JP2005018982A - Information recording/reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information recording/reproducing device capable of performing sure reserved recording according to reserved information in a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: The information recording/reproducing device for performing recording/reproducing for a recording medium on which information is recorded is provided with a means for reading the record reservation information prerecorded on the recording medium, and has such a function that when read record reservation information is set to the information recording/reproducing device and there is record reservation information preset by a user and both information are overlapped at a overlapped part, priority is given to the record reservation information prerecorded on the recording medium for the overlapped part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information recording / reproducing apparatus that handles a recording medium capable of recording / reproducing recording reservation information.

  In recent years, a moving image-compatible optical disc playback apparatus that plays back an optical disc on which data such as video and audio has been recorded has been developed, and is widely used for purposes such as movie software and karaoke, such as LD and video CD.

  Among them, the DVD-Video standard that uses the AC3 audio compression method using the internationally standardized MPEG2 (Moving Image Coding Expert Group) method has been proposed.

  In accordance with the MPEG2 system layer, this standard supports MPEG2 for video compression, AC3 audio for audio, MPEG audio, and linear PCM, and also adds sub-picture data that is run-length compressed bitmap data for subtitles. It is configured by adding special playback control data (navigation pack) such as fast forward and rewind.

  This standard also supports ISO9660 and micro UDF so that data can be read by a computer.

  Thereafter, DVD-RAM was announced, and a rewritable disc having a capacity of 2.6 Gbytes and 4.7 Gbytes has been realized.

  Due to the above technical development, it has become a reality to record and reproduce video signals on a disc.

  On the other hand, VTRs are currently widely used as a means for recording video and audio signals, and the running cost for the amount of recorded information is very good.

  On the other hand, a disk as a recording medium represented by DVD-RAM is required to be able to record computer data and disk management information in addition to video data.

  It is expected that a new function that has been impossible until now can be realized by using the superiority of the disc over the VTR.

  One new feature is scheduled recording of programs. In order to realize reserved recording, it is necessary to make a recording reservation in advance. Various devices such as the G code method have been devised in order to make a recording reservation easily, but still the setting for recording reservation is quite troublesome. Also, when trying to create a collection by sequentially recording only a certain program on one disk, it is necessary to manage which disk is recorded and repeatedly make a recording reservation every time, which is not efficient.

  Therefore, the present invention records the recording reservation (recording reservation) information, that is, the recording reservation information on the recording medium itself, or records it in advance, so that the recording / reproducing apparatus automatically starts up and performs the reserved recording, that is, the reserved recording. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium capable of obtaining the recording medium.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus that accesses a recording medium and records and reproduces reservation information.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of performing reservation recording based on reservation information when reservation information is recorded by accessing a recording medium.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing information on a recording medium capable of recording information, and has means for reading recording reservation information recorded in advance on the recording medium. When setting information in the information recording / reproducing apparatus, if there is recording reservation information that has already been set by the user and there is a portion that overlaps with recording reservation information recorded in advance on the recording medium, Provides an information recording / reproducing apparatus characterized by having means for prioritizing recording reservation information recorded in advance on the recording medium.

  According to the information recording / reproducing apparatus described above, when the reservation information overlaps between the recording medium and the information recording / reproducing apparatus, the reservation recording corresponding to the recording information of the recording medium is prioritized by giving priority to the reservation information of the recording medium. Can be reliably performed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This recording / reproducing apparatus is roughly divided into the following apparatuses that act on the disk 100 as a recording medium. First, a main microprocessor unit (hereinafter referred to as a main MPU unit) 101 is a unit that performs integrated management of the entire recording / reproducing apparatus.

  The disk drive unit 102 is a command from the main MPU unit 101 and includes a rotation control of the disk 100, reading of data on the disk, and writing of data to the disk. The disk rotation is controlled through a disk motor servo device. The writing of data to the disk and the reading of data from the disk are realized through a pickup device using an optical means that handles a laser beam.

  During the recording operation, the data processing unit 103 records the recording data from the encoding unit 104 on the disk, and adds an error correction code to the data in units of 16 sectors, and performs modulation to generate a recording signal. To the disk drive unit 102. A temporary storage unit 105 is connected to the data processing unit 103 and is used to temporarily hold recording data for several minutes or more by high-speed access.

  During the reproduction operation, the data processing unit 103 receives a reproduction signal from the disk drive unit 102, performs demodulation, performs error correction processing, and sends the demodulation signal to the decoder unit 106.

  An external input is given to the encoding unit 104. An audio signal and a video signal can be supplied from the audio video (AV) input unit 107, and an audio signal and a video signal can also be supplied from the tuner unit 108. Further, since there may be character information and closed caption data as information of the vertical blanking period from the tuner unit 108, these data can also be input to the encoding unit 104.

  The audio signal and the video signal are supplied to an analog / digital (A / D) conversion unit 201 in the encoding unit 104. The video signal digitized here is input to the video encoding unit 202, and the audio signal is input to the audio encoding unit 203. Character information and closed caption data are input to the sub-picture (SP) encoding unit 204. The encoded video data, audio data, and sub-picture data are input to the formatter unit 205, and are packetized and packed for recording. At this time, the buffer memory 206 is used for temporary storage.

