JP2005032315A - Recording and reproducing device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording and reproducing device and its method in which relation between a file and a group can be described, versatility in application is high, treatment of much files and group information is made easy. <P>SOLUTION: A recording medium is randomly accessible and the recording and reproducing device records data and contents control information of the data in the recording medium or reproduces data from the recording medium. When contents of group control information for making arbitrary data a group independently of a file system and control information are changed, contents of a play list indicating its data reproduction procedure are changed. When the play list is made, group control information corresponding to the play list is automatically made, and a data list referred in the play list is updated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording / playback apparatus and method for managing files and playback control information included in a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when information such as moving images, still images, and audio contained in a recording medium such as an optical disk, magnetic disk, and magneto-optical disk is handled by an application such as image display software or electronic album software, as shown in FIG. Each information on the disk was directly accessed through a file system such as UDF or FAT.
[0003]
Also, if multiple files need to be grouped for printing, list display, slide show, etc., create a management file that describes the files that belong and the necessary information, such as playlist files and DPOF files. However, each grouped file is managed by each management application.
[0004]
In recent years, video cameras using a hard disk, a magnetic disk or the like as a recording medium have been commercialized. In a video camera or the like using such a recording medium, each scene can be stored as a file on the recording medium, so that each scene can be accessed relatively easily and at high speed during reproduction.
[0005]
A video camera playback / display method using this recording medium is to record still image intex in the file of each scene, list its index, and select the image file selected from it as a video camera. It is displayed on a display device such as an LCD or EVF in the main body, or a moving image is output via a monitor output terminal. The amount of information recorded on the recording medium increases according to the recorded image quality and resolution, but the capacity of the recording medium is rapidly increasing due to technological progress. For example, 512-megabyte and 1-gigabyte products are available as card-type recording media, and a recording capacity of several tens of gigabytes for magneto-optical disks and several hundred gigabytes for hard disks can be realized at low cost. Therefore, recordable time and files are increasing year by year.
[0006]
Currently, the capacity of data recording media such as memory cards used in digital cameras and optical discs used in digital disc video cameras has increased dramatically, and a wide variety of data such as moving images, audio, and still images can be recorded. . In addition, products using these as recording media are increasing. Also, one of the features is an editing function that rearranges and combines the recorded contents by taking advantage of random accessibility, which is impossible with a video tape.
[0007]
Such editing functions include an erasing function that erases unnecessary content, a partial erasing function that designates and deletes unnecessary parts from content, a function that actually edits content data, such as dividing and combining contents. There is. There is also a method of recording reproduction control information such as a reproduction procedure and layout, and reading and reproducing data according to the reproduction control information during reproduction. This is an editing function generally called a playlist.
[0008]
In order to realize this playlist, it is conceivable to use the method disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, data to be reproduced is designated by a pointer to a reproduction time map table. The reproduction time map table in Patent Document 1 is a table indicating the start position of a decoding unit in the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) system. However, in Patent Document 1, the description method of the reproduction control information is in a very limited format, and flexible description cannot be made. Also, reproduction according to the reproduction control information can be performed only by compatible devices and computer software.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-187963 A
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As in the conventional case shown in FIG. 17, when an application accesses each file directly using a file system, if the number of files or groups increases, it becomes difficult to manage them all at once. There is a problem that it takes time to search for necessary information. Furthermore, when specifying a file through the file system, the type of file can only be determined by its extension, and if the same type of extension is attached to video or audio files, etc., it is difficult to distinguish them. It was a drag on the search.
[0011]
Further, when reproducing a plurality of recorded files in time series, it is necessary to access all the files and rearrange them in order of recording time. In this case, it is possible to keep the time series information by devising the directory structure and file name, but the degree of freedom of the directory structure and file name is reduced, which is inconvenient in terms of file management.
[0012]
Further, when using the management file described above, it is necessary to create a management file for each group. Therefore, in order to know information such as members included in each management file, each management file must be opened and examined one by one, which is complicated and inconvenient in terms of file management. In addition, since the format of the management file is different for each application that uses the management file, there is a problem of versatility that it cannot be used by other applications.
