JP2009284526A - Video data information generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user himself/herself to set a thumbnail image intuitively understandable to himself/herself to a title, to intuitively identify mutually related titles from a plurality of titles recorded in a recording medium, and to reliably distinguish a difference between the mutually related titles. <P>SOLUTION: For example, when a plurality of mutually related titles (titles 401a-401d), such as serial dramas, have been recorded in the recording medium, thumbnail pointers 410b-410d of other titles 401b-401d are set so that a thumbnail original image 406, which is used for the thumbnail image of a certain title (parent title 401a), is designated. In the thumbnail display of each title, composited thumbnail images 408a-408d, where pieces of information (pieces of title inherent information 410a-410d) of each title are composited, are created on the pattern of the thumbnail original image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an optical disc such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an HDD (Hard Disk).
Drive: a hard disk drive), a video data information generation device for displaying information on the content of video data recorded on a large-capacity recording medium such as a semiconductor memory on a display screen, in particular, recording using thumbnail images The present invention relates to a video data information generation apparatus for displaying a headline of content recorded on a medium.

Conventionally, a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) using a video tape is known as a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing video (and audio) content such as a broadcast program (TV program). In recent years, recording / playback apparatuses such as HDD recorders and DVD recorders that record and play back video data using a large-capacity recording medium such as a DVD, HDD, and semiconductor memory are known. Features of the above HDD recorder and DVD recorder are as follows:
It is possible to record a long time that cannot be compared with tape media, record a huge amount of programs, and also allow random access to recorded video data (title). With these features, the convenience of the user is improved. Note that video data (one program) recorded on a recording medium by a recording / reproducing apparatus is generally called a title.

Also, a title list display function for displaying a list of titles recorded on a recording medium is known in order to improve convenience when managing a large number of titles recorded on the recording medium. Furthermore, in order to improve the convenience of the title list display function, a thumbnail image (an arbitrary image in the video data) is selected so that the user can intuitively find a desired title from among many titles. A thumbnail display function for displaying a list of titles by displaying them is also known. In thumbnail display, not only a still image is used as a thumbnail image but also a moving image may be used as a thumbnail image.

Regarding the thumbnail display function, for example, there are technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below. For example, according to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, as thumbnail images used for displaying each title, for example, an image located at the beginning of the title (first image), an image at a certain time from the beginning, or the last Playback stop position images can be used. Further, for example, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, E from a network or the like is used.
As PG (Electronic Program Guide) information, an image representative of a title recorded on a recording medium can be acquired, and this image can be used as a thumbnail image used for thumbnail display.

<First Example of Conventional Technology>
Further, a first example of the thumbnail function in the conventional technique will be described with reference to FIGS. 20, 21A, and 21B. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an outline of thumbnail display in the first example of the prior art. FIG. 20 schematically illustrates how an arbitrary scene (thumbnail original image 2006) of the title 2001 recorded on the recording medium is displayed as a thumbnail on the display screen. The title 2001 recorded on the recording medium includes title start information 2002, a title name and a thumbnail pointer (following title data 200).
4, title information area 2003 to which information such as the image position information 2011 and date / time is added, title data 2004 corresponding to a storage unit of actual recording data (content data), and the end of the data Title end information 200 indicating
5.

In the title information area 2003 of the title 2001 described above, the title data 20
A thumbnail pointer 2011 for designating an arbitrary image in 04 can be recorded. As a result, for example, when the user performs an operation such as designating a desired image in the title data 2004 and sets the thumbnail pointer 2011, the title 2001 is displayed.
The thumbnail pointer 2011 designates an image to be used as a thumbnail image representative of the.

Next, a thumbnail registration process and a thumbnail display process in the first example of the prior art will be described. FIG. 21A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered with respect to a title recorded on a recording medium in the first example of the conventional technique, and FIG. 21B is a first example of the conventional technique. In the example, it is a flowchart which shows an example of a process of the data reproduction apparatus in the case of displaying the thumbnail list currently recorded on the recording medium.

First, a case where thumbnails are registered will be described with reference to FIG. 21A. FIG.
As shown in 1A, when the registration processing of thumbnails recorded on the recording medium is started by the user, for example, a list of titles 2001 in the recording medium is displayed on the monitor. here,
The user determines whether or not the title 2001 to be operated exists in the recording medium (step S2101). .

On the other hand, if there is a target title 2001 for which thumbnail registration processing is performed, the user searches for an image suitable as a thumbnail image while browsing the image in the title data 2004 by playing the title data 2004 or the like. Perform (Step S2102)
. At this time, when an appropriate image is not found as a thumbnail image (step S21).
In 03, “No”), for example, a predetermined initial pointer (for example, image position information indicating the head image of the title data 2004) is set as the thumbnail pointer 2011 (step S2104), for setting a thumbnail for another title 2001. Step S21
Return to 01.

On the other hand, when an appropriate image is found as a thumbnail image (“Yes” in step S2103), image position information indicating the position of the image is set in the thumbnail pointer 2011 in the title information area 2003 (step S2105). The process returns to step S2101 to set a thumbnail for another title 2001. For example, title 20
In the thumbnail pointer 2011 immediately after 01 is recorded (thumbnail pointer 2011 before the thumbnail registration process by the user operation), image position information indicating the head image of the title data 2004 is automatically registered by the recording device. Sometimes it is done.

Next, with reference to FIG. 21B, the title 2001 subjected to the registration process shown in FIG. 21A.
A case of performing thumbnail display will be described. As shown in FIG. 21B, when the thumbnail display processing of the title 2001 recorded on the recording medium is started by the user request, first, the data reproducing apparatus determines whether or not the title 2001 to be displayed exists in the recording medium. Is determined (step S2121). If there is no target title 2001 for thumbnail display processing, the processing ends.

On the other hand, when there is a target title 2001 for which thumbnail display processing is performed, the data reproducing apparatus reads the title information area 2003 of the title 2001 to be displayed as a thumbnail, and the thumbnail pointer set and saved in the title information area 2003. 20
11 is acquired (step S2122). Then, from the title data 2004, the image designated by the thumbnail pointer 2011 is acquired as the thumbnail original image 2006 (step S2123), and the thumbnail original image 2006 is reduced to the thumbnail size and reduced. A thumbnail image 2007 is created (step S212).
4) The generated reduced thumbnail image 2007 is displayed on the monitor as a thumbnail image (step S2125). Also, the process returns to step S2121 in order to perform thumbnail display for another title 2001.

In the first example of the prior art, a plurality of titles 2001 recorded on a recording medium are used.
The thumbnail pointer 2011 is set independently for each of the titles 2. Each of the titles 2 is displayed based on the image position information indicated by each thumbnail pointer 2011 when displaying thumbnails.
A reduced thumbnail image 2007 of 001 is created. Each created title 20
A thumbnail list display is performed by sequentially displaying 01 reduced thumbnail images 2007 on the monitor.

<Second Example of Conventional Technology>
Next, a second example of the thumbnail function in the conventional technology will be described with reference to FIGS. 22, 23A, and 23B. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an outline of thumbnail display in the second example of the prior art. FIG. 22 schematically illustrates how an arbitrary scene (original thumbnail image 2206) of the title 2201 recorded on the recording medium is displayed as a thumbnail on the monitor. A title 2201 recorded on the recording medium corresponds to a title start information 2202, a title information area 2203 to which information such as a title name, thumbnail image data, and date / time is added, and a storage unit for actual recording data (content data). It consists of title data 2204 and title end information 2205 indicating the end of the data.

In the title information area 2203 of the title 2201, a thumbnail image recording area for storing an arbitrary image in the title data 2204 is provided. as a result,
For example, the user performs an operation such as designating a desired image in the title data 2204, and stores the reduced thumbnail image 2207 generated by reducing the designated image (original thumbnail image) in the thumbnail image recording area. As a result, the reduced thumbnail image 2207 recorded in the thumbnail image recording area is designated as the thumbnail image representing the title 2201.

Next, a thumbnail registration process and a thumbnail display process in the second example of the prior art will be described. FIG. 23A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered for a title recorded on a recording medium in the second example of the conventional technique, and FIG. 23B is a second example of the conventional technique. In an example, it is a flowchart which shows an example of a process of the data reproduction apparatus in the case of displaying the thumbnail list currently recorded on the recording medium.

First, a case where thumbnails are registered will be described with reference to FIG. 23A. FIG.
As shown in 3A, when the registration processing of thumbnails recorded on the recording medium is started by the user, a list of titles 2201 in the recording medium is displayed on, for example, a monitor. here,
The user determines whether or not the title 2201 to be operated exists in the recording medium (step S2301). If there is no title 2201 to be subjected to the thumbnail registration process, the process ends. .

On the other hand, if there is a title 2201 to be subjected to thumbnail registration processing, the user searches for an image suitable as a thumbnail image while browsing the image in the title data 2204 by playing the title data 2204 or the like. Perform (Step S2302)
. At this time, when an appropriate image is not found as a thumbnail image (step S23).
In “No” in 03, for example, a predetermined image (for example, the head image of the title data) is acquired as a thumbnail original image (step S2304).

On the other hand, when an appropriate image is found as a thumbnail image (“Yes” in step S2303), the image is acquired as a thumbnail original image (step S2305). For example, in the thumbnail image recording area immediately after the title 2201 is recorded (thumbnail image recording area before the thumbnail registration by the user operation), the first image of the title data is automatically saved by the recording device. Sometimes it is done.

Next, based on the thumbnail original image acquired in step S2304 or step S2305 described above, a reduced thumbnail image 2207 is created by performing processing such as reducing the thumbnail original image to the size of the thumbnail (see FIG. Step S2306)
. Then, the created reduced thumbnail image 2207 is stored in the thumbnail image recording area in the title information area 2203 (step S2307), whereby the thumbnail registration for the title 2201 is completed, and the thumbnail setting for another title 2201 is completed. Therefore, the process returns to step S2301.

Next, with reference to FIG. 23B, a description will be given of the case where the thumbnail display of the title for which the registration processing shown in FIG. 23A has been performed. As shown in FIG. 23B, when the thumbnail display processing of the title 2201 recorded on the recording medium is started by a user request, first, the data reproducing apparatus determines whether or not the title 2201 to be displayed exists in the recording medium. Is determined (step S2321). Here, the title 220 to be subjected to thumbnail display processing is displayed.
If 1 does not exist, the process ends.

