JP2005276439A - Information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize quick time search with a simply configured information reproducing device in an information recording medium such as an optical disk which can record image, voice, and the like, with high density. <P>SOLUTION: In DVD1, multiple VOBUs consisting of image information, access information, and the like, and multiple cells consisting of a series of the VOBUs aligned along a recording track are classified, and unit time address information in which the information is recorded on the recording track records is recorded on a designated position with a discrete flag. A system controller 100 checks the discrete flag when search is designated. When the time unit address corresponding to the search target time is in a position continuing within the cell, this time unit address is set as the preliminary search target. When discontinuous, coincidence with second data group including this time unit address and the second data group including the address corresponding to the target time is determined, the VOBU search information is read and a pickup 80 is moved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information recording medium such as a high-density optical disc capable of recording information such as video and audio represented by a DVD at high density, a recording apparatus for recording information on the information recording medium, and the information recording The present invention belongs to a technical field of a reproducing apparatus for reproducing information from a medium.

  Conventionally, so-called LDs (Laser Disks), CDs (Compact Disks), etc. are widely used as optical disks on which information such as video and audio is recorded.

  In these LDs and the like, video information and audio information are recorded together with time information indicating the time at which each information should be reproduced with reference to the reproduction start position of each LD or the like. Therefore, by referring to this time information, a so-called “time search” in which the recording position on the disc corresponding to an arbitrary designated time designated by the viewer in the playback apparatus can be easily performed. In addition to general normal playback in which recorded information is played back in the order in which the information is recorded based on the time information, for example, in a CD, a song to be listened out of a plurality of recorded songs It is possible to reproduce such as listening only by extracting only or changing the reproduction order at random.

  However, in the above-mentioned LD, CD, etc., reproduction that is rich in so-called interactive changes in which the viewer has a selection of the displayed video and reproduced audio, and the viewer selects and views the selected video. There was a problem that it was not possible.

  That is, for example, after displaying a “problem” such as found in recent game and educational PC software, different video display and audio output depending on the “answer” input by the viewer Interactive playback (for example, if the “answer” is correct, the video and audio corresponding to the correct answer are played, and if the “answer” is incorrect, the video and audio corresponding to the error are reproduced. Cannot be played).

  On the other hand, there are proposals and developments for interactive playback on a DVD, which is an optical disk that has a storage capacity improved by about 10 times without changing the size of the optical disk itself, compared to the conventional CD. When recording information on this DVD, it is desirable to compress and record video data or the like in order to effectively use the storage capacity and increase the amount of information on the disc. In particular, as a data compression technique used here, an image data compression technique called MPEG2, which can change the compression rate in accordance with the contents of video data, is promising from the viewpoint of high compression efficiency and high reproducibility. Is being viewed.

  However, according to research by the present inventors, when data is compressed at a variable compression rate and recorded on an information recording medium such as a DVD as in the MPEG2 system, the relationship between time and recording position is lost. (That is, it becomes unclear which information corresponds to which recording position at which recording position). Therefore, in the playback apparatus, the pickup is moved to the recording position corresponding to a specific time. That is, it is expected that a time search by designating a specific time becomes difficult. Furthermore, the present situation is that the difficulty itself of performing a time search in a DVD in which data is compressed and recorded at such a variable compression rate is not recognized by those skilled in the art.

The applicant of the present application quickly paid attention to this difficulty that has not yet been known, and in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-170913 that has not yet been known:
(I) First address information indicating a start address of main data (such as video data) every predetermined time unit (for example, every 10 seconds) before compression encoding is recorded on a recording medium portion different from the main data. A method for performing a time search in units of time by referring to the first address information;
(II) In addition to the first address information, second address information indicating a start address for each compression unit (for example, every 0.5 seconds of data) is also recorded on a recording medium portion different from the main data, A method of performing a time search in coarse time units with reference to the first address information, and then performing a time search in fine compression units with reference to the second address information from the searched position; and (III) 1 address information is not recorded, and the number of data frames (units of data consisting of main data for a certain period of time) constituting the compression unit indicated by the second address is different from the main data together with the second address information. A method has been proposed in which recording is performed on a recording medium portion, the number of data frames is counted and added, that is, the number of data frames is converted into time, and a time search is performed according to the converted time.

However, according to the above method (I), the search for each time unit is quickly performed by a simple algorithm. However, when a time that is smaller than the time unit is specified, the target time is actually reproduced and used. The only way is to wait for minutes. Therefore, as a whole, the time unit itself may be shortened. For example, if the time unit is set to 1 second, if 4 bytes are required to indicate each address,
(120 (minutes) x 60 (seconds)) / 1 (second) x 4 (bytes) = 28800 (bytes)
Therefore, in order to realize the time search of the method (I), a memory of 28800 bytes is required for the playback apparatus.

Further, according to the method (II), after performing a rough search based on the time unit according to the method (I) above, a fine search based on the compression unit is repeatedly performed from the searched position, so that fine details are performed at high speed. For example, if the time unit is set to 10 seconds and the compression unit is set to data for 0.5 seconds, 4 bytes are required to indicate each address. Against the source of minutes
(120 (minutes) x 60 (seconds)) / 10 (seconds) x 4 (bytes)
+ (120 (minutes) x 60 (seconds)) / 0.5 (seconds) x 4 (bytes)
= 60480 (bytes)
Therefore, in order to realize the time search of the method (II), a memory of 60480 bytes is required for the playback apparatus.

Furthermore, according to the above method (III), it is possible to quickly search to the compression unit. For example, if the compression unit is set to data for 0.5 seconds, 4 bytes are required to indicate each address. If 1 byte is needed to indicate the number of data frames,
(120 (minutes) x 60 (seconds)) / 0.5 (seconds) x (4 (bytes) + 1 (bytes))
= 72000 (bytes)
Therefore, in order to realize the time search of the method (III), a memory of 72000 bytes is required for the reproducing apparatus.

  As described above, according to the method proposed by the present applicants in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-170913, if a detailed time search is attempted, the hardware load such as the necessary memory capacity in the playback apparatus is considerably increased accordingly. turn into.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information recording that enables a time search to be quickly performed by an information reproducing apparatus having a relatively simple configuration regardless of recording methods such as variable compression, fixed compression, and non-compression. It is to provide a medium and the like.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the information recording medium according to claim 1 is provided with a reading unit, and reproduces the reading unit while relatively moving the reading unit along a recording track on which recording information is recorded. An information recording medium having the recording track to be played back by a playback device capable of time search for moving the reading means across the recording track based on access information for accessing the recording information, wherein the playback A plurality of first data groups which are units that can be accessed by the apparatus and are configured to include the recording information and the access information, and units that can be logically divided in reproduction by the reproduction apparatus, and the plurality of first data groups. A plurality of second data groups each composed of a series of first data groups arranged along the recording track in the data group. Time unit address information indicating addresses of a plurality of first data groups to which the recording information belongs for each predetermined time unit, and the recording information and the access information are recorded on the recording track. Management information including discontinuous information for each time unit address information indicating whether or not two addresses separated by one time unit from each time unit address information belong to the same second data group Are recorded in a part of the recording track, and the access information includes addresses of a plurality of first data groups belonging to the same second data group as the first data group including the access information in the time unit. 1st data group search information shown more finely is included, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the information recording medium of claim 1, the recording information and the access information are units accessible by the playback device, and the plurality of first data groups each including the recording information and the access information are played back. A unit that can be logically divided in reproduction by the apparatus, and is divided into a plurality of second data groups each composed of a series of first data groups arranged along a recording track among the plurality of first data groups. Recorded on the recording track. The management information is indicated by time unit address information indicating addresses of a plurality of first data groups to which recording information for each predetermined time unit belongs, and each time unit address information separated by one time unit. And discontinuous information indicating whether or not two addresses belong to the same second data group for each time unit address information. Management information having such a configuration is recorded together on a part of the recording track. On the other hand, the access information includes first data group search information that indicates addresses of a plurality of first data groups belonging to the same second data group as the first data group including the access information in more detail than a time unit. As a result, in the playback device, the time unit address information and the discontinuity information are first played back, and based on the played back information, a relatively rough search is performed in a predetermined time unit (for example, in units of 10 seconds). As a target first data group address (primary search target), a first data group having access information including first data group search information indicating an address corresponding to the target time among time unit addresses is shown. A time unit address can be selected. Thereafter, if the reading device actually moves the reading means to the primary search target and reproduces the first data group search information included in the access information in the primary search target, the reproduced first Since the address indicated by the data group search information always includes an address corresponding to the target time, according to the reproduced first data group search information, the target is set in a finer time unit (for example, 0.5 second unit). A quick search to an address corresponding to time becomes possible. In this case, in particular, it is possible to quickly and easily determine when it is certain that the time unit address corresponding to the target time and the address corresponding to the target time are in the same second data group by the discontinuous information. Can select the time unit address as it is as the primary search target address. On the other hand, depending on this determination, only when it is unknown whether or not it is in the same second data group, it is determined whether or not it is in the same second data group, and the same second data group is further determined. Only when it is determined that it is not in the data group, a relatively troublesome process of changing the time unit address corresponding to the target time to that in the second data group including the address corresponding to the target time. Just do it. Therefore, since the frequency of performing such troublesome processing can be suppressed to a minimum, a quick search as a whole is possible. In particular, the larger the size of the second data group compared to the size of the first data group, the more advantageous is the fact that the frequency of such troublesome processing can be reduced.

  The information recording medium according to claim 2 is the information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the time unit address information is a time search into a second data group including one address indicated by the time unit address information. If it is prohibited, the one address is recorded with a special value to indicate the prohibition.

  According to the information recording medium of claim 2, in the reproducing apparatus, the time unit address information is reproduced in advance, and an address of a special value such as “0” (that is, a value that cannot actually exist). Is detected, it can be determined that the time search into the second data group including this address is prohibited. Therefore, in the time search, the reading means is actually set to the designated search target time. Before moving in the direction, it is possible to perform a process for prohibiting the time search according to the determination result.

  The information recording medium according to claim 3 is the information recording medium according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management information includes a reproduction time of each second data group and a first position in each second data group. It includes the second data group information indicating the address of one data group and the address of the first data group located last in each second data group.

  According to the information recording medium of claim 3, if the playback device reproduces the second data group information included in the management information in advance, it is designated based on the information content at the time search. Since it is possible to determine in which second data group the address corresponding to the search target time is included, a different time unit address can be set as the primary target of the time search according to the determination result.

  The information recording medium according to claim 4 is the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a part of the recording information is compressed on the recording track at a variable compression rate. The time unit is a unit of time before compression.

