JP2000285648A - Information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make reproducible only audio information by making substance information have an audio only title(AOTT) and an audio title(ATT) and making management information have navigation information (ATT SPRT and AOTT SRPT). SOLUTION: An audio buffer 92 for inputting an audio signal temporarily stores the inputted audio signal and outputs it to an audio decoder 93. On the basis of a header control signal outputted from a system controller 100, the audio buffer 92 outputs the audio signal synchronously with a video signal or subordinate video signal containing corresponding video information and delays the audio signal corresponding to the output condition of the corresponding video information. Then, the audio signal time-controlled so as to be synchronized with the corresponding video information is outputted to the audio decoder 93 and outputted to a speaker or the like as a demodulated audio signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an information recording medium, and more particularly to reproduction of audio information from a video DVD.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Video DVDs (discs conforming to the DVD-Video standard) are known as recording media for recording video information such as movies. Video DVDs are widely used as recording media for video information such as movies because of their large capacity.

[0003] Also, an audio DVD (disc conforming to the DVD-Audio standard) has been developed with a view to recording only audio information such as music, not video information such as a movie. This audio DVD
Since the large capacity of a DVD, audio information corresponding to a plurality of CDs (compact discs) can be recorded on one audio DVD. Further, in addition to video information such as a movie, it is also possible to record audio information corresponding to a music CD of a soundtrack version of the movie.

The above-mentioned video DVD is reproduced by a video DVD player (a player that outputs video and audio), and an audio DVD is reproduced by an audio DVD player (a player that outputs only audio). However, a conventional video DVD player cannot play back a DVD recorded in the audio DVD format,
A VD player cannot play back a conventional video DVD recorded in the video DVD format.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION From a video DVD recorded mainly for the purpose of reproducing video information, only audio information in the recorded information is reproduced (for example, audio information is reproduced from a video DVD containing a live performance of a singer). Only), or when playing a video DVD using an audio DVD compatible player,
Simply reproducing only the recorded audio information may be inappropriate. Therefore, when only audio information is reproduced from a video DVD, it is necessary to perform reproduction control different from that of a normal video DVD.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a video DVD capable of reproducing only audio information without causing an uncomfortable feeling even with an audio DVD compatible player.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention according to claim 1 provides audio entity information (AO).
B) and an information recording medium having an audio area including management information (AMG) of the audio information, wherein the entity information includes an audio-only title (AOTT) including only audio information and an audio-only title. Audio title (AT) composed of an audio-only title (AOTT) to be reproduced and an AV title (AVTT) composed of audio information including video information.
T), and the management information includes navigation information (ATT_S) for reproducing the audio title (ATT).
PRT), navigation information (AOTT_SRPT) for playing the audio-only title (AOTT),
It is configured to include

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 2 provides an audio-only title composed of only the audio information as navigation information (ATT_SPR) for reproducing the audio title (ATT).
T) and navigation information (AOTT_SRPT) for reproducing the audio-only title (AOTT).

[0009] According to the information recording medium configured as described above, a playback device (compatible player) having a playback capability of both video information and audio information can output audio information based on navigation information for playing an audio title. To play. Also, a playback device (audio DVD player) having only audio information playback capability plays back only audio information based on navigation information for playing back an audio-only title. Therefore, it is possible to reproduce the same information recording medium according to the capability of the reproducing device.

[0010]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Format of Video DVD First, the recording format (physical recording format) of video information and audio information (including music information; the same applies hereinafter) on a video DVD will be described with reference to FIG. .

(A) Physical Format As shown in FIG. 1, the video DVD 1 has a lead-in area LI at its innermost periphery and a lead-out area LO at its outermost periphery. The video information and the audio information include a plurality of VTSs (Video Title Sets) 3 (VTS # 1 to VTS # 1) each having ID (identification) numbers.
TS # n) and recorded. Where VT
S is a related title (having the same number of attributes of audio information and sub-video information, specifications, and supported languages, etc.) (a single work that the producer intends to present to the viewer, such as a movie) It is a set (collection) in which is grouped together. At the beginning of the area where VTS3 is recorded, VMG
(Video Manager) 2 is recorded. The information recorded as the VMG 2 includes, for example, a menu indicating the name of each title, information for preventing illegal copying, or an access table for accessing each title, and the like, and video information recorded on the video DVD 1. And audio information as a whole.

One VTS 3 is a VTSI (Video Title)
Set Information) 11 is divided into a plurality of VOBs (Video OBjects) 10 each having an ID number and recorded. Here, a portion constituted by a plurality of VOBs 10 is called a VOB set (VOBS).

VTSI 11 recorded at the head of VTS 3
In PGCI (Program Chain Informatio), which is various information regarding a program chain which is a logical division in which a plurality of cells (cells will be described later) is combined.
Information such as n) is recorded. Also, in each VOB 10,
In addition to the control information, a substantial part of video information and audio information (video or audio itself other than the control information) is recorded.

One VOB 10 is composed of a plurality of cells 20 each having an ID number. One cell 20
Are a plurality of VOB units (V
OBU) 30. Here, VOBU30
Is one of video information, audio information, and sub-video information (refers to sub-video information such as subtitles in a movie) or one unit composed of only a navi pack described later.

One VOBU 30 includes a navigation pack 41 in which control information for controlling video information and the like included in the VOBU 30 is stored, a video pack 42 including video data as video information, and an audio as audio information. Audio pack 43 containing data and sub-picture pack 4 containing sub-picture data as sub-picture information
4. Here, only video data is recorded as video data, and only audio data is recorded as audio data. In addition, only graphic data such as characters and graphics as sub-pictures is recorded as sub-picture data.

