JP2001357452A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily utilize an automatic vending machine which sells a recording medium with selected musical data recorded thereon by a user, e.g. by reducing the waiting time for recording the data and delivering it to the user. SOLUTION: A piece of musical data which is highly possible to be selected and bought frequently such as those belonging to the so-called best ten is recorded on an MD in advance and housed in the automatic vending machine. Then, in response to the selection and decision of a program by the user, programs except for this selected and decided piece are deleted from the recording medium to prepare the recording medium with only the program selected by the user recorded thereon. Then, it is ejected to the outside to provide and sell it to the user. Since this program deletion is conducted by updating U-TOC, it is possible to prepare and eject the recording medium with only the program selected by the user recorded thereon fastener than the case of recording the selected program on the recording medium. Thus, for the user, the time until the recording medium with the program recorded thereon is delivered to him/her is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine installed, for example, in a store or on the side of a road, and more particularly to a vending machine which records music on a recording medium and sells the music.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The operation of a sales system for recording and selling music data on a recording medium such as an MD (Mini Disc) has been started. In such a sales system, for example, a multimedia terminal device connected to a server is installed in a store or the like. Music data downloaded from the server is stored in the multimedia terminal device. A user brings in a recording medium such as an MD and loads it into a multimedia terminal device. Then, by performing an operation on the multimedia terminal device, a desired song to be recorded on the recording medium is selected from the songs that can be provided on the sales system side. In the multimedia terminal device, a fee is set in accordance with, for example, the number of selected songs, the content of the selected songs, and the like, and if payment for the fee is established, the selected song data is recorded on a recording medium.

[0003]

By the way, it takes a certain amount of time to record the music data on the recording medium by the above-mentioned sales system, and the user is kept waiting. It is a problem. If music data for a total of 30 minutes is to be recorded on a recording medium at 1 × speed, 30 minutes will be required as it is. In practice, recording is not performed on the recording medium at a certain speed because it is not practical. For example, a multimedia terminal device that records at 16 × speed is known as a multimedia terminal device compatible with MD. However, even if the recording speed is 16 times, it takes about 2 minutes to record the music data for 30 minutes as described above. In reality, there is a situation in which even a very short time of 2 minutes is felt as a considerable waiting time as a user.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by selling a recording medium on which music data desired by a user is recorded in as short a time as possible.

[0005] For this reason, storage means for storing a recording medium in which a specific program selected according to at least a specific selection criterion is recorded in advance, a selection means capable of selecting a program, and a program selected by the selection means include: A discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the program is the specific program; a program erasing unit capable of erasing a program recorded on a recording medium; a discharging unit capable of discharging the recording medium to the outside of the main body; When it is determined that the program selected by the means is a specific program, the program other than the program selected by the selecting means is erased by the erasing means from the recording medium selected from the storage means, and thereafter, Vending machine having control means for executing control so as to be discharged to the outside by the discharging means. It was decided that you want to configure.

[0006] According to the above arrangement, the vending machine records and stores data as a program selected in advance by a specific standard. Then, at the time of sale, by erasing programs other than the program selected by the user from the recording medium, the recording medium on which only the program selected by the user is recorded is ejected and provided. . In this case, if the configuration is such that the time required for erasing is reduced, for example, recording in which only the program selected by the user is recorded in a shorter time than when recording the program selected by the user on a recording medium It becomes possible to provide a medium.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. As an embodiment of the vending machine of the present invention, a vending terminal device communicably connected to an information center as a server and capable of recording and providing data of music selected by a user as a program on a recording medium is provided as an example. I will list them. The following description will be made in the following order. 1. Sales system 1-1. Overview 1-2. Internal configuration 1-3. MD recorder / player 2. Format of MD 2-1. Cluster format 2-2. U-TOC 2-3. 2. Management example by U-TOC 3. Usage form example and operation of sales terminal device Processing operation

[0008] 1. Sales system 1-1. 1. Overview A sales terminal device, which is a vending machine according to the present embodiment, constructs a sales system by being communicably connected to an information center located at a remote place. So first,
With reference to FIG. 1, an outline of the sales system of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in this figure, the sales system of the present embodiment is configured by communicatively connecting a sales terminal device 100 and an information center 200 via a communication network 300. Here, the communication network 300 is not particularly limited in the present embodiment.
L (ADSL (Asymmetric Subscrib Line), HDSL (H
igh-bit-rate DSL), WLL, and analog telephone line.

The sales terminal device 100 includes, for example, a convenience store, a game center, various other stores,
Further, a large number of such music data are installed on the side of a road, and sell audio data of music selected by a user as a purchaser, that is, music data recorded on a recording medium.

The sales terminal device 100 is provided with, for example, an operation unit 106 including various keys and buttons necessary for a user to perform a required operation, as shown in the figure. Also,
A display unit 107 for displaying necessary contents to the user in accordance with an operation or the like is also provided. In this case, the display unit 107 also functions as a touch panel, and this touch panel part is treated as the operation unit 106.

Here, the sales terminal device 10 according to the present embodiment
The recording medium sold and sold by MD.0 is a so-called MD (Mini Disc) capable of recording and reproducing audio data compressed on a magneto-optical disk by a predetermined method. For this reason, there is a sellable MD inside.
MD storage unit 102 for storing a large number of MDs, and an MD recorder / player 103 capable of recording and reproducing MD
Is provided. Also, the M stored in the MD storage unit 102
In the case of the present embodiment, the music data recorded in D is a plurality of music data selected according to a specific reference. More specifically, music data for ten songs that are currently sold well and are selected as the best ten hit charts that are likely to be frequently purchased by users are recorded. However, in the present embodiment, the music data other than the best ten can be selected and purchased by the user. The internal storage unit 104 stores and holds the above-described best ten music data, list data, and other music data (and the list data). Further, an MD insertion / removal unit 101 for ejecting an MD, which is a recording medium on which music data purchased by the user is recorded, is ejected.
Is also provided on the main body. In the present embodiment, it is also possible to insert an MD brought by the user into the MD insertion / removal unit 101. The operation when the MD brought in by the user is inserted will be described later as a modification.

Further, a cash input unit 108 for inputting cash when a user pays a fee is provided in the main body. Furthermore, the sales terminal device 100 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the user can also make a payment using a credit card or the like, and is provided with a card insertion / removal unit 110 for inserting and ejecting a card correspondingly. .

The information center 200 has a sales terminal 1
At 00, various data for enabling the provision of music data are collectively stored. For example, in this embodiment,
The music data selected as the best ten, the list data of the music of the best ten, all the music data that can be provided and sold other than the best ten, and the list data corresponding thereto are stored. Then, for example, by performing communication in response to access from the sales terminal device 100 side, it is possible to transmit necessary data from the above-described data to each sales terminal device 100 and upload the data as needed. Have been. In addition, for example, the content of the best ten of the music dynamically changes with the passage of time and date, and thus is updated by the operator every certain period. That is, the content of the best ten music data and the list data of these best ten music are updated relatively frequently. On the other hand, the song data and list data that can be provided and sold are not required to be updated as frequently as the best ten songs, but at least a part of them can be changed at a necessary occasion as needed by the operator. Things.

1-2. Internal Configuration Next, an example of the internal configuration of the sales terminal device 100 and the information center 200 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. First, the sales terminal device 100 will be described. The sales terminal device 100 has an M that can record and reproduce in accordance with the MD.
A D recorder / player 103 is provided. Also, MD
The storage unit 102 stores a large number of MDs prepared for sale. As shown in FIG. 1, the MD insertion / removal unit 104 has an opening formed in the sales terminal device 100.
And has an ejecting mechanism for discharging and a retracting mechanism for retracting the inserted MD into the main body. The moving mechanism 114 includes the MD recorder / player 103, the MD storage unit 102,
It has a mechanism for enabling the MD to move between the MD insertion / removal units 101. Thus, for example, the MD loaded at the recordable / reproducible position of the MD recorder / player 103 can be moved with respect to the MD storage unit 102 or the MD insertion / removal unit 101. Also, conversely, MD
One MD selected from the MDs stored in the storage unit 102 can be moved to a recordable / reproducible position of the MD recorder / player 103. Further, for example, the MD inserted in the MD insertion / removal unit 101 can be moved to the MD storage unit 102 or the recordable / reproducible position of the MD recorder / player 103.

The storage unit 104 is provided with a recording medium capable of storing and holding a relatively large amount of data, and stores and holds music data downloaded from an information center and its list data. Here, the recording medium employed as the storage unit 104 is not particularly limited, but, for example, a hard disk may be employed.

The user interface 105 controls a so-called user interface, such as a user operation on the operation unit 104 and a display on the display unit 107. Here, operation information obtained in accordance with an operation performed on the operation unit 104 is converted into a command signal that can be processed internally, and transmitted to the control unit 113 via, for example, the internal bus 120. Further, the display unit 107 converts display data obtained by display control of the control unit 113 into video data that can be displayed on the display unit 107 and outputs the video data to the display unit 107.

The communication section 112 has an information transmission / reception function corresponding to the communication network 300 system. For example, when transmitting information, required processing is performed on transmission data, converted into a format that can be transmitted and received by the communication network 300, and transmitted to a target destination. The data transmitted via the communication network 300 is received by the communication network 300 and is converted into data in a format that can be processed inside the sales terminal device 100.
The signal is supplied to a required functional circuit unit via the terminal 20. The operation of the communication unit 112 is controlled by the control unit 11.
3 executes.

In this case, the cash input unit 108 is connected to the cash processing unit 109. The cash processing unit 109 identifies the inserted amount, generates necessary information regarding settlement, and transfers the generated information to the control unit 113. The control unit 113 performs control based on the information from the cash processing unit 109 so that, for example, if cash for the fee has been inserted, the recording medium on which the selected music data is recorded can be provided to the user. Do.