On the other hand, if there is a title 2201 to be subjected to thumbnail display processing, the data playback apparatus acquires a reduced thumbnail image 2207 from the thumbnail image recording area in the title information area 2203 of the title 2201 to be displayed as a thumbnail ( Step S2
322), the obtained reduced thumbnail image is displayed on the monitor (step S2323). Thereafter, the process returns to step S2321 in order to perform thumbnail display for another title 2201.

In the second example of the prior art, a plurality of titles 2201 recorded on a recording medium are used.
Are each provided with a thumbnail image recording area, and a reduced thumbnail image 2207 of each title 2201 is stored. When thumbnails are displayed, a reduced thumbnail image 2207 is read from each thumbnail image recording area and each read title 220 is read.
One thumbnail image 2207 is sequentially arranged and displayed on the monitor, whereby thumbnail list display is performed.

<Third example of conventional technology>
Next, a third example of the thumbnail function in the prior art will be described with reference to FIGS. 24, 25A, and 25B. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an outline of thumbnail display in the third example of the prior art. FIG. 24 schematically illustrates an arbitrary scene (thumbnail original image 2406) of the title 2401 recorded on the recording medium being displayed as a thumbnail on the display screen. The title 2401 recorded on the recording medium includes title start information 2402, a title name, a title pointer (pointer indicating the position of the thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail recording table) 2412, and a title information area 2403 to which information such as date and time is added. And title data 2404 corresponding to an actual recording data (content data) storage unit, and title end information 2405 indicating the end of the data.

In the third example of the prior art, for example, a thumbnail recording table 2409 capable of holding a reduced thumbnail image 2407 of each title 2401 is recorded in the same recording medium as the recording medium on which the title 2401 is recorded. Is done. In the title information area 2403 of the title 2401, a title pointer 2412 for indicating the position of the reduced thumbnail image 2407 in the thumbnail recording table 2409 is provided. as a result,
For example, the reduced thumbnail image 24 generated from the specified image (thumbnail original image 2406) by the user performing an operation such as specifying a desired image in the title data 2404.
07 is recorded in the thumbnail recording table 2409 and the title pointer 2412 is recorded.
In addition, by setting position information that allows the reduced thumbnail image 2407 to be read out, the reduced thumbnail image 24 in the title 2401 and thumbnail recording table 2409 is set.
Association with 07 is performed.

Next, a thumbnail registration process and a thumbnail display process in the third example of the prior art will be described. FIG. 25A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered for a title recorded on a recording medium in the third example of the conventional technique, and FIG. 25B is a third example of the conventional technique. In the example, it is a flowchart which shows an example of a process of the data reproduction apparatus in the case of displaying the thumbnail list currently recorded on the recording medium.

First, a case of performing thumbnail registration will be described with reference to FIG. 25A. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the registration process of thumbnails recorded on the recording medium is started by the user, for example, a list of titles 2401 in the recording medium is displayed on the monitor. here,
The user determines whether or not the title 2401 to be operated exists in the recording medium (step S2501). If there is no title 2401 to be subjected to the thumbnail registration process, the process ends. .

On the other hand, when there is a title 2401 to be subjected to thumbnail registration processing, the user searches for an image suitable as a thumbnail image while browsing the image in the title data 2404 by playing the title data 2404 or the like. Perform (Step S2502)
. At this time, when an appropriate image is not found as a thumbnail image (step S25).
In “No” in 03, for example, a predetermined image (for example, the top image of the title data 2404) is acquired as the thumbnail original image 2406 (step S2504).

On the other hand, when an appropriate image is found as a thumbnail image (“Yes” in step S2503), the image is acquired as a thumbnail original image 2406 (step S250).
5). Note that, for example, the thumbnail image recording area immediately after the title 2401 is recorded (
In some cases, the top image of the title data 2404 is automatically saved in the thumbnail image recording area (before the thumbnail registration by the user operation) by the recording device.

Next, based on the thumbnail original image 2406 acquired in step S2504 or step S2505 described above, for example, a reduced thumbnail image 2407 is created by performing processing such as reducing the thumbnail original image 2406 to the size of the thumbnail. (Step S2506). The generated reduced thumbnail image 2407 is stored in the thumbnail recording table 2409 placed in an arbitrary place (for example, the same recording medium as the recording medium on which the title 2401 is recorded) (step S2507). . Further, the position information of the reduced thumbnail image 2407 in the thumbnail recording table 2409 is set in the title pointer 2412 of the title information area 2403 (step S2508), whereby the thumbnail registration relating to the title 2401 is completed, and another title 2401 is registered. The process returns to step S2501 for thumbnail setting.

Next, with reference to FIG. 25B, the title 2401 for which the registration process shown in FIG. 25A has been performed.
A case of performing thumbnail display will be described. As shown in FIG. 25B, when the thumbnail display processing of the title 2401 recorded on the recording medium is started by the user request, first, the data reproducing apparatus determines whether or not the title 2401 to be displayed exists in the recording medium. Is determined (step S2521). If there is no title 2401 to be subjected to thumbnail display processing, the processing ends.

On the other hand, when there is a title 2401 to be subjected to thumbnail display processing, the data reproducing apparatus reads the title information area 2403 of the title to be displayed as a thumbnail, and the title pointer 2412 set and saved in the title information area 2403. Is acquired (step S2522). Then, the thumbnail recording table 2409 stored at a predetermined location is read out, and the reduced thumbnail image 2407 specified by the position information indicated by the title pointer 2412 is read out from the thumbnail recording table 2409 (step S2523). The reduced thumbnail image 240 read out
7 is displayed on the monitor (step S2524). Thereafter, the process returns to step S2521 to perform thumbnail display for another title 2401.

In the third example of the prior art, a plurality of titles 2401 recorded on the recording medium are used.
Each thumbnail thumbnail 2407 is recorded in the thumbnail recording table 2409, and a title pointer 2412 including position information of the thumbnail thumbnail 2407 in the thumbnail recording table 2409 is set for each title 2401. Based on the position information indicated by each title pointer 2412, each title 24
01 reduced thumbnail image 2407 is read out. And each read title 2
401 reduced thumbnail images 2407 are sequentially displayed on the monitor,
A thumbnail list is displayed.

In the following, an example of reserved recording in a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the prior art will be described. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a reserved recording setting table used for reserved recording in the prior art. In the reservation recording setting in the prior art, the reservation recording information is set in the reservation recording setting table as shown in FIG. In the reserved recording setting table shown in FIG. 26, a reserved recording channel (recording CH) indicating a channel of a program to be reserved recorded.
2601, a recording date 2602 indicating a date for performing scheduled recording (including information specifying a day of the week and repeated recording such as daily or weekly), a recording start time 2603, a recording end time 2604, a recording mode 2605, a recording destination 2606, Items such as a genre 2607 and a program name 2608 are included.

For example, in No. 3 of the scheduled recording setting table shown in FIG. 26, the scheduled recording channel 2601 is “10ch”, the recording date 2602 is “every Friday”, and the recording start time 2603.
Is “PM9: 00”, the recording end time 2604 is “PM9: 54”, the recording mode 2605 is “normal mode”, the recording destination 2606 is “HDD”, the genre 2607 is “drama”, and the program name 2608 is “none”. Scheduled recording is set.

Next, an example of the reserved recording operation in the conventional technique will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the reserved recording operation in the conventional technique. In FIG. 27, when the user starts the setting of the reserved recording program, first, a program (reserved recording navigation) that supports the setting of the reserved recording program is started (step S).
2701). In accordance with the reserved recording navigation, the user sets the reserved recording channel, recording date, reserved recording time (recording start time and recording end time), recording mode and recording destination, genre, program name, and the like (steps S2702 to S2706). .

In this way, the scheduled recording that is in the reservation recording execution waiting state is actually performed when the recording start time comes. Then, scheduled recording is performed (“Yes” in step S2707).
When the title is recorded on the recording medium, the recording / reproducing apparatus, for example, based on a predetermined rule such as setting the top image as a thumbnail for the reserved recording title,
A thumbnail is set for the reserved video recording title (step S2708). If the scheduled recording is repetitive recording (“YES” in step S2709), step S2707 is performed.
Returning to, it will again wait for scheduled recording until the next recording date and recording start time come,
If the scheduled recording is not a repeated recording (“NO” in step S2709), the scheduled recording ends.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-138886 (FIGS. 7, 8, 12, and 13) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-101916 (FIGS. 5, 6, and 7)

However, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, an image at a head position of a title or an image at a certain time position is suitable as a thumbnail image (a pattern in which the user can understand the contents of the title at a glance). The image at the predetermined position is not necessarily an image suitable as a thumbnail image, depending on conditions such as how to create a program and recording time. There is a problem. In addition, even when the last playback stop position image is used as a thumbnail image, there is a problem that a thumbnail image that reflects the user's intention is set only after the playback operation is performed, and playback of the title that the user is viewing is performed. When stopping, there are many cases where playback is stopped at a well-separated position such as CM (commercial) that has little relation to the content, and when stopping a desired title, pay attention to the stop timing. Otherwise, there is a problem that it is difficult to set a desired thumbnail image.

As described above, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, in order to set appropriate thumbnails for many recorded titles even though the thumbnail display function is realized, As a result, there is a problem that the user needs to individually select and set the thumbnail images of the respective titles as needed, and that the user is troublesome to perform thumbnail setting operations for the respective titles. In addition, when a plurality of related titles such as serial dramas are recorded on the recording medium, the user cannot intuitively identify the related titles by visually checking the thumbnail display. Furthermore, there is a problem that related titles cannot be distinguished from each other.

Further, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above, it is possible to acquire a thumbnail image using EPG information. On the other hand, in an environment where the EPG system cannot be used, a thumbnail image is acquired. There is a problem that it is impossible to do. In addition, since the thumbnail image obtained using the EPG information is only an image designated by a third party such as an EPG data producer, the image included in the EPG information is suitable as a thumbnail image for the user. There is a problem that it is not necessarily an image. That is, the thumbnail image acquired using the EPG information is not a thumbnail image that is most easily understood by the user, but has a problem that the preference and freedom of each user are lost. In particular, the thumbnail display function assists the user to intuitively determine the title content by looking at the design, and a representative scene of the content (for example, the beginning of the title) Even if a position image or a position image for a certain period of time is selected, there is no guarantee that the user can discriminate the title content from the scene image, and the thumbnail display function is not fully utilized. There is. Similarly to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, when a plurality of related titles such as serial dramas are recorded on the recording medium, The user cannot intuitively identify the related titles by visually recognizing the thumbnail display, and further cannot identify the related titles.