  The encoding units 202, 203, and 204 refer to the system time clock that is a reference for the time of the entire file, and determine the presentation time stamp (PTS) and decoded time stamp (DTS) of each packet according to the value. To do. The system time clock is generated from a system time clock (STC) unit 109. The formatter unit 205 performs pack alignment processing for each predetermined video unit (GOP) (for example, playback time of about 0.5 to 1.0 seconds) in order to add necessary information at the time of playback. A navigation pack (NV pack) (which can be used as management information) may be added. At the end of data recording, the data processing unit 103 records the addresses of the preceding and succeeding NV packs in the data area part for fast forward and reverse feed of data in the NV pack, and other management information necessary for the management area Record.

  The decoding unit 106 receives a pack sequence that is reproduction data from the data processing unit 103. This pack sequence is given to the separation unit 301. Separating section 301 determines each pack, transfers video packets to video decoding section 302, sub-picture packets to sub-picture (SP) decoding section 303, and audio packets to audio decoding section 304.

  Further, the NV packs are successively stored in the internal memory 306 of the separation unit 301 so that the main MPU unit 101 can access them at any time.

  When each packet is transferred from the separation unit 301 to the corresponding decoder unit, the PTS or DTS is sent to the system time clock unit 109 and loaded at a specified specific timing to set the reference time of the entire apparatus. . For example, the main MPU 101 loads the PTS in the NV pack into the system time clock unit 109, or the video decoder unit 302 automatically sets the DTS or PTS of the video data in the system clock unit 109.

  After this set, each decoding unit compares the PTS in the packet with the system clock and performs decoding and reproduction processing while maintaining the synchronization state.

  The video data decoded by the video decoding unit 302 and the sub video data decoded by the sub video decoding unit 303 are input to the video processing unit 305 and synthesized.

  The output of the video processing unit 305 and the output of the audio decoder processing unit 304 are converted by digital / analog (D / A) conversion units 306 and 307, respectively, and supplied to the display unit 308 and the audio output unit 309.

  A clock unit 111 and a display unit 112 are connected to the main MPU unit 101. The main MPU unit 101 receives the date and time information from the clock unit 111 and can use it as information such as a recording reservation. Further, the clock information can be supplied to the display unit 112 for display, and further the recording reservation information can be displayed on the display unit 112. The recording reservation information may be input from the main MPU unit 101 to the display unit 308 via the decoder unit 106 and displayed.

  The main MPU unit 101 performs integrated management of the entire apparatus and recording / playback control. Furthermore, reservation information, which is a feature of the present invention, is controlled. The reservation information recording method and usage method will be described later.

  FIG. 2 shows an outline of the optical disc according to the present invention.

  FIG. 2A shows an overview of an information storage medium capable of recording and reproducing video information and music information, that is, the optical disc 100. The general recorded information content (data structure) of information recorded on the optical disc 100 is as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, in order from the inner peripheral side 1006 to the outer peripheral side 1007, a lead-in area (Lead-in Area) 1002, a volume and file manager information (Volume & File Manager Information) area 1003, a data area ( A data area 1004 and a lead-out area 1005 are provided.

  The lead-in area 1002 includes an embossed data zone having an uneven light reflecting surface, a mirror zone having a flat surface (mirror surface), and a rewritable data zone in which information can be rewritten (mirror zone). Rewritable data zone).

  Information in the volume and file management information area 1003 is recorded in a rewritable data zone (Rewritable data Zone) that can be recorded and rewritten by the user, and includes contents of audio and video data (Audio & Video Data). Information about the entire file or volume is recorded.

  The data area 1004 includes a rewritable data zone that can be recorded and rewritten by the user. The lead-out area 1005 is also a rewritable data zone in which information can be rewritten.

  Further, the contents of the recording information of each part will be described as follows.

In the embossed data zone of the lead-in area 1002,
* Information on the entire information storage medium such as the disk type, such as DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, disk size, recording density, physical sector number indicating the recording start / end position * Recording power and recording pulse width, Information relating to recording / reproducing / erasing characteristics such as erasing power, reproducing power, linear velocity at the time of recording / erasing, etc. Information relating to the production of each information storage medium, such as a production number, is recorded in advance.

The rewritable data zone in the lead-in area 1002 and the rewritable data zone in the lead-out area 1005 are respectively: * unique disc name recording area for each information storage medium * trial recording area (for confirming recording erasure conditions)
* A management information recording area relating to a defective area in the data area 1004 is provided, and recording by the information recording / reproducing apparatus is possible in the area.

  In a data area 1004 sandwiched between a lead-in area 1002 and a lead-out area 1005, as shown in FIG. 2C, mixed recording of computer data and audio and video data (Audio & Video Data) is performed. Is possible. The recording order of computer data and audio and video data and the size of each recording information are arbitrary. The location where the computer data is recorded is called computer data (files 1008 and 1010), and the area where the audio and video data is recorded is recorded as audio and video. This is called a video data file 1009.

The data structure of the information recorded in the audio video data file 1009 is as shown in FIG.
* Control information (control information): Control information (file 1011) required for recording, recording, playback, editing, and search processing
* Video Object: Recording information of video data contents (File 1012)
* Picture Object: Still images such as Still and Slide, and where to look in the video data (Video Data), information such as thumbnail images for search or editing (Thumbnail Picture) (files) 1013)
* Audio Object (Audio Object): Audio data content (Contents) recording information (file 1014)
Etc.

