JP2006270633A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image recorder in which continuous video recording reservation can be recorded with no break and a subsequent program can be headed when a program is reproduced. <P>SOLUTION: A digital recorder/reproducer comprises an MPEG video encoder creating a plurality of VOBUs by compression encoding video signals, a means for recording the plurality of VOBUs on a hard disc, a navigation information generator including at least a cell for specifying the continuous VOBUs and generating chapter information accessible to the head VOBU of the cell, means (S17, S27 and S33) each recording the chapter information on the hard disc, and a system controller for sustaining the generation of VOBUs at the video recording end time of first video recording reservation information when second video recording reservation information is continuous to first video recording reservation information (YES at S28) and generating chapter information accessible to the VOBU recorded at the video recording start time of the second video recording reservation information (S33). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus for recording a television broadcast.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technique for recording a program that is broadcast on television in accordance with a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) video standard that employs the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) standard is known (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-335495).

  When a program broadcast on television according to the DVD video standard is recorded on a recording medium, the broadcast signal is converted into recording data and recorded on the recording medium. Since a predetermined time is required for the process of converting to the recording data and the process of recording the recording data on the recording medium, the recording ends after a predetermined time elapses after the program ends. For this reason, when a reservation for recording two consecutive TV programs is made, specifically, when the end time of the previous recording reservation matches the start time of the subsequent recording reservation, Recording based on the recording reservation ends when the predetermined time has elapsed from the recording end time of the previous recording reservation, so that recording based on the subsequent recording reservation starts at the start time of the subsequent recording reservation There is a problem that can not be. Alternatively, when recording with priority given to the start time of a later recording reservation, the end of the program cannot be recorded because it is necessary to finish the previous recording reservation earlier than planned in anticipation of the predetermined time. There is.

On the other hand, in order to eliminate the interruption of the recording, it may be possible to continue the recording based on the subsequent recording reservation without ending the recording based on the previous recording reservation. Since the recording is recorded as one data based on the recording reservation, there is a problem that it is impossible to access the first data recorded based on the subsequent recording reservation.
JP 2002-335495 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. One of the objects of the present invention is to record an image signal without interruption when continuous recording reservations are made, and at the time of reproduction. It is an object to provide an image recording apparatus for recording so as to allow access to a start portion of an image signal recorded in accordance with a later recording reservation.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image recording apparatus compresses an image signal input unit to which an image signal is input and an image signal input to the image signal input unit at predetermined time intervals. Encoding means for generating a plurality of encoded image signals by encoding, encoded image signal recording means for recording the plurality of encoded image signals on a recording medium, and at least recording information for specifying continuous encoded image signals An access information generating means for generating access information accessible to the first encoded image signal of the continuous encoded image signal, an access information recording means for recording the access information on a recording medium, and at least a recording start time Recording reservation information input means for inputting first recording reservation information and second recording reservation information each including a recording end time, first recording reservation information, and second recording reservation information When the reservation information continues, the encoding means is controlled to continue generation of the encoded image signal at the recording end time of the first recording reservation information without stopping, and the access information generation means is controlled to And control means for generating start access information accessible to the encoded image signal recorded at the recording start time of the recording reservation information of No. 2.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of encoded image signals are generated by compressing and encoding an image signal at predetermined time intervals and recorded on a recording medium. The first recording reservation information and the second recording reservation information are When it is continuous, the generation of the encoded image signal is continued without stopping at the recording end time of the first recording reservation information. For this reason, the image signal is recorded without interruption. On the other hand, access information that can access the earliest encoded image signal of consecutive encoded image signals is generated and recorded on the recording medium, but the first recording reservation information and the second recording reservation information are consecutive. In this case, start access information that can access the encoded image signal recorded at the recording start time of the second recording reservation information is generated. Therefore, it is possible to access the start portion of the image signal recorded according to the second recording reservation information later during reproduction. As a result, when continuous recording reservations are made, the image signal is recorded without interruption, and at the time of playback, recording is performed so that the start part of the recorded image signal can be accessed according to the subsequent recording reservation. An image recording apparatus can be provided.

  Preferably, selection means for selecting one image signal from a plurality of types of image signals and outputting the selected one image signal to the image signal input means, first recording reservation information, and second recording reservation information Further includes identification information for specifying the image signal, and the control means includes the identification information included in the first recording reservation information in the selection means from the recording start time to the recording end time of the first recording reservation information. The image signal determined by the information is selected, and the image signal determined by the identification information included in the second recording reservation information is selected by the selection means from the recording start time to the recording end time of the second recording reservation information.