  According to the information recording medium of the fourth aspect, since the time unit is also the unit of time before compression even for a part of the recorded information compressed and recorded on the recording track at the variable compression rate, In the apparatus, as in the case of recording at a fixed compression rate and recording or non-compression recording, a stepwise and quick search is possible based on the time unit address information and the first data group search information.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the information recording apparatus according to claim 5 is provided with a reading unit, and reproduces the recording unit while moving the reading unit relatively along a recording track on which recording information is recorded, and the recording. For recording information on an information recording medium having the recording track to be played back by a playback device capable of time search that moves the reading means across the recording track based on access information for accessing information An information recording device, an access information generating means for generating the access information corresponding to the recording information, and a plurality of units each including the recording information and the access information, which are units accessible by the playback device The first data group, and a unit that can be logically divided in reproduction by the reproduction apparatus, and the plurality of first data groups. And a plurality of second data groups each composed of a series of first data groups arranged along the recording track, and recording the recording information and access information on the recording track, The time unit address information indicating the addresses of the plurality of first data groups to which the recording information for each predetermined time unit belongs and the two addresses separated by one time unit by the time unit address information are the same. Management information including discontinuity information indicating whether or not it belongs to a second data group for each time unit address information is collectively recorded in a part of the recording track, and includes a first data group including the access information; A first data group indicating addresses of a plurality of first data groups belonging to the same second data group in more detail than the time unit. Characterized in that the Pusachi information and recording means for recording included in the access information.

  According to the information recording apparatus of the fifth aspect, the access information corresponding to the recorded information is generated by the access information generating means. The recording means is a unit that can be accessed by the playback apparatus, and includes a plurality of first data groups each including recording information and access information, and a plurality of units that can be logically divided in playback by the playback apparatus. The first data group is divided into a plurality of second data groups each composed of a series of first data groups arranged along the recording track, and recording information and access information are recorded on the recording track. Is done. At this time, the time unit address information indicating the addresses of the plurality of first data groups to which the recording information for each predetermined time unit belongs and two addresses separated by one time unit by each time unit address information. Management information including discontinuous information for each time unit address information indicating whether or not each belongs to the same second data group is recorded collectively on a part of the recording track. Further, at this time, the access information includes the first data group search information indicating the addresses of a plurality of first data groups belonging to the same second data group as the first data group including the access information more finely than the above-mentioned time unit. It is recorded in the form. Therefore, the information recording medium according to the first aspect can be recorded.

  The information recording apparatus according to claim 6 further comprises input means for inputting search prohibition information indicating prohibition of time search into an arbitrary second data group in the information recording apparatus according to claim 5. And the recording means sets the one address as a special address when a time search into the second data group including the one address indicated by the time unit address information is prohibited by the search prohibition information. The time unit address information is recorded by a value.

  According to the information recording apparatus of the sixth aspect, when search prohibition information indicating prohibition of time search into an arbitrary second data group is input by the input unit, the recording unit stores the time unit address information. Among the indicated addresses, the addresses included in the second data group whose search is prohibited by the search prohibition information are recorded with a special value such as “0”. Therefore, it is possible to record the information recording medium according to claim 2 described above.

  The information recording device according to claim 7 is the information recording device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the recording means compresses at least a part of the recording information at a variable compression rate on the recording track. The time unit is a unit of time before compression.

  According to the information recording apparatus of the seventh aspect, since at least a part of the recording information is compressed at the variable compression rate by the recording means and recorded on the recording track. An information recording medium can be recorded.

  Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the information reproducing apparatus according to claim 8 is an accessible unit, and includes a plurality of first information each including recording information and access information for accessing the recording information. A plurality of second data groups each composed of a data group and a series of first data groups which are units that can be logically divided in reproduction and are arranged along a recording track among the plurality of first data groups; The recording information and the access information are recorded on the recording track, and time unit address information indicating addresses of a plurality of first data groups to which the recording information per predetermined time unit belongs and Whether or not two addresses indicated by one time unit by the time unit address information belong to the same second data group. A plurality of management information including discontinuous information shown for each recording time unit address information is recorded in a part of the recording track, and belongs to the same second data group as the first data group including the access information An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing an information recording medium in which first data group search information indicating the address of the first data group in more detail than the time unit is recorded in the access information, the recording track Reading means for reading the information recorded at a predetermined reading position above, moving means for relatively moving the reading means along the recording track or across the recording track, and read by the reading means Demodulating means for demodulating the received information, specifying means for specifying the target time of the time search, and the target time by the specifying means Is specified, it is determined whether the discontinuity information corresponding to the target time indicates continuity or discontinuity. If it is determined that the discontinuity indicates the continuity, the time corresponding to the target time is determined. When the address indicated by the unit address information is set as a primary search target and it is determined that the discontinuity is indicated, the second data group including the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time and the target It is determined whether or not the second data group including the address corresponding to the time matches, and when it is determined that they match, the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time is set as a primary search target. If it is determined that they do not match, an address separated by the one time unit from the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time is A target setting means for setting as a primary search target; and the reading means is moved to the set primary search target, and the first data group includes access information for the first data group. Data group search information is read and demodulated, and the reading means is moved from the primary search target to an address corresponding to the target time within the second data group according to the demodulated first data group search information. And a control means for controlling the reading means, the moving means, and the demodulating means.

  According to the information reproducing apparatus of the eighth aspect, the information recorded at the predetermined reading position on the recording track of the information recording medium is read by the reading means moved by the moving means, and the read information Is demodulated by the demodulating means. Here, when the target time of the time search is specified by the specifying means, it is determined by the target setting means whether the discontinuity information corresponding to the target time indicates continuity or discontinuity. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the time is continuous, the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time is set as the primary search target. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is that discontinuity is indicated, a second data group including an address indicated by time unit address information corresponding to the target time and a second data group including an address corresponding to the target time; It is further determined whether or not the two match. If the result of this determination is that they match, the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time is set as the primary search target. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is that they do not match, an address that is one time unit away from the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time is set as the primary search target. Accordingly, in any of the above cases, the address corresponding to the target time is included in the plurality of addresses indicated by the first data group search information included in the access information of the first data group indicated by the address as the primary search target. Will be. Therefore, under the control of the control means, the reading means is moved to the primary search target set as described above (that is, a rough search corresponding to a predetermined time unit such as 10 seconds is performed), Thereafter, the first data group search information included in the access information of the first data group in the primary search target is read and demodulated by the reading means, the moving means, and the demodulating means, and the demodulated first data group search According to the information, the reading means is moved from the primary search target to the address corresponding to the target time within the second data group (ie, corresponding to a time unit finer than a predetermined unit time, for example, 0.5 second unit). If a fine search is performed), the reading means can surely reach the address corresponding to the target time. In this case, in particular, by referring to the discontinuity information, the target setting means can ensure that the time unit address corresponding to the target time and the address corresponding to the target time are in the same second data group. The determination can be made quickly and easily. In this case, the time unit address can be directly selected as the address of the primary search target. On the other hand, depending on this determination, only when it is unclear whether or not they are in the same second data group, the target setting means further determines whether or not they are in the same second data group. The time unit address corresponding to the target time is changed to the one in the second data group including the address corresponding to the target time only when it is determined that they are not in the same second data group. A relatively troublesome process may be performed. Therefore, the target setting means can minimize the frequency of performing such troublesome processing in this way, so that a quick search as a whole is possible. In particular, the larger the size of the second data group compared to the size of the first data group, the more advantageous is the fact that the frequency of such troublesome processing can be reduced.

  The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 9 is the information reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the time unit address information is a time search into a second data group including one address indicated by the time unit address information. When prohibited, the one address is recorded with a special value to indicate the prohibition, and the target setting means, when the target time is designated by the designation means, It is determined whether or not the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time is the special value, and the control means determines that the target time is determined to be the special value. The corresponding reading means, moving means, and demodulating means are not controlled.

  According to the information reproducing apparatus of the ninth aspect, when the target time is specified by the specifying means, whether the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time is a special value such as “0”. Is determined by the target setting means, and as a result, if it is determined that the value is this special value, the reading means, moving means and demodulation means corresponding to the target time are not controlled. That is, the reading unit is not moved toward the search target.

  An information reproducing apparatus according to claim 10 is the information reproducing apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the management information is a reproduction time of each second data group, and a first position within the second data group. A second data group information indicating an address of one data group and an address of the first data group located last in each second data group, and the target setting means includes the second data group information in the second data group information. And determining whether or not the second data group including the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time matches the second data group including the address corresponding to the target time. To do.

  According to the information reproducing apparatus of claim 10, the second data group including the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time based on the second data group information included in the management information by the target setting means. It is easily determined whether or not the second data group including the address corresponding to the target time matches.

  The information reproducing device according to claim 11 is the information reproducing device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the control means preliminarily stores the time unit address information and discontinuity information prior to the time search. The reading means, the moving means and the demodulating means are controlled so as to read and demodulate, and the target setting means is provided with a storage means for storing the pre-demodulated time unit address information and discontinuity information. It is characterized in that the determination is performed using the obtained information.

  According to the information reproducing apparatus of claim 11, under the control of the control means, the time unit address information and the discontinuous information are read and demodulated in advance by the reading means, the moving means and the demodulating means prior to the time search. The The storage unit stores the pre-demodulated time unit address information and discontinuity information, and the target setting unit makes a determination using the stored information. When the time search is designated, A quick decision is made. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 12 is the information reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the recording information is recorded by being compressed at a variable compression rate on the recording track, The time unit is a unit of time before compression, and the demodulating means decompresses and demodulates the recorded information read by the reading means.

  According to the information reproducing apparatus of the twelfth aspect, the recording information read by the reading means is expanded and demodulated by the demodulation means. Accordingly, in the same manner as when the information recording medium is recorded at a fixed compression rate and recorded or uncompressed, a stepwise and quick search can be performed based on the time unit address information and the first data group search information.

  According to the information recording medium of claim 1, it is possible to quickly set a rough search target from the time unit address information and the discontinuity information. Further, from the first data group search information in this target, a finer time A reliable and quick search can be performed in units. In particular, by using discontinuous information, the frequency of performing troublesome processing can be suppressed to a minimum, so that a quick search as a whole is possible. In particular, the larger the size of the second data group compared to the size of the first data group, the more advantageous it is possible to reduce the frequency of such time-consuming processing.

  According to the information recording medium of the second aspect, by checking the time unit address information, the time search is prohibited before the reading means is actually moved toward the designated search target time. Since processing can be performed, it is very convenient for the viewer.

  According to the information recording medium of claim 3, if the second data group information is reproduced in advance, a primary search target can be set based on this information content, and a quick time search as a whole can be performed. It becomes possible.

  In addition, according to the information recording medium of the fourth aspect, it is possible to perform a stepwise and quick search for a part of the recorded information that is compressed and recorded on the recording track at the variable compression rate. Therefore, it is very advantageous for time search of video information recorded on a DVD or the like by the MPEG2 system or the like.

