JP2009087520A - Recording/reproducing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording/reproducing system which enables a user to easily confirm that a play list is produced based on content data. <P>SOLUTION: A content recording section 18a records content data, a play list generating section 11a generates the play list based on the content data recorded on the content recording section 18a, a link information storing section 14a stores the link information which associates content data identification information with play list identification information, and a content list display control section 13a displays the list of content data on a display unit 2 by adding the identification information that indicates that the play list is stored in a play list storing section 18b to the content data which is the base for the play list based on the link information for displaying a list of the content data on the display unit 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing content data, and more particularly to a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing a playlist generated based on content data.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a recording / playback apparatus that records and plays back content data related to video stores a playlist that defines the playback order of content data scenes, and plays back the content data based on the stored playlist. is there. The recording / playback apparatus stores a playlist, which is information for playing back video data unnecessary for the user, such as a commercial video portion, from the content data, or by changing the playback order. When the user selects a desired playlist from the stored playlist list, the recording / playback apparatus plays back the recorded content data based on the selected playlist.

  By the way, in the conventional recording / reproducing apparatus, the title name list and the playlist list of the content data are displayed on different display screens. For this reason, when the user selects content data to be viewed, the user may not be aware of the presence of the playlist even though the playlist of the desired content data exists.

Therefore, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-266659), when reproducing information (content data) written on a recording medium, a program list indicating the contents of the information written on the recording medium, There is described a playback device that reads management information in which a play list indicating a playback order specified by a viewer of written information is written. The playback device reads the program list and the playlist from the management information, and generates and outputs a display screen that displays the program list and the playlist at the same time.
JP 2001-266659 A

  When the technique described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a recording / reproducing apparatus having a large-capacity recording unit, a large number of program lists and play lists are displayed simultaneously. It is difficult for the user to grasp which playlist is generated based on which program list among many program lists and playlists.

  Therefore, even when the program list and the playlist are displayed at the same time, when the user selects the content data to be viewed, the user can select the content list even though the playlist of the desired content data exists. There is a case where the user does not notice the existence and selects desired content data from the program list. In such a case, it is necessary for the user to view the content while viewing the content while performing operations such as fast-forwarding the commercial video portion, which is very troublesome for the user.

  In particular, when a recording / reproducing apparatus is used by a plurality of people, other users select content data without being aware of the existence of a playlist generated and stored by a certain user's operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus that allows a user to easily confirm that a playlist based on content data has been created. It is another object of the present invention to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus that allows a user to easily reproduce content data based on a playlist.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides the following recording / reproducing apparatuses (a) to (e).

  (A) at least content data based on one or a plurality of content data recorded in the content recording unit, a recording / playback control unit 12 that controls recording / playback of content data, a content recording unit 18a that records content data A playlist generation unit 11a that generates a playlist indicating in what order the scenes that are a part are reproduced, a playlist storage unit 18b that stores the playlist, and content data recorded in the content recording unit Created based on at least part of the content data recorded in the content recording unit and the link information storage unit 14a for storing link information in which the content data identification information to be identified and the playlist identification information for identifying the playlist are associated with each other A list of the content data that has been displayed is displayed on the display unit 2. Identification information indicating that there is a playlist generated based on the content data for the content data that is the basis of the playlist stored in the playlist storage unit based on the link information And a display control unit 13a for displaying on the display unit.

  (B) The recording / reproducing apparatus according to (a), wherein the list of content data displays at least one of thumbnail images based on the content data or content information of the content data.

  (C) Based on one or more content data recorded in the content recording unit, a recording / playback control unit 12 that controls recording / playback of content data, a content recording unit 18a that records content data, and at least content data A playlist generation unit 110a that generates a playlist indicating in what order the scenes that are a part are reproduced, a playlist storage unit 18b that stores the playlist, and content data recorded in the content recording unit Based on at least part of the content data recorded in the content recording unit and the link information storage unit 14a that stores link information that associates the content data identification information to be identified with the playlist identification information that identifies the playlist. A list of created content data is displayed on the display unit 2. If any of the content data included in the list of content data is selected, it is determined that the playlist generated based on the selected content data is stored in the playlist storage unit based on the link information A display control unit 130b for displaying a selection menu image having a menu for reproducing the playlist on the display unit.

  (D) The display control unit has a playlist generated based on the content data, based on the link information, for the content data that is the basis of the playlist stored in the playlist storage unit. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to (c), wherein identification information indicating the above is added and displayed on the display unit.

  (E) When the plurality of playlists generated based on the selected content data are stored in the playlist storage unit, the display control unit displays a selection menu image having a menu for reproducing each of the plurality of playlists. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to (c) or (d), which is displayed on a display unit.

  According to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the user can easily confirm that a playlist created using desired content data is recorded in the recording / reproducing apparatus. Further, the user can easily reproduce the playlist on the recording / reproducing apparatus.

<< First Embodiment >>
The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In the first embodiment, a playlist generated based on content data is stored, and information indicating that the playlist is recorded in the content data used for the playlist, for example, icons are displayed in association with each other. A recording / reproducing apparatus will be described.

  Here, the content data includes video data, audio data, and content content information, and one content data is configured for each program. The content content information is, for example, data indicating information related to content data such as a title name of content data, content data content, and a performer list in characters. A playlist is a scene in which at least a part of content data is a scene and defines the playback order of one or more scenes. There are cases where a scene is set from each of a plurality of content data, and a playback order is defined to generate one playlist. The playlist includes information indicating which content data the scene is from, time information including the playback start time and playback end time of each scene, and information indicating the playback order. The time information may be the playback time from the playback start time instead of the playback end time.

≪Configuration of recording and playback device≫
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is connected to a display unit 2 and an audio output unit 3, supplies a video signal for displaying video to the display unit 2, and outputs audio to the audio output unit 3. An audio signal for outputting is supplied. The display unit 2 is configured by a liquid crystal display, for example, and the audio output unit 3 is configured by a speaker, for example.

