JP3692859B2 - VIDEO INFORMATION RECORDING DEVICE, REPRODUCING DEVICE, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a medium for recording video information, and more particularly to a video information recording apparatus, playback apparatus, and recording medium suitable for recording video information such as a moving image having a large data size.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The most widely used medium for recording moving images is magnetic tape. Inside the cassette case, two pairs of a supply shaft and a winding shaft are wound around the magnetic tape in a roll shape. This is a videotape cassette attached to. On the magnetic tape, moving image data that is continuous along the time axis in the longitudinal direction of the tape is recorded, and during playback, the tape was driven at the same speed as during recording, and the recorded moving image data was read out and then shot. The video can be played as it is.
[0003]
Moving images in a videotape cassette can be viewed for the first time by mounting the cassette on a player and playing it back. For this browsing, it is necessary to perform the same operation both when browsing all the moving images and when only checking what moving images are included. The problem is that even when a random accessible medium such as an optical disk is used, especially when all the recorded videos are arranged in a single stream in the same manner as the video information on the tape, the handling is Since this is the same as the case of magnetic tape and it is necessary to browse all of the data, even if an operation such as fast-forwarding is performed, it is still to some extent in units of, for example, n times the actual reproduction time as with magnetic tape. Time is required.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, especially when the cassette has a plurality of video tape cassettes that do not record the recording contents with paper labels or the like, the above-mentioned paper is searched for the purpose of searching which video tape cassette contains the target video or organizing the video tape cassette. It took a considerable amount of time to examine the contents of the videotape to produce labels and the like. In order to solve this point, some video cassette recorders that record TV broadcasts, for example, the recorded broadcast channel, broadcast time, etc. are stored in the main body or in a memory provided on the cassette, and the video is recorded. Products that are devised so that the contents can be grasped without seeing are on sale. However, display contents such as broadcast channel and time are limited, and it is difficult to display the program itself. Therefore, there are many programs that cannot be remembered from the displayed contents, and especially for moving images that the user freely shoots with a video camera, it is difficult to select the target video without watching the video because the shooting time is short once Have difficulty.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to provide a video information recording apparatus, a reproducing apparatus, and a recording medium that allow a user to grasp the contents of a moving image recorded on a medium in a short time.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a video information recording apparatus using a medium for recording video by a method of continuously recording a plurality of video information including moving images on one data stream.
The management information related to the video information is recorded in a place where high-speed access is possible separately from the video information main body recorded on the medium. For each unit, such as one-shot shooting of a moving image, a still image with the head image as a default is generated, and only the still image is collected as management data separate from the moving image stream. The stream is recorded on a medium on which the stream is recorded or a medium that can be accessed at high speed corresponding to the medium. Then, when the cassette is mounted on the player, this management data is read and displayed at high speed, so that the outline of the entire moving image stream is quickly presented to the user.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, specific examples of embodiments of a video information recording apparatus, a reproducing apparatus, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0008]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a form of a video information recording medium according to the present invention. FIG. 1A shows an example of a video information recording medium using an optical disc, in which video information 10010 is recorded as one continuous stream from the inner periphery of the optical disc 10000. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, the video information is not a separate file image but a series of video images in units of recording start / stop. Yes. Management information 10020 including information such as thumbnails and characteristics of the video information is recorded at a location different from the video information 10010, and information related to the video information can be quickly read out without accessing the video information. . This presents information about the video to the user without accessing a long video information data stream, so that the user can quickly present information that outlines the video without causing the user to wait unnecessarily. It becomes possible.
[0009]
FIG. 1B is an example of a video information recording medium using a video tape cassette, and shows a case where a data stream of video information is recorded on a magnetic tape with respect to the optical disk of FIG. . The video tape cassette 10100 is provided in the cassette case as a pair of a supply shaft and a take-up shaft that are wound around a magnetic tape 10110 (not shown) in a roll shape, and this shaft is rotated. Then, the magnetic tape is transported, and simultaneously the video information recorded on the magnetic tape is read or new video information is written.