  Furthermore, according to the information recording device described in claim 5, the information recording medium described in claim 1 can be recorded. According to the information recording apparatus of the sixth aspect, it is possible to record the information recording medium of the second aspect.

  Moreover, according to the information recording device of Claim 7, the information recording medium of Claim 4 mentioned above can be recorded. Furthermore, according to the information reproducing apparatus of claim 8, it is possible to quickly set a target for rough search from the time unit address information and the discontinuity information, and further from the first data group search information in this target Search accurately and quickly in small time units. In particular, by using discontinuous information, the frequency of performing troublesome processing can be suppressed to a minimum, so that it is possible to search quickly as a whole. In particular, as the size of the second data group is larger than the size of the first data group, the frequency of performing such troublesome processing can be reduced. According to the information reproducing apparatus of the ninth aspect, the time unit address information is checked so that the time search is prohibited before the reading unit is actually moved toward the designated search target time. This is very convenient for viewers.

  According to the information reproducing apparatus of the tenth aspect, the second data group information is reproduced in advance, and a primary search target can be set based on the information content, so that the time search can be quickly performed as a whole.

  According to the information reproducing apparatus of the eleventh aspect, the time search can be quickly performed using the time unit address information and the discontinuity information stored in the storage means. Further, according to the information reproducing apparatus of the twelfth aspect, it is possible to perform a stepwise and quick search for a part of the recorded information that is recorded by being compressed at a variable compression rate on the recording track. Time information can be quickly searched for video information recorded by the MPEG2 system or the like.

  Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiment described below is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the above-described DVD.

  In the following embodiments, an example of each constituent element in the scope of the claims shown on the left side of the following list is composed of elements shown on the right side of the following list.

First data group: VOBU (VOB-Unit)
Second data group: cell
Management information: PGCI
Access information: DSI (Data Search Information)
Second data group information: Cell information table (in PGCI)
First data group search information: VOBU search information

(I) Embodiment of Information Recording Medium First, the physical and logical configuration and operation of a DVD as an embodiment of an information recording medium to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. I will explain.

  First, a recording format (physical recording format) of video information and audio information on a DVD will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the DVD 1 according to the embodiment has a lead-in area LI at its innermost peripheral part and a lead-out area LO at its outermost peripheral part. Are divided into a plurality of VTSs 3 (VTS # 1 to VTS # n) each having an ID (identification) number and stored. Here, VTS (Video Title Set) refers to a title (such as a movie, etc.) that a producer wants to present to the viewer (same attributes such as audio, sub-picture stream number and specifications, and corresponding language). More specifically, for example, a plurality of movies having different language lines or the like are recorded as titles for the same movie, or, for example, Even in the same movie, the movie version and the special version are stored as different titles. In addition, the video manager 2 is recorded at the head of the area where the VTS 3 is recorded. The information recorded as the video manager 2 is recorded on the DVD 1 such as a menu for accessing each title, information for preventing illegal copying, or an access table for directly accessing each title. Information related to the entire video information and audio information is recorded.

  Next, one VTS 3 is divided and recorded into a plurality of VOBs 10 each having an ID number, starting with the control data 11. Here, a portion constituted by a plurality of VOBs 10 is referred to as a VOB set (VOBS). This VOB set is a VOB set for the entity part in order to distinguish between control data 11 which is other data constituting the VTS 3 and a plurality of VOB 10 parts which are entities of video information and audio information. .

  The control data 11 recorded at the head of the VTS 3 includes information such as PGCI (Program Chain Information) which is various information related to a program chain which is a logical division combining a plurality of cells (cells will be described later). Is recorded. In addition to the control information, each VOB 10 is recorded with video information and audio information entity portions (video or audio itself other than the control information).

  Furthermore, one VOB 10 includes a plurality of cells 20 each having an ID number. Here, one VOB 10 is configured to be completed by a plurality of cells 20, and one cell 20 does not straddle two VOBs 10.

  Next, one cell 20 includes a plurality of VOB units (VOBU) 30 each having an ID number. Here, the VOB unit 30 is an information unit including each of video information, audio information, and sub-video information (referring to sub-video information such as subtitles in a movie).

  One VOB unit 30 is composed of a navigation pack 41 for control information, a video pack 42 for video information, an audio pack 43 for audio information, and a sub-picture pack 44 for sub-video information. Yes. Here, a packet including video data is recorded in the video pack 42, and a packet including audio data is recorded in the audio pack 43. Further, in the sub-picture pack 44, packets including characters such as characters and graphics as sub-pictures are recorded. As shown in FIG. 1R> 1, video data with a large amount of data has one or more GOPs recorded in one VOB unit 30, and an audio pack 43 and a sub-picture pack 44 are provided between the video packs 42. Has been placed. The standard stipulates that there are 8 types of audio that can be recorded on the DVD 1 and 32 types of sub-video that can be recorded. Further, the navigation pack 41 is always present in one VOBU 30, but the video pack 42, the audio pack 43, and the sub-picture pack 44 are not necessarily present. Be free.

  Finally, the NAVI pack 41 includes DSI including search information (specifically, an address on the DVD 1 in which the video, audio, etc. to be displayed are recorded) for searching for the video, audio, etc., to be displayed. A (Data Search Information) packet 51 and a PCI (Presentation Control Information) packet 50 including information related to display control when displaying a video searched based on information in the DSI packet 51 or generating sound. Further, all video data included in one VOBU is composed of one or more GOPs (Group Of Pictures). It should be noted that the PCI packet 50 includes highlight information defining the display and operation when the item is selected for the selection item selected by the viewer. Depending on the highlight information, for example, on the screen (the so-called menu screen) displaying the item to be selected by the viewer, the screen display changes for the selected item, the display position to be changed, and the command (selected) The instruction to be executed corresponding to the selected item) is set.

  Here, video information for configuring and displaying a frame, a selection button, and the like necessary for configuring and displaying the menu screen is recorded as the sub-picture pack 44 as the above-described sub-video information.

  Further, the GOP can be independently played back as defined in the MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2) standard, which is an image compression method employed when recording video information on the DVD 1 in the present embodiment. The smallest image unit.

  Here, the outline of the MPEG2 system will be described. In general, in continuous frame images, frame images before and after one frame image are often similar to each other and have a mutual relationship. The MPEG2 system pays attention to this point, and based on a plurality of frame images transferred several frames apart, another frame image existing between the plurality of frame images is interpolated based on the motion vector of the original image. It is a method to generate by. In this case, when recording the other frame image, it is only necessary to record the information about the difference and motion vector between the plurality of frame images. Thus, the other frame image can be reproduced. As a result, compressed recording of images becomes possible.

  Further, the outline of the GOP will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows an example of a plurality of frame images that constitute one GOP 52. FIG. 2 shows a case where one GOP 52 is composed of 12 frame images (the number of frame images included in one GOP 52 is not constant in the MPEG2 system). The frame image indicated by “I” is called an I picture (Intra-coded picture) and refers to a frame image that can reproduce a complete frame image only by its own image. Also, the frame image indicated by the code “P” is called a P picture (Predictive-coded picture) and has been compensated and reproduced based on an already decoded I picture or another P picture. This is a predicted image generated by decoding a difference from the predicted image. The frame image indicated by the code “B” is called a B picture (Bidirectionally predictive-coded picture), and is recorded on an optical disc or the like as well as an already decoded I picture or P picture. A predicted image that is reproduced by using a future I picture or P picture for prediction. In FIG. 2, the prediction relationship (interpolation relationship) between the pictures is indicated by arrows.

  Note that the MPEG2 system used in the DVD in this embodiment employs a variable rate system in which the amount of data included in each GOP 52 is not constant. That is, when each picture included in one GOP 52 corresponds to a fast moving video and the correlation between the pictures is small, the amount of data for configuring each picture increases. The amount of data included in the GOP 52 also increases. On the other hand, when each picture included in one GOP 52 corresponds to a moving image that does not move much and the correlation between the pictures is large, the amount of data for configuring each picture is also reduced. The amount of data included in the GOP 52 is also reduced.

  In the hierarchical structure recording format shown in FIG. 1 described above, each section can be recorded by the producer by freely setting the section according to the intention. By performing reproduction for each of these sections based on the logical structure described later, various reproductions with various changes can be made.

  Next, a logical format (logical structure) in which information recorded by the physical division shown in FIG. 1 is combined will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the logical structure shown in FIG. 3 does not actually record information on the DVD 1 in that structure, but the logical structure shown in FIG. Information (access information, time information, etc.) to be reproduced together is recorded on the DVD 1, particularly in the control data 11.

  For clarification of the description, starting from the lower hierarchy of FIG. 3, by selecting and combining a plurality of cells 20 from the physical structure described in FIG. It is logically constructed based on the intention of the producer. The program 60 is also a minimum logical unit that can be accessed by a command by a system controller in a playback apparatus described later by identifying a partition. The producer can also define a group of one or more programs 60 as a minimum unit that can be freely selected and viewed by the viewer, and this unit is referred to as a PTT (Part Of Title).

  In addition, since one program 60 is logically configured by selecting a plurality of cells 20, one cell 20 is used in a plurality of programs 60, that is, one cell 20 is used in a plurality of different programs 60. It is also possible to reuse the so-called cell 20 to be reproduced.

  Here, the number of one cell 20 is handled as a cell ID number when the cell 20 is handled in the physical format shown in FIG. 1 (shown as cell ID # in FIG. 1), and is shown in FIG. When handled in the logical format, the cell numbers are handled in the order of description in PGCI described later.

  Next, by combining a plurality of programs 60, one PGC (Program Chain) 61 is logically configured based on the intention of the producer. The above-described PGCI (Program Chain Information) is defined in units of the PGC 61, and the reproduction order of the cells 20 for each program 60 when the respective programs 60 are reproduced (the program 60 depends on the reproduction order). A unique program number is assigned to each cell.), The address of the recording position of each cell 20 on the DVD 1, the number of the first cell 20 to be reproduced in one program 60, the reproduction method of each program 60 [this embodiment When recording information on the DVD 1 in the form, random playback (random playback by random numbers, the same program 60 may be played multiple times), shuffle playback (random numbers similar to random playback) during playback. However, the same program 60 is played only once, and the same program 60 Produces a playback method based on either one of loop playback and random playback or shuffle playback, which is not played back several times) or loop playback (playing back one PGC 61 many times). The user can select and play back. ] And various commands (commands that can be specified by the producer for each PGC 61 or cell 20). As described above, the recording position of the PGCI on the DVD 1 is in the control data 11 or in the control data (not shown) in the video manager 2 if it is a PGCI related to a menu in the video manager 2 ( (See FIG. 1).

  In addition to the PGCI, one PGC 61 includes data such as substantial video and audio as a combination of programs 60 (in other words, a combination of cells 20).

