JP2003018505A - Information reproducing device and conversation scene detection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information reproducing device which can skip a scene in which a conversation is discontinued for a long time and start recorded information from the next conversation scene, when the information is reproduced from an optical disc in which video data, audio data, auxiliary image data such as titles are recorded. SOLUTION: A conversation reproducing means 110 of an information reproducing device 100 decides whether information read out of an optical disc 101 by a reading means 102 is a leading pack of an auxiliary image data unit or not and, if it is decided that it is the leading pack of the auxiliary data unit, outputs the address information of a navigation pack containing the leading pack to a system control unit 111. When the system control unit 111 receives the address information from the conversation detecting means 110, it controls the reading means 102 to reproduce a conversation scene from the position on the optical disc 101 indicated by the address information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing a video signal, an audio signal and a sub-picture signal from an information recording medium in which a sub-picture signal such as a caption is recorded together with a video signal and an audio signal, and a conversation scene detection. Regarding the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art DVD-V is one of the methods for digitally recording and reproducing video data such as movies on an optical disk.
There is a video standard. According to the DVD-Video standard, a video (data) stream compression-coded using the MPEG system, a maximum of eight audio (data) streams compression-coded using the DOLBY-AC3 or MPEG system, and subtitles are included. A maximum of 32 sub-pictures (data) streams in which the sub-pictures for display are run-length coded can be multiplexed as an MPEG program stream (data stream) and recorded on the disc. DVD-V compliant with the DVD-Video standard
When the video disc is played back by using the information playback device conforming to the DVD-Video standard, it becomes possible to listen to a foreign movie in the original language and watch it while watching Japanese subtitles.

As a method of effectively using audio and sub-picture data in an information reproducing apparatus, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 20504/1996
There is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4 publication. In this publication, voice data of a conversation to be played back is voice-recognized, a character string code is generated from the voice-recognized voice data, and index information is created in association with position data of the voice data. There is disclosed a technique capable of searching for an impression scene such as a movie, searching for a scene sequence, and creating a story summary by referring to index information.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] D recording a movie or the like
With the VD-Video disc, there is a user request to skip a scene in which there is no conversation for a long time, such as when learning to listen to a foreign language, and start playing from the scene with the next conversation. That is, for example, when learning a foreign language in which a subtitle in the original language is displayed in a foreign movie while listening to the original language to confirm whether the listening is correct.

However, the conventional DVD-Video
In an information reproducing apparatus that reproduces information from an optical disc conforming to the standard, the access point when performing random access is only a predetermined point such as the beginning of a chapter to write in the case of a movie, as described above. There was a problem that scenes without conversation could not be skipped and accessed.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-205044 discloses a scene sequence search, but it requires a voice recognition function, which causes a problem that the apparatus becomes complicated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an information reproducing apparatus and a conversation scene detection method capable of skipping a scene without conversation and easily accessing the conversation scenes before and after, based on a user's instruction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information reproducing apparatus and a conversation scene detection method capable of easily accessing an arbitrary conversation scene in a data stream based on a user's instruction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information reproducing apparatus and a conversation scene detecting method capable of automatically skipping a conversation-free portion of a data stream and connecting and reproducing only the conversation scene. To do.

[0010]

An information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention comprises means for reading a data stream, detecting means for detecting a head position of a caption from the read data stream, and this detecting means for detecting a head position of the caption. When it is detected, the control means for setting the reproduction position of the data stream based on the reproduction start position information corresponding to the head position.

In the information reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the means for reading the data stream, the detecting means for detecting the head position of the caption from the data stream read by the reading means, and the detecting means for detecting the head position of the caption. When it is detected,
The storage means stores the reproduction start position information corresponding to the head position, and the control means for controlling the reproduction position of the data stream based on the reproduction start position information stored in the storage means.

Further, the information reproducing apparatus of the present invention comprises means for reading the data stream, detecting means for detecting the head positions of all captions from the data stream read by the reading means, and the detecting means for detecting the head of the caption. Storage means for storing reproduction start position information corresponding to each head position each time the position is detected, and control means for controlling the reproduction position of the data stream based on the reproduction start position information stored in the storage means. It has and.

Further, according to the conversation scene detecting method of the present invention, the data stream is read, the head position of the caption is detected from the read data stream, and when the head position of the caption is detected, the reproduction start position corresponding to the head position is detected. Change the playback position of the data stream based on the information.

