JP3410695B2 - Playback apparatus, playback method, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical disc, a video data editing device, a recording medium having a computer-readable editing program recorded thereon, an optical disc reproducing device,
The present invention relates to a recording medium on which a computer-readable reproduction program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Video editing technicians who are active in the movie industry, broadcasting industry, and the like, make full use of their skill to produce video works with various tastes and send them to the world. Movie enthusiasts and camcorder enthusiasts who were fascinated by these things and had a strong admiration had a desire to challenge video editing at least once, even if their skills were inferior. We expect that consumer equipment such as video data editing equipment that can be easily implemented will be developed at an early stage.

Although there are various kinds of work generally called video editing, a consumer device of a video data editing apparatus which will be developed in the future has a function of connecting many scenes together into one video, It is considered that there is a particular demand for enhancement of the so-called scene connection function. Conventionally, scene connection work using consumer devices has been performed using a dubbing system in which two VCRs are connected. Hereinafter, how a work of connecting arbitrary scenes in a video has been performed in the dubbing system will be described. FIG. 96 (a) is a diagram showing a work environment for video editing using a video deck capable of reproducing / recording existing video signals. As shown in FIG. 96 (a), the working environment is a magnetic tape cassette 301 on which an image serving as a material is recorded, and an empty magnetic tape cassette 302 for recording an edited product.
And video decks 303 and 304 for reproducing and recording these magnetic tape cassettes. In such a work environment, the operator is going to perform the scene connection shown in FIG. 96 (b). FIG. 96 (b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the editing material and the edited product. As shown in the figure, the operator occupies the scene 505 occupying the time t5 to the time t10, the scene 506 occupying the time t13 to the time t21, and the scene 506 and the time t23 to the time t25 in the editing material. The scene 507 is partially reproduced to obtain an edited product consisting of only these.

In such a working environment, the operator sets the magnetic tape cassette 301 on which the editing material is recorded on the video deck 303, and sets the magnetic tape cassette 302 on which the edited product is to be recorded on the deck 304. After setting, as shown in the figure, the fast-forward key on the operation panel of the deck 303 is pressed to cause the deck 303 to start to the beginning of the video scene 505, and the playback key is pressed as shown below. Video scene 5 on deck 303
Play back from 05. At the same time, as shown at the same time, the recording key is pressed to cause the deck 304 to start recording the reproduced video. When the video is reproduced to the end of the scene 505, the operation of the two decks is stopped. Then, the deck 304 is cued to the beginning of the video scene 506, and the reproduction of the deck 303 and the recording of the deck 304 are started again at the same time. Similar work is done in scene 506 and scene 5
After performing step 07, the tapes on the decks 303 and 304 are rewound and the editing operation is completed.

If the scene connecting work described above can be easily performed at home, the images recorded on a large number of magnetic tape cassettes can be easily organized.

[0006]

The first problem of the above-mentioned prior art is that since it is necessary to record the editing material and the edited product on different recording media, two magnetic tape cassettes are reproduced and recorded. It is pointed out that it is necessary to install a video deck to do so, and the facilities for editing will be large-scale. As described above, the video editing cannot be performed unless the two video decks are connected in advance, so that the place where the video editing can be performed is limited.

The second problem of the above prior art is that
When it is time to start scene connection, it is necessary to find the start position of the scene you want to connect and play the video that is the editing material from the start position of the scene to the end position for the number of scenes to be connected. Therefore, as the number of scenes to be connected increases, the time and effort required for cueing and the time and effort required for playback from the start position to the end position become enormous, and a great amount of work time is pointed out. To be done.

[0008] When a professional video editing technician connects scenes, a sophisticated video work is created by re-editing the order of connecting scenes many times, rather than suddenly creating a final edited product. However, in a work environment in which a great deal of work time is spent for cueing and reproducing, it is impossible to reconsider the order in which scenes are connected.

However, these problems may occur in a video editing environment using a magnetic tape as a recording medium, and naturally in a video editing environment using a randomly accessible recording medium such as a hard disk or a phase change optical disk. Seems to be improved. For example, if the editing material is recorded on the optical disc and the edited product is recorded on the same optical disc, the video editing can be performed with only one video data editing device using the optical disc as a recording medium. It will be small. However, if the recording of the editing material and the recording of the edited product are performed on the same recording medium, the edited product to be recorded on the recording medium may overwrite the edited material. In this case, even if the operator later notices that the editing is unsuccessful, the editing material is overwritten as described above, so that it is virtually impossible to redo the editing again.

