JP2003323782A - Information recording medium, information recording/ reproducing device and information recording/ reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To hold reproduction sequence information of many pieces of cell information constituting main information and select the most suitable cell information. <P>SOLUTION: The main information recorded in a main information recording region comprises many pieces of the independent cell information which is reproduced with multi-story deployment by setting a reproducing order. Two or more pieces of the reproduction sequence information which stipulates the reproducing order for each of the cell information are defined with a recorded form of the main information in the main information recording region to be held. Selecting the cell information is carried out based on the reproduction sequence information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to information recording in which main information consisting of various contents such as music and video, in which multi-story expansion is achieved by arbitrarily selecting and reproducing a large number of cell information independent from each other is recorded. The present invention relates to a medium, an information recording / reproducing apparatus and an information recording / reproducing method using the information recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various kinds of computerized information have been promoted in development such as multifunctionalization, high performance or high-capacity processing of equipment, improvement of processing technology such as image compression technology, maintenance of use environment by Internet, etc. Alternatively, utilization is promoted by improving processing speed and communication speed. The computerized information is, for example, a portable storage medium such as a fixed storage means such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory provided in the device, or an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, a magnetic disc or the like that can be carried by being inserted into and removed from the device (hereinafter referred to as information. The recording medium is collectively referred to as a recording medium) and is reproduced by an information reproducing apparatus or an information recording / reproducing apparatus (hereinafter collectively referred to as an information recording / reproducing apparatus) and is also recorded on an appropriate information recording medium.

In general, an information recording medium has a recording area which is formatted into a main information recording area for recording main information and a control signal recording area for recording control signals and the like, and when recording main information in the main information recording area. Control information such as the recording position, time or recording method is recorded in the control signal recording area. In a conventional information recording medium, when a user reproduces main information by an information recording / reproducing apparatus, a control signal is read from a control signal recording area, and each main information is uniquely controlled and reproduced. Therefore,
The conventional information recording medium is capable of random reproduction and random recording of main information, but is recorded as fixed information based on the above conditions and reproduced by the information recording / reproducing apparatus in accordance with the order specified by the user. Was being done.

[0004]

The information recording medium is positioned as a recording means for recording various kinds of electronic information (main information), and its utilization is achieved by recording / reproducing operation on the information recording / reproducing apparatus side. The conventional information recording medium does not have history information relating to the reproduction operation such as the reproduction record and the reproduction order for each main information recorded due to the limited capacity. The information recording medium allows the provider or the user to use the history information of the reproduction operation of each main information, thereby creating a new usage mode specialized without the condition of using the specific information recording / reproducing device. It will be possible.

The information recording medium is provided with main information including a large number of independent story information (referred to as cell information in this specification) such as roll-playing game software. In the roll-playing game, the user clicks an appropriate position on the display screen to select predetermined cell information and develop the story after that. In the roll-playing game, the progress of progress is saved in the information recording medium by the user terminating the play during the game. The roll-playing game is characterized by providing so-called multi-story development to provide users with a variety of roll-playing games and an unexpected ending each time the story is developed. .

However, in the conventional roll-playing game, a large number of program information defining the reproduction order of each cell information is recorded in advance on the information recording medium as a part of the main information, and a predetermined cell is formed based on this program information. The story is developed by selecting and reproducing the information. The conventional information recording medium for roll-playing games does not have a function of creating a unique story development by arbitrarily selecting each cell information on the user side and setting the reproduction order thereof arbitrarily. Therefore, the information recording medium possesses the above-mentioned function and history information of the reproduction order of each cell information and appropriately utilizes them to provide the user with a roll-playing game with high game diversity and originality. Is possible.

Further, as the information recording medium, for example, a magneto-optical disk (CD-R) for recording / reproducing various kinds of music information and a multipurpose optical disk (DVD) for movie recording / reproducing a movie are provided. In a conventional movie DVD, cell information consisting of a large number of scenes is recorded as time-series fixed information, and the user specifies cell information when performing a reproducing operation on the information recording / reproducing apparatus side. By doing so, the reproduction position is arbitrarily selected, and the cell information according to the predetermined story expansion is sequentially reproduced from this cell information. DVD for movies
By holding the reproduction order history information of each cell information described above, for example, a user can freely combine and reproduce each cell information and a predetermined ending screen held as hidden cell information by the reproduction order of each cell information can be displayed. It will also be possible to provide works that will be provided, and it will be possible to improve user satisfaction and greatly expand the creator's freedom of production.

Further, on the music information recording medium, cell information is sequentially reproduced in the recording order from the tune (cell information) designated by the user by the information recording / reproducing apparatus. Since the information recording medium for music holds the reproduction order history information of each cell information described above, it is possible to sequentially select and sequentially reproduce only the cell information of the songs having similar tones according to time, user's mood, etc. In addition, it is possible to improve usability by eliminating the need for selecting and exchanging information recording media. In addition, the music information recording medium can automatically reproduce the unreproduced cell information even when the recorded cell information is randomly reproduced, for example.

In the information recording medium, as described above, the reproduction information of each of a large number of cell information constituting the main information and the history information of the reproduction order are held, and the reproduction order of each cell information is based on these history information. By performing control such as the above, various new usage forms described above are possible. However, the information recording medium has a limited information recording capacity, and it has been difficult to record a new control signal or information by reducing the recording capacity of the main information.

Therefore, the present invention enhances the added value by retaining the reproduction order information for each of a large number of cell information which constitutes the main information composed of various contents such as music and video, without deteriorating the recording capacity of the main information. The present invention has been proposed for the purpose of providing an information recording medium, an information recording / reproducing apparatus and an information recording / reproducing method that enable unique story development using this information recording medium.

[0011]

In the information recording medium according to the present invention which achieves the above-mentioned object, the multi-story expansion is achieved by setting the reproduction order of the main information recorded in the main information recording area. A plurality of pieces of reproduction order information, each of which is made up of independent cell information to be reproduced, and which defines the reproduction order of each piece of cell information, is defined and held by the recording mode of the main information in the main information recording area.

According to the information recording medium of the present invention configured as described above, since the reproduction order information of each cell information is defined and held according to the recording form of the main information, this reproduction order information is used. As a result, the recording capacity of the main information is maintained and the multifunctionality is achieved. According to the information recording medium, each cell information is sequentially selected based on the reproduction order set by the user, the multi-story expansion is achieved, and the main information is reproduced, but based on the detected reproduction order information. It is possible to control the information recording / reproducing apparatus to the eigenmode.

According to the information recording medium, the reproduction order information is used as a control signal, and for example, cell information which has not been reproduced can be selected and reproduced from the cell information recorded following the cell information having the last reproduction order. This makes it possible to develop an unexpected story. According to the information recording medium, one of a plurality of pieces of cell information recorded in the main information recording area is prohibited from being reproduced.
This makes it possible to select one of the selected cell information and reproduce the selected cell information subsequent to the last cell information in the reproduction order. According to the information recording medium, by detecting that each cell information is reproduced in a predetermined order based on the reproduction order information, the cell having the last reproduction order from the external information distribution organization connected to the information recording / reproducing apparatus is detected. It is possible to receive distribution of additional cell information or new main information reproduced after the information.

