JP2005142610A - Moving picture / sound reproducing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recognize a preceding reproduction position for each of contents. <P>SOLUTION: Reproduction stop position information is stored for each of a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium and a display means displays the information of the preceding reproduction stop position for each of contents data at the start of reproduction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for reproducing moving image / audio data recorded on a removable random-access medium that can be rewritten.

  With the advancement of digital compression technology for stream data such as video / audio, digital data such as video / audio can be rewritten with removable memory cards such as magneto-optical disks (MO), SD / MMC / CF / PC cards, etc. It has become possible to implement devices that record and play back on access media. In the case of such a device, the moving image / audio data is usually MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) -1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer III), AAC (MPEG-2 Advanced Audio Coding), etc. The file is compressed by the compression method, and is recorded as one file for each content (program, each song, etc.) in a file system (such as FAT File System) on the removable medium. Then, one or more contents (files) are recorded on one removable medium depending on the size of the contents or the capacity of the removable medium.

  Data compression and recording are generally performed by a personal computer or a dedicated recording device, and reproduction is performed by the personal computer, other personal computers, notebook / palm portable devices (including personal computers), Various forms such as a dedicated playback device are conceivable.

  When viewing a certain content with various contents recorded on multiple removable media, insert the media that contains the content you want to view into the playback device, and select the content you want to audition from that media. Generally, a reproduction instruction is made by selection. The content is selected based on the file name and content name set manually by the user or automatically by the recording device, or based on the recording start date and channel of the content if recording an on-air program. A method of performing is considered. A method is also considered in which the first few seconds of the provisionally designated content can be reproduced to confirm the content. When the target content is found, it is reproduced next. Normally, when the content is designated, it is generally reproduced from the top. If the user wants to view the video from the middle, it is common to use the fast-forward button or seek bar to seek to the target position and then audition.

  However, in the case of a conventional playback device, there is a problem in the following situation. For example, it is assumed that the content (1) of a certain medium A is viewed halfway and replaced with another medium B for some reason. Then, after that, it is assumed that the user wants to view again from the middle of the content (1) of the media A and replaces it with the media A. In this case, the user generally designates the content (1) to be auditioned in the medium A again, seeks to the target position, and resumes viewing. In order to do this, the user needs to remember that the content (1) has been viewed halfway on the media A and the position of the content (1) to which the user has listened. . Moreover, even if they are remembered, operations such as a content designation operation and a seek operation within the content are necessary to resume viewing, which is complicated.

Therefore, as in Patent Document 1, a device having a so-called resume function is proposed in which a recording stop position is recorded on a recording medium, and playback is started from this stop position at the next playback.
JP-A-8-263929

  However, in Patent Document 1, even when a plurality of pieces of content data are recorded on one recording medium, only one resume position is managed, which is inconvenient for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem. For each content, the last point of playback was recorded, and the final point was recorded, and when the viewing was resumed on the media again, playback was automatically started from the final point. The purpose is to make it possible to resume.

In order to solve this problem, in the present invention,
Multiple contents (video / audio) can be handled as independent files, and management table data can also be handled as files. These files can be stored on removable random access media to create / delete / read / Filing means enabling rewriting,
In accordance with instructions from the user such as play / stop / fast forward / fast reverse / slow / seek, the content data stored as a file on the removable random access medium is read by the filing means, and is played / stopped as a video / audio. Content playback means for special playback;
Stop position information (resume information) when the content is stopped during playback, and when it is played back to the end, the information is recorded and managed for each content, and information for specifying the last played content Resume information management means for recording management for each medium;
Playback information for each content, that is, the content has never been played ([Unplayed]), has been played to the end ([End]), or playback has been interrupted ([Middle]), and Content selection means for displaying information such as how far it has been played if it was in the middle of reproduction based on the information recorded and managed by the resume information management means, and allowing the user to select content to be reproduced;
When the removable random access media is inserted and the last played content on the media is stopped during playback based on the information recorded and managed by the resume information management means And automatic selection means for automatically selecting the content as a playback target,
When the content is selected by the content selection means or the automatic selection means, if the resume information is managed by the resume information management means because the content was stopped halfway last time, the resume information is based on the resume information. The content playback means automatically plays the continuation from the previous time,
In addition, the moving image / sound reproduction apparatus characterized in that information recorded and managed by the resume information management means is recorded and managed as a file on each removable medium via the filing means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, for each medium, the last point of which content was played and the final point thereof are recorded, and as a result, when the user resumes viewing with the medium again, Thus, it is possible to resume playback from the last point.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a simple hardware configuration diagram of this embodiment. 1 is a CPU that executes software for realizing the processing of this embodiment, 2 is a ROM that stores software for realizing the processing of this embodiment, and 3 is a RAM that is a memory used by the software that realizes the processing of this embodiment 4 is a removable random rewritable medium such as an MO or a memory card, 5 is a media controller for read / write access to the medium 4, 6 is a speaker for reproducing sound, and 7 is a speaker 6. A sound controller for outputting analog sound to the display, 8 a display such as an LCD for reproducing moving image, 9 a video controller incorporating a video RAM for outputting an image to the display 8, and 10 a content from the user Specify, play, stop, fast forward, fast reverse, slow, seek, etc. Input device for inputting an operation, 11 is a system bus.

