JP2000100138A - Reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by rewriting reproduction start position information, being stored into a storage means to one at the point corresponding the operation of the second operation system of a direct button. SOLUTION: When a video CD is loaded, a play sequence descriptor is read, and a direct selection key 21 stores the reproduction start position information of a corresponding track being allocated by default as rewritable data. When the direct selection key 21 is pressed for less than two seconds, the reproduction action of a corresponding track is started. While a desired track is being reproduced and when one of the direct selection keys 21 is pressed for two seconds or more, it is judged that the operation is registration operation, the reproduction start position information accompanying the track during reproduction is allocated to the direct selection key 21, and the reproduction start position information that has been previously stored is overwritten.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing a recording medium, such as a video CD, having video or audio unit data and list information for controlling a reproducing operation of each unit data. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various disk media of a so-called ROM type, such as a CD-DA (CD-digital audio) and a video CD, have become widespread. In CD-DA, digital audio data is recorded so that music and the like can be enjoyed with high sound quality. As one type of CD-DA, CD-G in which still image data is recorded in subcode data is also known. I have. Further, a video CD recording moving image data and still image data together with digital audio data has been developed as a kind of so-called CD-ROM.

[0003]

Some video CDs have a so-called playback control function. Playback control is a video CD
This realizes a reproduction operation of a track or the like by using the list information recorded in the, and realizes a simple interactive reproduction. As list information, mainly a selection list and a play list are provided, and each list is constructed as a hierarchical structure. As the reproduction operation, first, a certain menu screen is output according to the selection list. Then, the user performs a selection operation according to the menu screen, so that a certain playlist is selected from the selection list. The content to be reproduced (for example, track number) is described in the playlist, and when a certain playlist is selected, the reproducing device performs an operation of reproducing the content described in the playlist. Basically, by performing such an operation, it is possible to make the video CD into software interactive with the user.

However, in the case of the playback operation using the playback control, usually, the playback is first started from the selection screen based on the first selection list, and the selection screen having a hierarchical structure is advanced to the scene desired by the user. I have to work. Therefore, in some cases, a selection operation is required many times in order to reproduce a scene desired to be viewed, which may be troublesome. For example, if it is desired to reproduce a certain scene every time, several selection operations are required each time the reproduction is started. On the other hand, in order to eliminate the complexity of such an operation, for example, a scene that is viewed every time can be registered as a marking, and by pressing a specific operation key, reproduction from the marked scene is directly started. Such a function is also considered. Such a function is very convenient for the user, but a marking registration operation must be performed in advance to use this function.

[0005] Under such circumstances, even if an operation such as marking registration is not performed (for example, even at the time of the first reproduction after a disc is loaded), reproduction to a target scene is performed without performing a troublesome selection operation. There is a demand for an operation method that enables the user to proceed with the registration and allows the user to proceed to the target scene more precisely with a single touch if the user performs a registration operation.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to realize a simpler and more useful operation method.

For this purpose, in the reproducing apparatus, one or a plurality of direct operators and the respective reproduction operators store the reproduction start position information as initial data in association with each other, and the reproduction start position information is rewritten. In response to the operation of the direct operation device in the first operation mode, the storage device storing the data as possible data and the reproduction start position information stored in the storage device corresponding to the operated direct operation device A reproduction control means for starting a reproduction operation based on the direct operation element, and a reproduction operation stored in the storage means corresponding to the operated direct operation element in response to the operation of the second operation method of the direct operation element. Rewriting control means for rewriting the start position information to reproduction start position information corresponding to the reproduction operation position at that time is provided. That is, the direct controls are made to correspond to the reproduction start position information (information indicating the list information and the unit data) in the initial state, and by operating the direct controls,
It is possible to directly proceed to the reproduction of the corresponding list information and unit data. Further, by rewriting the reproduction start position information corresponding to the direct operator according to the operation of the user, it is possible to directly proceed to a reproduction position more suitable for the user.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing video / audio from a video CD and a CD-DA will be described. Although there is a video CD to which a playback control function is added, in the present embodiment, a playback device corresponding to this is used. The description will be made in the following order. [I. Data structure of video CD] Data format a. Video data b. Audio data c. Management data 2. Track structure 3. Sector structure 4. 4. Placement on disk 5. TOC and subcode Directory structure Video CD data track a. PVD (Basic Volume Descriptor) b. Video CD information -b1- Disc information -b2- Entry table -b3- List ID offset table -b4-PSD (play sequence descriptor) * Play list * Selection list * End list c. Segment play item [II. Playback control (PBC)] 1 List structure 2 Specific example [III. Configuration of Reproducing Apparatus] 1 Appearance of stationary changer reproducing apparatus 2 Circuit block of stationary changer reproducing apparatus 3 Appearance of portable reproducing apparatus 4 Circuit block of portable reproducing apparatus [IV. Playback operation on the direct select key]

[I. Data structure of video CD] Data format The video CD standard uses the standardized MPEG system as a high-efficiency coding technology,
It is possible to reproduce a moving image and a sound for 0 minutes or more. This makes it useful as home software such as music, movies, and karaoke, and can also be used with educational software, electronic publishing software, and game software by combining still images. In this video CD, moving image data is data-compressed by the MPEG method, and the moving image data is multiplexed with compressed audio data and recorded. Further, management data necessary for reproduction is recorded in a predetermined area. FIG. 12 shows a data format of a video CD (XA specification).

A. Video data The format for recording images and audio is shown in FIG.
As can be seen, 1.152 Mbit / sec is assigned to video data and 64 Kbit / sec to 384 Kbit / sec is assigned to audio data. The pixel size of the video data (moving image) is 352 × in the case of NTSC signal (29.97 Hz) and film (23.976 Hz).
352 x 288 for 240 pixels, PAL signal (25 Hz)
It becomes a pixel, that is, as shown in FIG. The number of pixels of a still image is 3 at the standard level in the case of the NTSC system.
52 × 240 pixels and 704 × 480 pixels at a high definition level. In the case of the PAL system, the standard level is 352 ×
288 pixels, and 704 × 576 pixels at a high definition level.

Video data (moving image) by MPEG system
Is performed as follows. Assuming that the video signal before compression is the NTSC system, in the case of the NTSC system, 1
Each second is constituted by a video signal of 30 frames. MP
In the EG method, each video signal (one frame) is divided into blocks (330 blocks in 22 horizontal blocks divided by 15 vertical blocks divided) in the plane direction, and the data of each block is subjected to DCT conversion, and the number of bits is further reduced. Re-quantization is performed (the high-frequency component is set to 0) to reduce it. Then, the blocks are rearranged in a zigzag order from the block at the upper left of the screen of one frame, and run-length coding is performed to further compress the number of bits.

[0012] Each frame of the video signal which is compressed in this way is very similar as the video information before and after the frame, and further compression of the information is performed using this. , Three types of video data having different degrees of compression (video data of one frame) are provided. These are an I picture (Intra Picture), a P picture (Predicted Picture), and a B picture (Bidirecti).
called onally predicted Picture).

[0013] For 30 frames per second, I pictures, P pictures, and B pictures are generally arranged as shown in FIG.
For example, in this case, frames at an interval of 15 frames are set as I pictures I ₁ and I _2, and eight P pictures P
_{1 to} P ₈ and 20 B pictures B _{1 to} B ₂₀ are arranged as shown in the figure. A section from a certain I picture to the previous frame of the next I picture is represented by a GOP (Gr.
oup of Picture).

An I picture is regular image data encoded by DCT as described above. As shown in FIG. 13B, the P picture is generated by coding from the nearest I picture or P picture using motion compensation. For example, P picture P ₁ is I picture I ₁
And P picture P ₂ is replaced by P picture P ₁
Is generated using Therefore, the P picture is compressed from the I picture. Since an error is generated from the preceding I picture or P picture, the error propagates.

A B picture is generated using both past and future I pictures or P pictures as shown in FIG. For example, B pictures B ₁ and B ₂ are generated using I picture I ₁ and P picture P ₁ ,
Pictures B ₃ and B ₄ are generated using P picture P ₁ and P picture P ₂ . The B picture is the most compressed data. In addition, since it is not a data generation reference, no error is propagated.

In the MPEG algorithm, it is allowed to select the position and synchronization of the I picture, and this selection is determined from circumstances such as the degree of random access and scene cut. For example, if emphasis is placed on random access, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3A, at least two I pictures are required for one second. Further, the frequency of the P picture and the B picture can be selected, which is set according to the memory capacity of the encoding means.

Further, the encoding means in the MPEG system rearranges and outputs the video data stream so as to improve the efficiency in the decoder. For example, in the case of FIG. 13 (a), the frame order to be displayed (decoder output order) is the same as the frame number shown in the lower part of FIG. 13 (a). An earlier P-picture is required as a reference. Therefore, on the encoder side, the frame order of FIG.
The data is rearranged as shown in (e) and transmitted as a video data stream.

B. Audio Data The MPEG audio data format supports a wide range of encoding speeds from 32 kbit / s to 448 kbit / s. However, in consideration of simplified software production and higher sound quality, the video track after track 2 is set to 224 Kbit / sec. The sampling frequency is 44.1 KHz, similar to CD-DA.