Further, the content of the control information (Control Information) is, as shown in FIG. 2 (E), * reproduction control information (Playback Control Information)... Control information necessary for reproduction (file 1021)
* Recording Control Information: Control information required for recording (recording / recording) (file 1022)
* Edit Control Information: Control information required for editing (file 1023)
* Thumbnail Picture Control Information ... Management information (file 1024) for searching thumbnails or editing thumbnail pictures in video data
Etc.

  FIG. 3 further shows a data structure in the reproduction control information of FIG. The playback control information has a data structure shown in a program chain information table (Program Chain (PGC) Information Table) 1051, and the playback order is determined by the program chain (PGC) and the cell (Cell). The program chain (PGC) indicates a unit for executing a series of reproductions in which the reproduction order of cells (Cells) is designated. A cell indicates a playback section in which playback data is designated by a start address and an end address.

  The program chain information table 1051 includes program chain information management information (PGC Information Management Information) 1052, one or more program chain search pointers (Search Pointer of PGC Information) 1053 and 1054, and program chain information (PGC Information) 1055 and 1056, 1057.

  The program chain information management information 1052 includes information (Number of PGC Information) indicating the number of program chains (PGC). Search pointers (Search Pointer of PGC Information) 1053 and 1054 of the program chain information point to the head where each program chain information (PGC Information) is described, and the target program chain by the pickup means and its control means. Makes searching easier.

  Program chain information 1055, 1056, and 1057 includes program chain general information (PGC General Information) 1061 and one or more cell playback information (Cell Playback Information) 1062 and 1063. The program chain general information 1061 includes (Number of Cell Playback Information) information indicating the playback time of the program chain and the number of cells.

  FIG. 4 shows the contents of the cell playback information 1062 and 1063. The cell playback information includes cell general information 1071, cell start address 1072, and cell end address 1073. Cell general information 1071 includes general information such as cell playback time. The cell start address 1072 and the cell end address 1073 describe the start address and end address of the section of data reproduced as a cell (Cell).

  FIG. 5A shows an example of the cell recording state, and FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D show examples of program chain information # 1, # 2, and # 3.

  In FIG. 5A, a playback section from cell A to cell F is designated, and program chain information is defined in each program chain (PGC).

The program chain # 1 in FIG. 5B shows an example composed of cells in which continuous playback sections are designated, and the playback order is cell A → cell B → cell C.

The program chain # 2 in FIG. 5C shows an example composed of cells designating intermittent playback sections, and the playback order is cell D → cell E → cell F.

The program chain # 3 in FIG. 5D shows an example in which playback is possible regardless of playback direction or overlap playback, and the playback order is cell E → cell A → cell D → cell B → cell E. .

  Next, details of the recording control information 1022 (see FIG. 2E) will be described. The recording medium and apparatus of the present invention can make a recording reservation, and a file area for control and management information for that purpose is provided, in which various information is described.

  FIG. 6 shows the contents of the recording control information 1022 in more detail.

  The recording control information 1022 includes a recording management information table (REC Management Information Table) 2011 and recording information (REC Information) 2012 and 2013. The recording information is various information necessary for making a recording reservation, and includes recording date, recording time, week information, channel information, and the like.

  FIG. 7 shows the contents of the record management information table 2011 in more detail. In the recording management information table 2011, the number of recording reservation information # 1 to #n is described in, for example, 2 bytes (2021). Further, the recording management information table 2011 may describe a search pointer for recording reservation information. Furthermore, information identifying whether the disc is dedicated for recording a specific program or general-purpose may be recorded in the management information table.

  FIG. 8 shows in detail the contents of one of the above recording reservation information.

  As the recording reservation information, for example, there is a place where information (a) to (k) is described. Information (a): The length of the program name is described in 1 byte. Information (b): Program name is described. Information (c): The date when the recording (recording) reservation information is created is described in 4 bytes (the data format is shown in FIG. 9). Information (d): A recording mode such as a valid / invalid flag of the recording reservation information, a user prohibition / permission flag, and a standard / long-time mode is designated (the data format is shown in FIG. 10). Information (e): A channel number for recording is designated (data format is shown in FIG. 11). Information (f): Recording day of the week and effective recording week are described. The recording day of the week is designated, for example, Monday, and the valid period is designated, for example, five weeks (data format is shown in FIG. 12). Information (g): Describes the recording date (the data format is shown in FIG. 13). Described in the Christian era. When this information (g) is described, it takes precedence over the designation of information (f). Information (h): Recording start time is described. Information (i): Recording end time is described (data format is shown in FIG. 14). Information (j): Recording group number is described. Information (k): Recording program chain ID is recorded.

  FIG. 9 shows the data format of the recording reservation information creation date as information (c). From the 31st bit to the 24th bit, the thousandth and hundredth digits of the year are entered, and from the 23rd to the 16th bit, the tenth and first digit of the year are entered. The tenth and first digits of the month are entered from the 15th bit to the 8th bit, and the tenth and first digit of the day are entered from the 7th bit to the 0th bit. A number is entered.

  FIG. 10 shows the data format of the recording mode as information (d). In the 15th bit, information indicating whether the recording reservation information is valid or invalid is described by 0b or 1b. In the 14th bit, 0b or 1b describes whether to permit or prohibit the use of the main recording reservation information by the user. Further, in the 7th to 0th bits, the recording mode is described, and 0h is described in the standard mode, and 1h is described in the long time mode.