Further, in the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention which achieves the above-mentioned object, the main information recorded in the main information recording area is reproduced in a multi-story development by setting the reproduction order. An information recording medium is used in which a plurality of pieces of reproduction order information, each of which is composed of a large number of independent cell information and which defines the reproduction order of each piece of cell information, is defined and held by the recording mode of the main information in the main information recording area. The information recording / reproducing apparatus selects from the information recording medium on the basis of an operation unit for a user to set a reproduction condition of each cell information and second reproduction order information regarding the cell information arbitrarily selected and set by the user. A reproduction unit that sequentially reproduces cell information and detects reproduction order information, and defines information about the reproduction operation by recording main information in different recording modes on the information recording medium at the end of the reproduction operation. The information recording medium is provided with a recording unit and a control unit that outputs a control signal to each unit.

According to the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, each cell information is sequentially reproduced from the information recording medium in the reproducing section in accordance with the reproducing order set by the user, so that the unique information is reproduced. Make sure the story is expanded. The information recording / reproducing apparatus detects the reproduction order information in the reproduction operation of each cell information and outputs the detection signal to the control unit. In the information recording / reproducing apparatus, the control unit outputs a control signal based on the reproduction order information to each unit, so that the reproduction operation and the recording operation are controlled in the unique mode. The information recording / reproducing apparatus makes it possible to achieve an unexpected story expansion, for example, by selecting cell information to be reproduced subsequent to the cell information having the last reproduction order in the reproducing section. The information recording / reproducing apparatus causes the information recording medium to hold the reproduction order information related to the reproduction operation by recording the cell information in different recording modes by the recording unit at the end of the reproduction operation.

According to the information recording / reproducing apparatus, based on the comparison result of the reproduction order information detected by the reproduction section and the second reproduction order information set via the operation section, for example, via the external input / output section. It is possible to receive additional cell information or new main information that is reproduced following the last cell information in the reproduction order distributed from the external information distribution device. According to the information recording / reproducing apparatus, for example, by performing a predetermined consideration payment process with an external billing processing organization via an external input / output unit, additional cell information or new main information distributed for a fee from the external information distribution organization can be obtained. Information can be received.

Further, in the information recording / reproducing method according to the present invention which achieves the above-mentioned object, the main information recorded in the main information recording area is reproduced in a multi-story development by setting the reproduction order. An information recording medium is used in which a plurality of pieces of reproduction order information, each of which is composed of a large number of independent cell information and which defines the reproduction order of each piece of cell information, is defined and held by the recording mode of the main information in the main information recording area. The information recording / reproducing method is
An operation unit, a reproduction unit that reproduces main information from the information recording medium and detects reproduction order information, a recording unit that records each cell information on the information recording medium at the end of the reproduction operation, and controls each unit. An information recording / reproducing apparatus including a control unit that outputs a signal is used.

In the information recording / reproducing method, the process of loading the information recording medium in the reproducing unit and the reproducing order of each cell information are set when the reproducing condition of the main information is set by the user.
Of the reproduction order information of the
Comparing the reproduction order information held in the information recording medium and the second reproduction order information in the reproducing section with the process of selecting predetermined cell information from the information recording medium based on the reproduction order information and sequentially reproducing the cell information. A process of outputting the detection result to the control unit,
The control unit outputs to each unit a control signal for controlling the reproduction operation and the recording operation to the eigenmode based on each reproduction order information, and each cell on the information recording medium with the end of the reproduction operation in the recording unit. By recording the information in different recording modes, a process of defining and recording the reproduction order information of the reproduction operation is performed.

According to the information recording / reproducing method of the present invention, the reproduction order information is detected during the reproducing operation, and the control section outputs the control signal to each section, thereby controlling the reproducing operation and recording in the eigenmode. The operation is started. According to the information recording / reproducing method, for example, in the reproducing unit, cell information to be reproduced is selected following the last cell information in the reproduction order, and in the recording unit, each cell information is recorded in a different recording form with the end of the reproducing operation. By recording each of them, the updated reproduction order information is held in the information recording medium.

According to the information recording / reproducing method, each cell information is sequentially reproduced in accordance with the reproduction order set by the user, and based on the comparison result of the reproduction order information and the second reproduction order information, for example, a predetermined cell is reproduced. By selecting and playing back information, it is possible to develop an original story that the user does not think. According to the information recording / reproducing method, based on the comparison result of the reproduction order information and the second reproduction order information, the reproduction order distributed from the external information distribution device via the external input / output unit becomes the last cell information, for example. It is possible to receive additional cell information or new main information that is subsequently reproduced. According to the information recording / reproducing method, for example, by performing a predetermined payment process with an external billing processing organization via an external input / output unit, additional cell information or new main information distributed from the external information distribution organization for a fee can be obtained. Information can be received.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. An information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 as an embodiment uses an information recording medium 2 whose details will be described later, and various main information M such as music information, video information or data information is recorded on the information recording medium 2. Is recorded in a predetermined recording form. The information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 reads the predetermined main information M together with the control signal information SM from the loaded information recording medium 2 and reproduces the information. The additional information (trigger information) AM is defined based on the recording form of the main information M. By adding the information and detecting the additional information AM when the main information M is reproduced, the reproduction operation, the recording operation, etc. are controlled to the eigenmode according to the information recording medium 2. The information recording medium 2 holds unique additional information AM depending on the recording form of the main information M, as will be described later in detail. When the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 finishes the reproducing operation, the main information M is recorded on the information recording medium 2.
Is recorded in a predetermined recording form to update the additional information AM.

The information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is connected to the external information distribution organization 3 via an appropriate connecting means such as a wired or wireless connection as will be described later in detail, so that the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is connected to the external information distribution organization 3 as a main component. Various types of information recorded as additional information AM are provided together with the information M, and new main information NM is provided under a predetermined condition. The information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 causes the information recording medium 2 to hold the additional information AM by also recording the new main information NM in a predetermined recording form. The information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is provided with new main information NM from, for example, the external information distribution organization 3 by being connected to the external billing processing organization 4 via an appropriate connecting means such as a wired or wireless connection as will be described later in detail. When receiving the charge, the charge processing is performed with the external charge processing organization 4. The information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is based on the additional information AM uniquely held in the above-mentioned distribution processing of the new main information NM with the external information distribution organization 3 and the charging processing with the external charging processing organization 4. Each information recording medium 2
According to the above, individual processing is performed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 11 and a control unit 12, the details of which will be described later.
The information recording medium 2 includes a recording / reproducing unit 13 into / from which the information recording medium 2 is inserted / removed, and an external input / output unit 14. Information recording / reproducing apparatus 1
Although not shown, includes a drive unit that drives the information recording medium 2, a power supply unit that supplies power to each unit, an output unit such as a speaker and a display unit, and the like. The information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 may be configured as, for example, a portable type or a stationary type dedicated apparatus, or may be configured by being incorporated in a personal computer or the like. It goes without saying that the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is not limited to the configuration described below for each part depending on the configuration of a dedicated device, a built-in device, or the like.

