JP2001210017A - Method for managing animation data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that in an animation recording and reproducing system and in the case of erasing recorded data with a less likelihood of being reproduced to secure an empty capacity in a storage means, it is impossible to utilize a user's characteristics that there is a less likelihood of reproducing again the animation data reproduced up to near the end. SOLUTION: This animation data managing method is characterized in securing an empty capacity by giving priority to erasing data recorded for longer than a prescribed time than other recorded data (ST103-ST110), from the animation data recorded by a digital recording means when an empty capacity of the digital recording means becomes a prescribed value or lower.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for recording and reproducing moving images on digital recording means such as a hard disk or an optical disk. And a method for selecting moving image data to be erased from a file.

Further, in a system for recording and reproducing moving images by using digital recording means having different access speeds and capacities such as a hard disk and an optical disk in a hierarchical manner, when the free space of a high-speed digital recording means such as a hard disk is insufficient. The present invention relates to a method for selecting moving image data to be moved to a low-speed digital recording unit such as an optical disk from moving image data recorded in a high-speed digital recording unit.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional moving picture recording / reproducing system using digital recording means is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-17 / 1999.
No. 6096 discloses in detail a method of erasing recorded moving image data and securing the free space when the free space of the digital recording means is insufficient. Hereinafter, the method will be described using a flowchart.

First, FIG. 5 is a diagram which combines FIG. 55 and FIG. 56 described in the above-mentioned document into one, and shows processing when a conventional moving image recording / reproducing system reproduces a recorded moving image. I have.

[0005] Step ST300, step ST30
4. Step ST306, step ST308, step ST310, step ST312, step ST31
4. Step ST316 is a pre-process for selecting moving image data to be reproduced (the detailed description is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention). (Unit), and the reproduction of the moving image data cell is repeated until the last cell is reached (step ST318, step S318).
T320, step ST322).

When the reproduction of the last cell is completed (step S
T320YES), a still image is output for a fixed time (step ST324), and post-processing is performed (step ST326).
It is determined whether or not the reproduction has ended (step ST328).

If the reproduction is completed (for example, when the user presses the stop button of the remote controller), the user is inquired as to whether the moving image data whose reproduction has been completed is permanently stored (step ST330), and if the user inputs YES. Then, an archive flag for making the moving image data unerasable is set (step ST332), and NO
, The archive flag is not set (step S
T334).

Then, a reproduced flag indicating that the moving image data has been reproduced is set (step ST33).
6) Finally, post-processing (step ST338) is performed, and the reproduction processing ends. Note that the reproduction completed flag and the archive flag are initialized to a reset state (0) when the recording of the moving image data ends.

Next, FIG. 6 is a simplified version of FIG. 39 and FIG.
In the conventional moving image recording / reproducing system, when the free space of the digital recording device becomes equal to or less than a certain value, the reproduced moving image data is erased to secure the free space for recording new moving image data in the digital recording device. The processing is shown.

When a minimum capacity flag indicating that the free capacity (remaining capacity) has become equal to or less than a predetermined value is set (step ST).
420DNO), and notifies the user that the digital recording means (disc) is to be arranged (step ST421).
D) Search the moving image data recorded on the disk for moving image data in which the above-mentioned reproduced flag is set and in which the above-mentioned archive flag is not set (step ST4230D, step ST423).
1D, ST4232D), and deletes the moving image data (step ST4234D). Then, the recordable time is recalculated (step ST426D), and the user is notified (ST427D).

FIG. 7 shows FIG. 19 described in the above document.
And shows the structure of a video title set information management table for managing video title sets (moving image data and accompanying audio data, menu data, etc.). The above-mentioned archive flag (ARCHIVE Flag) is stored in the PLAY_END Flag) and the 17th byte. Although detailed description is omitted, there are other management data for recording the free space of the disc and the recording date and time of each title set.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a conventional hierarchical recording system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-227379. This conventional hierarchical storage system comprises a top semiconductor memory 506, a next hard disk 508,
The lowermost optical disc library 510 includes three storage devices having different access speeds and different storage capacities.

First, data is recorded in the highest semiconductor memory 506 having the fastest access speed, and is transferred to the next hard disk 508 after a certain period of time. Then, after a certain period of time has elapsed, the optical disk is transferred to the lowest optical disk library 510 having the slowest access speed.