[0013]
Even when each management file is used, since the application accesses the files directly using the file system, the problem that it takes time to search for necessary information has not been solved.
[0014]
Regarding playlists, when displaying a list of reference specified files (contents) that are specified by reference in the playlist, or when locking the reference specified files (contents) systematically, the playlist file is interpreted. I had to. Therefore, a device that does not have a playlist playback function cannot know a file that is specified for reference in a playlist file created by another device, and when the user performs content deletion or the like. The appropriate warning could not be displayed.
[0015]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the features of the present invention are that it can describe the relationship between files and groups, is highly versatile between applications, and can easily handle a large amount of files and group information. It is an object to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus and a method thereof.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
Recording and reproducing means for recording data and content management information of the data on a recording medium or reproducing from the recording medium;
Management information processing means for changing the contents of group management information for grouping arbitrary data independently of the file system and the content management information; and
Reproduction control information processing means for changing the content of reproduction control information indicating a reproduction procedure of the data, and when creating the reproduction control information, the management information processing means corresponds to the group management information corresponding to the reproduction control information. Is automatically created, and a data list referred to by the reproduction control information is updated.
[0017]
In order to achieve the above object, the recording / reproducing method of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is,
A recording / reproducing step of recording data and content management information of the data on a recording medium or reproducing the data from the recording medium;
A management information processing step for changing contents of group management information and the management information for grouping arbitrary data independently of the file system;
A reproduction control information processing step for changing a content of reproduction control information indicating a reproduction procedure of the data, and in the management information processing step, the group corresponding to the reproduction control information when the reproduction control information is created Management information is automatically created, and a data list referred to by the reproduction control information is updated.
[0018]
The data includes moving image data, audio data, and still image data. Thereby, it can be effectively used particularly for multimedia reproduction control information.
[0019]
The content management information includes at least a file name of the data and a unique data identification number for each data. As a result, data management can be easily performed because management is performed using the data identification number.
[0020]
The data list is a group of data identification numbers. As a result, data management can be easily performed because management is performed using the data identification number.
[0021]
The group management information includes a group identification number that is unique for each group. As a result, data management can be easily performed because management is performed using the group identification number.
[0022]
The group management information includes the group identification number of the parent group, and can take a hierarchical structure. Thereby, a group can have a hierarchy.
[0023]
In addition, the group management information corresponding to the reproduction control information has a predetermined specific group management information as a parent group. Thereby, it can group automatically.
[0024]
The image processing apparatus further includes a representative image associated with the data and the group management information. Thereby, the data and the group can easily hold the representative image.
[0025]
The representative image associated with the still image data is a representative image obtained by reducing the still image data to a predetermined size. As a result, the representative image of the still image data can be stored with a small amount of data.
[0026]
The representative image associated with the moving image data is a representative image obtained by reducing an arbitrary frame in the moving image data to a predetermined size. Thereby, the representative image of the moving image data can be stored with a small amount of data.
[0027]
Each representative image is given a unique management number. As a result, data management can be easily performed because the management number is used for management.
[0028]
Further, the management number of the representative image is further described in the content management information and the group management information. Thereby, the management number of the representative image can be associated from the content management information and the group management information.
[0029]
One or more representative images may be recorded together in a file. Thereby, representative images can be managed collectively.
[0030]
Further, the management information of the representative image for managing the recording position of the representative image corresponding to the management number of the representative image and the recording data amount is further provided. Thereby, the attribute of the representative image can be held.
[0031]
Further, a predetermined warning may be given when deleting the data indicated by the data list described in the group management information corresponding to the reproduction control information.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent inadvertent deletion of data.
[0032]
Further, a display means may be provided, and a predetermined warning may be confirmed to be erased by a predetermined display. This can prevent inadvertent deletion of data.
[0033]
The recording medium is detachable from the apparatus main body. This makes it possible to adapt to a removable recording medium.