  In addition, the software that implements the processing of the present embodiment is not stored in the ROM 2, but the software stored in the ROM 2 is also loaded even when the program is loaded into the RAM 3 from a secondary storage device such as an HD. It may be executed after being expanded in the RAM 3. Further, the speaker 6 may be another sound reproducing device such as an earphone or a headphone, and the display 8 may be a CRT or a projector. The input device 10 may be a button device such as a play button or a stop button, or a device such as a touch panel, a mouse, or a jog dial, and a GUI that displays a menu or an operation panel on the display 8. It does not matter if it is realized.

  In general, the medium 4 is often formatted in the FAT file system, but may be a file system other than the FAT file system, for example, an original file system. Any data structure may be used as long as a plurality of contents and management information other than the contents can be stored in one medium and can be individually read / written by designating them. In the present embodiment, a file system such as a FAT file system that specifies and accesses a file by a file name (path name), which is the most general method, will be described as an example.

  In general, in the method of reproducing content (video / audio) recorded on a randomly accessible medium (Microsoft MediaPlayer, Real RealPlayer, etc.), “stop” and “pause” are distinguished, In the case of “stop”, the playback point is moved to the beginning of the content, and in the case of “pause”, the playback point is kept at the stopped position. Further, in a method of reproducing content recorded on a sequential medium such as a video tape (video deck or the like), both the “stop” and “pause” playback position remains at the stop position. However, there is a difference that “pause” stops when the last frame is displayed, but “stop” stops displaying anything. In this patent, although a randomly accessible medium is targeted, a sequential media playback method is adopted for handling “stop” and “pause”. That is, it is assumed that the playback point is kept at the stop position regardless of whether it is “stop” or “pause”. In the following description, “stop” and “temporary stop” are referred to as “stop” without any particular distinction.

  In the present embodiment, the process of reproducing the content (moving image / audio) that has been stopped in the middle from the stop position is referred to as resume processing, and the information required for this is referred to as resume information. The resume information is information on the stop position of the content that has been reproduced in the middle, and specifically includes frame number and time information. Some content compression methods are difficult to specify in units of frames. In this case, position information that is convenient for the compression method used may be used. In this embodiment, the resume information is expressed by time.

  In this embodiment, a description will be given based on a scheme for managing resume information for each content. The following three methods can be considered as specific examples of the management method.

(1) A method of storing in the header of each content file A method of packaging a file based on an existing format such as MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 as shown in FIG. 2 and adding a resume information header into one file It is. If the existing format already has a header, and there is an area that can be defined by the user, the resume information may be stored in that area.

(2) A method for preparing one management file and managing it using the management table therein As shown in 31 of FIG. 3, a management table for managing resume information is prepared for each content file, which is the same as the content file. It is a method of saving as a file on the media. In the case of this method, if there is no entry in the table for a content file, it means that there is no effective resume information for the content.

(3) Method of preparing a resume information file for each content file Each content file has data001. mpg, data002. mpg,. . . Etc., the resume information file data001. rsm, data002. rsm,. . . In this way, it is a method of creating and managing another file with some association.

  In the present embodiment, the description will be continued by taking the case of using the method (2) as an example, but any of the methods (1) and (3) can be realized without greatly different from the present embodiment.

  In the case of method (2), the resume information management table 31 is realized as a file (resume information management file 33), and is recorded and managed on the same medium as the content file. For example, in the case of method (1), since it is a single file of content + resume information, it is automatically recorded and managed on the same medium as the content. In the case of method (3), the resume information file is recorded and managed on the same medium as the content file as in method (2).