In addition to the above, in a hierarchical recording system, as a method of transferring data from a higher-level recording unit to a lower-level recording unit, a method of storing the most recently accessed data in a higher-level recording unit (so-called LRU). Method) is known.

[0015]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method, it is not determined that the recorded moving image has been reproduced unless the recorded moving image is reproduced to the end. Most of the recording time,
Alternatively, there is a problem in that moving image data that has been reproduced up to the vicinity of the last is not to be erased, so that digital recording means with a limited capacity cannot be used effectively.

For example, when recording a normal TV program,
A CM is recorded in the last few minutes, and the number of users who reproduce that part is extremely small. In addition, in the case of a movie, an ending part in which actor and staff names are displayed, and in a sports broadcast, a match result is a part after a decision is made. . Therefore, the moving image data reproduced up to two to three minutes before the end is very unlikely to be reproduced in the future, and should be erased to secure free space.

As another user's characteristic, moving image data of a relatively long time (for example, about 2 hours), and approximately half of the reproduced moving image data originally intended to be played back to the end, but for some reason the moving image data was played back for some reason. It is highly likely that you interrupted halfway. Therefore, such moving image data is more likely to be reproduced in the future than relatively old (eg, data recorded one week or more ago) unreproduced moving image data. Therefore,
If there is not enough free space and there is no played back or mostly played back video data, about half played back video data will not be deleted and old unplayed video data will be deleted. You should choose what to erase. However, in the above-described conventional method, there is a problem that it is not possible to distinguish moving image data reproduced halfway from unreproduced moving image data, and it is not possible to make use of such user characteristics.

Further, in the conventional data movement method of the hierarchical recording system, when recording moving picture data recorded by a user, the above-mentioned access characteristics of the user are not reflected. Therefore, data that is likely to be accessed is stored in a recording unit that has a small capacity but has a high access speed, and data that is unlikely to be accessed is stored in a recording unit that is inexpensive and has a large capacity but a low access speed. Therefore, there is a problem that a feature of the hierarchical recording system cannot be utilized, which provides a recording system having excellent cost performance.

[0019]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a moving image data management method for recording / reproducing a moving image on a digital recording means when the free space of the digital recording means is exhausted, or When the free space of the recording means is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the moving image data to be erased is selected using the reproduction time of the moving image data recorded in the digital recording means, and the digital recording means This is to ensure the empty capacity.

The moving image data management method of the present invention (claim 2)
In a system for recording and reproducing moving images on a digital recording device, when the free space of the digital recording device is exhausted, or when the free space of the digital recording device becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the digital recording device The moving image data which has been reproduced for a predetermined time or more recorded in the digital recording device is erased preferentially over other moving image data recorded in the digital recording device, so that an empty space is secured in the digital recording device. It is like that.

A moving image data management method according to the present invention (claim 3)
In a system for recording and reproducing moving images on a digital recording device, when the free space of the digital recording device is exhausted, or when the free space of the digital recording device becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the digital recording device The unreproduced moving image data recorded in the digital recording unit is erased in preference to the reproduced moving image data for a predetermined time or less recorded in the digital recording unit, thereby securing an empty space in the digital recording unit. It is something to do.

The moving image data management method of the present invention (claim 4)
Is a system for recording and reproducing moving images on first digital recording means and second digital recording means of different types,
When the empty capacity of the first digital recording means is exhausted,
Alternatively, when the free space of the first digital recording unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the first digital recording unit uses the reproduced time of the moving image data recorded in the first digital recording unit, and Moving image data to be copied or moved from the digital recording means to the second digital recording means is selected, and free space is secured in the first digital recording means.

A moving image data management method according to the present invention (claim 5)
Is a system for recording and reproducing moving images on first digital recording means and second digital recording means of different types,
When the empty capacity of the first digital recording means is exhausted,
Alternatively, when the free space of the first digital recording means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the moving image data recorded in the first digital recording means and reproduced for a predetermined time or more is transferred to the first digital recording means. By copying or moving the moving image data to the second digital recording unit prior to other moving image data recorded in the first digital recording unit, an empty space is secured in the first digital recording unit. Things.