When the editing material is a valuable image recording a commemorative event such as a child's entrance ceremony, athletic meet, family trip, graduation ceremony, the precious image disappears by such overwriting. , Re-editing such footage, let alone making it impossible to watch. If the capacity of the recording medium is more than twice the video length to be edited, it seems that the editing material will not be overwritten. However, even the phase-change type optical disc called the latest recording medium has a capacity of 2.6 GByte on one side,
It cannot be said that a video having a time length longer than the time can be separately recorded as an editing material and an edited product. Moreover, not only the final product but also the intermediate product of the video editing is individually recorded in the recording medium, and when the optimum one is selected at a later date, the audiovisual data (video The recording medium needs to have a capacity three times, four times or more that of data obtained by multiplexing data and acoustic data).
It is obvious that the capacity of a single recording medium is insufficient.

The third problem of the above conventional technique is that the sub-sections to be connected cannot be specified with high accuracy. That is, when the linked editing is performed as shown in FIG. 96 (a), since the play button and the record button of the two video decks must be pressed at the same time, one of the play button and the record button may be delayed. Or, if one of them is pressed too quickly, a part different from the section you want to connect and use may be recorded as an edited product, or the part you want to record as a partial section may be partly missing. is there.

A first object of the present invention is to use an optical disc capable of realizing video editing on a single recording medium without overwriting existing video recorded on the recording medium, and to use it as a recording medium. A video data editing device is provided. The second purpose is to record not only the final product of the video editing but also the intermediate product of the video editing individually, and the optimum one can be selected from these at a later date and the optical disc. An object is to provide a video data editing device used as a medium.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an optical disc and a reproducing apparatus therefor capable of identifying a partial section to be edited with high time accuracy while viewing a video display.

[0014]

The first and second objects are to provide a data area in which a file containing one or more video objects is recorded, original type chain information, and one or more user-defined type chains. And an index area in which information is recorded, the original type chain information manages the file as an array of a plurality of partial sections, and each user-defined type chain information includes a plurality of partial sections in the file. , Partial sections managed by the original type chain information are specified in a playback order that is not restricted by the arrangement order of each partial section in the file. Divide the file into multiples, with a combination of two as the boundary. Each of the sub-sections, which is a section obtained by the above, and whose reproduction order is specified by the user-defined type chain information, is a section that is specified by a combination of the internal positions of the video objects as a boundary portion, and the combination of the internal positions is It is any one of a combination of a predetermined position inside the video object and another position inside the video object, a combination of different positions inside the object, and a combination of the predetermined positions, and the reproduction order is each part in the file. This is achieved by an optical disc characterized by an order that is not restricted by the arrangement order of the sections.

A third object is to receive a reproduction instruction of cell information, read a set of reproduction start time information and reproduction end time information, and mapping information from the index area, and reproduce reproduction start time information and reproduction end time. By searching the mapping information using the information, the recording position of the leading video object unit including the picture data indicated by the reproduction start time information and the end video object unit including the picture data indicated by the reproduction end time information An access position specifying means for specifying a recording position and a reading means for reading a video object unit string recorded between the specified recording positions are provided, and the read video object unit string is decoded.
If the boundary portion of the partial section corresponding to the cell information does not match the start position-end position of the video object unit, from the decoding result, from the first video field to the last field indicated by the cell information, This is achieved by a video data editing device provided with a decoding means for outputting and for inhibiting the output of other decoding results.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a video data editing apparatus and an optical disk used as a recording medium by the video data editing apparatus will be described below. It should be noted that if the physical structure and logical structure of the optical disc, the hardware configuration and the functional configuration of the video data editing device are described in one embodiment, the description will be extremely complicated. I shall explain.

In the first embodiment, the physical structure of an optical disc and the hardware structure of a video data editing apparatus will be described, and seamless connection between video objects will be described as a first basic example of video editing. The second embodiment will describe seamless connection between partial sections of video objects as a second basic example. Third
In the embodiment, the functional configuration of the video data editing apparatus will be described, and the procedure of video editing realized on the file system will be described.

In the fourth embodiment, a data structure and a video data editing apparatus for realizing a hierarchical video editing consisting of temporary editing and main editing by using two types of program chains of user-defined PGC-original PGC. The processing procedure will be described. (1-1) Physical Structure of Recordable Optical Disk FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a DVD-RAM disk which is a recordable optical disk. As shown in this figure, DVD-RAM
Is loaded in the video data editing device while being stored in the cartridge 75. This cartridge 75 is a DVD-RAM
The DVD-RAM is accessed by opening and closing the shutter 76 when the main cartridge 75 is housed.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a recording area of a DVD-RAM disc which is a recordable optical disc. As shown in the figure, the DVD-RAM disc has a lead-in area at the innermost circumference, a lead-out area at the outermost circumference, and a data area therebetween. In the lead-in area, a reference signal necessary for stabilizing the servo when the optical pickup is accessed, an identification signal with other media, etc. are recorded. In the lead-out area, the same reference signal as in the lead-in area is recorded. The data area is divided into sectors (2 kbytes) that are the smallest access unit. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a cross section and a front surface of the DVD-RAM with sectors as headers. As shown in the figure, one sector consists of a pit row portion formed on the surface of a reflective film such as a metal thin film, and an uneven portion.

