JP3350542B1 - Reproduction method, reproduction apparatus, recording method, recording apparatus, optical disk - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract: Bit stream interleaving is enabled on multimedia optical discs that share data among multiple titles, efficiently use the optical disc, and have a data structure that realizes a new function of multi-angle playback. Methods and apparatus. A video object on an optical disc (M) on which a plurality of video objects (VOBs) including compressed video data are recorded is reproduced in an interleaved area (blocks 4 and 6) and a continuous area (blocks 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7). It has a data structure arranged in order, and further provides a management area (NV) in which interleaved recording is provided together with video data. In this management area, information for specifying end position information on a continuously readable disk, and next playable information Record the position information on the disc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention performs various processes on a bit stream that carries information of moving image data, audio data, and sub-picture data constituting each title having a series of associated contents, so as to satisfy a user's request. A bit stream is generated to compose a title having a content corresponding to a recording apparatus and a recording medium for efficiently recording the generated bit stream on a predetermined recording medium, and a reproducing apparatus and an authoring system for reproducing the bit stream. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for recording / reproducing a bit stream interleaved on a medium.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a system using a laser disk, a video CD, or the like, multimedia data such as moving images, audios, and sub-pictures are digitally processed to form a series of titles having associated contents. Authoring systems have been put to practical use.

[0003] In particular, in a system using a video CD, an MPEG is recorded on a CD medium having a storage capacity of about 600 Mbytes and originally for recording digital audio.
The recording of moving image data is realized by a moving image compression method having a high compression ratio called a high compression ratio. Titles of conventional laser discs such as karaoke are being replaced with video CDs.

[0004] Each year, user demands for the content and playback quality of each title are becoming more complex and sophisticated. In order to meet such a user's demand, it is necessary to compose each title with a bit stream having a deeper hierarchical structure than before. With the bit stream having a deeper hierarchical structure as described above, the data amount of the multimedia data configured is more than ten times as large as that of the related art.
Furthermore, it is necessary to edit the contents of the title details in detail, which requires data processing and control of the bit stream in units of lower hierarchical data.

[0005] As described above, it is necessary to establish a bit stream structure and an advanced digital processing method including recording and reproduction, which enable efficient control of a large number of digital bit streams having a multi-layer structure at each layer level. It is. Further, there is also a need for an apparatus for performing such digital processing, and a recording medium capable of efficiently recording and storing bit stream information digitally processed by this apparatus and quickly reproducing the recorded information.

[0006] In view of such a situation, regarding the recording medium, studies for increasing the storage capacity of a conventionally used optical disk have been actively conducted. In order to increase the storage capacity of the optical disk, it is necessary to reduce the spot diameter D of the light beam. However, when the wavelength of the laser is λ and the numerical aperture of the objective lens is NA, the spot diameter D is proportional to λ / NA. , Λ is small and the NA is large, it is preferable to increase the storage capacity.

However, when a lens having a large NA is used, for example, as described in US Pat. No. 5,235,581,
Coma aberration called tilt, which is caused by the relative inclination between the disk surface and the optical axis of the light beam, increases. To prevent this, it is necessary to reduce the thickness of the transparent substrate. When the transparent substrate is made thin, there is a problem that the mechanical strength becomes weak.

Regarding data processing, MPEG2 capable of transferring large-capacity data at a higher speed than conventional MPEG1 has been developed and put into practical use as a method for recording and reproducing signal data such as moving images, audios, and graphics. . MPEG2 employs a compression method and data format slightly different from MPEG1. MPEG1 and MPE
Regarding the contents of G2 and their differences, see ISO 1117
2, and the details are described in the MPEG standard of ISO13818, and thus description thereof is omitted. MPEG2 also stipulates the structure of a video encoded stream, but does not clarify the hierarchical structure of a system stream and the processing method of lower hierarchical levels.

As described above, the conventional authoring system cannot process a large data stream having sufficient information to satisfy various demands of a user. Furthermore, even if a processing technology is established, there is no large-capacity recording medium that can sufficiently use a large-capacity data stream for efficient recording and reproduction, so that processed data cannot be effectively and repeatedly used.

In other words, in order to process a bit stream in units smaller than a title, an advanced digital processing method including a large-capacity recording medium, high-speed digital processing hardware, and a sophisticated data structure is required. It was necessary to eliminate the excessive demand for software, which was the device of the present invention. The present invention thus controls the bit stream of multimedia data in units below the title, which has a high demand for hardware and software, so that an effective authoring system more suited to the needs of the user. The purpose is to provide.

Further, in order to share data among a plurality of titles and use the optical disk efficiently, a plurality of titles can be arbitrarily combined with common scene data and a plurality of scenes arranged on the same time axis. Multi-scene control for selecting and reproducing is desirable. However, in order to arrange a plurality of scenes, that is, multi-scene data on the same time axis, it is necessary to continuously arrange each scene data of the multi-scene. As a result, non-selected multi-scene data must be inserted between the selected common scene and the selected multi-scene data. The problem that playback is interrupted is expected.

In the present invention, even in such multi-scene data, a data structure enabling seamless reproduction in which data of each scene is reproduced without interruption is provided.
A method for generating a system stream having such a data structure,
It is an object to provide a recording device, a reproducing device, and a medium on which such a system stream is recorded. This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. H7-276714 (199).
(Filed September 29, 5) and H8-041587 (199).
(Filed on Feb. 28, 2006), and the disclosures of both specifications are all incorporated in the disclosure of the present invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a method for generating a bit stream from a plurality of video objects including compressed video data, wherein a start point and an end point of reproduction of the video object coincide with each other, and a shortest reproduction time A plurality of videos having a ratio of a playback time of a video object having a long length to a video object excluding the video object having the shortest playback time length within a range obtained by a minimum read time, a maximum jumpable distance, and a minimum control unit. An interleave data area in which objects are continuously arranged for each interleave unit having a length equal to or longer than the minimum read time length;
A continuous data area in which video objects having a single playback start point and a single end point are continuously arranged is arranged in the playback order and interleaved so as to generate the bit stream.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Data Structure of Authoring System First, referring to FIG. 1, a recording apparatus, a recording medium, a reproducing apparatus, and a bit stream of multimedia data to be processed in an authoring system including their functions according to the present invention. Will be described. An image and sound information that allows the user to recognize, understand, or enjoy the content is defined as one title. The title corresponds to the amount of information representing the complete contents of one movie at the maximum and the content of each scene at the minimum.

A video title set VTS is composed of bit stream data including information for a predetermined number of titles. Hereinafter, for simplicity, the video title set is referred to as VTS. The VTS includes reproduction data such as video and audio representing the content of each title described above, and control data for controlling them.

From a predetermined number of VTSs, a video zone VZ, which is one video data unit in the authoring system,
Is formed. After that, for simplicity, VZ
Called. In one VZ, K + 1 VTSs # 0 to VTS
TS # K (K is a positive integer including 0) is linearly and continuously arranged. And one of them, preferably the first V
TS # 0 is used as a video manager indicating the content information of the title included in each VTS. From a predetermined number of VZs configured as described above, a multimedia bit stream MBS which is a maximum management unit of a bit stream of multimedia data in an authoring system.
Is formed.

Authoring Encoder EC FIG. 2 shows an authoring encoder EC according to the invention for encoding an original multimedia bitstream and generating a new multimedia bitstream MBS according to any scenario according to the needs of the user. 1 illustrates one embodiment. Note that the original multimedia bit stream is composed of a video stream St1 carrying video information, a sub-picture stream St3 carrying auxiliary video information such as captions, and an audio stream St5 carrying audio information. The video stream and the audio stream are streams containing image and audio information obtained from a target during a predetermined time. On the other hand, the sub-picture stream is a stream for one screen, that is, a stream including instantaneous video information. If necessary, a sub-picture for one screen can be captured in a video memory or the like, and the captured sub-picture screen can be displayed continuously.

These multimedia source data St
In the case of 1, St3 and St5, in the case of live broadcasting, video and audio signals are supplied in real time from a means such as a video camera. It may also be a non-real-time video and audio signal reproduced from a recording medium such as a video tape. In the figure, for the sake of simplicity, three or more types of multimedia source streams are used.
It goes without saying that source data representing different title contents may be input. Such multimedia source data having audio, video, and auxiliary video information of a plurality of titles is referred to as a multi-title stream.

The authoring encoder EC includes an editing information creating unit 100, an encoding system control unit 200, a video encoder 300, and a video stream buffer 40.
0, sub-picture encoder 500, sub-picture stream buffer 600, audio encoder 700,
It comprises an audio stream buffer 800, a system encoder 900, a video zone formatter 1300, a recording unit 1200, and a recording medium M.

In FIG. 1, a bit stream encoded by the encoder of the present invention is recorded on an optical disk medium as an example.

The authoring encoder EC is an editing information generating unit which can output as scenario data for instructing editing of a corresponding part of the multimedia bit stream MBS in accordance with a user's request regarding video, sub-picture and audio of the original multimedia title. 100 is provided. The editing information creating unit 100 preferably includes a display unit, a speaker unit, a keyboard, a CPU, a source stream buffer unit, and the like. The editing information creation unit 100 is connected to the above-mentioned external multimedia stream source, and outputs the multimedia source data St.
1, St3, and St5 are supplied.

The user can reproduce the video and audio of the multimedia source data using the display unit and the speaker, and can recognize the contents of the title. Further, the user inputs an instruction to edit the content according to the desired scenario using the keyboard while checking the reproduced content. The editing instruction content means that one or more contents of each source data is selected at predetermined time intervals for all or each of the source data including a plurality of title contents, and the selected contents are defined as predetermined contents. Information to be connected and played in the manner described above.

The CPU, based on the keyboard input, receives each stream St of the multimedia source data.
1, the position and length of the edit target portion of St3 and St5,
And generates scenario data St7 that encodes information such as the temporal mutual relationship between the editing parts.

The source stream buffer has a predetermined capacity and stores each stream St of the multimedia source data.
1, St3, and St5 are output after a predetermined time Td delay.

This is because when the user sets the scenario data St7
In the case where encoding is performed at the same time as the creation of .multidot., That is, in the case of sequential encoding processing, it takes some time Td to determine the editing processing content of the multimedia source data based on the scenario data St7 as described later. This is because, when actually performing the edit encoding, it is necessary to delay the multimedia source data by this time Td and synchronize with the edit encoding.

In the case of such a sequential editing process, the delay time Td is such that it is necessary for adjusting the synchronization between the elements in the system. Therefore, the source stream buffer is usually constituted by a high-speed recording medium such as a semiconductor memory. Is done.

However, after the scenario data St7 is completed throughout the title, the multimedia source data is encoded at once, that is, at the time of so-called batch editing, the delay time Td is required for one title or more. is there. In such a case, the source stream buffer can be configured using a low-speed, large-capacity recording medium such as a video tape, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. That is, the source stream buffer may be configured using an appropriate storage medium according to the delay time Td and the manufacturing cost.

The encoding system control unit 200 is connected to the editing information creating unit 100,
t7 is received from the editing information creating unit 100. The encoding system control unit 200 performs encoding parameter data and encoding start for encoding the editing target portion of the multimedia source data based on the information on the temporal position and length of the editing target unit included in the scenario data St7. , End timing signal St
9, St11, and St13 are generated. Note that, as described above, each multimedia source data St
Since 1, 1, St3, and St5 are output with a delay of Td by the source stream buffer, they are synchronized with the respective timings St9, St11, and St13.

That is, the signal St9 is the video stream S
This is a video encode signal that indicates the timing of encoding the video stream St1 in order to extract a part to be encoded from t1 and generate a video encode unit. Similarly, the signal St11 is a sub-picture stream encode signal that indicates the timing of encoding the sub-picture stream St3 in order to generate a sub-picture encode unit. Also, the signal S
t13 is an audio encode signal indicating the timing of encoding the audio stream St5 in order to generate an audio encode unit.

The encoding system control unit 200 further performs encoding based on information such as the temporal relationship between the encoding target portions of the streams St1, St3, and St5 of the multimedia source data included in the scenario data St7. Signals St21, St23, and S for arranging the encoded multimedia encoded streams so as to have a predetermined mutual relationship.
Generate t25.

The encoding system control unit 200 controls the title editing unit (V) for each title for one video zone VZ.
OB), the playback time information IT indicating the playback time of the title editing unit (VOB) and encoding parameters for system encoding for multiplexing (multiplexing) a multimedia encoded stream of video, audio, and sub-picture. The stream encoding data St33 shown is generated.

The encoding system control unit 200 converts a multimedia bit stream M from a title edit unit (VOB) of each stream having a predetermined mutual time relationship.
Connection of title editing units (VOBs) of each title of the BS or generation of interleaved title editing units (VOBs) superimposed on each title editing unit;
With each title editing unit (VOB) as a multimedia bit stream MBS, an arrangement instruction signal St39 that specifies format parameters for formatting is generated.

The video encoder 300 is connected to the source stream buffer of the editing information creation unit 100 and the encoding system control unit 200, and is used to control the video stream St1, the encoding parameter data for video encoding, and the encoding start / end timing signal. St9, for example, start / end timing of encoding,
As the bit rate, encoding start and end, parameters such as an NTSC signal or a PAL signal or a telecine material are input as encoding conditions and material type. The video encoder 300 generates a video stream St based on the video encode signal St9.
1 is encoded to generate a video encoded stream St15.

Similarly, sub picture encoder 500
Is connected to the source buffer of the editing information creation unit 100 and the encoding system control unit 200, and receives the sub-picture stream St3 and the sub-picture stream encoding signal St11, respectively. The sub-picture encoder 500 encodes a predetermined part of the sub-picture stream St3 based on the parameter signal St11 for sub-picture stream encoding, and generates a sub-picture encoded stream St17.

The audio encoder 700 is connected to the source buffer of the editing information creation unit 100 and the encoding system control unit 200, and receives the audio stream St5 and the audio encode signal St13, respectively. The audio encoder 700 encodes a predetermined part of the audio stream St5 based on the parameter data for audio encoding and the signal St13 of the encoding start / end timing to generate an audio encoded stream St19.

The video stream buffer 400 is connected to the video encoder 300, and outputs a video encoded stream S output from the video encoder 300.
Save t15. The video stream buffer 400 is further connected to the encoding system control unit 200,
Based on the input of the timing signal St21, the stored video encoded stream St15 is output as a timed video encoded stream St27.

Similarly, the sub-picture stream buffer 600 is connected to the sub-picture encoder 500, and stores the sub-picture encoded stream St17 output from the sub-picture encoder 500.
The sub-picture stream buffer 600 is further connected to the encoding system control unit 200, and outputs the stored sub-picture encoded stream St17 as a timing sub-picture encoded stream St29 based on the input of the timing signal St23.

The audio stream buffer 80
0 is connected to the audio encoder 700,
An audio encoded stream St19 output from the audio encoder 700 is stored. The audio stream buffer 800 is further connected to the encoding system control unit 200, and outputs the stored audio encode stream St19 as a timed audio encode stream St31 based on the input of the timing signal St25.

The system encoder 900 is connected to the video stream buffer 400, the sub-picture stream buffer 600, and the audio stream buffer 800, and generates a timed video encoded stream St.
27, timing sub-picture encoded stream St2
9, and the timing audio encode St31. The system encoder 900 is also connected to the encoding system control unit 200, and receives stream encoded data St33.

The system encoder 900 multiplexes each timing stream St27, St29, and St31 based on the encode parameter data of the system encode and the signal St33 of the encoding start / end timing, and performs a title editing unit (VOB). St35 is generated.

The video zone formatter 1300 is connected to the system encoder 900 and receives the title edit unit St35. Video zone formatter 1
300 is further connected to the encoding system control unit 200, and receives format parameter data for formatting the multimedia bit stream MBS and a signal St39 of a format start / end timing. The video zone formatter 1300 rearranges the title editing units St35 for one video zone VZ in the order according to the scenario requested by the user based on the title editing unit St39, and generates an edited multimedia bitstream St43.

The multimedia bit stream St43 edited to the contents of the scenario desired by the user is transferred to the recording unit 1200. The recording unit 1200 processes the edited multimedia bit stream MBS into data St43 in a format corresponding to the recording medium M, and records the data St43 on the recording medium M. In this case, the multimedia bit stream M
The BS includes a volume file structure VFS indicating a physical address on a medium generated by the video zone formatter 1300 in advance.

Further, the encoded multimedia bit stream St35 may be directly output to a decoder described below to reproduce the edited title content. In this case, it goes without saying that the multimedia file stream MBS does not include the volume file structure VFS.

Authoring Decoder DC Next, referring to FIG. 3, the authoring encoder EC according to the present invention decodes the edited multimedia bit stream MBS, and decodes the contents of each title according to the scenario desired by the user. An embodiment of the authoring decoder DC will be described. In the present embodiment, the multimedia bit stream St45 encoded by the authoring encoder EC recorded on the recording medium M is recorded on the recording medium M.
It is recorded in.

The authoring decoder DC includes a multimedia bit stream reproducing unit 2000, a scenario selecting unit 2100, a decoding system control unit 2300, a stream buffer 2400, a system decoder 2500, a video buffer 2600, a sub-picture buffer 2700,
Audio buffer 2800, synchronization control unit 2900, video decoder 3800, sub-picture decoder 310
0, an audio decoder 3200, a synthesizing unit 3500, a video data output terminal 3600, and an audio data output terminal 3700.

Multimedia bit stream reproducing unit 2
000 is a recording medium drive unit 2004 that drives the recording medium M, a read head unit 2006 that reads information recorded on the recording medium M and generates a binary read signal St57, and performs various processes on the read signal ST57. It comprises a signal processing unit 2008 for generating a reproduction bit stream St61, and a mechanism control unit 2002. The mechanism control unit 2002 includes the decoding system control unit 2
Upon receiving the multimedia bit stream reproduction instruction signal St53, the reproduction control signals St55 and St59 for controlling the recording medium drive unit (motor) 2004 and the signal processing unit 2008, respectively, are generated.

The decoder DC selects and reproduces a corresponding scenario so that a user's desired portion relating to the video, sub-picture, and audio of the multimedia title edited by the authoring encoder EC is reproduced. And a scenario selection unit 2100 that can output as scenario data for giving an instruction to the authoring decoder DC.

The scenario selecting section 2100 preferably
It is composed of a keyboard, CPU and the like. The user operates the keyboard to input a desired scenario based on the content of the scenario input by the authoring encoder EC. The CPU selects scenario selection data St51 indicating the selected scenario based on the keyboard input.
Generate The scenario selection unit 2100 may be, for example, an infrared communication device or the like.
Connected to 0. Decode system control unit 2300
Is a reproduction instruction signal St5 for controlling the operation of the multimedia bit stream reproduction unit 2000 based on St51.
3 is generated.

The stream buffer 2400 has a predetermined buffer capacity, and reproduces the reproduced signal bit stream S input from the multimedia bit stream reproducing unit 2000.
While temporarily storing t61, and extracting address information and synchronization initial value data of each stream, stream control data St63 is generated. The stream buffer 2400 is connected to the decoding system control unit 2300, and supplies the generated stream control data St63 to the decoding system control unit 2300.

The synchronization control unit 2900 is connected to the decoding system control unit 2300, and outputs synchronization control data St81.
, And sets the internal system clock (STC), and outputs the reset system clock St79 to the decode system control unit 2.
Supply 300.

The decoding system control unit 2300 generates a stream read signal St65 at predetermined intervals based on the system clock St79, and
Enter 400.

The stream buffer 2400 outputs a reproduced bit stream St61 at predetermined intervals based on the read signal St65.

The decoding system control unit 2300 further generates a decode stream instruction signal St69 indicating the ID of each of the video, sub-picture and audio streams corresponding to the selected scenario based on the scenario selection data St51. Output to the decoder 2500.

The system decoder 2500 converts the video, sub-picture, and audio streams input from the stream buffer 2400 into a video encoded stream St71 based on the instruction of the decode instruction signal St69.
To the sub-picture buffer 2700 as the sub-picture encoded stream St73 and the audio buffer 2 as the audio encoded stream St75.
Output to 800.

The system decoder 2500 reproduces the reproduction start time (PTS) of each stream St67 in each minimum control unit.
And a decoding start time (DTS), and a time information signal St77 is generated. This time information signal St77 is input to the synchronization control unit 2900 as synchronization control data St81 via the decoding system control unit 2300.

The synchronization control unit 2900 controls the synchronization control data S
At t81, a decoding start timing is determined for each stream so that each stream has a predetermined order after decoding. The synchronization control unit 2900 generates a video stream decoding start signal St89 based on the decoding timing and inputs the signal to the video decoder 3800. Similarly, the synchronization control unit 2900 generates a sub-picture decode start signal St91 and an audio decode start signal t93, and inputs them to the sub-picture decoder 3100 and the audio decoder 3200, respectively.

The video decoder 3800 generates a video output request signal St84 based on the video stream decode start signal St89, and outputs the video output request signal St84 to the video buffer 2600.
Output to The video buffer 2600 receives the video output request signal St84 and receives the video stream St8.
3 is output to the video decoder 3800. The video decoder 3800 detects the reproduction time information included in the video stream St83, and invalidates the video output request signal St84 when receiving an amount of the video stream St83 corresponding to the reproduction time. In this way, the video stream corresponding to the predetermined reproduction time is
The video signal St1 decoded and reproduced at 800
04 is output to the synthesis unit 3500.

Similarly, sub picture decoder 3100
Generates a sub-picture output request signal St86 based on the sub-picture decoding start signal St91, and supplies it to the sub-picture buffer 2700. The sub-picture buffer 2700 outputs a sub-picture output request signal St86.
In response, the sub-picture stream St85 is output to the sub-picture decoder 3100. The sub-picture decoder 3100 decodes the sub-picture stream St85 in an amount corresponding to a predetermined reproduction time based on the reproduction time information included in the sub-picture stream St85, reproduces the sub-picture signal St99, and
Output to 00.

The synthesizing unit 3500 outputs the video signal St104
And a sub-picture signal St99 to generate a multi-picture video signal St105, which is output to the video output terminal 3600.

The audio decoder 3200 generates an audio output request signal St88 based on the audio decode start signal St93, and
Supply to 00. The audio buffer 2800 receives the audio output request signal St88 and outputs an audio stream St87 to the audio decoder 3200. The audio decoder 3200 generates an audio stream St8 corresponding to a predetermined reproduction time based on the reproduction time information included in the audio stream St87.
7 is decoded and output to the audio output terminal 3700.

In this way, the multimedia bit stream MBS desired by the user can be reproduced in real time in response to the user's selection of the scenario. That is, every time the user selects a different scenario, the authoring decoder DC can reproduce the title content desired by the user by reproducing the multimedia bitstream MBS corresponding to the selected scenario.

As described above, in the authoring system of the present invention, a plurality of branchable sub-streams of the minimum editing unit representing each content are set in a predetermined temporal correlation with respect to the basic title content. In order to arrange, multimedia source data can be encoded in real time or collectively to generate a multimedia bit stream according to a plurality of arbitrary scenarios.

Further, the multimedia bit stream encoded as described above can be reproduced according to an arbitrary scenario among a plurality of scenarios. Then, even during the reproduction, even if another scenario is selected (switched) from the selected scenario, the multimedia bit stream corresponding to the newly selected scenario can be (dynamically) reproduced. In addition, while the title content is being reproduced in accordance with an arbitrary scenario, any one of a plurality of scenes can be dynamically selected and reproduced.

As described above, in the authoring system according to the present invention, not only the encoding and the multimedia bit stream MBS can be reproduced in real time but also repeatedly. The details of the authoring system are disclosed in a Japanese patent application filed on Sep. 27, 1996 by the same applicant as the present patent application.

DVD FIG. 4 shows an example of a DVD having a single recording surface. The DVD recording medium RC1 in this example uses a laser beam LS
Recording surface RS1 for writing and reading information by irradiating
And a protective layer PL1 covering the same. Further, the recording surface R
On the back side of S1, a reinforcing layer BL1 is provided. Thus, the surface on the protective layer PL1 side is the surface SA and the reinforcing layer BL1
The side surface is referred to as a back surface SB. A DVD medium having a single recording layer RS1 on one side, such as the medium RC1, is called a single-sided, single-layer disk.

FIG. 5 shows details of the portion C1 in FIG. The recording surface RS1 has an information layer 41 to which a reflective film such as a metal thin film is attached.
09 is formed. On top of that, a predetermined thickness T
1 through the first transparent substrate 4108 having the protective layer PL
1 is formed. The reinforcing layer BL1 is formed by the second transparent substrate 4111 having a predetermined thickness T2. The first and second transparent substrates 4108 and 4111 are bonded to each other by an adhesive layer 4110 provided therebetween.

Further, if necessary, the second transparent substrate 41
A printing layer 4112 for label printing is provided on the reference numeral 11. The printed layer 4112 may be printed not on the entire area of the reinforcing layer BL1 on the substrate 4111 but on only the portions necessary for displaying characters and pictures, and the other portions may be exposed from the transparent substrate 4111. In that case, when viewed from the back surface SB side, the metal thin film 4109 that forms the recording surface RS1 in the portion where no printing is performed
Is reflected directly, for example, when the metal thin film is an aluminum thin film, the background appears to be silver-white, and printed characters and figures appear to float on it. The printing layer 4112 need not be provided on the entire surface of the reinforcing layer BL1, but may be provided partially depending on the application.

FIG. 6 shows details of the portion C2 in FIG.
On the surface SA where the light beam LS is incident and information is taken out, the surface where the first transparent substrate 4108 and the information layer 4109 are in contact is formed with uneven pits by a molding technique. Information is recorded. That is, the information layer 4109 includes the first transparent substrate 410
The uneven pit shape of No. 8 is transferred. The length and interval of the pits are shorter than those of a CD, and the information tracks formed by the pit rows and the pitch are configured to be narrow. As a result, the areal recording density is greatly improved.

The surface SA of the first transparent substrate 4108 where no pits are formed is a flat surface. The second transparent substrate 4111 is for reinforcement and is a transparent substrate made of the same material as the first transparent substrate 4108 and having two flat surfaces. The predetermined thicknesses T1 and T2 are also preferably equal to each other, for example, 0.6 mm, but are not limited thereto.

Information is taken out in the same manner as in the case of CD.
Irradiation with the light beam LS is extracted as a change in the reflectance of the light spot. In the DVD system, since the numerical aperture NA of the objective lens can be increased and the wavelength λ of the light beam can be decreased, the diameter of the light spot Ls to be used is set to about 1 / 1.6 of the light spot in the CD. Can be narrowed down. This means that it has about 1.6 times the resolution of a CD system.

To read data from a DVD, a red semiconductor laser with a short wavelength of 650 nm and an NA of an objective lens are used.
An optical system whose (numerical aperture) is increased to 0.6 mm is used. This, combined with the reduction of the thickness T of the transparent substrate to 0.6 mm, results in the information capacity that can be recorded on one side of an optical disk having a diameter of 120 mm exceeds 5 Gbytes.

As described above, in the DVD system, the amount of recordable information on a single-sided single-layer disk RC1 having a single recording surface RS1 is about 10 times as large as that of a CD.
A moving image having a very large data size per unit can be handled without deteriorating its image quality. as a result,
In the conventional CD system, the reproduction time is 74 minutes, even if the image quality of the moving image is sacrificed.
High-quality moving images can be recorded and reproduced for two hours or more. As described above, the DVD has a feature that it is suitable for a recording medium of a moving image.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show examples of a DVD recording medium having a plurality of recording surfaces RS described above. The DVD recording medium RC2 in FIG. 7 has, on the same side, that is, the front side SA, first and semi-transparent second recording surfaces RS1 and RS2 arranged in two layers. First recording surface RS1 and second recording surface RS2
On the other hand, by using different light beams LS1 and LS2, recording and reproduction from two surfaces can be simultaneously performed. Also, in one of the light beams LS1 and LS2,
You may make it correspond to both recording surfaces RS1 and RS2. The DVD recording medium thus configured is called a single-sided dual-layer disc. In this example, two recording layers RS1 and RS2 are arranged, but if necessary, a D having two or more recording layers RS is arranged.
It goes without saying that a VD recording medium can be configured. Such a disc is called a single-sided multilayer disc.

On the other hand, the DVD recording medium RC3 of FIG. 8 has a first recording surface RS1 on the opposite side, that is, the front side SA side, and a second recording surface RS2 on the back side SB. In these examples, an example is shown in which one DVD has two recording surfaces, but it is needless to say that the DVD can be configured to have two or more recording surfaces. As in the case of FIG. 7, the light beams LS1 and LS2 may be separately provided, or one light beam may be used for recording and reproduction on both recording surfaces RS1 and RS2. The DVD recording medium thus configured is called a double-sided single-layer disc. It goes without saying that a DVD recording medium having two or more recording layers RS arranged on one side can be constructed. Such a disc is called a double-sided multilayer disc.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are plan views of the recording surface RS of the DVD recording medium RC as viewed from the side irradiated with the light beam LS. For DVDs, from the inner circumference to the outer circumference,
Tracks TR for recording information are provided spirally and continuously. The track TR is divided into a plurality of sectors for each predetermined data unit. In FIG. 9, for ease of viewing, the track is divided into three or more sectors per circumference.