A method for detecting a conversation scene, characterized in that

Further, according to the conversation scene detection method of the present invention, the data stream is read, the head position of the caption is detected from the read data stream, and when the head position of the caption is detected, the reproduction start corresponding to the head position is started. The position information is stored in the storage means, and the reproduction position of the data stream is controlled based on the reproduction start position information stored in the storage means.

Further, the conversation scene detection method of the present invention reads the data stream, detects the head positions of all captions from the read data stream, and corresponds to each head position each time the head position of the caption is detected. The reproduction start position information is stored in the storage means, and the reproduction position of the data stream is controlled based on each reproduction start position information stored in the storage means.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the data structure of the DVD-Video disc will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of a DVD-Video disc.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the DVD-Vid
The eo disk is a volume and file structure (hereinafter referred to as BFS) unit 11a, which is a UDF bridge type file system unit, and a DVD-Vi.
DVD-Video recording a set of files for deo
The zone 11b and the DVD other zone 11c in which files other than DVD-Video data are recorded. The DVD-Video zone is divided into a plurality of files # 1, ..., #i, ..., #p, ... As shown in FIG. 1B, and is called a video manager as shown in FIG. 1C. One volume management unit (hereinafter VMG
13a) and one or more video title sets (hereinafter referred to as VTS) # 1, # 2 ,. The VMG 13a can record information related to the disc such as search information of all titles on the disc and a menu related to the entire disc. VTS
Each of # 1, # 2, ... Can record one or more titles having the same attribute, and can record a menu for each VTS for each VTS.

As shown in FIG. 1D, the VMG 13a includes control information (hereinafter referred to as VMGI) 15a for reproducing a menu or title, and a video object, which is a set of video data for menu reproduction.
The set (hereinafter referred to as VMGM_VOBS) 15b is configured. VTS # 1, # 2, ... Control information for reproducing the menu or title respectively (hereinafter,
VTSI) 15c, a video object set (hereinafter referred to as VTSM_VOBS) 15d that is a set of video data for menu reproduction, and a video object set (hereinafter referred to as VTSTT_VOBS) that is a set of video data for title reproduction. 15)
It consists of e.

As shown in FIG. 1E, the VOBS is one or more video objects (hereinafter, VOB # 1,
# 2, ..., #i), which is a multiplexed stream of video / audio / sub-picture (data) streams. The VOBs # 1, # 2, ..., #i employ a program (data) stream system defined by the MPEG2 system scene as a multiplexing system. Further, as shown in FIG. 1F, VOBs # 1, # 2, ..., #i can be divided into reproduction units called cells # 1 and # 2 for each scene or menu page in the title. .
In this embodiment, the program stream is called a data stream.

The VMGI 15a and VTSI 15c are cell #
It has a program chain (hereinafter referred to as PGC) that defines the playback order in units of 1, # 2, ... #i,
Titles and menus can be configured by PGC. The PGC defines a pre-command executed before playing the PGC, a post command executed after playing the PGC, and a cell command executed after playing each cell. With this definition, links between titles and menus and You can set various navigations.

FIG. 1 (g) shows a multiplexed stream image of the MPEG2 program (data) stream system of each cell. According to the DVD-Video standard, an MPEG2 video (data) stream which is a main video, an audio (data) stream with a maximum of 8 streams, and a maximum of 32 streams.
The sub-picture (data) stream of the stream can be multiplexed. Each of these streams is packed into 2048 bytes and time-division multiplexed on the program stream in pack units. Further, information for reproduction control called a navigation pack (hereinafter referred to as Navi pack) is inserted into the DVD-Video standard program stream approximately every 0.5 seconds. In the DVD-Video standard, a Navi pack to the next Navi pack is called a video object unit (hereinafter referred to as VOBU), and constitutes a minimum reproducible unit in VOB, that is, an access unit. VOBU17 is Nav
It is composed of an i-pack 17a, a video pack 17b, an audio pack 17c, and a sub-picture pack 17d. Each pack has a pack header (not shown),
Pack type information, address information, and the like are recorded in the pack header.

In the DVD-Video standard, the playback order is defined by PGC as a unit of cell, but any cell is registered as a part of title (hereinafter referred to as PTT) and the PTT head is registered. Access to can be done instantly. For example, in the case of a movie title, by registering each chapter as a PTT, the user can instantly find the desired chapter and watch it.

