JP2010086641A - Content control program and portable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a resume reproduction function in a device for controlling reproduction of contents read from a recording medium by using a program read from the recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: A BD-J application program for controlling reproduction of BD-JP contents recorded in a BD 41 causes a computer to function as: a content control unit 31; a resume information-recording part 32 for storing resume information to specify a reproduction position of contents controlled for reproduction in a HDD 13; a resume information reading part 33 for reading, when reproduction control by the content control unit 31 is started, the resume information stored when the BD 41 relating to reproduction control is reproduced before; and a resume control unit 34 for causing the content control unit 31 to start reproduction of contents from the reproduction position specified by using the read resume information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for resuming playback of content recorded on a portable recording medium.

Conventionally, there is a so-called resume reproduction technique in which the reproduction end position is stored and the reproduction is resumed from the position where the previous reproduction was stopped at the next reproduction. In addition, for each program recorded on the recording medium, resume information not unique to the user is created and stored, and when a program to be played is selected, all resume information recorded for the selected program is presented. There is a playback device to be selected (see Patent Document 1), and there is a technique for resuming an in-vehicle personal computer (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2005-332490 A JP 2000-293923 A

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus having a function of playing back video and audio content read from a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) stores the playback end position of the CD or DVD next time. In general, a so-called resume playback function is provided in which playback is resumed from the position where playback was previously stopped during playback. The resume playback function has become a general function for users through the widespread use of playback devices such as CDs and DVDs, and the user expects this function to work automatically in general playback devices.

  Here, even if the content is the same type of content (for example, video content), such as Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark, hereinafter referred to as “BD”), a medium on which content with a different control method in reproduction is provided. is there. More specifically, in BD, as a content control method, HDMV (High Definition Movie), which is an extension of the method used in conventional DVDs, or BD-J (Blu-ray) using a Java (registered trademark) program is used. (Disc Java (registered trademark)) control method is used. With respect to HDMV content, since the control method is an extension of the conventional DVD, a resume playback function similar to that provided by the DVD can be obtained by storing the identifier and playback position of the content being played back. Can be provided easily.

  However, regarding the BD-J content, the control method is different from the conventional DVD, and the control method is executed by executing the BD-J application program read from the BD. It is not easy to provide a resume playback function in a similar manner. More specifically, since BD-J is a control method for executing a program, once the program is terminated, it is necessary to execute the program from the beginning at the next playback. For this reason, in the playback of BD-J content, like the resume playback function provided in the conventional DVD playback device, the identifier of the content being played back, the playback position, etc. are stored and the playback position, etc. at the next playback is stored. It is not possible to provide a resume playback function by a simple method of specifying "."

Also, with a conventional DVD, accurate resume playback can be easily performed by recording the content identifier, playback position, and the like ascertained by the player. However, in order to improve the interactivity and the flexibility of the provided content, the BD-J content control method that controls the reproduction of content by executing an advanced program read from the disc has a program on the player side. It is difficult to grasp the exact execution position of (BD-J application). Further, in the BD-J application, even if the execution position can be acquired and recorded from the player side, a program is used to return the state of the BD-J application to the end position at the time of the previous reproduction (resume). It becomes necessary to execute again from the head to the execution position, and it takes time to return to the previous end position. In addition, there is a problem in that it is difficult to grasp the execution position because the area where the program is expanded may change every time the disk is loaded into the apparatus and playback is performed.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a so-called resume playback function in an apparatus that controls playback of content read from a recording medium using a program read from the recording medium. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a program module for storing information for resuming the program in a storage device of the content reproduction device in a content control program read from the recording medium and executed. Thus, it is possible to provide a so-called resume reproduction function in an apparatus for controlling reproduction of content read from a recording medium using a program read from the recording medium.

  Specifically, the present invention relates to a content control program for controlling reproduction of content recorded on a portable recording medium on which content is recorded together with the content, the computer comprising: Resume information including content control means for controlling the reproduction of the content read from the portable recording medium, and reproduction position information for specifying the reproduction position of the content that is controlled to be reproduced by the content control means, Resume information recording means to be stored in the storage device connected to the computer, and recorded on the portable recording medium related to the playback control started from the storage device at the start of the playback control by the content control means Read the resume information stored when the content was previously played. When the resume information is read by the resume information reading means and the resume information reading means, the content control means sends the content from the playback position specified by using the playback position information included in the resume information. This is a content control program that functions as a resume control means for starting playback of a video.

