JP2007116214A - Recording device, reproducing unit, recording/reproducing device, program, and recording medium thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce buffer capacity required for maintaining isochronism in AV stream in a recording device, a reproducing device, a recording/reproducing device capable of performing other operation processing requiring access to a recording section while recording and/or reproducing the AV stream. <P>SOLUTION: A file operation division section 21 divides processing related to file operation whose input has been instructed via an operation input 20 into N times of processing for inputting into the recorder 16. The recorder 16 executes operation instructions (recording, reproduction, and file operation instructions, and the like) in an inputted order. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording device, a playback device, and a recording / playback device for a digitally encoded AV stream (a stream obtained by digitizing a moving image, a still image, audio, or the like).

  In recent years, a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording an AV stream transmitted by digital television broadcasting in a digital system has appeared. In addition, the digital encoding means for analog television broadcasts can be realized at low cost and the number of recording / reproducing apparatuses for recording analog broadcast television broadcasts in a digital manner is increasing.

  In addition to the video CD and DVD, next-generation disc media are scheduled to appear in recent years in non-broadcast package media as well, and the spread of digital AV stream recording and playback devices will be accelerated in the future. Is expected.

  By the way, in digital recording / reproducing apparatuses, conventional tape media has been widely used mainly for cost reasons. However, the use of disk media is becoming mainstream as the encoding technology and recording density improve.

  The disk medium has excellent random accessibility because the seek of the recording head is very fast. In addition, disk media can be used for simultaneous execution of recording and playback, which was difficult to achieve with tape media, simultaneous recording and playback of multiple AV streams, and simultaneous recording of data such as AV streams and other data broadcasts. There is an advantage of being. In particular, an HDD (hard disk drive) has a larger capacity than other currently used disk media, and is excellent in data transfer speed during recording and reproduction. For this reason, it is possible to improve the user convenience by using multiple AV streams and data at the same time, such as by incorporating them into a digital broadcast receiver or combining them with other recording media such as DVDs. Recording and playback devices have appeared. Patent Document 1 discloses a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of simultaneously processing a digitally encoded AV stream and data broadcasting.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing an AV stream. As shown in this figure, a recording / playback apparatus 100 includes an antenna 101, a tuner 102, a demodulation unit 103, an AV stream selection unit 104, an AV stream recording buffer 105, a recording unit 106, an AV stream playback buffer 107, and a decoding unit 108. The video output device 109 is provided.

  The antenna 101 receives the harmonic signal transmitted from the digital broadcasting station and outputs it to the tuner 102. The tuner 102 selectively amplifies a predetermined band from the high frequency signal received by the antenna 101, performs frequency conversion, and outputs the result to the demodulation unit 103. The demodulator 103 demodulates the signal (modulated signal) input from the tuner 102, converts it to digital data, and outputs the digital data to the AV stream selector 104. The AV stream selecting unit 104 sorts the digital data input from the demodulating unit 103 for each packet ID, thereby reconstructing the digital data as an AV stream, and outputs the AV stream to the AV stream recording buffer 105. The output from the AV stream selection unit 104 is recorded in the recording unit 106 via the AV stream recording buffer 105.

  When the AV stream recorded in the recording unit 106 is reproduced, the AV stream read from the recording unit 106 is input to the decoding unit 108 via the AV stream reproduction buffer 107. The decoding unit 108 decodes the AV stream input from the AV stream reproduction buffer 107, converts the AV stream into a signal that can be output as a video, and outputs the signal to the video output device 109. The video output device 109 displays the signal input from the decoding unit 108.

  Note that an AV stream recording / reproducing apparatus is required to be isochronous. That is, the AV stream recording / playback apparatus does not allow a difference in processing speed for each device, and requires recording and playback of AV streams, which are continuous and periodic data, without causing data underrun. Is done. Therefore, in order to prevent underrun, it is important that an AV stream recording / playback apparatus is equipped with a buffer having a sufficient capacity (AV stream recording buffer, AV stream playback buffer) and managing this buffer.

  In particular, the bit rate (data capacity per unit time) of an outgoing AV stream is increased by improving digital broadcasting technology, multiple AV streams are simultaneously recorded by improving the performance of disk media, and AV streams are recorded for improving user convenience. In order to support simultaneous execution of playback and playback, a buffer is required in the processing device in addition to the cache built in the recording medium driving device (drive). The buffer is used for the purpose of matching the access timing of the disk medium and the timing on the processing device side, and a semiconductor storage device is often used.

