JP2000040296A - Data producing apparatus and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to adequately carry out state management of data producing processing including a progression state. SOLUTION: A supervisor 16 acquires the information indicating the present processing state of authoring work at every occurrence of a change in the flow of the authoring work, outputs this information as an information file and executes the management of the processing state relating to the authoring work. In such a case, an authoring project is managed as an object, thereby, the one-dimensional management of the progression condition of the authoring work via application software operating on the supervisor 16 is made possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data generating apparatus and method for processing a plurality of types of material data to generate data of a predetermined format, for example, a DVD (Digital Vid).
The present invention relates to a data creating apparatus and method for creating data such as video and audio to be recorded on an optical disk called an eo disk or a digital versatile disk.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an optical disk called a DVD has been put to practical use as a device for compressing and recording images and sounds. In this DVD, as a compression encoding method,
ISO (International Standardization Organization)
MPEG (Moving Picture Expe) standardized by
(rts Group) system, which enables efficient recording of moving images (video), audio (audio), and the like by performing highly efficient compression encoding.

In the above-mentioned MPEG system, a compression coding system is separately defined for each of an image and a sound, and motion compensation prediction and two-dimensional DCT (Discr
eteCosine Transform (discrete cosine transform); speech is defined by a method using a sub-band coding method.

[0004] Recording data recorded on such a DVD is obtained by digitally encoding still images such as video, audio or subtitles to be recorded based on the MPEG system or the like, and encoding the encoded data into a DVD. It is generated by multiplexing in a format conforming to the standard. Such data creation work is generally called authoring, and a device used for the work is called an authoring device.

The authoring apparatus multiplexes a plurality of encoders for digitally encoding the above-mentioned video, audio, or still image based on the MPEG system or the like, and multiplexes various data encoded by each of the encoders. A multiplexer for storing the coded various data and the multiplexed data; a viewer for reading and multiplexing the data multiplexed by the multiplexer from the hard disk; It comprises a tape streamer for reading the data multiplexed by the multiplexer from the hard disk after confirmation and downloading the data to a tape-shaped recording medium, a control unit for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, and the like.

In such an authoring apparatus, each of the encoders encodes a video signal, an audio signal, a still image signal, or the like according to an MPEG system or the like, and stores the resulting encoded data in the hard disk in order. It is supposed to. The multiplexer interleaves the encoded data (encoded video, audio or still image data or the like) stored in the hard disk, and creates recording data called disk image data together with various DVD format files. Then, the created recording data is stored in the hard disk. The recording data stored in the hard disk is read by the tape streamer and downloaded as a cutting master onto a tape-shaped recording medium in order to create a disk stamper in the next process (mastering process) of the authoring process. It has become.

[0007]

However, in the conventional authoring apparatus, when the authoring process is performed a plurality of times, for example, after the authoring process for one movie (one DVD disc) is completed, another authoring process is performed. , The authoring process for one movie (one disc) is started in order, so that it takes a very long processing time as a whole, and one device There was a problem that the work efficiency per unit was poor.

In order to solve this problem, the present applicant has proposed, in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 9-113146, an authoring apparatus in which a plurality of authoring units are processed in parallel by a pipeline processing technique. . According to this authoring apparatus, the authoring process for each material flows in an ideal pipeline as long as all the materials to be processed are available, so that the time required for a plurality of authoring processes can be shortened as a whole. Also,
In the patent application of Japanese Patent Application No. 10-9946, the present applicant holds encoding control data corresponding to the type of each material data for each data creation unit, and based on each of these encoding control data, An authoring device that encodes the following types of material data is proposed. According to this authoring apparatus, not only can encoding processing for a plurality of data creation units be performed in parallel in a pipeline processing for each material data,
The encoding process can be performed sequentially from the data preparation unit ready for processing.

By the way, in an actual production site, for example,
Once you have started the authoring work, you may want to temporarily suspend this work, perform another higher-priority authoring work, and then resume the suspended authoring work. .
However, in a conventional apparatus including an authoring apparatus in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-113146 and Japanese Patent Application No. 10-9946, such work interruption,
There is a problem that the processing operation for restart cannot be performed. Such a problem arises because the authoring work flow is not sufficiently defined systematically, and there is no mechanism for collectively managing the progress of the work for each authoring unit. Such a problem arises because there is no mechanism for centrally managing the entire processing in the authoring work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a data creation apparatus and method capable of appropriately managing the state of data creation processing including the progress of data creation processing. It is in.

[0011]

A data generating apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of encoding means for encoding each of a plurality of types of material data, and a plurality of types of encoding generated by the plurality of encoding means. Multiplexing means for multiplexing data and creating encoded multiplexed data in a predetermined format, and whenever a change occurs in the flow of data creation processing until encoded multiplexed data is created from a plurality of types of material data. And information output means for acquiring and outputting information indicating the current processing state of the data creation processing.

According to the data creation method of the present invention, an encoding step of encoding each of a plurality of types of material data, and a plurality of types of encoded data generated by the encoding step are multiplexed and encoded in a predetermined format. The multiplexing step of creating multiplexed multiplexed data and the current processing state of the data creation process each time there is a change in the flow of data creation processing until encoded multiplexed data is created from multiple types of material data An information output step of acquiring and outputting the indicated information.

In the data generating apparatus and method according to the present invention, each time a change occurs in the flow of the data generating process until the encoded multiplexed data is generated from a plurality of types of material data, the current processing state of the data generating process is changed. Is obtained and output.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 shows an entire configuration of an authoring apparatus 10 as a data creating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the data creation method according to the embodiment of the present invention is embodied by the authoring apparatus 10, and will be described below together. This authoring apparatus generates recording data to be recorded on an optical disc of the DVD standard by compression-encoding and multiplexing images and sounds, and can perform processing for a plurality of authoring units in parallel. I can do it. Here, the authoring unit indicates, for example, each movie title, and corresponds to the “data creation unit” in the present invention. In the following description, each authoring unit is called a project.

