JP2983194B2 - Audio recording medium, reproduction method thereof, and interrupt processing method during audio reproduction - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a CD-ROM,
An audio recording medium in which various information including at least audio information is recorded on a medium such as a DAT, a reproducing method for reproducing audio information recorded in advance on such an audio recording medium, and various types of information generated during audio reproduction. The present invention relates to an interrupt processing method for processing an interrupt request for instructing a reproduction method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various teaching materials in which audio information is recorded on a recording medium such as a cassette tape have been provided for self-learning of languages such as English conversation, practice of poetry, self-learning of laws, and other purposes. Have been. Here, taking as an example a teaching material for self-study of English conversation, a conventional main recording medium is, for example, a cassette tape (or record) on which a series of English utterances (voice information) is recorded. This tape teaching material and text were used in combination. Note that such teaching materials are prepared in various levels from beginner to advanced.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 2581700 discloses a first area in which a plurality of sections and in which an audio information sequence suitable for advanced learning are recorded, and an equivalent section corresponding to each of these sections. The relationship between the second area in which the audio information sequence suitable for beginner learning is recorded and the corresponding sections of the audio information sequence for the advanced learning and the beginner learning is shown in each of the audio information sequences. A CD including at least a third area in which information indicated by a recording position on the recording medium of the section is recorded
-An information recording medium such as a ROM and a reproduction method including switching reproduction of an information recording medium having such a structure have been proposed.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-224581 proposes a technique for realizing a repeat function during audio reproduction using a language learning CD. That is,
This technique relates to a delay sensing function for sensing a delay of a command from a learner during normal hearing learning. Specifically, a voice information sequence for each sentence (sentence) to which an index number is added in advance is sequentially recorded. The recorded medium is reproduced using a predetermined reproducing device. For example, even if such a playback apparatus is provided with a function for performing repeat playback, a repeat instruction (equipment by the learner) may be issued immediately after listening to difficult sentences or sentences containing pronunciations that are difficult to hear. Operation) is delayed and the next sentence starts to be reproduced, so that the learner cannot hear the sentence that has already been heard. Therefore, in this prior art, as shown in FIG. 19, the index number of the segment to be reproduced is sequentially switched at each time point of A, B, C, and D, so that the audio of the segment to be reproduced is changed. The information is reproduced, and at the same time, the index number indicating the segment before the time Δt has elapsed from the start of reproduction of the next audio information (index number indicating the audio information to be repeatedly reproduced) is also held by the predetermined holding means. In other words, according to this conventional technique, the index number of the segment to be played back and the index number of the segment to be played back repeatedly are held independently, and the switching timing of each index number is shifted by a predetermined time Δt. Managing. With this configuration, a jump signal (information indicating a reproduction start position) corresponding to the index number held at the time when the repeat request is issued from the learner is generated, and the repeat from the learner is generated. Problems caused by delays in requests (instruction delays) are avoided.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional voice reproducing method, a delay from an operator (for example, a language learner) such as a repeat function is considered in advance,
Delay detection of an instruction from the operator is performed so that repeat reproduction can be performed from a sentence intended by the operator.

However, such a delay sensing function is a technique assuming a case where predetermined sentences are sequentially and regularly recorded. Therefore, for example, it is composed of a plurality of sentences having different lengths, such as a conversation of a performer in a movie, a conversation in a daily living environment, and the like, and a voice is transmitted between each sentence (voice information of each speaker). A series of voices in which a randomly generated silent period such as a non-reproduced state, a state in which only noise is reproduced, or a state in which only music (BGM) is reproduced may exist for a long time (for example, 1 second or more). In the reproduction of information, it is difficult for a learner who is an operator to accurately realize a desired operation with a delay sensing function based on time management. That is, in such a situation, the repeat target sentence intended by the operator may be different from the sentence that is actually repeated, and as a result, the learner's attention may be deprived of the device operation in language learning and the like. There is a problem that the learning effect is reduced (concentration becomes distracted).

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and is intended to accurately reproduce a series of audio information composed of a plurality of sentences having different lengths. It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio recording medium having a structure that enables reproduction of audio information intended by an operator, a reproduction method thereof, and an interrupt processing method during audio reproduction.

[0008]

The present invention comprises a plurality of sentences having different lengths, such as a conversation of a performer in a movie, a conversation in a daily living environment, and the like. ), There may be randomly generated silent periods, such as a situation where no sound is played, a situation where only noise is played, and a situation where only music (BGM) is played. Also, the present invention relates to a technique for accurately reproducing the voice information intended by the operator in consideration of the instruction delay.

In particular, audio recording media to be reproduced include:
A voice information sequence corresponding to one or more sentences composed of a plurality of word sequences to be reproduced and output by a predetermined voice reproduction means, and having a variable length for each of the voice information divided at each sounding node. At least one type or two or more types of audio information strings divided into sections are recorded. In this specification, audio information is a concept and information including a sound (audio) that can be actually heard, and an audio information sequence means data itself actually recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. I do.

More specifically, the audio recording medium according to the present invention (first embodiment of the audio recording medium) comprises at least one or more word strings to be reproduced and output by predetermined audio reproducing means. , Which is divided into variable-length sections for each piece of speech information that has been divided at pronunciation points (end of sentence, break in sentence, break on occurrence or grammar). And a second area in which boundary position identification information indicating a boundary between the first half and the second half of each section is recorded for each section of the section. , At least.

The audio information recording medium may include a plurality of areas in which a plurality of types of audio information strings are recorded.
That is, the delay sensing function during audio reproduction can be performed by switching to and reproducing a plurality of types of audio information as described in Japanese Patent No. 2581700 described above. The second embodiment) is a voice information sequence corresponding to one or two or more sentences composed of a plurality of word sequences to be reproduced and output by a predetermined voice reproducing unit, and is divided at each sounding node. A first area in which a first audio information sequence divided into sections of variable length for each audio information is recorded, and an audio information sequence composed of sounds equivalent and slow to the first audio information sequence. A second area in which a second audio information sequence divided into sections of variable length is recorded for each audio information equivalent to the audio information of each section of the first audio information sequence; In order to switch and reproduce the information sequence by the sound reproducing means, A third area in which recording position identification information indicating the replaceable sections is indicated by the recording position of each section on the recording medium, and each section in the first and second audio information strings, And at least a fourth area in which boundary position identification information indicating the boundary between the first half and the second half of the first area is recorded.

[0012] Further, in any of the above-described configurations, the audio recording medium according to the present invention may include, as information relating to a section, a first half portion divided according to a pronunciation state in each section (for each unit of pronunciation). And boundary position identification information indicating the boundary between the second half and the second half are recorded in a predetermined area of the audio recording medium.

On the other hand, the audio reproducing method according to the present invention utilizes the above-mentioned boundary position identification information preset in each section in response to an interrupt request instructing various reproducing methods generated during audio reproducing. The target of the interrupt request is specified. In addition, the reproduction request of the interrupt request includes a repeat function,
It includes at least a switching reproduction function for switching and reproducing a plurality of pieces of audio information stored in each area of the audio recording medium, or a combination thereof.