  FIG. 11 describes channel number information as information (e). The 15th to 12th bits describe information for distinguishing the broadcasting system. 0h is terrestrial broadcasting, 1h is BS broadcasting, 2h is CS broadcasting, and other reservations (for example, external input, etc.) ). A channel number is described in the 11th to 0th bits.

  In FIG. 12, information of the record day of the week as information (f) is described. In the 15th to 12th bits, the effective recording period is described in units of weeks. You can specify an indefinite period of 1 to 14 weeks. The recording effective week is described in the 11th to 8th bits. That is, it is specified whether the recording is in the first week or the second week. When a flag is described in the seventh bit, it specifies every day. On the 6th to 0th bits, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday can be designated.

  FIG. 13 shows the data format of the recording date as information (g). The recording date and time can be specified by entering the date in the Western calendar. From the 31st bit to the 24th bit, the thousandth and hundredth digits of the year are entered, and from the 23rd to the 16th bit, the tenth and first digit of the year are entered. The tenth and first digits of the month are entered from the 15th bit to the 8th bit, and the tenth and first digit of the day are entered from the 7th bit to the 0th bit. A number is entered.

  FIG. 14 shows a data format of the start time and end time as information (h) and (i). The hour and minute are described in two digits.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the recording reservation information, a recording group number exists as information (j), and a recording program chain ID exists as information (k).

  The recording group number means the group number of the recorded program specified by the user. By specifying this group number, for example, the recorded program of the same group number is continuously played back in the same sequence even if the recording date is different. can do.

  The recording program chain ID is used to determine to which program chain a program recorded by the recording reservation information belongs.

  FIG. 15A shows an example of recording reservation information # 1, # 2, and # 3 when all reserved programs are continuously recorded as one sequence. As recording reservation information, not all items are shown, but only some items are shown.

  FIG. 15B shows a recording arrangement image of the recording contents recorded based on the recording reservation information. It can also be captured as an image of the playback order. In other words, since all the recording reservation information describes the same group number and the same program chain ID, a program chain corresponding to the program chain ID, for example, # 1, is constructed, and recording reservation programs in each week continue. Are recorded. 1W and 2W mean the first week and the second week.

  FIG. 16A shows an example of recording reservation information # 1, # 2, and # 3 in the case where each reserved program is grouped into separate sequences for recording. As recording reservation information, not all items are shown, but only some items are shown.

  FIGS. 16B, 16C, and 16D show images of the reproduction order of the recorded contents recorded based on the recording reservation information. The recording arrangement is the order in which recording is performed, that is, the image shown in FIG. That is, since the recording reservation information # 1 designates group number 1 and designates 00000001h as the program chain ID, the program chain is set and reproduced during recording in the order as shown in FIG. . Since the recording reservation information # 2 designates the group number 2 and designates 00000002h as the program chain ID, the program chain is set and reproduced at the time of recording in the order shown in FIG. Since recording reservation information # 3 designates group number 3 and program chain ID designates 00000003h, the program chain is set and reproduced during recording in the order shown in FIG.

  When the reserved recording is completed, the recording / reproducing apparatus sets the reproduction order of the recording cells recorded based on the reservation information as a program chain and records it in the reproduction control information section (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  Returning to FIG. 1, the recording / reproducing apparatus will be described.

  Data processing during recording is as follows.

  The main MPU unit 101 can read and write data through the microcomputer bus to the data processing unit 103 in order to read and write a file management area and the like. First, when the main MPU unit 101 receives a recording command, the management data is read from the disk drive unit 102 and an area to be written is determined. Next, the management area is reset so that data is written in the determined area, the video data write start address is set in the disk drive unit 102, and preparations for recording data are made.

  Next, the main MPU unit 101 resets the time to the STC unit 109. The STC unit 109 is a reference clock of the system, and recording and playback are executed based on this value. Further, the MPU unit makes other settings for operating the apparatus.

  The flow of the video signal is as follows.

  First, the AV signal input from the TV tuner unit 108 or the AV input unit 107 is converted from analog to digital, the video signal is the video encoding unit 201, the audio signal is the audio encoding unit 203, and the closed caption signal from the TV tuner unit 108 is used. Alternatively, text signals such as teletext are input to the sub-picture (hereinafter abbreviated as SP) encoding unit 204.

  Each encoding unit 202, 203, 204 compresses each signal, sets PTS and DTS, and packetizes them. Thereafter, the packet is input to the formatter unit 205.

  The formatter unit 205 temporarily stores the video, audio, and SP packet data in the buffer memory 206, and then converts the input packet data into a system stream (packed). In order to add necessary information during playback, pack alignment may be performed for each video GOP, and an NV pack may be added to the head of the GOP. The packed data is input to the data processing unit 103.

  The data processing unit collects every 16 packs as ECC (error correction code) blocks and sends them to the disk drive unit 102 with the ECC attached. However, if the disk drive unit 102 is not ready for recording on the disk, it is transferred to the temporary storage unit 105, waits until it is ready to record data, and starts recording when it is ready. Here, since the temporary storage unit 105 holds recording data of several minutes or more by high-speed access, a large-capacity memory is preferable.