  Further, in this embodiment, information (referred to as final content information) for specifying the last reproduced content among a plurality of contents on a certain medium 4 is recorded on the same medium 4 as the content, like the resume information. to manage. In the present embodiment, this final content information is represented by the file name of the content as indicated by 32 in FIG. 3, and is recorded and managed in the resume information management file 33. In addition to this management method, for example, in the above method (1), in the header of each content, in method (2), in each entry in the table, and in method (3), in each resume information file It is also possible to realize a method in which a mark area is prepared in the mark area and a mark is recorded only on the content reproduced last.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the resume information management file 33 is arranged in the root directory of the file system on the medium 4. The file name is set to resume. Inf. The directory in which the resume information management file 33 is arranged and the file name are dependent on the implementation, and any directory can be used as long as the device that implements the present embodiment can identify the file. Or any file name.

  When the content on a certain medium 4 has never been reproduced, the resume information management file 33 may or may not exist on the medium 4. If it does not exist, the content on the medium 4 is treated as if it has never been reproduced, and is automatically generated when the resume information management file 33 is updated in the processing of this embodiment described below. And The above-mentioned case may occur when the medium 4 is initialized or when the resume information management file 33 is generated by a method such as when content is recorded on the medium 4. In this case, it is necessary to leave both the resume information management table 31 and the final content information 32 blank so that the content on the medium 4 can be handled as having never been reproduced.

  Further, this patent does not specify any method for configuring a plurality of content files. All content files may be placed in the root directory, or an arbitrary directory may be created and arranged in a tree structure. Also, the file name of the content file may be a method in which the system automatically generates a name from the recording time, channel, or the like, or a method in which the user designates the file name. In this embodiment, all content files are placed in the root directory, and data001. mpg, data002. mpg,. . . It is assumed that the file name is as follows.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram including the module configuration of the software of this embodiment. A file system module 41 accesses the file system in the medium 4 and performs processing for opening / closing a specified file, processing for read / write access, processing for creating / deleting a directory or file, and the like. It is assumed that the file system module 41 has a function of automatically mounting the media 4 when a new media 4 is inserted. As a method for detecting the insertion of a new medium 4, it may be electrically detected by the media controller 5 or the like, or a physical detection device such as a microswitch may be provided. If there is no such detection means, the user may be instructed to insert media using the input device 10. Further, when the insertion is detected, the file system module 41 may perform the mounting process immediately at that time, and when the insertion is detected, the file system module 41 sets an internal flag indicating that the medium has been inserted. However, the mount processing may be performed when the file system module 41 is instructed to access the file.

  42 reads content data stored as a file on the medium 4 through the file system module 41, and decompresses the compressed data if it is compressed data, then outputs the audio data to the sound controller 7 and the video data to the display controller 9. It is a playback module. The content playback module 42 receives an instruction from the user via the input device 10 and can start, stop, fast forward, fast reverse, and seek content playback. When the input device is a mouse, a touch panel, a digitizer, or a jog dial, a GUI that displays a menu or an operation panel on the display 8 and receives an operation from the user is necessary (operates with a personal computer, a PDA, or the like). When a dedicated device such as a button is assigned for each operation), only the status display is performed on the display 8 and only internal processing is performed (DVD player, Video deck etc.). This patent does not specify any means or method for accepting an operation from such a user. Further, the decompression of the compressed data may be performed by software or dedicated hardware may be prepared.

  43, when content being played back in the content playback module 42 is stopped due to a stop instruction from the user or a power-off instruction, etc., the resume information management file 33 is updated based on the content file name and stop position. Information management module. The resume information management module 43 executes these processes through the file system module 41 when updating the resume information management file 33 on the medium 4.

  Reference numeral 44 denotes a content selection module that receives an instruction from the user via the input device 10 and selects content to be reproduced. In order to allow the user to select content to be reproduced, a method for displaying various information in various formats has already been realized. A method that displays a list of information such as the content name, file name, content recording time, and on-air program recording, such as the channel, program name, content length (time), etc. In addition, a method of displaying the first frame of the content as a thumbnail as a still image, or playing back the first few frames of the focused content as a moving image has been considered. In this embodiment, in addition to the conventional information, the following information is displayed as in the example shown in FIG. The content has never been played ([Not Played]), has been played to the end ([End]), or playback has been interrupted ([Intermediate]), and is in the middle of playback It is possible to display information such as how much has been played.

