on which the recording data is read / written, that is, the type of media to be controlled by the read / write control unit 11 is HDD 12 and DVD 13 in the example of FIG. Any type of media can be used.

  Further, the hardware configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus itself is not limited to the example of FIG. 1, and may be any hardware configuration as long as it has at least the functional configuration of FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 1, one external device 41 (specifically, for example, the above-described ultrasonic diagnostic device) is connected to the recording / reproducing device, but the number of connected devices is not limited to one. Multiple units may be used.

  By the way, when the recording / playback apparatus of the example of FIG. 1 performs control to record recording data (compressed content data from the encoder / decoder 10) on the DVD 31, the title is a large unit and the chapter is a small unit. Control for recording the data for recording on the DVD 31 is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the title refers to a section from the start of recording to the end of recording. In the present embodiment, a maximum of 49 titles can be recorded on one DVD 31 according to the DVD format.

  A chapter is a section divided by two indexes. That is, in the present embodiment, the user operates the external device 41 or the operation unit 5 to perform a desired location (for example, a desired image) in the recording data (stream) recorded continuously. An index serving as a mark can be attached to a corresponding location. Further, the user can automatically add an index to the recording / reproducing apparatus by performing a predetermined registration operation (for example, an index is added every predetermined time interval). Then, by operating the operation unit 5 and the like, the user can easily reproduce instantaneously from the indexed portion or repeatedly reproduce between the indexes (chapter). In the present embodiment, a maximum of 254 indexes can be assigned to one DVD 31 according to the DVD format, and a maximum of 99 indexes can be assigned to one title. It is said that.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the user operates the external device 41 to distinguish the title, that is, without depending on the title where the current playback position exists, and at a desired position in the recorded content of the DVD 31. With the (position on the time axis) as the playback start position, a playback command from the playback start position can be input to the recording / playback apparatus of FIG. Hereinafter, such a command is referred to as a direct search reproduction command. In other words, as a playback command from the external device 41, in the present embodiment, this direct search playback command and a playback command from the head position of the title 1 (hereinafter, such command is referred to as a normal playback command). One of them is supplied from the external device 41 to the recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. However, it is needless to say that the playback command is not limited to the two commands of the present embodiment, that is, various other playback commands (including fast forward and rewind commands) can be used in practice.

  Hereinafter, the direct search reproduction command will be further described with reference to FIG. That is, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a direct search reproduction command.

  In FIG. 2, the upper diagram shows an example of the recorded contents of the DVD 31. In other words, in the example of FIG. 2, four titles 1 to 4 are sequentially recorded from the top (Top) in that order on the DVD 31. That is, here, when a normal reproduction command is supplied from the external device 41, it is assumed that each of the four titles 1 to 4 is sequentially reproduced in that order.

  In addition, the reproduction | regeneration said here means a series of processes as follows. That is, the read / write control unit 11 in FIG. 1 reads recording data (stream data) to be reproduced from the DVD 31 via the drive 13. The encoder / decoder 10 decompresses and decodes the recording data, and supplies the resulting digital video signal V and audio signal A to the D / A converters 19 and 20, respectively. Each of the D / A converters 19 and 20 performs D / A conversion on the digital video signal V and the audio signal A, and the resulting analog video signal V and audio signal A are The data is output to an external device (monitor) not shown through the AV signal interface unit 16. Such a series of processing is called reproduction here.

  On the other hand, when a direct search playback command is supplied from the external device 41, the recording / playback device of FIG. 1 is set to the playback start position specified by the direct search playback command, that is, specified by the user. Playback starts from the playback start position. In the example of FIG. 2, the reproduction start position is ▼ (black inverted triangle mark).

  However, when a direct search reproduction command is supplied from the external device 41, in this embodiment, the reproduction start position is given on the basis of CTL (ConTlol Signal). CTL refers to a mark (control signal) recorded on a conventional magnetic tape or the like for each frame. The CTL-based reproduction start position refers to a count value (hereinafter referred to as a CTL count value) obtained by counting the number of CTLs and converting them into a time value. That is, in the present embodiment, the reproduction start position is given by a predetermined number of CTLs. Then, a predetermined number of CTLs are counted, and as a result, a CTL count value, that is, a time value from a predetermined reference position (Top in the example of FIG. 2) is obtained. Specifically, for example, in the example of FIG. 2, “1:22:45” is illustrated as the CTL count value. That is, in the example of FIG. 2, Top is the reference position, and the position 1 hour 22 minutes 45 seconds after the reference Top is the playback start position. That is, in the present embodiment, the external device 41 captures the current position (if the external device 41 is configured by the above-described ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the current image is taken from the patient's body image) The commands for fast forward / rewind operation for the hour are based on the CTL standard.