  The recording / playback apparatus 1 includes an edit control unit 11, a recording / playback control unit 12, a display control unit (GUI control unit: Graphical User Interface) 13, a memory 14, a database control unit 15, a CPU 16, and an input interface unit. 17, and these are connected to each other via a bus 30. The recording / reproducing apparatus 1 further includes a recording unit 18, a disk drive 19, and an output interface unit 20. The input interface unit 17, the recording unit 18, the disk drive 19, and the output interface unit 20 are connected to the recording / playback control unit 12.

  The editing control unit 11 performs various types of editing of content data recorded in the recording unit 18 described later. The edit control unit 11 includes a playlist generation unit 11a.

  The playlist generation unit 11a generates a playlist based on content data recorded in a content recording unit 18a of the recording unit 18 described later. The playlist generation unit 11a associates the playlist with playlist identification information (playlist ID) that uniquely identifies the playlist, and stores the playlist and the playlist in the playlist storage unit 18b of the recording unit 18 to be described later. Store the ID. Further, the playlist generating unit 11a adds and stores the playlist ID in a link information storage unit 14a of the memory 14 described later.

  The recording / playback control unit 12 causes the content recording unit 18a to record content data input via the input interface unit 17 under the control of the CPU 16 described later. The content data includes video data, audio data, and content content information. The recording / playback control unit 12 further associates content identification information (content ID) uniquely identifying the content data with the content data as content information, and causes the content recording unit 18a to record the content information.

  Further, when recording new content information in the content recording unit 18a, the recording / playback control unit 12 adds a new content ID to the link information storage unit 14a and stores it as link information.

  The recording / playback control unit 12 reads the content data from the content recording unit 18a when the playback of the content data is requested by a user operation. When the reproduction of the playlist is requested by the user operation, the recording / reproducing control unit 12 reads the content data from the content recording unit 18a based on the playlist stored in the playlist storage unit 18b.

  The recording / playback control unit 12 causes the display unit 2 to display a video and output the audio from the audio output unit 3 based on the read content data via the output interface unit 20.

  The display control unit 13 includes a content list display control unit 13a. The content list display control unit 13a creates a list of content data based on at least a part of the content data recorded in the content recording unit 18a of the recording unit 18, which will be described later, and the content data list is output via the output interface unit 20. Display on the display unit 2.

  The content list display control unit 13a is determined when it is determined by the playlist determination unit 16a of the CPU 16 described later that the playlist ID corresponding to the content ID is stored in the link information storage unit 14a described later. Identification information indicating that a playlist is stored in the playlist storage unit 18b is added to the content data in the content data list corresponding to the content ID, and the display unit 2 displays the identification information.

  The memory 14 temporarily stores various programs executed by the CPU 16 and also stores data necessary for the CPU 16 to execute various programs. The memory 14 includes a link information storage unit 14a. The link information storage unit 14a stores link information. The link information includes a content ID and a playlist ID.

  When the content recording unit 18a records new content data, the corresponding content ID is stored as link information in the link information storage unit 14a. When a new playlist is generated by the playlist generation unit 11a, the corresponding playlist ID is stored as link information in the link information storage unit 14a. At this time, the playlist ID is stored in association with the content ID corresponding to the content data used for the playlist among the content IDs included in the link information.

  The database control unit 15 performs various controls such as reading and writing of link information stored in the link information storage unit 14a in accordance with instructions from the CPU 16.

  The CPU 16 reads various programs stored in the recording unit 18 and executes the read programs. Further, the CPU 16 includes a playlist determination unit 16a.

  The playlist determination unit 16a reads link information from the link information storage unit 14a, and determines whether there is a playlist ID corresponding to a desired content ID in the read link information. When determining that the playlist ID is stored in the link information storage unit 14a, the playlist determination unit 16a determines that the playlist corresponding to the content ID is stored in the playlist storage unit 18b.

  The input interface unit 17 receives operation signals and content data from the outside, and supplies them to the CPU 16, the recording / playback control unit 12, and the like.

  The recording unit 18 stores various programs to be executed by the CPU 16. The recording unit 18 is, for example, a hard disk. The recording unit 18 includes a content recording unit 18a and a playlist storage unit 18b.

  The content recording unit 18a records content data and content ID in association with each other as content information.

  The playlist storage unit 18b stores a playlist generated based on the content data recorded in the content recording unit 18a and a playlist ID in association with each other.

  For example, the disk drive 19 reproduces content data recorded on a recording medium or records content data on a recording medium.

  The output interface unit 20 receives content data from the recording / playback control unit 12, receives display image data and the like from the display control unit 13, and supplies them to the display unit 2 and the audio output unit 3.

  Although the content recording unit 18a and the playlist storage unit 18b are configured to be included in the recording unit 18, the content recording unit 18a and the playlist storage unit 18b may be configured to be respectively included in a recording medium attached to the disk drive 19.

≪Operation of recording and playback device≫
The operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment will be described below.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus 1 performs playlist generation processing and playlist display processing. The playlist generation process is to generate and store a playlist based on the content data, and the playlist display process is to associate the content data with information indicating that the playlist is stored. Is to display. The playlist generation process and the playlist display process will be described in detail below.

<Playlist generation process>
The playlist generation process in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When an operation signal indicating a playlist generation image display request is supplied from the input interface unit 17 by a user operation, the CPU 16 controls the display control unit 13 to display the playlist generation image on the display unit 2. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a playlist generation image displayed on the display unit 2 by the recording / reproducing apparatus 1.

  The play screen generation image of the first embodiment is displayed on the display screen 201 of the display unit 2. The playlist generation image includes a content display area 402, a playlist display area 403, a delimiter generation button 404, a material switching button 405, and an editing end button 406. These are respectively displayed at predetermined positions on the display screen 201.