  According to the present invention, even when the first recording reservation information and the second recording reservation information are continuous, the image signals specified by the respective recording reservation information among a plurality of types of image signals are encoded. Can be recorded.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 records image data and sound data obtained by compression-coding images and sound on hard disk 20 or removable DVD 30, and also stores image data and sound stored therein. Read data and play back images and sound. The digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 includes a tuner 10A and an external input 10B, and a broadcast signal of television broadcasting is input from the tuner 10A or an external tuner connected to the external input 10B.

  The digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 includes a system controller 50 that controls the entire digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100, a recording buffer memory 53, a clock 55, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface 56, and an operation unit that are connected to the system controller 50, respectively. 57, a display unit 58, a reproduction buffer memory 59, and a demultiplexer 61.

  The system controller 50 is used for writing navigation information (NAV pack) necessary for generating an object unit (VOBU) described later, a video object menu video object set (VMGM_VOBS), and a title set video object set (VTSTT_VOBS). Navigation information generator 51 for generating the navigation information, navigation information analyzer 52 for analyzing the navigation information included in the VOBU read from the hard disk 20 or DVD 30, and the navigation information included in VMGM_VOBS and VTSTT_VOBS, including.

  The clock 55 measures the time and outputs the measured time to the system controller 50. The clock 55 is connected to the power supply backup 54 and can measure the time even when the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is turned off.

  A LAN (Local Area Network) interface 56 is a communication interface for connecting the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 to the Internet. Here, the LAN interface 56 is connected to the Internet, and the system controller 50 can communicate with the electronic program guide data server 71 connected to the Internet.

  The electronic program guide data server 71 stores electronic program guide data including a television broadcast program, and transmits the electronic program guide data to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 in response to a request from the system controller 50. The system controller 50 stores the received electronic program guide data in a RAM (Random Access Memory) included in the system controller 50. The electronic program guide data includes a program start time and an end time for each channel. The title of the program, a synopsis, etc. may be included. Therefore, the system controller 50 identifies the television broadcast program received by the tuner 10A from the received electronic program guide data, the channel selected by the tuner 10A, and the time measured by the clock 55. It is possible. Here, the electronic program guide data is received from the electronic program guide data server 71. However, when the electronic program guide data is included in the broadcast wave, it is VBI for analog broadcasting, and for digital broadcasting. The electronic program guide data multiplexed in MPEG is extracted from the broadcast wave received by the tuner 10A.

  The operation unit 57 includes a plurality of button switches provided on the front surface of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100. The operation unit 57 receives an input of an instruction from a user who operates the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100. The instructions include an instruction of a television broadcast channel selected by the tuner 10A, an instruction to start recording, an instruction to end recording, and an instruction to select a recording medium for recording. The operation unit 57 is capable of wireless communication with a remote controller (remote controller) 73 using infrared rays. The remote controller 73 has a button switch for inputting an instruction similar to that of the operation unit 57. For this reason, the user can use the remote controller 73 to give the same instruction as that on the operation unit 57.

  A recording reservation can be input from the operation unit 57. The recording reservation input is input of recording reservation information including a channel of a program to be reserved, a start time, and an end time. The recording reservation may be input using the electronic program guide data described above. The program title included in the electronic program guide data is displayed, and the recording reservation is input by designating the title. Two or more plural recording reservations can be input.

  The display unit 58 is a liquid crystal display device, and displays an operation state of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100, displays a user instruction input to the operation unit 57, and the like. The operating state includes stop, recording, playback, the selected recording medium, the channel selected by the tuner 10A, the chapter being played during playback, the menu for selecting the chapter to be played, etc. including. Instead of the liquid crystal display device, electroluminescence, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) panel, or the like may be used.

  The recording buffer memory 53 and the reproduction buffer memory 59 are random access memories (RAM). The recording buffer memory 53 is connected to the formatter 16 and the system controller 50. The reproduction buffer memory 59 is connected to the system controller 50.

  The digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 further processes a video decoder 11, an MPEG video encoder 12, an analog / digital (A / D) converter 13, an MPEG, / AC3 (Audio Code number 3) An audio encoder 14 and a multiplexer 15 are provided.

  The tuner 10A selects a broadcast signal of one channel designated by the user, outputs a video signal to the video decoder 11, and outputs an audio signal to the A / D converter 13. In the external input 10B, the video signal and the audio signal of the channel selected by the external tuner are input and output to the video decoder 11 and the A / D converter 13, respectively.

  When a recording reservation is input, the system controller 50 controls the tuner 10A to select a channel included in the recording reservation when the time counted by the clock 55 becomes the recording start time included in the recording reservation. . As a result, the tuner 10 </ b> A selects the broadcast signal of the designated channel, outputs the video signal of that channel to the video decoder 11, and outputs the audio signal to the A / D converter 13.