The pit row portion is composed of pits of 0.4 μm to 1.87 μm which are engraved to represent the sector address. The concavo-convex shape portion includes a concave portion (called a groove) and a convex portion (called a land). Recording marks, which are metal thin films capable of phase change, are attached to the surfaces of the lands and the grooves. The phase change means that the state of the adhered metal thin film changes to a crystalline state and an amorphous state by irradiation with a light beam. Data can be written in the uneven portion by utilizing the phase change. In the MO disc, only the land part is for recording, whereas the DVD-RAM
Data can now be recorded on the land and groove. Realization of data recording in the groove portion increases the recording density as compared with MO. Error correction information for a sector is provided for every 16 sectors.
In this embodiment, a sector group (16 sectors) to which ECC (Error Correcting Code) is added is called an ECC block.

Further, the DVD-RAM is a Z-recorder when recording / reproducing.
-To realize rotation control called CLV (Zone-Constant Linear Velocity), the data area is divided into multiple zone areas. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a plurality of zone areas provided concentrically on the DVD-RAM. As shown in the figure, the DVD-RAM is divided into 24 zone areas from zone 0 to zone 23. Here, the zone area is
A group of trucks accessed at the same angular velocity. In the present embodiment, one zone area includes 1888 tracks. The rotation angular velocity of the DVD-RAM is set for each zone area so that it becomes faster toward the inner zone, and the optical pickup is set to 1
It remains constant during access within one zone. This increases the recording density of DVD-RAM, and
Rotation control during playback is facilitated.

FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram in which the lead-in area, the lead-out area, and the zone areas 0 to 23, which are shown concentrically in FIG. 3A, are arranged in the lateral direction. The lead-in area and the lead-out area each have a defect management area (DMA). The defect management area is an area in which position information indicating the position of a sector in which a defect has occurred and alternative position information indicating in which of the alternative areas the sector that replaces the defective sector exists are recorded. .

Each zone area has a user area inside thereof, and an alternative area and an unused area at the boundary. The user area is an area that the file system can use as a recording area. The replacement area is an area used as an alternative when a defective sector exists.
The unused area is an area that is not used for data recording.
The unused area is provided for about two tracks. The unused area is provided because the sector address is recorded at the same position on the adjacent tracks in the zone, but Z-CLV
Since the recording position of the sector address is different in the tracks adjacent to the zone boundary, the sector address misjudgment resulting from this is prevented.

Thus, there are sectors that are not used for data recording at the zone boundaries. Therefore, the DVD-RAM is designed so that only the sectors used for data recording are continuously shown.
Is the logical sector number (LSN: Logical Sector) in order from the inner circumference.
Number) is assigned to the physical sector of the user area. As shown in FIG. 3C, an area for recording user data, which is composed of sectors to which LSN is added, is called a volume space.

In the volume area, A containing a plurality of VOBs is recorded.
V file and RTRW (RealTime ReWri
table) management file is recorded. In fact, AV
Although the file and the RTRW management file are recorded on the file system conforming to the ISO / IEC13346 standard, the description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment, and the detailed description will be given again in the third embodiment.

(1-2) Data recorded on the volume area FIG. 4A shows that the data is recorded on the volume area in the DVD-RAM.
It is a figure which shows what kind of content data is recorded. The video stream and audio stream shown in the fifth row of FIG. 4A are divided into small parts of about 2 Kbytes as shown in the fourth row. The small portion obtained by the division is interleaved and multiplexed with VOB # 1 and VOB # 2 in the AV file shown in the third row while being stored in the video pack-audio pack defined in the MPEG standard. AV
The file is divided into a plurality of extent data as shown in the second row based on ISO / IEC13346, and is recorded in an empty area in one zone area on the volume area shown in the first row.

On the other hand, the information about VOB # 1 to VOB # 3 is RTRW as VOB # 1 information, VOB # 2 information and VOB # 3 information shown in the fifth row.
It is recorded in the management file. Similar to the AV file, the RTRW management file recording these is also recorded in a free area in the volume area in a state of being divided into a plurality of extents. After that, video stream, audio stream,
The VOB will be described individually, but before that, the hierarchical structure of the MPEG standard and the DVD-RAM standard that defines these data structures will be described.