  The content display area 402 is an area for displaying content data video, and the playlist display area 403 is an area for displaying a playlist. The delimiter generation button 404 is an image indicating control for selecting a desired scene from the content data when generating a playlist. The scene is content data of a portion from the first time (reproduction start time) to the second time (reproduction end time) of the content data. The reproduction start time and reproduction end time are time information attached to the content data.

  The material switching button 405 is an image indicating control for switching content data to be displayed in the content display area 402. When using a plurality of content data scenes in the playlist, the user operates the material switching button 405. An edit end button 406 is an image indicating control for ending the play list generation process. The user operates buttons 404 to 406 to generate a playlist.

  When an operation signal indicating that the material switching button 405 has been operated is supplied, the CPU 16 switches content data to be read from the content recording unit 18a of the recording unit 18. The display control unit 13 displays the video of the switched content data in the content display area 402.

  The user selects a part (scene) to be used for the playlist while viewing the content data displayed in the content display area 402. The user operates the delimiter generation button 404 at the start of the portion to be used, and operates the delimiter generation button 404 again at the end of the portion to be used.

  When an operation signal indicating that the delimiter generation button 404 has been operated is supplied, the CPU 16 outputs a control signal to the playlist generation unit 11a of the editing control unit 11.

  Based on the control signal, the playlist generation unit 11a is based on the time information of the content data when the delimiter generation button 404 is operated and the time information of the content data when the delimiter generation button 404 is operated next. Generate time information of the selected scene. The scene time information includes a scene playback start point and playback end point based on the time information of the content data. The playlist generation unit 11 a displays the scene time information in the playlist display area 403 via the display control unit 13. The playlist generation unit 11a further displays information indicating which content data the scene is from in the playlist display area 403.

  The display of the playlist display area 403 will be described with reference to the top line shown in the playlist display area 403 of FIG. “Scene 01” is the name of the scene, and the user can arbitrarily name the scene. “1” following “Scene 01” is information indicating which content data is used. Here, the content data 1 is used, but the content ID may be displayed instead. Good. “00.00.05 to 00.15.00” following “1” is the time information of the scene 01.

  The playlist generation unit 11a generates time information of one scene every time the delimiter generation button 404 is operated twice.

  As described above, the user selects one or a plurality of scenes, determines the playback order of the selected scenes, and creates a playlist. When the creation of the playlist is completed, the user operates the edit end button 406.

  The CPU 16 continues to reproduce the content data displayed in the content display area 402 until the edit end button 406 is operated. When an operation signal indicating that the edit end button 406 has been operated is supplied, the CPU 16 causes the recording / playback control unit 12 to stop playback of the content data, and causes the playlist generation unit 11a to complete the playlist generation processing. The CPU 16 causes the display control unit 13 to finish displaying the playlist generation image on the display unit 2.

  The playlist generation unit 11a outputs information (playlist) indicating time information and reproduction order of the selected scene, and a playlist ID that uniquely identifies the generated playlist to the playlist storage unit 18b. The playlist storage unit 18b stores the playlist and the playlist ID in association with each other.

  Furthermore, the playlist generation unit 11a associates the content ID corresponding to the content data used for the playlist among the content IDs in the link information stored in the link information storage unit 14a, and stores the playlist in the link information storage unit 14a. Store the ID. As described above, a playlist may be created based on a plurality of content data. In this case, the playlist generation unit 11a associates the playlist ID with each content ID of the used content data, and stores it in the link information storage unit 14a.

  As described above, the playlist generation unit 11a can generate a playlist based on the operation signal indicating that the buttons 404 to 406 of the playlist generation image are operated.

<Playlist display processing>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the playlist display processing of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1.

  In step S <b> 101, the CPU 16 determines whether an operation signal indicating a content data list display request is supplied from the input interface unit 17. When an operation signal indicating a content data list display request is supplied from the input interface unit 17, the processing of the CPU 16 proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, the playlist determination unit 16a of the CPU 16 calculates the number of all content data recorded in the content recording unit 18a. The calculated total content data number is n. Furthermore, the playlist determination unit 16a inputs “1” as an initial value to the counter i.

  Next, in step S <b> 105, the playlist determination unit 16 a reads link information from the link information storage unit 14 a of the memory 14 via the database control unit 15.

  In step S107, the playlist determination unit 16a determines whether the counter i is equal to or less than the total content data number n. If the counter i is n or less, the process advances to step S109, and the playlist determination unit 16a extracts the i-th content ID from the content information recorded in the content recording unit 18a of the recording unit 18.

  If it is determined in step S107 that the counter i is greater than n, the playlist determination unit 16a ends the playlist display process.

  In step S111, the playlist determination unit 16a determines whether there is a playlist corresponding to the extracted i-th content ID. Specifically, the playlist determination unit 16a determines whether or not a playlist ID corresponding to the i-th content ID exists in the link information read in step S105. If it is determined that there is a playlist ID corresponding to the read i-th content ID, the process proceeds to step S113.

  In step S113, the CPU 16 controls the display control unit 13 as follows. The content list display control unit 13a of the display control unit 13 causes the display unit 2 to display content data corresponding to the i-th content ID. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, thumbnail images and content content information based on video data of content data are displayed on the display unit 2.

Further, the content list display control unit 13a causes the display unit 2 to display an icon that is information indicating that there is a playlist corresponding to the i-th content ID in association with the content data corresponding to the i-th content ID. .

  On the other hand, if the playlist determination unit 16a determines in step S111 that there is no playlist ID corresponding to the extracted i-th content ID, the process proceeds to step S115. In step S115, the CPU 16 instructs the content list display control unit 13a to display only the content data corresponding to the i-th content ID on the display unit 2.

