JP2000331422A - Recording device, reproducing device and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set a prescribed reproducing environment and to easily obtain the environment during a reproducing by unit recording more than one reproducing list information that includes reproducing environmental data during a reproducing of an objective file in which prescribed more than one are made into a data file. SOLUTION: A play list includes a play status, in which all tracks being entered are made objectives and description of reproducing environment of these objectives are described, and a play status that describes individual reproducing environment of each track for which an entry is made. For example, in the play list, the reproducing environment, that is used to conduct a reproducing, is recorded as a play status. The play list becomes list information in which a user selects desired tracks among all tracks recorded in a plate shaped memory 1 and a reproducing is conducted for the tracks in a desired order by successively entering the tracks.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium on which various data files such as music data can be recorded, and a recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus for the recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, a small-sized recording medium having a solid-state storage element such as a flash memory mounted thereon is formed, and a dedicated drive device or a drive device is built in an audio / video device, information device, or the like. A device capable of storing data, still image data, moving image data, music data, audio data, and the like has been developed. On the other hand, media such as CDs (compact discs) and MDs (mini discs) have been widely used for recording music data and the like.
Recording and reproduction can be performed by a D recorder / player.

[0003]

By the way, for example, a CD
In a system using an MD or an MD, one piece of music data is recorded as one track, and management information called TOC (Tabie of Contents) is recorded on the medium, so that each track is a predetermined track. They are managed so that they can be played back in order. Normally, a track number is assigned to each track, and in the TOC, the address of the recording position is managed for each track number. Then, the reproducing device reproduces each track in the order of the track number by referring to the TOC.

[0004] However, as a way of enjoying music or the like on the user side, not only are all tracks reproduced in the order of the track numbers, but also the tracks desired by the user (ie, all tracks or some tracks).
You may want to play back in the order you like. Therefore, in order to meet such a demand, a function called a so-called program reproduction has conventionally been added to a CD player or an MD recorder. Program reproduction is a function in which a user specifies the order of songs arbitrarily for tracks recorded on a recording medium (CD or MD) loaded in a playback device, and the songs are played back in the order of the designated songs. It is.

[0005] Further, in a reproducing apparatus corresponding to a CD or MD, not only the user can set the order of the tunes as described above, but also the repeat reproduction for repeatedly reproducing one tune or the entire disc, or a completely random tune. Functions such as shuffle playback, which plays back in order, are also provided.

[0006] Further, in the reproducing apparatus, not only the above-mentioned various modes for the order of the reproduced music, but also a reverb or an equalizing process as a sound effect at the time of reproduction can be performed. It was supposed to be configurable by the user. Of course, the volume (volume level) at the time of reproduction and the contents displayed on the display unit (such as switching between time display and character display) are also included in the setting of the reproduction environment, and the user can perform his / her own operation by various operations. You will set your favorite playback environment.

As described above, at the time of reproduction, the user can enjoy the reproduction by effectively utilizing the order of the reproduced music, the sound effect, the volume, the display contents, and various other various functions. Can be.

However, in the conventional system, there is no system which can easily set a desired reproduction environment for each recording medium and for each reproduction. For example, in the case of the above program playback,
The song order designation performed by the user is stored in a memory in the playback device, and playback is performed based on the stored song order. After the program playback, or after power-off, or The stored contents (music order) are not retained until after the disc is ejected. This is because if the disk is replaced, the music order designation before the replacement becomes invalid naturally. Therefore, in the case of program reproduction, the user has to execute the music order designation operation every time reproduction is attempted. Of course, when it is desired to perform the shuffle reproduction and the repeat reproduction, it is necessary to change the reproduction mode each time. Sound effects, volume, display mode, etc.
The same applies to functions relating to other various reproduction environments.

That is, in the conventional system, the reproduction environment is set by the user each time the reproduction is performed. For example, even if the user wants to reproduce a certain disc (or a certain song) in the same reproduction environment every time, the reproduction environment is set. Setting operation must be performed every time. In addition, the user cannot always set a specific playback environment that he / she likes, for example, by forgetting previous settings. Of course, if the playback device changes, it is difficult or troublesome to immediately set the same playback environment even if the playback environment has the same function.

[0010] By storing the previous reproduction environment in the reproduction apparatus, for example, the sound effect, volume,
In many cases, the display mode and the like are automatically set to the same settings as the previous time. However, such an operation does not automatically set a reproduction environment corresponding to, for example, individual discs or individual songs.

That is, in the conventional system, a user sets a specific reproduction environment for a specific song or a specific recording medium, and obtains a specific reproduction environment every time the specific song or the recording medium is reproduced. That is, there is a problem that the operation cannot be performed unless the user performs a troublesome operation every time.

[0012]

According to the present invention, a specific reproduction environment can be set for a recording medium or a data file (music or the like) recorded on the recording medium in accordance with such circumstances. The purpose is to make the environment easily available.

Therefore, the recording medium of the present invention records one or a plurality of data files and sets one or more data files among the recorded data files as a target file when reproducing the target file. Is recorded in one or more units. In addition, the play list information includes play order data for the target file. Further, the play list information includes play environment data relating to all the target files of the play list information. The play list information includes play environment data relating to each target file of the play list information. That is, as the playlist information, the target file (one or more target files)
The playback environment data when the target file is played back is recorded, and the playback device refers to the playback environment data to obtain a specific playback environment for a specific song or a specific recording medium. Can be set automatically.

The recording apparatus of the present invention includes, as a target file, one or a plurality of data files among data files recorded on a loaded recording medium, and includes reproduction environment data at the time of reproducing the target file. A play list generating means for generating play list information, and a recording means capable of recording the play list information generated by the play list generating means on a loaded recording medium are provided. That is, by generating reproduction list information including reproduction environment data and recording it on a recording medium, a reproduction environment desired by a user can be registered in association with a specific data file or recording medium.

According to the present invention, there is provided a reproducing apparatus comprising: a designation operation means for arbitrarily designating one piece of playlist information from one or a plurality of pieces of playlist information recorded on a loaded recording medium; A playback unit that sets a playback environment based on playback environment data included in the designated playlist information in response to a designated operation by the operation unit, and plays a target file of the playlist information. To do. As a result, it is possible to automatically execute the reproduction in the reproduction environment set according to the data file (music or the like) on the recording medium on which the reproduction list information is recorded.

Further, according to the present invention, the recording apparatus includes communication means capable of communicating with an external reproduction apparatus, and the recording means includes reproduction list information transmitted from the reproduction apparatus and received by the communication means. Can be recorded on the loaded recording medium. On the other hand, the playback device can communicate with an external recording device and transmit the content of the playlist information to the external recording device with respect to the playlist information specified by the specifying operation means. Provide communication means that can That is, the reproduction list information recorded on the recording medium loaded on the reproducing apparatus can be copied to the recording medium loaded on the recording apparatus.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, a plate memory having a plate-shaped outer shape is given as an example of the recording medium of the present invention, and a drive device capable of recording and reproducing data with respect to this is provided by a recording device of the present invention. Examples of the device and the playback device. The description will be made in the following order. 1. Example of system connection 2. Planar memory 3. Configuration of drive device 4. File structure in the plate memory 6. Playlist creation processing 6 Play status update processing 7 Reproduction processing 8. 8. Duplication processing Modified example

1. Example of System Connection FIG. 1 shows an example of connection of various devices to the drive device 20 of the present embodiment. The drive device 20 can record and reproduce data on the plate memory 1 by loading the plate memory 1. For example, when the plate memory 1 in which music data is recorded is loaded, the music reproduction can be enjoyed by connecting the headphones 12.

A CD player 1 is used as an external reproducing device.
0 by the cable 13, the CD player 10
, And can be recorded in the plate memory 1. Also, for example, USB (Universa
l Serial Bus) By connecting to an information device such as a personal computer 11 via a cable 14, data supplied from the personal computer 11 can be recorded in the plate memory 1, or data reproduced from the plate memory 1 can be For example, the data can be transferred to the computer 11.

Although not shown, a microphone is connected to record the collected sound in the plate memory 1,
Alternatively, it is also possible to connect a recording device such as an MD recorder and supply data, and record the data on a recording medium loaded in the recording device.

As described above, the drive device 1 performs recording / reproduction in a state suitable for carrying by connecting various devices, or connects to devices installed in a home or a workplace to perform system operation. It is possible to do. In addition, for example, the drive device 1 of the present example has a display unit, so that the document data, image data, and the like recorded in the plate memory 1 can be reproduced by the drive device 1 alone.

Further, although not provided in the configuration of the drive device 1 of the present embodiment described later, if the drive device 1 is provided with a built-in microphone and speaker, music, voice, It becomes possible to reproduce or record a moving image.