[0034]
The recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention may also be an image pickup apparatus including a means for inputting sound and an image pickup means for inputting an image. As a result, the present invention can be applied not only to a recording / reproducing apparatus but also to a video camera or the like provided with an imaging means for inputting an image.
[0035]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, by providing a file for collectively managing all necessary files and all groups and providing a content management manager using the files, the application directly communicates with the file system. Therefore, it is possible to handle a large amount of files on the disc through the content management manager and perform general processing such as grouping.
[0036]
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera or a digital video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037]
In the figure, reference numeral 200 denotes an entire block of the imaging apparatus. Reference numeral 201 denotes a lens that captures an image, and reference numeral 202 denotes a solid-state sensor that converts the image into an electrical signal. Reference numeral 203 denotes an A / D converter that converts an electrical signal output from the solid state sensor 202 into digital data. Reference numeral 205 denotes an iris, and 204 denotes a motor that drives the lens 201 and the iris 205. Reference numeral 209 denotes a microphone that takes in sound, and reference numeral 210 denotes a microphone amplifier that amplifies an audio signal from the microphone 209. Reference numeral 211 denotes an A / D converter that converts an audio signal into digital data. Reference numeral 212 denotes an operation key which is used by the user to control the operation of the imaging apparatus 200. A display driver 213 outputs a video signal as a display signal. Reference numeral 214 denotes a display such as a liquid crystal (LCD) or EVF for displaying an image. Reference numeral 215 denotes a speaker driver for outputting sound, and 216 denotes a speaker. 217 is an input / output terminal for inputting / outputting various information, and 224 is various sensors. Reference numeral 250 denotes a recording medium, and 223 denotes a socket for storing the recording medium 250. 230 is a CPU for controlling the system. A memory 222 records a control program for the CPU 230 and various data, and is also used as a work area for temporarily storing various data during the operation of the CPU 230. Reference numeral 221 denotes a power source for the imaging apparatus 200, which may be power from a battery or an AC adapter.
[0038]
A recording operation based on the above configuration will be described. Based on the light from the subject incident through the lens 201, the captured image is converted into an electrical signal by the solid state sensor 202. This electric signal is sampled by the A / D converter 203 and converted into digital data. This digital data is input to the CPU 230 as a digital video signal such as luminance Y, color difference Cr, Cb, or RGB. The movement of the lens 201 is controlled by the autofocus function and the zoom function. At this time, the motor 204 is rotationally driven and moved in accordance with a control command from the CPU 230. At the time of imaging, the CPU 230 generates a timing signal for outputting an electrical signal from the solid state sensor 202. The iris 205 is controlled by rotating the motor 204 under the control of the CPU 230. When the lens 201 has an anti-vibration function (acceleration sensor, anti-vibration actuator, etc.), the output of the acceleration sensor and the position sensor of the anti-vibration actuator is input to the CPU 230 and the anti-vibration control output signal is used as The vibration actuator is driven and controlled by the motor 204.
[0039]
As for the sound, the sound signal obtained from the microphone 209 is amplified by the microphone amplifier 210. The amplified signal is sampled by the A / D converter 211, converted into digital data, and input to the CPU 230.
[0040]
The digital video signal is subjected to basic processing such as color separation, white balance, gamma correction, and aperture correction by the CPU 230 and additional processing such as image size, image quality adjustment, and position adjustment set with the operation key 212 of the imaging apparatus 200. Executed. Further, image compression processing such as MPEG, MJPEG, JPEG, JPEG2000 or the like is performed according to the set compression method and compression parameters to obtain compressed image data. The audio data is subjected to additional processing such as sound quality adjustment set by the operation key 212 of the imaging apparatus 200, and audio compression data is obtained by the set compression method and compression parameters. The compressed image data and the compressed audio data form a data stream as a program stream or a transport stream defined by the MPEG standard together with the control data.
[0041]
Here, the above-mentioned control data means imaging additional information such as information about the imaging apparatus 200 itself, recording setting information such as images and sounds, and imaging environment information. The recording data stream is written to the recording medium 250 as a content file in a directory to be described later as a file under file system management such as UDF or FAT.