  When the processes of step S113 and step S115 are completed, the process proceeds to step S117. In step S117, the playlist determination unit 16a adds "1" to the counter i. Thereafter, the CPU 16 repeats the processing of steps S107 to S117 until the counter i becomes larger than n (i> n). Thereby, an image based on all the content data recorded in the content recording unit 18a of the recording unit 18 can be displayed on the display unit 2.

  One content data may be used for a plurality of playlists. In this case, a plurality of playlist IDs are stored in association with the content ID of the link information. If the playlist determination unit 16a determines that there are a plurality of corresponding playlist IDs in step S111, a plurality of icons may be displayed in step S113, or an icon indicating that there are a plurality of playlists is displayed. Also good.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the recording / playback apparatus 1 displays a list of content data on the display unit 2. A list of content data is displayed on the display unit 2 as a result of the CPU 16 determining in step S101 shown in FIG. 3 that an operation signal indicating a display request has been supplied. The display screen 201 displays thumbnail images 501 to 508 and content content information 511 to 518. The thumbnail image displays a part of the frame of the content data. In the thumbnail image 502, an icon 530 is superimposed and displayed.

  The content list display control unit 13 a displays thumbnail images 501 to 508 and content content information 511 to 518 in a predetermined display area of the display unit 2. The thumbnail image 501 and the content content information 511 are based on the same content data. The thumbnail images 502 to 508 and the content content information 512 to 518 have the same relationship.

  Here, the content content information 511, 513 to 518 is content content information corresponding to the content ID determined that the playlist determination unit 16a has not stored the playlist. The content content information 512 is content content information corresponding to the content ID determined by the playlist determination unit 16a to store the playlist.

  The content list display control unit 13a further causes the display unit 2 to display an icon 530 together with the content content information 512. Here, the icon 530 is displayed superimposed on the thumbnail image 502, but the icon 530 may be displayed superimposed on the content content information 512, or around the area where the thumbnail image and the content content information 512 are displayed. May be displayed.

  The icon 530 is identification information (playlist storage identification information) indicating that a playlist ID is stored in the link information storage unit 14a. That is, it indicates that a playlist using the content data indicated by the content content information on which the icon 530 is displayed is stored in the playlist storage unit 18b. The playlist storage identification information is not limited to an icon, and may be, for example, character information indicating that a playlist is stored.

  In this embodiment, when a list display of content data is instructed, thumbnail images 501 to 508 and content content information 511 to 518 are displayed on the display screen 201. However, thumbnail images 501 to 508 and content content information 511 to 518 are displayed. Only one of these may be displayed.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment stores a playlist generated based on content data and associates an image based on the content data with information (icon) indicating that the playlist is stored. And can be displayed on the display unit 2.

  The user can confirm from the display unit 2 whether images and icons are displayed based on the content data he / she wants to view and easily determine whether or not a playlist of the content data he / she wants to view is stored in the recording / playback apparatus. it can.

<< Second Embodiment >>
In the second embodiment, a description will be given of a recording / reproducing apparatus that displays a selection menu image that allows selection of reproduction of content data and reproduction of a playlist when an image based on the content data used for the playlist is selected.

≪Configuration of recording and playback device≫
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 of the second embodiment. The same components as those of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 is connected to the display unit 2 and the audio output unit 3. The recording / reproducing apparatus 101 supplies a video signal to the display unit 2 and supplies an audio signal to the audio output unit 3.

  The recording / playback apparatus 101 includes an editing control unit 110, a recording / playback control unit 12, a display control unit 130, a memory 14, a database control unit 15, a CPU 160, and an input interface unit 17, which are connected to each other as a bus. 30 is connected. Further, a recording unit 18, a disk drive 19, and an output interface unit 20 are connected to the recording / playback control unit 12.

  Here, the recording / playback control unit 12, the memory 14, the database control unit 15, the input interface unit 17, the recording unit 18, the disk drive 19, and the output interface unit 20 are the same as the configuration of the recording / playback apparatus 1. Is omitted.

  The edit control unit 110 performs various editing of the content data recorded in the recording unit 18. The edit control unit 110 includes a playlist generation unit 110a.

The playlist generation unit 110a generates a playlist based on the content data recorded in the content recording unit 18a of the recording unit 18, associates the playlist with the playlist ID, and stores the playlist in the playlist storage unit 18b. The playlist ID is stored. Further, the playlist generation unit 110a adds and stores the playlist ID in association with the content ID corresponding to the content data of the link information stored in the link information storage unit 14a.

  The display control unit 130 includes a content list display control unit 130a and a selection menu display control unit 130b.

  The content list display control unit 130a creates a list of content data based on at least a part of the content data recorded in the content recording unit 18a, and the content data list is displayed on the display unit 2 via the output interface unit 20. Display. The content list display control unit 130a is determined when it is determined by the playlist determination unit 160a of the CPU 160 described later that the playlist ID corresponding to the content ID is stored in the link information storage unit 14a described later. Identification information indicating that a playlist is stored in the playlist storage unit 18b is added to the content data in the content data list corresponding to the content ID, and the display unit 2 displays the identification information. The identification information is the playlist storage identification information (such as an icon) described above.

  The selection menu display control unit 130b causes the display unit 2 to display a selection menu image to be described later. The selection menu display control unit 130b stores a selection menu image.

  The CPU 160 reads out various programs stored in the recording unit 18 and executes the read programs. The CPU 160 includes a playlist determination unit 160a.

  The playlist determination unit 160a reads link information from the link information storage unit 14a, and determines whether there is a playlist ID corresponding to a desired content ID in the read link information. When the playlist determination unit 160a determines that the playlist ID is stored in the link information storage unit 14a, the playlist determination unit 160a determines that the playlist corresponding to the content ID is stored in the playlist storage unit 18b.

