JP2007066410A - Recording and reproducing apparatus, content signal usage, and content signal use program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience by enhancing a change function of a reproduction position which can be utilized when reproducing and utilizing a content signal recorded on a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: Each of a scene variation point detection part 171, a scene section detection part 172, and a scene identifier generation part 173 functions, a scene section of a content signal of a recording object is detected and its position is identified, a scene identifier is generated, given to each of the scene sections and stored in a scene identifier accumulation part 53 and managed. When the execution of a so-called flash function is instructed through an operation input part 51, etc., the reproduction position is moved to the scene of identifiers different from the scene section where a present reproduction position belongs to by a present position detection part 31 and a flash time determination part, and reproduction is resumed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus that uses, for example, an optical disk such as a hard disk or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a video tape as a recording medium, a method for using a content signal used in the apparatus, and a program.

  A large volume recording medium such as a hard disk recorder that uses a hard disk as a recording medium or a DVD recorder that uses a DVD as a recording medium can be used to record a large amount of content signals such as a TV broadcast program and play them back. Such devices are becoming widely used.

  In such hard disk recorders and DVD recorders, when a content signal recorded on a recording medium is reproduced, a predetermined operation key is simply pressed to convert the reproduction time from the present time to a certain time before or a certain time. Some have a so-called flash function that positions the playback position after time and resumes playback.

  In this detailed processing, the playback position is set to a certain time before the playback time (for example, 15 seconds before) just by depressing a predetermined operation key (flash return key (flash-(minus) key)). The function for resuming playback after positioning is called the flash return function, and the playback position can be set to the playback time from the current time by simply pressing a predetermined operation key (flash feed key (flash + (plus) key)). The function of resuming playback at a later position (for example, after 15 seconds) is called a flash feed function.

  The operation at the time of execution of the flash function is simply shown in the flowchart of FIG. When a predetermined operation key is operated to execute the flash function, as shown in FIG. 7, first, an operation for changing the playback position in the direction according to the instruction (for example, fast forward, fast reverse, jump, etc.) is started. (Step S101) It is determined whether or not the playback position has been positioned at a position before or after a predetermined time from the playback position when the execution of the flash function is instructed (Step S102).

  If it is determined in the determination process of step S102 that the position has not reached the position before or after a certain time, the process of step S102 is repeated to start from the playback position when the execution of the flash function is instructed. , Until the playback position is positioned at a position before or after a certain time. If it is determined in step S102 that the position has reached a position before or after a certain time, the operation for changing the playback position in the direction according to the instruction is terminated (step S103). The processing shown in the figure is ended, and normal reproduction is resumed from the newly positioned reproduction position.

  By using such a flash function, for example, when a TV broadcast program recorded on a recording medium is reproduced and viewed, for example, when a scene that is not desired to be viewed is projected, the reproduction position is fixed. By simply pressing a predetermined operation key for operating the flash feed function to be positioned after a certain time, the playback position can be moved after a certain time (advanced for a certain time), and the scene is not viewed. Easy to be with.

  On the other hand, when the user has missed the target scene, for example, when playing and viewing a television broadcast program recorded on the recording medium, or when the user wants to repeatedly view the target scene, The playback position can be moved forward by a predetermined time (returned by a predetermined time) simply by pressing a predetermined operation key for operating the flash return function that positions the playback position by a predetermined time. This makes it easy to watch the scene repeatedly.

  In the case of the flash function, it is not necessary to perform both the start operation and the end operation as in the normal fast forward function and fast reverse function, and as described above, a predetermined operation key is pressed. When the flash operation is started by only one operation and converted into the playback time, and the playback position is positioned before or after a certain time, the flash operation is automatically terminated. This is a very convenient function.

The flash function described above is introduced, for example, in Non-Patent Document 1 shown below.
“Sony Digital Recorder website”, [online] [searched August 16, 2005], Internet <URL: http: // www. sony. jp / products / Consumer / dvrecorder / product / rdr vh80. htm>

  However, since the so-called flash function described above in the hard disk recorder and DVD recorder, the playback position at the time when the execution of the flash function is instructed is positioned at a position before or after a certain time in the playback time. When positioning the position, it is considered that there may be cases where the advancement is insufficient or the return is insufficient.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, consider a case where a television broadcast signal of a television broadcast program recorded on a hard disk recorder is reproduced and viewed. A television broadcast program recorded on a hard disk recorder is composed of a number of scenes. Here, the scene is not only a scene in one broadcast program, but also a commercial (hereinafter abbreviated as CM) portion recorded together with the broadcast program, a program opening portion, a program ending portion, etc. In the television broadcast signal recorded as a series of information, it refers to each part that can be distinguished by the characteristics and properties of the video signal and audio signal in the television broadcast signal.

  In the case of the example shown in FIG. 8A, when the flash feed (flash +) function is operated at the time point S when viewing halfway through the scene 2, as described above, in FIG. As indicated by “period”, fast-forwarding or jumping to a previous position is performed for a predetermined reproduction time. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the scene 3 is a relatively long scene, the end position E of the flash feed function is a position in the middle of the second half of the scene 3.

  In general, for a user, when the flash feed function is operated, it is often desired to skip the entire reproduced scene. For this reason, immediately after the time point E of the scene 3, the user has to execute the flash feed function again so as to skip the entire scene 3.

  In FIG. 8B, when the flash return function is operated at a point S in the middle of the scene 3, as shown as “flash operation period” in FIG. 8B, fast rewinding is performed for a predetermined reproduction time. Or jump to the previous position. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the scene 3 is a relatively long scene, the end position of the flash return function is a position in the middle of the first half of the scene 3.

  In general, for a user, when the flash return function is operated, the user often wants to reproduce and view the content from the beginning of the scene being reproduced. Therefore, for example, immediately after the time point E of the scene 3, the user must execute the flash return function again to position the playback position at the target position in order to play back from the beginning of the scene 3. Disappear.

  In this way, when the playback position is changed using the so-called flash function, the playback position is changed again by operating the flash function again because the playback position is insufficient to advance or return. From the user's standpoint, further improvements in convenience are desired.

  In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to improve convenience by improving a function for changing a reproduction position that can be used when a content signal recorded on a recording medium is reproduced and used. To do.