The credit card processing unit 111 connected to the credit card insertion / removal unit 110 reads information necessary for settlement from a credit card, for example, and transfers the read information to the control unit 113. . The control unit 113 encrypts the information of the credit card and the information of the billing amount, for example, and
To the information center 200 via the. The information center 200 can communicate with, for example, each financial institution or a credit card company via a charging communication network (not shown), and performs settlement based on the received credit card information and information such as the charging amount. Execute the processing of When the sale terminal device 100 is notified that the settlement has been completed as a response, the control unit 113 sets the recording medium on which the selected music data is recorded to the user thereafter, as described above. Control will be performed.

As can be seen from the above description, the control unit 113 appropriately executes control processing on each functional circuit unit so that the required operation is properly performed in the sales terminal device 100. This control unit includes, for example, a CPU, R
It is configured with hardware such as OM and RAM.

Next, the information center 200 will be described. The information center 200 includes, for example, a storage unit 201, a communication unit 201, and a control unit 203 as illustrated. The storage unit 203 includes a large-capacity recording medium such as a hard disk. The storage unit 203 stores a large amount of data to be uploaded to each sales terminal device 100 connected to the information center 200. Here, the data is stored in the best ten music list. 210, best ten music data 211,
Available music list 212, available music data 213
It is said.

The best ten tune list 210 is composed of data of list information on the ten tunes selected as the best ten in the hit chart. This is, for example, necessary information about the songs such as the titles and artist names of the ten songs, and information such as the ranks of the ten songs from the first to the tenth. The best ten song data 211 is composed of song data for ten songs selected as the best ten.
Therefore, the best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 211 are a pair.

On the other hand, the available music list 21
2. The available music data 213 forms a pair. The tunes that can be provided here refer to all tunes that can be sold by the sales system.
Numeral 12 includes information such as titles and artist names of these songs. The available music data 213 is composed of music data of all these music.

The format of each music data included as the best ten music data 211 and the available music data 213, that is, digital audio data, is, for example, a quantization format of 16 bits and a sampling frequency of 44. The data may be in a format of 1 KHz, or may be compressed audio data obtained by compressing data in the CD format corresponding to the MD format. However, taking into account, for example, the time required to transfer the same music, the best ten music data 211 and the available music data 213 can be
It is preferable that the data is already compressed audio data.

As described above, the best ten music list 210, the best ten music data 211, the available music list 212, and the available music data 213 are updated as appropriate. This update is performed by an operator's operation using, for example, music data downloaded from a server of a record company (not shown) and the list information thereof. However, illustration of a user interface such as an operation unit and a display unit required for the operation of the operator is omitted here.

The storage unit 214 stores the above-described best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 21.
1. Available music list 212, Available music data 2
A search program 214, which is a program used by the control unit 203 when performing a search with respect to 13, is stored.

The communication unit 202 is provided for communicating with the sales terminal devices 100 installed in various places via the communication network 300. For example, the communication unit 202 has basically the same configuration as the communication unit 112 of the sales terminal device 100. If so, it is good. The control unit 203 includes a so-called microcomputer or the like, and appropriately executes a control process so as to obtain a required functional operation as the information center 200.

1-3. MD Recorder / Player FIG. 3 shows an example of the internal configuration of the MD recorder / player 103 built in the sales terminal device 100. The MD 90 capable of recording and reproducing audio data is driven to rotate by the spindle motor 2 while being chucked at a recording / reproducing position. The MD 90 is irradiated with laser light by the optical head 3 during recording / reproduction. In this embodiment, the MD can be inserted and removed from the recording / reproducing position.
The MD 90 is movable between the storage section 102 and the recording / reproducing position. The MD 90 can be moved between the MD insertion / removal unit 101 and the recording / reproducing position.

The optical head 3 performs a high-level laser output for heating a recording track to the Curie temperature during recording, and a relatively low-level laser for detecting data from reflected light by a magnetic Kerr effect during reproduction. Perform output. Therefore, the optical head 3 is equipped with a laser diode as a laser output unit, an optical system including a polarizing beam splitter and an objective lens, and a detector for detecting reflected light. The objective lens 3a is 2
It is held by a shaft mechanism 4 so as to be displaceable in the radial direction of the disk and in the direction of coming into contact with and separating from the disk.

A magnetic head 6a is disposed at a position facing the optical head 3 with the MD 90 interposed therebetween. The magnetic head 6a performs an operation of applying a magnetic field modulated by the supplied data to the MD 90. The entire optical head 3 and the magnetic head 6a can be moved in the disk radial direction by the thread mechanism 5.

By the reproducing operation, M
The information detected from D90 is supplied to the RF amplifier 7. The RF amplifier 7 performs an arithmetic operation on the supplied information,
A reproduction RF signal, a tracking error signal TE, a focus error signal FE, groove information (absolute position information recorded as a pre-groove (wobbling groove) in the MD 90) GFM, and the like are extracted. Extracted reproduction RF
The signal is supplied to the encoder / decoder section 8. Also,
Tracking error signal TE, focus error signal F
E is supplied to the servo circuit 9, and the groove information GFM is supplied to the address decoder 10.

The servo circuit 9 is provided with the supplied tracking error signal TE and focus error signal FE, and the system controller 1 composed of a microcomputer.
Various servo drive signals are generated based on a track jump command, an access command, rotation speed detection information of the spindle motor 2 and the like from the controller 1 to control the two-axis mechanism 4 and the sled mechanism 5 to perform focus and tracking control. 2 is controlled to a constant linear velocity (CLV).

The address decoder 10 decodes the supplied groove information GFM to extract address information.
This address information is supplied to the system controller 11 and used for various control operations. The reproduced RF signal is subjected to decoding processing such as EFM demodulation and CIRC in the encoder / decoder section 8. At this time, addresses, subcode data, and the like are also extracted and supplied to the system controller 11.

EFM demodulation in the encoder / decoder section 8
Audio data (sector data) decoded by CIRC or the like is temporarily written into the buffer memory 13 by the memory controller 12. The reading of data from the MD 90 by the optical head 3 and the transfer of reproduced data in the system from the optical head 3 to the buffer memory 13 are 1.41 Mbit / sec. It is done on a regular basis.

Output from the encoder / decoder unit 8,
The data written in the buffer memory 13 is read at a timing when the transfer of the reproduction data becomes 0.3 Mbit / sec (that is, a timing corresponding to the real time as the reproduction audio) and supplied to the encoder / decoder unit 14. Then, a reproduction signal process such as a decoding process for the audio compression process is performed to obtain a digital audio signal of 44.1 KHz sampling and 16-bit quantization.

The digital audio signal output from the encoder / decoder section 14 is converted into an analog signal by a D / A converter 15, and the output processing section 16 adjusts the level of the digital audio signal.
The impedance is adjusted and the like, and the analog audio signal Aout is output to an external device from the line output terminal 17 or supplied to headphones connected to the terminal unit 27 as a headphone output HPout.

The digital audio signal decoded by the encoder / decoder section 14 is supplied to the digital interface section 22 so that the digital audio signal can be output from the digital output terminal 21 to an external device as a digital audio signal Dout. . For example, it can be output to the outside via an optical cable, a data interface of a predetermined format such as IEEE 1394, USB, or the like.

However, the MD recorder / player 103 according to the present embodiment is built in the sales terminal device 100, and mainly needs to record data and rewrite U-TOC, which will be described later, to reproduce and output audio data. Not particularly. Therefore, the configuration for audio output described above is
It may be omitted.

When a recording operation is performed on the MD 90, audio data as a digital signal is input from the digital input terminal 20 via the digital interface 22, for example. In the case of the present embodiment, for example, music data read from the storage unit 104 via the internal bus 120 of the sales terminal device 100,
That is, audio data is input.

Here, the input audio data is
For example, if the format is a so-called CD format having a quantization number of 16 bits and a sampling frequency of 44.1 KHz, it is supplied to the encoder / decoder unit 14 and subjected to audio compression encoding processing. The encoder / decoder 14 performs data compression processing to reduce the data amount to about 1/5. On the other hand, if the input audio data is compressed audio data that has already been compressed in accordance with the MD format, it is transferred to the memory controller 12 without passing through the encoder / decoder 14.

The memory controller 12 temporarily writes the input data in the buffer memory 13 and stores the data, and reads out the data for each predetermined amount of data and transfers it to the encoder / decoder unit 8. The encoder / decoder unit 8 performs an encoding process such as CIRC encoding and EFM modulation, and then supplies the encoded data to the magnetic head driving circuit 6.

The magnetic head drive circuit 6 supplies a magnetic head drive signal to the magnetic head 6a in accordance with the encoded recording data. That is, the magnetic head 6a applies an N or S magnetic field to the MD 90. At this time, the system controller 11 supplies a control signal to the optical head so as to output a laser beam at a recording level.

The system controller 11 is a microcomputer having a CPU, a program ROM, a work RAM, an interface, and the like, and controls the various operations described above. This system controller 11
Is a control unit 113 that controls the entire sales terminal device 100.
, For example, via the internal bus 120, and the operation of the MD recorder / player 113 can be controlled in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 113.

When performing a recording / reproducing operation on the MD 90, management information recorded on the MD 90, that is, P-TOC (pre-mastered TOC), UT
It is necessary to read OC (user TOC). The system controller 11 responds to the management information by using the MD 9
The address of the area to be recorded on 0 and the address of the area to be reproduced are determined. This management information is held in the buffer memory 13. Then, when the MD 90 is loaded, the system controller 11 reads the management information by executing the reproducing operation on the innermost peripheral side of the disc on which the management information is recorded, and stores the read management information in the buffer memory 13. Thereafter, it can be referred to at the time of recording / reproducing / editing operation for the MD 90.