  When an operation signal indicating that any one of the list of content data displayed on the display unit 2 is selected from the outside via the input interface unit 17, the CPU 160 is selected from the content recording unit 18a. Content information including read content data is read. The CPU 160 reads link information from the link information storage unit 14a. The playlist determination unit 160a extracts a content ID from the read content information, and when there is a playlist ID corresponding to the extracted content ID in the read link information, the playlist corresponding to the extracted content ID Is stored in the playlist storage unit 18b of the recording unit 18.

≪Operation of recording and playback device≫
The operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 of the second embodiment will be described below.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus 101 performs playlist generation processing, playlist display processing, and menu image display processing. The playlist generation process and the playlist display process are the same processes as in the first embodiment. The menu image display process is to display a selection menu image that allows selection of control such as reproduction of content data for the content data selected by the user. The playlist generation process, playlist display process, and menu image display process will be described in detail.

<Playlist generation process>
A playlist generation process in the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When an operation signal indicating a playlist generation image display request is supplied from the input interface unit 17 by a user operation, the CPU 160 controls the display control unit 130 to display the playlist generation image on the display unit 2. .

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a playlist generation image displayed on the display unit 2 by the recording / playback apparatus 101.

  A play list generation image of the second embodiment is displayed on the display screen 201 of the display unit 2. The playlist generation image includes a scene display area 602, a scene skip button 603, and an edit end button 604, which are displayed at predetermined positions on the display screen 201, respectively. In the scene display area 602, thumbnail images 605 to 612, which will be described later, are displayed.

  The playlist generation unit 110a of the editing control unit 110 automatically divides the selected content data into a predetermined plurality of scenes. Selection of content data may be performed by an arbitrary method.

  The content data dividing method is, for example, a method in which a frame image constituting the content data is divided into a plurality of regions, and a motion vector between the frame images is obtained for each region. The playlist generation unit 110a calculates a scene break from the motion vector, and divides the content data based on the calculated scene break. Here, each scene (content data for each scene) generated by dividing the content data is a temporary play list candidate. In the present embodiment, the content data is divided into eight scenes, but the number of divisions is not limited to this.

  The display control unit 130 causes the display unit 2 to display thumbnail images 605 to 612 displaying some frames based on the scene. In the present embodiment, the user determines unnecessary ones from automatically created scenes, and creates a desired playlist. The user looks at the thumbnail images 605 to 612 displayed on the display unit 2 and selects an unnecessary scene in the playlist. Unnecessary scenes are, for example, commercials.

  When an operation signal indicating that any one of the thumbnail images 605 to 612 is selected is provided, the playlist generation unit 110a can edit the scene that is the basis of the selected thumbnail image. FIG. 6 shows a state where the thumbnail image 606 is selected. Although the marker 620 is displayed on the thumbnail image 606 to indicate that the thumbnail image 606 has been selected, the display method is not limited to this. The thumbnail image display frame may be thickened or the color may be changed.

  When the scene is in an editable state, the user can operate the scene skip button 603. When the scene skip button 603 is operated, the CPU 160 supplies a signal indicating that the scene in the editable state is skipped to the playlist generation unit 110a. The playlist generation unit 110a deletes a scene in an editable state from the playlist candidates.

  The display control unit 130 displays a deletion mark 613 indicating that the scene has been deleted, superimposed on the thumbnail image.

  As shown in FIG. 6, deletion marks 613 are displayed on thumbnail images 605 and 607 in an overlapping manner. Therefore, the user can visually recognize that the scene corresponding to the thumbnail images 605 and 607 has been deleted from the playlist candidates.

  When the user finishes deleting unnecessary scenes, the user operates the edit end button 604. When an operation signal indicating that the edit end button 604 has been operated is supplied, the CPU 160 causes the playlist generation unit 110a to complete the playlist generation process. In addition, the CPU 160 causes the display control unit 130 to finish displaying the playlist generation image on the display unit 2.

  The playlist generation unit 110a indicates time information indicating the playback start time and playback end time of scenes that are not deleted (here, corresponding to the thumbnail images 606 and 608 to 612), and the playback order of the scenes. Information (playlist) is generated. The playlist generation unit 110a outputs a playlist and a playlist ID that uniquely identifies the generated playlist to the playlist storage unit 18b. The playlist storage unit 18b stores the playlist and the playlist ID in association with each other.

  Furthermore, the playlist generation unit 110a associates the content ID corresponding to the content data used in the playlist among the content IDs in the link information stored in the link information storage unit 14a, and stores the playlist in the link information storage unit 14a. Store the ID.

  In the second embodiment, the recording / playback apparatus 101 automatically creates a scene from the selected content data. The user determines whether to delete each scene from the playlist while viewing the thumbnail images 605 to 612 displayed on the display unit 2. The user performs an operation to delete (skip) scenes that are not necessary for the playlist. Therefore, the playlist generation unit 110a can generate a playlist in which scenes unnecessary for the user are deleted from the content data.

  As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 generates and stores a playlist as reproduction order information for skipping and reproducing a video unnecessary for a user from one content data based on a user operation.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus 101 can also perform the playlist generation process described in the first embodiment.

<Playlist display processing and menu image display processing>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of playlist display processing and menu image display processing of the recording / reproducing apparatus 101.

  In step S <b> 201, the CPU 160 determines whether an operation signal indicating a content data list display request is supplied from the input interface unit 17. When an operation signal indicating a list display request for content data is supplied from the input interface unit 17, the processing of the CPU 160 proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, the CPU 160 causes the content list display control unit 130a to calculate the number of all content data recorded in the content recording unit 18a. The calculated total content data number is n. Further, the content list display control unit 130a inputs “1” as an initial value to the counter i.