In order to solve the above problems, a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A change point detecting means for detecting a change point of the content signal to be processed at the time of recording the content signal on the recording medium or at the time of reproducing the content signal recorded on the recording medium;
Attribute determination means for determining attributes of a section sandwiched between the change points detected by the change point detection means;
Storage means for storing and holding the section sandwiched between the change points detected by the change point detection means and the attributes of the sections determined by the attribute determination means in association with each other;
Accepting means for receiving an instruction input to reposition and reproduce the reproduction position of the content signal at a certain time before or after a certain time during reproduction of the content signal recorded on the recording medium;
Reproduction position determination means for determining a reproduction position of the content signal to be reproduced when the instruction input is received through the reception means;
Referring to the information stored and held in the change point holding means, the playback time for the attribute of the section to which the playback position determined by the playback position determination means belongs and the direction according to the instruction input with the playback position as a reference A control means for comparing the attribute of the section to which the position at a certain time interval belongs, and controlling the playback position to be resumed by positioning the playback position at or near the position of the section where the attribute first differs. It is characterized by providing.

  According to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the change point is detected by, for example, analyzing the characteristics of the content signal to be processed by the change point detecting means during recording or reproduction of the content signal. The attribute of the section sandwiched between the detected change points is discriminated by the attribute discriminating means.

  Each section sandwiched between the change points detected as described above and the attribute of each section determined as described above are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit. When the content signal is played back, if an instruction input for repositioning the playback position by a certain time before or after the playback time, or a so-called flash function execution instruction input, is accepted through the accepting means, The position determination means detects the current playback position (playback location) in the content signal being played back.

  The detected current playback position and the information held in the storage means are used by the control means, the attribute of the section to which the detected playback position belongs, and the direction according to the instruction input with the playback position as a reference In order to resume the playback by positioning the playback position at or near the position of the section where the attribute first differs, in order to compare the attributes of the section to which the position at a certain time interval belongs in order. To be.

  As a result, the user can set the playback position on the content signal to be played back by skipping all the scenes before the target scene with a single operation without performing multiple operations through the receiving means. The position can be quickly and accurately positioned. Therefore, the convenience for the user can be further improved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly position the reproduction position at the target position without increasing the operation input to the user's device, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an apparatus, a method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, the present invention can be resumed by positioning the playback position before or after a certain time in terms of the playback time from the present time by simply pressing a predetermined operation key. A case where the present invention is applied to a hard disk recorder equipped with a so-called flash function will be described as an example.

[Outline of hard disk recorder configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the hard disk recorder of this embodiment. The hard disk recorder of this embodiment can record content signals (content data) such as received and selected television broadcast signals and video signals and audio signals supplied from external devices on the hard disk, and also to the hard disk. The recorded content signal can be read and reproduced.

  The hard disk recorder of this embodiment is roughly composed of a recording system, a playback system, and a control system. The recording system includes a receiving antenna 11 for a terrestrial analog television broadcast signal (hereinafter simply referred to as a television broadcast signal), a tuner unit 12, and an analog video (image) signal input terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as a video input terminal). 13, an analog audio signal input terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as an audio input terminal) 14, a selector 15, a recording processing unit 16, and a scene section processing unit 17. As shown in FIG. 1, the scene section processing unit 17 includes a scene change point detection unit 171, a scene section detection unit 172, and a scene identifier generation unit 173.

  The playback system includes a playback position detection unit 31, a flash time determination unit 32, a playback processing unit 33, a video processing unit 34, a video signal output terminal 35, an audio processing unit 36, and an audio signal output terminal 37. It is a part comprised by. The drive control unit 20 and the hard disk drive (hereinafter abbreviated as HDD) 21 are both used during recording and reproduction, and function as a part constituting a recording system during recording. Sometimes it functions as a part of the playback system.

  In the control system, the control unit 40 realizes the function. The control unit 40 controls each unit of the hard disk recorder, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 44. However, the microcomputer is configured to be connected through the CPU bus 45.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a clock circuit 51, an operation input unit 52, a scene identifier storage unit 53, and a remote control signal light receiving unit 54 are connected to the control unit 40. Here, the clock circuit 51 provides the current time, has a calendar function, and can provide the current date and the current day of the week. The clock circuit 51 can also be used as a counter for measuring a predetermined period.

  The operation input unit 52 includes a power on / off switch, a play key, a stop key, a pause key, a fast forward key, a fast reverse key, a flash feed (flash (+)) key, a flash return (flash (−)) key, and the like. The various operation keys are provided, and an operation input from the user can be received and an electric signal corresponding to the received operation input can be supplied to the control unit 40. Thereby, the control part 40 can receive the instruction | indication (operation input) from a user, and can control each part according to this.

  As will be described in detail later, the scene identifier accumulating unit 53 stores and holds scene section information such as an identifier indicating each scene section and an attribute of each scene section based on a change point with respect to a content signal to be recorded or reproduced. A non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM is used. It should be noted that by providing a dedicated driver and connection terminal, the scene identifier storage unit 53 can be used for various other things such as a hard disk, MD (Mini Disc (registered trademark)), memory card, USB (Universal Serial Bus) external memory, and the like. This recording medium can also be used.

  The remote control signal light receiving unit 54 can receive an infrared remote control signal from the remote control 60 of the hard disk recorder, convert it into an electrical signal, and supply it to the control unit 40. Thus, the control unit 40 can control each unit of the hard disk recorder in response to an operation input from the user received through the remote control 60 and the remote control signal light receiving unit 54.

  As with the operation input unit 52, the remote controller 60 has a power on / off key, a play key, a stop key, a pause key, a fast forward key, a fast reverse key, a flash feed (flash (+)) key, and a flash return ( Various operation keys such as a flash (−) key are provided, and for example, an infrared remote control signal corresponding to an operation input from the user can be formed and transmitted. In addition, various settings and recording reservations can be performed through the remote controller 60 and the operation input unit 52.

[Operation of hard disk recorder]
Next, the operation of the hard disk recorder of this embodiment will be described in detail based on the configuration. In the following, the operation during recording and the operation during reproduction will be described separately.