  Here, the portable recording medium is a so-called removable medium such as a BD, and can be easily loaded and removed (discharged) from a reading device connected to a computer functioning as a content reproduction device. A medium is preferred. In addition, as an example of a recording medium in which reproduction of content is controlled by executing a content control program recorded together with the content on the recording medium, BD can be cited as an example. Any method can be applied as long as the reproduction of content is controlled by executing the content control program recorded therewith, and is not limited to BD.

  The content control program is a program for controlling the playback order, subtitles, and the like in content playback, and the computer operates as a content playback device including content control means by executing the content control program. And control the playback of the content. The content control program is, for example, a BD-J application program for controlling BD-J content recorded on a BD, and is managed as a process (task) by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a program execution environment. It is controlled using defined variables and stacks.

  In order to realize the resume reproduction function in such a reproduction control system, the present invention provides a computer such as a content reproduction apparatus to a content control program that is read together with content from a portable recording medium and used for content control. A program that functions as means for storing information for resume reproduction and means for reading resume information recorded at the previous reproduction at the next reproduction and reflecting it in content reproduction control is included. In other words, the present invention provides an execution state recording module in the program that can easily acquire information necessary for resume reproduction, such as the execution position and internal parameters of the content control program read from the disc. Thus, the information required for resume playback can be accurately grasped and the previous playback position can be immediately restored.

  That is, according to the content control program of the present invention, content and content can be reproduced even when reproducing a portable recording medium in which reproduction of the content is controlled by executing a different content control program for each portable recording medium. It is possible to provide a resume means suitable for a combination of control programs. Further, according to the present invention, even if a content playback device does not have a resume playback function, it is possible to perform resume playback by providing a storage device accessible from the content control program. Furthermore, since the entire content control program is not backed up to a computer storage device, a large memory is not required on the computer side, and the production cost of the computer as the content reproduction device can be suppressed.

  When the resume information is recorded by the resume information recording means, the resume information is provided for a plurality of types of portable recording media by recording the resume information recorded in association with a portable recording medium or content. It becomes possible to do. For example, the resume information recording means stores the resume information in the storage device in association with the identification information of the portable recording medium, and the resume information reading means starts reproduction control by the content control means. In this case, the storage device is searched using the identification information of the portable recording medium related to the reproduction control, so that the content recorded on the portable recording medium related to the reproduction control is stored when it has been reproduced before. The resume information thus obtained may be retrieved and read from the storage device.

  The resume information recording means stores resume information further including execution position information for specifying an execution position of the content control program in the storage device, and the computer is read by the resume information reading means. The content control means may further function as an execution position transition means for transitioning the execution position of the content control program to the execution position indicated by the execution position information included in the resume information. The resume information recording means Resume information further including reference information for specifying information to be referred to in reproduction control of the content is stored in the storage device, and the resume control means causes the content control means to execute the resume information reading means. In the read resume information Murrell reference information may be allowed to see.

  The resume information recorded by the resume information recording means includes the execution position information and reference information of the program, and by using these information at the time of resume playback, not only contents such as movies but also games etc. from the outside Resume playback can be performed more accurately even for highly interactive content whose playback content changes flexibly in response to the input. Note that the interactive content is interactive content in which the content reproduction status is flexibly changed by a user operation, and is different from movie content that is reproduced in a predetermined order.

Note that it is preferable that the optimum timing of the resume information recording by the resume information recording unit is appropriately selected according to the embodiment. For example, the resume information recording means may periodically store the resume information in the storage device during control of content reproduction by the content control means.

  By recording resume information on a regular basis, even if a sudden power interruption occurs, the resume information immediately before the occurrence of a power interruption is recorded, so this resume information is read and resumed. Playback can be performed. Note that the interval between periodic resume information recordings allows the user to grasp that it is a continuation of the previous playback at the time of resume playback in consideration of the time required to record the resume information, the capacity of the storage device, etc. It is preferred that the interval be determined.

  The content control program according to the present invention further comprises an instruction receiving means for receiving a stop instruction for instructing stop of the reproduction control by the content control means, and the resume information recording means is configured to receive the stop instruction by the instruction receiving means. In response to the acceptance, the resume information may be stored in the storage device.