[0042]
The file system means a structure system including management information for managing files and file data. By sharing this file system, recording and reproduction can be performed on different recording media or recording / reproducing apparatuses. The recording data is sent to the external input / output terminal 217 as necessary. Further, it is displayed on the display 214 through the display driver 213 for confirmation. Further, the power supply of the imaging apparatus 200 is supplied from the power supply 221 and is supplied to each circuit block.
[0043]
As the recording medium 250, MMC, SSFDC, SD, compact flash (registered trademark), memory card such as PC card, or magnetic (or magneto-optical) such as hard disk, CD-RW, FD, MD, DVD-RAM. Recording media etc. can be considered.
[0044]
In this embodiment, a disk-shaped magneto-optical disk is used as the recording medium. In that case, an image of recorded data will be described.
[0045]
FIG. 16 is an external view of a disk-shaped magneto-optical disk (recording medium 250) according to the present embodiment. Here, the recording data is recorded as digital data on concentric circles.
[0046]
In the figure, part A is an opening for chucking when the disk rotates. Part B is a management area for recording data for managing data written in the disc. Section C is a data area where actual recording data is written. The D and E sections show how actual recording data is written.
[0047]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a directory of files recorded on the recording medium 250.
[0048]
In the figure, there are “VIDEO”, “DCIM”, and “MISC” directories under the “ROOT” directory, and a management directory “MANAG” directory under the “VIDEO” directory. There are a “disk001.inf” file in which attributes of the recording medium 250 are described, and an “mgri001.inf” file that collectively manages contents recorded on the recording medium, which will be described later. to manage. Further, under the “VIDEO” directory, under the “PRG0001” directory, a content file group and an “img0001.thm” file that collectively records representative images of the content group recorded on the recording medium 250 are recorded on the recording medium 250. “Img0001.mp7” for collectively recording the title of the content group, search table, additional information, and maintenance information is placed. The search table “img0001.mp7” is created as a hash table using the attributes, title, date, supplementary information, and the like of the content file as keys. Examples of content files include an MPEG data file “img0001.mpg”, an MPEG data stream time stamp, an information file “img0001.inf” describing structure information, an MPEG audio data file “img0002.mp2”, and a JPEG still image file. A playlist file “img0007.smi” that describes a scene using “img0004.jpg”, a text data file “img0005.txt”, a bitmap image file “img0006.bmp”, and content recorded on a recording medium 250 described later. Is recorded.
[0049]
If the number or number of content files exceeds a predetermined value or the predetermined condition is changed, a new directory such as “PRG0002” is newly created under the “VIDEO” directory. Place content files below. For example, when the recorded content file is an MPEG data stream, the content number obtained by adding +1 to the previously recorded content file number is used as the file name. In this case, the file name is “img0008.mpg” and is recorded at the position of \ VIDEO \ PRG0001 \. In this case, the MPEG2 file records the stream information file obtained at the time of creating the MPEG2 file together as a file “img0008.inf”. In addition, under the directory “ROOT”, “DCIM” defined by the DigitalCameraFormat (DCF) and “MISC” directory defined by the DigitalPrintOrderFormat (DPOF) are provided, and the contents defined by the respective standards are arranged thereunder. It is also possible to do.
[0050]
Next, playlist creation and editing operations will be described.
[0051]
The playlist is a list (file) that defines a playback procedure, a playback operation, a playback environment, and the like such as moving images, still images, text, graphics, effects, and additional information recorded on the recording medium 250.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, the playlist is expressed in the synchronized multimedia integration language (hereinafter referred to as SMIL). What can be described in this SMIL is
(1) Describe the temporal behavior of the expression.
(2) Describe the layout of the expression on the screen.
(3) Link hyperlinks with multimedia objects,
Etc.
[0053]
Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the playlist operation by the SMIL description will be described.
[0054]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a list file of SMIL description, and shows that contents described in a <seq> tag are sequentially reproduced within a <par> tag. Here, “img0001.mpg” is 1 minute, then “img0001.jpg” in the directory “100canon” under the “DCIM” directory is 10 seconds, then “img0007.txt” is 5 seconds, and finally A description example in which “img0010.mpg” is sequentially reproduced for 3 minutes is shown.
