JP2001243745A - Information reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information reproducing device which makes operation in reproducing rapid and easy by constituting the device in such a manner that a group having information data may be selected. SOLUTION: Tracks 30A in an album 30 are integrally selected in combination in correspondence to the selection of the album 30, etc., in the information recording and reproducing device and therefore the desired tracks 30A may be easily retrieved. Then, the necessary voice data may be easily retrieved from a plurality of music data and therefore the operability in reproducing is made easy and rapid music selection is made possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing information data recorded on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a general CD, the number of music pieces on which a CD-DA file can be recorded is limited to a maximum of about 99 music pieces because of the standard, and the recording time is usually about 74 minutes. Then, using an audio device such as a CD player,
In the case of reproducing the information data described above, the reproduction is performed for each track recorded on the CD, that is, for each music.

[0003]

With the advent of large-capacity media such as DVDs, the number of songs that can be recorded on media has increased. In recent years, compression technology for audio or video data has advanced, and CD-DAs up to now have been developed.
Information can be compressed to about 1/11 of the file, and the recording time can be increased to about 11 times. For example, MPEG (Moving
If the compression technology described in the Picture Experts Group standard is used, the recording capacity required for recording information becomes very small, so that the number of recordable songs increases to about 200 to 250 songs.
Recording time can be up to about 800 minutes (about 13 hours). That is, the number of songs that can be recorded on one medium (for example, a CD-R) increases.

Further, when using a personal computer (PC) or the like to record music data or the like on which music has been compressed on a CD-R or the like, the compressed data is simply treated as a file. And recorded.

[0005] At the time of this recording, the user cannot arbitrarily select the recording order of the music pieces or arrange the music pieces into groups according to genre or the like, and the music pieces are recorded in a recording order that is not in the order desired by the user.

[0006] Therefore, when a single CD-R is recorded by using a compression technique such as MPEG, the number of songs increases to 200 or more, so that a CD-R recorded by using MPEG is used. In the case of reproduction with an audio device, for example, it is necessary to perform a key operation such as a skip key many times (for example, about 30 times), or even in the case of inputting a number, it is difficult to predict a skip destination at all. Inconvenience occurs.

Accordingly, the present invention is to provide an information reproducing apparatus capable of selecting a group including information data in consideration of the above circumstances, thereby making the operation at the time of reproduction quick and easy.

[0008]

According to the present invention, at least one information data is recorded, a group for storing at least one information data is formed, and the group identification data for identifying the group is provided. An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information data recorded on a recording medium on which the information data stored in the group to be identified is identified; A desired group is selected based on the selected group, and the information data stored in the selected group can be reproduced.

In the information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, the information data in the group is collectively selected in accordance with the selection of the group, so that the desired information data can be easily searched. That is, according to the present invention, desired information data can be easily searched for by selecting a group, so that operability at the time of reproduction is facilitated and music selection can be performed quickly.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a device for reproducing only audio, a device for reproducing only video, and a device for reproducing both audio and video.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS.
An information reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The information reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment is an example in which a CD player capable of outputting audio and video information data is used.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a personal computer for inputting various data to a recording medium of the present embodiment, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a CD player of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the CD player shown in FIG. It is a flowchart regarding music selection.

As shown in FIG. 1, a personal computer 10 has a C
PU 12, hard disk drive (HDD) 14, C
A D drive 16 and a CD-R drive 18 are provided. HDD 14, CD drive 16, and CD
The -R drive 18 is connected to the CPU 12.

The CD drive 16 reads digital information of the CD-DA 20. The CD-R drive 18 is a CD
-Write digital information to R22 and read the written digital information. In the example of FIG.
MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer 3)
Software is stored.

Then, the user operates the OS of the personal computer 10.
Using an (operation system), data of an album (referred to as a “folder” on the personal computer 10) and a hierarchical structure of tracks (hereinafter referred to as “list data”)
Create

CD-DA read by the CD drive 16
The digital information of the HDD 20 is transmitted to the HDD 14 via the CPU 12.
And the digital information is recorded on the hard disk of the HDD 14. After that, the digital information recorded on the hard disk is output to the CPU 12 and subjected to compression processing by MP3.