FIG. 2 shows the basic structure of, for example, a magneto-optical disk used as the information recording medium 2. In the magneto-optical disk 2, generally, control signal information SM such as disk definition information and control conditions is recorded in control track areas 5a and 5b formed in an inner peripheral area and an outer peripheral area. The magneto-optical disk 2 is configured as a recording area 6 for the main information M by the user, with an area between the inner and outer control track areas 5a and 5b as a format area. On the magneto-optical disk 2, recording tracks 7 are spirally or concentrically formed in the main information recording area 6.
Is formed, and the data of the main information M is recorded in a pit format, for example, as shown in FIG.

In the magneto-optical disk 2, generally, FIG.
Data pits p1 to p3 for recording the data of the main information M are respectively located on the track center line 1 and recorded, as shown in the recording track 7a at the center of the. Further, the magneto-optical disk 2 has the additional information A described above in the main information M.
In order to define M, data pits for recording a predetermined range of data are vertically shifted and recorded with respect to the track center line 1 within a track controllable range. That is,
The magneto-optical disk 2 is recorded with the data pits p4 to p6 of the data M2 of the main information M being shifted upward by Δx with respect to the track center line of the recording track 7b. Further, the magneto-optical disk 2 has data pits p7 to p of data M3.
9 is Δx with respect to the track center line 1 of the recording track 7c.
It is recorded by shifting to the lower side.

In the magneto-optical disk 2, the data M1 to M3 of the fixed range of the main information M are recorded on the recording track 7 in different recording modes. When reproducing the main information M, the magneto-optical disk 2 causes jitter in the output of each of the data M1 to M3 recorded by shifting the position by Δx with respect to the track center line 1.
Therefore, the magneto-optical disk 2 detects "0" in the output of the pits p4 to p6 formed in the upper area and detects the output of the pits p7 to p9 formed in the lower area by detecting the difference in the jitter amount. It is possible to define various types of additional information AM, which will be described later, by encoding "1" in.

The magneto-optical disk 2 has, for example, main information M.
Data of a certain area is first arranged in [1, 0, 0] and recorded to define the recording start area of the additional information AM, and finally arranged in [0, 0, 1]. By recording, the recording end area of the additional information AM is defined. The magneto-optical disk 2 performs additional recording by performing recording with a predetermined arrangement in the area between them.
Define the contents of. The magneto-optical disc 2 has unique additional information A depending on the recording form of the main information M.
Own M.

As the information recording medium 2, not only the above-mentioned magneto-optical disk but also an appropriate information recording medium such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk or a semiconductor memory is used. The information recording medium 2 may be one or plural, and may be incorporated in a cartridge. The information recording medium 2 may have one recording layer or multiple recording layers. The information recording medium 2 may be a magnetic disk on the main unit side when the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is incorporated in a personal computer, for example. By defining the additional information AM, the information recording medium 2 does not limit the recording form of the main information M to the misalignment recording with respect to the track center line described above. The information recording medium 2 may record the data M1 to M3 defining the additional information AM by shifting the reference position in the track traveling direction. In the information recording medium 2, target data M1 to M3 for defining the additional information AM are appropriately set according to the data amount of the additional information AM. In the information recording medium 2, if the main information recording area 6 has a sufficient capacity, some additional information AM may be directly recorded in this area regardless of the recording mode of the main information M. Good.

In the conventional information recording medium, in order to retain new control signal information in addition to the control signal information SM recorded in advance in the control track area, the capacity of the main information recording area 6 is lost. . In the information recording medium 2, as described above, the main information M is recorded in different recording modes to define and hold various unique additional information AM. Therefore, the recording capacity of the main information recording area 6 is large. Is retained and various operation controls of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 are enabled.

The information recording medium 2 has common control signal information S
It is possible to uniquely hold various additional information AM together with M as described above. As the additional information AM,
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the identification information AM-1 and the characteristic amount information AM- of each main information M recorded on the information recording medium 2 are recorded.
2. The log information AM-3 or the link information AM-4 that defines the reproduction order is defined. As the identification information AM-1, the identification information AM-1-1 belonging to the information recording medium 2 is used.
Then, the identification information AM-1-2 belonging to each main information M recorded on the information recording medium 2 is defined. The recording medium identification information AM-1-1 includes, for example, ID information of the information recording medium 2, authority information individually assigned to the user such as grade ID and record update availability, or a user password and ID information. The recording medium identification information AM-1-1 is fixedly recorded in the main information recording area 6 along with the predetermined main information M unless it is necessary to update the recording medium identification information AM-1-1 during the reproducing operation of the main information M. You may do it.

The feature amount information AM-2 includes, for example, information defining a motion vector in the image when the main information M is image information. The characteristic amount information AM-2 does not need to be updated particularly when reproducing the main information M, and is fixedly recorded in the main information recording area 6 along with the predetermined main information M. As the log information AM-3, reproduction number information A for each main information M
M-3-1, reproduction order history information AM-3-2, volume value information AM-3-3 during reproduction operation, environment information AM
-3-4 or reproduction order information (first reproduction order information) A
M-3-5 and the like are defined. The log information AM-3 is
For example, reproduction number information AM-3-1 and reproduction order history information A
M-3-2 or environment information AM-3-4 is updated when each main information M is re-recorded after the reproduction operation is completed.

The volume value information AM-3-3 is parameter information that is adjusted when the main information M is played back. For example, volume, sound quality (equalizer) or image quality adjustment amount, resolution and brightness of image information, etc. Define the control information of. The volume value information AM-3-3 is recorded, for example, when the reproducing operation is finished and the set value is recorded in the information recording medium 2, so that the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is powered off or the information recording medium 2 is taken out. Even if the setting value is reset to, the reproduction operation can be performed under the condition peculiar to the medium. As the environment information AM-3-4, for each main information M, information such as a time and a time zone when the reproduction operation is performed, or temperature, humidity, and climate at that time is defined. The environmental information AM-3-4 is accumulated whenever the reproduction operation is performed, but the environmental information AM-3-4 may be deleted from the oldest in a certain range.

As the link information AM-4, for example, information defining a plurality of main information M recorded on the information recording medium 2 so as to be sequentially reproduced by associating the reproduction order with each other is defined. When the information recording medium 2 is loaded into the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1, the reproducing unit 16 detects the link information AM-4, and the plurality of main information M is reproduced in the order arbitrarily set by the user. Like In the link information AM-4, when different story development information is recorded as the main information M as will be described in detail later, other story information related to the main information set by the user is selected and story development is performed. It is also used as a control signal for controlling so that different playback operations are performed.

As described above, various kinds of main information M are recorded on the information recording medium 2 in a recording form for defining various kinds of additional information AM in the main information recording area 6.
As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of cell information CMs, which are independent of each other, are formed and recorded. In the information recording medium 2, the cell information CM is the individual song information recorded in the case of a music album or the like in which a number of songs are recorded as the main information M, for example. Further, in the information recording medium 2, the video information divided into each story scene, which is the movie information, for example, as the main information M becomes the cell information CM.