In order to realize the above-mentioned repeat function, in the audio recording medium reproducing method according to the present invention (first embodiment relating to the reproducing method), first, a plurality of audio data to be reproduced and output by predetermined audio reproducing means. A voice information sequence corresponding to one or more sentences composed of a word sequence, and a voice information sequence divided into variable-length sections for each of the voice information divided at each pronunciation node. A voice including at least one area and, for each section of the audio information sequence, a second area in which boundary position identification information indicating a boundary between a first half and a second half of the section divided by a sounding state is recorded. A recording medium is prepared. Then, when an interrupt request for repeat reproduction is issued by the operator during reproduction of a predetermined section of the plurality of recorded sections, the generation timing of the interrupt request is determined. Specifically, an interrupt request was generated in the first half of the section from the head position of the section being reproduced to the boundary position, or the start position of the next section from the boundary position of the section being reproduced. It is determined whether an interrupt has occurred in the latter half of the partition up to. If it is determined that the interrupt request has occurred in the first half of the section being reproduced, the previous section of the section being reproduced is specified as the section targeted by the interrupt request. On the other hand, if it is determined that the interrupt request has occurred in the latter half of the section being reproduced, the section itself being reproduced is specified as the section targeted by the interrupt request.

In the first embodiment according to the reproducing method, the audio reproduction is restarted from the beginning of the section specified by the above-described interrupt processing (the section specified as the target section intended by the operator) to repeat the reproduction. Implement the function.

On the other hand, when a plurality of audio information strings recorded on the recording medium are switched and reproduced, the reproduction method of the audio recording medium according to the present invention (the second embodiment of the reproduction method) firstly includes A voice information sequence corresponding to one or more sentences composed of a plurality of word sequences to be reproduced and output by the voice reproducing means, and is divided into variable-length sections for each of the voice information divided at pronunciation nodes. A first area in which the divided first audio information sequence is recorded, and an audio information sequence composed of a slow and slow sound equivalent to the first audio information sequence, and each of the first audio information sequence A second area in which a second audio information sequence divided into sections of variable length is recorded for each audio information equivalent to the audio information of the section, and the first and second audio information strings are switched by the audio reproducing means. Place each switchable section on the recording medium for playback. A third area in which recording position identification information indicated by the recording position of each section is recorded, and, for each section in the first and second audio information strings, a first half of each section divided by a sounding state An audio recording medium including at least a fourth area in which boundary position identification information indicating a boundary of the second half is recorded is prepared. Then, when an interrupt request for switching playback between the first and second audio information strings is generated during playback of a predetermined section of these sections,
The generation timing of the interrupt request is once determined. That is, the interrupt request is generated in the first half of the section from the head position of the section being reproduced to the boundary position, or is generated from the boundary position of the section being reproduced to the head position of the next section. It is determined whether or not the error occurred in the latter half of the section, and the section to be interrupted is specified based on the determination result. If the specified section is determined that this interrupt request occurred in the first half of the section being played,
If the previous section of the section is specified and it is determined that the interrupt request has occurred in the latter half of the section being reproduced, the section itself is specified.

In the second embodiment according to the reproducing method, when a section as an instruction target intended by the operator is specified by the above-described interrupt processing, the section specified as the section to which the interrupt request is targeted is set. The corresponding section, the first
The switching reproduction function is realized by restarting the audio reproduction from the head of the section of the audio information sequence specified by the interrupt request in the second audio information sequence.

It should be noted that the method for regenerating a switchable and reproducible audio recording medium as described above can further include various functions such as the above-described repeat reproduction.

The audio recording medium according to the present invention includes an information recording medium that can be reproduced by a personal computer having a portable CD player, a CD-ROM driver, and the like. Therefore, in order to be reproduced by such various devices, image information, character information, and the like that can be reproduced in accordance with the reproduction timing of each audio information may be included.

[0020]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. In the drawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

(First Embodiment of Audio Recording Medium) First, a basic structure of an audio information sequence to be recorded on an audio recording medium according to the present invention will be conceptually described with reference to FIG.

The information recorded on the audio recording medium according to the present invention is composed of a plurality of sentences (sentences) having different lengths, such as a conversation of a cast in a movie, a conversation in a daily living environment, and the like. During each sentence (speech information of each talker), there is no random occurrence such as a situation where no voice is reproduced, a situation where only noise is reproduced, and a situation where only music (BGM) is reproduced. It is a series of audio information sequences in which an audio period can exist. Therefore, the first embodiment (basic configuration) according to this audio recording medium includes an audio information sequence corresponding to one or more sentences composed of a plurality of word sequences to be reproduced and output by a predetermined audio reproducing unit. And at least a first area in which an audio information sequence divided into variable-length sections (hereinafter, referred to as segments) is recorded for each audio information divided at each sounding point.

In general, in English conversation by a native speaker, one sentence is uttered in about three seconds. Therefore, by setting a pronunciation step for determining a segment constituting a speech information sequence to be recorded between each sentence. As shown in FIG. 1, (a), (b) or (d), it is appropriate to form the variable length segments forming the audio information sequence. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1C, an extremely short sentence is included in the sentence during the conversation, and this sentence also forms one segment. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 (e), in the case of an extremely long sentence, the front of a conjunction or a relative, etc. is a pronunciation node, so that the sentence as shown in FIG. In this case, it is appropriate to configure two consecutive segments. Therefore, the segment of the audio information sequence to be recorded means a recording unit of audio information divided based on a utterance break (breathing position) or a linguistic (grammatical) break.

In order to appropriately process an interrupt request that may be generated during the reproduction of the special audio information as described above, the audio recording medium is provided with each of the above-described divided sound generation nodes. There is further provided a second area in which boundary position identification information indicating a boundary between the first half and the second half of the segment is recorded. Specifically, the boundary position identification information is recorded in, for example, a directory area of the audio recording medium or a header of each segment.

As shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B or FIG. 1D, the boundary set for each of the divided segments is the first segment S having some unit of sound generation.
1, S2, S4 (ie, S1, S2,
S3 and S4 are provided according to the sound generation state for each section,
This divides each section into a first half and a second half.) As shown in FIG. 1C, when the sentence is extremely short, the boundary position S3 may be set to coincide with the end position of the divided segment. Also, as shown in FIG. 1E, even when one sentence is divided into a plurality of segments, a boundary indicating a boundary that divides each segment into a first half and a second half determined to be a unit of pronunciation. The positions S5 and S6 are set respectively.

In particular, the audio reproduction of the audio recording medium according to the first embodiment is performed sequentially for each recorded segment. However, when there is an interrupt request from the operator such as a repeat instruction during the sound reproduction, the timing of occurrence of this interrupt request is once determined, and based on the result of the determination, the segment to which the interrupt request is applied is determined. Specified. Specifically, this interrupt request is generated in the first half from the head position of the segment being reproduced to the boundary position set as described above, or from the boundary position of the segment being reproduced. It is determined whether or not the error has occurred in the latter half of the next segment to be reproduced next. Here, if it is determined that the interrupt request has occurred in the first half of the segment being reproduced,
The segment before the segment being reproduced as the segment targeted by the interrupt request (the segment whose audio reproduction has already been completed) is specified. On the other hand, if it is determined that the interrupt request has occurred in the latter half of the segment being reproduced, the segment itself being reproduced is specified as the segment targeted by the interrupt request.

This reproduction method realizes the repeat function by restarting the audio reproduction from the head of the segment specified as described above (the segment specified as the instruction target of the operator).