  Furthermore, in one PGC 61, it is possible to reuse the cell 20 shown in the description of the program 60 (that is, the same cell 20 is used by different PGC 61). The cell 20 to be used is reproduced regardless of the order stored in the DVD 1 in addition to the method of reproducing the cells 20 in the order stored in the recording tracks on the DVD 1 (reproduction of continuously arranged cells). The producer can select a method (for example, reproduction of non-continuously arranged cells) (for example, the cell 20 recorded later on the recording track is reproduced first).

  Next, one title 62 is logically configured by one or a plurality of PGCs 61. The title 62 is a unit corresponding to, for example, one movie, and is complete information that the producer wants to provide to the viewer of the DVD 1.

  One or more titles 62 logically constitute one VTS 63. The titles 62 included in the VTS 63 have common attributes. For example, a movie in a different language corresponds to each title 62 for one same movie. Further, information corresponding to one VTS 63 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to information included in one VTS 3 shown in FIG. That is, all information included in the logical VTS 63 shown in FIG. 3 is recorded on the DVD 1 as one VTS 3.

  Based on the logical format described above, the producer designates the information divided in the physical structure on the DVD 1 to form a video (movie or the like) to be viewed by the viewer.

  In the description of the physical structure shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that a plurality of cells 20 are recorded in the order of ID numbers in order to facilitate understanding of the contents. In some cases, one cell 20 may be divided and recorded into a plurality of interleaved units IU shown in FIG.

  That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the manufacturer configures one PGC 61A by the cells 20 having ID numbers 1, 2, and 4, and the other PGC 61B by the cells 20 having ID numbers 1, 3, and 4. Considering the case, when reproducing information from the DVD 1 based on the PGC 61A, only the cell 20 having ID numbers 1, 2, and 4 is reproduced, and when reproducing information from the DVD 1 based on the PGC 61B, Only the cell 20 having the ID numbers 1, 3 and 4 is reproduced. In this case, if the cell 20 is recorded separately for each ID number, for example, in the case of the PGC 61A, from the recording position on the DVD 1 of the cell 20 of ID number 2 on the DVD 1 of the cell 20 of ID number 4 It takes time to jump the pickup for playback to the recording position of, and depending on the capacity of the track buffer in the playback apparatus described later, the cell 20 with ID number 2 and the cell 20 with ID number 4 may be played back continuously. (Hereinafter referred to as seamless playback).

  Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 4, the input signal input to the cell 20 with ID number 2 and the cell 20 with ID number 3 is temporarily stopped according to the input / output processing speed in the track buffer. The interleaved unit IU having a length that does not impair the continuity of the output signal (that is, even if the input signal to the track buffer is interrupted due to the pickup jumping only during one interleaved unit IU) When the output signal from each is disassembled and recorded in an interleaved unit IU of a length that can be continuously output, for example, when reproducing based on the PGC 61A, the cell 20 corresponding to the ID number 2 is configured. Only the interleaved unit IU is continuously detected and reproduced. Similarly, when reproducing based on the PGC 61B, only the interleaved unit IU constituting the cell 20 corresponding to the ID number 3 is continuously detected and reproduced. As described above, the length of the interleaved unit IU is determined in consideration of the capacity of the track buffer, and in addition to the performance of a drive mechanism such as a slider motor for performing track jumping. May be.

  As described above, by recording one cell 20 divided into a plurality of interleaved units IU according to the intention of the producer, the track can be reproduced even when the PGC 61 including the cell 20 with the skipped ID number is reproduced. The signal output from the buffer is not interrupted, so that the viewer can view the reproduced video without interruption.

  The interleaved unit IU is formed so as to be completed within one VOB 10, and one interleaved unit IU does not straddle a plurality of adjacent VOBs 10. Further, regarding the relationship between the interleaved unit IU and the VOB unit 30, one or more VOB units 30 are included in one interleaved unit IU, and one VOB unit 30 is included in one interleaved unit IU. It is configured to be completed, and one VOB unit 30 is not divided and straddles a plurality of interleaved units IU.

  Next, out of the various control information having the above physical structure and logical structure, address information (hereinafter referred to as time unit address information) indicating a data address for each time unit constructed in each PGCI, and each PGCI A configuration related to the cell information table built in and the VOBU search information built in the DSI packet of each navigation pack will be described.

  First, the time unit address information will be described with reference to FIGS. The time unit address information 200 shown in FIG. 5 is described in PGCI (Program Chain Information) included in the control data 11 recorded at the head of the VTS 3 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the time unit address information 200 includes time unit address information # 1, # 2,..., #N,..., #N for each time unit before compression (for example, every 10 seconds) in each cell. It is configured. Each time unit address information #n indicates the head address of the VOBU including the data recording position corresponding to the time unit #n, that is, the address of the navigation pack located at the head of the VOBU. Here, since “time unit” is a unit of time before compression, referring to this time unit address information 200, a VOBU including a data recording position corresponding to the time specified in the time search is referred to. The VOBU located in the vicinity can be specified (that is, roughly searched) with an accuracy according to the time unit (for example, about 10 seconds).

  In FIG. 5, each time unit address information #n consists of 32-bit data. Particularly in the present embodiment, the first 1 bit of the time unit address information #n (n = 1... N) is composed of the discontinuity flag 201, and the subsequent 31 bits are composed of the address data 202.

  Here, the address data 202 is binary data composed of 31 bits of bits b0 to b30 indicating the head address (that is, the address of the navigation pack) of the VOBU including the data recording position corresponding to the unit time #n. .

  On the other hand, the discontinuity flag 201 indicates that the VOBU having the head address indicated by the unit time address information #n and the VOBU having the head address indicated by the next unit time address information # n + 1 are included in the same cell. This is data consisting of 1 bit of bit b31 indicating whether it is included in different cells by the value “0” or “1”. That is, this flag is set to indicate that there is a discontinuous portion of the cell before the next time unit address (the bit value is “1”), and the DVD is recorded by the producer. It can be raised when

  Therefore, when the present embodiment is played back by a playback device described later, the discontinuity flag is referred to, and the case where the flag is set and the case where the flag is not set are classified according to different algorithms. A time search can be performed. Here, when the discontinuity flag is not set, it is sufficient to perform a search within the same cell, so that the algorithm is relatively simple. Furthermore, a cell is, for example, a relatively few tens of minutes. Since the discontinuity flag cannot be set in most cases because it consists of a long time, it is very advantageous to make it possible to use different algorithms in this way, as will be described later.

  Also, in the present embodiment, in particular, the producer wants to prohibit playback during the time search (for example, in an educational program, it is prohibited to search for the “answer” part without looking at the “problem”). In this case, for the time unit corresponding to the portion to be prohibited from reproduction, the content of the time unit address information #n is “0” (in FIG. 5, all the bits b0 to b30 of the address data 202 are “0”). Next, the time unit address information # n + 1 is described from the time unit corresponding to the part for which the reproduction prohibition is canceled. Therefore, when playback by a playback device described later is performed, by referring to this time unit address information 200, if the portion corresponding to the time specified in the time search is prohibited from being played back in cell units or the like, Without actually performing a search (sliding the pickup toward the search target), it is possible to quickly stop the search operation by displaying on the display that the search is impossible.

  Next, the cell information table will be described with reference to FIGS. The PGCI included in the control data 11 recorded at the head of the VTS 3 shown in FIG. 1 further includes a cell information table 300 shown in FIG. 6 for each of a plurality of cells included in the corresponding PGC.

  In FIG. 6, the cell information table 300 includes 4-byte C_CAT (cell category) data 301 indicating the category of each cell, and 4-byte C_PBTM (cell playback time) indicating the time required to reproduce each cell. ) Data 302, 4-byte C_FVOBU_SA (cell first VOBU start address) data 303 indicating the start address of the first VOBU in each cell, and 4-byte C indicating the start address of the last VOBU in each cell _LVOBU _SA (cell-last VOBU start address) data 304. Therefore, in the playback apparatus described later, by referring to the cell information table 300 and the time unit address information 200 described above, the VOBU including the data recording position corresponding to the time specified in the time search is in which cell. It is possible to specify whether or not it exists.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the cell information table includes information indicating the start address of the first and last VOBU in each cell, but information indicating the start address of the last VOBU (C_LVOBU_SA data 304). ), The size (number of bytes) of each cell may be included. That is, even in this way, the head address of the last VOBU of each cell can be easily specified.

  Next, VOBU search information will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 7, and FIG. The DSI packet 51 in the navigation pack 41 shown in FIG. 1 includes several VOBUs 30 that are located at the head of the navigation pack 41, as shown in FIG. VOBU search information 400 indicating the head addresses of several hundred VOBUs 30 is entered.

  In FIG. 7, VOBU search information 400 includes a predetermined time unit (for example, about 0.5 second unit) × m (for example, m = 1, 2,...) From the playback time of the VOBU 30 in a cell including the VOBU 30. 240) from the start address of the VOBU 30 including the data to be played back after a time equal to the time equal to 240) and the playback time of the VOBU 30, a predetermined time unit (for example, about 0.5 second unit) × m (for example, m = 1, 2,..., 240), the start address of the VOBU 30 including the data to be played back by the time before is described separately before and after that and by the m. In the table of FIG. 7, “m predetermined time unit (m = 1, 2,..., 240)” in the “content” column means “m times as long as the above-mentioned predetermined time unit”. The symbol “FWDA” in the “data name” column indicates “forward”, the symbol “BWDA” indicates “return”, and “1, 2,... The number 240 ″ indicates the value of m. Therefore, for example, “FWDA60” is the start address of the VOBU30 including the data to be played back by a time equal to the unit time × 60 (future) from the VOBU30 (in the “content” column of the table of FIG. 7). “BWDA20” indicates data to be played back by a time equal to unit time × 20 (in the past) from VOBU30. The head address of the included VOBU 30 (the address corresponding to “the head address of the VOBU 20 hours before in the“ content ”column of the table of FIG. 7)” is shown. Also, as shown in the table of FIG. 7, each FWDAm data and BWDam data has a size of 4 bytes, and the VOBU search information 400 as a whole has a size of 152 bytes.

  As described above, the VOBU search information 400 is completed within the cell, that is, it is valid only in the range of the cell including the DSI packet in which the VOBU search information 400 is inserted. Accordingly, in the DSI packet included in the VOBU navigation pack located at both ends of the cell, the VOBU search information 400 does not exist on the way, but in this case, there is no valid information to be described. As a special value, “0” or “1” is arranged for all bits, or “0” is arranged for the forward direction and “1” is arranged for the backward direction for all bits, At the time of reproduction, it is indicated that the VOBU search information 400 does not exist effectively in that portion.

