JP2005012270A - Video recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record static image data in a desired order and timing, even in a reproducing device corresponding to only an animation recording format. <P>SOLUTION: When a user selects a static image to be inserted by a remote control operation, a system control section 105 reads a static image selected from a memory card loaded in a drive device section 107 via a static image reading/writing section 110, and a static image compressing section 111 compresses the static image in an MEPG standards, an animation recording format. The section 105 duplicates the image of an I picture, forms GOP of 0.5 second having no change in picture data forming the GOP, and inserts the static image into an animation content of a removable HDD 112 by an animation reading/writing section 109. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus capable of recording a still image file in a still image recording format such as JPEG in a moving image recording format such as MPEG.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a home video recording / playback apparatus, a moving image is recorded on a recording medium represented by a DVD or a video tape. Among these playback apparatuses, there is a recording / playback apparatus that can read and browse a memory card or the like in which a photograph taken with a digital camera or the like is recorded as a still image. These recording / playback apparatuses can record and save still images on a removable recording medium or a built-in fixed HDD.
[0003]
Among removable recording media, rewritable DVDs (DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW) have rapidly become recording media suitable for recording MPEG streams obtained by compressing and encoding moving images. DVD players (playback apparatuses) and DVD recorders (recording / playback apparatuses) are expanding their fields of activity. Although it is a rewritable DVD mainly used for recording moving images, the DVD-VIDEO RECORDING standard records still images on the rewritable DVD and displays the still images on a DVD player.・ There is description about reproduction.
[0004]
According to quotations from the DVD-VIDEO RECORDING standard, still images are generally handled in units of still image video objects (VOB). The still picture VOB is picture data corresponding to a still picture, and includes an I picture that is picture data that is one-encoded within a frame, and SEQUENCE END CODE.
[0005]
SEQUENCE END CODE is a code indicating the end of the picture data sequence. When the MPEG decoder built in the DVD player decodes this SEQUENCE END CODE, the last decoded picture data is displayed. Freeze as it is. By inserting SEQUENCE END CODE into a still image VOB, even a DVD player configured on the premise of playing a moving image can display a still image.
[0006]
In addition, an invention (see Patent Document 1) that combines a still image with a moving image in a desired order / timing, saves the moving image / still image as a moving image while switching and displaying the moving image / still image, There is an invention of a playback apparatus that can perform seamless playback when a playback path is recorded on a rewritable DVD (see Patent Document 2).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-239318
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-84508 A
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the recording format is different between the moving image content file and the still image file, there is a problem that depending on the recording / playback apparatus, the moving image and the still image cannot be recorded on the same rewritable DVD or the like. In addition, in a playback device such as a DVD player that does not support file playback in the still image recording format, there is a problem that even if the media can be read, the still image file cannot be viewed.
[0009]
For example, in a conventional recording / playback apparatus, a still image file recorded by a digital camera or the like and a moving image file such as a broadcast recorded by the recording / playback apparatus are recorded in different formats. For this reason, when recording such data on a removable recording medium such as a removable HDD, only one of the formats can be stored, or even if it can be stored, it may not be played back.
[0010]
The conventional recording / playback system shown in FIG. 12 includes a monitor 1201, a recording / playback device 1202, and a remote control 1203 that performs general operations such as menu operations / recording / playback operations of the recording / playback device 1202. The recording / playback device 1202 includes a user interface (U / I) unit 1204, a system control unit 1205, drive device units 1206 and 1207, an output unit 1208, a moving image reading / writing unit 1209, and a still image reading / writing unit 1210. Is provided. A plurality of MPEG moving image content files are recorded on the removable HDD 1211, and a plurality of JPEG format still image files are recorded on the memory card 1212.
[0011]
The conventional playback system shown in FIG. 13 includes a monitor 1201, a playback device 1302, and a remote control 1303 that performs general operations such as menu operation / recording playback operation of the playback device 1302. The playback device 1302 includes a user interface (U / I) unit 1304, a system control unit 1305, a drive device unit 1306, an output unit 1307, and a video playback unit 1308.
[0012]
For example, a conventional recording / playback device 1202 and playback device 1302 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 include a moving image reading / writing unit 1209 and a still image reading / writing unit 1210 corresponding to each content file (see FIG. 12). ) Or a moving image playback unit 1308 (see FIG. 13), which can record or play back a content file according to the recording format. However, even if the still image file is directly reproduced by the recording / reproducing apparatus 1202 corresponding to the still image recording format shown in FIG. 12 and the still image file is recorded in the removable HDD 1209, still image file reproduction as shown in FIG. A playback device 1302 that does not support the above cannot play back a still image file from the removable HDD 1209.