(Second Embodiment of Audio Recording Medium) Next, a second embodiment of the audio recording medium according to the present invention will be described.
It is characterized in that at least two types of audio information strings are recorded. In other words, the first audio information sequence is composed of, for example, English audio information spoken at a natural speed by a native speaker, and this audio information sequence is composed of the sound generation points (the end of a sentence or a pause in a sentence, as described above). Above or grammatical break) into multiple variable length segments. The second audio information sequence has a semantic content equivalent to the content of the first audio information sequence, but is another audio information, and is, for example, English audio information at a slow speed speaking in words. Note that this second audio information sequence is also composed of a plurality of variable length segments.

What is important here is that the first and second audio information strings are each divided into a plurality of variable-length segments, and the meanings of the segments correspond to each other. For example, when the t-th segment (621-th in FIG. 1A) of the first audio information sequence is "It's not much of a problem ." The segment speaks each word separately. " It is not much of a problem ."
Becomes However, the fact that the content corresponds to the second audio information sequence and is composed of different audio information indicates that the utterances have the same meaning in language and different utterances.

Further, the audio recording according to the second embodiment
The recording medium has recording position identification information recorded in a predetermined area.
It is characterized by having. This recording position identification information is
At least each segment in the first and second audio information strings
Is recorded on the audio recording medium
This is information indicating whether Therefore, for example, the first audio information
T-th segment of column "It's not much of a proble
m. "Segment of second audio information sequence corresponding to"It is no
t much of a problemIs recorded in any location on the media.
The recording location identification information.
You can understand.

As a result, the first and second audio information strings and the recording position identification information are not recorded independently of each other.
It is recorded with a certain relationship, and each audio information sequence is organically combined in units of segments. That is, the first and second audio information strings are paired with each other,
Recording position identification information correlates these for each segment. In this embodiment, the recording / recording position identification information is recorded in the directory area of the audio recording medium, and includes at least information on the start position of each segment. In this embodiment, the boundary position identification information is recorded in the header of each segment.

In the method of reproducing the audio recording medium having the above-described structure (the second embodiment), the audio is reproduced in order for each recorded segment. Playback switching from the first audio information sequence recorded on the recording medium to the second audio information sequence (or the second audio information sequence)
(Reproduction switching from the audio information sequence to the first audio information sequence) is possible. This playback switching operation is performed in units of segments. For example, the first
When an instruction to reproduce the second audio information sequence is input while the t-th segment of the audio information sequence is being reproduced (interrupt request is generated), the corresponding instruction in the second audio information sequence is generated based on the recording position identification information. The t-th segment is read, and the sound reproduction of the corresponding segment is executed. Conversely, reproduction switching from the second audio information sequence to the first audio information sequence is also performed in units of each segment similarly to the above-described reproduction switching operation.

In the above switching operation, the segment to be switched is specified by determining the interrupt timing as described in the audio recording medium reproducing method according to the first embodiment. Will be Further, in this reproduction method, various modifications such as repeat reproduction can be made in addition to the above-described reproduction switching operation. A typical example is a so-called return command. That is, when a return command is input after the temporary playback is interrupted by the stop command during playback, the readout position of the voice information is returned by the instructed amount, whereby the playback of the voice information that meets the operator's desire can be performed. Done.

(Third Embodiment of Audio Recording Medium) Further, a third embodiment of the audio recording medium according to the present invention will be described. The audio recording medium according to the third embodiment is characterized in that a third audio information sequence is recorded on the audio recording medium in addition to the first and second audio information sequences.
This is different from the audio recording medium according to the embodiment.

What is important here is that the third audio information sequence is divided into a group of one or more variable length segments of the first and second audio information sequences. In other words, 1 of this third audio information sequence
One segment group is one or two of the first and second audio information strings.
The above-mentioned segments are included, so that one segment group of the third audio information sequence is paired with one or more segments of the first and second audio information sequences. In particular, this configuration assumes a case where one sentence is divided into a plurality of segments, as shown in FIG.

In the audio recording medium according to the third embodiment, the recording position identification information recorded in a predetermined area includes information indicating the recording position of the content of the third audio information sequence for each segment group. Is also included. Therefore, the first, second, and third audio information strings and the recording position identification information are recorded on the medium in a fixed relation to each other, and each audio information string is organically combined in units of segments or segments. Note that, also in the third embodiment, the recording position identification information is recorded in the directory area of the audio recording medium, and includes information on the head position of the segment in each audio information sequence. Also in this embodiment, the boundary position identification information is recorded in the header of each segment.

The method of reproducing the audio recording medium having the above-described structure (third embodiment) is basically the same as that of the above-described second embodiment, but includes the first and second embodiments. The difference from the second embodiment is that the reproduction switching operation is performed between the first and second audio information sequences and the third audio information sequence in addition to the reproduction switching between the audio information sequences.

For example, when the native speaker cannot hear "It's not much of a problem ." During reproduction of the first audio information sequence, the second audio information sequence is reproduced.
By switching the reproduction to the audio information sequence, it is possible to listen to " It is not much of a problem ." If you want to know the meaning and grammar of this Japanese,
The reproduction may be switched to the audio information sequence. Of course, it goes without saying that this reproducing method can also be applied so that the return instruction and the stop instruction described in the reproducing method of the audio recording medium according to the second embodiment can be used in combination. Also in this reproduction method, switching reproduction and repeat reproduction are possible, and the segment targeted by these interrupt requests is specified in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

(Fourth Embodiment of Audio Recording Medium) The fourth embodiment of the audio recording medium according to the present invention is basically the same as that of the third embodiment, except that 2
The main difference is that a character information string is recorded in addition to the voice information string. This character information sequence corresponds to character information having contents corresponding to the first or second audio information sequence, for example, character information corresponding to English (voice) spoken by a native speaker.

This character information string is also divided into segments corresponding to each segment of the first and second audio information strings. Also in the audio recording medium according to the fourth embodiment, the recording position identification information includes the recording position of the character information string for each segment of each audio information string, as well as information on the leading position thereof. Is recorded in the directory area of the audio recording medium. In addition, boundary position identification information is recorded in the header of each segment. Therefore, the first and second audio information strings correspond to the character information strings on a segment basis. Note that this fourth
In the audio recording medium according to the third embodiment, when adding the third audio information sequence in the third embodiment as recording information, one or more segments of the first and second audio information sequences and the character information sequence Corresponds to one segment group of the third audio information sequence. Further, also in the fourth embodiment, the recording position identification information includes the head position of each segment and is recorded in the directory area of the audio recording medium. The boundary position identification information is recorded in the header of each segment.

The method of reproducing the audio recording medium having the above-described structure (fourth embodiment) is basically the same as that of the second embodiment, except that the first or second audio information is reproduced. The difference is that the character information string is displayed on the display during the reproduction of the string.

For example, the segment "of the first audio information sequence"I
t's not much of a problem. "Is playing
Indicates "It's not much of a problem."
Or "It is not much of a problem."
Is displayed. This display indicates the sound being played.
It is not necessary to be completely synchronized in time with the voice information sequence.
Characters are displayed with little delay or little ahead
May be displayed. Also, in this playback method,
Switching playback and repeat playback are possible.
The segment specified by the interrupt request is described above.
The method is the same as the method of reproducing the audio recording medium according to the first embodiment.
It is done like this.