[Operation (processing) during recording]
First, the operation during recording will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the hard disk recorder of this embodiment includes two systems of input terminals, that is, a television broadcast signal receiving antenna 11 and a tuner unit 12, and a video input terminal 13 and an audio input terminal 14. . Then, in response to the operation input from the user received through the operation input unit 52 or the remote controller 60, the television broadcast signal received and selected through the receiving antenna 11 and the tuner unit 12, and the video input terminal 13 and the audio input terminal 14 are received. One of the content signals composed of the video signal and the audio signal can be recorded on the hard disk of the HDD 21.

  Various television broadcast signals received through the receiving antenna 11 are supplied to the tuner unit 12. The tuner unit 12 outputs a target television broadcast signal based on a channel selection control signal corresponding to an operation input from a user supplied from the control unit 40 among various television broadcast signals received by the receiving antenna 11. Select a station.

  Then, the tuner unit 12 demodulates the selected television broadcast signal, separates it into a video signal V1 and an audio signal A1, and supplies them to the selector 15. On the other hand, the video signal V 2 received through the video input terminal 13 and the audio signal A 2 received through the audio input terminal 14 are also supplied to the selector 15.

  The selector 15 outputs the video signal V1 and the audio signal A1 from the tuner unit 12 based on the switching control signal corresponding to the operation input from the user supplied from the control unit 40, or the external input terminals 13, 14 To switch whether to output the video signal V2 and the audio signal A2 received through. The video signal Vd and audio signal Au output from the selector 15 are supplied to the recording processing unit 16.

  The video recording processing unit 16 is controlled by the control unit 40, and A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion is performed on the video signal and the audio signal supplied thereto to form video data and audio data which are digital data. These are supplied to the scene section processing unit 17 and are compressed by a predetermined data compression method, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) method.

  Then, the recording processing unit 16 packetizes the compressed video data and audio data, generates necessary control data and packetizes the data, and converts the packetized video data, audio data, and control data to time. A program stream to be divided and multiplexed and recorded on the hard disk is formed and supplied to the drive control unit 20.

  The drive processing unit 20 is controlled by the control unit 20 and controls the HDD 21 at the time of recording to perform processing for recording the program stream from the recording processing unit 16 in an empty area of the hard disk of the HDD 21. In this way, the video signal Vd and the audio signal Au from the selector 15 are recorded (recorded) on the hard disk of the HDD 21.

  On the other hand, in parallel with the recording of the content signal to the HDD 21, the scene section processing unit 17 detects the scene change point, and based on this, identifies the positions of various scene sections in the content signal to be recorded, A scene identifier of each specified scene section is generated, and data in which the position of each scene section is associated with the identifier of each scene section is recorded in the scene identifier storage unit 53 through the control unit 40.

  Here, as described above, a scene is not only a scene in one broadcast program, but also a series of CM parts, program opening parts, program ending parts, etc. that are recorded together with the broadcast program. In a television broadcast signal recorded as information, it refers to each part that can be distinguished by the characteristics and properties of video and audio signals in the television broadcast signal.

  Hereinafter, the processing in the scene section processing unit 17 will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 1, the scene section processing unit 17 of this embodiment includes a scene change point detecting unit 171, a scene section detecting unit 172, and a scene identifier generating unit 173. The video data and audio data from 16 are supplied to the scene change point detection unit 171 of the scene section processing unit 17.

  The scene change point detection unit 171 performs processing for detecting a scene change point using one or both of video data and audio data from the recording processing unit 16. Here, the process of detecting the scene change point can be performed using various methods. For example, when a scene change point is detected using video data, a difference is calculated between video data between adjacent frames, and a scene change point is determined when the calculated difference is greater than a predetermined value. can do.

  As another method, for example, the luminance component and the color component of video data are analyzed on a frame basis, and the similarity between adjacent frames is determined based on the analysis result. The scene change point can be determined. When audio data is used, frequency analysis is performed in units of a predetermined section, such as for each section corresponding to a frame of video data, and the similarity between adjacent sections is obtained. When the degree of similarity is smaller than the predetermined similarity, it can be determined that the scene change point.

  Of course, the scene change point may be detected for each of the video data and the audio data, and the portion detected as the scene change point in both may be determined as the scene conversion point. In this case, it is necessary to make the detection processing unit the same for the video data and the audio data. For example, the detection processing may be performed in units of video data frames. . In addition, as described later, various methods such as detecting a scene change point based on the presence or absence of a silent section can be used.

  The detection result in the scene change point detection unit 171 is supplied to the scene section detection unit 172. Based on the detection result from the scene change point detector 171, the scene section detector 172 detects a section sandwiched between the scene change point and the scene change point as a scene section. For example, when a scene change point is detected for each frame of video data, the temporally previous frame is the end point of the immediately preceding scene section between the two frames that are the scene change points, and the subsequent frame Becomes the start point of the next scene section, and the position of the scene section can be specified by the frame number.

  In this case, the first frame of the content signal to be detected is the start point of the scene section, and the last frame is the end point of the scene section. In addition, the scene section detection unit 172 can grasp the total number of frames constituting the scene section in each detected scene section, or can grasp the playback time of the scene section according to the total number of frames. . Therefore, each scene section can be specified using the start point, the total number of frames, and the time required for reproduction.

  The detection result from the scene section detection unit 172 is supplied to the scene identifier generation unit 173. The scene identifier generation unit 173 generates an identifier indicating the attribute of each scene section based on the detection result from the scene section detection unit 172. Specifically, the same identifier is generated and assigned to the CM section, and in the main section other than the CM section, the same identifier is used for similar scene sections even if the scene sections are separated in time. It is generated and given.

  That is, the scene identifier generation unit 173 of this embodiment uses the fact that the CM section has a time length of a multiple of about 15 seconds, and based on the time length of each scene section (reproduction time length), Whether each scene section is a CM part or a main part other than that is detected, and an identifier indicating the CM section and an identifier indicating the main section are generated. Also, the scene identifier generation unit 173 extracts the feature amount of each scene, and generates and assigns the same identifier to scenes having similar features in each scene of the main part.