In addition, a plurality of mutually related titles such as a series drama are recorded on the recording medium, and when a drama opening image is used as a thumbnail image of the plurality of titles, Thumbnail images of a plurality of titles have the same design, and it may be impossible for the user to identify related titles using the thumbnail images. That is, users tend to store their favorite programs (for example, programs that are broadcast every week) in a recording medium. For the titles of the same programs, images that are difficult to identify are used as thumbnail images. As a result, there is a problem that the thumbnail display function is not fully utilized. In addition, in order to be able to identify such mutually related titles, for example, the user may perform an operation such as searching for an image that can identify each title and setting a thumbnail of the image. Although it is possible, in this case, there is a problem that the user needs to perform the thumbnail setting operation for each title.

In view of the above problems, the present invention enables the user himself / herself to set a thumbnail image that is intuitively easy to understand for the title, and from among a plurality of titles recorded on the recording medium, An object of the present invention is to provide a video data information generation device that realizes a thumbnail display capable of intuitively identifying mutually related titles and reliably identifying differences between these mutually related titles. And

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention,
[1] Target video data specifying means for specifying target video data for registering thumbnail images from among a plurality of video data recorded on a predetermined recording medium;
Thumbnails are set in advance by storing an arbitrary image in a thumbnail image recording area in one video data of the plurality of video data, and videos mutually related to the target video data Parent video data designating means for designating the one video data identified as data as parent video data;
Image recording means for storing the image stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the parent video data in the thumbnail image recording area of the target video data;
Image reading means for reading out the image in the thumbnail image recording area of the target video data in which the image is stored by the image recording means;
Video data specific information reading means for reading video data specific information included in the target video data;
Image synthesizing means for synthesizing the video data unique information so as to be displayed on the design of the image read by the image reading means, and creating a composite thumbnail image that is a thumbnail image of the target video data; The
A video data information generating apparatus having the same.
Is provided.
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention,
[2] Target video data specifying means for specifying target video data for registering a thumbnail image from among a plurality of video data recorded on a predetermined recording medium;
An image at an arbitrary position in one video data in the plurality of video data is used as a thumbnail original image, and the video included in the one video data is displayed on the design of the thumbnail original image processed for thumbnail display. Thumbnail setting is performed in advance by storing a combined thumbnail image that is combined so that data-specific information is displayed in the thumbnail image recording area of the one video data, and for the target video data Parent video data designating means for designating the one video data identified as mutually related video data as parent video data;
Video data specific information reading means for reading video data specific information included in the target video data;
The video data specific information of the target video data is displayed on the pattern of the image processed for thumbnail display, which is basic data of the composite thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the parent video data. Image synthesizing means for creating a synthesized thumbnail image of the target video data,
Image recording means for storing the composite thumbnail image of the target video data in a thumbnail image recording area of the target video data;
Image readout means for reading out the composite thumbnail image in the thumbnail image recording area of the target video data in which the composite thumbnail image is stored by the image recording means;
A video data information generating apparatus having the same.
Is provided.

The present invention has the above-described configuration and realizes a thumbnail image in which unique information of each title is synthesized on the same pattern with respect to thumbnail images related to each of a plurality of related titles. In addition to improving user operability during registration, it is possible to easily identify related titles from a plurality of titles in a recording medium, and to easily identify related titles. Possible thumbnail display is realized.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus used in the 1st-6th embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function implement | achieved by the recording process part and control part of the recording / reproducing apparatus used in the 1st-6th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the thumbnail display in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of thumbnail list display of a plurality of related titles in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the thumbnail image displayed as a thumbnail in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered with respect to a title recorded on a recording medium in the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the case of displaying a thumbnail list recorded on a recording medium in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the thumbnail display in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. In the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the thumbnail list display of a some title. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered for a title recorded on a recording medium in the second embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in a case where a thumbnail list recorded on a recording medium is displayed in the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the thumbnail display in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. In the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the thumbnail list display of a some title. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered for a title recorded on a recording medium in the third embodiment of the present invention. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in a case where a thumbnail list recorded on a recording medium is displayed in the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the thumbnail display in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. In the 4th Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the thumbnail list display of a some title. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered with respect to a title recorded on a recording medium in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in a case where a thumbnail list recorded on a recording medium is displayed in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the thumbnail display in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. In the 5th Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the thumbnail list display of a some title. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered with respect to a title recorded on a recording medium in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the data reproduction device when displaying a thumbnail list recorded on a recording medium in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the reservation video recording setting table used in the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement of the reservation video recording in the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the thumbnail display in the 1st example of a prior art. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered for a title recorded on a recording medium in the first example of the related art. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the data reproducing device when displaying a thumbnail list recorded on a recording medium in the first example of the related art. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the thumbnail display in the 2nd example of a prior art. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered for a title recorded on a recording medium in a second example of the related art. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of a data reproduction device when displaying a list of thumbnails recorded on a recording medium in a second example of the related art. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the thumbnail display in the 3rd example of a prior art. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered for a title recorded on a recording medium in a third example of the related art. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of a data reproduction device when displaying a list of thumbnails recorded on a recording medium in a third example of the related art. It is a figure which shows an example of the reservation recording setting table used for the reservation recording in the prior art. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement of the time-programmed video recording in a prior art.

Hereinafter, first to sixth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an example of the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus used in the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus used in the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function implement | achieved by the recording process part and control part of the recording / reproducing apparatus used.

The recording / reproducing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 receives an input signal supplied from an antenna or another reproducing apparatus and records data (video data) included in the signal on a recording medium. It has a function of reading data recorded on a medium and reproducing and outputting the data to a display device such as a TV or another recording device. The recording / reproducing apparatus 100
Content recorded on a recording medium using thumbnail images in addition to the function of recording video data and broadcast programs supplied from other playback devices, and the function of playing back and outputting video data recorded on a recording medium A function as a video data information display device for displaying the headline is also realized.

In order to realize the above function, the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an input unit 101 that receives an input signal supplied from the outside (such as an antenna or another reproducing apparatus), and an input unit 10.
1, an A / D conversion process for the input signal received in step 1 and the like, and an input signal processing unit 102 that performs appropriate processing relating to the input signal, and a recording medium for recording the signal processed by the input signal processing unit 102 And the recording processing unit 103 having the recording processing unit 103 and appropriate processing related to the reproduction data including D / A conversion processing of the data read from the recording medium included in the recording processing unit 103 and processing of the display signal or the recording signal. An output signal processing unit 104 to perform, an output unit 105 for outputting a signal processed by the output signal processing unit 104 to the outside (display device, other recording device, etc.), and a user such as a remote controller A user control unit 106 for enabling an operation through an interface, and a display panel for displaying an operation state of the recording / reproducing apparatus 100, an operation state by a user, and the like. A display unit 107 such as, and a control unit 108 for controlling the operation of each component.

Further, the recording processing unit 103 and the control unit 108 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG.
Implements the functions illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 2, the input signal processing unit 102 (FIG.
The input signal supplied from the reference) is compressed (for example, MP
Recording signal processing such as EG (Moving Picture Experts Group) method is performed. And
The data after the recording signal processing by the recording signal processing unit 201 is sent to recording media 204 and 205 such as DVD and HDD under the control of the recording control unit 202 and the recording medium management unit 203 to be recorded (recorded).

Further, at the time of reproducing the data recorded in the recording media 204 and 205, the video data instructed by the user control unit 106 (see FIG. 1) is controlled by the recording medium management unit 203, for example, as an appropriate recording medium 204, 205 is read out. Then, the recording medium management unit 203
The data read out by the reproduction signal processing unit 207 is controlled by the reproduction control unit 206.
And the reproduction signal processing such as decompression processing (for example, MPEG decompression) is performed, and the data after the reproduction signal processing by the reproduction signal processing unit 207 is output to the output signal processing unit 104 (see FIG. 1). .

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a system timer unit 208 having a date and time management function, a timekeeping function, etc.
A reservation recording control unit 209 that performs a reservation recording start instruction / end instruction and the like is also realized. further,
FIG. 2 also shows a system control unit 210 that controls each functional block in order to realize the functions of the entire system. Various functions of the present invention to be described later are also included in the system control unit 2.
10 is controlled.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, each function of the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is represented by blocks, but these functions can be realized by software and / or hardware.
In particular, the function of the block for processing information is the function of the CPU (Central
This can be realized by executing a program by a processing unit (Central Processing Unit).

Next, various functions that can be realized by the recording / reproducing apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described.

<First embodiment of the present invention>
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, and 5B. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of thumbnail display according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 schematically shows an arbitrary scene (thumbnail original image 306) of the title 301 recorded on the recording medium being displayed as a thumbnail on the display screen. The title 301 recorded on the recording medium includes title start information 302, title name and thumbnail pointer (image position information indicating the position of the thumbnail image in the subsequent title data 304) 311 and information unique to the title 301 ( A title information area 303 for adding information such as the number of broadcasts and date and time (hereinafter referred to as title-specific information 310);
It consists of title data 304 corresponding to a storage unit for actual recorded data (content data) and title end information 305 indicating the end of the data. Note that the thumbnail pointer 311 indicates the position of the thumbnail original image 306 as in the first example of the conventional technique.

In the title information area 303 of the title 301 described above, the title specific information 310 is included.
There is an area for recording. As this title specific information 310, for example,
Arbitrary information such as the number of times of broadcasting, the date and time, the name specifying this title, and the like are included. Specifically, when a continuous drama that is broadcast every week (once a week) is recorded by scheduled recording, a plurality of titles with the same program name are recorded on the recording medium. , These multiple titles are each broadcast times (for example, the second broadcast or the second episode),
The date and time, the name for specifying the title (specifically, the title of each drama) are different. In the first embodiment of the present invention, such information is stored as title specific information 310 in the title information area 303. When thumbnails are displayed, the title specific information 310 is read together with the image specified by the thumbnail pointer 311, and the reduced thumbnail image 307 and the title specific information 310 are combined to create a combined thumbnail image 308 for display. Displayed on the screen.

In addition, for example, by using detailed information of a program that can be secured by an EPG system or the like as the title specific information 310, it is possible to insert detailed information that facilitates discrimination of the title 301 into the thumbnail image. .