Next, a specific structure of the audio recording medium according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 shows, as an example of the voice recording medium according to the present invention, the respective voice information strings A, B, C when the above-described third embodiment is applied for English conversation self-study, and the recorded contents thereof. It is a figure for explaining. In this figure, an audio information sequence A is an English information sequence (first audio information sequence) spoken by a native speaker, and is composed of a plurality of segments 621 and 622. The voice information sequence B is an English information sequence (second voice information sequence) which is slowly separated into words and speaks, and also includes a plurality of English words or phrases corresponding to the segments 621 and 622 of the previous voice information sequence A. Consists of segments. The audio information sequence C is an information sequence for explaining Japanese (third audio information sequence).
Correspond to the segments 621 and 622 of the audio information strings A and B, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a table for explaining the relationship between time and capacity per segment in the mode shown in FIG. In this table, one second corresponds to a capacity of 6 kilobytes. For example, in the segment 621 of the voice information sequence A, the utterance time of “It's” is 0.2 seconds, its capacity is 1.2 KB (kilobytes), the utterance time of “not” is 0.1 seconds, and its capacity is 0.6 KB. (Kilobytes), "mu
Ch of a "utterance time is 0.4 seconds and its capacity is 2.4K
B (kilobytes) and the "problem" utterance time is 0.3 seconds, its capacity is 1.8 KB (kilobytes), the utterance time of the entire segment 621 is 2.0 seconds, and its capacity is 12 KB (kilobytes). Become. The numbers in parentheses in the table are values indicating the boundary position by the reproduction time. That is, in the case of the audio information sequence A, FIG.
Since the boundary position is set after “not” as shown in FIG.
This indicates that a boundary for dividing the audio information sequence A into the first half and the second half is set at a position after seconds. The other audio information strings B and C are similarly shown, but in the embodiment of FIG. 3, no boundary position identification information is set in the audio information string C.

FIG. 4 is a table for explaining the recorded contents of the directory area in the mode shown in FIGS. In this table, the directory area is
Each segment is composed of 9 × 3 = 27 bytes (B). The audio information strings A, B, and C respectively correspond to the audio information strings A, B, and C in FIG. In addition, C of one byte indicates an attribute, C = 0 means a voice information sequence A, and C = 64 means a voice information sequence B. Also, C = 128, 129 means the audio information sequence C. In particular, when C = 129, that is, “1” in bit representation (8 bits (bit)).
000000001 "indicates that it belongs to the same commentary group as the previous segment (indicates that it belongs to the same segment group to be commented on in the voice information sequence C, for example, FIG.
(The case of the segments 801 and 802 in (e) corresponds to this.)

M, S, and B (one byte each) of the position information are parameters representing the position on the CD-ROM which is standard in the industry. That is, M indicates minutes, S indicates seconds, and B indicates blocks. One block is 2,048 bytes, and 75 blocks constitute one second. Therefore, the maximum numbers are M = 59, S = 59, B = 74. The next 2-byte SB indicates a start byte, and the next 3-byte LLL indicates the length of each segment as a whole. The reason why minutes and seconds are used as parameters indicating the position is that the CD-ROM was originally developed for music, and the recording position is expressed as the time from the beginning. Therefore, when a CD-ROM is used as the audio recording medium, the minute and second are completely independent of the reproduction time, and are merely information indicating the recording position on the recording medium. .

As a result, for example, "It's not much of a problem ."
6,000 from the 826th byte of 3 blocks of O minutes 11 seconds
The audio information of the English spoken by the natives beaker is recorded in a byte length, and the corresponding segment in the audio information sequence B is 1 from the 2,026 byte of the 0 minute 11 second 3 block.
A 7,400-byte long, slowly delimited word-to-speech English is recorded, and the segment group of the voice information sequence C is 72,00 bytes from the 1,282 byte of the 0 minute 11 second 6 block.
A Japanese commentary is recorded with a length of 0 bytes. Note that 62
The segment numbers such as 1, 622 are not stored in the memory but correspond to the addresses. Further, recording position identification information indicating the relationship between the segments is included in this directory area.

More specifically, based on the recorded contents of the directory area shown in FIG. 4, 826+ from the 826th byte in the 0 minute, 11 second and 3 blocks of the audio recording medium is used.
In the area up to the 6,000-1 = 6,825th byte,
Segment audio information column that is native speaker of attribute C is 0 to speak with 621 "It's not much of a proble
m . "is recorded in the area from the 2,026th byte to the 2,026 + 17,400-1 = 19,425th byte in the 0 minute, 11 second, 3 blocks of the audio recording medium. , A speech information sequence having a segment of 621 and an attribute C of 64, that is, information corresponding to " It is not much of a problem ." 6
1,282+ from the 1,282th byte in the block
In the area up to the 72,000-1 = 73,281 byte, a speech information sequence having a segment of 621 and an attribute C of 128, that is, information corresponding to a Japanese commentary is recorded.

As described above, if the directory area shown in FIG. 4 is provided, each audio information sequence shown in FIG. 2 can be recorded with the reproduction time and capacity as shown in FIG.

Next, the boundary position identification information indicating the boundary between the first half and the second half of each of the segments 621 and 622 is recorded, for example, in the header of the variable length segment shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, the header section is a 1-byte area (1B) for indicating the presence or absence of character information and image information from the beginning, and an area prepared for the audio information sequence A. A 5-byte area composed of 1-byte data indicating the information string type (information for distinguishing the audio information strings A and B), 3-byte data indicating the data length thereof, and 1-byte data indicating the boundary position ( 5B), a 5-byte area prepared for the audio information sequence B and composed of 1-byte data indicating the information sequence type, 3-byte data indicating the data length thereof, and 1-byte data indicating the boundary position ( 5B), an area prepared for the audio information sequence C, which is a 4-byte region (4 bytes) composed of 1-byte data indicating the information sequence type and 3-byte data indicating the data length thereof.
B) 1 byte data indicating an information string type and an area prepared for the character information string D, and 3 indicating the data length.
A 4-byte area (4B) made up of byte data, similarly an area prepared for the character information string D, a 6-byte area made up of 3-byte data indicating an address and 3-byte data indicating its data length (6B), a 4-byte area (4B) prepared for another information sequence (type E),
And a spare 3 byte area (3B).

In the embodiment described in this specification, no other information sequence (type E) is used. In this embodiment, the boundary position identification information is set only in the audio information strings A and B. In the 1-byte area indicating the boundary position, a quotient obtained by dividing the number of bytes from the beginning of the segment by 256 in the compressed information is set. For example, A
Assuming that the audio sampling rate of a track (virtual track corresponding to the audio information sequence A) is 128 kilobits / second (16 kilobytes / second), this 1-byte area can indicate the boundary position in the range from the beginning to 4 seconds, and its resolution Is 0.0
16 seconds. When the audio sampling rate is 32 kilobits / second (4 kilobytes / second), this 1
In the byte area, a boundary position in the range from the beginning to 16 seconds can be represented, and the resolution is 0.064 seconds, and practically sufficient performance can be obtained.