FIG. 4 (b) is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of data definition defined by the MPEG standard. The data structure of the MPEG standard is composed of an elementary stream layer and a system layer. The elementary stream layer in FIG. 4B defines a video layer that defines the data structure of the video stream, an MPEG-Audio layer that defines the data structure of the MPEG-audio stream, and a data structure of the audio stream of the Dolby-AC3 method. AC-3 layer, Linear-PCM that defines the data structure of a Linear-PCM audio stream
Have layers. Playback start time (Presentation_
Start_Time) and playback end time (Presentation_End_Time) are also defined in this elementary stream layer,
In Fig. 4 (b), the video layer and MPEG-Audio are shown in separate frames.
As shown in the layers, AC-3 layer, and Linear-PCM layer, the data structures of the video stream and the audio stream are independent of each other, and the reproduction start time and reproduction end time of the video frame and the audio frame The relationship between the reproduction start time and the reproduction end time is also asynchronous.

The system layer in FIG. 4B defines a pack, a packet, a DTS, and a PTS, which will be described later, but in FIG. As described above, the pack, packet, DTS, and PTS described above have a non-dependent relationship with the data structure of the video stream and the audio stream. In contrast to such a layer structure of the MPEG standard, the DVD-RAM standard includes a system layer of the MPEG standard shown in FIG. 4B and an elementary stream layer.
In addition to the packet, DTS, and PTS, the VOB data structure shown in FIG. 4A is defined.

(1-2-1) Video Stream The data structure of the video stream shown in FIG. 5 (a) is defined in the video layer shown in FIG. 4 (b) and corresponds to an image for one frame. A plurality of picture data to be displayed are arranged. The picture data is obtained by compressing an NTSC or PAL video signal according to the MPEG standard. The number of picture data obtained by compressing an NTSC video signal is approximately 33
Video data having a frame period of msec (1 / 29.97 sec to be precise) is displayed, and a plurality of picture data obtained by compressing a PAL video signal is displayed in a video frame having a frame period of 40 msec. The top row of FIG. 5A shows an example of a video frame. In the figure, a section specified by a pair of "<" symbol and ">" symbol indicates a video frame. In video frame
The <"symbol indicates the playback start time of the video frame (Presen
tation_Start_Time), and the ">" symbol indicates the video frame playback end time (Presentation_End_Time (the video frame is shown with such notation).) Also, the closed interval specified by these symbols. Contains multiple video fields.

Picture data to be displayed in such a video frame is input to the decoder by the reproduction start time of the video frame as shown in FIG. 5A, and is buffered by the decoder at the reproduction start time. Must be taken from. The compression in accordance with the MPEG standard is a compression using the spatial frequency characteristic in the image for one frame and the temporal correlation characteristic with the image to be reproduced in the past and the future. , Each picture data is compressed by using the time correlation characteristic with the image to be reproduced in the past direction and the future direction.
Predictively (P) picture that is compressed using the temporal correlation characteristic with the image to be played in the past direction, the space within the image for one frame without using the temporal correlation characteristic Intra (converted to one of I pictures compressed using frequency characteristics. In this figure, B, P, and I pictures are shown with equal sizes, but these data sizes are different. Note that to decode P and B pictures that have been compressed using the temporal correlation property,
We have to refer to the images to be played in the past and future directions. For example, when decoding a B picture, it is necessary to wait until the decoding of a future image that is a reference destination is completed.

Therefore, in the MPEG video stream, the display order of each picture is defined, and the coding order of each picture is defined. The second and third rows in FIG. 5A show the picture data arranged in the display order and the picture data arranged in the coding order. In FIG. 5A, it can be seen that the reference destination of the B picture is an I picture to be reproduced in the future. In the display order, this I picture exists after the B picture, but since the B picture is compressed by utilizing the correlation characteristic with this I picture, this B picture is decoded by this I picture. I have to wait for. Therefore, in the encoding order, the decoding of this I picture is specified before the B picture. Swapping the order from the coding order to the display order is called reordering.

As shown in the third row of FIG. 5 (a),
Each picture data is about 2K when arranged in the encoding order.
It is divided into Byte units and is stored in the video pack sequence as shown in the bottom row. Further, if only P pictures and B pictures are continuously used, a problem will occur when decoding is performed from the middle of the stream for special playback, so I pictures are inserted into the picture data approximately every 0.5 seconds.
The picture data string from this I picture to the beginning of the next I picture is called GOP (Group of Pictures).
It is defined in the system layer of the MPEG standard as one compression unit in MPEG. The "|" symbol in the third row of Fig. 5 (a) is GOP
Indicates the boundary of. In GOP, the picture type of the picture data located at the end in the display order must be P picture, and the picture type of the picture data located at the beginning in the coding order must be I picture.