A moving image data management method according to the present invention (claim 6)
Is a system for recording and reproducing moving images on first digital recording means and second digital recording means of different types,
When the free space of the second digital recording means is exhausted,
Alternatively, when the free space of the first digital recording device becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the unreproduced moving image data recorded in the first digital recording device is deleted from the first digital recording device.
By copying or moving the moving image data that has been reproduced for a predetermined time or less and that has been recorded in the digital recording means, to the second digital recording means,
An empty space is secured in the first digital recording means.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, a moving image data management method according to Embodiment 1 will be described. It should be noted that the present invention records new moving image data by erasing moving image data that is unlikely to be reproduced in the future when the free space of the digital recording means is exhausted or when the free space is reduced to a certain value or less. The present invention relates to a method of securing an empty capacity for performing the operation, and does not require special hardware as compared with a conventional digital moving image recording / reproducing system. Therefore, the description of the hardware configuration is omitted,
A method for erasing moving image data already recorded in the digital recording means will be mainly described.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of a management table for managing moving picture data recorded in the digital recording means. Reference numeral 10 denotes a recording management table, which stores the free space 101 of the entire digital recording unit and management information of each video title (a series of moving image data recorded in one recording) recorded in the digital recording unit. The pointers (111 to 11N) to the title management table 12 are stored.

The title management table 12 includes a title 121 of a video title (for example, the name of a television program), a recording date and time 122, a recording time 123, a reproduction interruption time 124,
Reproduction suspended cell number 125, Reproduction suspended VOBU number 12
6. Archive flag 127 and pointer 13 to cell management table 14 of each cell constituting the video title
1 to 13N are stored.

Here, the cell is moving image data recorded continuously. For example, if a one-hour TV program including a CM is recorded without interruption, one video title is one.
It is composed of one cell containing moving image data of time.

However, when the same TV program is recorded by skipping a commercial, the moving image data from immediately after the end of the commercial to immediately before the start of the next commercial becomes one cell, and a plurality of such data constitute one video title. .

For example, four cells containing moving image data of about 13 minutes are collected to form a video title of about 52 minutes. One cell is composed of data of a unit of VOBU composed of compressed video / audio / other additional information of 0.4 to 1.2 seconds, and hardware is basically VOBU.
Data is processed in BU units.

The video title 121 automatically records the recording date and time and the channel number at the start of recording, but the user can later write an arbitrary character string. If program information can be obtained from broadcasting, a program title can be automatically added. Recording date and time 12
2 records the date and time at the start of recording, and the recording time 123 records the elapsed time from the start of recording (excluding the pause time during recording) at the end of recording.

When the video title has been reproduced in the past, the reproduction interruption time 124 indicates the time from the beginning to the point where the reproduction was interrupted last time. The playback of the video title is started from the playback stop point.

The reproduction interrupted cell number 125 and the reproduction interrupted VOBU number 126 are the cell number being reproduced when the reproduction was interrupted and the VOBU number reproduced last. The reproduction interruption time 124, the reproduction interruption cell number 125, and the reproduction interruption VOBU number 126 are recorded when the user instructs to stop the reproduction and when the title is reproduced to the end and stopped automatically.

The archive flag 127 is set when the user designates prohibition of erasure (permanent storage) of a video title.

The cell management table 14 includes a cell start time 141 indicating the time from the beginning of the video title to the first moving image data of the cell, a cell end time 142 indicating the time to the last moving image data of the cell, and the cell. The pointers 151 to 15N to the VOBU management table 16 of each VOBU constituting the VOBU. Cell management table 1
4 are dynamically created during recording.

The VOBU management table 16 includes a VOBU start time 161 and a VOBU end time 162.
The VOBU start time 161 and the VOBU end time 162
From this, it is possible to identify which part of the video title the VOBU is. The VOBU management table 16 is dynamically created during recording.

Next, the operation of reproducing the recorded video title will be briefly described. First, at the start of recording a video title, the title management table 12 records the corresponding data in the title 121 and the recording date and time 122, and at the end of recording, the recording time 123 records the elapsed time from the start of recording.

The reproduction interruption time 124, the reproduction interruption cell number 126, the reproduction interruption VOBU number 126, and the archive flag 127 are initialized to zero. During recording, a cell management table 14 and VOBU data 16 corresponding to cells constituting a video title are dynamically created, and each VOBU data 16 includes a VOBU start time 161 and V
The OBU end time 162 is recorded.