Normally, as shown in FIG. 9, the track TR extends from the inner end point IA to the outer end point O of the disk RCA.
It is wound in the clockwise direction DrA toward A. Such a disc RCA is called a clockwise disc, and its track is called a clockwise track TRA. Further, depending on the application, as shown in FIG. 10, the clockwise direction Dr may be changed from the outer end point OB of the disk RCB to the inner end point IB.
A track TRB is wound around B. This direction Dr
B is a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the inner circumference to the outer circumference, so that B is different from the disc RCA in FIG.
Counterclockwise disc RCB and counterclockwise track TR
Called B. The above-described track winding directions DrA and DrB
Is a movement of the light beam scanning a track for recording and reproduction, that is, a track path. Track winding direction D
A direction RdA opposite to rA is a direction in which the disk RCA is rotated. RdB opposite to the track winding direction DrB
Is the direction in which the disc RCB is rotated.

FIG. 11 shows a single-sided dual-layer disc R shown in FIG.
A development view of a disk RC2o, which is an example of C2, is schematically shown. On the lower first recording surface RS1, a clockwise track TRA is provided in a clockwise direction DrA as shown in FIG. On the upper second recording surface RS2, as shown in FIG.
rB. In this case, the upper and lower track outer peripheral ends OB and OA are located on the same line parallel to the center line of the disk RC2o. The above-mentioned winding directions DrA and DrB of the track TR are both directions for reading and writing data to and from the disk RC. In this case, the winding directions of the upper and lower tracks are opposite, that is, the track paths DrA and DrB of the upper and lower recording layers face each other.

The opposed track path type single-sided dual-layer disc RC2o is rotated in the RdA direction corresponding to the first recording surface RS1, so that the light beam LS moves the track on the first recording surface RS1 along the track path DrA. By tracing and adjusting the light beam LS so as to be focused on the outer peripheral end OB of the second recording surface RS2 when the outer peripheral end OA is reached, the light beam LS continuously emits the second light. The track on the recording surface RS2 can be traced. In this way, the physical distance between the tracks TRA and TRB on the first and second recording surfaces RS1 and RS2 can be instantaneously eliminated by adjusting the focus of the light beam LS. As a result, in the opposed track path type single-sided dual-layer disc RCo, it is easy to process the tracks on the upper and lower two layers as one continuous track TR. Therefore, the multimedia bit stream MBS, which is the maximum management unit of multimedia data in the authoring system described with reference to FIG. 1, is continuously transmitted to the two recording layers RS1 and RS2 of one medium RC2o. Can be recorded.

The winding directions of the tracks on the recording surfaces RS1 and RS2 are opposite to those described in this embodiment, that is, the counterclockwise track TRB is provided on the first recording surface RS1, and the clockwise track is provided on the second recording surface. When TRA is provided, both recording surfaces are used as having one continuous track TR, as in the above-described example, except that the rotation direction of the disk is changed to RdB. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, illustrations and the like of such examples are omitted. By configuring a DVD in this way, a multimedia bit stream MBS of a long title can be recorded on one opposed track path type single-sided dual-layer disc RC2o. Such a DVD medium is referred to as a single-sided, dual-layer, opposing track-path disk.

FIG. 12 shows a single-sided dual-layer disc R shown in FIG.
A further example of C2 is schematically shown in a development view of RC2p. As shown in FIG. 9, both the first and second recording surfaces RS1 and RS2 are provided with a clockwise track TRA. In this case, the single-sided dual-layer disc RC2p is rotated in the RdA direction, and the moving direction of the light beam is the same as the winding direction of the track, that is, the track paths of the upper and lower recording layers are parallel to each other. Also in this case, preferably, the upper and lower track outer peripheral ends OA and OA are located on the same line parallel to the center line of the disk RC2p. Therefore, by adjusting the focus of the light beam LS at the outer peripheral end OA, similarly to the medium RC2o described with reference to FIG. 11, the second recording starts from the outer peripheral end OA of the track TRA on the first recording surface RS1. Momentarily to the outer end OA of the track TRA on the surface RS2,
You can change the access destination.

However, in order to access the track TRA on the second recording surface RS2 temporally continuously by the light beam LS, the medium RC2p may be rotated in the reverse direction (in the anti-RdA direction). However, it is not efficient to change the rotation direction of the medium in accordance with the position of the light beam. Therefore, as shown by an arrow in the drawing, the light beam LS is applied to the outer peripheral end of the track on the first recording surface RS1. After reaching OA, the light beam is applied to the track inner peripheral edge I of the second recording surface RS2.
A can be used as one logically continuous track by moving it to A. If necessary, the tracks on the upper and lower recording surfaces are not treated as one continuous track, but are separated from each other. Alternatively, the multimedia bit stream MBS may be recorded on each track one title at a time. Such a DVD medium is referred to as a single-sided dual-layer parallel track path type disk.

It should be noted that the winding direction of the tracks on both recording surfaces RS1 and RS2 is opposite to that described in this embodiment, that is, even if a counterclockwise track TRB is provided, the rotation direction of the disk is changed to R.
It is the same except that it is set to dB. This single-sided, dual-layer parallel track path type disc is suitable for use in recording a plurality of titles that require frequent random access, such as an encyclopedia, on a single medium RC2p.

FIG. 13 shows a double-sided single-layer DVD having one recording surface RS1 and one recording surface RS2 on one side shown in FIG.
A development view of an example RC3s of the medium RC3 is shown. One recording surface RS1 is provided with a clockwise track TRA, and the other recording surface RS2 is provided with a counterclockwise track TRB. Also in this case, preferably, the track outer peripheral ends OA and OB of both recording surfaces are on the disc RC3.
They are located on the same line parallel to the center line of s. The recording surfaces RS1 and RS2 have opposite track winding directions, but have track symmetrical track paths. Such a disk RC3s is referred to as a double-sided, more symmetrical track path type disk. This double-sided, more symmetrical track path type disc RC3s corresponds to the first recording medium RS1, and
Rotated in dA direction. As a result, the track path of the second recording medium RS2 on the opposite side is in the track winding direction D
The direction opposite to rB, that is, DrA. In this case, regardless of whether it is continuous or discontinuous, there are essentially two recording surfaces RS1
It is not practical to access RS2 and RS2 with the same light beam LS. Therefore, on each of the front and back recording surfaces,
The multimedia bit stream MSB is recorded.

FIG. 14 is a development view of a further example RC3a of the double-sided single-layer DVD medium RC3 shown in FIG. Both recording surfaces R
Both S1 and RS2 are provided with a clockwise track TRA as shown in FIG. Also in this case, preferably, the track outer peripheral ends OA and OA of both recording surface sides RS1 and RS2 are located on the same line parallel to the center line of the disk RC3a. However, in the present embodiment, the track path type disc R
Unlike C3s, the tracks on these recording surfaces RS1 and RS2 have an asymmetric relationship. Such a disc RC
3a is referred to as a double-sided non-target track path type disc.
This single-sided non-target track path type disc RC3s
Is rotated in the RdA direction corresponding to the first recording medium RS1.

As a result, the track path of the second recording surface RS2 on the opposite side is in the direction opposite to the track winding direction DrA, that is, in the DrB direction. Therefore, if a single light beam LS is continuously moved from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the first recording surface RS1 and from the outer circumference to the inner circumference of the second recording surface RS2, a light beam source different for each recording surface is obtained. Can be recorded and reproduced on both sides without turning over the medium PC3a. In addition, in this double-sided single-layer non-target track path type disc, the track paths of both recording surfaces RS1 and RS2 are the same. Therefore, by reversing the surface of the medium PC3a, it is possible to perform recording and reproduction on both sides with a single light beam LS without preparing a different light beam source for each recording surface. It can be manufactured in a special way.
It is to be noted that the provision of the track TRB instead of the track TRA on both recording surfaces RS1 and RS2 is basically the same as in the present embodiment.

As described above, a plurality of moving image data, a plurality of audio data, and a plurality of graphics data recorded on one disc by a DVD system in which the recording capacity is easily doubled due to the multi-layered recording surface. It demonstrates its true value in the area of multimedia where data and the like are reproduced through interactive operations with the user. In other words, the quality of a movie that produced one movie, which has been a dream of a software provider, can be provided as it is to a single medium for many different languages and many different generations. I do.

[0087] parental conventional, multi-Ray Incorporated is software provider of the movie title, for the same title, as a separate package that corresponds to the parental lock, which are regulated reduction in the total number of languages of the world, and Western countries Produce and supply titles,
I had to manage it. This effort was very large. It is also important that this can be reproduced as intended, in addition to high image quality. A recording medium that is one step closer to solving such a wish is the DVD.

Multi-Angle As a typical example of the interactive operation, a function called a multi-angle that switches to a scene from another viewpoint while one scene is being reproduced is required. This is, for example, in the case of a baseball scene, an angle centered on the pitcher, catcher, batter viewed from the back net side, an angle centered on the infield viewed from the back net side, a pitcher viewed from the center side, a catcher There is a demand for an application that allows a user to freely select a favorite one from among several angles such as an angle centered on a batter, as if switching a camera.

In DVDs, MPEG, which is the same as video CDs, is used as a method for recording signal data such as moving images, audios, and graphics in order to meet such demands. Video CDs and DVDs use slightly different compression methods and data formats, MPEG1 and MPEG2, even though they are the same MPEG format due to differences in capacity, transfer speed, and signal processing performance in the playback device.
However, the contents of MPEG1 and MPEG2 and their differences are not directly related to the gist of the present invention, and thus description thereof is omitted (for example, ISO11172, ISO1381).
8 MPEG standards). The data structure of the DVD system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described later with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

Multi-scene If titles having the contents as requested are prepared in order to satisfy the above-mentioned requirements for parental lock reproduction and multi-angle reproduction, almost the same scene data having only a part of different scene data is provided. The number of titles of the content must be prepared and recorded on the recording medium. This means that the same data is repeatedly recorded in most of the area of the recording medium, so that the utilization efficiency of the storage capacity of the recording medium is significantly alienated. Further, even with a large-capacity recording medium such as a DVD, it is impossible to record titles corresponding to all requests. Although such a problem can be basically solved by increasing the capacity of the recording medium, it is very undesirable from the viewpoint of effective use of system resources.

In the DVD system, titles having various variations are configured with the minimum necessary data by using multi-scene control, which will be briefly described below, and system resources such as recording media are effectively used. Is possible. That is, a title having various variations is composed of a basic scene section composed of data common to the titles and a multi-scene section composed of different scene groups according to the respective requirements. Then, at the time of reproduction, the user is allowed to freely and at any time select a specific scene in each multi-scene section. Note that multi-scene control including parental lock reproduction and multi-angle reproduction will be described later with reference to FIG.

Data Structure of DVD System FIG. 22 shows a data structure of authoring data in a DVD system according to the present invention. In the DVD system, in order to record a multimedia bit stream MBS, a lead-in area LI, a volume area VS,
The lead-out area LO includes recording areas roughly classified into three.

The lead-in area LI is located at the innermost peripheral portion of the optical disk, for example, at the inner peripheral ends IA and IB of the track in the disk described with reference to FIGS. In the lead-in area LI, data and the like for stabilizing the operation at the start of reading by the reproducing device are recorded.

The lead-out area LO is located at the outermost periphery of the optical disk, that is, at the outer peripheral ends OA and OB of the tracks described with reference to FIGS. In the lead-out area LO, data indicating that the volume area VS has ended is recorded.

The volume area VS includes the lead-in area L
A logical sector LS of 2048 bytes, which is located between I and the lead-out area LO, is recorded as an n + 1 (n is a positive integer including 0) one-dimensional array. Each logical sector LS is distinguished by a sector number (# 0, # 1, # 2,... #N). Further, the volume area VS includes a volume / file management area VFS formed of m + 1 logical sectors LS # 0 to LS # m (m is a positive integer including 0 which is smaller than n), and nm logical areas. Sectors LS # m + 1 to LS
#N is divided into a file data area FDS formed from #n. This file data area FDS corresponds to the multimedia bit stream MBS shown in FIG.

The volume / file management area VFS is
This is a file system for managing data in the volume area VS as a file. The logical sectors LS # 0 to LS # of the number m of sectors (m is a natural number smaller than n) required for storing data required for managing the entire disk. m. This volume / file management area V
FS includes, for example, ISO 9660 and ISO 133
According to a standard such as 46, information of a file in the file data area FDS is recorded.

The file data area FDS is composed of nm logical sectors LS # m + 1 to LS # n, each of which is an integral multiple of a logical sector (2048 × I, I
Is a predetermined integer).
G and k video title sets VTS # 1-V
TS # k (k is a natural number smaller than 100).

The video manager VMG holds information indicating title management information of the entire disc and also has information indicating a volume menu which is a menu for setting / changing the reproduction control of the entire volume. The video title set VTS # k 'is simply called a video file, and represents a title including data such as a moving image, audio, and still image.

FIG. 16 shows the internal structure of the video title set VTS shown in FIG. Video title set VTS
Is VTS information (VTS information) representing management information of the entire disc.
I) and VTS title VOBS (VTSTT_VOB) which is a system stream of a multimedia bit stream.
S). First, the VTS information will be described below, and then the VTS title VOBS will be described.

The VTS information mainly includes a VTSI management table (VTSI_MAT) and a VTSPGC information table (VTS_PG
CIT).

The VTSI management table contains the internal structure of the video title set VTS and the video title set VTS.
Number of selectable audio streams, number of sub-pictures and video title set VT included in TS
The storage location of S is described.

The VTSPGC information management table is a table in which i (i is a natural number) PGC information VTS_PGCI # 1 to VTS_PGCI # I representing a program chain (PGC) for controlling the reproduction order are recorded. PGC information VT for each entry
S_PGCI # I is information representing a program chain, and j
It is composed of (where j is a natural number) cell reproduction information C_PBI # 1 to C_PBI # j. Each cell reproduction information C_PBI # j includes control information on cell reproduction order and reproduction.

The program chain PGC is a concept for describing a story of a title, and forms a title by describing a reproduction order of cells (described later). The VTS information, for example, in the case of information relating to a menu, is stored in a buffer in the playback device at the start of playback,
When the “menu” key on the remote control is pressed during the reproduction, the reproduction device refers to the menu and displays, for example, a top menu of # 1. For a hierarchical menu, for example,
The program chain information VTS_PGCI # 1 is the main menu displayed by pressing the "Menu" key. Submenus # 2 to # 9 correspond to the numbers on the "numeric keypad" of the remote controller, and # 10 and subsequent submenus are lower layers. It is constituted as follows. Also, for example, # 1 is “menu”
The top menu displayed by pressing the key, and the voice guidance to be reproduced corresponding to the numeral of the “ten” key from # 2 onward are configured.

Since the menu itself is represented by a plurality of program chains specified in this table, whether it is a hierarchical menu or a menu including voice guidance, an arbitrary form of menu can be configured. Making it possible.

For example, in the case of a movie, at the start of playback, the playback device refers to the cell playback order stored in the buffer in the playback device and described in the PGC, and plays back the system stream.

The cell referred to here is all or a part of the system stream, and is used as an access point at the time of reproduction. For example, in the case of a movie, the title can be used as a chapter that is divided on the way.

The entered PGC information C_PBI # j
Each include cell reproduction processing information and a cell information table. The reproduction processing information is composed of processing information necessary for reproducing the cell, such as the reproduction time and the number of repetitions. Block mode (CBM), cell block type (CBT), seamless playback flag (SPF), interleave block arrangement flag (IAF), STC reset flag (STCD)
F), cell playback time (C_PBTM), seamless angle switch flag (SACF), cell start VOBU start address (C_PBTM)
FVOBU_SA) and cell end VOBU start address (C_LV)
OBU_SA).

[0108] Here, the seamless reproduction is a DVD.
In the system, multimedia data such as video, audio, and sub-video is reproduced without interrupting each data and information. The details will be described later with reference to FIGS.

The block mode CBM indicates whether or not a plurality of cells constitute one functional block, and the cell reproduction information of each cell constituting the functional block is continuously PG
The CBM of the cell reproduction information arranged at the beginning of the C information has a value indicating “the first cell of the block”, and the CBM of the cell reproduction information arranged at the end thereof has the “last cell of the block”. A value indicating "cell" and a value indicating "cell in block" is shown in CBM of cell reproduction information arranged therebetween.

The cell block type CBT indicates the type of the block indicated by the block mode CBM. For example, when the multi-angle function is set, the cell information corresponding to the reproduction of each angle is set as a function block as described above, and as the type of the block, the “angle” is set in the CBT of the cell reproduction information of each cell. Is set.

The seamless playback flag SPF is a flag indicating whether or not the cell is seamlessly connected to the cell or cell block to be played back before playback, and is seamlessly connected to the previous cell or previous cell block. In the case of reproduction, the flag value 1 is set in the SPF of the cell reproduction information of the cell. Otherwise, a flag value of 0 is set.

Interleave allocation flag IA
F is a flag indicating whether or not the cell is arranged in the interleave area. When the cell is arranged in the interleave area, the flag value 1 is set to the interleave allocation flag IAF of the cell. Otherwise, a flag value of 0 is set.

The STC reset flag STCDF is information as to whether or not it is necessary to reset the STC used for synchronizing at the time of reproducing a cell, and sets a flag value 1 when reset is necessary. . Otherwise, a flag value of 0 is set.

[0114] Seamless angle change flag SAC
F sets the flag value 1 to the seamless angle change flag SACF of the cell when the cell belongs to the angle section and switches seamlessly. Otherwise, a flag value of 0 is set.

The cell playback time (C_PBTM) indicates the playback time of a cell with the accuracy of the number of video frames.

C_LVOBU_SA indicates the cell end VOBU start address, and its value is the VTS title VOBS (VTST).
The distance from the logical sector of the first cell of (T_VOBS) is indicated by the number of sectors. C_FVOBU_SA indicates the cell start VOBU start address, and the VOBS for the VTS title (VTSTT_VOB
The distance from the logical sector of the first cell in S) is indicated by the number of sectors.

Next, the VOBS for the VTS title, that is, one multimedia system stream data VTSTT_
VOBS will be explained. System stream data VTST
T_VOBS is composed of i (i is a natural number) system streams SS called a video object VOB.
Each of the video objects VOB # 1 to VOB # i is composed of at least one piece of video data. In some cases, up to eight pieces of audio data and up to 32 pieces of sub-picture data are interleaved.

The number of video objects VOB is q (q
Are natural numbers) of cells C # 1 to C # q. Each cell C
Is formed from r (r is a natural number) video object units VOBU # 1 to VOBU # r.

Each VOBU is composed of a plurality of GOPs, which are refresh cycles of video encoding, and audio and sub-pictures corresponding to the GOPs. Also,
The head of each VOBU includes a nubpack NV, which is management information of the VOBU. The configuration of the nub pack NV will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 17 shows the internal structure of the video zone VZ (FIG. 22). In the figure, a video encoded stream St15 is a compressed one-dimensional video data sequence encoded by the video encoder 300. Similarly, the audio encoded stream St19 is a one-dimensional audio data string in which the left and right stereo data encoded by the audio encoder 700 are compressed and integrated. Also, multi-channel such as surround may be used as audio data.

The system stream St35 is a logical sector L having a capacity of 2048 bytes as described with reference to FIG.
It has a structure in which packs having the number of bytes corresponding to S # n are arranged one-dimensionally. System stream St3
At the beginning of 5, that is, at the beginning of the VOBU, a stream management pack called management pack NV recording management information such as a data array in a system stream is arranged.

Each of the video encode stream St15 and the audio encode stream St19 is packetized by the number of bytes corresponding to the pack of the system stream. These packets are represented by V
1, V2, V3, V4,... And A1, A2,. These packets are interleaved as the system stream St35 in the drawing in an appropriate order in consideration of the processing time of the decoder for expanding the video and audio data and the buffer size of the decoder to form a packet arrangement. For example, in this example, V1, V2, A1,
V3, V4, and A2 are arranged in this order.

FIG. 17 shows an example in which one moving image data and one audio data are interleaved. However, in the DVD system, the recording / reproducing capacity has been greatly expanded, high-speed recording / reproducing has been realized, and the performance of the signal processing LSI has been improved. A plurality of sub-picture data, which are graphics data, are recorded in an interleaved form as one MPEG system stream, and it becomes possible to selectively reproduce a plurality of audio data and a plurality of sub-picture data during reproduction. . FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a structure of a system stream used in such a DVD system.

In FIG. 18, similarly to FIG. 17, the packetized video encoded stream St15 is
V1, V2, V3, V4,... However, in this example, the audio encoded stream St
19 is not one, and three audio data strings, St19A, St19B, and St19C, are input as sources. Further, a sub-picture encoded stream St17, which is a sub-image data stream, also receives two rows of data, St17A and St17B, as sources. These six compressed data strings are interleaved in one system stream St35.

The video data is encoded by the MPEG system, and a unit called GOP is a unit of compression.
In GOP units, 15 frames make up one GOP as standard in the case of NTSC, but the number of frames is variable. Stream management packs representing management data having information such as inter-related data interrelation are also interleaved at intervals of GOPs based on video data, and the number of frames constituting the GOPs If the distance changes, the interval also changes. In a DVD, the interval is a reproduction time length within a range of 0.4 second to 1.0 second, and the boundary is in GOP units. If the reproduction time of a plurality of consecutive GOPs is 1 second or less, a management data pack is interleaved in one stream for the video data of the plurality of GOPs.

In a DVD, such a management data pack is called a nub pack NV.
A video object unit (hereinafter referred to as VOBU) up to the pack immediately before the next nub pack NV is called, and one continuous playback unit that can be generally defined as one scene is called a video object (hereinafter called VOB). It will be composed of the above VOBU. Also, a set of data in which a plurality of VOBs are collected is referred to as a VOB set (hereinafter, VOB
S). These are the first data formats adopted in DVD.

When a plurality of data strings are interleaved in this way, the navigation pack NV representing management data indicating the interrelation of the interleaved data is provided.
Need to be interleaved in units called a predetermined number of packs. A GOP is a unit that collects video data of about 0.5 seconds, which is usually equivalent to a reproduction time of 12 to 15 frames. Can be

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing stream management information included in a pack of interleaved video data, audio data, and sub-picture data, which constitutes a system stream. As shown in the figure, each data in the system stream is recorded in a packetized and packed format conforming to MPEG2. The video, audio, and sub-picture data have basically the same packet structure. In the DVD system, one pack has a capacity of 2048 bytes as described above, includes one packet called a PES packet, and includes a pack header PK.
H, a packet header PTH, and a data area.

In the pack header PKH, the time at which the pack should be transferred from the stream buffer 2400 to the system decoder 2500 in FIG.
An SCR indicating reference time information for synchronous reproduction is recorded. In MPEG, it is assumed that this SCR is used as a reference clock for the entire decoder.
In the case of such a disk medium, a closed time management in each player is sufficient, so that a clock serving as a reference for the time of the entire decoder is separately provided. Also, in the packet header PTH, a PTS indicating a time at which video data or audio data included in the packet should be output as a reproduction output after being decoded, a DTS indicating a time at which a video stream should be decoded, and the like. Are recorded when there is a head of an access unit which is a decoding unit in the packet, PTS indicates a display start time of the access unit, and DTS indicates a decode start time of the access unit. I have. When PTS and DTS are at the same time, DTS
TS is omitted.

The packet header PTH contains a stream ID, which is an 8-bit field indicating whether the packet is a video packet representing a video data sequence, a private packet, or an MPEG audio packet.
It is included.

Here, the private packet is an MP
The data may be freely defined in the EG2 standard. In this embodiment, the private packet 1 is used to carry audio data (other than MPEG audio) and sub-picture data, and the private packet 2 is used. Carry PCI and DSI packets.

Each of the private packet 1 and the private packet 2 includes a packet header, a private data area, and a data area. The private data area includes a sub-stream ID having an 8-bit length field indicating whether the recorded data is audio data or sub-picture data. The audio data defined by the private packet 2 is # 0 to # 7 for each of the linear PCM system and the AC-3 system.
Up to eight types can be set. Also, a maximum of 32 types of sub-video data from # 0 to # 31 can be set.

The data area is MP for video data.
EG2 format compressed data, linear PCM format, AC-3 format or MPEG format data in the case of audio data, and graphics data compressed by run-length encoding in the case of sub-picture data are recorded in the field. .

MPEG2 video data is compressed by a fixed bit rate method (hereinafter referred to as “CBR”).
) And a variable bit rate system (hereinafter also referred to as “VBR”). The fixed bit rate method is a method in which a video stream is continuously input to a video buffer at a constant rate. In contrast, the variable bit rate method means that the video stream is intermittent (intermittent).
This is a method of inputting data to a video buffer, whereby it is possible to suppress the generation of an unnecessary code amount.

In the DVD, both the fixed bit rate method and the variable bit rate method can be used. MPEG
In this case, since the moving image data is compressed by the variable length coding method, the data amount of the GOP is not constant. Furthermore, the decoding time of the moving image differs from that of the audio, and the time relationship between the moving image data and the audio data read from the optical disc and the time relationship between the moving image data and the audio data output from the decoder do not match. For this reason, a method for temporally synchronizing the moving image and the audio will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 26. First, for the sake of simplicity, a description will be given based on a fixed bit rate method.

FIG. 20 shows the structure of the nubpack NV.
The nub pack NV includes a PCI packet and a DSI packet, and has a pack header PKH at the beginning. PK
As described above, the pack contains the stream from the stream buffer 2400 in FIG.
00, an SCR indicating reference time information for AV synchronous reproduction is recorded.

The PCI packet is composed of PCI information (PCI_GI)
And non-seamless multi-angle information (NSML_AGLI). The PCI information (PCI_GI) includes the display time (VO) of the first video frame of the video data included in the VOBU.
BU_S_PTM) and last video frame display time (VOBU_E_
PTM) is described with the system clock accuracy (90 KHz).

Non-seamless multi-angle information (NSML_A
GLI) describes the read start address when the angle is switched as the number of sectors from the beginning of the VOB.
In this case, since the number of angles is 9 or less, the address description area (NSML_AGL_C1_DSTA ...
NSML_AGL_C9_DSTA).

The DSI packet contains the DSI information (DSI_G
I), seamless playback information (SML_PBI) and seamless multi-angle playback information (SML_AGLI). D
The last pack address (VOBU_EA) in the VOBU is described as the number of sectors from the head of the VOBU as SI information (DSI_GI).

Although seamless playback will be described later, it is necessary to interleave (multiplex) at the system stream level using ILVU as a continuous reading unit in order to seamlessly play back titles that are branched or combined. A section in which a plurality of system streams are interleaved with the ILVU as a minimum unit is defined as an interleaved block.

In order to seamlessly reproduce an interleaved stream using the ILVU as a minimum unit, seamless reproduction information (SML_PBI) is described. In the seamless playback information (SML_PBI), an interleave unit flag (ILVU flag) indicating whether the VOBU is an interleave block is described. This flag indicates whether or not the flag exists in the interleave area (described later). If the flag exists in the interleave area, "1" is set. Otherwise, a flag value of 0 is set.

If the VOBU exists in the interleave area, a unit end flag indicating whether the VOBU is the last VOBU of the ILVU is described. ILVU is
Since it is a continuous read unit, the VO currently read
If the BU is the last VOBU of the ILVU, "1" is set. Otherwise, a flag value of 0 is set.

When the VOBU exists in the interleave area, an ILVU last pack address (ILVU_EA) indicating the address of the last pack of the ILVU to which the VOBU belongs.
Describe. Here, as the address, NV of the VOBU
Described by the number of sectors from

When the VOBU exists in the interleave area, the start address of the next ILVU (NT_ILVU_S
Describe A). Here, as the address, N of the VOBU
Described by the number of sectors from V.

In the case where two system streams are seamlessly connected, especially when the audio before and after the connection is not continuous (in the case of different audios, etc.), the video and audio after the connection are synchronized. You need to pause (pause) the audio to take it. For example, in the case of NTSC, the video frame period is about 33.3.
3 ms, and the frame period of audio AC3 is 32 ms.
c.

Therefore, audio playback stop time 1 (VOBU_A_S
TP_PTM1), audio playback stop time 2 (VOBU_A_STP_PT
M2), audio playback suspension period 1 (VOB_A_GAP_LEN1),
An audio reproduction stop period 2 (VOB_A_GAP_LEN2) is described. This time information is based on the system clock accuracy (90 KH
z).

The seamless multi-angle reproduction information
(SML_AGLI) describes the read start address when the angle is switched. This field is effective in the case of seamless multi-angle.
This address is described by the number of sectors from the NV of the VOBU. Also, since the number of angles is 9 or less, an address description area for 9 angles as the area: (SML_AGL_C1_D
STA to SML_AGL_C9_DSTA).

