JP2006295236A - Recording and reproducing apparatus, content management apparatus, content management method, and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily understand contents of a plurality of recorded content files and prevent a heavy load due to a list-up display of the contents from being imposed on a computer. <P>SOLUTION: Seven thumbnails and two icons are displayed as a list on a display screen 41 in a form of 9 division-images. The icons indicate audio content files. When a cursor is placed on the thumbnail in the middle and a prescribed time elapses, the preview of the contents is reproduced. Since the contents corresponding to the thumbnail are a moving picture content file, a plurality of still pictures extracted from the moving picture contents are displayed as 4 division-images 44. The whole size of the 4 division-images 44 is nearly equal to the size of the original thumbnail. The selection of the contents is confirmed by operating a determination button in a state that the cursor is placed on the 4 division-images 44. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording / playback device, a content management device, a content management method, and an imaging device for recording, playing back, and managing content files such as moving image files, still image files, and audio files.

  An imaging device such as a digital camera has a function of recording not only still images but also moving images and sounds. Conventionally, in a digital camera, an index display in which a plurality of index images are arranged vertically and horizontally is displayed on a display unit, and recorded still image files stored in a recording medium are displayed as a list. Further, Patent Documents 1, 2, 3, and 4 listed below display a mixture of index images of still image files and moving image files.

JP 2003-333464 A

JP 2001-111965 A

JP-A-2-32473

JP 2001-197445 A

  In Patent Document 1, in the case of a still image file, a reduced image of a still image is used as an index image, and in the case of a moving image file, the first frame image of a moving image is used as an index image, and the combined reduction is performed by mixing these index images. Generate an image, generate a combined reduced image that includes the second and third frame index images for the movie file, and sequentially transfer the generated combined reduced image from the digital camera to the personal computer. Describes that a composite reduced image is displayed. In the combined reduced image displayed on the personal computer side, the reduced moving image is accompanied by movement.

  Patent Document 2 describes that a plurality of thumbnail images are generated from a combined image obtained by moving image shooting or continuous shooting, and the plurality of thumbnail images are switched and displayed over time.

  In Patent Document 3, as a moving image search and editing method, a frame of an image representative of a cluster of moving images is reduced and displayed as a picture icon. When a picture icon is specified, the computer highlights the icon and selects a display. It describes that an image obtained by sampling a selected chunk of moving images is displayed on the moving image content display window.

  Patent Document 4 describes that four frames of an image showing a moving image in an index image are repeatedly reproduced. In addition, it is described that these four frames are displayed in a four-screen multi display. Further, it is described that when the playback mode is started, one frame of the file is played in the order stored in the built-in memory or the memory card, and four frames are repeatedly displayed for the moving image file.