Next, a basic reproduction method of the audio recording medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of a reproducing apparatus for realizing the method for reproducing an audio recording medium according to the present invention. As can be seen from this figure, the audio recording medium is, for example, a CD-ROM that can be reproduced by a portable CD player (reproducing apparatus main body 2), and the reproducing apparatus main body 2 is remotely controlled by a cord-connected handset 8. Is done. The handset 8 has a display unit 21 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying at least the segment number being reproduced, and a group of various control buttons 24.
0 is provided. Further, the operator can listen to the audio information reproduced by the reproduction device main body 2 via the earphone 13.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the CD-ROM as the audio recording medium 1 is set in the reproducing mechanism 20. The playback mechanism 20 is connected to the CPU 5 via the disk interface (I / F) 3 and the bus 4. The bus 4 is connected to a ROM 6 of, for example, 32 kilobytes (KB) for storing programs, and a RAM 7 of, for example, 256 kilobytes for temporarily storing directories and audio information strings. Further, a bus 4 has a handset interface (I / F) 9 for exchanging information with a handset 8 for manual operation, and an external terminal 11 and a handset 8 via a voice output amplifier (AMP) 10. D connected to
/ A converter 12. Note that the earphone 13 is connected to the handset 8 as described above.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show the ROM 6
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a memory allocation status of a RAM 7 and a RAM 7. As shown in FIG. 8A, a program is stored in the ROM 6 of 32 kilobytes. On the other hand, FIG.
As shown in (b), (50 + 5)
0) = 100 kilobytes of buffer (corresponding to 50 blocks), a directory of (75 + 75) = 150 kilobytes, and a system area of 6 kilobytes. Therefore, the RAM 7 always holds the audio information sequence of 50 blocks, and 150 kilobytes ÷ 27
$ 5,555 segments of directory (corresponding to about 30 minutes only in the audio information string A).

In the above-mentioned specific example, a CD-ROM is used as the audio recording medium, but the typical one has a capacity of 552 megabytes (MB). CD-RO
In M, minutes, seconds, and blocks are used to represent addresses. One block is 2,048 bytes, 7
Since 5 blocks are 1 second and 60 seconds are 1 minute, the CD-
The maximum value of the ROM address is 59 minutes 59 seconds 74 blocks. Conversely, the capacity of this CD-ROM is 2,048
× 75 × 60 × 60 = 552.96 megabytes.
Of these, the first two seconds cannot be used by the user as a CD-ROM format, so the maximum capacity is 552.6528 MB as the maximum capacity. Further, when a directory area is allocated to a position corresponding to 20 seconds from the beginning, a directory capacity of 3 megabytes is allocated to the CD-ROM.
Can be secured.

Next, a calculation example regarding the capacity will be described.

The sampling rate of audio is ADPCM
It is 16 kilosamples / second according to the method, and 3 bits per sample. Assuming this, the audio sample amount is 48 kilobits / second (Kbit / s), that is, 6 kilobytes / second (KB / s), and the transfer rate must be adjusted to this. At 16 kilosamples / second, there are f characteristics up to 8 kilohertz (KHz), and consonants can be sufficiently recorded. Assuming this, a recording of one hour requires a capacity of 6 kilobytes × 3,600 seconds = 21.6 megabytes. In general, 552 megabytes can be recorded on one CD-ROM with error correction. Excluding the directory area, 549 megabytes can be used as a data area for recording each audio information. Therefore, 549 / 21.6 = 25 hours and 24 minutes of audio information can be recorded. Therefore, when used for English conversation, if a story that is pronounced at a natural speed by a native speaker is defined as one hour, it is regarded as one word.
The part that is sounding slowly, separating each one, can be seen as about four hours that is four times that. And the commentary part is 20 hours in total, even if there are 15 hours in total.

Next, considering how many segments (sections) can be decomposed into a conversation part of one hour, there are 14,400 per hour as an average of four breaks per second. 1
Since the directory of each segment requires 36 bytes, it is about 518 kilobytes in total, which can be stored in the storage space of the above 3 megabyte directory and 1
Can store all directories of time stories.

Next, FIG. 9 is a plan view specifically showing the configurations of the handset 8 and the earphone 13 shown in FIGS. A display unit 21 (LCD) for displaying a segment number is provided on the front of the handset 8,
A display unit 22 using the ED, a mode switch 81 for switching a reproduction mode (indicating a reproduction state when repeat reproduction is performed, etc.), and audio information strings A, B, and C
Command switches 23A and 23B for instructing the reproduction of
23C, an ADV button 24A for instructing a function, a REV button 24B for instructing playback return, a REP button 25A for instructing repeat playback, a STOP button 25B for instructing stop of playback, and the earphone 13. A volume switch 28 for adjusting the output volume is provided. The earphone 13 is connected to the handset 8 via a cord 26, and the handset 8 is connected to the playback device main body 2 via a cord 27.

Next, an example of a basic playback sequence in the audio recording medium playback method according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining this basic reproduction sequence. To continuously listen to the voice information sequence A, that is, the English of the native speaker, FIG.
The audio information of the sequentially recorded segments is reproduced as shown in FIG. In this case, the button 23 shown in FIG.
All you have to do is press A and listen.

On the other hand, in the reproduction sequence shown in FIG. 10B, first, the audio information sequence A is reproduced sequentially from the segment 621. Here, for example, the segment 623
When the operator could not hear well, the operator immediately
By pressing the P button 25B, the sound reproduction is temporarily interrupted. At this time, the segment number of the segment display section 21 is 624. Then, the REV button 24B is pressed only once. The REV button 24B continues to be pressed as long as it is kept pressed, and the segment number displayed on the display unit 21 returns by one each time it is pressed. When the REV button 24B is pressed once while the segment is 624, the segment number displayed on the display unit 21 becomes 623.

Subsequently, when the switch 23B is pressed (switch reproduction instruction), the segment 623 of the audio information sequence B corresponding to the segment 623 of the audio information sequence A is reproduced, and 1
You can hear the slowly pronounced voice with each word separated. If left as it is, the reproduction operation of the segment 624 proceeds continuously with the audio information sequence B. Further, when listening to the segment 624 of the audio information sequence B, ST
After the OP button 25B is pressed, the REV button 24
When B is pressed, the segment number of the display unit 21 becomes 623. When the switch 23C is pressed in this state, the Japanese explanation of the audio information sequence C is reproduced. Since the commentary part may describe a phrase in which several words are grouped, the byte indicating the attribute C, which may be one commentary with several segment numbers, has the least significant bit of 1 (attribute C). C of 129) indicates that, and means that the same audio information sequence is the same as the previous segment number of the same audio information sequence. If you hit here, you can skip it.

Next, another embodiment of the audio recording medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the directory area in the audio recording medium according to the present invention.
The directory shown in this figure is one per segment.
It is composed of 5 bytes. That is, 1-byte attribute C, 2-byte segment number SS, 1-byte suffix number N, 1-byte minute M, 1-byte second S, 1-byte block B, and 3-byte The segment length LLL is a total of 12 bytes.

In the 8 bits of the attribute C, when the first bit (the most significant bit) is 1, it means the start of the segment, and when it is 0, it means that it is in another state. When the value represented by the second and third bits in the attribute C is 0, it means the audio information sequence A, when it is 1, it is the audio information sequence B, and when it is 2, Means that it is a voice information sequence C. Further, when the fourth bit is 0, it means that there is no suffix, and when it is 1, it means that there is a suffix. When the fifth bit is 1, it means that it is associated with the same segment group as the previous segment, and when it is 0, it means that it is not associated with the same segment group.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the division of the segments of the audio information strings A, B, and C corresponding to the directories shown in FIG. This is different from the example shown in FIG. 2 in that it is divided into segments with suffixes.