  On the other hand, recording and playback of the DVD 31 are performed based on the title as described above. The time management in this case is completed within one title and does not straddle two or more titles. That is, in the DVD 31, the time axis is completed within one title and does not straddle two or more titles (is a continuous time axis for two or more titles). Therefore, when recording or playback of the DVD 31 is performed, first, a title to be recorded or played is specified, and then the position of recording or playback (time to be completed within the title) in the specified title. The position on the axis) is specified.

  Therefore, when reproducing the DVD 31 based on the direct search reproduction command based on the CTL standard, the recording / reproducing apparatus in the example of FIG. 1 calculates the CTL count value from the predetermined number of CTLs included in the direct search reproduction command, Further, the CTL count value needs to be converted into information that can be expressed in units of the DVD 31 (titles and GOPs constituting the titles, which will be described later), and then the DVD 31 needs to be played back based on the information. . Specifically, for example, in the example of FIG. 2, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the example of FIG. 1 starts from the CTL count value “1:22:45” and is displayed as the display content of the display unit 8 in FIG. The playback start position needs to be converted into information “chapter 2 of title 3 and a position 5 minutes and 35 seconds after the beginning of title 3”, and DVD 31 needs to be played back based on this information.

  In order to reproduce the DVD 31 based on such a direct search reproduction instruction based on the CTL standard, the recording / reproducing apparatus in the example of FIG. 1 may have the functional configuration shown in FIG. 3, for example. That is, FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration for realizing the function for playing the DVD 31 in accordance with the direct search playback command or the normal playback command from the external device 41 among the functions of the recording / playback device of the example of FIG. An example is shown.

  In the present embodiment, each functional block such as the command interpreter 51 to the power supply state detector 54 is configured as application software executed by the CPU 1 in FIG. However, each functional block can be configured by a combination of application software and one or more predetermined blocks among the hardware blocks shown in FIG. 1 (or can be regarded as such). Is). Further, by making the hardware configuration itself of the recording / reproducing apparatus different from the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the function blocks such as the command interpreter 51 to the power supply state detector 54 can be configured as a single hardware.

  Further, in order to realize the function of reproducing the DVD 31 in accordance with the direct search reproduction command or the normal reproduction command from the external device 41, each function of the command interpreter 51 to the power supply state detector 54 is comprehensively provided. The total number of functional divisions, that is, the number of functional blocks is not particularly limited to the example of FIG. That is, each functional block such as the command interpreter 51 to the power supply state detector 54 may be divided into smaller functional blocks, or two or more functional blocks may be combined into one.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. 3, the command interpreter 51 interprets a command supplied from the external device 41. In the example of FIG. 3, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, as commands supplied from the external device 41, a normal playback command, a direct search playback command including a predetermined number of CTLs and a sign (+ or −), and a reset Only three commands, such as commands, are envisioned. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 3, when a normal reproduction command or a direct search reproduction command is given as a command from the external device 41, the command interpretation unit 51 notifies the reproduction control unit 53 of the command. Further, when a direct search reproduction command is given as a command from the external device 41, a predetermined number of CTLs and signs (+ or-) included in the command are sent from the command interpretation unit 51 to the CTL cant value calculation unit 61. Supplied. The reference numerals will be described later. When a reset command is given as a command from the external device 41, the command is notified from the command interpretation unit 51 to the CTL reference position setting unit 64. The reset command will be described later.

  When a direct search reproduction command is given from the external device 41, the direct search control unit 52 determines the reproduction start position specified by the direct search reproduction command as information on a DVD unit (any position of any title, specific In particular, it is specified as information indicating which GOP the GOP is described later. For this reason, in the example of FIG. 3, the direct search control unit 52 includes a CTL count value calculation unit 61 to a reproduction start position specifying unit 65.

  In the present embodiment, since direct search control unit 52 itself is configured by software, CTL count value calculation unit 61 through playback start position specifying unit 65 are also configured by software. However, when the direct search control unit 52 is configured by hardware alone or a combination of software and hardware, the CTL count value calculation unit 61 through the reproduction start position specifying unit 65 are also configured by hardware alone or software. It is also possible to configure with a combination of hardware and hardware.