The pack header recorded at the beginning of each pack P has a playback time at which data contained in each pack P is read from a track buffer in a playback apparatus described later and input to each buffer is started. Read start time information called SCR (System Clock Reference) indicating the read start time on the axis, a start code indicating the start of the pack P, and the like are recorded.

The navigation pack 41 stores search information for searching for a video or audio to be reproduced and displayed (specifically, a D in which the video or audio to be reproduced and displayed is recorded).
DSI (Data Search In) which is an address on VD1
formation) data 51 and PCI (Presentation Control) which is information related to reproduction display control when reproducing and displaying a video or audio searched based on the DSI data 51.
Information) data 50.

All the video packs 42 included in one VOB unit 30 include one or a plurality of GOPs (Groups).
Of Picture). The GOP is MPEG2 (Moving), which is an image compression method adopted when recording video information on the DVD 1 in the present embodiment.
Picture Experts Group 2) The smallest image unit that can be reproduced independently and is defined in the standard of the system.

In the above-described recording format having the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 1, each division is a creator of recording information to be recorded in the DVD 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a creator).
Is to set and record the classification freely according to the intention. By performing reproduction based on a logical structure described later for each of these sections, various types of reproduction can be performed.

(B) Logical Format Next, a logical format (logical structure) combining information recorded by the physical divisions shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the logical structure shown in FIG. 2, information is not actually recorded on the DVD 1 in the structure, but each data (particularly, cell 20) shown in FIG. 1 is combined with the logical structure shown in FIG. Information for reproduction (access information or time information, etc.) is stored on the DVD 1, especially VTSI.
11 is recorded.

For convenience of description, starting from the lower hierarchy of FIG. 2, by selecting and combining a plurality of cells 20 from the physical structure described in FIG.
One program 60 is logically configured. The creator can also define one or a plurality of the programs 60 as a minimum unit that can be freely selected and viewed by a viewer, and this unit is defined as a PTT (Part of Ti
tle).

Here, regarding the number of one cell 20,
When the cell 20 is handled in the physical format shown in FIG. 1, it is handled as a cell ID number (in FIG. 1,
Indicated as cell ID #. 2), when handled in the logical format shown in FIG. 2, they are handled as cell numbers in the order of description in PGCI described later.

A plurality of programs 60 are combined to form one P
A GC (Program Chain) 61 is logically configured. The above-described PGCI is defined in units of the PGC 61, and the PGCI includes a reproduction order of the cells 20 for each program 60 at the time of reproducing each program 60 (a program unique to each program 60 by this reproduction order). Number is assigned.), The address of the recording position of each cell 20 on the DVD 1, the number of the first cell 20 to be reproduced in one program 60, and the like.

In one PGC 61, in addition to the above-mentioned PGCI, substantial data such as video and audio is stored in the program 60.
(In other words, as a combination of cells 20).

One or more PGCs 61 logically constitute one title 62. The title 62 is, for example, a unit corresponding to one movie in terms of video information, and is complete information provided to the viewer of the DVD 1 by the producer.

One or more titles 62 form one V
The TS 63 is logically configured.

The information corresponding to one VTS 63 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the information included in one VTS 3 shown in FIG. That is, the VTS shown in FIG.
All the information logically included in 63 is collectively recorded as one VTS3.

By specifying the information divided in the physical structure by the producer based on the logical format described above, a video or music to be viewed by the viewer is formed. (2) Physical and logical format of audio DVD Next, a recording format (physical recording format) of audio information (including music and audio information; the same applies hereinafter) on the audio DVD will be described with reference to FIG.

(A) Physical Format First, a physical format (physical recording format) on an audio DVD will be described with reference to FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the audio DVD 200 according to the embodiment has a lead-in area LI at the innermost periphery and a lead-out area LO at the outermost periphery. It is a volume space. An audio zone is always recorded in this. In this audio zone, audio information is assigned IDs respectively.
A plurality of ATSs (Audio Title Se
t) Divided into 3 (ATS # 1 to ATS # n) and recorded.

Immediately outside the lead-in area LI,
UDF (Universal Disk Format) having information for managing the format of a file recorded in the disk
t) is recorded, followed by AMG (Audio Manager)
202 is recorded. The information recorded as the AMG 202 includes, for example, a menu for prompting the user to select an item, information for preventing illegal copy, an access table for accessing each title, and the like.
This is information necessary for reproducing the audio information recorded on the audio DVD 200.

One ATS 203 is an ATSI (Audio Ti
tle Set Information) 211 starting with I
It comprises a plurality of AOBs (Audio Objects) 210 having D numbers.

Here, a portion constituted by a plurality of AOBs 210 is called an AOB set (AOBS). This AOB set is the substantial part of the audio information,
Reference numeral 11 denotes management / control information of an AOB set including a plurality of AOBs 210.

ATSI recorded at the beginning of ATS 203
211 includes a plurality of cells (cells will be described later).
APGCI (Audio Program Chai), which is various information about a program chain that is a logical division that combines
n Information) is recorded. In addition, each AO
In B210, in addition to the control information, a substantial part of the voice information (the voice itself other than the control information) is recorded. One AOB
210 includes a plurality of cells 220 each having an ID number.

One cell 220 includes a plurality of packed audio packs 230 or an audio pack and a real-time information pack (Real Time Information Pack).
ck) 231. Audio pack 230
Is a pack of audio information to be recorded on an audio DVD for each predetermined size.
Audio information digitized by a CM or the like is included. The real-time information pack 231 includes text information, BPM (Beat Per Minutes), beat information, and the like.

In the above-described recording format having the hierarchical structure shown in FIG.
The creator (hereinafter, simply referred to as a creator) of the recording information to be recorded in 200 can freely set and record the division according to the intention. By performing reproduction based on a logical structure described later for each of these sections, various types of reproduction can be performed.