C. Management Data In addition to video data and audio data, management data for performing various controls of these reproduction operations is recorded on the video CD. That is, like TO-DA, TOC
The subcode is recorded, and the number of tracks, the start position (absolute time) of each track, and the like are shown. Furthermore, the first track is used as a video CD data track on the video CD, and various management information is recorded. The playback control operation described later is also realized using the data in the video CD data track. Each of these management data will be described later in detail.

2. Track Structure For example, FIG. 15A shows a data structure of a track on which video and audio data which are unit data of one piece of music or the like are recorded. Assuming that a search is performed using a track number like a CD-DA, a pause margin of 150 sectors is provided at the beginning of one track.
Further, 15 sectors following the pause margin are used as a front margin, and the last 15 sectors of the track are used as an empty data area as a rear margin.

M between front margin and rear margin
This is the PEG data area. In the MPEG data area,
As shown in FIG. 15B, the sectors V to be video data and the sectors A to be audio data are multiplexed and recorded in a time-division manner by interleaving so as to be arranged at a ratio of 6: 1 on average. Will be.

3. Sector Structure FIG. 16 shows the structure of a sector which is one data unit in a track. FIG. 16A shows the basic configuration of a sector. One sector is formed by a pack of 2324 bytes including a pack header and pack data.
At the beginning of the sector, a 12-byte pack header is provided, and the remaining 2312 bytes constitute one packet. The pack header is provided with a 4-byte pack start code, followed by a 5-byte system clock reference (SCR), and finally with a 3-byte MUX rate.

System clock reference (SCR)
Is a kind of code that means absolute time.
PTS (Presentation Time St
amp: image output start time) is determined. This SCR
Is SCR (i) = C + i * 1200. i is the index number of the sector in the video data stream, which is "0" in the front margin at the beginning.
It has been. C is a constant and is always “0”. Also 1200
Is the value when the system clock is 90KHz in the 75Hz sector (90
000/75 = 1200). The pack header is provided in all sectors V of the video data.

Such a pack header is provided in a sector constituted by one pack. When the sector is a sector for recording video data, a 2312-byte packet following the pack header is an example of FIG.
It is configured as shown in FIG. First, following the pack header
A packet header is provided in 8 bytes. The first three bytes of the packet header are used as a packet start code. And 1 byte ID, 2 byte packet length, 2
A byte STD (system target decorder), a 5-byte PTS, and a 5-byte DTS (decoding time stamp) are recorded. The PTS, which is the image output start time, is set so as to synchronize with the audio data. DTS indicates a decoding start time.

The 2294 bytes following the packet header are used as a video packet, and actual video data is recorded. That is, as described above, the video data stream of the I picture, the P picture, and the B picture is recorded. In the section where the video sectors are continuous, in the first video sector, the video packet is 2294 bytes in this way. However, in subsequent video sectors, the STD in the packet header can be omitted, and the video packet is 2296 bytes. Is extended to

If the sector is a sector for recording audio data, a 2312-byte packet following the pack header is configured as shown in FIG. 16C as an example. First, a packet header is provided following the pack header as in the video sector. This packet header has a 3-byte packet start code, a 1-byte ID, a 2-byte packet length, a 2-byte STD, and a 5-byte PTS. It is composed of 13 bytes. Then, digital audio data compressed by allocating 2279 bytes as an audio packet is recorded. A 20-byte free area is added to the end of this audio packet to form one 2324-byte pack (one sector).

The sector is configured as described above, and time information for synchronization is SCR, DTS, PT.
It becomes S. In other words, it is necessary to synchronize the video sector V and the audio sector A in one track in a time-series manner as shown in FIG. 15 (b). DTS and PTS are used. That is, the time at which decoding of a video packet or an audio packet is started in the DTS in each sector using the SCR as a reference clock is indicated. further,
The time at which output (display or audio output) is performed by the PTS is indicated. As described above, the video sector and the audio sector are configured to be synchronized with each other based on the time information.

4. Arrangement on Disk FIG. 17 shows the structure of the CD-DA and the video CD on the disk.
It was shown to. In the case of CD-DA, a lead-in area is provided on the innermost side of the disc as shown in FIG.
C data is recorded. As the TOC data, the start position of each track, the number of tracks, the performance time, and the like are recorded. Following the lead-in area, track data is recorded as track # 1 to track #n, and a lead-out area is provided at the outermost peripheral position. On each track, digital audio data of 44.1 KHz sampling and 16-bit quantization is recorded together with subcode data.

On the other hand, the structure of the video CD on the disk is shown in FIG. For video CDs, CD-D
As in the case of A, a lead-in area is provided on the innermost side of the disk, and TOC data is recorded. Tracks # 1 to #n are recorded following the lead-in area, and a lead-out area is provided at the outermost peripheral position.

However, in the case of a video CD, track # 1 is not used for recording actual video or audio data as the first track, but is used as a video CD data track. And track # 2 to track #
n is recorded with actual video / audio data. That is, track # 2 to track #n are configured as shown in FIG. 15 by the video sector and the audio sector as described in FIG. In the case of a video CD, a track on which only audio data is recorded can be provided. In this case, 16-bit quantized digital audio data is recorded at 44.1 KHz sampling similar to CD-DA.

It should be noted that the number of tracks can be up to 99 for both CD-DA and video CD. Therefore CD
-Up to 99 songs for DA, up to 98 for Video CD
Sequence can be recorded. A sequence is one continuous segment of a moving image. For example, when an image such as karaoke is recorded, one song (one track) is one sequence. In the case of a movie, one disc is usually one sequence. Becomes

The video CD data track using the track # 1 includes a PVD (basic volume descriptor), a karaoke basic information area, a video CD information area, a segment play item area, and others as shown in the lower part of FIG. (CD-I application program, etc.) are prepared. These will be described later.

5. TOC and Subcode The TOC and subcode recorded in the lead-in area in the video CD and CD-DA will be described. The minimum unit of data recorded in a video CD and a CD-DA is one frame. One block is composed of 98 frames.

The structure of one frame is as shown in FIG.
One frame is composed of 588 bits. The first 24 bits are synchronous data, and the following 14 bits are a subcode data area. After that, data and parity are allocated.

One block is composed of 98 frames in this configuration, and subcode data extracted from 98 frames are collected to form one block as shown in FIG.
The subcode data of the block is formed. The first and second frames (frame 98n +
1, the subcode data from the frame 98n + 2) is a synchronization pattern. Then, from the third frame to the 98th frame (frames 98n + 3 to 98n +
Up to 98), 96-bit channel data, that is, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W subcode data are formed.

Of these, P for managing access, etc.
Channel and Q channel are used. However, the P channel only shows a pause portion between tracks, and more detailed control is performed on the Q channel (Q ₁ to Q ₁ ).
_Q96 ). The 96-bit Q channel data is configured as shown in FIG.

First, four bits Q _{1 to} Q ₄ are used as control data, and are used for the number of audio channels, emphasis, identification of a CD-ROM, and the like. That is, the 4-bit control data is defined as follows. "0 ****" ... 2 channel audio "1 **" ... 4 channel audio "* 0 **" ... CD-DA "* 1 **" ... CD -ROM "** 0 *" ... Digital copy not possible "** 1 *" ... Digital copy possible "**** 0" ... No pre-emphasis "**** 1"・ With pre-emphasis

Next, the four bits Q _{5 to} Q ₈ are used as addresses, which are control bits for the sub-Q data. If If this address 4 bits are "0001", the sub-Q data of the subsequent Q ₉ to Q ₈₀ indicates that the audio Q data, also is "0100",
Subsequent Q data of Q _{9 to} Q ₈₀ is video Q data. And in Q ₉ to Q ₈₀ is the 72-bit sub-Q data, and the remaining Q ₈₁ to Q ₉₆ are the CRC.

In the lead-in area, the sub-Q data recorded therein becomes the TOC information. That is, the 72-bit sub Q data of Q _{9 to} Q ₈₀ in the Q channel data read from the lead-in area is:
It has information as shown in FIG. Sub Q
The data has 8-bit data.

First, the track number is recorded. In the lead-in area, the track number is fixed to “00”. Next, POINT (point) is described, and MIN (minute), SEC
(Second) and FRAME (frame number) are shown. Further, PMIN, PSEC, and PFRAME are recorded.
The meaning is determined by the value of NT.

When the value of POINT is "01" to "99", the value indicates a track number.
In IN, PSEC, and PFRAME, the start point (absolute time address) of the track of the track number is recorded as minute (PMIN), second (PSEC), and frame number (PFRAME).

When the value of POINT is "A0", PM
The track number of the first track is recorded in IN.
In addition, CD-DA, CD-I, C
A distinction is made between D-ROMs (XA specification). POINT
Is "A1", the track number of the last track is recorded in PMIN. If the value of POINT is "A
In the case of "2", the start point of the lead-out area is indicated as an absolute time address in PMIN, PSEC, and PFRAME.

For example, in the case of a disc on which six tracks are recorded, data is recorded as TOC based on such sub-Q data as shown in FIG. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the track numbers TNO are all "00". Block NO. Is one unit of sub-Q read as 98-frame block data as described above.
Indicates the number of data. Each TOC data has the same contents written over three blocks. As shown, when POINT is "01" to "06", P
Track # 1 as MIN, PSEC, PFRAME
The start point of track # 6 is shown.