DVD Encoder FIG. 25 shows an embodiment of an authoring encoder ECD when the multimedia bitstream authoring system according to the present invention is applied to the above-mentioned DVD system. Authoring encoder ECD applied to DVD system (hereinafter referred to as DVD encoder)
Has a configuration very similar to the authoring encoder EC shown in FIG. The DVD authoring encoder ECD basically has a structure in which the video zone formatter 1300 of the authoring encoder EC is replaced by a VOB buffer 1000 and a formatter 1100. Needless to say, the bit stream encoded by the encoder of the invention is
It is recorded on the DVD medium M. The operation of the DVD authoring encoder ECD will be described below.
This will be described in comparison with C.

In the DVD authoring encoder ECD, as in the case of the authoring encoder EC, the encoding system control unit 200 performs the processing based on the scenario data St7 representing the user's editing instruction content input from the editing information creating unit 100. Control signals St9, St11,
St13, St21, St23, St25, St33,
And St39 to control the video encoder 300, the sub-picture encoder 500, and the audio encoder 700. It should be noted that the editing instruction content in the DVD system is the same as the editing instruction content in the authoring system described with reference to FIG. 25, for all or each of the source data including a plurality of title contents. In addition, one or more contents of each source data are selected at predetermined time intervals, and the following information is included, not including information for connecting and reproducing the selected contents by a predetermined method. In other words, the multi-title source stream is divided into data units such as the number of streams included in the editing unit divided into predetermined time units, the number of audios and sub-pictures in each stream and the display period thereof, and the like from multiple streams such as parental or multi-angle. Whether or not to select the information includes information such as a switching connection method between scenes in the set multi-angle section.

Note that in the DVD system, the scenario data St7 can be controlled by VOB units necessary for encoding the media source stream, that is, parental control can be performed to determine whether or not the data is multi-angle. The bit rate at the time of encoding of each stream in consideration of interleave and disk capacity in the case of multi-angle and parental control described later, the start time and end time of each control, It includes the content of whether or not to seamlessly connect to the stream. Encoding system control unit 200
Extracts information from the scenario data St7 and generates an encoding information table and encoding parameters necessary for encoding control. The encoding information table and the encoding parameters will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 27, 28, and 29.

The system stream encode parameter data and the system encode start / end timing signal St33 include VOB generation information by applying the above information to the DVD system. As VOB generation information, connection conditions before and after, audio number, audio encoding information, audio ID, number of sub-pictures, sub-picture I
D, time information for starting video display (VPTS), time information for starting audio reproduction (APTS), and the like.
Further, the format parameter data of the multimedia tail bit stream MBS and the format start / end timing signal St39 include reproduction control information and interleave information.

The video encoder 300 encodes a predetermined portion of the video stream St1 based on an encode parameter signal for video encoding and an encoding start / end timing signal St9, and
An elementary stream conforming to the MPEG2 video standard specified in 13818 is generated. Then, this elementary stream is output to the video stream buffer 400 as a video encoded stream St15.

Here, the video encoder 300 generates an elementary stream conforming to the MPEG2 video standard defined in ISO 13818, and based on a signal St9 including video encode parameter data, an encoding start / end timing , Bit rate, encoding conditions at the start and end of encoding, NTSC signal or PAL
A parameter such as a signal or telecine material and an encoding mode of an open GOP or a closed GOP are input as encoding parameters.

The encoding system of MPEG2 is basically an encoding system utilizing correlation between frames. That is, encoding is performed with reference to frames before and after the encoding target frame. However, in terms of error propagation and accessibility from the middle of the stream, a frame that does not refer to another frame (intra frame) is inserted. The coding processing unit having at least one frame is defined as GO
Called P.

In this GOP, a GOP whose encoding is completely closed in the GOP is a closed GOP,
A frame that refers to a frame in the previous GOP is
, The GOP is called an open GOP.
Therefore, when reproducing a closed GOP, the GOP
Although it is possible to play back only with an open GOP, generally, the previous GOP is required.

In many cases, the GOP unit is used as an access unit. For example, at the time of playback starting from the middle of the title, at a video switching point, or at the time of special playback such as fast-forwarding, by playing only the intra-frame coded frame or the frame in the GOP in GOP units, Achieve high-speed playback.

[0157] The sub-picture encoder 500 generates a sub-picture stream based on the sub-picture stream encoding signal St11.
A predetermined portion of the sub-picture stream St3 is encoded to generate variable-length coded data of bitmap data. Then, the variable-length encoded data is output to the sub-picture stream buffer 600 as a sub-picture encoded stream St17.

[0158] The audio encoder 700 encodes a predetermined portion of the audio stream St5 based on the audio encode signal St13, and generates audio encoded data. The audio encoded data includes M data defined in ISO11172.
Data based on the PEG1 audio standard and the MPEG2 audio standard defined in ISO 13818;
AC-3 audio data and PCM (LPCM) data. Methods and devices for encoding these audio data are known.

The video stream buffer 400 is connected to the video encoder 300, and outputs the video encoded stream S output from the video encoder 300.
Save t15. The video stream buffer 400 is further connected to the encoding system control unit 200,
Based on the input of the timing signal St21, the stored video encoded stream St15 is output as a timed video encoded stream St27.

Similarly, the sub-picture stream buffer 600 is connected to the sub-picture encoder 500, and stores the sub-picture encoded stream St17 output from the sub-picture encoder 500.
The sub-picture stream buffer 600 is further connected to the encoding system control unit 200, and outputs the stored sub-picture encoded stream St17 as a timing sub-picture encoded stream St29 based on the input of the timing signal St23.

The audio stream buffer 80
0 is connected to the audio encoder 700,
An audio encoded stream St19 output from the audio encoder 700 is stored. The audio stream buffer 800 is further connected to the encoding system control unit 200, and outputs the stored audio encode stream St19 as a timed audio encode stream St31 based on the input of the timing signal St25.

The system encoder 900 is connected to the video stream buffer 400, the sub-picture stream buffer 600, and the audio stream buffer 800.
27, timing sub-picture encoded stream St2
9, and the timing audio encode St31. The system encoder 900 is also connected to the encoding system control unit 200, and includes St33 including encoding parameter data for system encoding.
Is entered.

The system encoder 900 determines each of the timing streams St27 and St based on the encode parameter data and the encode start / end timing signal St33.
A multiplexing (multiplex) process is performed on t29 and St31, and the minimum title editing unit (VOBs) St35
Generate

The VOB buffer 1000 is a buffer area for temporarily storing the VOB generated by the system encoder 900.
9, the VO required for timing from the VOB buffer 1100
B is read to generate one video zone VZ. In the formatter 1100, the file system (V
FS) to generate St43.

The stream St43 edited to the contents of the scenario requested by the user is transferred to the recording unit 1200. The recording unit 1200 converts the edited multimedia bit stream MBS into data St in a format corresponding to the recording medium M.
43 and recorded on the recording medium M.

DVD Decoder Next, referring to FIG. 26, the multimedia bit stream authoring system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the above-described DV.
Authoring decoder D when applied to D system
C shows an embodiment of C. An authoring encoder DCD (hereinafter, referred to as a DVD decoder) applied to a DVD system is a multimedia bit stream M edited by a DVD encoder ECD according to the present invention.
The BS is decoded and the contents of each title are developed according to the scenario requested by the user. Note that, in the present embodiment, the multimedia bit stream St45 encoded by the DVD encoder ECD is recorded on the recording medium M.

The basic structure of the DVD authoring decoder DCD is the same as that of the authoring decoder DC shown in FIG.
01, and the reorder buffer 3300 and the switch 34 between the video decoder 3801 and the synthesizing unit 3500.
00 is inserted. The switch 3400 is connected to the synchronization control unit 2900, and receives the input of the switching instruction signal St103.

The DVD authoring decoder DCD includes a multimedia bit stream reproducing unit 2000, a scenario selecting unit 2100, a decoding system control unit 2300,
Stream buffer 2400, system decoder 250
0, video buffer 2600, sub-picture buffer 2
700, audio buffer 2800, synchronization control unit 29
00, video decoder 3801, reorder buffer 33
00, a sub-picture decoder 3100, an audio decoder 3200, a selector 3400, a synthesizing unit 3500, a video data output terminal 3600, and an audio data output terminal 3700.

Multimedia bit stream playback unit 2
000 is a recording medium drive unit 2004 that drives the recording medium M, a read head unit 2006 that reads information recorded on the recording medium M and generates a binary read signal St57, and performs various processes on the read signal ST57. It comprises a signal processing unit 2008 for generating a reproduction bit stream St61, and a mechanism control unit 2002. The mechanism control unit 2002 includes the decoding system control unit 2
Upon receiving the multimedia bit stream reproduction instruction signal St53, the reproduction control signals St55 and St59 for controlling the recording medium drive unit (motor) 2004 and the signal processing unit 2008, respectively, are generated.

[0170] The decoder DC selects and reproduces a corresponding scenario so that a user's desired portion relating to the video, sub-picture, and audio of the multimedia title edited by the authoring encoder EC is reproduced. And a scenario selection unit 2100 that can output as scenario data for giving an instruction to the authoring decoder DC.

The scenario selection unit 2100 preferably
It is composed of a keyboard, CPU and the like. The user operates the keyboard to input a desired scenario based on the content of the scenario input by the authoring encoder EC. The CPU selects scenario selection data St51 indicating the selected scenario based on the keyboard input.
Generate The scenario selection unit 2100 may be, for example, an infrared communication device or the like.
0, and inputs the generated scenario selection signal St51 to the decoding system control unit 2300.

The stream buffer 2400 has a predetermined buffer capacity, and reproduces the reproduced signal bit stream S input from the multimedia bit stream reproducing unit 2000.
While temporarily saving t61, the volume file structure VFS, the synchronization initial value data (SCR) existing in each pack, and the VOBU control information (DSI) existing in the nub pack NV are extracted and stream control data St6.
3 is generated.

The decoding system control unit 2300 controls the operation of the multimedia bit stream reproducing unit 2000 based on the scenario selection data St51 generated by the decoding system control unit 2300.
53 is generated. The decoding system control unit 2300
Further, the reproduction instruction information of the user is extracted from the scenario data St53, and a decoding information table necessary for decoding control is generated. For the decoding information table,
Details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 62 and 63. Furthermore,
The decoding system control unit 2300 determines from the file data area FDS information in the stream reproduction data St63,
Video manager VMG, VTS information VTSI, PGC
Information C_PBI # j, cell playback time (C_PBTM: Cell Playback t)
ime) and other title information recorded on the optical disc M to extract title information St200.

The stream control data St63 is generated for each pack in FIG. Stream buffer 2
Reference numeral 400 is connected to the decoding system control unit 2300, and supplies the generated stream control data St63 to the decoding system control unit 2300.

The synchronization control section 2900 is connected to the decoding system control section 2300, and outputs the synchronous reproduction data St81
, And sets the internal system clock (STC), and outputs the reset system clock St79 to the decode system control unit 2.
Supply 300.

The decode system control unit 2300 generates a stream read signal St65 at predetermined intervals based on the system clock St79, and
Enter 400. The read unit in this case is a pack.

Next, a method of generating the stream read signal St65 will be described. Decoding system control unit 2
In 300, the SCR in the stream control data extracted from the stream buffer 2400 and the synchronization control unit 290
Compare the system clock St79 from 0 to St63
When the system clock St79 becomes larger than the middle SCR, a read request signal St65 is generated. By performing such control for each pack, pack transfer is controlled.

The decode system control unit 2300 further generates a decode stream instruction signal St69 indicating the ID of each of the video, sub-picture, and audio streams corresponding to the selected scenario based on the scenario selection data St51. Output to the decoder 2500.

In the title, for example, a plurality of audio data such as audio for each language such as Japanese, English and French, and a plurality of sub-pictures such as subtitle for each language such as Japanese subtitle, English subtitle and French subtitle. When data exists, an ID is assigned to each of them. That is,
As described with reference to FIG.
A stream ID is assigned to MPEG audio data, and a sub-stream ID is assigned to sub-picture data, AC3 audio data, linear PCM, and nub pack NV information. Although the user does not care about the ID, the scenario selection unit 2100 selects which language audio or subtitle is to be selected. If English audio is selected, the scenario selection data St
As 51, an ID corresponding to English audio is conveyed to the decoding system control unit 2300. Further, the decoding system control unit 2300 controls the system decoder 250
The ID is conveyed to St69 and passed to St69.

The system decoder 2500 converts the video, sub-picture, and audio streams input from the stream buffer 2400 into a video encoded stream St71 as a video encoded stream St71 based on the instruction of the decode instruction signal St69.
To the sub-picture buffer 2700 as the sub-picture encoded stream St73 and the audio buffer 2 as the audio encoded stream St75.
Output to 800. That is, the system decoder 2500
When the stream ID input from the scenario selection unit 2100 and the pack ID transferred from the stream buffer 2400 match, each buffer (video buffer 2600, sub-picture buffer 27
00, the audio buffer 2800).

The system decoder 2500 reproduces the playback start time (PTS) of each stream St67 in each minimum control unit.
And the reproduction end time (DTS) are detected, and the time information signal St is detected.
77 is generated. This time information signal St77 is input to the synchronization control unit 2900 as St81 via the decode system control unit 2300.

The synchronization control unit 2900 determines a decoding start timing for each stream based on the time information signal St81 so that each stream has a predetermined order after decoding. The synchronization control unit 2900 generates a video stream decoding start signal St89 based on the decoding timing, and inputs it to the video decoder 3801. Similarly, the synchronization control unit 2900 generates the sub-picture decode start signal St91 and the audio encode start signal St93, and
00 and the audio decoder 3200, respectively.

Video decoder 3801 generates video output request signal St84 based on video stream decode start signal St89, and outputs video output request signal St84 to video buffer 2600.
Output to The video buffer 2600 receives the video output request signal St84 and receives the video stream St8.
3 is output to the video decoder 3801. The video decoder 3801 detects the reproduction time information included in the video stream St83, and invalidates the video output request signal St84 when receiving the input of the video stream St83 corresponding to the reproduction time. In this way, the video stream corresponding to the predetermined reproduction time is
The video signal St9 decoded and reproduced at 801
5 is output to the reorder buffer 3300 and the switch 3400.

Since the video encoded stream is encoded using inter-frame correlation, the display order and the encoded stream order do not match in frame units. Therefore, they cannot be displayed in decoding order. Therefore, the frame for which decoding has been completed is stored in the temporary reorder buffer 3300. The synchronization control unit 2900 controls St103 so as to be in display order, and outputs the output St95 of the video decoder 3801 and the reorder buffer St9.
7 is switched and output to the synthesis unit 3500.

Similarly, sub picture decoder 3100
Generates a sub-picture output request signal St86 based on the sub-picture decoding start signal St91, and supplies it to the sub-picture buffer 2700. Sub picture buffer 2700 receives video output request signal St 84 and outputs sub picture stream St 85 to sub picture decoder 3100. Sub-picture decoder 31
00 decodes the sub-picture stream St85 in an amount corresponding to a predetermined reproduction time based on the reproduction time information included in the sub-picture stream St85, reproduces the sub-picture signal St99, and outputs it to the synthesizing unit 3500. .

The synthesizing section 3500 superimposes the output of the selector 3400 and the sub-picture signal St99, generates a video signal St105, and outputs it to the video output terminal 3600.

The audio decoder 3200 generates an audio output request signal St88 based on the audio decode start signal St93, and outputs the audio output request signal St88.
Supply to 00. The audio buffer 2800 receives the audio output request signal St88 and outputs an audio stream St87 to the audio decoder 3200. The audio decoder 3200 generates an audio stream St8 corresponding to a predetermined reproduction time based on the reproduction time information included in the audio stream St87.
7 is decoded and output to the audio output terminal 3700.

Thus, the multimedia bit stream MBS desired by the user can be reproduced in real time in response to the user's selection of the scenario. That is, every time the user selects a different scenario, the authoring decoder DCD can reproduce the title content desired by the user by reproducing the multimedia bitstream MBS corresponding to the selected scenario.

The decoding system control unit 2300
The scenario selection unit 2 via the above-mentioned infrared communication device or the like
100 may be supplied with a title information signal St200. The scenario selection unit 2100 outputs the title information signal St
The title information recorded on the optical disc M is extracted from the file data area FDS information in the stream reproduction data St63 included in 200 and displayed on the built-in display, thereby enabling the interactive user to select a scenario.

In the above-described example, the stream buffer 2400, the video buffer 2600, the sub-picture buffer 2700, the audio buffer 2800, and the reorder buffer 3300 are functionally different, and are represented as separate buffers. However, by using a buffer memory having an operation speed several times higher than the required reading and reading speed in these buffers in a time-sharing manner, one buffer memory can function as these individual buffers.

[0191] Using the multi-scene view 21, a concept of a plural scene control in the present invention. As described above, it is composed of a basic scene section composed of data common to the titles and a multi-scene section composed of different scene groups according to each request. In the figure, scene 1, scene 5, and scene 8 are common scenes. Common scene 1 and scene 5
And the parental scene between the common scenes 5 and 8 are multi-scene sections. In the multi-angle section, any one of the scenes captured from different angles, that is, angles 1, 2, and 3, can be dynamically selected and reproduced during reproduction.
In the parental section, any one of scenes 6 and 7 corresponding to data having different contents can be statically selected and reproduced in advance.

A user inputs a scenario content such as which scene in such a multi-scene section to select and reproduce in the scenario selection section 2100 to generate scenario selection data St51. In the figure, scenario 1
Indicates that an arbitrary angle scene can be freely selected, and that a previously selected scene 6 is reproduced in the parental section. Similarly, in scenario 2, in the angle section,
The scene can be freely selected, and in the parental section, it indicates that scene 7 is selected in advance.

Hereinafter, the multi-scene shown in FIG.
PGC information VTS_PGCI when using VD data structure
Will be described with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31.

FIG. 30 shows a case where the scenario of the user instruction shown in FIG. 21 is described in a VTSI data structure representing the internal structure of a video title set in the DVD data structure of FIG. In the figure, scenario 1 and scenario 2 in FIG. 21 are described as two program chains VTS_PGCI # 1 and VTS_PGCI # 2 in the program chain information VTS_PGCIT in the VTSI in FIG. That is, VTS_PGCI # 1 describing scenario 1 includes cell reproduction information C_PBI # 1 corresponding to scene 1, cell reproduction information C_PBI # 2 in a multi-angle cell block corresponding to a multi-angle scene, and cell reproduction information C_PBI # 3.
Cell reproduction information C_PBI # 4, cell reproduction information C_PBI # 5 corresponding to scene 5, cell reproduction information C_PBI # 6 corresponding to scene 6, C_PBI # corresponding to scene 8
Consists of seven.

VTS_PGC # 2 describing scenario 2
Is cell playback information C_PBI # 1 corresponding to scene 1,
Cell playback information C_PBI # 2 corresponding to scene 5, cell playback information C_PBI # 4, cell playback information C_PBI # 4, cell playback information C_PBI # 4 corresponding to scene 5, and cell playback information C_PBI # 4 corresponding to scene 5. It consists of cell playback information C_PBI # 6 and C_PBI # 7 corresponding to scene 8. In the DVD data structure,
A scene, which is one unit of reproduction control of a scenario, is described by replacing it with a unit on a DVD data structure called a cell, and a scenario specified by a user is realized on a DVD.

FIG. 31 shows the scenario of the user's instruction shown in FIG. 21 in the case of V-Video which is a multimedia bit stream for a video title set in the DVD data structure of FIG.
The case where the OB data structure is described by VTSTT_VOBS will be described.

In the figure, two scenarios, Scenario 1 and Scenario 2 in FIG. 21, use one VOB data for a title in common. A single scene shared by each scenario is VOB # 1 corresponding to scene 1, scene 5
VOB # 5 corresponding to scene 8 and VOB # 8 corresponding to scene 8
Are arranged as a single VOB in a portion that is not an interleaved block, that is, in a continuous block.

In the multi-angle scene shared by scenario 1 and scenario 2, angle 1 is VOB
# 2, Angle 2 is VOB # 3, Angle 3 is VOB #
4, that is, one angle is composed of one VOB, and interleaved blocks are used for switching between angles and seamless reproduction of each angle.

Scenes 6 and 7, which are unique scenes in Scenarios 1 and 2, are interleaved blocks for seamlessly reproducing each scene and also for seamlessly connecting and reproducing common scenes before and after. . As described above, the user-instructed scenario shown in FIG. 21 can be realized in the DVD data structure by the playback control information of the video title set shown in FIG. 30 and the title playback VOB data structure shown in FIG.

[0200] Seamless playback described in connection with the data structure of the DVD system will be described. What is seamless playback?
For common scene sections, common scene sections and multi-scene sections, and between multi-scene sections, video, audio,
When connecting and reproducing multimedia data such as sub-pictures, it is to reproduce each data and information without interruption. The cause of the interruption of the data and information reproduction is related to hardware. In the decoder, the balance between the speed at which the source data is input and the speed at which the input source data is decoded is lost. There is something called underflow.

Further, as for the characteristics of the data to be reproduced, in order for the user to understand the contents or information, such as voice, the reproduced data is required to be continuously reproduced for a certain time unit or more. In some cases, when the required continuous reproduction time cannot be secured, the continuity of information is lost. Reproducing such information continuity is called continuous information reproduction, and furthermore, seamless information reproduction. Further, reproduction in which continuity of information cannot be ensured is called non-continuous information reproduction, and further, non-seamless information reproduction. Needless to say, continuous information reproduction and discontinuous information reproduction are seamless and non-seamless reproduction, respectively.

As described above, seamless data reproduction includes seamless data reproduction that physically prevents data from being blank or interrupted by buffer underflow or the like.
Although there is no interruption in data reproduction itself, it is defined as seamless information reproduction that prevents a user from feeling information interruption when recognizing information from reproduction data. Details of Seamless A specific method for enabling seamless playback will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS.

Interleave The above-described DVD data system stream is recorded with a title such as a movie on a DVD medium by using an authoring encoder EC. However, in order to provide the same movie in a format that can be used in a number of different cultures or countries, it is natural to record the dialogue in each language of each country, and furthermore, the ethical requirements of each culture It is necessary to edit and record the contents according to. In such a case, in order to record a plurality of titles edited from the original title on one medium, the bit rate must be reduced even in a large-capacity system such as a DVD, and the demand for high image quality is high. Can not be satisfied. Therefore, a method is adopted in which a common part is shared by a plurality of titles, and only different parts are recorded for each title. This allows
A single optical disc can record a plurality of titles for each country or cultural area without reducing the bit rate.

As shown in FIG. 21, titles recorded on one optical disc are divided into a common part (scene) and a non-common part (scene) in order to enable parental lock control and multi-angle control. , And a multi-scene section having

In the case of parental lock control, when one title includes a so-called adult scene that is not suitable for a child, such as a sexual scene or a violent scene, the title includes a common scene and an adult scene. Scenes for minors and scenes for minors. Such a title stream is realized by arranging an adult scene and a non-adult scene as a multi-scene section provided between common scenes.

When the multi-angle control is realized within a normal single-angle title, a plurality of multimedia scenes obtained by photographing an object at a predetermined camera angle are defined as a multi-scene section, and This is achieved by placing them between them. Here, each scene is an example of a scene shot at a different angle. The scene is at the same angle, but may be a scene shot at a different time, or may be data such as computer graphics. May be.

When data is shared by a plurality of titles, it is inevitable to move the optical pickup to a different position on the optical disk (RC1) in order to move the light beam LS from the shared portion of the data to the non-shared portion. become. Due to the time required for this movement, there is a problem that sound and video are reproduced without interruption, that is, it is difficult to perform seamless reproduction. In order to solve such a problem, it is sufficient to provide a track buffer (stream buffer 2400) for a time corresponding to the worst access time theoretically. Generally, data recorded on an optical disk is read by an optical pickup, subjected to predetermined signal processing, and then temporarily stored as data in a track buffer. The stored data is then decoded and reproduced as video data or audio data.

A specific problem of the interleave operation of the stream buffer 2400 called a track buffer in the DVD system will be briefly described below. The input to the stream buffer 2400, that is, the transfer rate Vr from the optical disk, is almost constant, since instantaneous correspondence such as control of the rotation speed of the drive of the optical disk is impossible. Also, the output from the track buffer, that is, the transfer rate Vo to the decoder,
In a DVD, the compressed data of a video is a variable rate, and changes according to a user's request or image quality. In the DVD system, the transfer rate Vr from the disk is constant at about 11 Mbps, and Vo is variable at a maximum of 10 Mbps. Thus V
There is a gap between r and Vo, and if the transfer from the disk is performed continuously, an overflow of the stream buffer 2400 occurs. Therefore, in the reproducing apparatus, the transfer from the disk is performed while the transfer is paused, that is, the so-called intermittent transfer is performed so that the stream buffer 2400 does not overflow. For normal continuous playback,
The stream buffer is always controlled in a state of overflow.

[0209] If such a stream buffer 2400 is used, the logical sectors LS
Therefore, even if the reading head unit (optical pickup) 2006 jumps and data reading is interrupted to some extent, the data can be reproduced without interruption. However, in an actual device, the jump time is determined by the distance or the position on the disk M by 20 times.
It also varies from 0 msec to 2 sec. Although it is possible to prepare a track buffer (stream buffer) 2400 having a capacity enough to absorb the time required for the jump, in the case of a large-capacity optical disc M requiring high image quality, the compression bit rate is 4 to 5 Mbps on average. ,
The maximum rate is as high as 10 Mbps, and a large amount of memory is required to guarantee seamless playback even when jumping from any position.
Will be expensive. If a product that is realistic in terms of cost is to be provided, the memory capacity that can be mounted on the decoder DC is limited, and as a result, there is a limitation such as a jump time during which data can be reproduced without interruption.

FIG. 32 shows the relationship between the operation mode of the read head unit 2006 and the amount of data stored in the stream buffer 2400. In the figure, Tr is a period during which the optical pickup reads data from the optical disk RC.
j is a jump period during which the optical pickup moves between logical sectors. The straight line L1 indicates the transition of the data amount Vd accumulated in the track buffer 2400 during the data reading period Tr. The straight line L2 indicates the transition of the data amount Vd accumulated in the track buffer 2400 during the jump period Tj.

During the data reading period Tr, the reading head unit 2006 reads data from the optical disk M at the transfer rate Vr and supplies the data to the track buffer 2400 at the same time. On the other hand, the track buffer 2400 stores the decoders 3801, 3100, and 3 at the transfer rate Vo.
Supply data to 200. Therefore, the data read period T
r, the accumulated data amount Vd in the track buffer 2400
Is the difference between the two transfer rates Vr and Vo (Vr-V
o).

During the jump period Tj, since the read head unit 2006 is jumping, no data read from the optical disk M is supplied to the track buffer 2400. However, since data supply to the decoders 3801, 3100, and 3200 continues, the amount of data Vd stored in the track buffer 2400 decreases according to the transfer rate Vo to the decoder. Note that FIG. 2 shows an example in which the transfer rate Vo to the decoder continuously changes, but in practice, the decode timing differs for each type of data, and thus changes intermittently. However, it is simplified here to explain the concept of buffer underflow. This is the read head unit 2006
Are read continuously from the optical disc M at a constant linear velocity (CLV), but the same as reading out intermittently during a jump. As described above, when the inclinations of the straight lines L1 and L2 are L1 and L2, respectively, they can be expressed by the following equations. L1 = Vr−Vo (Equation 1) L2 = Vo (Equation 2) Therefore, the jump period Tj is long and the track buffer 2
When the data in 400 becomes empty, an underflow occurs and the decoding process stops. Jump time T
If j is set within the time when the data in the buffer 2400 becomes empty, the decoding process can be continued without interruption of the data. Thus, the track buffer 24
The time during which the read head unit 2006 can jump without causing data underflow in 00 is referred to as a jumpable time at that time.

In the above description, as a cause of the data underflow in the track buffer 2400, the physical movement of the read head unit 2006 is taken as an example. However, the following causes are also included. . The size of the buffer is too small for the decoding speed of the decoder. Further, the size of each input unit of a plurality of types of VOBs in the playback bit stream St61 input from the multimedia bit stream playback unit 2000 to the track buffer 2400 is inappropriate for the buffer size. Further, the reproduction bit stream S
Since the order of the input units of the plurality of types of VOBs included in t61 is inappropriate for the decoding speed, during the decoding of the data currently being decoded, the input of the next data to be decoded cannot be made in time. However, various underflow factors are included.

As an example of such an underflow, in the case of a digital video disk reproducing apparatus,
The reading rate from the disk is 11 Mbps, the maximum compression rate of AV data is 10 Mbps, and the track buffer capacity is 4 Mbps. To prevent the track buffer from underflowing (that the input to the track buffer cannot keep up with the output) during jumping in this playback device,
At the time of normal continuous reproduction, if the control is slightly overflowing, even if reproduction of AV data of 10 Mbps at worst is performed during jumping, a maximum possible jump time of 400 msec can be guaranteed.