[0010]
The video tape cassette 10100 according to the present invention has a storage device 10120 constituted by a semiconductor memory or the like, and this storage device includes a management including information such as thumbnails and characteristics of the video information shown in FIG. Information is stored and can be read out at high speed. Since reading of information from this storage device can be performed irrespective of reading of video information recorded on the magnetic tape, the video can be read without causing the user to wait unnecessarily as in FIG. It is possible to quickly present information showing the outline to the user. In this embodiment, a medium using an optical disk and a magnetic tape is used as a recording medium for video information. However, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, a medium that realizes a mode for recording a plurality of video information in one data stream. If so, there is no doubt that the same applies to other types of media such as hard disks and semiconductor memories.
[0011]
In addition, if the management information is the same and it does not take time such as cueing the tape, even if it is recorded on the same medium as the video information recording medium as shown in FIG. 1 (a), as shown in FIG. 1 (b). Another medium capable of high-speed access may be used. Further, although not shown, if management is performed in a one-to-one correspondence with a medium on which video information is recorded and a management number (not shown) or the like, it is provided in a place different from the medium on which video information is recorded or its case. It may be recorded in another storage device.
[0012]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a form of video information and management information recorded on a video information recording medium according to the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) shows a video information data stream when video information is recorded as a digital signal. In this case, not only moving images but also still images can be mixed. Here, the images are compressed and recorded by the MPEG method and the JPEG method, respectively. Further, the moving image is a mixture of the MPEG1 method and the MPEG2 method. Although not shown, the still image may be a still image based on the MPEG method. As the data format of the video information used in the present invention, each of the shooting units (for example, start / stop unit of shooting by a video camera) such as MPEG2-1 and MPEG2-2 shown here is stored in an independent file. Instead, they are recorded in one data stream 20010 in a continuous order in the recording order. The recording medium may be a random accessible medium such as an optical disk or a sequential recording medium such as a magnetic tape.
[0013]
FIG. 2B shows a video information data stream when video information is recorded as an analog signal. This is a magnetic tape in a video tape cassette such as VHS which is currently popular. Of course, it may be recorded on a randomly accessible medium such as a laser disk. In this data stream 20020, a video recorded in the SP (Standard Play) mode and a video recorded in the EP (Extended Play) mode can be mixed, and in the form of SP-1 and EP-1, respectively, FIG. Video information similar to each photographing unit in (a) is continuously arranged in the recording order on the medium.
FIG. 2 (c) shows an outline of the contents of the management information according to the present invention. The management information 20030 is stored in 10020 in FIG. 1A and 10120 in FIG. 1B, and the management information 20030 is stored in the video information without accessing the video information in FIGS. 2A and 2B. It can be read out faster than access. The video ID corresponds to each shooting unit such as MPEG2-1 in FIG. 2A and SP-2 in FIG. 2B, and the title, thumbnail image, date and time, and fade described later, corresponding to each shooting unit. And related information such as comments. These pieces of information are generated at the same time as recording by the video recording device or by user operation after recording, and the playback device reads this management information prior to the video information without taking the user to wait unnecessarily. Information such as recorded video titles and thumbnail images can be presented.
[0014]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of management information used by the video information recording apparatus, the reproducing apparatus, and the recording medium according to the present invention, and an example of a reproduction screen of the reproducing apparatus using the information. FIG. 3A shows an example of information for managing video information in a continuous stream by dividing the video information into the shooting units. The shooting unit indicated by the video number corresponding to MPEG2-1 in FIG. 2 (a) or SP-2 in FIG. 2 (b) has a time code (IN) and a time code (OUT) as the start and end times. And management information together with the title of the photographing unit and the recording date and time.
[0015]
The same applies to FIG. 3B. Here, the positions of the start point and the end point are expressed as frame numbers counted from the head of the stream. FIG. 3C shows management information displayed on the screen when video information is reproduced. An image is displayed on the screen 30030, and a title 30020, a shooting time and a remaining time 300050 in a shooting unit, a shooting mode and a playback unit length 30060 can be displayed thereon. The length of the shooting unit is calculated from the start point and end point of the time code or frame number, and the remaining time during playback is calculated from the current playback location and the end point of the time code or frame number. These pieces of information are described in management information, not video information itself. The video information is basically given for each shooting unit, but in some cases, the management information according to the present invention can be used to set and manage the video unit at an arbitrary position regardless of the shooting unit. It becomes possible.