The digital information compressed in the MP3 format is output to a hard disk and stored. Then, at the time of writing to the CD-R 22, digital information that has been subjected to compression processing in the MP3 format from the hard disk is output to the CD-R drive 18, and the C
It is written to DR22.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the CD-R22 shown in FIG.
1 shows a recording structure of information recorded in the information recording apparatus. The information of the present embodiment is recorded in a hierarchical structure having a plurality of layers. Here, the present embodiment is an example having a plurality of album and track hierarchies, but the hierarchical structure is arbitrary.

Note that the identification information (album) in the hierarchy immediately above the track is stored in association with the track. That is, if a track is recorded when list data is created, an album is also recorded.

A recording process for recording information of the CD-DA 20 on the CD-R 22 will be described with reference to FIG. The recording process will be described with reference to an example of a process of adding an album 38 (see FIG. 4) so that the album 38 is in a lower layer than the album 30 as shown in FIG.

The albums 30, 32, and 34 are sequentially created based on the OS. For example, album 30 contains
An album number 001 is assigned, and songs of enka are recorded. The album 32 is assigned an album number 002 and records jazz music. An album number 003 is assigned to the album 34, and rock music is recorded.

In the album number, music data is recorded so as to correspond to the track number.
Further, music titles of music data are recorded so as to correspond to the track numbers. The data in the folder 36 is input with information data processed in a format other than the MP3 format.

In step 200, an album which is a folder (group) of music data to be selected is added. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, an album number 004 as identification data for identifying the album is assigned. In step 202, for example, five music data of the CD-DA 20 to be stored in the CD-R 22 are selected.

In step 204, it is specified to which album the albums grouped by the selected five music data are linked (linked). That is,
As shown in FIG. 4, the album 38 (album number 00)
4) is designated as a layer below the album 30 (album number 001).

At step 206, it is determined whether or not the designated track is to be recorded. If the result is affirmative, at step 208 the designated music data of the CD-DA 20
3 is recorded in the CD-R 22 in a state where the compression processing has been performed. That is, every time the music data is recorded, the track number 001 which is the information identification data of the recorded music data.
The TOC of CD-R22 corresponds to the album 38
(Table Of Contents).

As described above, in the present embodiment, a plurality of albums as folders are formed, and the album number 001, album number 004, etc., which are identification data of each album, are associated with each other in a hierarchy. Also, the title of the music data related to the music data recorded on the track is recorded corresponding to the track number.

The CD player according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. CD player is CD-D
This is an information reproducing apparatus capable of reading digital information of A and CD-ROM (including CD-R).

In this embodiment, one CD-R2
In No. 2, an album number for identifying a group storing at least one music data and a track number for identifying music data in the group identified by the album number are recorded correspondingly.

For example, when groups are classified by genre or artist, music data is bundled for each genre or artist and stored in the CD-R 22 for each group. That is, one CD-R2
Since at least one piece of music data can be edited in an organized state, it can be selected for each group.

A pickup control unit 42, a reproduction amplifier 50, a CD decoder 52, a CD-ROM decoder 54, and a signal processing unit 56 are connected to a system control unit 40 constituted by a central processing unit of a CD player.

When the CD-R 22 is mounted on the CD player, file information is obtained, and it is referred to whether information data on the disc is processed in the MP3 format.

The signal processing section 56 has a built-in MP3 decoder, which decodes audio data processed in the MP3 format. Further, a ROM 58 is connected to the signal processing unit 56.

A spindle motor 46 for rotating a spindle 44 of a turntable (not shown) and a slide motor 49 for sliding a pickup 48 are connected to the pickup control unit 42. The spindle motor 46 and the slide motor 49 are controlled by a control signal of the pickup control unit 42, and control the rotation speed of the spindle 44, the slide position of the pickup 48, and the like.

The turntable has CD-DA, C
A disk 24 such as a DR and a CD-ROM is placed, and a pickup 48 reads data recorded on the disk 24. This data is supplied to a reproduction amplifier 50, a CD decoder 52, a CD-ROM decoder 54, a signal processing unit 5
6, and are supplied to DACs 60 and 62 which convert the digital signals into analog signals.

The DAC 60 is an audio signal converter, and the audio analog signal converted by the DAC 60 is output to an output terminal 61. The DAC 62 is a converter for a video signal, and the video analog signal converted by the DAC 62 is output to an output terminal 63.