  Usually, it is necessary to provide a buffer for each processing system to ensure the maximum performance and capacity required for each processing system. On the other hand, in order to reduce the cost of the recording / reproducing apparatus, it is desired to reduce the capacity of the buffer.

In Patent Document 2, although the technical field is different from that of an AV stream recording / reproducing apparatus, in an image forming apparatus equipped with a hard disk, when there is a process having a higher priority than the erasing process, the erasing process is suspended. Technology is disclosed. Patent Document 2 describes that one erasure time, which is the time taken for one erasure, is set based on the transfer capability of the hard disk.
JP 2004-159231 A (publication date: November 8, 2002) JP 2005-203066 A (publication date: July 28, 2005)

  However, in the conventional AV stream recording / reproducing apparatus, a large-capacity buffer (AV stream recording / recording) is performed particularly when an operation process for a recording unit other than the recording / reproducing of the AV stream is performed during the recording / reproducing process of the AV stream. There is a problem that a buffer for AV stream and a buffer for AV stream reproduction) are necessary.

  This point will be described in more detail. In recent AV stream recording / playback apparatuses, in order to improve user convenience, operation processing for a recording unit other than AV stream recording / playback (for example, deletion of a file of an AV stream already recorded in the recording unit) Some of them have functions for performing file operation processing such as editing, moving, and creating a new file.

  FIG. 8 occupies the timing when an AV stream recording command and a file operation command are input to the recording unit, and access to the recording unit (access to a recording medium that records the AV stream) for each process. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the period. The horizontal axis indicates the passage of time t. The lower part of FIG. 8 shows a case where the AV stream is recorded in the recording unit in a state where there is no file operation command (steady state), and the upper part shows the file operation process during the period in which the AV stream is recorded in the recording part. This shows the case where this occurs.

  As shown in the lower diagram, when recording an AV stream in a steady state, when an AV stream recording command is input to the recording unit at times t0, t1, t2,..., The recording process is immediately executed, The recording process is performed only for the period of trec. That is, the recording process ends at time (t0 + trec), (t1 + trec), and (t2 + trec), respectively.

  However, as shown in the upper diagram, when a file processing command requiring a processing time tf is input to the recording unit at time tx immediately before time t1 when the AV stream recording command is input, the file operation processing is performed. If the end time tx + tf is later than the time t1, the execution of the second AV stream recording processing instruction is delayed by time ((tx + tf) -t1) as compared with the case where the file operation processing instruction is not input. Note that the closer the input timing of the file operation processing command is to the time t1, the greater the delay of the AV stream recording processing command, and the maximum time is tf.

  As described above, when the file operation processing is performed on the recording unit other than the recording / reproducing of the AV stream during the period in which the recording / reproducing of the AV stream is performed, the access for the file operation is performed. Cannot perform recording / playback processing of AV streams, so it is necessary to wait for execution of recording / playback processing until access for file operation is completed. Therefore, in addition to the buffer capacity required when file operations do not occur during AV stream recording, AV stream data that continues to be received while waiting for execution of recording / playback processing as described above is stored. A buffer was needed.

  Patent Document 2 is a technique related to an image forming apparatus, and does not include a buffer for maintaining isochronism unlike an AV stream recording / reproducing apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its purpose is a recording apparatus capable of performing other operation processing that requires access to a recording unit during AV stream recording and / or playback processing, In a reproducing apparatus and a recording / reproducing apparatus, the buffer capacity necessary for maintaining isochronous AV streams is to be reduced.

  In order to solve the above problems, a recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a recording means for recording a digitally encoded AV stream, and a recording buffer for temporarily storing the AV stream to be recorded in the recording means. The recording apparatus further includes an operation dividing unit that divides an operation instruction other than the AV stream recording operation instruction for the recording unit into a plurality of instructions.

  According to the above configuration, by dividing the operation instruction other than the recording operation instruction (recording instruction) into a plurality of instructions, it is possible to shorten the processing time per time for executing the operation instruction. Therefore, the waiting time until the AV stream recording operation command is executed can be shortened. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the recording buffer necessary for maintaining the isochronism of the AV stream.

  In order to solve the above problems, the playback apparatus of the present invention includes a recording unit that records a digitally encoded AV stream, and a playback buffer that temporarily stores the AV stream read from the recording unit. Is provided with an operation dividing unit that divides an operation instruction other than an AV stream read instruction for the recording means into a plurality of instructions.