When POINT is "A0", PM
“01” is shown as the first track number in IN. The disc is identified by the value of PSEC, and when the disc is a CD-ROM (XA specification), PSEC = “20” as shown in the figure. The value is "00" for CD-DA and "10" for CD-I.

Then, the track number of the last track is recorded in PMIN at the position where the value of POINT is "A1", and PMIN, P is recorded at the position where the value of POINT is "A2".
SEC and PFRAME indicate the start point of the lead-out area. After block n + 27, the contents of blocks n to n + 26 are repeatedly recorded.

In tracks # 1 to #n and the lead-out area, the sub-Q data recorded therein has the information shown in FIG. First, the track number is recorded. That is, in each of tracks # 1 to #n, "01" to "9"
9 ”. In the lead-out area, the track number is "AA". Subsequently, information that allows each track to be further subdivided is recorded as an index.

Then, as the elapsed time in the track, MI
N (minute), SEC (second), FRAME (frame number)
Is shown. Furthermore, AMIN, ASEC, AFRAM
As E, the absolute time address is minutes (AMIN), seconds (A
SEC) and the frame number (AFRAME).

6 Directory Structure The directory structure of the video CD is shown in FIG. FIG.
In the video CD shown in (b), the directory structure is as shown in FIG.
EG audio / video, CD-DA, segment, C
DI, karaoke and EXT are required. The video CD directory is the first track (track #) in FIG.
It is recorded in the video CD information area in 1), and includes disc information,
Entry table, list ID offset table,
A play sequence descriptor is provided. Each of these will be described later.

MPEG audio / video is audio / video sequence data, ie, up to 9
For a video CD that can record 9 tracks, tracks # 2
Up to 98 pieces of sequence data up to track # 99 are obtained.

The segments are segment play items # 1 to # 1980 that can record up to 1980 units.
This is recorded in the segment play item area in track # 1.

Further, the CD-I in the track # 1
In the application program, the directory file is incorporated as a CD-I in the directory structure. When the karaoke basic information area is used, the directory file is incorporated in the directory structure as karaoke. When a track in which only audio data is recorded is provided, the directory file is used as a CD-DA.
Directory_X. V
CD and LOT_X. If a VCD is used, the directory file is incorporated into the directory structure as EXT.

7. Video CD Data Track In a video CD, track # 1 is used as a video CD data track as described above. Then, as described above with reference to FIG. 17, PVD (basic volume descriptor), karaoke basic information area, video CD information area,
A segment play item area and other files (such as a CD-I application program) are provided.

As shown in FIG. 17B, the PVD stores the absolute time address 00:02:16 (minute / second /
Frame). The karaoke basic information area has an absolute time address 0.
It is arranged at a position from 0:02:16. Video CD information area is absolute time address 00: 0
It is arranged at a position from 4:00. The segment play item area is arranged from the position shown in the video CD information area, and the CD-I application program is arranged from the position shown in the PVD.

A. PVD (Basic Volume Descriptor) The structure of the PVD (Basic Volume Descriptor) arranged at a position from the absolute time address 00:02:16 on the disk is as shown in FIG. First, data “CD001” is recorded as a volume structure standard ID. Subsequently, a system identifier, a volume identifier, the number of album volumes, and an album set sequence number are recorded. One album may consist of one disc or multiple discs.
The number of volumes in an album is the number of discs in one album. The number of the disc is the album set sequence number.

Then, the logical block size, the path table, the address of the path table, and the root directory record are recorded. Also, a disc title is recorded as an album recognizer, followed by an issuer and an author name. Further, the application name of the CD-I is recorded as an application identifier. Subsequently, a copyright file name, a summary file name, a catalog file name, a production date and time, a modification date and time, an expiration date and time, a valid date and time, a file structure standard version number, and finally an XA label code are recorded.

B. Video CD information Video CD information is recorded from the absolute time address 00:04:00 on the disc. As the video CD information, disc information, an entry table,
A list ID offset table and a play sequence descriptor (PSD) are provided. These are the respective file configurations in the video CD directory shown in FIG.

Disc information is a video CD
It is arranged from the absolute time address 00:04:00 which is the head position of the information. The entry table is arranged from the absolute time address 00:04:01. The list ID offset table is from absolute time address 00:04:02 to absolute time address 00: 04: 3.
It is located at up to three positions. Play sequence descriptor (PSD) is absolute time address 00:04:34
And absolute time address 00: 07: 6 at the maximum
Up to 4.

-B1-Disk Information First, the disk information arranged from the absolute time address 00:04:00 will be described. The disc information area has a structure as shown in FIG.

First, the system identifier of the video CD is recorded in the first to eighth bytes. Subsequently, the version number is recorded in two bytes of the ninth to tenth bytes. version
In the case of 2.0, it becomes "$ 0200". Then, 11th to 26th
The 16th byte stores an album identifier uniquely assigned to each disc.

The number of volumes in the album is recorded in two bytes at the 27th and 28th bytes, and the album set sequence number is recorded in the next two bytes. One album may consist of one disc or a plurality of discs, and the number of album volumes is the number of discs in the one album. The number of the disc is the album set sequence number.

The size map of the moving image track is recorded in 13 bytes of the 31st to 43rd bytes. This is data for determining whether the data for each of the tracks # 2 to # 99 is an NTSC signal or a PAL signal. That is, the LSB of the first byte of the 13 bytes indicates track # 2, and from here to bit 1 of the last byte,
Data up to track # 99 is recorded in each one bit. If the bit corresponding to each track is "0", it indicates NTSC, and if it is "1", it indicates PAL.

The status flag is recorded in one byte at the 44th byte. In this 1 byte, bit 0 among bits 0 to 7 is used as a karaoke basic information flag. If bit 0 is “0”, no karaoke basic information exists, and if “1”, it indicates that karaoke basic information has been recorded from the sector at absolute time address 00:03:00.

In the four bytes of the 45th to 48th bytes, PS
The byte size of D (play sequence descriptor) is indicated. As shown in FIG. 24, the PSD starts from the absolute time address 00:04:34 and the maximum is the absolute time address 00:
07:64, and the byte size is shown here because the byte size is variable.

As will be described later, PSD means a plurality of lists (selection list,
Play list, end list, and multi-default selection list), and each list is recorded as a PSD. When there is no PSD, that is, in the case of a disc without a playback control function, these four bytes are set to "0".

The first segment address is indicated in three bytes of the 49th to 51st bytes. Although the start point of the segment play item area is described as being recorded in the video CD information area as shown in FIG. 17B, these three bytes correspond to this.

Although the segment play items will be described later, a maximum of 1980 segment play items can be recorded in the segment play item area shown in FIG. Video data and audio data used for playback control and the like are recorded as each segment play item.

An offset multiplier is recorded in one byte of the 52nd byte. This is a multiplier used for calculating the address of each list in the PSD, and is fixed to “8” in this case.

The number of list IDs is indicated in two bytes of the 53rd to 54th bytes. This indicates the number of valid list IDs recorded in a list ID offset table described later.

Two bytes at the 55th to 56th bytes indicate the number of segment play items recorded in the segment play item area.

A segment play item content table is recorded in the 1980th byte of the 57th to 2036th bytes. This indicates the attribute of each segment play item recorded in the segment play item area. That is, segment play items are # 1
Although a maximum of 1980 can be recorded as # 1980, the segment play item content table records attribute data corresponding to each byte of each of the segment play items # 1 to # 1980. For each bit (bit 0 to bit 7) of one byte corresponding to one segment play item, the attribute data is defined as follows. However, bits 6 and 7 are undefined.

Bit 1, Bit 0 “00”: No MPEG audio data “01”: Monaural audio data “10”: Stereo audio data “11”: Dual channel audio Data bit 4 to bit 2 "000" ... No MPEG video data "001" ... Standard level still image data of NTSC size "010" ... High definition level still image data of NTSC size " 011 ”··· NTSC size video data“ 100 ”··· Unused [101] ··· PAL size standard level still image data [110] ··· PAL size standard and high definition level Still image data “111” ··· PAL size video data Bit 5 “0” ··· Single item or continuous The first item of the item "1"-the second and subsequent items in the series

The 2037th to 2048th bytes of the disc information following the segment play item content table are undefined.

-B2- Entry Table As shown in FIG. 24, in the video CD information area, an entry table is arranged from the absolute time address 00:04:01. In this entry table, a predetermined point in the audio / video sequence can be entered as a start point. Therefore, in this entry table, the ID of the entry file, the version number,
The number of entries and the like are recorded, and up to 500 entries are recorded as actual entry points. That is, entries # 0 to # 499 can be set. One entry is composed of 4 bytes, of which 1 byte indicates a track number, and the remaining 3 bytes are sector addresses, that is, ASEC, AMIN, AFR.
AME is shown.

-B3- List ID offset table A list ID offset table is arranged in the sectors from the absolute time addresses 00:04:02 to 00:04:33 of the video CD information area.

Each of the play list and selection list recorded in the PSD described later has a unique list ID. This list ID offset table indicates the offset amount indicating the position of each list in the PSD. When the user specifies a desired list to be reproduced, the video CD reproducing apparatus refers to the list ID offset table to determine the position of the specified list in the PSD and execute the list contents. Can be.