  When resume playback is performed using the resume information recorded in response to the stop instruction, it is preferable to start the resume playback from a playback position that is a predetermined time later than the playback position that actually received the stop instruction. Such resume reproduction may be realized by setting the resume information recorded by the resume information recording means to a reproduction position that goes back from the reproduction position where the stop instruction was actually received. The means may be realized by recording the resume information of the playback position where the stop instruction is actually received, and starting the playback from the playback position that is earlier than the resume information read during the resume playback.

  Further, the content control program according to the present invention determines whether or not to resume playback to the user on the output device connected to the computer when the resume information is read by the resume information reading means. Output means for outputting an inquiry; and selection accepting means for accepting an input of selection by the user who has received the inquiry via an input device connected to the computer, wherein the resume control means is configured to accept the selection. When an input for selecting resume playback is received by the means, the content control means may start playback of the content according to the resume information.

  According to the present invention, by providing the content control program itself with a module for inquiring whether or not resume playback is necessary, when the resume information is recorded in the content playback device that is a computer that executes the content control program, the user can If the user does not want the resume playback, the playback can be started from the beginning of the content.

  Further, the present invention may be a computer-readable portable recording medium in which a content control program and content that is controlled to be reproduced using the content control program are recorded. Here, the computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium that accumulates information such as data and programs by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read from a computer or the like. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a so-called resume reproduction function in an apparatus for controlling reproduction of content read from a recording medium using a program read from the recording medium.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a portable recording medium in which a content control program according to the present invention is recorded and a content reproduction system as a computer that reproduces content recorded in the portable recording medium according to the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. I will explain. In the present embodiment, the portable recording medium according to the present invention is implemented as a Blu-ray Disc. Further, the content reproduction system according to the present embodiment may be used for various applications such as an in-vehicle device and a portable device, in addition to a content reproduction system installed and used indoors and outdoors.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of the content reproduction system according to this embodiment. A content playback system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing) that controls the entire system by processing instructions and data expanded in a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14, a RAM 12, and the like. Unit) 11, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 13 that stores various data used by the system such as various programs loaded in the RAM 12, decoder 15 and D / D that converts the digital signal passed from the decoder 15 into an analog signal A converter 16, amplifier 17, touch panel display 2, speaker 3, multi-drive 4, TV tuner 5, AM / FM tuner 6 and the like are electrically connected via a bus or the like. .

  The multi-drive 4 is an optical disc drive capable of loading and reading a plurality of standard discs (portable recording media) such as CD, DVD, and BD. In the content reproduction system 1 according to the present embodiment, information read from a disc such as the BD 41 loaded in the multi-drive 4 is sent to the decoder 15. The decoder 15 generates a video signal and an audio signal based on the read information. And the content reproduction system 1 reproduces | regenerates an image | video and an audio | voice by outputting the video signal and audio | voice signal produced | generated by the decoder 15 to the touch panel display 2 and the speaker 3. FIG.

  Note that the content reproduction system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system capable of selecting and reproducing a plurality of sources such as a multi-drive 4, a TV tuner 5, and an AM / FM tuner 6. Therefore, not only when the user explicitly gives an operation such as pause or stop, but also when an operation for switching the input source to a source other than the multi-drive 4 is performed, the reproduction of the content is stopped. Done.

  In the present embodiment, the video signal and the audio signal based on the information read from the disc are generated by the decoder 15 such as a so-called DSP (Digital Signal Processor), but the decoding process is developed in the RAM 12 or the like. It may be performed by the CPU 11 that executes the decoded program. Further, the processing of the video signal and the processing of the audio signal based on the information read from the disc may be processed by one processor or may be processed by different dedicated processors.

  The touch panel display 2 is an input / output device (user interface) for the user in the content reproduction system 1 according to the present embodiment, and is controlled by the CPU 11 to display an image for notifying the user of some information. A user operation is accepted by detecting a touch operation on the image display portion. In addition to the touch operation on the touch panel display 2, the content reproduction system 1 accepts an operation by the user by various buttons or the like (not shown) provided in the content reproduction system 1. Content input via the touch panel display 2 or buttons is recorded in the RAM 12 and processed by the CPU 11. In addition, the notification to the user by the content reproduction system 1 may be output as sound via the speaker 3.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the Blu-ray Disc according to the present embodiment. Blu-ray Disc has an index that lists the contents recorded on the disc.
table, MovieObject for controlling the playback content of HDMV content, BD-J Object for controlling the playback content of BD-J content, PlayList and PlayItem arranged in the playback order in PlayList operated from these objects ClipInfo storing information of the stream file to be referred to, and AV Stream, which is a stream file including actual video and audio data, are recorded.