  The reason why the VOBU search information 400 is completed in the cell as described above is as follows. That is, the PGC changes from cell # 1 (for example, the cell corresponding to “problem”) to cell # 2 (for example, the cell corresponding to “correct”) or cell # 3 (for example, “incorrect answer” as shown in FIG. When the cell has an interactive configuration having a cell branch such as proceeding from cell # 2 or cell # 3 to cell # 4 (for example, the cell corresponding to the next “problem”). The VOBU that advances from cell # 1 and the VOBU that returns to the front from cell # 4 are also unknown (ie, depending on whether the viewer's answer is “correct” or “incorrect”, for example) VOBU search information 400 cannot be defined beyond the cell boundary.

  Here, the data structure in the DSI packet including the VOBU search information 400 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, information included in the DSI packet is navigation information having contents specific to each VOBU 30 for performing search and seamless playback for the VOBU 30 headed by the navigation pack 41. For example, VOBU 32-byte DSI general information that is general information for performing a search for 146-byte, 146-byte seamless reproduction information for performing a search during seamless reproduction, and a 36-byte seamless angle for performing angle reproduction seamlessly Information, 152 bytes of VOBU search information 400 shown in FIG. 7, 144 bytes of information for synchronous reproduction, and 507 bytes of free space for system expansion. Here, the DSI general information includes elapsed time information indicating the playback start time of the VOBU including the DSI.

  As described above, referring to the VOBU search information 400 included in the DSI packet in each navigation pack, as long as the search target VOBU is in the same cell, the time unit address is used as described above in the time search. With reference to the VOBU roughly searched by the information 200, it is possible to specify which VOBU positioned before and after the roughly searched VOBU is the VOBU searched for.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the time unit address information 200 and the cell information table 300 are constructed in each PGCI, and the VOBU search information 400 is constructed in each DSI packet. . Therefore, when it is determined that a cell is continuous from a VOBU that is roughly searched according to the discontinuity flag 201 to a search target VOBU during a time search in a playback apparatus described later, the VOBU search information 400 is used. A search target VOBU can be easily searched. In addition, if it is found that there is a possibility that a cell is discontinuous between these VOBUs, it is possible to perform a search operation after executing a process for determining whether or not the cell is discontinuous. It becomes. If it is not discontinuous, the search target VOBU is easily identified as in the case where the discontinuity flag is not set, and if it is discontinuous, the VOBU to be roughly searched is moved forward or backward. Then, the search operation can be performed.

  Further, the playback device described later refers to the time unit address information 200, so that the part for which the search is prohibited in advance in cell units or the like before the video data and audio data in the PGC are actually searched and played back. Since it can be recognized, the search operation to the prohibited cell or the like can be quickly stopped.

  Such an operation according to the present embodiment will become more apparent from the description of the operation of the reproducing apparatus for reproducing the DVD according to the present embodiment, which will be described later. Note that the above DVD is relatively complicated and requires a large amount of information, for example, to display a plurality of displays according to the contents of the “answer” input by the viewer after displaying the “problem”. The above recording format is particularly effective when applied to the DVD 1 because it has a large storage capacity that can be recorded on an optical disc.

(II) Embodiment of Recording Apparatus Next, an embodiment of a recording apparatus for recording the control information, video information and audio information on the DVD 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the configuration and operation of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the recording device S1 according to the embodiment includes a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) 70, a memory 71, a signal processing unit 72, a hard disk (HD) device 73, and a hard disk (HD) device 74. , A controller 75, a multiplexer 76, a modulator 77, and a mastering device 78. In the present embodiment, an example of access information generating means is configured from the signal processing unit 72, and recording is performed from the hard disk device 73, hard disk (HD) device 74, controller 75, multiplexer 76, modulator 77, and mastering device 78. The cue sheet ST and the memory 71 constitute an example of input means.

  Next, the operation will be described. In the VTR 70, recording information R which is a material such as music information and video information to be recorded on the DVD 1 is temporarily recorded. The recording information R temporarily recorded in the VTR 70 is output to the signal processing unit 72 in response to a request from the signal processing unit 72.

  The signal processing unit 72 performs A / D conversion on the recording information R output from the VTR 1, compresses the information by the MPEG2 method, time-multiplexes the music information and the video information, and outputs the compressed multiplexed signal Sr. Thereafter, the output compressed multiplexed signal Sr is temporarily stored in the hard disk device 73.

  In parallel with these, the memory 71 predivides the recording information R into partial recording information Pr, and inputs in advance based on a cue sheet ST on which control information defined by the producer regarding each partial recording information Pr is described. The content information related to the partial recording information Pr is temporarily stored and output as a content information signal Si based on a request from the signal processing unit 72.

  Based on the time code Tt corresponding to the recording information R output from the VTR 70 and the content information signal Si output from the memory 71, the signal processing unit 72 generates a DSI information signal Sdsi corresponding to the partial recording information Pr and The PCI information signal Spci is generated and output, and the DSI information signal Sdsi and the PCI information signal Spci are temporarily stored in the hard disk device 74.

  The above processing is executed for the entire recording information R. When the above processing is completed for all of the recording information R, the controller 75 reads the compressed multiplexed signal Sr from the hard disk device 73 and also reads the DSI information signal Sdsi and the PCI information signal Spci from the hard disk device 74, and additional information based on them. DA is generated and stored in the hard disk device 74. This is because some control signals have contents determined by the generation result of the compressed multiplexed signal Sr. On the other hand, the controller 75 performs time management of the operations of the signal processing unit 72, the hard disk device 73, and the hard disk device 74, and sends the DSI information signal Sdsi and the PCI information signal Spci corresponding to the additional information DA from the hard disk device 74. The information selection signal Scc for time-multiplexing the compressed multiplexed signal Sr and the additional information signal Sa is generated and output while being read out and output.

  Thereafter, the compressed multiplexed signal Sr and the additional information signal Sa are time-axis multiplexed by the multiplexer 76 based on the information selection signal Scc and output as an information added compressed multiplexed signal Sap. If sub-picture information exists, it is input to the signal processing unit 72 by other means such as a hard disk device (not shown) and processed in the same way as image and audio information.

  Then, the modulator 77 applies an error correction code (ECC) such as a Reed-Solomon code and modulation such as 8-16 modulation to the output information-added compressed multiplexed signal Sap to generate a disc recording signal Sm. To the mastering device 78.

  Finally, the mastering device 78 records the disk recording signal Sm on a stamper disk that becomes a master (cutting die) when manufacturing the optical disk. Then, an optical disk as a replica disk that is generally marketed, that is, DVD 1 is manufactured by a replication device (not shown) using this stamper disk.

  Next, the detailed operation of the recording apparatus S1 that records the time unit address information, the cell information table, and the VOBU search information on the master disk will be described. Based on the DSI information signal Sdsi and the compressed multiplexed signal Sr, the controller 75 performs navigation corresponding to the compressed multiplexed signal Sr constituting the VOBU for each predetermined time unit (for example, every 0.5 seconds) before compression for fine search. The top address of the pack is calculated, and each address data (FWDA1, 2,... And BWDA1, 2,...) Constituting the VOBU search information 400 shown in FIG. 7 is sequentially generated so as to be completed in each cell. The additional information DA is temporarily stored in a predetermined location of the hard disk device 74 as a part of the additional information DA. At this time, if there is no valid VOBU search information 400 at both ends of the cell, data indicating a value of “0” or “1” is generated for all bits, or forward for all bits. On the other hand, data indicating a value of “0” and “1” in the backward direction is generated and stored.

  Further, the controller 75, based on the DSI information signal Sdsi and the compressed multiplexed signal Sr, performs navigation corresponding to the compressed multiplexed signal Sr constituting the VOBU for each predetermined time unit (for example, every 10 seconds) before compression for the coarse search. The top address of the pack is calculated, and address data 202 constituting the time unit address information 200 shown in FIG. 5 is sequentially generated, and is added to a predetermined location of the hard disk device 74 as a part of the additional information DA corresponding to each PGC. Store temporarily. At this time, it is further determined whether or not the cells to which the VOBUs indicated by the continuous address data 202 belong are different. If they are different, the discontinuity flag 201 is turned on and the time unit address information 200 is generated. If there is no difference, the time unit address information 200 is generated with this turned off. Further, the controller 75 obtains the playback time of each cell, the start address of the navigation pack of the first VOBU in each cell, and the start address of the navigation pack of the last VOBU in each cell, and the cell information table shown in FIG. 300 is generated for each PGC and is temporarily stored in a predetermined location of the hard disk device 74 as a part of the additional information DA corresponding to each PGC.

  Here, the controller 75 outputs an information selection signal Scc indicating that the additional information DA consisting of the time unit address information 200 and the cell information table 300 to be placed at a predetermined position in the PGCI in the control data of each VTS should be selected. Then, the multiplexer 76 is switched to the additional information signal Sa side. The time unit address information 200 and the cell information table 300 are input to the modulator 77 as a part of the additional information signal Sa multiplexed at this time, and further input to the mastering device 78 as a part of the disk recording signal Sm. The

  Further, when the controller outputs an information selection signal Scc indicating that the additional information DA consisting of VOBU search information 400 to be placed at a predetermined position in the DSI packet included in the navigation pack of the first VOBU in this VTS is to be selected. The VOBU search information 400 is input to the modulator 77 as a part of the additional information signal Sa multiplexed at this time, and further input to the mastering device 78 as a part of the disc recording signal Sm.

  Next, when the controller outputs an information selection signal Scc indicating that the compressed multiplexed signal Sr to be inserted into the video pack, audio pack,... Following this navigation pack is to be output, the multiplexer 76 is connected to the compressed multiplexed signal Sr side. The video data and audio data corresponding to the VOBU search information 400 written immediately before in the DSI packet are sequentially input to the modulator 77 as a part of the information-added compressed signal Sap, and the disc recording signal Sm It is input to the mastering device 78 as a part.

  Subsequently, when the controller outputs an information selection signal Scc indicating that the additional information DA consisting of the VOBU search information 400 to be included in the DSI packet included in the next VOBU navigation pack is to be selected, the multiplexer 76 adds the additional information DA. It is switched again to the information signal Sa side. The VOBU search information 400 is input to the modulator 77 as a part of the additional information signal Sa multiplexed at this time, and further input to the mastering device 78 as a part of the disc recording signal Sm.

  By repeating this operation for a plurality of VOBUs, the VOBU search information 400 shown in FIG. 7 completed in each cell is put in the DSI packet of the navigation pack of each VOBU, and each video pack, audio pack, .. Is filled with the compressed multiplexed signal Sr in a form corresponding to the navigation pack, and recording of one VTS is completed. Further, this recording operation is repeated for a plurality of VTSs, and in the PGCI of the control data of each VTS, the time unit address information 200 shown in FIG. 5 and the cell information table 300 shown in FIG. 6 are constructed, Recording of one DVD is finished.

  As described above in detail, according to the recording apparatus S1 of the present embodiment, the master disk of the DVD 1 described in the above-mentioned “(I) Embodiment of information recording medium” can be created.