The U-TOC is rewritten in accordance with data recording and various editing processes, but the system controller 11 executes the U-TOC every time a recording / editing operation is performed.
C update processing is performed by the U-TO stored in the buffer memory 13.
This is performed on the C information, and the U-TOC area of the MD 90 is also rewritten at a predetermined timing in accordance with the rewriting operation. The editing process that can be realized by rewriting the U-TOC data includes the above-described input of a track name, input of a disc name, track division, track concatenation, track movement, track erasure, and the like.

2. Format of MD 2-1. Cluster Format Here, the cluster format of the recording data track of the MD 90 will be described. The recording operation in the mini disc system is performed in a unit called a cluster, and the format of this cluster is shown in FIG. As a recording track in the mini disc system, clusters CL are continuously formed as shown in FIG. 4, and one cluster is a minimum unit for recording. One cluster corresponds to two or three tracks.

One cluster CL is composed of sectors SFC and
It is composed of a sub-data area of 4 sectors designated as SFF and a main data area of 32 sectors indicated as sectors S00 to S1F. The main data is audio data compressed by ATRAC (registered trademark) processing for audio. One sector is a data unit formed of 2352 bytes. The 4-sector sub data area is used as sub data and a linking area, and TOC data, audio data, and the like are recorded in 32 sectors.
This is performed on the main data area of the sector. Since the sector of the linking area has a longer interleave length of the CIRC adopted this time than the one sector length (13.3 msec) adopted for CDs and the like when performing error correction processing, it is provided to make it consistent. These discarded sectors are basically reserved areas, but these sectors can also be used for some processing or recording control data. The address is recorded for each sector.

The sectors are further subdivided into units called sound groups, and two sectors are divided into 11 sound groups. That is, as shown in the figure, the sound groups SG00 to SG0A are included in two consecutive sectors including an even sector such as the sector S00 and an odd sector such as the sector S01. One sound group is formed of 424 bytes,
The audio data volume is equivalent to 11.61 msec. In one sound group SG, data is recorded while being divided into an L channel and an R channel. For example, the sound group SG00 includes L channel data L0 and R channel data R0.
Is composed of L channel data L1 and R channel data R1. Note that the 212 bytes that are the data area of the L channel or the R channel are called a sound frame.

2-2. In the U-TOC MD 90, the cluster format as described with reference to FIG. 4 is formed over the entire area, but the innermost peripheral side is a management area as an area divided in the radial direction.
A program area is formed following the management area. A read-only area in which read-only data is recorded by phase pits is provided on the innermost side of the disk, and a magneto-optical area in which magneto-optical recording and reproduction is possible is formed following the read-only area. The management area is a read-only area and an innermost part of the magneto-optical area.

A program area is formed following the management area of the magneto-optical area. In the program area,
Audio data is recorded in each sector (see FIG. 4) as a main data area. On the other hand, as a management area, a P-TOC (pre-mastered TOC) for performing area management and the like of the entire disc is provided in a read-only area. Catalog information (U-TOC: user table of contents) for managing (music and the like) is recorded.

Here, the U-TOC sector will be described as management information for managing the recording / reproducing operation of a track (music or the like) in the MD 90. FIG.
This shows the format of TOC sector 0. Note that the U-TOC sector can be provided from sector 0 to sector 31. That is, each sector (S00 to S1F) of one cluster in the management area can be used. Sectors 1 and 4 are character information, and sector 2 is an area for recording the recording date and time. U-T
The OC sector 0 is a data area in which management information on a tune recorded by the user and a free area in which a new tune can be recorded is mainly recorded. That is, in sector 0, the start point (start address) and end point (end address) of each program recorded in the program area
Also, copy protection information, emphasis information, and the like as the characteristics (track mode) of each program are managed.

For example, when attempting to record a certain music on the MD 90, the system controller 11
A free area on the disc is searched for from the OC sector 0, and audio data is recorded there. At the time of reproduction, the area in which the music to be reproduced is recorded is determined from U-TOC sector 0, and the reproduction operation is performed by accessing the area.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the U-TOC sector 0, following a header portion in which a sync pattern is formed by 12 bytes, 3-byte data ("Cluster H", "Cluster L") is used as the address of the sector. "SECTOR")
Manufacturer code indicating the disk manufacturer ("maker cod
e ") and model code (" model code "), first program number (" First TNO "), last program number (" Last TNO "), and sector usage (" used sector ").
s "), disk serial number (" disc serial N
o "), a disc ID and the like are recorded.

Further, a pointer P-DFA (Poin) indicating the head position of a slot for storing defect position information generated on the disk
ter for defective area), a pointer P-EMPTY (pointer for Empty slot) indicating the usage status of the slot, and a pointer indicating the head position of the slot managing the recordable area.
P-FRA (Pointer for Freely area), a pointer that indicates the start position of the slot corresponding to each program number
.., P-TNO255 are recorded.

Subsequently, there is provided a management table section provided with 255 slots of 8 bytes each. Each slot manages a start address, an end address, a track mode, and link information. MD of this embodiment
Reference numeral 90 denotes that data need not always be recorded in a continuous form on a recording medium, and a sequential data sequence may be discretely recorded (as a plurality of parts) on a recording medium ( Note that a part refers to a portion where temporally continuous data is recorded in physically continuous clusters).

That is, in the recording / reproducing apparatus corresponding to the MD 90, the data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 13 as described above, and the writing and reading rates to and from the buffer memory 13 are changed. By sequentially accessing the data discretely recorded on the disk 90 and accumulating the data in the buffer memory 13, the data can be restored to a sequential data string on the buffer memory 13 and reproduced. Even with such a configuration, since the writing rate to the buffer memory 13 at the time of reproduction is higher than the reading rate, continuous audio reproduction is not hindered.

Even if a program shorter than the already recorded program is overwritten on the already recorded program, the surplus portion is designated as a recordable area (area managed from the pointer P-FRA) without being erased. By doing so, the recording capacity can be used efficiently.

Pointer P-FR for managing recordable area
A method of combining discrete areas will be described with reference to FIG. Pointer P-FRA indicating the start position of the slot that manages the recordable area, for example, 03h
Assuming that the value (hexia-decimal) is recorded, the slot corresponding to "03h" is subsequently accessed. That is, the data of the slot 03h in the management table is read. The start address and end address data recorded in the slot 03h indicate the start and end points of one part recorded on the disk. The link information recorded in the slot 03h indicates the address of the next slot to be continued. In this case, 18h is recorded. Following the link information recorded in the slot 18h, the slot 2Bh is accessed, and the start and end points of one part of the disc are grasped as the start address and the end address recorded in the slot 2Bh. Further, similarly, by following the link information until the data “00h” appears as the link information,
The addresses of all parts managed from the pointer P-FRA can be grasped.

As described above, it is possible to trace the slot starting from the slot indicated by the pointer P-FRA until the link information becomes null (= 00h) and connect the parts discretely recorded on the disk to the memory. It becomes possible. In this case, all parts as recordable areas on the disc 90 can be grasped. In this example, the pointer P-FRA has been described as an example, but the pointers P-DFA, P-EMPTY, P-TNO1, P-TNO
2, ............. P-TNO255 also manages by combining discrete parts.

2-3. Management example by U-TOC Here, the area structure of the MD 90 will be described, and the P-TOC,
An example of a recording state managed by the U-TOC will be described. FIG.
Shows schematically the area structure of the MD 90 in the radial direction. In the case of a magneto-optical disk, an area in which data is recorded by embossed pits is roughly divided into a pit area as shown in FIG. Can be

Here, P-TOC is repeatedly recorded as a pit area.
-TOC position is U-TOC start address USTA
And the readout start address L
OA, recordable user area start address R
Each address position shown in FIG. 4, such as STA and power calibration area start address PCA, is shown.

A groove area is formed following the innermost pit area of the MD 90, and the area of this groove area up to the address indicated as the readout start address LOA in the P-TOC is recorded. It is a recordable area that can be used. Further, among the recordable areas, the recordable user area in which data such as music is actually recorded extends from the recordable user area start address RSTA to a position immediately before the lead-out start address LOA.

The area before the recordable user area start address RSTA in the groove area is used as a management area for the recording / reproducing operation, in which the U-TOC is recorded, and the power calibration area start address. One cluster from the position indicated as PCA is provided as a laser power calibration area. The U-TOC is located in the management area for the recording / reproducing operation.
Three clusters (one cluster = 36 sectors) are recorded continuously from the position indicated by the start address USTA.

The actual audio data is recorded in a recordable user area as shown in FIG. 7, for example. In this case, four tracks (songs) M1 to M4 are recorded. First, a track M1 serving as a first music piece is recorded as a part at addresses A0 to A1, and a track M2 serving as a second music piece has an early part M2-1 and addresses A6 to A6 recorded in parts at addresses A2 to A3.
The final part M2-2 recorded on part 7 is recorded separately. The third track M3 is recorded on a part at addresses A4 to A5, and the fourth track M4 is recorded on a part at addresses A8 to A9. In this state, the free area in which no music is recorded is a part with addresses A10 to A11.

Next, FIG. 8 shows an example of U-TOC data in the state of FIG. In this figure, the portion where 1-byte data as a table pointer or link information in the U-TOC is "00h" and the 3-byte data as a start address and an end address are "000".
000h "is indicated by"-". Further, it is assumed that there is no defect in the recordable user area on the MD 90, and therefore, the table pointer P-DFA is set to "00h".

In the recording state shown in FIG. 7, the table pointer P-
The FRA manages the free area, for example, in this case,
Assuming that the part table (06h) is indicated in the table pointer P-FRA, the parts table (06h) indicates information corresponding to the parts that are free areas in FIG. . That is, address A
Reference numeral 10 denotes a start address, and address A11 denotes an end address. In this case, since no other free area parts exist, the link information of the parts table (06h) is set to "00h".

The start address A0 and the end address A1 of the first track M1 are indicated in the parts table (01h) indicated by the table pointer P-TNO1. Since the track M1 is recorded as one part, the link information of the parts table (01h) is "00h".