  At the end of recording, the address data of each NV pack is recorded in the data portion for fast forward and rewind in each NV pack, and necessary information is recorded in the management area and the recording operation is terminated.

  Next, data processing during reproduction is as follows.

  First, when the main MPU unit 101 receives a reproduction command, the main MPU unit 101 reads the management area from the disk drive unit 102 through the data processing unit 103 and determines an address for reproduction. Next, the main MPU unit 101 sends to the disk drive unit 102 the address of the data to be reproduced and the read command determined previously.

  The disk drive unit 102 reads data from the disk in accordance with the sent command, performs error correction by the data processing unit 103, and outputs the data to the decoding unit 106 in the form of packed data.

  Inside the decoding unit 106, the separated packed data is received by the separating unit 301 and packetized, and video packet data (MPEG video data) is transferred to the video decoding unit 302 according to the purpose of the data, and the audio packet data is Transfer to the audio decoding unit 304, transfer the sub-picture packet data to the SP decoding unit 303, and store the NV pack in the internal memory 306 for processing by the main MPU unit 101. Make it possible.

  At the start of packet data transfer, the DTS or PTS is loaded into the STC unit 109. That is, the main MPU unit sets the PTS in the NV pack to the STC, or the video decoder unit 302 automatically sets the DTS or PTS of the video data to the STC unit 109. Thereafter, each decoding unit 302, 303, 304 performs a reproduction process in synchronization with the value of PTS in the packet data (comparing the values of PTS and STC), and reproduces a moving image with audio subtitles on the television image. be able to.

  Next, the reserved recording operation which is a feature of the present invention will be described.

  Information relating to the reservation specific to the disc can be recorded on the recording medium (DVD disc in the case of a recording / playback DVD device). First, the information regarding the recording reservation is as described above.

  With reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 17 and 18, the operation in the case where a disc on which recording reservation information has already been recorded is set in this apparatus will be described.

  A disc is inserted (S101). The main MPU unit 101 reads disc management information necessary for the recording / playback operation (S102). Information for distinguishing dedicated / general purpose recording reservation information is read and determined (S103). This determination process is omitted when the dedicated / generic information is not written.

  If it is dedicated, the process proceeds to step S117, and the recording reservation information corresponding to the dedicated recording reservation information number recorded together with the dedicated information is read and set in the reserved recording control unit inside the main MPU unit 101. Information that the reservation information is based on information recorded on the disk is stored (S117). Thereafter, the recording standby state is set (S118).

  If it is general-purpose, the process proceeds to step S104, and the recording reservation information total number N is read (S104). Here, if N = 0, there is no recording reservation information, and a standby state for waiting for a user operation is set (S119). When N is not 0, N pieces of reservation information are read and rearranged in order from the earliest recording start date and time, and the rearranged information is recorded in storage means such as a memory. In the following, processing is performed based on the reservation information rearranged in order of the recording start date and time.

  Next, 1 is substituted into the variable I (S105). Next, it is determined whether the maximum recording reservation number of the apparatus has been set (S111). When the maximum number has been set, the process proceeds to step S116, where the MPU unit 101 stores the I-th in the order in which the reservation information recorded on the disc still remains and in the order of the recording start date and time. To do. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S120. If the maximum number is not reached, the I-th reservation information is read (S106).

  Next, information regarding reservation information validity / invalidity is determined (S107). If invalid, the process proceeds to step S114, and it is determined whether I ≧ N (S114). If I ≧ N, the process proceeds to S120. If I <N, 1 is added to I (S115), and the process proceeds to Step S111 again. If the reservation information is valid, the process proceeds to step S108, and information regarding reservation information use permission is determined (S108).

  When the use of the reservation information is not permitted, the process proceeds to step S114, and it is determined whether I ≧ N (S114). If I ≧ N, the process proceeds to S120. If I <N, 1 is added to I (S115), and the process proceeds to Step S111 again.

  If the use of the reservation information is permitted, the process proceeds to step S109, and the expiration date of the reservation information is determined by comparing with the date / time of the built-in clock unit (S109).

  If the expiration date has expired, the process proceeds to step S114 to determine whether I ≧ N (S114). If I ≧ N, the process proceeds to S120. If I <N, 1 is added to I (S115), and the process proceeds to Step S111 again.

  If it is within the expiration date, the process proceeds to step S110, where the I-th reservation information is set in the reservation control unit, and at the same time, information that the reservation is based on information recorded on the disk is stored (S110).

  Next, it is determined whether I ≧ N (S112). If I ≧ N, the process proceeds to S120. If I <N, 1 is added to I (S113), and the process proceeds to Step S111 again.

  Finally, it is determined whether or not recording reservation information is set (S120). If it is set, the recording standby state is set (S118), and if none is set, the waiting state for user operation is set (S119).

  With reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 19 and 20, the operation of the present apparatus when the scheduled recording is completed once will be described. The purpose is to make the next reservation when the reservation setting frame is opened.

  In the recording standby state, the process is started every time one scheduled recording is completed (S210). Check the scheduled information that has been recorded, and if it is clear that there will be no scheduled recording in the future, for example if there is no repeat every week or the expiration date has expired, this information will be sent from the scheduled recording control unit. Is deleted (S202). Next, it is determined whether the maximum recording reservation number of the apparatus has been set (S203).