FIG. 13 shows, as explained above,
It is a figure which shows the relationship between the 2nd and 3rd bit value of the attribute C of 8 bits, and the segment corresponding to each divided partition.

Further, another embodiment of the audio recording medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the other embodiment is different from the previously described embodiments of FIGS. 11 to 13 in that this embodiment records and reproduces not only voice information but also character information. .

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the directory. 11 differs from the directory of FIG. 11 described above in that information on the character information string D is added to the second and third bits of the attribute C. When this bit is 3, it means that the character information string D is recorded on the audio recording medium with a predetermined code.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the configuration of a handset used in the audio recording medium reproducing apparatus according to this embodiment. The difference between the handset in FIG. 15 and the handset in FIG. 9 is that the character information string D can be displayed. Specifically, handset 8
Is provided with an operation button 23D for instructing a character display and a character display section 210 constituted by an LCD. In this embodiment, a character display button for turning on and off the display of characters is further provided. In such a handset 8, it is possible to set whether or not to display the character information string D on the character display unit 210.

Next, the features of the operation of the other embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 will be described.

In this embodiment, while the audio information sequence A is being reproduced, the speed at which the information sequence A is produced, that is, the speed at which the character information sequence D appears, is controlled in accordance with the length of the LLL. In other words, during the period from the start to the end of the sounding of the segment, the character starts to appear on the display unit 210 and is completely output (the character is displayed in complete synchronization with the sounding).

Next, during the reproduction of the audio information sequence B, the sound is produced taking several times as long as the reproduction of the part of the audio information sequence A. And the character information string D is displayed in synchronization with. Actually, display the characters earlier (start the audio output slightly later)
This point may be set arbitrarily because it is more convenient for the user.

Next, as an embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a case where the information recording medium is a magnetic tape which cannot be randomly accessed will be described.

In this embodiment, the basic mode of recording and reproducing information is the same as that of the above-described embodiment. However, since it is not easy to skip and reproduce data with a magnetic tape,
In order to provide a practical playback device, it is desirable to provide a buffer for temporarily storing information. Specifically, the audio information strings A, B, and C (3
Track) are represented by A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₁ ,
_{A 2, B 2, C 2} , A 3, B 3, C 3, ... and so on, in sequential order corresponding audio information sequence A, B, and each segment of C as a single mass. When reproducing the audio information sequence A, only the segments of the audio information sequence A are taken out and reproduced, such as A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ , and when reproducing the audio information sequence B, B ₁ , B ₂ , B ₃ ,... Audio information sequence B
Extract and play only the segment of. The same applies to the audio information sequence C. At this time, in order to reproduce the segment A ₂ seamlessly to the next segment A ₁ must strained skipping segments B _1, C ₁ which is present between these segments. Since this is not easy with normal tape running, information is fetched from the magnetic tape into the buffer early. The skipping playback is performed in the buffer.

When this magnetic tape is a so-called DAT (digital audio tape), the following is obtained. First, as a segment of the audio information sequence A, A
Separates the pronunciation of native speakers recorded on a track by a certain unit. For example, here, it is divided into a fixed time every second. Then, as the track B (sound information sequence B), slowly (for example, at an average speed of 1/3)
Assume what you are talking about. An area is secured so that a portion corresponding to one second on track A can be taken for four seconds for track B. Then, an area is secured to allow 9.4 seconds for the C track for explanation. In addition, the above-mentioned number of seconds is an example, and is limited to this. is not. That is, 1
One unit is 4.4 seconds. That is, 14.4 seconds are tracks A, B, and C (corresponding to each audio information sequence A, B, and C).
Are grouped together for each of the corresponding three segments. It is important to note here that the A track 1
For the second minute, just cut the original one by one second,
This is exactly the same as the original one second. 4 seconds of B track should be within 4 seconds, and it ends in 3 seconds and is 1
Seconds may be enough. A method of skipping this extra portion (for one second) when reproducing is described later.

The case of the rotary head type DAT is as follows. That is, in this rotary head type DAT, a method of recording or reproducing two tracks by one rotation of the rotary head is generally used. Then, 2,880 bytes of audio information can be recorded on one track. Therefore, if 30 tracks are defined as one section,
86,400 bytes. In this, the audio sampling rate described in the above embodiment = 48 (K
When recording voice at (bit / s), 86,400 (bytes) ÷ 6,000 (bytes) = 1
Only 4.4 (s) can be recorded.

Next, the buffer will be considered.

When 1 MB of RAM is used, 10,480,576 ÷ 86,400 = 12,135, so that 12 buffers can be provided.
Twelve buffers are arranged in a ring in a functional sense,
The segment information is always prefetched two by two and transferred from the tape to the buffer. Reproduction is performed using the information transferred to this buffer. When stopped at any point,
The sound before the time when the ten buffers are stopped (the sound that has already been output from the speaker as the reproduced sound) remains. In other words, the audio on track A can be repeatedly reproduced from the buffer without the audio being rewinded for 10 seconds.

In this manner, as for the audio information for 10 seconds remaining in the ten buffers, the A, B, and C are not used in any segment, as in the above-described embodiment using the CD-ROM. You can easily move to virtual tracks.

However, since random access is not possible as in the case of a CD-ROM, the number of hours of the corresponding segments of the three tracks A, B and C must always be within 14.4 seconds. At this time, the portion of the virtual track A may be mechanically divided so as to always have a fixed time width (for example, every one second). For example, the portion of the B track may be 2 seconds or 5 seconds, so that it is made variable. The time obtained by subtracting the times of tracks A and B from 14.4 seconds is the time allocated to track C. Note that both tracks B and C
You don't need to record the exact part of the track,
It is only necessary that a certain unit be formed through a plurality of nearby partitions.

In the DAT, since there is a subcode area, information of each break (14.4 seconds / 30 tracks) and the number of bytes indicating the boundary between tracks A, B, and C in each break are stored in the DAT. It can be recorded in the subcode area.

Next, the amount of audio information that can be recorded in the DAT is specifically calculated.

Generally, the DAT for one hour is 240,0.
00 tracks can be recorded. Although 30 tracks are divided into 1 section, the next 6 tracks are used as rest tracks,
Even if the rotary head passes many times when the tape is stopped, the portion where the audio information is recorded should not be damaged. In order to do this, 36 tracks are one unit. That is, 6,666 units can be recorded as a whole, and 6,666 × 14.4 seconds = 126 hours 39 minutes 50
Seconds. Of these, one hour is assigned to track A, so that 25 hours, 39 seconds and 50 seconds can be used for tracks B and C. 4 slow-producing B tracks
Even if the time is used, 21 hours or more can be allocated to the C track for explanation, and a sufficient length can be secured.

The method of segmenting the tracks A, B, and C is not limited to dividing the track A into fixed time widths such as one second as in the case of applying the above-described CD-ROM, and is also based on the order of seconds. Alternatively, it may be cut where there is some pronunciation cut. That is, it may change according to the editing policy at the time of recording. Therefore, even a CD-ROM that can be accessed at random, such as a CD-ROM, can be segmented by a certain time width.