As shown in FIG. 1, the authoring apparatus 10 is called a video encoding apparatus 11 for encoding a video signal, an audio encoding apparatus 12 for encoding an audio signal, and a sub-picture. A picture encoding device 13 for encoding a picture signal representing a still image such as a caption, a menu encoding device 14 for encoding a menu signal, and a storage device for storing encoded data and the like. And a server 28. The authoring device 10 also includes a multiplexing device (hereinafter, referred to as a multiplexer) 15 that generates recording data by multiplexing the data encoded by each of the encoding devices described above, and a generated recording data. (Hereinafter, referred to as a viewer) 1 for decoding and inspecting
7, a recording device (hereinafter, referred to as a streamer) 18 for recording the generated recording data on a predetermined recording medium such as a tape-shaped recording medium, and a supervisor 16 for managing the overall operation of the audio device 10. Have. Each of these devices is connected to the network 19 by repeaters 20 to 27 as network interfaces. As the network 19, for example,
SCSI (Small Computer Sy) capable of high-speed data transmission
A transmission line using a stem interface) is used.
In the following description, each of the encoding devices 11 to 11 described above is used.
14, the multiplexer 15, the viewer 17, and the streamer 18 are collectively referred to as components.

Here, the video signal, the audio signal, the picture signal, and the menu signal correspond to "material data" in the present invention, and the recording data corresponds to "coded and multiplexed data" in the present invention. The video encoding device 11, the audio encoding device 12, the picture encoding device 13, and the menu encoding device 14 correspond to “plural encoding units” in the present invention, and the multiplexer 15 corresponds to the “multiplexing unit” in the present invention. ". Further, the supervisor 16 is an “information output unit” according to the present invention,
This corresponds to “recording control means” and “restart control means”.

The video encoding device 11 includes a video encoder 11a for encoding a video signal representing a moving image, a video encoder controller 11b for controlling the operation of the video encoder 11a, and a display device 11c. Then, the video signal input to the video encoder 11a is sequentially compressed and encoded based on the MPEG system, and the resulting video encoded data is sequentially stored in a predetermined storage area of the server 28 via the multiplexer 15. I have. More specifically, the video encoding device 11 performs various kinds of information (for example,
Parameters such as the number of moving images to be coded and the address information of the storage area for storing the coded video data)
Is received from the supervisor 16 via the network 19, an encoding process is executed based on the information, and the video encoded data obtained as a result is stored in the designated storage area of the server 28. The various types of information necessary for encoding are described in an order file supplied from the supervisor 16. The video encoding device 11 is also configured to output a status file describing the operation status to the supervisor 16. Here, the order file is a control file for the supervisor 16 to give an operation command to each component, and the status file is a control file for each component to transmit its own operation state to the supervisor 16. is there. Details of these control files will be described later.

The audio encoding device 12 includes an audio encoder 12a for encoding an audio signal, an audio encoder controller 12b for controlling the operation of the audio encoder 12a, and a display device 1.
2c, and the audio encoder 12a
Are sequentially compressed and encoded based on the MPEG audio system or the AC-3 system, and the resulting audio encoded data is sequentially stored in a predetermined storage area of the server 28 via the multiplexer 15. ing. More specifically, the audio encoding device 12 performs various kinds of information (for example,
An order file describing parameters such as the number of voices to be coded and the address information of a storage area for storing coded data is stored in a network 19.
And performs encoding processing based on the information, and stores the resulting audio encoded data in the specified storage area of the server 28. The audio encoding device 12 also stores a status file describing the operation status thereof in the supervisor 16.
To be output. Note that the above MP
The EG audio system is an audio compression system that divides an input signal into 32 sub-bands and adaptively allocates bits according to an psychoacoustic model so that a stereo hi-fi audio signal can be encoded at 128 kbps to 384 kbps. The AC-3 scheme is an audio compression coding scheme that combines modified discrete cosine transform (MDCT) and spectrum envelope coding.

The picture encoding device 13 includes a picture encoder 13a for encoding a picture signal, a picture encoder controller 13b for controlling the operation of the picture encoder 13a, and a display device 13c. Are sequentially encoded by the MPEG system or another encoding system, and the encoded picture data obtained as a result are sequentially stored in a predetermined storage area of the server 28 via the multiplexer 15. More specifically, the picture encoding device 13
Is an order file in which various information necessary for encoding (for example, parameters such as the number of sub-pictures to be encoded and address information of a storage area for storing the generated encoded picture data) are stored in the network 19. And performs an encoding process based on the information, and stores the resulting picture encoded data in the specified storage area of the server 28. The picture encoding device 13 also outputs to the supervisor 16 a status file describing the operation status.

The menu encoding device 14 includes a menu encoder 14a for encoding a menu signal, a menu encoder controller 14b for controlling the operation of the menu encoder 14a, and a display device 14c. Are sequentially encoded by a predetermined encoding method, and the resulting menu encoded data is sequentially stored in a predetermined storage area of the server 28 via the multiplexer 15. More specifically, the menu encoding device 14 performs various kinds of information necessary for encoding (for example, the number of menus to be encoded and parameters such as address information of a storage area for storing generated menu encoded data). ) Is received from the supervisor 16 via the network 19,
The encoding process is executed based on these pieces of information, and the menu encoded data obtained as a result is stored in the designated storage area of the server 28. The menu encoder 14 also
A status file describing the operation status is output to the supervisor 16. here,
The menu signal represents a portion other than the menu image (background video) actually displayed on the menu screen in the data representing the menu prepared as a viewing guide for the viewer. This means link information indicating the operation content of the menu screen (for example, the function of various selection buttons displayed in the menu).
Note that the background video is encoded by the video encoding device 11 described above.

The server 28 has a RAID (Redundunt Array of Inexpensive Disks) configuration having a storage capacity of, for example, 30 gigabytes or more, which is sufficient to store various data generated when a plurality of authoring processes are performed in parallel. It is configured as a hard disk device, and its storage area is divided for each project as described later.
The server 28 stores encoded data generated by one authoring operation in different storage areas in the divided storage areas. Further, in each of the divided storage areas of the server 28, a storage area for storing the multiplexed data generated by the multiplexer 15 is secured in addition to the storage area for storing the respective encoded data. The multiplexed data can be stored in the storage area.