[0013]
Even in such a playback device, a still image file itself cannot be played back if it is a moving image that can be displayed as a still image using the SEQUENCE END CODE of the DVD-VIDEO RECORDING standard, but the still image is played back as a moving image on the playback device. be able to. In addition, various special playbacks can be specified in the video section, whereas in the playback of a still picture section, whether normal playback is ordered or special playback is ordered by decoding the SEQUENCE END CODE. There is a problem that playback control that draws the user's intention is not performed at all, such as when playback is stopped uniformly and even when fast-forwarding etc., the still image is always stopped. is there.
[0014]
In order to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, the present invention records a still picture data so that it can be played back in a desired order and timing, even in a playback apparatus that supports only the moving picture recording format. The purpose is to provide.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a recording apparatus capable of writing moving image data to a recording medium, the still image compression means for compressing and converting still image data in a still image recording format into still image data in a recording format for moving images, and the recording The moving image writing means for writing data in a recording format for moving images on a medium, and the moving image writing means so that the still image data compressed and converted by the still image compressing means is reproduced at a desired timing. And a control means for controlling to write to the recording medium.
[0016]
Here, the control means duplicates the still image compressed and converted for a desired reproduction time, and writes the copied still image to the moving image writing means.
[0017]
Further, the control means may cause the compressed still image data to be written into an existing moving image file, or may cause the compressed still image data to be written into a new moving image file. .
The moving image recording format data is I picture data in the MPEG system.
[0018]
In the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, a removable recording medium capable of recording / reproducing moving images and still images can be handled. Record as new movie file or add it to existing movie file by providing means to compress still image according to MPEG standard and convert to GOP (Group of Pictures Header) including I picture showing still image GOP is added and recorded so that it can be displayed at a proper timing.
[0019]
When this GOP is recorded as a moving image content file, the GOP including the same I picture is recorded by increasing / decreasing according to the designated still image playback time, so that if there are many GOPs indicating still images, the playback time becomes longer. If it is small, it can be shortened. Also, when performing skip processing such as double-speed playback with reference to the first I picture of the GOP, special playback similar to a moving image can be performed.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration including a recording / playback apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. This recording / playback system performs general operations such as a monitor 101, a recording / playback apparatus 102, and a menu operation / recording / playback operation of the recording / playback apparatus 102, such as a TV. The remote control 103 is used.
[0022]
The internal configuration of the recording / playback apparatus 102 will be described. In this figure, a recording / playback apparatus 102 includes a user interface (U / I) unit 104, a system control unit 105, drive device units 106 and 107, an output unit 108, a moving image reading / writing unit 109, and a still image reading / writing unit. 110 and a still image compression unit 111.
[0023]
The removable HDD 112 stores a plurality of moving image content files in MPEG format (moving image recording format), and the memory card 113 stores a plurality of still image files in JPEG format (still image recording format). . The removable HDD 112 and the memory card 113 are examples of removable recording media and can be easily removed from the recording / playback apparatus main body, and can record moving image content files and still image files. Examples of the removable recording medium include disc-shaped removable recording media such as CD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, flash memory, compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, memory stick, SD card, and the like. This removable recording medium is also included.
[0024]
The U / I unit 104 supplies interactive operations using the remote controller 103 and the monitor 101 to the user. That is, when using moving image content recorded on the removable HDD 112, when the user operates the remote controller 103 to enter the content processing mode, this instruction is input to the system control unit 105 via the U / I unit 104. . The system control unit 105 acquires the number of contents recorded in the removable HDD 112 inserted into the drive device unit 106 via the moving image reading / writing unit 109, and a program table (content list) from which the content can be selected. ) On the monitor 101 via the output unit 108. Thereafter, the user designates content for the content list using the remote controller 103 while viewing the content list drawn on the monitor 101. The system control unit 105 accepts content specification via the U / I unit 104 and waits for an instruction to reproduce or edit the specified content.
