JP2002269957A - Device and method for processing digital signal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reproduce one of a plurality of successive digital signals without unnaturalness even when the digital signal is provided alone, and also, to re- secure continuity between the one provided earlier and the one provided later among the successive digital signals. SOLUTION: When a main controller 11 judges that there are music data succeeding to those specified by a user to purchase through a display part 13 and an operation part 14, it controls a normalization adjusting part 18 to add the music data specified to purchase with data in which the music data succeeding thereto are fading-processed at the beginning or at the end. The music data added with the faded part are recorded in a recording medium 19 brought in by the user through a recording part 15. Moreover, when a purchase of the music data succeeding to the music data recorded in the recording medium 19 is specified, the continuity of the music data is secured by deleting the fading part added to the music data already recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a digital signal processing apparatus and a digital signal processing method for processing digital signals such as digital audio data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are several methods for obtaining audio data such as music. For example, a method of purchasing the medium itself is known. This method is a method known on a record disk, a compact disk (CD), or the like. There is also a method of receiving a radio broadcast and recording the target audio data on a recordable recording medium.

Recently, audio data (song data) of a large amount of music is stored in a hard disk or the like, and the music data in the hard disk is transferred to an external recording medium brought in by a purchaser and recorded. A server system that provides data is also known.

In the system using the server system, for example, the server system is installed in a store or the like. The purchaser goes to the store with a recording medium (external recording medium) owned by himself and pays a predetermined amount, so that the server system records the desired music data on his own recording medium, and Make a purchase.

Generally, music data stored in a server system is subjected to compression processing in consideration of the storage capacity of the server system, the transfer capacity, and the like. Therefore, the server system can transfer and record the requested music data to the purchaser's recording medium in a shorter time than the actual playing time of the music data.

[0006] In addition, regarding the selection of music data to be purchased, additional information such as the title of the music, the performer, and the playing time is input to the server system in a text format or in a selection format from images. The purchaser can easily select the desired music data, record it on his or her recording medium, and use it.

[0007]

In the above-described server system for providing music data, a plurality of continuous music (music data) are stored on a hard disk.
In some cases, each of the plurality of continuous songs can be purchased independently.

[0008] Here, a plurality of continuous songs are, for example, completely different from each other as songs, each of which is connected smoothly by a rhythm or the like.
Since various sounds such as applause are included in a so-called live board or the like, the sound is not interrupted, and as a result, the preceding and following music pieces are connected.

[0009] When the target music data is purchased alone from a plurality of such continuous music, the target music data is stored in at least one or both of the head part and the last part of the music data. There is a possibility that an unnatural reproduction sound may occur because there is no music data that is continuous.

[0010] In order to prevent this, a method of separately preparing music data for single purchase in which the reproduced sound is not unnatural can be considered. That is, a plurality of continuous music pieces are separated for each music piece, and data subjected to so-called fade processing is added to at least one or both of the leading part and the last part of the separated music piece data. In addition, music data in which the reproduced sound is not unnatural is prepared in another file.

[0011] When any one of a plurality of continuous music pieces is purchased alone, music data that has been subjected to fade processing and provided in the separate file is provided. However, in the case of the method of preparing this separate file, as a result, the same music data is redundantly stored in the hard disk, and the hard disk cannot be used effectively.

[0012] Also, as described above, after purchasing music data that is faded for sale by itself and stored and held in another file, it is originally a music in a plurality of continuous music. When purchasing music data that is continuous with the purchased music data, the continuity of the music that should be continuous cannot be ensured, and each of them can only be used as independent music data. Will be gone.

In view of the above, according to the present invention, even when one digital signal of a plurality of continuous digital signals is independently provided, the reproduction of the digital signal becomes unnatural. And a digital signal processing device and a digital signal processing method capable of re-establishing continuity between a signal provided first and a signal provided later from a plurality of continuous digital signals. The purpose is to do.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a digital signal processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises:
Receiving means for receiving selection information on the digital signal; determining means for determining whether there is a different digital signal to be reproduced continuously with the predetermined digital signal specified by the selection information; When it is determined that there is a different digital signal to be reproduced continuously with the predetermined digital signal, the beginning or end of the different digital signal adjacent to the predetermined digital signal is changed to the predetermined digital signal. Control is performed so as to be added to the signal, and when the determination means determines that there is no different digital signal to be reproduced continuously with the predetermined digital signal, the above-mentioned designation specified by the selection information is performed. Control means for controlling so as to output only a predetermined digital signal.

According to the digital signal processing device of the present invention, it is determined that there is a different digital signal to be reproduced continuously from the predetermined digital signal indicated by the selection information received through the receiving means. in case of,
A predetermined digital signal is added with the beginning or end of a different digital signal that is continuous with the predetermined digital signal and is output.

In this case, when there are different continuous digital signals on both the beginning and the end of the predetermined digital signal, the predetermined digital signal is provided on both the beginning and the end of the predetermined digital signal. The end or beginning of a different digital signal adjacent to each end of the digital signal will be added.

If it is determined that there is no different digital signal to be continuously reproduced from the predetermined digital signal, the predetermined digital signal is output as it is.

Accordingly, even when a predetermined digital signal is received independently from a plurality of continuous digital signals, the reproduced output of the received predetermined digital signal is unnatural. Not to be.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital signal processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the second receiving means for receiving information on the provided digital signal, And determining whether or not a different digital signal to be reproduced continuously from the predetermined digital signal specified by the selection information has already been provided, based on the information received through the receiving unit. And if the second determination means determines that the different digital signals to be reproduced continuously have been provided, the control means sets the beginning of the different digital signals. It is characterized in that addition of a part or a terminal part is prohibited.

According to the digital signal processing device of the present invention, when a different digital signal has already been provided, the newly provided predetermined digital signal includes the beginning of the different digital signal. Alternatively, the addition of the termination is prohibited.

Thus, it is possible to easily re-ensure the continuity between the digital signal provided earlier and the digital signal provided later. For example, if the beginning or end of the digital signal provided later added to the digital signal provided earlier is ignored during reproduction, the digital signal provided earlier can be added to the digital signal provided later. Continuity with the received digital signal is ensured.

A digital signal processing device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the digital signal processing device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the different digital signal added to the predetermined digital signal is It is characterized by further comprising a fade processing means for performing a fade process on the beginning or end portion.

According to the digital signal processing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, the end of different digital data added to the predetermined digital signal is subjected to fade-in processing,
The beginning of different digital data added to a given digital signal is faded out.

Thus, when a predetermined digital signal is provided and reproduced, the reproduced output can be made more natural.

A digital signal processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the digital signal processing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the digital signal to be output is recorded on a recording medium. And when the second discriminating means determines that the different digital signal to be continuously reproduced has been provided, the different digital signal already recorded and recorded on the recording medium is provided. Processing means for performing a predetermined process on a portion corresponding to the beginning or end of the predetermined digital signal added to the signal.

According to the digital signal processing device of the present invention, for the digital signal provided earlier which is continuous with the predetermined digital signal, the top or the end of the added predetermined digital signal is added. Perform a predetermined process on the data, re-secure the continuity of both digital data,
Both digital data can be reproduced and used as a continuous digital signal.

Thus, even when each of a plurality of continuous digital signals is independently provided, if they are recorded on a recording medium, the continuity is ensured again without fail and the continuous It can be used as a converted digital signal.

A digital signal processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the digital signal processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the predetermined processing performed by the processing means is performed on the recording medium. And a process for deleting a portion corresponding to the beginning or end of the predetermined digital signal added to the different digital signal recorded in the digital signal.

According to the digital signal processing apparatus of the present invention, when a different digital signal continuous with a predetermined digital signal is previously recorded on a recording medium,
The beginning or end of the predetermined digital signal added to the different digital signals recorded on the recording medium is deleted.

Thus, the continuity between the digital signal previously provided and recorded on the recording medium and the predetermined digital signal provided subsequently and subsequently recorded on the recording medium is ensured again. , Both digital signals can be used as continuous ones.

A digital signal processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the digital signal processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the digital signal recorded on the recording medium involves normalization processing. The data compression is performed by a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process, and the predetermined process performed by the processing unit is performed by the predetermined digital signal added to the different digital signal recorded on the recording medium. Is a process of updating the normalized information for a portion corresponding to the beginning or end of.