(B) Logical Format Next, a logical format (logical structure) combining information recorded by the physical divisions shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

Note that the logical structure shown in FIG. 4 does not actually record information on the audio DVD 200 in the logical structure. Audio information is recorded on the audio DVD only in the physical format shown in FIG. 3, and information for reproducing the audio information is recorded in the above-described AMG 202 and ATSI 211 in the logical format shown in FIG. is there.

For convenience of explanation, starting from the lower hierarchy of FIG. 4, among the physical structures described in FIG.
An index 259 is formed by selecting and combining one cell or a plurality of cells 220. The index can also be used as a song number, and is the smallest unit accessible by the user.

One track 260 is logically constituted by one or a plurality of indexes 259. The track 260 is an information unit corresponding to one piece of music. The user can select an arbitrary track (song) and directly access the track.

Here, the number of one cell 220 is handled as a cell ID number when the cell 220 is handled in the physical format shown in FIG.
Medium and cell ID # are shown. 4), when handling in the logical format shown in FIG. 4, they are handled as cell numbers in the order of description in APGCI described later.

The track 260 (song) is an information unit including a plurality of cells, and is a set of cells having a certain common attribute or the like. That is, the attributes of all cells in the track are all the same. Also, all cells included in a track are recorded adjacently in the same object.

One title 261 is logically constructed by combining one or a plurality of tracks 260. However, the title itself is not recognized as a unit of access by the user. Therefore, an arbitrary title cannot be accessed by specifying a title number.

In the audio DVD, the attribute of each track 260 constituting the title 261 can be independently defined in up to eight patterns. That is, the attributes as audio information such as the number of channels, the quantization method, and the sampling frequency may be changed for each track (song).

In the unit of the title 261, the A
The PGCI is defined, and the APGCI includes the attribute of each track, the reproduction order of the cells 220 for each track 260 when reproducing each track 260, and the respective cells 220
Of the recording position on the audio DVD 200, the first cell 2 to be reproduced in one track 260
20, a reproduction method of each track 260 and various commands are included.

One title 261 includes the APGCI
In addition, substantial audio information is included as a combination of tracks (songs) 260 (in other words, as a combination of cells 220).

One or a plurality of titles 261 logically constitute one title group 262. Also, the title group 262 is a maximum unit that can be accessed by the user, and up to nine title groups in one volume can be defined. The title group 262 includes one or a plurality of titles 26 grouped based on a certain relevance.
1 and all titles in the title group are played back continuously. For example, a collection of songs of a certain singer or composer can be collected as one title group.

One or more title groups 262 logically constitute one volume 263. The volume 263 is an information unit corresponding to one album (DVD).

The actual audio information included in one title shown in FIG. 4 is recorded in one of the ATSs 203 shown in FIG. 3 on the audio DVD.

The creator specifies the information divided in the physical structure based on the logical format described above, whereby music to be heard by the viewer is formed. (3)
Type of DVD Next, the type of disc in a DVD will be described.

At present, the following four types of disks exist as DVD disks.

Video DVD with audio navigation Video DVD (corresponding to the present invention) Audio Only D
VD audio / video dual-use DVDs (the video portion is the subject of the present invention) Note that these DVDs have the same disc shape and information recording method (modulation method, track pitch, pit size, etc.), Only differ.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the physical formats of four types of DVDs.

The video DVD is shown at the top of the figure. This disc records video information such as a movie and audio information reproduced at the same time. Therefore, the lead-in area LI and the lead-out area LO
In addition to the management information, video information and audio information are recorded in a plurality of VTSs, and a VMG including the management / control information of the VTSs is recorded in the recording area between. As described with reference to FIG. 1, video information is recorded as a video pack, and audio information is recorded as an audio pack.

The lower part is a type of video disk called a video DVD with audio navigation, which is capable of reproducing video information such as a movie (including accompanying audio information) like a simple video DVD. This is a disc that can reproduce only the audio information in the recorded information with an audio DVD player by using the audio navigation information. A part of the recorded information, that is, a part in which only the audio information can be reproduced by the audio DVD player is called an “audio play part”. As a recording format, video information is recorded in the form of a plurality of VTSs in accordance with the video DVD shown in FIG. In addition, video DVDs with audio navigation
An AMG including reproduction control information for reproducing only the recorded audio information in the VTS and ATSI as reproduction control information (hereinafter also referred to as “audio navigation information”) are recorded, but a substantial part of the audio information is recorded. AOB is not recorded. That is, the AMG and the ATSI describe navigation information of audio information (specifically, an audio pack (see FIG. 1) in each VOB) included in each VTS in the video DVD with audio navigation.

At the bottom is an audio-only DVD. On this disc, only audio information is recorded except for some still images. Therefore, in the recording area between the lead-in area LI and the lead-out area LO, audio information is recorded as a plurality of ATSs in addition to the management information, and an AMG including the management / control information of the ATSs is recorded. . Each ATS includes one or a plurality of AOBs, which are substantial parts of audio information.

The lowermost part of FIG. 5 is called an audio / video dual-purpose DVD. Similar to a video DVD with audio navigation, not only audio information accompanied by video reproduction by a video DVD player but also audio data is reproduced. This is a disc on which only the audio information of the audio play part can be reproduced by the DVD player. However, the difference from the video DVD with audio navigation is that the recording area of the disc is divided into an audio area for recording only audio information and a video area for recording video information, and different navigation information is recorded respectively.