  According to the above configuration, by dividing the operation instruction other than the reproduction operation instruction (reproduction instruction) into a plurality of instructions, it is possible to shorten the processing time per time for executing the operation instruction. Therefore, the waiting time until the AV stream playback operation command is executed can be shortened. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the reproduction buffer necessary for maintaining the isochronousity of the AV stream.

  In order to solve the above problems, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a recording means for recording a digitally encoded AV stream, a recording buffer for temporarily storing the AV stream to be recorded in the recording means, A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a reproduction buffer for temporarily storing an AV stream read from the recording means, wherein a plurality of operation instructions other than an AV stream recording operation instruction or a reproduction operation instruction for the recording means are provided. It is characterized by having an operation dividing unit that divides the instruction into one instruction.

  According to the above configuration, by dividing the operation instruction other than the recording operation instruction or the reproduction operation instruction into a plurality of instructions, it is possible to reduce the processing time per time for executing the operation instruction. Therefore, the waiting time until the AV stream recording operation command or the playback operation command is executed can be shortened. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the recording buffer and the reproduction buffer necessary for maintaining isochronism of the AV stream.

  Further, in the recording apparatus, the reproducing apparatus, or the recording / reproducing apparatus, the recording unit may execute the input operation commands in the input order.

  According to the above configuration, the operation command other than the recording operation command or the reproduction operation command is divided into a plurality of commands and input to the recording unit. The recording means executes the input operation commands in the order of input. Therefore, even if a recording operation command or a reproduction operation command is input during a period in which an operation command other than the recording operation command or the reproduction operation command is being executed, one operation command other than the recording operation command or the reproduction operation command is performed once. Therefore, the waiting time until the AV stream recording operation command or the playback operation command is executed can be shortened. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the recording buffer and the reproduction buffer necessary for maintaining isochronism of the AV stream.

  Further, in the recording apparatus or the reproduction apparatus or the recording / reproduction apparatus, the recording apparatus includes a scheduling unit that rearranges each operation command input to the recording unit in an order according to a preset priority, and the recording unit includes: Each operation command may be executed in the rearranged order.

  According to said structure, each operation command input into a recording means can be performed in the order according to the preset priority. Therefore, for example, by setting the priority of the recording operation command and / or the playback operation command higher than the priority of other operation commands, the AV stream recording processing and / or playback processing can be preferentially executed. Can do. As a result, the waiting time until the AV stream recording operation command and / or the playback operation command is executed can be further shortened. Therefore, the recording buffer and / or the playback buffer necessary for maintaining the isochronousity of the AV stream are provided. The buffer capacity can be further reduced.

  The recording device, the reproducing device, and the recording / reproducing device may be operated by a computer. In that case, a program that causes the computer to function as the operation dividing unit and a computer that records the program can be read. Such recording media are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the recording apparatus of the present invention includes the operation dividing unit that divides an operation instruction other than the AV stream recording operation instruction for the recording unit into a plurality of instructions. In addition, the playback apparatus of the present invention includes an operation dividing unit that divides an operation command other than an AV stream playback operation command for the recording unit into a plurality of commands. The recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention further includes an operation dividing unit that divides an operation instruction other than an AV stream recording operation instruction and a reproduction operation instruction for the recording unit into a plurality of instructions.

  Therefore, since the waiting time until the AV stream recording operation command is executed can be shortened, the capacity of the recording buffer necessary for maintaining the isochronousity of the AV stream can be reduced.

Embodiment 1
An embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in this figure, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, an antenna 11, a tuner 12, a demodulation unit 13, an AV stream selection unit 14, a recording buffer 15, a recording unit 16, a reproduction buffer 17, and a decoding unit 18. A video output device 19, an operation input unit 20, and a file operation dividing unit 21.

  The antenna 11 receives the harmonic signal transmitted from the digital broadcasting station and outputs it to the tuner 12. The tuner 12 selectively amplifies a predetermined band from the high-frequency signal received by the antenna 11, performs frequency conversion, and outputs the result to the demodulation unit 13. The demodulator 13 demodulates the signal (modulated signal) input from the tuner 12, converts it into digital data, and outputs the digital data to the AV stream selector 14. The AV stream selection unit 14 sorts the digital data input from the demodulation unit 103 for each packet ID, reconfigures it as an AV stream, and outputs it to the recording buffer 15.