  More specifically, the scene identifier generation unit 173 performs processing for each scene in a portion where a plurality of scene sections having a time length that is a multiple of 15 seconds exist, such as 15 seconds, 30 seconds, and 45 seconds. As for the sections, each scene section is detected as a CM section, and an identifier indicating that the section is a CM section is assigned to the scene section detected as a CM section. Also, the scene identifier generation unit 173 generates and assigns the same identifier to scene segments with similar features based on the feature amount of each scene for each scene in the main section other than the CM section.

  It is also possible to detect a scene change point using other characteristics of video data and audio data, specify a scene section, and generate a scene identifier. For example, in the case of a Japanese TV broadcast signal, as described above, the CM section has a time length of a multiple of approximately 15 seconds, and the CM sections are between the end point of the main section and the start point of the CM section. In the meantime, a silent section is provided between the end point of the CM section and the start point of the main section. For this reason, it is possible to detect and specify a section in which the time interval in which the silent section appears is a multiple of 15 seconds as a series of CM sections.

  In the case of a US television broadcast signal, the CM section is approximately an integral multiple of 15 seconds in length, which is the same as in Japan, but the CM section cannot be detected correctly only by detecting the silent section. It is known that there are a plurality of field sections whose luminance signal level is almost a black level at the start point and the end point of the CM section of a television broadcast program. Therefore, an interval in which the luminance signal level is substantially the black level is detected, and when this detection cycle has a multiple relationship of approximately 15 seconds, it can be specified as the CM interval of that interval.

  Thus, based on the detection period of the silent section and the detection period of the black level section, the CM section and the other main section are accurately detected, and for each detected section, which section is the CM section at the same time. Thus, it is possible to specify which section is the main section.

  As described above, the scene identifier used in the hard disk recorder of this embodiment can identify the CM section and other sections, and also identifies similar scene sections in the main section other than the CM section. It is something that can be done.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the scene identifier generation unit 173 of this embodiment. As described above, on the basis of the detection result from the scene section detection unit 172, the scene identifier generation unit 173 performs the process for each scene section in which a plurality of scene sections having a time length that is a multiple of 15 seconds exist continuously. Detects that each scene section is a CM section, and generates and assigns an identifier indicating the CM section to each scene section.

  For each scene of the main part other than the CM section, the same identifier is generated and assigned to a similar scene section based on the feature amount of each scene. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, scene change points P1 to P8 are detected, and as shown in FIG. 2B, there is a content signal in which seven scene sections from scene 1 to scene 7 are specified as scene sections. To do.

  Although there is no scene similar to scene 1 of this content signal, each of scene 2, scene 6, and scene 7 is similar to each other, and each of scene 3, scene 4, and scene 5 is similar to each other. , The same identifier (identifier B in FIG. 2) is assigned to each of scene 2, scene 6, and scene 7, and each of scene 3, scene 4, and scene 5 is assigned. Are given the same identifier (identifier C in FIG. 2).

  Then, the detection output from the scene identifier generation unit 173 is supplied to the scene identifier storage unit 53 through the control unit 40, and is stored and held. Here, the detection output from the scene identifier generation unit 173 is specified by information indicating the start point of each scene section detected by the scene section detection unit 172, information indicating the end point, and the start point and end point. Information indicating a scene identifier of a scene section.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of scene section information formed in the scene identifier storage section 53 based on the detection output from the scene identifier generation section 173 of the scene section processing section 17 in the hard disk recorder of this embodiment. FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, in the hard disk recorder of the first embodiment, scene section information (database) including a content ID, a scene section, and a scene identifier is formed.

  Here, the content ID is a so-called file name for identifying the content signal recorded on the hard disk of the HDD 21 and is given each time the content signal is recorded. Normally, information input by the user is used as the content ID. When the content ID is not input by the user, the content ID is automatically generated and assigned by the hard disk recorder of the first embodiment.

  The scene section includes a start point and an end point of the scene. As described above, the scene section start point (scene change point) detected by the scene section detection unit 172 of the scene section processing unit 17 is also described. ) And end points are used. In this case, the start point and end point of each scene section can be uniquely specified by the frame number or the like as described above.

  Also, as described above, the scene identifier is detected by using information generated by the scene identifier generation unit 173 of the scene section processing unit 17 and given to the corresponding scene section, as shown in FIG. Further, for each scene section, it is information indicating the attribute of the section. As described above, the same scene identifier is assigned to the CM section and similar sections.

  As described above, when a content signal (television broadcast program) provided by a television broadcast signal and a content signal such as a video signal or an audio signal supplied from an external device through the external input terminals 13 and 14 are recorded on the hard disk of the HDD 21. In this case, scene change point detection, scene section detection, and scene identifier generation and provision are sequentially performed on the recording target content signal. Based on these results, as shown in FIG. 53 is configured to form scene section information. Based on this scene section information, the position and length (reproduction time) of each scene section in the series of content signals and the attributes of each scene section can be grasped.

  Here, although the description has been given assuming that the start point and end point of each scene section can be specified by the frame number of the video data, for example, the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, the field number may be used for identification. Further, a time stamp based on the beginning of the content signal to be recorded may be attached, and the start point and end point of each scene section may be specified using this time stamp. Of course, the start point may be specified by the field number or time stamp, and the end point of the scene section may be specified by the number of fields, the number of frames, or the time required for reproduction.

  In other words, the position of the change point on the content signal is specified by the field number, frame number, PTS (Presentation Time Stamp) used for synchronized playback of video and audio, the time from the beginning of the content signal to be recorded, etc. Can be manageable.

  In the hard disk recorder of this embodiment, the scene section processing unit 17 uses the video data and audio data from the recording processing unit 16, but the present invention is not limited to this. The above-described processing in the scene section processing unit 17 can be performed using video data and audio data after data compression.

  Since it is usually unthinkable that a scene changes in units of several frames, if video data or audio data is data compressed by, for example, the MPEG2 system, image classification processing is performed based on I-picture frame data. It is also possible to detect scene change points.

  For example, frame data of an I picture is divided into a plurality of image areas, and a DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) of Y component (luminance component), Cb component (blue color difference component), and Cr component (red color difference component) in each image area. ) Three-order vectors Ay (luminance vector), Ab (blue color difference vector), and Ar (red color difference vector) having the average value of DC coefficients of the coefficients as components, and generating the vector data The scene change point may be detected by classifying the similar image and the dissimilar image based on the distance from the vector data of the frame data of the other I picture.