The value of the jumpable time of 400 msec is a realistic value even in an actual device. In an actual reproducing apparatus, a jumpable distance is about 500 tracks in 400 msec. The jump time is
By replacing time with the data amount, the jumpable distance can be defined. In other words, the sequential data sequence on the disk
The amount of data that can be moved. For example, the data amount corresponding to the jumpable time of 400 msec is about 250 Mbits. Needless to say, from the data amount defined as the jumpable distance, the actual distance in units of sectors and tracks on the recording medium can be easily obtained from the recording method and recording density in the recording medium. .

The above-mentioned jumpable distance of 250 Mbits is 50 Mbits / average in AV data of 5 Mbits / sec.
This corresponds to a reproduction time of seconds, and is shorter than 50 seconds for higher quality AV data. Also, in the case of movies or other data where cuts of specific scenes may be required due to educational or cultural issues, the length of those cut scenes is often as long as 2 to 5 minutes. It takes about 10 minutes. With respect to such a cut scene, in the above-described reproducing apparatus, for example, in the case of a cut screen of 5 minutes, the cut scene is not displayed simply by connecting the cut scene to the preceding scene and further connecting the subsequent scene. The previous scene and the subsequent screen cannot be connected without interruption. That is, a single jump cannot jump data representing a cut scene of five minutes as described above.

Even if the cut scene data is jumped over a jump time of 400 msec or longer, the AV
The data compression rate, that is, the consumption rate Vo from the track buffer may be close to 10 Mbps,
There is no guarantee that the buffer will not underflow. As another countermeasure, it is conceivable to prepare two types of AV data, that is, a case where the data is cut and a case where the data is not cut, and record the data on a disk. In this case, it is possible to effectively use a limited disk capacity. If the data cannot be used, and in some cases, data for a long time must be recorded on the disc, the data becomes low-quality AV data and it becomes difficult to satisfy the user's demands.

FIG. 33 shows the concept of data sharing among a plurality of titles. In the figure, TL1 represents the data content of the first title, and TL2 represents the data content of the second title. That is, the first title TL1 is composed of data DbA, data DbB, and data DbD that are continuously reproduced with the passage of time T, and the second title TL2 is composed of data DbA, data DbB, and data DbC. ing. These data DbA and data Db
B, data DbD, and data DbC are VOBs and have display times T1, T2, T3, and T2, respectively. These two titles TL1 and T
When recording L2, as shown in TL1_2, data Db
A and DbD are set as common data, and data DbB and DbC unique to the first title TL1 and second title TL2 are set to have a data structure that can be switched and reproduced at time T2 (switching section). .
In FIG. 33, it seems that there is a time gap between each data. This is because the reproduction path of each data is easy to understand and is indicated by using an arrow. Needless to say, there is no.

FIG. 34 shows a state where such data of the title TL1_2 is recorded on the optical disc M so as to be continuously reproduced. These data DbA, DbB, Db
Those constituting a continuous title among C and DbD are arranged in a continuous area on the track TR (FIG. 9) in principle. That is, data DbA, data DbB, and data DbD that constitute the first title TL1 are arranged, and then data DbC unique to the second title TL2.
Is arranged. With this arrangement, the first title T
Regarding L1, the read head unit 2006 moves the data DbA, DbB and DbD on the track TR in synchronization with the reproduction times T1, T2 and T3,
Title contents can be reproduced continuously without interruption, that is, seamlessly.

However, as for the second title TL2, as indicated by the arrow Sq2a in the figure, the reading head unit 2006 jumps over the distance between the two data DbB and DbD after reproducing the data DbA at the reproduction time T1. , Must arrive at the data DbC before the reproduction time T2 starts. Further, the reading head unit 20
06, after the reproduction of the data DbC, the distance between the two data DbC and DbD is reversed again as shown by the arrow Sq2b, and the data DbC is reproduced before the start of the reproduction time T3.
Must arrive at the beginning of D. Because of the time required to move the read head unit 2006 between data, the data DbC is
It cannot be guaranteed that data and data DbD are reproduced seamlessly. That is, seamless reproduction cannot be performed unless the distance between the data is such that the track buffer 2400 does not underflow.

Definition of Interleave As described above, in order to cut a certain scene and to enable selection from a plurality of scenes, it is necessary to arrange consecutively in units of data belonging to each scene on a track of a recording medium. Therefore, a situation in which data of a non-selected scene is interrupted and recorded between the common scene data and the selected scene data inevitably occurs. In such a case, if the data is read in the recorded order, it is necessary to access the data of the non-selected scene before accessing and decoding the data of the selected scene. Connection is difficult.

However, in the DVD system, such a seamless connection between a plurality of scenes is possible by utilizing the excellent random access performance to the recording medium. In other words, data belonging to each scene is
By dividing into a plurality of units having a predetermined data amount and arranging a plurality of divided data units to which these different scenes belong in a predetermined order with respect to each other, by arranging in a jump performance range, each of the selected scenes By intermittently accessing and decoding the data to which it belongs for each division unit, the selected scene can be reproduced without interruption. That is, seamless data reproduction is guaranteed.

Detailed definition of interleave The concept of the seamless connection method and the division and arrangement of data in the present invention will be described below using the input transfer rate Vr of the track buffer and the data consumption rate Vo described above. In FIG. 32, the data consumption rate Vo is V
There is a relation of r> Vo, and by using the difference, a certain amount of data is read out at the rate Vr, buffered in the track buffer, the data is stored, and the next read data is transferred to the position where it is arranged. Data is consumed in the time until the optical pickup moves. Even if this operation is repeated, divided data units of a predetermined data amount belonging to each scene are discretely arranged so that the track buffer does not underflow. Arranging data so as to guarantee such seamless data reproduction is called interleaving, and a divided data unit having a sufficient data amount to be buffered in the above-described track buffer is referred to as an interleaved division unit and an interleaved division after the arrangement. The units are each defined as an interleave unit ILVU.

When one scene is selected from a plurality of scenes, the above-described interleaving is required for a plurality of VOBs constituting the plurality of scenes. Two consecutive interleaving units on the time axis belonging to the selected scene are separated by one or more interleaving units belonging to another scene arranged therebetween. Thus, the distance between temporally consecutive interleave units belonging to two same scenes is defined as an interleave distance.

For example, when the recording medium is an optical disk, it takes 260 msec to move 10,000 sectors. Here, assuming that the movement of the optical pickup for 10,000 sectors is the interleave unit distance, the predetermined data amount of the interleave unit is determined based on the difference between the input rate Vr and the output rate Vo to the track buffer and the amount of the track buffer. Can be. For example, assuming that compressed data at a fixed rate of Vr = 11 Mbps and Vo = 8 Mbps, that is, fixed-rate compressed data is being reproduced, the track buffer amount is further set to 3 Mbits. As described above, the movement between the interleave units is 1000
Assuming that the number of sectors is 0, it is necessary to provide an interleave unit for inputting the reproduced data amount of 260 msec to the track buffer before the movement so as to accumulate the data in the track buffer.

In this case, the reproduced data amount for 260 msec is 2080 Kbits, and in order to accumulate the data in the track buffer before moving between interleaves, the source data is transferred at a rate equal to the difference between the transfer rate Vr and Vo. It is necessary to input for 0.7 seconds (2080 kilobits / (11-8) megabits / second) or more. In this way, the optical interleaving unit I
During the jump time before moving to the LVU and resuming the data reading again, before the jump, the necessary amount of data from the recording medium M for storing data in the track buffer in preparation for data consumption by the decoder during the jump time. Is defined as the minimum accumulation read time.

That is, the amount of data that must be read as an interleave unit is 7.7 Mbits or more. When this value is converted into the playback time, 0.9
An interleave unit having a reproduction time of 6 seconds or more and a data amount having a reproduction time of 20 seconds or less can be arranged between the interleave units. By reducing the consumption bit rate of the system stream, the minimum accumulation read time can be reduced. As a result, the data amount of the interleave unit can be reduced. Furthermore, the jumpable time can be extended without changing the data amount of the interleave unit.

FIG. 35 shows one connection example of a scene. FIG. 35 shows a case where a scene A is connected to a scene D, a case where a part of the scene D is replaced with a scene B, and a case where a scene C is replaced for a different time from the scene replaced with the scene B. As shown, the scene D to be replaced is divided (scene D-1, scene D-2, and scene D-3). Scene B, Scene D-1, Scene C,
As described above, the system stream corresponding to scene D-2 is Vo (= 8 Mbps), the input to the track buffer is Vr (= 11 Mbps), and the scenes are scene B, scene D-1, and scene C. , Scene D-2
Since the data amount of each scene length is equal to or more than the above-mentioned value (= 0.96 seconds), it is sufficient that the data can be arranged within the above-mentioned jumpable distance between each connected scene. is there.

[0229] However, as shown in FIG.
In the case of interleaving scenes C and B having the same start point but different end points, the interleaving is performed by interleaving the three streams in the time corresponding to scene D-1 and the time corresponding to scene D-2. Becomes an interleave of two streams, which tends to complicate the processing. When interleaving a plurality of VOBs, it is general to interleave VOBs whose start point and end point match each other, and processing becomes easier. In FIG. 36, the scene D-2 is duplicated and connected to the scene C in FIG. 35, and the branch to a plurality of scenes and the connection point are matched, that is, the start point and the end point are matched, and the plurality of VOBs are interleaved. Indicates a thing. In the DVD system, when interleaving scenes with branches and joins,
The start point and the end point are always matched and interleaved.

The following describes the concept of interleaving.
This will be described in more detail. The interleave method with time information includes the AV (audio and video) described above.
However, in this interleaving method, audio and video with the same time axis are arranged so that the data near the buffer input time is close, and the data amount including the almost same playback time is alternately arranged. Will be done. However, in titles such as movies,
Although it is necessary to replace with a new scene, the time length often differs between the plurality of scenes. In such a case, when the interleave method such as the AV system stream is applied, if the time difference between the scenes is within the above-described jumpable time, the buffer can absorb the time difference. However, if the inter-scene time difference is equal to or longer than the jumpable time, the buffer cannot absorb the time difference and seamless playback becomes impossible.

In such a case, if the size of the track buffer is increased to increase the amount of data that can be stored at one time, the jumpable time can be increased and the interleave unit and arrangement can be relatively easily performed. However, considering an interactive operation such as a multi-angle operation that switches seamlessly from among a plurality of streams, if the interleave unit is lengthened and the amount of data to be stored at a time is increased, the amount of data stored before and after the stream switching operation is increased. Angle stream playback time is longer,
As a result, it is difficult to switch the stream on the display.

That is, the interleaving is performed in the track buffer of the authoring decoder so that when the encoded data supplied from the stream source is consumed for decoding by the decoder, each stream of the source stream is prevented from underflowing. The purpose is to optimize the array in units of division for each data. The major causes of buffer underflow are:
There is a mechanical movement of the optical pickup, and the smaller one has a decoding speed of a communication system. Mainly, mechanical movement of the optical pickup poses a problem when scanning and reading the track TR on the optical disc M. Therefore, when data on the track TR of the optical disc M is recorded, interleaving is required. Furthermore, when a user receives a source stream directly from a recording medium instead of reproducing the source stream from a recording medium, such as a live broadcast, a priority distribution such as a cable television, or a wireless distribution such as a satellite broadcast, a communication system is required. Factors such as the decoding speed of the data.
In this case, it is necessary to interleave the delivered source stream.

Strictly speaking, interleaving means intermittently and sequentially accessing target source data in a source stream composed of a source data group including a plurality of source data which are continuously input, and This means that each data in the source stream is arranged in a predetermined array so that the information of the source data can be continuously reproduced. In this manner, the interruption time of the input of the source data to be reproduced is defined as the jump time in the interleave control.

More specifically, as described above, a video object including video data obtained by compressing a general title such as a movie having a scene branch or combination by a variable length encoding method is reproduced without interruption. As far as possible, an interleaving scheme for arranging on a randomly accessible disk is not explicitly shown. Therefore, when actually arranging such data on a disk, thinking and error are required based on the actually compressed data. In order to arrange a plurality of video objects so that they can be reproduced seamlessly, it is necessary to establish an interleave method.

In the case of application to the DVD described above, the video data is divided and arranged at a position within a certain time range (nub pack NV) having a boundary in GOP units which are video compression units. However, since the GOP data length becomes variable length data due to the user's request, insertion of intra-frame encoding for high image quality processing, etc., the position of the management pack (nub pack NV) depending on the reproduction time varies. In some cases. For this reason, the jump point to the data at the time of the angle change or the next reproduction order cannot be known. Even if the next jump point is known, if a plurality of angles are interleaved, the data length to be read continuously is unknown. That is, the position of the end of the data can be known only by reading another angle data, and the switching of the reproduction data is delayed.

According to the present invention, in view of the above problems, data can be shared among a plurality of titles to efficiently use an optical disc,
Further, a method and an apparatus for enabling seamless data reproduction on an optical disk having a data structure realizing a new function of multi-angle reproduction are proposed in the following embodiments.

Interleave Block, Unit Structure An interleave system enabling seamless data reproduction will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 and 37. In FIG. 24, one VOB (VOB-A) is converted to a plurality of VOBs (VOB-V).
This shows a case where the data is branched and reproduced into OB-B, VOB-D, and VOB-C, and then combined into one VOB (VOB-E). FIG. 37 shows a case where these data are actually arranged on the track TR on the disk.

In FIG. 37, VOB-A and VOB-E
Is a video object having a single start and end point for playback, and is arranged in a continuous area in principle. Further, as shown in FIG. 24, for VOB-B, VOB-C, and VOB-D, the interleaving process is performed by matching the start and end points of the reproduction. Then, the interleaved area is arranged as an interleaved area in a continuous area on the disk. Further, the continuous area and the interleave area are arranged in the order of reproduction, that is, in the direction of the track path Dr. FIG. 37 shows a case where a plurality of VOBs, that is, VOBS, are arranged on the track TR.

In FIG. 37, a data area in which data is continuously arranged is defined as a block, and the block is a continuous block in which the above-described VOB whose start point and end point are independently completed is continuously arranged. , The start point and the end point are matched, and the plurality of VOBs are interleaved. The blocks are arranged in the order of reproduction, as shown in FIG.
.., Block 7 are arranged.

In FIG. 38, the system stream data VTSTT_VOBS is composed of blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. In the block 1, the VOB 1 is independently arranged. Similarly, blocks 2, 3, 5,
And 7, VOBs 2, 3, 6, and 10 are independently arranged. That is, these blocks 2,
3, 5, and 7 are continuous blocks.

On the other hand, in block 4, VOB4 and VOB4
5 are arranged in an interleaved manner. Similarly, in block 6, three VOBs, VOB7, VOB8, and VOB9, are arranged in an interleaved manner. That is, these blocks 4 and 6 are interleaved blocks. FIG. 39 shows the data structure in a continuous block. In the figure, VOB-i and VOB-
j is arranged as a continuous block. VOB-i and VOB-j in the continuous block are further divided into cells, which are logical reproduction units, as described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 39, each of VOB-i and VOB-j includes three cells CELL # 1, CELL # 2,
It is shown that it is composed of CELL # 3. A cell is composed of one or more VOBUs, and its boundaries are defined in VOBU units. A cell is a program chain (hereinafter referred to as PGC) that is DVD playback control information.
, The position information is described as shown in FIG. That is, the address of the VOBU of the cell start and the address of the VOBU of the end are described. As clearly shown in FIG.
In the continuous block, both the VOB and the cells defined therein are recorded in the continuous area so that the continuous block is reproduced continuously. Therefore, there is no problem in reproducing the continuous block.

Next, FIG. 40 shows a data structure in an interleaved block. In the interleave block, each VOB is divided into interleave units ILVU, and interleave units belonging to each VOB are alternately arranged. Then, a cell boundary is defined independently of the interleave unit. In the figure, VO
Bk has four interleaved units ILVUk1,
Divided into ILVUk2, ILVUk3, and ILVUk4, and two cells CELL # 1k and CEL
L # 2k is defined. Similarly, VOB-m is IL
VUm1, ILVUm2, ILVUm3, and ILVU
m4, and two cells CELL # 1m,
And CELL # 2m are defined. That is, the interleave unit ILVU includes video data and audio data.

In the example of FIG. 40, two different VOB-k
And VOB-m interleave units ILVUk
1, ILVUk2, ILVUk3, and ILVUk4 and ILVUm1, ILVUm2, ILVUm3, and IL
VUm4 is alternately arranged in the interleave block. Each interleave unit IL of two VOBs
By interleaving VUs in such an arrangement, a single scene can be branched into one of a plurality of scenes, and further, seamless reproduction from one of the plurality of scenes into a single scene can be realized. By performing interleaving in this way, it is possible to make a connection that can seamlessly reproduce a scene having a branch connection in many cases.

[0244] As shown in Figure 35 of the deformation described above for interleaved realization, connecting from scene A to scene B, after the scene B is terminated, and when connected to scene D-3 which is in the middle of the scene D , Scene A to scene D
, And when there are three branch scenes, one connected from scene A to scene C, and connected to scene D-2 in the middle of scene D after scene C ends. Seamless playback is possible. Also, in FIG.
As shown, by connecting the preceding and succeeding scenes (scene D-2), the starting point and the ending point can be matched, and the data structure according to the present invention can be adjusted. In this way, it is possible to cope with a case where the scene is modified such that the scene is copied and the start point and the end point coincide with each other.

[0245] illustrating the interleaving algorithm examples containing corresponding to the video data is a variable length corresponding next variable length data interleaving below. When interleaving a plurality of VOBs, each VOB
The OB is basically divided into the same predetermined number of interleave units. In addition, depending on the bit rate of the interleaved VOB, the jump time and the distance that can be moved during the jump time, the track buffer amount, the input rate Vr to the track buffer, and the position of the VOBU, each of the predetermined number of interleave units is determined. , The amount of data can be obtained. Each interleave unit is constituted by a VOBU unit, and the VOBU is constituted by one or more MPEG GOPs and usually has a data amount corresponding to a reproduction time of 0.4 to 1 second.

In the case of interleaving, interleaving units IL constituting different VOBs are used.
VUs are alternately arranged. Shortest V among a plurality of VOBs
When a plurality of interleaving units interleaved in the OB do not satisfy the minimum interleaving unit length, or in a plurality of VOBs, a plurality of interleaving units configured by VOBs other than the above-described single-length longest VOB If the total length is longer than the shortest interleave distance, the shortest VOB interleaved in this way will cause an underflow, resulting in non-seamless playback instead of seamless playback.

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not interleaving can be performed before encoding, and consideration is given to performing the encoding process. That is, whether or not interleaving is possible can be determined from the length of each stream before encoding. As described above, the effect of interleaving can be known in advance, so that after encoding and interleaving, reprocessing such as re-adjusting the interleaving condition and re-encoding can be prevented.

First, in the case where the interleave method for recording on an optical disk of the present invention is specifically carried out, various conditions such as the bit rate of a VOB to be recorded and the performance of the disk to be reproduced will be described first.

In the case of performing interleaving, the input rate Vr and the output rate Vo to the track buffer are V
The fact that the relationship of r> Vo has already been described. That is, the maximum bit rate of each VOB that performs interleaving is set to be equal to or lower than the input rate Vr to the track buffer. The maximum bit rate of each VOB is set to B or less. In determining whether or not interleaving capable of seamless playback is possible, a plurality of Vs that perform interleaving are determined.
Assuming that all of the OBs are encoded by the CBR of the maximum bit rate B, the data amount of the interleave unit is the largest, the time that can be reproduced with the data amount that can be arranged in the jumpable distance is short, and this is a severe condition for the interleave. . Hereinafter, description will be made assuming that each VOB is encoded by CBR of the maximum bit rate B.

In the reproducing device, the jump time of the disc is JT, the distance of the disc that can be jumped by the jump time JT is represented by JM, the jumpable distance expressed by the data amount, and the input data bit to the track buffer of the reproducing device. Let the rate be BIT.

In the case of an actual apparatus, the disc jump time JT = 400 msec, and the jumpable distance JM corresponding to the jump time JT = 250 M bits. In addition, the maximum bit rate B of the VOB is 6 Mb on average in the MPEG system in order to obtain image quality higher than that of the conventional VTR.
Considering that about ps is required, a maximum of 8.8 Mbp
s.

Here, the minimum interleave unit data amount ILVU is determined based on values such as the jump distance and the jump time and the data read time from the disk.
M, the playback time of the minimum interleaved unit is IL
As a VUMT, an estimate of the value is first calculated.

Reproduction time I of minimum interleaved unit
The following equation can be obtained as LVUMT. ILVUMT ≧ JT + ILVUM / BIT (Equation 3) ILVUMT × B = ILVUM
(Equation 4) From Equation 3, the minimum interleave unit playback time ILVUMT = 2 sec and the minimum GOP block data GM = 17.6 Mbits. That is, it can be understood that the minimum value of the interleave unit, which is the minimum unit of the layout, is the data amount for 2 seconds, and the data amount for 4 GOPs when the GOP configuration is 15 frames in NTSC.

The condition for interleaving is that the interleaving distance is shorter than the jumpable distance.

[0255] Among a plurality of VOBs for which the interleave processing is performed, the condition is that the total playback time of VOBs other than the VOB having the shortest playback time is shorter than the time that can be played back at the interleave distance.

In the above example, the jumpable distance JM = 2
50M bit, VOB maximum bit rate 8.8Mbp
In the case of s, the reproducible time JMT with the data amount of the interleave distance JM can be obtained as 28.4 seconds.
By using these values, it is possible to calculate an interleaved conditional expression. Each VOB in the interleaved area
Is divided into the same number of interleaved blocks, where VOB is the number of interleaved blocks and v is the number of interleaved blocks, Equation 5 is obtained from the condition of the minimum interleave unit length.

(Reproduction time of shortest VOB) / ILVUM
T ≦ v (Equation 5) In addition, Equation 6 is obtained from the condition of the jumpable reproduction time. v ≦ (reproduction time of VOB excluding the shortest VOB) / JMT (Equation 6) If the above conditions are satisfied, it is possible in principle to interleave a plurality of VOBs. More realistically, since the interleave unit is formed only at the boundary of each VOBU, the value calculated on the basis of the above-described expression
It is necessary to add a correction for BU. That is, as a correction to the conditional expressions of the above Expressions 2, 3, and 4, the reproduction time ILVUMT of the minimum interleave unit is set to VO
It is necessary to add the maximum time of BUBU (1.0 second) and reduce the maximum time of VOBU from the time JMT that can be reproduced at the interleave distance.

As a result of calculating the conditions for interleaving the VOB scene before encoding as described above, if it is determined that interleaving arrangement for seamless reproduction cannot be performed, the number of divisions at the time of interleaving is increased. Need to be That is, the scene having the shortest VOB is moved to the succeeding scene or the succeeding scene is moved to the interleave area to lengthen the scene. At the same time, the same scene as the scene added to the shortest scene is added to another scene. In general, the interleave distance is much larger than the minimum interleave unit length, and the rate of increase in the value on the left side of Equation 4 is greater than the increase in the value on the right side of Equation 6, so that by increasing the moving scene amount, Can be fulfilled.

The data in such an interleave block is, as described above, the input rate V of the track buffer.
r and the output rate Vo must have a relationship of Vr> Vo.
Further, a jump may occur immediately after entering the interleave area from the continuous area, and it is necessary to accumulate data immediately before the interleave area. Therefore, the bit rate of some data of the VOB immediately before the interleave area is suppressed. There is a need.

[0260] Also, for the part connecting from the continuous block to the interleave block, there is a possibility that the jump may occur immediately after entering the interleave block. Therefore, the maximum bit rate of the continuous block immediately before the interleave block is suppressed, and It is necessary to store data in the buffer. As a value, the reproduction time of the minimum interleave unit length which can be calculated from the maximum bit rate of the interleave block reproduced after the continuous block is used as a guide.

In the above description, the division number of the interleave is common to all the VOBs. However, when the difference in the length of the VOB is large, the VOB having the division number of u and (u + 1)
There is also a method of grouping into VOBs.

That is, let u be the minimum value of the number of divisions obtained by Expression 5 for each VOB, and VOB for which division exceeding the minimum value cannot be obtained is u, the number of divisions obtained by Expression 4 is The number of possible VOB divisions up to (u + 1) is (u + 1). An example is shown in FIG.

FIG. 42 shows an interleave unit (hereinafter, ILVU) according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
) Is shown. In the figure, the above-described decoder performance is determined by Expressions 5 and 6, with the unit having VOB immediately before the next nubpack NV as a boundary position with the nubpack NV described in detail with reference to FIG. This indicates that a length equal to or longer than the minimum interleave length obtained from the bit rate and the like is configured as an interleave unit. Each VOB has a nub pack NV as its management information pack, and the ILV to which the VOBU belongs.
ILVU final pack address ILVU_EA indicating the address of the last pack of U, start address NT_ILVU_S of the next ILVU
A is described. As described above, these addresses are expressed by the number of sectors from the NV of the VOBU. That is, in the nub pack NV, the position information (NT_ILVU_SA) of the head pack of the next interleave unit to be continuously reproduced and the last pack address (ILVU_EA) of the interleave unit are described.

When the VOBU exists in the interleave area, the start address of the next ILVU (NT_ILVU_
SA). Here, the address is described in terms of the number of sectors from the NV of the VOBU.

Thus, when reading the pack data at the head of the interleave unit, it is possible to obtain not only the position information of the next interleave unit but also information as to how far the interleave unit should be read. As a result, it is possible to read out only the interleave unit, and it is possible to perform a smooth jump process to the next interleave unit.

Multi-Scene Hereinafter, the concept of multi-scene control according to the present invention will be described, and a multi-scene section will be described. An example is described in which scenes are photographed at different angles. However, each scene of the multi-scene has the same angle but may be a scene shot at a different time, or may be data such as computer graphics. In other words, the multi-angle scene section is a multi-scene section.

[0267] Referring to parental Figure 43, explaining the concept of multiple titles, such as parental lock and the Director's Cut. FIG. 1 shows an example of a multi-rated title stream based on parental lock. If one title includes so-called adult scenes that are not suitable for children, such as sexual scenes, violent scenes, etc., the title is shared by the common system streams SSa, SSb, and SS.
e, an adult system stream SSc including an adult scene, and a non-adult system stream SSd including only a minor scene. Such a title stream is the adult system stream SS
c and the non-adult system stream SSd are arranged as a multi-scene system stream in a multi-scene section provided between the common system streams SSb and SSe.

The relationship between each title and the system stream described in the program chain PGC of the title stream configured as described above will be described. In the adult title program chain PGC1, a common system stream SSa, SSb, an adult system stream SSc, and a common system stream SSe are described in order. Minority title program chain P
GC2 has common system streams SSa, SS
b, the minor system stream SSd and the common system stream SSe are described in order.

As described above, by arranging the adult system stream SSc and the minor system stream SSd as a multi-scene, based on the description of each PGC, the common system streams SSa and SSb can be formed by the above-described decoding method. After the reproduction, the adult SSc is selected and reproduced in the multi-scene section, and further, by reproducing the common system stream SSe, the title having the content for the adult can be reproduced. Also, on the other hand,
System stream S for minors in multi-scene section
By selecting and playing back Sd, a title for minors that does not include adult scenes can be played.
As described above, a multi-scene section including a plurality of alternative scenes is prepared in the title stream, a scene to be reproduced is selected in advance from the scenes of the multi-section, and basically, according to the selected content, A method of generating a plurality of titles having different scenes from the same title scene is called parental lock.

Note that the parental lock is called a parental lock based on a request from the viewpoint of minor protection. From the viewpoint of system stream processing, as described above, a specific scene in a multi-scene section is used. This is a technique for generating a different title stream statically by the user selecting in advance. On the other hand, the multi-angle is a technique in which the content of the same title is dynamically changed by the user freely and freely selecting a scene in a multi-scene section during title playback.

Also, using parental lock technology, title stream editing called so-called director's cut is possible. Director's cut is different from theatrical playback when providing a long-playing title in a movie etc. on an airplane, depending on the flight time,
Title cannot be played to the end. In order to avoid such a situation, a scene that may be cut in order to reduce the title playback time is determined in advance by the title production manager, that is, the director, and a system stream including such a cut scene is provided. By arranging a system stream that has not undergone a scene cut in a multi-scene section, a scene cut can be edited according to the creator's will. In such parental control, at the connection from system stream to system stream,
It is necessary to seamlessly connect reproduced images without inconsistency, that is, seamless data reproduction in which buffers such as video and audio do not underflow, and seamless information reproduction in which reproduced images and reproduced audio are reproduced unnaturally and without interruption in audiovisual sense. Become.

[0272] With reference to multi-angle views 44, a concept of a plural-angle control to the present invention. Usually, multimedia titles are
The object is obtained by recording and photographing (hereinafter simply referred to as photographing) as time T elapses. # SC1, # SM1, #S
Each of the blocks M2, # SM3, and # SC3 represents a multimedia scene obtained at a shooting unit time T1, T2, and T3 obtained by shooting an object at a predetermined camera angle, respectively. Scene # SM1, #SM
2, and # SM3 are scenes shot with a plurality of (first, second, and third) camera angles different from each other in the shooting unit time T2, and hereinafter, first, second, and third multi-angles Called a scene.

