JP2007280557A - Information reproducing device, control method of information reproducing device, control program of information reproducing device and recording medium in which control program of information reproducing device is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information reproducing device, a control method of the information reproducing device and a control program of the information reproducing device by which time from time when a recording medium in which data of an image, a voice and the like are recorded is inserted in an information reproducing device such as a player by a user until reproduction of data of the image, the voice and the like is started in the information reproducing device can be shortened. <P>SOLUTION: The information reproducing device is characterized in that when information recorded in the recording medium is reproduced, unnecessary information is not read from the recording medium when unnecessary information is recorded in the recording medium according to a reproducing method selected by the user or unnecessary information which is once read and in which the user designates is not processed in the information reproducing device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present application relates to the field of information reproducing apparatuses.

  In recent years, the data provided by the spread of high-performance personal computers and the spread of high-speed communication lines has also increased in capacity, and opportunities for handling moving image files have increased. However, movie files tend to be large in size and are difficult to handle on a personal computer.

  Also, as a typical compression format of moving images such as personal computers, it is mainly used in MPEG (Moving Picture Coding Experts Group) 1 used for video CD (Compact Disc) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). There is MPEG2. According to the compression of the image by MPEG1, the image becomes rough, but since the file capacity is small, there is an advantage that data such as an image and sound can be recorded over a long time on a recording medium having a small recording capacity such as a CD. On the other hand, although MPEG2 compression has high video quality, it has a large capacity, so that it is difficult to record necessary data such as images and sounds on a recording medium with a small recording capacity.

Therefore, DivX based on MPEG4 has been devised as a compression technique for reducing the file capacity and reducing image degradation. DivX is a type of compression technology that compresses and expands video and audio data, and its advantage is that the file size can be reduced without significantly reducing image quality. Recently, information playback devices such as home DVD players that support playback of DivX files are appearing on the market (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).
Japanese Patent Application No. 11-176135

  However, when the compressed image and audio data is decompressed and reproduced in the above-described conventional DivX compressed file, all information existing in the DivX file is read before the image and audio data is read. Was playing the data. Therefore, the time for reading all the control information in the DivX file and the time for analyzing all the control information cannot be ignored, and the information reproduction device such as a player starts reproducing data such as images and sounds. By the time, a situation has occurred in which the user waits for a while.

  On the other hand, when playing back data such as images and sounds in a normal manner on the user's side, it may not be necessary to read all control information in the DivX file into the player. .

  An example of the subject of the present invention is to solve the above disadvantages, and after a user inserts a recording medium on which data such as an image and sound is recorded into an information reproducing apparatus such as a player, Provided are an information reproducing apparatus, an information reproducing apparatus control method, an information reproducing apparatus control program, and an information reproducing apparatus control program capable of shortening the time until reproduction of data such as sound is started in the information reproducing apparatus. The purpose is to do.

  The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is required for special reproduction of the information to be reproduced and input means for inputting information to be reproduced in the information reproducing apparatus. Selection means for selecting whether or not special reproduction control information is necessary, and when the selection means selects that the special reproduction control information is not necessary, the special reproduction control information input from the input means If the selection means determines that the special reproduction control information is necessary, the analysis means for analyzing the special reproduction control information input from the input means, and the input means And reproduction means for reproducing the inputted reproduction information.

  The control method in the information reproducing apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention is necessary for an input step in which information to be reproduced in the information reproducing apparatus is input and special reproduction of the information to be reproduced. A selection step for selecting whether or not the special reproduction control information to be used is necessary, and if the special reproduction control information is not necessary in the selection step, the special reproduction control information input in the input step is selected. If it is determined that the special reproduction control information is necessary in the selection step without analyzing the reproduction control information, an analysis step for analyzing the special reproduction control information input from the input step; A reproduction step of reproducing the reproduction information input in the input step.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program for an information reproducing apparatus, comprising: a computer included in the information reproducing apparatus; input means for inputting information to be reproduced by the information reproducing apparatus; The selection means for selecting whether or not special reproduction control information required for special reproduction is necessary, and when the selection means selects that the special reproduction control information is not necessary, the input If the selection means determines that the special reproduction control information is necessary without analyzing the special reproduction control information input from the means, the special reproduction control information input from the input means is analyzed. It is made to function as an analysis means for performing the reproduction, and a reproduction means for reproducing the reproduction information input from the input means.

  Next, an embodiment best suited for the present application will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration example of an information reproducing apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram schematically illustrating a DivX file structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 2B is a diagram schematically illustrating the index information portion of the DivX file according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing operations of the application control unit 5 and the reproduction control unit 3 of the information reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment.