  As described above, a method for judging a similar section and a dissimilar section using video data compressed by the MPEG2 system (similar identifiers are assigned to similar scene sections even in temporally separated scene sections). The method that can be applied is described in detail in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-219348.

[Operation (processing) during playback]
Next, as described above, an operation (process) in the case of reproducing the content signal recorded on the hard disk of the HDD 21 will be described. When an operation input for reproducing the content signal recorded in the HDD 21 is performed through the operation input unit 52 or the remote controller 60, the control unit 40 controls each part of the reproduction system, and the purpose recorded in the HDD 21 is as follows. The reproduction processing of the content signal (program stream) to be started is started.

  First, the control unit 40 controls the drive control unit 20 to read the target content signal by controlling the HDD 21 and supplies it to the reproduction processing unit 33 through the reproduction position detection unit 31. The reproduction processing unit 33 separates the content signal into video data, audio data, and control data, and performs a decompression process on the video data and audio data to obtain the original video data and audio data before data compression. Restore.

  Then, the reproduction processing unit 33 performs D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion on each of the restored video data and audio data to form an analog video signal and an analog audio signal, and for the analog video signal, the video processing unit The analog audio signal is supplied to the audio processing unit 36.

  The video processing unit 34 forms an analog video signal that is output from the analog video signal supplied thereto, and outputs the analog video signal through the video output terminal 35 to be supplied to the video monitor device. In this case, the video processing unit 34 can adjust image quality and the like in accordance with control from the control unit 40.

  The audio processing unit 36 forms an analog audio signal that is output from the analog audio signal supplied thereto, and outputs the analog audio signal through the audio output terminal 37 to be supplied to the speaker. In this case, the sound processing unit 36 can control the gain of the reproduced sound and adjust the volume (volume level) of the reproduced sound in accordance with the control from the control unit 40 or the gain determining unit 32. ing.

[Overview of operation when executing the flash function]
When the target content signal recorded in the HDD 21 is reproduced and viewed, when the flash feed key or the flash return key is pressed through the operation input unit 52 or the remote controller 60, the control unit 40 controls the playback position detection unit 31 and the flash time determination unit 32 to specify the flash time, and in the direction (+ (forward) direction or-(return)) indicated by the user for the specified time. The flash position is started after moving the playback position and restarting playback.

  That is, the playback position detection unit 31 identifies the playback position (playback location) from the content signal read through the drive control unit 20 and supplied to itself according to the control of the control unit 40, and uses this as the flash time. It supplies to the determination part 32. The flash time determination unit 32 stores the scene identifier storage unit 53 through the control unit 40 based on the information indicating the playback position of the playback content signal supplied from the playback position detection unit 31 according to the control from the control unit 40. Refer to the stored scene section information.

  The flash time determination unit 32 acquires the scene identifier of the scene section to which the playback position (the latest detected playback position) belongs, and is determined in advance in terms of the playback time in the direction instructed by the user. The scene identifier of the scene section to which the position (first candidate position) when the playback position is moved for a certain period of time belongs is acquired, and the scene identifier of the scene section to which the playback position belongs and the playback position are fixed. It is determined whether or not the scene identifiers of the scene sections to which the first candidate position belongs in the case of moving in time are the same.

  Here, if the scene identifier of the scene section to which the most recently detected playback position belongs and the scene identifier of the scene section to which the first candidate position belongs are the same, the CM section or similar section continues. The position (second candidate) when the reproduction position is further moved from the first candidate position in a direction designated by the user by a predetermined time converted into the reproduction time for a predetermined time. The scene identifier of the scene section to which the position) belongs is acquired and compared with the scene identifier of the scene section to which the latest detected playback position belongs.

  In this way, the scene identifier of the scene section to which the latest detected reproduction position belongs and the reproduction time converted into the reproduction time in the direction instructed by the user on the basis of the latest detected reproduction position are determined in advance. By sequentially comparing the scene identifier of the scene section to which the position (candidate position to which the playback position is moved) at a certain time interval belongs, the playback position is positioned at the candidate position of the scene section in which both differ first. Thus, the moving distance of the playback position is calculated in terms of the playback time.

  Then, the flash time determination unit 32 forms a control signal for moving the reproduction position by the moving distance obtained by calculation, and supplies the drive signal to the drive control unit 20, so that the function of the drive control unit 20 The playback position is moved by the calculated moving distance, the CM section or similar section is fast forwarded, fast reverse, or jumped, the playback position is changed, and then playback is resumed. To.

  As described above, in the hard disk recorder of this embodiment, when the playback position is moved using the flash function, the playback position is moved by a predetermined time converted into the playback time. However, when the playback position after movement belongs to the same scene section with the scene identifier, the process of moving the playback position in a direction according to the user's instruction for a certain period of time is repeated, so that the flash feed key or By simply pressing the flash return key once, playback can be resumed after the playback position has been moved to a scene section with a different scene identifier.

  Therefore, a scene that is not desired to be viewed can be prevented from being viewed by only pressing the flash advance key or the flash return key once. That is, when the so-called flash function is used, it is possible to reliably avoid the inconvenience that the feed is insufficient or the return is insufficient.

  As described above, the start point and end point on the content signal of each scene section are determined by, for example, the field number, frame number, PTS (Presentation Time Stamp), time from the beginning of the content signal to be recorded, etc. expressed. Then, if the playback position is known, the field of how much to advance or how much to return to reach the position for a certain amount of time for the flash operation in the direction indicated from that position can be determined. As a unit, a frame as a unit, a PTS unit, or a relative time from the beginning as a unit. Can also be specified using the field number, frame number, PTS, time information from the beginning, and the like.

  When the playback position is positioned at the target position, as described above, the playback time from the acquired playback position to the target position is calculated, and the playback position in the designated direction is calculated by the playback time. Move. For example, when moving the playback position by fast-forwarding or fast-rewinding, it is known in advance how much fast-forwarding or fast-rewinding can be performed and how much distance can be moved in terms of playback time. Based on the above, the reproduction position can be moved to the target position.