In addition, in each title 301, the thumbnail pointer 311 for designating an image in the title data 304 in each title 301 is not set independently, but an image in the title data 304 in a certain title 301 is another It is also possible to designate it as the thumbnail original image 306 of the title 301. For example, in the same program such as a continuous drama recorded repeatedly every week, for each of a plurality of titles 301 having different recording dates and times, an image of the same design (such as an opening image of a drama in which the name of the drama is displayed) is eventually a thumbnail. Often used as an image. In such a case, by using the thumbnail setting method as illustrated in FIG. 4A below, the user is saved from setting the thumbnail image for each title 301 and the title unique information 310 is synthesized. Thus, a thumbnail display that enables each title 301 to be reliably identified is realized.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an outline of thumbnail list display of a plurality of titles 401a to 401d in the first embodiment of the present invention. 4A shows a plurality of titles 401a.
˜401d, continuous dramas (four titles 401a to 401d from the first week to the fourth week) recorded repeatedly every week are shown. In FIG. 4A, a specific image in the title data of the title 401a is set as the thumbnail image of the title 401a recorded in the first week. That is, a thumbnail pointer 411a indicating a specific thumbnail original image 406 in the title data is recorded in the title information area of the title 401a. In addition, thumbnail pointers 411b to 411d for specifying the thumbnail original image 406 in the title data of the title 401a are recorded in the title information areas of the titles 401b to 401d after the second week, whereby the titles 401a to 40d are recorded.
An image of the same design (common image) is set as the 1d thumbnail image. as a result,
When these titles 401a to 401d are displayed as thumbnails, combined thumbnail images 408a to 408d in which the respective title specific information 410a to 410d are combined with the reduced thumbnail image 407 generated from the common image are created. The thumbnail list is displayed by arranging and displaying on the monitor.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of thumbnail images displayed as thumbnails in the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that the thumbnail images A to D illustrated in FIG. 4B are thumbnail images corresponding to the titles 401a to 401d illustrated in FIG. 4A, respectively. As described above, the thumbnail images corresponding to the titles 401a to 401d are obtained by combining the title-specific information 410a to 410d of the titles 401a to 401d with the images of the same design. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
The thumbnail images A to D corresponding to 1a to 401d have images of the same design, so that the user can program each title 401a to 401d to be related to each other (for example,
It is possible to immediately grasp that it is a serial drama). Further, the user can easily select the titles 401a to 401d from the title-specific information 410a to 410d combined with the thumbnail images (in FIG. 4B, the number of broadcasts (first to fourth) is combined). Can be identified.

Hereinafter, when displaying the thumbnails of the respective titles 401a to 401d, the thumbnail original image 406 used as a common image is referred to as a parent thumbnail image, and a title (here, a thumbnail set for use as a parent thumbnail image) is set. , Title 401a) may be referred to as a parent title.

Next, a thumbnail registration process and a thumbnail display process for realizing the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 4A will be described. FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered for a title recorded on a recording medium in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a flowchart of the first operation of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when displaying a list of thumbnails recorded on a recording medium in the embodiment.

First, the case of registering thumbnails will be described with reference to FIG. 5A. FIG.
First, the user determines whether or not a parent title exists (step S5).
01). In step S501, a thumbnail original image 40 used as a parent thumbnail image is added to a title (here, title 401a) used as a parent title.
A determination is made as to whether 6 has already been set. Here, if there is no parent title, then there is a candidate (parent title candidate) that can become a parent title (that is, whether a thumbnail is registered as a title used as a parent title). Is determined (step S502), and the title for setting the parent thumbnail image does not exist (ie,
If no parent title is set), the process ends.

On the other hand, when there is a parent title candidate for setting a parent thumbnail image (step S502).
In “Yes”), the user searches for an appropriate image as a thumbnail image while browsing the image in the title data by reproducing the title data of the parent title candidate (step S503). At this time, if an appropriate image is not found as a thumbnail image (“No” in step S504), for example, the process returns to step S502,
Selection of another parent title candidate for setting a parent thumbnail image is performed. If an appropriate image is found as the parent thumbnail image (“Yes” in step S504), the image position information indicating the position of the image is a thumbnail pointer (here, the thumbnail pointer 411a) in the title information area. (Step S505).

Further, when there is a parent title (“Yes” in step S501), or in step S50.
If a parent thumbnail image is set in step 5, it is determined whether there is a title that should be set as a common thumbnail image with the parent thumbnail image of the parent title (step S5).
06). In the example of FIG. 4A, the title 401 that sets the title 401a as the parent title.
Reference numerals b to 401d denote titles for setting the parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image. Here, if there is no title for setting this parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image (“No” in step S506), the process ends.

On the other hand, if there is a title that sets the parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image (“Yes” in step S506), the thumbnail pointer (thumbnail pointer 411a) is acquired from the title information area of the parent title (step S507). , A thumbnail pointer (title thumbnail pointer 411b˜
411d), information for specifying a parent title (parent title specifying information) and a thumbnail pointer for the parent title are set (step S508). Then, in order to set a parent thumbnail for another title, the process returns to step S506. As a result, the parent thumbnail image of a certain parent title (title 401a) is transferred to other titles (titles 401b to 40b).
The thumbnail original image 406 of 1d) is designated.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5B, a description will be given of the case where the thumbnail display of the title for which the registration process shown in FIG. 5A has been performed is performed. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the thumbnail display processing of the title recorded on the recording medium is started by the user request, first, the recording / reproducing apparatus determines whether or not the title to be displayed exists in the recording medium. Judgment is made (step S521).
If there is no target title for thumbnail display processing, the processing ends.

On the other hand, if there is a title to be subjected to thumbnail display processing, the recording / playback apparatus reads the title information area of the title to be displayed as a thumbnail, and acquires the thumbnail pointer set and stored in the title information area ( Step S522). In addition,
As described above, the thumbnail pointer includes the parent title designation information and the thumbnail pointer of the parent title (in the example of FIG. 4A, information specifying the title 401a and information specifying the thumbnail original image 406). Yes. Then, from the title data of the parent title, the image indicated by the thumbnail pointer is acquired as a thumbnail original image (step S523), and the thumbnail original image is reduced to the thumbnail size by performing a process such as reduction. A thumbnail image is created (step S524).

Next, the recording / reproducing apparatus acquires title specific information existing in the title information area of the title to be displayed for which thumbnail display processing is performed (step S525), and combines the acquired title specific information and the reduced thumbnail image. Thus, a composite thumbnail image is created (step S526). Then, the recording / reproducing apparatus displays the composite thumbnail image on the display screen (step S527). When performing thumbnail display for another title, the process returns to step S521 and the same processing is performed.

As described above, by performing the thumbnail registration process and the thumbnail display process in the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4A, the recording medium is based on the thumbnail original image in the parent title. A list of titles recorded in the thumbnail is displayed. As a result, for related titles, a common image is used as a thumbnail image, and each title-specific information is also displayed as a thumbnail image as a thumbnail image. It is possible to easily identify certain titles, and it is possible to easily identify related titles. That is, for example, related titles such as serial dramas are displayed as thumbnails with thumbnail images of the same design, and title-specific information such as the number of broadcasts and dates is also displayed as part of the thumbnail images.

<Second embodiment of the present invention>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8A, and 8B. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of thumbnail display according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates how an arbitrary scene (thumbnail original image 606) of the title 601 recorded on the recording medium is displayed as a thumbnail on the display screen. The title 601 recorded on the recording medium includes title start information 602, a title information area 603 to which title name, thumbnail image data, title specific information (information such as the number of broadcasts and date / time) 610 is added, and actual recording data ( Title data 604 corresponding to a storage section of (content data) and title end information 605 indicating the end of the data. Note that the reduced thumbnail image 607 is stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the title information area 603, as in the second example of the prior art.

Further, in the second embodiment of the present invention, an area for recording the title specific information 610 exists in the title information area 603 of the title 601 as in the first embodiment of the present invention. ing. The title specific information 610 can be the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention, and the description thereof is omitted here. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the reduced thumbnail image 607 and the title specific information 610 are stored in the title information area 603, and the title specific information 610 is read together with the reduced thumbnail image 607 when displaying thumbnails. Then, the reduced thumbnail image 607 and the title specific information 610 are combined to create a combined thumbnail image 608 and displayed on the display screen.

In each title 601, the images in the title data 604 in each title 601 are not independently stored in the thumbnail image recording area as thumbnail images of each title 601, but in a title 601. The reduced thumbnail image 607 created from the image in the data 604 can be commonly used as the reduced thumbnail image 607 of another title 601. By using the thumbnail setting method as shown in FIG. 7 below, the user is saved from setting the thumbnail image for each title 601, and each title 601 is changed by combining the title specific information 610. A thumbnail display that enables reliable identification is realized.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of a thumbnail list display of a plurality of titles in the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, as a plurality of titles 701a to 701d, continuous dramas recorded weekly (four titles 701a to 701 for the first week to the fourth week).
d) is shown. In FIG. 7, a specific image in the title data of the title 701a is set as the thumbnail image of the title 701a recorded in the first week.
That is, in the title information area of the title 701a, a reduced thumbnail image 707 obtained by processing a specific thumbnail original image 706 in the title data for a thumbnail is stored. Also, in the title information areas of the titles 701b to 701d from the second week onward, a thumbnail image 707 in which the thumbnail original image 706 in the title data of the title 701a is processed for thumbnails is saved, whereby the title 701a to 701
A common image is set as the reduced thumbnail image 707 of d. As a result, when these titles 701a to 701d are displayed as thumbnails, composite thumbnail images 708a to 708d in which the title specific information 710a to 710d are combined with the common image are created and displayed in an array on the display screen. As a result, a thumbnail list is displayed. In addition,
When thumbnails are displayed, the display screen displays the titles 701a to 701d as shown in FIG.
The thumbnail image shown in B is displayed.

Next, a thumbnail registration process and a thumbnail display process for realizing the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 8A shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered with respect to a title recorded on a recording medium. FIG. 8B illustrates a list of thumbnails recorded on the recording medium according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process in the case of displaying.

First, the case of registering thumbnails will be described with reference to FIG. 8A. FIG. 8A
As shown in FIG. 5, first, the user determines whether or not a parent title exists (step S8).
01). In step S801, a thumbnail original image 70 used as a parent thumbnail image is added to a title (here, title 701a) used as a parent title.
A determination is made as to whether 6 has already been set. Here, if there is no parent title, then there is a candidate (parent title candidate) that can become a parent title (that is, whether a thumbnail is registered as a title used as a parent title). (Step S802), and when the title for setting the parent thumbnail image does not exist (ie,
If no parent title is set), the process ends.