[0025]
The same applies to the case of using a still image file recorded on the memory card 113 inserted in the drive unit 107. That is, when using a still image file recorded on the memory card 113, when the user operates the remote controller 103 to enter the still image file processing mode of the memory card 113, this instruction is sent via the U / I unit 104. Input to the system control unit 105. The system control unit 105 obtains the number of files recorded from the memory card 113 inserted into the drive device unit 107 via the still image reading / writing unit 110 and creates a list from which still images can be selected. The image is displayed on the monitor 101 via the output unit 108. Thereafter, the user designates a still image using the remote controller 103 while viewing the still image list drawn on the monitor 101. The system control unit 105 accepts still image designation via the U / I unit 104 and waits for an instruction to reproduce or edit the designated still image.
[0026]
In addition, the moving image content file in this embodiment is an MPEG moving image file as described above. The structure of this type of image data is divided into a plurality of GOPs and a sequence header (SH) attached in front of the GOP for use in random access.
[0027]
Next, the internal configuration of the GOP will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the GOP. As shown in this figure, each GOP has a plurality of picture data displayed in a display frame of the monitor, and is a part of a video stream corresponding to a reproduction time of about 0.5 seconds. However, in the picture data, a Bidirectionally predictive (B) picture (bidirectional predictive encoded image) that has been compressed using temporal correlation characteristics with images to be reproduced in the past and future directions is reproduced in the past direction. Predictive (P) picture (interframe forward prediction encoded image) compressed using the temporal correlation characteristic with the image to be obtained, spatial frequency characteristic within the image for one frame without using the temporal correlation characteristic There are three types of Intra (I) pictures (intra-frame encoded images) that are compressed using.
[0028]
In this embodiment, a video stream recorded as a moving image file reads I, P, and B pictures constituting a GOP in order and displays them on the monitor 101 to reproduce the moving image.
[0029]
When recording this moving image file, the recording / playback apparatus 102 searches for the GOP to be accessed from the SH before the GOP, extracts the position of the I picture, and can use the position of the first I picture of the GOP during special playback. For example, it is assumed that a fast-forward playback method is possible in which every other I picture is displayed at double-speed fast-forward and every nine pictures are displayed at 10-speed fast-forward.
[0030]
As described above, even if the still image file is directly reproduced by the conventional recording / playback apparatus corresponding to the still image file shown in FIG. 12 and the still image file is recorded on the removable HDD medium, the still image as shown in FIG. It cannot be played back by a conventional playback device that does not support image file playback. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, a still image compression unit is provided in the recording / playback apparatus, and when a still image is recorded on another medium, the image is recompressed into a moving image recording format, so that the still image is converted into a moving image file. Can be recorded.
[0031]
For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when still image data and moving image data are recorded on the removable HDD, the still image data is normally reproduced on a reproducing apparatus that does not support the still image recording format. I can't. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, when data recorded in the still image recording format is recompressed and recorded in the moving image recording format, the still image can be reproduced in the procedure of reproducing the moving image. it can. However, this is only an example, and does not limit the recording medium or the recording format of the data to be recorded.
[0032]
Next, a compression method will be described. As defined in the MPEG standard, after DCT conversion of an image, the degree of quantization is adjusted so that the desired compression rate is obtained. By encoding this as an I picture that forms a GOP, VLC encoding can convert still image data into a data format of an I picture that is a recording format for moving images (MPEG1 standard (ISO / IEC 11172-2: 1993)). reference).
[0033]
Hereinafter, processing when a file recorded with data in the still image recording format is recorded in the moving image recording format will be described. First, the case of recording as part of existing video content will be described.
[0034]
In this case, the user selects content to be edited from the moving image content list using the remote controller 103, and enters the content editing mode. As an example of a moving image editing mode, by specifying a start point and an end point with a remote controller at the time of reproduction, it is possible to perform editing such as recording content separately or divided into a plurality of scenes. However, this is an example of an editing function in the recording / reproducing apparatus, and is not limited. Still image data is read from a removable recording medium, but may be read from, for example, a LAN or the Internet.
[0035]
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of processing when a still image is added to moving image content at a desired timing.
In this embodiment, when a still image is inserted in the middle of a moving image in the edit mode, the user gives a still image insertion command by remote control operation when a scene to be inserted is reproduced (S401). On the other hand, when canceling without giving a still image insertion command in S401, the processing ends.