Here, a method of allocating storage areas in the server 28 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 (a)
An example of the distribution of the entire storage area of the server 28 is shown in FIG.
Shows an example of the distribution of one area A ₀ shown in FIG.
FIG. 3C shows an example of the allocation of the elementary areas 30 for the encoding process in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the server 28
Is divided into authoring units. In this example, in order to perform three authoring processes in order to produce three DVD standard discs, for example, the server 2
8 is divided into three areas A ₀ , A ₁ and A ₂ .
Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, one divided area A ₀ is divided into two areas: an elementary area 30 for encoding processing and a multiplexed data storage area 31 for multiplexing processing. Can be Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, in the elementary area 30 for encoding processing, video encoded data 32 output from the video encoder 11a, the audio encoder 12a, the picture encoder 13a, and the menu encoder 14a, respectively. , Audio coded data 33, picture coded data 34, and menu coded data 35 are written in different storage areas. On the other hand, multiplexed data output from the multiplexer 15 is written in the multiplexed data storage area 31 for multiplexing processing. Other areas A ₁ ,
Has the same applies to the A _2.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued.

The multiplexer 15 has a display device 15a. The multiplexer 15 sequentially reads out the video coded data 32, the audio coded data 33, the picture coded data 34, and the menu coded data 35 from the above-described elementary area 30 of the server 28, and multiplexes these to record data. As server 2
The operation of sequentially storing the multiplexed data in the multiplexed data storage area 31 in the same divided area 8 is performed. For example, when a read from the elementary regions 30 of the region A ₀ server 28 stores the generated multiplexed data in the multiplexed data storage area 31 of the same region A _0. The multiplexer 15 also generates information necessary for multiplexing (for example, address information of the elementary area 30 in which video coded data, audio coded data, picture coded data, and menu coded data are stored). An order file in which parameters such as address information of a multiplexed data storage area 31 for storing multiplexed data are described is received from the supervisor 16 via the network 19, and multiplexing is executed based on these information to perform multiplexing. The multiplexed data (recording data) is stored in the designated multiplexed data storage area of the server 28. The multiplexer 15 outputs a status file describing the operation status to the supervisor 16.

The viewer 17 has a display device 17a. The viewer 17 is for checking whether or not the encoding process of each of the encoding devices 11 to 14 and the multiplexing process of the multiplexer 15 have been performed normally, and is stored in the multiplexed data storage area 31 of the server 28. The multiplexed data is sequentially read and decoded via the multiplexer 15 and output to the monitor screen of the display device 17a and the speaker. Such a viewer 17
Is provided, it is possible to immediately and easily check whether or not the encoding process and the multiplexing process have been performed normally. The viewer 17 also stores an order file in which information necessary for decoding (for example, address information of a multiplexed data storage area 31 in which multiplexed data is stored and parameters such as information on an encoding method) are described. The information is received from the supervisor 16 via the network 19, and a decoding process is executed based on the information.
The viewer 17 also outputs a status file describing the operation status to the supervisor 16.

The streamer 18 is a tape streamer 18
a, a streamer controller 18b for controlling the operation of the tape streamer 18a, and a display device 18c.
It is comprised including. Tape streamer 18a
Is for recording the recording data, for which the inspection by the viewer 17 has been completed, on a predetermined tape-shaped recording medium.
With this tape-shaped recording medium, recording data is passed to a mastering process for manufacturing an optical disk. The streamer controller 18b also transmits an order file in which information necessary for the recording operation (for example, address information of the multiplexed data storage area 31 in which the multiplexed data is stored, and parameters such as information of the recording method) is described in a network. The multiplexed data is sequentially read from the multiplexed data storage area 31 of the server 28 via the multiplexer 15 by operating the tape streamer 16a based on the information received from the supervisor 16 via the The data is recorded on a recording medium. The streamer controller 18b also outputs a status file describing the operation status of the tape streamer 18a to the supervisor 16. By providing the streamer 18, the recording data to be passed to the mastering step can be immediately and easily recorded on the tape-shaped recording medium.

The supervisor 16 includes a file storage section 16a for storing various files, and a display device 16b.
And each component (each encoding device 11-1
4, the operation of the multiplexer 15, the viewer 17, and the streamer 18) and the data recording area of the server 28. Specifically, the supervisor 16 reads the contents of the status file output from each component, generates an order file described later in accordance with the contents, and
The data is stored under a predetermined directory a. These order files can be managed by referring to each component. Here, the file storage unit 1
6a corresponds to the "information holding means" in the present invention.

Here, various files handled by the authoring apparatus 10 and the directory structure of the file storage section 16a in which those files are stored will be described.

The supervisor 16 has a file storage section 16a having a directory structure as shown in FIG. 3, for example.
It has. In this figure, "S: \" represents a drive name on the network, and below this, directories "{PRJ00}",
“{PRJ01}” and “{PRJ02}” and a directory “{STAT}” are provided. this house,
“＼PRJ00＼”, “＼PRJ01＼”, “＼PRJ”
02 @ "indicates a project PRJ0 for performing an authoring process corresponding to the areas A ₀ , A ₁ , and A ₂ in FIG.
0, PRJ01, PRJ02.
These directories "@ PRJ00", "@PRJ
01 @ "and" {PRJ02} "
Directories “{VOLUME1}” and “{STAT}” are provided. Of these directories, the directory "{PRJxx ¥ VOLUME1}" (xx = 00-00)
02) stores a parameter file for each component in the directory "\ PRJxx \ STAT".
The status file for each component is stored in “＼”. Here, the parameter file is a data file that describes various types of information necessary for each component to perform processing.
As described above, the parameter file for the video encoding device 11 describes the number of moving images to be encoded, address information of a storage area for storing encoded video data, and the like.

The project PRJ is located under the directory "{STAT}" provided immediately below "S:".
00, PRJ01, PRJ02 directory "$ P
RJ00＼ ”,“ ＼PRJ01＼ ”,“ ＼PRJ02 ”
＼ ”Is provided. Each of these directories contains:
Each stores an order file for each component.

Here, the order file is a file that triggers the operation of each device, and is defined with a different name for each component and each project. In each order file, which project should be processed (that is, the area A of the server 28)
₀ , A ₁ , or A ₂ ), and a command “GO Δ 示 す” indicating the above, and the above-mentioned various information required when each component performs processing. I have. In this embodiment, the project PR
For Jxx (xx = 00 to 02), "VIDEO x
X. ORD "," AUDIOxx.ORD "," SUB
PICxx. ORD "," MENUXX.ORD ",
"MUXxx.ORD", "VIEWERXX.OR"
D "and" STREAMER xx. ORD ". For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the directory “S: {STAT} PRJ00} for the project PRJ00 in the file storage unit 16a,“ VIDEO00.ORD ”,“ AUD ”
IO00. ORD "," SUBPIC00.ORD ",
“MENU00.ORD”, “MUX00.ORD”,
"VIEWER00.ORD", "STREAMER0
0. ORD "can be stored. It is needless to say that the name of the order file is not particularly limited.