[0055]
FIG. 5 is an operation image diagram of this description.
[0056]
In FIG. 5, “1301” is a one-minute display of “img0001.mpg”, 1302 is a “second display” of “img0001.jpg”, 1303 is a five-second display of “img0007.txt”, and 1304 is in the middle (part of FIG. 4). , And 1305 correspond to the 3-minute display of “img0010.mpg”.
[0057]
Next, creation of a new playlist will be described.
[0058]
As for the creation timing of this playlist, at the time of recording by the imaging apparatus 200, scenes are connected, a playlist file is automatically created, and a file name such as “img0001.smi” is given and recorded on the recording medium 250. Or a method of creating a playlist based on each piece of shooting data, sound, information, and effect information on the recording medium 250 at an arbitrary time as a playlist creation function of the imaging apparatus 200, etc. Can be considered.
[0059]
As a specific creation method, a method of directly creating a playlist by SMIL description at the text level, a method of preparing a standard SMIL sentence in advance and selecting it by an operator, or a recorded For example, a method may be considered in which images are displayed and displayed by performing operations such as rearrangement, cutout, and connection.
[0060]
The playlist can be edited by a method of directly editing a playlist file described in SMIL at a text level by using a playlist file that has existed before as a playlist editing function of the imaging apparatus 200, or by a playlist. For example, a method may be considered in which an image to be reproduced is displayed and created by performing operations such as rearrangement, cutout, and connection. When the information (image file) described in the playlist is changed by deleting or editing the file of the imaging apparatus 200, it is necessary to automatically edit the playlist. However, it is possible to prohibit the automatic update of the playlist by the function setting of the imaging apparatus 200. When automatic update of the playlist is prohibited, the playlist is not edited. Even if the playlist is edited, the edited playlist file can be stored with an alias.
[0061]
Next, details of the content management file “mgri001.inf” will be described. The content file managed by “mgri001.inf” manages the directories and file groups under the “VIDEO” directory in FIG. 3 and manages all directories and file groups of the recording medium 250 under “ROOT”. In this case, it is also possible to link to a content file on an intranet or the Internet other than the recording medium. In the present embodiment, “ROOT” and below are managed.
[0062]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a basic structure of the content management file “mgri001.inf” according to the present embodiment.
[0063]
Here, at the top, “management information”, such as an identifier, standard version, compatibility level, recording medium unique number, file size, number of indexes, date information such as creation, update, access, creator, text information, etc. Attached information is described. Thereafter, index information blocks such as “index 1”, “index 2”,..., “Index N” are recorded.
[0064]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the contents of each index information block.
[0065]
Here, "attribute", "index number", "additional information extension index", "thumbnail index", "file name", "additional information", and "other" information of this content are described.
[0066]
As an example of “attribute”, as shown in FIG. 9, MPEG1 is “0x01”, MPEG2 is “0x02”, MPEG4 is “0x03”,..., PlayList is “0x50”, “Group Folder” described later is “0x80” The “time map” information file is defined as “0xB0”. Also, “0x90”, “0xA”, “0xB1” to “0xFE” are reserved. Furthermore, “0xFF” is defined as an extended attribute unique to the manufacturer.
[0067]
In addition, regarding the file name, when the same file name is handled in another directory, it is necessary to describe the file name with a full path. In this case, management becomes complicated.
Therefore, management can be facilitated by adding attributes to file names for management. For example, the “attribute” may be “VIDEO” directory = 0x00, “DCF” directory = 0x01,..., “External device” directory = 0x80, and the like.
[0068]
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an index structure of “group folder”. This group folder is a folder for collectively managing necessary files and groups of the files.
[0069]
Here, “attribute”, “index number”, “parent directory index number”, “thumbnail index number”, “folder name”, “extended index of additional information”, and “number of members (N)” registered therein , “Member 1”, “Member 2”,..., “Member N” are described. When the number of members is a special numerical value such as “0xFFFF”, it indicates that the directory is not the lowest layer.