  Here, the Index table has a list of contents in a format such as First Playback, Top Menu, Title1, Title2, and the like, and information indicating whether each content is HDMV content or BD-J content (hereinafter, BD-J content). This information is referred to as a “content control method identification flag”). The content playback system 1 according to the present embodiment refers to the content control method identification flag to determine whether the content related to playback is HDMV content or BD-J content.

  When the content related to playback is HDMV content, MovieObject is selected, and PlayList, TopMenu, Title, and the like are controlled using Navigation Command as in the conventional DVD video. When the content related to reproduction is BD-J content, BD-J Object is selected and a BD-J application program (described as “Java program” in the figure) is executed, so that PlayList or TopMenu is executed. , Title, etc. are controlled. Note that these objects control the playback content by specifying an ID assigned to PlayList or the like. The BD-J content includes an interactive type and a movie type, which can be determined by referring to the title reproduction type recorded on the BD 41. The interactive content is interactive content in which the playback state of the content is changed by a user operation, and examples thereof include a game whose playback content and result are changed by a user operation.

  Here, the content playback system 1 according to the present embodiment provides a so-called resume playback function that, when playing back a DVD or the like, returns the playback position to the previous playback end position when starting playback of the content. The resume playback function is also provided for HDMV content on the BD 41 in the same manner as a conventional DVD. This is because the HDMV content content control system is an extension of the conventional DVD video content control system, and the resume playback function can be provided in the same manner.

  The BD-J content reproduced in the present embodiment is controlled by executing a BD-J application program recorded on the BD 41 together with the content. More specifically, a BD-J application program (content control program) is managed as a process (task) by the OS (Operating System) or execution environment of the system, and an execution area is allocated, and a stack, a variable, etc. The process proceeds using this. For this reason, when the playback control process is stopped in the same manner as in the conventional DVD, the execution area on the RAM 12 for executing the BD-J application program is released, and the program needs to be executed from the beginning at the next execution. And playback cannot be resumed from the previous stop.

Here, in order to be able to resume playback of BD-J content, a method of enabling resume playback by holding the contents of the BD-J application program developed in the RAM 12 as is is considered. Then, in order to resume playback after the power of the apparatus is once cut off, it is necessary to copy all the contents of the BD-J application program being executed on the RAM 12 to the nonvolatile storage device. However, in this method, it is necessary to use a relatively large storage area in order to back up the resume data (the contents of the program being executed) related to one BD 41. For example, the size of the area necessary for backing up the contents of the memory being executed is considered to be 100 Mbytes or more including the area necessary for executing the BD-J application program. In addition, since the time required to write such a large size data to an external nonvolatile storage device cannot be ignored, the playback end process is actually completed after receiving a playback end instruction from the user. There may be a problem that it takes a long time to wait, or a problem that the backup cannot be taken in a situation such as a sudden power interruption and resume playback cannot be performed.

  For this reason, in the content reproduction system 1 according to the present embodiment, the BD-J application program itself read from the BD 41 and executed for content reproduction control includes a software module for supporting resume reproduction. It was. According to such a resume method, it is possible to create a resume function in accordance with the internal configuration of the BD-J application. Therefore, unlike the case where resume playback is performed by an external function provided in the content playback system 1, There is no need to create a resume function considering various BD-J application forms.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a Blu-ray Disc in which the content control program according to the present embodiment is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. A BD-J application program (corresponding to the content control program of the present invention) for controlling the reproduction of the BD-J content is recorded on the BD 41 together with the data of the BD-J content reproduced by the content reproduction system 1. Has been. The BD-J application program is a content control program that is read from the BD 41, developed in the RAM 12 of the content reproduction apparatus, and executed by the CPU 11, and includes a content control module, a resume information recording module, a resume information reading module, and a resume control module. , An execution position transition module, an instruction reception module, an output module, and a selection reception module.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a functional configuration of the content reproduction system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the content reproduction system 1 according to the present embodiment, the CPU 11 interprets and executes the content reproduction program developed in the RAM 12 or the ROM 14, thereby reproducing the content using a control method corresponding to the content, and the BD 41. A reading unit 22 that reads content, a BD-J application program, and the like from the computer, a program management unit 23 that manages a BD-J application program that is read from the BD 41 and expanded and executed on the RAM 12, and the touch panel display 2 It functions as the content reproduction system 1 provided with the input reception part 24 which receives the input based on user operation etc.