  Of course, the method is not limited to this. For example, using the functions of the drive control unit 20 and the playback position detection unit 31, the address on the hard disk at the specified playback position is specified, and the recording medium according to the address of the playback position and the target destination location By specifying the address on the recording medium indicating the target destination position based on the information indicating the upper position and jumping the playback position to the specified address, the playback position can be quickly It is also possible to resume the reproduction by positioning at the target position.

[Details of operation when executing the flash function]
Next, details of the operation during the flash function executed in the hard disk recorder of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is a process executed by the reproduction position detection unit 31, the flash time determination unit 32, the drive control unit 20, and the scene identifier storage unit 53 in cooperation under the control of the control unit 40.

  That is, when the control unit 40 receives a reproduction instruction of a content signal recorded on the hard disk of the HDD 21 through the operation input unit 52 or the remote controller 60, the control unit 40 controls each unit of the reproduction system and from the hard disk of the HDD 21 through the drive control unit 20. The target content signal is read out, and the playback position detection unit 31, the playback processing unit 33, the video processing unit 34, and the audio processing unit 36 are functioned to play back the target content signal.

  When the content signal playback process is performed in this way, when the flash feed key or the flash return key of the operation input unit 52 or the remote control 60 is operated, the control unit 40 executes the process shown in FIG. Then, a flash operation request is sent to the reproduction position detection unit 31 and the flash time determination unit 32 to start the flash operation (step S1).

  Specifically, the control unit 40 first controls the playback position detection unit 31 to detect the current playback position (playback location) based on the content signal from the drive control unit 20, and uses this as the flash time. The determination unit 32 is supplied to start the process of specifying the position to which the reproduction position is moved.

  Then, the flash time determination unit 32 refers to the scene section information of the scene identifier accumulation unit 53 through the control unit 40 based on the information indicating the reproduction position on the content signal being reproduced supplied from the reproduction position detection unit 31. Then, the scene identifier of the scene section to which the latest detected reproduction position belongs is acquired (step S2).

  Next, the flash time determination unit 32 uses the latest detected reproduction position as a reference position, and moves the reproduction position in a direction according to the user's instruction for a predetermined time converted into the reproduction time. The position (candidate position to which the playback position is moved) is calculated and specified (step S3), and the scene identifier of the scene section to which the candidate position belongs is obtained from the scene section information of the scene identifier storage unit 53 (step S4). ).

  Then, the flash time determination unit 32 uses the scene identifier of the scene section (the scene section in the middle of playback) to which the latest detected playback position acquired in step S102 and the predetermined fixed time acquired in step S104 as a unit. A comparison is made with the scene identifier of the scene section to which the candidate position, which is the moved position, belongs, and it is determined whether or not they match (step S5).

  When it is determined in step S5 that both scene identifiers match, the scene section to which the most recently acquired playback position belongs (the scene section being played back) also belongs to the candidate position of the movement destination for the playback position. Since the scene section is also a similar scene section, it is determined that the playback position needs to be further moved, and the processing from step S3 is repeated, and the position is moved from the candidate position to the playback time for a certain period of time. As a new candidate position, a match / mismatch of the scene identifier is detected.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the scene identifiers do not match, the scene section to which the most recently acquired playback position belongs (the scene section being played back) and the candidate position of the movement destination for the playback position belong. Since this is a scene section that is not similar to the scene section, the time (time converted to the playback time) for moving the playback position to the candidate position in the scene section is calculated and determined (step S6).

  Then, the flash time determination unit 32 starts a process (fast forward, fast reverse, or jump) for moving the playback position in the direction instructed by the user (step S7). Then, the process waits until the reproduction position is moved by the time determined in step S6 (step S8). In step S8, when it is determined that the playback position has been moved by the time determined in step S6, the flash operation for moving the playback position is terminated (step S9), and the playback is resumed. The processing shown in FIG.

  In this way, in the hard disk recorder of this embodiment, when the flash feed function and the flash return function are executed, a certain amount of time is converted into the playback time as in the conventional flash function. Rather than sending the playback position to the previous position or returning the playback position to the previous position by a certain amount of time, playback can be resumed after moving the playback position to a scene section with a different scene identifier. . Therefore, it is possible to avoid the trouble of having to operate the flash feed key and the flash return key a plurality of times because the playback position is not fed forward or back, and the usability can be improved.

[Specific examples of flash operation]
Next, specific examples of operations of the flash feed function and the flash return function in the hard disk recorder of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation when the flash feed function performed in the hard disk recorder of this embodiment is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, a television broadcast signal of a television broadcast program including a number of scenes such as scene 1, scene 2, scene 3, scene 4, scene 5, scene 6, scene 7,. Assume that the data is recorded on the hard disk of the HDD 21 of the hard disk recorder. At the time of recording, as shown by scene change points P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8,... In FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, scene identifiers A, B, and C are added to each scene, and these pieces of information are stored in the scene identifier storage unit 53 as scene section information.

  Assume that the flash feed key is pressed at the time S in the first half of the scene 3 when the content signal is being reproduced. In the case of the conventional flash feed function, the flash feed function ends in the second half of the scene 4 in which the playback position is moved by a predetermined time converted into the playback time.

  However, in the case of the hard disk recorder of this embodiment, the scene identifiers of the scene 3 including the start point S of the flash feed function and the scene 4 including the first candidate position of the reproduction position are “C”. Therefore, the playback position is sent first for a predetermined time.

  Finally, the flash feed function started from the time point S of the scene 3 converts the playback time into the first half time point E of the scene 6 where the predetermined time is repeatedly sent twice. The playback position is positioned at the position where normal playback is resumed. As a result, the playback position is moved to time E without normal playback and viewing of scene 3, scene 4 and scene 5 whose scene identifiers are all “C”, and the content is played back as usual from there. It is possible to view video and audio by signals.

  Next, a specific example when the flash return function is executed will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation when the flash return function performed in the hard disk recorder of this embodiment is executed.

  In the case of the example shown in FIG. 6, as in the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, content signals recorded on the hard disk of the HDD 21 of the hard disk recorder of this embodiment, This is an example in which a television broadcast signal of a television broadcast program composed of a number of scenes such as scene 3, scene 4, scene 5, scene 6, scene 7,.