  In step S205, the content list display control unit 130a determines whether or not the counter i is equal to or less than the total content data number n. If it is determined that the counter i is n or less, the process advances to step S207, and the CPU 160 causes the content list display control unit 130a to read the i-th content data from the content recording unit 18a of the recording unit 18. The content list display control unit 130a causes the display unit 2 to display the read content data. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, thumbnail images and content content information based on video data of content data are displayed on the display unit 2.

  In step S209, the content list display control unit 130a increments the counter i by “1”. Thereafter, the CPU 160 causes the content list display control unit 130a to repeat the processing of steps S205 to S209 until the counter i becomes larger than n (i> n). Accordingly, a list of all content data recorded in the content recording unit 18a of the recording unit 18 can be displayed on the display unit 2.

  When the counter i exceeds the total content data number n in step S205, the process proceeds to step S211. In step S <b> 211, the CPU 160 determines whether or not an operation signal for selecting any one of the list of content data displayed on the display unit 2 has been input. When determining that an operation signal is input from the input interface unit 17, the CPU 160 shifts the processing to step S213.

  In step S213, the playlist determination unit 160a reads content information including the content data selected from the content recording unit 18a. Furthermore, the playlist determination unit 160a extracts a content ID from the content information.

  In step S215, the playlist determination unit 160a reads link information from the link information storage unit 14a via the database control unit 15.

  In step S217, the playlist determination unit 160a determines whether or not a playlist ID corresponding to the extracted content ID is stored in the playlist storage unit 18b. Specifically, the playlist determination unit 160a determines whether or not a playlist ID corresponding to the content ID extracted in step S213 exists in the link information read in step S215. If there is a playlist ID in the link information, it is determined that a playlist corresponding to the extracted content ID is stored in the playlist storage unit 18b.

  If it is determined in step S217 that a playlist corresponding to the extracted content ID is stored, the process proceeds to step S219. In step S219, the selection menu display control unit 130b of the display control unit 130 causes the display unit 2 to display the selection menu image. The selection menu image is a menu from which reproduction of content data based on a playlist can be selected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S217 that the playlist corresponding to the extracted content ID is not stored, the process proceeds to step S221. In step S221, the selection menu display control unit 130b of the display control unit 130 causes the display unit 2 to display the selection menu image. The selection menu image is a menu that can be selected for reproduction of content data but cannot be selected for reproduction of content data based on a playlist.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the recording / playback apparatus 101 displays a list of content data on the display unit 2. A list of content data is displayed on the display unit 2 when the CPU 160 determines in step S201 shown in FIG. 7 that an operation signal indicating a display request has been supplied.

  The display screen 201 displays thumbnail images 701 to 708 and content content information 711 to 718. The thumbnail image 701 and the content content information 711 are based on the same content data. The thumbnail images 702 to 708 and the content content information 712 to 718 have the same relationship. An icon 530 is superimposed on the thumbnail image 702. The display screen 201 displays a selection menu image 720.

  When any one of the displayed thumbnail images 701 to 708 is selected, an operation signal indicating that is supplied to the playlist determination unit 160a of the CPU 160 (step S211 in FIG. 7). The playlist determination unit 160a determines whether or not the playlist ID is associated with the content ID of the content data indicated by the operation signal and stored in the link information storage unit 14a.

  When the playlist determination unit 160a determines that the playlist ID is stored in the link information storage unit 14a, the selection menu display control unit 130b can select the reproduction of content data based on the playlist. A menu image 720 is displayed on the display unit 2. The CPU 160 controls the selection menu display control unit 130b to display the selection menu image on the display unit 2.

  When the playlist determination unit 160a determines that the playlist ID is not stored in the link information storage unit 14a, the selection menu display control unit 130b displays the selection menu image 721 shown in FIG. Let

  The selection menu image 720 is displayed on the display unit 2 for the content data selected for the first time in FIG. Further, when “reproduction from the beginning” 720a described later is selected, the CPU 160 controls the recording / reproduction control unit 12 to reproduce the content data from the beginning. The selection menu display control unit 130b continues to display the selection menu image 720 until the selected content data is reproduced once.

  When the content data reproduced once or more is selected, the CPU 160 displays the selection menu image 722 shown in FIG. However, when the content data has been reproduced to the end, the CPU 160 displays the selection menu image 720 on the display unit 2.

  The selection menu image 720 includes menu items 720a to 720e. The CPU 160 controls each unit based on the selected menu items 720a to 720e. When “reproduce from the beginning” 720a is selected, the CPU 160 controls the recording / reproduction control unit 12 to reproduce the content data from the beginning. When “replay from continuation” 720b is selected, the CPU 160 causes the recording / playback control unit 12 to play back the content data from the time when the previous viewing was stopped. CPU 160 stores the time of content data at which reproduction of content data was stopped.

  In “playback playlist instead” 720c, the CPU 160 causes the recording / playback control unit 12 to play back the content data based on the playlist generated using the selected content data. Further, the CPU 160 controls the selection menu display control unit 130b so as to delete the content data from the content recording unit 18a in the “delete” 720d and stop displaying the selected menu image in the “return” 720e.

  The selection menu image 720 is in a state where “play from the beginning” 720a is selected. Thereafter, when the user performs an operation such as pressing the enter button, the CPU 160 determines that “play from the beginning” 720a is selected. Here, the menu contents are displayed by enclosing the contents of the menu with a square. The display method may be any method that can be distinguished from other menu items, such as changing the thickness of the character of the item, changing the color of the character, or changing the size of the character. The user can change which menu item is selected with a remote controller or the like.

  When the selected content data is played back for the first time, the CPU 160 may control the recording / playback control unit 12 to start playback from the beginning even if “play from continuation” 720b is selected. Alternatively, “replay from continuation” 720b may be selected, indicating an error, or the like.