On the other hand, when there is a parent title candidate for setting a parent thumbnail image (step S802).
In “Yes”), the user searches for an appropriate image as a thumbnail image while browsing the image in the title data by reproducing the title data of the parent title candidate (step S803). At this time, if an appropriate image is not found as a thumbnail image (“No” in step S804), for example, the process returns to step S802,
Selection of another parent title candidate for setting a parent thumbnail image is performed. If an appropriate image is found as the parent thumbnail image (“Yes” in step S804), the image is acquired as a thumbnail original image (step S805), and this thumbnail original image (thumbnail original image shown in FIG. 7) is acquired. 706) is reduced to the thumbnail size to create a reduced thumbnail image (reduced thumbnail image 707 shown in FIG. 7) (step S806).
The reduced thumbnail image is stored in the thumbnail image recording area in the title information area (step S807). As a result, the parent thumbnail image is stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the parent title.

Further, when a parent title exists (“Yes” in step S801), or in step S80.
If the parent thumbnail image is set in step 7, it is determined whether or not there is a title that should be set as a common thumbnail image for the parent thumbnail image (step S80).
8). In the example of FIG. 7, the titles 701b to 701b are set with the title 701a as the parent title.
A title 701d sets the parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image.
Here, if there is no title for setting this parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image (“No” in step S808), the process ends.

On the other hand, when there is a title that sets the parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image (“Yes” in step S808), a reduced thumbnail image is acquired from the thumbnail image recording area of the parent title (step S809), and the parent thumbnail is displayed. This reduced thumbnail image is stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the title for which the image is set as a common thumbnail image (step S810). Then, to set a parent thumbnail for another title, the process returns to step S808. As a result, a certain parent title (title 701a)
The reduced thumbnail image 707 stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the parent title as the parent thumbnail image of the other title (title 701b to 701d) is stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the other title (title 701b to 701d).

Next, with reference to FIG. 8B, a description will be given of the case where the thumbnail display of the title for which the registration process shown in FIG. 8A is performed is performed. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the thumbnail display processing of the title recorded on the recording medium is started by the user request, first, the recording / reproducing apparatus determines whether or not the title to be displayed exists in the recording medium. Judgment is made (step S821).
If there is no target title for thumbnail display processing, the processing ends.

On the other hand, when there is a title for which thumbnail display processing is to be performed, the recording / reproducing apparatus reads the title information area of the title to be displayed as a thumbnail, and the reduced thumbnail stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the title information area An image is acquired (step S822). Note that this reduced thumbnail image is the same as the reduced thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the title information area of the parent title as described above.

Next, the recording / reproducing apparatus acquires title specific information existing in the title information area of the title to be displayed for which thumbnail display processing is performed (step S823), and combines the acquired title specific information and the reduced thumbnail image. Thus, a composite thumbnail image is created (step S824). Then, the recording / reproducing apparatus displays the composite thumbnail image on the display screen (step S825). Thereafter, in order to perform thumbnail display for another title, the process returns to step S821 and the same processing is performed.

As described above, by performing the thumbnail registration process and the thumbnail display process in the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, based on the thumbnail original image in the parent title, the recording medium A list of titles recorded in the thumbnail is displayed. As a result, for related titles, a common image is used as a thumbnail image, and each title-specific information is also displayed as a thumbnail image as a thumbnail image. It is possible to easily identify certain titles, and it is possible to easily identify related titles.
That is, for example, related titles such as serial dramas are displayed as thumbnails with thumbnail images of the same design, and title-specific information such as the number of broadcasts and dates is also displayed as part of the thumbnail images.

<Third embodiment of the present invention>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, 11A, and 11B. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of thumbnail display according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 schematically shows how an arbitrary scene (thumbnail original image 906) of the title 901 recorded on the recording medium is displayed as a thumbnail on the display screen. The title 901 recorded on the recording medium includes a title start information 902, a title information area 903 to which a title name, composite thumbnail image data 908, title specific information (information such as the number of broadcasts and date / time) 910 is added, and actual recording. It is composed of title data 904 corresponding to a data (content data) storage unit and title end information 905 indicating the end of the data. Note that the thumbnail image is stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the title information area 903 as in the second example of the conventional technique.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the title information area 903 includes title specific information 9.
A combined thumbnail image 908 obtained by combining 10 and the reduced thumbnail image is stored. In other words, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the title unique information 910 is registered when thumbnails are registered.
And the reduced thumbnail image are combined to create a combined thumbnail image 908, and this combined thumbnail image 908 is stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the title information area 903. When displaying thumbnails, the composite thumbnail image 908 stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the title information area 903 is simply read out and displayed on the display screen.

Similarly to the second embodiment of the present invention, in each title 901, each title 9
The images in the title data 904 in 01 are not independently stored in the thumbnail image recording area as thumbnail images of the respective titles 901, but a certain title 90
The thumbnail original image 906 used to create one composite thumbnail image 908 is common,
It can also be used for the thumbnail original image 906 when the composite thumbnail image 908 of another title 901 is created. By using the thumbnail setting method as shown in FIG. 10 below, the user is saved from setting the thumbnail image for each title 901, and the title specific information 910 is combined to ensure each title. Thumbnail display that can be identified is realized.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of thumbnail list display of a plurality of titles in the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, as a plurality of titles 1001a to 1001d, continuous dramas recorded weekly (four titles 1001a from the first week to the fourth week are displayed).
˜1001d). In FIG. 10, the title 1001 recorded in the first week is shown.
A specific image in the title data of the title 1001a is set as the thumbnail image of a. That is, in the title information area of the title 1001a, a combined thumbnail image 1008a in which the title specific information 1010a is combined with the reduced thumbnail image processed from the specific thumbnail original image 1006 in the title data is stored.
Also, in the title information areas of the titles 1001b to 1001d after the second week, combined thumbnail images 1010b to 1010d obtained by combining the respective title specific information 1010b to 1010d with the thumbnail original image 1006 in the title data of the title 1001a. Thus, the combined thumbnail images 1008a to 1008d created based on the common reduced thumbnail images are set as the thumbnail images of the titles 1001a to 1001d. As a result, when these titles 1001a to 1001d are displayed as thumbnails, the combined thumbnail images 1008a of the titles 1001a to 1001d are simply displayed.
˜1008d is read out and displayed in an array on the display screen, whereby a thumbnail list is displayed. When thumbnails are displayed, each title 1001a is displayed on the display screen.
The thumbnail images shown in FIG. 4B are displayed for.

Next, a thumbnail registration process and a thumbnail display process for realizing the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 11A is a flowchart showing an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered for a title recorded on a recording medium in the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11B is a third embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment,
It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process in the case of displaying the thumbnail list currently recorded on the recording medium.

First, a case of registering thumbnails will be described with reference to FIG. 11A. FIG.
As shown in 1A, first, the user determines whether or not a parent title exists (step S1101). In step S1101, it is determined whether or not a thumbnail original image 1006 used as a parent thumbnail image has already been set for a title used as a parent title (here, title 1001a). If the parent title does not exist, then it is determined whether or not there is a candidate (parent title candidate) that can be the parent title (that is, whether or not a thumbnail is registered for the title used as the parent title). (Step S1102) When the title for setting the parent thumbnail image does not exist (that is, when the parent title is not set), the process ends.

On the other hand, when there is a parent title candidate for setting a parent thumbnail image (step S110).
If “Yes” in 2), the user searches for an appropriate image as a thumbnail image while browsing the image in the title data by reproducing the title data of the parent title candidate (step S1103). At this time, if an appropriate image is not found as a thumbnail image (“No” in step S1104), for example, the process returns to step S1102, and another title candidate for setting the parent thumbnail image is selected. If an appropriate image is found as a parent thumbnail image (“Yes” in step S1104), the image is acquired as a thumbnail original image (step S1105), and this thumbnail original image (
A reduced thumbnail image is created by performing processing such as reducing the thumbnail original image 1006) shown in FIG. 10 to the thumbnail size (step S1106). Then, the title specific information existing in the title information area of the parent title is acquired (step S1107),
The obtained title unique information and the reduced thumbnail image are combined to create a combined thumbnail image (the combined thumbnail image 1008a shown in FIG. 10) (step S1108), and the combined thumbnail image is stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the title information area. Is stored (step S1109). As a result, the parent thumbnail image is stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the parent title.

If a parent title exists (“Yes” in step S1101), or if step S1
If a parent thumbnail image is set at 109, it is determined whether or not there is a title that should be set as a common thumbnail image with the thumbnail image of the parent title (step S).
1110). In the example of FIG. 10, titles 1001b to 1001d that set the title 1001a as the parent title are titles that set the parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image. Here, if there is no title for setting the parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image (“No” in step S1110), the process ends.

On the other hand, when there is a title for setting this parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image (“Yes” in step S1110), an image (based on the parent thumbnail image of the parent title is obtained from the title data of the parent title). The thumbnail original image 1006) in FIG. 10 is acquired (step S1111), and a reduced thumbnail image is created by performing processing such as reducing the thumbnail original image to the thumbnail size (step S1112). Then, title specific information existing in the title information area of this title is acquired (step S11).
13) The obtained title unique information and the reduced thumbnail image are combined to create a combined thumbnail image (step S1114), and the combined thumbnail image is stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the title information area (step S1115). Then, in order to set a parent thumbnail for another title, the process returns to step S1110. As a result, based on the thumbnail original image that is the basis of the parent thumbnail image of a certain parent title (title 1001a), a composite thumbnail image related to other titles (titles 1001b to 1001d) is created, and the thumbnail image of each title is created. A composite thumbnail image related to each title is stored in the recording area.

Here, in step S1111, in order to acquire an image from the title data of the parent title, reading of the title data of the parent title (that is, reproduction processing of the parent title) is performed. However, for example, by using a specific format as the format of the composite thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the parent title, or by determining the insertion position of title specific information in the composite thumbnail image in advance, step S1111 In this case, a composite thumbnail image may be acquired from the thumbnail image recording area of the parent title.

For example, if the combined thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the parent title has a layer structure and the title specific information and the reduced thumbnail image are held in different layers, in step S1111 After obtaining the combined thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the parent title, by removing the layer of the title specific information, it is possible to acquire the image before combining the title specific information (that is, the reduced thumbnail image) It becomes.

Also, for example, when it is determined that title specific information should be combined with a predetermined image area on a thumbnail image, a combined thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the parent title is acquired in step S1111. In step S1114, the title specific information of the parent title originally inserted in the composite thumbnail image of the parent title is erased by overwriting the title specific information in the predetermined image area.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11B, a description will be given of the case where the thumbnail display of the title for which the registration process shown in FIG. 11A is performed is performed. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 11B is the same as FIG. 23B except for the difference in whether the image in the thumbnail image recording area is a combined thumbnail image in which title-specific information is combined. That is, basically, the thumbnail display of the title subjected to the registration process shown in FIG. 11A can be performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in the second example of the prior art.