When the recorded video title is reproduced for the first time, the reproduction time counter (not shown) for measuring the reproduction elapsed time is cleared, and the cell indicated by the pointer 131 of the cell # 1 in the title management table 12 is cleared. VO indicated by the pointer 151 of VOBU # 1 in the management table 14.
The reproduction is started from the AV data 171 of the BU data 16.

Then, VOBUs included in cell # 1 one after another
When the AV data 171 of the data 16 is reproduced, and the reproduction of the last VOBU data 16 of the cell # 1 is completed, the processing shifts to the reproduction of the VOBU data included in the next cell # 2 (when the cell # 2 exists). During this time, the reproduction time counter is counted up every second, and when the reproduction of the last VOBU data 16 of the last cell is completed, the counting is stopped.

Then, the value of the reproduction time counter (in this case, the reproduction time is equal to the recording time 123 because the reproduction has been completed) is recorded in the reproduction suspension time 124, and the reproduction suspension cell number 12 is recorded.
5, the last cell number "N" is recorded, and the last VOBU #N of the cell #N is recorded in the reproduction interruption VOBU number 126.

Then, the user is inquired whether or not the video title whose reproduction has been completed is permanently stored. If the user specifies permanent storage, the archive flag 127 is set. When the free space of the digital recording device becomes equal to or less than a certain value, the recorded data that has been reproduced to the end and the archive flag is not set is to be deleted. , Will not be deleted unless specified directly by the user.

When the reproduction is interrupted by the user pressing the stop button before the reproduction is completed, the value of the reproduction time counter, the cell number, and the VOB at the time when the reproduction was interrupted.
The U number is recorded in the reproduction interruption time 124, the reproduction interruption cell number 125, and the reproduction interruption VOBU number 126, respectively.

At this time, if the value obtained by subtracting the time recorded in the reproduction interruption time 124 from the recording time 123 is smaller than a predetermined value (for example, 2 minutes), the user can substantially reproduce the desired portion of the title. And asks the user whether to permanently save the video title whose playback has been interrupted.

When the user specifies permanent storage, the archive flag 127 is set. Even the recorded data whose reproduction has been interrupted in the middle, if the remaining time is equal to or less than a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) and the archive flag is not set, the data is to be deleted for securing the free space.

When the user wants to continuously play back a video title that has been played back from the point at which playback was interrupted, the playback interrupt time 124 is first set in the playback time counter, and recorded in the playback interrupted cell number 125. VOBU recorded in cell playback interruption VOBU number 126
Start playback from the number. The subsequent operation is the same as when the video title is reproduced for the first time.

If the user plays back a video title that has been played before, the user clears the playback time counter, the playback suspension time 124, the playback suspension cell number 125, and the playback suspension VOBU number 126 for the first time thereafter. The operation is the same as that for reproducing.

Next, when the free space of the digital recording means is insufficient (for example, when the recordable time of the standard image quality becomes less than 1 hour, or the recordable time necessary for recording the program to be reserved cannot be secured. The operation of (case) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the value of the free space 101 in the recording management table 10 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the disk organizing process is started. First, the user is notified that the disc is to be organized (ST101), and all the title management tables 12 are read (ST102).

Next, the registered recorded title that has been reproduced to the end (recording time 123-reproduction interruption time 124 = 0)
Deletes the data of the moving image title for which the archive flag 127 is not set (actually, the storage area of the title is made overwritable) (ST103,
ST104).

If the free space after the data erasure is equal to or more than a certain value (for example, the standard quality recordable time is 4 hours or more, or the program recording time to be reserved is longer) (ST105, ST106Y), the disc is discarded. The organizing process ends.

If a recordable time longer than a certain value cannot be secured (ST107N), the recording title (recording time 123 minus reproduction interruption time 12
4 <2 minutes), the moving image data for which the archive flag 127 is not set is deleted (ST107, ST10).
8). Similarly, when the free space after erasing is equal to or more than a certain value (ST109, ST110Y), the disk organizing process is ended.

If the recordable time cannot be secured for a certain time or more (ST110N), an unplayed title that has passed a certain period (for example, one week) or more from the recording is searched, and the user is asked whether the title can be deleted. (ST1
11, ST112). If the user agrees to delete (ST112Y), the title is deleted (ST11).
3). If the recordable time after the erasure is equal to or longer than a predetermined value (ST114, ST115Y), the disc organizing process is ended.