Next, the sub-picture format in the DVD-Video standard will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the sub-picture unit which is the sub-picture coded data. The sub-picture unit 20 is one sub-picture image, that is, one subtitle image encoded, and includes a sub-picture unit header (hereinafter referred to as SPUH) 21 and pixel data (hereinafter referred to as PXD). ) 23, display control table (hereinafter SP_DCSQT
25). SPUH21 is header data in which the size of unit data and the start address of SP_DCSQT25 are described. The PXD 23 is run-length encoded pixel data such as a caption signal. Each pixel data has four values, that is, a background image, a pattern pixel, and two types of emphasized pixels. SP_DCS
The QT 25 is a control signal table when displaying pixel data. Each control signal consists of the time when the control is applied and the control content to be performed at that time. The types of control contents include display start, display end, color setting, contrast setting, display area change, color / contrast change, and the like.

This sub-picture unit 20 is divided into about 2 Kbytes each, and a sub-picture packet is created by adding a packet header. A pack header is added to this sub-picture packet to create a 2048-byte sub-picture pack. The sub-picture pack is used as a unit for multiplexing on the VOB described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining how the sub-picture unit is packetized and packed.

FIG. 3 shows a case where three sub-picture packets 31, 33 and 35 are created from one sub-picture unit data. Each sub-picture pack 31, 33,
35 includes pack headers 31a, 33a and 35a and sub-picture packets 31b, 33b and 35b, respectively. The third sub-picture pack 3 includes padding packet 3 for setting the pack size to 2048 bytes.
An aligning packet of 7 is inserted. Each sub-picture packet 31b, 33b, 35b is composed of packet headers 31c, 33c, 35c and sub-picture unit data 31d, 33d, 35d, respectively.

Each pack header 31a, 33a, 35a has a system clock reference (hereinafter referred to as SCR).
(Referred to as)) is recorded. Time information called a presentation time stamp (hereinafter referred to as PTS) is described in the packet header 31c of the first sub-picture packet 31b of the sub-picture unit divided. SCR indicates the system time when this pack is transferred from the recording medium to the reproduction system. PTS
Indicates the system time in which the data included in this packet, that is, the sub-picture unit data is reproduced.

SP_DC of the sub-picture unit data of FIG.
In the SQT, a display control command for the sub-picture unit is described together with its control time. This control time is the sub-picture packet 31 including the head data of the sub-picture unit.
It is represented by a relative value when the PTS of the packet header 31c of b is set to zero. The display control command of SP_DCSQT includes a display start command and a display end command. Since there is a provision that the display start command must be issued at relative time zero, the PTS of the sub-picture packet 31b actually becomes the display start time of the sub-picture unit. The display end time of the sub-picture unit is SP_D
Issuing time of display end command described in CSQT and PT of packet header 35c of sub-picture packet 35b
Calculated from S. The display end command is SP_D
It may not be described in CSQT. In this case, the display end time of the sub-picture unit becomes the display start time of the next sub-picture unit or the cell end time.

Next, the relationship between the video signal, the audio signal, and the caption (sub-picture) signal will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a reproduction image of a video / audio / sub-picture signal.

In the case of a general movie, as shown in FIG. 4, the video signal and the audio signal continuously exist without interruption. On the other hand, most subtitle (sub-picture) signals exist only in a scene where a person is talking.

FIG. 5 shows a video signal, an audio signal,
Example of data stream (VOB) obtained by multiplexing coded data generated by coding sub-picture signal and video coded data, audio coded data, and sub-picture coded data obtained thereby It is a figure for explaining. In FIG. 5, the coded video data and the coded audio data exist substantially continuously from the beginning to the end of the VOB, while the sub-picture coded data is unevenly distributed only in the portion where the signal exists. This embodiment utilizes this characteristic to detect a conversation scene using the sub-picture (caption) signal as a key.

Next, a digital video reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the digital video reproducing apparatus according to this embodiment.