  Of course, the content signal to be reproduced shown in FIG. 6 is also recorded at the time of recording as shown by scene change points P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8,. As shown in FIG. 5B, scene identifiers A, B, and C are added to each scene, and these pieces of information are stored in the scene identifier storage unit 53 as scene segments are detected. It is assumed that it is accumulated as information.

  Assume that the flash return key is pressed at time S in the second half of the scene 5. In the case of the conventional flash feed function, the flash feed function ends in the first half of the scene 4 in which the playback position is moved by a predetermined time converted into the playback time.

  However, in the case of the hard disk recorder of this embodiment, the scene identifiers of the scene 5 including the start point S of the flash return function and the scene 4 including the first candidate position of the reproduction position are “C”. Therefore, the reproduction position is returned by a predetermined time.

  Finally, the flash return function started from the time point S of the scene 5 converts the playback time into the second half time point E of the scene 2 that is a position where the predetermined time is repeatedly returned twice. The playback position is positioned at the position where normal playback is resumed. As a result, the playback position is moved to time E without playing back from the middle of scene 5, scene 4 and scene 3 whose scene identifiers are all “C”, and playback is resumed from there. Thus, playback can be performed from the first scene 3 whose scene identifier is “C”, and the video and audio by the content signal can be viewed.

  As can be seen from the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the flash feed function or the flash return function is used, the playback position is not simply sent or returned by a certain amount of time in terms of the playback time. The similar scene sections to which the same scene identifier is assigned can be surely skipped.

[Variation of playback position movement destination]
In the case of the hard disk recorder of this embodiment, in the case of the flash feed function, the predetermined time of the predetermined time is advanced, such as 1 time, 2 times, and 3 times of the predetermined time converted by the reproduction time. The position becomes a candidate for the destination of the playback position, and in the case of the flash return function, the fixed time of the fixed time such as 1 time, 2 times, 3 times of the predetermined time converted by the playback time is used. The position returned by a predetermined magnification is a candidate for the movement destination of the reproduction position.

  However, this is not the only thing. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the start points P1, P2, P3,... And the end points E1, E2, E3,. Retained. For this reason, it is possible to position the playback position at the beginning or end of the first detected scene section having a different scene identifier from the scene section to which the current playback position belongs, or in the vicinity thereof.

  For example, in the case of the flash feed example shown in FIG. 5, the playback position can be positioned not at the time point E of the scene 6 but at the start point P6 of the scene 6. Of course, it can also be positioned at the end point E6 of the scene 6. However, in the case of the flash feed shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable that the scene 6 having a scene identifier different from the scene 3 in which the flash feed function is operated is normally reproduced from the beginning, so the start point of the scene 6 The playback position may be positioned to resume playback.

  Further, in the case of the flash return example shown in FIG. 6, the playback position can be positioned not at the time point E of the scene 2 but at the start point P2 of the scene 2. Of course, it can be positioned at the end point E2 of the scene 2 or at the start point P3 of the scene 3 that is in the vicinity thereof.

  However, in the case of the flash return shown in FIG. 6, it is considered that there is often no need to basically reproduce the scene 2 having a different scene identifier from the scene 5 in which the flash return function is operated. The reproduction position may be resumed by positioning the reproduction position at the end point E2 of the scene 2 or the start point of the scene 3.

[Detection during scene change point playback]
In the above-described embodiment, when the content signal is recorded on the hard disk of the HDD 21, the scene conversion point is detected, the scene section is specified, the scene identifier of each scene section is generated, and these are shown in FIG. As shown, the scene identifier information is stored and held in the scene identifier storage unit 53 as scene section information.

  However, it is not limited to this. For example, some hard disk recorders are used as portable memory devices (so-called removable memory devices) that can be carried and used with smaller and lighter HDDs. It is also conceivable that the HDD in which the content signal is recorded can be attached and detached through a hard disk recorder or personal computer.

  In such a case, since the recording process of the content signal is performed by another device, the scene change point is not detected and the scene change point database does not exist. Therefore, at the time of reproducing the content signal recorded on the hard disk, scene change point detection, scene section detection, scene identifier generation and assignment are performed, and the obtained information is stored in the scene identifier storage unit 53 as scene section information. It can also be stored.

  When the content signal recorded on the hard disk of the HDD 21 is reproduced, the scene change point of the content signal, the detection of the scene section, and the generation and assignment of the scene identifier are read from the hard disk of the HDD 21 by the drive control unit 20, for example. By supplying the content signal thus obtained to the scene change point detection unit 171 of the scene section processing unit 17, it is possible to use the content signal in a data-compressed state during reproduction. Further, in the reproduction processing unit 33, the content signal in the compressed and decompressed state is supplied to the scene change point detecting unit 171 in the scene section processing unit 17, so that the content signal is decompressed and restored to the state before the data compression. It is also possible to perform a process of detecting a scene change point or the like using.

  In any case, basically, at the time of recording, when a scene change point is detected for a content signal to be recorded, a scene section is detected, or a scene identifier for each scene section is generated and assigned. Can be performed in substantially the same manner.

  Therefore, at the time of reproduction of a content signal, a scene change point, a scene section, and a scene identifier for each scene section for the content signal are detected or generated and stored as scene section information in the scene identifier storage unit 53. Can do. Then, by using the scene section information stored at the time of reproduction, the reproduction position can be moved to the target position by the user and the reproduction can be resumed at the time of reproduction using the flash function. To be done.

  Further, in the hard disk recorder of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each part of the scene section processing unit 17 (scene change point detection unit 171, scene section detection unit 172, scene identifier generation unit 173), reproduction position detection unit 31, Functions such as the flash time determination unit 32 may be realized by a program (software) executed by the CPU 41 of the control unit 40.

  Of course, the scene change point detector 171, the scene section detector 172, and the scene identifier generator 173 can be configured by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or the like.

  In the embodiment described above, the scene change point detection unit 171 realizes a function as a change point detection unit, and the scene section detection unit 172 and the scene identifier generation unit 173 realize a function as an attribute determination unit. The scene identifier accumulating unit 53 realizes a function as a storage unit, the operation input unit 52, the remote controller 60, and the remote control signal light receiving unit 54 realize a function as an accepting unit, and the reproduction position detecting unit 31 serves as a reproduction position determining unit. The function is realized. In addition, the flash time determination unit 32 and the control unit 40 cooperate to realize a function as a control unit for actually executing the flash function.