2. Next, an outer shape of the plate memory 1, which is a recording medium used in this example, will be described with reference to FIG. The plate memory 1
For example, a memory element having a predetermined capacity is provided inside a plate-shaped casing as shown in FIG. 2, for example. In this example, a flash memory is used as the memory element. The housing shown as a plan view, a front view, a side view, and a bottom view in FIG. 2 is formed by, for example, a plastic mold, and a specific example of the size is a width W1 shown in the drawing.
1, W12, and W13 each have W11 = 60 mm;
W12 = 20 mm and W13 = 2.8 mm.

A terminal section 2 having, for example, ten electrodes is formed from the lower front side to the bottom side of the housing, and a read or write operation to an internal memory element is performed from the terminal section 2. The upper left portion in the planar direction of the housing is a cutout 3. The notch 3 is for preventing the erroneous insertion direction when the plate memory 1 is loaded into, for example, a mounting / removing mechanism of the drive device body. Further, a label attaching surface 4 is formed from the top surface to the bottom surface side of the housing, so that a user can attach a label on which stored contents are written. Further, a slide switch 5 for preventing erroneous erasure of recorded contents is formed on the bottom side.

In such a plate memory 1, the flash memory capacity is 4 MB (megabytes), 8
It is defined as one of MB, 16 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB, and 128 MB. As a file system for data recording / reproduction, a so-called FA
A T (File Allocation Table) system is used.

The writing speed is from 1500 KByte / sec.
330KByte / sec, read speed 2.45MBy
te / sec, the write unit is 512 bytes, and the erase block size is 8 KB or 16 KB. The power supply voltage Vcc is 2.7 to 3.6 V and the serial clock SC
LK is set to a maximum of 20 MHz.

3. Configuration of Drive Device Next, the configuration of the drive device 20 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3 </ b> B, 3 </ b> C, and 3 </ b> D show a plan view, a top view, a left side view, and a bottom view as an example of the appearance of the drive device 20. As shown in FIG. 3B, the plate memory 1 is loaded into a mounting / dismounting mechanism 22 formed on the upper surface of the apparatus.

The drive unit 20 has a display unit 21 formed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel on a flat surface, and displays reproduced images and characters, reproduced sounds, information accompanying music, and operation guide messages. Is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 1, various terminals are formed for connection to various devices. For example, FIG.
As shown in (b), a headphone terminal 23 and a line output terminal 24 are formed. When the headphones 12 are connected to the headphone terminal 23 as shown in FIG. 1, a reproduced audio signal is supplied to the headphones 12, and the user can listen to the reproduced audio. In addition, by connecting an external device to the line output terminal 24 with an audio cable, a reproduced audio signal can be supplied to the external device. For example, it is connected to an audio amplifier so that the music / sound reproduced from the plate memory 1 can be heard by the speaker system, or the music reproduced from the plate memory 1 by connecting a mini disk recorder or a tape recorder. It is also possible to record / record audio / audio on another medium.

For example, as shown in FIG.
0, a microphone input terminal 25, a line input terminal 2
6, a digital input terminal 27 and the like are formed. By connecting a microphone to the microphone input terminal 25, the drive device 20 can take in an audio signal collected by the microphone and record it in, for example, the plate memory 1. Also, by connecting an external device, for example, a CD player 10 as shown in FIG. 1, to the line input terminal 26, an audio signal supplied from the external device is fetched.
It is possible to record the information in the storage area. Further, digital audio data transmitted through an optical cable can be input through the digital input terminal 27. For example, if the external CD player is a device that supports digital output,
By connecting with an optical cable, so-called digital dubbing becomes possible.

As shown in FIG. 3D, for example, a USB connector 28 is formed on the bottom side of the drive device 20 to perform various types of communication with a USB-compatible device, for example, a personal computer having a USB interface. , Data transmission becomes possible.

The types and numbers of these terminals are merely examples, and other examples are possible. For example, a digital output terminal corresponding to an optical cable may be provided, or
A CSI connector, a serial port, an RS232C connector, an IEEE connector, or the like may be formed. Although the terminal structure is already known and will not be described, the headphone terminal 23 and the line output terminal 2 are not described.
4 can be shared as one terminal, or a digital output terminal can be further shared. Similarly, the microphone input terminal 25, the line input terminal 26, and the digital input terminal 27 can be shared as one terminal.

On the drive unit 20, for example, a reproduction key 31, a stop key 3
2. There are provided a REW (and AMS) key 33 (fast reverse / search), an FF (and AMS) key 34 (fast forward / high), a pause key 35, a recording key 36, and the like. These operation keys are particularly suitable for the operation of recording / reproducing audio / music data or moving image data, but are of course only examples. For example, other than this, an operator such as a cursor movement key, a number key, and an operation dial (jog dial) may be provided.

In the case of this example, a playlist selection key 37 and a playlist editing key 38 are provided for operations relating to a playlist described later. Processing according to these operations will be described later. Further, in this example, the reproduction environment data (hereinafter, also referred to as play status data) can be recorded in the play list. However, the reproduction environment data is used as an operation key for instructing selection of the play status and registration of the selected play status in the play list. Setting key 3
9. A reproduction environment registration key 40 is prepared. Processing corresponding to these operations will also be described later.

Although the power on / off key is not shown, for example, processing such as using the reproduction key 31 as a power on key and turning off the power after a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation of the stop key 32 is performed. This eliminates the need for a power key. Of course, a power key may be provided.

Although the number and types of operation keys to be provided can be considered variously, in this example, only the operation keys shown in FIG.
Writing of playlist including play status to be described later /
Operations for recording / reproduction including selection and operations for copying a playlist can be performed, and the number of keys can be reduced, and the device can be reduced in size and cost.

FIG. 4 shows the internal configuration of the drive device 20. It should be noted that the drive device 20 is used to
There are various types of main data that can be handled as objects to be written or read from, for example, moving image data, still image data, audio data (voice data), HiFi audio data (music data), control data, and the like. .

The CPU 41 serves as a central control unit of the drive device 20 and controls the operation of each unit described below.
In the CPU 41, for example, a ROM 41a storing an operation program and various constants, and an R
AM 41b is provided. The operation unit 30 is
The CPU 4 corresponds to the various operators (31 to 40) described above.
1 executes a control operation defined by an operation program in accordance with operation input information from the operation unit 30. Further, a flash memory 48 is provided, and the CPU 4
1 allows the flash memory 48 to store system setting information relating to various operations such as a music recording mode, a playback volume, and a display mode.

The real-time clock 44 is a so-called clock unit, and counts the current date and time. The CPU 41 can confirm the current date and time from the date and time data from the real-time clock 44.

The USB interface 43 is a communication interface with an external device connected to the USB connector 28. The CPU 41 can perform data communication with an external personal computer (for example, the personal computer 11 in FIG. 1) via the USB interface 43. For example, transmission and reception of control data, computer data, image data, audio data, and the like are executed.

The power supply section includes a regulator 46,
It has a DC / DC converter 47. When turning on the power, the CPU 41 instructs the regulator 46 to turn on the power. The regulator 46 starts power supply from a battery (dry cell or charged value) according to the instruction. The power supply voltage from the battery is converted to a required voltage value in the DC / DC converter 47 and supplied to each block as an operation power supply voltage Vcc. For example, an AC adapter terminal or the like may be formed to enable power supply from an external commercial power supply.

When the plate memory 1 is mounted on the attachment / detachment mechanism 22, the CPU 41
, The access to the plate memory 1 becomes possible,
Various data can be recorded / reproduced / edited.

By controlling the display driver 45, the CPU 41 can display a required image on the display unit 21. For example, a menu or guide display for a user operation, or a display of a file content stored in the plate memory 1 is executed. Further, for example, if image data of a moving image or a still image is recorded in the plate memory 1, the image data can be read out and displayed on the display unit 108.

As described above, in this example, the digital input terminal 27, the microphone input terminal 25, and the line input terminal 2 are used to input and output audio signals (music signals and audio signals).
6, a headphone terminal 23 and a line output terminal 24 are formed. Audio signal processing systems for these terminals include a SAM (Securty Application Module: encryption / decompression processing unit) 50 and a DSP (Digital Signal Process).
er), an analog-to-digital / digital-to-analog converter 54 (hereinafter referred to as an ADDA converter), a power amplifier 5
6, a microphone amplifier 53, an optical input module 51, and a digital input section 52 are provided.

The SAM 50 encrypts and decompresses data according to an instruction from the CPU 41, and
The exchange of the encryption key with the device 1 is performed. DSP49,
Based on a command from the CPU 41, compression / expansion processing of audio data and various sound effect processing (reverb, tone control, equalizing, surround processing, etc.) are performed. The digital input unit 52 performs input interface processing of digital audio data captured by the optical input module. The ADDA converter 54 performs A / D conversion and D / A conversion on the audio signal.

The input and output of audio signals are performed by these blocks as follows. A signal supplied from an external device to the digital input terminal 27 via an optical cable as digital audio data is transmitted to the optical input module 5.
The digital input unit 52 performs a receiving process according to the transmission format.
The received and extracted digital audio data is D
The compression processing is performed in SP49, and the compression processing is performed, for example, as recording data in the plate memory 1.