  FIG. 9 shows selection menu images 721 and 722. The selection menu image 721 is displayed on the display unit 2 in step S221 in FIG. The selection menu image 721 is obtained by removing the menu item “play playlist instead” 720 c from the menu items 720 a to 720 e included in the selection menu image 720. When the playlist determination unit 160a determines that the corresponding playlist ID is not stored in the content ID of the content data selected in FIG. 8, the CPU 160 displays the selection menu display control unit 130b on the display unit 2 and the selected menu image. Control to display 721 is performed.

  The selection menu image 722 is in a state where “play from continuation” 720b is selected in advance. The selection menu image is appropriately changed so that menu items that are likely to be selected by the user are easily selected. Since the menu items 720a to 720e included in the selection menu image 722 are the same as the selection menu image 720, the description thereof is omitted.

  Instead of the selection menu image 722, an image (not shown) in which “play from continuation” 720 b is displayed at the top of the plurality of menu items may be displayed on the display unit 2. Of the menu items included in the selection menu image, the selection menu image in which the order of the menu items is changed may be displayed so that the menu items that are likely to be selected by the user are arranged easily.

  FIG. 10 shows selection menu images 723 to 725. Since the menu items 720a to 720e included in the selection menu image 723 are the same as the selection menu image 720, description thereof is omitted. The CPU 160 causes the selection menu display control unit 130 b to display the selection menu image 724 on the display unit 2 when the “play playlist instead” 720 c of the selection menu image 723 is selected. The selection menu image 724 includes items of “play from beginning” 720f and “play from continuation” 720g, which are lower-level menus of “play playlist instead” 720c. Since the other menu items included in the selection menu image 724 are the same as those of the selection menu image 723, description thereof is omitted.

  When “reproduction from the beginning” 720f is selected, the CPU 160 controls the recording / reproduction control unit 12 to reproduce the playlist from the beginning. Similarly, in the “play from continuation” 720g, the CPU 160 controls the recording / playback control unit 12 so as to play back the playlist from the time of the playlist whose viewing was previously stopped.

  When the recording / playback apparatus 101 plays back the selected playlist for the first time, the selection menu display control unit 130b causes the display unit 2 to display the selection menu image 724 in a state where “play from the beginning” 720f is selected. When the list is reproduced for the second time or later, it is preferable to display a menu image (not shown) in a state where “reproduce from continuation” 720 g is selected on the display unit 2. Alternatively, a selection menu image in which the display order of menu items is changed from the selection menu image 724 may be displayed on the display unit 2.

  The CPU 160 may display the selection menu image 725 on the display unit 2 when “play playlist instead” 720c is selected. The selection menu image 725 includes menu items 720e, 720h to 720k, 720m. When the “playback playlist from the beginning” 720h is selected, the CPU 160 controls the recording / playback control unit 12 to play back the playlist from the beginning. When “playback playlist is continuously played” 720i is selected, the CPU 160 causes the recording / playback control unit 12 to play the playlist from the time when the previous viewing was stopped, and “play back original content data” 720j. Then, the recording / playback control unit 12 is caused to play back the selected content data. Further, in “delete playlist” 720k, the CPU 160 deletes the playlist from the playlist storage unit 18b, and in “dubbing” 720m, the CPU 160 transfers the content data based on the playlist via the disk drive 19 shown in FIG. To record on a recording medium. In “return” 720e, the CPU 160 controls the selection menu display control unit 130b so as to end the display of the selection menu image 725 on the display unit 2.

  CPU 160 stores the time at which reproduction of content data based on the playlist is stopped in the playlist. When “playback from playlist” 720i is selected, the CPU 160 controls the recording / playback control unit 12 to resume playback of the content data from the stored playlist stop time.

  When the recording / playback apparatus 101 plays back the selected playlist for the second time or later as described above, the selection menu display control unit 130b selects the selection menu image in a state where “playback from playlist continuously” 720i is selected (FIG. (Not shown) is displayed on the display unit 2.

  Note that the CPU 160 may start playback of the playlist without displaying the selection menu images 724 and 725 as described above when the “playback playlist instead” 720c is selected.

<< Third Embodiment >>
FIG. 11 shows selection menu images 723 and 726 to 728 according to the third embodiment. In the menu items included in the selection menu images 726 to 728, the same items as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 when one playlist is generated from one content data has been described. In the third embodiment, an operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 when a plurality of playlists are generated from one content data will be described.

  When “play playlist instead” 720 c of the selection menu image 723 is selected, the CPU 160 causes the selection menu display control unit 130 b to display the selection menu image 726 on the display unit 2. The selection menu image 726 displays playlists of all playlist IDs associated with the content ID. Here, assuming that two playlists are generated based on one content data, the selection menu image 726 includes items of “playlist 1” 720n and “playlist 2” 720o. “Playlist 1” 720n and “Playlist 2” 720o preferably display playlist names given by the user. When “Playlist 1” 720n or “Playlist 2” 720o is selected, the CPU 160 causes the recording / playback control unit 12 to play back the content data based on the selected playlist.

  When CPU 160 determines that “Playlist 1” 720n is selected in selection menu image 726, CPU 160 causes selection menu display control unit 130b to display selection menu image 727 on display unit 2. The menu items included in the selection menu image 727 have already been described except for “Play a different playlist” 720p, and thus will not be described in particular.

  When “play different playlist” 720p is selected, the CPU 160 causes the display unit 2 to display playlists of all playlist IDs associated with the content ID. In the present embodiment, since there are two playlists, the CPU 160 may start reproducing the content data based on the playlist 2 that is not selected in the selection menu image 726. Alternatively, the CPU 160 may cause the display unit 2 to display a selection menu image for the playlist 2 similar to the selection menu image 727.