The list ID offset table is composed of a maximum of 32 sectors as shown in FIG. 26, and the offset amount is indicated by each 2 bytes, and represents an offset of 64K. The area of the PSD to be described later is from the absolute time address 00:04:34 to the absolute time address 00:
07:64, that is, an area of 3 seconds and 31 frames at the maximum. This corresponds to 256 sectors. 2
56 sectors are 512 Kbytes.

The number obtained by multiplying the 64K offset expressed by the list ID offset table by 8 is 512 Kbytes. "8" is an offset multiplier of the 52nd byte of the disc information shown in FIG. In other words, the offset means that one offset corresponds to 8 bytes, and therefore, by multiplying the offset value by an offset multiplier “8”, a predetermined position in the PSD area can be represented by P.
It is a numerical value indicated as a byte position from the SD head position (position of offset “0000”).

First, a start-up offset is recorded. This is fixed at a value of “$ 0000”. FIG. 26 shows a case where the number of list IDs is n.
An offset value is shown for each of D1 to list IDn. Note that the list ID is always placed at the top of the PSD.
For 1, the offset value is fixed to a value of “$ 0000”. For unused list IDs, the offset value is “$ FFFF”.

-B4- PSD (Play Sequence Descriptor) PSD is provided from the absolute time address 00:04:34. The PSD records a play list, a selection list, an end list, and a multi-default selection list. These lists are used for playback control described later, and record data indicating reproduction contents and hierarchical branching. The playlist does not include the data (selection menu) for branching to the lower hierarchy,
This is a list that specifies a series of contents to be reproduced. On the other hand, the selection list is a list including data (selection menu) for branching to a lower hierarchy.

The list to be reproduced first (play list or selection list) is set to list ID 1 and is recorded at the head position of PSD (position of offset “0000”).

* Playlist A playlist specifying a series of contents to be reproduced is:
It is configured as shown in FIG. First, a 1-byte playlist header is provided to indicate that the playlist is a playlist. Subsequently, the number of play items recorded in this play list is shown as a number of items. The play item is data indicating the content to be reproduced, and data specifying the play item as play item # 1 number to #N number is recorded in the play list. A list ID unique to each list is recorded in two bytes following the number-off item.

Subsequently, a previous list offset, a next list offset, and a return list offset are recorded every two bytes. The previous list offset indicates the position (offset) of the list to be advanced when the previous operation is performed. For example, when the list is hierarchized, if the position of the list one level higher is specified by the previous list offset,
The user can return to the operation state according to the previous list by the previous operation. When the previous list offset is “$ FFFF”, the previous operation is prohibited.

The next list offset indicates the position of the list to which the program should proceed continuously when the reproduction operation specified by the play list ends or when the next operation is performed. Next list offset is “＄
FFFF ”is prohibited.

The return list offset indicates the position of the list to be advanced when a return operation is performed. For example, when the list is hierarchized, if the position of the top list is specified by the return list offset, the user can return to the operation state by the top list by the return operation.

Subsequently, a 2-byte playing time, 1
A play item wait time of 1 byte and an auto pause wait time of 1 byte are recorded. The playing time indicates the number of sectors in a reproduction operation based on the play list.

The play item wait time indicates a standby time at the end of reproduction of each play item. "$ 0
0 ”to“ $ FE ”indicate a standby time of 0 to 2000 seconds. In the case of "@FF", the process waits for a user operation. The auto pause wait time indicates a standby time in the auto pause operation.

Finally, the play item # to be reproduced
The numbers for 1 to #N are indicated by 2 bytes each.
This play item number (PIN) is defined as shown in FIG.

When PIN = “0” or “1”, the play item is not played back. PIN
== “2” to “99”, the PIN indicates the track number. For example, if PIN = “5”, the play item is a play item for reproducing track # 5.

When PIN = “100” to “599”, the value of (PIN-100) indicates an entry in the entry table. As described above, the entry table can indicate up to 500 entry points as entries # 0 to # 499,
One of the entry numbers # 1 to # 500 is designated as the value of (PIN-100).

When PIN = “1000” to “2927”, the value of (PIN-999) indicates the number of the segment play item. In the segment play item area, segment play items # 1 to # 1
A maximum of 1980 segment play items can be recorded as 980, but the value of (PIN-999) is # 1
Any of the segment play items # 1980 to # 1980 is designated.

PIN = “600” to “999” and PI
N = “2980” to “$ FFFF” are undefined.

For example, three play items are recorded in a play list, and the play item # 1 number is “0”.
4 ", the play item # 2 number is" 1001 ", and the play item # 3 number is" 102 ". Then, in the reproducing operation performed by this playlist, first, track # 4 is reproduced, then segment play item # 2 is reproduced, and finally reproduction from the entry point by entry # 3 is performed.

* Selection list The selection list is a list for reproducing a selection menu and for allowing the user to select an operation to be performed.
The configuration is as shown in FIG.

First, a 1-byte selection list header is provided to indicate that the selected list is a selection list. Subsequently, with one unused byte, the number of options in this selection list is recorded in one byte. The maximum number of options is 99.

Next, the first number of options is shown.
This is normally “1”, but there are many options to be set. Therefore, when a plurality of selection lists are used, the second and subsequent selection lists are the first option numbers in the list. Subsequently, a list ID unique to each list is recorded in two bytes.

Subsequently, a previous list offset, a next list offset, and a return list offset are recorded for each two bytes, similarly to the play list. That is, the previous list offset indicates the position (offset) of the list to be advanced when the previous operation is performed, and the previous list offset is “$ FFF
F ", the previous operation is prohibited. Further, the next list offset indicates the position of the selection list to be continuously advanced when the next operation is performed. If there is no list to be continued, the next list offset is set to “$ FFFF”. Further, the return list offset indicates the position of the list to be advanced when a return operation is performed.

For example, when a plurality of selection lists are set so that one selection is made, these are effectively used. For example, in a case where 12 options are set and four options are set in each of three selection lists, the selection list is consecutively arranged before and after by the previous list offset and the next list offset, so that the user can select the previous list. A desired option can be searched for by the operation / next operation.

Further, a default list offset is recorded. This indicates the position of the list to which the user proceeds when the user performs an execution operation without making a selection. Also, a timeout list offset is recorded. This indicates the position of the list to which the user proceeds when a predetermined time has elapsed without any input to the selection menu being reproduced by the user. If the timeout list offset is “$ FFFF”, a specific option is randomly selected from the options shown in the selection menu when a predetermined time has elapsed without input, and the process proceeds to the list. become.

Subsequently, a wait time until a timeout is recorded. If the wait time recorded here has elapsed without any user input, the process proceeds to the timeout list offset.

The value recorded in the wait time until the timeout is defined as shown in FIG. If the recorded wait time value = 0 ($ 00), there is no standby time. Wait time value recorded is 1
If any of ($ 01) to 60 ($ 3C)
The numerical value indicates seconds as it is. For example, if the wait time value is 30, the standby time is 30 seconds.
When the recorded wait time value is 61 ($ 3D), the standby time is 70 seconds, and when it is 62 ($ 3E), the standby time is 80 seconds. That is, for a weight time value n of 61 or more, ｛(n−60) × 10 + 6
The standby time is expressed by a definition of 0 seconds. When the wait time value is ＄ FE, the maximum standby time is reached, that is, ＄ FE = 254.
4-60) × 10 + 60 ° = 2000 seconds. If the wait time value is set to $ FF, the operation state based on the selection list is to wait as long as there is an input.

Subsequently, the loop count and the jump timing are shown. The loop count indicates the number of times the play item in this list is repeatedly played. The jump timing indicates a timing at which the process proceeds to the next list after the selection operation is performed.

Subsequently, a play item number (PIN) is shown. This is because the play items to be reproduced in the execution state of this selection list are described in FIG.
8 is defined. What is reproduced in the selection list is a normal menu screen. For this reason, menu video data is recorded as a segment play item, and a specific segment play item is often specified in each selection list. For example, when the menu image data corresponding to this selection list is recorded as segment play item # 4, the play item number (PIN) is “1003”. One PIN is thus provided in the selection list.

Finally, in order to show the operation actually performed by the selection within the option, selection #BSN offset to selection # (BSN + NO
S-1) The offset is indicated by 2 bytes each. BS
N is the first number of the option recorded in the fourth byte of the selection list, and NOS is the number of options recorded in the third byte of the selection list. Therefore options 1
4 in the selection list with selection # 1
Offset to selection # 4 offset are recorded.

Each selection offset indicates the position of a list (selection list or play list) to be advanced to when the option is selected. For example, if the user selects option 2 for menu display, the user specifies to proceed to the list indicated by selection # 2 offset.

* End list The end list indicates the end of the application. The configuration of the end list is 8 bytes, 1 byte is an end list header, and 7 bytes is “$ 00”.

C. Segment Play Item As shown in FIG. 17, a segment play item area is provided in the video CD data track. The start point of the segment play item area is the 3rd of the 49th to 51st bytes of the disc information in FIG.
Indicated in bytes.