According to the digital signal processing of the invention described in claim 6, the digital signal to be handled is one which has been subjected to high-efficiency encoding processing accompanied by normalization processing, and is recorded on the recording medium. By updating the normalization information of the portion corresponding to the beginning or end of the predetermined digital signal added to the different digital signals, the influence of the added portion upon reproduction is reduced.

Thus, the continuity between the digital signal provided earlier and recorded on the recording medium and the predetermined digital signal provided subsequently and subsequently recorded on the recording medium is ensured again. , Both digital signals can be used as continuous ones.

The digital signal processing device according to claim 7 is the digital signal processing device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the digital signal processing device Are designed to compress data by a predetermined high-efficiency coding method, and are characterized by processing digital signals that have been compressed.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the digital signal to be processed has been subjected to high-efficiency encoding processing and data compression, so that the time required for outputting the digital signal can be shortened. To be. If the data is compressed by the high-efficiency encoding process accompanied by the normalization process, the normalization information is changed to give a fade effect to the digital signal or remove the fade effect. This can be done relatively easily.

[0036]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Music server system] First, music data of music (music) is stored, and music data corresponding to a request from a user is recorded on a user's recording medium (external recording medium) to use the music. The configuration of the music server system 30 to be provided to the user will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, the main controller 11
Is connected to and controls all the units in the music server system 30. Hard disk 12
Is mainly for storing music data to be provided to the user. Hard disk 1 of this music server system 30
The music data stored in 2 includes main information (digital audio data) serving as actual music data, and additional information such as a title of the music, a performance time, and a jacket photograph.

In this embodiment, digital audio data, which is main information, is used for efficient use of hard disk capacity and for transfer to a music server system.
The compression is performed in consideration of the capacity of the communication line and the like.
Further, as for the compression format, high-speed recording can be performed on the recording medium as long as it can be recorded on a recording medium described later. In this embodiment, a specific example of so-called high-efficiency encoding which is a method of compressing digital audio data will be described in detail later.

For managing the additional information attached to the digital audio data as the main information, for example, a management table file having a configuration as shown in FIG. 2 is prepared, and the correspondence between the file name of the main information and the additional information is described. The updating and reading operations can be realized by the main controller 11.

In the example of FIG. 2, character information and image information serving as additional information are also files, and an example is shown in which the file names are managed.
It may be written directly in text format. The other information in FIG. 2 includes, for example, copyright information of music, so-called emphasis information, and the like.

In addition to the above, the performance time of music can be managed in the same manner. For the performance time, the file size of main information, the high efficiency It can also be calculated at any time from the encoding compression ratio. The part related to the single purchase processing flag shown in FIG. 2 will be described later.
For example, it indicates whether or not predetermined signal processing such as fade processing is performed.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, an example in which the additional information is managed by a so-called table file has been described. However, it is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to take a form in which various additional information is added to the main information as a so-called header.

The display unit 13 is connected to the main controller 11 and displays the details of the music data in the hard disk 12 and states of recording and reproduction to the user. The operation unit 14 is a main controller 11
, Recording on a recording medium, execution of reproduction processing, and the like.

FIG. 1 shows an example in which the music server system has a single configuration.
Concerning item 4, a method is also conceivable in which, for example, a personal computer or the like is used as an external device and its display / display unit, keyboard and mouse are used.

In this case, for the music server system and the personal computer, a dedicated signal line for exchanging additional information and a control signal, or a so-called serial connection, USB (Universal Serial Bu
s), IEEE (Institute of Elec)
tritical and Electronics En
(Gineers) 1394 or the like.

Although not shown in detail including the memory, all the elements of the music server system 30 shown in FIG. 1 can be configured in a personal computer. That is, the music server system 30 shown in FIG.
Can be realized as a so-called stand-alone type dedicated device installed in a store or the like, or can be realized by configuring a music server system in a computer such as a personal computer.

In FIG. 1, a recording unit 15 is controlled by a main controller 11 in accordance with an instruction from an operation unit 14 to allow a user to read out music data recorded on a hard disk 12. The selected music data is recorded on the recording medium 19 of the user loaded in the recording unit 15.

In this embodiment, the recording medium 19
Is a so-called package that can be easily brought outside and that can reproduce music data recorded on the recording medium with a small-sized reproducing device or the like. As this recording medium, for example, an MD widely used for music
(Minidisk), a type of small magneto-optical disk or memory card (hereinafter referred to as MS)
Abbreviated. ). By providing a plurality of recording units corresponding to different recording media, it is possible to correspond to each of different recording media.

In this embodiment, the recording medium 19
Is an MD, as an example. The recording unit 15 using an MD as a recording medium includes a spindle motor for rotating and driving the MD, an optical head, a magnetic head, a servo circuit, and the like.

That is, the MD, which is the recording medium 19, is driven to rotate by a spindle motor. For example, a laser beam from an optical head is applied to the MD to apply a modulation magnetic field corresponding to recording data by a magnetic head. The so-called magnetic field modulation recording is performed. In this case, the optical head performs tracking control and focus control based on the servo signal from the servo circuit, and can accurately scan the MD track with laser light having an appropriate spot shape. The music data is accurately recorded on the track.

In this embodiment, the digital audio data, which is the main information of the music data stored in the hard disk 12, is compressed in the compression format (high-efficiency encoding system) used in the MD. Things. When recording digital audio data that has undergone data compression, the recording time can be shortened more than the actual playback time of a music piece because of the data compression.

In the case of MD, TO is included in the disc.
An area for recording music management information called C (Table of Contents) is provided, and various additional information such as music titles and other management information are recorded in the TOC. Therefore, the main controller 11 controls the recording unit 15 to record the additional information about the music recorded on the hard disk 12 based on the management information shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the MD TOC format. I have. In this way, even with a recording medium such as an MD, the association between the main information and the additional information managed in FIG. 1 can be similarly performed.

The decoder 16 is a compression / decoding device for actually listening to audio (songs) based on digital audio data stored in the hard disk 12 in the music server system according to this embodiment. The configuration of the decoder 16 will be described later in detail. The digital audio data decoded by the decoder 16 is subjected to reproduction processing by a reproduction processing unit 17 including a so-called D / A converter, amplifier, speaker, and the like.

The reproduction processing by the reproduction processing section 17 is used for a user to listen to a music piece based on actual digital audio data before recording the desired music piece data on his / her own recording medium. . In FIG. 1, when recording the highly efficient encoded digital audio data on the recording medium of the user, the normalization adjusting unit 18 fades in the digital audio data, which will be described in detail later. This is a part for adding a fade effect such as fade-out.

[Relationship with Main Server 10 and Usage of Music Server System] Next, the relationship with the main server 10 that provides music data stored in the hard disk 12 of the music server system 30 according to this embodiment. The usage of the music server system 30 of this embodiment will be described.

The main server 10 in FIG. 1 is a server system of a so-called legitimate sales source that owns rights such as the right to sell music data and sells music data. The configuration of the main server 10 is the music server of this embodiment. It is almost the same as the system 30. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the main server 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main server 10
The configuration is almost the same as that of the music server system 30 in FIG.
The hard disk 12, the display unit 13, the operation unit 14, the decoder 16, and the reproduction processing unit 17 correspond to the main controller 41, the hard disk 42, and the display unit 4 in FIG.
3, corresponding to the operation unit 44, the decoder 47, and the reproduction processing unit 48, and have the same function.

The billing section 45 in FIG. 3 receives and processes billing information in the music server system 30. The communication unit 46 communicates with each of the music server systems 30 (1), 30 (2),..., 30 (N) installed in various places, and includes music data, additional information, and billing information. This is the part that exchanges information. The music server system 30 also has a communication unit for communicating with the main server, but this is omitted in FIG. 1 described above.

In the main server 10 shown in FIG. 3, the encoder 40 performs high-efficiency encoding of PCM samples, and comprises a high-efficiency compression encoding circuit which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. . That is, the PCM signal serving as the source sound source is subjected to high-efficiency encoding by the encoder 40 under the control of the main controller 41 and stored in the hard disk 42.

In the encoding process in the main server device 10 of FIG. 3, it is generally necessary to automatically and efficiently process a large number of music pieces in order to carry out a business of distributing digital audio data. In the main server device 10 described above, this is realized by a software method. Of course, it is also possible to configure by hardware.