Next, an explanation will be given of a method of reproducing a sound recording medium according to the present invention, in particular, an interrupt processing relating to a repeat reproduction request and switching reproduction with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 16 is a time chart for explaining the operation of determining the segment to be interrupted in the audio recording medium reproducing method according to the present invention.

Normally, in the audio recording medium reproducing method according to the present invention, segments (..., N−1, N, N + 1,. During this playback, when an interrupt request (indicated by R1, R2, R3,... In the figure) from the operator (for example, an English learner) for repeat playback or switching playback occurs, first, the interrupt request is made. The segment that became lost is identified. That is, as shown in FIG.
Is being played, it is determined whether the interrupt request is before or after the boundary position _SN indicated by the boundary position identification information recorded in the header of each segment described above. In the figure, the boundary position in each segment is
.., S _N−1 , S _N , S _{N + 1} ,.
Further, based on the determination result regarding the timing of generation of the interrupt request, the segment N being reproduced or the previous segment N-1 as the target segment of the interrupt request is specified. When the target segment of the generated interrupt request is specified, the head of the specified segment or the head of the segment of another audio information sequence corresponding to the specified segment is determined according to the instruction content of the interrupt request. Then, the reproduction operation of the audio information is restarted.

More specifically, for example, when a desired interrupt request R1 occurs during the reproduction of a segment N of a certain audio information sequence, the interrupt request R1 is generated in the first half of the segment N. In this case, it is determined that the instruction is delayed by the operator, and the segment N 1 which is being reproduced is
The previous segment N-1 is specified as the target segment of the interrupt request. On the other hand, when the interrupt request R2 is generated in the latter half of the segment N being reproduced, the segment N itself being reproduced is specified as the target segment of the interrupt request. Similarly, in the case of an interrupt request R3 generated during the reproduction of another segment, for example, the segment N + 1 shown in FIG. 16, the timing of generating the interrupt request is determined based on the boundary position _{SN + 1} , and the interrupt request is determined. The target segment is specified.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the repeat playback interrupt processing (first embodiment of the playback method) in the playback method of the audio recording medium according to the present invention.

The audio recording medium prepared by this reproducing method includes at least an audio information sequence corresponding to one or more sentences composed of a plurality of word sequences to be reproduced and output by a predetermined audio reproducing means. There is an audio information sequence divided into segments of variable length for each of the audio information divided at the sounding nodes, and a first half of each of the segments divided by the sounding state for each segment in the audio information sequence. It is only necessary that the boundary position identification information indicating the boundary between the first and second parts be recorded in desired areas.

First, when an interrupt request for repeat reproduction is generated during reproduction of the audio recording medium as described above, information (segment number) of the segment being reproduced once is held by predetermined holding means ( In step ST1), information on the position where the interrupt request is generated is also temporarily stored (step ST2). Then, the boundary position recorded in the header portion of the segment being reproduced and the interrupt occurrence position are compared along the time axis (step ST3). At this time, if the interrupt request occurs after the boundary position, the segment being reproduced is specified as the target segment of the interrupt request, and the start position information of the specified segment is read from the directory. Then, the sound reproduction operation is restarted (step ST4). On the other hand, if the interrupt request occurs before the boundary position, the segment one segment before the segment being reproduced is specified as the target segment of the interrupt request, and the start position information of the specified segment is specified. The audio reproduction operation is resumed by being read from the directory (step ST5).

In this embodiment, in the designated repeat reproduction operation, the audio information of the specified segment is repeatedly reproduced until the next new instruction is issued.

Next, a switching reproduction interruption process (a second embodiment of the reproduction method) in the reproduction method of the audio recording medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

The voice recording medium prepared in this embodiment is a voice information sequence corresponding to one or more sentences composed of a plurality of word sequences to be reproduced and output by a predetermined voice reproducing means, Speech information sequence A divided into variable-length segments for each speech information segmented at each pronunciation point
And a voice information sequence composed of sounds that are equivalent to the voice information sequence A and are delayed, and are divided into variable-length segments for each voice information equivalent to the voice information of each segment of the voice information sequence A. The audio information sequence B, recording position identification information indicating each switchable segment by the recording position of the segment on the recording medium in order to switch and reproduce the audio information sequences A and B, and the audio information sequence A, It is sufficient that at least boundary position identification information indicating a boundary between the first half part and the second half part, which are separated according to the sound generation state (determined as a unit of sound generation), for each segment in B is sufficient.

First, when an interrupt request for switching reproduction is generated during reproduction of the audio recording medium as described above, information (segment number) of the segment being reproduced once is held by a predetermined holding means ( Step ST6), the information of the newly instructed audio information sequence is held (step ST7). Further, information on the position where the interrupt request is generated is temporarily stored (step ST8). Then, the boundary position recorded in the header portion of the segment being reproduced and the interrupt occurrence position are compared along the time axis (step ST9). At this time, if the interrupt request occurs after the boundary position, the segment being reproduced is specified as the target segment of the interrupt request, and is the segment of the audio information sequence specified by the interrupt request. Then, the head position information of the specified segment is read from the directory, and the audio reproducing operation is restarted (step ST10). On the other hand, if the interrupt request occurs before the boundary position, the segment one segment before the segment being reproduced is specified as the target segment of the interrupt request, and the segment of the audio information sequence indicated by the interrupt request is specified. The start position information of the segment corresponding to the specified segment is read from the directory, and the audio reproduction operation is restarted (step ST11).

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be variously modified.

For example, the present invention can also be applied in conjunction with a video disk or video tape. That is, for example, a sound track portion of a movie is put in a track A at a normal speed (speaking speed of a native speaker), and a slow sound is put in a track B,
Put Japanese commentary on track C. Then, while playing back track A, stop at the point where it could not be understood, return a little (at this time, the screen is fixed, but it is practical) and listen to track B.
Listen to tracks. It should be noted that it is sufficient to synchronize with the screen only when the A track is reproduced.

The present invention can also be used in personal computers and the like. That is, CAI (Compute)
r Aided Instruction) and CDI (Compact Disk Interact)
ive) can be applied to a higher degree of application if it is combined with a higher degree programmable. Further, the present invention can be implemented by using a storage device of a personal computer instead of the CD or DAT.

Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to English conversation, but also to poetry and legal ones.
It is not limited to species, but may be more.

[0103]

As described above, according to the present invention, the first half divided according to the sounding state of each segment in the recording medium, together with various audio information, as information on the variable length segments constituting the audio information sequence. Prepare an audio recording medium on which at least boundary position identification information indicating the boundary between the part and the latter part is recorded, and determine whether the timing of the predetermined interrupt request is before or after the boundary position of the segment being reproduced, Since the target segment of the interrupt request is specified based on the determination result, there is an effect that a flexible reproduction operation can be realized in consideration of the delay of the instruction by the operator.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for conceptually explaining various types of information including an audio information sequence to be recorded on an audio recording medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining each audio information sequence of an audio recording medium (third aspect) applied to English conversation self-teaching according to the present invention and the recorded contents thereof.