If a recordable time longer than a certain value cannot be secured (ST115N), the same processing (ST111 to ST111) is performed.
ST115) is repeated until a recordable time equal to or longer than a certain time can be secured (ST115Y), or there is no unplayed title after a certain period of time from the recording (ST111N).

If there are no unplayed titles after a certain period of time from the recording (ST111N), the user is queried as to whether there is any erasable title (ST11).
6). If there is an erasable title (ST116
Y), the title is erased (ST117), and when the recordable time after the erasure is longer than a certain value (ST118,
ST119Y) Terminate the disk organizing process.

If a recordable time longer than a certain value cannot be secured (ST119N), the same processing (ST116 to ST116) is performed.
ST119) is repeated until a recordable time equal to or longer than a certain value can be secured (ST119Y) or there is no erasable title (ST116N).

As described above, the first embodiment
In the above, when the free space of the digital recording means falls below a certain level, first of all the recorded titles that have been played to the end and the user does not want to permanently save them, the still free space is deleted. If the recording is insufficient, then delete the recording title that has been played most and the user does not want to save it forever. If the free space is still insufficient, then a certain period of time has elapsed since the next recording Unplayed recording titles are deleted with the user's approval, and if there is still insufficient free space, the recording titles specified directly by the user are deleted at the end, and recordings that are unlikely to be played back by the user in the future Free space can be secured by erasing from the title, and digital recording means can be used efficiently.

(Embodiment 2) A moving image data management method according to Embodiment 2 will be described below. In this embodiment,
This is a moving image data management method that does not use the archive flag 127 according to the first embodiment.

First, the management tables are the same as in the first embodiment except that the archive flag 127 does not exist in the title management table 12. The operation when recording a video title is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the archive flag 127 is not initialized.

Regarding the operation at the time of reproducing the recorded video title, when the reproduction ends or the reproduction is interrupted,
This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the user is not inquired about whether the video title is permanently stored.

Next, the operation when the free space of the digital recording means becomes insufficient will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, as in the first embodiment, the disc organizing process is started, the user is notified that the disc is to be organized, and all the title management tables 12 are read (ST201).

Next, a recorded title that has been reproduced to the end is searched (ST202), and an inquiry is made to the user as to whether the title can be deleted (ST203). If the user permits erasure, the title is erased (ST204), and if the free space after the title erasure is more than a certain value (ST2).
05, ST206Y), and terminates the disk organizing process.

When a recordable time longer than a certain value cannot be secured (ST206N), the same processing (ST202 to ST202) is performed.
ST206) is repeated until a recordable time equal to or longer than a certain value can be secured (Y in ST206), or until there is no more recorded title that has been reproduced to the end (ST202N).

If there are no more recorded titles that have been played to the end that can be erased, the same processing is performed for the recorded titles that have been mostly played back (ST207 to ST211).

Further, when there are no more recorded titles in which most of the erasable data have been reproduced, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed (ST212 to ST220).

As described above, the second embodiment
Thus, the digital recording means can be used efficiently as in the first embodiment. However, unlike the first embodiment, when the erasure is actually required, the user is asked whether the erasure is permitted (permanent saving is not performed). There is an advantage that can be.

An embodiment is also conceivable in which the first and second embodiments are combined and the archive flag 127 is set when the user does not permit erasure in the second embodiment.

(Embodiment 3) A moving image data management method according to Embodiment 3 will be described below. In this embodiment,
As in the conventional hierarchical storage system, the digital recording means according to the first and second embodiments uses a hard disk and a moving image for a digital moving image recording / playback system constituted by an optical disk library having a slower access speed than the hard disk but a large storage capacity. It is a data management method.

As in the first and second embodiments, special hardware is not required as compared with the conventional digital moving image reproducing system and the hierarchical storage system, so that moving image data recorded on the hard disk is mainly used. The method of moving the data to the optical disk will be described.

The optical disk library is composed of a plurality of rewritable optical disks, an optical disk recording / reproducing device, and an optical disk autochanger device.
A predetermined optical disk is mounted on an optical disk recording / reproducing device to record or reproduce moving image data. However, the configuration and the control method are the same as those of the conventional optical disk library, and thus detailed description is omitted.