Then, the main server 1 of this embodiment
No. 0 provides music data of a new music (new music) to the music server system 30 or the music server system 3
0 can be instructed to delete obsolete music data or unpopular music data recorded on the hard disk 12. That is, the main server 10
Is a large number of music server systems 30 arranged in various places.
(1), 30 (2), ..., 30 (N) are managed and controlled,
The music data can be updated.

Next, regarding the music server system 30,
In this embodiment, the music server system 30
As described above, for example, it is installed in a store such as a CD shop. In this case, the music server system 30 in FIG. 1 can perform a series of billing processes such as a process of accepting payment from a user for billing through the billing device 21 and, for example, the main controller 11 and the billing device 21 cooperate. It is provided with a function to operate and perform music data price management and the like.

Then, the user brings his or her recording medium, such as an MD, to the store, and mounts the recording medium on the music server system of this embodiment installed at the store.
Then, an instruction to select desired music data to be viewed from the music data stored in the hard disk 12 of the music server system 30 is input through the display unit 13 and the operation unit 14 of the music server system 30.

The music server system 30 reads out the selected music data from the hard disk 12 in response to a request from the user, and enables a trial listening through the decoder 16 and the reproduction processing unit 17. The user who confirms the target music data by the preview listens to the music server system in order to record the target music data on his / her recording medium, in accordance with the charge for recording the music data. By inputting the data into the accounting device 21 of 30 and inputting a recording instruction through the operation unit 14, the desired music data can be recorded on the recording medium 19 of the user.

As described above, in this embodiment, the user records the music data intended by the user through the music server system 30 to the recording medium in which he or she carries, in this embodiment, the MD. In this manner, the user can purchase the desired music data.

In this embodiment, the music server system 30 and the main server system 10 which is the seller of the music data are connected by, for example, a dedicated line. Then, as described above, the main server 10 sends the music data to the music server system 30 of this embodiment in fixed time units (for example, once a month), and The music data stored in the hard disk 12 can be updated.

If the music server system 30 and the main server 10 are connected by a high-speed dedicated line, a method of directly using music data in the hard disk on the main server 10 every time a purchase is made may be considered. Can be In this manner, the music server system 30 shown in FIG. 1 functions as a so-called vending machine for music data.

As another application example of the music server system, a method of placing the music server system in a home can be considered. In this case, the transmission path of the music data from the main server 10 is as follows.
For example, the Internet is mentioned. A method using digital signal communication from a satellite such as CS is also possible.

In this case, unlike the above-described music server system 30 installed at the store, there is no need to provide a charging device in the music server system itself, and a charging process is performed using the existing Internet or telephone line. To do. In other words, in order not to leak the member identification information and credit card number etc. to others, for example, encrypt and send it to the seller of music data, automatic debit from bank account, credit card settlement, or invoice , And a process of charging can be performed by a method such as receiving payment.

A method of not only purchasing music data from a music provider (sales source) but also using a music data of a package already owned as a system for storing and storing the music data can be considered. At this time, in some cases, in addition to reading of the recording medium, an encoder (encoder) for performing desired encoding is required.

[Processing for a Plurality of Consecutive Songs] Next, a description will be given of a process performed by the above-described music server system 30 when recording a plurality of continuous song data on an MD which is a recording medium brought by a user. I do.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a process for a plurality of continuous music data performed in the music server system 30.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, in the music distribution system 30 shown in FIG.
Song data of six songs up to ong-F are stored. Two songs, Song-B and Song-C, are selected (purchased) by performing a trial listening or the like by the method described above, and recorded on a recording medium. This is the case when it is done. This purchase can be made within the allowable range of the capacity of the recording medium, and the order of music can be arbitrarily selected.

Here, a case where Song-B and Song-C are continuous music as sound will be described. As mentioned above, continuous music is different from music, but the music before and after is smoothly connected by rhythm, etc. This shows a plurality of music pieces in a case where are connected.

In this case, as shown in FIG.
-B and Song-C, you buy So
Since the continuity between ng-B and Song-C is not lost, when listening to Song-B and Song-C continuously, the reproduced sound may cause any unnaturalness. Nor. However, problems can arise if they are purchased alone.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a process performed in the music server system 30 in a case where one music piece of a plurality of continuous music piece data is purchased alone. Also in the case of the example of FIG. 5, Song-B
And Song-C are continuous music pieces as in the example of FIG. 4 described above. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when only Song-C is purchased, Song-C
Since there is no final part of Song-B, reproduction of C is unnatural, such as suddenly starting music.

In order to cope with this, as shown in FIG. 5B, data (filled portion) formed by performing a fade-in process on the last portion (end portion) of Song-B is added to the head of Song-C. It is conceivable that Song-C can be purchased in a form added to the portion (the beginning). By adding the data subjected to the fade-in processing in this way, even if only Song-C is purchased, it is possible to record on the recording medium in such a manner that natural reproduction is performed.

However, Song-C in a form continuous with Song-B and Song-C in which data obtained by performing fade-in processing on the last part of Song-B are added to the head part.
Separately from the hard disk 1 of the music server system 30
2, the Song-C is provided in the music server system 30 twice.
The hard disk 12 of the music server system 30 cannot be used effectively.

Therefore, in the music server system 30 according to the present embodiment, when one of a plurality of continuous music pieces is purchased alone, a part of the plurality of continuous music pieces is purchased. In such a case, a process of adding data subjected to the fade-in process or data subjected to the fade-out process is performed to provide music data which does not cause unnatural reproduction sound.

For this purpose, the single purchase processing flag of the management table file for the music data shown in FIG. 2 is used. As described above, the single purchase processing flag in the management table file shown in FIG. 2 is used to discriminate processing between continuous purchase of continuous music and the like and processing when single purchase is performed. belongs to.
For example, since the single purchase processing flag of Song-C in FIG. 2 is “1”, when the song is purchased alone, the last part of Song-B, which is the immediately preceding song, is automatically set. Add fade-in processed data.

Here, as the simplest example, an example is shown in which, when the single purchase processing flag is 1, a fade-in of the last part of the music corresponding to the previous part is added. For example, if Song-B was purchased alone, So
Since a case where the head of ng-C is faded out may be added, it is also possible to prepare a flag value corresponding thereto.

Therefore, when the song-B is purchased alone, for example, when the fade-out data is added, as in the case where the head of Song-C is faded out, the single purchase processing flag is set to “2”. , And adding the faded-in data and adding the faded-out data, that is, setting the single purchase processing flag to “3” when adding data to both ends of the target music data. You can negotiate. Further, here, by managing the transition shape, transition time, and the like relating to the fade, it is possible to perform more precise classification.

When the single purchase processing flag is "0", there is no continuous music data, indicating that there is no need to add faded data even when the single purchase is performed. .

[Regarding High Efficiency Coding Method of Digital Audio Data] Next, in order to simplify the description of the fade processing of the music data and the addition processing of the faded music data, the high efficiency coding of the digital audio data will be described. A description will be given of a specific example of the encoding scheme and a decoding process of digital audio data that has been subjected to the high-efficiency encoding process.

First, a specific example of a data compression method of digital audio data as main information recorded on the hard disk 12 of the music server system of this embodiment, that is, a high-efficiency encoding method of digital audio data will be described. Here, ATRAC (Adaptive T) used for digital audio data recorded on an MD widely used for music is used.
transform Acoustic Coding)
The high-efficiency coding method will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining an example of a high-efficiency coding apparatus for performing ATRAC-based high-efficiency coding on digital audio data. In the high-efficiency coding apparatus shown in FIG. 6, the input digital audio signal is divided into a plurality of frequency bands, and orthogonal transform is performed for each frequency band. Bits are adaptively allocated for each so-called critical bandwidth (critical band) in consideration of human auditory characteristics described later, and for each band obtained by subdividing the critical bandwidth in consideration of block flow tagging efficiency in the middle and high frequencies. Encoding.

Normally, the block for performing the bit allocation is a quantization noise generating block. Further, in the high-efficiency coding apparatus according to the present embodiment, the block size (block length) to which bits are allocated is adaptively changed according to the input signal before the orthogonal transform.