[0070]
Each index may be either a fixed length or a variable length. In the case of a variable length, size information is added to each index. The fixed length and variable length sizes can be easily accessed by setting the unit of the file system sector and cluster size to N times.
[0071]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the directory of the file system and the virtual directory of the group in the present embodiment.
[0072]
The imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment manages the content file group by the file system directory management in FIG. In addition, the content files are registered in the “mgri001.inf” file in FIG. 7 with the basic index structure in FIG.
[0073]
As the group virtual directory, a directory hierarchy is created using the index of the group folder in FIG. In the directory at the lowest layer of each directory, an index number selected by the apparatus or operator as an arbitrary group is stored for a part of the content file group of the file system. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a directory “Playlist” is created under “ROOT” of the virtual directory, and a directory “2000 Trip” is created thereunder. In the directory, “img0001.mpg”, “img0002.mpg”, “img0004.jpg”, and “img0005.txt” are registered as members with respective index numbers. In this example, the entity “2000Trip” is a SMIL file “img0007.smi” in the directory of the file system that is referred to by the index number of the group index “2000Trip”. These relationships are represented by solid arrows in FIG.
[0074]
The virtual directory of the group folder can have a plurality of hierarchies. On the other hand, in order to avoid complicated control, it may be possible to limit the hierarchy.
[0075]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of recording content and registering it in the content management file “mgri001.inf”.
[0076]
The case where the recorded content is MPEG2 and the content having the file name “img0020.mpg” (FIG. 12) is additionally registered in the management file will be described with reference to FIG. 12 and other drawings.
[0077]
From the state registered as “img0020.mpg” in the file system, in step S101, registration of the content management file is started. First, in step S102, the recorded content “img0020.mpg” is registered in the management file with its attributes and accompanying information. Specifically, a free index of “mgri001.inf” in FIG. 7 or a new index area #N is acquired. Also, the created representative image of “img0020.mpg” is recorded and registered in “img0001.thm”, and its index number #TN is acquired. Also, incidental information (date, name, creator, device information, shooting information, environment information, etc.) of the content “img0020.mpg” is recorded and registered in “img0001.mp7”, and the index number #XN is obtained. To do.
[0078]
In the index structure shown in FIG. 8, “attribute” = 0x02 (MPEG2), “index number” = # N, “extended information extension index” = # XN, “thumbnail index number” = # TN, if necessary Additional information and other information are described and registered in “index #N” of “mgri001.inf”. If there are a plurality of thumbnails, the plurality of thumbnails are recorded and registered in “img0001.mp7”, and their index numbers = # TN1, # TN2,..., #TNN, the position of each thumbnail, and the display priority order. Etc. are also described in the “thumbnail index”.
[0079]
Next, in step S103, it is determined whether to register in the group folder. If there is no need for registration, the process proceeds to step S150 to end the registration. If registration to the group folder is necessary, the process advances to step S106 to determine whether or not to create a new group folder. If new creation is necessary, the process advances to step S107 to create a new group folder.
[0080]
Specifically, an empty index or new index area #G of “mgri001.inf” in FIG. 7 is acquired. Also, the prepared representative image is recorded and registered in “thm001.inf”, and its index number #TG is acquired. If necessary, incidental information (date, name, creator, folder incidental information, etc.) of the group folder is recorded and registered in “img0001.mp7”, and its index number #XG is acquired. Then, in the index of the group folder in FIG. 10, “attribute” = 0x80 (group folder), “index number” = # G, “index number of parent directory”, and “0x01” when “parent” is ROOT, “additional information” “Extended index” = # XG, “Thumbnail index number” = # TG, “Folder name”, and others are entered and registered in index #G of “mgri001.inf”.
[0081]
Here, when adding to an existing folder instead of creating a new one, the process proceeds to step S108, and a member is registered in the group folder. Specifically, an index of contents to be added is registered in member N as a member of a new or existing group index. Then add 1 to the number of members. If necessary, the incidental information is corrected. The state of registration is shown by a broken line B in FIG. In step S150, registration ends.