First, regarding the management table, the recording management table 10, the title management table 12, the cell management table 14, and the VOBU data 16 similar to those in the first and second embodiments are stored on the hard disk and each optical disk in the optical disk library. Have been. Further, in order to speed up the search for the moving image title, a copy of the moving image management table 10 and the title management table 12 on the optical disk are stored on the hard disk.

First, the video titles are described in the first, second and third embodiments.
The data is recorded on the hard disk in the same manner as described above, and when the free space of the hard disk becomes less than a certain value, the disk is moved to the optical disk in the optical disk library. When reproducing a recorded video title, moving image data recorded on a hard disk or an optical disk in an optical disk library is reproduced. When reproducing moving image data on an optical disk, the optical disk is mounted on an optical disk recording / reproducing device by an optical disk autochanger device, and the moving image data is read.

Next, the operation when the free space of the hard disk becomes insufficient will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the value of the free space 101 in the recording management table 10 of the hard disk becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value,
The disk arrangement process is started. First, the user is notified that the disc is to be sorted (ST301), and all the title management tables 12 on the hard disk are read.

Next, a recorded title that has been reproduced to the end is searched (ST303), and the title is registered as a movement candidate (ST304). When the free space at the time when the title is moved to the optical disk becomes a certain amount or more (ST30)
5, ST306Y), and the registration of the moving video title ends.

If the predetermined recording time cannot be secured (ST306N), the same processing (ST303 to ST30) is performed.
6) whether a recording time longer than a certain level can be secured (ST30)
6Y) Repeat until there are no more recorded titles that have been played to the end (ST303N).

If there are no more recorded titles that have been reproduced to the end, the same processing is performed for the recorded titles that have been reproduced most (ST307 to ST310).

Further, when there is no longer any recorded title for which most of the recorded title has been reproduced, the same processing is performed for a recorded title that has been recorded for one week or more and has not been reproduced (ST3).
11 to ST317).

If the recording time cannot be ensured for a certain period of time, the user is inquired as to whether or not there is a recordable title that can be moved or deleted (ST318). Perform (ST319), and recalculate the recordable time (ST320).

When the recording time longer than a certain value can be secured, the registration of the moving video title ends. If the recording time cannot be secured, the same processing (ST318 to ST318) is performed.
321) is repeated until a certain or more recording time can be secured.

Finally, it is determined from the recording management table 10 of each optical disk stored on the hard disk whether or not there is an optical disk capable of moving (copying) the registered moving picture title (ST322). Moves the recorded title to the optical disk (actually, the data of the recorded title is copied,
(The copy source storage area is set as the overwritable area.)
(ST324).

If there is no recording title, the recording title recorded on the optical disc is erased by using the same method as the disc arrangement processing of the first and second embodiments, and the free space for moving the recording title is secured. (ST323).

The disc arranging process for the optical discs is performed from the optical disc having a large free space. If the free space cannot be secured on the first optical disc, the remaining optical discs are moved in the descending order of the free space. Repeat the disk organization process until free space can be secured.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, which is a moving image data management method for a digital moving image recording / reproducing system having a hierarchical digital recording means, a recording title recorded on a hard disk is used. First, move the recorded titles that have been played to the end to the optical disc, and if there is still insufficient free space, then move the most played recorded titles, and if the free space is still insufficient, Is to move the unplayed recording title that has passed a certain period of time from the next recording, and if the free space is still insufficient, finally move or delete the recording title specified directly by the user. By moving from a recorded title that is unlikely to be played in the future to an optical disc, free space on the hard disk can be secured, The high video title likely to play in the future, can be stored in a faster recording means,
Hierarchical digital recording means can be used efficiently.

[0086]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the free space of the digital recording means of the moving picture recording / reproducing system falls below a certain level, the reproduced title is selected from the recorded titles. Using the time information, to determine the priority order of the recording title to be deleted, by taking advantage of the user's characteristic that the possibility of reproducing the title again in the future changes depending on how much the recorded title is reproduced, Digital recording means having a limited capacity can be used efficiently.

Further, according to the present invention, when the free space of the digital recording means has become equal to or less than a predetermined value, a recording title which has been reproduced for a predetermined time or more is preferentially erased from recorded titles. By utilizing the characteristic of the user that the possibility that the title reproduced to near the end is unlikely to be reproduced again in the future is low, digital recording means with a limited capacity can be used efficiently.