[0036]
When the memory card 113 in which the still image file is recorded in the still image recording format is inserted into the drive device unit 107, the system control unit 105 receives a still image insertion command and then receives a still image from the memory card 113. The file is read, and a list of still image files is displayed on the monitor 101 via the output unit 108 by the read still image (S402). Then, the user can select which still image file to insert with the remote controller 103 (S403). When the user selects the still image to be inserted by remote control operation, the system control unit 105 selects the still image selected from the memory card 113 attached to the drive device unit 113 via the still image reading / writing unit 110. In the reading and still image compression unit 111, the still image is compressed by the MPEG standard which is a recording format for moving images.
[0037]
Specifically, after the still image compression unit 111 performs DCT conversion on the image, the degree of quantization is adjusted so that the target compression rate is obtained, and this is subjected to VLC coding as an I picture that forms a GOP. The image data is converted into an I picture format which is a moving image recording format (see MPEG1 standard (ISO / IEC 11172-2: 1993)). For the P / B picture, as shown in FIG. 5, the system control unit 105 duplicates the I-picture image and creates a still-image GOP for 0.5 seconds with no change in the picture data constituting the GOP. Then, the moving image reading / writing unit 109 inserts and records a still image as a GOP in the moving image content of the removable HDD 112 (S404).
[0038]
For conventional still image playback, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), when SEQUENCE END CODE is inserted into I picture showing a still image and SEQUENCE END CODE is read at the time of playback, It was in a stopped state. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, a still image reproduction time is set, and a GOP including an I picture is copied and reproduced in order according to the reproduction time. Play. In this embodiment, since the playback time of one GOP is 0.5 seconds as described above, as shown in FIG. 7, if playback is performed for 1 second, two GOPs having the same I picture are created and played for 4 seconds. Then, make 8 pieces.
[0039]
Hereinafter, since the display time is designated by the user using the remote controller 103 (S405), the system control unit 105 increases the number of GOPs accordingly. In S406, when it is desired to add a still image to the moving image, the process is shifted from S406 to S402, and the same operation is repeated to reproduce the still image for a time that the user wants to reproduce at a desired point such as a break in the moving image content. be able to.
[0040]
As an example of the case where special playback is performed in the recording / playback apparatus of the present embodiment, processing at the time of double speed playback performed by the recording / playback apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. When reproducing a moving image, double-speed reproduction is realized by skipping and reading out picture data.
[0041]
FIG. 8A shows normal reproduction in which picture data included in a plurality of GOPs is sequentially reproduced. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing double speed reproduction in which B pictures and P pictures existing in the GOP are skipped and I pictures are sequentially read out.
[0042]
The system control unit 105 adjusts the number of picture data to be skipped according to the speed received from the remote controller 103, thereby increasing or decreasing the moving image playback speed. Even in a portion converted from a still image in a moving image content, there are I pictures for the playback time, so even when playing a still image in a moving image, double-speed reproduction of a still image can be handled with the same operation as a moving image file. Is possible.
[0043]
An example is shown in FIG. Conventionally (DVD-Video Recording standard) always displays a still image as shown in FIG. 9 (a), even when a still image is played back in the middle of a moving image, whether it is a normal playback or a double speed playback. It is necessary to pause playback with an I picture and perform remote control operations, and the operation becomes complicated, for example, when still images are continuous. In the case of the present embodiment, since the playback time of the still image corresponds to the number of GOPs including the I picture, as shown in FIG. 9B, the I picture indicating the still image is skipped similarly to the moving image. By doing so, the playback time of a still image can be shortened and displayed during double speed playback.
[0044]
Also, the still image to be converted and inserted is played back at the point specified by the user at the time of playback, but the address position to which the GOP is added may be added so as to be sandwiched between the GOP and GOP in the middle of the originally existing movie. You may add it after the last GOP.
[0045]
FIG. 10 shows an example of moving image content that is reproduced in the order of moving images, still images, and moving images. In the case of FIG. 10A, if the GOP is read in order, the moving image, the still image, and the moving image are reproduced in this order. In the case of FIG. 10B, the SH position before the GOP corresponding to the reproduction order is recorded, and after the reproduction of the final GOP of the moving image A is completed, the SH position to be reproduced next is searched and reproduced. By moving the point to the I picture position of the GOP corresponding to the SH, playback can be performed in the designated order.
[0046]
In this way, the playback order of a plurality of still images and moving image scenes can be freely set. For example, by displaying thumbnails of recorded I pictures, it is possible to browse a list of I pictures and still images at the beginning of a moving image scene. At this time, the playback order can be easily changed by specifying the order of scene playback using a remote controller. However, this is an example of a function for freely setting the playback order of a plurality of still images and moving image scenes, and does not limit processing or functions.