When the thumbnail display of the title for which the registration process shown in FIG. 11A is performed is performed, FIG.
As shown in B, when the thumbnail display processing of the title recorded on the recording medium is started by a user request, the recording / reproducing apparatus first determines whether or not the title to be displayed exists in the recording medium. (Step S1121). If there is no target title for thumbnail display processing, the processing ends.

On the other hand, if there is a title to be subjected to thumbnail display processing, the recording / playback apparatus reads the title information area of the title to be displayed as a thumbnail, and obtains a composite thumbnail image stored in the title information area ( Step S1122). Note that this combined thumbnail image is a combined thumbnail image in which the title-specific information has already been combined as described above. Then, the recording / reproducing apparatus displays this composite thumbnail image on the display screen (step S1123). Further, in order to perform thumbnail display for another title, the process returns to step S1121 and the same processing is performed.

As described above, by performing the thumbnail registration process and the thumbnail display process in the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10, the recording medium is based on the thumbnail original image in the parent title. A list of titles recorded in the thumbnail is displayed. As a result, for related titles, a common image is used as a thumbnail image, and each title-specific information is also displayed as a thumbnail image as a thumbnail image. It is possible to easily identify certain titles, and it is possible to easily identify related titles. That is, for example, related titles such as serial dramas are displayed as thumbnails with thumbnail images of the same design, and title-specific information such as the number of broadcasts and dates is also displayed as part of the thumbnail images.

<Fourth embodiment of the present invention>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, 14A, and 14B. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an outline of thumbnail display according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 schematically shows how an arbitrary scene (thumbnail original image 1206) of the title 1201 recorded on the recording medium is displayed as a thumbnail on the display screen. The title 1201 recorded on the recording medium is title start information 1
202, a title information area 1203 to which a title name and title pointer (pointer indicating the position of a thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail recording table 1209) 1212 and title-specific information (information such as the number of broadcasts and date / time) 1210 are added, Title data 1204 corresponding to a storage unit for recording data (content data) and title end information 1205 indicating the end of the data. The title pointer 1212
Indicates the position of the reduced thumbnail image 1207 in the thumbnail recording table 1209 as in the third example of the prior art.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, title specific information 1210 and a title pointer 1212 are stored in the title information area 1203. That is, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when thumbnails are registered, the reduced thumbnail image 1207 is saved in the thumbnail recording table 1209, and the position information of the reduced thumbnail image 1207 in the thumbnail recording table 1209 is the title pointer. 1212 is stored in the title information area 1203. When thumbnails are displayed, after the reduced thumbnail image 1207 is read based on the title pointer 1212, the reduced thumbnail image 1207 and the title specific information 1210 are combined to create a combined thumbnail image. The image is displayed on the display screen.

Further, in each title 1201, the images used for the thumbnail display of each title 1201 are not independently stored in the thumbnail recording table 1209, but a certain reduced thumbnail image 1207 in the thumbnail recording table 1209 has a plurality of thumbnail images. The thumbnail image of the title 1201 can be used as a common image based on the creation of the thumbnail image. By using the thumbnail setting method as illustrated in FIG. 13 below, the user can save time and effort to set a thumbnail image for each title 1201, and each title 1201 can be reliably identified. Thumbnail display is realized. Also, thumbnail images of a plurality of titles 1201 are created based on a common image in the thumbnail recording table 1209, whereby the thumbnail recording table 12 is displayed.
09 resources are also saved.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of a thumbnail list display of a plurality of titles in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, as a plurality of titles 1301a to 1301d, continuous dramas recorded weekly (four titles 1301 from the first week to the fourth week).
a to 1301d) are illustrated. In FIG. 13, the title 130 recorded in the first week is displayed.
A specific image of the title data of the title 1301a is set as the thumbnail image 1a. That is, in the thumbnail recording table 1309, a reduced thumbnail image 130 obtained by processing a specific thumbnail original image 1306 in the title data for thumbnail use.
7 is stored, and the position information of the reduced thumbnail image 1307 in the thumbnail recording table 1309 is stored in the title information area of the title 1301a. Further, the position information of the same reduced thumbnail image 1307 is also stored in the title information areas of the titles 1301b to 1301d from the second week onward, whereby the titles 1301a to 1 are stored.
A common image is set as the reduced thumbnail image 1307 of 301d. As a result, when these titles 1301a to 1301d are displayed as thumbnails, a combined thumbnail image 1308a in which the title unique information 1310a to 1310d is combined with the common image.
˜1308d are created and displayed in an array on the display screen, whereby thumbnail list display is performed. When thumbnails are displayed, each title 1301a is displayed on the display screen.
˜1301d, the thumbnail images shown in FIG. 4B are displayed.

Next, a thumbnail registration process and a thumbnail display process for realizing the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 13 will be described. FIG. 14A is a flowchart showing an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered for a title recorded on a recording medium in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14B is a flowchart of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment,
It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process in the case of displaying the thumbnail list currently recorded on the recording medium.

First, a case of registering thumbnails will be described with reference to FIG. 14A. FIG.
As shown in 4A, first, the user determines whether there is a title for which a parent thumbnail is set (step S1401). In step S1401, it is determined whether or not a thumbnail original image 1306 used as a parent thumbnail image has already been set for a title used as a parent title (here, title 1301a). Here, if there is no parent title, then there is a candidate that can become a parent title (parent title candidate) (that is, whether or not a thumbnail is registered for a title used as a parent title). Is determined (step S1402), and when the title for setting the parent thumbnail image does not exist (that is, when the parent title is not set), the process ends.

On the other hand, if there is a title candidate for setting the parent thumbnail (“S1402”
Yes ”), the user searches for an image suitable as a thumbnail image while browsing the image in the title data by reproducing the title data of the title candidate or the like (
Step S1403). At this time, if an appropriate image is not found as a thumbnail image (“NO” in step S1404), for example, the process returns to step S1402,
Select another title candidate for setting the parent thumbnail image. If an appropriate image is found as the parent thumbnail (“Yes” in step S1404), the image is acquired as a thumbnail original image (step S1405), and this thumbnail original image (thumbnail original image 1306 shown in FIG. 13) is acquired. ) Is reduced to the thumbnail size to create a reduced thumbnail image (reduced thumbnail image 1307 shown in FIG. 13) (step S14).
06). Then, the recording / reproducing apparatus creates a thumbnail recording table (thumbnail recording shown in FIG. 13) in which the created reduced thumbnail image is placed at an arbitrary location (for example, the same recording medium as the recording medium on which the title is recorded). Table 1309) (step S
1407), the position information of the thumbnail image in the thumbnail recording table,
The title pointer is set in the title information area (title pointer 1312a shown in FIG. 13) (step S1408). As a result, a reduced thumbnail image created from the thumbnail original image in the title data of the parent title is stored in the thumbnail recording table.

Further, when there is a parent title (“Yes” in step S1401), or in step S1
If the parent thumbnail image is stored in 408, it is determined whether there is a title that should be set as a common thumbnail image for the parent thumbnail image of the parent title (step S1409). In the example of FIG. 13, titles 1301b to 1301d that set the title 1301a as the parent title are titles that set the parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image. Here, if there is no title for setting this parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image (“No” in step S1409), the processing ends.

On the other hand, if there is a title that sets this parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image (“Yes” in step S1409), the title pointer (title pointer 1312a shown in FIG. 13) is acquired from the title information area of the parent title. (Step S14
10) The acquired title pointer (that is, the title pointer that designates the same thumbnail image as the parent title) is saved as the title pointer (title pointers 1312b to 1312d shown in FIG. 13) in the title information area of this title ( Step S
1411). Then, the process returns to step S1409 to set a parent thumbnail for another title. As a result, the reduced thumbnail image in the thumbnail recording table designated by the parent title (title 1301a shown in FIG. 13) becomes another title (title 130).
1b to 1301d).

Next, with reference to FIG. 14B, a description will be given of the case where the thumbnail display of the title for which the registration process shown in FIG. 14A is performed is performed. As shown in FIG. 14B, when the thumbnail display processing of the title recorded on the recording medium is started by the user request, first, the recording / reproducing apparatus determines whether or not the title to be displayed exists in the recording medium. Judgment (step S14
21). If there is no target title for thumbnail display processing, the processing ends.

On the other hand, when there is a title to be subjected to thumbnail display processing, the recording / playback apparatus reads the title information area of the title to be displayed as a thumbnail, and acquires the title pointer set and stored in the title information area ( Step S1422). In addition,
As described above, this title pointer is the same as the title pointer set as the parent title, that is, designates the same reduced thumbnail image as the parent title.

Then, the thumbnail recording table is read out, and the reduced thumbnail image specified by the position information of the title pointer is read out from the thumbnail recording table (step S1423), and the title information area of the title for which thumbnail display processing is performed. Title unique information existing in the image is acquired (step S1424), and the obtained title unique information and the reduced thumbnail image are combined to create a combined thumbnail image (step S1425). Then, the recording / reproducing apparatus displays the composite thumbnail image on the display screen (step S1426). Thereafter, in order to perform thumbnail display for another title, the process returns to step S1421, and the same processing is performed.

As described above, by performing the thumbnail registration process and the thumbnail display process in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 13, based on the thumbnail original image in the parent title, the recording medium A list of titles recorded in the thumbnail is displayed. As a result, for related titles, a common image is used as a thumbnail image, and each title-specific information is also displayed as a thumbnail image as a thumbnail image. It is possible to easily identify certain titles, and it is possible to easily identify related titles. That is, for example, related titles such as serial dramas are displayed as thumbnails with thumbnail images of the same design, and title-specific information such as the number of broadcasts and dates is also displayed as part of the thumbnail images.

<Fifth embodiment of the present invention>
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15, 16, 17A, and 17B. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an outline of thumbnail display according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 schematically shows how an arbitrary scene (thumbnail original image 1506) of the title 1501 recorded on the recording medium is displayed as a thumbnail on the display screen. The title 1501 recorded on the recording medium is title start information 1
502, a title information area 1503 to which a title name, title pointer 1512, title-specific information (information such as the number of broadcasts and date / time) 1510 is added, and title data 1504 corresponding to a storage unit of actual recording data (content data) , And title end information 1505 indicating the end of data.