The second track M2 has its start address A2 and end address A2 in the (02h) parts table indicated by the table pointer P-TNO2.
3 is shown. However, the track M2 is recorded separately in two parts (M2-1 and M2-2), and the address A2 and the address A3 are recorded at the beginning of the track M2 (M2-
Only the parts in 1) are shown. Therefore, for example, a part table (04h) is shown as link information of the parts table (02h), and a start address A6 and an end address A7 are recorded in the parts table (04h) to indicate parts of the end stage (M2-2). ing. Since the link is unnecessary thereafter, the link information of the parts table (04h) is set to "00h".

The parts positions of the third track M3 and the fourth track M4 are managed by part tables obtained from the table pointers P-TNO3 and P-TNO4, respectively. Since only four songs have been recorded, the table pointers P-TNO5 to P-TNO255 are not used and are set to "00h". In addition, the table pointer P-EMPTY indicating the unused parts table is
In this case, the part table (07h) is shown, and all unused part tables from the part table (07h) to the part table (FFh) are linked by link information.

Although the illustration is omitted, U-
In the TOC sector 1, character information corresponding to each program recorded in the program area and character information (for example, a disc title) corresponding to the entire magneto-optical disk are managed. When the program to be recorded is audio data, the disc title is information such as an album title and a player name, and the character information corresponding to each program is, for example, a song name. The character information is set by the user as desired and input and registered.

In the U-TOC sector 2, the recording date and time of each program recorded in the program area is managed in a similar manner. The U-TOC sector 4 is managed so that katakana and kanji can be used as fonts for character information such as the title of each program recorded in the program area and the title of the entire magneto-optical disk.

3. Example of Usage Form and Operation of Sales Terminal Device FIG. 9 shows a display of a display unit 107 displayed in response to an operation performed on an operation unit 106 of the sales terminal device 100 by a user to purchase desired music data. An example of the embodiment is shown. With reference to this figure, an operation procedure for purchasing music data and an operation of the sales terminal device 100 corresponding thereto will be described.

For example, when no operation is performed by the user, an image for demonstration is displayed on the display unit 107. For example, this is an image that introduces the best ten of the current hit chart with a predetermined picture and design.

If the user performs the first predetermined operation for purchase, for example, the display screen of the display unit 107 changes to the state shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9 (a)
Is a "purchase category selection screen", the music that can be provided by the sales system is classified into various categories, and a category button BT1 is displayed for each of the classified categories. Here, for example, "Best 1
0, "ALL SONG", and other category buttons BT1 on which characters indicating the category are displayed. Here, it is assumed that these category buttons BT1 can be pressed directly on the display screen which is a touch panel. Although not shown in FIG. 2, for example, a music data group for each category shown here and its list data may be stored and stored in the storage unit 201 of the information center 200. Things.

Here, it is assumed that among the category buttons BT1 shown in FIG. 9A, the user has pressed the “best 10” category button BT1. Then, the display screen is switched to the “best ten list screen” shown in FIG.

On the "best ten list screen", characters, pictures, and the like indicating the music or artist currently selected as the best ten are displayed in a list according to the order. Then, a selection button BT2 is displayed for a corresponding position for each song in each rank. When the music is displayed in a list in this manner, for example, the performance time of the music may be displayed together. This allows the user to select a song while taking into account the recording time that can be recorded on the MD. The user
By pressing these selection buttons BT2, any music can be selected as a purchase target from the music listed as the best ten. here,
A plurality of songs can be selected.
It should be noted that the music once selected may be canceled by, for example, operating the selection button BT2 again. The selection end button BT4 is a button operated when the user wants to confirm the music selected. Also, if you want to search for songs other than those listed in the Best Ten,
The "here" button BT3 is operated. When the user has finished selecting all the songs to be purchased and wishes to proceed to the purchase procedure, he operates the purchase button BT5.

Here, for example, the user selects some songs from the best ten, operates the selection end button BT4 to confirm the selected songs, and further wants to select from songs other than the best ten. It is assumed that the “here” button BT3 is operated. As a result, a “search screen (1)” shown in FIG. 9C is displayed on the display screen. On this screen, first, a search condition selection button BT6 for selecting a rough search condition is displayed. Then, the user selects, from among these search condition selection buttons BT6,
It is assumed that the "search by artist name" button BT6 has been operated. In response to this operation, the display screen shifts to a search screen (2) shown in FIG. This search screen (2)
, For example, an artist name is displayed as a list. Then, for example, by performing an operation to specify an artist from this artist name list, or by inputting the artist name by, for example, keyboard operation,
Input window W for artist name as search condition
D can be input. When the desired artist name is input to the input window WD in this way and the search button BT7 is operated,
The display screen changes to the content shown in FIG.

The screen shown in FIG. 9E is a search result list screen. Here, the music titles of the artist name "Taro Suzuki" are displayed in a list according to the operation described with reference to FIG. 9D. Also, corresponding to each music title, as in the case of FIG.
2 is displayed. And also in this case, the selection button BT
By operating 2, a plurality of arbitrary songs can be selected from the listed songs. Then, by operating the selection end button BT4, the music selected on this screen is determined. Also on this screen, the purchase button BT5 is displayed as an operable button.

As described above, the user can select other songs as purchase targets, including the songs listed in the best ten. And
Assuming that all the selections of songs to be purchased are confirmed, the user operates the purchase button BT5.

When the purchase button BT5 is operated, a "purchase confirmation screen" as shown in FIG. 9 (f) is displayed on the display screen. On the “purchase confirmation screen”, a list of songs whose selection has been confirmed by the user so far is presented. In addition, a total amount to be paid by the user is presented based on the amount set for each selected song. As the operation buttons, a "Yes" button BT10, a "No" button BT11, and a "Redo" button BT12 are displayed. If the "Yes" button BT10 is operated, it is determined that the music data so far is purchased. If the "No" button BT11 is operated, for example, the operation so far becomes invalid and the screen returns to the initial screen. By operating the "Redo" button BT12, all the music pieces determined so far are canceled, and for example, by returning to the screen shown in FIG. 9A, it is possible to start over from the beginning.

Here, assuming that an operation has been performed on the "Yes" button BT10, although not shown here, FIG.
A display for prompting payment of the total amount presented on the “purchase confirmation screen” of (f) is performed. The user inserts cash into the cash input unit 108, or inserts a credit card or cash card into the card insertion / removal unit 110, and performs a predetermined input operation if necessary. Thereby, for example, when it is confirmed that the fee has been properly paid, the sales terminal device 100 creates an MD in which the music data selected by the user is recorded.

When the creation of the MD is completed, the sales terminal device 100 inserts the created MD into the MD insertion / removal unit 10.
1 and the "end notification screen" shown in FIG. 9 (g) is displayed. On this screen, as shown in the figure, the user is notified of the completion of the MD creation, such as "Completed."
Further, a display for instructing that the MD ejected to the MD insertion / removal unit 101 be taken out is displayed. Then, when the user takes out the MD ejected from the MD insertion / removal unit 101, the user has purchased and obtained the MD in which only the music selected by himself has been recorded.

Here, the process of creating an MD in which only the music data selected by the user is recorded will be described with reference to FIGS. In the sales MD stored in the MD storage unit 102, music data of ten songs currently listed as the best ten is recorded in advance, and depending on the U-TOC recorded in the MD, 10
Each piece of music data of the music is managed as one track. In other words, the data for the ten best ten songs (ten tracks) is recorded from the beginning on the MD for sale. The recording of the ten best ten songs on such a sales MD is such that the sales terminal device 100 downloads the best ten song list 210 and the best ten song data 211 from the information center 200 and stores them in, for example, the storage unit 104. . Then, for example, during a time period such as midnight when the user does not use the sales terminal device 100,
Using this downloaded data, MD storage unit 1
All or a part of M for sale stored in 02
For D, audio data for the ten best songs is recorded. At this time, for example, recording is performed such that the first to tenth rankings indicated by the best ten music list 210 correspond to the track numbers 1 to 10, for example.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the recording state of the MD for sale in the initial state in which the above-mentioned ten best ten songs are recorded in advance.
(A). In FIG. 10, the recordable user area in each disc is extracted and shown. In this figure, for convenience, the address A0 to the lead-out start address LOA shown in FIG.
It is indicated by an address value of ~ 400. Therefore,
As the actual recordable user area here,
The range is from address 000 (recordable user area start address RSTA) to address 399, which is the position immediately before address 400.

In the sales MD shown in FIG. 10A, first, the music A is recorded as a track Tr1 as one part (address 000 to 019) at the beginning. Here, the fragment in the track Tr1, that is,
It is assumed that there is no state recorded physically discretely. This is the same for the other tracks described below. Then, following the track Tr1, the music B
Is recorded as track Tr2 (addresses 020 to 059). Thereafter, [Song C: Track Tr3] (addresses 060 to 08)
9) [Song D: Track Tr4] (addresses 090 to 11)
9) [Song E: Track Tr5] (addresses 120 to 15)
9) [Song F: Track Tr6] (addresses 160 to 19)
9) [Song G: Track Tr7] (addresses 200 to 21)
9) [Song H: Track Tr8] (addresses 220 to 24)
9) [Song I: Track Tr9] (addresses 250 to 25)
9) [Song J: Track Tr10] (addresses 260 to 29)
As in 9), the audio data of each music piece is recorded as a track. And the remaining addresses 300 to
The area up to 399 is a free area.