  The video decoder 11 converts the input analog video signal into a digital video signal (CCIR-REC 656) and outputs the digital video signal to the MPEG video encoder 12. The MPEG video encoder 12 encodes an input digital video signal in accordance with the MPEG video standard, and outputs the encoded image data to the multiplexer 15.

  The A / D converter 13 converts the input analog audio signal into a digital audio signal and outputs the digital audio signal to the MPEG / AC3 audio encoder 14. The MPEG / AC3 audio encoder 14 encodes an input digital audio signal in accordance with an audio standard of MPEG, AC3, or linear PCM (Pulse Code Modulation), and outputs the encoded audio data to the multiplexer 15. To do.

  The multiplexer 15 packetizes the input encoded image data and encoded audio data, and performs time division multiplexing. The encoded image data packetized is called a video PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) or a video pack (V pack). The packetized encoded audio data is called an audio PES or an audio pack (A pack). The multiplexer 15 outputs an MPEG-PS (Program Stream) obtained by multiplexing the video pack and the audio pack to the formatter 16. Note that MPEG-PS may include packetized sub-picture data. The formatter 16 generates a video object unit (VOBU) obtained by adding temporary navigation information (NAV pack) to the MPEG-PS and stores it in the recording buffer memory 53.

  The navigation information generator 51 refers to the VOBUs stored in order in the recording buffer memory 53, generates navigation information, and writes the generated navigation information in the recording buffer memory 53. The navigation information includes information included in video title set information (VTSI) in addition to information included in the NAV pack.

  Navigation information (NAV pack) included in one VOBU is determined when one video object (VOB) is determined. Therefore, the recording buffer memory 53 has a memory capacity necessary for recording at least one VOB. The system controller 50 records one or more VOBs in the recording buffer memory 53, and after writing the NAV packs of all the VOBUs constituting the VOBU, stores the VOB in the write buffer. Data written to the write buffer 17 is recorded on either the hard disk 20 or the DVD 30.

  The hard disk 20 is controlled by the system controller 50 and stores the data stored in the write buffer 17 in accordance with instructions from the system controller 50. When the title recorded on the hard disk 20 is reproduced, the data stored in the hard disk 20 is output to the read buffer 60.

  On the other hand, the DVD 30 is rotated by a spindle motor 33. The servo circuit 34 controls the rotation speed of the spindle motor 33 and the focus servo and tracking servo of the pickup 32. When writing data to the DVD 30, the modulation unit 31 modulates the data stored in the write buffer 17 into a signal suitable for recording on the DVD. The modulated signal is output to the pickup 32. The pickup emits light according to the modulated signal. As a result, a signal is written to the DVD 30.

  When playing back a title recorded on the DVD 30, when data is read from the DVD 30, the light received by the pickup 32 is converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion element and output to the demodulator 35. Since the electric signal input to the demodulator 35 is a signal modulated into a signal suitable for recording on the DVD 30, the demodulator 35 demodulates the signal and restores it to its original form. The error correction unit 36 performs error correction using a Reed-Solomon product code (RS-PC) correction method, and stores the error-corrected data in the read buffer 60.

  The system controller 50 reads data from the read buffer 60 and the navigation information analyzer 52 analyzes the navigation information. The playback buffer memory 59 stores a video PES and an audio PES. The video PES and audio PES stored in the reproduction buffer memory 59 are read by the demultiplexer 61. The demultiplexer 61 outputs the video PES to the MPEG video decoder 62 and outputs the audio PES to the MPEG / AC3 audio decoder 63.

  The MPEG video decoder 62 decodes the input video PES by the MPEG method, and outputs the decoded video data to the video encoder 64. The video encoder 64 encodes video data in the NTSC format and outputs a video signal. The video signal is output to a television receiver, for example, and output to a display such as a liquid crystal display device for display. On the other hand, the MPEG / AC3 audio decoder 63 decodes the input audio PES by the MPEG system, the AC3 system, or the linear PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) system, and the decoded audio data is sent to the digital / analog (D / A) converter 65. Output. The D / A converter 65 converts the digital audio data into analog and outputs it. The audio data output from the D / A converter 65 is output to, for example, a television receiver and output from a speaker.