The digital video reproducing apparatus 100 is a DVD-recorded on an optical disc 101 which is an information recording medium.
Reproduces a video video digital video signal. On the optical disc 101, a video (data) stream, an audio (data) stream in a plurality of languages, and sub-picture (data) streams in a plurality of languages are multiplexed and recorded. The reading means 102 reads VOB from the optical disk 101.
Read out. VOB read from the reading means 102
Are supplied to the demultiplexer 103. The demultiplexer 103 includes a video (data) stream, an audio (data) stream, which are packet-multiplexed in the VOB,
The sub-picture (data) stream is separated. The video (data) stream separated by the demultiplexer 103 is supplied to the video decoding means 104, the sub-picture (data) stream is supplied to the sub-picture decoding means 105, and the audio (data) stream is supplied to the audio decoding means 106. The video decoding means 104 decodes a video signal from a video (data) stream. The sub-picture decoding means 105 decodes a sub-picture (caption) signal from the sub-picture (data) stream. The audio decoding means 106 decodes an audio signal from an audio (data) stream. The video signal decoded by the video decoding means 104 and the sub-picture signal decoded by the sub-picture decoding means 105 are supplied to the video mixer 107. The video mixer 107 mixes the video signal and the sub-picture signal and outputs the mixed signal to the output terminal 108. The audio signal decoded by the audio decoding means 106 is output to the output terminal 109. The conversation detecting means 110 detects a conversation scene from the VOB output by the reading means 102. The conversation detecting means 110 is an address holding unit 110a that holds address information of a Navi pack used when detecting a conversation scene, and a flag unit 1 that holds information as to whether or not a leading pack of sub-picture unit data is detected.
With 10b.

The system control means 111 receives a user instruction from the user interface means 112 such as a remote controller or buttons on the front panel of the reproducing apparatus 100. The system control means 111 is the user interface means 11
In accordance with a user's instruction from 2, the system control such as the signal reading position control for the reading means 102 and the language switching control for the audio and sub-picture for the demultiplexer 103 is performed.

Further, when the system control means 111 receives a skip instruction to the next (or previous) conversation scene from the user via the user interface means 112, the system control means 111 stops the reproduction operation and instructs the conversation detection means 110. It issues an instruction to detect the next (or previous) conversation scene in the forward direction (or backward direction) from the playback position. Based on this instruction, the conversation detecting means 110 reads the VOB from the optical disc 101 via the reading means 102 and detects the next (or previous) conversation scene.

Here, the user interface means 112.
A remote control, which is one of the above, will be described.

FIG. 7 is an external view of the remote controller. The remote controller 70 includes a power button 71, a menu call button 72, cursor buttons 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d, an enter button 74, an audio language switching button 75a, a subtitle language switching button 75b, an angle switching button 75c, and a rewind button 7.
6a, fast-forward button 76b, pause button 76c, play button 76d, stop button 76e, forward skip button 76f, backward skip button 76g, previous conversation scene button 77a, and next conversation scene button 77b.
When the user presses the previous conversation scene button 77a or the next conversation scene button 77b, the conversation detection means 110 detects the next or previous conversation scene.

Next, the conversation scene detection operation according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

First, as a premise of the conversation scene detection operation,
When the user presses the next (previous) conversation scene button 77b (77a) on the remote controller 70 of FIG. 7, the system control unit 11
1 instructs the reading means 102 to perform a skip operation. When there is a skip operation instruction from the system control unit 111, the reading unit 102 performs the skip operation while sequentially reading only the pack header portion of each pack of the VOB in the forward direction (reverse direction).

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the conversation detecting means 110 when detecting the next conversation scene in the forward direction from the present.

When the user depresses the next conversation scene button 77b on the remote controller 70 shown in FIG. 7, the system control section 111 instructs the conversation detecting means 110 to start the operation. The conversation detecting means 110 performs a data acquisition operation of the pack header part read from the reading means 102 (step S80).
1) It is determined whether the pack has been read (step S803). When it is determined that there is no pack, the conversation detection unit 110 determines that the end of the data stream has been reached, and the subsequent processing is interrupted to end the conversation scene detection operation. When the pack can be read, the conversation detection unit 110 determines whether the pack is the first Navi pack of the VOBU which is the access unit of the VOB based on the data of the pack header (step S805). Navi
When it is determined that the pack is a pack, the conversation detection unit 110 records the address information of the read Navi pack in the address holding unit 110a (step S807), and returns the process to step S801 for acquiring the next pack.