  The CPU 160 may cause the selection menu display control unit 130 b to display the selection menu image 728 on the display unit 2 when “play playlist instead” 720 c is selected in the selection menu image 723. The selection menu image 728 includes menu items 720q and 720r. The other items are the same as the selection menu image 725 shown in FIG. “Playlist 1” 720q and “Playlist 2” 720r preferably display the playlist names given by the user. When “playlist 1” 720q or “playlist 2” 720r is selected, the CPU 160 causes the recording / playback control unit 12 to play back the content data based on the selected playlist. When CPU 160 determines that “Playlist 1” 720q is selected in selection menu image 728, CPU 160 causes selection menu display control unit 130b to display selection menu image 727 on display unit 2. Since the subsequent control is the same as that described above, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, when “Delete Playlist” 720k is selected while the selection menu image 728 is displayed, the CPU 160 causes the display unit 2 to display an image asking which playlist to delete. The selection menu display control unit 130b is controlled. The user selects an item of a playlist name to be deleted and performs an operation for determination. Based on the operation signal, the CPU 160 deletes the playlist from the playlist storage unit 18b. When “delete playlist” 720k is selected when the selection menu image 727 is displayed on the display unit 2, the CPU 160 may delete the selected playlist, here playlist 1. .

  Note that, for content data for which playback of a playlist has been selected once, priority is given to an operation to continue playback of the playlist when content data is next selected. Therefore, a menu image including the reproduction item of the playlist, such as the selected menu image 727, is displayed on the display unit 2.

  The CPU 160 may display the selection menu image 729 shown in FIG. 12 instead of the selection menu image 723 on the selection menu display control unit 130b. The selection menu image 729 includes a “play list 1” 720s and a “play list 2” 720t instead of the menu item 720c included in the selection menu image 723. As described above, it is preferable that the playlist 1 and the playlist 2 display the playlist names given by the user. When “Playlist 1” 720s is selected, the CPU 160 controls the selection menu display control unit 130b to display the selection menu image 727 on the display unit 2. Since the subsequent control is the same as that described above, the description thereof is omitted.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus 101 stores a playlist generated based on the content data (playlist generation processing). Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 can display an image based on the content data, and can display a menu image for instructing various controls including reproduction of the content data for the content data selected by the user. (Playlist display process, menu image display process).

  The user can confirm whether or not there is a playlist using the content data he / she wants to view by displaying the icon 530 on the screen on which a list of images based on the content data shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. Alternatively, the user can check the selection menu images 720 and 721 displayed when the content data is selected. When content data for which a playlist has been created is selected, as described above, “play list instead” 720c, “play list 1” 720q, “play playlist 1” 720s, etc. are displayed on the selected menu image. Menu items indicating playback of the playlist are displayed on the display unit 2.

  The recording / playback apparatus 101 can cause the user to easily recognize that a playlist using the content data is generated by displaying the icon 530 on the display unit 2 in association with the image based on the content data. Furthermore, the recording / reproducing apparatus 101 can display a menu item indicating reproduction of a playlist, thereby allowing the user to select reproduction of content data based on the playlist.

  According to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, when a playlist using content data to be viewed is stored in the recording / reproducing apparatus, the user reproduces the content data itself and the content data based on the playlist. Can be selected.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the play list production | generation image of the recording / reproducing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the playlist display process of the recording / reproducing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the list display image of the image based on the content data of the recording / reproducing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the play list production | generation image of the recording / reproducing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence of the playlist display process of the recording / reproducing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the list display image of the image based on the content data of the recording / reproducing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a selection menu image. It is a figure which shows a selection menu image. It is a figure which shows a selection menu image. It is a figure which shows a selection menu image.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101 Recording / reproducing apparatus 2 Display part 3 Audio | voice output part 11, 110 Edit control part 11a, 110a Playlist production | generation part 12 Recording / reproduction control part 13, 130 Display control part 13a, 130a Content list display control part 130b Selection menu image display Control unit 14a Link information storage unit 16, 160 CPU
16a, 160a Playlist determination unit 18 recording unit 18a content recording unit 18b playlist storage unit

Claims (5)

A recording / playback control unit for controlling the recording / playback of content data;
A content recording unit for recording the content data;
A playlist generation unit that generates a playlist indicating in what order the scene that is at least a part of the content data is reproduced based on one or a plurality of content data recorded in the content recording unit;
A playlist storage unit for storing the playlist;
A link information storage unit that stores link information that associates content data identification information that identifies content data recorded in the content recording unit and playlist identification information that identifies the playlist;
A list of content data created based on at least a part of the content data recorded in the content recording unit is displayed on the display unit, and a play stored in the playlist storage unit based on the link information A display control unit that adds identification information indicating that there is a playlist generated based on the content data to the content data that is the basis of the list, and displays the information on the display unit;
A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the list of content data displays at least one of thumbnail images based on the content data or content information of the content data. A recording / playback control unit for controlling the recording / playback of content data;
A content recording unit for recording the content data;
A playlist generation unit that generates a playlist indicating in what order the scene that is at least a part of the content data is reproduced based on one or a plurality of content data recorded in the content recording unit;
A playlist storage unit for storing the playlist;
A link information storage unit that stores link information that associates content data identification information that identifies content data recorded in the content recording unit and playlist identification information that identifies the playlist;
When a list of content data created based on at least a part of the content data recorded in the content recording unit is displayed on a display unit and any one of the content data included in the list of content data is selected, When it is determined that a playlist generated based on the selected content data is stored in the playlist storage unit based on the link information, a selection menu image having a menu for playing the playlist is displayed. Display control unit to be displayed on the unit,
A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: Based on the link information, the display control unit has a playlist generated based on the content data for the content data that is the basis of the playlist stored in the playlist storage unit. 4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein identification information indicating the above is added and displayed on the display unit. The display control unit displays a selection menu image having a menu for reproducing each of the plurality of playlists when a plurality of playlists generated based on the selected content data are stored in the playlist storage unit. 5. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording / reproducing apparatus displays on the display unit.

Images