  In this embodiment, the write buffer 17 has a storage area of 1M (bytes), the recording buffer memory 53 has a storage area of 20M (bytes), the reproduction buffer memory 59 has a storage area of 1M (bytes), and the read buffer 60 has a storage area of 7M (bytes). Assigned. Note that the write buffer 17, the recording buffer memory 53, the reproduction buffer memory 59, and the read buffer 60 may be configured by one RAM, or may be separate from each other.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the MPEG video encoder. Referring to FIG. 2, MPEG video encoder 12 includes a video input unit 121, a preprocessing unit 122, a motion compensation unit 123, a discrete cosine transform (DCT) unit 124, a quantization unit 125, a variable length An encoding unit 126 and an MPEG video output unit 127 are included. The digital video signal input to the video input unit 121 is divided into a luminance signal (Y) and color signals (Cb, Cr) by the pre-processing unit 122 and output to the motion compensation unit 123. The motion compensation unit 123 performs intraframe prediction and interframe prediction. The DCT unit 124 performs discrete cosine transform, and the quantization unit 125 quantizes the DCT transformed data. The variable length coding unit 126 performs entropy coding on the quantized data. The encoded data is output from the MPEG video output unit 127 as a video PES.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the MPEG video decoder. Referring to FIG. 3, MPEG video decoder 62 includes MPEG input unit 621, variable length decoding unit 622, inverse quantization unit 623, inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) unit 624, post-processing unit 625, and And a video output unit 626. The video PES input to the MPEG input unit 621 is output to the variable length decoding unit 622. The variable length decoding unit 622 entropy decodes the video PES. The entropy-decoded data is inversely quantized by the inverse quantization unit 623 and inverse discrete cosine transformed by the IDCT unit 624 and output to the post-processing unit 625. The post-processing unit 625 performs processing necessary for motion compensation and outputs a video signal to the video output unit 626.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the logical structure of the DVD. Referring to FIG. 4, the logical structure of the DVD includes a lead-in area, volume information and file information area, video manager (VMG), video title sets (VTS) # 1 to #N, and a lead-out area. including.

  The video manager (VMG) includes video manager information (VMGI) and video manager information backup (VMGI_BUP). The video manager (VMG) may optionally include a video object menu video object set (VMGM_VOBS). VMGI is control information for the entire DVD video zone, and VIDEO_TS. It consists of one file called IFO. VMGM_VOBS is information for the title selection menu, and VIDEO_TS. It consists of one file called VOB. VMGI_BUP has the same content as VMGI, and VIDEO_TS. It consists of one file called BUP.

  Each video title set includes video title set information (VTSI), a video object set for video title set (VTSTT_VOBS), and a backup of video title set information (VTSI_BUP). Each video title set may optionally include a video title set video object set (VTSM_VOBS). The video title set includes title chapter information, audio and sub-picture language information, playback control information, and video and audio streams.

  VTSI is control information for the VTS, and VTS _ ## _ 0. It consists of one file called IFO. ## represents an integer from 01 to 99. VTSM_VOBS is content for various menus in the VTS, and VTS _ ## _ 0. It consists of a single file called VOB. VTSTT_VOBS is content for title reproduction, and VTS _ ## _ @. It consists of a plurality of files called VOB. @ Indicates an integer from 1 to 9. VTSI_BUP is information having the same content as VMGI, and VTS _ ## _ 0. It consists of one file called BUP.

  The video title set information (VTSI) includes attribute information of a video object set for video title set (VTSM_VOBS). The attribute information includes bit rate, resolution, aspect ratio, title information, chapter information, cell information, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a video object menu video object set (VMGM_VOBS). Referring to FIG. 5, VMGM_VOBS includes at least one PGC (Program
Chain). PGC designates the reproduction order of cells to be described later. Thus, the PGC includes at least one cell. A VOB includes at least one cell. In the figure, a case where PGC1 and VOB with ID = 1 include one cell # 1 is shown. One cell includes at least one data unit (video object unit (VOBU)). In the drawing, the cell # 1 shows an example including N data units # 1 to #N (N is a natural number). One data unit is preceded by a NAV pack (NV_PCK (Navigation Pack)) and then a video PES (V pack) in a time division manner.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the video object set for video title set (VTSTT_VOBS). Referring to FIG. 6, VTSTT_VOBS has at least one VOB. In the figure, n VOBs having ID = 1 to n (n is a natural number) are shown. When one VOB is recorded in the recording buffer memory 53, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 in the present embodiment handles one VOB as one cell and records the VOB on the hard disk 20 or the DVD 30. That is, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 records on the recording medium in units of VOB.

One VOB includes at least one cell. In the figure, the VOB with ID = 1 includes m cells # 1 to #m (m is a natural number). One cell includes at least one data unit (video object unit (VOBU)). In the figure, an example is shown in which the # 1 data cell includes N data units # 1 to #N (N is a natural number). One VOBU has a playback time length of 0.4 sec to 1 sec, and has a NAV pack (NV_PCK (Navigation
Pack)), followed by an integer number of video PES (V pack), audio PES (A pack) and sub-picture data in time division. The video PES is a GOP (Group Of Pictures) and need not necessarily be placed. NV_PCK is composed of two packets of PCI (Presentation Control Information) and DSI (Data Search Information).