By the way, each cell information CM is first cell information CM1 (CM1-1 to CM1-1) which can be arbitrarily selected by the user and whose reproduction order can be set as described later.
1-n) and second cell information CM2 (CM2-1 to C as so-called hidden cell information that cannot be selected by the user).
M2-p). Each cell information CM is reproduced by selecting one or a plurality of the second cell information CM2 when the user reproduces the first cell information CM1 in a predetermined reproduction order as described later. The second cell information CM2 is reproduced as an ending story corresponding to each story when the reproduction is performed in a predetermined story expansion based on the selected first cell information CM1, for example. As will be described in detail later, the second cell information CM2 includes the first reproduction order information AM-3-5 recorded as the additional information AM and the first cell information CM described above by the user.
It is selected based on the result of comparison with the second reproduction order information SSM regarding the cell information CM that is arbitrarily selected and set from 1.

On the information recording medium 2, the cell information CM is re-recorded in a different recording form after the reproduction operation is completed, so that the reproduction operation history information, in other words, the second reproduction order information SSM is obtained. The history of the reproduction operation based on this is recorded as reproduction history information AM-3-2.

The information recording medium 2 has the first cell information CM1.
Based on the result of comparison between the second reproduction order information SSM regarding the above and the first reproduction order information AM-3-5 held as the additional information AM, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the selection of the second cell information CM2 is performed. It is performed and the reproduction is performed. That is, in the information recording medium 2, the first reproduction order information (AM-) for selecting the second cell information CM2 corresponding to the second reproduction order information SSM of the first cell information CM1 set by the user. It holds the selection criterion table AMT based on 3-5).

The selection criterion table AMT has a standard order AM-3-5 set as a standard by the first cell information CM1.
It is specified that the cell information CM2-1 in which the standard ending scene is recorded is selected from the second cell information CM2 when reproduced according to the combination of 1. Also,
The selection criterion table AMT is displayed by the user from the first cell information CM1 to “CM1-1 → CM1-3 → CM1-”.
When the reproduction setting is performed with the combination that specifies “4”, the cell information CM2- based on the order 2 (AM-3-5-2).
It is specified that 2 is selected.

Further, the selection criterion table AMT is stored in the first cell information CM1 to "CM1-3 → C" by the user.
When the reproduction setting is performed with the combination that specifies “M1-2 → CM1-4 → CM1-1”, the order 3 (AM-3-5-
It is specified that the cell information CM2-3 is selected based on 3). The selection criterion table AMT is displayed by the user from the first cell information CM1 to “CM1-4 → CM1-3 →
When the reproduction setting is performed in the combination that specifies "CM1-2", based on the order k (AM-3-5-k), the first cell information CM1 to the unreproduced cell information CM1-1 are combined with the first cell information CM1. It is specified that the cell information CM2-1 is selected from the second cell information CM2.

The information recording medium 2 can realize, for example, a characteristic reasoning game by adopting a reproduction control method of each cell information CM. The information recording medium 2 is the first
Various mystery-solving stories are developed according to the selection of the user from the occurrence of the case based on the cell information CM1 of No. 1, and ending scenes corresponding to the development of each story are reproduced based on the second cell information CM2. Information recording medium 2
By reproducing the second cell information CM2 that the user has not set, it is possible to provide the user with an unexpected story development.

The information recording medium 2 has, for example, the first cell information CM in an order not specified in the selection criterion table AMT.
The second cell information CM2 may not be selected when the selection and the reproduction order are set.
In other words, on the information recording medium 2, the ending scene by the second cell information CM2 is reproduced only when the user sets the first cell information CM in a predetermined reproduction order. In the information recording medium 2, for example, in the case of the above-described reasoning game, the ending scene of the solution is reproduced only when the first cell information CM is properly set by the user and the story expansion is performed. .

When the main information M is, for example, for roll-playing game information or movie information, the information recording medium 2 holds a plurality of ending cell information CM2 in which ending images with different stories are recorded, so that the user can The optimal ending video will be played according to the story development arbitrarily assembled. According to the information recording medium 2 for the roll-playing game, each cell information of the first cell information CM1 selected by the user's operation is sequentially reproduced, and the game proceeds with an appropriate story expansion. According to the information recording medium 2 for the roll playing game, the second reproduction order information SSM and the first reproduction order information SSM
The reproduction order information AM-3-5 of No. 2 is compared with the second cell information CM2 of the predetermined ending scene to be reproduced. Therefore, according to the information recording medium 2 for the roll playing game, different ending scenes are displayed according to the development of the game, so that the diversification can be achieved.

Further, according to the information recording medium 2 for movies, for example, each cell information CM is appropriately rearranged and reproduced by the user's operation, so that it is possible to view works of different story development. . According to the information recording medium 2 for movies, for example, a program having a happy ending or a tragic ending is provided according to the story development. In addition, for example, in the information recording medium 2 for music, when the cell information CM centering on the rhythmic music is reproduced, the ending may be the same rhythmic music or, on the contrary, a quiet music. Will also be possible.

The information recording medium 2 holds the second cell information CM2 that cannot be set by the user as described above. For example, the second reproduction order information SSM and the first reproduction order information AM are stored.
Second cell information CM2 based on the comparison result with -3-5
Also, the cell information may be converted into cell information that can be set by the user. In addition, the information recording medium 2, based on the comparison result of the second reproduction order information SSM and the first reproduction order information AM-3-5, as described later, the external information distribution organization 3
Whether or not the new main information NM can be acquired may be determined from. The information recording medium 2 has the second reproduction order information S.
The SM and the first reproduction order information AM-3-5 are compared, and the resulting information is used as various control information.

According to the information recording medium 2 configured as described above, by holding various additional information AM defined by the recording form of the large number of cell information CM which constitutes the main information M, specific information can be obtained. It is possible to control the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to a unique mode without limitation. Therefore, according to the information recording medium 2, it is possible to personalize the user.

The above-described information recording medium 2 is loaded into the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 and the reproducing operation of the main information M is performed by the procedure shown in FIG. The reproduction operation is based on the first reproduction order information (AM-3-5) defined by the reproducing unit 16 of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 as the additional information AM defined by the recording form of the main information M from the information recording medium 2. A process of detecting the table AMT is performed (ss-1). The reproduction operation performs a process of acquiring the second reproduction order information SSM regarding the main information set by the user using the operation unit 11 (ss-2). The reproduction operation is the first reproduction order information A.
M-3-5 is compared with the acquired second reproduction order information SSM, and based on the result, a process of determining the cell information to be reproduced next from the second cell information CM2 from the selection criterion table AMT is performed ( ss-3).

In the process of determining the reproduced cell information CM, the unreproduced cell information CM may be selected based on the detected first reproduction order information AM-3-5, for example. In addition, the reproduction cell information CM determination process confirms that each cell information CM has been reproduced in a predetermined order, and thus reproduces the cell information CM recorded in the information recording medium 2 with reproduction prohibited. It may be possible. Further, the process of determining the reproduced cell information CM enables the distribution service of the new main information NM from the external information distribution organization 3 to be received by confirming that the cell information CM has been reproduced in a predetermined order. It may be

The reproduction operation is performed by the reproduction section 16 for each cell information CM selected based on the second reproduction order information SSM.
While sequentially reproducing the selected second cell information C
The reproduction process of M2 is performed (ss-4). In the reproducing operation, each processing described above is repeated while all the cell information CM to be reproduced is reproduced (ss-5). The reproduction operation is performed when the reproduction of all the cell information CM is completed, and the information recording medium 2
On the other hand, the process of updating the reproduction history information AM-3-2 by recording the cell information CM in a different recording form is performed (ss-6), and the series of processes is ended.