When a microphone is connected to the microphone input terminal 25, the input audio signal is amplified by the microphone amplifier 53, and then A / D converted by the ADDA converter 54.
It is supplied to the DSP 49 as digital audio data. Then, the CPU 41 performs compression processing in the DSP 49.
To be recorded data in the plate memory 1, for example. An input audio signal from an external device connected to the line input terminal 26 is A / D converted by the ADDA conversion unit 54 and supplied to the DSP 49 as digital audio data. Then, through compression processing in the DSP 49, the CPU
The data is supplied to the memory 41 and becomes, for example, data recorded on the plate memory 1.

On the other hand, for example, when outputting audio data read from the plate memory 1, the CPU 41 causes the DSP 49 to perform expansion processing and various sound effect processing on the audio data. The digital audio data that has been subjected to these processes is converted into an analog audio signal by the ADDA converter 54 and supplied to the power amplifier 56. In the power amplifier 56, the volume adjustment process (the volume adjustment process may be performed by the DSP 49).
Alternatively, an amplification process for headphones and an amplification process for line output are performed and supplied to a headphone terminal 23 and a line output terminal 24, respectively.

The drive device 20 receives audio data (compressed data) read from the plate memory 1 and audio data that has been taken in from the digital input terminal 27, the microphone input terminal 25, or the line input terminal 26 and has been subjected to compression processing. Is encrypted by the SAM 50, and the USB terminal 43 is connected to the USB terminal 2 by the USB interface 43.
8 to an external device (for example, personal computer 11)
Can be supplied to Further, the SAM 50 performs expansion processing (decryption) on the encrypted audio data received from an external device connected to the USB terminal 28, and records the expanded audio data on the plate memory 1, or expands the data using the DSP 49. And output from the headphone terminal 23 or the line output terminal 24.

The drive device 20 shown in FIG.
Is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, any type of recording / reproducing apparatus may be used as long as a configuration capable of writing / reading data corresponding to the plate memory 1 is adopted. The present invention can also be realized as a recording device having only a recording function and a reproducing device having only a reproducing function.

4. Next, a file structure stored in the plate memory 1 will be described. First, an example of a directory configuration is shown in FIG.
As described above, the main data that can be handled by the plate memory 1 include moving image data, still image data, audio data (voice data), HiFi audio data (music data), control data, and the like. For this reason, the directory structure is “VO” from the root directory.
"ICE" (voice directory), "DCIM" (still image directory), "MOxxxnnn" (moving image directory), "AVCTL" (control directory), and "HIFI" (music directory).

In this example, a subdirectory of the directory "HIFI" is shown in order to explain a play list to be described later, taking a music data file as an example. As subdirectories of the directory "HIFI",
As shown, the track list “TRKLIST”, audio data files “A2D00001”, “A2D
00002 ”..., playlist table“ TBPL
IST ", playlists" PLIST1 "," PLIST "
2 "... Are formed. Note that these subdirectory names (folder names, file names) “A2D000
01, “PLIST1”, and the like, and the file type are merely tentatively set for the sake of explanation.

The track list "TRKLIST"
Management information such as audio data files, CD
And information corresponding to a so-called TOC in MD and MD (hereinafter, this track list is referred to as “TOC”).
That is, the parts, names, address pointers, and the like of the audio data file (track) recorded in the plate memory 1 are described. Therefore, the drive device 20 refers to the TOC to obtain the recorded audio data. It is possible to know the number of files (tracks), the name of each song, the access position at the time of reproduction, and the like. Each audio data file is managed in a state where a track number (song number) is assigned in the TOC, and the track number corresponds to the order of music to be reproduced during normal reproduction.

An audio data file (hereinafter, referred to as a track) is a file as one music piece.
These tracks are managed in the TOC in the order of the track numbers (TRK1, TRK2,...). In the system of this example, audio data recorded as a track is processed by the DSP 49 in ATRAC2.
It becomes data that has undergone the compression of the system.

By adopting the directory structure in which the TOC and the track are recorded, the present system enables recording and reproduction of the track. Here, by further recording the playlist table and the playlist, it is possible to reproduce in a variety of music order. Playlist table,
The actual processing relating to the playlist will be described later, but the playlist table is table information for managing one or a plurality of recorded playlists. The playlist is a data file that describes the order of tracks. Further, by making the play list include play status data as described later, the drive device can set the reproduction environment indicated by the play status data during the reproduction operation based on the play list. it can.

The directory structure as shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example. For example, a folder or the like may be further formed under a sub-directory. A file to be recorded may be formed.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a file recorded in the plate memory 1. In the example of this figure, five tracks (that is, five tracks) are stored in the plate memory 1 under the directory structure.
Songs) are recorded as tracks TRK1 to TRK5, respectively, and these tracks TRK1 to TRK5 are recorded.
Are schematically indicated by the TOC pointers PTK1 to PTK5, respectively. That is, T
Tracks TRK1 to TRK managed by OC
K5 is recorded. In the TOC, it is possible to manage not only the pointer but also the song name and other information for each track as described above.

For example, in the recording state as shown in FIG. 6, at the time of reproduction, the drive device 20 reproduces each track in the order of music managed by the TOC, that is, in the order of track numbers. Therefore, in the case of reproduction in which the user does not particularly indicate the track number, first the track TR
K1 is played, and after that, track TRK
Play 2 Then, the reproduction is performed in that order, and when the reproduction of the track TRK5 is completed, a series of reproduction operations is ended.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which a playlist table and two playlists PL1 and PL2 have been added to the state of FIG. In the playlist table,
The playlists PL1 and PL2 are indicated by pointers PPL1 and PPL2 together with the playlist names “PL1” and “PL2” (for example, playlist names registered by the user). That is, the playlists PL1 and PL2 are recorded in a state managed by the playlist table. And playlist PL
1 and PL2, the tracks are designated in the order of the entry numbers. For example, in the playlist PL1, the tracks TRK3, TRK4, and TRK are designated as entry numbers # 1 to # 3.
The song order of K1 is registered.

In the drive device 20, when the user selects a certain playlist and performs a reproducing operation, the reproducing operation is performed in the order of music registered in the selected playlist. For example, when the play list PL1 is selected, the CPU 41 of the drive device 20 controls the reproduction operation in the order of the tracks TRK3, TRK4, and TRK1. That is, in this case, first, the playlist P
After confirming that the entry number # 1 of L1 is the track TRK3, the CPU 41 transmits the track TRK from the TOC.
The pointer PTK3 of K3 is confirmed, and the track TRK3 is accessed for reproduction. Subsequently, similarly, reproduction is performed on the track TRK4 of the entry number # 2, and further reproduction is performed on the track TRK1 of the entry number # 3.

In the case of reproduction in the order of music using a playlist, the tracks registered in the order of the entry number are accessed by referring to the TOC. For example, it is necessary to register a pointer of the track in the playlist. Thus, it is conceivable to enable the reproduction without referring to the TOC (that is, to provide the playlist with the TOC function).

As described above, in the play list PL (x), one or a plurality of tracks among the data files (tracks TRK1 to TRK5) recorded in the plate memory 1 are entered as target files. In addition, it is assumed that the order of the tracks on each track entered as the target file can be specified.

Further, in the play list PL (x), not only the track number (or track address) entered as the target file, but also a play status PS-ALL describing the reproduction environment for all the entered tracks. And a play status PS # describing an individual reproduction environment for each of the entered tracks.
(N) is included. For example, in the playlist PL1, all the tracks entered, that is, the track TRK
3, this playlist P for TRK4 and TRK1
The reproduction environment when performing reproduction using L1 is recorded as the play status PS-ALL. Also, the tracks TRK3 and TRK3 are similarly set using the playlist PL1.
4. When the reproduction of the TRK1 is performed, the reproduction environment peculiar to each track is the play status PS # 1, PS # 2, P
This is recorded as S # 3.

The reproduction environment (play status) data has various contents as shown in FIG. In FIG.
As information that can be described as play status data,
The volume, sound effect, display content, stop position, and playback mode are listed. Note that, of course, the play status data can be further variously considered according to various functions mounted on the playback device, and the example of FIG. 9 is merely an example for explanation.

The volume is data that is variable by the DSP 49 or the power amplifier 56 and specifies the volume value output during reproduction. The volume designation data may be registered in the play status PS-ALL and set as the volume at the time of reproduction using the playlist, or may be registered in the play status PS # (n) and When each track using the list is reproduced, the data may be volume data individually set for each track.

The sound effect is data on various sound processing performed by the DSP 49. For example, for sound effects such as reverb, tone control (treble, bass, etc.), surround processing, and equalizing processing, part or all of the effect levels are described. The designated data of the sound effect may be registered in the play status PS-ALL and set as a sound effect at the time of reproduction using the playlist, or may be registered in the play status PS # (n), When each track using the playlist is reproduced, the data may be sound effect data set individually for each track.