(III) Embodiment of Playback Device Next, an embodiment of a playback device for playing back information recorded on the DVD 1 by the recording device S1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the configuration and operation of the playback apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the playback device S2 according to the embodiment includes a pickup 80, a demodulation / correction unit 81, stream switches 82 and 84, a track buffer 83, and a system buffer 85 that constitute an example of a reading unit. Demultiplexer 86, VBV (Video Buffer Verifier) buffer 87, video decoder 88, sub picture buffer 89, sub picture decoder 90, mixer 91, audio buffer 92, audio decoder 93, and PCI buffer 94, a PCI decoder 95, a highlight buffer 96, a highlight decoder 97, an input unit 98, a display 99, a system controller 100, a drive controller 101, a spindle motor 102, and a slider motor 103. Has been. The configuration shown in FIG. 11 describes only the portion related to video and audio playback in the configuration of the playback device S2, and servos for servo control of the pickup 80, the spindle motor 102, the slider motor 103, and the like. Since the circuit and the like are the same as those of the prior art, the description and detailed description are omitted. In this embodiment, the slider motor 103 constitutes an example of a moving unit. Further, the demodulation / correction unit 81, the stream switches 82 and 84, the track buffer 83, the system buffer 85, the demultiplexer 86, the VBV (Video Buffer Verifier) buffer 87, the video decoder 88, and the sub-picture buffer 89 The sub picture decoder 90, the mixer 91, the audio buffer 92, the audio decoder 93, the PCI buffer 94, the PCI decoder 95, the highlight buffer 96, and the highlight decoder 97 constitute an example of a demodulating means. Has been. Further, an example of a specifying unit is configured from the input unit 98, and an example of a target setting unit and a control unit is configured from the system controller 100.

  Next, the overall operation will be described. The pickup 80 includes a laser diode, a deflection beam splitter, an objective lens, a photodetector, and the like (not shown). The pickup 80 irradiates the DVD 1 with the light beam B as reproduction light, and reflects the reflected light from the DVD 1 on the light beam B. It receives light and outputs a detection signal Sp corresponding to the information pit formed on the DVD 1. At this time, the light beam B is accurately applied to the information track on the DVD 1 and is focused on the information recording surface on the DVD 1 with respect to an objective lens (not shown) in the same manner as in the prior art. Thus, tracking servo control and focus servo control are performed.

  The detection signal Sp output from the pickup 80 is input to the demodulation and correction unit 81, subjected to demodulation processing and error correction processing to generate a demodulation signal Sdm, and is output to the stream switch 82 and the system buffer 85.

  The stream switch 82 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is input is controlled to open and close by the switch signal Ssw1 from the drive controller 101. When the stream switch 82 is closed, the input demodulated signal Sdm is directly passed through and output to the track buffer 83. On the other hand, when the stream switch 82 is opened, the demodulated signal Sdm is not output, and unnecessary information (signal) is not input to the track buffer 83.

  The track buffer 83 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is input is configured by a FIFO (First In First Out) memory or the like, temporarily stores the input demodulated signal Sdm, and when the stream switch 84 is closed, The stored demodulated signal Sdm is continuously output. The track buffer 83 compensates for the difference in data amount for each GOP in the MPEG2 system, and is discontinuous due to the track jump in the seamless playback described above when reading the data divided into the interleaved units IU. The demodulated signal Sdm that is input to is continuously output, and the reproduction interruption due to the discontinuity is eliminated.

  The stream switch 84 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is continuously input is used in the system so that in the demultiplexing process in the demultiplexer 86, the various buffers in the subsequent stage do not overflow or conversely become empty and the decoding process is not interrupted. Opening and closing is controlled by a switch signal Ssw2 from the controller 100.

  On the other hand, the system buffer 85 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is input in parallel with the track buffer 83 is detected first when the DVD 1 is loaded and the video manager related to the entire information recorded on the DVD 1 and the control data of the VTS 3 ( 1) and is output to the system controller 100 as control information SC, and the DSI packet 51 for each of the navigation packs 41 is temporarily stored as needed during information reproduction, and the control information is stored in the system controller 100. Output as SC.

  In the demultiplexer 86 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is continuously input via the stream switch 84, the video information, audio information, sub-video information, and the PCI packet 50 for each navigation pack 41 are separated from the demodulated signal Sdm. The signal Sv, the sub video signal Ssp, the audio signal Sad, and the PCI signal Spc are output to the VBV buffer 87, the sub picture buffer 89, the audio buffer 92, and the PCI buffer 94, respectively. Note that the demodulated signal Sdm may include a plurality of languages as separate streams as audio information or sub-picture information. In this case, the desired language is determined by the stream selection signal Slc from the system controller 100. Are selected and output to the audio buffer 92 or the sub-picture buffer 89, respectively.

  The VBV buffer 87 to which the video signal Sv is input is constituted by a FIFO memory or the like, temporarily stores the video signal Sv, and outputs it to the video decoder 88. The VBV buffer 87 is for compensating for variations in the data amount for each picture in the video signal Sv compressed by the MPEG2 system. Then, the video signal Sv compensated for the variation in the data amount is input to the video decoder 88, demodulated by the MPEG2 system, and output to the mixer 91 as a demodulated video signal Svd.

  On the other hand, the sub picture buffer 89 to which the sub video signal Ssp is input temporarily stores the input sub video signal Ssp and outputs it to the sub picture decoder 90. The sub picture buffer 89 is for outputting the sub video information included in the sub video signal Ssp in synchronization with the video information corresponding to the sub video information. Then, the sub video signal Ssp synchronized with the video information is input to the sub picture decoder 90, demodulated, and output to the mixer 91 as a demodulated sub video signal Sspd.

  When the sub-video signal Ssp includes video information for configuring a frame, a selection button, etc. necessary for configuring and displaying the menu screen, a highlight control signal from the system controller 100 is displayed. Based on Sch, the display state of a selection button or the like to be displayed is changed and output.

  The demodulated video signal Svd output from the video decoder 88 and the demodulated sub-video signal Sspd output from the sub-picture decoder 90 (synchronized with the corresponding demodulated video signal Svd) are mixed by the mixer 91, The video signal Svp to be finally displayed is output to a display unit such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) (not shown).

  Next, the audio buffer 92 to which the audio signal Sad is input is configured by a FIFO memory or the like, and temporarily stores the input audio signal Sad and outputs it to the audio decoder 93. The audio buffer 92 is for outputting the audio signal Sad in synchronization with the video signal Sv or the sub-video signal Ssp including the corresponding video information, and delays the audio signal Sad according to the output status of the corresponding video information. Let The audio signal Sad time-adjusted so as to synchronize with the corresponding video information is output to the audio decoder 93, subjected to predetermined decoding, and output as a demodulated audio signal Sadd to a speaker (not shown) or the like. When it is detected that it is necessary to temporarily interrupt (pause) the playback immediately after access, the system controller 100 outputs a pause signal Sca to the audio decoder 93, and the audio decoder 93 The output of the demodulated audio signal Sadd is temporarily stopped.

  Further, the PCI buffer 94 to which the PCI signal Spc is input is configured by a FIFO memory or the like, and temporarily stores the input PCI signal Spc and outputs it to the PCI decoder 95. The PCI buffer 94 synchronizes the PCI packet 50 included in the PCI signal Spc with the video information, audio information, sub-video information, and the like corresponding to the PCI packet 50, and PCI This is for applying the packet 50. Then, the PCI signal Spc synchronized with the corresponding video information or sub-picture information by the PCI buffer 94 is separated from the highlight information included in the PCI packet 50 by the PCI decoder 95, and is sent to the highlight buffer 96 as the highlight signal Shi. In addition to being output, a portion other than the highlight information of the PCI packet 50 is output to the system controller 100 as a PCI information signal Spci.

  The highlight buffer 96 to which the highlight signal Shi is input is composed of a FIFO memory or the like, temporarily stores the input highlight signal Shi, and outputs it to the highlight decoder 97. The highlight buffer 96 is a time for accurately changing the display state of the selection item corresponding to the highlight information in response to the sub-video signal Ssp including the video information for the highlight information. This is a buffer for performing axis compensation. The highlight signal Shi subjected to time axis compensation is decoded by the highlight decoder 97, and information included in the highlight signal Shi is output to the system controller 100 as a demodulated highlight signal Shid. Here, the system controller 100 outputs the above-described highlight control signal Sch in order to change the display state based on the highlight information based on the demodulated highlight signal Shid.

  The system controller 100 corresponds to the control information Sc input from the system buffer 85, the PCI information signal Spci input from the PCI decoder 95, and the input signal Sin input from the input unit 98 such as a remote controller. In order to perform correct reproduction, the switch signal Ssw2, the language selection signal Slc, the pause signal Sca, and the highlight control signal Sch are output, and the display signal Sdp is displayed on the liquid crystal display device to display the operation status of the reproduction device S2. To the display 99.

  Further, when the system controller 100 detects from the control signal Sc or the aforementioned DSI data that the track jump processing such as search is necessary for seamless reproduction, the system controller 100 notifies the drive controller 101 of the track. A seamless control signal Scsl corresponding to the jump process is output. The drive controller 101 to which the seamless control signal Scsl is input outputs a drive signal Sd to the spindle motor 102 or the slider motor 103. In response to this drive signal Sd, the spindle motor 102 or the slider motor 103 moves the pickup 2 so that the light beam B is applied to the recording position on the DVD 1 to be reproduced (see the broken line arrow in FIG. 11) and rotates the DVD 1. The number is controlled by CLV (constant linear velocity). In parallel with this, when the pickup 2 is moving and the demodulation signal Sdm is not output from the demodulation correction unit 81, the drive controller 101 outputs the switch signal Ssw1 based on the seamless control signal Scsl and opens the stream switch 82. At the same time, when the demodulated signal Sdm starts to be output, the stream switch 82 is closed and the demodulated signal Sdm is output to the track buffer 83.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, the system controller 100 preliminarily incorporates time unit address information (see FIG. 5) and a cell information table (see FIG. 6) described in the PGCI prior to reproduction of video and audio of each PGC. It is configured to store in a storage device such as a RAM. Therefore, a search for each time unit can be quickly performed according to the stored time unit address information and cell information table, and whether or not the content of the stored time unit address is “0”. The search prohibited portion can be determined before the actual search operation is executed.

  Next, the time search in the reproducing apparatus S2 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 11 and the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 12, when the time search is designated by the viewer via the input unit 98, the system controller 100 first refers to the control data of the VTS and acquires the current VTS number together with the current PGC number and the like. (Step S11). Next, the time unit address information 200 shown in FIG. 5 constructed in the PGCI stored in the control data of the VTS is acquired (step S12). In addition, regarding the processing of these steps S11 and S12, regardless of the time search, when each VTS is reproduced, the PGCI is reproduced in advance before the substantial information such as video and audio is reproduced. Then, it is executed so as to be stored in the RAM built in the controller 75 as an example of the storage means. However, the PGCI can be reproduced after the time search is designated.