Of these, "VIDEO00.ORD",
"AUDIO00.ORD", "SUBPIC00.O"
RD "and" MENU00.ORD "
A video encoder controller 11b of the video encoding device 11, an audio encoder controller 12b of the audio encoding device 12, a picture encoder controller 13b of the picture encoding device 13, and a menu encoder controller 14b of the menu encoding device 14.
The order file referenced by. Also,
“MUX00.ORD”, “VIEWER00.OR”
"D" and "STREAMER00.ORD" are order files referenced by the streamer controller 18b of the multiplexer 15, the viewer 17, and the streamer 18, respectively.

On the other hand, the status file is a file which is output by each component to notify the supervisor 16 of its own operation status. Like the above-mentioned order file, the status file has a different name for each component and each project. Defined. In each of these status files, one of “InProgress” indicating that the own component is being processed and “Done” indicating that the process is completed is described. In the present embodiment, for the project PRJxx (xx = 00 to 02),
"VIDEOxx.STA", "AUDIOxx.ST"
A ”,“ SUBPICXX.STA ”,“ MENU ×
X. STA "," MUXxx.STA "," VIEW
Rxx. STA "," STREAMERxx.STA "
7 status files are used. For example, the project PRJ in the file storage unit 16a
00 directory "S: \ PRJ00 \ STAT"
As shown in FIG. 5, "VIDEO00.S"
TA ”,“ AUDIO00.STA ”,“ SUBPIC ”
00. STA "," MENU00.STA "," MUX
00. STA "," VIEWER00.STA "," S
TREAMER00. STA "may be stored. Of course, the status file name is not particularly limited.

Of these, "VIDEO00.STA",
“AUDIO00.STA”, “SUBPIC00.S
TA "and" MENU00.STA "
Video encoder controller 11b, audio encoder controller 12b, picture encoder controller 13b, and menu encoder controller 1
4b is an encoder 11a, 12a, 13
This is a status file that is output to indicate the operating states of a and b. “MUX00.STA”, “V
IEWAR00. “STA” is a status file output by the multiplexer 15 and the viewer 17 to indicate the respective operating states. Furthermore, "ST
REAMER00. "STA" is a status file output by the streamer controller 18b of the streamer 18 to indicate the operation state of the tape streamer 18a.

As described above, in the authoring apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the order file and the status file relating to each component are divided for each project and arranged under different directories. Therefore, as described later, the supervisor 16 and each component can easily search these files and perform selective processing for each project.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reason that the status file and the parameter file for each project are stored under the same directory "S: \ PRJxx \" is that the authoring during the processing is performed. Considering that it is necessary to transfer the work to another authoring device, this directory structure makes it easy to download the status file and parameter file to a floppy disk or the like for each project. become.

In this embodiment, various information files for managing the authoring work are stored in the file storage section 16a. That is,
A project information file indicating information unique to each project is stored under the directory “S: {PRJxx}”. This project information file is, for example, “DVD_PROJ.INF”.
O ". Further, under the directory "S: {STAT}", an authoring information file indicating a processing state according to a change in the flow of the data creation processing is stored. This authoring information file is named, for example, “DVD_CTRL.STA”. These information files will be described later in detail.

Returning to FIG. 1, the function of the supervisor 16 will be described. At the start of the authoring, the supervisor 16 provides an order file “VIDEO ×” for each component for each project in order to give an instruction to the encoding devices 11 to 14 to start the encoding process.
X. ORD "," AUDIOxx.ORD "," SUB
PICxx. ORD "and" MENUXX.ORD "
Are stored under the corresponding project directory in the file storage unit 16a. The supervisor 16 also reads the status file “VI” for each component from the directory for each project in the file storage 16a.
DEOxx. STA "," AUDIOxx.STA ",
“SUBPICXX.STA” and “MENUXX.STA”
The contents of “STA” are read, and it is determined whether or not the processing for each project in each component is completed.

When the supervisor 16 determines that the encoding process for each one of the projects by the encoding devices 11 to 14 has been completed, the encoding process is terminated to give the multiplexer 15 an instruction to start the multiplexing process. An order file “MUXxx.ORD” for a project is generated and stored under a directory for the project in the file storage unit 16a.
When the supervisor 16 determines that the multiplexing process of the multiplexer 15 has been completed, the supervisor 16 gives an instruction to start the decoding process to the viewer 17, and the order file “VIEWER ×
X. ORD "is generated and stored under the project directory in the file storage unit 16a.
Further, when the supervisor 16 determines that the decryption process by the viewer 17 has been completed, the supervisor 16 gives an instruction to start the recording process to the streamer 18 so that the order file “STR” for the project for which the viewing process has been completed.
EAMERxx. ORD ”is generated, and the file storage unit 1
6a, stored under the project directory.

The supervisor 16 is also provided with each encoding device 1
It manages a recording area in the server 28 of each of the encoded data generated by 1 to 14 and the multiplexed data generated by the multiplexer 15. Specifically, the supervisor 16 instructs the encoding devices 11 to 14 to specify different recording areas as data storage destinations,
For the multiplexer 15, a recording area different from the encoded data is specified as a data storage destination. Further, the supervisor 16 also instructs the multiplexer 15 to read the encoded data, and also to specify a storage area for the encoded data. These instructions are described as the contents of each order file described above.

Each of the above order files, in which an operation instruction to each component and an instruction such as a data storage destination, are described,
The components are supplied from the file storage unit 16a of the supervisor 16 to each component via the network 19. Then, each component can execute the work assigned to itself by reading the contents of the order file addressed to itself, and the storage destination of each generated data is set not to be duplicated.
Can be shared.