(1-2-2) Audio Stream The audio stream is Dolby-AC3 system, MPEG system, L
This is one of the data compressed by the PCM method. Like the video stream, the audio stream is reproduced with audio frames having a unique frame period. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the correspondence between audio frames and audio data. Specifically, the playback cycle (audio frame) of the audio stream is Do
One frame of lby AC3 is 32msec, one frame of MPEG is 24mse
c, 1 frame of LPCM is about 1.67 msec (correctly 1/600 sec)
Is.

The uppermost row of FIG. 5B shows an example of an audio frame. In the figure, the "<" symbol indicates the reproduction start time of the video frame, and the ">" symbol indicates the reproduction end time of the audio frame (hereinafter, the audio frame is illustrated with such notation). .
Audio data to be displayed in such an audio frame is input to the decoder before the reproduction start time of the audio frame and is taken out of the buffer by the decoder at the reproduction start time, as shown in FIG. 5B. I have to do it.

The lower part of FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of how the audio data to be reproduced in each audio frame is stored in the audio pack. In this figure, audio data to be played in audio frames f81 and f82 is stored in audio pack A71, and audio data to be played in audio frame f84 is stored in the next audio pack A72.
The audio data to be reproduced in the audio frames f86 and f87 is stored in the next audio pack A73. Here, the audio data to be played in the audio frame f83 is the audio pack A7 that should precede.
1 and an audio pack A72 to be followed are stored in a divided state. Similarly, the audio data to be reproduced in the audio frame f85 is also stored in a divided state in the audio pack A72 to be preceded and the audio pack A73 to be followed. In this way, the audio data to be played in one audio frame is stored in the two audio packs in a divided state, the boundary between the audio frame and the video frame,
This means that the boundaries of the pack do not match. The reason why such boundary inconsistency appears is that the data structure of the pack is independent of the data structure of the video stream and the audio stream in the MPEG standard.

(1-2-3) Data structure of VOB VOB (Video Object) # 1, # 2, # 3 ... Shown in FIG.
A program stream conforming to the ISO / IEC13818-1 standard obtained by multiplexing a video stream and an audio stream, with program_end_code at the end.
Is not given.

FIG. 6A is a diagram in which the logical format of the VOB is detailed step by step. That is, in the figure, the upper logical format is a detailed version of the lower logical format. In this figure
The video stream located in the first row is divided into a plurality of GOPs shown in FIG. 5A as shown in the second row. As shown in FIG. 5A, the GOP unit picture data is divided into a plurality of 2 KByte units. On the other hand, the audio stream located on the right side of the first row is divided into a plurality of units of about 2 KByte as shown in the third row, as in FIG. 5B. The GOP unit picture data divided into 2KByte is
It is interleaved and multiplexed with an audio stream divided into units of about 2 KBytes to form a pack string shown in the fourth row. Such a pack row has a plurality of Vs shown in the fifth row.
It can be seen that an OBU (Video Object Unit) is formed, and the VOB shown in the sixth row has a configuration in which multiple VOBUs are arranged in time series. The lead lines shown by the broken lines in this figure clarify which part of the upper logical format is detailed by the lower logical format. Referring to the broken line in the figure based on this notation, VOB at the fifth stage
U corresponds to the pack row shown in the fourth row and further corresponds to the picture data in GOP units shown in the second row.

As is clear from the correspondence shown by the broken line, VOBU is multiplexed with at least one GOP consisting of picture data whose reproduction time is approximately 0.4 seconds to 1.0 seconds and this picture data. It is a unit that includes audio data that has been recorded, and it can be seen that it is configured by arranging a video pack and an audio pack in the MPEG standard. In the MPEG standard, a unit called GOP is defined in the system layer, but GOP indicates only video data as shown in the second row of FIG. 6A, and is multiplexed with this. Audio data and other data (including sub-picture data and control data, etc.) are GOP
Is not instructed. In order to interpolate this, in the DVD-RAM standard, VOBU is provided as a unit equivalent to GOP, and at least one GOP consisting of picture data whose playback time is approximately 0.4 seconds to 1.0 seconds and this picture data With this, the audio data multiplexed together can be collectively called.