When it is determined that the pack is not the Navi pack, the conversation detecting means 110 determines whether the read pack is the first pack of the sub-picture or not, based on the data in the pack header section (step S809). If it is determined that the pack is not the first pack, the conversation detecting unit 110 returns the process to step S801 for acquiring the next pack. When it is determined that the read pack is the first pack of the sub-picture, the conversation detecting unit 110 determines Na in step S807.
It is determined whether the address information of the vi pack is held in the address holding unit 110a (step S81).
1). When it is determined that the address information is not held, the conversation detecting unit 110 returns the process to step S801 for acquiring the next pack. When it is determined that the address information of the Navi pack is held, the conversation detecting unit 110 causes the system control unit 111 to use the address information of the Navi pack held in the address holding unit 110a as an access point to the next conversation scene. Output (step S813) and terminate the conversation scene detection operation.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the conversation detecting means 110 when detecting a conversation scene before the present.

When detecting a conversation scene before the present,
Since the leading pack of the sub-picture unit data is found before the Navi pack, the presence or absence of detection of the leading pack of the sub-picture unit data is checked using the flag section 110b of FIG.

When the user depresses the next conversation scene button 77a on the remote controller 70 shown in FIG. 7, the system control section 111 instructs the conversation detecting means 110 to start the operation. The conversation detecting means 110 initializes the data of the flag portion 110b to "0" (step S901), and performs the data acquisition operation of the pack header portion read by the reading means 102 (step S903). Here, the data "0" of the flag portion 110b indicates that the head pack of the sub-picture unit data has not been detected by the conversation detecting means 110. The conversation detecting means 110 determines whether or not the pack has been read in the acquisition operation of step S903 (step S905).
When it is determined that the pack could not be read, the conversation detecting unit 110 determines that the end of the data stream has been reached, interrupts the subsequent processing, and ends the conversation scene detection operation.

When the pack can be read, the conversation detecting means 1
10 determines whether the data in the flag section 110b is "1" (step S907). Here, the flag section 110b
Data "1" indicates that the head pack of the sub-picture unit data has been detected by the conversation detecting means 110. When it is determined that the data in the flag section 110b is not "1", the conversation detecting means 110 determines from the data in the pack header section whether the read pack is the first pack of the sub-picture unit data (step). S909). When it is determined that the pack is the first pack, the conversation detecting means 110
Sets the data of the flag section 110b to "1" (step S911), and acquires the next pack in step S
The processing is returned to 903. If it is determined that the pack is not the first pack, the conversation detecting unit 110 returns the process to step S903 for acquiring the next pack.

In step S907, the flag section 110
When it is determined that the data of b is "1", the conversation detecting unit 110 determines whether or not the read pack is a Navi pack based on the data of the pack header portion (step S913). When it is determined that the Navi pack is the Navi pack, the conversation detection unit 110 records the address information of the read Navi pack in the address holding unit 110a (step S915), and the Navi pack preceding the first pack of the detected sub-picture unit data. Therefore, the address information of the Navi pack recorded in the address holding unit 110a is output to the system control unit 111 as an access point (playback start position) of the conversation scene (step S917), and the conversation scene detection process is ended. When it is determined in step S913 that the pack is not the Navi pack, the conversation detecting unit 110 returns the process to step S903 for acquiring the next pack.

The system control means 111 controls the digital video reproducing apparatus so as to jump to the next or previous conversation scene based on the address information of the Navi pack output by the conversation detection means 110 in step S813 or step s917. . Thereby, in the example of FIG. 4, the conversation scene can be skipped in the order of subtitle 1 → subtitle 2 → subtitle 3 → subtitle 4 or vice versa.

It may be considered that it is better to set a certain time (several seconds) before the start time of the subtitle as the access point of the conversation scene rather than the conversation immediately after the jump. In order to realize this, in the case of detecting the next conversation scene, a predetermined number of Navi pack address information is held, and in step S813, the address before the predetermined number is output from the recorded address information. To do so. In the case of detecting the conversation scene before the present, in step S917, the address information of the Navi pack immediately before the detection of the first pack of the sub-picture unit data is not output, but the Na of the predetermined number before the detection of the first pack is detected.
The vi pack may be detected and its address information may be output.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the structure of a digital video reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment. Figure 1
In addition to the configuration of the digital video reproducing apparatus 100 of FIG. 6, the digital video reproducing apparatus 200 of 0 has a storage means 201 for storing information of the conversation scene as a list and a menu generating means 203 for generating a selection menu of the conversation scene. In FIG. 10, the same components as those in FIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the digital video reproducing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the next or previous conversation scene is detected each time according to the instruction from the user.
The digital video reproducing device 200 of the second embodiment detects the conversation scene access points of the entire VOB by the conversation detecting means 110 in advance according to an instruction from the user, and records them in the storing means 201 as a conversation scene information list.
This operation can be realized by repeating the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 9 from the beginning of the VOB.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the structure of the conversation scene information list stored in the storage means 201. Figure 15
In the above example, the storage unit 201 is composed of an area 151 for recording information on the number of recorded conversation scenes, and an area 152 for sequentially recording the address information of the Navi pack which is the access point of each conversation scene. When the user gives an instruction via the remote controller 70 to jump to the conversation scene before the present or the next conversation scene, the system control unit 111
Acquires the address information of the conversation scene instructed from the storage means 201, and controls the digital video reproducing device 200 so as to reproduce from the acquired address. According to this embodiment, it is not necessary to seek the VOB each time the conversation scene is skipped, and the response to the user's instruction becomes faster.