Next, a GUI (graphical user interface) in the authoring apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example of a GUI window screen displayed on the display device 16b of the supervisor 16. FIG. In addition, in FIG.
9 shows a window screen when there is only one. When there are a plurality of projects, this window screen can display information on the plurality of projects. For example, in the window screen shown in FIG.
The processing progress management screens for the three projects to be processed in the present embodiment are displayed in a switchable manner. For example, the processing progress management screen of the project PRJ02 is “Project
ct02 "can be displayed by clicking with a mouse (not shown). On this screen, “Project name” indicates the name of the project (for example, a movie title). On this screen, various item boxes as shown in the figure are displayed corresponding to each component. That is, "Vid
“eo” indicates the progress of the encoding process in the video encoding device 11, “AC3” indicates the progress of the encoding process in the audio encoding device 12 using the AC-3 method, and “S 3”
“P” indicates the progress of the encoding process in the picture encoding device 13, and “Menu” indicates the progress of the encoding process in the menu encoding device 14. “MUX” indicates the progress of the multiplexing process in the multiplexer 15, “Viewer” indicates the progress of the viewing process in the viewer 17, and “Down Lo”
“ad” indicates the progress of the download (streaming) process in the streamer 18.

The processing progress of each component is represented by the display color and blinking state of each item box. For example, black is displayed in the unprocessed state, flashes in green while the processing is in progress, and is displayed in yellow when the processing is completed. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) of the supervisor 16 periodically refers to the contents of the status file stored in the file storage unit 16a and controls the display color and blinking state of each item box based on the result. It has become.

Note that “LPCM” represents an audio signal processing method based on the linear PCM (pulse code modulation) method, and “MPEG audio” represents an audio signal processing method based on the MPEG audio method. Since the audio encoding device 12 uses the AC-3 method, the “LPCM” and “MPCM”
“EG audio” is displayed thinly. Also, "Em
“ulrator” indicates an emulation process by a verification device called an emulator, but since the audio device 10 according to the present embodiment does not include the emulator, the item box is displayed in light. Note that an emulator is a device that can check operations linked to a menu.
It is possible to perform verification in a state where the user actually watches and listens one step further than the inspection by 7.

The item button "Param" at the left end of the screen
The "enter Input" is used to input various parameters (information required for processing in each component) required for authoring. By clicking this button, a parameter input screen (not shown) is displayed. It is displayed and you can enter parameters from there. Item button “Delete” on the right side of the screen
The “e project” is for deleting the currently displayed project, and the “BackupPro”
The “ject” is used, for example, to save the current processing status to a floppy disk or the like during the processing of the project. Also, "Export Proj
“ect” is used when the authoring work is transferred to another authoring device. Note that, in the authoring apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, “Export
This button is dimmed because it does not support the “Project” function.

The item button "New Project" at the upper right of the window shown in FIG. 6 or FIG.
"t" is used when processing a new project, and when this is clicked, a processing progress management screen for a new project is created and displayed. “Quit” is used to end the authoring program.

FIG. 8 is a screen displayed after clicking the item button “New Project” of the window shown in FIG. 6 or 7 with a mouse. On this screen, a restore operation of a project to be described later can be designated by clicking the “Restore Project” button with a mouse. In this screen, “New Title” is used when a completely new project is generated.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a selection screen for selecting a component used for the authoring operation. This screen is displayed, for example, in the screen of FIG.
This is displayed after the user clicks a mouse button on a “tre” or “Restore Project” button. Since the components required for each project are different, a mechanism for selecting this is provided in the present embodiment. By checking each check box on the screen shown in FIG. 9, a component used for the authoring work can be selected.
In the example shown in the figure, components related to LPCM and MPEG audio are unchecked, and components related to the other components are selected as components used for authoring work. With this screen, it is possible to partially invalidate each authoring process shown in FIG. 12, which will be described later, at the time of project generation, and a more practical authoring operation can be realized.

FIG. 10 shows a display example of a GUI window screen on the display device 11a of the video encoding device 11 as an example of a screen display of the display device in each component. This window screen is for managing the encoding process performed by the video encoding device 11, and the project number (Project) to be processed is displayed on the left side of the window.
For each t), a project list showing the processing status (Status) is displayed. Here, "Done" indicates that the encoding process has been completed, and "New" indicates that the encoding process has not been completed. When this window is started, the supervisor 16 searches the file storage unit 16a to read the contents of each status file, and sends the result to the video encoder controller 11b of the video encoding device 11 when this window is started. , It is automatically displayed. If the encoding process has progressed after the start of this window, the item button “PRJsea” below the project list is displayed.
By clicking "rch", the latest processing status can be displayed. When there are many projects to be processed, the display lines of the projects can be scrolled by clicking the scroll buttons “▲” and “▼” on the right side of the project list.

Further, on the right hand side of this window screen, detailed contents of the project at the cursor position in the left hand project list are displayed. In the example of this figure, the project PRJ01 is composed of a video material “VTSTT01” and “VTSM01” and “VTSM01”.
02 "(the background video of the menu). The menu link information (that is, the information indicating the operational relationship between the selection button in the menu and the video or audio) is encoded by the menu encoding device 14. In this example, the processing of these three materials has already been completed, and the status column (S
) are all "Done". As a result, the status of the project PRJ01 at the cursor position in the project list on the left is also “Don
e ". In the above-mentioned project contents display, when the processing is not completed, “GO” is displayed in the order column (Order), and “InProgress” indicating that the processing is in progress or “In Progress” indicating the unprocessed state is displayed in the status column. “New” is displayed.

The item button "Start" is used to start the encoding process. By clicking the button, the process of the project at the cursor position in the project list on the left can be started. ing. In addition, item button “Exi
"t" is used when ending this GUI program, and clicking this closes this window screen.

Next, the operation of the authoring apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, an outline of a general authoring work flow will be described with reference to FIG. First, in a component for video encoding, a component for audio encoding, a component for picture encoding, and a component for menu encoding, video encoding (step S11) and audio encoding ( Step S12), picture encoding processing (step S13) and menu encoding processing (step S14) are performed. Each of the coded data is multiplexed in a multiplexing component (step S15). The multiplexed data created by the multiplexing process is subjected to a viewing process in a component for a viewing process (step S16), and is then subjected to a streaming process in a component for a streaming process (step S17).

Next, the details of the flow of the authoring operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 shows a detailed flow of the authoring work from the generation to the deletion of the project, and the part circled represents the state of the project. In FIG. 12, as the project status, the hatched portion indicates the component status, and the white circle indicates the intermediate status of the project. The flow of the authoring operation in FIG. 12 is basically the same as the flow of the authoring operation shown in FIG.