That is, in FIG. 6, when the sampling frequency is 44.1 kHz, for example,
Digital audio data (audio PCM signal) of 0 to 22 kHz is supplied. This input signal is, for example, a so-called QMF (Quadrature Mirror).
0 by a band division filter 101 such as
１１11 kHz band and signals of 11 kHz to 22 kHz band are divided into signals of 0 to 11 kHz band.
0 to 5.5 kHz by the band division filter 102 such as F
The signal is divided into signals in a band and a 5.5 kHz to 11 kHz band.

11 kHz from band division filter 101
The signal in the band of ~ 22 kHz is applied to an MDCT (Modified Discrete Co.) which is an example of an orthogonal transformation circuit.
The signal is supplied to a sine transform circuit 103 and also to the block decision circuits 109, 110, and 111.

Further, 5.
The signal in the band of 5 kHz to 11 kHz is applied to the MDCT circuit 104.
And the block decision circuits 109 and 11
0, 111. Further, the band division filter 10
0 to 5.5 kHz band signal from the second
5 and the block determination circuits 109, 110, and 11
1 is supplied.

The block determining circuit 109 determines the block size based on the signal supplied thereto, and outputs information indicating the determined block size to the MDCT circuit 103, the adaptive bit allocation encoding circuit 106, and the output terminal 113.
To supply. Similarly, the block determination circuit 110 determines a block size based on a signal supplied thereto,
The information indicating the determined block size is stored in the MDCT circuit 10.
4. It is supplied to the adaptive bit allocation coding circuit 107 and the output terminal 115. Also, the block determination circuit 111
Determines the block size based on the signal supplied thereto, and outputs information indicating the determined block size to the MDCT.
The signal is supplied to the circuit 105, the adaptive bit allocation coding circuit 107, and the output terminal 117.

Each block decision circuit 109, 110, 11
1 adaptively sets a block size (block length) according to the time characteristic and frequency distribution of a signal supplied thereto. Also, each of the MDCT circuits 103, 104, and 105 has a corresponding one of the block decision circuits 109, 11
Under the block size supplied from 0, 111, QM
MDCT processing is performed on the signal supplied from F101 or QMF102.

FIG. 7 shows the MDCT circuits 103, 104, 1
FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a specific example of a standard input signal for a block for each band supplied to the power supply unit 05.
In the example shown in FIG. 7, three filter output signals, that is, 11 kHz to 22 kHz from the QMF 101 are output.
Hz signal, 5.5kHz-11k from QMF102
The Hz signal and the 0 kHz to 5.5 kHz signal each have a plurality of orthogonal transform block sizes independently for each band, and the time resolution can be switched according to the time characteristics, frequency distribution, and the like of the signal.

That is, when the signal to be subjected to the orthogonal transform is a quasi-stationary signal that does not change significantly with time, the orthogonal transform block size is set to 11.6 ms, that is, (A) Long Mode in FIG. And increase. If the signal is a non-stationary signal that changes greatly with time, the orthogonal transform block size is further divided into two and four.

Therefore, when the signal is non-stationary, as shown in (B) ShortMode in FIG.
Everything is divided into 4 parts, 2.9 ms, or FIG.
(C) Middle Mode A, (D) M
As in idle Mode B, a part is divided into two parts,
5.8 mS, one part is divided into four parts, and the time resolution is 2.9 mS, so that it is adapted to an actual complicated input signal. This division of the orthogonal transform block size is more effective if more complicated division is performed if the scale of the processing device allows.

In FIG. 6, each MDCT circuit 1
In the spectrum data or the MDCT coefficient data on the frequency axis obtained by performing the MDCT processing in 03, 104, and 105, the low band is grouped for each so-called critical band (critical band), and the middle and high band is the effectiveness of block floating. In consideration of the above, the critical bandwidth is subdivided and supplied to the adaptive bit allocation coding circuits 106, 107, 108 and the bit allocation calculation circuit 118.

Here, the critical band is a frequency band divided in consideration of human auditory characteristics, and is used when the pure tone is masked by narrow band noise having the same strength near the frequency of a certain pure tone. This is the band of the noise. In this critical band, the higher the band, the wider the bandwidth, and the entire frequency band of 0 to 22 kHz is divided into, for example, 25 critical bands.

In FIG. 6, bit allocation calculating circuit 118
Is based on the information indicating the block size, and the spectral data or the MDCT coefficient data, and in consideration of the so-called masking effect and the like, the masking amount for each of the divided bands in consideration of the critical band and the block floating, and , The energy or the peak value of each divided band is calculated, and the number of bits to be allocated is obtained for each band based on the calculation result.
06, 107 and 108.

Adaptive bit allocation encoding circuits 106, 10
In steps 7 and 108, each spectrum data or MDCT coefficient data is requantized (normalized) according to the information indicating the block size and the number of bits allocated to each divided band in consideration of the critical band and the block floating. And quantize).

In FIG. 6, the data thus encoded is output via output terminals 112, 114 and 116, and is supplied to, for example, a processing system for recording on a recording medium, 10 is supplied to a processing system for transmitting digital audio data to the music server system 30. In the following description, each divided band, which is a unit of bit allocation, is called a unit block.

The bit allocation calculation circuit 118 analyzes the state of the tone components and the like based on the spectrum data or the MDCT coefficients, and also uses the existing effects such as a so-called masking effect and a minimum audible curve relating to human hearing, such as a loudness curve. In consideration of the above, the information allocation is determined by calculating the bit allocation amount for each unit block. At this time, the information indicating the block size is also taken into consideration.

The bit allocation calculating circuit 118 also determines a scale factor value which is normalized data indicating a block floating state of the unit block. Specifically, for example, several positive values are prepared in advance as scale factor value candidates, and a minimum value is selected from among them, taking a value equal to or greater than the maximum value of the absolute value of the spectral data or MDCT coefficient in the unit block. Is adopted as the scale factor value of the unit block.

The scale factor value is numbered using several bits in a manner corresponding to the actual value.
The number may be stored in a ROM or the like (not shown). The scale factor value corresponding to the number is defined to have a value in the order of the number, for example, at an interval of 2 dB. Here, as for the scale factor value determined by the above-described method in a certain unit block, a number corresponding to the determined value is used as sub-information indicating scale factor information (scale factor value) of the unit block.

[High Efficiency Encoding Format of Digital Audio Data] Next, an encoding format which is a format of digital audio data after actual encoding will be described with reference to FIG. Numerical values shown on the left and right sides in FIG. 8 represent the number of bytes. In this embodiment, 212 bytes constitute one frame (one sound frame).

In FIG. 8, the position of the 0th byte located at the top is the block determination circuit 10 in FIG.
The block size information of each band determined in 9, 110 and 111 is recorded.

At the position of the next first byte, information on the number of unit blocks to be recorded is recorded. For example, the higher the frequency side, the more often the bit allocation becomes 0 and recording becomes unnecessary. Therefore, by setting the recording number of the unit block to correspond to this, the influence on the auditory sense is large. Many bits are allocated to the area.

In the position of the first byte, the number of unit blocks in which bit allocation information is double-written,
Also, the number of unit blocks in which the scale factor information is double-written is recorded. Where the double writing is
For error correction, the same data as the data recorded at a certain byte position is recorded at another location. The more this double-written information is, the higher the error resistance is, but the less this information is, the more bits that can be used for spectrum data, which is actual digital audio data.

In this embodiment, the number of double-written unit blocks is set independently for each of the above-mentioned bit allocation information and scale factor information, and the strength against error and the spectrum data are set. The number of usable bits is adjusted. Note that for each piece of information, the correspondence between the code in the prescribed bits and the number of unit blocks is determined in advance as a format.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the content of the information recorded in the 8 bits at the position of the first byte in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, 3 bits of the 8 bits at the position of 1 byte are used as information on the number of unit blocks to be actually recorded, and the remaining 5
Two of the bits are used as information indicating the number of unit blocks in which bit allocation information is double-written, and the remaining three bits are used as information indicating the number of unit blocks in which scale factor information is double-written. Is recorded.

In the position from the second byte in FIG. 8, bit allocation information of a unit block is recorded. For recording bit allocation information, a format is defined in which, for example, four bits are used for one unit block. As a result, bit allocation information for the number of unit blocks actually recorded in FIG. 8 described above is recorded in order from the 0th unit block.

After the data of the bit allocation information recorded in this way, the scale factor information of the unit block is recorded. Regarding the recording of scale factor information, a format in which, for example, 6 bits are used for one unit block is defined. As a result, in exactly the same way as the recording of the bit allocation information, the scale factor information is recorded by the number of unit blocks actually recorded in order from the 0th unit block.