As segment play items, a maximum of 1980 pieces can be recorded in the segment play item area. Each segment play item can be freely generated with still image data, moving image data, audio data, and the like. One segment is composed of 150 sectors. Each segment play item may be data that is reproduced as a single item, or may be items that are continuously reproduced by a plurality of items.

For each segment play item,
As described above, disc information 57-
The data attribute is indicated by the segment play item content table at the 2036th byte. Using the segment play item, a menu screen of a selection list can be prepared as described above.

[II. Playback control (PB
C)] 1 List Structure By providing the playlist and the selection list as described above, a so-called playback control (PBC) can be realized in the video CD. This is a function realized by the video CD as simple interactive software combining a moving image, a still image, and a sound.

That is, in the segment play item area, still image data serving as several menu screens are prepared as segment play items, some branch reproduction is enabled by the selection list, and the play item selected by the branch is selected. Is reproduced in accordance with the playlist. In other words, a description file hierarchized by the selection list and the play list is formed, and the process proceeds to the lower hierarchy according to the user's selection to execute a required reproduction operation.

As a basic list structure, a selection list is arranged at the top, and some play lists are arranged as options according to the selection list. For example, a specific playlist is designated as each of the selection # 1 offset to the selection # 3 offset of the selection list described above. Then, a menu is displayed in the selection list to allow the user to make a selection.

When the user selects, for example, selection # 3, the process proceeds to the playlist indicated by the selection # 3 offset, and the play item # 1 of the playlist is selected.
The data indicated by the numbers #N is reproduced. For example, if the track # 5 is designated as one play item # 1 number in the advanced playlist, the reproduction of the track # 5 is executed.

2. Specific Example A specific example of such a playback control (PBC) operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32. For example, in this example, a video CD is used as English conversation lesson software. Now, the PS from the position of the absolute time address 00:04:34 in the video CD information area
It is assumed that a list is recorded as D as shown in FIG. That is, selection lists S1 and S2 and play lists P1 to P5 are recorded.

Each list is assigned a list ID as shown in FIG. That is, the list ID is $ 0001 for the selection list S1, $ 0002 for the selection list S2, $ 0005 for the playlist P1, $ 0006 for the playlist P2, and $ 0 for the playlist P3.
007, the playlist P4 is $ 0003, and the playlist P5 is $ 0004.

When the playback control operation starts,
First, the selection list S1 whose list ID is $ 0001 functions. As an operation based on the selection list S1, first, reproduction is performed using a play item number (PIN) recorded therein. This PIN indicates a value of “1000”. This "100
Since "0" is a numerical value indicating the segment play item # 1 as understood from FIG. 28, the segment play item # 1 recorded in the segment play item area is reproduced.

The playback output of the segment play item # 1 becomes a still picture menu screen for selecting a course of the English lesson as shown by PB1 in FIG. In the selection list S1, selection # 1 offset to selection # 3 offset corresponding to the three options are recorded, and accordingly, the segment play item #
The three options are displayed by the reproduced output image 1. Note that “Sel # N” in the figure indicates the selection #N offset.

The user inputs a desired option number for this video PB1. Assuming that option number 1 is input, the process proceeds to the list indicated by selection # 1 offset. The selection # 1 offset is “$ 0004”, and by multiplying this value by the offset multiplier “8”, “$ 0020” is obtained. This is the offset byte of the selection list S2 in the PSD.

Then, P in the selection list S2
The value “1001” is shown in IN. That is, it indicates the segment play item # 2. As a result, the segment play item # 2 is reproduced.
Playback output PB6 of this segment play item # 2
Is a still image menu screen for selecting lesson courses 1 to 3 in the advanced English lesson course.

On the other hand, when the user selects option number 1
Is entered, the process proceeds to the list indicated by the selection # 1 offset in the selection list S2. The selection # 1 offset is “$ 0008”, and this value is multiplied by the offset multiplier “8” to obtain “$ 004”.
0 "is obtained. That is, the process proceeds to the play list P1.

In the playlist P1, the value of the PIN # 1 is "2" and the track # 2 is designated. Also PIN
The value of # 2 is "3" and the track # 3 is designated. Therefore, when the process proceeds to the playlist P1, the track # 2 is reproduced first, and the moving image (and audio) PB7 is output. This is a video and audio of the advanced course lesson 1. When the reproduction of the track # 2 ends, the track # 3 is subsequently reproduced, and the moving image (and audio) PB8 is output.

On the other hand, when the user inputs the option number 2 at the time when the menu image PB6 is output from the selection list S2, the list indicated by the selection # 2 offset in the selection list S2,
That is, the process proceeds to the play list P2.

In the play list P2, the segment play item # 3 is designated by the value "1002" of the PIN # 1. Therefore, when the process proceeds to the play list P2, the segment play item # 3 is reproduced and, for example, a still image (and audio) PB9 is output. For example, the advanced course lesson 2 is a case where the lesson is a slide show lesson.

When the user inputs option number 3 at the time when the menu image PB6 is output from the selection list S2, the list indicated by the selection # 3 offset in the selection list S2,
That is, the process proceeds to the play list P3.

In this play list P3, the value of PIN # 1 is "8", and track # 8 is specified. It is assumed that this track # 8 is a track containing only digital audio data. Then, as the advanced course lesson 3, track # 8 is reproduced, and an output PB10 of only audio is performed.

Next, assuming that the user inputs the option number 2 which is an intermediate course at the time when the menu image PB1 is output from the first selection list S1, the selection # 2 in the selection list S1 is selected.
The process proceeds to the list indicated by the offset, that is, the playlist P4.

This play list P4 has a PIN # 1 =
Track # 4 is designated by "4", and PIN # 2 =
Track # 3 is designated by “5”. Accordingly, when the process proceeds to the playlist P4, the track # 4 is reproduced first, and the moving image (and audio) PB2 is output. Then track #
5 is reproduced, and a moving image (and audio) PB3 is output.
This is a video and audio for the intermediate course.

If the user inputs option number 3 which is a beginner course at the time when menu video PB1 is output from the first selection list S1, selection # 3 in selection list S1 is assumed.
The process proceeds to the list indicated by the offset, that is, the playlist P5.

This play list P5 has a PIN # 1 =
Track # 6 is designated by "6", and PIN # 2 =
Track # 7 is designated by "7". Therefore, when the process proceeds to the playlist P5, first, the track # 6 is reproduced, and the moving image (and audio) PB4 is output. Then track #
7 is reproduced, and a moving image (and audio) PB5 is output.
This is a video and audio of the elementary course.

As described above, the play list and the selection list can record the previous list offset, the next list offset and the return list offset, and the default list offset and the timeout list offset can be recorded in addition to the selection list. Can be recorded. This allows the list to be advanced / retracted in response to an operation or the like. For example, if “$ 0004” is recorded as the previous list offset of the playlist P1, if the user performs a previous operation during the operation of the playlist P1, the offset becomes “$ 0004”, that is, the offset byte “$ 0020”. Returns to the selection list S2.

As described above, the video CD can be made into a simple interactive software by the playback control. With such a function, the video CD can be used not only for music and movies but also for education, games, and electronic devices. It will be able to respond to a wide range of things such as publishing.

[III. Configuration of Reproducing Apparatus] 1. Appearance of Stationary Changer Reproducing Apparatus Subsequently, a reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which can reproduce a video CD as described above, will be described. As the playback device of this example, various types such as a stationary type and a portable type can be considered. Here, the stationary type playback device will be described first. In addition, this reproducing apparatus is a so-called changer video CD player that can store five video CDs and CD-DAs and selectively reproduce them.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the stationary reproduction apparatus. A disc loading section 2 is provided on a front panel of the stationary playback apparatus 1A, and a disc tray 30 shown in FIG. The disk tray 30 can mount five disks arranged side by side in the plane direction, and selects a disk to be reproduced by rotating in a roulette shape. The display unit 3 provided on the front panel is formed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and operates in a playback device,
The mode, the number of the selected disc, the playing time, and the like are displayed.

Various keys for user operation are provided on the front panel. The main power is turned on / off by the power key 4. The playback key 5 for instructing the playback operation also serves as a selection key (selection enter key) in the above-described playback control operation.
Also, the pause key 6,
A stop key 7 is provided. The eject key 8 is an operation element for instructing withdrawal / storage of the disc tray 30.

Since the reproducing apparatus 1A is of a changer type, a disc selection key 9 is prepared. The disk selection key 9 is 5 as “DISC1” to “DISC5”.
One key is prepared and corresponds to five disks stored on the disk tray 30. For example, when the "DISC1" key is pressed, the disk stored in the first storage position on the disk tray is loaded to the position of the internal optical head and reproduced.

The AMS operation keys 10 and 11 are keys for moving the playback position forward and backward, ie, the AMS operation keys 1
0 is a key for cueing the track number in a smaller direction (return cue key), and AMS operation key 11 is a cue key for a larger track number (cue key in a forward direction).
It is. The AMS operation key 10 also functions as a pre-ski, and is used for a pre-operation operation in the above-described playback control operation. Further AMS
The operation key 11 also functions as a next key, and is used for a next operation in the above-described playback control operation. The return key 12 is used for a return operation during a playback control operation.