[0016]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the format of a thumbnail file of management information used by the video information recording apparatus, playback apparatus, and recording medium according to the present invention. The thumbnail file is handled as a file different from the management information indicating the title and date and time shown in FIG. 3, and a video number and thumbnail data are paired as shown in FIG. 4 and arranged in order. Here, FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B differ in thumbnail size, and by reading only the thumbnail file having a size suitable for the layout of the screen to be displayed, it is possible to read without reading unnecessary information. Time can be shortened. Also, by making the thumbnail file itself a separate file from the management information in FIG. 3, a thumbnail file with a large capacity cannot be read on a screen that displays only a list of titles and recording dates without displaying thumbnails. It is possible to read out management information at extremely high speed.
[0017]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for setting a special effect using management information used by a video information recording apparatus, a reproducing apparatus, and a recording medium according to the present invention. FIG. 5 (a) is an example in which a method for displaying an arbitrary comment at an arbitrary location during playback of a moving image is described in the management information 50010 according to the present invention. Here, the comment characters described in the comment are displayed between the specific frame numbers of the designated video number (from frame IN to frame OUT). As the effect, for example, the character size, font, and color of the comment, and the effect that the character appears while fading in and out in the vicinity of the frames IN and OUT are described. Furthermore, the comment may be not only a character code but also a bitmap, and characters previously written on paper or the like as a still image with a camera may be photographed and used. FIG. 5C shows an example in which an image is actually displayed using the management information 50010. Characters 50031 are displayed in the reproduced video 50030 for each scene.
[0018]
FIG. 5B shows an example of a method for describing fade information in a moving image in management information 50020 according to the present invention. Since the video number and frame number (IN and OUT) are the same as those in FIG. 5A, description thereof is omitted here. Here, a fade and its effect are described instead of the comment in FIG. Specifically, for example, fade-in to change the image from white to normal, fade-out to change the playback image from normal to, for example, white, or a white-white curtain from the side of the screen. Describes the type of fade such as wipeout that covers the whole, the time required for fade-in and wipe-in and out (frame number units, etc.), and the color of the fade and wipe. FIG. 5D shows an example in which an image is actually displayed using this management information 50020. The video 50040 being reproduced is hidden from the left by the black wipe 50041 and wiped out.
[0019]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the video information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention presents information to the user using management information. FIG. 6 (a) is an example of a screen for managing images recorded on a medium in the video information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, and here, a format for displaying six thumbnails simultaneously. On the screen 60010, thumbnails 60011 are arranged as a unit of a total of six screens of horizontal 3 screens × vertical 2 screens, and above each thumbnail, the type of image unit indicated by each thumbnail (Movie, Still, Audio, etc.) ) And each title, shooting date, shooting mode, and the like are displayed, and the user can grasp the contents of the image recorded on the entire medium at a glance. In this screen, an arbitrary image can be selected by a cursor key (not shown), and the image unit can be reproduced by a reproduction key (not shown) after the selection. In addition, when there are six or more screen shooting units, the entire screen can be scrolled up and down or left and right by the cursor key (not shown), the page switching key (not shown), and the like. The 2/3 number described at the bottom of the screen 60010 indicates that there are a total of 3 pages of thumbnails of shooting units recorded on this medium, and this screen is the second page of them.
[0020]
FIG. 6 (b) is an example of a screen for managing images recorded on the media of the video information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, as in FIG. 6 (a). Here, a format for displaying three thumbnails simultaneously is shown. Yes. The displayed information 60021 is the same as that shown in FIG. 6 (a) in FIG. 6 (b), but FIG. 6 (b) has a larger display area. For example, FIG. 6 (a) shows a camera (not shown). In order to display not all the illustrated messages depending on the resolution of the liquid crystal screen of the video information reproducing apparatus such as the above, or to display more detailed information such as the comment and fade information described above with reference to FIG. ) Is suitable. The thumbnail size differs between FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B due to the difference in information display area. When the user switches between the screens shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) depending on the purpose of the same video information playback device, thumbnails of a plurality of sizes are displayed in different files as described above with reference to FIG. For example, since it is not necessary to read a large thumbnail file shown in FIG. 4B when displaying FIG. 6B, it is possible to display the screen quickly. . These screens are displayed by pressing a button provided on the video information reproducing apparatus or on a device such as a remote controller for operating the video information reproducing apparatus.