After the scale factor information, the spectrum data of the unit block is recorded. The spectrum data is also recorded in the order of the unit blocks actually recorded, starting from the 0th unit block. Since the number of pieces of spectrum data that exist for each unit block is determined in advance by the format, it is possible to correspond to the data by the above-mentioned bit allocation information. It should be noted that recording is not performed for a unit block whose bit allocation is 0.

After this spectrum information, the above-mentioned double writing of scale factor information and double writing of bit allocation information are performed. This recording method is the same as the above-described recording of the scale factor information and the bit allocation information, except that the correspondence of the number corresponds only to the double-written information shown in FIG.

As for the last two bytes, the information of the 0th byte and the information of the 1st byte are duplicated as shown in FIG. The double writing of two bytes is defined as a format, and the variable setting of the double writing recording amount cannot be performed unlike the double writing of the scale factor information and the double writing of the bit allocation information.

That is, in the bit allocation calculating circuit 118 in FIG. 6, the data obtained by processing the orthogonal transform output spectrum by the sub-information as the main information, the scale factor information indicating the state of the block floating and the word as the sub-information The word length indicating the length is obtained. Based on this, the adaptive bit allocation encoding circuit 10 shown in FIG.
In steps 6, 107 and 108, requantization is actually performed, and if necessary, the normalization information is adjusted based on the output from the normalization information adjustment circuit 119, and is encoded in a form conforming to the encoding format.

In this embodiment, highly efficient encoded digital data is stored and held in the hard disk 12 of the music server system 30 in the encoding format described with reference to FIG. 8, and in response to a request from the user. Is recorded through the recording unit 15 on the MD brought in by the user. The encoding method described above is an example, and the music server system 30 according to the present embodiment can also handle digital audio data that has been highly coded by another high-efficiency coding method.

[Regarding Decoding Process of Highly Efficiently Encoded Digital Audio Data] Next, the decoding process of highly efficient encoded digital audio data as described above will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a decoding circuit that decodes digital audio data that has been highly efficient coded by the high efficiency coding circuit described above with reference to FIG. That is, the high-efficiency decoding circuit shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to the decoder 16 of the music server system 30 shown in FIG.

The quantized MDCT coefficients of each band, that is, data (spectrum data) equivalent to the output signals of the output terminals 112, 114, and 116 in FIG. 6 are input to the decoding circuit input terminal 707 as shown in FIG. To the adaptive bit allocation decoding circuit 706. The used block size information, that is, data equivalent to the output signals of the output terminals 113, 115, and 117 in FIG. 6, is supplied to an inverse orthogonal transform (IMDCT) circuit 703 through an input terminal 708 as shown in FIG. , 704, 7
05.

Here, the spectrum data supplied to the adaptive bit allocation decoding circuit 706 is deallocated using the adaptive bit allocation information, and the high band, middle band,
Each low-band spectrum data is supplied to the corresponding inverse orthogonal transform circuit 703, 704, 705. In the inverse orthogonal transform circuits 703, 704, and 705, spectrum data, which is a signal on the frequency axis, is converted into a signal on the time axis by performing an inverse orthogonal transform process.

As shown in FIG. 10, the signals on the time axis of each band are divided into band synthesis filter (IQMF) circuits 702 and 70.
1 is supplied. Band synthesis filter circuits 702 and 701
Synthesizes the supplied signal on the time axis and decodes it into digital audio data of a full-band signal.

In this way, the digital audio data which has been coded at high efficiency is decoded into digital audio data which has not been coded at high efficiency through the stages of bit allocation decoding, inverse orthogonal transform, and band synthesis. To be. Then, the decoded audio data is reproduced and listened to.

Also in an MD recording / reproducing apparatus using an MD as a recording medium, high-efficiency encoding of audio data and decoding of high-efficiency encoded audio data are performed in the same manner. .

[Fade Processing by Adjustment of Scale Factor Information] In this embodiment, the scale factor information (normalized information) of the highly efficient compressed digital audio data is adjusted to obtain the digital audio data. By performing the level adjustment of the reproduced sound according to, it is possible to perform fade processing such as fade-in and fade-out.

As a result, even when one tune among a plurality of continuous tune data is previewed as described above, the intended tune can be heard as a natural reproduced sound. That is, the reproduction sound of the music desired for the trial listening is prevented from being unnatural such as being suddenly emitted.

For this purpose, a normalization information adjustment circuit 709, an adder 710, an input terminal 712, and an adjustment value calculation circuit 713 shown in FIG. 10 are provided. Here, first, the normalization information adjustment circuit 709 and the addition circuit 710 will be described. The normalization information adjustment circuit 709 is a circuit that outputs a numerical value to be added to the normalization information in order to perform level adjustment for each unit block. Also, an adder 710
Is for adding the numerical value from the normalization information adjustment circuit 709 to the scale factor information (normalization information) of the unit block.

When the numerical value output from the normalization information adjusting circuit 709 is a negative number, the adder 710 acts as a subtractor. That is, as in the case of the encoding, the level adjustment of 2 dB can be performed for the entire band only by adding the output signal from the normalization information adjustment circuit 709 to the data of all the bands for all the unit blocks. A so-called filter effect can be obtained only by adding different numerical values for each unit block.

At this time, the addition result is restricted so as to be within the range of the numerical value of the scale factor information defined in the format. The scale factor information on which the level of the unit block has been adjusted by the adder 710 is used in the decoding process in the adaptive bit allocation decoding circuit 706, and is used only for adjusting the level of the decoded signal. It is possible.

The scale factor information for which the level of the unit block has been adjusted by the adder 710 is, for example, a scale factor information value read from a recording medium on which encoded information is recorded, and the adjusted scale factor information is obtained. By outputting through the output terminal 711,
It is also possible to change the scale factor information recorded on the recording medium to an adjusted value.

The information on the recording medium can be changed by the data output through the output terminal 711 as necessary. This makes it possible to change the level information of the recording medium with a very simple system.

Next, the operation of the normalization information adjusting circuit 709 for highly efficient encoded digital audio data will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state of digital audio data normalized for each unit block. That is,
For digital audio data, a normalization candidate corresponding to the spectrum data or MDCT coefficient on the maximum frequency axis in the unit block is selected, and the number of the normalization candidate is:
It becomes normalized information of the corresponding unit block.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the normalized information of the block with the block number 0 is 5, and the normalized information of the normalized information with the block number 1 is 7. Similarly, the numbers of the normalization information correspond to the other blocks. Since encoded data has these pieces of normalization information, decoding is generally performed on the basis of these pieces of normalization information.

On the other hand, FIG. 12 shows that the normalized information determined based on the spectrum data or the MDCT coefficient on the maximum frequency axis in the unit block is used as the normalized information adjusting circuit 70.
9 shows an example in which the operation is performed based on the information from No. 9. Such level adjustment of digital audio data can be performed both at the time of encoding and at the time of decoding.

However, here, an example will be described in which, when decoding the encoded data recorded on the recording medium, the operation is performed by the normalization information adjusting circuit 709 in FIG.
Actually, the recording medium stores the normalized information determined in the form shown in FIG. 11, that is, the scale factor information in FIG.
Are recorded in the format shown in FIG.

By decoding the recorded information as it is, it is possible to reproduce it in the form of FIG.
Here, a value of -1 is calculated for all unit blocks by the normalization information adjustment circuit 709 in FIG. When this value is added to the normalization information by the adder 710 in FIG. 10, the form becomes as shown in FIG. That is, the normalized information has a value one less than the original state. This is equivalent to setting the normalization information to a value lower by 2 dB.

Since the value of the spectrum data or MDCT coefficient in each unit block is determined based on the normalization information, setting the normalization information to a value lower by 2 dB allows the spectral data or the MDCT coefficient to be set to 2 dB lower. But,
This is calculated as a value 2 dB smaller than the information recorded on the recording medium.

Since the same applies to other unit blocks, a value of -1 is calculated for all the unit blocks by the normalization information adjustment circuit 709 in FIG. 10 and the value is added by the adder 710 to obtain the value in FIG. As a result, decoding at a level lower by 2 dB can be realized.