  For example, when a certain content (1) is taken as an example, it is checked whether or not an entry for the content (1) exists in the resume information management table 31. If the information is written, it can be treated as “end”, and if the resume information is written, it can be treated as “middle”. If resume information is written, the position information can be displayed in a form that is easy for the user to understand based on the resume information. For example, a simple time display such as “00: 31: 24/02: 04: 30” may be used, or a status display as shown in FIG. 5 may be added. As for the still image thumbnail display for displaying the contents of the content, the first frame can be displayed if it is “not played” or “finished”, and the frame at the stop position can be displayed if it is “middle”.

  45, when insertion of a new medium 4 is detected by the media controller 5 or the like, the resume information management file 33 on the medium 4 is checked, and if there is final content information 32 and the content is being reproduced, the content is This is an automatic selection module for automatically selecting a state.

  Next, the overall flow of operations performed by the user will be briefly described. When a medium that has never been played back is inserted, the user first selects the content to be played back. This process is internally executed by the content selection module 44.

  The content selection module 44 displays the above-described information necessary for the user to select content on the display 8. The user sees this information, selects the content to be played, and designates it via the input device 10.

  When content is selected, the user next performs operations such as playback, stop, fast forward, fast reverse, slow, and seek for the specified content. This process is internally executed by the content reproduction module 42. If the content reproduction module 42 is realized by the GUI method, the content reproduction module 42 displays an operation panel or the like on the display 8 and waits for an input from the user. Further, the content reproduction module 42 may be realized so as to automatically reproduce when content is selected, or may be realized so as to be stopped only by displaying the start frame. In this embodiment, a method of automatically reproducing will be described as an example.

  A user who performs the above operation on the content to be played back can return to the selection of the content again whenever he / she likes it. At this time, for example, if the content is being played back, it can be realized by either a method that cannot return to content selection unless a stop instruction is given once, or a method that can return to content selection freely even during playback. I do not care. In the latter method, either the method of automatically stopping the content being played back when returning to content selection, or the method of continuing playback until a new content is specified. It doesn't matter. In this embodiment, an implementation will be described in which, when a certain content is being reproduced, the reproduction is continued until another content is designated by the user, and the reproduction is automatically stopped when designated.

  Further, it is assumed that the user can eject the media 4 whenever he wants. However, whether the software that received the eject operation does not eject immediately after the eject operation, and after performing the process for ejecting the media, the software ejects it or releases the lock so that it can be ejected. Alternatively, a method of indicating to the user that the discharge is possible and having the user discharge is targeted. In this case, if content is being played back by the content playback module 42, processing for stopping playback, which will be described later, is performed, and then media ejection processing is executed.

  In addition, regarding the power-off of the apparatus, basically, it can be performed at any time. However, a software switch that does not immediately turn off the power when the power is turned off, but that the software that has received the power off operation executes a process for turning off the power and then turns off the power by software. This method is targeted. In this case, if the content playback module 42 is playing back content, the power-off processing is executed after performing processing to stop playback described later.

  When the user interrupts a certain content (1) of a certain media 4 during playback and replaces it with another media 4, and then inserts the original media 4 again, the content (1) is automatically selected. Playback is started and playback is started from a position during playback. This process is internally executed by the automatic selection module 45 and the content reproduction module 42. At this time, as described above, the content reproduction module 42 is realized to automatically reproduce when the content is selected, or to be stopped only by displaying the start frame. It doesn't matter. In this embodiment, a method of automatically reproducing will be described as an example.

  Next, the content data002. A process flow when mpg starts reproduction will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. The operation by the user in this case includes not only a reproduction instruction but also a content selection instruction and an operation such as media insertion described later in the case of the automatic reproduction by content selection. The same applies when special playback such as fast forward, fast reverse, seek, and slow is started from a stopped state.

  When the content reproduction module 42 receives an instruction from the user that causes the above-described content reproduction in step S601, first, in step S602, the resume information management module 43 is notified of the start of content reproduction. At this time, the content file name data002. Pass mpg.

  Upon receiving the notification, the resume information management module 43 adds the received content file name data002... To the final content information 32 in the resume information management file 33 on the medium 4 in step S603. Write mpg.

  In step S604, the content reproduction module 42 then selects the content file data002. A process of reading out and reproducing mpg is executed. This reproduction process is continued until the content is reproduced to the end or until an instruction other than the reproduction from the next user is given.