  One chapter includes a plurality of cells. In the figure, an example in which the chapter # 1 includes m cells # 1 to #m is shown. A chapter is one of access units by a user. That is, since the user can access in units of chapters, the user can access (cue) the beginning of the chapter.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a PCI packet. VOBU playback control information is stored in the PCI packet. The VOBU playback control information includes information such as the VOBU start recording address (nv_pck_lbn), VOBU playback start time information (vobu_s_ptm), and VOBU playback end time information (vobu_e_ptm).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the DSI packet. The DSI packet includes general information, seamless reproduction information, seamless angle information, VOB unit search information, and synchronization information. In the VOBU DSI packet included in one VOB, the video start time (vob_v_s_ptm) and the video end time (vob_v_e_ptm) have the same value. Further, the VOB unit search information is a process completed within the VOB.

  In the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 in the present embodiment, when a plurality of recording reservations are continuous in time, the generation of MPEG data is continued without stopping even at the recording end time of the previous recording reservation. Also, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 has a period of one data unit of 0.5 seconds, a period of one cell (hereinafter referred to as “cell reproduction time”) of 30 seconds, and a period of one chapter (hereinafter “chapter time”). Is set to 2 minutes by default, and these values are usually fixed and recorded. Note that the default values of the cell playback time and the chapter time are not limited to these, and can be arbitrarily determined.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of recording reservation information registered in the digital recording / reproducing apparatus. Referring to FIG. 9, the recording reservation information includes data associating a TV channel number, a recording start date / time, a recording end date / time, and a recording mode for each reservation number. The reservation number is an identification number for specifying recording reservation data, and is a serial number starting from 1. The recording reservation data with the reservation number “2” has the recording end date and time “March 10 19:54:00”, and the recording reservation data with the reservation number “3” has the recording start date and time “March 10”. Day 19:54:00 "and matches. For this reason, the recording reservation data in which the recording reservation ahead of the reservation number “2” and the recording reservation after the reservation number “3” are continuous.

  When the user operates the operation unit 57 to input a recording reservation, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 stores one recording reservation data corresponding to the recording reservation. When the time counted by the clock 55 becomes the recording start time of the recording reservation data, recording starts according to the recording reservation data.

  10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the flow of recording processing executed by the system controller. The recording process in the present embodiment may be recorded on any recording medium of the hard disk 20 and the DVD 30, but here, a case where the hard disk 20 is designated will be described as an example.

  Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in the recording process, it is first determined whether or not there is a free area for recording on hard disk 20 (step S01). If there is a vacancy, the process proceeds to step S02, and if not, the process ends. This is because recording is not possible when there is no space. In step S02, it is determined whether or not the titles of the images recorded on the hard disk 20 have exceeded 400. If it has exceeded, the process ends. If not, the process proceeds to step S03. This is because the number of recordable titles is limited to 400. Note that the upper limit of the number of titles that can be recorded is determined by the specifications of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 and is not limited to 400, and may be more or less.

  In step S03, an input video signal is selected. The input video signal is selected by the tuner 10A and is selected based on the TV channel number included in the recording reservation information.

  In the next step S 04, the stream recording file is opened on the hard disk 20. The stream recording file is the video object set for video title set (VTSTT_VOBS) described above. This stream recording file is newly created on the hard disk 20. Then, the stream attribute file is opened (step S05). The stream attribute file is the above-described video title set information (VTSI). The stream attribute file is a data file for storing attribute information of a stream recording file. The attribute information includes bit rate, resolution, aspect ratio, title information, chapter information, cell information, and the like.

  Then, the number of titles is increased by 1 (step S06). This is because the title increases by one when recording is started. Then, a title attribute is set (step S07), and MPEG encoding is started (step S08). At the start of MPEG encoding, video and audio parameters are set. For example, as a video parameter, a video bit rate is set to 8 Mbps, a GOP structure is set to IBBPBBP..., A GOP number is set to 15, a recording mode is set to VBR, and an audio parameter is set to AC-3 for an audio mode and audio bits. The rate is 256 kbps and the sampling frequency is 48 Khz. Thereby, both the video signal and the audio signal are encoded. Next, MPEG system encoding is started (step S09).

  Then, the default cell playback time is set as a generation condition for all the cells constituting the chapter (step S10). Here, since one chapter is constituted by four cells, the cell playback time as a condition for generating each of the four cells constituting the chapter to be generated next is 30 seconds.

  Then, cell setting conditions required for generating a cell by the navigation information generator 51 are set in the navigation information generator 51 (step S11). The cell setting condition includes a condition for generating the cell determined in step S10. As described above, in the recording buffer memory 53, a packet with temporary navigation information (NAV pack) attached when the formatter 16 is output is recorded. This temporary navigation information is determined when the chapter information and the cell information are determined by the navigation information generator 51, and updated to the navigation information according to the determined chapter information and the cell information. Therefore, the navigation information generator 51 determines cell information and chapter information by determining cell information and chapter information based on the cell setting conditions set in step S11, and updates temporary navigation information. The navigation information generation process executed by the navigation information generator 51 will be described later.