The VOB is partially deleted with the VOBU as the minimum unit. For example, it is assumed that a video stream recorded on a DVD-RAM as a VOB includes an image having no recording value such as a commercial. The VOBU in the VOB includes one or more GOPs forming the commercial and audio data multiplexed with the picture data, and thus corresponds to the commercial among the plurality of VOBUs forming the VOB. If you delete only the part, you will not have to watch the above-mentioned video that is not worth recording when playing VOB. Also, even if one VOBU is deleted,
In the VOBUs before and after that, a video stream exists in GOP units and an I picture is inserted at the beginning of the VOBU, so normal decoding and reproduction are possible. Figure 6 (b)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of how a VOB is partially deleted.
In this figure, VOB is VOBU # 1, VOBU # 2, VOBU # 3, VOBU #
4 ... consists of VOBU # 7. Of these, VOBU # 2, VOBU # 4,
When the partial deletion of VOBU # 6 is ordered, the area occupied by these VOBUs in the DVD-RAM is released to a free area as shown in the second row, and VOBU # 1 and VOBU # as shown in the second row.
3, VOBU # 5, and VOBU # 7 will be played in this order.

The video pack and audio pack included in the VOBU each have a data length of 2 Kbytes. this
The size of 2KByte matches the sector size of DVD-RAM. Therefore, the video pack-audio pack is recorded at a ratio of 1: 1 in each sector. The arrangement of video pack-audio pack is equivalent to the arrangement of logical sector columns, and the data stored in these packs is read from the DVD-RAM. That is, the arrangement of video pack-audio pack means the order of reading from DVD-RAM. Each video pack has a storage capacity of about 2 KBytes. For example, the data size of a video stream per VOBU is several 100 KBytes, so the above video stream should be divided and stored in several hundred video packs. become.

(1-2-3-1) Data Structure of Video Pack and Audio Pack FIGS. 6 (c) to 6 (e) are diagrams showing the logical formats of the video pack and audio pack to be stored in the VOBU. Is. Generally, multiple packets are inserted in one pack in the MPEG system stream, but the DVD-RAM standard basically limits the number of packets to be inserted in one pack to one. FIG. 6C is a diagram showing a logical format of a video pack arranged at the head of the VOBU. In this figure, the head video pack in the VOBU is a pack header, a system header, a packet header, and a video stream. It can be seen that it is composed of a part of video data.

FIG. 6 (d) is a diagram showing the logical format of the video packs other than the beginning of the VOBU. In this figure, the video packs other than the beginning of the VOBU have the system header removed. It can be seen that it is composed of a pack header, a packet header, and video data. FIG. 6E is a diagram showing a logical format of an audio pack. In this figure, the audio pack is a pack header, a packet header, and a compression method of an audio stream included in this pack is a Linear-PCM method. It can be seen that it is composed of a sub_stream_id indicating whether there is a Dolby-AC3 system and a part of the audio stream compressed by the compression system.

(1-2-3-2-1) Buffer control video stream and audio stream in VOB are stored in the video pack and audio pack as described above.
However, in order to play the VOB without interruption, it is not enough to simply store the video data and audio data in the video pack and audio pack, and the arrangement of the video pack and audio pack is considered so that the continuity of buffer control is guaranteed. I have to do it. The buffer mentioned here is an input buffer (hereinafter referred to as a video buffer and an audio buffer, which temporarily stores a video stream and an audio stream in the preceding stage of the decoder. Refer to the video buffer 4b and the audio buffer 4d in FIG. 19) and buffer control. Is the control of input / output to / from each buffer so that each input buffer does not overflow or underflow. Although a detailed description will be given later, the encoder shows the time stamps (indicating data input, output, and display time) defined in the MPEG stream as shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E. Buffer control is realized by adding the packet header. If an underflow or an overflow occurs in the video buffer or audio buffer, the reproduction of the video stream or audio stream will be inevitably interrupted. To prevent these, guaranteeing the continuity of buffer control has important implications.

Each audio data has a time limit that it must be transferred to the audio buffer and decoded by the reproduction start time of the audio frame to be reproduced, but the audio stream has a fixed code length. Since the amount of data is small, by storing the data required for reproduction in each audio frame in the audio pack and transferring it to the audio buffer, it is possible to sufficiently meet the above time limit.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an ideal buffer state of the audio buffer, showing an audio frame and a buffer occupation amount in the audio buffer. In this figure, the vertical axis represents the buffer occupation amount and the horizontal axis represents the time axis. This time axis is separated by 32 msec, which matches the time length of the Dolby-AC3 audio frame. By referring to this graph, it can be seen that the buffer occupancy changes in a "sawtooth waveform".