More specifically, in a video DVD with audio navigation, audio information is recorded together with the video information in a VOB recorded based on the format of the video DVD described above. Then, in order to reproduce only the audio information of the audio play part in the VOB, the navigation information of the audio information recorded in the VOB is converted to the audio D described above.
Prepared in ATSI as APGCI in VD, A
This is managed by MG. Therefore, a video DVD with audio navigation is basically a video DV.
D is a disc to which navigation information for reproducing only the audio information of the audio play part included therein is added to D.

On the other hand, an audio / video dual-purpose DV
D has an audio area for recording audio information conforming to the audio DVD format and a video area for recording video information conforming to the video DVD format. In the audio area, only audio information is recorded in a format according to the audio DVD shown in FIG. That is, the substantial part of the audio information is recorded as a plurality of ATSs,
ATSI including navigation information of substantial audio information in TS is recorded, and this is managed by AMG. That is, audio information is recorded in the audio area in accordance with the format of the audio DVD described with reference to FIGS.

On the other hand, in the video area, video information (including accompanying audio information) is recorded as a plurality of VTSs, and VTSI including navigation information of substantive information in each VTS is recorded. to manage. That is, in the video area, video information (including accompanying audio information) is recorded in accordance with the format of the video DVD described with reference to FIGS.

From this audio / video dual-use DVD,
When the video DVD player reproduces video information, the video information (including accompanying audio information) in each VTS is reproduced according to the VMG and VTSI in the video area.

When an audio DVD player reproduces audio information from an audio / video DVD, there are two cases. One is a case where audio information in AOB is reproduced according to AMG in the audio area and ATSI which is navigation information in ATS, similarly to the audio DVD. the other one is,
Like a video DVD with audio navigation,
This is a case where audio information of an audio play part recorded in a VTS in a video area is reproduced according to AMG and ATSI. That is, audio / video dual use D
When reproducing video information in the VD video area, a video DVD player reproduces images and sounds in the same manner as a normal video DVD, and an audio DVD player reproduces only audio information of an audio play part. can do. This specific reproduction method will be described later.

(4) Dual Management of the Same Object Next, the dual management of the same object, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described. Here, the object is a DVD
Indicates the entity information such as video information and audio information recorded in the. The double management means that those objects are managed based on two kinds of navigation information and reproduced.

Hereinafter, the double management will be described by taking the above-mentioned video DVD with audio navigation as an example.

FIG. 6 shows the physical format of the video DVD with audio navigation and the navigation information contained therein. As described above, the video DVD with audio navigation has a physical recording format in which navigation information for reproducing only the audio information is added to the recording information of the video DVD. That is, in addition to the VOB 10 which is a substantial part of the video information, the VTSI 11 which is the reproduction control information thereof, and the VMG 2 which is the management information, the ATSI 211 which is the navigation information of the audio information included in the VTS 3 and the AMG 202 which is the management information thereof. Have. However, audio only DVD and audio / video dual use DV
Unlike D, the ATS does not include the AOB which is the substantial part of only the audio information, and records only the ATSI which is the navigation information. Therefore, all audio information reproduced from the video DVD with audio navigation is the audio play part of the VOB in the VTS 3 (for more details, the audio pack 43, see FIG. 1).
It is information in.

Therefore, the titles on the video DVD with audio navigation are classified into two types. One of them is a normal title of a video DVD when reproduced by a video DVD player (hereinafter, referred to as “video title (VTT)”). The other is audio D
This is a title that reproduces only the audio information of the audio play part recorded in the VOB when reproduced by a VD player (hereinafter, referred to as “audio-only title (AOTT)”).

When playing back with an audio DVD player, a DVD with audio navigation
First, a path for reproducing an audio-only title (AOTT) when reproducing with a D player will be described.
Since only the audio information recorded on the video DVD is to be reproduced, the AMG 202 is first referred to. A
The MG 202 includes an AMGI (A) which is a substantial part of the management information.
MG Information) 240. AMGI240
Is an AMGI management table 241 including information such as a file size and a recording address of the AMGI 240.
, An audio title (ATT) search pointer table 242, and an audio only title (AOT).
T) search pointer table 243. An audio title is an audio-only title composed only of audio information and an AV title composed of audio information containing accompanying video information (AV title).
TT). ATT is an audio DVD
And a compatible player capable of reproducing both video DVDs.

Video DV with audio navigation
In D, only the AOTT search pointer exists in the AMG audio title (ATT) search pointer table 242. Therefore, the audio title (AT
T) Search pointer table 242 and audio only title (AOTT) search pointer table 243
Is completely common.

The ATT search pointer table 242 is
It includes ATT search pointer information 244 including information such as the number of ATT search pointers, and a plurality of ATT search pointers 245. In FIG. 6, the parentheses of each ATT search pointer indicate the type of title corresponding to the search pointer for convenience of explanation. However, as described above, in the video DVD with audio navigation, all ATTs are AOTT.

AOTT search pointer table 243
The AOTT search pointer information 246 also includes information such as the number of AOTT search pointers, and a plurality of AOTT search pointers.
T search pointer 247. In FIG. 6, each A
The parentheses of the OTT search pointer also indicate the type of title corresponding to the search pointer for convenience of explanation. Naturally, all titles written in the AOTT search pointer are AOTT.

Title ATT and AO corresponding to the same work
The position of each TT on the search pointer table must be the same. The ATT search pointer on the ATT search pointer table 242 and the AOTT search pointer on the AOTT search pointer table 243 correspond to each other.