On the information recording medium 2 described above, the recording / reproducing operation of the main information M is performed by the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. As described above, the information recording medium 2 is provided from the provider side in a state in which each cell information CM of the main information M is recorded in a recording form in which each additional information AM defines an initial value. Since the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 on the provider side does not particularly require a reproducing operation, the reproducing unit 16 is unnecessary.

The operation unit 11 is operated by the user when recording / reproducing the main information M using the above-described information recording medium 2. The operation unit 11 includes the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1
When the device is configured as an integrated device, the device has a function of displaying an operation state as well as setting an operation mode by the user. The operation unit 11 includes a user interface and a display device. The user interface includes a power switch, a reproduction operation switch, a recording operation switch, a volume switch, a selection switch, and the like. The operation unit 11 outputs an operation signal to the control unit 12 when the user operates the above-described switches and the like while the recording / reproducing unit 13 is loaded with the recording medium 2. The operation unit 11 displays the operating state of the system on a display device according to the control signal output from the control unit 12, and controls the switching of the set mode. When the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is a unit incorporated in a personal computer or the like, the operation section 11 is a section to which an operation signal output by a user operating the operation panel is input.

The operation section 11 is used to reproduce the main information M from the information recording medium 2 loaded by the user. As described above, the operation unit 11 performs the operation of selecting predetermined cell information from the first cell information CM1 by the user and setting the reproduction order thereof, and thereby the second
The reproduction order information SSM of is output to the control unit 12. The operation unit 11 displays the contents of the second reproduction order information SSM on the display.

The control unit 12 is composed of, for example, a CPU, and receives various signals output from each unit. Control unit 12
Performs a predetermined process based on these input signals and outputs a control signal to each unit. An operation signal is input to the control unit 12 from the operation unit 11 as described above, and an information signal based on various additional information AM defined by a recording mode of main information M, which will be described in detail later, from the recording / reproducing unit 13. Etc. are input. The control signal of the connection state is input to the control unit 12 from the external input / output unit 14, and
A control signal from the external information distribution organization 3 or the external charging processing organization 4 connected via the external input / output unit 14 is input.

The control unit 12 includes a reproducing unit 1 as described later.
6 is supplied with the detection information such as the first reproduction order information AM-3-5 recorded on the information recording medium 2 and the second reproduction order information output from the operation unit 11 as described above. SSM is provided. The control unit 12 outputs a reproduction control signal of the cell information CM1 selected to the reproduction unit based on the second reproduction order information SSM, and
Second reproduction order information SSM and first reproduction order information AM-
3-5 is compared and predetermined cell information CM is determined from the second cell information CM2 based on the selection criterion table AMT, and a control signal is output to the reproducing unit 16. Control unit 1
2 sequentially reproduces each cell information CM selected based on the control signal output from the control unit.

The recording / reproducing section 13 is arranged in the loading section of the information recording medium 2 and reproduces the main information M from the recording section 15 for recording the main information M on the information recording medium 2. And a reproduction unit 16. The recording / reproducing unit 13 includes a recording unit and a reproducing unit generally used for recording / reproducing various information on / from the information recording medium 2, as in the conventional information recording / reproducing apparatus. Recording / playback unit 1
3 includes an optical pickup device and a magnetic head device when the information recording medium 2 is a magneto-optical disk, and a magnetic head device when the information recording medium 2 is a magnetic disk. In the recording / reproducing unit 13, in order to detect the additional information AM based on the recording form of the main information M, the reproducing unit 16 is provided with an appropriate detecting means. The detecting means is constituted by, for example, a comparator or the like when detecting the difference in the jitter amount of the output signal of the main information M based on the recording position on the track described above. For example, when the recording position of the main information M is directly detected, the detection means is composed of a position detection sensor and a calculator that calculates the detection output of this position detection sensor.

When the information recording medium 2 is loaded in the recording unit 15 and a reproducing operation is performed by the user through the operation unit 11, the reproducing unit 16 detects and outputs the additional data as shown in FIG. A control signal output from the control unit 12 is input based on the information AM and the control signal information SM. When the reproduction operation of the main information M is completed, the recording unit 15 is controlled based on the control signal output from the control unit 12.
Main information M and additional information AM output from the reproduction unit 16
And are re-recorded on the information recording medium 2 loaded in the recording / reproducing unit 13. The recording unit 15 re-records the main information M in a predetermined recording form, so that the additional information AM
Is defined and the information recording medium 2 holds it. The recording unit 15 stores the main information M in the information recording medium 2
The data is re-recorded in a predetermined recording form, but at that time, a part of the additional information AM is defined as it is, and another part is updated to have a predetermined content. To do.

When the new main information NM is distributed from the external information distribution organization 3 via the external input / output unit 14, the recording unit 15 outputs the new main information NM based on the control signal output from the control unit 12. The information is recorded on the information recording medium 2. The recording unit 15 records the new main information NM in a predetermined recording form, defines the additional information AM, and stores it in the information recording medium 2.

The recording unit 15 updates the reproduction order history information AM- based on the control signal output from the control unit 12.
3-2 Each cell information CM with a recording form defining definition
Is recorded on the information recording medium 2. The recording unit 15 outputs to the control unit 12 control signals such as a standby state, a recording state mode, and a recording operation progress state. The state of the recording unit 15 is processed by the control unit 12, a predetermined control signal is output to the operation unit 11, and is displayed on, for example, a display.

The recording section 15 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and may have a multiplex recording section 15a for multiplexing the main information M and the additional information AM as shown in FIG. 9, for example. The recording unit 15 multiplexes the main information M output from the reproducing unit 16 and the additional information AM or the new main information NM distributed from the external information distribution institution 3 and the additional information AM incidental thereto by the multiplex recording unit 15a. Then, the information is recorded on the information recording medium 2 in a predetermined recording form based on the result.

As shown in FIG. 10, the reproducing section 16 includes a main information detecting section 16a for detecting the main information M from the information recording medium 2 and an additional information detecting section 16 for detecting the additional information AM.
b and. The reproduction unit 16 has a control signal information detection unit (not shown) that detects the control signal information SM from the information recording medium 2. The reproducing unit 16 includes an adaptive processing unit 16c that converts the main information M into a predetermined output form and outputs the converted information. A control signal output from the control unit 12 is input to the reproduction unit 16 by a reproduction operation designated by the user using the operation unit 11.

The reproducing section 16 is controlled by the main information detecting section 16a and the additional information detecting section 16b based on the control signal.
The main information M and the control signal information SM are read from the information recording medium 2 loaded in the recording / reproducing unit 13, and the recording form of the main information M is detected to read the additional information AM. The reproducing unit 16 reads the additional information AM recorded independently. The reproduction unit 16 sends a control signal defined by the additional information AM and a control signal based on the control signal information SM to the control unit 1.
A control signal for controlling the reproduction operation generated by performing predetermined processing in the control unit 12 based on these control signals is input to the adaptive processing unit 16c. The reproducing unit 16 adaptively processes the main information M in the adaptive processing unit 16c based on the additional information AM, the control signal information SM, or the control signal output from the control unit 12. The reproducing unit 16 outputs the adaptively processed main information M to the external input / output unit 14 and the recording unit 15. The main information M is output from an appropriate output means connected to the main information M via the external input / output unit 14.