In FIG. 12, an initialization state 51 is an initialization state relating to generation of an authoring project, and is a state for project management. In this state, for example, the storage location of the control file is determined and the server area is secured. The parameter input state 52 corresponds to a component for inputting an authoring parameter. The parameter search state 53 is an internal state for developing information necessary for encoding processing based on the parameters input in the parameter input state 52. The menu state 54 corresponds to a component for menu encoding processing. Picture state 55
Corresponds to a component for picture encoding processing. Video state 56 corresponds to a component for video encoding processing. AC-3 state 5
7 corresponds to a component for AC-3 encoding processing. The LPCM state 58 corresponds to a component for the LPCM encoding process. MPEG
The audio state 59 corresponds to a component for MPEG audio encoding processing. The encoding end state 60 is an internal state indicating that all encoding processing has been completed. The multiplexing state 61 corresponds to a component for multiplexing processing. Viewer state 62
Corresponds to a component for viewing processing. The download state 63 corresponds to a component for download. The backup status 71 corresponds to a component for project backup processing. The project deletion state 72 corresponds to a component for project deletion processing.

Although each part shown in FIG. 12 is called a "state", during the actual authoring work, this part is a component and performs signal processing and the like. However, from a project management perspective, for example, the video component part
Since it indicates "in the state of the video encoding process", it is referred to here as "state".

Here, an object-oriented concept of "object" (or "class") is introduced to express an authoring project. That is, the authoring project is defined as an object. Further, each state in the project shown in FIG. 12 is defined as “member” (or “member variable”), and “transition” from “state” to “state” (corresponding to an arrow between each state in FIG. 12). .) Is defined as a "method."

Based on such a definition, the task of starting an authoring project is nothing but the generation of an instance of a project object.
Also, if you want to do multiple authoring tasks,
Initiating multiple projects, ie, creating multiple project instances. As described above, an instance in the present embodiment is generated according to the definition of an object, and refers to a project that is actually a subject of authoring processing. For example, when actually trying to author a movie, one project for a movie under the control of the supervisor 16 corresponds to an instance.
Based on such a definition, an operation flow from generation of an authoring project to completion of all operations and deletion of the project will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when an instruction to generate a project is received from a project object, a project instance is automatically generated and the initialization state 51 is entered. Since the initialization state 51 is an internal state, the server area required for the project is automatically secured and the control file storage directory is automatically created. Here, the instruction to generate a project instance can be given by, for example, clicking the item button “New Project” with a mouse on the screen shown in FIG. 6 or FIG.

Next, at the time of transition from the initialization state 51 to the parameter input state 52, the method 81 operates and the GUI
An order file in which “GO” indicating a processing instruction is described is output to the component for parameter input according to (1), and the state transits to the parameter input state 52.

The initial state variable in the parameter input state 52 is “GO”. The component for parameter input starts operation in response to the instruction “GO”, and indicates that “InProg” is being processed for the project.
A status file describing "ress" is transmitted.
In response to this, the state variable of the parameter input state 52 becomes “InProgress”. Next, when the component for parameter input ends the parameter input process, it sends out a status file describing “Done” indicating the end of the process. In response to this, the state variable of the parameter input state 52 becomes “Done”, the end condition of the parameter input state 52 is satisfied, and an attempt is made to transition to the next state.

Next, the state transits from the parameter input state 52 to the parameter search state 53. No special methods are provided here. When the state transits to the parameter search state 53, information necessary for the encoding process output by the parameter input component is processed, and an operation of storing the information in a specific directory is performed. This allows, for example,
Controller of each component (for example, video encoder controller 11 in the case of video encoding device 11)
b) is the directory “S: {STAT} PRJ00}” in the file storage unit 16 a of the supervisor 16.
Search for "S: {STAT {PRJ02}", and obtain the order file addressed to you.

Next, from the parameter search state 53 to the menu state 54, picture state 55, video state 56, AC
-3 state 57, LPCM state 58, and MPEG audio state 59. Menu state 54, picture state 5 from parameter search state 53
5, when transitioning to the video state 56, the AC-3 state 57, the LPCM state 58, and the MPEG audio state 59, respectively, the methods 82a, 82b, 82
c, 82d, 82e, and 82f operate to output an order file in which “GO” indicating a processing instruction is output to each encoding processing component, and transition to each state.

Here, the video state 56 will be described as an example. The initial state variable in video state 56 is "GO". The component for video encoding starts operation in response to the instruction “GO”, and sends out a status file describing “InProgress” indicating that encoding is being performed. In response, the state variable of the video state 56 becomes “InProgress”. Next, when the video encoding component ends the encoding process, it sends out a status file describing “Done” indicating the end of the process. In response,
The state variable of the video state 56 becomes “Done”, and the end condition of the video state 56 is satisfied, and an attempt is made to transition to the next state. The menu state 54, the picture state 55,
The same applies to the operation in each of the AC-3 state 57, LPCM state 58 and MPEG audio state 59.

Next, when it is detected in the encoding end state 60 that the state variables of all components for encoding processing have become "Done", the encoding end state 60 satisfies the end condition, and the next multiplexing is performed. Attempt to transition to state 61.

Next, at the time of transition from the encoding end state 60 to the multiplexing state 61, the method 83 operates, and “GO” indicating a processing instruction is given to the multiplexing processing component.
Is output, and the multiplexing state 61 is output.
It transits to. In the multiplexing state 61, a predetermined status file is received and a multiplexing process is performed in the same manner as the operation in each of the above-described states, and when the end condition is satisfied, an attempt is made to transition to the next state.

From the multiplexing state 61, the viewer state 62
The transition to the download state 63 is performed. In this case, the methods 84 and 85 respectively operate to indicate processing instructions to the viewing processing component and the download (streaming) processing component. An order file describing “GO” is output, and the state transits to the viewer state 62 and the download state 63. In the viewer state 62 and the download state 63, the end condition of each state is satisfied after receiving a predetermined status file and performing each processing similarly to the operation in each state described above. Note that in the viewer state 62 and the download state 63, a plurality of times of viewing processing and download processing are possible.

After the end condition of the download state 63 is satisfied, a predetermined operation as described later is performed to shift to the project deletion state 72, and the area secured on the server 28 for the project is obtained. Released
Various information files are deleted. Thus, a series of authoring operations is completed. The project deletion state 72 is set so that the project can be forcibly terminated.
Transitions are possible from any other state.

In the authoring operation, the state is changed to the backup state 71 as necessary, and a backup process of the authoring operation is performed. The transition to the backup state 71 is possible from any other state. This backup processing will be described later in detail.