The menu generating means 203 displays the list information recorded in the storage unit 201 as a menu on screen. When the user gives a menu display instruction via the remote controller 70, the system control means 111 reads the list information from the storage means 201 and supplies it to the menu generation means 203. The menu generation means 203 creates a menu screen from the supplied list information. The menu screen created by the menu creating means is the video mixer 107.
And is displayed on the screen through the output terminal 108. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the menu screen displayed on-screen. The user selects the cursor buttons 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d on the remote controller shown in FIG.
The enter button 74 is operated to select a desired conversation scene from the menu screen of FIG. The system control unit 111 acquires an access point of the conversation scene selected on the menu screen from the storage unit 201, and controls reproduction from the acquired access point. As a result, it is possible to access (jump) not only the conversation scene immediately before or immediately after but also an arbitrary conversation scene.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the first and second embodiments, the conversation detecting means 110 detects all the sub-picture data, that is, the switching points of all the subtitles as the beginning of the conversation scene, but in the third embodiment, Conversations exchanged continuously for a predetermined time are treated as one conversation scene.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the structure of a digital video reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment. Figure 1
The digital video reproducing apparatus 300 of No. 3 is the conversation detecting means 11
0 has a start time storage unit 301 that stores the start time of the sub video unit, an end time storage unit 303 that stores the end time of the sub video unit, and a temporary storage unit 305 that temporarily stores the sub video unit data. Has become. Note that, in FIG. 13, the same components as those in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the conversation detecting means 110 according to the third embodiment.

When the conversation of the conversation scene access points of the entire VOB is started by an instruction from the user, the conversation detecting means 110 sets the value of the start time storage unit 301 for storing the start time of the sub-picture unit to "0", Also, the value of the end time storage unit 303 that stores the end time of the sub-picture unit is set (initialized) to "-1" (step S1401),
The data acquisition operation of the pack header part read from the reading means 102 is performed (step S1403). The conversation detection unit 110 determines whether or not the pack can be read by the acquisition operation (step S1405), and when it is determined that there is no pack, determines that the end of the data stream has been reached and interrupts the subsequent processing. The conversation scene detection operation ends. When the pack can be read, the conversation detection unit 110 determines whether the pack is the first Navi pack of VOBU which is the access unit of the VOB based on the data of the pack header (step S1407). Navi
When it is determined that the pack is a pack, the conversation detecting unit 110 records the address information of the read Navi pack in the address holding unit 110a (step S1409), and returns the process to step S1403 for acquiring the next pack.

When it is determined that the pack is not a Navi pack, the conversation detecting means 110 determines whether or not the read pack is a sub-picture pack based on the data in the pack header section (step S1411). When it is determined that the pack is not the sub-picture pack, the conversation detecting unit 110 returns the process to step S1403 for acquiring the next pack. When it is judged that the pack is a sub-picture pack, the conversation detecting means 110
Determines whether the read pack is the first pack of the sub-picture based on the data in the pack header section (step S
1413). When it is determined that the read pack is the first pack of the sub-picture, the conversation detecting means 110 reads the PTS indicating the reproduction start time of the sub-picture unit contained in the sub-picture pack from the pack read into the temporary storage unit 305. It is stored in the start time storage unit 301 (step SS1).
415). When it is determined that the read pack is not the first pack of the sub-picture, the conversation detecting unit 110 moves the process to step S1423 described later.

The reproduction start time information is stored in the start time storage unit 301.
After storing in the start time storage unit 301,
The interval value of the reproduction start time of the currently detected sub-picture unit and the reproduction end time of the previously detected sub-picture unit stored in the storage unit 303 is calculated, and the calculated value is a predetermined value. (Hereafter, MAX
It is determined whether the value exceeds the value (referred to as a value) (step S1417). When it is determined that the interval value does not exceed the MAX value, the conversation detecting unit 110 moves the process to step S1423 described later.