  Here, assuming that the target time specified by the time search is ts and the unit time of the time unit address information is c (for example, 10 seconds), d = ts / c (however, the fractional part is rounded down). (Step S13). According to the integer value d, the time unit address acquired in step S12 is assumed to be the d-th time unit address information corresponding to the target time ts. The d-th time unit address is acquired from the information 200 (step S14). That is, in the present embodiment, the determination of the start address of the VOBU corresponding to the target time ts according to the calculation formula and the time unit address information 200 is referred to as “rough search of VOBU”. However, even if this calculation formula is rounded off or rounded up to the nearest decimal point, the time search can be executed with a slight modification to the following algorithm.

  Next, the discontinuity flag 201 shown in FIG. 5 corresponding to the acquired d-th unit time address is on, that is, the bit value “1”, or is off, that is, the bit value “ Whether it is “0” is determined by the system controller 100 (step S15).

  Here, if it is “1”, the cell to which the VOBU indicated by the d-th unit time address belongs is different from the cell to which the VOBU indicated by the d + 1-th unit time address belongs. Therefore, in this case, the cell to which the VOBU to be roughly searched belongs and the cell to which the search target VOBU including the data recording position corresponding to the target time ts belongs may be different. Here, “possible” is because there may be a search target VOBU on the side of the cell to which the roughly searched VOBU belongs. If these cells are different from each other, as described above, the VOBU search information 400 included in the DSI packet of each navigation pack is complete in each cell. In the search information, there is no search information for the search target VOBU belonging to this other cell. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, although a rough search can be performed based on the time unit address, a detailed search from there to the search target VOBU based on the VOBU search information is impossible. As a result, there is an inconvenience that the search target VOBU cannot be reached. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the case of FIG. 13 or FIG. 14, a fine search based on VOBU search information is performed from the opposite direction.

  Therefore, first, when the discontinuity flag is “1” in step S15, the cell including the target time ts is specified (step S16). The process of specifying this cell will be described for an example in which there are three cells as follows, for example.

Cell number Playback time First address Last address # 1 ta data ala
# 2 tb atb alb
# 3 tc atc alc
These values are obtained from the cell information table information 300 shown in FIG.

Here, which cell (# 1, # 2 or # 3) includes the target time ts of the time search is:
ts and ta;
ts and ta + tb; and ts and ta + tb + tc are respectively examined by checking the magnitude relationship.

Thereafter, the d-th time unit address as is obtained by the quotient d obtained by dividing ts by the time unit c. Which cell contains this as:
as and ata and ala;
as and atb and alb; and as and atc and alc
This is done by examining the size relationship of each.

  As described above, the cell including the target time ts is specified by the process of step S16. Next, it is determined whether or not the cell number of c × d (that is, the cell number including the VOBU that is roughly searched by the time unit address) matches the cell number b obtained in step S16 (step S16). S17). Here, if they do not match (step S17: NO), the VOBU to be roughly searched and the VOBU including the target time ts exist in different cells, and as described with reference to FIGS. Since it is impossible to search for the search target VOBU including the target time ts using the VOBU search information of the VOBU to be roughly searched, the system controller 100, this time, is the (d + 1) th time. A unit address is acquired (step S18). In this case, the VOBU indicated by the (d + 1) th time unit address, which is a coarsely searched VOBU, and the search target VOBU including the target time ts are in the same cell. Therefore, this coarsely searched VOBU This search target VOBU can be searched by using the VOBU search information 400 (see FIG. 7).

  Next, the system controller 100 determines whether or not the (d + 1) th time unit address is equal to “0” (step S19). As described above, among the time unit address data 202 shown in FIG. 5, “0” is entered for the data related to the cell for which search reproduction is prohibited by the producer. Therefore, in the system controller 100, if this address is “0” (step S19: YES), the fact that the search is impossible is displayed on the display (step S36), and the search is stopped. As described above, when the search is prohibited by the producer, the search is stopped at the pre-processing stage by the system controller 100 before the actual search operation (ie, the pickup is slid toward the search target). It can be very convenient.

  On the other hand, if the time unit address is not “0” in step S19 (step S19: NO), the search is not prohibited, so the process proceeds to step S20, and the actual search operation is performed.

  On the other hand, if the discontinuity flag is “0” in step S15, the coarsely searched VOBU and the search target VOBU are in the same cell, so in the case of inconvenience as shown in FIGS. The search target VOBU can be searched according to the VOBU search information 400 of the roughly searched VOBU. Therefore, in this case, the process branches to step S30, and similarly to step S19, the system controller 100 determines whether or not the d-th time unit address is equal to “0” (step S30). If this address is “0” (step S30: YES), the fact that the search is impossible is displayed on the display (step S36), and the search is stopped.

  On the other hand, if the time unit address is not “0” in step S30 (step S30: NO), the search is not prohibited, so the process proceeds to step S20, and the actual search operation is performed.

  Steps S11 to S19 and S30 described above are preprocessing for efficiently and appropriately performing an actual search operation performed by the system controller 100 before actually moving the pickup toward the search target.

  The actual search operation in step S20 is performed as follows. That is, when the process branches from step S19 to step S20, in step S21, it is picked up to the recording position of the DSI (Navipack) corresponding to the (d + 1) th time unit address under the control of the system controller 100. Is moved. That is, the DSI corresponding to the (d + 1) th time unit address is searched (step S21). Subsequently, the current time tc in the VOBU searched roughly as described above is acquired (step S22) and compared with the target time ts (step S23). Here, the current time tc is obtained by referring to elapsed time information described in general information in DSI. In step S23, if tc ≦ ts is not satisfied (step S23: NO), according to DSI, a jump is made backward by one DSI (VOBU) (step S24), and the process returns to step S22. That is, in this case, as shown in FIG. 15, a rough search is performed not on the VOBU indicated by the d-th time unit address but on the VOBU indicated by the d + 1-th time unit address. A fine search (search for each VOBU) is performed backward.

  On the other hand, if tc ≦ ts in step S23 (step S23: YES), a time difference tr between the target time and the current time is calculated by tr = ts−tc (step S25), and along the recording track on the disc. Reproduction of the VOBU to which the searched DSI belongs is started (step S26), and waiting for the frame at the recording position corresponding to the time difference tr from the beginning of the VOBU is reproduced (step S27). (Step S27: YES), the output of the video, audio, sub-video, and the like by the display and speaker is started from the reproduced frame (Step S28).

  On the other hand, if the process branches from step S30 to step S20, the pickup is moved to the recording position of the DSI (Navipack) corresponding to the d-th time unit address under the control of the system controller 100 in step S31. The That is, the DSI corresponding to the d-th time unit address is searched (step S31). Subsequently, the current time tc in the VOBU searched roughly as described above is acquired (step S32) and compared with the target time ts (step S33). Here, if tc> ts is not satisfied (step S33: NO), according to DSI, jump forward by one DSI (VOBU) (step S34), and the process returns to step S32. That is, in this case, as shown in FIG. 16, a rough search is performed to the VOBU corresponding to the d-th time unit address, and a fine search (search for each VOBU) is performed forward from this position. It is done.

  On the other hand, if tc> ts in step S33 (step S33: YES), the immediately preceding VOBU is nothing but the search target VOBU, so according to DSI, jump backward by one DSI (VOBU) ( Step S35), the process proceeds to step S25. This fine search is based on the remainder e after coarsely searching the VOBU in step S31 (based on d) in consideration of the remainder e of the calculation d = ts / c used in step S13 described above. Thus, for example, a fine search may be performed using VOBU search information up to a position advanced by e frame.

  As described above, in the reproduction apparatus S2 of the present embodiment, the time search is quickly performed as a whole by a relatively simple algorithm. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the time unit address information 200 (see FIG. 5) and the cell information table 300 (see FIG. 6) constructed in each PGCI, and the VOBU constructed in each DSI packet. When the search information 400 (see FIG. 7) is used, if it is found that a cell is continuous from the VOBU that is roughly searched according to the discontinuity flag 201 to the search target VOBU during the time search, the search information 400 (see FIG. 7) The actual search operation S20 is performed on the premise that the search target VOBU can be searched by the VOBU search information of the VOBU to be searched (without performing the complicated comparison operation processing as shown in steps S16 to S18). Just do it. Further, when it is found that there is a possibility that the cell is discontinuous between the coarsely searched VOBU and the search target VOBU according to the discontinuity flag 201, the discontinuous portion is determined as both VOBUs. After executing steps S16 and S17 for determining whether or not it is located between, the VOBU to be roughly searched is changed to a VOBU of the same cell as the cell including the search target VOBU if necessary (step S18) The actual search operation S20 may be performed.

  Further, by referring to the time unit address information 200 provided in the PGCI before entering the actual search operation (step S20), the cell for which the search is prohibited can be recognized in advance. It becomes possible to stop the search to.

  In addition, compared with the conventional methods (I), (II), and (III) described above, the memory capacity required for the system controller 100 of the playback device S2 for storing VOBU search information is also different for each VOBU. If this VOBU search information is updated, for example, about 152 bytes (see FIG. 7) can be considerably reduced.

  Next, a time search method for performing a time search without using the above-described discontinuity flag as a first comparative example will be examined. The time search operation in this case is shown in FIG. In FIG. 17, the same steps as those shown in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 17, when a time search is instructed, the system computer 100 first performs the process of step S <b> 16, and identifies the cells including the target time ts for all cases. Subsequently, after the processing of steps S11 to S14 is performed, it is determined whether or not the roughly searched VOBU and the search target VOBU are in the same cell in step S17. Thereafter, the VOBU to be roughly searched is changed to the VOBU of another cell according to the determination result (step S18) or the process proceeds to step S20 as it is, and an actual search operation is performed.

  According to the first comparative example, the time search can be performed based on the time unit address information and the VOBU search information without using the discontinuity flag and without the inconvenience as shown in FIGS. In addition, the memory capacity required for the reproducing apparatus is considerably smaller than the conventional methods (I), (II) and (III) described above.

  However, the processing of step S16 and step S17 includes many comparison operation processes as described above, and the hardware and software burdens in the system controller 100 are large. It should be noted that it takes much longer than VOBU, which is several tens of minutes.

  For example, if there are 3 cells in a 120-minute PGC, if the time unit is 10 seconds, there will be 720 time unit addresses from 120 × 6 = 720. Because of the special processing of only three (0.4%) that are located, the remaining 717 (99.6%) time unit addresses are also identified with a heavy load cell as described above (step S16) and The process of comparison (step S17) must be performed, which is extremely inefficient as a whole.