[0021]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the file structure of video information and management information recorded on a video information recording medium according to the present invention. The case where the video recording medium is a medium such as an optical disk and the video information and the management information can be recorded on the same medium is shown. There are three subdirectories 70010 of Mpegav, Data, and Still in the root directory of the medium, and actual image data 70020 is recorded in the Mpegav directory as single or plural files. In the Data directory, management information 70020 shown in FIG. 2C and the like and thumbnail information 70040 shown in FIG. 4 are recorded as separate files. In the Still directory, for example, when this medium is used by a computer or the like, for example, the JPEG still image photographed in FIG. 2A is recorded as a separate file so that it can be directly handled by the computer.
[0022]
This still image has a larger number of pixels than the number of pixels of a TV image in order to prevent camera shake, while the still image in the image stream of FIG. 2A has a display size on a TV. When a high-definition still image is captured using the front surface of the sensor, the image is recorded in the Still directory. In such a case, this configuration reproduction and the image cannot be reproduced on the television screen, but when a computer or the like is used, reproduction using the high definition can be performed. In the present embodiment, the case where the video information and the management information can be recorded on the same medium using the medium such as the optical disk as described above is shown. However, as shown in FIG. If the data is recorded on a storage medium, the same effect can be obtained by recording the data and the data in the Still directory in the storage device 10120 configured by the semiconductor memory or the like described in FIG. I can do it.
[0023]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining that the user can browse information about an image at a higher speed by using the management information used by the video information recording apparatus, the reproducing apparatus, and the recording medium according to the present invention. FIG. 8 (a) shows a procedure for actually reading out information relating to video by the video information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. This shows the case where the recording medium is an optical disk. First, when the disk is rotated (80011) and the contents can be read stably, the FAT (File Allocation Table) is read (80012), It is assumed that information in the disc can be read. Next, the management information according to the present invention is read (80013), and then the thumbnail information is read (80014), so that the management information and the thumbnail are presented to the user as shown in FIG. 6 (80015).
[0024]
On the other hand, FIG. 8B shows an operation flowchart for performing the same display when there is no management information according to the present invention. The process up to disk rotation (80021) and FAT reading (80022) is the same as in FIG. 8 (a). However, since there is no management information, the entire data stream with continuous images on the disk is read (80023). More thumbnails are generated (80024) and displayed (80025). Since reading of the data stream (80023) and generation of the thumbnail (80024) takes time, much time is required as compared with the case where the management information according to the present invention shown in FIG. 8 (a) is used. .
[0025]
FIG. 8C shows a case where a tape-like medium is used as the video recording medium as shown in FIG. In this case, the management information is read out from the storage device 10120 configured by the semiconductor memory or the like described in FIG. 1B installed in the cassette containing the tape (80031), and the thumbnail is read out in the same manner (80032) and displayed. By doing (80033), it is possible to present information about the video to the user at high speed. In this case, steps such as disk rotation are not necessary as compared with FIG. 8A, and a faster display is possible. Although not shown, by providing a storage device composed of the same semiconductor memory on the disk, it is possible to display information at higher speed even when the optical disk is used.
[0026]
On the other hand, FIG. 8D shows a case in which the same information display is performed using a tape-shaped medium. In this case, first, a loading operation such as winding the tape around a rotary head or the like is performed (80041). Next, the entire tape is read (80042), a thumbnail is generated (80043), and information is displayed (80044). In this case, the entire reading of the tape (80042) takes a very long time (for example, it takes several minutes even for a tape scan without a high-speed rewinding using a VHS standard tape), and a very long time is required. It is necessary and unsuitable for practical use.
[0027]
These operations are actually performed by pressing a button provided on the video information reproducing apparatus or on a device such as a remote controller for operating the video information reproducing apparatus. The operation necessary for normal image reproduction may be performed at the time when the medium is inserted into the video information reproducing apparatus without pressing this button.
[0028]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the video information recording apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 9, 90010 is a display module, 90011 is a Codec module that performs encoding / decoding processing when input / output with the outside, 90020 is a CPU module, 90021 is a memory management module, 90030 is a sub CPU module, and 90050 is a device. A front panel module including buttons and a display unit for operation, and 90040 denotes a remote controller. Reference numeral 90060 denotes a recording module.
[0029]
Video data input from the input terminal (90070) is encoded by the Codec module (90011), and the CPU module (90020) stores some information extracted during encoding in the memory module (90021) before recording. It is recorded on the DVD-RAM disc (10030) by the module (90060).