In this example, for convenience of explanation, the number of unit blocks is set to 5 (0 to 4), and the number of normalization candidate numbers is set to 0 to 4.
The number of unit blocks is 0 in the format used for mini discs, for example.
52 of 51, 64 of the number of normalization candidate numbers of 0 to 63
By specifying the unit blocks and the normalization adjustment information within this range in detail, it becomes possible to perform more precise level adjustment operations or filter processing operations.

As described above, by performing processing for correcting scale factor information (normalized information) on digital audio data which has been encoded with high efficiency, the level of reproduced sound can be adjusted. By applying this, it is possible to realize fade-in and fade-out of digital audio data that has been encoded with high efficiency without performing decoding processing.

In order to simplify the description of the fade processing of digital audio data which has been encoded with high efficiency, the time unit for performing the processing of the high efficiency encoding method and FIG.
The adjustment value calculation circuit 713 indicated by 0 will be described. First, a description will be given of a time unit in which the processing of the high-efficiency coding method is performed.

The PCM sample of the audio is supplied to the input terminal 100 in FIG. 6. In the MDCT processing in 103, 104 and 105 performed after the input, the number of samples for performing the so-called orthogonal transformation processing is defined. It becomes one unit and will be repeated.

In this example, 1 is input from the input terminal 100.
024 PCM samples consist of 512 MDC
103, 1 as T coefficient or spectrum data
04 and 105. Specifically, 1024 PCM samples input from the input terminal 100 are combined with 512 high frequency samples by the QMF 101 and 51
Two low frequency samples are obtained, and the low frequency samples are further converted into 256 low frequency samples and 256 middle frequency samples by the QMF 102.

Thereafter, the 256 low-frequency samples from the QMF 102 are converted into 128 low-frequency spectrum data by the MDCT circuit 105,
The 56 mid-range samples are obtained by the MDCT circuit 104.
128 mid-range spectrum data, QMF10
512 high frequency samples from 1
3, it becomes 256 high frequency spectrum data,
512 spectrum data in total 1024 PCs
It will be created from M samples.

[0142] These 1,024 are time units for performing one process of the high-efficiency coding described above, which is defined as one frame. One frame of the high-efficiency encoded data corresponds to 212 bytes previously shown in FIG. The PCM sample input from the input terminal 100 in FIG. 6 is 1024 samples per frame, but the 512 samples before and after are also used in adjacent frames before and after. This is a process in consideration of the overlap in the MDCT process.

Next, the adjustment value calculation circuit 71 in FIG.
The adjustment value calculation circuit 713, which will be described in connection with No. 3, receives supply of information on the frame number (order) of the above-described high efficiency coding system from the input terminal 712. For example, from the first frame for which the normalization information adjustment is performed, the number of the current frame is obtained through the input terminal 712.
More specifically, the increment processing may be performed for each 212-byte unit of the high-efficiency coding shown in FIG. The adjustment value calculation circuit 713 calculates an adjustment value based on the frame number.

Next, an example in which the adjustment value of the normalized information is calculated by the adjustment value calculation circuit 713 to realize the so-called fade-in effect in a simple form will be described with reference to FIGS. When no operation is performed on the normalization information, it is assumed that the processing is performed from the frame 0 to the frame 4 in the form shown in FIG.

The adjustment value calculation circuit 713 performs the first frame for performing the fade-in process, that is, the frame 0 in FIG.
-8 is calculated as the adjustment value of the normalization information, and then the adjustment value is calculated according to an arithmetic expression that increases the adjustment value by two for each frame, and the normalization information is calculated until the adjustment value becomes zero. To adjust.

FIG. 14 shows the state of adjustment in accordance with this adjustment value.
Shown in As shown in FIG. 14, the level increases with the time parameter, and the fade-in effect is realized. Here, a very simple example is shown for convenience of explanation, but the adjustment value calculation circuit 713 can perform more detailed setting as a general fader including fade-out.

For example, since one frame corresponds to about 11.6 msec, it is possible to calculate how many frames the desired level transition time of fade-in corresponds to by dividing. Also, the shape of the level transition can be applied to not only a linear shape but also, for example, a sine curve or a log curve. Thus, the adjustment value calculation circuit 713
However, by making finer settings for time, level, and the like and calculating the adjustment value of the normalization information, the function as a fader can be refined.

In this way, even digital audio data that has been encoded with high efficiency can have effects such as fade-in and fade-out without decoding the digital audio data. In other words, even if data for fade-in and data for fade-out, and music data to which data for fade-in and fade-out are added are not prepared in advance, the user brings in the music data. When music data is recorded on a recording medium, a fade effect such as fade-in or fade-out can be added to the music data.

[Regarding Fade Processing When Providing (Recording) Music Data] In the music server system 30 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the highly efficient encoded music data stored in the hard disk 12 is stored. about,
The normalization adjustment section 18 adjusts the scale factor value to realize a fade effect. That is, the input terminal 707, the normalization information adjustment circuit 709, the adder 710, and the output terminal 71 in FIG.
1 is the normalization adjustment unit 18 of the server system in FIG.
And the recording unit 15.

By doing so, the desired portion of the highly efficient encoded data stored in the hard disk 12 of the music server system 30 in FIG.
By performing the fade process, for example, it is possible to easily create data for realizing the fade-in effect as shown by the solid color in FIG. 5B and add it to the music data.

It is also effective to prepare the data for applying the fade-in effect on the main server 10 side in advance and store the data itself. However, by using the normalization adjusting unit 18 and the recording unit 15 in FIG. 1 to create and add partial data for adding a fade effect at the time of recording the music data on the recording medium, the hard disk 12 having a limited storage capacity is created. Can be used more efficiently.

[Case where music data previously purchased with the fade effect added is purchased separately on the recording medium and music data continuous with the previously purchased music data] Next, as described above, the fade is performed. On a recording medium in which the effect is added so that the reproduced sound does not become unnatural and the individually purchased music data is recorded, the music data that is continuous with the previously purchased music data at another time is used as another opportunity. Processing for purchasing will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5 (B), Song- purchased separately with the fade-in effect added.
When Song-B is purchased in the form of additional recording on an external recording medium on which C is recorded, as shown in FIG. 4, Song-B and Song-C should be handled as continuous music. It is desirable.

In this case, after purchasing Song-B, So-B
What is necessary is to delete the shaded portion in FIG. 5B in which the final portion of Song-B added to ng-C is fade-in processed. Song-B and Song-C,
If the seller is purchased from the same music server system, the main controller 11 can specify the length of the portion corresponding to the painted portion.

That is, the main controller 11 can uniquely specify how many data portions from the beginning of the music data are subjected to the level adjustment in order to produce the fade-in effect. The reason why the level-adjusted data is added in order to produce the fade-in effect is that the main controller 11 controls the data.

For this reason, the main controller 11 supplies to the recording unit 15 information indicating, for example, how much from the beginning of the designated music data the data portion added to produce the fade-in effect is. In response to an instruction from the main controller 11, the recording unit 15 deletes the music data of the fade-in effect portion (the music data of the solid portion) of the music data recorded on the music recording medium 19. In this case, the range of the music data in the fade-in effect portion can be specified by a processing unit such as a block unit or a sound frame unit.

A series of steps of the music server system 30 at the time of purchasing music in consideration of the additional purchase of continuous music data will be further described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining processing mainly performed in the main controller 11 of the music server system 30 when music data is purchased through the music server system 30 shown in FIG. The music server system 30 first accepts the insertion (attachment) of the recording medium brought by the user (step S).
201).

Next, the main controller 11 of the music server system 30 receives a music data purchase instruction from the user, in this case, a single purchase instruction (step S202), and is formed on the hard disk 12, for example. With reference to the management table file, it is determined whether or not there is a music piece continuous with the specified music piece (step S
203).

If it is determined in the determination process of step S203 that there is no continuous music in the specified music, the main controller 11 reads out the instructed music data from the hard disk 12, and the user brings it in. Write processing of a normal purchased music piece recorded on the recording medium through the recording unit 15 (step S20).
4).

If it is determined in step S203 that there is a piece of music that is continuous with the specified piece of music, the main controller 11 notifies the user of the recording medium attached to the recording unit 15 in step S201. An inquiry is made as to whether or not continuous music has been purchased and recorded (step S205).

If it is determined in step S205 that the answer from the user indicates that the continuous music has never been purchased on the recording medium, as described above, an unnatural reproduction sound is generated. Based on the information of the single purchase processing flag in the management table file,
A piece of music data for performing the fade-in process or the fade-out process or both is formed, and a single purchase process for recording this on a recording medium is performed (step S206). Details of the processing in step S206 will be described later.