Here, an example is described in which a multi-scene is composed of scenes shot at different angles. However, each scene of the multi-scene has the same angle but may be a scene shot at a different time, or may be data such as computer graphics. In other words, the multi-angle scene section is a multi-scene section, and the data of the section is
The section is not limited to scene data actually obtained at different camera angles, but is a section composed of data that allows a plurality of scenes whose display time is in the same period to be selectively reproduced.

Scenes # SC1 and # SC3 are respectively
At the photographing unit times T1 and T3, that is, before and after the multi-angle scene, there are scenes photographed by the same basic camera angle, and hereinafter, are referred to as basic angle scenes. Usually, one of the multi-angles is the same as the basic camera angle.

To facilitate understanding of the relationship between these angle scenes, a baseball broadcast will be described as an example. The basic angle scenes # SC1 and # SC3 are shot with a basic camera angle centered on the pitcher, catcher and batter viewed from the center side. The first multi-angle scene # SM1 is shot at the first multi-camera angle centered on the pitcher, catcher, and batter viewed from the backnet side. The second multi-angle scene # SM2
This is an image taken at the second multi-camera angle centered on the pitcher, catcher and batter viewed from the center side, that is, the basic camera angle.

In this sense, the second multi-angle scene #
SM2 is a basic angle scene # SC2 in the shooting unit time T2. Third multi-angle scene # SM3
Is taken at the third multi-camera angle centered on the infield viewed from the backnet side.

Multi-angle scenes # SM1, #SM
2 and # SM3 overlap the presentation time with respect to the imaging unit time T2, and this period is called a multi-angle section. In the multi-angle section, the viewer can select the multi-angle scenes # SM1 and #SM
By freely selecting 2, and # SM3, it is possible to enjoy a desired angle scene image from the basic angle scene as if switching cameras. In the figure, the basic angle scenes # SC1 and # SC3 and the multi-angle scenes # SM1 and #SM
There appears to be a time gap between # 2 and # SM3, which is easy to understand by selecting which of the multi-angle scenes the path of the scene to be played will be. Needless to say, there is no time gap in practice.

With reference to FIG. 23, multi-angle control of a system stream according to the present invention will be described from the viewpoint of data connection. The multimedia data corresponding to the basic angle scene #SC is defined as basic angle data BA, and the basic angle data BA in the photographing unit times T1 and T3 are defined as BA1 and BA3, respectively. The multi-angle data corresponding to the multi-angle scenes # SM1, # SM2, and # SM3 is first, second,
And third multi-angle data MA1, MA2, and M
It is represented as A3. First, as described with reference to FIG. 44, the multi-angle scene data MA1, MA2,
By selecting any one of MA3 and MA3, a desired angle scene image can be switched and enjoyed. Similarly, the basic angle scene data BA1 and BA
3, and each of the multi-angle scene data MA1, MA2,
And there is no time gap between MA3 and MA3.

However, in the case of the MPEG system stream, when any of the multi-angle data MA1, MA2, and MA3, the connection from the preceding basic angle data BA1, or the connection to the subsequent basic angle data BA3, Depending on the content of the angle data to be connected, discontinuity may occur in reproduction information between data to be reproduced, and it may not be possible to naturally reproduce one title. In other words, in this case, seamless data is reproduced, but non-seamless information is reproduced.

Further, referring to FIG. 23, a description will be given of a multi-angle switching which is a seamless information reproduction for selectively reproducing a plurality of scenes and connecting to preceding and succeeding scenes in a multi-scene section in a DVD system. I do.

Switching of angle scene video, that is, multi-angle scene data MA1, MA2, and MA3
Must be completed before the end of the reproduction of the preceding basic angle data BA1. For example, it is very difficult to switch to another multi-angle scene data MA2 during reproduction of the angle scene data BA1. This is because multimedia data has a variable-length coding MPEG data structure, so it is difficult to find a data break in the middle of the data to be switched. The image may be distorted when the angle is switched because of the use of. In MPEG, at least one
A GOP is defined as a processing unit having a frame refresh frame. In this processing unit called GOP, closed processing without referring to a frame belonging to another GOP is possible.

In other words, before the reproduction reaches the multi-angle section, at the latest, the preceding basic angle data B
If any multi-angle data, for example, MA3, is selected at the time when the reproduction of A1 is completed, the selected multi-angle data can be reproduced seamlessly. However, it is very difficult to seamlessly reproduce other multi-angle scene data during the reproduction of the multi-angle data. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a free viewpoint such as switching cameras during the multi-angle period.

Hereinafter, data switching during a multi-angle section will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 76, 77, and 45.

FIG. 76 shows the display time for each minimum angle switching unit of each of the multi-angle data MA1, MA2, and MA3 shown in FIG. DV
In the D system, multi-angle data MA1, M
A2 and MA3 are video objects VOB which are title editing units. First angle data MA1
Is an interleave unit (IL) which is a minimum unit capable of switching angle scenes composed of a predetermined number of GOPs.
VU) A51, A52, and A53.

Each of the interleave units A51, A52 and A53 of the first angle data MA1 is 1
A display time of seconds, 2 seconds, and 3 seconds, that is, a display time of 6 seconds for the entire first angle data MA1 is set. Similarly, the second angle data MA2 is 2 seconds, 3 seconds, respectively.
It has interleave units B51, B52, and B53 in which the display time is set to one second and one second. Further, the third angle data MA3 includes an interleave unit C5 in which display times of 3 seconds, 1 second, and 2 seconds are set, respectively.
1, C52 and C53. In this example, each of the multi-angle data MA1, MA2, and MA
3, the display time is set to 6 seconds, and each interleave unit is set to an individual table time. However, these are only examples, and it goes without saying that other predetermined values can be used.

In the following example, a description will be given of a case in which playback to the next angle starts during playback in interleave units during angle switching. For example, when switching to the second angle data MA2 is instructed during reproduction of the interleave unit A51 of the first angle data MA1, the reproduction of the interleave unit A51 is stopped, and the second interleave unit B52 of the second angle data MA2 is stopped. Start playing. In this case,
Video and audio are interrupted, resulting in non-seamless information playback.

If the switching of the third angle data MA3 to the angle scene is instructed during the reproduction of the second interleave unit B52 of the switched second angle data MA2 in this manner, the interleave unit B52 is reproduced. Playback is stopped halfway, and the mode is switched to playback of the interleave unit C53. Also in this case, the video / audio is interrupted when switching, resulting in non-seamless information reproduction.

In the above case, the multi-angle is switched, but the reproduction is stopped in the middle of the reproduction, so that the reproduction of the video and audio is not interrupted, that is, the seamless information is not reproduced.

A method for switching the angle after the reproduction of the interleave unit is completed will be described below. For example, during reproduction of the interleave unit A51 of the first angle data MA1,
When the switching to the second interleave unit B51 of the second angle data MA2 is switched from the time when the reproduction of the interleave unit A51 having the display time of 1 second is completed, the start time of B52 is set to the head of the angle section. 2 seconds after. In other words, as time elapses, switching from one second after the head of the angle section to two seconds later has no temporal continuity. That is, since there is no continuity of the sound or the like, the sound cannot be reproduced seamlessly and continuously.

Also, if the switching of the third angle data MA3 to the angle scene is instructed during the reproduction of the second interleave unit B52 of the switched second angle data MA2, the reproduction of the interleave unit B52 is performed. After completion, the mode is switched to the interleave unit C53. In this case, the completion of reproduction of B52 is 5 seconds after the head of the angle section, and C53
Is 4 seconds after the head of the angle section, and is not continuous as time elapses. Therefore, as in the previous case, both the video and the audio reproduced between the two units B52 and C53 are not well connected. That is, in the interleave unit of each angle, the same playback time and the same number of playback frames in video are necessary for seamless switching of multi-angle information.

FIG. 77 shows a state in which video packets V and audio packets A in an interleave unit in a multi-angle section are interleaved. In the figure, BA1 and BA3 are basic angle scene data connected before and after the angle scene,
MAB and MAC are multi-angle scene data.
The multi-angle scene data MAB is composed of interleave units ILVUb1 and ILVUb2, and the MAC is composed of interleave units ILVUc1 and ILVUc2.

Interleave unit ILVUb1, I
In each of the LVUb2, ILVUc1, and ILVUc2, video data and audio data are interleaved as shown in each packet. Note that, in the figure, the video packet and the audio packet are indicated as A and V, respectively.

Normally, the data amount and the display time of each audio packet A are constant. In this example, each interleave unit ILVUb1, ILVUb2, ILVU
c1 and ILVUc2 have three, two, two, and three audio packets A, respectively.
That is, in each of the multi-angle data MAB and the MAC in the multi-angle section T2, the number of audio packets is fixed at 5, and the number of video packets is fixed at 13.

The angle control in the multi-angle section including the multi-angle system stream (VOB) having the packet structure is as follows. For example, when switching from the interleave unit ILVUb1 to the interleave unit ILVUc2, the two interleave units ILVUb1
And the total number of audio packets in ILVUc2 is 6, and from the predetermined number 5 in this multi-angle section T2,
One more. Therefore, when these two ILVUs are connected and played back, the sound is duplicated for one audio packet.

Conversely, interleave units ILVUc1 and ILVUc1 each having two audio packets
When switching between VUb2, since the total number of audio packets is 4, the number is one less than the predetermined number 5 of the multi-angle section T2. As a result, when these two ILVUs are connected and played, the sound of one audio packet is interrupted. In this way, if the number of audio packets included in the ILVU to be connected is not the same as the predetermined number in the corresponding multi-angle section, the audio does not connect well, and the audio is noisy or interrupted. It becomes information reproduction.

FIG. 45 shows the multi-angle data MAB and MAC of the multi-angle data shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of multi-angle control when the audio data has different audio data. Multi-angle data B
A1 and BA3 are audio data representing the common sound before and after the multi-angle section. First angle data M
AB is composed of first angle interleaved unit audio data ILVUb1 and ILVUb2, which are minimum angle switching units in a multi-scene section. Similarly, the second angle data MAC includes second angle interleaved unit audio data ILVUc1 and ILVUc2.

FIG. 15 shows audio waveforms of audio data of the multi-angle data MAB and the MAC in the multi-angle section T2. In each case, one continuous sound of the multi-angle data MAB is formed by two interleaved unit audio data ILVUb1 and ILVUb2. Similarly, the audio of the multi-angle data MAC is formed by the interleave units ILVUc1 and ILVUc2.

Here, for example, the multi-angle data MA
B first interleaved unit audio data I
Consider a case where switching is performed so as to reproduce the multi-angle data MAC during reproduction of the LVUb1. In this case, after the reproduction of the interleave unit ILVUb1 is completed, the reproduction of the interleave unit ILVUc2 is performed. The reproduced audio waveform at that time is a composite waveform of the audio waveforms of the two interleave units as indicated by MAB-C. In the case of FIG. 15, this composite waveform is discontinuous at the angle switching point. That is, the sound is not well connected.

[0299] These audio data are AC3
If the data is encoded using the audio encoding method described above, a more serious problem occurs. In the AC3 encoding method, encoding is performed by taking a correlation in the time axis direction. In other words, during multi-angle playback, even if audio data at one angle is cut in the middle and connected to audio data at another angle, the data is encoded with a correlation in the time axis direction. You will not be able to play.

As described above, in the case of having individual audio data for each angle in the multi-angle, discontinuity may occur between the connection data at the switching point when the angle is switched. In such a case, depending on the contents of the data to be connected, for example, audio or the like may be noised or interrupted at the time of reproduction, which may cause discomfort to the user. Since this discomfort is caused by discontinuity in the content of the reproduced information, it can be avoided by securing the continuity of the information or preventing the interruption of the information. Thus, seamless information reproduction can be realized.

FIG. 46 shows multi-angle control according to the present invention. In this example, three multi-angle data MA1, MA2, and MA3 are provided in the multi-angle section T2. Multi-angle data MA1
Is composed of three interleave units ILVUa1, ILVUa2, and ILVUa3, which are minimum units for switching angles. These interleave units ILVUa1, ILVUa2, and ILVU
In a3, display times of 2 seconds, 1 second, and 3 seconds are set, respectively.

Similarly, the second multi-angle data MA2
Are interleave units ILVUb1 and ILVUb in which display times of 2 seconds, 1 second and 3 seconds are set, respectively.
2 and ILVUb3. Further, the third multi-angle data MA3 also includes ILVUc1, ILV
Uc2 and ILVUc3. In this way, the synchronized interleave unit has the same display time set, so even if the switching to different angle data is instructed, the video and audio are not interrupted or overlapped at the angle switching position, As described above, video and audio can be continuously reproduced, and seamless information can be reproduced.

With the data structure shown in FIG. 46,
That is, in order to actually set the display time of the image data to be the same in the multi-angle section for each minimum unit of angle switching, the number of playback frames in the interleave unit must be the same. MPEG compression is usually performed in GOP units, and there are M and N value settings as parameters defining the GOP structure. M is I or P
The picture cycle, N, is the number of frames included in the GOP. In the process of MPEG encoding, frequently changing the value of M or N at the time of encoding is the same as MPEG encoding.
The control of video encoding becomes complicated and is not usually performed.

To have the data structure shown in FIG. 46,
A method of actually setting the display time of the image data to be the same in the multi-angle section for each minimum angle switching unit will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, for the sake of simplicity, instead of three, two multi-angle data MAB and MAC are provided in the multi-angle section, and each of the angle data has two interleave units ILVUb1 and I
It has LVUb2, ILVUc1 and ILVUc2, and shows the respective GOP structures. Generally, the structure of a GOP is represented by the values of M and N. M is the period of the I or P picture, and N is the number of frames included in the GOP.

The GOP structure is such that interleaved units ILVU synchronized in the multi-angle section
The values of M and N of b1 and ILVUc1 are set to the same value. Similarly, interleave units ILVUb2 and IL
The values of M and N of VUc2 are also set to the same value. By setting the GOP structure to the same value between the angle data MAB and the MAC in this way, the display time of the image data can be made the same between the angles for each minimum unit of angle switching. For example, the angle data MAB ILVUb
When switching from 1 to ILVUc2 of the angle data MAC, the switching timing between these two ILVUs is the same, so that the video can be reproduced continuously without interruption or duplication at the angle switching position. .

Next, a method of actually setting the display time of audio data to be the same between angles for each minimum unit of angle switching will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 77
Similarly, the interleave unit ILV shown in FIG.
Ub1, ILVUb2, ILVUc1, and ILVUc
In each of Nos. 2 and 3, video packets V and audio packets A are interleaved.

Normally, the data amount and the display time of each audio packet A are constant. As shown in the figure, ILVUb1 and ILVUc1 in the multi-angle section
Is set to the same number of audio packets. Similarly, the same number of audio packets is set for the interleave units ILVUb2 and ILVUc2. In this way, the number of audio packets is determined by each angle data MAB and M
By setting the same in the unit of the interleave unit ILVU between ACs, the display time of the audio data can be made the same between the angles for each minimum unit of angle switching. By doing so, for example, when the angle is switched between each angle data MAB and MAC,
Since the angle switching timing is the same, the sound can be continuously reproduced without noise or interruption in the sound at the angle switching position.

[0308] However, in the case of voice, as described with reference to FIG.
If audio data having an individual voice waveform is provided for each minimum switching unit, the audio data display time is continuously set at the angle switching point only by setting the display time of the audio data to the same angle switching minimum unit ILVU as described above. May not be able to be played. In order to avoid such a situation, it is sufficient to have common audio data for each minimum switching unit ILVU in the multi-angle section. That is, in seamless information reproduction, data is arranged based on information content that is continuous before and after a connection point of data to be reproduced, or data having information completed at a connection point is arranged.

FIG. 80 shows a case where common audio data is provided for each angle in a multi-angle section. This figure, different from FIG. 45, shows a state of multi-angle control when the multi-angle data MAB and MAC each have audio data completed for each interleave unit ILVU that is a switching unit. In order to have such a data structure, the first angle interleave unit ILVUb2 from the second angle interleave unit ILVUc2 in the multi-angle section of the encoded audio data.
As described above, since each audio data is completed in the unit of the interleave unit ILVU, it is not possible to synthesize different audio waveforms at the angle switching point and reproduce audio data having a discontinuous audio waveform. There is no. Note that if the audio data is configured to have the same audio waveform in the interleave unit ILVU, it is apparent that seamless information can be reproduced in the same manner as in the case where the audio data is configured with the audio waveform completed in the interleave unit ILVU. is there.

[0310] Even when these audio data are data encoded using the audio encoding method of AC3, the audio data is common among the interleave units ILVU, which are minimum switching units between angle data.
Alternatively, since the interleave unit is completed in units of ILVU, the correlation in the time axis direction can be maintained even when the angle is switched, and the sound is continuously output without noise or interruption at the angle switch point. Audio can be played. In the present invention, the types of the angle data MA in the multi-angle section are not limited to a few, and the multi-angle section T2 is not limited to the VOB unit but extends to the entire area of the title stream. But it is good. In this way, the continuous information reproduction defined above can be realized. The operation of the multi-angle control based on the DVD data structure has been described above.

[0311] Further, a method of recording multi-angle control data such that different angles can be selected on a recording medium while reproducing one data in the same angle scene section will be described.

In FIG. 23, the multi-angle in FIG. 23 is such that basic angle data BA1 is arranged in a continuous data block, and MA1, MA2, MA in a multi-angle section.
3 interleave unit data is arranged in an interleave block, and subsequent basic angle data B
A3 is arranged in the following continuous block. As a data structure corresponding to FIG. 16, the basic angle BA1 is
MA1 and M in a multi-angle section which constitute one cell
A2 and MA3 constitute a cell, respectively, and MA1,
Cells corresponding to MA2 and MA3 are cell blocks (MA1
Cell CBM = “head of cell block”, MA2 cell CBM = “of cell block”, MA3 cell CB
M = “the end of the cell block”), and these cell blocks are angle blocks (CBT = “angle”). The basic angle BA3 is a cell connected to the angle block. Also, the connection between cells is assumed to be seamless reproduction (SPF = “seamless reproduction”).

FIG. 47 shows an outline of the configuration of a stream having a multi-angle section and the layout on a disc in this embodiment of the present invention. The multi-angle section is a section in which the stream can be freely switched according to the specification of the user. In the stream having the data structure shown in FIG. 47, it is possible to switch to VOB-C and VOB-D while VOB-B is being reproduced. Similarly, during playback of VOB-C, VOB-C
Switching to B and VOB-D is possible. further,
During playback of VOB-D, switching to VOB-B and VOB-C can be freely performed.

The unit for switching angles is the angle interleave unit (hereinafter referred to as A-ILVU) using the minimum interleave unit obtained under the conditions from Equations 3 and 4 as an angle switching unit.
Is defined. This A-ILVU is composed of one or more VOBUs. In addition, A-IL together with this A-ILVU
VU management information is added. The above-described nub pack NV corresponds to this.

FIG. 48 shows an embodiment of the A-IL
An example is shown in which the last pack address of the VU and the address of the next A-ILVU are described by the number of angles. This figure is similar to the example of FIG. 42, but in this example, the angle interleave unit A-ILVU is composed of two VOBUs, and the navpack NV of each VOBU has
ILVU last pack address ILVU_EA indicating the address of the last pack of the ILVU to which the VOBU belongs, and start address SML_AGL_C1 of the next ILVU for each angle data
_DSTA to SML_AGL_C9_DSTA (angle # 1 to angle #
9) is described.

[0316] These addresses are represented by the number of sectors from the NV of the VOBU. In a field where no angle exists, data indicating that no angle exists, for example, “0” is described. By using the last pack address, it is possible to switch to the next angle by reading the extra information of the angle information and obtaining the address of the next angle. As an interleaving method in the multi-angle section, the interleaving unit of the angle is set as a minimum read time, and all angles are set as interleaving boundaries at the same time. That is, the angle can be switched as quickly as possible within the performance range of the player. The data in the interleave unit is once input to the track buffer, and then the data of the angle after switching is input to the track buffer, and the next angle cannot be reproduced unless the data in the track buffer of the previous angle has been consumed. It is. In order to quickly switch to the next angle, it is necessary to minimize the interleave unit. In addition, in order to perform switching seamlessly, the switching time must be the same. That is, the interleaving unit and the boundary between VOBs constituting each angle need to be common.

[0317] That is, the playback time of the video encoded stream constituting the VOB is the same between VOBs, and the same interleave boundary is common in the interleave unit at the same playback time for each angle. There is a need. V that composes each angle
The OB must be divided into the same number of interleaved units, and the playback time of the interleaved units must be the same at each angle. That is, the VOBs constituting each angle are divided into the same number N of interleave units, and the k-th (1 ≦ k ≦ N) in each angle.
Interleaved units need to have the same playback time.

Further, in order to seamlessly play back the interleave units between the angles, the encoded stream is completed within the interleave unit, ie, M
In the PEG method, a closed GOP is provided,
It is necessary to adopt a compression method that does not refer to a frame outside the interleave unit. If this method is not adopted, it is not possible to seamlessly connect and play the interleave units between the angles. Such a VOB
By setting the configuration and the interleave unit boundary, it is possible to continuously reproduce the data temporally even when the operation of changing the angle is performed.

The number of interleaves in the multi-angle section is determined from the number of interleave units of other angles that can be arranged within a jumpable distance after reading the interleave unit. As an array for each interleave unit of each angle after interleaving, the interleave units of each angle reproduced first are arranged in the angle order, and the interleave units of each angle reproduced next are arranged in the angle order. In other words, the number of angles is M (M:
The m-th angle is an angle #m (m: a natural number of 1 ≦ m ≦ M), the number of interleaving units is N (N: a natural number of 1 or more), the n-th interleave in the VOB Assuming that the units are interleave units #n (n is a natural number satisfying 1 ≦ n ≦ N), interleave unit # 1 of angle # 1 and angle # 2
, And interleave unit # 1 of angle # 3. After the arrangement of the interleave unit # 1 of the angle #M, the interleave unit # 2 of the angle # 1 and the angle #
2 interleave units # 2.

[0320] In the case of a seamless switching angle in which angle switching is performed seamlessly, if the length of the interleave unit of each angle is the minimum read time, the maximum jump distance when moving between angles is the same time. Of the interleaved units of each angle to be played back from the interleaved unit of the first arranged angle to the last interleaved unit of the array of next interleaved units of each angle to be reproduced. It is. If the number of angles is An, the jump distance needs to satisfy the following expression.

Maximum ILVU length in angle × (An-1) × 2 ≦ jumpable distance (Equation 7) In the case of non-seamless switching multi-angle,
The playback of each angle needs to be performed seamlessly, but does not need to be seamless when moving between angles. Therefore, the length of the interleave unit at each angle is
In the case of the minimum read time, the maximum jump distance is the distance between the interleave units at each angle. If the number of angles is An, the jump distance needs to satisfy the following expression.

Maximum ILVU length in angle × (An−1) ≦ jumpable distance (Equation 8) Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 49 and 50, a unit of switching between each multi-angle data VOB in a multi-angle section The method of managing each other's addresses will be described. FIG.
9 is a data switching unit in which the angle interleave unit A-ILVU is a data switching unit.
The example in which the address of another A-ILVU is described in V is shown. FIG. 49 shows an example of an address description for realizing seamless reproduction, that is, reproduction without interruption of video and audio. That is, it is possible to perform a control in which only the data of the interleave unit of the angle to be reproduced is read out to the track buffer when the angle is switched.

FIG. 50 shows a video object unit V
An example is shown in which an OBU is a data switching unit and an address of another VOBU is described in a nub pack NV of each VOBU. FIG. 50 shows an address description enabling non-seamless playback, that is, control for switching to another angle close to the switching time as soon as possible when switching angles.

In FIG. 49, with respect to the three multi-angle data VOB-B, VOB-C, and VOB-D, each A-ILVU sets the next A-ILVU as the address of the reproduced A-ILVU. ILVU is described. Here, VOB-B is angle number # 1, VOB-C is angle number # 2, and VOB-D is angle number # 3.
The multi-angle data VOB-B includes angle interleave units A-ILVUb1, A-ILVUb2,
And A-ILVUb3. Similarly, VOB-C is an angle interleave unit A-ILVUc1, I
LVOB2 and ILVUc3, and VOB-D is an angle interleaved unit A-ILVUd1, A
-ILVUd2 and A-ILVUd3.

[0325] Angle interleave unit A-IL
In the navpack NV of VUb1, as shown by the line Pb1b, the relative address SML_AGL_C # 1_DSTA of the next angle interleave unit A-ILVUb2 of the same VOB-B.
, The relative address SML_AGL_C # 2_DSTA of the angle interleave unit A-ILVUc2 of the VOB-C synchronized with the same angle interleave unit A-ILVUb2 as indicated by the line Pb1c, and the angle interleave unit A- of the VOB-D as indicated by the line Pb1d. IL
SML_AGL_C # 3_DSTA indicating the relative address of VUd2 is described.

Similarly, Nabpack N of A-ILVUb2
V indicates the relative address of the next angle interleave unit A-ILVUb3 for each VOB, as indicated by lines Pb2b, Pb2c, and Pb2d.
SML_AGL_ indicating relative address of DSTA, A-ILVUc3
C # 2_DSTA and SML_AGL_C # 3_DSTA indicating the relative address of A-ILVUd3 are described. The relative address is described by the number of sectors from the VOBU nubpack NV included in each interleave unit.

Further, in VOB-C, A-ILV
In the nub pack NV of Uc1, as shown by the line Pc1c, SML_AGL_C # indicating the relative address of the next angle interleave unit A-ILVUc2 of the same VOB-C.
2_DSTA, SML_AGL_C # 1_DSTA indicating the relative address of the VOB-B angle interleave unit A-ILVUb2 as indicated by line Pc1b, and VOB-D angle interleave unit AI as indicated by line Pb1d
SML_AGL_C # 3_DSTA indicating the relative address of LVUd2 is described. Similarly, the nabpack NV of A-ILVUc2 has the next angle interleaved units A-ILVUc3, A-ILVUb3, and AI for each VOB, as indicated by lines Pc2c, Pc2b, and Pc2d.
Each relative address of LVUd3 SML_AGL_C # 2_DSTA, SML_AG
L_C # 1_DSTA and SML_AGL_C # 3_DSTA are described. VO
Similarly to the description in BB, the relative address is the VOBU navpack NV included in each interleave unit.
It is described by the number of sectors starting from.

Similarly, in VOB-D, A-I
In the nub pack NV of LVUd1, SML_AGL_ indicating the relative address of the next angle interleave unit A-ILVUd2 of the same VOB-D is indicated by the line Pd1d.
C # 3_DSTA, SML_AGL_C # 1_DSTA indicating the relative address of the angle interleave unit A-ILVUb2 of VOB-B as indicated by line Pd1b, and relative to the next angle interleave unit A-ILVUc2 of VOB-C as indicated by line Pd1c SML_AGL_C # 2_DS indicating address
TA is described.

Similarly, Nabpack N of A-ILVUd2
V includes the next angle interleaved units A-ILVUd3, A-ILVUb3, and A-IL for each VOB, as indicated by lines Pd2d, Pd2b, and Pd2c.
Each relative address of VUc3 SML_AGL_C # 3_DSTA, SML_AGL_
C # 1_DSTA and SML_AGL_C # 2_DSTA are described. VO
Similarly to the description in BB and VOB-C, the relative address is described by the number of sectors from the nub pack NV of the VOBU included in each interleave unit.

It should be noted that various parameters are written in each nub pack NV in addition to the above-described relative addresses SML_AGL_C # 1_DSTA to SML_AGL_C # 9_DSTA, as shown in FIG.
Has been described with reference to FIG.

The address description will be described in more detail. The N-pack NV of A-ILVUb1 in FIG.
A-ILVU_E which is the end address of ILVUb1 itself
A, and the address SML_AGL_C # 1_DSTA of the next reproducible nubpack NV of A-ILVUb2, A-ILVUc
Address 2 of Nabpack NV SML_AGL_C # 2_DSTA and A
−Address SML_AGL_C # of nubpack NV of ILVUd2
3_DSTA is described. A-ILVUb2 Nabpack N
In V, the end address ILVU_EA of B2 and the address of the nub pack NV of A-ILVUb3 to be reproduced next
SML_AGL_C # 1_DSTA, A-ILVUc3 nubpack NV
The address SML_AGL_C # 2_DSTA of the A-ILVUd3 and the address SML_AGL_C # 3_DSTA of the nubpack NV of the A-ILVUd3 are described. The A-ILVUb3 navpack NV contains A-IL
End address ILVU_EA of VUb3 and A- to be reproduced next
Termination information as the address of the navpack NV of the ILVU, for example, equivalent to NULL (zero) or all "1"
Are described as ILVU_EA. VOB-C
And VOB-D.