[0030]
At the time of viewing, the CPU module (90020) decodes the data read from the optical disk 10000 or the video tape cassette 10100 by the recording module (90060) by the Codec module (90011) and outputs it from the output terminal (90080). The output video and audio can be viewed on a connected display device such as a television.
[0031]
For the recording and reproduction as described above, the user operates the remote controller (90040) or the front panel (90050). The user's input is received by the sub CPU module (90030), and the contents are transmitted to the CPU module (90020).
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention described above, the outline content of video information recorded on a package medium such as a disk or a tape can be viewed by a user at a very high speed. Especially, a user who has a lot of package media can organize it. It becomes simple and can provide more convenient usability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a form of a video information recording medium according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a form of video information and management information recorded on a video information recording medium according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of management information used by a video information recording apparatus, a reproducing apparatus, and a recording medium according to the present invention, and an example of a reproduction screen of the reproducing apparatus using the information.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a thumbnail file of management information used by a video information recording apparatus, playback apparatus, and recording medium according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for setting a special effect using management information used by a video information recording apparatus, a reproducing apparatus, and a recording medium according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which a video information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention presents information to a user using management information.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a file structure of video information and management information recorded on a video information recording medium according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining that a user can view information about an image at a higher speed by using management information used by the video information recording apparatus, the reproducing apparatus, and the recording medium according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a video information recording apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10000: optical disc, 10010: video information, 10020: management information, 10100: video tape cassette, 10120: storage device.

Claims (8)

In the video information recording apparatus for recording a plurality of pieces of video information on a recording medium, thumbnail management information for managing thumbnail image information corresponding to each piece of video information of the plurality of pieces of video information is represented by the plurality of pieces of video information on the recording medium. Record in a different area from the recorded area ,
The video information recording apparatus , wherein the thumbnail management information is recorded on the recording medium as a file different from the video management information for managing the video information . In the video information recording apparatus for recording a plurality of pieces of video information on a recording medium, thumbnail management information for managing thumbnail image information corresponding to each piece of video information of the plurality of pieces of video information is represented by the plurality of pieces of video information on the recording medium. Record in a different area from the recorded area,
The video information recording apparatus, wherein the thumbnail management information includes thumbnail management information of a plurality of sizes.   3. The video information recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein separate thumbnail management information is recorded as a file on the recording medium for each of the plurality of sizes of thumbnail management information. . In the video information recording apparatus for recording a plurality of pieces of video information on a recording medium, thumbnail management information for managing thumbnail image information corresponding to each piece of video information of the plurality of pieces of video information is represented by the plurality of pieces of video information on the recording medium. Record in a different area from the recorded area,
The video information recording apparatus, wherein the thumbnail management information includes contents of fades and wipes when displaying the video information, information of the fades and wipes, and position information of the start point and end point thereof.   In a video information recording apparatus that reproduces the plurality of video information from a recording medium on which a plurality of video information is recorded, thumbnail management information for managing thumbnail image information corresponding to each video information of the plurality of video information is a thumbnail image. Each of the thumbnail management information is reproduced by the user's selection from a recording medium recorded in an area different from the area where the plurality of video information is recorded on the recording medium for each size of A video information recording apparatus for displaying a thumbnail image of a specified size on a display means.   6. The video information recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the contents of the fade and wipe when displaying the video information included in the thumbnail management information, the information of the fade and wipe, and the position information of the start point and the end point are read out. In accordance with the information, a video information recording apparatus characterized in that a fade or wipe effect is superimposed on the video information reproduction screen and displayed on a display means. In a video information recording apparatus for recording a plurality of video information on a recording medium,
Recording thumbnail management information for managing thumbnail image information corresponding to each video information of the plurality of video information on a recording medium different from the recording medium,
The recording medium on which the thumbnail management information is recorded and the recording medium on which the video information is recorded are integrally formed,
A video information recording apparatus, wherein the thumbnail management information is recorded as a file different from the video management information for managing the video information. In a video information recording apparatus for recording a plurality of video information on a recording medium,
Recording thumbnail management information for managing thumbnail image information corresponding to each video information of the plurality of video information on a recording medium different from the recording medium,
The recording medium in which the thumbnail management information is recorded and the recording medium in which the video information is recorded are reproduced by different reproducing means,
A video information recording apparatus, wherein the thumbnail management information is recorded as a file different from the video management information for managing the video information.

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