An example of the data contents of the U-TOC sector 0 corresponding to the sales MD in the recording state shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. In this figure, description of the same notation form as in FIG. 8 will be omitted. In this case, "01" is set in the table pointer P-TNO1 corresponding to the track Tr1.
h ”is stored, and data indicating the start address 000 and the end address 019 of the part as the music A are stored in the parts table (01h).
Also, the table pointer P-TN corresponding to the track Tr2
“02h” is stored in O2, and the parts table (02
h) includes the start address 020 of the part of the music B
, End address 059 are stored.
Hereinafter, similarly, "03h" is stored in the table pointer P-TNO3 (corresponding to the track Tr3), and the start address 060 and the end address 089 of the part as the music C are stored in the parts table (03h). You.
“04h” is stored in the table pointer P-TNO4 (corresponding to the track Tr4), and the start address 090 and the end address 119 of the parts of the song D are stored in the parts table (04h). Table pointer P-TNO5
“05h” is stored in (corresponding to track Tr5),
The parts table (05h) stores the start address 120 and the end address 159 of the parts of the music E. Table pointer P-TNO6 (corresponding to track Tr6)
"06h" is stored in the part table (06h).
Stores the start address 160 and the end address 199 of the parts of the music piece F. Table pointer P-TN
“07h” is stored in O7 (corresponding to the track Tr7), and the start address 200 and the end address 219 of the parts of the music G are stored in the parts table (07h). “08h” is stored in the table pointer P-TNO8 (corresponding to the track Tr8), and the part table (08) is stored.
h) includes the start address 220 of the parts of the music H,
The end address 249 is stored. Table pointer
“09h” is stored in the P-TNO9 (corresponding to the track Tr9), and the start address 250 and the end address 259 of the parts of the music I are stored in the parts table (09h). Table pointer P-TNO10 (Track Tr1
0), “0Ah” is stored in the part table (0Ah).
60 and the end address 299 are stored.

For the free area, “0Bh” is stored in the table pointer P-FRA, and the start address 300 and the end address 399 of the free area composed of one part are stored in the parts table (0Bh). . In this case, the table pointer P-EMPTY contains
“0Ch” is stored, and all unused parts tables from the parts table (0Ch) to the parts table (FFh) are linked by link information.

An MD that finally records only the music selected by the user and reaches the user's hand is created using the recorded MD for sale shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. Assuming that the user starts an operation for purchasing music as described above, one of the MDs for sale is pulled out from the MD storage unit 102 at an appropriate subsequent time, and the MD recorder / It is loaded to the recordable / reproducible position of the player 103. In other words, preparation is made so that recording and reproduction can be performed at any time on the MD to be created in the sales terminal device 100 until the user decides to purchase the music.

Here, it is assumed that the user finally selects and determines a music piece from only the ten best ten music pieces and performs a purchase procedure by the operation procedure shown in FIG. 9, for example.
Here, it is assumed that only three songs A, D, and F have been selected from the ten songs A to J described in FIG. When a music piece is selected from only the ten best ten music pieces in this way, the sales terminal device 100 selects a music piece other than the selected music piece from the sales MD loaded in the internal MD recorder / player 103. By deleting the track, an MD to be provided to the user is created. In the case of MD, this track erasing is not performed by erasing data actually recorded on the disc, but by U-TOC.
Is updated by rewriting the contents of.

FIG. 10B shows the state of the disk managed as only three songs A, D and F are recorded by updating the U-TOC. As shown in this figure, the music A recorded on the parts at addresses 000 to 019 is managed as the track Tr1, and the music D (address 090 to 119) which was originally the track Tr4
The tracks B and C are deleted, and the track numbers are increased accordingly, and are managed as the track Tr2. The music F (parts at addresses 160 to 159), which was originally the track Tr6,
It is managed as r3. Then, the deleted song B,
C, E, G, H, I and J are managed as recordable free areas. In this way, the music data of the music pieces A, D, and F from the original sales MD
An MD managed and recorded as r1,2,3 is created.

The update contents of the U-TOC sector 0 for managing the recording data as shown in FIG. 10B are as shown in FIG. U-TO
Since various rules can be applied in updating the C sector 0, the update content shown here is only an example. This is the same for FIG. 13 described later.

In this case, the values of the start address and the end address stored in the part tables (01h) to (0Bh) in the management table are the same as those in FIG. 11, and the link information of the part table and the correspondence table instruction data The update is performed by changing the value of the required position of the section (table pointer).

The table pointer P-TNO1 corresponding to the track Tr1 stores "01h", and the parts table (01h) stores data indicating the start address 000 and the end address 019 of the part as the song A, respectively. ing. This is similar to FIG. Then, the table pointer P-TN corresponding to the track Tr2
O2 is updated by storing "04h".
The part table (04h) stores the start address 090 and the end address 119 of the parts of the music D. Also, "06h" is stored in the table pointer P-TNO3 corresponding to the track Tr3.
The part table (03h) stores the start address 160 and the end address 199 of the parts of the music piece F. In this way, the songs A, F, and D are managed as the tracks Tr1, Tr2, Tr3, respectively.

In the free area, "0Bh" is stored in the table pointer P-FRA as shown in FIG.
1, the start address 300 and the end address 399 of the free area on the outermost peripheral side are stored in the parts table (0Bh). Then, "02h" is stored in the link information of this parts table (0Bh), indicating that the link to the parts table (02h) is made. In the parts table (02h), the start address of the part that was originally the song B of the track Tr2,
Although the end address is shown, by linking to the free area parts table (0Bh) in this way, the parts of the music B are managed as free areas. That is, the music B that was originally the track Tr2 is deleted. And the parts table (02
The link information of “h” stores “03h” and is linked to the parts table (03h). The link information of the parts table (03h) stores “05h” and is linked to the parts table (05h). You. Or later,
Parts table (05h) → Parts table (07h)
→ Parts table (08h) → Parts table (09)
h) → Linked to the parts table (0Ah), and the parts table (0Ah) has no link,
Here, the free area ends.

The table pointer P-EMPTY stores “0Ch” as in the case of FIG. 11, and links all the unused part tables from the part table (0Ch) to the part table (FFh).

By specifying the parts table as the free area as described above, as a result, the original music B, C, E, G, H, I,
The seven tracks designated as J are managed as free areas. That is, erasure has been performed for these seven tracks.

In this way, an MD is created in which only the three songs A, D, and F selected by the user from the best ten are recorded. Note that, in practice, the U-TOC sector 1 is updated in accordance with the above-mentioned update of the U-TOC sector 1.
The other U-TOC sectors such as the C sector 1 are also updated if necessary. Here, for example, one U-TOC sector is 2352 bytes, and the operation of writing data to the disk for updating the U-TOC requires only several seconds. Therefore, if the method of creating the MD as in the present embodiment,
For example, it takes much less time than when the music pieces A, D, and F are actually recorded on the MD and an MD having the same recorded content is created.

When the user selects and determines a song other than the best ten, the process of creating an MD is as follows.
Here, as an example, a case will be described in which, first, songs A, D, and F are selected from the best ten songs, and one song K other than the best ten is selected. When creating such an MD, first, the original MD in the recording state shown in FIG. 10A and FIG.
As described in FIG. 12B and FIG. 12, the seven tracks originally designated as the songs B, C, E, G, H, I, and J are deleted, and the songs A, D, and F are changed to the tracks. Tr1, Tr
2. Create an MD managed as Tr3.

Then, in the next stage, the MD recorder / player 103 actually writes the audio data of the music K to the MD. The disc recorded in this way is shown in FIG. For example, in the U-TOC parts table shown in FIG. 12, the first part of the free area is an area of addresses 300 to 399. According to this, recording of audio data as music K is performed. Starts at address 300. In this case, it is assumed that the audio data of the music piece K is recorded as one part including the area of the addresses 300 to 349. The music K recorded in this manner is managed here as a track Tr4.
The area indicated by the addresses 350 to 399 immediately after the recording end position of the audio data of the music piece K to the end position of the recordable user area remains as a free area.

In order to manage the recording data as shown in FIG. 10C, the MD recorder / player 103 converts the contents of the U-TOC sector 0 shown in FIG. Update to the contents shown.

FIG. 13 will be described in comparison with FIG. In this case, the three songs A, D, and F that were originally the best ten songs are managed as the tracks Tr1, Tr2, and Tr3 as in the case shown in FIG. (Songs B, C, E, G, H, I, J) are deleted, so table pointers P-TNO1 corresponding to track Tr1, table pointers P-TNO2 corresponding to track Tr2, and track Tr3 The value stored in the table pointer P-TNO3 and the part table (01
The values of the start address and end address stored in h) to (0Ah) are the same as those in FIG.

In the parts table (0Bh), the parts in the free area at addresses 300 to 399 are designated in FIG. To be. In response to this, "0Bh" is stored in the table pointer P-TNO4 corresponding to the track Tr4.

FIG. 10B shows a free area.
In FIG. 10 (c), the area from address 300 to 399 is changed to address 350 to 399, but the address of this part is newly written to the parts table (0Ch). Become. And
The link information of this parts table (0Ch) is "02
h ”is stored. Subsequent links are the same as in FIG.

As described above, the parts table (0C
In response to the new use of h), the table pointer P-EMPTY is rewritten to “0Dh” and links all the unused part tables from the parts table (0Dh) to the parts table (FFh). Will be.

As shown in FIG. 10C, when recording a music piece K other than the best ten music piece on the MD, first, the audio data stored in the storage section 104 is recorded. Perform a search. Here, if it is found that the audio data of the music K is stored in the storage unit 104, the audio data of the music K is read from the storage unit 104, and the MD recorder /
The data is transferred to the player 103 and recorded on the MD. On the other hand, the audio data of the music K is stored in the storage unit 10.
If a search result indicating that the music piece K is not stored is obtained, the sales terminal device 100 transmits a command for requesting the music piece K to the information center 200. The information center 200 searches for the music K from the available music data 213, and transmits the audio data of the music K to the sales terminal device 100. That is, in such a case, the sales terminal device 100 communicates with the information center 200 to download music data necessary for recording on the MD.