As described above, since the address of the A-ILVU to be reproduced temporally later can be prefetched from the nub pack NV of each A-ILVU, it is suitable for seamless reproduction to reproduce temporally continuously. Also, since the A-ILVU of the next angle in the same angle is also described, the next jump address of the selected angle is simply obtained without considering whether the angle is switched or not. Based on the address information, control can be performed by the same sequence of jumping to the next interleave unit.

As described above, the relative address of the A-ILVU that can be switched between the angles is described, and the video encoded data included in each A-ILVU is composed of a closed GOP. Sometimes the video can be played continuously without disturbing.

If the sound is the same sound at each angle, or as described above, each interleave unit I
Complete or independent audio data can be continuously and seamlessly reproduced between LVUs. Further, when exactly the same audio data is recorded in each interleave unit ILVU, even if the audio data is switched between the angles and continuously reproduced, the listener cannot know even the switching.

On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows a data structure that realizes non-seamless information reproduction in which angle switching is performed, that is, seamless data reproduction that allows discontinuity in the content of reproduced information.
Explanation will be made using 0.

In FIG. 50, the multi-angle data VOB
-B represents three video object units VOBUb
1, VOBUb2, and VOBUb3. Similarly, VOB-C has three video object units V
It consists of OBUc1, VOBUc2 and VOBUc3. Further, VOB-D includes three video object units VOBUd1, VOBUd2, and VOBUd3. As in the example shown in FIG. 49, the last pack address VOBU_EA of each VOBU is described in the nub pack NV of each video object unit VOBU. The pack address VOBU_EA is the address of the nub pack NV in the VOBU composed of one or more packs including the nub pack NV. However, in this example,
In the VOBU's nub pack NV, the VOB after the time
Instead of the U address, the address NSML_AGL_C # _DSTA of the VOBU of another angle before the switching of the reproduction time is described.

That is, from the address NSML_AGL_C1_DSTA of the VOBU of another angle synchronized with the VOBU,
_AGL_C9_DSTA is described. Here, the numbers # 1 to # 9 each indicate an angle number. In a field where no angle corresponding to the angle number exists, a value indicating that no angle exists, for example, “0” is described. That is, the nub pack N of the video object unit VOBUb1 of the multi-angle data VOB-B
As shown by lines Pb1c ′ and Pb1d ′,
Synchronized VOs of VOB-C 'and VOD-D'
Relative address NSML_AGL_C # of BUc1 and VOBUd1
2_DSTA to NSML_AGL_C # 3_DSTA are described.

Similarly, the nubpack NV of VOBUb2 describes the relative addresses NSML_AGL_C # 2_DSTA to NSML_AGL_C # 3_DSTA of VOBUc2 as indicated by the line Pb2c 'and of the VOBUd2 as indicated by the line Pb2d'. Further, in the nub pack NV of VOBUb3, the relative addresses NSML_AGL_C # 2_DSTA to NSML_AGL_C # 3_DSTA of VOBUc3 as indicated by a line Pb3c 'and of VOBUd3 as indicated by a line Pb3d' are described.

Similarly, each VOBU1, VOBc1 of VOB-C
Nabpack NV, VO of OBUc2 and VOBUc3
VOBUd1, VOBUd2, and VOBU of BD
The line Pc1b ′, Pc
1d ', Pc2b', Pc2d ', Pc3b', Pc
3d 'relative address of VOBU NSML_AGL_C # 1_DS
TA, NSML_AGL_C # 3_DSTA are Pd1b ', Pd1
c ', Pd2b', Pd2c ', Pd3b', and P
The relative address of the VOBU indicated by d3c 'NSML_AGL_C # 1_D
STA to NSML_AGL_C # 2_DSTA are described. Further, the angle switching address information corresponding to the angles # 3 to # 9 for which there is no angle to be switched, NS
In ML_AGL_C # 4_DSTA to NSML_AGL_C # 9_DSTA, since there is no angle, a value indicating that no angle exists in the field, for example, “0” is described.

With respect to the angle data having such a data structure, the DVD decoder suspends the data reproduction of the angle VOBU being reproduced at the time of angle switching, and reads and reproduces the data of the switched angle VOBU. Do.

Incidentally, in FIG. 50, VOB-C is VOB
-D and VOB-B appear to be delayed in time, but this is to make it easier to understand the address description relationship in the Nabpack NV of each VOB. The absence of a target shift is the same as in the example of FIG.

As described above, the data structure shown in FIG. 50 is an example in which another VOBU which is originally simultaneous in time or a VOBU before that is described as a VOBU to be reproduced next. Therefore, when the angle is changed,
The scene is reproduced from a temporally previous (past) scene. If seamless angle switching is not required, that is, non-seamless information reproduction in which continuity is not required for information to be reproduced, such a method of describing address information is more suitable.

Flowchart: Encoder The encoding information table generated by the encoding system control unit 200 based on the scenario data St7 will be described with reference to FIG. The encoding information table corresponds to a scene section divided by a branch point / join point of a scene, and includes a VOB set data string including a plurality of VOBs and a VOB data string corresponding to each scene. The VOB set data string shown in FIG. 27 will be described later in detail.

In step # 100 of FIG. 51, the encoding system control unit 20 generates a multimedia stream of a DVD based on the title content specified by the user.
It is an encoding information table created in 0. In a user-instructed scenario, there is a branch point from a common scene to a plurality of scenes, or a connection point to a common scene. The VwOB corresponding to a scene section separated by the branch point / join point is defined as a VOB set, and data created for encoding the VOB set is defined as a VOB set data string. In the case of including a multi-scene section in the VOB set data string, the number of titles indicated
This is shown in the number of titles in the set data string.

The VOB set data structure shown in FIG.
This shows the content of data for encoding one VOB set in the B set data string. The VOB set data structure includes a VOB set number (VOBS_NO), a VOB number in the VOB set (VOB_NO), a preceding VOB seamless connection flag (VOB_Fsb), and a subsequent VOB seamless connection flag (VOB_VOB_Fsb).
_Fsf), multi-scene flag (VOB_Fp), interleave flag (VOB_Fi), multi-angle (VOB_Fm), multi-angle seamless switching flag (VOB_FsV), maximum bit rate of interleaved VOB (ILV_BR), number of interleaved VOB divisions (ILV_DIV), It consists of the minimum interleave unit playback time (ILV_MT).

[0346] The VOB set number VOBS_NO is a number for identifying a VOB set for which, for example, the title scenario playback order is a guide.

[0347] The VOB number VOB_NO in the VOB set is a number for identifying a VOB over the entire title scenario, for example, based on the playback order of the title scenario.

Precedent VOB seamless connection flag VOB_Fsb
Is a flag indicating whether or not to seamlessly connect to the preceding VOB in scenario playback.

Subsequent VOB seamless connection flag VOB_Fsf
Is a flag indicating whether or not to seamlessly connect to the subsequent VOB in scenario playback.

[0350] The multi-scene flag VOB_Fp is a flag indicating whether or not the VOB set includes a plurality of VOBs.

The interleave flag VOB_Fi is a flag indicating whether or not VOBs in the VOB set are interleaved.

The multi-angle flag VOB_Fm is a flag indicating whether or not the VOB set is multi-angle.

Multi-angle seamless switching flag
VOB_FsV is a flag indicating whether switching within the multi-angle is seamless.

Interleave VOB maximum bit rate IL
V_BR indicates the value of the maximum bit rate of the interleaved VOB.

[0355] The interleaved VOB division number ILV_DIV is
Indicates the number of interleaved VOB interleaving units.

[0356] Minimum interleave unit playback time ILVU
_MT indicates the time that can be reproduced when the bit rate of the VOB is ILV_BR in the smallest interleave unit in which the track buffer does not underflow at the time of interleave block reproduction.

An encoding information table corresponding to each VOB generated by the encoding system control unit 200 based on the scenario data St7 will be described with reference to FIG. Based on this encoding information table, the video encoder 300 and the sub-picture encoder 50
0, generate the encoding parameter data corresponding to each VOB described later to the audio encoder 700 and the system encoder 900. VOB shown in FIG.
The data sequence is an encoding information table for each VOB created in the encoding system control for generating a DVD multimedia stream based on the title content specified by the user in step # 100 of FIG. One encoding unit is a VOB, and data created to encode the VOB is a VOB data string. For example, a VOB composed of three angle scenes
The set is composed of three VOBs. FIG.
8 is one VOB of the VOB data string.
Indicates the content of data for encoding.

[0358] The VOB data structure includes a video material start time (VOB_VST), a video material end time (VOB_VEND),
Video material type (VOB_V_KIND), video encoding bit rate (V_BR), audio material start time (VO
B_AST), audio material end time (VOB_AEND), audio encoding method (VOB_A_KIND), and audio bit rate (A_BR).

[0359] The start time VOB_VST of the video material is the start time of the video encoding corresponding to the time of the video material.

[0360] The video material end time VOB_VEND is the video encode end time corresponding to the video material time.

The video material type VOB_V_KIND indicates whether the encoded material is in the NTSC format or the PAL format, or whether the video material is a material subjected to telecine conversion processing.

The video bit rate V_BR is the video encoding bit rate.

[0363] The audio material start time VOB_AST is the audio encode start time corresponding to the audio material time.

The audio material end time VOB_AEND is an audio encode end time corresponding to the audio material time.

The audio encoding system VOB_A_KIND is
Indicates the audio encoding method, and the encoding method includes AC-3 method, MPEG method, and linear PC.
There is the M method.

The audio bit rate A_BR is an audio encoding bit rate.

FIG. 29 shows video, audio, and system encoders 300 for encoding a VOB.
Show encoding parameters to 500 and 900.
The encoding parameters are VOB number (VOB_NO), video encoding start time (V_STTM), video encoding end time (V_ENDTM), encoding mode (V_ENCMD), video encoding bit rate (V_RATE), video encoding maximum bit rate (V_MRATE), GOP Structure fixed flag (GOP_FXflag), video encoding GOP structure (GO
PST), video encoding initial data (V_INTST), video encoding end data (V_ENDST), audio encoding start time (A_STTM), audio encoding end time (A_ENDTM), audio encoding bit rate (A_RATE), audio encoding method (A_ENCMD),
Audio start gap (A_STGAP), audio end gap (A_ENDGAP), preceding VOB number (B_VOB_N)
O), and a subsequent VOB number (F_VOB_NO).

[0368] The VOB number VOB_NO is a number for identifying the VOB, for example, numbering the entire title scenario based on the order of title scenario reproduction.

[0369] The video encoding start time V_STTM is the video encoding start time on the video material.

[0370] The video encoding end time V_STTM is the video encoding end time on the video material.

[0371] The encoding mode V_ENCMD is an encoding mode for setting whether or not to perform an inverse telecine conversion process at the time of video encoding so that efficient encoding can be performed when the video material is a telecine-converted material. .

The video encode bit rate V_RATE is
This is the average bit rate during video encoding.

The video encoding maximum bit rate is V_MR
ATE is the maximum bit rate for video encoding.

The GOP structure fixed flag GOP_FXflag indicates whether or not to perform encoding without changing the GOP structure during video encoding. This is an effective parameter when seamless switching is possible during a multi-angle scene.

[0375] The video encoding GOP structure GOPST is GOP structure data at the time of encoding.

[0376] The video encoding initial data V_INST is an effective parameter for setting an initial value of a VBV buffer (decoding buffer) at the start of video encoding and for seamless reproduction with a preceding video encoded stream.

[0377] The video encoding end data V_ENDST is
The end value of the VBV buffer (decoding buffer) at the end of video encoding is set. This parameter is effective for seamless playback with the subsequent video encoded stream.

The audio encoder start time A_STTM is
This is the audio encoding start time on the audio material.

[0379] Audio encoder end time A_ENDTM
Is the audio encoding end time on the audio material.

Audio encode bit rate A_RATE
Is a bit rate at the time of audio encoding.

The audio encoding system A_ENCMD is an audio encoding system,
There are an EG method and a linear PCM method.

The audio start gap A_STGAP is V
This is the time difference between the start of video and the start of audio at the start of OB. This parameter is effective for seamless playback with the preceding system encoded stream.

The audio end gap A_ENDGAP is V
This is the time difference between the end of the video and the end of the audio at the end of the OB. This parameter is effective for seamless playback with the subsequent system encoded stream.

[0384] The preceding VOB number B_VOB_NO indicates the VOB number of the preceding VOB of the seamless connection, if any.

[0385] The succeeding VOB number F_VOB_NO indicates the VOB number of the succeeding VOB of the seamless connection, if any.

The operation of the DVD encoder ECD according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the figure, blocks surrounded by double lines indicate subroutines. Although the present embodiment describes a DVD system, it goes without saying that the authoring encoder EC can be similarly configured.

In step # 100, the user
Multimedia source data S
While confirming the contents of t1, St2, and St3, an edit instruction of the contents according to the desired scenario is input. In step # 200, the editing information creating unit 100 generates the scenario data St7 including the above-described editing instruction information according to the user's editing instruction. At the time of generation of the scenario data St7 in step # 200, among the editing instruction contents of the user, the editing instruction at the time of interleaving in the multi-angle, parental multi-scene section which is assumed to be interleaved is as follows. Enter to satisfy.

First, the maximum bit rate of the VOB is determined so that sufficient image quality can be obtained. Further, the track buffer amount and the jump performance, the jump time and the jump distance of the DVD decoder DCD assumed as the DVD encoded data reproducing apparatus are determined. Determine the value of. Based on the above values, the reproduction time of the minimum interleave unit is obtained from Expressions 3 and 4.

Next, it is verified whether Expressions 5 and 6 are satisfied based on the reproduction time of each scene included in the multi-scene section. If the conditions are not satisfied, processing such as connecting a partial scene of the subsequent scene to each scene in the multi-scene section is performed, and the user changes and inputs an instruction so as to satisfy Expressions 5 and 6.

Further, in the case of a multi-angle editing instruction, Expression 7 is satisfied at the time of seamless switching, and at the same time,
An editing instruction to input the same playback time and audio for each scene of the angle is input. At the time of non-seamless switching, the user inputs an editing instruction so as to satisfy Expression 8.

In step # 300, the encoding system control section 200 first determines whether or not the target scene is to be seamlessly connected to the preceding scene based on the scenario data St7. Seamless connection means that, when the preceding scene section is a multi-scene section consisting of a plurality of scenes, any one of all scenes included in the preceding multi-scene section is set as a common scene to be connected at the present time. Connect seamlessly. Similarly, if the current connection target scene is a multi-scene section, it means that any one scene in the multi-scene section can be connected. If NO in step # 300, that is, if it is determined that the connection is non-seamless, step # 400
Proceed to.

In step # 400, the encoding system control unit 200 resets the preceding scene seamless connection flag VOB_Fsb indicating that the target scene is seamlessly connected to the preceding scene, and proceeds to step # 600.
On the other hand, if YES in step # 300, that is, if it is determined that a seamless connection with the preceding sheet is made, step #
Go to 500. In step # 500, the preceding scene seamless connection flag VOB_Fsb is set, and in step # 60
Go to 0.

In step # 600, the encoding system control unit 200 determines whether or not the target scene is to be seamlessly connected to the subsequent scene based on the scenario data St7. If NO in step # 600, that is, if it is determined that the connection is non-seamless, the process proceeds to step # 700.

At step # 700, the encoding system control unit 200 sets the following scene seamless connection flag VOB_
Fsf is reset, and the routine proceeds to step # 900. on the other hand,
If YES in step # 600, that is, if it is determined that a seamless connection with the succeeding sheet is made, step # 800
Proceed to.

In step # 800, the encoding system control unit 200 sets the subsequent scene seamless connection flag VOB_
Fsf is set, and the routine proceeds to step # 900.

In step # 900, the encoding system control unit 200 determines whether or not one or more connection target scenes, that is, a multi-scene, based on the scenario data St7. The multi-scene includes parental control for reproducing only one reproduction path among a plurality of reproduction paths that can be configured as a multi-scene, and multi-angle control for switching the reproduction path during a multi-scene period. If NO in scenario step # 900, that is, if it is determined that the connection is a non-multi-scene connection, the process proceeds to step # 1000.

In step # 1000, a multi-scene flag VOB_Fp indicating that the connection is a multi-scene connection is reset, and the flow advances to an encoding parameter generation step # 1800. The operation of step # 1800 will be described later.

On the other hand, if YES in step # 900, that is, if it is determined that a multi-scene connection is established, step # 1 is executed.
Go to 100.

In step # 1100, the multi-scene flag VOB_Fp is set, and the flow advances to step # 1200 to determine whether or not a multi-angle connection is established.

At step # 1200, it is determined whether or not to switch between a plurality of scenes in a multi-scene section, that is, whether or not the section is a multi-angle section. If NO in step # 1200, that is, if it is determined that the parental control is to reproduce only one reproduction path without switching in the middle of the multi-scene section, step # 130
Go to 0.

At step # 1300, a multi-angle flag VO indicating that the connection target scene is a multi-angle
B_Fm is reset, and the flow advances to step # 1302.

In step # 1302, it is determined whether any of the preceding scene seamless connection flag VOB_Fsb and the subsequent scene seamless connection flag VOB_Fsf is set. If YES in step # 1300, that is, if it is determined that the connection target scene is to be seamlessly connected to either or both of the preceding and succeeding scenes, the process proceeds to step # 1304.

In step # 1304, an interleave flag VOB_Fi indicating that VOB which is the encoded data of the target scene is interleaved is set, and the flow advances to step # 1800.

On the other hand, if NO in step # 1302, that is, if the target scene is not seamlessly connected to any of the preceding scene and the succeeding scene, the process proceeds to step # 1306.

[0405] In step # 1306, the interleave flag VOB_Fi is reset, and the flow advances to step # 1800.

If YES in step # 1200, that is, if it is determined that the angle is multi-angle, the flow advances to step # 1400.

In step # 1400, the multi-angle flag VOB_Fm and the interleave flag VOB_Fi are set, and the flow advances to step # 1500.

[0408] In step # 1500, the encoding system control unit 200 determines, based on the scenario data St7, whether video and audio can be switched seamlessly in a multi-angle scene section, that is, in a playback unit smaller than the VOB, without interruption. Judge. If NO in step # 1500, that is, if it is determined that non-seamless switching is performed, the process proceeds to step # 1600.

In step # 1600, a seamless switching flag V indicating that the target scene is a seamless switching
OB_FsV is reset, and the process proceeds to step # 1800.

If YES in step # 1500, that is, if it is determined that seamless switching is to be performed, step # 17
Go to 00.

[0411] In step # 1700, the seamless switching flag VOB_FsV is set, and the flow advances to step # 1800. As described above, in the present invention, the process proceeds to step # 1800 after the editing information is detected as the set state of each flag described above from the scenario data St7 reflecting the editing intention.

In step # 1800, based on the user's editing intention detected as the set state of each flag as described above, the VOB set unit and VOB shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 for encoding the source stream, respectively. Information is added to the encoding information table for each unit, and encoding parameters are created for each VOB data shown in FIG. Next, the process proceeds to step # 1900.

[0413] Details of the encoding parameter creation step will be described later with reference to Figs. 52, 53, 54 and 55.

In step # 1900, step # 180
0, and encodes video data and audio data based on the encode parameters, and then proceeds to step # 2000. It should be noted that continuity with the preceding and following scenes and the like is essentially unnecessary for the purpose of inserting and using the sub-picture data as needed during video playback as needed. Further, since a sub-picture is video information of about one screen, unlike video data and audio data extending on a time axis, a sub-picture is often still on display and is always reproduced continuously. is not. Therefore,
In the present embodiment relating to continuous playback called seamless and non-seamless, description of encoding of sub-picture data is omitted for simplicity.

In step # 2000, a loop composed of steps # 300 to # 1900 is performed by the number of VOB sets, and reproduction information such as the reproduction order of each VOB of the title in FIG. The program chain (VTS_PGC # I) information having the structure is formatted, an interleaved arrangement of VOBs in a multi-scene section is created, and a VOB set data string and a VOB data string necessary for system encoding are completed. Next, the process proceeds to step # 2100.

At step # 2100, step # 200
Total number of VOB sets resulting from looping to 0
VOBS_NUM is obtained and added to the VOB set data sequence, and in the scenario data St7, the title number TITLE_NO is set when the number of scenario playback paths is the number of titles, and VOB set data as an encoding information table is set. After completing the columns, proceed to step # 2200.

At step # 2200, step # 190
The VOB (VOB) in the VTSTT_VOBS in FIG. 16 is based on the video encode stream and the audio encode stream encoded with 0 and the encode parameters in FIG.
B # i) Perform system encoding to create data. Next, the process proceeds to step # 2300.

In step # 2300, the VTSI management table (VTSI_M) included in the VTS information and VTSI shown in FIG.
AT), VTSPGC information table (VTSPGCIT)
In addition, a format including processing such as data creation of program chain information (VTS_PGCI # I) for controlling the reproduction order of VOB data and interleaving arrangement of VOBs included in a multi-scene section is performed.

The details of the format step will be described later with reference to FIGS. 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60.

Referring to FIGS. 52, 53 and 54,
The operation of generating the encoding parameters during multi-angle control in the encoding parameter generating subroutine of step # 1800 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 51 will be described.

First, referring to FIG. 52, when NO is determined in step # 1500 of FIG. 51, that is, each flag is VOB_Fsb = 1 or VOB_Fsf = 1, VOB_Fp = 1, V
The case where OB_Fi = 1, VOB_Fm = 1, and FsV = 0, that is, an operation of generating an encoding parameter of a non-seamless switching stream during multi-angle control will be described. In the following operation, the encoding information tables shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 and the encoding parameters shown in FIG. 29 are created.

In step # 1812, the order of scenario reproduction included in the scenario data St7 is extracted, and the
A set number VOBS_NO is set, and a VOB number VOB_NO is set for one or more VOBs in the VOB set.

In step # 1814, the maximum bit rate of the interleaved VOB is calculated from the scenario data St7.
Extract ILV_BR and set video encoding maximum bit rate V_MRATE of encoding parameters based on interleave flag VOB_Fi = 1.

In step # 1816, the minimum interleave unit playback time ILVU is calculated from the scenario data St7.
Extract _MT.

At step # 1818, based on the multi-angle flag VOB_Fp = 1, the values of N = 15 and M = 3 of the video encoding GOP structure GOPST and the GOP structure fixing flag G
Set OPFXflag = "1".

[0426] Step # 1820 is a common routine for setting VOB data. In FIG. 53, step # 182
The VOB data common setting routine of 0 is shown. In the following operation flow, the encoding information tables shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 and the encoding parameters shown in FIG. 29 are created.

In step # 1822, the start time VOB_VS of the video material of each VOB is calculated from the scenario data St7.
T, the end time VOB_VEND is extracted, and the video encode start time V_STTM and the encode end time V_ENDTM are used as video encode parameters.

In step # 1824, the start time VOB_ of the audio material of each VOB is calculated from the scenario data St7.
The AST is extracted, and the audio encoding start time A_STTM is used as an audio encoding parameter.

In step # 1826, the end time VOB_ of the audio material of each VOB is calculated from the scenario data St7.
The AEND is extracted, and the time in audio access units (hereinafter, referred to as AAU) determined by the audio encoding method at a time not exceeding VOB_AEND is converted to an encoding end time A_
ENDTM.

[0430] In step # 1828, the video encoding start time V_STTM and the audio encoding start time A_STTM
, The audio start gap A_STGAP is used as a system encoding parameter.

In step # 1830, the video encoding end time V_ENDTM and the audio encoding end time A_E
From the NDTM difference, the audio end gap A_ENDGAP is used as a system encoding parameter.

In step # 1832, the video bit rate V_BR is extracted from the scenario data St7, and the video encode bit rate V_RATE is used as a video encode parameter as the average bit rate of the video encode.

In step # 1834, the audio bit rate A_BR is extracted from the scenario data St7,
The audio encode bit rate A_RATE is used as an audio encode parameter.

[0434] In step # 1836, the type of video material VOB_V_KIND is extracted from the scenario data St7, and if it is a film material, that is, a telecine-converted material, reverse telecine conversion is set in the video encode mode V_ENCMD, and video encoding is performed. Parameters.

[0435] In step # 1838, the audio encoding method VOB_A_KIND is extracted from the scenario data St7, and the encoding method is set in the audio encoding mode A_ENCMD, which is used as an audio encoding parameter. In step # 1840, the VBV buffer initial value of the video encode initial data V_INST is set to be equal to or less than the VBV buffer end value of the video encode end data V_ENDST, and is set as a video encode parameter.

In step # 1842, the VO of the preceding connection is determined based on the preceding VOB seamless connection flag VOB_Fsb = 1.
The B number VOB_NO is set to the preceding connection VOB number B_VOB_NO, and is used as a system encoding parameter.

In step # 1844, the VO of the subsequent connection is set based on the subsequent VOB seamless connection flag VOB_Fsf = 1.
The B number VOB_NO is set to the VOB number F_VOB_NO of the succeeding connection, and is set as a system encoding parameter.

As described above, it is a multi-angle VOB set, and an encoding information table and encoding parameters for non-seamless multi-angle switching control can be generated.

Next, referring to FIG. 54, in FIG. 51, when it is determined as Yes in step # 1500, that is, when each flag is VOB_Fsb = 1 or VOB_Fsf = 1, V
An operation of generating an encoding parameter of a seamless switching stream at the time of multi-angle control when OB_Fp = 1, VOB_Fi = 1, VOB_Fm = 1, and VOB_FsV = 1 will be described.

With the following operations, the encoding information tables shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 and the encoding parameters shown in FIG. 29 are created.

In step # 1850, the order of scenario playback included in scenario data St7 is extracted, and VOB
A set number VOBS_NO is set, and a VOB number VOB_NO is set for one or more VOBs in the VOB set.

In step # 1852, the maximum bit rate LV_BR of the interleave VOB is extracted from the scenario data St7, and the video encode maximum bit rate V_RATE is set based on the interleave flag VOB_Fi = 1.

[0443] In step # 1854, the minimum interleave unit playback time ILVU is calculated from the scenario data St7.
Extract _MT.

In step # 1856, based on the multi-angle flag VOB_Fp = 1, the values of N = 15 and M = 3 of the video encoding GOP structure GOPST and the GOP structure fixing flag G
Set OPFXflag = "1".

[0445] In step # 1858, video encoding G is performed based on the seamless switching flag VOB_FsV = 1.
A closed GOP is set in the OP structure GOPST and used as a parameter for video encoding.

[0446] Step # 1860 is a common routine for setting VOB data. This common routine is shown in FIG.
This is already described, and will not be described.

As described above, with the multi-angle VOB set, encoding parameters for seamless switching control can be generated.

Next, referring to FIG. 55, in FIG. 51, when NO is determined in step # 1200 and YES is determined in step 1304, that is, each flag is set to VOB_Fsb = 1 or VOB_Fsf = 1, VOB_Fp = 1, VOB_F
An encoding parameter generation operation at the time of parental control when i = 1 and VOB_Fm = 0 will be described. In the following operation, the encoding information tables shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 and the encoding parameters shown in FIG. 29 are created.

[0449] In step # 1870, the order of scenario reproduction included in the scenario data St7 is extracted, and the VOB
A set number VOBS_NO is set, and a VOB number VOB_NO is set for one or more VOBs in the VOB set.

[0450] In step # 1872, the maximum bit rate of the interleaved VOB is calculated from the scenario data St7.
ILV_BR is extracted and set to the video encoding maximum bit rate V_RATE based on the interleave flag VOB_Fi = 1.

[0451] In step # 1874, the VOB interleave unit division number ILV_ is calculated from the scenario data St7.
Extract DIV.

Step # 1876 is a common routine for setting VOB data. This common routine is shown in FIG.
This is already described, and will not be described.

As described above, an encoding parameter for parental control can be generated by a multi-scene VOB set.

Referring to FIG. 61, in FIG. 51, when NO is determined in step # 900, that is, when each flag is VOB_Fp = 0, that is, encoding of a single scene The parameter generation operation will be described. In the following operation, the encoding information tables shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 and the encoding parameters shown in FIG. 29 are created.

[0455] In step # 1880, the scenario playback order included in the scenario data St7 is extracted, and the VOB
A set number VOBS_NO is set, and a VOB number VOB_NO is set for one or more VOBs in the VOB set.

In step # 1882, the maximum bit rate ILV_BR of the interleave VOB is extracted from the scenario data St7, and the video encode maximum bit rate V_MRATE is set based on the interleave flag VOB_Fi = 1.

Step # 1884 is a common routine for setting VOB data. This common routine is shown in FIG.
This is already described, and will not be described.

Creation of the encoding information table as described above,
By the encoding parameter creation flow, encoding parameters for DVD video, audio, system encoding, and DVD formatter can be generated.

The formatter flow charts 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60 are shown in FIG.
The operation in the formatter subroutine for generating a DVD multimedia stream in step # 2300 shown in FIG.

The operation of the formatter 1100 of the DVD encoder ECD according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the figure, blocks surrounded by double lines indicate subroutines.