ATT search pointer 245 and AOTT
The search pointer 247 indicates an APGC that logically constitutes a target title. More specifically, in this case, the ATT search pointer # 1 and the AOT
Title # 1 specified by T search pointer # 1 is an AOTT title. Therefore, the AOTT search pointer # 1 specifies the ATS number including the title and the title number in the ATS, and thereby the AP in the ATSI 211 corresponding to the title is designated.
GCI is specified. Therefore, at the time of reproduction, the VOB
Audio pack 4 of the audio play part in 11
Only the audio information is reproduced by reproducing only 3 (see the paths indicated by “A1” and “A2” in FIG. 6).

When playing back on a video DVD, a video DVD with audio navigation is
Video title (VTT) when played on a player
Will be described. Since the video DVD with audio navigation is a video DVD to the last, a VMG2 is first referred to to reproduce a normal video title for reproducing audio information together with video information.

VMG2 is V which is a substantial part of the management information.
MGI (VMG Information) 21 is included. VMGI
Reference numeral 21 denotes a VMGI management table 21 including information such as a file size and a recording address of the VMGI 21.
1 and title (TT) search pointer table 212
And The TT search pointer table 212 has the TT
TT search pointer information 214 including information such as the number of search pointers and a plurality of TT search pointers 215 are included. In FIG. 6, the parentheses of each TT search pointer indicate the type of title corresponding to the search pointer for convenience of explanation. However, TT on video DVD
The search pointers are all VTT.

Each title corresponding to the same work, the position of the VTT on the search pointer table, and the ATT, AOTT
The positions on the search pointer table may not be related. In the ATT search pointer table of AMGI and the TT search pointer table of VMGI, the contents and order can be defined independently.

The TT search pointer 215 indicates a PGC that logically constitutes a target title. More specifically, the title # 2 specified by the TT search pointer # 2 is a title of VTT, that is, a title for which video information is required to be reproduced together with audio information, and the TT search pointer is VTS3.
By designating the title number in the VTS 3 and the title number in the VTS 3, the PGCI described in the VTSI 11 corresponding to the title is designated. Therefore, the video DVD player obtains the PGCI and reproduces the title as video information with audio using a video pack, an audio pack, and the like in the VOB (shown by “B1” and “B2” in FIG. 6). See path).

That is, in reproducing the audio recording information (object) in the same VOB 10, a method of reproducing the VOB 10 via the VMG and VTSI as shown by the paths "B1" and "B2" in FIG. Of course, the video information is also reproduced), and the path "A1", "A2"
VOB1 directly from MG, ATSI without going through VTSI
There are two paths with the method of reproducing 0 (only audio information is reproduced).

Also, for the same work, APGCI
And PGCI (PGCI for video) can be defined, and the cells included in each can be defined independently.
It is also possible to change the composition of the work (playback control for the work) when only the sound is heard and when the image is reproduced together with the image.

Next, the double management of the same object will be described with reference to FIG. 7, focusing on the physical structure of the object to be reproduced. Figure 7 shows one VO
3 shows the concept of a program when B is reproduced as audio information with video information according to PGCI, and when B is reproduced as only audio information of an audio play part according to APGCI. In the figure, VO
B includes video data, sub-picture data, and audio data.

When this VOB is reproduced as audio information with video information, the reproduction control is performed based on PGCI described in VTSI. In the PGCI, the VOB is divided into six video cells # 1 to # 6, a video program # 1 is transmitted by the video cell # 1, a video program # 2 is transmitted by the video cells # 2 to # 4, and a video program # 6 is transmitted by the video cell # 6. It constitutes video program # 3. When reproducing audio information with video information such as a VTT title, reproduction is performed in accordance with such PGCI.

On the other hand, when only the audio information of the audio play part is reproduced from the same VOB, the AT
Reproduction is performed according to the APGCI described in the SI. An audio program defined by the APGCI is composed of one or more audio cells. Here, even for the same object (VOB), the audio cells may be defined differently (independently) from the video cells. Of course, it is also possible to specify that they match. That is, the start position, end position, and the like of each audio cell can be set independently of any video cell. The playback order of audio cells defined by APGCI can be defined independently of the playback order of video cells defined by PGCI.

In the example of FIG. 7, audio program # 1
Is composed of audio cells # 1 and # 2, and audio program # 2 is composed of audio cells # 3. The APGCI includes information such as a recording position and a reproduction order of audio cells included in these audio programs, and the audio information is reproduced based on the information.

Next, description will be given of an effect obtained by allowing the audio cell and the video cell to be independently defined.

(A) The actual reproduction time of audio information can be managed in units of audio frames.

In the recording format of the video DVD, it is assumed that video information is recorded, so that time management is performed for each frame of the video information. Therefore, the playback time described on the video DVD (disc) itself is a playback time specified in frame units of video information. In the case of NTSC, one frame is not strictly 1/30 second. It is different from the playback time when information is played. In other words, there arises a problem that the reproduction time written on the disc with respect to the video frame does not match the performance time when actually reproducing.

This is an inherent problem of the video DVD format, and occurs both when the video information is reproduced from the video DVD and when only the audio information is reproduced. Normally, accurate time management and display are not necessarily required when reproducing video information such as a movie, but strict time management is required when only audio information is reproduced.

In this respect, in the present invention, since the audio cell can be defined independently of the video cell as described above, the time management of the audio information can be performed in an independent unit different from the video frame. It can be performed independently of time management in information.

More specifically, a header of each audio pack constituting an audio cell includes a system clock reference (SCR), which is a reference for time management, and the output time of the first data of the first audio frame in the audio pack. Presentation time (PT
M), and the time management of the audio information is performed independently of the time management of the video information based on these. Here, the audio frame is a set of, for example, linear PCM data in units of 1/600 seconds.

Double management, that is, having independent of APGCI and PGCI, means that for all audio programs (tracks) in an audio title, these times are managed in independent units different from video frames. Can be described in the ATSI.