  In general, in a small portable device such as a digital camera, it is necessary to reduce the load on the CPU and to operate at low power. From this point, it is not preferable to display a moving image that is constantly moving. In the device described in Patent Document 1, browsing processing based on the capability of a personal computer is performed by browsing image information of the digital camera by processing of a personal computer different from the digital camera. In the device described in Patent Document 2, a plurality of still images in a combined image are switched and displayed by the CPU of the digital camera itself. The one described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that the burden on the CPU becomes heavy because still images are always switched and displayed. Since the thing of patent document 3 presupposes that all are a moving image, there existed a problem which did not consider distinguishing whether it is a moving image or a still image at the time of selection. In the case of playing back 4 frames as a moving image index image in the playback mode, the content described in Patent Document 4 has a large amount of content files in order to access and play back the content file itself on the recording medium. In addition, there is a problem that it takes a long time for processing to create an index image, and it is difficult to perform a more advanced search process for searching and displaying a specific image.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the problem of requiring high-speed reading processing and a large-capacity memory, and to easily and quickly select a target content, a recording / playback device, a content management device, a content management method, and An imaging device is provided.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a first aspect of the present invention provides a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording a plurality of content files on a recording medium and reproducing the recorded content files.
When the content file is image data, reduced image data of the image data is generated, and when the content file is other than image data, a display mark is generated,
Attribute data indicating an attribute of the content file, content management information including one of the reduced image data and the display mark, and preview data for identifying the content file are generated,
The generated content management information and preview data are recorded on the recording medium in association with the content file,
Depending on the recorded content management information, reduced images or display marks are displayed corresponding to a plurality of content files on the operation instruction unit,
When one of the reduced image or display mark is selected and instructed by the pointer on the operation instruction section, the corresponding preview data is reproduced,
This is a recording / reproducing apparatus in which a selection instruction is confirmed after reproduction of preview data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a content management apparatus for recording a plurality of content files on a recording medium and reproducing the recorded content file,
When the content file is image data, reduced image data of the image data is generated, and when the content file is other than image data, a display mark is generated,
Attribute data indicating an attribute of the content file, content management information including one of the reduced image data and the display mark, and preview data for identifying the content file are generated,
The generated content management information and preview data are recorded on the recording medium in association with the content file,
Depending on the recorded content management information, reduced images or display marks are displayed corresponding to a plurality of content files on the operation instruction unit,
When the pointer of the input device indicates one of the reduced image or the display mark on the operation instruction unit, the corresponding preview data is reproduced,
This is a content management apparatus in which a selection instruction is confirmed after preview data is reproduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content management method for recording a plurality of content files on a recording medium and reproducing the recorded content files.
If the content file is image data, generate reduced image data of the image data. If the content file is other than image data, generate a display mark.
Generating attribute data indicating an attribute of the content file, content management information including one of the reduced image data and the display mark, and preview data for identifying the content file;
The generated content management information and preview data are recorded on a recording medium in association with the content file,
Depending on the recorded content management information, a reduced image or a display mark is displayed corresponding to a plurality of content files on the operation instruction unit,
When the pointer of the input device indicates one of the reduced image or the display mark on the operation instruction unit, the corresponding preview data is reproduced,
This is a content management method in which a selection instruction is confirmed after preview data is reproduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus that records a plurality of content files including an image captured by an imaging unit on a recording medium and reproduces and displays the recorded content file.
When the content file is image data, reduced image data of the image data is generated, and when the content file is other than image data, a display mark is generated,
Attribute data indicating an attribute of the content file, content management information including one of the reduced image data and the display mark, and preview data for identifying the content file are generated,
The generated content management information and preview data are recorded on the recording medium in association with the content file,
Depending on the recorded content management information, reduced images or display marks are displayed corresponding to a plurality of content files on the operation instruction unit,
When one of the reduced image or display mark is selected and instructed by the pointer on the operation instruction section, the corresponding preview data is reproduced,
In this imaging device, a selection instruction is confirmed after preview data is reproduced.

  In the present invention, a reduced image or display mark included in the content management information is displayed on the operation instruction unit, and one of a plurality of content files is selected by moving the pointer of the input device. When the pointer indicates a reduced image or a display mark, preview data is reproduced. For example, in the case of a moving image content file, a plurality of still images are sequentially reproduced at regular time intervals. It is possible to easily determine the contents by reproducing the preview data. In addition, since a plurality of still images are sequentially played back only when instructed by the pointer, the burden on the computer controlling the system can be reduced.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a recording apparatus. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates an imaging unit. The imaging unit 1 includes an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), an A / D converter that converts an output primary color signal of the imaging device into a digital signal, and a digital imaging signal from the A / D converter. A camera signal processing unit. The camera signal processing unit performs white balance correction processing, interpolation processing, filtering processing, matrix calculation processing, gamma correction processing, luminance signal (Y) generation processing, color difference signal (Cr, Cb) generation processing, and the like.

An imaging signal from the imaging unit 1 is input to the video encoder 4 and subjected to compression encoding processing. In the case of a still image, the image signal is encoded by the video encoder 4 using JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group). The video encoder 4 includes a DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform), a quantizer, and a variable length encoder. When the image pickup signal is a moving image, the video encoder 4 performs MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group Phase 2) encoding.