If it is determined in step S205 that the answer from the user indicates that the continuous music has been purchased on the recording medium, the main controller 11 has already recorded the music. The user is inquired of the Track-No of the continuous music pieces and is obtained (step S207).

Thereafter, the main controller 11 stores the music data specified in step S202 in the recording unit 1.
Then, writing is performed on the recording medium attached to this through step 5 (step S208). In the process of step S208, similarly to the process of step S204, there is no need to add faded data, and the music data instructed to be purchased is directly recorded on the recording medium. That is, in step S208, the addition of the faded data is prohibited.

[0165] Then, the main controller 11 transmits the T acquired in step S207 through the recording unit 15.
The addition of the fade effect of the music data specified by the track-No (the portion to which the faded data is added) is deleted (step S20).
9).

Lastly, the main controller 11 assigns a desired Track-No to the newly purchased music,
The newly purchased Song-B and the previously purchased Song-C are reproduced continuously on the recording medium (step S210).

In the case of MD, step S209, and
Step S210 can be realized by editing the music management information called TOC described above. Step S208, step S20
9. The order of step S210 may be changed.

Since it is a purchase process of a new music piece, for example, immediately after step S202, payment from the user is accepted, and if the payment amount is legitimate, the process can proceed to the subsequent processing. Good.

[Processing when target music data in a plurality of continuous music data is purchased alone]
Next, a description will be given of the processing performed when the target music data is purchased separately from the continuous music data executed in step S206 of the processing shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the processing executed in step S206 in FIG.

That is, in the processing shown in FIG.
If it is determined in step S203 that the music data for which purchase has been instructed includes continuous music, and if it is determined that the continuous music is not recorded on the attached recording medium, the main controller 11 proceeds to step S206. The processing of FIG. 15 is performed.

Then, the main controller 11 refers to the single purchase processing flag of the music data for which the purchase of the management table file shown in FIG. 2 of the hard disk 12 has been instructed (step S301), and the single purchase processing flag is instructed to purchase. It is determined whether or not the value is “1” indicating that there is continuous music data at the beginning of the music (step S3)
02).

In the determination processing of step S302, when it is determined that the single purchase processing flag is “1”,
At the beginning of the music data for which purchase has been instructed, data obtained by performing a fade-in process on the end of the music data that is continuous with the data is added (step S303). Write (step S304). Then, the process illustrated in FIG. 16 ends.

If it is determined in step S302 that the single purchase processing flag is not "1", the main controller 11 determines that the single purchase processing flag is a continuation of the music piece that has been instructed to be purchased. It is determined whether the value is "2" indicating that there is data (step S305).

If it is determined in step S305 that the single purchase processing flag is “2”,
At the end of the music data for which purchase is instructed, data obtained by fading out the beginning of the music data that is continuous with the data is added (step S306), and the music data to which the data has been added is written to the attached recording medium. (Step S304). Then, the process illustrated in FIG. 16 ends.

If it is determined in step S302 that the single purchase processing flag is not "2", the single purchase processing flag of the music data instructed to be purchased is determined to be "3". At the beginning of the music data for which purchase is instructed, data obtained by performing a fade-in process on the end of the music data that is continuous with the data is added. (Step S307), and writes the music data to which the data has been added to the attached recording medium (step S307).
304). Then, the process illustrated in FIG. 16 ends.

In this way, even if continuous music data exists in the music data for which purchase has been instructed, the end of the continuous music data is faded in and added, or the continuous music data is added. By adding the end portion of the data by performing a fade-in process, when the music data instructed to be purchased is reproduced, the reproduction is not unnatural.

Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 15, after music data of a music piece having a continuous music piece is purchased alone, different music data pieces continuous with the music piece data purchased separately are purchased later. In this case, the part that has been added to the previously purchased music data by performing a fade process is deleted, so if music data that is originally continuous music is purchased separately at different timings, Even if they are recorded on a recording medium, they can be used as continuous music.

Therefore, when the continuous music data is purchased independently using the method described above, it is possible to record the purchase in a more natural form. Further, even in a case where continuous music data is recorded on the same recording medium at another occasion, it is possible to finally record the purchase of music data in a form in which continuity is considered.

Also, as can be seen from the description of the above-described embodiment, the music server system 30 of the above-described embodiment.
In the above, the function of the accepting means is realized by the display unit 13 and the operation unit 14 which are user interfaces, and determines whether or not there is music data continuous with the music data instructed to be purchased. The main controller 11 realizes a function as a discriminating means for judging whether or not data subsequent to the selected music data has already been purchased, and as a second discriminating means.

Also, the main controller 11 realizes a function as a control means for controlling each unit so as to provide the music data instructed to be purchased with a fade portion added thereto, or to control each unit so as to provide the music data as it is. I have. Also,
The function as a recording unit is realized by the recording unit 11.
Further, the function as the fade processing means is realized by the normalization adjusting unit 18.

In the above-described embodiment, when continuous music data is purchased at different timings,
In the later purchase timing, it has been described that the fade portion (the data portion subjected to the fade process) added to the previously purchased music data is deleted. However, it is not limited to this.

For example, the scale factor may be adjusted to mute the fade portion or return the fade portion to the original state. Then, for example, when the fade part of the music data purchased earlier is silenced by adjusting the scale factor, the faded data is added to the music data to be purchased at a later purchase timing. By rewriting the TOC information without deleting the faded part of the previously purchased music data,
The fade part added to the music data purchased at the earlier purchase timing is invalidated, so that the music data purchased at the earlier purchase timing and the music data purchased at the later purchase timing are consecutive. It is also possible to ensure the nature.

When the fade portion is restored, the beginning or end of the music data to be purchased at the later purchase timing is set to TOC.
By shortening the information by rewriting, for example, the continuity of both pieces of music data can be ensured.

As described above, when the recording position of the music data to be reproduced on the recording medium can be changed by rewriting the information of the TOC, if the fade portion of the music data purchased earlier has no particular adverse effect. Does not need to delete or silence that fade.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in order to prevent the reproduced sound of the purchased music data from becoming unnatural, the end portion or the beginning of the adjacent music data is faded. Although the description has been made on the assumption that the data for producing the fade-in effect and the fade-out effect is added, it is not always necessary to perform the fade process.

That is, in order to eliminate the unnaturalness in which the music starts suddenly, for example, the end or the beginning of the music data that is adjacent and continuous may be simply added without fading. . However, in order to perform more natural reproduction, it is desirable to add fade-processed data as in the above-described embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the music server system including the recording unit 15 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Although the recording unit is not provided, the present invention can be applied to a music providing system that outputs music data and provides the music data to a user.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the music data to be handled is data that has been subjected to high-efficiency encoding processing and data compression has been described as an example. Uncompressed eg PC
Of course, it may be M data. However, if the recording time is taken into account, the data handled will be
It is desirable that the data be subjected to high-efficiency encoding processing and data compression.

The high-efficiency coding method is not limited to the ATRAC method used in the above-described embodiment, but various methods can be used. For example, MPEG (Moving Picture Exp
ert Group), MP3 (MPEG Aud)
io Layer 3) system, AAC (Advanced)
d Audio Coding) system, WMA (Win
Windows Media Audio), ATRAC3 which is an extension of ATRAC, Twin-VQ (T
transform-Domain Weighted
Interleave Vector Quantiz
Various high-efficiency coding schemes such as a coding scheme can be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the digital signal processing device and the digital signal processing system according to the present invention are applied to a music server system installed in a store or the like has been described as an example. There is no limit. The digital signal processing device and the digital signal processing method according to the present invention can be applied to the main server shown in FIGS.

In this case, the selection information of the music data to be purchased and the information on the previously purchased music data (information on the provided digital signal) are stored in the music server system installed at the store or at home. Input is made through a music server system formed in a personal computer, and transmitted to the main server through a predetermined transmission line such as a dedicated line or a telephone line.

[0192] Then, when selection information of music data to be purchased and information on previously purchased music data transmitted through a predetermined transmission path are received, and there is music data continuous with the music data to be purchased, The faded data is added to the instructed music data and provided.If there is already purchased music data, the music data desired to be purchased is provided as it is, and the music data By transmitting an instruction (command) for deleting or invalidating a fade portion, the digital signal processing device and the digital signal processing method according to the present invention can be realized.