The reproduction times of all the tracks in the audio DVD may be described as centralized information in AMG or lead-in. This makes it possible to display the playback time etc. based on time management based on audio frames instead of time information based on video frames, so that the playback time written on the disc matches the actual playback time Can be. This is made possible by defining the audio cells independently of the video cells as described above.

When the cell boundaries coincide, the time management based on the audio frame can be performed by using both the information of the APGCI and the position information of the audio data with respect to the cell boundaries.

(B) The reproduction time when only the audio information is reproduced can be accurately displayed.

In the video DVD format, a plurality of streams, such as a video stream, a sub-picture stream, and an audio stream, are multiplexed and divided into a certain time unit to constitute a video object (VOB). The video stream in the video object is composed of an integer number of video frames, and the audio stream is composed of an integer number of audio frames. In most cases, the presentation time of both streams is different, and video DVDs are managed based on only the time of the video stream.

Further, there is no strict definition between the time of the video data and the time of the audio data in the video object. You can know the time of the video data because it is written on the disc as the time of each chapter,
The time of the audio data in the same video object cannot be known because it is not written.

Therefore, when only the audio data in the video object is reproduced, the actual reproduction time and the like cannot be known. Specifically, it is not possible to accurately know and display the total reproduction time of the music in the disc and the reproduction time of each music.

This problem can also be solved by defining the audio cell independently of the video cell as described above, and performing the time management of the audio information independently of the time management of the video information. That is, when only the audio information in the video object is reproduced, the reproduction time and the like can be accurately managed and displayed based on the time management information of the audio information.

(C) For the same object, a logical partition mainly composed of video and a logical partition mainly composed of audio can be defined independently.

When only the audio information in the video object is reproduced, the logical break must be different from the case where the video information is reproduced. For example, assume that a scene as shown in FIG. 8 is recorded as a video object. In the video navigation information, a silence scene S1 and a theme song scene S2 constitute a video program # 1, a speech scene S3 and a song scene S4 constitute a video program # 2, and a speech scene S5. # 3, and a video program # 4 is composed of the ending theme song scene S6.

On the other hand, when only the audio information in the same object is reproduced, it is not necessary to reproduce the silence scene S1, the speech scenes S3, S5, etc., so that a program (track) different from the video program is used. It is required to introduce the concept of

In this example, music scenes S2, S4, S6
As audio programs # 1, # 2, and # 3, respectively.

Although not shown, it is assumed that three music pieces are included in #n in a certain video program. In this case, the division of the video program is divided to some extent in consideration of a certain scene in the story. On the other hand, if you want to listen to music only, you want to listen to these three songs independently and access them directly. Therefore, it is necessary to define each of these three songs as one audio program (track). In general, when listening to music only, it is necessary to make the breaks finer.

In the case of video information, there is a scene where a menu screen appears during reproduction and a viewer can select a story so that a story can be interactively selected. Is not possible and must be excluded from the audio program.

In this regard, in the present invention, navigation information is independently defined for the reproduction of video information + audio information (normal video reproduction) and the reproduction of only audio information for the same object by the above-described dual management method. Therefore, an audio program can be defined independently of a video program as shown in FIG.

Also, the reproduction order of each audio program can be defined independently of the reproduction order of the video program (the reproduction order of each audio program in FIG. 8 can be changed). Therefore, when only the audio information is reproduced, unnecessary portions are eliminated, and the reproduction order can be changed so that reproduction with a high degree of freedom can be performed.

(D) For the same object, a physical segment mainly composed of video and a physical segment mainly composed of audio can be defined independently.

Considering the physical arrangement of video information and audio information recorded on a video DVD, the recording position of certain video data is different from the recording position of audio data corresponding to the reproduction time.

This is shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows a recording example of a navigation pack, a video pack, and an audio pack in a certain VOBU. In the figure, VOBU # 2 is defined by navigation packs 41a and 41b, between which a plurality of video packs and audio packs are multiplexed.

Here, MPEG (Moving Picture Exper)
In the reproduction of a video DVD according to tGroup), video data is recorded as a plurality of video packs, and an audio pack including audio data corresponding to a predetermined range from the video packs is recorded. During reproduction, video data of a plurality of video packs is stored in a buffer, and output in synchronization with audio data in the audio pack. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the audio data corresponding to the video data in a certain VOBU may be shifted and recorded in the next VOBU. In the example of FIG.
Audio packs 43a and 43b included in BU # 2 correspond to video data in VOBU # 1.
The audio packs 43e and 43f corresponding to the video data in VOBU # 2 are located in the next VOBU # 3. Therefore, if a cell for reproducing only the audio information is defined based on the VOBU of the video information, the audio information in the cell immediately before that is also reproduced.

In this regard, in the present invention, the physical position of the audio cell can be defined independently of the physical position of the video cell. In the example of FIG. 9, a break of the audio cell is defined immediately before the audio pack 43c which is the head of the audio information corresponding to VOBU # 2. That is, audio cells are defined independently of video cells defined by a set of VOBUs. As a result, the audio data in the preceding VOBU is not reproduced.

As described above, in the present invention, the same object is managed twice by video and audio navigation. Further, with the dual management, the physical and logical boundaries of video cells and audio cells can be defined independently of each other.

Also, regardless of whether the physical and logical boundaries of the video cell defined by the PGCI and the audio cell defined by the APGCI coincide with each other, they can be freely combined on a cell-by-cell basis. Can be.
This makes it possible to effectively reproduce video information (with audio) or only audio information from the same object (VOB).