  The reading unit 22 reads the HDMV content, the BD-J content, the BD-J application program for controlling the BD-J content, and the like from the BD 41 by the multi drive 4. Here, the multi-drive 4 according to the present embodiment has a spindle driving unit for rotating the loaded disc and a pickup driving unit for adjusting the position of the pickup, and by driving these driving units. Then, contents, a BD-J application program, and the like are read from the loaded disc such as the BD41.

The reproduction unit 21 decodes the content read from the disc such as the BD 41 and outputs the content to the touch panel display 2 to reproduce the content. When the content read from the BD 41 is an HDMV content, the playback of the content is controlled according to the HDMV command. When the content read from the BD 41 is a BD-J content, the content is read from the same BD 41. The playback of the content is controlled by executing the BD-J application program. Note that when playing back content, the playback unit 21 can play back HDMV content and BD-J content continuously. In the present embodiment, the content playback system 1 refers to the content control method identification flag recorded in the BD 41, so that the content to be played back (the content that is being played or is about to be played) It is determined whether the content is HDMV content or BD-J content.

  The program management unit 23 manages the execution state of the BD-J application program read from the BD 41 and expanded in the RAM 12 as a process (task) or the like. In the present embodiment, the program management unit 23 includes a Java execution environment for executing a BD-J application program.

  The content reproduction system 1 according to the present embodiment is read from the BD 41 when the CPU 11 interprets and executes the BD-J application program including the program modules, which is read from the BD 41 and expanded in the RAM 12. A content control unit 31 for controlling the reproduction of the recorded content, a resume information recording unit 32 for recording the resume information during the reproduction of the content, a resume information reading unit 33 for reading the recorded resume information, and the read resume information The content control unit 31 causes the resume control unit 34 to resume playback, the execution position transition unit 35 that transitions the execution position of the BD-J application program according to the execution position information included in the resume information, and the external based on user input or the like Finger from Content receiving unit 36, a selection receiving unit 37 that receives an input for selecting whether or not resume playback is required by the user, and an output unit 38 that performs an output inquiring the user about whether or not resume playback is required It functions as the playback system 1.

  Here, the resume information refers to all information used in the resume playback by the content playback system 1 that executes the BD-J application program. The resume information includes content reproduction position information, execution position information of the BD-J application program, and various reference information referenced from the BD-J application program being executed. However, it is not necessary for the resume information to include all of these information, and other information useful for resume reproduction may be included. More specifically, among the resume information recorded in this embodiment, the playback position information includes a title number, a playlist number, a chapter number, a playback time (playback position within the content is played at a single speed from the beginning of the content). Information), BD-J object number, etc., and reference information includes player setting information (selected audio number, selected subtitle number, etc.), menu number, page number, operated button number, There is variable information used to specify various statuses mainly in the control of interactive contents such as the contents of user operations.

  The resume information is recorded in a non-volatile storage device such as the HDD 13 by the resume information recording unit 32 in association with information that can identify the content to be reproduced or the BD 41 on which the content is recorded. More specifically, by storing resume information in a folder created for each name (title) of the BD 41 production company, information that can identify the content to be played back or the BD 41 in which the content is recorded. The resume information can be recorded in association.

In this way, even when various BDs 41 are reproduced and resume information for a plurality of BDs 41 is accumulated, the resume reproduction process is performed using the resume information corresponding to the loaded BD 41 at the next reproduction. I can do it. Further, by recording the resume information in the nonvolatile storage device, it is possible to return to the playback end position at the next playback even when the power of the content playback system 1 is turned off. In this embodiment, since the BD 41 is adopted as the portable recording medium according to the present invention, the resume information is stored in the local storage (Application) defined in the Blu-ray Disc standard.
It may be recorded in an area reserved on the HDD 13 of the content reproduction system, referred to as Data Area or Binding Unit Data Area).