  On the other hand, according to the time search by the playback device S2 of the present embodiment described above, by referring to the discontinuity flag, the case where this flag is set and the case where it is not set are divided into cases. Thus, the processing of identifying a heavy load (step S16) and the comparison (step S17) need not be executed in most cases, and the time search can be executed in a short time as a whole. It is very advantageous in comparison.

  Further, as a second comparative example, the applicants of the present application will examine a time search method for a DVD recorded at a variable compression rate proposed by Japanese Patent Application No. 7-166025, which has not yet been disclosed.

  That is, (i) additional information including reproduction prohibition information indicating a reproduction condition is added in advance for each fixed data group, and a reproduction condition defined in the reproduction prohibition information (for example, a condition that a predetermined reproduction procedure has been performed) If the playback device is constantly monitored to determine whether or not the playback conditions are satisfied, the video data and audio data following the playback prohibition information are monitored. A reproduction method for prohibiting reproduction; and (ii) additional information including reproduction prohibition information indicating a reference value for permitting reproduction for each fixed data group is added in advance, and a viewer's reproduction operation for the software Each playback device has a playback permission level that is determined according to the situation, and the relationship between the reference value included in the playback prohibition information and the playback permission level is large or small. Based on a reproduction method for inhibiting the reproduction of video data and audio data following the reproduction prohibition information is cited as a second comparative example.

  According to these comparative methods (i) and (ii), reproduction prohibition information is added for each data group. Therefore, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 18, when time search is designated, First, a coarse search is actually performed in units of time (step S51), and then a fine search is actually performed in units of compression (step S52), and only after the information is read out by the pickup moved to the data group portion. By referring to the reproduction prohibition information written in that portion (that is, in real time), it is determined whether or not reproduction of the information is prohibited (step S53). If reproduction is prohibited (step S53: YES), the display indicates that “searching is impossible” only after reaching this stage (step S54), and reproduction is stopped. On the other hand, if reproduction is not prohibited (step S53: NO), information is reproduced from the searched portion (step S55).

  As described above, according to the second comparative example, the pickup is actually slid to the recording position corresponding to the time designated by the slider motor before displaying that the search is impossible. Time-consuming and unsearchable results can be very frustrating for the viewer.

  On the other hand, according to the time search by the playback device S2 of the present embodiment described above, the content of the time unit address information is set to “0” for the portion where playback is prohibited, so this content is checked. Thus, before the pickup is actually moved toward the target, the fact that the search is impossible is immediately displayed and the search can be stopped, so that even if the search is impossible, there is no discomfort to the viewer.

  As described above, it can be understood from the comparison with the first and second comparative examples how the reproducing apparatus S2 of the present embodiment is superior in the technical field.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the physical structure of the data in DVD as one embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the frame image which comprises GOP in DVD of FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the logical structure of the data in DVD of FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the interleaved unit in DVD of FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the data structure of the time unit address information provided in DVD of FIG. 2 is a table showing a data structure of a cell information table provided in the DVD of FIG. 1. 3 is a table showing a data structure of VOBU search information provided in the DVD of FIG. 1. It is a conceptual diagram of PGC with the interactive structure which consists of a some cell in DVD of FIG. 2 is a table showing a data structure of DSI provided in the DVD of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram of the information recording device for recording the DVD of FIG. 1 as another embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the information reproducing | regenerating apparatus for reproducing | regenerating the DVD of FIG. 1 as other embodiment of this invention. 12 is a flowchart showing a time search of the information reproducing apparatus of FIG. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the general problem in a time search. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the general problem in a time search. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the time search of the information reproduction apparatus of FIG. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the time search of the information reproduction apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the time search in the information reproduction apparatus of a 1st comparative example. It is a flowchart which shows the time search in the information reproduction apparatus of the 2nd comparative example.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... DVD
2 ... Video Manager 3, 63 ... VTS
10 ... VOB
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Control data 20 ... Cell 30 ... VOB unit 41 ... Navi pack 42 ... Video data 43 ... Audio data 44 ... Sub picture data 50 ... PCI data 51 ... DSI data 60 ... Program 61, 61A, 61B ... PGC
62 ... Title 70 ... VTR
71 ... Memory 72 ... Signal processing unit 73 ... Hard disk device 74 ... Hard disk device 75 ... Controller 76 ... Multiplexer 77 ... Modulator 78 ... Mastering device 80 ... Pickup 81 ... Demodulation correction unit 82, 84 ... Stream switch 83 ... Track buffer 85 ... System buffer 86 ... Demultiplexer 87 ... VBV buffer 88 ... Video decoder 89 ... Sub picture buffer 90 ... Sub picture decoder 92 ... Audio buffer 93 ... Audio decoder 94 ... PCI buffer 95 ... PCI decoder 96 ... Highlight buffer 97 ... Highlight Decoder 98 ... Input unit 99 ... Display 100 ... System controller 101 ... Drive controller 102 ... Spindle motor 103 ... Slider motor 200 ... Time unit Dress information 201 ... discontinuity flag 202 ... address data 300 ... cell information table 400 ... VOBU search information S1 ... recording apparatus S2 ... reproducing apparatus DK ... optical ST ... cue sheet

Claims (12)

Read means is provided for reproducing and moving the read means relative to the recording track on which the record information is recorded and for accessing the record information based on the access information. An information recording medium having the recording track to be played back by a playback device capable of time search that moves across
A plurality of first data groups each including the recording information and the access information, which are units accessible by the playback device, and units that can be logically divided in playback by the playback device The first data group is divided into a plurality of second data groups each composed of a series of first data groups arranged along the recording track, and the recording information and the access information are placed on the recording track. Recorded,
The time unit address information indicating the addresses of the plurality of first data groups to which the recording information for each predetermined time unit belongs and the two addresses separated by one time unit by the time unit address information are the same. Management information including discontinuous information indicating whether or not it belongs to the second data group for each time unit address information is collectively recorded in a part of the recording track,
The access information includes first data group search information that indicates addresses of a plurality of first data groups belonging to the same second data group as the first data group including the access information in more detail than the time unit. A characteristic information recording medium.   When the time search into the second data group including the one address indicated by the time unit address information is prohibited, the time unit address information indicates that the one address is special to indicate the prohibition. The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the information recording medium is recorded with various values.   The management information includes the reproduction time of each second data group, the address of the first data group located first in each second data group, and the first data group located last in each second data group. 3. The information recording medium according to claim 1, further comprising second data group information indicating addresses.   The at least part of the recording information is recorded by being compressed at a variable compression rate on the recording track, and the time unit is a unit of time before compression. The information recording medium according to any one of the above. Read means is provided for reproducing and moving the read means relative to the recording track on which the record information is recorded and for accessing the record information based on the access information. An information recording device for recording information on an information recording medium having the recording track to be reproduced by a reproduction device capable of time search that is moved across
Access information generating means for generating the access information corresponding to the recorded information;
A plurality of first data groups each including the recording information and the access information, which are units accessible by the playback device, and units that can be logically divided in playback by the playback device The first data group is divided into a plurality of second data groups each composed of a series of first data groups arranged along the recording track, and the recording information and the access information are placed on the recording track. Two time unit address information indicating the addresses of a plurality of first data groups to which the recording information per predetermined time unit belongs and two time units separated by one time unit by each time unit address information are recorded. Discontinuous information indicating whether the address belongs to the same second data group for each time unit address information; Management information is collectively recorded on a part of the recording track, and addresses of a plurality of first data groups belonging to the same second data group as the first data group including the access information are shown more finely than the time unit. Recording means for recording the first data group search information included in the access information;
An information recording apparatus comprising: An input means for inputting search prohibition information indicating prohibition of time search into an arbitrary second data group;
If the time search into the second data group including the one address indicated by the time unit address information is prohibited by the search prohibition information, the recording means sets the one address by a special value. 6. The information recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the time unit address information is recorded.   6. The recording unit according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the recording information is compressed at a variable compression rate and recorded on the recording track, and the time unit is a unit of time before compression. Or the information recording device of 6. A plurality of first data groups each including an access unit, which includes recording information and access information for accessing the recording information, and a plurality of first data groups that are logically segmentable in reproduction. The data information is divided into a plurality of second data groups each composed of a series of first data groups arranged along the recording track, and the recording information and the access information are recorded on the recording track. And
The time unit address information indicating the addresses of the plurality of first data groups to which the recording information for each predetermined time unit belongs and the two addresses separated by one time unit by the time unit address information are the same. Management information including discontinuous information indicating whether or not belonging to the second data group for each time unit address information is collectively recorded in a part of the recording track,
In addition, the access information includes first data group search information that indicates addresses of a plurality of first data groups belonging to the same second data group as the first data group including the access information in more detail than the time unit. An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing an existing information recording medium,
Reading means for reading information recorded at a predetermined reading position on the recording track;
Moving means for relatively moving the reading means along or across the recording track; demodulating means for demodulating information read by the reading means;
A specification means that can specify the target time of the time search,
When the target time is specified by the specifying means, it is determined whether the discontinuity information corresponding to the target time indicates continuity or discontinuity. When the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time is set as a primary search target and it is determined that the discontinuity is indicated, the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time is included. It is determined whether or not the second data group and the second data group including the address corresponding to the target time match. If it is determined that they match, the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time Is set as the primary search target, and when it is determined that they do not match, the one time is determined from the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time. A target setting means for setting the address apart position content as the first-order search target,
The reading means is moved to the set primary search target, and the first data group search information included in the access information of the first data group in the primary search target is read and demodulated. The reading means, the moving means, and the demodulating means so as to move the reading means from the primary search target to an address corresponding to the target time within the second data group according to the first data group search information Control means for controlling
An information reproducing apparatus comprising: When the time search into the second data group including the one address indicated by the time unit address information is prohibited, the time unit address information is a special address indicating the prohibition. Recorded by the
The target setting means determines whether the address indicated by the time unit address information corresponding to the target time is the special value when the target time is designated by the designation means,
9. The control unit according to claim 8, wherein the control unit does not control the reading unit, the moving unit, and the demodulation unit corresponding to the target time when it is determined that the value is the special value. Information playback device. The management information includes the reproduction time of each second data group, the address of the first data group located first in each second data group, and the first data group located last in each second data group. Including second data group information indicating addresses respectively;
The target setting means, based on the second data group information, a second data group including an address indicated by time unit address information corresponding to the target time, and a second data group including an address corresponding to the target time; The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information reproducing apparatus determines whether or not the two match. The control means controls the reading means, the moving means and the demodulating means so as to read and demodulate the time unit address information and discontinuity information in advance prior to the time search,
The said target setting means is provided with the memory | storage means to store the said time unit address information and discontinuity information which were demodulated previously, and performs determination using this stored information. The information reproducing apparatus according to any one of the above.   The recording information is recorded on the recording track while being compressed at a variable compression rate, the time unit is a unit of time before compression, and the demodulating means is the recording information read by the reading means. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information reproducing apparatus demodulates the signal by expanding the signal.

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