  In addition, in order to realize the functions of the direct search control unit 52, it is sufficient that the respective functions of the CTL count value calculation unit 61 to the reproduction start position specifying unit 65 are comprehensively provided. That is, the number of functional blocks is not particularly limited to the example of FIG. That is, each functional block such as the CTL count value calculating unit 61 to the reproduction start position specifying unit 65 may be divided into smaller functional blocks, or two or more functional blocks may be combined into one.

  The CTL count value calculation unit 61 counts the number of CTLs supplied from the command interpretation unit 51, calculates the CTL count value based on the count value and the sign (+ or −), and sends it to the DVD unit conversion unit 62. Supply. That is, when + is given as a sign, the CTL count value is a positive value, and when-is given as a sign, the CTL count value is a negative value. Specifically, for example, in the present embodiment, the possible range of the CTL count value is −09 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds to +09 hours 59 seconds. The meaning of the sign (the positive / negative meaning of the CTL count value) will be described later.

  The DVD unit conversion unit 62 converts the CTL count value supplied from the CTL count value calculation unit 61 into the number of frames from the reference position. Since the NTSC (National Television System Committee) method and the PAL (Phase Alternation by Line) method have different frame intervals (frames / second), the DVD unit conversion unit 62 uses the adopted method (NTSC method or PAL). The CTL count value is converted into the number of frames by a calculation method according to the method. However, since there is a high possibility that the error will be large in the number of frames, in the present embodiment, the number of frames from the reference position is further rounded to the number of GOPs (Group of Pictures) from the reference position. In the present embodiment, when the number of rounded GOPs is N (N is an integer value equal to or greater than 0), + N or −N is calculated by the DVD unit conversion unit 62 and the reproduction start position specifying unit 65.

  Here, + in + N is a sign + supplied from the command interpretation unit 51 together with CTL, and means that it is backward in time (direction taken later in time) with respect to the reference position. . That is, + N means that the Nth GOP that is temporally behind the reference position is the reproduction start position. On the other hand,-in -N is a code-supplied together with CTL from the command interpreter 51, and means that it is forward in time (direction taken before in time) with respect to the reference position. To do. That is, -N means that the Nth GOP ahead in time from the reference position is the reproduction start position.

  The CTL reference position holding unit 63 holds the current reference position in the CTL. This reference position is set (updated) by the CTL reference position setting unit 64. That is, the CTL reference position setting unit 64 sets (updates) the reference position in the CTL based on the detection result of the power supply state detection unit 54 described later and the reset command supplied from the command interpretation unit 51, and sets (updates) the reference position. Update) The result is held in the CTL reference position holding unit 63.

  Specifically, for example, when the power of the recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. 1 is turned on, that is, as described later, the power supply state detection unit 54 indicates that the state of the power supply unit 24 has changed from the power supply OFF state to the power supply ON state. When detected, the CTL reference position setting unit 64 sets (updates) the Top (start position of the first frame of the title 1; see FIG. 2) of the DVD 31 as the reference position.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the reset command is a command for updating the reference position to the current reproduction start position. For this reason, when the reset command is supplied from the command interpretation unit 51, The CTL reference position setting unit 64 sets (updates) the current reproduction start position as the reference position.

  The reproduction start position specifying unit 65 is designated by a direct search reproduction command based on the value (+ N or −N) supplied from the DVD unit conversion unit 62 and the reference position held in the CTL reference position holding unit 63. The playback start position being specified is identified and notified to the playback control unit 53. Specifically, for example, when + N is supplied from the DVD unit conversion unit 62, the reproduction start position specifying unit 65 is the Nth item behind the reference position held in the CTL reference position holding unit 63. Is specified as the playback start position. On the other hand, for example, when −N is supplied from the DVD unit conversion unit 62, the reproduction start position specifying unit 65 temporally forwards the Nth GOP from the reference position held in the CTL reference position holding unit 63. Is specified as the playback start position. The specified playback start position (GOP) is notified from the playback start position specifying unit 65 to the playback control unit 53.

  The playback control unit 53 controls the playback of the DVD 31 according to the normal playback command or the direct search playback command.

  That is, for example, when a normal playback command is notified from the command interpretation unit 51, the playback control unit 53 controls playback from the Top (FIG. 2) of the DVD 31 (playback from the first frame of the title 1). Hereinafter, playback from the top of the DVD 31 is referred to as normal playback.