The system control unit 40 includes an operation unit 66 including a power key, a playback key, a skip key, a stop key, a jog dial for inputting numbers, and an enter key (not shown). A display unit 68 on which display contents are displayed is connected. The display unit 68 includes eight display elements 69 for displaying numbers, characters, and the like.
Are arranged. That is, by visually observing the display unit 68, eight-digit numbers, characters, and the like can be recognized.

A disk that has been compressed in the MP3 format (in the following description, the information
3 as a CD-R recorded in 3 formats)
When mounted on the D player, first, the user inputs an album number and a track number input by, for example, a personal computer using the jog dial of the operation unit while referring to the display unit 68.

Here, the reason why the identification data for identifying the album and the track, respectively, is set as the number is that the display area of the display element is narrowed because of the downsizing of an information reproducing apparatus such as a CD player. This is due to the small number of digits. That is, as a result of taking into account the space of the display unit of the information reproducing apparatus and the configuration of the key input means of the operation unit, "numbers" that are convenient for displaying or inputting identification data are used.

The input information is stored in the memory of the system control unit 40. The input operation is performed on another CD-ROM in which the information is compressed in the MP3 format.
It is necessary to perform R every time the disc is mounted on the CD player.

In this embodiment, the means for identifying a folder (album) or a track is input as a number on a personal computer. For example, characters such as alphabets (A to Z) are input in combination. Is also good. On the CD player, a number “001” or the like is assigned so as to correspond to the input character of the alphabet.

At the time of the number search, the user operates the jog dial of the operation unit 66 or the like. If the user knows the album number and the track number corresponding to the music to be reproduced, he or she inputs the numbers. For example, if the album number is "00
"4" and the track number "002".
Enter the number "04002" continuously and operate the enter key.

According to the present embodiment, the input of one piece of music instruction data is performed by a fixed-length sequence (6 digits), so that the number input error is reduced. In this embodiment, the track number is three digits like the album number. However, in the present invention, the track number corresponds to the track number recorded in the TOC of the CD-DA, for example, “3” or the like. You may make it input as a number, such as "18".

If the album number of a desired album (for example, a genre such as rock) is known, the user operates the jog dial to input and select the desired album number. For example, the number “003” is continuously input and the enter key is operated. In this case, “003-000” is displayed on the display unit 68. That is, it skips to a desired album number and then waits for an instruction to skip to a desired track.

That is, by operating, for example, a skip key of the operation unit 66, a desired track is skipped. When the skip key is operated eight times, the track number is skipped to “008”.

After selecting a desired album,
When the play key is operated, the tracks stored in the album are sequentially played. In the present invention, when only the album number is input, the first track “00” of the specified album number specified after a lapse of a predetermined time after the input is input.
"1" may be set to be automatically selected, and the tracks stored in the album may be sequentially reproduced.

Further, when only the reproduction key is operated, the music having the album number "001" and the track number "001" is reproduced. When an operation signal of the operation unit 66 is output to the system control unit 40,
The system control unit 40 performs processing based on the operation signal, for example, processing such as reproduction.

Next, processing relating to "selection of music using the CD player shown in FIG. 5" will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This flowchart is based on the premise that the reproducing process is performed in a state where the disk 24 is placed on the turntable.

At step 100, the operation input data is analyzed, and at step 102, it is determined whether the operation input data is one music designation data. If step 102 is affirmative, based on the album number as the group identification data and the track number as the information identification data (see FIG. 4) stored in the system controller 40 in step 104,
Access the specified song.

For example, when the number “004002” is input from the operation unit 66, the first half of the data 004 identifies the album 38 (album number 004), and the second half of the data 002 determines the track 38A ( Track number 002) is identified. Then, in step 106, the designated song number (the number of “004-002”) is displayed on the display section 68.
Is displayed. Although not shown in this flowchart, the genre name or the song name is displayed on the display unit 68 after the designated song number is displayed.

If the result in step 102 is negative, it is determined in step 108 whether the data is group designation data. If step 108 is affirmative, that is, for example, “00”
When only the three-digit number “3” is input from the operation unit 66, the album 34 (album number 00
3) is identified, and the designated group is accessed in step 110. Then, at step 112, the display unit 68
Displays the designated group number (for example, the number “003-000”).