When it is determined that the interval value exceeds the MAX value, the conversation detecting means 110 determines whether or not the value stored in the end time storage unit 303 is "-1" (step S1419). ). End time storage unit 303
When the value of is "-1", it means that the display end command is not described in the previously detected sub-picture unit and the previous unit continues until the display start time of this unit, that is, there is no interval. Shows. When it is determined that the value of the end time storage unit 303 is "-1", the conversation detecting unit 110 moves the process to step S1423 described later.

When it is determined that the value of the end time storage unit 303 is not "-1", the conversation detecting means 110 determines the address holding unit 11 as an access point to the next conversation scene.
The address information of the Navi pack stored in 0a is recorded in the storage unit 201 as conversation scene information (step S1421), and the process returns to step S1403.

If the pack read in step S1413 is not the first pack of the sub-picture unit, the interval value does not exceed the MAX value, or the value of the end time storage unit 303 is "-1", the conversation The detection unit 110 temporarily stores the read pack in the temporary storage unit 305 (step S1423), and determines whether this sub-picture pack is the final pack of sub-picture unit data (step S1425). If it is determined that the pack is not the final pack, the conversation detecting unit 110 returns the process to step S1403 for acquiring the next pack. When it is determined that the pack is the final pack, the conversation detection unit 110 obtains the relative time when the reproduction end command is issued from the pack read into the temporary storage unit 305, and the relative time to the reproduction disclosure time stored in the start time storage unit 301. The reproduction end time is calculated by adding the times and stored in the end time storage unit 303 (step S1).
427) and the process returns to step S1403. When the display command is not described in the sub-picture unit data, the conversation detecting means 110 sets "-1" in the end time storage unit 303 in step S1427.

According to this processing, when the display interval of the sub-picture unit is less than or equal to a predetermined value, it is not detected as a conversation scene access point. For example, in the example of FIG. It is treated as one scene.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of the structure of the conversation scene information list stored in the storage means 201. Figure 1
In FIG. 1, only the access point is stored as each conversation scene information, but in FIG. 15, in addition to the access point, reproduction start time and reproduction end time information for each conversation scene and subtitle data are recorded. The menu generation means 203 creates a menu screen based on the information in the storage means 201 of FIG. FIG. 16 shows the storage means 2 of FIG.
It is a figure which shows the example of the menu screen produced by the menu production | generation means 203 based on the information of 01. On the menu screen of FIG. 16, the reproduction start time and subtitles are displayed for each conversation scene. By looking at this menu screen, the user can determine at what time each conversation scene starts and what kind of conversation the conversation is, and can clearly access the conversation scene of his choice. .

In the above-described embodiment, the operation of jumping to the specific conversation scene according to an instruction from the user has been described. However, a mode for automatically skipping a portion having no conversation and automatically connecting and reproducing only the conversation scene is provided. It is also possible. In this case, the storage unit 201 stores the end time information of the conversation scene as shown in FIG. FIG. 17
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a remote controller 170 used when using the conversation scene automatic reproduction mode. The remote controller 170 has, in addition to the buttons of the remote controller 70 of FIG. 7, an automatic playback button 171 for automatically playing a conversation scene. When the user presses the automatic reproduction button 171, the system control means 111 first acquires the access point of the first conversation scene and starts reproduction from that position. Further, the system control means 111 monitors the reproduction time during the reproduction of the conversation scene and the end time of the conversation scene being reproduced, and obtains the access point of the next conversation scene when the reproduction time reaches the end time of the conversation scene. The digital video playback device is controlled so as to move the playback position. As a result, only the conversation scene can be automatically reproduced.

The present invention can be applied not only to information reproduction from an optical disk medium but also to an information reproducing apparatus from a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, or other information recording medium.