  On the other hand, for example, when a direct search reproduction command is notified from the command interpretation unit 51, the reproduction control unit 53 is notified from the reproduction start position specifying unit 65 of the direct search control unit 52 in the DVD 31. Controls playback from the playback start position. That is, when + N is output from the DVD unit conversion unit 62, from the first frame of the Nth GOP that is temporally rearward from the reference position held in the CTL reference position holding unit 63 in the DVD 31. Playback starts. On the other hand, when -N is output from the DVD unit conversion unit 62, the first frame of the Nth GOP ahead in time from the reference position held in the CTL reference position holding unit 63 in the DVD 31. Playback starts from.

  The power supply state detection unit 54 detects the state of the power supply unit 24. That is, the power supply state detection unit 54 detects whether the state of the power supply unit 24 is the power supply ON state or the power supply OFF state. The detection result of the power state detection unit 54 is notified to the CTL reference position setting unit 64 as described above.

  Next, an example of recording processing of the recording / reproducing apparatus having the functional configuration of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a reproduction process to which the present invention is applied and which can be reproduced in accordance with the above-described CTL standard direct search command.

  In step S1, the command interpretation unit 51 determines whether or not a reproduction command has been input.

  Until one of the normal playback command and the direct search playback command is input, it is determined in step S1 that the playback command has not been input, the process returns to step S1, and the playback command is input. A loop process is repeated in which it is determined again whether or not.

  Thereafter, when the normal reproduction command or the direct search reproduction command is input, it is determined in step S1 that the reproduction command is input, and the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the command interpretation unit 51 determines whether or not the input reproduction command is a direct search reproduction command.

  When a normal reproduction command is input, it is determined in step S2 that it is not a direct search reproduction command, and the normal reproduction command is notified from the command interpretation unit 51 to the reproduction control unit 53. Thereby, a process progresses to step S3.

  In step S3, the playback control unit 53 performs normal playback of the DVD 31. As a result, the reproduction process ends. However, when a playback command is input again during or after playback of the DVD 31, this playback processing is started again, and playback of the DVD 31 is performed again according to the input playback command.

  On the other hand, if a direct search reproduction command is input, it is determined in step S2 that the direct search reproduction command is received, and the direct search reproduction command is notified from the command interpretation unit 51 to the reproduction control unit 53. A predetermined number of CTLs and signs (+ or −) included in the direct search reproduction command are supplied from the command interpretation unit 51 to the CTL count value calculation unit 61. Thereby, a process progresses to step S4.

  In step S4, the CTL count value calculation unit 61 calculates the CTL count value, and the DVD unit conversion unit 62 converts the CTL count value into a DVD unit value (in this embodiment, a GOP unit value, + N or -N). When the DVD unit value is supplied from the DVD unit conversion unit 62 to the reproduction start position specifying unit 65, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S <b> 5, the reproduction start position specifying unit 65 is based on the DVD unit value (+ N or −N) supplied from the DVD unit conversion unit 62 and the reference position held in the CTL reference position holding unit 63. The playback start position specified by the direct search playback command is specified. When the specified playback start position is notified from the playback start position specifying unit 65 to the playback control unit 53, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the playback control unit 53 performs playback from the playback start position specified in the process of step S5 in the DVD 31, that is, the playback start position notified from the playback start position specifying unit 65. As a result, the reproduction process ends. However, when a playback command is input again during or after playback of the DVD 31, this playback processing is started again, and playback of the DVD 31 is performed again according to the input playback command.

  By the way, when the above-described series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in a dedicated hardware, or various programs can be installed by installing various programs. For example, a general-purpose personal computer that can execute the function is installed from a network or a recording medium.

  This recording medium is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the main body of the apparatus, and includes a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk) on which the program is recorded, an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) ), Including the DVD 31 of FIG. 1), a magneto-optical disk (including MD (Mini-Disk)), or a removable recording medium made of a semiconductor memory, etc. The FLASH memory 2 shown in FIG. 1 in which programs provided to the user are recorded, and the hard disk included in the HDD 12 shown in FIG.

  In the above-described example, the DVD is a playback target, but the following media may be the playback target. That is, as a method for managing the recording or reproduction time, a method is adopted in which the time axis is completed within a predetermined unit and does not extend over other units, and data is recorded for each unit. Media may be targeted for playback.