In step # 2310, based on the number of titles TITLE_NUM in the VOB set data string, TITLE_NU is stored in the video title set management table VTSI_MAT in the VTSI.
Set VTSI_PGCI for the number of M.

At step # 2312, it is determined whether or not the scene is a multi-scene based on the multi-scene flag VOB_Fp in the VOB set data. If NO in step # 2112, that is, if it is determined that the scene is not a multi-scene, the process proceeds to step # 2114.

In step # 2314, the formatter 1 in the authoring encoder of FIG.
100 shows a subroutine of the operation of FIG. This subroutine will be described later.

If YES in step # 2312, that is, if it is determined that the scene is a multi-scene, the flow advances to step # 2316. In step # 2316, the VOB
It is determined whether or not to interleave based on the interleave flag VOB_Fi in the set data. Step #
If NO in 2316, that is, if it is determined not to interleave, the process proceeds to step # 2314.

In step 2318, it is determined whether or not the angle is a multi-angle based on the multi-angle flag VOB_Fm in the VOB set data. Step # 231
If NO in step 8, that is, if it is determined that the angle is not multi-angle, the process proceeds to step # 2320, which is a parental control subroutine.

[0466] Step # 2320 shows a subroutine of a formatter operation in a VOB set of parental control. This subroutine is shown in FIG. 59 and will be described later in detail.

If YES in step # 2320, that is, if it is determined that the angle is multi-angle, the flow advances to step # 2322.

In step # 2322, it is determined whether or not seamless switching is to be performed based on the multi-angle seamless switching flag VOB_FsV. Step # 2322
If NO, that is, if it is determined that the multi-angle is non-seamless switching control, step # 232
Proceed to 6.

Step # 2326 shows a subroutine for the operation of the authoring encoding formatter 1100 in FIG. 25 in the case of multi-angle control of non-seamless switching control. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

If YES in step # 2322, that is, if it is determined that the multi-angle is for seamless switching control, the flow advances to step # 2324.

Step # 2324 shows a subroutine for the operation of the multi-angle formatter 1100 for seamless switching control. This will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

[0472] In step 2328, the cell reproduction information CPBI set in the previous flow is recorded as VTSI CPBI information.

[0473] In step # 2330, the formatter flow determines the number of VOB sets VOBS_NUM in the VOB set data string.
It is determined whether or not the processing of the VOB set indicated by is completed. If NO in step # 2130, that is, if the processing of all the VOB sets has not been completed, the process proceeds to step # 2112. In step # 2130, Y
If the processing of ES, that is, the processing of all VOB sets has been completed, the processing ends.

Next, referring to FIG. 57, step # in FIG.
The subroutine of subroutine step # 2326 in the case of NO in 2322, that is, when it is determined that the multi-angle is non-seamless switching control, will be described. According to the operation flow shown below, the interleave arrangement of the multimedia stream, the contents of the cell reproduction information (C_PBI # i) shown in FIG. 16, and the information in the nub pack NV shown in FIG. 20 are recorded in the generated multimedia stream of the DVD. I do.

[0475] In step # 2340, based on the information of VOB_Fm = 1 indicating that the multi-scene section performs multi-angle control, a cell (C_PBI # i in FIG. 16) that describes the control information of the VOB corresponding to each scene. In the cell block mode (CBM in FIG. 16), for example, the MA shown in FIG.
CBM of cell 1 = “head of cell block = 01b”, MA
CBM of cell 2 = “in cell block = 10b”, MA
CBM of cell 3 = “end of cell block = 11b” is recorded.

[0476] In step # 2342, a cell (C_PBI # i in FIG. 16) that describes control information of a VOB corresponding to each scene based on the information of VOB_Fm = 1 indicating that the multi-scene section performs multi-angle control. Value indicating “angle” = “01b” in the cell block type (CBT in FIG. 16)
Record

In step # 2344, based on the information of VOB_Fsb = 1 indicating that seamless connection is to be performed, a cell (C_C in FIG. 16) that describes the control information of the VOB corresponding to the scene is set.
PBI # i) to the seamless playback flag (SPF in FIG. 16).
Record 1 ".

[0478] In step # 2346, based on the information of VOB_Fsb = 1 indicating that a seamless connection is to be made, a cell (C_ of FIG. 16) that describes the control information of the VOB corresponding to the scene is set.
PBI # i) to the STC reset flag (STCDF in FIG. 16).
Record 1 ".

[0479] In step # 2348, based on VOB_FsV = 1 information indicating that interleaving is necessary, a cell (FIG. 16) describing control information of a VOB corresponding to a scene is described.
C_PBI # i) interleave block arrangement flag (FIG. 1)
Record "1" in IAF).

In step # 2350, the position information (the relative number of sectors from the start of the VOB) of the nub pack NV is detected from the title editing unit (hereinafter referred to as VOB) obtained by the system encoder 900 in FIG.
The playback time ILVU_MT of the minimum interleave unit, which is the formatter parameter obtained in step # 1816
Based on the data, the nubpack NV is detected and the VO
BU position information (such as the number of sectors from the beginning of the VOB) is obtained and divided into VOBU units. For example, in the above example, the minimum interleave unit playback time is 2 seconds, VO
Since the playback time of one BU is 0.5 seconds, four VOBUs
Each is divided as an interleave unit. This division processing is performed on VOBs corresponding to each multi-scene.

In step # 2352, step # 21
As the control information of the VOB corresponding to each scene recorded at 40, the cell block mode described (CB in FIG. 16)
M) According to the description order (the description order of “cell block head”, “cell block”, “cell block end”)
For example, the cell of MA1, the cell of MA2, and M shown in FIG.
Each V obtained in step # 2350 in the order of cells A3
An OB interleave unit is arranged to form an interleave block as shown in FIG. 37 or FIG. 38, and is added to VTSTT_VOB data.

In step # 2354, step # 23
Based on the VOBU position information obtained in step 50, each VOB
The number of relative sectors from the head of the VOBU is recorded in the VOBU last pack address (COBU_EA in FIG. 20) of the U nub pack NV of U.

In step # 2356, step # 23
Based on the VTSTT_VOBS data obtained in step 52, the address of the navpack NV of the first VOBU of each cell and the last VOBU
As the address of the BU nub pack NV, the number of sectors from the head of VTSTT_VOBS is the cell head VOBU address C_FVOB.
The U_SA and the cell end VOBU address C_LVOBU_SA are recorded.

In step # 2358, each VO
The non-seamless angle information (NSM_AGLI in FIG. 20) of the BUBU pack NV of the BU includes the position information (FIG. 50) of the nappack NV included in the VOBUs of all the angle scenes close to the playback start time of the VOBU, and step # 2
The number of relative sectors in the data of the interleaved block formed in step 352 is represented by an angle #iVOBU start address (NSML_AGL_C1_DSTA to NSML_AGL_C9_DSTA in FIG. 20).
).

In step # 2160, step # 23
In the VOBU obtained in step 50, if it is the last VOBU of each scene in the multi-scene section, the non-seamless angle information of the Nabpack NV of the VOBU (NSM_ in FIG. 20)
AGLI) angle #iVOBU start address (FIG. 20)
NSML_AGL_C1_DSTA to NSML_AGL_C9_DSTA)
FFFFFh ”is recorded.

By the above steps, the interleave block corresponding to the non-seamless switching multi-angle control of the multi-scene section and the control information in the cell which is the reproduction control information corresponding to the multi-scene are formatted.

Next, referring to FIG. 58, step # in FIG.
The subroutine step # 2324 when YES in 2322, that is, when it is determined that the multi-angle is the seamless switching control, will be described. According to the operation flow shown below, the interleave arrangement of the multimedia stream and the cell playback information (C_PBI #
The contents of i) and the information in the nub pack NV shown in FIG. 20 are recorded in the generated multimedia stream of the DVD.

[0488] In step # 2370, based on the information of VOB_Fm = 1 indicating that the multi-scene section performs multi-angle control, a cell describing the control information of the VOB corresponding to each scene (C_PBI # i in FIG. 16) In the cell block mode (CBM in FIG. 16), for example, the MA shown in FIG.
CBM of cell 1 = “head of cell block = 01b”, MA
CBM of cell 2 = “in cell block = 10b”, MA
CBM of cell 3 = “end of cell block = 11b” is recorded.

[0489] In step # 2372, a cell (C_PBI # i in Fig. 16) that describes the control information of the VOB corresponding to each scene based on the information of VOB_Fm = 1 indicating that the multi-scene section performs multi-angle control. Value indicating “angle” = “01b” in the cell block type (CBT in FIG. 16)
Record

[0490] In step # 2374, based on the information of VOB_Fsb = 1 indicating that a seamless connection is to be made, a cell (C_ of FIG. 16) describing the control information of the VOB corresponding to the scene is described.
PBI # i) to the seamless playback flag (SPF in FIG. 16).
Record 1 ".

In step # 2376, based on the information of VOB_Fsb = 1 indicating that a seamless connection is to be made, a cell (C_ of FIG. 16) describing control information of a VOB corresponding to a scene is described.
PBI # i) to the STC reset flag (STCDF in FIG. 16).
Record 1 ".

[0492] In step # 2378, based on VOB_FsV = 1 information indicating that interleaving is required, a cell (FIG. 16) describing control information of a VOB corresponding to a scene is described.
C_PBI # i) interleave block arrangement flag (FIG. 1)
Record "1" in IAF).

In step # 2380, position information (the relative number of sectors from the beginning of the VOB) of the nub pack NV is detected from the title editing unit (hereinafter referred to as VOB) obtained by the system encoder 900 in FIG.
The minimum interleave unit playback time ILVU_MT, which is the formatter parameter obtained in step # 1854 of FIG.
Based on the data, the nubpack NV is detected and the VO
BU position information (such as the number of sectors from the beginning of the VOB) is obtained and divided into VOBU units. For example, in the above example, the minimum interleave unit playback time is 2 seconds, VO
Since the playback time of one BU is 0.5 seconds, four VOBUs
Divide each unit as an interleave unit. This division processing is performed on VOBs corresponding to each multi-scene.

In step # 2382, step # 21
The control information of the VOB corresponding to each scene recorded in the cell block mode (CB in FIG. 16)
M) According to the description order (the description order in which “the beginning of the cell block”, “in the cell block”, and “the end of the cell block”), for example, the order of the cell of MA1, the cell of MA2, and the cell of MA3 shown in FIG. By arranging the interleaving unit of each VOB obtained in step # 1852, FIG.
7 or an interleaved block as shown in FIG. 38 is formed and added to the VTSTT_VOBS data.

In step # 2384, step # 23
Based on the VOBU position information obtained in step 60, each VOB
The number of relative sectors from the head of the VOBU is recorded in the VOBU last pack address (COBU_EA in FIG. 20) of the U nub pack NV of U.

In step # 2386, step # 23
Based on the VTSTT_VOBS data obtained in step 82, the address of the navpack NV of the first VOBU of each cell and the last VOBU
As the address of the BU nub pack NV, the number of sectors from the head of VTSTT_VOBS is the cell head VOBU address C_FVOB.
The U_SA and the cell end VOBU address C_LVOBU_SA are recorded.

In step # 2388, step # 23
Based on the data of the interleave unit obtained in 70, each V
The last pack address of the interleave unit of the OBU nub pack NV (the last pack address of ILVU) (FIG. 2)
0 (ILVU_EA), the relative number of sectors up to the last pack of the interleave unit is recorded.

At step # 2390, each VO
Seamless angle information of BU NABUPACK NV (Fig. 2
0 SML_AGLI), as position information (FIG. 50) of the nubpack NV included in the VOBUs of all the angle scenes having the start time following the reproduction end time of the VOBU.
The number of relative sectors in the data of the interleaved block formed in step # 2382 is determined by angle #iVOB.
U start address (SML_AGL_C1_DSTA to SML_AGL in FIG. 20)
_C9_DSTA).

In step # 2392, step # 23
If the interleave unit arranged at 82 is the last interleave unit of each scene in the multi-scene section, the VOBU included in the interleave unit
Angle information of Nabpack NV (see FIG. 20)
Angle #iVOBU start address of SML_AGLI) (FIG. 2)
0 to SML_AGL_C1_DSTA to SML_AGL_C9_DSTA)
FFFFFFh ”is recorded.

By the above steps, the interleave block corresponding to the seamless switching multi-angle control of the multi-scene section and the control information in the cell which is the reproduction control information corresponding to the multi-scene are formatted.

Next, referring to FIG. 59, step # in FIG.
The subroutine step # 2320 in the case of NO at 2318, that is, when it is determined that the control is parental control, not multi-angle, will be described. According to the operation flow shown below, the interleave arrangement of the multimedia stream and the cell playback information (C_PBI #
The contents of i) and the information in the nub pack NV shown in FIG. 20 are recorded in the generated multimedia stream of the DVD.

At step # 2402, VOB_Fm = indicating that multi-angle control is not performed in the multi-scene section
Based on the 0 information, “00b” is recorded in the cell block mode (CBM in FIG. 16) of the cell (C_PBI # i in FIG. 16) that describes the control information of the VOB corresponding to each scene.

[0503] In step # 2404, based on the information of VOB_Fsb = 1 indicating that a seamless connection is to be made, a cell (C_ of FIG. 16) describing control information of a VOB corresponding to a scene is described.
PBI # i) to the seamless playback flag (SPF in FIG. 16).
Record 1 ".

[0504] In step # 2406, based on the information of VOB_Fsb = 1 indicating that a seamless connection is to be made, a cell (C_ of FIG. 16) describing the control information of the VOB corresponding to the scene is described.
PBI # i) to the STC reset flag (STCDF in FIG. 16).
Record 1 ".

[0505] In step # 2408, based on the information of VOB_FsV = 1 indicating that interleaving is required, a cell (FIG. 16) describing control information of a VOB corresponding to a scene is described.
C_PBI # i) interleave block arrangement flag (FIG. 1)
Record "1" in IAF).

In step # 2410, the position information (the relative number of sectors from the start of the VOB) of the nub pack NV is detected from the title editing unit (hereinafter referred to as VOB) obtained by the system encoder 900 in FIG.
Based on the data of the VOB interleave division number ILV_DIV, which is the formatter parameter obtained in step # 1874, the nub pack NV is detected, and the VOBU position information (such as the number of sectors from the beginning of the VOB) is obtained.
The VOB is divided into a set number of interleaved units in BU units.

[0507] In step # 2412, step # 24 is executed.
The interleave units obtained in 10 are arranged alternately. For example, they are arranged in ascending order of VOB numbers to form an interleaved block as shown in FIG. 37 or FIG.
Add to VTSTT_VOBS.

In step # 2414, step # 21
Based on the VOBU position information obtained in step 86, each VOB
The number of relative sectors from the head of the VOBU is recorded in the VOBU last pack address (COBU_EA in FIG. 20) of the U nub pack NV of U.

[0509] In step # 2416, step # 24 is executed.
12, based on the VTSTT_VOBS data, the address of the navpack NV of the first VOBU of each cell, and the last VOBU.
As the address of the BU nub pack NV, the number of sectors from the head of VTSTT_VOBS is the cell head VOBU address C_FVOB.
The U_SA and the cell end VOBU address C_LVOBU_SA are recorded.

In step # 2418, step # 24
12, based on the data of the interleaved unit arranged, the interleaved unit last pack address (ILVU last pack address) (ILVU_EA in FIG. 20) of the interleaved unit and the last interleave unit The relative number of sectors up to the pack is recorded.

[0511] In step # 2420, the nub pack NV of the VOBU included in the interleave unit ILVU is determined.
Then, as the position information of the next ILVU, step # 241
The next interleave unit head address NT_ILVU_SA is recorded as the relative number of sectors in the data of the interleave block formed in step 2.

[0512] In step # 2422, the nub pack NV of the VOBU included in the interleave unit ILVU is determined.
"1" is recorded in the ILVU flag ILVUflag.

[0513] In step # 2424, the nub pack NV of the last VOBU in the interleave unit ILVU is determined.
"1" is recorded in the UnitEND flag of the END.

[0514] In step # 2426, the next interleave unit start address NT of the nub pack NV of the VOBU in the last interleave unit ILVU of each VOB.
“FFFFFFFFh” is recorded in _ILVU_SA.

[0515] Through the above steps, the interleave block corresponding to the parental control in the multi-scene section and the control information in the cell which is the cell reproduction control information corresponding to the multi-scene are formatted.

Next, referring to FIG. 60, step # in FIG.
The subroutine step # 2314 when NO in step 2312 and step # 2316, that is, when it is determined that the scene is not a multi-scene but a single scene will be described. According to the operation flow shown below, the interleave arrangement of the multimedia stream, the contents of the cell reproduction information (C_PBI # i) shown in FIG. 16, and the information in the nub pack NV shown in FIG. 20 are recorded in the generated multimedia stream of the DVD. I do.

In step # 2430, VOB_Fp = 0 indicating that the scene is not a multi-scene period but a single scene period
"00b" indicating that the cell is a non-cell block in the cell block mode (CBM in FIG. 16) of the cell (C_PBI # i in FIG. 16) that describes the control information of the VOB corresponding to each scene based on the information of Record

[0518] In step # 2432, based on the information of VOB_FsV = 0 indicating that interleaving is unnecessary, a cell (FIG. 16) that describes the control information of the VOB corresponding to the scene.
“0” is recorded in the interleave block arrangement flag (IAF in FIG. 16) of C_PBI # i).

In step # 2434, the position information (the relative number of sectors from the start of the VOB) of the nub pack NV is detected from the title editing unit (hereinafter referred to as VOB) obtained by the system encoder 900 in FIG.
It is arranged in U units and added to VTSTT_VOB which is stream data such as video of a multimedia stream.

In step # 2436, step # 24
Based on the VOBU position information obtained in step 34, each VOB
The number of relative sectors from the head of the VOBU is recorded in the VOBU last pack address (COBU_EA in FIG. 20) of the U nub pack NV of U.

In step # 2438, step # 24
Based on the VTSTT_VOBS data obtained in step 34, the address of the navpack NV of the first VOBU and the address of the navpack NV of the last VOBU of each cell are extracted. Further, the number of sectors from the head of VTSTT_VOBS is
As the U address C_FVOBU_SA, the number of sectors from the end of VTSTT_VOBS is recorded as the cell end VOBU address C_LVOBU_SA.

In step # 2440, the state determined in step # 300 or step # 600 in FIG. 51, that is, VOB_ indicating seamless connection with the preceding and succeeding scenes.
It is determined whether or not Fsb = 1. If YES is determined in step # 2440, the process proceeds to step # 2442.

[0523] In step # 2442, based on the information of VOB_Fsb = 1 indicating that a seamless connection is to be made, a cell (C_ of FIG. 16) describing control information of a VOB corresponding to a scene is described.
PBI # i) to the seamless playback flag (SPF in FIG. 16).
Record 1 ".

[0524] In step # 2444, based on the information of VOB_Fsb = 1 indicating that a seamless connection is to be made, a cell (C_ of FIG. 16) describing the control information of the VOB corresponding to the scene is described.
PBI # i) to the STC reset flag (STCDF in FIG. 16).
Record 1 ".

If NO is determined in step # 2440, that is, if the connection to the previous scene is not made seamlessly, the flow advances to step # 2446.

[0526] In step # 2446, based on the information of VOB_Fsb = 0 indicating that seamless connection is to be performed, the cell (C_C in FIG. 16) that describes the control information of the VOB corresponding to the scene is set.
“0” is recorded in the seamless playback flag (SPF in FIG. 16) of the PBI # i).

[0527] In step # 2448, based on the information of VOB_Fsb = 0 indicating that a seamless connection is to be made, a cell (C_C in FIG. 16) describing the control information of the VOB corresponding to the scene is set.
“0” is recorded in the STC reset flag (STCDF in FIG. 16) of the PBI # i).

According to the operation flow described above, the arrangement of the multimedia stream corresponding to a single scene section and the arrangement of FIG.
20 and the contents of the cell reproduction information (C_PBI # i) shown in FIG.
Is recorded on the multimedia stream of the generated DVD.

Decoder Flowchart From Disk to Stream Buffer Transfer Flow Referring to FIGS. 62 and 63, decoding system control unit 23 based on scenario selection data St51
The decode information table generated by 00 will be described. The decode information table includes a decode system table shown in FIG. 62 and a decode table shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 62, the decoding system table includes a scenario information register and a cell information register. The scenario information register unit extracts and records the reproduction scenario information, such as the title number, selected by the user and included in the scenario selection data St51. The cell information register unit extracts and records information necessary for reproducing each cell information constituting the program chain based on the extracted scenario information selected by the user.

Further, the scenario information register section includes an angle number register ANGLE_NO_reg and a VTS number register VTS_
NO_reg, PGC number register VTS_PGCI_NO_reg, audio ID register AUDIO_ID_reg, sub-picture ID register SP
_ID_reg and an SCR buffer register SCR_buffer.

[0532] The angle number register ANGLE_NO_reg records information on which angle is to be reproduced when the PGC to be reproduced has multiple angles. The VTS number register VTS_NO_reg stores a plurality of VTSs existing on the disk.
Among them, the number of the VTS to be reproduced next is recorded. PGC
The number register VTS_PGCI_NO_reg records information indicating which PGC is to be reproduced among a plurality of PGCs existing in the VTS for use such as parental use.

[0533] The audio ID register AUDIO_ID_reg is
Information indicating which of a plurality of audio streams present in the VTS is to be reproduced is recorded. The sub-picture ID register SP_ID_reg records information indicating which sub-picture stream to reproduce when a plurality of sub-picture streams exist in the VTS. SCR buffer SCR_buff
er is a buffer for temporarily storing the SCR described in the pack header, as shown in FIG. The temporarily stored SCR is output to the decoding system control unit 2300 as stream reproduction data St63, as described with reference to FIG.

[0534] The cell information register section includes a cell block mode register CBM_reg and a cell block type register CBT_r.
eg, seamless playback flag register SPB_reg, interleave allocation flag register IAF_reg, STC reset flag register STCDF_reg, seamless angle switching flag register SACF_reg, cell first VOBU start address register C_FVOBU_SA_reg, cell last VOBU
Includes start address register C_LVOBU_SA_reg.

The cell block mode register CBM_reg indicates whether or not a plurality of cells constitute one functional block, and if not, records “N_BLOCK” as a value. In addition, when a cell constitutes one functional block, in the case of the first cell of the functional block, “F_CEL
"L", "L_CELL" for the last cell, and "BLOCK" for cells in between.

The cell block type register CBT_reg is
This register records the type of block indicated by the cell block mode register CBM_reg. "A_BLOCK" for multi-angle, "N_BLOCK" for non-multi-angle
Record

[0537] Seamless playback flag register SPF_reg
Records information indicating whether or not the cell is to be seamlessly connected to a previously reproduced cell or cell block for reproduction. In the case of seamless connection with the previous cell or the previous cell block for playback, "SML" is recorded as a value. Otherwise, "NSML" is recorded as a value.

[0538] The interleave allocation flag register IAF_reg records information on whether or not the cell is located in the interleave area. “ILVB” is recorded as a value when the area is arranged in the interleave area, and “N_ILVB” is recorded when the area is not arranged in the interleave area.

[0539] STC reset flag register STCDF_reg
Is the STC (System Time Cloc) used for synchronization.
Record information on whether or not k) needs to be reset when the cell is played. If resetting is required, set the value to "ST
Set “C_RESET” as the value if resetting is unnecessary
_NRESET ”is recorded.

[0540] The seamless angle change flag register SACF_reg records information indicating whether the cell belongs to the angle section and seamlessly switches. When switching is performed seamlessly during the angle section, "SML" is recorded as a value. Otherwise, "NSML" is recorded.

Cell First VOBU Start Address Register
C_FVOBU_SA_reg records the cell start VOBU start address. The value is the VTS title VOBS (VTSTT_VO
The distance from the logical sector of the head cell of BS) is indicated by the number of sectors, and the number of sectors is recorded.

Cell Last VOBU Start Address Register
C_LVOBU_SA_reg records the cell final VOBU start address. The value is the VOBS for VTS title (VTSTT_
The distance from the logical sector of the first cell of VOBS) is indicated by the number of sectors, and the number of sectors is recorded.

Next, the decoding table shown in FIG. 63 will be described. As shown in the figure, the decode table includes a non-seamless multi-angle information register, a seamless multi-angle information register, a VOBU information register, and a seamless reproduction register.

[0544] The non-seamless multi-angle information register section includes NSML_AGL_C1_DSTA_reg to NSML_AGL_C9_DSTA_reg.

[0545] N SML_AGL_C1_DSTA_reg to NSML_AGL_C9_DS
TA_reg contains NSML_AGL in the PCI packet shown in FIG.
_C1_DSTA to NSML_AGL_C9_DSTA are recorded.

[0546] The seamless multi-angle information register section includes SML_AGL_C1_DSTA_reg to SML_AGL_C9_DSTA_reg.

[0547] SML_AGL_C1_DSTA_reg to SML_AGL_C9_DSTA
_reg contains SML_AGL_C1 in the DSI packet shown in FIG.
_DSTA to SML_AGL_C9_DSTA are recorded. The VOBU information register section includes a VOBU final address register VOBU_EA_
Including reg.

[0548] In the VOBU information register VOBU_EA_reg, the VOBU_EA in the DSI packet shown in Fig. 20 is recorded.

The seamless playback register section includes an interleave unit flag register ILVU_flag_reg, a unit end flag register UNIT_END_flag_reg, an ILVU last pack address register ILVU_EA_reg, a next interleave unit start address NT_ILVU_SA_reg, and a VOB first video frame display start time register VOB_V_SPTM_r.
eg, last video frame display end time register in VOB
VOB_V_EPTM_reg, audio playback stop time 1 register VO
B_A_GAP_PTM1_reg, audio playback stop time 2 register
VOB_A_GAP_PTM2_reg, audio playback stop period 1 register VOB_A_GAP_LEN1, audio playback stop period 2 register
Contains VOB_A_GAP_LEN2.

[0550] Interleave unit flag register IL
VU_flag_reg indicates whether the VOBU exists in the interleave area, and records “ILVU” when the VOBU exists in the interleave area and “N_ILVU” when it does not exist in the interleave area.

[0551] Unit end flag register UNIT_END_f
lag_reg records information indicating whether the VOBU is the last VOBU of the ILVU when the VOBU exists in the interleave area. Since the ILVU is a continuous reading unit, “END” is recorded if the VOBU currently being read is the last VOBU of the ILVU, and “N_END” is recorded if it is not the last VOBU.

[0555] ILVU last pack address register ILVU
If the VOBU exists in the interleave area, _EA_reg records the address of the last pack of the ILVU to which the VOBU belongs. Here, the address is the NV of the VOBU.
Is the number of sectors from

Next ILVU start address register NT_ILV
U_SA_reg records the start address of the next ILVU when the VOBU exists in the interleave area. Here, the address is the number of sectors from the NV of the VOBU.

[0554] The VOB first video frame display start time register VOB_V_SPTM_reg records the time at which the display of the first video frame of the VOB starts.

[0555] The VOB last video frame display end time register VOB_V_EPTM_reg records the time at which the display of the last video frame of the VOB ends.

[0556] Audio playback stop time 1 register VOB_A_
GAP_PTM1_reg is the time to stop audio playback,
Audio playback stop period 1 register VOB_A_GAP_LEN1_reg
Records the period during which audio playback is stopped.

[0557] Audio playback stop time 2 register VOB_A_
The same applies to GAP_PTM2_reg and audio reproduction stop period 2 register VOB_A_GAP_LEN2.

Next, the operation of the DVD decoder DCD according to the present invention, whose block diagram is shown in FIG. 26, will be described with reference to the DVD decoder flow shown in FIG.

Step # 310202 is a step for evaluating whether or not a disc has been inserted. If a disc has been set, the flow advances to step # 310204.

In step # 310204, FIG.
After reading the volume file information VFS, the process proceeds to step # 310206.

In step # 310206, the video manager VMG shown in FIG. 22 is read out, the VTS to be reproduced is extracted, and the flow advances to step # 310208.

In step # 310208, video title set menu address information VTSM_C_ADT is extracted from the VTS management table VTSI, and step # 31021 is performed.
Go to 0.

In step # 310210, VTSM_C_ADT
Based on the information, the video title set menu VTSM_V
OBS is read from the disc, and a title selection menu is displayed. According to this menu, the user selects a title. In this case, in addition to the title, if the title includes an audio number, a sub-picture number, and a multi-angle, the angle number is input. Upon completion of the user's input, the flow proceeds to the next step # 310214.

[0564] In step # 310214, the VTS_PGCI # J corresponding to the title number selected by the user is extracted from the management table, and the flow advances to step # 310216.

In the next step # 310216, the reproduction of the PGC is started. When the reproduction of the PGC ends, the decoding process ends. Thereafter, when another title is reproduced, it can be realized by control such as returning to the title menu display in step # 310210 if there is a key input by the user in the scenario selection section.