The imaging unit 1 further includes audio signal input units such as a microphone and a line input terminal,
The audio signal from the audio signal input unit is converted into a digital audio signal, the digital audio signal is supplied to the audio encoder 5, and the audio signal is compression encoded. For compression encoding of the audio signal, ATRAC (Adaptive Transfer Acoustic Coding), MP-3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer 3), or the like can be used.

Reference numeral 2 indicates a display / input unit. The display / input unit 2 is provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, an input device operated by a user, and a speaker for reproducing an audio signal. As an input device, a key, a switch, a touch panel, a GUI (Graphical User Interface), or the like can be used. A touch panel and a GUI are examples of the operation instruction unit. In one embodiment, a pointer (hereinafter referred to as a cursor) is moved up and down and left and right by a direction key provided on the panel of the apparatus, and an operation instruction unit having a determination key for a push button configuration is used. An operation signal generated by the display / input unit 2 is input to the system controller 10. The system controller 10 is configured by a microcomputer. The system controller 10 is an RO that stores a CPU (Central Processing Unit), programs, and the like.
A RAM is provided as a working memory for the M and CPU.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 indicates a graphic control unit. The metadata is processed by the graphic control unit 3. The graphic control unit 3 is connected to the display / input unit 2 and controls how an image is displayed. Specifically, the aspect in which the metadata information is displayed over the image is controlled. Metadata is generated by the graphic control unit 3, and the metadata is encoded by the metadata encoder 6.

  As will be described later, the metadata is included in the content management information, and is information that the user or application software arbitrarily attaches to the content. There are various types of metadata. There are metadata added to the entire content data, metadata added to the frame for specifying the content, metadata added in synchronization with the time axis of the content, and the like. Examples of metadata added to the entire content include the copyright information of the content, the title of the content, the creation date of the content, and the like. Examples of metadata added to a specific frame of content include a chapter title and a heading. Examples of metadata added in synchronization with the content in time are characters and graphics indicating the content of the content for each time, and latitude and longitude information of the shooting position.

  The encoded video data from the video data encoder 4, the encoded audio data from the audio encoder 5, and the encoded metadata from the metadata encoder 6 are supplied to the file generator 7. In the file generator 7, a content management information file including a still image file, a moving image file, an audio file, and a metadata file is generated. Still image files, moving image files, and audio files are referred to as content files. The output signal of the system controller 10 is supplied to the file generator 7.

  The content file and content management file generated by the file generator 7 are supplied to the memory 9 via the memory controller 8. The memory 9 is a relatively large capacity semiconductor memory. The memory 9 functions as a buffer memory when writing data to the recording media device 11 and reading data from the recording media device 11.

  The recording media device 11 is a medium for recording a content file and a content management information file, and is an optical disc, a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like. Under the control of the memory controller 8, the content file and the content management information file from the file generator 7 are temporarily stored in the memory 9. Then, under the control of the memory controller 8, it is read from the memory 9, transferred to the recording media device 11, and recorded on the recording medium. The memory controller 8 and the recording media device 11 are controlled by the system controller 10.

  In the recording media device 11, the content file and the content management information file reproduced from the recording media are temporarily stored in the memory 9 via the memory controller 8 and then input to the file decoder 12 via the memory controller 8. The file decoder 12 separates content data and metadata from the content file and the content management information file. The file decoder 12 is controlled by the system controller 10.

  The encoded still image data and encoded moving image data separated by the file decoder 12 are decoded by the video decoder 13. Video data from the video decoder 13 is supplied to the display / input unit 2 and displayed as a reproduced image. The encoded audio data separated in the file decoder 12 is decoded in the audio decoder 14. Audio data from the audio decoder 13 is supplied to the display / input unit 2 and an audio signal is reproduced by a speaker. Further, the encoded metadata separated by the file decoder 12 is decoded by the metadata decoder 15. Metadata from the metadata decoder 15 is supplied to the graphics control unit 3.