The display content is data for specifying the content to be displayed on the display unit 21 when the reproduction using the play list is performed. As described above, the display content can be various displays such as reproduction progress time, remaining time, character information such as a song title, and of course, other than that, such as volume and so-called spectrum analysis display (sound level display for each frequency band). Is also possible. The play status as the display content is data for specifying what kind of display is to be executed during reproduction using the play list among the various display contents. The designated data of the sound effect may be registered in the play status PS-ALL and set as display contents at the time of reproduction using the play list, or may be set in the play status PS #.
(N) may be registered as data of display contents set individually for each track when the track using the playlist is reproduced.

The stop position is data of a so-called resume position, and is an address of a position where reproduction is stopped. The resume function is a function that, as already known as resume playback on a CD or MD, stores the stop position when playback is stopped so that the next playback can be started from the stopped position. It is. Such a function is useful also as a playback device for the plate memory 1, but also in a playback operation based on a playlist, resume playback can be realized by storing the stop position. The data of the stop position may be registered in the play status PS-ALL. For example, an entry number and an address are data contents. Note that the last stop position for each track may be stored in the play status PS # (n).

The reproduction mode refers to a reproduction mode relating to the order of reproduction music, such as shuffle reproduction, repeat reproduction, program reproduction, etc., or a resume reproduction mode based on the data of the stop position. A playback mode for executing playback using the list can be designated. The data of this reproduction mode is registered in the play status PS-ALL. Note that the playlist is list data for reproducing one or a plurality of tracks that are entered as target files in the order of the entry numbers, and thus realizes a kind of program reproducing function. Here, the program reproduction as the play status refers to a function of reproducing a part or all of the tracks to be entered in a desired order regardless of the entry number. In addition, shuffle playback, repeat playback,
This refers to random playback and repeated playback of tracks entered in the playlist.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the data structure of the playlist PL (x). This playlist PL (x) is an example in which three tracks are registered as entry numbers # 1, # 2, and # 3. In this case, the play status P
As the S-ALL, a reproduction environment for reproducing the tracks with entry numbers # 1, # 2, and # 3 based on the playlist PL (x), such as the above-described volume, sound effect, display content, stop position, The playback mode is recorded. In this case, the play status PS # 1, PS # 2, and PS # 3 can be recorded corresponding to each entry.
These play statuses PS # 1, PS # 2, PS # 3
Thus, the reproduction environment for each track when the tracks of entry numbers # 1, # 2, and # 3 are reproduced based on the play list PL (x), for example, the above-described volume, sound effect, and display contents are recorded.

In the above-described playlist, the user selects desired tracks from all the tracks recorded in the plate memory 1 and reproduces them in a desired order by sequentially entering the tracks. As described above, the reproduction itself based on the playlist can function as a kind of program reproduction (program reproduction for the entire recording track of the plate memory 1) as described above. In addition, not only the program reproduction but also a function of allowing the user to appropriately classify the recording tracks in the plate memory 1 is provided.
For example, all tracks from a plurality of CD albums (albums A and B) are dubbed and recorded in the plate memory 1, and the tracks from the album A are entered as the playlist PL1. Also, a track from album B is entered as a play list PL2. Then, the user causes the plate memory 1 to execute the reproduction based on the play list PL1, and the album A
You can enjoy only music. Of course, it is needless to say that the classification desired by the user, such as by music genre or artist, can be performed, not by album.

Since such a classification can be realized by the playlist, the capacity of one plate memory 1 can be effectively used and the usability can be improved.

5. Playlist Creation Processing In order to perform playback based on a playlist that realizes an arbitrary song order or an arbitrary classification as described above, it is necessary that the playlist is first recorded in the plate memory 1. (For example, it is necessary to be in the state of FIG. 7). For this reason, the user performs a playlist creation operation, and causes the drive device 20 to record a playlist specifying an arbitrary music order. At this time, a reproduction environment at the time of reproduction based on the play list is also set, and the above-mentioned play statuses PS-ALL, PS
.. Are registered as # 1. FIG. 10 shows the processing of the CPU 41 for creating the play list.

To create a play list, the user first presses a play list edit key 38. When detecting the operation of the play list edit key 38, the CPU 41 shifts to the play list creation mode, and proceeds to step F1 in FIG.
The process proceeds from 01 to F102. In step F102, the CPU 41 accesses the plate memory 1 via the memory interface 42, reads out the TOC, and expands the TOC information in the RAM 41b. In step F103, the variable n is set to 1.

Subsequently, in step F104, the display unit 21 is caused to execute TOC information and a screen display requesting the user to select a track. For example, as the TOC information, the display unit 21 displays a list of track numbers and song names of the recorded tracks, and displays a screen for the user to sequentially input the track numbers. In this state, the user waits for an operation in steps F105, F106 and F111.

The user can input, for example, the FF key 34, REW
An arbitrary track number can be selected by operating the key 33, and a selection determination operation can be performed with the reproduction key 31. Further, in order to instruct the end of the input for all the tracks to be registered by the user, for example, the playlist edit key 38 is used. Further, for example, the stop key 32 is made to function as a cancel operation key. It goes without saying that other operation keys may be used or dedicated operation keys may be provided as keys used for user operations for track selection / cancellation and input termination.
Hereinafter, with respect to the processes in FIGS. 10 to 13 and FIGS. 15 and 16, an example will be described in which the operation keys shown in FIG. 3 are used for the user's operation. Or what key is prepared) may be set according to the actual circumstances of the drive device design.

If the user has performed a cancel operation, the process is stopped from step F105. When the user selects a certain track number with the FF key 34 and the REW key 33 and then performs the reproduction key 31, that is, the selection decision operation, the CPU 41 proceeds from step F106 to F107 and selects the entry number # (n). The determined track number is stored. Next, in step F108,
When it is determined that the variable n = 1, that is, when it is confirmed that the input of the first music has been completed, step F
At step 109, a pointer on the playlist table is set when a new playlist is created. That is, management information to be registered in the playlist table for the playlist to be created at present is set.
If the playlist table does not exist in the plate memory 1 at that time (that is, the playlist is
If none exists, data as a playlist table to be newly written is also created.

At step F110, the variable n is incremented, and the process returns to step F104, at which the user is again requested to input the next track number on the display screen.

By the processing of steps F104 to F110, the user sequentially inputs one or more track numbers, and the track numbers are stored in the order of the entry numbers. If the user performs a selection completion (track number input end) operation at a certain point in time when one or more track numbers are input, the process proceeds from step F111 to step F112, and the CPU 41 subsequently displays the current time on the display unit 21. A display requesting the input of the name of the playlist to be executed is executed, and the input characters of the user are taken in. For example, if the user
By operating a reproduction key 31 after selecting a certain character with the keys 34 and the REW key 33, the input of the character can be confirmed. For example, the CPU 41 sets the FF key 34,
The character on the cursor is changed on the display in accordance with the operation of the REW key 33, and when the reproduction key 31 is operated, the input of the character is determined and loaded into the RAM 41b. In accordance with such operations / processes, characters are selected one by one, and when the input of a certain character string as a name is completed, the user performs a character input end operation.

When the character input is completed, the process proceeds from step F113 to step F114, and subsequently, a process of generating play status data to be registered in the play list is performed. Various examples of the play status data generation processing in step F114 are conceivable. Here, two examples will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B.

FIG. 11A shows an example in which the CPU 41 generates play status data according to the current reproduction environment. That is, the CPU 41 determines in step F151 that
At the time when the playlist creation process is being performed, the reproduction environment, which is set by the user and held in a certain area of the RAM 41b in the CPU 41, that is, the settings of the volume, the sound effect, and the display contents are taken out, and step F1 is executed.
At 52, registration play status data is generated based on the data.

By generating the play status data for registration in this way, the user does not need to perform the process for generating play status data at the time of operation for playlist registration. Also, since the play status data for registration is automatically generated from the playback environment at that time, contents that the user does not want may be registered in some cases. In this case, it is only necessary to set a desired reproduction environment before entering the playlist creation operation.

On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 11B, the CPU 41 generates play status data for registration in accordance with a user operation. In this case, the CPU 41 first causes the display unit 21 to display the contents of the currently set playback environment on the display unit 21 and present it to the user (at the time when the playlist creation process is being performed) in step F161. And ask for user's operation. The user looks at the displayed contents, determines whether or not to register the reproduction environment, and performs a setting operation (operation of the reproduction environment setting key 39) or a registration operation (operation of the reproduction environment registration key 40).