FIG. 3 is a table for explaining a relationship between time and capacity per segment for each audio information sequence shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a table for explaining recorded contents (including recording position identification information) of a directory area in the audio recording medium shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration (including boundary position identification information) of a variable length segment to be recorded on the audio recording medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a reproducing apparatus for realizing the audio recording medium reproducing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the playback device shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a memory allocation state of a ROM and a RAM shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the handset and the earphone shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a basic reproduction sequence in the audio recording medium reproduction method according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the directory area in the audio recording medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a division state of segments of each audio information sequence corresponding to recorded contents of a directory area shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the relationship between the values of the second and third bits in the 8-bit attribute C in the recorded contents of the directory area and the divided segments in the division state shown in FIG. It is.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the directory area in the audio recording medium according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a handset of a reproducing apparatus for reproducing an audio recording medium having the directory shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram (time chart) for explaining an operation of determining an interrupt target segment in the audio recording medium reproducing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining interrupt processing relating to repeat playback in the audio recording medium playback method according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining an interrupt process relating to switching playback in the audio recording medium playback method according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram (time chart) for explaining a repeat interrupt operation in a conventional audio recording medium reproducing method.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Recording medium, 2 ... Playback apparatus, 8 ... Handset, 13
... Earphone, 21, 210 ... Display part, 23A, 23B,
23C, 23D... A reproduction information sequence instruction switch, 25A... A repeat instruction switch.

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] An audio information sequence corresponding to one or more sentences composed of a plurality of word strings to be reproduced and output by a predetermined audio reproducing means, wherein the audio information is divided at each pronunciation node. Area in which a voice information sequence divided into sections of variable length is recorded for each section, and boundary position identification information indicating, for each section in the speech information string, the boundary between the first half and the second half of each section Generated during the reproduction of the audio information of the audio recording medium provided at least,
An interrupt processing method during audio reproduction for executing processing of an interrupt request for instructing various reproduction methods, wherein, for an interrupt request generated during reproduction of a predetermined section of the sections, the interrupt request is generated during the reproduction. It is determined whether the interrupt has occurred in the first half from the head position to the boundary position of the section that was being played or in the second half from the boundary position of the section being played back to the head position of the next section. Based on the determination result regarding the request generation timing, as the partition targeted by the interrupt request determined to have occurred in the first half of the partition being played,
Either the previous section of the section being reproduced is specified, or the section being reproduced is selected as the section targeted by the interrupt request determined to have occurred in the latter half of the section being reproduced. An interrupt processing method during voice reproduction, characterized by identifying itself. 2. An audio recording medium reproducing method for reproducing audio information recorded on a predetermined recording medium, wherein at least one or more words composed of a plurality of word strings to be reproduced and output by predetermined audio reproducing means. A first area in which a first audio information sequence that is divided into variable-length sections for each audio information segmented at each of the pronunciation nodes is recorded. A second audio information sequence which is equivalent to the information sequence and is composed of delayed sounds, and is divided into variable-length sections for each audio information equivalent to the sound information of each section of the first audio information string. The second area where the audio information sequence is recorded and the switchable sections are switched at the recording position of each section on the recording medium so that the first and second audio information strings are switched and reproduced by the audio reproducing means. And a third area in which the recording position identification information is recorded. Te, fourth of each compartment in the first and second audio information sequence, the boundary position identification information indicating the boundary between the first half and the second half of the respective compartments was recorded
An audio recording medium having at least an area is prepared, and in response to a first interrupt request relating to switching reproduction between the first and second audio information strings generated during reproduction of a predetermined section of the sections, The first interrupt request is generated in the first half from the head position of the section being played back to the boundary position, or the second half part from the boundary position of the section being played back to the head position of the next section. The first interrupt request, which is determined to have occurred in the first half of the section being reproduced based on the determination result regarding the generation timing of the first interrupt request, is determined as the target. As a section to be specified, a section prior to the section being reproduced is specified, or as the section targeted by the first interrupt request determined to have occurred in the latter half of the section being reproduced, The playback And a section corresponding to the section specified as the section targeted by the first interrupt request, wherein the first interrupt is included in the first and second audio information strings. A method for reproducing an audio recording medium, wherein audio reproduction is restarted from a head of a section of an audio information sequence specified by a request. 3. In response to a second interrupt request related to repeat playback that occurs during reproduction of a predetermined section of the sections, the second interrupt request is transmitted from a head position of the section being reproduced to a boundary position. In the first half of the section, or in the second half from the boundary position of the section being played back to the start position of the next section, and the determination result regarding the generation timing of the second interrupt request is determined. Based on the above, the previous section of the section being reproduced is specified as the section targeted by the second interrupt request determined to have occurred in the first half of the section being reproduced, or The section being reproduced is identified as a section targeted by the second interrupt request determined to have occurred in the latter half of the section that was being reproduced, and the first and second audio information strings are identified. Play out 3. The audio information sequence including the section which has been described above, wherein the audio reproduction is restarted from the head of the section specified as the section targeted by the second interrupt request. A method for reproducing a recording medium. 4. An audio recording medium reproducing method for reproducing audio information recorded on a predetermined recording medium, wherein one or two or more word strings composed of a plurality of word strings to be reproduced and output by predetermined audio reproducing means are provided. And a first area in which a voice information sequence divided into sections of variable length is recorded for each of the voice information divided at each of the pronunciation nodes, and each of the voice information sequences in the voice information sequence. For each section, an audio recording medium including at least a second area in which boundary position identification information indicating a boundary between the first half and the second half of each section is recorded is provided. In response to an interrupt request for repeat playback that occurred during the playback, the interrupt request occurred in the first half from the beginning position of the section being played back to the boundary position, or the boundary position of the section being played back From It is determined whether or not the interrupt request has occurred in the latter half of the section up to the head position, and based on the determination result regarding the timing of occurrence of the interrupt request, the interrupt request determined to have occurred in the first half of the section being reproduced is As a target section,
Either the previous section of the section being reproduced is specified, or the section being reproduced is selected as the section targeted by the interrupt request determined to have occurred in the latter half of the section being reproduced. A method for reproducing an audio recording medium, comprising: identifying itself; and restarting audio reproduction from a head of a section specified as a target section of the interrupt request. 5. A voice information sequence corresponding to one or two or more sentences composed of a plurality of word sequences to be reproduced and output by a predetermined voice reproducing means, wherein the voice information is divided at each sounding node. Area in which a voice information sequence divided into sections of variable length is recorded, and boundary position identification information indicating, for each section in the voice information stream, a boundary between the first half and the second half of each section And at least a second area on which is recorded an audio recording medium. 6. A voice information sequence corresponding to one or more sentences composed of a plurality of word sequences to be reproduced and output by a predetermined voice reproducing means, wherein the voice information is divided at each sounding node. A first area in which a first audio information sequence divided into sections of variable length for each is recorded, and an audio information sequence composed of a slow and slow sound equivalent to the first audio information sequence. A second area in which a second audio information sequence divided into sections of variable length is recorded for each audio information equivalent to the audio information of each section of the first audio information sequence, and the first and second audio information sequences are A third area in which recording position identification information indicating each switchable section in the recording medium by the recording position of each section is recorded so as to be switched and reproduced by the audio reproducing means; and the first and second sections. For each section in the audio information sequence, the first half of each section and And a fourth area in which boundary position identification information indicating a boundary with the second half is recorded.