  Next, the flow of processing when content playback is stopped halfway for some reason from the state in which content playback (including special playback) is being performed by the content playback module 42 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. . When content playback stops halfway, when the user gives an instruction to stop, when special playback operations such as seek bar or jog shuttle are stopped, when the power is turned off, media ejection is instructed Or a content switching instruction.

  When the content reproduction module 42 receives an instruction from the user that causes the above-mentioned content reproduction to be stopped in step S701, first, in step S702, the reproduction process or fast forward, fast reverse, slow, Processing to interrupt special playback processing such as seek is performed. In step S703, the resume information management module 43 is notified that the content reproduction has been stopped halfway. At this time, as an argument, the content file name data002. Resume information such as mpg and the frame number and time as the stop position is passed. In this example, it is represented by the time from the beginning, and is 1 hour 31 minutes 23 seconds (01:31:23).

  Upon receipt of the notification, the resume information management module 43 checks the resume information management table 31 in the resume information management file 33 in step S704, and designates the specified content file name data002. Check if there is an entry for mpg. If it does not exist, the process proceeds from step S705 to step S706, where data002. After creating a new entry for mpg, the process proceeds to step S707, and if it already exists, the process proceeds from step S705 to step S707. In step S707, data002. Resume information (01:31:23) is written in the entry for mpg.

  Finally, the content playback module 42 determines that if an instruction given by the user requires not only processing for stopping content playback but also other processing such as power-off, media ejection, content switching, etc. Return to processing and continue execution.

  Next, content data002. The flow of processing when mpg is reproduced to the end will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The same applies to the case of reaching the end by special playback such as fast-forward, fast-reverse, slow and seek.

  In step S801, the content reproduction module 42 determines that the content data002. When the reproduction of mpg comes to the end, first, in step S802, the reproduction processing that has been performed up to now or the special reproduction processing such as fast forward, fast reverse, slow, and seek is completed. In step S803, the resume information management module 43 is notified that the content reproduction has been completed. At this time, the content file name data002. Mpg and information indicating that reproduction has ended are passed.

  Upon receiving the notification, the resume information management module 43 checks the resume information management table 31 in the resume information management file 33 in step S804, and designates the specified content file name data002. Check if there is an entry for mpg. If it does not exist, the process proceeds from step S805 to step S806, where data002. After creating a new entry for mpg, the process proceeds to step S807, and if it already exists, the process proceeds from step S805 to step S807. In step S807, data002. The reproduction end information is written in the entry for mpg.

  Finally, in step S808, the content playback module 42 executes processing after the end of playback. For example, the playback point may be kept at the last position and the last frame may be displayed, or the playback point may be sought to the beginning and the first frame may be displayed.

  Next, content data 001. A process flow when mpg is selected will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  When the content selection module 44 accepts content switching in step S901, first, in step S902, the content playback module 42 is notified that the playback target content has been switched. At this time, the file name data001. Pass mpg.

  Upon receiving the notification, the content reproduction module 42 checks whether or not another content is currently being reproduced (including special reproduction) in step S903, and if it is being reproduced, proceeds from step S904 to step S702 in FIG. Execute content stop processing. If not being reproduced, the process proceeds to step S905. In step S905, the content reproduction module 42 specifies the specified content data001. The resume information management module 43 is inquired about whether there is resume information for mpg. At this time, the content file name data001. Pass mpg.

  The resume information management module 43 that has received the inquiry refers to the resume information management table 31 in the resume information management file 33 in step S906, and designates the specified content file name data001. If the mpg entry does not exist, the head position is returned. In the case of this embodiment, 00:00:00 is returned, and if it exists, the resume information is returned as a result.

  In step S907, the content playback module 42 that has received the result seeks the playback point up to the result value, and starts playback. At this time, the playback may not be automatically started, but the frame after seek may be displayed and the user may wait for an instruction. If the resume information is not at the beginning of the content, a playback point may be a few seconds before the resume information. The offset value may be fixed by the system in advance or may be changed by the user.

  Finally, the processing flow when the media 4 is inserted by the user will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When insertion of a new medium 4 is detected by the media controller 5 or the like in step S1001, the automatic selection module 45 determines whether or not the content reproduced last on the medium 4 is stopped in the middle of reproduction in step S1002. The management module 43 is inquired.

  The resume information management module 43 that has received the inquiry refers to the final content information 32 and the resume information management table 31 in the resume information management file 33 on the medium 4 in step S1003, and the final content information 32 exists and its content. If the content file is stopped halfway, the content file name is returned as a result, otherwise information indicating that such content does not exist is returned.