  The recording buffer (AV stream recording buffer) 15 temporarily stores (saves) the AV stream input from the AV stream selection unit 14 and records the stored AV stream by a predetermined amount at a predetermined timing. Is output. That is, the output from the AV stream selection unit 14 is recorded in the recording unit 16 via the recording buffer 15. As a result, the difference between the data transfer rate of the AV stream input to the recording buffer 15 and the recording processing rate in the recording unit 16 is compensated. The control unit 10 may read the AV stream stored in the recording buffer 15 and output it to the recording unit 16 for storage.

  The recording unit (recording unit) 16 records an AV stream. The recording unit 16 includes a recording medium to which data including an AV stream file is written, a writing unit to write data to the recording medium, and the above-described recording unit. Read means for reading data written on the recording medium (none of which is shown). The recording medium provided in the recording unit 16 is not particularly limited. For example, an optical disk such as a CD (compact disc) or a DVD (digital versatile disc), a hard disk, a magnetic disk such as an MD (mini disc), A magneto-optical disk such as an MO (magnetic optical disc), a memory card such as an IC card or an optical card, a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or flash ROM can be used.

  The reproduction buffer (AV stream reproduction buffer) 17 temporarily stores the AV stream read from the recording unit 16 and outputs the stored AV stream to the decoding unit 18 by a predetermined amount at a predetermined timing. It is. That is, the AV stream read from the recording unit 16 is output to the decoding unit 18 via the reproduction buffer 17. As a result, the difference between the reading speed in the recording unit 16 and the data transfer rate in the processing after the decoding unit 17 is compensated. The control unit 10 may read the AV stream stored in the reproduction buffer 17 and output it to the decoding unit 18.

  The decoding unit 18 decodes the AV stream input from the playback buffer 17, converts the AV stream into a signal capable of video output, and outputs the signal to the video output device 19. The video output device 19 displays the signal input from the decoding unit 18.

  The operation input unit 20 is an interface that receives an instruction from a user and transmits the instruction to the control unit 10. Through this operation input unit 20, the user can specify an instruction for receiving a frequency, an instruction for recording the received AV stream in the recording unit 16, an instruction for reproducing the AV stream recorded in the recording unit 16, AV Instructions for operation processing (for example, deletion or editing of various files already recorded in the recording unit 16) for the recording unit 16 other than stream recording / playback can be input and transmitted to the control unit 10.

  The control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1. That is, the control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 based on an instruction or the like input from the user via the operation input unit 20.

  During the AV stream recording / playback processing, the file operation splitting unit 21 performs operation processing on the recording unit 16 other than recording / playback of the AV stream (for example, deleting or editing various files already recorded in the recording unit 16, new When a simple file is created), a file operation command for causing the recording unit 16 to execute the operation process is divided into a plurality of commands and input to the recording unit 16 for execution. The file operation dividing unit 21 may be provided as a part of the control unit 10.

  Here, an example will be described in which an operation process for the recording unit 16 other than the recording / playback of the AV stream is divided into a plurality of processes. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the control unit 10 when a file operation instruction is given to the recording unit 16 via the operation input unit 20.

  As shown in this figure, the control unit 10 issues a file operation instruction (for example, an AV stream deletion command recorded in the recording unit 16) to the recording unit 16 input from the user via the operation input unit 20. If accepted (S1), it is determined whether the AV stream is being recorded and / or reproduced (S2).

  If it is determined that the AV stream is not being recorded and / or played back, the control unit 10 inputs a file operation command based on the file operation instruction input via the operation input unit 20 to the recording unit 16 and records it. The file operation is executed by the unit 16 (S3), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when determining that the AV stream is being recorded and / or reproduced, the control unit 10 inputs a file operation instruction based on the file operation instruction input via the operation input unit 20 to the file operation dividing unit 21. The file operation instruction is divided into a plurality of instructions (N operation instructions (N is a natural number of 2 or more)), and the divided file operation instructions are sequentially input to the recording unit 16 (S4). Note that the input of the file operation command to the recording unit 16 is sequentially performed until the input of all the divided file operation commands is completed.

  Here, the number of divisions of the file operation command is the delay time of the AV stream recording command and the playback command (recording time allowed for ensuring the isochronism of the AV stream). When there is no operation command other than the command and the playback command, the execution of the recording command or the playback command is started when there is an operation command other than the recording command and the playback command from the time when the recording command or the playback command is started. Set the delay time to be less than the maximum value.