  When the maximum number of recording reservations has been set, the process proceeds to step S213, where the MPU unit proceeds to step S213, and the MPU unit sets the I-th in the order in which the reservation information recorded on the disc still remains and in the order of the recording start date and time. Remember. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S214.

  If the maximum number is not reached, the I-th reservation information is read from the disk (S204). Next, information regarding reservation information validity / invalidity is determined (S205). If invalid, the process proceeds to step S211, and it is determined whether I ≧ N (S211). If I ≧ N, the process proceeds to step S214. If I <N, 1 is added to I (S212), and the process proceeds to step S203 again.

  If it is valid, the process proceeds to step S206, and information on reservation information use permission is determined (S206). If the use is not permitted, the process proceeds to step S211, and it is determined whether I ≧ N (S211). If I ≧ N, the process proceeds to step S214. If I <N, 1 is added to I (S212), and the process proceeds to step S203 again. In the case of use permission, the process proceeds to step S207, where the expiration date of the reservation information is determined by collating with the date / time of the built-in clock unit (S207).

  If the expiration date has expired, the process proceeds to step S211 to determine whether I ≧ N (S211). If I ≧ N, the process proceeds to step S214. If I <N, 1 is added to I (S212), and the process proceeds to step S203 again. If it is within the expiration date, the process proceeds to step S208, where the I-th reservation information is set in the reservation control unit, and at the same time, information that the main reservation is based on information recorded on the disk is stored (S208). Next, it is determined whether I ≧ N (S209). If I ≧ N, the process proceeds to step S214. If I <N, 1 is added to I (S210), and the process proceeds to step S203 again.

  Finally, it is determined whether or not reservation information is set (S214). If it is set, the recording standby state is set (S215), and if none is set, the waiting state for user operation is set (S216).

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 21, the control operation at the time of disc ejection will be described.

  In response to the disk removal request, the apparatus starts a process of ejecting the disk (S301). First, corresponding reservation information is deleted from the reservation recording control unit based on the information “reservation information recorded on the disc” held together with the reservation information stored in the reservation recording control unit. If the recording medium is a dedicated disk, it returns to the “reserved state before inserting the disk” backed up in advance when the disk is inserted (S302). In other words, the recording reservation information previously set is restored to the apparatus itself. Thereafter, the disc is ejected (S303).

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 22, the operation of referring to the remaining capacity of the disc when performing recording reservation setting when the disc is inserted will be described.

  When a disc is inserted (S401), the recording reservation information setting process is performed (S402). Next, the remaining capacity (A) of the disk is checked (S403). The required capacity (B) is calculated from the total recording time and the recording mode (recording speed) of the recording reservation set (S404). This calculation is performed as follows.

  (Recording time) × (Recording mode) = Required capacity B

  Next, the remaining capacity A of the disc is compared with the capacity B required for recording (S405). If the remaining capacity is large, the recording standby state is set (S406). If the required capacity is large, the user is notified by a display or voice that the capacity is insufficient, or the disk is ejected after the notification (S407). Thereafter, a user operation standby state is entered (S408). In FIG. 22, the recording reservation information setting process (S402) after inserting the disk is described. However, the remaining amount may be checked each time the recording reservation operation is completed once.

  With reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 23 and 24, the operation when the recording reservation information overlaps will be described.

  A disc is inserted (S501), and reservation information setting processing is performed (S502). When certain reservation information is set, it is confirmed whether it does not overlap with already set reservation information (S503). If they do not overlap, reservation information is set (S504), and a reservation recording standby state is set (S511). However, if there is an overlap, it is determined whether the device setting is disk information priority or user setting priority (S505). If the user setting is prioritized, the user is notified with a display or a voice to that effect, the user information is prioritized (S510), and the reserved recording standby state is entered (S511). In the case where the disc information is prioritized, the user is notified of this by a display or voice, and disc information is prioritized (S506).

  Further, it is determined whether the setting state of the apparatus is pre-setting priority or post-setting priority (S507). In the case of pre-priority, priority is given to the previous information (S508), and in the case of post-priority, priority is given to the subsequent information (S509), the reservation is set, and the recording standby state is set (S511).

  A user operation during recording standby will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the recording standby state of the reserved program (S601), it is determined whether or not there is an operation for canceling the recording standby state by the user, a new recording reservation setting operation, and a recording operation by the user's will (S602). If there is no operation, the recording standby state is maintained (S607).

  If the above operation has been performed, it is first determined whether or not the current state is set to the standby state using the reservation information recorded on the disc and is in a standby state (S603). If reservation information recorded on the disc is not used, a user operation is accepted and each process is performed (S606).

  If the reservation information recorded on the disc is in the standby state, the user is notified by a display or voice that the operation is invalid, and the user operation is invalidated (S604). Thereafter, a reservation standby state is set (S605).

  The reservation information setting / changing operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  A disc is inserted to set reservation information, and setting of reservation information is started (S701). Next, it is determined whether reservation information has already been recorded on the disk (S702). If not recorded, the immediately previous recording operation information according to the user's will (operation) is stored (S703). The recording operation information item to be stored is an item corresponding to the reservation information item.

  It is determined whether the user has performed an operation for executing the disk reservation information setting (S704). If executed, the recording operation information stored at the time of the previous operation is set as the default value of the disk reservation information, and the user changes the setting contents as necessary (S705). In this way, the user can set the reservation information relatively easily without inputting and setting many items.