  In the above-described embodiment, the scene identifier storage unit 53 is provided separately from the HDD 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is of course possible to provide the scene identifier storage 53 on the hard disk in the HDD 21 and form the scene section information described with reference to FIG. 3 in a free area in the hard disk of the HDD 21 so as to use it. is there.

  In this way, by forming the scene section information on the recording medium for recording the content information, when the recording medium is detachable, it is different from the device that recorded the content data and the scene section information. When loaded into a device and used, a flash function using scene section information recorded together with content data can be utilized. That is, the flash function using the scene section information can be used even in a device different from the device that recorded the content information.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a hard disk recorder has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is applied to various recording / reproducing apparatuses, recording apparatuses, and reproducing apparatuses such as a DVD recorder, a DVD player, a CD recorder, a CD player, an MD (registered trademark) recorder, an MD player, a video tape recorder, and a video tape player. Is possible.

It is a figure for demonstrating the hard disk recorder to which one embodiment of this invention was applied. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of the scene identifier production | generation part 173, and is a figure which shows the relationship between a scene change point, a scene area, and a scene identifier. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the scene area information formed in the scene identifier storage part provided in the control part of the hard-disk recorder shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the time of executing a flash function in the hard disk recorder shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the operation | movement at the time of the flash sending function of the hard disk recorder shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the operation | movement at the time of the flash return function of the hard disk recorder shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the flash operation | movement in the conventional recording / reproducing apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the flash operation | movement in the conventional recording / reproducing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Reception antenna, 12 ... Tuner part, 13 ... Input terminal, 14 ... Audio | voice input terminal, 15 ... Selector, 16 ... Recording processing part, 17 ... Scene section processing part, 171 ... Scene change point detection part, 172 ... Scene section detection unit, 173 ... scene identifier generation unit, 20 ... drive control unit, 21 ... HDD, 31 ... playback position detection unit, 32 ... flash time determination unit, 33 ... playback processing unit, 34 ... video processing unit, 35 ... Video output terminal 36 ... Audio processing unit 37 ... Audio output terminal 40 ... Control unit 41 ... CPU, 42 ... ROM, 43 ... RAM, 44 ... EEPROM, 45 ... CPU bus, 51 ... Clock circuit, 52 ... Operation input , 53 ... Scene identifier storage unit, 54 ... Remote control signal light receiving unit, 60 ... Remote control

Claims (6)

Change point detecting means for detecting a change point of the content signal to be processed at the time of recording the content signal on the recording medium or at the time of reproducing the content signal recorded on the recording medium;
Attribute determination means for determining attributes of a section sandwiched between the change points detected by the change point detection means;
Storage means for storing and holding the section between the change points detected by the change point detection means and the attributes of each section determined by the attribute determination means in association with each other;
Accepting means for receiving an instruction input to reposition and reproduce the reproduction position of the content signal at a certain time before or after a certain time during reproduction of the content signal recorded on the recording medium;
Reproduction position determination means for determining a reproduction position of the content signal to be reproduced when the instruction input is received through the reception means;
Referring to the information stored and held in the change point holding means, the playback time for the attribute of the section to which the playback position determined by the playback position determination means belongs and the direction according to the instruction input with the playback position as a reference A control means for comparing the attribute of the section to which the position at a certain time interval belongs, and controlling the playback position to be resumed by positioning the playback position at or near the position of the section where the attribute first differs. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1,
The recording / reproducing apparatus is characterized in that the control means performs control so that reproduction is resumed by positioning a reproduction position at or near the beginning or end of a section in which attributes are initially different. A change point detecting step of detecting a change point of the content signal to be processed at the time of recording the content signal on the recording medium or at the time of reproducing the content signal recorded on the recording medium;
An attribute discriminating step for discriminating an attribute of a section sandwiched between the changing points detected in the changing point detecting step;
A storage step of associating the section sandwiched between the change points detected in the change point detection step with the attribute of each section determined in the attribute determination step in a section information storage unit;
An accepting step of receiving an instruction input to reposition and reproduce the reproduction position of the content signal at a certain time before or after a certain time when reproducing the content signal recorded on the recording medium;
A reproduction position determination step of determining a reproduction position of the content signal to be reproduced when the instruction input is received in the reception step;
With reference to the information stored and held in the section information storage means, the attribute of the section to which the playback position determined in the playback position determination step belongs and the playback time in the direction according to the instruction input with the playback position as a reference A control step of comparing the attribute of the section to which the position at a certain time interval belongs, and controlling the playback position to be resumed by positioning the playback position at or near the position of the section where the attribute first differs. A method of using a content signal, comprising: The content signal utilization method according to claim 3,
In the control step, the content signal utilization method is characterized in that the reproduction is resumed by positioning the reproduction position at the beginning or end of the section where the attribute is initially different or in the vicinity thereof. In a computer mounted on a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording a content signal on a recording medium and reproducing the content signal recorded on the recording medium,
A change point detection step of detecting a change point of the content signal to be processed at the time of recording the content signal on the recording medium or at the time of reproducing the content signal recorded on the recording medium;
An attribute determination step of determining an attribute of a section sandwiched between the change points detected in the change point detection step;
A storage step of associating the section sandwiched between the change points detected in the change point detection step with the attribute of each section determined in the attribute determination step in a section information storage unit;
An accepting step of accepting an instruction input to reposition and reproduce the reproduction position of the content signal at a certain time before or after a certain time during reproduction of the content signal recorded on the recording medium;
A reproduction position determination step for determining a reproduction position of the content signal to be reproduced when the instruction input is received in the reception step;
With reference to the information stored and held in the section information storage means, the attribute of the section to which the playback position determined in the playback position determination step belongs and the playback time in the direction according to the instruction input with the playback position as a reference A control step for comparing the attribute of the section to which the position at a certain time interval belongs, and controlling the playback position to be resumed by positioning the playback position at or near the position of the section where the attribute first differs. A content signal utilization program comprising: The content signal utilization program according to claim 5,
In the control step, the content signal utilization program is characterized in that the reproduction is resumed by positioning the reproduction position at or near the beginning or end of the section where the attribute is initially different.

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