Further, the sales terminal device 100
The music data downloaded by is recorded and stored in the storage unit 104. That is, every time a song other than the best ten is purchased, the song is downloaded to the storage unit 104 and stored in the storage unit 104.
Then, for example, when the user purchases music data stored in the storage unit 104 for music other than the best ten, the music data is searched from the storage unit 104 and the MD recorder / Player 103
In the MD.

4. Processing Operation Next, as described above, a processing operation for creating and selling an MD in which music data selected by the user is recorded will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. I will go. The processing shown in these figures is performed by the control unit 113 in the sales terminal device 100.
Runs. In addition, the system controller 11 in the MD recorder / player 103 executes a process for recording / reproducing on the MD in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 113.

As described above, in the sales terminal device 100, the available music list 212, the best ten music list 210, and the best ten music data 211 are downloaded and stored in the storage unit 104. Also, for the sales MD to be stored in the MD storage unit 102, the downloaded best ten music data 211 is stored.
Is recorded. Further, the best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 211 are updated relatively frequently. FIG.
Is a processing operation for such service preparation,
Here, the music list 2 that can be provided to the storage unit 104
12, the processing from the initial state where the best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 211 are not stored at all is shown.

First, the control section 113 downloads the available music list 212 from the information center 200 by the processing in step S101. That is, a command for requesting the information center 200 for the available music list 212 is transmitted via the communication unit 112. The information center 200 receives the command via the communication unit 202 connected to the communication network 300.
In response to this command, the control unit 203 of the information center 200 reads the available music list 212 stored in the storage unit 201 and causes the communication unit 202 to transmit and output the music list 212. On the sales terminal device 100 side, the transmitted available music list 212 is received by the communication unit 112, but the control unit 113 writes the available music list 212 in the storage unit 104 and stores and stores the list. .

In the next step S102, the best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 211 are downloaded. The procedure for this is based on step S101. Then, the best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 211 downloaded and obtained from the information center 200 are stored in the storage unit 104.

Thus, the available music list 21
2. After downloading the best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 211 and storing them in the storage unit 104, it is determined that the time reaches the predetermined time T1 which is set as the time for recording the best ten music data 211 in the MD. S
If it is determined that the predetermined time T <b> 1 has been reached at step 103, the process proceeds to step S <b> 104 to record the best ten music data 211 on the MD. At this time, for example, MD
The MD for sale stored in the storage unit 102 is transferred to the moving mechanism 11.
4 to control the MD recorder / player 103,
Load it at a recordable / reproducible position. Then, the best ten music data 211 stored in the storage unit 104, that is,
The audio data for the ten songs selected as the best ten are transferred to the MD recorder / player 103, and the transferred audio data is recorded and reproduced at a recordable / reproducible position, for example, such that one song is managed as one track. Is recorded on the MD loaded in the. When the recording is completed, the moving mechanism 114 is controlled again to move the MD recorder / player 103 to the MD storage unit 10.
2 to transport the MD back. Such an operation is sequentially performed for each sales MD stored in the MD storage unit 102.

It is preferable that the recording of the best ten music data 211 on the MD is performed at a certain double speed in order to shorten the time. That is, it is assumed that the transfer rate of the audio data input to the MD recorder / player 103 corresponds to the predetermined double speed. And MD
The recording speed of the recorder / player 103 is also set to a predetermined double speed. In this case, the disk rotation drive speed is first set to a double speed, and the recording signal processing system is also operated with a clock having a frequency corresponding to the predetermined double speed, thereby performing signal processing at a speed corresponding to the double speed and processing to the disk. Execute data writing. It is also conceivable that a plurality of MD recorders / players 103 are provided in the sales terminal device 100 and are simultaneously operated to record the best ten music data 211 on the sales MD.

In the next step S105, it waits until it is time to update the best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 211. And
If you get a decision that an update should be performed,
The process returns to step S102. Thus, the process returns from step S105 to step S102.
When the subsequent processing is executed, first, in step S10
By the process of 2, the best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 211 stored in the storage unit 104 are updated. That is, the best ten song list 210 and the best ten song data 211 up to now are deleted, and instead, the best ten song list 210 and the best ten song data 211 downloaded this time are stored. In step S104, the contents previously recorded on the MD for sale are also deleted, and the best ten music data 211 newly downloaded and acquired this time is recorded.

As an actual process in step S105, for example, a configuration may be considered in which a predetermined time is measured, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the update should be executed. In this case, the best ten music list 21 on the sales terminal device 100 side is set at regular intervals.
0, the best ten music data 211 is updated. Further, by communicating with the information center 200 at regular time intervals, it is asked whether the best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 211 stored in the storage unit 201 of the information center 200 have been updated. . If a positive result indicating that the update has been performed is obtained, it is determined that the update should be performed. In this case, the update is performed on the sales terminal device 100 so that the information is substantially followed when the information center 200 updates the best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 211. In addition, as described above, for example, the best ten music list 2
10 and the best ten music data 211, and the available music list 212 (and the available music data 21)
It is assumed that the information server may also be updated with regard to 3). Therefore, for example, in the process of step S105, it is possible to determine whether or not to update the available music list 212. If it is determined that the available music list 212 should be updated, In step S101, by returning to step S101, the new available music list 212 may be downloaded and updated. In this case, the best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 2
If the update of 11 is unnecessary, the processing of the next step S102 may be omitted. The processing shown in FIG. 14 is always executed when the sales terminal apparatus 100 is operating, and thus, at least the best ten music list 210 and the best ten music data 211 stored in the sales terminal apparatus 100 are stored. Is always up-to-date in response to the current hit charts.
In this case, the latest music data of the best ten corresponding to this is recorded.

FIGS. 15 to 17 show processing operations for realizing the operation of the sales terminal device 100 in accordance with the operation procedure as described in FIG. First, in step S201 in FIG. 15, the process waits for the user to start an operation for purchase. Here, it is assumed that, for example, a demonstration screen is displayed on the display unit 107 until the operation for purchase is started. When displaying the best ten information on this demonstration screen, for example, the best ten music list 210 downloaded from the information center 200 may be used.

If it is determined in step S201 that the operation has been started, the flow advances to step S202. In step S202, the MD storage unit 10
One MD for sale stored in 2 is selected and loaded into the recordable / reproducible position of the MD recorder / player 103. At this time, the control unit 113
4 to obtain the above-described MD transport operation. As a result, preparations for rewriting the TOC to be performed later and recording the audio data are completed.

In the next step S203, FIG.
Various control processes are executed so as to obtain operations corresponding to the operations described in (a) to (e). That is, the music is selected and set in accordance with the selection operation performed on the operation unit 106 by the user. This step S20
The process of No. 3 is executed, for example, as shown in FIG. It should be noted that the processing here is shown in FIG.
9A to 9E are displayed according to the operations described in FIGS.
It is assumed that only the purchase category screen shown in FIG. 9A, the best ten list screen shown in FIG. 9B, and the respective search-related screens shown in FIGS. 9C to 9E are displayed.

In step S301, a display screen to be displayed is determined according to, for example, the operation on the operation unit 106 immediately before. here,
If it is determined that the purchase category screen should be displayed, the process proceeds to step S302.

In step S302, a display control process for displaying the purchase category screen shown in FIG. 9A is executed. In the next step S303, any one of the category buttons BT1 in the purchase category screen is displayed. Waiting for one to be operated. If a certain category button BT1 has been operated, the process returns to step S301 to determine a screen to be displayed according to the operated category button BT1.

If it is determined in step S302 that the best ten list screen shown in FIG. 9B should be displayed, the flow advances to step S304 to perform control processing for displaying the best ten list screen. Execute At this time, for example, the information center 20
The best ten music list 210 downloaded from 0 and stored in the storage unit 104 is used.
For the best ten list screen, as described with reference to FIG. 9B, the selection button BT2 and the selection end button B
By performing an operation on T4, the music to be purchased is selected and determined from the music list of the best ten music. In step S305, the music selected and determined according to the above-described operation is added to the music to be purchased. The music ID is assumed to be held.

In the next step S306, it is determined whether or not the “here” button BT3 has been operated.
If it is determined that this button operation has been performed, the process returns to step S301 to determine the screen to be displayed according to the operation of the “here” button BT3. On the other hand, if it is determined that the “here” button BT3 has not been operated, the process advances to step S307 to determine whether the purchase button BT5 has been operated. If there is no operation of the purchase button BT5,
By returning to step S304, the selection operation on the best ten list screen is continued, but if the operation of the purchase button BT5 has been performed, the process proceeds to step S204 in FIG.

In step S301, for example, FIG.
If it is determined that the search screen (1) shown in (c) should be displayed, the process proceeds to step S308, and a control process for displaying the search screen (1) is performed. This is performed by, for example, performing reproduction processing on display content data for the search screen (1) prepared in advance and stored in the storage unit 104, and performing display output. For the search screen (1) shown in FIG.
As described above, the operation on the search condition selection button BT6 is enabled, but in the next step S309,
A search condition is set by an operation performed on the search condition selection button BT6. Then, the next step S
At 310, a search screen (2) having contents according to the set search conditions is displayed. That is, step S30
In FIG. 9, for example, if the search condition selection button BT6 of “artist name” is operated, the artist name is set as the search condition, and in step S310, the artist name as shown in FIG. 9D is searched. A search screen (2) is displayed. If it is determined in step S309 that the search condition selection button BT6 for "song name" has been operated, the song name is set as the search condition, and in step S310, a search screen (2) for searching for the song name is displayed. become.

At the next step S311, after the search screen (2) is displayed, the search
The processing corresponding to the procedure from the narrowing down of the search to the selection of the music is executed. For example, in the case of FIG. 9, the search is narrowed down by the artist name input in the input window WD of the search screen (2) shown in FIG. 9D.
The search result list screen shown in (e) is displayed. Then, the selection button B displayed on the search result list screen
In response to the operation on T4 and the selection end button BT5,
This holds the music ID that has been selected and determined. In addition,
The artist name and other necessary list information displayed on the search screen (2) and the search result list screen are as follows:
The list information of the available music list 210 downloaded in advance from the information center 200 can be used. In this case, it is not necessary to exchange information with the information center 200 in particular.