  The maximum value of the delay time is determined by the capacities of the recording buffer 15 and the reproduction buffer 17 and the writing speed and reading speed in the recording unit 16. Accordingly, the number of file operation instructions to be divided may be determined so that the isochronism of the AV stream can be ensured even when the recording buffer 15 and the reproduction buffer 17 having a small capacity are used. Further, it is preferable to determine the number of divisions of the file operation command so that the isochronism can be ensured during reproduction and the continuity of the AV stream (for example, moving image, audio, etc.) can be reproduced.

  The number of divisions of the file operation command is preferably set so that, for example, one file operation time for the divided file operation command is less than 0.1 seconds, more preferably 0.01 seconds or less. preferable.

  In addition, by setting the amount of file operations per time (for example, the size of a file to be deleted) to be equal to or less than a predetermined size, the processing time for each operation command after division is ensured to be isochronous. The maximum allowable time may be set. For example, when a deletion processing instruction of a recorded 10 GB (10,000,000,000 bytes) AV stream is divided, the deletion processing instruction may be divided so that deletion is performed five times for each 2 GB (2,000,000,000 bytes).

  In parallel with the process of S4, the control unit 10 inputs the AV stream and its data recording command from the recording buffer 15 to the recording unit 16 (S5). The data recording command may be output from the recording buffer 15 to the recording unit 16 according to an instruction from the control unit 10, or may be input directly from the control unit 10 to the recording unit 16. The AV stream may also be output from the recording buffer 15 to the recording unit 16, or the control unit 10 may read out from the recording buffer 15 and output it to the recording unit 16. The data recording command is continuously input until the recording of the AV stream is completed.

  Although the case where the AV stream recording process is performed has been described here, the playback process is substantially the same. That is, when performing the reproduction process, the control unit 10 inputs an AV stream data read command to the recording unit 16 in parallel with the process of S4 (S5). The data read command may be output from the reproduction buffer 17 to the recording unit 16 or may be directly input to the recording unit 16 according to an instruction from the control unit 10. The AV stream may also be output from the recording unit 16 to the reproduction buffer 17, or the control unit 10 may read out from the recording unit 16 and output it to the reproduction buffer 17.

  Further, the control unit 10 causes the recording unit 16 to execute the input commands in the order of arrival (the order input to the recording unit 16) (S6), and ends the process. More specifically, the recording unit 16 includes an instruction bank (an instruction storage unit, not shown) that stores input instructions, sequentially stores the input instructions, and sequentially executes the stored instructions. It is like that. The instruction bank uses a recording medium different from the recording medium for recording the AV stream. Therefore, when the input instruction is stored in the instruction bank, access to the recording medium for recording the AV stream (referred to as access to the recording unit 16 in this specification) is not accompanied.

  FIG. 3 shows the timing at which an AV stream recording command and a file operation command are input to the recording unit when a file processing command requiring the processing time tf is divided into N processes, and for each processing. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the period when the access to a recording part is occupied.

  As shown in this figure, the file operation process that requires the processing time tf is divided into N processes, and the time required for each file operation process is shortened to (tf / N). In this embodiment, since the recording unit 16 is set to execute the input instructions in the order of arrival, the delay time of execution of the AV stream recording process is shortened to (tf / N) at the maximum. That is, while the delay time in the conventional recording / reproducing apparatus is tf at the maximum, in this embodiment, the file operation dividing unit 21 divides the file operation processing into an arbitrary number of times (N times), thereby 1 It is possible to shorten the time required to execute the file operation process (divided file operation processes) times, and to reduce the waiting time until the AV stream recording processing instruction is executed to 1 / N times.

  Therefore, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the recording buffer 15 necessary for maintaining isochronism of the AV stream. Further, when performing another operation process that requires access to the recording unit during the AV stream playback process, the same process is performed, so that the playback buffer 17 necessary to maintain isochronism of the AV stream is provided. Can be reduced in the same manner as the recording buffer 15.

  That is, in the conventional recording / playback apparatus, since file operations such as deletion and editing of the recorded AV stream are performed at once, access to the recording unit 16 is long for the file operation. On the other hand, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, file operations are divided and processed, and AV stream recording / reproduction processing can be performed between the divided file operations. The AV stream recording / playback processing and file operations such as deletion and editing can be performed simultaneously without increasing the capacity of the recording buffer and playback buffer required to maintain the above.