[0082]
Next, an operation and display example in the playlist confirmation mode of the imaging apparatus 200 will be described.
[0083]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a list display example of members of the selected playlist in the imaging apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment.
[0084]
214 is a display of the imaging apparatus 200, 300 is a slide bar, 301 is an explanation area of supplementary information of a playlist, 310 is a selection cursor, 302 is a representative image display of a used content file of a playlist “2000Trip”, and 303 is used content , An additional information display area 307 is a display area for the number of used contents.
[0085]
The imaging apparatus 200 reads the content management file “mgri001.inf” and the like from the recording medium 250 in the internal memory 222 in the main body apparatus, and stores (caches) necessary information. In this display example, the group of the selected playlist is referenced from the index of the group folder “mgri001.inf”. The number of contents (N) is acquired by the number of members (N) in the group index, and the setting of the slide bar 300 and the display of the number of used contents (307) are performed (N = 4 in the example of FIG. 13). Content is acquired from member 1 (index number) as member N (index number), and the index number of the content file is acquired from these index numbers. Also, the index numbers of the thumbnails are acquired from these indexes and the thumbnails are displayed (302). Also, the metadata index number is obtained from this index, and the accompanying information of the content file is displayed (303).
[0086]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which playlists are displayed as a list.
[0087]
Reference numeral 214 denotes a display of the imaging apparatus 200, 300 a slide bar, 301 a display title, 310 a selection cursor, 304 a representative image display of the playlist 1, and 305 an auxiliary information display area of the playlist 1. In this display example, the group of the selected playlist is extracted from the index of the group folder “mgri001.inf”. With the number of group indexes (here, “5”), the setting of the slide bar 300 (setting such as length) and the number of detected playlists (306) are displayed. Also, the metadata index number is obtained from this index, and the incidental information of the content file is displayed.
[0088]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example when an attempt is made to edit or delete a content file used in a certain playlist.
[0089]
When a content file recorded on the recording medium 250 is to be edited or deleted by editing the content file or an editing operation from an external device, the content file is used in a playlist. It is important to ask the operator whether or not to edit or delete it. In this case, when the content file to be edited or deleted is a member in a certain group index, the content file used in the display and operation example method shown in FIG. Display the confirmation dialog as shown in. In this confirmation dialog 320, a message “Content is used in this playlist. Can I edit or delete the content?” And a selection box of “Yes” or “No” are displayed. Accordingly, whether or not to edit / erase this content is selected in accordance with the selection of this selection box.
[0090]
In this embodiment, a case has been described in which a virtual directory of a group is created and a content file index is referenced and registered as a member. However, a virtual directory of a content file is created, and the content file is created from the virtual directory of the group. It is also possible to register by referring to the index of the content file registered in the virtual directory.
[0091]
As described above, by providing the content management file “magri001.inf”, which is a file that collectively manages necessary content files and groups, the application can handle a large number of files through the management file without using the file system. In addition, necessary processing such as grouping can be performed at a high speed. For example, a plurality of content files included in the group are displayed at high speed. Or it becomes easy to display the representative image of a group at high speed.
[0092]
In addition, the application can acquire a necessary content file list without analyzing the playlist file.
[0093]
As a result, it is possible to display the reference file list with good response even in a playlist file in which the same content file is repeatedly referred to.
[0094]
In addition, in a system that is connected to a device such as a personal computer or other devices such as a personal computer and is accessed from a plurality of devices and applications such as a controllable device, it becomes possible to perform exclusive processing on the reference content file in advance. It is possible to protect in advance from other applications.
[0095]
In addition, it is possible to know the content files that are referenced and specified in the playlist file even on devices that do not have a playlist function, and it is possible to perform appropriate processing such as displaying a list of reference files and issuing a warning when deleting Become. In particular, consumer video cameras and the like have an effect of providing functions with high added value that have not been possible in the past.
[0096]
Further, according to the present embodiment, there is an effect that the content file used in the playlist can be displayed and searched easily and at high speed.