Then, also in this case, the following step S3
In 12, it is determined whether or not the "here" button BT3 has been operated, and if it has been operated, the process returns to step S301 to determine the screen to be displayed according to the operation of the "here" button BT3. become. If there is no operation of the “here” button BT3, step S31
Proceeding to 3, it is determined whether or not the purchase button BT5 has been operated. If it is determined that the purchase button BT5 has not been operated, the process returns to step S310, so that the user can continue searching for music. On the other hand, if the operation of the purchase button BT5 has been performed, the flow shifts to the processing of step S204 in FIG.

In step S301, it is determined that the search screen (2) should be displayed, and for example, in step S301
The process may proceed to 310. For example, buttons such as “artist name” and “song name” are prepared as category buttons BT1 displayed on the purchase category screen shown in FIG. 9A, for example. This is the case. Category button B
A specific artist name or the like is prepared as T1, and when an operation is performed on this button, for example, a search result list screen as shown in FIG. 9E can be displayed immediately.

As described above, the selected music piece is determined, and the purchase button BT is determined in step S307 or S313.
If it is determined that No. 5 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S204 in FIG. In step S204, the fee to be paid by the user is calculated based on the unit price or the like for each music piece selected and determined by the user through the operations up to now. This is, for example, the best ten music list 210 or the available music list 212 stored in the storage unit 104.
The information is used to calculate the price including the cost of the MD to be sold and provided. Then, in the next step S205, FIG.
A purchase confirmation screen as shown in (f) is displayed. On this purchase confirmation screen, the selected music list and the total fee to be paid by the user are displayed,
The selected music list is stored in step S in FIG.
305 or information of the music title having the music ID selected and determined in S311 can be displayed by searching the best ten music list 210 or the available music list 212, and the total charge is It is sufficient to display the fee calculated in step S204. Although not shown here, the total playing time of the music piece selected and determined is also calculated, for example, to determine whether or not it fits within the recordable time of the MD.
If the recordable time of one D-sheet is exceeded, a display prompting to start over may be displayed instead of the purchase confirmation screen. If the total performance time of the selected music piece exceeds the recordable time for one sales MD, the music data is recorded on a plurality of sales MDs. Is also good. Further, when creating an MD in which music data selected by a user is recorded using a plurality of MDs,
The so-called seamless recording may be performed in which recording is performed so that temporal continuity of music data is not lost between MDs. To do this,
When the recording capacity of D becomes full, the reading of data from the buffer memory 13 and the writing of data to the MD are interrupted, and the next MD for sale is pulled out of the MD storage unit 102 before the buffer memory 13 overflows. The MD recorder / player 1 is loaded at the recording / reproducing position. Then, after treating the next MD for sale as a blank disk, data reading from the buffer memory 13 is restarted, and data writing to the MD is performed.

In the next step S206, it is determined which of the “Yes” button BT10, “No” button BT11, and “Redo” button BT12 displayed on the purchase confirmation screen has been operated. Is going. If it is determined that an operation has been performed on the “redo” button BT12, step S20
By returning to the process 3, for example, the music selected and determined so far can be cleared, and the music selection operation can be restarted from the beginning. If an operation has been performed on the “No” button BT11, the process proceeds to step 211 to execute a stop process. Thereby, for example, the display screen shifts to the screen before the start of the operation. And
If the “Yes” button BT10 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S207 and subsequent steps.

In step S207, it is determined whether or not the user's fee payment has been properly completed. This can be determined based on the payment information transmitted from the cash processing unit 109 to the control unit 113 when the user pays by cash. In the case of payment by card, the credit card processing unit 1
11 can be determined based on the payment information transmitted from. If it is determined that the payment of the fee has been properly completed, the user selects and determines the sales MD loaded on the recordable / reproducible position of the MD recorder / player 103 at present. The processing shifts to control processing for creating an MD in which only the performed music is recorded.

In step S208, it is determined whether or not all the selected songs are any of only the ten songs listed as the current best ten. For this purpose, for example, the music ID of the selected music currently held by the control unit 113 and the storage unit 2
The music ID may be compared with the music ID as the best ten music list 210 stored in 10.

If a positive result is obtained in step S208, the flow advances to step S209. Step S20
In step 9, the U-TOC is updated so that songs other than the song selected by the user are deleted. As a result, as described above with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, it is possible to apparently create an MD in which only the music selected and determined by the user is recorded. Then, in the next step S210, the moving mechanism 114
Is discharged from the MD insertion / removal unit 101.

On the other hand, if the songs selected by the user include songs other than the 10 songs listed in the best ten, and a negative result is obtained in step S208, Step S40 in FIG.
Proceed to step 1. In step S401, first,
By executing the same processing as in step S209,
First, among the songs selected and determined by the user, an MD is created in which only the songs listed in the best ten are recorded. However, if the user has selected and determined only songs other than the best ten, the process of step S401 is to create a so-called blank disc on which no song data is recorded. This processing is also executed by rewriting the contents of the U-TOC so as to be a blank disk.
In any case, by executing the process of step S401, in the subsequent step S402, it is possible to shift to a process of recording the selected and determined music other than the remaining best ten songs on the MD.

In step S402, the music data of the music other than the best ten selected by the user is searched from the storage unit 104. As described above, the music data other than the best ten is downloaded from the information center side and stored in the storage unit 104 when the user makes a purchase request for the first time. Accordingly, if a song other than the best ten selected and determined this time has been requested in the past, it will be stored in the storage unit 104. Then, as a result of the search, the storage unit 1
In the next step S403, it is determined whether or not at least one piece of music data requested this time is stored in 04.

If a positive result is obtained in step S403, the process proceeds to step S404, where the storage unit 10
4 is read out of the music data of the selected music tune, ie, audio data, and the MD recorder / player 103
Transfer to Then, control is performed by the MD recorder / player 103 so that the transferred audio data is recorded on the MD. At this time, the control unit 113
Is to read and transfer audio data from the storage unit 104 at a transfer rate corresponding to the recording speed in the MD recorder / player 103. Also, for example, the system controller 11 in the MD recorder / player 103 performs recording operation control and U-TOC management so that recording is performed while one piece of music data is managed as one track.

If it is determined that the recording of the music stored in the storage unit 104 has been completed as the music selected by the user, the flow advances to step S405. Step S4
05, all songs selected and determined by the user
A determination is made as to whether the data has been recorded in D. Here, if a positive result is obtained, step S409 is performed.
To update the U-TOC area of the MD according to the recording result executed as the previous step S404. As the MD obtained by the processing up to this point, for example, FIG.
0 (c) and those managed as shown in FIG. 13 correspond. Then, step S2 in FIG.
Go to 10.

If a negative result is obtained in step S403 that no music data other than the best ten selected by the user is stored, the flow advances to step S406. The process also proceeds to step S406 when a negative result is obtained in step S405. In the case where a negative result is obtained in step S405, the case where the music data stored in the storage unit 104 among the plurality of music data other than the best ten selected by the user is M
This is a case where a song recorded in D but not stored in the storage unit 104 has not been recorded yet.

The process after step S406 is a process for communicating with the information center 200 and downloading song data that is not stored in the storage unit 104 among songs other than the best ten selected and determined by the user. Becomes First, in step S406, a command for requesting music data that has not been stored in the storage unit 104 among songs other than the best ten selected and determined by the user is transmitted to the information center 200. Although illustration of flowcharts and the like is omitted here, when the control unit 203 of the information center 200 receives the command, the control unit 203 of the requested music transmitted along with the command receives the music I.
Based on D, music data is searched from the available music data 213. At this time, the control unit 203 executes a search process using the search program 214. Then, one or more pieces of music data obtained by the search are transmitted to the sales terminal device 100.

In the communication section 202 of the sales terminal device 100,
As described above, the music data transmitted from the information center 200 is received. And the control unit 1
13 first transfers the music data received in this way to the storage unit 104 and stores it there. That is, the download of the music data is executed. Then, the music data downloaded in this way is transferred to the MD recorder / player 103 by the processing in step S408, and here, as in step S404,
This is recorded on the MD. Note that, for example, in actuality, the information center 200 in step S407 is used.
Download process of music data from the server and step S4
The recording process of 08 may be executed in parallel, and for example, terminates the data recording on the MD earlier than completing the process of step S407 and then executing the process of step S408. It becomes possible.

When the recording of the music data downloaded from the information center 200 is completed, all the music data selected and determined by the user are recorded on the MD. Therefore, after the processing in step S408 ends, the process proceeds to step S210 in FIG.

According to the processing operation described with reference to FIG. 17, each time a request is made, the storage unit 1
Songs other than the best ten stored in 04 will increase. However, all of the songs other than the best ten songs are not always requested at a certain frequency or more, and the music data that hardly has such a request is stored in the storage unit 104. It is not preferable to continue the operation because the storage area of the storage unit 104 is unnecessarily pressed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, in step S406 of FIG. 17, music data other than the best ten downloaded for the first time and stored in the storage unit 104 is accompanied by expiration date information. If the expiration date described in the expiration date information has passed without a request for the music data, the music data is stored in the storage unit 104.
It is made to delete from. If there is a request for the music data again within the expiration date, the music data is updated so as to extend the expiration date. With this configuration, as the music data other than the best ten stored in the storage unit 104, the data having a high alternation frequency of the user is left, so that the recording area of the storage unit 104 is more efficiently used. It becomes possible.

When the music data is recorded on the MD as described above, for example, the music data recorded on the MD may be copied so that the data is not copied for purposes other than personal use. It is preferable to give a copy restriction. This can be easily realized, for example, by rewriting copy restriction information and copyright protection information set in a predetermined information area on the U-TOC to predetermined contents.