[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described. For convenience of explanation, members having functions similar to those of the members described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment, the file operation division unit 21 can divide and execute the file operation process, but each divided file operation command is output to the recording unit 16 at a time. If an AV stream recording command is input to the recording unit 16 immediately thereafter, a state may occur in which the AV stream recording command is not executed until all the file operation commands are executed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a priority is set in advance for each processing instruction for the recording unit 16, and the order of processing to be executed by the recording unit 16 is determined based on this priority.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1a according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1a includes an access scheduling unit 22 in addition to the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 shown in the first embodiment. Processing instructions (recording command, playback command, file operation instruction command) for the recording unit 16 are input to the recording unit 16 via the access scheduling unit 22. The AV stream to be recorded in the recording unit 16 is input to the recording unit 16 via the access scheduling unit 22, and the AV stream read from the recording unit 16 is input to the reproduction buffer 17 via the access scheduling unit 22. It has become so.

  When the processing instruction to the recording unit 16 is received, the access scheduling unit 22 rearranges the input order of the processing instructions to the recording unit 16 based on the priority of each processing instruction arbitrarily set by the designer. Input to the recording unit 16 based on the changed order. The access scheduling unit 22 may be provided as a part of the control unit 10.

  In this embodiment, the priority of the recording command and the playback command is set higher than the priority of the file operation instruction command. Note that the priority of the recording command and the playback command is set to the same priority, and are set to be input to the recording unit 16 in the order of arrival at the access scheduling unit 22 (the order of input). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, priority may be set for a recording command and a playback command. When the priority of the recording command is different from the priority of the playback command, there is no particular limitation. However, since playback is generally required to be isochronous rather than recording, the priority of the playback command is It is preferable to increase the degree.

  Next, processing performed by the access scheduling unit 22 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the access scheduling unit 22.

  First, the access scheduling unit 22 determines whether there is an AV stream recording command and / or a playback command (S11). That is, the access scheduling unit 22 determines whether a recording command and / or a playback command is input from the recording buffer 15 and / or the playback buffer 17.

  If there is an AV stream recording command and / or playback command, the command is input to the recording unit 16 for execution (S12), and the process of S11 is performed again.

  On the other hand, when there is no AV stream recording command and / or playback command, the access scheduling unit 22 determines whether there is a file operation request (input of a file operation command from the control unit 10 or the file operation dividing unit 21). (S13). If there is no request for file operation, the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when there is a file operation request (file operation instruction), the access scheduling unit 22 determines whether or not the file operation instruction is divided (S14). For example, it is determined whether the time required to execute each file operation command is a predetermined time or less, or whether the file operated by each file operation command is a predetermined size or less and is divided. You just have to do it.

  If the file operation command is not divided, the access scheduling unit 22 divides the command into the file operation dividing unit 21 (S15). In addition, the access scheduling unit 22 records the file operation command divided in S16 or one file operation command out of the divided file operation commands in the recording unit 16 when the file operation command is already divided in S14. To be executed (S16).

  Next, the access scheduling unit 22 determines whether all the input file operation instructions have been executed (S17). If there is a file operation command that has not been executed, the processing from S11 is executed again. On the other hand, when all the input file operation instructions are executed, the process is temporarily terminated and the initial state is restored. Note that the AV input immediately after the file operation command is set by setting an arbitrary waiting time during the period from the return to the initial state until the next flow is started (until the process of S11 is executed again). The stream recording / playback command can be executed without waiting for the file operation command in the next flow.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the input timing of the recording command and the file operation command to the recording unit 16 and the period in which the access to the recording unit 16 is occupied to execute each command when the above processing is performed. It is explanatory drawing shown.

  As shown in this figure, in the present embodiment, the AV stream recording process is preferentially executed over the divided file operation process. Thereby, the delay time of the recording process of the AV stream can be further reduced as compared with the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the capacity of the recording buffer 15 necessary for maintaining isochronism of the AV stream. Also, by performing the same processing during AV stream playback, the delay time for playback of the AV stream can be further reduced, and the capacity of the playback buffer 17 can be further reduced.

  In each of the above embodiments, the recording / reproducing apparatuses 1 and 1a capable of recording and reproducing AV streams have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to, for example, a recording apparatus that does not have a reproducing function, and can also be applied to a reproducing apparatus that does not have a recording function.