  Next, based on the final confirmation of the user, the recording reservation information is written on the disc (S706). A user operation standby state is set (S710). When the execution operation is not performed, the user operation standby state is set (S710).

  If the reservation information is recorded, it is determined whether to modify or change the already recorded reservation information (S707). In the case of changing, the contents are appropriately changed by the user operation (S708), and the reservation information is written on the disk (S709) based on the final confirmation of the user (S710). When the reservation information for disk recording is not changed, the normal reservation recording process is performed (S711).

  The form of the recording reservation information is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various embodiments are possible, and reservation items may be further increased or reduced. Various recording positions of the reservation information on the disc are possible.

  FIG. 27 shows another embodiment. The reservation information of this embodiment is composed of the following items.

  Information 411 whether or not this recording medium is dedicated to a specific reservation recording, and if it is dedicated, its reservation information number 412. Number N of reservation information recorded on the disc. Hereinafter, N pieces of reservation information 413.

  Next, the contents of the reservation information will be described. The contents of the reservation information are as follows.

-Program name-Length of title information-Program name-Title-Creation date and time of this reservation information-Time-Valid / invalid information of this reservation information-Use permission information of this reservation information-Recording mode (recording information amount)
・ Recording channel information ・ Recording effective valid week information from creation date and time ・ Recording day (repeated) pattern information ・ Reserved recording date ・ Recording start time ・ Recording end time ・ Recording group number ・ Recording program chain number The length of the program name / title information indicates the length of the next item. The program name / title is the name / title of the program to be reserved for recording. The creation date / time of the reservation information is the date / time when the reservation information is registered, and serves as a starting point for determining the validity period of the reservation information. Valid / invalid information of the reservation information indicates whether the reservation information is valid or invalid.

  The use permission information of the reservation information indicates whether the use of the reservation information is permitted or not. For example, if a program that is recorded every Sunday is canceled only next week, the user can temporarily set the usage to be disallowed, and the recording can be rested only next week while utilizing the reservation information. .

  The recording mode (recording information amount) is the tape speed in the VTR, and the disk use capacity at the time of recording can be selected, for example, divided into high image quality, standard, and long time. The recording channel information designates the type of broadcasting such as BS, CS, terrestrial, satellite digital, and the channel number.

  The recording effective valid week information from the date of creation date is information for clarifying the expiration date of the reservation information, and designates how many weeks are valid thereafter starting from the date of creation date. For example, recent serial dramas are broadcast in units of three months. In this case, by setting “12 weeks” valid in this item, unnecessary recording after the drama ends can be prevented.

  In the recording day (repetition) pattern information, a repetition pattern of reservation information is set. The pattern information includes an effective recording week that indicates the week from when the disc was inserted and the recording flag from Sunday to Saturday. The pattern can be specified freely. When recording daily, each recording flag from Sunday to Saturday may be set to “record”, or a flag “record daily” may be prepared separately.

  The reserved recording date is an item used when the program to be recorded is a single program, or when it is desired to record only once even if it is continuous, and specifies the date on which the recording is performed. When this item is designated, the recording day of the week pattern is invalid and the reservation date is given priority. A flag indicating validity / invalidity of this item may be provided, or may be invalidated when designation is made such as a date that does not exist in the date designation, for example, 3/33/33.

  The recording start time is the time when the scheduled recording starts. The recording end time is a time at which the scheduled recording ends. The recording group number is a group number set by the user, and those with the same group number are recorded following the previous recording (instead of being physically continuously recorded on the recording medium. Information). For example, if a continuous drama called A on Monday and a documentary called B on Wednesday are recorded on one disc, if A and B are set to different group numbers, A1 → A2 → A3 → A4 → A5 The program chain and B1 → B2 → B3 → B4 are managed separately. When playback is performed at a later date, if A is selected, the drama A can be watched continuously. On the other hand, if both A and B are designated as the same group number, the same management as that recorded on the VTR tape can be performed such as A1-> B1-> A2-> B2-> A3.

  The recording program chain number is an internal serial number assigned by the apparatus for grouping by the recording group number. In the above example, if the program C has already been recorded before A and B are recorded, the number of groups is 2, but there are three sequences in terms of disc management. Therefore, the recording group number and the recording program sequence number have a one-to-one correspondence.

  The setting of the reservation information on the disc is performed in a state where the disc is set in the apparatus, and means for setting the information appropriately by the user and finally recording on the disc is used. This recording means may be possessed by this apparatus, or may be recorded by another means capable of reading and writing data on the recording medium, such as a personal computer equipped with a read / write device for the recording medium.

  It is also possible to copy the scheduled recording information recorded on the disc. When the original disk is inserted and the copy operation is executed, the scheduled recording information recorded on the original disk is temporarily backed up in a storage means such as a memory, and then the information is backed up by replacing it with the copy destination disk. In consideration of the security of reserved recording information, when recording on a disc, means for reconfirming that recording is to be performed may be taken.