Next, with reference to FIG. 64, the above-described reproduction of the PGC in step # 310216 will be described in more detail. As shown, the PGC reproduction step # 310216 includes steps # 31030, # 31032, and # 3.
1034 and # 31035.

In step # 31030, the decoding system table shown in FIG. 62 is set. Angle number register ANGLE_NO_reg, VTS number register VTS_NO_r
eg, PGC number register PGC_NO_reg, audio ID register AUDIO_ID_reg, sub-picture ID register SP_ID_reg
Is set by a user operation in the scenario selection unit 2100.

When the user selects a title and the PGC to be played back is uniquely determined, the corresponding cell information (C_P
BI) is extracted and set in the cell information register. The registers to be set are CBM_reg, CBT_reg, SPF_reg, IAF_re
g, STCDF_reg, SACF_reg, C_FVOBU_SA_reg, C_LVOB
U_SA_reg.

After setting the decoding system table, the data transfer processing to the stream buffer in step # 31032 and the data decoding processing in the stream buffer in step # 31034 are started in parallel.

Here, the data transfer processing to the stream buffer in step # 31032 relates to the data transfer from the disk M to the stream buffer 2400 in FIG. That is, necessary data is read from the disk M in accordance with the title information selected by the user and the reproduction control information (nub pack NV) described in the stream, and the stream buffer 240
This is a process of transferring to 0.

[0572] On the other hand, in step # 31034, the data in the stream buffer 2400 is decoded in FIG.
This is the part that performs the process of outputting to 00. That is, this is a process of decoding and reproducing the data stored in the stream buffer 2400. This step # 31032
And step # 31034 operates in parallel.

[0572] Step # 31032 will be described in more detail below.

[0573] The process of step # 31032 is performed in units of cells, and when the process of one cell is completed, the next step # 3 is performed.
At 1035, it is evaluated whether the PGC process has been completed. PG
If the processing of C is not completed, step # 31030
To set the decoding system table corresponding to the next cell. This process is performed until the PGC ends.

Next, referring to FIG. 70, step # 31
Operation 032 will be described. As shown in the figure, the data transfer processing step # 3102 to the stream buffer includes steps # 31040, # 31042, # 31044, and # 31.
046 and # 31048.

Step # 31040 is a step of evaluating whether or not the cell is multi-angle. If it is not a multi-angle, the process proceeds to step # 31044.

Step # 31044 is a processing step in a non-multi-angle mode.

If it is determined in step # 31040 that the angle is multi-angle, the flow advances to step # 31042. This step # 31042 is a step for evaluating whether or not the angle is seamless.

If it is a seamless angle, step #
The process proceeds to step 31046 of the seamless multi-angle. On the other hand, if it is not a seamless multi-angle, the process proceeds to the step of non-seamless multi-angle of step # 31048.

Next, with reference to FIG. 71, the above-described non-multi-angle processing in step # 31044 will be described in more detail. Non-multi-angle processing step # 3
1044, as shown, steps # 31050, # 3
1052 and # 31054.

First, in step # 31050, it is evaluated whether the block is an interleave block. If it is an interleaved block, the process proceeds to non-multi-angle interleaved block processing in step # 31052.

Step # 31052 is a processing step in, for example, a multi-scene where there is a branch or connection for performing a seamless connection.

On the other hand, if it is not an interleaved block, the flow advances to non-multi-angle continuous block processing in step # 31054.

[0583] Step # 31054 is processing in the case where there is no branch or join.

Next, with reference to FIG. 72, the processing of the non-multi-angle interleaved block in step # 31052 described above will be described in further detail.

In step # 31060, the VOB at the head of the cell
Jump to the U start address (C_FVOUB_SA_reg).

[0586] More specifically, in Fig. 26,
The address data (C_FVOBU_SA_reg) held in the decoding system control unit 2300 is provided to the mechanism control unit 2002 via St53. The mechanism control unit 2002 includes the motor 200
4 and reads the data by moving the head 2006 to a predetermined address by controlling the signal processing unit 2008, performs signal processing such as ECC in the signal processing unit 2008, and streams the VOBU data at the head of the cell via St61. The data is transferred to the buffer 2400, and the flow advances to step # 31062.

In step # 31062, the nub pack NV shown in FIG.
The DSI packet data in the data is extracted, a decode table is set, and the flow advances to step # 31064. The registers set here are ILVU_EA_reg, NT_ILVU_SA
_reg, VOB_V_SPTM_reg, VOB_V_EPTM_reg, VOB_A_STP_P
TM1_reg, VOB_A_STP_PTM2_reg, VOB_A_GAP_LEN1_reg, V
There is OB_A_GAP_LEN2_reg.

[0588] In step # 31064, the cell head VO
The data from the BU head address (C_FVOBU_SA_reg) to the interleave unit end address (ILVU_EA_reg), that is, data for one ILVU, is transferred to the stream buffer 2400, and the flow advances to step # 31066. More specifically, the decoding system control unit 2 shown in FIG.
Address data held in 300 (ILVU_EA_reg)
Is given to the mechanism control unit 2002 via St53. The mechanism control unit 2002 includes a motor 2004 and a signal processing unit 2008.
After reading data up to the address of ILVU_EA_reg and performing signal processing such as ECC in the signal processing unit 2008, the data of the ILVU at the head of the cell is transferred to the stream buffer 2400 via St61. In this way, data for one continuous interleave unit on the disk can be transferred to the stream buffer 2400.

At step # 31066, it is evaluated whether or not all the interleave units in the interleave block have been transferred. If it is the last interleave unit in the interleave block, "0x7FFFFFFF" indicating the end is used as the next read address in the register NT_ILVU_SA_reg.
Is set to Here, if all the interleave units in the interleave block have not been transferred, the process proceeds to step # 31068.

[0590] In step # 31068, the process jumps to the address (NT_ILVU_SA_reg) of the next interleave unit to be reproduced, and the flow advances to step # 31062. The jump mechanism is the same as described above.

Steps # 31062 and thereafter are the same as those described above.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step # 31066 that all the interleave units in the interleave block have been transferred, step # 31052 is terminated.

As described above, in step # 31052, 1
One cell data is transferred to the stream buffer 2400.

Next, with reference to FIG. 73, the processing of the non-multi-angle continuous block in step # 31054 described above will be described.

[0595] In step # 31070, the VOB at the head of the cell
Jump to the U start address (C_FVOUB_SA_reg) and proceed to step # 31072. The jump mechanism is the same as described above. Thus, the VOBU data at the head of the cell is transferred to the stream buffer 2400.

[0596] In step # 31072, in the stream buffer 2400, the nub pack NV shown in FIG.
The DSI packet data in the data is extracted, a decoding table is set, and the flow advances to step # 31074. The registers set here include VOBU_EA_reg, VOB_V_S
PTM_reg, VOB_V_EPTM_reg, VOB_A_STP_PTM1_reg, VOB_A
_STP_PTM2_reg, VOB_A_GAP_LEN1_reg, VOB_A_GAP_LEN2_
There is reg.

At step # 31074, the cell head VO
Data from the BU start address (C_FVOBU_SA_reg) to the VOBU end address (VOBU_EA_reg), that is, data for one VOBU, is stored in the stream buffer 240.
0, and proceeds to step # 31076. In this way, data of one VOBU continuous on the disk can be transferred to the stream buffer 2400.

At step # 31076, it is evaluated whether the transfer of the cell data has been completed. If all the VOBUs in the cell have not been transferred, the next VOBU data is read continuously, and the process proceeds to step # 31070.

Step # 31072 and subsequent steps are the same as described above.

If it is determined in step # 31076 that all the VOBU data in the cell has been transferred, step # 31054 is terminated. Step # thus
At 31054, one cell data is transferred to the stream buffer 2400.

Next, another method of the non-multi-angle processing in step # 31044 described above will be described with reference to FIG.

In step # 31080, the VOB at the head of the cell
The process jumps to the U head address (C_FVOUB_SA_reg), transfers the VOBU data at the head of the cell to the stream buffer 2400, and proceeds to step # 31081.

In step # 31081, the nub-pack NV shown in FIG.
DSI packet data in the data is extracted, a decoding table is set, and the flow advances to step # 31082. Registers set here include SCR_buffer, VOBU_EA
_reg, ILVU_flag_reg, UNIT_END_flag_reg, ILVU_EA
_reg, NT_ILVU_SA_reg, VOB_V_SPTM_reg, VOB_V_EPT
M_reg, VOB_A_STP_PTM1_reg, VOB_A_STP_PTM2_reg,
There are VOB_A_GAP_LEN1_reg and VOB_A_GAP_LEN2_reg.

At step # 31082, cell start VO
Data from the BU start address (C_FVOBU_SA_reg) to the VOBU end address (VOBU_EA_reg), that is, data for one VOBU, is stored in the stream buffer 240.
0, and then proceeds to step # 31083.

At step # 31083, the VOB of the cell is
Evaluate whether all U have been transferred.

If all data has been transferred, this step # 310
44 is ended. If the transfer is not over, step # 3
Proceed to 1084.

In step # 31084, it is evaluated whether the interleaved unit is the last VOBU. If it is not the last VOBU of the interleave unit, step # 3108
Return to 1. If so, proceed to step # 31085.
In this way, data for one cell is transferred to the stream buffer 2400 in VOBU units.

The processing after step # 31081 is as described above.

In step # 31085, it is evaluated whether the interleave block is the last ILVU. If it is the last ILVU of the interleaved block, this step # 31
044, otherwise step # 3108
Proceed to 6.

At step # 31086, jump to the next interleave unit address (NT_ILVU_SA_reg) is performed.
Proceed to step # 31081. In this way, data for one cell can be transferred to the stream buffer 2400.

Next, referring to FIG. 75, the seamless multi-angle processing in step # 31046 described above will be described.

In step # 31090, the VOB at the head of the cell
Jump to the U start address (C_FVOUB_SA_reg) and proceed to step # 31091. The jump mechanism is the same as described above. Thus, the VOBU data at the head of the cell is transferred to the stream buffer 2400.

[0613] In step # 31091, the nub pack NV shown in FIG.
The DSI packet data in the data is extracted, a decoding table is set, and the flow advances to step # 31092. The registers set here are ILVU_EA_reg, SML_AGL_C1
_DSTA_reg to SML_AGL_C9_DSTA_regVOB_V_SPTM_reg, VOB
_V_EPTM_reg, VOB_A_STP_PTM1_reg, VOB_A_STP_PTM2_
There are reg, VOB_A_GAP_LEN1_reg, and VOB_A_GAP_LEN2_reg.

[0614] In step # 31092, the cell head VO is
The data from the BU start address (C_FVOBU_SA_reg) to the ILVU end address (ILVU_EA_reg), that is, data for one ILVU, is transferred to the stream buffer 2400, and the flow advances to step # 31093. In this manner, data for one ILVU continuous on the disk can be transferred to the stream buffer 2400.

[0615] In step # 31093, ANGLE_NO_reg
, And the process proceeds to step # 31094. Here, the user operation, that is, the scenario selection unit 2 in FIG.
If the angle is changed at 100, the angle number is reset in the register ANGLE_NO_reg.

At step # 31094, it is evaluated whether the transfer of the data of the angle cell has been completed. IL in cell
If all VUs have not been transferred, step # 31
095, otherwise.

In step # 31095, the flow jumps to the next angle (SML_AGL_C # n_reg) and proceeds to step # 310
Go to 91. Where SML_AGL_C # n_reg is the step #
This is the address corresponding to the angle updated in 31093. In this way, the angle data set by the user operation is transferred to the stream buffer 24 in units of ILVU.
00 can be forwarded.

Next, the non-seamless multi-angle processing in step # 31048 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0619] In step # 31100, the VOB at the head of the cell is
Jump to the U start address (C_FVOUB_SA_reg) and proceed to step # 31101. The jump mechanism is the same as described above. Thus, the VOBU data at the head of the cell is transferred to the stream buffer 2400.

In step # 31101, the nub pack NV shown in FIG.
The data in the data is extracted, a decoding table is set, and the process proceeds to step 31102. Registers set here include VOBU_EA_reg, NSML_AGL_C1_DSTA_reg to NSM
L_AGL_C9_DSTA_regm, VOB_V_SPTM_reg, VOB_V_EPTM_re
g, VOB_A_STP_PTM1_reg, VOB_A_STP_PTM2_reg, VOB_A_
There are GAP_LEN1_reg and VOB_A_GAP_LEN2_reg.

[0621] In step # 31102, the cell head VO
The data from the BU start address (C_FVOBU_SA_reg) to the VOBU end address (VOBU_EA_reg), that is, the data for one VOBU, is transferred to the stream buffer 2400, and the process proceeds to step # 31103. In this way, data of one VOBU continuous on the disk can be transferred to the stream buffer 2400.

In step # 31103, it is determined that ANGLE_NO_reg
, And the process proceeds to step # 31104. Here, the user operation, that is, the scenario selection unit 2 in FIG.
If the angle is changed at 100, the angle number is reset in the register ANGLE_NO_reg.

At step # 31104, it is evaluated whether the transfer of the data of the angle cell has been completed. VO in cell
If all BUs have not been transferred, step # 31
Proceed to 105; otherwise, end.

In step # 31105, the next angle (NS
ML_AGL_C # n_reg), and jumps to step # 31106.
Proceed to. Here, NSML_AGL_C # n_reg corresponds to step # 31.
This is the address corresponding to the angle updated in 103.
Thus, the angle data set by the user operation is transferred to the stream buffer 2400 in VOBU units.
Can be forwarded to

[0625] Step # 31106 is an effective step when angle switching is performed at high speed, and clears the stream buffer 2400. Here, by clearing the stream buffer, it is possible to reproduce the newly switched angle data without reproducing the undecoded angle data. That is,
Respond more quickly to user operations.

In the DVD decoder of the present invention, particularly, in seamless playback which is the main feature of the present invention, the process immediately shifts from the end detection of the data of the interleave units ILVU and VOBU to the next data read processing.
It is important to read data efficiently.

Referring to FIG. 66, the structure and operation of stream buffer 2400 that can efficiently detect the end of interleave unit ILVU will be briefly described.

[0628] The stream buffer 2400 comprises a VOB buffer 2402, a system buffer 2404, a nap-pack extractor 2406, and a data counter 2408.

The system buffer 2404 temporarily stores the data of the title management data VTSI (FIG. 16) included in St61 from the bit stream reproduction unit 2000,
Control information St2 such as program chain information VTS_PGC
450 (St63) is output.

The VOB buffer 2402 temporarily stores the title VOB data VTSTT_VOB (FIG. 16) included in St61, and outputs it as an input stream St67 to the system decoder 2500.

[0631] The NUB pack extractor 2406 receives the VOB data input to the VOB buffer 2402 at the same time, extracts the NUB pack NV from the VOB data, and further outputs the COBU_EA or ILVU last pack address of the VOBU last pack address which is the DSI information DSI_GI shown in FIG. The pack address ILVU_EA is extracted, and pack address information St2452 is extracted.
(St63) is generated.

The data counter 2408 receives the VOB data input to the VOB buffer 2402 at the same time,
Each pack data shown in FIG. 19 is counted in byte units, and is generated as a pack input end signal St2454 (St63) at the moment when the input of the pack data is completed.

With the above block configuration, for example, step # 3106 in the flowchart shown in FIG.
In the transfer processing of the VOBU data up to ILVU_EA of No. 4, the first VOBU of the interleave unit ILVU is
At the same time as the data is input to the VOB buffer 2402, the data is input to the nubpack extractor 2406 and the data counter 2408. As a result, the nubpack extractor can extract the data of ILVU_EA and NT_ILVU_SA simultaneously with the input of the nubpack NV data, and outputs the data to the decoding system control unit 2300 as St2452 (St63).

The decoding system control unit 2300
t2452 is stored in ILVU_EA_reg, NT_ILVU_SA_reg,
Pack end signal St24 from data counter 2408
By 54, the number of packs is counted. Based on the count value of the number of packs described above and ILVU_EA_reg, ILVU
At the moment when the input of the last pack data has been completed, that is, at the moment when the input of the last byte data of the last pack of the ILVU has been completed.
Sends NT_ILVU_SA_ to the bit stream playback unit 2000.
An instruction is given to move the read position to the sector address indicated by reg. In the bit stream playback unit, NT_I
Move to the sector address indicated by LVU_SA_reg and start reading data.

With the above operation, it is possible to efficiently detect the end of the ILVU and read the next ILVU.

In the present embodiment, the case has been described where the MBS data from the disc is input to the stream buffer 2400 without buffering by the bit stream reproducing unit 2000, but the signal processing unit 2008 of the bit stream reproducing unit 2000 For example, if there is a buffer for ECC processing, the completion of the input of the last pack data of the ILVU is naturally detected, and after the internal buffer of the bit stream reproducing unit 2000 is cleared,
An instruction is given to move the read position to the sector address indicated by NT_ILVU_SA_reg.

By performing such processing, it is possible to efficiently reproduce ILVU data even when the bit stream reproducing unit 2000 has a buffer for ECC processing or the like.

If the bit stream reproducing unit 2000 has an ECC processing buffer for ECC processing as described above, the input unit of the ECC processing buffer has the same function as the data counter 2408 in FIG. As a result, data can be transferred efficiently. That is, in the bit stream reproducing unit 2000, the ECC
The pack input completion signal to the processing buffer is generated as St62, and the decoding system control unit 2300 generates St62.
The bit stream reproducing unit 2 moves the read position to the sector address indicated by NT_ILVU_SA_reg based on
Give 000 instructions. As described above, even when the bit stream reproducing unit 2000 has a function of buffering data from a disk, data transfer can be performed efficiently.

[0639] Also, with respect to the end detection of the VOBU, basically the same apparatus and method as the above-described apparatus and method described using the interleave unit ILVU as an example can be used. That is, the extraction of the above-described ILVU_EA and NT_ILVU_SA and the storage in the ILVU_EA_reg and NT_ILVU_SA_reg are performed by the VOBU_EA
VOB by extracting and storing it in VOBU_EA_reg
It can also be applied to U end detection. Ie step #
31074, Step # 31082, Step # 310
92, VOBU in step # 31102 _- EA _- is effective in the transfer process of the VOBU data up reg. With the above processing, it is possible to efficiently read the data of the ILVU or VOBU.

Decoding flow from stream buffer Referring now to FIG. 67, step # 31 shown in FIG.
The decoding process in the stream buffer of No. 034 will be described.

Step # 31034 includes steps # 31110, # 31112, and #
31114 and step # 31116.

[0642] Step # 31110 is performed from the stream buffer 2400 shown in FIG.
Data is transferred in packs to 0, and step # 3
Proceed to 1112.

[0643] In step # 31112, the pack data transferred from the stream buffer 2400 is transferred to each buffer, that is, the video buffer 2600, the sub-picture buffer 2700, and the audio buffer 2800.

[0644] In step # 31112, the ID of the audio and sub-picture selected by the user, that is, the audio ID register AUDIO_ID_reg and the sub-picture ID register SP_ID_reg included in the scenario information register shown in FIG.
And the stream ID in the packet header shown in FIG.
And the sub-stream ID, and matches the matching packet to each buffer (video buffer 2600, audio buffer 2700, sub-picture buffer 28).
00) and proceeds to step # 31114.

[0645] Step # 31114 controls the decode timing of each decoder (video decoder, sub-picture decoder, and audio decoder), that is, performs a synchronization process between the decoders, and proceeds to step # 31116. Details of the synchronization processing of each decoder in step # 31114 will be described later.

[0646] Step # 31116 performs a decoding process on each elementary element. That is, the video decoder reads data from the video buffer and performs a decoding process.
Similarly, the sub-picture decoder reads data from the sub-picture buffer and performs a decoding process. Similarly, the audio decoder reads data from the audio decoder buffer and performs a decoding process. When the decoding process is completed, step # 31034 is completed.

Next, step # 31114 described above will be described in further detail with reference to FIG.

[0648] As shown, step # 31114 comprises step # 31120, step # 31122, and step # 31124.

[0649] Step # 31120 is a step of evaluating the preceding cell and whether the cell is a seamless connection,
If it is a seamless connection, proceed to step # 31122,
Otherwise, go to step # 31124.

[0650] Step # 31122 performs a synchronization process for seamless use.

[0651] On the other hand, step # 31124 performs non-seamless synchronization processing.

[0652] According to the present invention, a plurality of video objects can be read source data and supplied to a decoder without data interruption during reproduction. Further, seamless reproduction can be performed without interruption of data during reproduction of a plurality of video objects having the same length, and without discontinuity in reproduction time from the middle of the video object.

[0653] A plurality of video objects can be supplied to a decoder without data interruption during reproduction and only necessary data. Data can be read from a plurality of video objects without interruption at the time of reproduction, and the switching of the video object to be read and the video object to be reproduced can be performed seamlessly.

[0654] Even when a plurality of video objects are being reproduced, the switching can be performed quickly. During reproduction of an optical disk, even during reproduction of a video object, it is possible to dynamically switch to another system stream in accordance with an instruction, and the switching can be performed seamlessly.

[0655] When playing back an optical disk, even if the video object is being played back, it is possible to dynamically switch to another video object in accordance with an instruction.
The switching can be performed quickly.

Industrial Applicability As described above, the method and apparatus for recording / reproducing a bit stream interleaved on a medium according to the present invention convert a title composed of a bit stream carrying various information into a title of a user. It is suitable for use in an authoring system that can be edited to create a new title on demand,
Furthermore, it is suitable for a digital video disk system recently developed, a so-called DVD system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a multimedia bit stream.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an authoring encoder.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an authoring decoder.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cross section of a DVD recording medium having a single recording surface.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cross section of a DVD recording medium having a single recording surface.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cross section of a DVD recording medium having a single recording surface.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cross section of a DVD recording medium having a plurality of recording surfaces (single-sided, two-layer type).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a cross section of a DVD recording medium having a plurality of recording surfaces (double-sided single-layer type).

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a DVD recording medium.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a DVD recording medium.

FIG. 11 is a development view of a single-sided, dual-layer DVD recording medium.

FIG. 12 is a development view of a single-sided, dual-layer DVD recording medium.

FIG. 13 is a development view of a double-sided single-layer DVD recording medium.

FIG. 14 is a development view of a double-sided single-layer DVD recording medium.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an audio waveform of audio data in a multi-angle section.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a data structure of a VTS.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a data structure of a system stream.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a data structure of a system stream.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a pack data structure of a system stream.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a data structure of a nubpack NV.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a DVD multi-scene scenario.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a data structure of a DVD.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating connection of system streams of multi-angle control.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a VOB corresponding to a multi-scene.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a DVD authoring encoder.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a DVD authoring decoder.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a VOB set data string.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a VOB data string.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating encoding parameters.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a program chain configuration example of a DVD multi-scene.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a VOB configuration example of a DVD multi-scene.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a transition of a data accumulation amount of a stream buffer.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a concept of data sharing between a plurality of titles.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a recording example of data sharing between a plurality of titles.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a connection example of a multi-scene.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a connection example of a multi-scene on a DVD.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of an interleave block configuration.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a VOB block configuration example of a VTS.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a data structure in a continuous block.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a data structure in an interleaved block.

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an example of an interleave block configuration.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a data structure of an interleave unit.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multi-rated title stream.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing the concept of multi-angle control.

FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating an example of an audio data configuration of an interleave unit in a multi-angle section.

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating an example of switching interleave units of multi-angle data.

FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system stream in a multi-angle section.

FIG. 48 is a diagram showing a data structure of A-ILVU.

FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating angle switching in A-ILVU units.

FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating angle switching in VOBU units.

FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating an encoding control flowchart.

FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of generating non-seamless switching multi-angle encoding parameters.

FIG. 53 is a view showing a common flowchart of encoding parameter generation.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a flowchart of seamlessly switching multi-angle encoding parameter generation.

FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of generating an encoding parameter for parental control.

FIG. 56 is a view showing a formatter operation flowchart.

FIG. 57 is a diagram showing a non-seamless switching multi-angle formatter operation subroutine flowchart.

FIG. 58 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a formatter operation subroutine for seamless switching multi-angle.

FIG. 59 is a diagram showing a formatter operation subroutine flowchart of parental control.

FIG. 60 is a diagram showing a formatter operation subroutine flowchart for a single scene.

FIG. 61 is a diagram showing a flowchart for generating encoding parameters for a single scene.

FIG. 62 is a diagram illustrating a decoding system table.

FIG. 63 is a diagram showing a decode table.

FIG. 64 is a view showing a flowchart of PGC reproduction.

FIG. 65 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a non-seamless multi-angle decoding process.

FIG. 66 is a block diagram of a stream buffer.

FIG. 67 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a data decoding process in a stream buffer.

FIG. 68 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a synchronization process of each decoder.

FIG. 69 is a view showing a flowchart of the decoder.

FIG. 70 is a view showing a flowchart of data transfer to a stream buffer.

Fig. 71 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a non-multi-angle decoding process.

FIG. 72 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a decoding process in an interleaved section.

FIG. 73 is a view showing a flowchart of a decoding process in a continuous block section.

FIG. 74 is a view showing a flowchart of non-multi-angle decoding processing.

Fig. 75 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a seamless multi-angle decoding process.

FIG. 76 is a diagram illustrating an example of switching multi-angle data.

FIG. 77 is a diagram illustrating an example of pack data configuration of an interleave unit in a multi-angle section.

FIG. 78 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GOP structure of an interleave unit of multi-angle data.

FIG. 79 is a diagram illustrating an example of pack data configuration in an interleave unit in a multi-angle section.

Fig. 80 is a diagram illustrating an example of the audio data configuration of an interleave unit in a multi-angle section.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Mihiro Mori 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Nakamura 1006 Oji Kadoma Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd (72) Inventor Nohisa Fukushima 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masayuki Kozuka 1006 Odaka, Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Chieko Matsuda 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasu Higashiya 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (JP, A) JP-A-7-212768 (JP, A) JP-A-8-130700 (JP, A) JP-A-8-294088 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ^7, DB name) H04N 5/76 - 5/956 G11B 20 / 10,20 / 12,27 / 00

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A reproducing method for reproducing an optical disc, the optical disc was interleaved plurality of video object area
And management information, the video object includes a cell , the cell includes a video object unit, and the video object unit includes a navigation package.
And the management information includes a video object unit at the head of the cell.
Knit position information and the position information of the last video object unit in the cell
Information about whether the video object unit including the navigation pack exists in a specific area, and whether the video object unit including the navigation pack is located at the end of the specific area. The specific area includes a plurality of video objects
Video objects that exist in the
Is one of the area, the reproduction method reads the management information from the optical disc step
And the first video of the cell from the read management information.
The position information of the object unit and the last
Step for extracting the position information of the video object unit
And-up, a step of reading the video object unit from said optical disk, and information indicating whether the video object unit is present in the specific region including the navigation pack from the video object unit that has been read, the
Video object unit with navigation pack
Extracting information as to whether or not the knit is located at the end of the specific area . 2. A reproducing apparatus for reproducing the optical disc, the optical disc was interleaved plurality of video object area
And management information, the video object includes a cell , the cell includes a video object unit, and the video object unit includes a navigation package.
And the management information includes a video object unit at the head of the cell.
Knit position information and the position information of the last video object unit in the cell
Information, and the navigation pack includes the navigation pack.
Is contained in a specific area
And whether the navigation pack contains
The video object unit to be inserted is
The specific area includes information as to whether or not the video object is located later.
Video objects that exist in the
Is one of the regions, the reproducing apparatus includes means for reading the management information from the optical disc, the head of the cell from the management information read out of the video
The position information of the object unit and the last
Means for extracting position information of video object unit
If, means for reading the video object unit from said optical disk, and information indicating whether the video object unit is present in the specific region including the navigation pack from the video object unit that has been read, the
Video object unit with navigation pack
Means for extracting information as to whether or not the knit is located at the end of the specific area . 3. A recording method for recording information on an optical disc, wherein the recording method records a video object and management information.
The video object includes a cell, the cell includes a video object unit, the video object unit includes a navigation pack, and the management information includes a video object unit at a head of the cell.
Knit position information and the position information of the last video object unit in the cell
Includes a broadcast, the navigation pack and information on whether the video object unit that includes the navigation pack is present in the specific area, the navigation pack including
The video object unit to be inserted is
The specific area includes information as to whether or not the video object is located later.
One of areas obtained by dividing the video object is a recording method that exists over blanking areas. 4. A recording device for recording information on an optical disk, wherein the recording device records a video object and management information.
The video object includes a cell, the cell includes a video object unit, the video object unit includes a navigation pack, and the management information includes a video object unit at a head of the cell.
Knit position information and the position information of the last video object unit in the cell
Includes a broadcast, the navigation pack and information on whether the video object unit that includes the navigation pack is present in the specific area, the navigation pack including
The video object unit to be inserted is
The specific area includes information as to whether or not the video object is located later.
Which is one of regions obtained by dividing the video object that exists over blanking areas, the recording device. 5. An optical disc on which information is recorded by the recording method according to claim 3 . 6. An optical disk on which information is recorded by the recording device according to claim 4 .