The height of the triangle forming the saw means the data amount of the audio stream reproduced in each audio frame. The inclination of each triangle means the transfer rate of the audio stream. This transfer rate is the same in all audio frames. The triangles in this figure indicate that each audio data is accumulated in the audio buffer at a constant transfer rate during the display period (32 msec) of the audio frame one before the audio frame in which it should be played back. This means that the audio frame is instantaneously taken out from the audio buffer at the reproduction end time (which means the decoding time for this audio data). The above-mentioned "sawtooth wavy" change means that the processes from the accumulation to the extraction are repeated endlessly.

For example, assume that the transfer of the audio stream to the audio buffer starts at time T1. This audio data is to be reproduced at time T2, and the transfer amount of this audio data causes the accumulated amount of the audio buffer to gradually increase from time T1 to time T2. Since the transferred audio data is output at the playback end time of the audio frame, the audio data in the audio buffer has been exhausted, and the buffer occupancy of the audio buffer is
Return to 0. In FIG. 7A, the same repetition is performed at time T2-
It is performed at time T3, time T3-time T4.

As previously noted, the buffer state of FIG. 7A is an ideal buffer state described on the assumption that audio data to be reproduced in each audio frame is stored in one audio pack. In reality, as shown in FIG. 5B, it is general that a plurality of audio data to be reproduced in a plurality of audio frames are stored in one audio pack. FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a more realistic buffer state. The audio pack A31 in this figure stores therein audio data A21, A22, A23 to be decoded at the reproduction end time of the audio frames f21, f22, f23. It can be seen that, of these audio data, the audio data A21 is decoded at the reproduction end time of the audio frame f21, and then the audio data A22, A23 is decoded at the reproduction end time of the audio frames f22, f23. Of the audio frames stored in the audio pack, the earliest one that should be decoded is the audio data A21, and this audio data should be decoded at the playback end time of the audio frame f21. DVD-R during the display period of this audio frame f21
Should be read from AM.

The video stream is picture type (I picture,
There is a large difference in the required code amount for each (P picture, B picture), it is encoded with a variable code length, and since the data amount is large, it is necessary to reproduce each picture data, especially I picture. It is difficult to complete the data transfer by the playback end time of the video frame immediately before the video frame in which it is to be played.

FIG. 7C is a diagram showing a video frame and the buffer occupation amount in the video buffer. In this figure, the vertical axis represents the buffer occupation amount and the horizontal axis represents the time axis. One division of this time axis is every 33 msec, which matches the time length of an NTSC video frame. Referring to this graph, the buffer occupancy is "sawtooth"
You can see that it has changed to.

The height of the triangles forming the saw means the amount of data of the video stream reproduced in each video frame, and the amount of data varies among the video frames. The amount of data is thus different because the amount of code is dynamically assigned according to the complexity of the image. The inclination of each triangle means the transfer rate of the video stream. The rough value of the transfer rate of the video stream is calculated by subtracting the output rate of the audio stream from the output rate of the track buffer. This transfer rate is the same in all frame periods.

The triangles in the figure indicate that each picture data is accumulated in the video buffer at a constant transfer rate (33 msec) during the display period of the video frame immediately preceding the video frame to be reproduced. This means that the video is instantaneously taken out from the video buffer at the reproduction end time of the immediately preceding video frame (which means the decoding time for this picture data). The above-mentioned "sawtooth wavy" change means that the processes from the accumulation to the extraction are repeated endlessly.

When the image to be displayed in a certain video frame is complicated, it is necessary to allocate a larger code amount to this image. When a large amount of code is allocated in this way, the amount of data also becomes enormous, so it is necessary to store data in the video buffer fairly early. Generally, the time length from the transfer start time of each picture data to the video buffer to the decoding time of the picture data is called “VBV (Video Buffer Verify) delay”. This “VBV delay” tends to increase as the image has a more complicated pattern and is assigned a larger code amount.

Referring to FIG. 7C, it can be seen that the transfer of the picture data decoded at the reproduction end time T16 of the video frame starts from time T11. On the other hand, at time T12, it can be seen that the transfer of the picture data decoded at time T18 has started. Similarly, at time T14, time T15, and time T17, time T19 and time T2
It can be seen that the transfer of the decoded picture data has started at 0 and time T21.

FIG. 7D is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transfer time of each picture data in more detail. Figure 7
Considering based on (c), time T2 in FIG.
Transfer of picture data to be decoded in 4
Time from the start time T23 of "BV delay" to the start of the transfer of the image to be played in the next video frame "Tf_Peri
It can be said that it has been completed in "od". The increase in the buffer occupancy after this time is caused by the transfer of the image to be reproduced in the next video frame.