The user performs a registration operation if he / she wants to perform registration while keeping the displayed contents, but performs a setting operation if he / she wants to perform registration in another reproduction environment. Then CPU4
The process of step 1 proceeds from step F162 to F162, in which the reproduction environment is changed in accordance with the operation. As an operation method, for example, the CPU 4 is operated by operating the reproduction environment setting key 39.
1 displays a certain reproduction environment content (volume, sound effect, etc.) to be changed, and when the user wants to change the displayed reproduction environment content, the user operates the FF key 34 and the REW key 33, for example. To any set value. Therefore, the user presses the playback environment setting key 39 several times until the content of the playback environment desired to be changed is displayed, selects an object to be changed, and performs an operation of changing the set value with the FF key 34 and the REW key 33, whereby 1 Alternatively, it is possible to arbitrarily set each of a plurality of reproduction environment contents.

The CPU 41 changes the setting of the contents of the reproduction environment in accordance with the user's operation, and displays the contents changed in step F161. This allows the user to change the settings of each playback environment content while watching the display.

When the content of the reproduction environment displayed in step F161 is OK as the content to be registered, the user performs a registration operation. Then, the process of the CPU 41 proceeds from step F163 to F165, and generates play status data for registration based on the displayed content.

By generating the play status data for registration, the user can set his / her desired reproduction environment for the play list at the time of creating the play list.

When the processing of step F114 in FIG. 10 is completed in the processing of FIG. 11 (a) or (b) as described above,
The CPU 41 advances the processing to step F115,
1b, data is created as a playlist. That is, based on the track numbers stored in the entry number order, the entry file # as a playlist
, # 2,..., And the play status data PS-ALL, PS # 1, PS # 2,.
・ Generate data as

Each of one or a plurality of pieces of play status data generated in FIG. 11A or 11B is set as data to be registered as the play status PS-ALL, or as PS # (x). It is necessary to decide whether to use the data to be registered. This is to allow the user to specify the content of each reproduction environment, or in this case, all the data (for example, PS-
ALL data).

When the process of step F115 is completed, C
In step F116, the PU 41 writes a file as a play list into the plate memory 1 via the memory interface 42 and updates the play list table (at this point, the play list table does not exist in the plate memory 1). In this case, the data file itself as the playlist table is also created and written.) The updating of the playlist table is a process of adding the pointer set in step F109 and the name data input by the user as management information corresponding to the new playlist.

By performing the above-described processing, for example, a state in which a play list is recorded in the plate memory 1 as shown in FIG. 7 can be obtained. That is, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the playlists PL1 and PL2 are recorded by performing such a creation process twice.

6 Play Status Update Process In the above process, when a playlist is registered, play status data is also generated and included in the playlist. However, a certain playlist is generated. After that, the contents of the play status PS-ALL or PS # (x) included in the play list can be updated. FIG. 12 shows a play status update process for this purpose.

The CPU 41 advances the processing from the step F171 to a loop of steps F172 and F174 when a certain playlist is selected from the playlists recorded in the loaded plate memory 1. In other words, the operation of the reproduction environment setting key 39 and the operation of the reproduction environment registration key 40 by the user are monitored.

Note that a certain playlist is being selected means the following case. First, when executing the play status update processing, if the user selects a certain playlist with the playlist selection key 37, it is determined in step F171 that the playlist is being selected. Further, during a period in which a reproduction operation is being performed based on a certain playlist (a reproduction operation based on the playlist will be described later), it is determined that the playlist is being selected. Also, during such playback, when the playback operation is paused, or when the FF / REW operation is performed, and even if the playback is stopped, until another playlist is selected. During the period of, it is assumed that the play list related to the reproduction operation is selected. In other words, the play status update process of FIG. 12 can be executed at any time as a process for updating the play status included in the play list when a certain play list is selected.

If the user operates the reproduction environment setting key 39 during the selection of the play list, the CPU 41 proceeds from step F172 to F173, and changes the setting of the reproduction environment according to the operation. Further, in order to present the changed playback environment to the user, the content is displayed on the display unit 21. As an operation method of changing the reproduction environment, for example, the user operates the reproduction environment setting key 39 to display a certain reproduction environment content (one of volume, sound effect, etc.) to be changed, and displays the displayed reproduction environment. For example, the content is changed to an arbitrary set value by operating the FF key 34 and the REW key 33.

The CPU 41 performs the change setting of the contents of the reproduction environment instructed by such an operation. So after that,
The volume, sound effect, display content, playback mode, and the like of the reproduced sound are changed. Therefore, if the processing of steps F172 and F173 is performed during the reproduction, the reproduction is performed in a different reproduction environment immediately after the operation.

The processing of F172 and F173 is as follows.
This does not lead to the update of the registered play status data as it is, but also includes a case where the user simply performs a setting operation to temporarily change the reproduction environment during the reproduction. In order to actually update the play status data on the playlist, the user performs a registration operation (reproduction environment registration key 40) after changing the setting of the reproduction environment in this way. In this case, the process of the CPU 41 proceeds from step F174 to F175. Then, play status data for registration is generated from the current playback environment, that is, the playback environment changed in step F173.
Then, the process proceeds from step F176 to F177 or F178 according to the registration target of the play status data (whether the registration destination is PS # x or PS-ALL), and the PS-ALL or PS # is updated with the new play status data.
Update x. That is, the write access is performed to the plate memory 1 via the memory interface 42 to rewrite the contents of the playlist.

At step F176, it is determined whether the registration target is the play status PS # x or PS-ALL. The CPU 41 may automatically determine the registration status according to the update content, or the user may perform an instruction operation. It may be made to be determined by performing. When a setting change and registration operation are performed while a certain track is being played back or paused, the play status PS # (n) corresponding to the entry number # (n) of the track is registered. The play status PS-ALL may be registered (updated) if it is determined to be (updated) and stopped.

With the above-described processing, the user can also change the play status registered as a play list.
The setting can be arbitrarily changed at each time.

7. Playback Process Next, the process of the CPU 41 when the drive device 20 plays back a music piece (track) recorded in the plate memory 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

When the user presses the reproduction key 31, C
The PU 41 starts the reproduction operation process. Normally, the CPU 41 reproduces the respective tracks in the order of the track numbers managed by the TOC. However, when the user performs a playback operation after selecting a playlist in advance, the CPU 41 determines in the order of the songs entered in the selected playlist and the play status PS-ALL or PS # included in the playlist. 1, PS
According to the reproduction environment designated by # 2, the processing for reproducing each track is performed. If program playback, shuffle playback, resume playback, etc. are specified in the playback mode as the playback environment, all or some of the tracks are played back in the order according to the playback mode, not in the order of the entry number. Will be. Here, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the order of the reproduced music pieces is in the order of the entry number of the playlist, and the description of the reproduction processing will be given assuming that the volume of the sound and the content of the sound effect are set as the play status.

While the operation is stopped, the CPU 41 executes the reproduction key 3 in steps F201 and F202 as an operation related to reproduction.
1 and the operation of the play list selection key 37 are monitored. If the user wants to select a playlist,
Press the playlist selection key 37. Then, the process of the CPU 41 proceeds from step F202 to F203, and shifts to a playlist selection mode. Although not shown in FIG. 13, when the loaded plate memory 1 has no playlist as in FIG. 6, the operation of the playlist selection key 37 is invalidated.

In step F203, first, the plate memory 1 is accessed via the memory interface 42, a play list table and a play list are read, and the information is expanded in the RAM 41b. Subsequently, in step F204, the display unit 21 is caused to execute the playlist information and a screen display requesting the user to select a playlist. For example, as the playlist information, the display unit 21
Then, a list of the names of the recorded playlists is displayed, and a screen display for requesting the user to select a certain playlist is performed. In this state, the operation of the user is waited in steps F205 and F206.

For example, the user can input the FF key 34, REW
An arbitrary playlist is selected by operating the key 33, and a selection decision operation is performed with the reproduction key 31. Alternatively, the stop key 32 is used as a cancel operation key. If the user has performed a cancel operation, the playlist selection process is stopped from step F205 and steps F201, F2
It returns to the operation monitoring process of 02.

When the user inputs the FF key 34 and the REW key 33
When the play key 31, that is, the selection decision operation is performed after selecting a certain playlist, the CPU 41 proceeds to step F
Proceeding from 206 to F207, the selected and determined playlist is set as a playlist to be used at the time of reproduction. For example, the name (file name) of the selected playlist is stored in the RAM 41b or the flash memory 48. Then, the process returns to the operation monitoring processing of steps F201 and F202.

By the above processing, one playlist is selected from the recorded playlists. It should be noted that whether or not a play list is being selected in step F171 in FIG. 12 is to determine whether or not such processing has been performed.
After a playlist is selected in this manner, another playlist is selected by the same operation, or the playback operation mode itself based on the playlist is terminated or the power is turned off. Until the playlist is selected.

In the operation monitoring processing in steps F201 and F202, when it is detected that the user has operated the reproduction key 31, the processing proceeds to step F208. Here, the CPU 41 determines that the above-described playlist selection processing has already been performed. It is determined whether or not a certain play list has been selected (whether or not the process of step F207 has been executed). If it is not selected (or if no play list is recorded), the process proceeds to step F209, where the TOC is read, and the music order is set as the order of the track numbers on the TOC. That is, the track number is used as it is in the music order at the time of reproduction.