The reproducing section 16 uses, for example, the reproduction order history information A.
The unreproduced cell information CM is selected by the control signal output from the control unit 12 based on M-3-2, and is reproduced after the cell information CM is reproduced in the order set by the user. The reproduction unit 16 reproduces the cell information CM according to the selected first reproduction order information AM-3-5 by the control signal output from the control unit 12 based on the reproduction order history information AM-3-2. .

The reproducing section 16 is not limited to the above-mentioned structure, and when the information recording medium 2 in which the main information M and the additional information AM are multiplexed and recorded is used as shown in FIG. A main information / additional information separating unit 16d for separating the information M and the additional information AM may be provided. When the reproducing unit 16 determines the information recording medium 2 loaded in the recording / reproducing unit 13 and determines that the information recording medium 2 is a multiplexed information recording type recording medium, the information recording medium 2 is determined.
The multiplexed information read from the main information / additional information separating unit 16d is separated into main information M and additional information AM and output to the adaptive processing unit 16c. The reproducing unit 16 performs the above-described processing on the separated main information M and additional information AM.

The external input / output unit 14 is shown as a general interface unit for inputting / outputting the main information M to / from the recording / reproducing unit 13 in FIG. 1, and is appropriately selected according to the form of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1. Will have the function of.
The external input / output unit 14 does not directly function when the main information M is output from a speaker, a monitor or the like included in the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 as shown by a broken line in the figure. The external input / output unit 14 is connected to, for example, an external speaker or monitor, so that the main information M such as music information or image information is reproduced via these external connection devices. The external input / output unit 14 is connected to a recording / reproducing unit such as a magnetic disk built in the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 so that the main information M is input / output. The external input / output unit 14 inputs / outputs the main information M by being connected to a personal computer, a mobile phone, or the external information distribution institution 3 or the external charging processing institution 4 as described above, for example, via a wire or wirelessly. To do so.

The external input / output unit 14 includes a communication interface 14a and a buffer memory 1 as shown in FIG.
4b. The communication interface 14a has a function of connecting to an appropriate communication unit 17 such as a public line or wireless communication, and is connected to an external device 18 via, for example, the Internet network to transmit / receive external input / output information. .
The buffer memory 14b has a function of avoiding the influence of a time shift when transmitting / receiving external input / output information to / from the external device 18, and transmits based on a control signal output from the control unit 12. Information and received information are temporarily stored and input / output is performed in order.

The external input / output unit 14 is shown in FIG.
3, the communication interface 14a described above is used.
Instead of or in addition to this, the connection interface 14c
May be provided. Connection interface 14c
Is an external device 1 having a connection jack or the like, such as a personal computer, a PDA or a portable recording / reproducing device.
9 has a function of connecting with a cable 20. The buffer memory 14b is also connected to the connection interface 14c.

The information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 has a large number of cell information C.
The main information M consisting of M has been described as using the above-described information recording medium 2 provided to the user from the provider side in a state where the main information M is recorded in advance in a recording form that defines each additional information AM as an initial value. . The information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is connected to an external information distribution organization 3 via an external input / output unit 14.
The new main information NM may be distributed from and the new main information NM may be downloaded to the information recording medium 2. The information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 has the second reproduction order information SSM set by the user as described above and the first reproduction order information AM-3-5 defined and held as the additional information AM in the information recording medium 2. Based on the result of comparison with the above, the distribution service of the new main information NM such as predetermined ending cell information may be received from the external information distribution organization 3 and downloaded to the information recording medium 2.

In the information recording medium 2 and the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 using the information recording medium 2 described above, as shown in FIG. 14, the information recording / reproducing apparatuses 1A to 1N possessed by a large number of users respectively have external input / output. By being connected to the external information distribution institution 3 and the external institution 22 such as the external billing processing institution 4 via the network 21 by the unit 14, contents such as music albums and movie programs and other appropriate new main information NM or a part thereof An information distribution system 23 for receiving a distribution service of information (hereinafter collectively referred to as new main information NM) is constructed. In the information distribution system 23, by using the information recording medium 2 that holds the above-mentioned additional information AM, new main information NM will be described as described later.
The distribution service will be made more efficient and diversified.

In the information distribution system 23, each information recording / reproducing apparatus (user) 1 side requests the external information distribution organization 3 to distribute the new main information NM, and if necessary, the external charging processing organization 4 is requested. By performing a payment process of a predetermined usage amount on the other hand, the new main information NM is distributed from the external information distribution organization 3 to the user. Of course, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 can also exchange personal information with a personal computer or a portable recording / reproducing apparatus owned by the user.

The information distribution system 23 is operated based on the flowchart of the basic procedure shown in FIG.
The information distribution system 23 is a flow chart of a basic procedure including a charging process shown in the figure when a distribution service whose details will be described later is provided from the external information distribution organization 3 to the information recording / reproducing apparatus (user) 1 for a fee. It is operated based on. Of course, the information distribution system 23 is not limited to such a procedure flow chart, and the distribution service of the new main information NM is provided to the user by various service systems, but in any case, the information recording is performed. Various types of additional information AM recorded on the medium 2 are used to provide various services to the user from the external information distribution organization 3.

In the information distribution system 23, FIG.
As shown in, the user makes an application for using the information distribution service to the external information distribution organization 3 using the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1. The user performs an operation of inputting predetermined use application information such as his / her own ID and authentication information with the operation unit 11 of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 with the predetermined information recording medium 2 loaded (s-1), The predetermined additional information AM recorded from the information recording medium 2 is read (s-2), and a usage application is made to the external information distribution organization 3 via the external input / output unit 14 (s-3).

When the external information distribution organization 3 receives the usage application from the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 side, it verifies whether this usage application has predetermined requirements (s-4), and the result is the information. It is transmitted to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 side. When the external information distribution organization 3 determines that the application is a usage request that does not have the predetermined requirements, it makes an unacceptable reply to the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 (s-5). When the user receives the rejection response from the external information distribution organization 3, the user examines the content (s-6), and when continuing the usage application, for example, the above-mentioned usage application is performed according to the guide attached to the rejection request. Perform the operation again. The user performs a termination operation when it is determined that the predetermined requirements cannot be satisfied or when it is determined that continuation is not necessary (s-
7).

When the external information distribution organization 3 determines that the application for use satisfies the predetermined requirements, it creates a usage guide (s-8) and sends it to the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 side. The usage guide includes, for example, a list of new main information NM to be newly distributed, respective outlines, specification information, consideration information, operation guide information for acquisition, and the like. The usage guide includes, for example, new main information N newly distributed for a fee.
The M may be attached in advance as so-called hidden information that cannot be reproduced, information having a low image quality or sound quality level, or a piece of information that can be reproduced as a sample. Such non-genuine information can be reproduced by being appropriately recorded on the information recording medium 2 as proper main information by performing an appropriate regulation releasing process by performing a charging process described later.