The definition of the project object and the management from generation to deletion of the instance as described above can be actually realized by application software running on the supervisor 16. With this application software, the screens shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 can also be displayed. For example, the generation of the project instance described above can be performed using the item button “New Project” on the screen of FIG. 6 or FIG.

Further, the information on the instances of all the projects can be controlled by the application software operating on the supervisor 16.
Further, in the present embodiment, every time information about an instance changes, the information is output to a predetermined information file, so that even if the application software is terminated due to misoperation or an accident, Authoring work progress information is preserved.

For example, the authoring work progress information is
It is recorded in an authoring information file named “DVD_CTRL.STA”, and this file is stored in a directory “S: {STAT}” as shown in FIG. As a result, this file can be referred to each time the controller is started, and the state at the time of termination can be returned. Here, “DVD_CTRL.STA” describes the state of each project as an instance generated by the supervisor 16. For example, there are contents such as how many projects are present, how far each project is progressing (member status), and the like.

As for the information unique to each project, the information possessed by the object instance is output to a predetermined information file, and is used for processing such as suspension or resumption of authoring. For example, the unique information for each project is "DVD
_PROJ. The information is recorded in a project information file named "INFO", stored in a directory "S: \ PRJxx \ STAT \" as shown in FIG. 3, and is referred to as necessary. "DVD_PROJ.INFO"
Stores parameters required for an actual authoring operation. For example, in the case of a movie, the movie time, the number of audios, the type of subtitles, and the like are used.

Note that “DVD_CTRL.STA” is
Recorded whenever the progress of the project changes. “DVD_PROJ.INFO” is recorded when the authoring parameters are determined. In the example of FIG. 12, the parameter search state 5
Recorded when transitioning to 3.

As described above, by managing the authoring project as an object, it is possible to centrally manage the progress of the authoring work via the application software running on the supervisor 16. , You can always get information about a particular project. By utilizing this fact and the fact that the area is divided on the server 28 according to the authoring unit as shown in FIG. 2, the processing of backup, suspension, restoration and restart of the authoring work can be performed.

Next, the operation related to the suspension and resumption of the authoring work will be described together with the backup processing and the project deletion processing.

In this embodiment, the authoring work can be backed up for the generated project regardless of the progress status. In this case, “Backup Pro” on the screen of FIG.
Click operation of the “ject” button with a mouse. Then, the backup is interpreted as a backup for the project, and the state transits to the backup state 71 shown in FIG. At this time, the backup processing component operates via the order file and the status file as described above. As a result, of the divided areas on the server 28, the contents of the area associated with the project for which backup has been designated are backed up to a tape-shaped recording medium or the like. More specifically, a backup processing component and a restore processing component are operating in the streamer 18, and the backup is started by an instruction from the supervisor 16.

The control files and information files stored in the supervisor 16 are backed up to a floppy disk, a ZIP disk, or the like connected to the supervisor 16.

When the “Delete project” button on the screen of FIG. 6 or 7 is clicked with the mouse after the backup operation is completed, the area secured on the server 28 for the project is released, and various information files are saved. Will be erased.

With the above operations, the authoring operation can be interrupted. Next, a case where a suspended project is resumed by performing a backup will be described.

The “New Pro” screen shown in FIG. 6 or FIG.
When the user clicks on the "JECT" button with a mouse to generate a project, it specifies that the project is to be restored (resume). This can be designated by clicking the “RestoreProject” button with a mouse on the screen of FIG.
If it is specified to be a project restore, the initial state works, interpreting this as a special project. That is, the components for the backup process and the components for the restore process in the streamer 18 are operated via the order file and the status file, and the content backed up on the tape-shaped recording medium or the like is linked to the project on the server 28. Restored to the area. At the same time, a floppy disk connected to the supervisor 16 or a ZIP
Various information files are restored from a disk or the like.

When all the backup data and files have been restored, the controller searches the project information file and the control file, and sets the status of each part of the project instance to the status at the time of backup. Thus, the authoring operation can be resumed.

Next, the flow of a plurality of authoring processes by the authoring apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG.
One of the region _{A 0, A 1, A 2} 3 single project PRJ00~PRJ02 using represent the case of performing the authoring process under the same conditions, right arrow indicates the traveling direction of the time.

As shown in FIG. 13, the authoring process starts with the input of parameters by the GUI (FIG. 6 or 7) for each project for each area, and then starts the encoding process, the multiplexing process, the viewing process, and Proceed to streaming processing. However, the project PRJ00 area A _0, since it has such is found to be defective in the audio coding process where you make up viewing process performs only re-encoding the audio, further multiplexing , Shows how the viewing is being performed. Note that, in this figure, “subtitle” indicates a process of encoding a subtitle as a sub-picture.

Here, attention is paid to video encoding processing.
The video coding process is first performed for the project PRJ00 area A _0, the project PRJ01 the next area A _1, for example, because of no such video material is not ready yet, make video coding process Can not do. In this case, the further video encoding process for that next area A ₂ projects PRJ02 is performed first. And the area A ₂
After the video encoding process for a project PRJ02, the video coding process where video material are aligned for the project PRJ01 region A ₁ is performed. It should be noted that the video encoding process for the project PRJ01 of area A ₁ is being carried out is divided into two places, this is for example, in the movie the contents of the video material has been produced is divided into two chapters of the first half and the second half In some cases, it indicates that encoding processing is performed for each chapter.

[0089] Further, paying attention to the encoding of the menu, the encoding process, first menu materials is performed for the project PRJ02 region A ₂ with uniform. Next, the project PRJ00 of area A ₀ menu encoding is performed, the end of the region A ₁ project PR
The menu encoding process for J01 is performed.

[0090] Further, paying attention to the multiplexing processing, the multiplexing process, the four project PRJ02 area A ₂ of the encoding process is first completed for all the material is initially performed. Then, multiplexing processing for the project PRJ01 region A ₁ is performed, the last menu coding for project PRJ00 area A ₀ is performed. Similarly, the viewing processing and the streaming processing are performed in the order of the areas A ₂ , A ₁ , and A ₀ .

[0091] When the materials are prepared for all the projects at once such as audio and subtitles, the encoding process is performed in the original order of the areas A ₀ , A ₁ , and A ₂ .