On the other hand, if a certain play list has been selected by the processing in step F207, the process proceeds to step F21.
The process proceeds to 0, the playlist is read with reference to the playlist table, and the music order is set as the order of the track numbers entered on the playlist. The TOC is also read because it is necessary for the reproducing operation. In step F211, a reproduction environment is set according to the contents of the play status PS-ALL included in the play list. For example, the reproduction mode, the sound processing to be executed by the DSP 49, the volume, etc., and the display content on the display unit 21 are set.

Step F209 or F210, F211
Is completed, the variable n is set to 1 in step F212. Then, in step F213, a reproduction environment for a track to be reproduced is set based on the play status PS # (n) corresponding to the entry number # (n). For example, the sound processing to be executed by the DSP 49, the setting of the sound volume and the like, and the setting of the display contents on the display unit 21 are performed. This play status PS # (n)
There is a case where different settings are set for a certain playback environment content as the playback environment setting based on the play status PS-ALL in step F211 and the playback environment setting based on the play status PS-ALL in step F211. Various processes can be considered, such as which one is given priority in the setting of the reproduction environment, which will be described later. Although not shown as a processing procedure on the flowchart, in the case of a reproduction operation not based on a playlist (through step F209), this step F21
Needless to say, the process of No. 3 is not executed.

Subsequently, the reproduction of the actual track is started from step F214. Here, the entry number #
The track (n) is read, and the reproduced audio data is output. In the case of a reproduction operation not based on a play list (through step F209), the entry number here is a track number. Note that, in the following, a sequential description of a reproduction operation not based on a play list will be omitted.

Output of the reproduced audio data is performed through the processing of each block as described above,
This is performed from the line-out terminal 24, the USB connector 28, and the like. At the time of track reproduction, the CPU 41 causes the display unit 21 to display the track number, the title of the song, time information such as the progress time of the song, accompanying information, and the like. Of course, the sound processing content, volume level, display content, and the like at this time are performed based on the reproduction environment set in step F211 or F213.

During the reproduction of the track, steps F215 and F215
At F216, the stop operation of the user and the end of the reproduction of the track are monitored. When the reproduction of the currently reproduced track is completed, the process proceeds from step F216 to step F2.
Proceeding to 17, it is determined whether or not the current entry number # (n) is the last entry number in the playlist, that is, whether or not reproduction of all tracks in the playlist has been completed. In step F218, the variable n is incremented, and the process returns to step F213. That is, as the reproduction processing of the track of the next entry number, first, a reproduction environment based on the play status PS # n corresponding to the entry number #n is set, and in step F214, reproduction of the track of the entry number #n is performed. The display according to the reproduction is started.

At the time of such a reproduction, when the user operates the stop key 32, or when the reproduction of all the necessary tracks is completed, step F215 or F21
Then, the process proceeds from step 7 to step F219, where audio data reproduction processing (reading from the plate memory 1, decompression processing / acoustic effect processing in the DSP 49, D / A conversion processing in the ADDA conversion unit, etc.) is ended, and reproduction is performed. Display unit 21 accompanying
Is terminated, and a series of reproduction operation processing ends.

That is, when a certain playlist is selected by the above-described processing, the reproduction proceeds in the order of the tunes registered in the playlist (however, the reproduction mode is, of course, the reproduction mode as the contents of the play status). In the case of setting to shuffle reproduction, repeat reproduction, resume reproduction, and the like, the order of songs according to each mode is set.) Therefore, normally, for example, when the play list PL1 in FIG. 7 is selected, the track T
RK3, TRK4, and TRK1 are sequentially reproduced, respectively. Then, when the reproduction of the track TRK1 ends, the entry number # 3 is the last entry number, so the process proceeds from step F215 to F217, and the reproduction ends.

On the other hand, when the playlist is not selected (or when there is no playlist), since the entry number matches the track number, the tracks TRK1 to TRK5 are recorded as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example. If the tracks TRK1, TRK2, T
RK3, TRK4, and TRK5 are sequentially reproduced, respectively.
When the reproduction is completed, the reproduction operation ends.

With the above-described playlist creation processing and reproduction processing, the user can enter the loaded plate memory 1.
A play list generated by arbitrarily specifying the reproduction order for all or a part of the tracks recorded in the recording medium 1 can be recorded on a recording medium. Alternatively, by arbitrarily designating one playlist from among a plurality of playlists, one or more tracks can be sequentially reproduced in an order based on the designated playlist.

Therefore, for example, the user stores a play list in which the desired music is entered in the reproduction order (music order) in the plate memory 1.
At the time of playback, in addition to the normal playback order based on the TOC of the plate-shaped memory 1, simply by selecting a playlist, the song is registered in the order of the songs registered in the selected playlist. Playback can be performed. In other words, it is possible to arbitrarily set the order of various tunes to be reproduced for each individual piece of the plate-shaped memory 1, and to enjoy the reproduction of the tracks in the diversified order of reproduction simply by simply selecting a playlist at the time of reproduction. Can be.

Further, the user classifies the tracks by a desired classification method and enters the playlist into each playlist, so that the user can manage a large number of tracks recorded in the plate memory 1 so that the user can easily handle the tracks. You can do it. For example, if the number of recorded tracks is very large,
It is troublesome to search for the song that you want to listen to only by the order of the track numbers by the OC. it can.
As an example, for example, when a large number of music of various genres are recorded and stored in one plate-shaped memory 1, in a certain play list PL1, for example, only classic songs are registered in a desired song order, and other playlists are registered. In the list PL2, jazz tunes are registered in a desired tune order, and another playlist PL is further registered.
In the state 3, the music in the lock is registered in a desired music order.

Then, in order to listen to a certain song classified as jazz, the play list PL2 is first selected and reproduced in the reproduction operation of FIG. Then, only the jazz songs are reproduced in order. If you want to listen to a specific song only, play list PL
By transmitting the music by the FF key operation or the like in the middle of the reproduction based on No. 2, it is possible to easily and quickly reproduce the target music. Such usage patterns are
For example, it is also suitable to classify not by genre but by album (music album in CD or the like) or by artist. For example, when a large number of tracks dubbed from a plurality of music albums are recorded in one plate memory 1, if a playlist is registered for each album, the playlist can be selected and played back, and the target album can be reproduced. Only playback can be enjoyed. As described above, the playlist is a so-called program reproduction function, or,
It can be effectively used for organizing tracks recorded in the plate memory 1.

As can be seen from the processing described above, at the time of reproduction, the reproduction environment of the drive device 20 is set according to the reproduction status recorded in the play status PS-ALL, PS # (n) recorded in the playlist. Is done. This is because the user registers in advance the desired playback environment content in the play status PS-ALL, PS # (n) for a specific playlist or a track in the playlist, thereby performing a playback operation based on the playlist. In some cases, this means that a desired reproduction environment can always be obtained without performing any operation on the reproduction environment. Therefore, a satisfactory reproduction operation of the user can be appropriately reproduced every time without putting a difficult or troublesome operation burden on the user.

This also expands the use form of the playlist. For example, a plurality of playlists of the same entry (the same song) are registered, and in each of the playlists, each play status is registered so that a reproduction environment such as a sound effect and a volume is different. Then, even when the user reproduces the same music, the reproduction of the music with different sound effects depending on the mood and the listening environment of the day can be executed only by the operation of selecting the playlist. For example, depending on the reverb and tone control, the same song can produce quite different tunes and moods, but by registering such diverse playback environments across different playlists, various playback Playback in the environment can be easily enjoyed. As a result, the playlist can be used as a reproduction environment list. As an example, prepare a playlist with volume and sound effects set for daytime playback, nighttime playback, outdoors playback when going out, playback in a car, etc., to match the situation Playback can be easily realized.

As described above, the play status P
S-ALL content and play status PS # (n)
, The same content may be set as different values. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the priority between the play statuses PS-ALL and PS # (n) by some method. That is, usually the play status P
The content of the S-ALL sets the playback environment during playback of the playlist, and the content of the play status PS # (n) sets the playback environment during the playback of the track in track units. Is "10" in Play Status PS-ALL, Play Status PS #
In (n), when there is a state like “7”,
Either data must take precedence.

One method of determining the priority order is to allow the user to specify which is to be prioritized when selecting a playlist. In other words, the play status PS-
If the setting of ALL and PS # (n) are different, the method that the user gives priority to is used.
Also, there is a method in which PS-ALL or PS # (n) is always given priority as a system setting value. Of course, it is preferable to allow the user to change the system settings.