  Preview data included in the content management information file is also recorded on the recording medium. The system controller 10 secures an area for recording the content management information file on the medium, creates a management information file in the area, and manages the content when the content file is newly generated and recorded on the medium. Add an information file entry. The preview data is created by the system controller 10 for moving image content, still image content, and audio content. Note that the preview data may be created as a separate file from the management information file.

  Specifically, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 is realized as an imaging apparatus that can capture still images and moving images and has an audio input unit. Further, it can be realized as a content management apparatus to which image data and audio data from the imaging unit are input.

  FIG. 2A shows an example of data arrangement on a recording medium such as one removable recording medium in the recording medium device 11. Reference numeral 21 indicates a recording area of the content file, and reference numeral 22 indicates a recording area of the content management information file. The content recording area and the content management information file recording area are separate areas. For example, in a disc-shaped recording medium, a content management information file is recorded as the innermost track. As content files, there are still image files, moving image files, and audio files.

  The content management information file includes a property file 23a, a metadata file (referred to as a metafile) 23b, a still image file, a reduced image (hereinafter referred to as a thumbnail as appropriate) file 23c, and a preview file 23d. Both the property file 23a and the metafile 23b are attribute files. Therefore, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the property file and the metafile in the specification, they may be collectively referred to as an attribute file or attribute data. The property file 23a is indispensable, while the metafile 23b is optional. These property file 23a, meta file 23b, thumbnail file 23c, and preview file 23d are associated with content files. For example, the file name is associated.

  The property file, metafile, thumbnail file, and preview file each contain a very large number of entries as shown in FIG. 2B. In order to read the content management information file from the recording medium into the memory 9 at a time, the capacity of the memory 9 increases, so that a predetermined number of entries are read into the memory 9 as indicated by N in FIG. 2B. .

  The property file 23a includes a content type (video content, still image content, and music content type), a date and time when each of the plurality of types of files was recorded, a date and time when each of the plurality of types of files was modified, and a plurality of types. It contains the length of time required for each of the files to be played.

  Next, the function of the content management information file will be described. FIG. 3 illustrates the management information file maintenance function 31 as the first function. The function 31 includes a new management information file generation / registration function 32a for generating management information for managing contents on the medium, a matching function 32b for matching contents between the management information file and a management information file, And a function 32c for moving content to another medium as a set.

  FIG. 4 shows an entry maintenance function 33 as a second function of the content management information file. This function 33 includes a new entry creation / registration function 34a, an entry editing function 34b for editing the contents of the entry of the content management information file, and an entry deleting function 34c for deleting the content and the entry. .

  FIG. 5 shows a media content operation function 35 as a third function of the content management file. This function 35 has a list display function 36a for reading the contents existing on the medium and displaying the list, and a function 36b for searching for the target contents based on the list display. The search is performed based on a search condition selected from existing items or a search condition input by the user.

  The content operation function 35 includes a preview function 37a. The preview function 37a includes a preview reproduction function 37b and a preview creation function 37c. The preview creation function 37c is a function for creating a moving image preview file composed of a plurality of still images extracted from moving image content in the case of a moving image file. In the case of audio content, for example, music content, this is a function for creating an audio preview file by extracting characteristic music parts, for example, partial music data at the beginning (so-called intro) of music. These preview files are created as files different from the content management information file and recorded on the medium. The preview playback function 37b is created when the user moves the cursor to the position of the thumbnail or icon in a state where a thumbnail or audio content display mark (hereinafter referred to as an icon) is displayed as a divided screen. The preview file is displayed on the display screen or the partial music data is played back. After preview playback is performed, for example, by operating a determination button, selection of the content is determined, and the content is played back or edited.

  The playback function 38a is a function for playing back content on media. The playback function 38a includes a playlist function 38b. The playlist function 38b is a function for reproducing a plurality of contents or a part of the contents managed by the information management file in the order defined in advance as a playlist. For example, a playlist is created by information designating content and information designating the playback start position and playback end position of the content.