As described above, according to the authoring apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, every time the flow of the authoring work changes, information indicating the current processing state of the authoring work is acquired and output as an information file. As a result, the processing state related to the authoring operation can be appropriately managed. In this case, by managing the authoring project as an object, the progress of the authoring work can be centrally managed via application software running on the supervisor 16. In addition, for example, by combining with a program for displaying information, it is possible to display the progress based on the information file, and it is possible to confirm the authoring progress of the project at any time. Further, since a selection screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, a component used for each authoring project can be arbitrarily selected.

Further, according to the authoring apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make a transition from any other state to the backup state 71 (FIG. 12) as necessary, and to perform the backup processing of the authoring work. Because
Authoring can be interrupted and backed up for a project at will. This allows
The area on the server 28 corresponding to the backed up part is released and can be used for another authoring project.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the entire hard disk array of the server 28 is divided into three areas as shown in FIG. 2, but the number of divisions is not particularly limited. What is necessary is just to set suitably. In the above embodiment,
After the authoring process for the three projects PRJ00 to PRJ02 is completed, if the fourth and subsequent authoring processes are performed again using the areas A ₀ , A ₁ , and A ₂ , the number of divisions is three. It is also possible to perform more authoring processes in parallel.

Further, in the above embodiment, the server 28 having one input / output port is used to read and write various data via the multiplexer 15, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, for example, a so-called multi-port type server having a plurality of input / output ports may be used as the server 28, and each component may be directly connected to each input / output port. In this case, each processing in the authoring can be further speeded up.

In the above embodiment, the storage location of each control file is stored in the file storage section 16 of the supervisor 16.
a, but the present invention is not limited to this.
As long as the configuration can be shared by each component on the network 19, the information may be stored in another location.

In the present embodiment, the authoring of data for recording on a DVD has been described as an example. However, the present invention is applicable to the case of authoring data of another format for recording on another recording medium. Is also applicable.

[0098]

As described above, claims 1 to 4
According to the data creation device described in any one of the above and the data creation method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, a flow of data creation processing until encoded multiplexed data is created from a plurality of types of material data. Each time a change occurs, information indicating the current processing state of the data creation processing is acquired and output, so that the state management of the data creation processing including the progress state can be appropriately performed. .

[0099] According to the data creation device of the second aspect or the data creation method of the sixth aspect, the encoded data and the encoded multiplexed data are stored in accordance with the flow of the data creation processing. Information indicating the current processing state of the creation process is held, and these data and information are recorded on a predetermined recording medium when the flow of the data creation process is temporarily interrupted. This has the effect that the data and information can be appropriately recorded.

[0100] According to the data creation device of the third aspect or the data creation method of the seventh aspect, the state at the time of interruption of the data creation processing is determined based on the data and information recorded on the predetermined recording medium. Since the interrupted data creation process is restarted from the same state, the effect is obtained that the interrupted data creation process can be restarted from the same state as the interrupted state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an authoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of storage area allocation in a server shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a directory structure in a file storage unit of a supervisor.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an order file.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing an example of a status file.

FIG. 6 is a graphical user diagram in a supervisor.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an interface screen.

FIG. 7 is a graphical user diagram in the supervisor.
It is a figure showing other examples of an interface screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a graphical user interface screen displayed at the start of a project in a supervisor.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a graphical user interface screen for component selection in a supervisor.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a graphical user interface screen in the video encoding device.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of authoring performed by the authoring apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed flow of authoring performed by the authoring apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a time chart showing the progress of authoring performed by the authoring apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Authoring device, 11: Video encoding device, 1
2: audio encoding device, 13: picture encoding device, 14: menu encoding device, 15: multiplexer, 16: supervisor, 16a: file storage unit, 1
7: Viewer, 18: Streamer, 28: Server

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 7/24 F term (reference) 5C053 FA14 FA22 FA23 FA24 GB08 GB11 GB12 GB21 GB22 GB37 HA29 HA30 JA21 JA23 JA24 KA05 KA24 LA06 LA14 LA15 LA20 5C059 KK06 KK36 KK45 MA00 MA23 PP04 PP18 RB01 RB10 RB16 RC24 RC31 RC32 RC34 RC37 SS13 SS19 SS30 5D044 AB05 AB07 BC06 CC04 DE14 DE48 GK08 GK11 HH02 HL11

Claims (8)

[Claims] A plurality of encoding means for encoding each of a plurality of types of material data; a plurality of types of encoded data generated by the plurality of encoding means being multiplexed; Multiplexing means for creating coded data, and whenever a change occurs in the flow of data creation processing until the coded multiplexed data is created from the plurality of types of material data, the current processing state of the data creation processing And an information output means for acquiring and outputting information indicating the data. 2. A storage unit for storing the coded data and the coded multiplexed data in accordance with a flow of the data creation process, and an information holding unit for holding information output by the information output unit. And recording the data stored in the storage means and the information held in the information holding means in a predetermined storage medium at the time when the flow of the data creation processing is temporarily interrupted. 2. The data creation device according to claim 1, further comprising control means. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the interrupted data creation processing is resumed from a state equivalent to a state at the time of interruption of the data creation processing based on the data and information recorded on the predetermined recording medium. 3. The data creation apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of encoding units and a restart control unit that controls said multiplexing unit. 4. The information output by the information output means includes information indicating a processing state for each data creation unit, which is a unit of processing for creating the coded multiplexed data. The data creation device according to claim 1, wherein 5. An encoding step for encoding each of a plurality of types of material data, and multiplexing the plurality of types of encoded data generated by the encoding step to create encoded multiplexed data in a predetermined format. Multiplexing step, every time there is a change in the flow of the data creation process until the encoded multiplexed data is created from the plurality of types of material data, information indicating the current processing state of the data creation process And a data output step of obtaining and outputting the data. 6. A storage step for storing the coded data and the coded multiplexed data according to a flow of the data creation processing, and an information holding step for holding information output by the information output step And a recording control step of, when the flow of the data creation processing is temporarily interrupted, recording the data stored in the storage step and the information held by the information holding step at a time of the interruption on a predetermined recording medium. 6. The data creation method according to claim 5, comprising: 7. A restart control for restarting the interrupted data creation processing from a state equivalent to the state at the time of interruption of the data creation processing based on data and information recorded on the predetermined recording medium. 7. The data creation method according to claim 6, comprising a step. 8. The information output in the information output step includes information indicating a processing state for each data creation unit that is a unit of processing for creating the coded multiplexed data. The data creation method according to claim 5, wherein