8. Copying process In the system of the present embodiment, the playlist itself recorded in one plate memory 1 can be copied (copied) to another plate memory 1. Hereinafter, the duplication processing will be described.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, two drive devices 20 loaded with plate memories 1A and 1B, respectively.
A and 20B are connected by the USB connector 14. By connecting in this manner, for example, the drive device 20A
(Plate memory 1A) as copy source, drive device 20B
The playlist (and track data) can be copied with the (plate memory 1B) as the copy destination.

For example, when it is assumed that one or a plurality of tracks and one or a plurality of playlists are recorded in the plate memory 1A, a certain playlist and the tracks entered in the playlist are stored in the plate memory 1A. By copying to the 1B side, in the reproduction operation using the plate memory 1B, the same reproduction as the reproduction by the playlist registered in the plate memory 1A becomes possible. That is, it is possible to reproduce the same music, the same music order, and the same reproduction environment.

FIG. 15 shows the processing by the CPU 41 of the drive device 20A as the copy source, and FIG. 16 shows the CP of the drive device 20B as the copy destination.
The processing of U41 is shown.

When performing copying, the user connects the drive devices 20A and 20B loaded with the plate memories 1A and 1B, respectively, as shown in FIG.
A copy mode operation is performed on the A side. For example, an operation of long-pressing the playlist edit key 38 (for example, keeping the key pressed for about 2 seconds or more) is performed.

When detecting the copy mode operation, the CPU 41 of the drive device 20A shifts to the copy mode, and advances the processing from step F301 to F302 in FIG.
In this step F302, the CPU 41 accesses the plate memory 1A via the memory interface 42, reads out the TOC, the playlist, and the playlist table, and expands the information in the RAM 41b.

Subsequently, in step F303, the display unit 21 is caused to execute a screen display requesting the user to select a playlist to be copied. For example, the display unit 21 displays a list of the names of the recorded playlists,
A screen is displayed for the user to enter a certain playlist. Then, in that state, steps F304 and F304 are executed.
At 305, the operation waits for a user operation.

For example, the user can input the FF key 34, REW
An arbitrary playlist is selected by operating the key 33, and a selection decision operation is performed with the reproduction key 31. Alternatively, a cancel operation is performed to stop the copy operation. If the user has performed a cancel operation, the process is stopped from step F304. After the user selects a certain track number with the FF key 34 and the REW key 33, the reproduction key 3
When the selection determination operation is performed in step 1, the CPU 41 proceeds from step F305 to F306, and generates copy data of the selected and determined play list, that is, data to be transmitted to the drive device 20B side.

Next, in step F307, the copy data, that is, the contents of the selected playlist are displayed on the display unit 21.
To the user to request confirmation of the copy execution.
For example, the track number or song name entered in the selected playlist, and the play status (PS-ALL, PS # 1, PS #) in the playlist.
2) is displayed, and the user is asked to confirm whether or not to execute the copy based on the content. If the user makes a mistake in selecting a playlist, the process is terminated by performing a cancel operation at this point. In that case, the process of FIG. 15 may be repeated. On the other hand, if the user confirms the copy contents and performs the copy OK operation, the process proceeds from step F309 to F310 to start the actual copy operation. The following communication operation is performed via the USB interface 43.

First, in step F309, the copy destination drive 20B is notified that transfer of copy data is to be started. In the copy destination drive device 20B, such a notification of the start of transfer is transmitted in step F4 in FIG.
If the detection is made in step 01, the process proceeds to step F402 to perform a preparation operation for a copy operation, that is, a reception and writing process. Although not shown as a procedure in the flowchart, if the plate memory 1B is in a write-disabled state or some trouble has occurred in the reception operation or the write operation, an error notification is issued to the drive device 20A, The copy operation ends in error.

When the copy preparation processing is completed in the drive device 20B, the CPU 41 of the drive device 20B prepares for the drive device 20A in step F403.
Notify K.

In the copy source drive device 20A, FIG.
After the notification of Step F310 of Step 5 above, Step F311
Waits for the preparation OK notification. When the preparation OK notification is received, the process proceeds to step F312, and the transfer of copy data and audio data is started. Here, the copy data is playlist data to be copied, and the audio data is data of one or a plurality of tracks entered in the playlist.

When the transfer in step F312 is started,
On the drive device 20B side, the processing is performed in step F4 of FIG.
04 to F405, the process of receiving the transferred copy data and audio data, and the plate memory 1B
Execute the data write process to the. The drive device 20A executes the process of step F312 until transfer of copy data and necessary audio data is completed. When the transfer is completed, the process waits for a copy completion notification in step F314. In the drive device 20B, Step F405
Are executed until the reception of the transferred copy data and the necessary audio data and the writing to the plate memory 1B are completed. In addition, the updating of the TOC and the updating (or generation) of the playlist table are also performed in accordance with the writing of the transferred playlist and audio data.

When the reception and the writing are completed, the process proceeds from step F406 to F407 to transmit a notification to the effect that the copy recording has been normally completed to the drive device 20A. Is displayed, and the copy processing ends. On the other hand, when the drive device 20A receives the notification of the normal end of the copy,
The process proceeds from step F314 to F315, where the display 21 also indicates that the copy is completed, and the copy processing ends.

By performing the above-described copy processing, the user copies the play list recorded in a certain plate memory 1A to another plate memory 1B, and similarly in the plate memory 1B. Thus, it is possible to enjoy reproduction in a desired music, music order, and reproduction environment. That is, the playlist registered in one plate memory 1 can be effectively used in another plate memory. In particular, since even the reproduction environment is copied, even when the reproduction is performed on the plate memory 1B side,
No user operation on the playback environment is required.

As described above, if playlists are created and organized by genre or album in a certain plate memory 1A, it is only necessary to copy the playlists and target tracks as in this example. , You'll be able to copy music from only that particular genre or specific album, including the playback environment set for that album,
For example, a troublesome operation of selecting and copying a song of the specific genre becomes unnecessary. In other words, not only the effective use of the playlist itself, but also the operation for copying tracks can be greatly simplified.

In the above example, the target track is copied together with the playlist.
If the target track has already been recorded in the copy destination plate memory 1B, only the play list may be copied.

9. Modifications Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these configurations and operations. In particular, the playlist and the data structure of the play status in the playlist, the creation processing, and the reproduction are described above. Various modifications can be considered as detailed procedures of the processing and the copy processing.

In the above example, in one play list, a play status PS-ALL for recording the reproduction environment contents for the entire entry track, and a play status PS # for recording the reproduction environment contents for each entry track. 1, PS # 2..., But only one of them may be included in the playlist. Of course, the user may be allowed to select whether to register only one or both.

The play status PS-ALL for the entire play list may be recorded in the play list table so as to correspond to each play list. In other words, the play status is not necessarily included in a certain playlist due to its data structure, but may be any function that corresponds to a certain playlist ("includes" in a broad sense).

As the contents of various reproduction environments, for example, among those shown in FIG. 9, the play status PS-A
It is assumed that there are recordings that can be recorded in both the LL and the play status PS # (n). For example, for each reproduction environment content, whether the content is registered in the play status PS-ALL or the play status PS #
By clearly discriminating whether or not the item is registered in (n), it is possible to eliminate the need for the above-described priority setting and user operation for determining the priority.

There is a difference in the contents of the reproduction environment that can be set by the drive device depending on whether the drive device is a portable type or a stationary type. Therefore, the reproduction environment recorded in the play list of a certain plate memory 1 may not be realized when the plate memory 1 is loaded into another drive device. For this reason, the drive device may refer to the play status in the playlist only for the feasible playback environment, or add an ID indicating the type of the corresponding device to each playback environment content in the play status. It should be noted that it is conceivable that only when the drive device finds an ID corresponding to itself, the playback environment is set based on the play status. In particular, as described above, the user creates a playlist in which the reproduction environment for the inside of the car, for the outside, etc. is registered, and assigns an ID of each model (for example, stationary, portable, in-vehicle, etc.) to each. If added, the device can determine a playlist suitable for itself without the user selecting a playlist. For example, a portable type device can automatically select a play list in which an outdoor reproduction environment (volume, sound quality, etc.) is recorded, and thereby automatically set the reproduction environment.

In the embodiment, in the playlist,
First, it is assumed that there is entry data of a track, on which play statuses PS-ALL and PS # (n) are recorded. However, the structure of the playlist is not limited to this.
For example, it is conceivable that only PS-ALL is recorded in the playlist. In this case, the recorded reproduction environment may be, for example, all the tracks recorded in the plate memory 1. That is, it functions as instruction information of a reproduction environment to be set when the plate memory 1 is loaded. Furthermore, a play list in which there is no entry for specifying the music order in particular and only the play status PS # (n) of the track number 1 of all or some of the recorded tracks may be recorded.
In this case, “# (n)” does not correspond to the entry number in the play list but to the track number in the plate memory 1.