  First, a system configuration example of the information reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information reproducing apparatus according to this embodiment is stored in a recording medium such as an optical disc 1 in which information such as image information and audio information is recorded as a DivX file, and a recording medium such as an optical disc 1. Functions as a user interface, such as a front-end control unit 2 for reading information stored in an input unit, an input unit 6 as an input unit for inputting instruction information from a user, and analyzing user instruction information input from the input unit 6 And an image display device such as a television device externally connected with the image information as an image among information such as image information and audio information read from the optical disc 1 by the front end control unit 2 (see FIG. A speaker (not shown) that generates image data to be displayed on the screen and that has audio information connected to the outside Generating sound data to be emitted from the sound source, and controlling the front end control unit 2 and the AV playback control unit, the playback control unit 3 as a control unit, and amplification and format conversion of information input from the playback control unit And an AV (Audio Visual) playback control unit 4 that performs the above processing.

  First, the operation of the front end control unit 2 will be described.

  The front end control unit 2 has a servo control circuit (not shown) for reading information on a recording medium such as the optical disk 1. The servo control circuit controls the pickup unit (not shown) of the front end unit to trace on the track or groove based on the track or groove formed on the optical disc 1. Information such as image information, audio information, and control information is recorded on the track or groove. Accordingly, the pickup unit can acquire information such as image information, audio information, and control information recorded on the optical disc 1 by receiving the laser beam reflected from the optical disc 1 under the control of the servo control circuit.

  Information read by the pickup unit is amplified by the preamplifier unit in the front end unit 2, and the amplified signal is output to the reproduction control unit 3.

  Next, the input unit 6 will be described.

  The input unit 6 is a part that provides a user interface with the user. For example, a display unit for informing the user of information being played back by the AV playback control unit 4, a playback button for the user to start playback of information such as image information and audio information recorded on the optical disc 1, and A stop button or the like for stopping playback is provided.

  In addition to normal playback operations, buttons for special playback such as fast forward and reverse playback are also provided. For example, a fast-forward button for a user to fast-forward information such as image information and audio information recorded on the optical disc 1, and a user rewinds and views information such as image information and audio information recorded on the optical disc 1. For example, a rewind button.

  The user can select whether or not to perform special reproduction before starting reproduction of information recorded on the optical disc 1. Whether or not to perform this special reproduction is selected by a user by a switch (not shown) such as a button in the input unit 6. When the user does not select to perform special reproduction, the reproduction control unit 3 controls the front end unit 2 not to read special reproduction control information recorded on the optical disc 1. Alternatively, the reproduction control unit 3 does not analyze the read special reproduction control information.

  When the front end unit 2 does not read the special reproduction control information recorded on the optical disc 1, the reproduction control unit 3 does not analyze the special reproduction control information. The time from reading the information such as image information and audio information to the time when the error correction and decoded information such as image information and audio information is output from the AV playback control unit to an external speaker and display device is shortened. The Even when the reproduction control unit 3 does not analyze the read special reproduction control information, the image information and error corrected and decoded information from the time when the front end unit 2 reads information such as image information and audio information from the optical disc 1 and Time until information such as audio information is output from the AV reproduction control unit to an external speaker and a display device is shortened.

  On the other hand, when the user selects to perform the special reproduction with the switch provided in the input unit 6, the reproduction control unit 3 sends the special reproduction control information recorded on the optical disc 1 to the front end unit 2. Control to read. In this case, the reproduction control unit 3 analyzes the special reproduction control information read in the front end unit 2 regardless of whether or not the user instructs special reproduction via the input unit 6.

  The application control unit 5 has a function as a user interface such as having a display unit for analyzing the user instruction information input from the input unit 6 and displaying the state of the information reproducing apparatus S. For example, a display unit provided in the input unit 6 for notifying the user of information being reproduced by the AV reproduction control unit 4, and reproducing information such as image information and audio information recorded on the optical disc 1 by the user. A playback button for starting and a stop button for stopping playback are controlled and analyzed. For example, the display unit performs control for displaying the title of the music currently being played from the speaker, the playback order on the optical disc 1, the total time from the start of playback of the music being played, and the like.

  In addition, in the input unit 6, a fast-forward button for the user to fast-forward information such as image information and audio information recorded on the optical disc 1, and information such as image information and audio information recorded on the optical disc 1 by the user. When a special reproduction switch such as a rewind button for performing rewind reproduction is operated, the application control unit 5 responds to the reproduction control 3 based on the special reproduction control information read from the optical disk 1. The control information is output to the reproduction control unit 3 so as to reproduce information such as image information and audio information read out from.