[0074]

According to the present invention, the video data in which the main video signal is encoded, the audio data in which the audio signal is encoded, and the sub-video data in which the caption signal is encoded are multiplexed. By detecting a conversation scene from a caption signal in an information reproducing apparatus and a conversation scene detecting method for reproducing a data stream, it is possible to skip a scene in which there is no conversation for a long time and easily access the detected conversation scene. Will be possible. Further, according to the present invention,
It allows easy access to any conversational scene in the data stream based on user instructions. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically skip a portion of the data stream where there is no conversation, and connect and reproduce only the conversation scene.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a data structure of a DVD-Video disc.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a data structure of a sub-picture unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining how a sub-picture unit is packetized and packed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a reproduction image of a video / audio / sub-picture signal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data stream in which coded video data, coded audio data, and coded sub-picture data are multiplexed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital video playback device.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a remote controller that is user interface means.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the conversation detecting means when detecting the next conversation scene.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the conversation detecting means when detecting a conversation scene before the present.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital video playback device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a conversation scene information list stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an on-screen displayed menu screen.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital video playback device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the conversation detecting means according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the conversation scene information list stored in the storage means.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of the menu screen.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another example of a remote controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 200, 300 Digital video playback device 101 optical disc 102 reading means 103 Demultiplexer 104 video decoding means 105 Sub-picture decoding means 106 voice decoding means 107 video mixer 108, 109 output terminals 110 Conversation detection means 110a address holding unit 110b flag section 111 System control means 112 User Interface 201 storage means 203 Menu generation means 301 Start time storage 303 End time storage 305 Temporary storage

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C052 AA02 AB03 AB04 AC08 CC06                       CC11                 5C053 FA24 GB06 GB11 GB12 GB37                       HA29 JA01 JA16 JA24 KA05                       LA04 LA06                 5D044 AB05 AB07 BC03 CC04 DE18                       DE57 GK12

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Information for reproducing a data stream in which video data in which a main video signal is encoded, audio data in which an audio signal is encoded, and sub-video data in which a caption signal is encoded are multiplexed. In the reproducing apparatus, a means for reading the data stream, a detecting means for detecting the head position of the caption from the data stream read by the reading means, and a head position when the detecting means detects the head position of the caption And a control means for controlling the reproduction position of the data stream based on the reproduction start position information corresponding to. 2. Information for reproducing a data stream in which video data in which a main video signal is encoded, audio data in which an audio signal is encoded, and sub-video data in which a caption signal is encoded are multiplexed. In the reproducing apparatus, a means for reading the data stream, a detecting means for detecting the head position of the caption from the data stream read by the reading means, and a head position when the detecting means detects the head position of the caption Information reproduction comprising: storage means for storing reproduction start position information corresponding to the above, and control means for controlling the reproduction position of the data stream based on the reproduction start position information stored in this storage means. apparatus. 3. Data in which video data in which a main video signal is encoded, audio data in which an audio signal is encoded, and sub-video data in which caption signals for a plurality of captions are encoded are multiplexed. In an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing a stream, a means for reading a data stream, a detecting means for detecting the head positions of all captions from the data stream read by the reading means, and a detecting means for detecting the head position of the captions. Every time you,
Storage means for storing reproduction start position information corresponding to each head position, and control means for controlling the reproduction position of the data stream based on the reproduction start position information stored in the storage means. Characteristic information reproducing device. 4. Information for reproducing a data stream in which video data in which a main video signal is encoded, audio data in which an audio signal is encoded, and sub-video data in which a caption signal is encoded are multiplexed. A method for detecting a conversation scene in a playback device, comprising: reading a data stream; detecting a head position of a caption from the read data stream; and when detecting a head position of the caption, reproducing start position information corresponding to the head position is detected. A method for detecting a conversation scene, characterized in that a reproduction position of the data stream is set based on the conversation scene. 5. Information for reproducing a data stream in which video data in which a main video signal is encoded, audio data in which an audio signal is encoded, and sub-video data in which a caption signal is encoded are multiplexed. A method for detecting a conversation scene in a reproducing apparatus, comprising: reading a data stream; detecting a head position of a caption from the read data stream; and detecting a head position of the caption, reproduction start position information corresponding to the head position. Is stored in the storage means, and the reproduction position of the data stream is controlled based on the reproduction start position information stored in the storage means. 6. Data in which video data in which a main video signal is encoded, audio data in which an audio signal is encoded, and sub-video data in which caption signals for a plurality of captions are encoded are multiplexed. A method for detecting a conversation scene in an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing a stream, comprising reading out a data stream, detecting the start positions of all captions from the read data stream, and detecting the start positions of the captions. A method for detecting a conversation scene, characterized in that the reproduction start position information corresponding to is stored in a storage means, and the reproduction position of the data stream is controlled based on each reproduction start position information stored in the storage means.