[0193] Even in this case, a part of the music data adjacent to the music data instructed to be purchased is faded and added to the music server system connected to the main server 10. Is also good.

For this reason, a large-capacity recording medium such as a hard disk in which a large number of music data are stored may be provided anywhere, and whether there is music data continuous with the music data instructed to be purchased is determined. The judgment and the process of adding a part of the music data adjacent to the music data actually instructed to be purchased by fading can be performed on either the main server 10 side or the music server system 30 side.

The recording medium carried by the user for recording the music data is not limited to an optical disc such as an MD, but also various recordable optical discs, magnetic recording media, and a so-called memory card using a semiconductor memory. And the like can be used.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, one or both of the beginning part and the end part of the music data to be purchased are faded with the end part and the beginning part of different music data adjacent to the purchased music data. Processed and added. However, it is not limited to this.
One or both of the beginning and end of the music to be purchased may be faded.

For example, before and / or after the music data to be purchased, there are continuous different music data, which are connected by applause, for example, like a live record, or have a rhythm. For example, when the music data is connected, the beginning and the end of the music data to be purchased are faded, so that the music data is provided in such a manner that a natural reproduction sound is obtained without affecting the music itself. be able to.

When music data continuous with music data in which one or both of the beginning and end portions are faded are purchased later, the previously purchased music data is also purchased later. By re-providing the music data at the time of purchase, or by fading at the beginning or end of the music data purchased later that leads to the music data purchased earlier, Both pieces of music data can be provided so as to have a natural reproduced sound.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the digital signal to be processed is music data (digital audio data) has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The digital signal to be processed may be, for example, digital video data, or may be both digital audio data and digital video data.

[0200]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a continuous digital signal is provided independently, it can be provided in such a state that the reproduced output does not become unnatural. it can. Further, even in a case where a continuous digital signal is provided to the same recording medium at another occasion, the digital signal can be finally provided in consideration of continuity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a basic configuration of a music server system to which an embodiment of a digital signal processing device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an information correspondence management table in the main server or the music server system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a main server 10 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a case where two continuous songs are transferred and purchased (purchased) from the music server system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a case where one of continuous music pieces is independently transferred and recorded (purchased) from a server system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining an example of a highly efficient encoding encoder for digital audio data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an orthogonal transform block at the time of bit compression.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a high-efficiency encoding format.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating details of data of a first byte in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining an example of a high efficiency encoding decoder for decoding digital audio data encoded by the high efficiency encoding encoder of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a main server shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a process of determining normalization information for digital audio data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing changes over time of a frame composed of unit blocks for digital audio data.

14 is a diagram for explaining an example in which a value calculated for each frame is applied to the normalization information shown in FIG. 12 to realize a fade-in effect.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a recording process in consideration of continuity of recorded music.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a recording process when a song having a continuous song is purchased alone.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 main server, 30 ... music server system, 11 ...
Main controller, 12 hard disk, 13 display unit, 14 operation unit, 15, 16 read / record unit, 17
... Decoder, 18 ... Reproduction processing unit, 19 ... Recording medium, 20
... recording medium, 21 ... billing device, 101, 102 ... band division filter, 103, 104, 105 ... orthogonal transform circuit (MDCT), 109, 110, 111 ... block determination circuit, 118 ... bit allocation calculation circuit, 106, 10
7, 108... Adaptive bit allocation coding circuit, 701, 70
2. Band synthesis filter (IQMF), 703, 704,
705: inverse orthogonal transform circuit (IMDCT), 706: adaptive bit allocation decoding circuit, 709: normalized information adjustment circuit,
710 ... Adder

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A receiving means for receiving selection information on a digital signal, and a determination means for determining whether or not there is a different digital signal to be continuously reproduced from the predetermined digital signal specified by the selection information. And if the discriminating means determines that there is a different digital signal to be reproduced continuously with the predetermined digital signal, a beginning or end portion of the different digital signal adjacent to the predetermined digital signal Is added to the predetermined digital signal and output, and when the determination means determines that there is no different digital signal to be reproduced continuously to the predetermined digital signal, the selection information includes And a control means for controlling so as to output only the predetermined digital signal designated by the digital signal processing apparatus. 2. The digital signal processing device according to claim 1, wherein said second receiving means receives information on the provided digital signal, and said information is received based on said information received through said second receiving means. Second determining means for determining whether or not a different digital signal to be reproduced continuously with the predetermined digital signal specified by the selection information has already been provided; When it is determined that the different digital signals to be continuously reproduced have already been provided, the control means prohibits the addition of the beginning or end of the different digital signals. Digital signal processing device. 3. The digital signal processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a fade processing means for performing a fade process on a head or an end of said different digital signal added to said predetermined digital signal. Digital signal processing device. 4. The digital signal processing device according to claim 2, wherein said recording means records said digital signal to be output on a recording medium, and said second discriminating means continuously outputs said digital signal. If it is determined that a different digital signal to be reproduced has been provided, the beginning of the predetermined digital signal added to the already provided different digital signal recorded on the recording medium Or a processing unit for performing a predetermined process on a portion corresponding to the terminal portion. 5. The digital signal processing device according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined processing performed by the processing means is added to the different digital signals recorded on the recording medium. A digital signal processing device, characterized in that it is a process of deleting a portion corresponding to the beginning or end of the predetermined digital signal. 6. The digital signal processing device according to claim 4, wherein the digital signal recorded on the recording medium is data-compressed by a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process accompanied by a normalization process. The predetermined processing performed by the processing means includes normalization information for a portion corresponding to the beginning or end of the predetermined digital signal added to the different digital signal recorded on the recording medium. A digital signal processing device, characterized in that the updating process is performed. 7. The first, second, third and fourth aspects of the present invention.
Or the digital signal processing device according to claim 5, wherein each of the digital signals is data-compressed by a predetermined high-efficiency encoding method, and the digital signal processing device processes the data-compressed digital signal. Digital signal processing device characterized by the following. 8. A digital signal processing method for outputting a selected digital signal, comprising: receiving selection information on the digital signal, and reproducing the digital signal continuously from a predetermined digital signal specified by the selection information. It is determined whether there is a different digital signal to be performed, and if it is determined that there is a different digital signal to be reproduced continuously with the predetermined digital signal, the different digital signal adjacent to the predetermined digital signal is determined. The top or the end of the digital signal is added to the predetermined digital signal and output. If it is determined that there is no different digital signal to be reproduced continuously with the predetermined digital signal, the selection information is used. A digital signal processing method comprising outputting only the specified digital signal specified above. 9. The digital signal processing method according to claim 8, wherein information related to the provided digital signal is received, and the information specified by the selection information according to the information related to the provided digital signal. It is determined whether or not a different digital signal to be reproduced continuously with the predetermined digital signal has already been provided.If it is determined that the different digital signal to be continuously reproduced has been provided, A digital signal processing method comprising prohibiting the addition of the beginning or end of the different digital signal. 10. The digital signal processing method according to claim 8, wherein a fading process is performed on a head or an end of the different digital signal to be added to the predetermined digital signal. Signal processing method. 11. The digital signal processing method according to claim 9, wherein said digital signal to be output is recorded on a recording medium, and said different digital signals to be reproduced continuously. If it is determined that has already been provided, a portion corresponding to the beginning or end of the predetermined digital signal added to the already provided different digital signal recorded on the recording medium A digital signal processing device that performs predetermined processing on the digital signal processing device. 12. The digital signal processing method according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined processing is performed at the beginning of the predetermined digital signal added to the different digital signal recorded on the recording medium. Alternatively, the digital signal processing method is a process of deleting a portion corresponding to a terminal portion. 13. The digital signal processing method according to claim 11, wherein the digital signal recorded on the recording medium is data-compressed by a predetermined high-efficiency encoding process including a normalization process. The predetermined process is a process of updating normalization information for a portion corresponding to the beginning or end of the predetermined digital signal added to the different digital signal recorded on the recording medium. Digital signal processing method. 14. A digital signal processing method according to claim 8, claim 9, claim 10, claim 11, or claim 12, wherein each of the digital signals is formed by a predetermined high efficiency coding method. A digital signal processing method adapted to compress data and processing a digital signal subjected to data compression.