  The functions described above are realized by software processing of the system controller 10. These functions will be described in more detail. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the function 32a (see FIG. 3) for generating the content management information file when the recording medium is new. In step S1, a new medium is recognized. In step S2, it is determined whether to create a content management information file. If it is determined not to create a management information file, the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S2 that a content management information file is to be created, an area for the management information file is allocated on the medium in step S3. Depending on the medium, the access time may vary depending on the position of the area, so the area is determined in consideration of the characteristics of each medium. The position of this area is defined in advance for each medium.

  In step S4, a management information file having only a root entry, that is, no content entry is created for the area allocated in step S3, and the created management information file is written. In the case of a medium whose access time varies depending on the amount of data written, a management information file area is set separately from the content area in order to speed up access. When a new medium is recognized in this way, a storage area for the content management information file is created.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a function 33 (see FIG. 4) for maintaining entries and contents on a medium in a management information file. When new or unregistered content is registered, if the application generates a new content file on the media from the input video data, input audio data, or input metadata, the creation of the content file is detected. In step S11, the new file is created. A creation event is obtained.

  In step S12, a method of reading information that is the basis of the content management information file is determined. In the case of the automatic reading method, the file attribute data is read and the content type is analyzed in step S13. The content type means any type of moving image, still image, or audio. In the case of the interactive reading method, input by the user is made in step S14. In step S15, the file attribute data is read and the content type is analyzed. In step S16, the consistency between the user input and the attribute data is checked.

  In step S13 or step S16, a necessary property file, metafile, thumbnail file, and metadata are generated based on the read attribute data and content type analysis result, and one entry of the management information file is generated. Data is created and registered (recorded) in a previously created and empty content management information file. In step S18, the change of the management information file is reflected on the display based on the added information.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the content list display function 36a (see FIG. 5) as a function for handling content by the information management file. In accordance with an application instruction or a user instruction, processing for displaying a list starts in step S21. Here, the list display refers to reading a content management information file from media, displaying a list of contents using a property file, a meta file, and a thumbnail file, and further displaying a target content from the display screen. This is a GUI that allows operations such as selection.

  In step S22, optimal display settings are made in accordance with information such as the screen size of the display device provided in the display / input unit 2 and the content type to be displayed. For example, when the screen size is relatively large, a 3 × 3 divided display screen is created, and when the screen size is relatively small, three horizontally divided screens are created. Not only the screen size but also the resolution and aspect ratio (4: 3, 16: 9, etc.) may be set. In step S23, the content property file, metafile, and thumbnail file for the divided screen to be displayed first are read. In step S24, a list is displayed according to the set display method.

  As described with reference to FIG. 2B, content management information (property file, meta file, thumbnail file, preview file) having a predetermined number N of entries is read from the recording medium into the buffer memory. A divided screen in which thumbnails are arranged in the manner set in step S22 is displayed. An entry for displaying a split screen is read from the memory. The content management information file of the next split screen is read from the memory 9 by the user's operation such as scrolling, and the split screen is displayed.

In step S25, the presence or absence of preview data is determined. If there is preview data, the preview data is read in step S26. In step S26, it is determined whether the preview data is active. In the list display, when a predetermined time elapses after the cursor is positioned on the thumbnail or icon, it is determined that the preview data is active. If it is determined that the preview data is active, the preview data is reproduced in step S28. If the preview data is not active, the process ends without displaying.

  A function 32b (see FIG. 3) for matching the management information file and the content file to be managed is prepared. Depending on the file operation performed by the user, a difference may occur between the content management information file on the medium and the content file, so a function for eliminating the difference is required.

  Searches can be performed using the GUI. In the GUI, the user inputs a search condition for a target file or selects a corresponding item from existing items and performs a search. The search result is displayed on the GUI. The display method is optimized depending on the number of searches, content type, content details obtained, the size of the display screen, the CPU capability of the apparatus, and the like. For example, when the number of cases is large, only text data is displayed, and in the case of still images or moving images, thumbnails are displayed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a preview playback function 37b (see FIG. 5) as a function for handling content in the information management file. Preview data for preview reproduction is stored in advance by separating a part of the contents of the content file. In the case of moving image content, it is a still image of a scene representing the content or a short moving image. The resolution of still images and moving images is low due to the thumbnails. In the case of still image content, shutter sound is used as preview data. The shutter sound is played back repeatedly at regular intervals. In the case of music content, it is the music data of the characteristic part, for example, the head part. Not only the head part but music data of a strong impression may be used.