In the above description, the case of a video DVD with audio navigation has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a DVD for both audio and video. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, in an audio / video DVD, information is recorded in a video DVD format in a video area, while navigation information and audio information when the information in the video area is reproduced with an image. And the navigation information for reproducing only the ATT search pointer table in the AMG and A
Each is recorded in the OTT search pointer table. Therefore, when reproducing information in a video area using navigation information in an AMG on an audio / video dual-purpose DVD, the present invention can be applied in exactly the same manner as in the case of the video DVD with audio navigation described above. (5) Playback Device Video DVD Player As shown in FIG. 10, the video DVD player according to the embodiment includes a pickup 80, a demodulation correction unit 81, stream switches 82 and 84, a track buffer 8
3, a system buffer 85, and a demultiplexer 86
And VBV (Video Buffer Verifier) buffer 87
, A video decoder 88 and a sub-picture buffer 89
, A sub-picture decoder 90, a mixer 91, an audio buffer 92, an audio decoder 93, an input unit 98, a display 99, a system controller 100, a drive controller 101, a spindle motor 102, and a slider motor 103. It is composed of Note that the configuration shown in FIG.
In the configuration of the player, only a portion related to reproduction of video and audio is described, and a servo circuit and the like for performing servo control of the pickup 80, the spindle motor 102, the slider motor 103, and the like are the same as those in the related art. Description and detailed description are omitted.

Next, the operation will be described.

The pickup 80 includes a laser diode, a beam splitter, an objective lens, and a photodetector (not shown), irradiates the DVD 1 with a light beam B as reproduction light, and reflects the light beam B from the DVD 1. It receives light and outputs a detection signal Sp corresponding to information pits formed on the DVD1. At this time, a method similar to that of the prior art is applied to an objective lens (not shown) so that the light beam B is accurately irradiated on the information track on the DVD 1 and accurately focused on the information recording surface on the DVD 1. Performs tracking servo control and focus servo control.

The detection signal Sp output from the pickup 80 is input to a demodulation / correction section 81, where demodulation processing and error correction processing are performed to generate a demodulation signal Sdm, which is output to a stream switch 82 and a system buffer 85. .

The opening and closing of the stream switch 82 to which the demodulated signal Sdm has been input is controlled by a switch signal Ssw1 from the drive controller 101. When the stream switch 82 is closed, the input demodulated signal Sdm is passed through as it is to the track buffer 83. I do. On the other hand, when the stream switch 82 is open, the demodulated signal Sdm is not output, and unnecessary information (signal) is not input to the track buffer 83.

The track buffer 83 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is input is constituted by a FIFO (First In First Out) memory or the like, and temporarily stores the input demodulated signal Sdm and the stream switch 84 is closed. , The stored demodulated signal Sdm is continuously output.

The stream switch 84 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is continuously input prevents the buffer in the subsequent stage from overflowing or becoming empty to interrupt the decoding process in the separation process in the demultiplexer 86. Opening and closing are controlled by a switch signal Ssw2 from the system controller 100.

On the other hand, the system buffer 85, to which the demodulated signal Sdm is input in parallel with the track buffer 83,
D1 is first detected when loading, DVD
Management information (VMG) relating to the entire information recorded in
2) or the VTS 11 for each VTS 3 is stored and output to the system controller 100 as control information Sc, and the DSI data 51 for each navigation pack 41 is temporarily stored during reproduction, and is stored as control information Sc in the system controller 100. Output.

In the demultiplexer 86 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is continuously input via the stream switch 84, video data, audio data, sub-picture data and PCI data for each navi-pack are obtained from the demodulated signal Sdm. , The video signal Sv, the sub-picture signal Ssp, the audio signal Sad, and the PCI signal Spc.
Are output to the VBV buffer 87, the sub-picture buffer 89, and the audio buffer 92, respectively.

At this time, the demultiplexer 86 extracts a pack header, a packet header, and the like from each pack (including the audio pack 43) and the packet, and outputs the information contained in each pack to the system controller 100 as a header signal Shd. .

The VBV buffer 87 to which the video signal Sv is input is constituted by a FIFO memory or the like, and temporarily stores the video signal Sv and outputs it to the video decoder 88. The VBV buffer 87 is for compensating the variation in the data amount of each picture (see FIG. 2) in the video signal Sv compressed according to the MPEG2 system. Then, the video signal Sv in which the variation in the data amount has been compensated is input to the video decoder 88, demodulated by the MPEG2 method, and output to the mixer 91 as a demodulated video signal Svd.

On the other hand, the sub-picture buffer 89 to which the sub-picture signal Ssp is inputted temporarily stores the inputted sub-picture signal Ssp and outputs it to the sub-picture decoder 90.
The sub-picture buffer 89 is for outputting the sub-picture data 44 included in the sub-picture signal Ssp in synchronization with the video data 42 corresponding to the sub-picture data 44. Then, the sub video signal Ssp synchronized with the video data 42 is input to the sub picture decoder 90, demodulated, and output to the mixer 91 as a demodulated sub video signal Sspd.

The demodulated video signal Svd output from the video decoder 88 and the demodulated sub-video signal Sspd (corresponding to the demodulated video signal S
Synchronized with vd. ) Are mixed by a mixer 91 and output to a display unit such as a CRT (Cathod Ray Tube) (not shown) as a final video signal Svp to be displayed.

The audio buffer 92 to which the audio signal Sad is input is constituted by a FIFO memory or the like.
The input audio signal Sad is temporarily stored and output to the audio decoder 93. Audio buffer 9
Reference numeral 2 denotes a video signal Sv or a sub-video signal Ssp including video information corresponding to the audio signal Sad based on the header control signal Shc output from the system controller 100.
The audio signal Sad is delayed in accordance with the output state of the corresponding video information. Then, the audio signal Sad time-adjusted so as to synchronize with the corresponding video information is output to the audio decoder 9.
3 based on a header control signal Shc output from the system controller 100 and subjected to a reproduction process in the linear PCM system, thereby obtaining a demodulated audio signal Sadd.
Is output to a speaker or the like (not shown).