The +/- selection key 13 is used for a selection operation on a menu screen at the time of a playback control operation. That is, by selecting an option number on the menu screen with the +/- selection key 13 and performing a select operation with the play key 5 when a certain option number is designated, selection of the menu is completed. Become.

A disc skip key 14, a disc exchange key 15, a normal reproduction mode key 16 for selecting a play mode, a shuffle reproduction mode key 17, a program reproduction mode key 18, a PBC off key 19 and the like are provided. When the disc with the playback control function is played, when the normal playback mode key 16 is pressed, the playback control operation is automatically started. The PBC mode is turned off by the PBC off key 19. That is, if the PBC off key 19 is pressed while a disc having the playback control function is loaded, the operation shifts from the menu playback operation in the PBC mode to the normal continuous playback operation.

As will be described in detail later, the direct select key 21 is an operation key for starting reproduction from a specific position. As the direct select key 21, five keys to which numbers 1 to 5 are assigned are prepared (for explanation, each key is referred to as a select 1 key to a select 5 key). Also, the user can register an arbitrary reproduction location in correspondence with the select 1 key to the select 5 key.

[0139] On the front panel, an infrared receiving unit 2 is further provided.
4 are provided. When a command signal is transmitted by infrared rays from a remote commander (not shown), the command signal is received by the infrared ray receiving unit 24, converted into an electric signal, and taken into the internal system controller as operation information.

2 Circuit Block of Stationary Changer Reproducing Apparatus FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the reproducing apparatus 1A. Storage positions 30a to 30e are provided on the disk tray 30 so that five disks 90 can be mounted. The disc tray 30 is configured to be rotated by a motor 31, and a certain storage position 30 x is sent to the position of the optical head 34 by this rotation operation. That is,
The disk 90 loaded at the storage position 30x is loaded at the position of the optical head 34. Further, a disk position sensor 32 is provided, and the system controller 53 can recognize the current loading state, that is, which storage position 30x is at the position of the optical head 34, based on the output of the disk position sensor 32.

The loaded disk 90 is chucked so as to be driven to rotate by the spindle motor 33. The disk 90 is irradiated with laser light by the optical head 34 while being rotated by the spindle motor 33, and information is read by the reflected light.

The optical head 34 is equipped with a laser diode as laser output means, an optical system including a polarizing beam splitter and an objective lens, and a detector for detecting reflected light. The objective lens 34a is a biaxial mechanism 3
4b, it is held so as to be displaceable in the radial direction of the disk and in the direction of coming into contact with and separating from the disk. The optical head 34 is driven by the thread mechanism 35 in the radial direction of the disk.

The information detected from the disk by the optical head 34 by the reproducing operation is supplied to the RF amplifier 36. The RF amplifier 36 extracts a reproduction RF signal, a tracking error signal, a focus error signal, and the like by performing an arithmetic process on the supplied information. Then, the extracted reproduction R
The F signal is supplied to the decoder section 38, where EFM demodulation and error correction are performed. Further, the P and Q channel subcode data is extracted and supplied to the system controller 53.

The tracking error signal and the focus error signal are supplied to the servo circuit 37. The servo circuit 37 supplies the tracking error signal, the focus error signal, the track jump command and the access command from the system controller 53, the spindle motor 3
Various servo drive signals are generated based on the rotation speed detection information and the like, and the focus and tracking control is performed by controlling the two-axis mechanism 34b and the sled mechanism 35, and the spindle motor 33 is controlled to a constant linear velocity (CLV).

When the disc 90 being reproduced is a video CD or the like,
If it falls within the so-called CD-ROM,
The output of the decoder section 38 is supplied to a CD-ROM decoder 39, which performs a decoding process according to the CD-ROM format. Then, among the signals decoded by the CD-ROM decoder 39, various disk information such as the information for the above-described playback control is taken into the RAM 53a of the system controller 53.

The audio data decoded by the CD-ROM decoder 39 is supplied to an MPEG audio decoder 40. The MPEG audio decoder 40 performs decoding at a predetermined timing while using the audio RAM 41, and outputs a decoded audio signal. Further, the video data decoded by the CD-ROM decoder 39 is supplied to the MPEG video decoder 42. MPEG video decoder 42
Performs decoding at a predetermined timing using the video RAM 43 and outputs a decoded video signal.

The switch section 44 is switched according to the type of the disc to be reproduced. When the disc being reproduced is a CD-DA, a digital audio signal is obtained by subjecting the reproduced signal to a decoding process such as EFM demodulation and CIRC in the decoder unit 38. Therefore, during CD-DA reproduction, the system controller 53 connects the switch section 44 to the t1 terminal. As a result, the digital audio signal from the decoder section 38 becomes D /
The signal is converted into an analog audio signal by the A converter 45, and is output from the audio output terminal 46 to an external device such as an amplifier circuit or an amplifier at a subsequent stage.

If the disc being reproduced is a video CD, the audio data is obtained from the MPEG audio decoder 40. Therefore, during the playback of the video CD, the system controller 53 sets the switch 44 to t _2.
Therefore, the digital audio signal from the MPEG audio decoder 40 is converted into an analog audio signal by the D / A converter 45, and is output from the audio output terminal 46 to an external device such as an amplifier circuit or an amplifier at the subsequent stage. You.

At the time of reproducing a video CD, video data of a predetermined system (for example, RGB video data, NTSC composite video data, etc.) is obtained as an output of the MPEG video decoder 42. This video data is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 47, output from the video output terminal 51 to an external monitor device, and video output is performed.

The system controller 53 is formed by a microcomputer as a part for controlling the whole. The internal RAM 53a stores information for PBC as described above and is used as various work areas. The ROM 53b stores control programs and fixed coefficient values used for various controls.

A nonvolatile memory 54 is provided for storing data that must not be lost when the power is turned off.
In this example, it is used particularly for storing reproduction start position information (pointer described later) corresponding to the direct select key 21.

The operation section 56 is a part provided for user operation, and corresponds to the various operation keys (5 to 21) and the infrared receiving section 24 (and the remote commander) shown in FIG. The display operation of the display unit 3 is configured to be controlled by the system controller 53. For example, when performing a reproducing operation from the disc 90,
Is read out and supplied to the system controller 53. The system controller 53 displays the reproduction time on the display unit 3 according to the management information. become.

3. External Appearance of Portable Reproducing Apparatus Next, a portable reproducing apparatus 1B, which is also an example of the reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 have the same reference numerals. FIG. 3 shows the playback device 1
3 shows an example of the appearance of B. The reproducing apparatus 1B has a shape and size convenient for carrying. The upper surface of the housing of the playback device is a lid 29. By opening the lid 29, the disc 90 can be taken in and out. The lid 29 is opened by pressing the open key 25.

A playback key 5, a pause key 6, a stop key 7, and AMS operation keys 10 and 11 are provided on the lid 29 of the playback device 1B as operators related to the playback operation. The playback key 5 and the AMS operation keys 10 and 11 are also used as an enter key in the PBC operation, a previous operation key, and a next operation key as in the stationary type. Also provided are a return key 12 for a return operation at the time of the playback control operation, and a +/- selection key 13 used for a selection operation on the menu screen at the time of the playback control operation. On the side of the housing,
A display unit 3 and an infrared light receiving unit 24 are provided.
A key is provided. Further, an audio output terminal 27 and a video output terminal 28 are prepared, and can be connected to a monitor device or the like.

4 Circuit Block of Portable Reproducing Apparatus FIG. 4 shows the internal configuration of the reproducing apparatus 1B. In the case of the reproducing apparatus 1B, since it is not a changer type, the disc tray 30, the motor 31,
This is a configuration excluding the disk position sensor 32. The other parts are the same as those in FIG. 2, so that the configuration is only shown in FIG. 4 and the description of each part is omitted.

[IV. Playback Operation According to Direct Select Key] As described above, the changer-type stationary playback device 1A and the portable playback device 1B are configured. In such a playback device 1, playback control is performed on a certain disc 90. When the reproduction operation is performed by the function, the operation by the user can be simplified by performing an operation using the direct select key 21. Hereinafter, mainly the direct select key 21
The playback operation will be described with a focus on the operation function by the.

For the sake of explanation, suppose that the disk 90 to be reproduced is
Has a list structure as shown in FIG. That is, the selection lists S1 to S4, the playlists P1 to
P5 is provided, and these lists are assumed to have list IDs $ 0001 to $ 0009, respectively, as illustrated. As the selection list S1, 5 is selected as the selection #N offset (Sel # 1 to Sel # 5).
It is assumed that two options are prepared and selection lists S2, S3, S4 and playlists P1, P2 are designated by each option. In addition, selection list S2, S
3 and S4, a plurality of options are prepared respectively. For example, in the selection list S2, Sel # 1, Sel # 2,
Playlists P3, P4, P
5 is specified. In the playlist P3, the tracks # 2 and # 3 are designated as the play item numbers PIN # 1 and PIN # 2.
It is assumed that track # 4 is designated as # 1, and track # 5 is designated as PIN # 1 in playlist P5. Therefore, the selection list S1 as a starting point
Then, when the process proceeds to, for example, the playlist P3, the tracks # 2 and # 3 are reproduced.