When the user receives the usage guide, the user examines the content of the usage guide and determines whether or not to receive the distribution service (s-9). When the user determines that it is not necessary to receive the distribution service, the user performs a termination operation (s-1).
0). When the user determines to receive the distribution service based on the usage guide, the user selects new main information NM (s-11). Of course, the selection of new main information NM is
This is not particularly necessary when the distribution service has only one target.
The user performs an input operation of distribution request information through the operation unit 11 based on the usage guide (s-12), and makes a distribution request to the external information distribution institution 3 through the external input / output unit 14.

When the external information distribution organization 3 receives the distribution request from the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 side, it verifies the requirements (s-13). A retransmission request is made (s-14). The user reprocesses the delivery request based on the resend request.
When the distribution request is judged to meet the requirements, the external information distribution organization 3 carries out the distribution process of the requested new main information NM (s-15), and adds the necessary additional information AM together with the new main information NM. It is attached and transmitted to the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1. Note that the distribution process of the new main information NM becomes the information of the restriction release process when it has been transmitted in the format such as hidden information in advance as described above. The user performs a recording operation on the information recording medium 2 for the delivered new main information NM (s-16). In this case, the new main information NM is recorded on the information recording medium 2 in a predetermined recording form defining the additional information AM as described above.

In the information distribution system 23, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 1 and the external information distribution organization 3 are operated when the distribution service of the new main information NM is provided from the external information distribution organization 3 to each user for a fee. The external billing processing organization 4 intervenes between them, and the billing procedure shown in FIG. 16 is performed. The information distribution system 23 requires at least predetermined authentication information such as ID information and a password when a user applies for use of the external information distribution organization 3 described above. The external information distribution organization 3
When the ID information and the authentication information are transmitted from the user, the usage fee and the identification ID information of the user are attached together with these information, and the external charging processing organization 4 is inquired of the availability of the user together with the usage notification ( s-17).

The external charging processing organization 4 determines the I
In addition to holding D information, authentication information, account information, etc., it also holds information such as identification ID information and account information of the external information distribution organization 3. Based on the inquiry from the external information distribution organization 3, the external billing processing organization 4 extracts the user information to be held and sends it to the designated financial server 24 such as a bank or credit company for the user's authentication information and balance. Inquires about the account confirmation of (s-18). Regarding the authentication procedure of the authentication information, the external billing processing institution 4 may hold the authentication with the financial server 24 in a database, and the held information may be collated with the information presented by the user.

The financial server 24 collates the held information in response to the inquiry from the external charging processing organization 4 and makes a reply as to whether or not the user can use the account information such as the payment limit of the user and the suitability of the authentication information. (S-19). The external billing processing institution 4 updates the possessed information as needed based on the response from the financial server 24, and also informs the external information delivery institution 3 of the user ID information such as the authentication result and whether or not the usage fee can be paid. Answer with information (s-2
0). The external information distribution organization 3 provides the above-mentioned usage guide to the user or makes an unacceptable reply based on the answer from the external charging processing organization 4. The external information distribution organization 3
When it is determined that there is no particular problem based on the user's request for delivery of the new main information NM based on the usage guide,
The new main information NM is distributed as described above.

The external information distribution organization 3 calculates the final amount of money used for the distribution of the new main information NM to the user,
Use notification is sent to the external charging processing organization 4 (s-2
1). The external charging processing organization 4 gives a transfer instruction to the user directly or to the user account of the financial server 24 of the user based on the usage notification (s-22). The transfer instruction is attached with, for example, user account information, usage amount (billing amount), account information of the external information distribution institution 3, and the like. Based on this transfer instruction, the user or the financial server 24 determines whether the external information distribution organization 3
Make a predetermined payment to the financial server 25 (s-2)
3).

The information distribution system 23 is not limited to the procedure flowchart of the charging process described above, and various procedure forms are adopted. In the information distribution system 23, for example, the user deposits a predetermined amount of money in advance to the external information distribution institution 3, so that the user and the external information distribution institution 3 within the amount range without performing the above-described charging process. A distribution service of the new main information NM may be performed. Information distribution system 23
In this case, the certified deposit information is recorded as the additional information AM of the information recording medium 2, and the new main information N
The deposit information may be updated each time the delivery service of M is received. The deposit information is recorded in the information recording medium 2 as additional information AM when a predetermined amount of money is deposited in the external information distribution organization 3, and is reduced and updated and recorded when receiving the distribution service of the new main information NM. You may do it.

[0080]

As described above in detail, the recording medium according to the present invention retains the recording capacity of the main information because the reproduction order information of each cell information is defined and held according to the recording form of the main information. As a result, multi-functionalization is achieved and optimal information is recorded for each user so that personalization can be achieved. Like In the information recording medium, each cell information is sequentially selected based on the reproduction order arbitrarily set by the user, the multi-story expansion is achieved, and the main information is reproduced, but based on the detected reproduction order information. It is possible to control the information recording / reproducing apparatus to the eigenmode. According to the information recording medium, by using the reproduction order information as various control signals, a new usage pattern is created. In the information recording medium, the reproduction order information is used as the control information for selecting and reproducing unreproduced cell information from the cell information recorded after the last cell information, thereby enabling an unexpected story expansion. To do. The information recording medium selects one of a plurality of pieces of cell information recorded in the main information recording area whose reproduction order information is prohibited from being reproduced, and reproduces the selected cell information subsequent to the last cell information. By being used as control information that enables, the story expansion can be more diversified. The information recording medium detects that each cell information has been reproduced in a predetermined order based on the reproduction order information, so that the cell information having the last reproduction order is transmitted from the external information distribution organization connected to the information recording / reproducing apparatus. It is possible to receive the distribution of the additional cell information or the new main information that is subsequently reproduced.

Further, according to the information recording / reproducing apparatus and the information recording / reproducing method of the present invention, by using the information recording medium in which the reproduction order information of each cell information is defined by the recording form of the main information and held, In the reproducing unit, each cell information is sequentially reproduced from the information recording medium in accordance with the reproducing order set by the user, so that a unique story expansion can be achieved. According to the present invention, the reproduction operation and the recording operation are controlled in the unique mode based on the additional information held by the information recording medium, so that individualization can be achieved. According to the present invention, it is possible to create a new usage pattern with high added value by using the reproduction order information as a control signal. According to the present invention, the reproduction order information is used as the control information for selecting and reproducing the unreproduced cell information from the cell information recorded after the last cell information, so that an unexpected story is presented to the user. It will be possible to deploy. According to the present invention, the reproduction order information is selected as one of a plurality of pieces of cell information recorded in the main information recording area with the reproduction order information being prohibited from reproduction operation, and the selected cell information is selected as the last cell in the reproduction order. By using it as control information that enables reproduction following information, it is possible to achieve diversification of story development. According to the present invention, by detecting that each cell information is reproduced in a predetermined order based on the reproduction order information, the cell information having the last reproduction order from the external information distribution organization connected to the information recording / reproducing apparatus is detected. It is possible to receive the distribution of the additional cell information or the new main information that is subsequently reproduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an information recording / reproducing apparatus shown as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a magneto-optical disk shown as an example of an information recording medium used in the information recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a recording mode of cell information which constitutes main information recorded on the magneto-optical disk.

FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of additional information defined by a recording form of cell information on an information recording medium.

FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory diagram of main information configured by a large number of cell information.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a selection table of cell information selected based on reproduction order information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a reproduction operation of main information from an information recording medium.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the flow of various types of information centered on the recording unit.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of another recording unit.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a diagram for describing the flow of various types of information centered on the playback unit.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of another reproducing unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the flow of various types of information centered on an external input / output unit.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of another external input / output unit.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of an information distribution system in which a large number of information recording / reproducing devices are networked.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a basic procedure in the information distribution system.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a basic procedure including a charging process in the information distribution system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 information recording / reproducing apparatus, 2 information recording medium, 3 external information distribution apparatus, 4 external billing processing apparatus, 11 operation unit, 1
2 control section, 13 recording / reproducing section, 14 external input / output section,
15 recording unit, 16 reproducing unit, 18 external device, 21
Network, 23 information distribution system, 24, 25
Financial server

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/91 H04N 5/91 Z (72) Inventor Takashi Sawao 6-7 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. 35 Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Shizuo Chikaoka 6-735 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. 35 Sony Corporation (72) Naoki Fujiwara 6-735 Kitagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo F term in Sony Corporation (reference) 5C053 FA23 FA29 GB02 GB06 LA06 LA11 5D044 BC01 BC04 CC04 DE31 DE53 DE57 EF05 FG18 GK12 HL11 5D077 AA22 AA30 BA15 CB06 EA34 5D110 AA13 AA19 AA27 AA29 BB29 DC17 DB03 DC03 DC06 DC03 DC06 DC03

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. The main information recorded in the main information recording area is composed of a large number of independent cell information which are reproduced by multi-story development by setting a reproduction order. An information recording medium, characterized in that a plurality of reproduction order information defining a reproduction order is defined and held according to a recording form of the main information in the main information recording area. 2. The cell information is composed of a first cell information group that can be set by the user for reproduction and a second cell information group that cannot be set by the user for reproduction, and the reproduction order information includes: Based on the result of comparison with the second reproduction order information regarding the cell information arbitrarily selected from the first cell information group and set by the user, the second
The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the information recording medium is used as a control signal for selecting predetermined cell information from the cell information group. 3. The cell information includes a first cell information group which can be set by the user for reproduction and a third cell information for which reproduction is prohibited.
Of the cell information group, and the reproduction order information is based on a comparison result with the second reproduction order information regarding the cell information which is arbitrarily selected and set by the user from the first cell information group, Third above
The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the information recording medium is used as a control signal for selecting and reproducing predetermined cell information from the cell information group. 4. The reproduction order information permits distribution of additional cell information or new main information from an external information distribution organization connected to the information recording / reproducing apparatus based on a comparison result with the second reproduction order information. The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the information recording medium is used as a control signal. 5. The main information recorded in the main information recording area is composed of a large number of independent cell information which are reproduced by multi-story expansion by setting a reproduction order, and reproduction of each cell information. An information recording medium is used in which a plurality of reproduction order information defining the order is defined by the recording mode of the main information in the main information recording area and held, and the user can set the reproduction condition of each cell information. Reproduction for sequentially reproducing the cell information from the information recording medium and detecting the reproduction order information based on the operation unit for performing and the second reproduction order information regarding the cell information arbitrarily selected and set by the user. By recording the main information in different recording modes on the information recording medium with the end of the reproduction operation. A recording unit that defines information relating to the reproduction operation and holds the information recording medium in the information recording medium, and a control unit that outputs a control signal to each unit are provided, and include the reproduction order information and the second reproduction order information. An information recording / reproducing apparatus, which selects and reproduces cell information to be reproduced subsequent to the last cell information in the reproduction order based on the comparison result. 6. An external input / output unit connected to an external information distribution organization, wherein the reproduction order information detected by the reproduction unit and the second reproduction order information set via the operation unit are compared. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the external input / output unit is configured to permit the external cell information distribution apparatus to distribute the additional cell information or the new main information based on the result. 7. The external input / output unit is connected to the external information distribution organization and the external charging processing organization, and performs a predetermined payment process with the external charging processing organization via the external input / output section. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the additional cell information or the new main information distributed from the external information distribution organization is received. 8. The main information recorded in the main information recording area is composed of a large number of independent cell information which are reproduced by multi-story development by setting a reproduction order. An information recording medium in which a plurality of reproduction order information defining a reproduction order is defined and held by the recording mode of the main information in the main information recording area, and an operation for setting and reproducing the reproduction condition of the main information by the user Section, a reproduction section that reproduces main information from the information recording medium and detects the reproduction order information, a recording section that records the cell information on the information recording medium at the end of the reproduction operation, and a recording section. An information recording / reproducing apparatus including a control unit that outputs a control signal to the information recording / reproducing device is used, and a process of loading the information recording medium in the reproducing unit, A process of setting the reproduction order of each of the cell information to generate second reproduction order information when the reproduction condition of the main information is set by the user; and the reproduction section based on the second reproduction order information. A process of selecting predetermined cell information from the information recording medium and sequentially reproducing it, and detecting in the reproducing unit by comparing the reproduction order information held in the information recording medium with the second reproduction order information. A process of outputting the result to the control unit, a process of outputting a control signal for controlling the reproduction operation and the recording operation to the eigenmode based on the reproduction order information from the control unit to the respective units, In the recording section, the cell sequence information is recorded in the information recording medium in different recording modes at the end of the reproduction operation, thereby defining and recording the reproduction order information of the reproduction operation. An information recording / reproducing method comprising: 9. The main information recorded on the information recording medium is composed of a first cell information group that can be set by the user for reproduction and a second cell information group that cannot be set by the user for reproduction. The predetermined cell information is selected from the second cell information group and reproduced based on a comparison result of the reproduction order information and the second reproduction order information. Information recording and reproducing method. 10. The main information recorded on the information recording medium is composed of a first cell information group which can be set for reproduction by a user and a third cell information group whose reproduction is prohibited, 9. The predetermined cell information is selected from the third cell information group based on a result of comparison between the reproduction order information and the second reproduction order information to enable reproduction.
Information recording / reproducing method described in. 11. The information recording / reproducing apparatus includes an external input / output unit connected to an external information distribution organization for distributing the additional cell information or the new main information, and the reproduction order information and the second reproduction order. Based on the result of comparison with information, the external input / output unit permits the external information distribution device to distribute additional cell information or new main information, and the additional cell information or new information distributed by the recording unit. 9. The information recording / reproducing method according to claim 8, further comprising: a process of recording main information on the information recording medium. 12. The information recording / reproducing apparatus is connected to an external billing processing institution together with the external information delivery institution, and is connected to the external billing processing institution via the external input / output unit from the external information delivery institution. A process of performing a predetermined payment for the additional cell information or the new main information to be distributed, and the additional cell information or the new main information distributed from the external information distribution device based on the payment processing information. The information recording / reproducing method according to claim 11, further comprising: a process of receiving via the input / output unit, and a process of recording the new main information distributed by the recording unit on the information recording medium.