  Here, the resume information that is periodically recorded may be recorded in a new recording area every predetermined time (in this embodiment, 1 second), but the same information on the HDD 13 is used to save resources. The area may be overwritten or recorded in a ring buffer. The resume information is regularly recorded by the resume information recording unit 32, so that even when the power of the content reproduction system 1 is suddenly cut off, it is possible to return to the reproduction end position at the next reproduction. Note that the resume information may include information that is recorded regardless of the passage of time (for example, when the content of the information changes), in addition to information that is periodically recorded.

  For example, the resume information may include execution position information of the BD-J application program. Here, the execution position information of the BD-J application program is information that can specify the execution position (expressed by an address or the like) of the BD-J application program that is interpreted and executed by the CPU 11 and has an operation flow. Recorded when transitioning to the next unit (function, etc.). By recording the execution position information of the program in this way, the BD-J application program can be shifted to the previous execution position during resume reproduction.

  Further, the resume information may include playback mode information. Here, the playback mode information is information for instructing an operation associated with playback, such as information indicating whether display of a so-called trivia track in which bean knowledge is displayed in accordance with playback of the main part is enabled or disabled. It is recorded when the setting of the playback mode is changed based on the user operation.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a playback image of interactive content in the present embodiment. The BD-J content shown here is a BD-J content that asks the user a quiz and allows the user to input an answer to the quiz given. The content playback screen 50 includes a page number 51 that is updated as the quiz problem progresses, answer buttons 52a and 52b for allowing the user to select a quiz answer, and control for allowing the user to input a content control instruction. Buttons 53a, 53b, 53c, etc. are displayed.

  Here, when the quiz progresses and the page indicated by the page number 51 is switched, the resume information recording unit 32 records the page information as the resume information. The page information is information indicating whether or not each page of the screen displayed by the BD-J application has been displayed, and is recorded when the page is changed by the application. By recording the page information, it is possible to distinguish between a page that has already been displayed and a non-displayed page at the time of resume playback, and to return to the page that was previously displayed.

When the user selects one of the answer buttons 52a and 52b to select a quiz answer, the resume information recording unit 32 associates the answer information indicating the answer selected by the user with the quiz number. Record. By recording the answer information, the quiz items that have already been answered by the user can be answered in the resume reproduction, and the quiz results can be accurately counted. When any one of the control buttons 53a, 53b, and 53c displayed on the screen by the user operation is pressed, the resume information recording unit 32 displays any of the control buttons 53a, 53b, and 53c pressed by the user operation. And button information indicating that the control button has been pressed is recorded. By recording the button information, any one of the control buttons 53a, 53b, and 53c that has already been pressed during the previous reproduction can be set to the “pressed” state during the resume reproduction.

  In the present embodiment, among the resume information described above, the resume information excluding the resume information for specifying the playback position is recorded according to a predetermined trigger determined for each information. Any of the described resume information may be recorded periodically. By recording resume information periodically, even when playback control is terminated due to sudden power failure, etc., at the time of the next playback, when the last resume information was recorded at the previous playback Resume playback can be performed from the state.

  Hereinafter, the contents of the resume information recording process and the resume reproduction process using the resume information will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of content reproduction control when the BD-J application program according to the present embodiment is executed. The processing shown in this flowchart is started when the loading of the BD 41 is detected and the BD-J application program is read from the BD 41. More specifically, the reading unit 22 reads a BD-J application program for controlling content from the BD 41 loaded in the multi-drive 4 and develops it in the RAM 12. The BD-J application program developed in the RAM 12 is managed by the program management unit 23 and executed by the CPU 11. In this way, content reproduction control is started. Note that the processing order of the resume information recording process and the resume reproduction process using the resume information is not limited to the order shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, and an optimal processing order is appropriately selected according to the embodiment. May be adopted.

  In step S101, it is determined whether or not there is resume information corresponding to the content. The resume information reading unit 33 searches the resume information stored in the HDD 13 using the identification information of the loaded BD 41 as a search key, thereby determining whether the resume information corresponding to the BD 41 loaded in the multi-drive 4 is accumulated. Determine whether. In other words, the resume information reading unit 33 determines whether or not the content recorded on the BD 41 to be played back has been played before and the recording at that time remains. If the corresponding resume information is found, the process proceeds to step S103. If the corresponding resume information is not found, the process proceeds to step S102.

  First, the flow of processing when resume information corresponding to the content to be reproduced is not accumulated, that is, when the BD 41 loaded in the multi-drive 4 is reproduced for the first time in the content reproduction system 1 will be described.