In the playlists P1 and P2, it is assumed that the reproduction of the tracks # 6 and # 7 is specified by the PIN # 1. .

In the reproducing apparatus 1 (1A, 1B), the nonvolatile memory 54 holds table data as shown in FIG. 6, that is, pointers (reproduction start position information) corresponding to the five keys of the direct select key 21. Table data (hereinafter referred to as a direct select correspondence table). Initially, the location of each pointer is set to an initial value (default value). For example, as shown in FIG.
List I corresponding to select 1 key to select 5 key
D “$ 0002” to “$ 0006” are set.
Each pointer value as the initial value is, for example, RO
The data may be stored in the M53b, and may be developed as table data as shown in FIG. 6A in the nonvolatile memory 54 when the power is turned on or when the user instructs the initialization of the pointer value. Good.

Operation processing in the reproducing apparatus 1 capable of holding such table data (system controller 53)
) Will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of the reproducing apparatus 1A, the main power is turned on / off by the power key 4, and in this case, FIG. 9 shows the processing from the time when the main power is turned on. On the other hand, in the case of the reproducing apparatus 1B, a power key is not provided, and pressing of the play key 5 and the direct select key 21 doubles as a power-on operation. Therefore, for the reproducing apparatus 1B, the processing in FIG. 9 is the processing from the time when the main power is turned off.

The system controller 53 determines in step F
101 is play key 5 or direct select key 21
Is monitoring operations. If any of these key operations are detected, the process proceeds to step F102. Reproduction device 1B
In the case of, since the power is off at that time, step F
In step 102, a process for turning on the main power is first performed, and then a start-up operation, that is, a start of the spindle motor 33, a CLV rotation control, a focus search / servo-on, a tracking servo-on, and the like are performed to set a reproduction enable state. In the case of the reproducing apparatus 1A, since the main power has already been turned on, a start-up process is performed in step F102.

Subsequently, in step F103, the management information is read, that is, the TOC data and track # 1 (video CD) are read.
Data track). By reading the management information, the loaded disc 90 is converted to a PBC compatible video C.
D can be determined.

If the disc 90 is not a PBC-compatible video CD, that is, if the disc 90 is a video CD or CD-DA of the PBC function, steps F104 to F104 are performed.
Proceeding to 110, the process branches first depending on whether the operation key whose operation was detected in step F101 was the play key 5. And when it is the operation of the play key 5,
Proceeding to step F111, reproduction from the first track is started. That is, since the track # 2 is the first track in the video CD, reproduction from the track # 2 is performed. In the case of a CD-DA, reproduction is started from track # 1.

On the other hand, if the operation key whose operation is detected in step F101 is the direct select key 21, the operation is invalidated, and in step F112, the disk operation, that is, the rotation of the spindle motor 31, the servo operation, Operation such as laser irradiation is stopped. In the case of the reproducing apparatus 1B, the main power is turned off in step F113. In the case of the playback device 1A, the next operation is to be waited while being stopped in the process of step F112.

In this example, the direct select key 21 is an operation key effective only in the case of a video CD with a PBC function.
Operation keys that can be used also in the case of D-DA can be used. For example, the select 1 key to select 5 key may be treated as keys corresponding to track numbers, respectively. As an example, select 1 to select 5 keys correspond to tracks # 2 to # 6 of a video CD and tracks # 1 to # 5 of a CD-DA.
In this example, when the select 3 key is pressed while DA is loaded, reproduction of track # 3 is started.

The loaded disk 90 is moved to step F1.
If it is determined in 04 that the video CD has the PBC function, the process proceeds to step F105 to set a direct select correspondence table. There are various examples of this processing, which will be described later. For example, the data in the default state shown in FIG. Alternatively, if the pointer data has been rewritten before then, the direct select correspondence table in the rewritten state is validated.

Subsequently, in step F106, step F1
01 is the play key 5 whose operation is detected.
The processing branches depending on whether or not it is. If the play key 5 has been operated, the flow proceeds to step F109 to execute normal PBC reproduction, that is, reproduction from the first list having the list ID “$ 0001”. For example, FIG.
In the case of the structure described above, the selection menu screen is reproduced by the selection list S1, and then the reproduction proceeds in accordance with the user's selection operation.

If the operation key whose operation has been detected in step F101 is the direct select key 21, the process proceeds to step F107, where the data as the pointer stored in the direct select correspondence table corresponding to that key is first entered. Playback point corresponding to disk 9
Check if it exists at 0. For example, when the pointer is stored as shown in FIG. 6 in the default state, if the list ID “$ 00
If the list “06” does not exist, the pointer corresponding to the select 5 key does not include the list specified by the pointer. In such a case, the operation of the direct select key 21 at this time is performed in the same manner as the operation of the reproduction key 5, and the process proceeds to step F109 to perform reproduction from the head list.

However, considering a disk 90 having a list structure as shown in FIG. 5, all the pointers corresponding to the respective keys in FIG. 6A have their targets. Therefore, no matter which of the direct select keys 21 is pressed, the process proceeds to step F108. Then, in step F108, the reproduction is started from the list indicated by the pointer corresponding to the pressed key (any one of the select 1 key to the select 5 key). For example, if the select 1 key was pressed,
As the reproduction of the list of the list ID “$ 0002”, that is, the selection list S2 in FIG. 5, the reproduction of the image (segment play item #x) displaying the option is performed. For example, if the select 4 key is pressed, the reproduction of the track # 6 is started as the reproduction of the list of the list ID “$ 0005”, that is, the reproduction of the playlist P1.

As can be seen from the above processing, when the direct select key 21 is operated, the reproduction is started from the list indicated by the pointer corresponding to each key held as shown in FIG. Will be. In other words, it is possible to start the reproduction from the list of the lower hierarchy immediately without having to reproduce from the selection list S1 every time. For example, a user who knows the contents of the disc 90 (for example, a user who has already viewed the image , Etc.), a troublesome selection operation can be reduced, or the reproduction from a desired scene can be executed directly without the selection operation. Since a predetermined list ID is set as this pointer as a default value, the direct select key 21 can be effectively used without a registration operation by the user.

By the way, when the user registers a certain scene corresponding to a certain key of the direct select key 21, the direct select key 21 becomes a more convenient key for the user. The process for this registration is shown in FIG.
Shown in FIG. 10 shows a process when the direct select key 21 is operated during the reproduction or the pause in the PBC operation. If any key of the direct select key 21 is operated during playback or during playback pause, the process proceeds from step F201 to F202,
It is determined whether the operation is a long press or a short press. For example, if the button is continuously pressed for 2 seconds or longer, a certain threshold time is set, such as a long press when the button is pressed for less than 2 seconds, and it is determined whether the button is a long press or a short press.

In the case of a short press, it is determined that a normal operation is performed on the direct select key 21, and the flow advances to step F206 to perform reproduction based on a pointer corresponding to the pressed key. For example, if the select 5 key is pressed while the track # 2 is being reproduced by the play list P3 in FIG. 5, the pointer corresponding to the select 5 key is indicated as shown in FIG. 6A. To become "$ 000
6 ”, that is, the reproduction of the playlist P2,
Track # 7 specified in playlist P2
Will be started.

On the other hand, if it is a long press, it is determined that the operation is a registration operation, and the process proceeds from steps F202 to F203.
First, the number of the pressed key is set to the variable x.
For example, if the select 1 key is pressed, x = 1. Further, in step F204, the current reproduction position information reproduced at the time of the operation is fetched into a variable PT. For example, during the reproduction operation by the playlist P3, the list ID “$ 0007” of the playlist P3 is
It is held as the value of T.

In step F205, the registration process, that is, NO (x) in the direct select correspondence table
Is rewritten to the value of PT. When the select 1 key is long-pressed during the reproduction operation based on the play list P3 as described above, the value of the pointer corresponding to the select 1 key is rewritten to “$ 0007” as shown in FIG. Will be done.

As described above, the user can register a playback scene at that point in time by simply pressing and holding a certain key of the direct select key 21 during playback. Then, at a later point in time, when the select 1 key is shortly pressed, the play list P3 is played back as step F108 in FIG. 9 or step F206 in FIG. Therefore, in the case of a user who repeatedly executes the reproduction from the play list P3, the desired reproduction can be realized only by pressing the select 1 key, and the selection operation on the selection lists S1 and S2 becomes unnecessary. .

As described above, in the reproducing apparatuses 1A and 1B of the present embodiment, it is possible to execute the reproduction from a position advanced to a certain extent by effectively using the direct select key 21 without performing any registration operation. This greatly simplifies the operation of the user and allows the user to proceed to the target playback point in a short time. In the case of the playback device 1B,
Since the operation of the direct select key 21 also serves as a power supply operation, it is possible to reach a target reproduction point with one touch from the power off state. Also,
By registering a reproduction location corresponding to the user's convenience in association with the direct select key 21, the simplification of the operation and the shortening of the time until the reproduction of the target location become even more remarkable.

In FIG. 6, it is assumed that the pointer value is a list ID and a specific list is designated. However, more various examples of the pointer value can be considered. For example, FIG. 7 shows an example in which a list ID and a PIN are registered. This is an example of a case where the above-described registration operation (long press) is performed on the select 1 key while the track # 3 is being reproduced based on the play list P3. In this case, since the reproduction of the track # 3 is instructed by the PIN # 2, the list ID “$ 000 of the playlist P3”
7 ”, PIN # 2 is stored as a pointer. Then, the next time the select 1 key is pressed, the play list P3 is played back with the PIN # 2, that is, the play is started from the beginning of the track # 3. The start position can be registered.