[0097]
[Other embodiments]
As described above, the object of the present invention is to provide a system or apparatus with a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the embodiment, and the computer of the system or apparatus (or CPU or MPU) stores it. It is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored on the medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. Can do.
[0098]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code Includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0099]
Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU of the expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0100]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that data can be grouped, the relationship between files and groups can be described easily, and a large amount of files and group information can be handled easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a management manager according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a directory in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a playlist script in the present embodiment;
5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a reproduction operation based on the playlist of FIG. 4 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a directory according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a management file according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a management file according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a management file according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a management file according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation in the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of directory operations according to the present embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a display screen of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a playlist displayed on the display unit of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example of a display screen of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a disk recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

Claims (24)

Recording and reproducing means for recording data and content management information of the data on a recording medium or reproducing from the recording medium;
Management information processing means for changing the contents of group management information for grouping arbitrary data independently of the file system and the content management information; and
Reproduction control information processing means for changing the content of the reproduction control information indicating the reproduction procedure of the data,
When creating the reproduction control information, the management information processing means automatically creates the group management information corresponding to the reproduction control information and updates a data list referred to by the reproduction control information. Recording / playback device. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data includes moving image data, audio data, and still image data. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content management information includes at least a file name of the data and a unique data identification number for each of the data. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data list includes a data identification number group. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the group management information includes a group identification number that is unique for each group. 6. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the group management information includes a group identification number of a parent group and can take a hierarchical structure. 7. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the group management information corresponding to the reproduction control information uses a predetermined specific group management information as a parent group. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a representative image associated with the data and the group management information. 9. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the representative image associated with the still image data is a representative image obtained by reducing the still image data to a predetermined size. 9. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the representative image associated with the moving image data is a representative image obtained by reducing an arbitrary frame in the moving image data to a predetermined size. 11. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each representative image is assigned a unique management number. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the content management information and the group management information further include a management number of the representative image. 13. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein one or more of the representative images are collectively recorded as a file. 13. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising representative image management information for managing a recording position of the representative image corresponding to the management number of the representative image and a recording data amount. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined warning is issued when the data indicated by the data list described in the group management information corresponding to the reproduction control information is deleted. 16. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising display means for confirming execution of erasure by a predetermined display with respect to the predetermined warning. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is detachable from the main body. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the recording / reproducing apparatus is an image pickup apparatus including means for inputting sound and image pickup means for inputting an image. A recording / reproducing step of recording data on the data and content management information of the data on a recording medium,
A management information processing step for changing contents of group management information and the content management information for grouping arbitrary data independently of the file system;
A reproduction control information processing step for changing the content of the reproduction control information indicating the reproduction procedure of the data,
In the management information processing step, when the reproduction control information is created, the group management information corresponding to the reproduction control information is automatically created, and a data list referred to by the reproduction control information is updated. Recording / playback method. The recording / reproducing method according to claim 19, wherein the data includes moving image data, audio data, and still image data. 20. The recording / reproducing method according to claim 19, wherein the content management information includes at least a file name of the data and a unique data identification number for each data. Recording and reproducing means for recording data and content management information of the data on a recording medium or reproducing from the recording medium;
Creation means for creating group management information for grouping arbitrary data independently of a file containing the data and its management information;
Management information changing means for changing the content management information according to the group management information created by the creating means;
Editing means for editing reproduction control information indicating a reproduction procedure of the grouped data;
The recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: an updating unit that updates the group management information of data corresponding to the edited reproduction control information when the editing unit instructs to edit the reproduction control information. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the group management information includes a reference list of grouped data, and the update unit updates the reference list. A creation step for creating group management information for grouping arbitrary data independently of a file including the data and its management information;
A management information changing step for changing content management information of the corresponding data in accordance with the group management information created in the creating step;
An editing step of editing reproduction control information indicating a reproduction procedure of the grouped data;
A recording / reproducing method comprising: an updating step of updating the group management information of data corresponding to the edited reproduction control information when editing of the reproduction control information is instructed in the editing step.

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