  Next, the reproduction control unit 3 will be described.

  The reproduction control unit 3 performs processing such as error correction and decoding on information such as image information and audio information read from the optical disc 1 by the front end unit 2. In addition, when the user gives an instruction for playback control from the input unit 6, the image information and audio to be output to the AV playback control unit 4 based on the playback control instructed by the user via the application control unit 5. Edit information such as information.

  For example, when the user selects fast-forward as the special reproduction control from the input unit 6, the reproduction control unit 3 is faster than usual based on the special reproduction control information read from the optical disc 1 through the front end unit 2. Information such as image information and sound information is edited so that information such as image information and sound information is output to the AV reproduction control unit 4 at a speed.

  The AV playback control unit 4 receives the information output from the playback control unit 3 and amplifies the information output from the playback control unit 3 so as to emit sound from a speaker connected to the AV playback control unit 4. Also, the information output from the playback control unit 3 is input, and the format of the information output from the playback control unit 3 is converted so that an image is displayed on a display device connected to the AV playback control unit 4. In addition, processing such as amplification and format conversion is performed on the information output from the playback control unit 3 and input to the AV playback control unit 4 in accordance with the device connected to the AV playback control unit 4.

  Next, the DivX file format shown in FIG. 2 will be described. Here, a video and an image will be described as synonymous.

  FIG. 2A shows the structure of a DivX file. The head portion of the DivX file has a header portion, followed by data such as video and audio as stream information, and finally index information as special reproduction control information for performing special reproduction control.

  The header portion starts with four characters “RIFF” (Resource Interchange File Format), followed by characters such as “avih” (Audio Video Interleave Header). These characters are read and analyzed by the playback control unit 3 via the front end unit 2 of the information playback device S, whereby it is recognized that the read file is a DivX file.

  Furthermore, at the beginning of the actual video and audio stream information portion, a character “movi” is written as an identifier. The part represented by this identifier is called a chunk, but there are sub-chunks in the “movi” chunk, the first two characters of each sub-chunk identifier indicate the stream number, and the last two characters indicate the data type. ing. The main data types include “wb” (audio stream), “dc” (audio stream), and “drm” (digital rights management stream). Video stream information, audio stream information, and digital copyright management information representing information such as actual image information and audio information are recorded following the sub-chunk identifier. The meaning of the identifier of each stream information in FIG. 2A is “audio stream information of stream number 0” in the case of “00wb”, for example. In this way, each piece of stream information, which is the contents of image information, audio information, and digital copyright management information, is time-divided and recorded.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram showing details in the INDEX information of the last part in the structure of the DivX file shown in FIG.

  An identifier “idx1” is recorded at the head of the INDEX information portion. An ID portion is recorded following the identifier “idx1”. In the ID portion, an identifier of the video / audio stream information is recorded. For example, information such as “** dc”, “** wb”, “** dd” is recorded. This identification information has the same meaning as the identification symbol of the video / audio stream information portion, “wb” indicates the audio stream information, “dc” indicates the audio stream information, and “drm” indicates the digital copyright. Management stream information is shown.

  Following the ID part, offset information is recorded. In the offset information, position information indicating where the stream information specified by the ID portion is located in the DivX1 file and information indicating the size of the stream information are recorded. .

  These characters are read and analyzed by the playback control unit 3 via the front end unit 2 of the information playback device S, so that the video stream information, the image stream information, and the digital information management information specified by the read ID portion are obtained. , The position in the DivX file is recognized.

  For example, when the user selects the fast-forward switch of the input unit 6 and wants to fast-forward the video data, the playback control unit 3 analyzes the INDEX information part shown in FIG. 2B and locates the video stream information. Recognize Then, the reproduction control unit 3 does not read out the video stream information faster than the normal speed, or sequentially reads out the video stream parts, but determines how many video stream information parts exist discontinuously based on the INDEX information. (The playback control unit 3 determines the number of streams to be skipped based on information indicating the size of each stream recorded in the INDEX information portion and information such as the fast-forward speed input from the input unit 6). The skipped video stream information part is read and generated, and the fast-forwarded image data is displayed on an externally connected display device by outputting the fast-forwarded data to the AV playback control part 4.

  On the other hand, when the user does not want special playback control such as fast forward and rewind playback, the front end unit 2 reads the DivX file shown in FIG. Read up to the portion and finish reading the DivX file. That is, it is not necessary to read out the INDEX information portion when the special reproduction control is not performed. In this case, since the frequency with which the front end unit 2 accesses the optical disc 1 in which the DivX file is written decreases, there is an advantage that the life of the optical disc 1 is extended.

  Further, since the INDEX information is not read into the information reproducing apparatus S, the reproduction control unit 3 does not have time to analyze the INDEX information. Therefore, after the DivX file is read from the optical disc 1, it is connected to the AV reproduction control unit 4. The time until sound is reproduced from the speaker and the time until an image is displayed on an image display device such as a liquid crystal television or a plasma television is shortened. As a result, the user's waiting time from when the optical disc 1 is set in the information reproducing apparatus S to listening to sound and viewing an image is shortened, so that the user can enjoy viewing AV information in a comfortable environment for the user. become able to.

  When the information reproducing apparatus S does not read the INDEX information via the front end unit 2, the video stream information and the audio stream information are sequentially displayed from the top of the DivX file, and the reproduction control unit 3 is the video information and the audio. Play as information. The reproduction control unit 3 outputs the reproduced video information and audio information to the AV reproduction control device 4, and the AV reproduction control device 4 processes the input video information and audio information and connects to the AV reproduction control device 4. Video information and audio information are output to the image display device and the speaker. In this case, the user can enjoy the sound and the video reproduced at the normal speed in the same manner as watching a television program live.

  Even if the INDEX information is read into the information reproducing apparatus S together with other information, the time until the start of reproduction is shortened compared with the normal reproduction by reproducing without performing the INDEX analysis.

  Next, the operation in the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing the operation of the application control unit 5 in the present embodiment.

  In step S <b> 1, it is determined whether or not the user has selected the DivX time reduction mode via the input unit 6. The DivX time reduction mode refers to stream information as video or audio information recorded in DivX without reading INDEX information from a DivX file (or without analyzing INDEX information read by the playback control unit 3). Represents a normal playback mode in which the items are generated in the order recorded in time division on DivX.

  If the DivX time reduction mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S2. If the DivX time reduction mode is not selected, the process proceeds to step S3. Next, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the application control unit 5 outputs information indicating that the DivX time reduction mode is not selected by the user to the reproduction control unit 3. Then, the operation of the application control unit 5 ends. In this case, the application control unit 5 may shift to a standby state for analyzing what instruction the user will give next through the input unit 6.

  In step S <b> 2, the application control unit 5 outputs information indicating that the DivX time reduction mode is selected by the user to the reproduction control unit 3. Then, the operation of the application control unit 5 ends. Also in this case, the application control unit 5 may shift to a standby state for analyzing what instruction the user will give next through the input unit 6.

  Next, the operation of the reproduction control unit 3 will be described using a flowchart with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 4, the playback control unit 3 reads information including video and image data in the DivX file recorded on the optical disc 1 via the front end unit 2. In this case, if it is known in advance that the user has selected the DivX time reduction mode, the INDEX information may not be read into the DivX file. Next, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the reproduction control unit 3 analyzes what information is recorded in the header portion in the DivX file information read via the front end unit 2. In the present embodiment, the playback control unit 3 recognizes that “RIFF” and “avih” are written in the header portion in the DivX file information. Next, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S <b> 6, the playback control unit 3 determines whether information indicating that the user has selected the DivX time reduction mode is input from the application control unit 5. If the information indicating that the DivX time reduction mode is selected is not input, the process proceeds to step S7. If the information indicating that the DivX time reduction mode is selected is input, the process ends. In this case, when the information that the user has decided to continue to view the contents of the DivX file is input to the playback control unit 3 via the input unit 6 and the application unit 5, the playback control unit 3 Start playing information in the file.

  In step S7, the playback control unit 3 analyzes the INDEX information of the DivX file. In order to perform special reproduction, for each type of stream such as video and image, information indicating which type of stream information is in which position of the DivX file and the size of the stream information are stored in the reproduction control unit 3 (not shown). Store in the department. When a special reproduction instruction is designated by the user via the input unit 6 and the application control unit 5, the reproduction control unit 6 performs special reproduction of the video and audio information in the DivX file based on the INDEX information.

  3 is recorded in advance on a recording medium such as a flexible disk, or recorded in advance via a network such as the Internet, and is read and executed by a general-purpose microcomputer or the like. It is possible to cause the general-purpose microcomputer or the like to function as a CPU according to the embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, the DivX file has been described. However, the present application is not applied only to the DivX file. The present application can be applied to any format as long as index information as arbitrary offset information in information such as video and audio is a file format recorded together with information such as video and audio. . For example, the present application can be applied to AAC (Advanced Audio Code) which is a format of audio information in MPEG4.

  In the above embodiment, an optical disc (an optical disc such as a CD or a DVD) is described as a DivX file recording medium. However, the recording medium is not limited to this, and a semiconductor memory such as an HD (Hard Disc) or a flash memory, The present application can also be applied to a recording medium such as a floppy disk.

  DivX time-saving mode can also be set from the remote control part or the monitor screen.

  When the index information (INDEX information) is analyzed, it takes time to acquire the index information, so it takes time to reproduce the image and audio information recorded in the DivX file. By using, time until image information and audio information are reproduced is shortened.

  In addition, when special playback operations such as fast feed (FF) and rewind playback (REV: Reverse) are performed by setting the DivX short-time mode to OFF as necessary, functions such as time search are provided. Search for places you've never done before.

  As described above, the user can freely set the DivX short-time mode to ON and OFF according to the user's needs, and the usability of the information reproducing apparatus has been improved.

  That is, it is possible to shorten the time required for reproducing information such as image information and audio information recorded in the DivX file.

  In addition, since the frequency of access to the recording medium having the index information is reduced by setting the DivX short-time mode to ON, there is an effect that the life of the interface portion in the information reproducing apparatus with the recording medium is extended.

  Furthermore, in a system in which the DivX short-time mode setting is only ON, the area where index information should be stored is reduced, so that the storage capacity of the storage unit can be reduced, and the cost of the entire system is reduced. You can go down.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the present application can be applied to an information reproducing apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this, and devices such as a DVD recorder, a DVD player, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), a personal computer, and a car stereo are used. The present application can be applied to.

It is a block diagram of the information reproducing apparatus S concerning this embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows typically the file structure of DivX concerning embodiment. (B) is a figure which shows typically the index information part of the DivX file concerning embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing operations of the application control unit and the reproduction control unit of the information reproduction apparatus according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical disk 2 ... Front end control part 3 ... Playback control part 4 ... AV playback control part 5 ... Application control part 6 ... Input part

Claims (8)

In the information reproducing apparatus,
Input means for inputting information to be reproduced in the information reproducing apparatus;
A selection means for selecting whether or not special reproduction control information required for special reproduction from the information to be reproduced is selected;
If the selection means selects that the special reproduction control information is not required, the special reproduction control information input from the input means is not analyzed, and the special reproduction control information is required by the selection means. If it is determined that there is an analysis means for analyzing the special reproduction control information input from the input means;
Reproducing means for reproducing the reproduction information input from the input means;
An information reproducing apparatus comprising: The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1,
When the selection means selects that the special reproduction control information is necessary, the special reproduction control information and the reproduction information to be reproduced in the information reproduction apparatus are input from the input means, and the selection is performed. Control means for controlling the reproduction information to be input without inputting the special reproduction control information from the input means when the special reproduction control information is not required by the means;
An information reproducing apparatus further comprising: The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The special reproduction control information includes position information for specifying a position in the logical block of at least two or more information units included in each logical block in the reproduction information, and information amount information representing an information amount of the information unit. An information reproducing apparatus characterized in that the information reproducing apparatus includes information. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The information unit includes time division information divided in the time axis direction, the time division information includes at least two types, and the information unit includes identification information indicating the type of the time division information. And the special reproduction control information includes correspondence information corresponding to the identification information. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The type of the time division information includes video information and audio information, and the special reproduction control information is recorded after the video information and the audio information in the logical block are recorded. Information reproducing apparatus. In the control method in the information reproducing apparatus,
An input step in which information to be reproduced in the information reproducing apparatus is input;
A selection step in which it is selected whether or not special reproduction control information required for special reproduction is required among the information to be reproduced;
When it is selected that the special reproduction control information is not necessary in the selection step, the special reproduction control information input in the input step is not analyzed, and the special reproduction control information is necessary in the selection step. If it is determined that there is an analysis step for analyzing the special regeneration control information input from the input step;
A reproduction step of reproducing the reproduction information input in the input step;
A method for controlling an information reproducing apparatus, comprising: A computer included in the information reproducing apparatus;
Input means for inputting information to be reproduced in the information reproducing apparatus;
A selection means for selecting whether or not special reproduction control information required for special reproduction is required among the information to be reproduced;
If the selection means selects that the special reproduction control information is not required, the special reproduction control information input from the input means is not analyzed, and the special reproduction control information is required by the selection means. If it is determined that there is an analysis means for analyzing the special reproduction control information input from the input means,
Reproduction means for reproducing the reproduction information input from the input means;
A control program for an information reproducing apparatus, wherein   8. A recording medium on which the control program for the information reproducing apparatus according to claim 7 is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

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