Further, according to the present invention, when the free space of the digital recording means becomes equal to or less than a certain value, a title which has not been reproduced for a certain period after the recording is preferentially erased from the recorded titles. This makes it possible to efficiently use the limited-capacity digital recording means by making use of the user's characteristic that a title that has been recorded but has not been reproduced for a certain period of time or longer is unlikely to be reproduced in the future.

Further, according to the present invention, in a hierarchical moving image recording / reproducing system having two or more digital recording means having different characteristics, when the free space of the first storage means becomes a certain value or less, By using the same priority determination method to determine the priority of the recording title to be moved from the first storage to the second storage, the hierarchical digital recording can be used efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a moving image data management method according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a moving image data management method according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a moving image data management method according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a structure of a management table used by the moving image data management method according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when a conventional moving image recording and reproducing system reproduces a moving image.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when the conventional moving image recording / playback system secures an empty space for recording new moving image data.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a structure of a management table used by a conventional moving image recording / reproducing system.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional hierarchical information recording system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Recording management table 12 Title management table 14 Cell management table 16 VOBU data 101 Free space 111-11N Pointer to title management table 121 Title 122 Recording date and time 123 Recording time 124 Reproduction interruption time 125 Reproduction interruption cell number 126 Reproduction interruption VOBU number 127 Archive flag 131 to 13N Pointer to cell management table 141 Cell start time 142 Cell end time 151 to 15N Pointer to VOBU data 161 VOBU start time 162 VOBU end time 171 AV data 501 Display device 502 Operation unit 503 Image input unit 504 Image Printing device 505 Control unit 506 Semiconductor memory 507 Hard disk input / output control device 508 Hard disk device 509 Optical disk input / output control device 5 10 Optical disk library device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/92 G11B 27/02 K

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A system for recording and reproducing a moving image on a digital recording means, wherein when the free capacity of the digital recording means is exhausted, or when the free capacity of the digital recording means becomes a predetermined value or less. A moving image data management method, wherein moving image data to be erased is selected using the reproduction time of moving image data recorded in a digital recording unit, and free space is secured in the digital recording unit. 2. A system for recording / reproducing a moving image on / from a digital recording means, wherein when the free capacity of the digital recording means is exhausted, or when the free capacity of the digital recording means becomes a predetermined value or less. By deleting moving image data recorded in the digital recording device and having been reproduced for a predetermined time or more with priority over other moving image data recorded in the digital recording device, the digital recording device has an empty space. Moving image data management method, characterized by securing 3. A system for recording / reproducing a moving image on / from a digital recording means, wherein when the empty capacity of the digital recording means is exhausted, or when the empty capacity of the digital recording means becomes a predetermined value or less. Unerased moving image data recorded in the digital recording means is erased in preference to the reproduced moving image data for a predetermined time or less recorded in the digital recording means, so that the digital recording means has an empty space. A moving image data management method characterized by securing a capacity. 4. A system for recording / reproducing a moving image on a first digital recording device and a second digital recording device of different types, when the free space of the first digital recording device is exhausted, or when the first digital recording device becomes empty. When the free space of the digital recording device becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the first digital recording device uses the reproduction time of the moving image data recorded in the first digital recording device to perform the reproduction from the first digital recording device. 2. A moving image data management method, wherein moving image data to be copied or moved to the second digital recording means is selected, and free space is secured in the first digital recording means. 5. A system for recording / reproducing a moving image on a first digital recording device and a second digital recording device of different types, wherein when the free space of the first digital recording device is exhausted, or when the first digital recording device becomes empty. When the free space of the digital recording device becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the moving image data recorded in the first digital recording device and reproduced for a predetermined time or more is stored in the first digital recording device. Moving image data management by copying or moving to the second digital recording means with priority over other moving image data recorded in the first digital recording means, thereby securing free space in the first digital recording means. Method. 6. A system for recording / reproducing a moving image on a first digital recording device and a second digital recording device of different types, wherein when the free space of the first digital recording device is exhausted, or when the first digital recording device becomes empty. When the free space of the digital recording device becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the unreproduced moving image data recorded in the first digital recording device is
The first digital recording means is copied or moved to the second digital recording means in preference to moving image data reproduced in the first digital recording means for a predetermined time or less. A moving image data management method characterized by securing empty space in the video data.