  The automatic selection module 45 that has received the result next checks the result value in step S1004. If it is a content file name, the process proceeds from step S1005 to step S1006. Otherwise, it accepts a content selection operation from a normal user. This process ends. In step S1006, the content playback module 42 is notified that a new playback target content has been selected. At this time, the content file name of the result value is passed as an argument.

  The process of the content reproduction module 42 that has received the notification continues to the process of step S903 in FIG.

  As described above, in this embodiment, for each medium, the last point of which content has been played and the last point are recorded, and as a result, when viewing is resumed on the medium again, the final point is automatically set. It is possible to resume playback from the beginning.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and store the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. It can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in 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 the 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 can be used.

It is a hardware block diagram of one Example. It is a figure of the content file of the system which stores resume information in the header of a content file. It is a block diagram of a resume information management file. It is a block diagram including the software module of one Example. It is an example of a content selection screen. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the process at the time of starting content reproduction. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the process when content reproduction | regeneration stopped on the way. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the process when content is reproduced | regenerated to the last. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the process when the content of reproduction | regeneration object is selected. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the process when a medium is inserted.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 ROM
3 RAM
4 Media 5 Media Controller 6 Speaker 7 Sound Controller 8 Display 9 Display Controller 10 Input Device 11 System Bus 21 Resume Information Header 22 Video / Audio Content 23 Content File 31 Resume Information Management Table 32 Final Content Information 33 Resume Information Management File 41 File System Module 42 Content playback module 43 Resume information management module 44 Content selection module 45 Automatic selection module

Claims (9)

A device for playing back video / audio data (content) recorded on a removable and rewritable random access medium,
Multiple contents can be handled as independent files, and data such as management tables can also be handled as files. These files can be stored on the removable random access media, and can be created / deleted / read / rewritten. Filing means to
In accordance with instructions from the user such as play / stop / fast forward / fast reverse / slow / seek, the content data stored as a file on the removable random access medium is read by the filing means, and is played / stopped as a video / audio. Content playback means for special playback;
Stop position information (resume information) when the content is stopped in the middle of reproduction, and when the content is reproduced to the end, the information is recorded and managed for each content, and the content reproduced last time is specified. Resume information management means for recording and managing information (final content information) for each medium;
When the removable random access media is inserted and the last played content on the media is stopped during playback based on the information recorded and managed by the resume information management means , Automatic selection means for automatically selecting the content for playback,
A video / audio playback device characterized by comprising: When content is selected by the automatic selection means, if the resume information is managed by the resume information management means because the content was stopped halfway last time, the content reproduction means based on the resume information. The continuation from the previous time is played automatically,
The moving image / sound reproduction apparatus according to claim 1. Playback information for each content, that is, the content has never been played ([Unplayed]), has been played to the end ([End]), or playback has been interrupted ([Middle]), and Content selection means for displaying information such as how far it has been played if it was in the middle of reproduction based on the information recorded and managed by the resume information management means, and allowing the user to select content to be reproduced;
The video / audio reproduction device according to claim 1, further comprising: When content is selected by the content selection means, if the resume information is managed by the resume information management means because the content was stopped halfway last time, the content reproduction means based on the resume information. The continuation from the previous time is played automatically,
The moving image / audio reproduction device according to claim 3. Information recorded and managed by the resume information management means is recorded and managed as a file on each removable medium via the filing means.
The moving image / sound reproduction apparatus according to claim 1. Updating the final content information each time content is played back by the content playback means;
The moving image / sound reproduction apparatus according to claim 1. Updating the resume information each time the content being played back by the content playback means is stopped;
The moving image / sound reproduction apparatus according to claim 1. An apparatus for reproducing a plurality of content data recorded on a recording medium,
Stop position information generating means for generating, for each of the plurality of content data, stop position information indicating a stop position at which playback has been stopped in response to an instruction to stop playback during playback of the plurality of content data;
Recording means for recording the stop position information on the recording medium;
Reproducing means for reproducing the content data and the stop position information from the recording medium;
A playback apparatus comprising: control means for displaying stop position information in a plurality of content data recorded on the recording medium on display means based on the played stop position information. Reproduction instruction means for instructing reproduction by selecting arbitrary content data from the plurality of content data is provided, and the control means is configured to control the selected content data based on stop position information of the selected content data. 9. The playback apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a playback start position is determined, and the playback means is controlled to play back the selected content data from the determined playback start position.

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