In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, title specific information 1510 and title pointer 1512 are stored in the title information area 1503, and the title specific information 1510 and the reduced thumbnail image are combined in the thumbnail recording table 1509. Composite thumbnail image 1
508 is saved. That is, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the title-specific information 1510 and the reduced thumbnail image are combined at the time of thumbnail registration, and the combined thumbnail image 1
508 is created, and this combined thumbnail image 1508 is displayed as a thumbnail recording table 1509.
And a composite thumbnail image 150 in the thumbnail recording table 1509.
8 position information is stored in the title information area 1503 as the title pointer 1512. When thumbnails are displayed, the composite thumbnail image 1508 in the thumbnail recording table 1509 is simply read based on the title pointer 1512 in the title information area 1503 and displayed on the display screen.

Further, as in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in each title 1501, images used for thumbnail display of each title 1501 are not independently stored in the thumbnail recording table 1509, but a certain title 1501 composite thumbnail image 1508
The thumbnail original image 1506 used for the creation of the thumbnails may be used in common for the thumbnail original image 1506 when the composite thumbnail image 1508 of the other title 1501 is created. By using the thumbnail setting method as illustrated in FIG. 16 below, it is possible for the user to reduce the trouble of setting a thumbnail image for each title 1501, and to reliably identify each title 1501. Thumbnail display is realized.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an outline of thumbnail list display of a plurality of titles in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 16, as a plurality of titles 1601a to 1601d, dramas recorded weekly (four titles 1601a to 1601a from the first week to the fourth week) are recorded.
1601d) is shown. In FIG. 16, the title 1601a recorded in the first week is displayed.
As the thumbnail image, a specific image in the title data of the title 1601a is set. That is, the thumbnail recording table 1609 stores a combined thumbnail image 1608a in which the title-specific information 1610a of the title 1601a is combined with the reduced thumbnail image obtained by processing the thumbnail original image 1606 in the title data of the title 1601a for thumbnails. A title pointer 1612a for specifying the composite thumbnail image 1608a is stored in the title information area of the title 1601a. Also, in the title information areas of the titles 1601b to 1601d after the second week, combined thumbnail images 1608b to 1608 obtained by combining the title specific information 1610b to 1610d with the reduced thumbnail images of the thumbnail original image 1606 of the title 1601a.
Title pointers 1612b to 1612d for specifying d are saved, and as a result, composite thumbnail images 1608a to 1608d created based on a common reduced thumbnail image are set as thumbnail images of the titles 1601a to 1601d. As a result, when these titles 1601a to 1601d are displayed as thumbnails,
Composite thumbnail images 1608a to 1608d of the respective titles 1601a to 1601d are read from the thumbnail recording table 1609 and arranged on the display screen, whereby thumbnail list display is performed.

Next, a thumbnail registration process and a thumbnail display process for realizing the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 16 will be described. FIG. 17A is a flowchart showing an example of a user operation when a thumbnail is registered for a title recorded on a recording medium in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17B is a flowchart of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment,
It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process of the data reproduction apparatus in the case of displaying the thumbnail list currently recorded on the recording medium.

First, a case where thumbnails are registered will be described with reference to FIG. 17A. FIG.
As shown in 7A, first, the user determines whether there is a title for which a parent thumbnail is set (step S1701). In step S1701, it is determined whether or not a thumbnail original image 1606 used as a parent thumbnail image has already been set for the title used as the parent title (here, title 1601a). Here, if there is no parent title, then there is a candidate (parent title candidate) that can become a parent title (that is, whether a thumbnail is registered as a title used as a parent title). (Step S1702), and when the title for setting the parent thumbnail image does not exist (that is, when the parent title is not set), the process ends.

On the other hand, if there is a title candidate for setting the parent thumbnail (“S” in step S1702)
Yes ”), the user searches for an image suitable as a thumbnail image while browsing the image in the title data by reproducing the title data of the title candidate or the like (
Step S1703). At this time, if an appropriate image is not found as a thumbnail image (“NO” in step S1704), for example, the process returns to step S1702,
Select another title candidate for setting the parent thumbnail image. If an appropriate image is found as the parent thumbnail (“Yes” in step S1704), the image is acquired as a thumbnail original image (step S1705), and this thumbnail original image (thumbnail original image 1606 shown in FIG. 16) is acquired. ) Is reduced to the thumbnail size to generate a reduced thumbnail image (step S1706). Then, title-specific information existing in the title information area of the title for which thumbnail display processing is performed is acquired (step S1707), and the acquired title-specific information and the reduced thumbnail image are combined to generate a combined thumbnail image (FIG. 16 is created (step S170).
8). Then, the recording / reproducing apparatus creates a thumbnail recording table (thumbnail recording shown in FIG. 16) in which the created composite thumbnail image is placed in an arbitrary place (for example, the same recording medium as the recording medium on which the title is recorded). Table 1609) (step S17)
09), the position information of the thumbnail image in the thumbnail recording table is set in the title pointer (title pointer 1612a shown in FIG. 16) in the title information area (step S1710). As a result, a composite thumbnail image created from the thumbnail original image in the title data of the parent title is stored in the thumbnail recording table.

If a parent title exists (“Yes” in step S1701), or if step S1
If the parent thumbnail image is stored in 710, it is determined whether there is a title that should be set as a common thumbnail image for the parent thumbnail image of the parent title (step S1711). In the example of FIG. 16, titles 1601b to 1601d that set the title 1601a as the parent title are titles that set the parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image. Here, if there is no title for setting the parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image (“No” in step S1711), the process ends.

On the other hand, if there is a title for setting this parent thumbnail image as a common thumbnail image (“Yes” in step S1711), the image in the title data of the parent title used for the thumbnail image of the parent title (FIG. 16). The original thumbnail image 1606) is read (step S1712). As in the above-described fourth embodiment of the present invention, for example, the thumbnail image format in the thumbnail recording table has a layer structure, and the image portion and title specific information can be separated. If the insertion position of the title specific information in the thumbnail image is determined in advance, in step S1711,
The synthesized thumbnail image of the parent title may be acquired from the thumbnail recording table without reading the title data of the parent title.

Then, the recording / reproducing apparatus performs processing such as reducing the thumbnail original image to the size of the thumbnail to create a reduced thumbnail image (step S1713), and exists in the title information area of the title to be registered as a thumbnail. Title specific information is acquired (step S1714), and the acquired title specific information and the reduced thumbnail image are combined to create combined thumbnail images (combined thumbnail images 1608b to 1608d shown in FIG. 16) (step S1715). The created composite thumbnail image is stored in a thumbnail recording table placed in an arbitrary place (for example, the same recording medium as the recording medium on which the title is recorded) (step S1716). Further, the thumbnail recording table The position information of the thumbnail image is set in the title pointer (title pointers 1612b to 1612d shown in FIG. 16) in the title information area (step S1717). Then, to set a parent thumbnail for another title, the process returns to step S1711. As a result, the combined thumbnail image (the combined thumbnail image 1608a shown in FIG. 16) in the thumbnail recording table designated by the parent title (title 1601a shown in FIG. 16),
The composite thumbnail images in the thumbnail recording table designated by other titles (titles 1601b to 1601d shown in FIG. 16) have the same design.

Next, with reference to FIG. 17B, a description will be given of the case where the thumbnail display of the title for which the registration process shown in FIG. 17A has been performed is performed. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 17B is the same as FIG. 25B except for the difference in whether the image in the thumbnail recording table is a combined thumbnail image in which title-specific information is combined. That is, basically, the thumbnail display of the title subjected to the registration process shown in FIG. 17A can be performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in the third example of the prior art.

When the thumbnail display of the title that has undergone the registration process shown in FIG. 17A is performed, FIG.
As shown in B, when the thumbnail display processing of the title recorded on the recording medium is started by the user request, first, the recording / reproducing apparatus determines whether or not the title to be displayed exists in the recording medium. (Step S1721). If there is no target title for thumbnail display processing, the processing ends.

On the other hand, if there is a title to be subjected to thumbnail display processing, the recording / playback apparatus reads the title information area of the title to be displayed as a thumbnail, and acquires the title pointer set and stored in the title information area ( Step S1722). Then, the thumbnail recording table is read out, and the combined thumbnail image specified by the position information of the title pointer is read out from the thumbnail recording table (step S1723), and the read combined thumbnail image is displayed on the display screen ( Step S
1724). After that, in order to display the thumbnail for another title, step S17.
Returning to 21, the same processing is performed.

As described above, by performing the thumbnail registration process and the thumbnail display process in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 16, based on the thumbnail original image in the parent title, A list of titles recorded in the thumbnail is displayed. As a result, for related titles, a common image is used as a thumbnail image, and each title-specific information is also displayed as a thumbnail image as a thumbnail image. It is possible to easily identify certain titles, and it is possible to easily identify related titles. That is, for example, related titles such as serial dramas are displayed as thumbnails with thumbnail images of the same design, and title-specific information such as the number of broadcasts and dates is also displayed as part of the thumbnail images.

As described above, according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, the thumbnail image of the title related to the specific title (parent title) is realized by the same design as the thumbnail image of the specific title. Is done. As a result, the user can use the thumbnail image used in the parent title when registering a thumbnail for the title related to the parent title. This facilitates user operations when performing thumbnail registration (for example, searching for and setting symbols for thumbnails) and reduces the time and effort of user operations.

In addition, for related titles (related titles such as serial dramas), a common image (an image with the same pattern) is used as a thumbnail image, and each title-specific information is combined in the thumbnail image. When the user browses the thumbnail display, the user can intuitively identify related titles from a plurality of titles by identifying the same symbol, and further, from the synthesized title specific information, It is possible to easily distinguish between titles having a gap.

<Sixth Embodiment of the Present Invention>
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a case where the present invention is adopted for reserved recording will be described. The present invention can be applied not only to titles already recorded on a recording medium but also to scheduled recording for recording from now on, which makes it much easier for users to manage titles.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a scheduled recording setting table used in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the scheduled recording setting in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the scheduled recording information is set in the scheduled recording setting table as shown in FIG. In the scheduled recording setting table shown in FIG. 18, similarly to the conventional scheduled recording setting table (see FIG. 26),
Scheduled recording channel (recording CH) 1801 indicating the channel of the program for scheduled recording, recording date 1802 indicating the date for scheduled recording (including information specifying the day of the week and repeated recording such as daily or weekly), recording start Time 1803, recording end time 1804, recording mode 180
5. In addition to the presence of the items of the recording destination 1806, genre 1807, and program name 1808, composite information 1809 indicating the title specific information to be combined with the thumbnail image, thumbnail common information 1810 indicating the presence / absence of the parent thumbnail, parent thumbnail And items such as thumbnail designation information 1811 for designating the parent title.