In step S102, the content recorded on the BD 41 starts to be played in order from the predetermined top content. The content control unit 31 instructs the reading unit 22 to read the content of the First Playback title from the BD 41, and starts reproduction of the read First Playback title. That is, since the content control unit 31 does not perform resume playback, among the content recorded on the BD 41, the content that is defined to be played first when the disc is played back is first.
Control to play the Playback title is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S108.

In step S108, recording of resume information is started. The resume information recording unit 32 starts recording the resume information after the reproduction of the content is started. The resume information is recorded periodically or according to a predetermined trigger. Since the detailed contents of the process for recording the resume information have already been described, the description thereof will be omitted.

  Thereafter, the BD-J application program is executed by the CPU 11 until an input of a playback stop instruction or the like based on a user operation such as pressing of a stop button or a disc ejecting operation is accepted or until the power playback processing of the content playback system 1 is performed. Thus, the content reproduction control is continued. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, content reproduction control is stopped. When the input receiving unit 24 receives a playback stop instruction by pressing the touch panel 2 or various buttons, the program management unit 23 stops the playback control of the content by stopping the execution of the BD-J application program, End content playback. At this time, the instruction receiving unit 36 receives the playback stop instruction received by the input receiving unit 24, and in response to this, the resume information recording unit 32 records the resume information immediately before the content playback is stopped in the HDD 13. . Thereafter, the processing shown in this flowchart ends.

  Next, the flow of processing when there is accumulation of resume information corresponding to the content to be played back, that is, when the loaded BD 41 is played back in the content playback system 1 will be described.

  In step S103, the accumulated resume information is read. The resume information reading unit 33 reads the resume information related to the BD 41 to be reproduced, retrieved in step S101, from the HDD 13. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, various reference information that is referred to during execution of the BD-J application program is set. The resume control unit 34 sets the reference information included in the resume information read in step S103 as setting information of the content reproduction system 1 or a variable in the BD-J application program. The reference information set here is reproduction mode information, page information, answer information, button information, and the like among the resume information described in the description of step S108. These pieces of information are referred to as variables from the setting contents of the content reproduction system 1 or the BD-J application program during execution of the BD-J application program. Therefore, by reflecting these previously recorded contents at the time of resume reproduction, it becomes possible to execute the BD-J application program in the same environment as at the previous execution. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the playback target content and the playback start position are determined. The resume control unit 34 refers to information used for specifying the playback position, such as a title number, a playlist number, a chapter number, a playback time, and a BD-J object number included in the resume information. A content to be played back instructing reading from the BD 41 and a playback start position in the content are determined. In the present embodiment, the reproduction start position is determined to be a position that is 1 second to 5 seconds later than the reproduction position recorded last in the previous reproduction recorded in the resume information. By doing in this way, it is possible to make the user partly view the last viewed part and remind the user of the previous viewing content. However, the playback start position may be determined as the playback position recorded last during the previous playback, or the playback start position after other time adjustment may be determined. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, the execution position of the BD-J application program is transitioned. The execution position transition unit 35 refers to the execution position information included in the resume information read out in step S103, thereby grasping the execution position of the BD-J application program recorded last at the time of the previous reproduction and corresponding. The execution position of the own program is changed so as to return to the execution position. This execution position transition can be performed, for example, by designating the address indicated in the execution position information for the CPU 11 or the program execution environment and restarting the execution of the program from that position. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S107, resume playback is started. Various parameters used for control are restored in step S104, the playback position is determined as the playback position at the previous end in step S105, and the program execution position is changed to the execution position at the previous end in step S106. Resume playback can be realized by continuing execution of the BD-J program in this state. Here, the content control unit 31 instructs the reading unit 22 to read the content by specifying the content identification information and the reproduction start position determined in step S105. Furthermore, the content control unit 31 instructs the reproduction unit 21 to decode the content read by the reading unit 22 and output the content to the touch panel display 2, thereby starting the reproduction of the content. Note that when the resume playback is performed, the playback of the above-mentioned First Playback title is skipped. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S108.

  Hereinafter, the contents of the processing after step S108 are substantially the same as the case where the playback is started from the First Playback title without performing the resume playback, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In this embodiment, when resume information is retrieved at the start of playback of the BD 41, resume playback is automatically started. However, when resume information is retrieved, whether resume playback is necessary or not. May be inquired to the user.