[0047]
Second, the case of recording as new moving image content will be described.
FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of processing when a new moving image content file is recorded from a still image file. In this case, first, a still image to be converted into a moving image recording format is selected from the still image list read from the memory card 113 by operating the remote controller 103 (S1101), and the process proceeds to S1102. However, if a still image is not selected by canceling here, the process ends.
[0048]
The system control unit 105 causes the selected still image file to be read from the memory card 113 to the still image reading / writing unit 110, and sends the read still image to the still image compression unit 111. The still image compression unit 111 performs DCT conversion on the image, adjusts the degree of quantization so as to achieve a target compression rate, and performs VLC encoding as an I picture (S1102). The still image image thus compressed is sent to the system control unit 105 via the moving image reading / writing unit 109. For the P / B picture, as shown in FIG. 5, the system control unit 105 duplicates the I-picture image and creates a still-image GOP for 0.5 seconds with no change in the picture data constituting the GOP. Then, after setting the reproduction time of the still image, it is sent to the moving image reading / writing unit 110 as moving image content in the MPEG format, and newly recorded on the removable HDD 112 attached to the drive device unit 106 (S1103). Since this new moving image file is composed of only GOPs of still images, the playback is basically stopped when the playback is performed for a specified time.
[0049]
If another still image is added to the newly created moving image file for still image reproduction (S1104), the process moves to S1105 and is recorded in the removable HDD 112 by the moving image reading / writing unit 109. On the other hand, when a still image file is not added and another new still image file (consisting of recording format data for moving pictures of I picture) is created, the process moves to S1101, and when it is not created, the process is performed as it is. finish.
[0050]
By repeating the processes of S1105 and S1104, it is possible to create a moving image content file for performing a still image screen show in which still images can be played back in desired order for each desired time. Moreover, it is also possible to record a still image with music by combining music data when recording.
[0051]
By recording still images in the moving image format in this way, the still image and the moving image can be displayed / viewed in the same format (all can be displayed in the list of moving image contents). You can select and view a still image. Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment is not limited to the stationary recording / reproducing apparatus as in the embodiment, and includes a portable recording / reproducing apparatus such as a digital video camera (camcorder), for example. Shall.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, even a playback device that does not support playback of a still image data format can be browsed by converting the content of still image data into a recording format for moving images, and a still image / moving image mode. Time and effort such as switching and recording medium exchange are alleviated. In addition, even when moving images and still images are switched when recording and playback device special playback is performed, the user can handle still images in the recording format for moving images in the same way as normal moving images, and proceed quickly by playing back content at double speed. You can save time and effort.
[0053]
In addition, the present invention converts still image data into moving image recording format data and records it at the timing at which it is desired to duplicate and reproduce the reproduction time, so that the reproduction timing and time of the still image in the still image moving image content can be set by the user. Can be set freely.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration including a recording / playback apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a GOP.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a reading method when reproducing picture data in a GOP.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for recording a still image in addition to a moving image.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a GOP showing a still image.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for reproducing a still image in a moving image.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the number of GOPs indicating still images and the reproduction time.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating double speed playback of a moving image file.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a reference order of I pictures during double-speed playback when a still image is included.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an insertion position of a GOP obtained by converting a still image and a playback method.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for recording a still image as a new moving image file.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an embodiment and an internal configuration of a conventional removable recording medium and playback apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an embodiment and an internal configuration of a conventional removable recording medium and recording / playback apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 monitor
102 Recording / playback device
103 remote control
104 UI part
105 System control unit
106 Drive device
107 Drive device
108 Output section
109 Movie reading / writing section
110 Still image reading / writing unit
111 Still image compression unit
112 Removable HDD
113 Memory card

Claims (5)

A recording device capable of writing moving image data to a recording medium,
Still image conversion means for converting still image data in the still image recording format into still image data in the moving image recording format;
Moving image writing means for writing data in a recording format for moving images to the recording medium;
The moving image writing means includes control means for controlling to write the still image data converted by the still image conversion means to the recording medium so that the still image data is reproduced at a desired timing. A video recording device. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit duplicates the still image compressed and converted for a desired reproduction time and writes the copied still image to the moving image writing unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the compressed still image data to be written in an existing moving image file. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the still image data subjected to the compression conversion to be written in a new moving image file. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving image recording format data is MPEG picture I picture data.

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