For example, in No. 3 of the scheduled recording setting table shown in FIG. 18, the scheduled recording channel 1801 is “10 ch”, the recording date 1802 is “every Friday”, and the recording start time 1803.
Is “PM 9:00”, the recording end time 1804 is “PM 9:54”, the recording mode 1805 is “normal mode”, the recording destination 1806 is “HDD”, the genre 1807 is “drama”, and the program name 1808 is “none”, The composite information 1809 is “number of times”, and the thumbnail common information 1810 is “
“ON” and the thumbnail designation information 1811 is set to “1st recording title (1st week)”.

The “number of times” of the composite information 1809 is information related to the number of programs in the title-specific information of each recorded title (information such as “once”, “once”, “once”, etc.). Specifies the composition of. Note that the composite information 1809 corresponds to the title specific information, and any information type included in the title specific information can be specified in the composite information 1809.

Further, “ON” of the thumbnail sharing information 1810 indicates that a parent thumbnail (parent title) exists. Further, “first recorded title (first week)” of the thumbnail designation information 1811 designates the first recorded title (first week) as a parent title. As the thumbnail designation information 1811, for example, a thumbnail pointer included in the title information area of the parent title, information for designating the parent title, and information such as a title pointer may be described. In addition, the user specifies thumbnail designation information 18.
In the case where the parent title is not designated in FIG. 11, predetermined information (for example, information for designating the head image of the reserved title itself) may be set.

As a result, by the reservation recording of No. 3 in the reservation recording setting table shown in FIG.
An image that has the same design as the thumbnail image set for the title of the first week for the recorded titles of the second week and thereafter, and that is further combined with information on the number of times of each title is automatically used as a thumbnail image. Will be set to.

In this way, by setting the thumbnail image of the first recording title of the continuous drama as the opening image of the drama, thumbnail images of other recording titles (second and subsequent recording titles) can be identified each time. Automatically set in a format that has a display.
Therefore, even when a large number of titles are mixed in the recording medium, the user can find out the title of this series drama intuitively and quickly by visually recognizing the same design, and further synthesized. By visually recognizing the number of times information is recorded, it becomes possible to easily identify the continuity (context relationship) of the serial drama.

Next, an example of the reserved recording operation in the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the scheduled recording operation in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 19, when the user starts to set the reserved recording program, first, a program (scheduled recording navigation) that supports the setting of the reserved recording program is started (step S).
1901). In accordance with the reserved recording navigation, the user sets the reserved recording channel, recording date, reserved recording time (recording start time and recording end time), recording mode and recording destination, genre, program name, and the like (steps S1902 to S1906). . Up to this point, the operation is the same as the reservation recording operation (steps S2701 to S2706 shown in FIG. 27) according to the conventional technique.

Next, the user selects title specific information to be used as information to be combined with the thumbnail image (step S1907). In the process of step S1907, for example, a plurality of types included in the title specific information are displayed on the display screen, and the user can select a desired type (a type to be combined with the thumbnail image) from these types. It is desirable to make it. By the processing in step S1907, the item of the combination information (combination information 1809 shown in FIG. 18) of the timer recording setting table is set.

Further, the user designates whether or not the thumbnail of the title to be recorded for recording is shared with other titles (step S1908). Whether or not a thumbnail image having the same design as the other titles is set in the item of the thumbnail sharing information (thumbnail sharing information 1810 shown in FIG. 18) of the timer recording setting table by the process of step S1908. Information is set. In the case of not performing thumbnail sharing for sharing thumbnail images with other titles, for example, thumbnail designation information (thumbnail designation information 1811 shown in FIG. 18).
Is inserted with information for designating a predetermined image, and the reserved recording execution is waited (step S1910).

On the other hand, in the case of carrying out thumbnail sharing for sharing thumbnail images with other titles, after the parent title is designated by the user (step S1909), the process waits for scheduled recording (step S1910). Note that a title to be used as a parent title is set in the thumbnail designation information item of the scheduled recording setting table by the processing in step S1909.

In this way, the scheduled recording that is in the reservation recording execution waiting state is actually performed when the recording start time comes. When the reserved recording is performed and the title is recorded on the recording medium, the recording / reproducing apparatus refers to the thumbnail designation information in the reserved recording setting table and determines whether or not the parent title is set (step S1911). . At this time, if the parent title is designated in the thumbnail designation information, a thumbnail image (common thumbnail image) having the same pattern as the parent title is automatically used as the thumbnail image of the title recorded on the recording medium by the reserved recording. (Step S1912). Step S1912
In the above-described thumbnail registration processing according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, the thumbnail setting for the reserved recording title is performed. In step S1912, for a title that is the parent title (for example, a title that is recorded the first time during repeated recording), an image in the title data of the title itself is automatically set as a thumbnail.

On the other hand, when there is no parent title setting (that is, when no title is specified in the thumbnail specification information), this title is a single title that does not share a thumbnail with each other. A thumbnail image is set (step S1913). If the title set with the thumbnail in step S1913 is set as the parent title, the thumbnail image newly set for this title is used as the parent thumbnail image.

Then, after the process of step S1912 or step S1913, if this scheduled recording is not a repeated recording (“No” in step S1914), this scheduled recording ends. On the other hand, if this scheduled recording is repeated (“Yes” in step S1914), the process returns to step S1910, and again enters the reserved recording execution waiting state until the next recording date and recording start time come.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, once the parent thumbnail has been designated (the processing in step S1909 shown in FIG. 19), the following steps are repeated for the title that is repeatedly recorded. In S1912, the thumbnail setting using the common thumbnail image of the same design is automatically performed. Therefore, if the opening image of a program is set as a thumbnail image in the thumbnail sharing setting (processing for designating a parent title) in step S1909, the same design is applied to the same program title that is repeatedly recorded thereafter. A thumbnail image in which the content and number of times of each title are combined is automatically set.

As a result, with regard to titles that increase due to repeated recordings, such as every week or every day, the user does not perform thumbnail registration processing for individual titles, but what the title of the program is, or how many times it is the same program Thumbnails that can be intuitively determined are automatically set, and the user can easily grasp and manage the titles stored in the recording medium.

The present invention realizes a thumbnail image in which unique information of each title is synthesized on the same design for the thumbnail images related to each of a plurality of related titles, so that the user operability at the time of registering thumbnails is improved. At the same time, it is possible to easily identify related titles from a plurality of titles in the recording medium, and to realize a thumbnail display that can easily identify related titles. The technical field related to management when video data is recorded on a large-capacity recording medium such as an optical disk, HDD, semiconductor memory, etc., and the display of headings of content recorded on the recording medium using thumbnail images It is applicable to the technical field where

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Recording / reproducing apparatus 101 Input part 102 Input signal processing part 103 Recording processing part 104 Output signal processing part 105 Output part 106 User control part 107 Display part 108 Control part 201 Recording signal processing part 202 Recording control part 203 Recording medium management part 204, 205 Recording medium 206 Playback control unit 207 Playback signal processing unit 208 System timer unit 209 Reserved recording control unit 210 System control units 301, 401a to 401d, 601, 701a to 701d, 901, 1001a to 1
001d, 1201, 1301a to 1301d, 1501, 1601a to 1601d, 2
001, 2201, 2401 Title 302, 602, 902, 1202, 1502, 2002, 2202, 2402 Title start information 303, 603, 903, 1203, 1503, 2003, 2203, 2403 Title information area 304, 604, 904, 1204, 1504, 2004, 2204, 2404 Title data 305, 605, 905, 1205, 1505, 2005, 2205, 2405 Title end information 306, 406, 606, 706, 906, 1006, 1206, 1306, 1506
, 1606, 2006, 2206, 2406 Original thumbnail image 307, 407, 607, 707, 1207, 1307, 2007, 2207, 240
7 Reduced thumbnail images 308, 408a to 408d, 608, 708a to 708d, 908, 1008a to 1
008d, 1308a to 1308d, 1508, 1608a to 1608d Composite thumbnail images 310, 410a to 410d, 610, 710a to 710d, 910, 1010a to 1
010d, 1210, 1310a to 1310d, 1510, 1610a to 1610d Title-specific information 311, 411a to 411d, 2011 Thumbnail pointer 1209, 1309, 1509, 1609, 2409 Thumbnail recording table 1212, 1312a to 1312d, 1512, 1612a to 1612d, 2412
Title pointer 1801, 2601 Recording channel (recording channel)
1802, 2602 Recording date 1803, 2603 Recording start time 1804, 2604 Recording end time 1805, 2605 Recording mode 1806, 2606 Recording destination 1807, 2607 Genre 1808, 2608 Program name 1809 Composition information 1810 Thumbnail common information 1811 Thumbnail designation information

Claims (2)

Target video data specifying means for specifying target video data for registering thumbnail images from among a plurality of video data recorded on a predetermined recording medium;
Thumbnails are set in advance by storing an arbitrary image in a thumbnail image recording area in one video data of the plurality of video data, and videos mutually related to the target video data Parent video data designating means for designating the one video data identified as data as parent video data;
Image recording means for storing the image stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the parent video data in the thumbnail image recording area of the target video data;
Image reading means for reading out the image in the thumbnail image recording area of the target video data in which the image is stored by the image recording means;
Video data specific information reading means for reading video data specific information included in the target video data;
Image synthesizing means for synthesizing the video data unique information so as to be displayed on the design of the image read by the image reading means, and creating a composite thumbnail image that is a thumbnail image of the target video data; The
A video data information generating apparatus having the same. Target video data specifying means for specifying target video data for registering thumbnail images from among a plurality of video data recorded on a predetermined recording medium;
An image at an arbitrary position in one video data in the plurality of video data is used as a thumbnail original image, and the video included in the one video data is displayed on the design of the thumbnail original image processed for thumbnail display. Thumbnail setting is performed in advance by storing a combined thumbnail image that is combined so that data-specific information is displayed in the thumbnail image recording area of the one video data, and for the target video data Parent video data designating means for designating the one video data identified as mutually related video data as parent video data;
Video data specific information reading means for reading video data specific information included in the target video data;
The video data specific information of the target video data is displayed on the pattern of the image processed for thumbnail display, which is basic data of the composite thumbnail image stored in the thumbnail image recording area of the parent video data. Image synthesizing means for creating a synthesized thumbnail image of the target video data,
Image recording means for storing the composite thumbnail image of the target video data in a thumbnail image recording area of the target video data;
Image readout means for reading out the composite thumbnail image in the thumbnail image recording area of the target video data in which the composite thumbnail image is stored by the image recording means;
A video data information generating apparatus having the same.

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