Further, the recording medium of the present invention is not limited to the plate-shaped memory as shown in FIG. 1, but a solid-state memory medium having another external shape (memory chip, memory card, memory module, etc.). But it doesn't matter. Of course, the memory element is not limited to a flash memory, and may be another type of memory element. Further, the present invention can be applied to a system using a disk-shaped recording medium such as a mini disk, a DVD (DIGITAL VERSATILE DISC), a hard disk, and a CD-R instead of a solid-state memory. A music track or the like as one recording medium is dedicated to reproduction, but has a writable area (for example, a hybrid MD).
Etc.). Of course, the same applies to a semiconductor medium having a RAM area and a ROM area. That is, the present invention can be applied to any system using such a medium as long as the medium has at least a play list and a play list table writable area.

In the above example, the playlist has been described as designating the order of the songs in the track as the music data file. However, this is only an example. For example, the present invention can be applied to not only tracks (files) as music data but also moving image files, still image files, audio data files, and the like.

[0149]

As can be seen from the above description, according to the present invention, in a recording apparatus, one or a plurality of data files among data files recorded on a loaded recording medium are set as target files, and The reproduction apparatus can generate and record reproduction list information including reproduction environment data at the time of reproduction. In a reproduction apparatus, one or more pieces of reproduction list information recorded on one or a plurality of reproduction list information recorded on a loaded recording medium are recorded. By arbitrarily specifying the two pieces of playlist information, a playback environment is set based on the playback environment data included in the specified playlist information, and the playback of the target file of the playlist information can be performed. ing. Therefore, the user can set a specific playback environment for all files, a part of a group of files, or individual files recorded on a specific recording medium, and set a special setting every time the files are played. It is possible to obtain (reproduce) a reproduction operation in a set specific reproduction environment without performing an operation. That is, there is an effect that an optimum reproduction environment for the user can be easily obtained every time for each recording medium, each file group (a plurality of music pieces), or each file (music piece).

Further, according to the present invention, the recording apparatus records the reproduction list information including the reproduction order data of the target file on the recording medium, and the reproduction apparatus stores the reproduction order information of the target file in the designated reproduction list information. When data is included, one or a plurality of target files are sequentially reproduced based on the reproduction order data. In this way, if the user records a favorite reproduction order (music order) as reproduction list information on the recording medium, the reproduction can be executed in the desired music order at the time of reproduction. That is, for each recording medium, the user can easily and flexibly enjoy the reproduction of the data file in various reproduction orders. Further, the fact that recording of the playlist information and reproduction based on the playlist information can be performed enables management of a large number of data files recorded on the recording medium so that the user can easily handle the data files.

According to the present invention, when the recording apparatus records the playlist information, the recording apparatus includes the reproduction environment data for all the target files of the reproduction list information. The reproduction environment is set for all the target files based on the reproduction environment data of all the target files in the reproduction list information. This makes it easy to set and reproduce the reproduction environment for all target files in certain reproduction list information, which is suitable as a reproduction environment setting for a plurality of songs or album units.

Further, according to the present invention, when the recording apparatus records the play list information, the recording apparatus includes the reproduction environment data for each target file of the play list information. The reproduction environment is set corresponding to each target file based on the reproduction environment data relating to each target file in the reproduction list information. As a result, different reproduction environments can be set for individual target files in certain reproduction list information, and at the time of reproduction, they are reproduced, so that a reproduction environment unique to each file can be set.

Further, the recording apparatus of the present invention is provided with setting operation means capable of setting a reproduction environment, generates reproduction environment data in accordance with an operation of the setting operation means, and reproduces reproduction list information including the reproduction environment data. By generating and recording it on a recording medium, users can register any playback environment,
Update can be realized.

Further, according to the present invention, the recording device is provided with communication means capable of communicating with an external reproduction device, and the recording means is provided with reproduction list information transmitted from the reproduction device and received by the communication means. Can be recorded on the loaded recording medium, while the reproduction device can communicate with an external recording device and play back the reproduction list information specified by the specifying operation means. Communication means capable of transmitting the contents of the list information to an external recording device is provided. This makes it possible to copy the play list information recorded on the recording medium loaded on the reproducing device to the recording medium loaded on the recording device. Therefore, the play list information recorded on a certain recording medium by a user can be effectively used on another recording medium.

As the recording medium of the present invention, one or a plurality of data files are recorded, and one or a plurality of data files among the recorded data files are set as a target file, and when the target file is reproduced. One or more units of play list information including play environment data are recorded. That is, since the reproduction environment data at the time of the data file reproducing operation is recorded in addition to the data file, the recording medium itself can control the reproducing operation of the reproducing apparatus. In other words, there is an effect that the set reproduction environment is used even if the reproduction device changes. In addition, the playlist information includes reproduction order data for the target file, the reproduction environment data for all the target files in the playlist information, and the individual Since the reproduction environment data for the target file is included, the reproduction order, the reproduction environment for the target file group, and the reproduction environment for each individual target file can be used even if the reproduction device changes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a system connection example including a drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view, a front view, a side view, and a bottom view showing an outer shape of the plate memory according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an example of the appearance of the drive device according to the embodiment;
It is a left side view, a top view, and a bottom view.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the drive device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a directory structure in the plate memory according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a file structure in the plate memory according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a file structure in the plate memory according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a structure of a playlist according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the contents of a reproduction environment according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a playlist creation process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a play status data generation process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a play status update process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a reproduction process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a connection example at the time of copying according to the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a process of the copy source drive device at the time of copying according to the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of processing of the copy destination drive device at the time of copying according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 plate memory, 20, 20A, 20B drive device, 21 display unit, 22 attachment / detachment mechanism, 23 headphone output terminal, 24 line output terminal, 25 microphone input terminal, 26 line input terminal, 27 digital input terminal,
30 operation part, 31 play key, 32 stop key, 33
REW key, 34 FF key, 35 pause key,
36 record key, 37 playlist selection key, 38
Playlist edit key, 39 playback environment setting key, 40
Playback environment registration key, 41 CPU, 42 memory interface, 43 USB interface, 44
Real-time clock, 45 display driver, 48 flash memory, 49 DSP, 50 SAM

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Mari Sugiura 6-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation F-term (reference) 5D044 AB05 BC03 BC06 CC04 DE17 DE24 DE49 DE54 EF05 FG18 GK12 HL11 5D077 AA23 BA14 BA18 DE01 DE11

Claims (15)

[Claims] A recording device capable of recording on a recording medium on which one or more data files can be recorded, wherein one or more data files among data files recorded on a loaded recording medium are recorded. A playlist generation unit for generating playlist information including reproduction environment data at the time of reproduction of the target file with the file as a target file, and a recording medium loaded with the playlist information generated by the playlist generation unit A recording device, comprising: recording means capable of recording on a recording medium. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction list generation unit generates reproduction list information including reproduction order data for the target file. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction list generation unit generates reproduction list information including the reproduction environment data for all target files. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction list generation unit generates reproduction list information including reproduction environment data for each target file. 5. A reproducing apparatus comprising: setting operation means for setting a reproduction environment; wherein the reproduction list generation means generates reproduction environment data in response to an operation of the setting operation means, and includes a reproduction list including the reproduction environment data. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus generates information. 6. A communication device capable of communicating with an external reproduction device, wherein the recording device is loaded with reproduction list information transmitted from the external reproduction device and received by the communication device. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus can record on a recording medium. 7. A plurality of data files can be recorded, and one or more data files among the data files are set as target files, and play list information including reproduction environment data at the time of reproduction of the target files is recorded. As a playback device capable of performing playback on a recording medium capable of recording one or more units, one playlist among one or a plurality of playlist information recorded on a loaded recording medium Specifying operation means for arbitrarily specifying information; and setting a reproduction environment based on reproduction environment data included in the specified reproduction list information in accordance with the specification operation by the specification operation means. A reproducing unit capable of executing the reproduction of the target file. 8. When the specified play list information includes reproduction order data for a target file, the reproducing means reproduces one or more target files sequentially based on the reproduction order data. The reproducing device according to claim 7, wherein 9. The reproduction means sets a reproduction environment corresponding to all the target files based on the reproduction environment data of all the target files of the reproduction list information in the specified reproduction list information. The reproducing device according to claim 7, wherein 10. The reproduction means sets a reproduction environment corresponding to each target file based on the specified reproduction list information and the reproduction environment data of each target file of the reproduction list information. The reproducing device according to claim 7, wherein 11. A communication device capable of communicating with an external recording device and transmitting the contents of the playlist information specified by the specifying operation means to the external recording device. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a communication unit capable of performing the following. 12. One or a plurality of data files are recorded, and one or a plurality of data files among the recorded data files is set as a target file, and reproduction including reproduction environment data at the time of reproduction of the target file is performed. A recording medium characterized by recording one or more units of list information. 13. The recording medium according to claim 12, wherein the reproduction list information includes reproduction order data for a target file. 14. The recording medium according to claim 12, wherein the reproduction list information includes reproduction environment data for all target files of the reproduction list information. 15. The recording medium according to claim 12, wherein the play list information includes play environment data for each target file of the play list information.