  Next, it is determined whether or not it is in a title recording end processing state (step S12). If true, the process proceeds to step S34, and if false, the process proceeds to step S13. The title recording end processing state refers to a state in which a condition for ending recording by the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is satisfied. Specifically, there are the following cases.

  (1) When a recording end instruction is input from the remote controller 73 or the operation unit 57.

  (2) When the recording end time of the recording reservation is reached.

  In step S13, it is determined whether or not there is an empty area for recording on the hard disk 20. If there is no space, the process proceeds to step S22. If there is a space, the process proceeds to step S14. This is because data is recorded only when the hard disk 20 has a free space.

  In step S14, MPEG data is read from the recording buffer memory 53. Then, the read MPEG data is written into the write buffer 17 (step S15). As a result, preparations for writing the VOB to the hard disk 20 are made.

  In the next step S16, it is determined whether or not the MPEG data written in step S14 is the end of the cell. If it is the end of the cell, the process proceeds to step S17; otherwise, the process returns to step S12. In step S17, the cell information of the current cell is written into the stream attribute file.

  In the next step S18, it is determined whether or not the cell containing the written MPEG data is the last cell in the chapter. If true, the process proceeds to step S19, and if false, the process proceeds to step S21. In step S19, the chapter information is written into the stream attribute file. This is because the recording of the last cell of the chapter is completed, so that all necessary information for the chapter is available. Then, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, the setting condition of the cell to be generated next is set in the navigation information generator 51. The navigation information generator 51 determines cell information and chapter information based on the cell setting conditions set in step S20, determines navigation information, and updates temporary navigation information. On the other hand, in step S21, the setting condition of the cell to be generated next is set in the navigation information generator 51. The navigation information generator 51 determines the cell information based on the cell setting condition set in step S21, determines the navigation information, and updates the temporary navigation information.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the title recording has been completed, it is determined in step S34 whether the title to be recorded next is temporally continuous with the title being recorded. If true, the process proceeds to step S35, and if false, the process proceeds to step S22. When proceeding to step S35, the tuner 10A is controlled to select a channel included in the next recording reservation information in order to record the next title. Thereby, the image signal of the channel included in the next recording reservation information is compression-encoded, and the MPEG data is recorded in the recording buffer memory 53. In this case, MPEG system encoding and MPEG encoding are not completed.

  The title to be recorded next is a program that is reserved for recording later. Specifically, when the end time of the currently recorded title (the recording end time of the previous recording reservation) matches the title scheduled to be recorded next (the recording start time of the subsequent recording reservation), Judged to be continuous in time. Even if (the recording end time of the previous recording reservation) does not match the title scheduled to be recorded next (the recording start time of the subsequent recording reservation), if the difference is within a predetermined range, It may be continuous. For example, it is assumed that the recording end time of the previous recording reservation is earlier by the time T than the recording start time of the subsequent recording reservation. In this case, if time T1 is required for the recording end process of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100, it may be continuous in time if T <T1. Furthermore, when the recording end time of the previous recording reservation is later than the recording start time of the subsequent recording reservation, the title based on the previous recording reservation and the title based on the subsequent recording reservation are consecutive in time. Judge that In this case, priority may be given to the title recording based on the previous recording reservation, or priority may be given to the title recording based on the subsequent recording reservation.

  Here, the time T1 required for the recording end process of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is the time from the execution of step 22 described later to the end of the process. This time T1 is determined by the buffer size of the recording buffer memory 53 and the writing buffer 17, the completion processing to the attribute recording stream attribute file, the writing processing time to the recording medium, and the like. Usually, this time T1 is a time of several seconds to several tens of seconds.

  In the next step S35, the navigation generator 51 is instructed to process the unprocessed MPEG data recorded in the recording buffer memory 53 at this time. At the time when step S35 is executed, the default cell playback time has not elapsed, but recording is not continued until the default cell playback time and chapter time have elapsed, but at this point the cell playback time and chapter time are determined. To do. Then, cell information and chapter information are determined based on the determined cell playback time and chapter time, navigation information (NAV pack) is determined, and temporary navigation information is updated. For this reason, the navigation generator 51 is instructed to process a packet with temporary navigation information recorded in the recording buffer memory 53 at the time when the title recording end state is reached (YES in step S12). .

  And it will be in a standby state until the navigation information generation process by the navigation information generator 51 is completed (NO in step S36), and when the navigation information generation process is completed and navigation information is generated, the process proceeds to step S37.