  As a list of contents, thumbnails or icons are displayed, and preview data is reproduced only when preview data is activated. On the list display screen, a cursor for selecting content is displayed. When the cursor is positioned on the thumbnail or icon and a certain amount of time has passed that it can be determined that the cursor is stationary, the preview data becomes active. Is done.

  In step S31 of FIG. 9, the cursor is on the thumbnail and the preview data is activated. In the case of music content, an artist photo, a thumbnail such as an album jacket image, or an icon representing the music content is used on the list display. In step S32, it is determined whether the content is moving image content. If it is determined that the content is a moving image content, the process of step S33 is performed. That is, if there is preview data, the preview data is reproduced, and if there is no preview data, a common video clip is reproduced. In the case of moving image content, a plurality of still images of preview data or video clips are reproduced at a constant cycle. The user may be able to select a video clip to be used from among a plurality of types of video clips.

  If it is determined in step S32 that the content type is not a moving image, it is determined in step S34 whether or not the content type is a still image. If it is determined that the content is a still image, a shutter sound is reproduced in step S35. The shutter sound is created by recording an actual camera shutter sound or created as an electronic synthesized sound.

  If it is determined in step S34 that the content type is not a still image, it is determined in step S37 whether or not the content type is audio. If it is determined as the audio content, in step S37, preview data, for example, music data at the head portion is reproduced. When there is no preview data, common music data is reproduced. The user may be able to select music data to be used from among a plurality of types of music data.

  A specific example of the GUI in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 41 is a display screen. As a screen divided into nine, seven thumbnails and two icons are displayed in a list. The icon indicates an audio content file. Reference numeral 42 is a button for instructing content operation (playback, editing, or search). Reference numeral 43 indicates display of attribute data in the content management information.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the cursor is positioned on the central thumbnail and the preview is reproduced. Since the content corresponding to the thumbnail is a moving image content file, a plurality of still images extracted from the moving image content are displayed as a quadrant screen 44. The overall size of the quadrant screen 44 is substantially the same as the original thumbnail. The user can grasp the contents of the moving image content on the four-divided screen 44, and then can confirm the selection of the content by operating the decision button.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, four still images P1, P2, P3, and P4 are extracted from the moving image content 51 at regular time intervals. Instead of a fixed time interval, a scene change point may be detected, and an image at the head position of each scene may be extracted as a still image. The four extracted still images P1 to P4 are converted into one image of a quadrant screen as shown in FIG. 11B. A quad screen image is used as preview data.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the top still image P1 among the four still images extracted from the moving image content is displayed as a thumbnail of the list display. When the cursor is positioned on the still image P1, as shown in FIG. 12B, the still images are sequentially reproduced in the order of P1, P2, P3, and P4. While the cursor is positioned, still images are sequentially played back repeatedly. The reproduction interval of the still image is appropriately selected, and it is clearly displayed that the content is a moving image content depending on the preview reproduction.

  FIG. 13 illustrates a preview display related to audio content. As shown in FIG. 13A, when the cursor is positioned on the icon 45 indicating the audio content, a part of the music data as the preview data is automatically reproduced. Thereby, the contents of the audio content can be understood.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been specifically described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications based on the technical idea of the present invention are possible. For example, the present invention includes a digital still camera, a camcorder, a PDA (Personal Digital
Assistants), mobile terminals, mobile phones, and other recording devices.