FIG. 8 shows a list ID, PIN, and absolute address (AMIN, ASEC, AFRA) as pointers.
This is an example in which ME) is registered. For example, playlist P3
When the above-described registration operation (long press) is performed on the select 1 key while the track # 2 is being reproduced on the basis of the list ID “$ 0007” of the playlist P3,
PIN # 1 indicating track # 2, and absolute address "02:10:51" of the playback position at the time of long press
Is stored as a pointer. That is, in this way, when the select 1 key is pressed next time, it is the playlist P3, the track # 2 to be reproduced by the PIN # 1, and the track # 2 in the middle of the track # 2. The reproduction from the position of a certain absolute address "02:10:51" is executed, and the reproduction start position can be registered more finely.

Although not shown, the value of the pointer does not designate a list, but may be a value which designates a track as a unit data or a segment play item itself. For example, various designations can be made by using track numbers, segment play item numbers, and absolute addresses. Also, when specifying a list,
A specific list may be designated by the offset address described above instead of the list ID. Of course, various examples of the pointer value in the default state can be considered as described above.

Incidentally, it has been described that various examples are conceivable as the setting processing of the direct select correspondence table in step F105 of FIG. 9 described above. This will be described.
First, when the pointer value in the default state is set to a value as shown in FIG. 6A regardless of the type of the disk 90, the data of FIG. However, in order to cope with a case where initialization is performed at a certain point after the pointer is rewritten by the registration operation, for example, initial data as shown in FIG. 6A is stored in the ROM 53b or the like. Is preferred.

In order to effectively use the data of the pointer which has been rewritten in the past, the rewritten data is stored in another area in the nonvolatile memory 54, and the step F105 after the power is turned on. The processing of R
A process of updating the default data to pointer data rewritten in the past while setting the direct select correspondence table as default data developed from the OM in the nonvolatile memory 54 may be performed. At this time, the rewrite data is stored in association with the disk ID, and the loaded disk I
When D coincides with the disc ID held together with the rewrite data, it is preferable to set the rewrite data as pointer data. In other words, even if a specific reproduction location registered for a specific disk is subsequently replaced, the data can be handled as valid data only for that specific disk. If the user registers once when reproducing a certain disc, thereafter, each time the disc is loaded, the pointer registered in the past becomes valid, and the direct select key 2
1 can be used very effectively.

The default pointer value is
In step F105, a method of generating the data according to the disc may be considered. For example, each pointer value is set according to the number of selection lists and playlists provided in the loaded disc 90. For example, a predetermined assignment method is set, such as giving priority to a selection list or conversely to a play list, and a list corresponding to each key is assigned. When the number of these lists is less than 5, it is also possible to assign a track or a segment play item to an unassigned key.

The playback apparatus 1A is compatible with a changer, but in the case of such a changer type, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the disc numbers (storage positions 30a to 30a)
e) can also be added in the direct select correspondence table. For example, in the default state, each list ID is made to correspond to the disk number 1 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, when the registration operation is performed for the select 2 key while the disk of the disk number 2 is being reproduced, as shown in FIG. 11B, the pointer corresponding to the select 2 key is set to the reproduction position information at that time. , For example, and the disk number is rewritten to “2”. Then, after that, the select 2 key is a key for directly specifying the list of the list ID “$ 0002” of the disk with the disk number 2.

The changer type reproducing apparatus 1A
In the above case, as described above, in the setting process of the direct select correspondence table in step F105, the value of the disc number in FIG. 11 can be set to the number of the disc to be reproduced at that time. Also, when setting the disk number of the direct select correspondence table according to the disk reproduced in such a manner, if there is a disk number and a pointer registered for a certain key in the past, the registered data is deleted. It may be set so that past registration data can be used effectively.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but various configurations of the playback apparatus and the processing relating to the direct select key can be considered. In the above example, five direct select keys 21 are provided, but of course, more keys or fewer keys may be provided.
In the above example, the first operation method of the direct select key 21 is short-pressed, and the second operation method is long-press.
There are various examples of the operation method, which also depends on the structure of the operation element. For example, the operation may be distinguished by pressing once and twice, or when two types of operations are possible such as pressing and rotating the direct select key 21, the operation method may be distinguished accordingly. . The present invention is applicable not only to a playback device as a video CD player, but also to a CD-ROM.
The present invention can also be applied to a ROM player, a DVD player, and the like.

[0186]

As described above, according to the present invention, the storage means stores the reproduction start position information as the initial data for each of the direct operators in association with each other. In response to an operation of the first operation method (for example, a short press), a reproduction operation can be started based on reproduction start position information corresponding to the operated direct operator. Therefore,
In particular, there is an effect that the direct operator can be effectively used without the user performing a registration operation or the like, whereby the reproduction of the target reproduction portion can be executed by a simple operation. Further, the reproduction start position information is stored as rewritable data, and the rewrite control means responds to an operation (for example, long press) of the second operation method of the direct operator.
By rewriting the reproduction start position information stored in the storage means corresponding to the operated direct operation element to the reproduction start position information corresponding to the reproduction operation position at that time, the direct operation element is changed. A more useful operator corresponding to the user's request can be provided. That is,
Direct playback is realized by a simple operation of the user by the direct operator even if the user does not particularly perform the registration operation, and the user performs the registration operation as the second operation method, so that the direct operator corresponds to each user. It can be an effective operator, thereby facilitating the operation.

[0187] By setting the reproduction start position information to indicate specific list information, a suitable direct operation in the playback control system can be realized. Further, if the reproduction start position information is information indicating specific unit data, it is possible to specify a position (that is, a specific scene specification) finer than the list information unit. Further, the playback start position information
If the information indicates a specific reproduction position in specific unit data, it is possible to specify a more detailed position, for example, a position in the middle of a track. The playback start position information is
If the information is data indicating a specific unit data in the list information (for example, play item number, etc.),
It is possible to specify the list information and the position as unit data reproduced by the list information.

When the changer means is provided, the reproduction start position information includes information for identifying each of the recording media contained therein, so that a specific position in a plurality of discs can be specified. This makes it possible to use the direct operator in the changer player as a more useful operator.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the appearance of a stationary playback device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the stationary playback device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an appearance of the portable playback device according to the embodiment;

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

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a list structure of a disk used in the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a direct select correspondence table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a direct select correspondence table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a direct select correspondence table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process at the time of operating a direct select key according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process when registering a direct select key according to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a direct select correspondence table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a format of the XA specification of the CD-ROM.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of video data of a video CD.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an image size of a video CD.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a track structure of a video CD.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a sector structure of a video CD.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a structure of a video CD on a disk.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a directory structure of a video CD.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a frame structure of a disk.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a subcode data structure.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of sub-Q data.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of TOC data.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of PVD of a video CD.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of a video CD information area of a video CD.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of disk information of a video CD.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a list ID offset table of a video CD.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of a play list of a video CD.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a play item number of a video CD.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of a selection list of a video CD.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of a wait time until a timeout of a video CD.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of a list configuration of a video CD.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of a playback control operation based on a video CD list configuration.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1A, 1B playback device, 3 display unit, 5 playback key (select key), 9 disc selection key, 10 backward search key (previa key), 11 forward search key (next key), 12 return key, 13 +/-
Selection key, 21 direct select key, 24 infrared receiver, 30 disk tray, 30a-30e storage position, 34 optical head, 36 RF amplifier, 37 servo circuit, 38 decoder, 39 CD-ROM decoder, 40 MPEG audio decoder, 41 audio RAM, 42 MPEG video decoder, 43 video RAM, 45, 47 D / A converter, 46 audio output terminal, 51 video output terminal, 53 system controller, 54 nonvolatile memory, 56 operation unit, S1
~ S4 Selection List, P1 ~ P5 Playlist

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A reproducing apparatus capable of executing a reproducing operation based on said list information with respect to a recording medium having unit information by video or audio and list information for controlling a reproducing operation of each unit data, wherein: Direct operators, and each of the direct operators, while storing the playback start position information as initial data in association with each other,
The storage means for storing the reproduction start position information as rewritable data, and in accordance with the operation of the first operation method of the direct operator, the storage means corresponding to the operated direct operator. A reproduction control unit that can start a reproduction operation based on the stored reproduction start position information; and, in accordance with an operation of the second operation method of the direct operation unit, the reproduction control unit corresponds to the operated direct operation unit. A rewriting control means for rewriting the reproduction start position information stored in the storage means to reproduction start position information corresponding to the reproduction operation position at that time. 2. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction start position information is information indicating specific list information. 3. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction start position information is information indicating specific unit data. 4. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction start position information is information indicating a specific reproduction position in specific unit data. 5. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction start position information is information indicating data specifying a specific unit data in the list information. 6. A storage device for storing a plurality of recording media and selectively reproducing the stored recording media, and the reproduction start position information includes information for identifying each of the stored recording media. The playback device according to claim 1, further comprising: