JP2008236145A - Reproducing device, video reproducing device, and program information editing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a program operation using a chapter added to a program in the case of designating and reproducing a play list in a video reproducing device. <P>SOLUTION: In the video reproducing device, when a play list is prepared, additional information such as the chapter information of a program is copied to an index information region for play list reproduction, and used in the case of reproduction by the play list. Also, the device unique information of the program such as digest viewing information is copied to the device independent information region for play list reproduction, and used in the case of reproduction by the play list. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The technical field relates to an apparatus for reproducing video or a method for editing program information thereof.

  In recent years, in the field of television broadcasting, there is a shift from conventional analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting.

  In Patent Document 1, “content information including, for example, a plurality of programs or a plurality of video resolutions, parental levels, angles, and the like is efficiently recorded on an information recording medium such as an optical disc, and a desired one of them is selected. The information recording medium includes a plurality of playlist sets each including a plurality of pieces of content information and a plurality of pieces of playlist information defining these reproduction sequences. In addition, at least one playlist set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced is divided into a plurality of playlists so that the plurality of pieces of content information are reproduced as titles that are logically a unit of information. The title information specified from the list set is recorded ".

JP 2004-127395 A

  Digital broadcasting uses image compression technology such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) that handles video data as digital data and compresses and transmits the video data, and has the advantage of less image degradation due to the reception environment. There is.

  The video data is usually recorded on a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like as a file system file. The user records the program as a file by recording designation, and when viewing the program, reads the file from the HDD and plays it back. In digital broadcasting, the data is transmitted from a broadcasting station to a television receiver using an MPEG2 TS (Transport Stream) and stored on the HDD using an MPEG2 TS or PS (Program Stream).

  Thus, in digital broadcasting, it is easy to save a program as a file, and thus various utility functions can be provided to the user by adding various information to the file.

  As one of such utility functions, there is a function of creating a playlist and reproducing a program by designating the playlist. The function using the playlist is a function that allows the user to freely determine the order in which the recorded programs are reproduced.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a playlist is created for an MPEG2 PS program recorded on a DVD, title information is generated from a plurality of playlists, and a logical unit of units is obtained from the title information. As described above, a technique for reproducing is disclosed.

  At the time of creating a playlist, the information representing the playlist is generated for the content data as in Patent Document 1, and the information points to all or part of the program data. Can be realized.

  By the way, among the various utility functions as described above, there is a chapter function for indexing at the time of program playback.

  In the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the related art, there is a problem that even if a user specifies a chapter for a program, the program cannot be operated using the chapter without being inherited during reproduction of the playlist.

  Further, in the conventional video reproduction apparatus, the HDD that is a recording medium for recording information is built-in, and distribution of content data recorded in the HDD is not considered. However, in recent years, a usage pattern in which content data is stored in a removable HDD and played back by another video playback device is aimed at spreading. Therefore, when content data is stored in a removable HDD and used by another video playback device, it is necessary to ensure compatibility and to make the utility function for creating a playlist available to the maximum.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, index information included in video data is copied when a playlist is created. Specifically, when creating a playlist, the video playback apparatus copies additional information such as program chapter information to the playlist playback index information area and uses it when playing back the playlist.

  In addition, the device unique information of the program is copied to the device unique information area for play list reproduction, and is used at the time of reproduction by the play list.

  In addition, the thumbnail information of the program is copied to the thumbnail information area for playing back the playlist, and is used when played back by the playlist.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a video playback apparatus that can use a more advanced utility function.

  Specifically, it is possible to provide a video playback device that can operate a program using a chapter added to a program when a playlist is specified and played back, and content data is stored in a removable HDD. Thus, it is possible to provide a video playback apparatus that can use an advanced utility function when a playlist is specified and played back even when playback is performed by another video playback apparatus.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

Embodiment 1
First, the configuration of the video playback apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a video playback apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The video reproduction apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a remote control light receiving unit 105, an operation unit 106, a control unit 107, a nonvolatile memory 108, a reception unit 101, an image / audio signal processing unit 102, a recording / reproduction control unit 103, and a display control unit 104. And an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 110.

  Further, the removable HDD 110a can be inserted through the slot 111.

  A control unit (CPU) 107 is connected to each unit of the apparatus via a data bus 109, and controls each unit and executes a program.

  The remote control light receiving unit 105 receives IR (Infrared Ray) by an instruction related to a playlist of the remote control 40 or an operation of a network, a channel, or the like.

  For example, the remote controller 40 can receive an instruction to create and display a playlist and to play a program specifying the playlist.

  The receiving unit 101 receives terrestrial digital broadcast, BS digital broadcast, CS digital broadcast, and terrestrial analog broadcast data.

  The image / audio signal processing unit 102 is connected to a receiving unit 101 that receives various types of broadcasts, and images related to the broadcast content received by the receiving unit 101 and the content to be recorded / reproduced obtained from the recording / reproduction control unit 103. Data and audio data are processed and transmitted to the display control unit 104. Further, the image / audio signal processing unit 102 is a terminal unit (not shown) for inputting / outputting data to / from the outside, and an external input unit (not shown) for receiving image data and audio data input from the outside. ) Is connected.

  The control unit 107 and the image / audio signal processing unit 102 are connected to a recording / reproduction control unit 103 to which an HDD 110 or a removable HDD 110a is connected.

  The recording / playback control unit 103 receives the data received by the receiving unit 101 via the image / audio signal processing unit 102, and transmits the received data to either the recording destination HDD 110 or the removable HDD 110a for recording processing. To do. Further, when data recorded on either the HDD 110 or the removable HDD 110 a is reproduced, the recorded data is reproduced and transmitted to the recording / reproduction control unit 103.

  Furthermore, the operation unit 106 includes various switches and buttons provided on the front surface of a housing (not shown), and operations assigned to the switches or buttons by operating the switches or buttons. The signal is transmitted to the control unit 107 via the data bus 109.

  For example, the operation unit 106 can also perform operations for creating and displaying a playlist, and reproducing a program by designating the playlist.

  A non-volatile memory (RAM) 108 is a storage device usually composed of a semiconductor, is loaded with a program executed by the control unit 106, and is also used as a buffer memory during recording.

  Next, the program information editing method of the video reproduction apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the data structure related to the processing of the program information editing method of the video reproduction apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of a file in the HDD 60 and its management information (part 1).

  In the present embodiment, a data structure as shown in FIG. 2 is intended. That is, data is managed in a tree-like structure, and one or more content management directories 202 are arranged in the root directory 201.

  Under the content management directory 202, a program information management file 203, one or more programs #i (i is an integer) file (204, 209,...), An original program information index management directory 210, and device-specific information 218. And a directory of device unique information 219 are arranged.

  The program information management file 203 includes, for example, a plurality of pieces of information related to the reproduction of the program, information about the playlist when the playlist is created, and the like.

  The file (204, 209,...) Of the program #i is a file (program file) that stores a data stream of a program viewed by the user, and is associated with a stream directory 205 for managing the program information. Yes.

  Under the stream directory 205, access position information 206, program information 207, and device-specific information 208 are arranged.

  The access position information 206 stores position information for data stream reproduction, and can be used for special reproduction such as normal reproduction or fast-forward from the middle of the program, and there is one or a plurality of pieces.

  The program information 207 is a file for storing management information of the corresponding program such as the recorded time and the channel on which the program is broadcast.

  The device unique information 208 is information unique to the device, and is a file in which vendors store unique information for this program.

  The original program information index management directory 210 is a directory for managing index information for program information, under which one or more program #i directories are arranged, and under the program #i directory. Are provided with an index management file 212 and device-specific information 213.

  The index is used for marking in the stream of the program. Using this index, a chapter function for resuming reproduction from a scene marked at the time of reproduction can be realized.

  The playlist program information index management directory 220 is a directory for managing index information for playlist program information. Under the directory, one or more program #i directories are arranged. Under the directory i, an index management file 222 and device-specific information 223 are arranged.

  The device unique information 213 and 217 is information unique to the device, and can store vendor-specific information regarding the index. For example, management information regarding digest reproduction of each company's unique specification can be stored.

  The file of the device unique information 218 and the directory of the device unique information 215 are a file and a directory for storing information unique to the device, and a file for the vendor to store information unique to this device for this device and Directory.

Next, a model related to reproduction of program information of the video reproduction apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a data structure related to reproduction of program information of the video reproduction apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the index of original program information and the index of playlist program information.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a play list creation screen.

  The content data of the program #i (i = 1, 2, 3) shown in FIG. 3 is realized by the stream data stored in the file of the program #i (204, 209,...) Shown in FIG. A packet actually processed from a broadcasting station is processed and stored.

  The original program information is a part of program management information stored in the program management information file 203 created at the time of recording, and includes recording position information for referring to content data, for example, recording position information of a thumbnail image, resume point, It consists of information such as the number of indexes.

  When a playlist is created, program information for the playlist is created. As shown in FIG. 3, the program information for the playlist is created separately from the original program information, and is position information for referring to the content data created for reproducing the playlist. The program information for the playlist is also program management information stored in the program management information file 203.

  A playlist is a list created by a user for convenient playback by putting together or naming several programs.

  For example, FIG. 5 is an example of a screen operated by the user when creating a chapter. As shown in (a), the thumbnail images of the divided chapters of program A are arranged at the top of the screen, and chapters 3 and 4 of program A are selected and added to the playlist at the bottom of the screen. When the playlist creation is completed, a playlist that references chapter 3 and chapter 4 of program A from playlist program information is created. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5B, program A and program D can be put in one playlist.

  The playlist reference information is, for example, recording position information for referring to content data included in a created playlist when a program or playlist to be viewed is placed in a folder for each viewer. This playlist reference information is also program management information stored in the program management information file 203.

  In this embodiment, when creating a playlist, an index (chapter) attached to a program can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the original program information of the program A is added and the range from the index A to the index D is referred to in the new playlist, the indexes of the indexes B and C in the middle Information is also added to the program information for the playlist so that it can be used when the program is reproduced.

  The index information of the index management file 212 shown in FIG. 2 is index information that can use original program information.

  Therefore, the index information of the playlist program information is provided under the playlist program information index management directory 216, which is an index management directory for the playlist, so that the index can be used even during reproduction by the playlist. To do.

Next, processing when creating a playlist of the video playback apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing at the time of creating a playlist in the video reproduction apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen for inquiring of the user whether or not chapter information is copied.

  When creating a playlist, first, program information for the playlist of the corresponding playlist is generated (S601).

  Next, it is determined whether or not to copy the index (S602). When the index is to be copied, the index information related to the playlist is copied (S603). If it is not to be copied, the process is terminated without copying the index information.

  The above processing is performed by the control unit (CPU) 107 shown in FIG. 1 loading and executing the program of each hierarchy shown in FIG. 2 on the nonvolatile memory (RAM) 108.

  Whether the index is copied or not may be inquired to the user when creating the playlist as shown in FIG. 7, or may be provided as a system environment variable so that the user can change it.

  That is, when making an inquiry to the user when creating a playlist, as shown in FIG. 7, after the playlist creation screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, a chapter information copy inquiry window 702 is displayed on the screen 701, and the user is given a remote control. 40 and buttons on the operation unit 106 are selected.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, the configuration of the video playback apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. 8 and FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing at the time of creating a playlist in the video reproduction apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen for inquiring of the user whether or not the digest viewing information is copied.

  In the first embodiment, index information (chapter information) is copied at the time of creating a playlist so that a function using chapters can be used even during playback of the playlist.

  This embodiment has the same device configuration and data structure as those of the first embodiment, and makes it possible to use device-specific functions when creating a playlist.

  Here, a digest viewing function is taken as an example of a function unique to the apparatus. The digest viewing function evaluates the importance of each scene from the features of the audio and video data of the program in which the device is located, so that when the program is played, the important scene can be connected and played back. It is. Alternatively, the user may be able to evaluate and create an important program scene. Since the implementation of such a function has different specifications and data structures for each vendor, for example, the data indicating the importance to be referred to when reproducing the evaluation result is the device-specific information 213 under the index management directory 210 shown in FIG. The data for realizing this is stored in.

  The device unique information 213 includes digest viewing information for realizing the digest viewing function of the present embodiment.

  When creating a playlist, first, program information for the playlist of the corresponding playlist is generated (S801).

  Next, it is determined whether or not to copy the digest viewing information (S802). When the digest viewing information is to be copied, the digest viewing information related to the playlist is copied (S803). If it is not to be copied, the process ends without copying the digest viewing information.

  The above processing is also performed when the control unit (CPU) 107 illustrated in FIG. 1 loads, for example, a program stored in the recording medium 110 to the nonvolatile memory (RAM) 108 and executes it.

  The presence / absence of the digest viewing information may be inquired to the user at the time of creating the playlist as shown in FIG. 9, or may be changed as a system environment variable.

  That is, when inquiring the user at the time of creating the playlist, as shown in FIG. 9, after displaying the playlist creating screen shown in FIG. 5, a digest viewing information copy inquiry window 902 is displayed on the screen 901, and the user is informed. Selection is performed from the remote controller 40 or the button of the operation unit 106.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, the configuration of the video playback apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As an example of the utility function, when displaying a list of programs and playlists recorded on a recording medium, there is a function of displaying a video of a scene where a program head or chapter is set as a thumbnail image.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, a data structure as shown in FIG. 10 is intended. That is, the thumbnail image information attached to each program or playlist #i file is related to the index under the directory (211 or 215) for the program or playlist #i below the respective index management directory (210 or 214). Arranged in the same row as the file (1001 to 1004). The thumbnail image format is preferably a compatible data format such as a bitmap file or JPEG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a file in the HDD 60 and its management information (part 2).
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the processing at the time of creating a playlist in the video reproduction apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen for inquiring of the user whether or not the thumbnail image is copied.

  This embodiment has the same apparatus configuration as the first embodiment, and saves the trouble of creating a new thumbnail image again by using a thumbnail image that has already been saved as original program information when creating a playlist. It is.