Audio DVD Player Next, the audio DVD player will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the audio DVD player differs from the video DVD player shown in FIG. 10 in the configuration of the subsequent stage of the demultiplexer 86, but has the same configuration except for that. Therefore, the components after the demultiplexer 86 will be described.

In the demultiplexer 86 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is continuously input via the stream switch 84, audio information is extracted for each pack from the demodulated signal Sdm and output to the audio buffer 92 as an audio signal Sad. .

The audio buffer 92 to which the audio signal Sad is input is constituted by a FIFO memory or the like.
The input audio signal Sad is temporarily stored and output to the audio decoder 93. Audio signal Sad
Is input to the audio decoder 93 and is subjected to a reproduction process or the like in the linear PCM system based on the control signal Shc output from the system controller 100, and is output as a demodulated audio signal Sadd to a speaker (not shown) or the like.

For example, real-time information such as real-time text is output from the demultiplexer to the RTI buffer. The data temporarily stored in the RTI buffer is output to an RTI decoder based on a control signal Shc output from the system controller 100, and displays lyrics and the like on a display device (not shown).

If it is detected that the sound needs to be temporarily interrupted (paused) during reproduction or the like immediately after accessing the desired information, the system controller 10
From 0, the pause signal Sca is output to the audio decoder 93, and the audio decoder 93 temporarily stops outputting the demodulated audio signal Sadd.

Next, a method of reproducing information according to the above-described dual management will be described with reference to FIGS. Now, it is assumed that the audio DVD player to which the video DVD with audio navigation is mounted reproduces a plurality of audio titles described in the AMGI 240 in the AMG 202 in FIG.

The AMGI 24 has only information on audio-only titles (AOTT). (Only the AOTT search pointer is described in the ATT search pointer table.) First, the system controller 100 refers to the AOTT search pointer table in the AMGI 24. Since the AOTT search pointer # 1 is described in the first title # 1 as a matter of course, it is an AOTT title, that is, a title in which only audio information is reproduced. Therefore, the ATSI 211 that is the destination of the AOTT title search pointer # 1 is specified.
(Path A1) to obtain the corresponding APGCI. Since the acquired APGCI includes reproduction control information such as a combination of a plurality of cells in the VOB 10 and a reproduction order, the designated audio packs in the VOB 10 are reproduced in order (path A2). Thus, only the audio data is reproduced.

When the reproduction of the title # 1 ends, the system controller 100 refers to the AOTT search pointer # 2 of the title # 2. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated to continue the reproduction. When the title to be reproduced ends, the system controller 100 ends the reproduction processing.

Next, it is assumed that the video DVD player loaded with the video DVD with audio navigation reproduces a plurality of video titles described in the VMGI 21 in the VMG 2 in FIG. 6 in order. First, the system controller 100 refers to the TT search pointer table 214 in the VMGI 21. As a matter of course, the TT search pointer # 1 is a search pointer of the VTT which is a title for reproducing the audio information with the video information. (Path B1), the corresponding PGCI is acquired. Then, the cells in the VOB 10 are sequentially reproduced according to the acquired PGCI (path B2). Thus, the video information is reproduced. When the reproduction of the title # 1 ends, the system controller 100 refers to the TT search pointer # 2 of the title # 2. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated to continue the reproduction. When the title to be reproduced ends, the system controller 100 ends the reproduction processing.

[0136]

As described above, according to the present invention, a reproducing apparatus (compatible player) having a reproducing capability of both video information and audio information is provided based on navigation information for reproducing an audio title. Play information. Also, a playback device (audio DVD player) having only audio information playback capability plays back only audio information based on navigation information for playing back an audio-only title. Therefore, it is possible to reproduce the same information recording medium according to the capability of the reproducing device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a physical structure (physical format) of a video DVD.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a logical structure (logical format) of a video DVD.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a physical structure (physical format) of an audio DVD.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a logical structure (logical format) of an audio DVD.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing types of DVDs.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a physical format of a video DVD with audio navigation and navigation information included therein.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a concept of dual management of audio information according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a video object to be subjected to dual management.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of physical separation of the same object in dual management.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a video DVD player.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an audio DVD player.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... VMG 10 ... VOB 11 ... VTSI 21 ... VMGI 202 ... AMG 211 ... ATSI 212 ... TT search pointer table 215 ... TT search pointer 240 ... AMGI 242 ... ATT search pointer table 243 ... AOTT search pointer table 245 ... ATT search pointer 247 ... AOTT search pointer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Shozo Ema 4-2610 Hanazono, Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama Prefecture Inside the Tokorozawa Plant of Pioneer Corporation (72) Inventor Tokihiro Takahashi 25-1, Nishimachi, Yamada, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama Ionian Corporation Kawagoe Factory

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An information recording medium having an audio area including audio entity information (AOB) and management information (AMG) of the audio information, wherein the entity information is an audio-only title (audio-only title) composed only of audio information. AOTT), an audio only title (AOTT) composed of only audio information, and an AV title (AVT) composed of audio information including video information.
T), the management information includes navigation information (ATT_SPRT) for playing back the audio title (ATT) and playing back the audio-only title (AOTT). An information recording medium characterized by including navigation information (AOTT_SRPT). 2. An audio-only title composed of only the audio information includes navigation information (ATT_SPR) for reproducing the audio title (ATT).
2. The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the information recording medium is described in both T) and navigation information (AOTT_SRPT) for reproducing the audio-only title (AOTT).