  Then, the title information is written in the stream attribute file (step S37). Thereafter, in order to record the next title, the number of titles is increased by 1 (step S38), the title attribute is set (step S39), and then the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S40, processing similar to that in step S10 is executed, and in step S41 subsequent to step S40, processing similar to that in step S11 is executed. Then, after step S41, the process proceeds to step 14, where the recording of the last cell based on the recording reservation is terminated, and then the recording of the next scheduled recording title is continued.

  On the other hand, in step S22, the MPEG system encoding is finished, and in step S23, the MPEG encoding is finished. In the next step S24, the navigation generator 51 is instructed to process the unprocessed MPEG data recorded in the recording buffer memory 53 at this time. At the time when step S24 is executed, the default cell playback time has not elapsed, but recording is not continued until the default cell playback time and chapter time have passed, but at this point the cell playback time and chapter time are determined. To do. Then, cell information and chapter information are determined based on the determined cell playback time and chapter time, navigation information (NAV pack) is determined, and temporary navigation information is updated. For this reason, the navigation generator 51 is instructed to process a packet with temporary navigation information recorded in the recording buffer memory 53 at the time when the title recording end state is reached (YES in step S12). . And it will be in a standby state until the navigation information generation process by the navigation information generator 51 is completed (NO in step S25), and when the navigation information generation process is completed and navigation information is generated, the process proceeds to step S26.

  Next, MPEG data is read from the recording buffer memory 53 (step S26), and the read MPEG data is written to the write buffer 17 (step S27). Then, it is determined whether or not all of the MPEG data recorded in the recording buffer memory 53 has been transferred to the writing buffer 17 (step S28). If the transfer has been completed, the process proceeds to step S29. If the transfer has not been completed, the process returns to step S26. That is, the reading of the MPEG data from the recording buffer memory 53 and the writing to the writing buffer 17 are repeated until the transfer is completed.

  When the transfer is completed, the interrupt is set to be prohibited (step S29), then the write end flag is set (step S30), and the interrupt is canceled (step S31). This is because MPEG data can be reliably recorded on the hard disk 20.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the MPEG data has been written to the stream recording file on the hard disk 20 (step S32), and a standby state is entered until the writing is completed. The end of writing is determined by whether or not the write end flag set in step S30 has been reset. The write end flag is reset by a file write process described later.

  When the writing of the stream recording file is completed (YES in step S32), cell information, chapter information, and title information are written in the stream attribute file (step S33).

  The title information recorded in the stream attribute file includes the number of title sets and the number of chapters included in each title. Note that the files VTS _ ## _ 0. In the IFO, “##” in the file name indicates the title number. The chapter information includes the cell number of the first cell included in the chapter, the total number of chapters in the PGC, and the total number of cells in the PCG. In the present embodiment, PCG and chapter are the same number. The cell information includes the cell playback time, the start position sector, the start sector of the last VOBU, and the end sector of the cell.

  Note that these pieces of information are actually written to the stream attribute file at the time when the recording of the title is completed (for example, step S32), and temporarily recorded on the RAM in the previous stage. The following shows an example of the relationship between title information, chapter information, and cell information and the stream attribute file in which they are recorded.

  (1) Video manager information (VMGI).

  The number of chapters (Number of chapters (PTTs)) and the title set start sector position information are recorded in the video manager title play map table (VMG_PTT_SRPT).

  (2) Video title set information (VTSI).

  (2-1) A program chain number (PGCN) and a program number (PGN) are recorded in the video title set search point table (PTT_SRPTI).

  (2-2) PGC information and information of all cells included in the PGC are recorded in the video title set program chain information table. PGC information includes the number of chapters, playback time, audio attributes, and sub-picture attributes. The cell information includes playback time, start sector position information, and end sector position information.

  (2-3) The cell number, start sector position information, and end sector position information of each cell are recorded in the video title set cell address table.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the navigation information generation process. The navigation information generation process is a process executed by the navigation information generation record 51 of the system controller 50. Referring to FIG. 12, in the navigation information generation process, first, it is determined whether or not MPEG data for one VOB (here, corresponding to one cell) is stored in recording buffer memory 53 (see FIG. 12). Step S71). If true, the process proceeds to step S72. If false, the process ends. That is, the navigation information generation process is a process executed on the condition that MPEG data for one VOB is stored in the recording buffer memory 53. This determination is made based on whether or not the cell playback time has elapsed when the default cell playback time is employed in the recording process described above (step S11 in FIG. 10 or step S40 in FIG. 11). If the default cell playback time is not adopted (step S24 and step S35 in FIG. 11), it is determined that there is an instruction to be output by executing step S24 or step S35 of the recording process. That is, if there is an instruction to be output when Step S24 or Step S35 of the recording process is executed, 1 is stored in the recording buffer memory 53 when the instruction is output, otherwise, when the cell playback time has elapsed. It is determined that MPEG data for two VOBs has been stored. Therefore, the navigation information generation process is executed independently of the above-described recording process and file writing process.