In step 114, it is determined whether or not there is a track instruction. If step 114 is affirmative, that is, if the skip key is operated eight times, step 1 is executed.
At 16 the desired designated track is accessed. And
In step 118, the designated number (for example, the number “003-008”) is displayed on the display unit 68.

If step 114 is negative, step 120 determines whether or not there is a skip instruction to another group. If step 120 is affirmative, the process returns to step 110, and the processing after step 110 is performed continuously. If step 120 is negative, step 11
4 and waits for an instruction to skip to a desired track.

After accessing the desired designated album and designated track in steps 106 and 118, the music corresponding to the desired instruction data is reproduced in step 122.

That is, based on the control signal of the pickup control section 42, the spindle motor 46 is driven to drive the spindle 4
4 rotates, the slide motor 49 is driven, and the pickup 48 slides. And pickup 4
The data recorded on the disk 24 read in step 8
The system controller 4 passes through a reproduction amplifier 50, a CD decoder 52, a CD-ROM decoder 54, and a signal processor 56.
0.

If step 108 is negative, normal processing is performed in step 122. Here, the normal processing means, for example, when the reproduction key is operated, the display unit 6
8, “001-001” is displayed, and a song corresponding to the album number “001” and the track number “001” is reproduced.

Thereafter, the data is sequentially reproduced in album order and track order. That is, after the reproduction of “001-001” is completed, the music corresponding to the track number “002” is reproduced, and after all the tracks of the album number “001” are reproduced, the process proceeds to the track of the album number “002”. The track of the album number “002” is sequentially reproduced.

Alternatively, if the stop key is operated during reproduction, the reproduction is stopped. That is, the normal process includes various processes corresponding to key operations provided in a normal CD player.

In this embodiment, in the information reproducing apparatus,
Since the tracks 30A and the like in the album 30 are collectively selected according to the selection of the album 30 and the like,
A desired track 30A can be easily searched.

That is, according to the present embodiment, desired music data can be easily searched for by selecting a group.
Music selection becomes easy. Further, according to the present embodiment, a track is associated with the next higher layer (album), so that a desired track can be easily searched. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, necessary audio data can be easily searched from a plurality of music data, so that operability at the time of reproduction is facilitated and music selection can be performed quickly.

In the above embodiment, MP3 is used as the information compression mode.
Other information compression modes such as C and ATRAC may be used. In the above embodiment, the album number is input using the jog dial. However, for example, a dedicated key may be provided, and the album may be selected and selected using the dedicated key. Further, in the above embodiment, the device for inputting information to the recording medium is the personal computer 10, but the information input device may be a dedicated recording / reproducing device other than the personal computer.

In the above embodiment, the recording medium is a CD-ROM.
Although the example is R, the recording medium of the present invention can be applied in any form as long as it can record information data. Further, in the above embodiment, the apparatus for reproducing CD-R is an example of a CD player, but the present invention may be an information reproducing apparatus such as a dedicated CD-R / RW player.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the information reproducing apparatus, the information data in the group is collectively selected in accordance with the selection of the group, so that desired information data can be easily searched. That is, according to the present invention, desired information data can be easily searched for by selecting a group, so that operability at the time of reproduction is facilitated and music selection can be performed quickly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a personal computer that inputs various data to a recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing information data on CD using the personal computer shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart which performs recording processing in -R.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a recording structure in which information data is constructed by the personal computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data storage structure in which a new album is added to the recording structure illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a CD player according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart relating to music selection using the CD player shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a recording structure in which information data according to a conventional example is constructed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 CD-R (recording medium) 30 Album (group identification data) 30A Track (information identification data)

Claims (4)

[Claims] At least one piece of information data is recorded, and a group for storing at least one piece of the information data is formed, and group identification data for identifying the group is stored in the group identified by the group identification data. An information reproducing apparatus that reproduces the information data recorded on a recording medium in which the information identification data for identifying the information data has been recorded, wherein the desired group is selected based on the group identification data. And an information reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the information data stored in the selected group. 2. At least one piece of information data is recorded, forming a group for storing at least one piece of the information data, group identification data for identifying the group, and stored in the group identified by the group identification data. An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information data recorded on a recording medium on which information identification data for identifying the information data is recorded, wherein the information data recorded on the recording medium is sequentially reproduced. An information reproducing apparatus, comprising: 3. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a writable optical disk. 4. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information data is compressed audio data.