  FIG. 28 shows an example of a process in which the user inputs reservation information while looking at the screen of a display unit incorporated in the display unit or device. First, when the reservation mode is set, a screen 511 for requesting channel input appears. After setting the broadcast format and channel and setting the recording mode, clicking or key operation on “Next Page” will bring up a screen 512 for entering the effective day of the week, start week, and effective week. The set date is automatically input by reading the clock information when the input on this screen is completed. In order to designate the date and time, when the item “designation of recording date and time” on the screen 512 is clicked or keyed, the screen 513 on the right side appears and the recording date can be entered. In either state of the screens 512 and 513, after inputting necessary information and clicking “next page”, a screen 514 appears. This screen asks if you want to set a group number. When “Yes” is clicked or a key operation is performed, a screen 515 appears and a group number can be input. When “setting” is clipped or operated from the state of the screen 515, a screen 516 appears, and the contents of each reservation item are displayed as a list for confirmation. This screen 516 appears even if “No” is clicked or a key operation is performed in the state of the previous screen 514.

  When the item content is to be corrected, the user can click “Return” or operate the keys to return the screen to the previous screen one after another and correct the necessary items.

  If you want to check the status of other reservation information etc., set the reservation status confirmation mode provided separately to play the reservation information reserved on the disk and display it as shown on the screen 516. can do. In this case, it is possible to perform window display on a screen using a display. Also, by specifying the reservation information number, the contents of the reservation information item can be displayed and confirmed as shown on the screen 516.

  In this case, the display color of the reservation information screen 516 may be changed so that it can be identified whether the reservation information is reproduced from the disc or the reservation information originally recorded in the reproduction apparatus itself. In addition, the marks of the disc and the playback device may be displayed and identified at the same time.

  As described above, according to the disc (recording medium) of the present invention, if a reservation information is recorded in advance, it is possible to perform reservation recording without having to perform reservation setting only by loading the reproducing apparatus.

  In addition, when performing scheduled recording of a program, it is possible to save the trouble of setting a recording reservation, and even if a user wants to continuously record one type of program on one specific disk, the user can easily manage the disk. There is no need to perform the recording reservation setting operation every time, and it becomes possible to perform the scheduled recording easily and efficiently.

  Further, according to the reproducing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to read the reservation information recorded on the disc and automatically set the recording reservation state.

1 is an overall configuration block diagram of an apparatus using the present invention. The figure which shows the example of the format of the data structure of the recording medium based on this invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the program chain information table in FIG. 2. Explanatory drawing of the cell reproduction | regeneration information of FIG. An example of cell arrangement and an explanatory diagram of program chain information. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of recording control information in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the record management information table in FIG. 6. The figure which shows the content of the recording reservation information of FIG. The figure which shows the example of the data structure of the information information creation date information of FIG. The figure which shows the example of the data structure of the recording mode information of FIG. The figure which shows the example of the data structure of the channel number information of FIG. The figure which shows the example of the data structure of the recording day information of FIG. The figure which shows the example of the data structure of the recording date information of FIG. The figure which shows the example of the data structure of the start time end time information of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of an arrangement | sequence of the kind of recording reservation information, and actual recording information. Explanatory drawing which shows the example of an arrangement | sequence of another kind of recording reservation information, and actual recording information. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a reserved recording setting operation when a disc is inserted in the apparatus of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the continuation of FIG. The flowchart shown in order to demonstrate operation | movement when the reservation video recording was complete | finished in the apparatus of this invention. 20 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. The flowchart shown in order to demonstrate the operation | movement at the time of disk taking-out in the apparatus of this invention. The flowchart shown in order to demonstrate the operation | movement at the time of disk remaining amount confirmation in the apparatus of this invention. The flowchart shown in order to demonstrate the operation | movement at the time of disk reservation recording information duplication in the apparatus of this invention. 24 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. The flowchart shown in order to demonstrate the operation | movement at the time of user operation in reservation recording standby in the apparatus of this invention. The flowchart shown in order to demonstrate the operation | movement at the time of the setting / change of reservation video recording information in the apparatus of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the other reservation information of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the operation screen when inputting reservation information in the apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Optical disk, 101 ... Main MPU part, 102 ... Disk drive part, 103 ... Data processing part, 104 ... Encoding part, 105 ... Temporary storage part, 106 ... Decoding part, 107 ... Audio video input part, 108 ... Tuner part, 109: STC unit, 111: clock unit, 112: display unit, 201: A / D conversion unit, 202: video encoding unit, 203: audio encoding unit, 204: SP encoding unit, 205: formatter unit, 206: buffer memory , 301: Separation unit, 302: Video decoding unit, 303 ... SP decoding unit, 304 ... Audio encoding unit, 305 ... Video processing unit, 306, 307 ... D / A conversion unit, 308 ... Display unit, 309 ... Audio output unit .

Claims (2)

In an information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing information on a recording medium capable of recording information,
Means for reading recording reservation information recorded in advance on the recording medium;
When the read recording reservation information is set in the information recording / reproducing apparatus, there is recording reservation information already set by the user, and when there is a portion overlapping with the recording reservation information recorded in advance on the recording medium, An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising means for prioritizing recording reservation information recorded in advance on the recording medium for overlapping portions. In an information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing information on a recording medium capable of recording information,
Means for reading recording reservation information recorded in advance on the recording medium;
When the read recording reservation information is set in the information recording / reproducing apparatus, there is recording reservation information already set by the user, and when there is a portion overlapping with the recording reservation information recorded in advance on the recording medium, An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising means for prioritizing recording reservation information newly set by a user for overlapping portions.

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