  The recording / playback apparatuses 1 and 1 a may be configured to select whether the received AV stream is recorded in the recording unit 16 or output from the video output device 19 without being recorded in the recording unit 16. When the received AV stream is output from the video output device 19 without being recorded in the recording unit 16, for example, the control unit 10 causes the decoding unit 18 to input the AV stream output from the AV stream selection unit 14. You can do it. Further, the received AV stream may be recorded in the recording unit 16 and output from the video output device 19 in parallel. In this case, the control unit 10 may input the AV stream output from the AV stream selection unit 14 to the decoding unit 18 and the recording buffer 15.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration in which the AV stream is received by the antenna 11 and the tuner 12 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the recording / playback apparatuses 1 and 1a include HDDs and DVDs. The AV stream may be obtained from a disc medium (storage type medium) or another AV stream recording / reproducing apparatus connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 via a signal line capable of transmitting a digital signal.

  In addition, the control unit 10, the file operation dividing unit 21, and the access scheduling unit 22 in each of the above embodiments may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows. It may be realized by a combination of hardware logic and software.

  That is, the control unit 10, the file operation dividing unit 21, and the access scheduling unit 22 are a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, A RAM (random access memory) for expanding the program, a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data, and the like are provided. An object of the present invention is to provide program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of control programs of the control unit 10, the file operation dividing unit 21, and the access scheduling unit 22, which are software that realizes the functions described above. This can also be achieved by supplying a recording medium recorded in a computer-readable manner to the control unit 10 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the control unit 10, the file operation dividing unit 21, and the access scheduling unit 22 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the technical means disclosed in different embodiments can be appropriately combined. Embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to a digitally encoded AV stream recording apparatus, reproducing apparatus, and recording / reproducing apparatus. Typically, the present invention can be applied to an AV stream recording apparatus, reproducing apparatus, and recording / reproducing apparatus using a disk medium such as a DVD or an HDD.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flow which shows the flow of a process of the control part with which the recording / reproducing apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention is equipped. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the input timing of each command to the recording unit and the period during which access to the recording unit is occupied to execute each command in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus concerning other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the access scheduling part with which the recording / reproducing apparatus concerning other embodiment of this invention is equipped. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the input timing of each command to the recording unit and the period during which access to the recording unit is occupied to execute each command in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the conventional AV stream. It is explanatory drawing which showed the input timing of each command to a recording part, and the period when the access to a recording part is occupied in order to perform each command in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the conventional AV stream.

Explanation of symbols

1,1a Recording / reproducing apparatus (recording apparatus, reproducing apparatus)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control part 11 Antenna 12 Tuner 13 Demodulation part 14 AV stream selection part 15 Recording buffer 16 Recording part 17 Playback buffer 18 Decoding part 19 Video output device 20 Operation input part 21 File operation division part 22 Access scheduling part

Claims (11)

A recording apparatus comprising: recording means for recording a digitally encoded AV stream; and a recording buffer for temporarily storing the AV stream to be recorded in the recording means,
A recording apparatus comprising: an operation dividing unit that divides an operation instruction other than an AV stream recording operation instruction for the recording unit into a plurality of instructions.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit executes the input operation commands in the input order. A scheduling unit for rearranging each operation command input to the recording means in an order according to a preset priority;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit executes each operation command in the rearranged order. A playback device comprising recording means for recording a digitally encoded AV stream, and a playback buffer for temporarily storing the AV stream read from the recording means,
A playback apparatus comprising: an operation dividing unit for dividing an operation instruction other than an AV stream read instruction for the recording means into a plurality of instructions.   5. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording unit executes the input operation commands in the order of input. A scheduling unit for rearranging each operation command input to the recording means in an order according to a preset priority;
5. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording unit executes each operation command in the rearranged order. Recording means for recording the digitally encoded AV stream, recording buffer for temporarily storing the AV stream to be recorded on the recording means, and reproduction for temporarily storing the AV stream read from the recording means A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a buffer for
A recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: an operation dividing unit that divides an operation instruction other than an AV stream recording operation instruction or a reproduction operation instruction for the recording unit into a plurality of instructions.   8. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recording unit executes the input operation commands in the order of input. A scheduling unit for rearranging each operation command input to the recording means in an order according to a preset priority;
8. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recording unit executes each operation command in the rearranged order. A program for operating the recording device according to claim 1, the playback device according to claim 4, or the recording / playback device according to claim 7,
A program for causing a computer to function as the operation dividing unit.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 10.

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