  In step S72, navigation information corresponding to the instruction content is added to all NAV packs included in the target MPEG data. Thereby, temporary navigation information is updated. The instruction content here indicates the cell setting condition set in step S11 in FIG. 10, step S20 in FIG. 11, step S21 or step S41 in the recording process described above.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the file writing process. The file writing process is a process executed by the system controller 50. Referring to FIG. 13, in the file writing process, it is first determined whether MPEG data is stored in writing buffer 17 (step S61). If MPEG data is stored, the process proceeds to step S62, and if not, the process ends.

  In step S62, the MPEG data stored in the write buffer 17 is written into the stream recording file. Then, the write end flag is reset (step S63).

  The write end flag is set in step S27 of the recording process shown in FIGS. The write end flag is used for detecting that the writing to the stream recording file is completed by the file writing process on the recording processing side because the file writing process and the recording process are executed independently. The file writing process is executed at predetermined time intervals, for example.

  In addition, although the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 100 mentioned above showed the example recorded on a hard disk and DVD, you may make it record on a Blu-ray disc, for example. Further, in the present embodiment, an example is given in which navigation information is added under the condition that one cell is equal to one VOB in the configuration of the cell, but navigation information is added under the condition that one VOB includes a plurality of cells. The same processing can be performed in other configurations. Further, in this embodiment, an example of recording in a format compliant with the DVD video standard has been described. However, similar processing can be executed even if recording is performed in another format such as a unique format. .

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus in one of the embodiments of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of an MPEG video encoder. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of an MPEG video decoder. It is a figure which shows the logical structure of DVD. It is a figure for demonstrating the video object set (VMGM_VOBS) for video manager menus. It is a figure for demonstrating the video object set (VTSTT_VOBS) for video title sets. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a PCI packet. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a DSI packet. It is a figure which shows an example of the video recording reservation information registered into the digital recording / reproducing apparatus. It is a 1st flowchart which shows the flow of the recording process performed with a system controller. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows the flow of the recording process performed with a system controller. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a navigation information generation process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a file writing process.

Explanation of symbols

  10A tuner, 10B external input, 11 video decoder, 12 MPEG video encoder, 13 A / D converter, 14 MPEG / AC3 audio encoder, 15 multiplexer, 16 formatter, 17 write buffer, 20 hard disk, 31 modulator, 32 pickup, 33 Spindle motor, 34 Servo circuit, 35 Demodulation unit, 36 Correction unit, 50 System controller, 51 Navigation information generator, 52 Navigation information analyzer, 53 Recording buffer memory, 54 Power backup, 55 Clock, 56 interface, 57 Operation unit , 58 display unit, 59 playback buffer memory, 60 reading buffer, 61 demultiplexer, 62 MPEG video decoder, 63 MPEG / AC3 Audio decoder, 64 Video encoder, 65 D / A converter, 71 Electronic program guide data server, 73 Remote control, 100 Digital recording / playback device, 121 Video input unit, 122 Preprocessing unit, 123 Motion compensation unit, 124 DCT unit, 125 Quantum 126, variable length coding unit, 127 MPEG video output unit, 621 input unit, 622 variable length decoding unit, 623 inverse quantization unit, 624 IDCT unit.

Claims (2)

An image signal input means for inputting an image signal;
Encoding means for compressing and encoding the image signal input to the image signal input means every predetermined time to generate a plurality of encoded image signals;
Encoded image signal recording means for recording the plurality of encoded image signals on a recording medium;
Access information generating means for generating access information capable of accessing the earliest encoded image signal of the continuous encoded image signal, including at least recording information that identifies the encoded image signal continuous;
Access information recording means for recording the access information on the recording medium;
Recording reservation information input means for inputting first recording reservation information and second recording reservation information each including at least a recording start time and a recording end time;
When the first recording reservation information and the second recording reservation information are continuous, the encoding means is controlled to stop the generation of the encoded image signal at the recording end time of the first recording reservation information. And control means for controlling the access information generating means to generate start access information accessible to the encoded image signal recorded at the recording start time of the second recording reservation information. An image recording apparatus provided. Selecting means for selecting one image signal from a plurality of types of image signals, and outputting the selected one image signal to the image signal input means;
The first recording reservation information and the second recording reservation information further include identification information for specifying the image signal,
The control means causes the selection means to select the image signal determined by the identification information included in the first recording reservation information from the recording start time to the recording end time of the first recording reservation information, and 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the image signal determined by the identification information included in the second recording reservation information is selected by the selection unit between a recording start time and a recording end time of the second recording reservation information. Recording device.

Images