  When creating a playlist, first, program information for playlist of the corresponding playlist is generated (S1101).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the chapter thumbnail image is to be copied (S1102). When the chapter thumbnail image is to be copied, the thumbnail image information related to the playlist is copied (S1103). The procedure for copying thumbnail image information is, for example, as follows. Confirm the number of target thumbnail images, refer to the file that records the thumbnail images for the copy destination playlist, and confirm whether the number of thumbnails does not exceed the upper limit when copying. If the upper limit is not exceeded, the necessary thumbnail images are copied. If the upper limit is exceeded, for example, a chest message that exceeds the limit is notified to the user, and the process ends.

  If the copy is not to be made in S1102, the processing is terminated without copying the thumbnail image information.

  The above processing is also performed when the control unit (CPU) 107 shown in FIG. 1 loads a program stored in the recording medium 110 to the nonvolatile memory (RAM) 108 and executes it.

  The presence / absence of thumbnail image information may be inquired to the user when a playlist is created as shown in FIG. 12, or may be provided as a system environment variable so that the user can change it. If the copy is not to be performed, the process is terminated without copying the thumbnail image information.

  The thumbnail image information is included in the device unique information 213 in FIG.

  That is, when inquiring the user at the time of creating the playlist, as shown in FIG. 12, after displaying the playlist creating screen shown in FIG. 5, a thumbnail image copy inquiry window 1202 is displayed on the screen 1201, and the remote control is displayed to the user. 40 and buttons on the operation unit 106 are selected.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the video reproduction apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing an example of the data structure of the file in HDD60, and its management information (the 1). It is a figure explaining the data structure relevant to reproduction | regeneration of the program information of the video reproduction apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the index of original program information and the index of the program information for playlists. It is a figure which shows the example of a play list creation screen. It is a flowchart explaining the process at the time of playlist production | generation of the video reproduction apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen which inquires a user of the presence or absence of the copy of chapter information. It is a flowchart explaining the process at the time of the play list preparation of the video reproduction apparatus concerning 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen which asks a user about the presence or absence of the copy of digest viewing information. It is a figure showing an example of the data structure of the file in HDD60, and its management information (the 2). It is a flowchart explaining the process at the time of the play list preparation of the video reproduction apparatus concerning 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen which inquires a user of the presence or absence of the copy of thumbnail image information.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Video reproduction apparatus, 105 ... Remote control light-receiving part, 106 ... Operation part, 107 ... Control part, 108 ... Nonvolatile memory, 101 ... Reception part, 102 ... Image / audio signal processing part, 103 ... Recording / reproduction control part, 104 ... display control unit, 110 ... HDD, 110a ... removable HDD, 111 ... slot.

Claims (7)

A recording unit for recording video data having index information;
A playlist creation unit for creating a playlist;
And a control unit that controls to copy the index information included in the video data when the playlist creating unit creates the playlist. In a video playback apparatus having a storage device for storing video data as a program file of a program,
A control unit;
A means of creating a playlist by grouping one or more programs;
Means for creating an index on the program file for playing the program,
The control unit stores program information referring to a program file of the program and program information for playlist generated when the playlist is created as program management information in the storage device,
The control unit stores index information in the storage device when creating an index on the program file,
The video reproduction device, wherein the control unit copies the index information to a playlist program information index information area in the storage device when the playlist is created. In a video playback apparatus having a storage device for storing video data as a program file of a program,
A control unit;
A means for creating one or more programs and creating a playlist;
Means for creating device-specific information used in reproducing the program in association with the program,
The control unit stores program information referring to a program file of the program and program information for playlist generated when the playlist is created as program management information in the storage device,
The video reproduction device, wherein the control unit copies information unique to the device to the playlist program information index information area in the storage device when the playlist is created.   4. The video playback apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information unique to the apparatus is digest viewing information. In a program information editing method of a video reproduction apparatus having a storage device for storing video data as a program file of a program,
The video playback device
A control unit;
A means for creating one or more programs and creating a playlist;
Means for creating an index on the program file for playing the program,
Storing the program information referring to the program file of the program and the program information for playlist generated when the playlist is created in the storage device as program management information;
The control unit stores index information in the storage device when creating an index on the program file;
The control unit includes a step of copying the index information to a playlist program information index information area in the storage device when the playlist is created. In a program information editing method of a video reproduction apparatus having a storage device for storing video data as a program file of a program,
The video playback device
A control unit;
A means for creating one or more programs and creating a playlist;
Means for creating device-specific information used in reproducing the program in association with the program,
Storing the program information referring to the program file of the program and the program information for playlist generated when the playlist is created in the storage device as program management information;
The control unit includes a step of copying the index information to a playlist program information index information area in the storage device when the playlist is created.   7. The program information editing method for a video reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information unique to the apparatus is digest viewing information.

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