  Specifically, when the resume information is retrieved in step S101, the output unit 38 causes the user to output an inquiry as to whether or not to resume playback via the touch panel display 2 or the speaker 3. At this time, the output unit 38 displays an interface for allowing the user to select whether or not to resume playback on the touch panel display 2 and causes the input receiving unit 24 to receive a selection operation by the user. Then, the selection receiving unit 37 receives a selection of whether or not resume reproduction is necessary by the user via the input receiving unit 24. If the accepted selection is a content indicating that resume playback is to be performed, the subsequent processing flow is substantially the same as the processing described for step S103 and subsequent steps. When the accepted selection is a content indicating that the resume reproduction is not performed, the subsequent processing flow is substantially the same as the processing described in and after step S102.

  According to the present embodiment, a resume function is provided even for BD-J content that is difficult to provide a resume function by a method similar to that of a conventional DVD, and the same convenience as a conventional DVD or the like is provided to the user. It becomes possible to do. Further, according to the resume method shown in the present embodiment, the information required for the resume can be completed with a small amount of information, so the resume information is read and written between the system and the nonvolatile storage device such as the HDD 13. Time, component cost of the nonvolatile memory device, board mounting area of the nonvolatile memory device, and the like can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the hardware constitutions of the content reproduction system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data structure of Blu-ray Disc which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of Blu-ray Disc on which the content control program which concerns on embodiment was recorded so that computer reading was possible. It is a figure which shows the outline of a function structure of the content reproduction system which concerns on embodiment. In an embodiment, it is a figure which illustrates the reproduction image of interactive type content. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of content reproduction | regeneration control by the BD-J application program which concerns on embodiment being performed.

Explanation of symbols

1 Content Playback System 2 Touch Panel Display 4 Multi Drive 11 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
12 RAM (Random Access Memory)
13 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
31 Content Control Unit 32 Resume Information Recording Unit 33 Resume Information Reading Unit 34 Resume Control Unit 35 Execution Position Transition Unit 41 BD (Blu-ray Disc)

Claims (8)

A content control program for controlling reproduction of content recorded on a portable recording medium on which the content is recorded together with the content.
Content control means for controlling reproduction of the content read from the portable recording medium;
Resume information recording means for storing resume information including reproduction position information for specifying a reproduction position of the content, the reproduction of which is controlled by the content control means, in a storage device connected to the computer;
Resume that reads resume information stored when the content recorded on the portable recording medium related to the playback control to be started is previously played back from the storage device when playback control by the content control unit is started Information reading means;
When the resume information is read by the resume information reading unit, the content control unit causes the content control unit to start playing the content from the playback position specified using the playback position information included in the resume information. Control means;
Content control program that functions as The resume information recording means stores the resume information in the storage device in association with identification information of the portable recording medium,
The resume information reading means searches the storage device using identification information of a portable recording medium related to the reproduction control when the content control means starts reproduction control, thereby enabling the reproduction control. Retrieving the resume information stored when the content recorded on the portable recording medium was previously reproduced, and reading from the storage device;
The content control program according to claim 1. The resume information recording means causes the storage device to store resume information further including execution position information for specifying the execution position of the content control program,
The computer further functions as an execution position transition means for transitioning the execution position of the content control program by the content control means to the execution position indicated by the execution position information included in the resume information read by the resume information reading means. Let
The content control program according to claim 1 or 2. The resume information recording means causes the storage device to store resume information further including reference information for specifying information referred to in the reproduction control of the content,
The resume control means causes the content control means to refer to reference information included in the resume information read by the resume information reading means.
The content control program according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The resume information recording means periodically stores the resume information in the storage device during control of content reproduction by the content control means.
The content control program according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An instruction receiving means for receiving a stop instruction for instructing stop of the reproduction control by the content control means;
The resume information recording means stores the resume information in the storage device upon receiving the stop instruction received by the instruction receiving means.
The content control program according to any one of claims 1 to 5. When the resume information is read by the resume information reading means, an output means for outputting an inquiry as to whether or not to resume playback to the user to an output device connected to the computer;
A selection receiving means for receiving an input of selection through an input device connected to the computer by the user who has received the inquiry,
The resume control unit causes the content control unit to start playback of the content according to the resume information when an input for selecting resume playback is received by the selection receiving unit.
The content control program according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The content control program according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Content that is playback controlled using the content control program;
A computer-readable portable recording medium on which is recorded.

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