As a modification of the present embodiment, the following MD sales form can be considered. In this modified example, the user brings the MD of the blank disk owned by the user and goes to the sales terminal device 100. Then, the brought MD is sold to the sales terminal device 1.
00 in the MD insertion / removal unit 101. At this time, in the sales terminal device 100, the inserted MD is temporarily loaded into the recordable / reproducible position of the MD recorder / player 103, and the U-TOC area is read. Then, based on the contents of the U-TOC sector 0 from which the reading has been performed, it is determined whether or not this MD is a blank disk. If it is not a blank disc, in this case, the MD is rejected, ejected from the MD insertion / removal unit 101, and returned to the user. If it is a blank disc,
This MD is stored in the MD storage unit 102, so that a subsequent music purchase operation by the user can be accepted.

In this case, the operation for purchasing the music data by the user can be performed in the same procedure as that described with reference to FIG. In creating an MD in which the music data selected as described above is recorded, the same procedure as in the above-described embodiment is employed. That is, as described above, the MD to be a blank disk inserted by the user is stored in the MD storage unit 10.
After storing the music data in the MD storage unit 1, another MD for sale in which another music data of the best ten is already recorded is stored.
02 and loaded into the recordable / reproducible position of the MD recorder / player 103. Then, for this MD, the best ten music data not selected by the user is deleted, and if a music other than the best ten is selected, this music data is additionally recorded. Create an MD. In this case, the MD that has already been stored in the MD storage unit 102 of the sales terminal device 100 reaches the user's hand, and the MD brought by the user and inserted into the sales terminal device 100 is, for example, the MD storage unit It remains stored in 102. That is,
The sales terminal device 100 sells the MD stored in the MD storage unit 102 in such a manner that the MD is exchanged for an MD as a blank disk inserted by the user.

In such a sales form, the MD brought by the user is not substantially returned to the user, but the music data selected for the MD having the same price is recorded and passed to the user. Therefore, there is no particular disadvantage to the user. Also in this case, it is possible to create and provide an MD in which music data selected by the user is recorded more quickly than in the case where music data is recorded on an MD brought by the user, for example. It is.

In the above embodiment, the program information recorded by the user on the recording medium and purchased is M
The music data corresponding to the D format, that is, the compressed audio data, is not limited to this, but may be audio data corresponding to another media format. In this case, a recording / reproducing portion corresponding to the corresponding recording medium format is provided in the sales terminal device 100. Further, in addition to the audio data, for example, application data such as a game, image data such as a moving image and a still image, and a data file in which a novel or the like is converted into text may be used.

Also, in the above embodiment, the music data as the best ten is recorded on the MD first.
That is, when the user who uses the sales terminal device 100 determines the program data that is purchased frequently,
This is only one criterion, and the programs pre-recorded on the recording medium and the number thereof can be selected according to any criterion.

[0146]

As described above, according to the vending machine of the present invention, if the program is music data, for example, music data that is likely to be frequently selected and purchased, such as the so-called "best ten", can be specified. Is recorded in a recording medium in advance and stored in a vending machine. Then, in response to the user's selection of the program, the program other than the selected program is erased from the recording medium, thereby creating a recording medium on which only the program selected by the user is recorded. Then, it is discharged to the outside and provided for sale to the user. In this case, by adopting a configuration in which the erasing process is completed in a short time, a recording medium on which only the program selected by the user has been recorded can be recorded in a shorter time than when the selected program is recorded on the recording medium. It can be created and discharged. This allows the user to use the vending machine more comfortably because the waiting time until the recording medium on which the program is recorded reaches the user is reduced. In addition, since the ease of use is improved in this way, the number of users who intend to use the music is expected to increase, and this has a great advantage as an operator who sells music.

When erasing a program, the management information is updated for a recording medium having a recording area for management information for managing the recording and reproduction of the program. Such management information has relatively small data capacity,
It is very easy to reduce the time required to create a recording medium on which only the program selected by the user is recorded.

Further, according to the present invention, when the user selects a program other than the specific program, the program stored in the storage means provided in the vending machine is searched and the selected program is selected here. If the program exists, the program read from the storage unit is recorded on a recording medium. In this case, the data of the program is actually recorded on the recording medium, but in this case, the program can be sold in response to a request of a program other than the specific program. In addition to the above advantages, it is possible to respond to a user's request for a wide range of programs.

In the case where a program other than the specific program is selected, for example, when no program other than the specific program selected by the user is recorded in the above-mentioned storage means, the server connected to the vending machine is used. Thus, the program selected by the user may be downloaded and recorded on a recording medium. As a result, the advantage of responding to the user's request for a wide range of programs as described above is further enhanced.

Also, the specific program to be recorded on the recording medium is updated at a predetermined opportunity. In this case, for example, a new specific program is downloaded from a server device, and the downloaded new specific program is recorded on a recording medium. Alternatively, a new specific program is selected and read from the programs stored in the storage means, and the read program is recorded on a recording medium. With such a configuration, for example, as a recording medium, contents that are appropriate according to a certain current situation (for example, a hit chart) are always recorded, and accordingly, as a vending machine, Value is improved.

Further, according to the present invention, when a recording medium in which the entire area of the program recordable area is empty is inserted into a vending machine, such as a blank disk in the case of a disk medium, this is taken into account. By exchanging, for example, a recording medium on which only the program selected by the user is recorded is created and discharged as described above. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a recording medium on which the program selected by the user is recorded more quickly than when recording the program on a recording medium brought in by the user. Further, since the recording medium is a recording medium having the same value as the recording medium brought in by the user, for example, the user is not particularly dissatisfied and can operate a legitimate business.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a sales system as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a sales terminal device and an information center according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an MD recorder / player.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a cluster format of a mini disk.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of U-TOC sector 0 of a mini disc.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a link form of U-TOC sector 0 of the mini disc.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an area structure and a management state of the mini disc on the disc.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of U-TOC sector 0 corresponding to FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of the sales terminal device 100 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for describing a transition of a display state of a display unit according to an operation procedure.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a transition example of a recording state of a sales MD.

FIG. 11 shows a U-TOC in the MD shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of contents of a sector 0.

FIG. 12 shows a U-TOC in the MD shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of contents of a sector 0.

FIG. 13 shows a U-TOC in the MD shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of contents of a sector 0.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for service preparation in the sales terminal device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation for realizing an operation of the sales terminal device according to an operation up to purchase by a user.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for music selection determination according to an operation.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for recording a selected song other than the best ten.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 optical head, 6a magnetic head, 8 encoders /
Decoder unit, 11 system controller, 12 memory controller, 13 buffer memory, 14 encoder / decoder unit, 90 MD, 100 sales terminal device,
101 MD insertion / removal section, 102 MD storage section, 103 M
D recorder / player, 104 storage unit, 112 communication unit, 113 control unit, 106 operation unit, 107 display unit, 200 information center, 201 storage unit, 202
Communication unit, 203 control unit, 210 best ten music list, 211 best ten music data, 212 available music list, 213 available music data, 214 search program

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G11B 27/00 G11B 27/00 D 27/10 27/10 A (72) Inventor Yoji Saito Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Fumiaki Hisamatsu 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 5B049 BB11 CC05 CC09 CC37 CC39 DD01 DD04 DD05 EE01 EE05 EE23 FF03 FF04 FF06 FF09 GG04 GG07 5D044 AB05 BC06 CC06 DE03 DE12 DE17 DE23 DE29 DE39 DE50 DE54 EF05 FG19 GK08 GK12 5D066 AA02 EA28 5D077 AA30 BA15 CA11 DC04 DC22 DE13 HC01 ADB EA28 DC13

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing a recording medium in which a specific program selected according to a specific selection criterion is recorded in advance, a selection unit capable of selecting a program, and a program selected by the selection unit, Determining means for determining whether the program is the specific program; program erasing means capable of erasing a program recorded on the recording medium; discharging means capable of discharging the recording medium to the outside of the main body; When it is determined that the program selected by the selection means is the specific program, a program other than the program selected by the selection means is selected from the recording medium selected from the storage means. Control is performed so that the image is erased by the above-mentioned erasing means and thereafter discharged to the outside by the above-mentioned discharging means. Vending machine, characterized by comprising control means for line, the. 2. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium has a recording area in which management information for enabling management of recording or reproduction of a program is recorded. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the program is erased by updating the management information recorded in the vending machine. 3. A storage unit capable of storing a program other than the specific program, wherein the control unit determines that the program selected by the selection unit is not the specific program by the determination unit. A program that matches the program selected by the selecting means is searched from the storage means, and if a matching program is found, the searched program is recorded on the recording medium, and thereafter, The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine discharges the vending machine. 4. A communication device which is installed in a remote place and is capable of communicating with a server device storing a program, wherein said control means determines that said program selected by said selection means is not said specific program. If it is determined that the program is selected by the selecting means by performing communication with the server device by the communication means, the downloaded program is recorded on the recording medium, and then externally The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine discharges. 5. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising updating means for updating the specific program recorded on the recording medium at a predetermined opportunity. 6. A communication device, which is provided at a remote location and is capable of communicating with a server device storing a program, wherein the updating device communicates with the communication device so that a new specific program is transmitted from the server device. The vending machine according to claim 5, wherein the vending machine is configured to download and record the downloaded new specific program in the recording medium and store the program in the storage unit. 7. The updating means selects and reads a new specific program from the programs stored in the storage means, records the read program on the recording medium, and stores the read program in the storage means. The vending machine according to claim 5, wherein the vending machine is configured as follows. 8. An insertion mechanism capable of externally inserting a recording medium, wherein the control means determines whether or not the entire area of the program recordable area of the recording medium inserted into the insertion mechanism is a free area. And if it is determined that the entire area of the program recordable area is a free area, it is exchanged with the recording medium inserted in the insertion mechanism, and stored in the storage. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium can be discharged to the outside.