It is a block diagram of one Embodiment of the content recording / reproducing apparatus by this invention. It is a basic diagram which shows data arrangement | positioning on a recording medium. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating the maintenance function of the management information file in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating the entry maintenance function in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating the operation function of the content of the media in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production | generation function of the management information file in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production | generation function of the management information file in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the list display function in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the preview reproduction | regeneration function in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a basic diagram which shows an example of the list display in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating an example of the process which produces preview data from the moving image content in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating the other example of the process which produces preview data from the moving image content in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating an example of the preview data of the audio content in one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image pick-up part 2 Display / input part 7 File generator 10 System controller 11 Recording media apparatus 12 File decoder

Claims (9)

In a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording a plurality of content files on a recording medium and reproducing the recorded content file,
When the content file is image data, reduced image data of the image data is generated, and when the content file is other than image data, a display mark is generated,
Attribute data indicating an attribute of the content file, content management information including one of the reduced image data and the display mark, and preview data for identifying the content file are generated,
The generated content management information and the preview data are recorded on a recording medium in association with the content file,
According to the recorded content management information, a reduced image or the display mark is displayed corresponding to the plurality of content files on the operation instruction unit,
When one of the reduced image or the display mark is instructed by the pointer on the operation instruction unit, the corresponding preview data is reproduced,
A recording / reproducing apparatus in which a selection instruction is confirmed after reproduction of the preview data. In claim 1,
A recording / reproducing apparatus in which, when the content file is moving image data, the preview data is a plurality of still image data extracted from the moving image data. In claim 2,
A recording / reproducing apparatus for sequentially reproducing a plurality of corresponding still image data when one of the reduced image or the display mark is selected and instructed. In claim 2,
A recording / reproducing apparatus in which, when an instruction to select one of the reduced image or the display mark is given, the corresponding plurality of still image data are simultaneously reproduced on a divided screen. In claim 1,
A recording / reproducing apparatus in which the preview data is a shutter sound when the content file is still image data. In claim 1,
A recording / reproducing apparatus in which the preview data is a part of the music data when the content file is music data. In a content management apparatus for recording a plurality of content files on a recording medium and reproducing the recorded content file,
When the content file is image data, reduced image data of the image data is generated, and when the content file is other than image data, a display mark is generated,
Attribute data indicating an attribute of the content file, content management information including one of the reduced image data and the display mark, and preview data for identifying the content file are generated,
The generated content management information and the preview data are recorded on a recording medium in association with the content file,
According to the recorded content management information, a reduced image or the display mark is displayed corresponding to the plurality of content files on the operation instruction unit,
When the pointer of the input device indicates one of the reduced image or the display mark on the operation instruction unit, the corresponding preview data is reproduced,
A content management apparatus in which a selection instruction is confirmed after reproduction of the preview data. In a content management method for recording a plurality of content files on a recording medium and reproducing the recorded content file,
If the content file is image data, generate reduced image data of the image data. If the content file is other than image data, generate a display mark.
Generating attribute data indicating an attribute of the content file, content management information including one of the reduced image data and the display mark, and preview data for identifying the content file;
The generated content management information and the preview data are recorded on a recording medium in association with the content file,
According to the recorded content management information, a reduced image or the display mark is displayed on the operation instruction unit corresponding to the plurality of content files,
When the pointer of the input device indicates one of the reduced image or the display mark on the operation instruction unit, the corresponding preview data is reproduced,
A content management method in which a selection instruction is confirmed after reproduction of the preview data. In an imaging apparatus that records a plurality of content files including an image captured by an imaging unit on a recording medium and reproduces and displays the recorded content file.
When the content file is image data, reduced image data of the image data is generated, and when the content file is other than image data, a display mark is generated,
Attribute data indicating an attribute of the content file, content management information including one of the reduced image data and the display mark, and preview data for identifying the content file are generated,
The generated content management information and the preview data are recorded on a recording medium in association with the content file,
According to the recorded content management information, a reduced image or the display mark is displayed corresponding to the plurality of content files on the operation instruction unit,
When one of the reduced image or the display mark is instructed by the pointer on the operation instruction unit, the corresponding preview data is reproduced,
An imaging apparatus in which a selection instruction is confirmed after reproduction of the preview data.