  When such media is to be played back, the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied is only required to have at least the following three functions, and the embodiment thereof is particularly the example described above. It is not limited. In other words, the first function is to play from the playback start position, with a position that is separated from the reference position on the continuous time axis over the entire medium by a time that can span two or more units as the playback start position. It is a command interpretation function that interprets a command when a command to start is input. The second function uses the playback start position specified on the continuous time axis in the command interpreted by the process corresponding to the command interpretation function, and uses the time axis within a predetermined unit from the media. This is a playback start position specifying function to specify. The third function is a playback control function for controlling the start of playback from the playback start position specified by the processing corresponding to the playback start position specifying function in the media.

  Further, in the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually.

It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the recording / reproducing apparatus with which this invention is applied. It is a figure explaining the reproduction | regeneration process according to a direct search reproduction | regeneration command among the reproduction | regeneration processes to which this invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration for realizing a playback process according to a direct search playback command or a normal playback command among the functions of the recording / playback apparatus of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a playback process executed by the recording / playback apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  1 CPU, 2 FLASH memory, 3 SDRAM, 4 Control signal input / output control unit, 5 Operation unit, 6 232C interface unit, 7 USB interface unit, 8 Display unit, 9 Bus, 10 Encoder / decoder, 11 Read / write control unit , 12 HDD, 13 drives, 14, 15 SDRAM, 16 AV signal interface unit, 17, 18 A / D conversion unit, 19, 20 D / A conversion unit, 21 i.LINK interface unit, 22, 23 switching unit , 24 power supply unit, 31 DVD, 51 command interpretation unit, 52 direct search control unit, 53 playback control unit, 54 power supply state detection unit, 61 CTL count value calculation unit, 62 DVD unit conversion unit, 63 CTL reference position holding unit, 64 CTL reference position setting section, 65 Playback start position specifying section

Claims (3)

As a management method of recording or playing time, time axis, one or more consisting of GOP and completed within a predetermined one title and methods it has been adopted that not span to another title, the data for each of the titles In an information processing apparatus for playing a DVD on which is recorded,
Playing from the playback start position, with a position expressed by the CTL standard that is separated from the reference position on the continuous time axis over the entire DVD by a length of time that can span two or more titles. When a command to start is input, command interpretation means for interpreting the command,
One or more titles of the one or more titles existing in the DVD are specified in the reproduction start position expressed by the CTL standard, and the one or more GOPs constituting the specified title Reproduction start position specifying means for specifying the reproduction start position specified on the continuous time axis in the command interpreted by the command interpretation means by specifying which GOP ,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a playback control unit that controls starting playback from the head of the GOP specified in the title specified by the playback start position specifying unit of the DVD. . As a management method of recording or playing time, time axis, one or more consisting of GOP and completed within a predetermined one title and methods it has been adopted that not span to another title, the data for each of the titles In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus for reproducing a DVD on which is recorded,
Playing from the playback start position, with a position expressed by the CTL standard that is separated from the reference position on the continuous time axis over the entire DVD by a length of time that can span two or more titles. When a command to be started is input to the information processing apparatus, a command interpretation step for interpreting the command;
One or more titles of the one or more titles existing in the DVD are specified in the reproduction start position expressed by the CTL standard, and the one or more GOPs constituting the specified title The playback start position specification that specifies the playback start position specified on the continuous time axis in the command interpreted by the processing of the command interpretation step Steps,
A playback control step for controlling the start of playback from the head of the specified GOP in the title specified by the processing of the playback start position specifying step of the DVD. Processing method. As a management method of recording or playing time, time axis, one or more consisting of GOP and completed within a predetermined one title and methods it has been adopted that not span to another title, the data for each of the titles Is a program that is executed by a computer that controls a playback device that plays back a DVD on which is recorded,
Playing from the playback start position, with a position expressed by the CTL standard that is separated from the reference position on the continuous time axis over the entire DVD by a length of time that can span two or more titles. When a command to be started is input to the playback device or the computer, a command interpretation step for interpreting the command;
One or more titles of the one or more titles existing in the DVD are specified in the reproduction start position expressed by the CTL standard, and the one or more GOPs constituting the specified title The playback start position specification that specifies the playback start position specified on the continuous time axis in the command interpreted by the processing of the command interpretation step Steps,
A playback control step for controlling the start of playback from the head of the specified GOP in the title specified by the processing of the playback start position specifying step of the DVD. .

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