The picture data stored in the video buffer waits for a time T24 at which the picture data should be decoded. When the image A is decoded at the decoding time T24, the picture data in the video buffer is exhausted, and the buffer occupancy decreases. Considering the above, it is sufficient that the transfer of audio data to be played in a certain audio frame starts about one frame before the audio frame to be played,
The transfer in a video frame must start well before the time it should be decoded. That is, the audio data to be played in a certain audio frame must be input to the audio buffer at approximately the same time as the picture data to be played in a video frame that is considerably future in time from the audio frame. is there. This means that
In an MPEG stream in which a video stream and an audio stream are multiplexed, multiplexing is performed in a state where picture data precedes audio data, and the video data and audio data in the VOBU are audio data and the video to be reproduced in the future. This is the fact that data and data are multiplexed.

It has already been explained that the arrangement of a plurality of video packs and audio packs in the VOB means the transfer order of the data stored in these packs.
Therefore, in order to read out the audio data to be played in a certain audio frame and the picture data to be played in a video frame that is considerably future in time from the audio frame at approximately the same time, the audio data and the picture The audio pack and the video pack storing the data may be arranged in the vicinity of the VOB.

FIG. 8A shows how an audio pack storing audio data to be reproduced in each audio frame and a video pack storing picture data to be reproduced in each video frame are stored. It is a figure which shows what should be done. In this figure, "V" and "A" are shown in the center.
The vertical and horizontal rectangles with are the video pack,
Shows an audio pack. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing what the vertical width and the horizontal width of this rectangle mean. The vertical width of the rectangle shows the bit rate of the pack, and the horizontal width means the transfer time of the pack. Packs indicated by vertical rectangles are packs that are input to the buffer at a high bit rate in a relatively short period of time, and packs indicated by horizontal rectangles are buffers that are input at a low bit rate over a relatively long period of time. Indicates the pack to be input to.

In the figure, the picture data V11 to be decoded at time T11 is transferred within the period k11.
Since the audio data A11 is transferred and decoded in this period k11, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 8A, the video pack storing the picture data V11 and the audio pack storing the audio data A11 are close to each other. Is located in.

In the figure, the picture data V12 decoded at time T12 is transferred within the period k12.
Since the audio data A12 is transferred and decoded in this period k12, the video pack storing the picture data V12 and the audio pack storing the audio data A12 are close to each other, as shown in the lowermost part of FIG. Placed in position.

Similarly, audio data A13, A14, A15
Is also arranged in the vicinity of the picture data V13 and V14, the transfer of which is started at these output times. The picture data V16
As described above, when attempting to store picture data with a large code amount in the video buffer, a plurality of audio data A15, A16, A17 are multiplexed during k16 which is the transfer period.

FIG. 9 shows how an audio pack storing a plurality of audio data to be reproduced in a plurality of audio frames and a video pack storing picture data to be reproduced in each video frame are stored. FIG. In the figure, an audio pack A31 is an audio pack in which audio data A21, A22, A23 to be reproduced in audio frames f21, f22, f23 are stored. Of the audio data stored in this audio pack, the earliest to be decoded is the audio data A21.
Since this audio data should be decoded at the reproduction end time of the audio frame f20, it should be read from the DVD-RAM together with the picture data V11 transferred at the same time as this audio frame f20 (period k11). Therefore, as shown at the bottom of FIG. 9, it is arranged in the vicinity of the video pack storing the picture data V11.

Audio data A24, A25, A26 to be reproduced at the reproduction end time of the audio frames f24, f25, f26
The audio pack A32 in which is stored therein should be read from the DVD-RAM together with the picture data V15 transferred at the same time as the audio frame f23 (period k15). Therefore, as shown at the bottom of FIG. 9, it is arranged in the vicinity of the video pack storing the picture data V15.

The audio pack can store audio data to be decoded in a plurality of audio frames, and the audio pack is arranged in the vicinity of a video pack forming picture data to be decoded temporally in the future. Considering the fact that audio data-picture data to be decoded at the same time seems to be stored in audio packs-video packs that are quite separated on the VOB. However, this is not the case, and audio data that should be decoded at the same time cannot be placed near a video pack that stores picture data that will be decoded in the future for more than 1 second. This is because the MPEG standard defines an upper limit for the time that data can be stored in the buffer, and there is a restriction that all data must be retrieved from the buffer within 1 second after being input to the buffer. is there. This constraint is called the "1 second rule" in the MPEG standard. Since this "1 second rule" exists, even if audio data and picture data that should be decoded at the same time are separated, a maximum of 3 VOBUs from the VOBU that stores the picture data that should be decoded at a certain time. Audio packs to be decoded at the same time should be stored within the range.

(1-2-3-2-2) Buffer control between VOBs Next, the buffer control in the case where two or more VOBs are continuously reproduced will be described. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a buffer state at the leading end of the video stream. FIR located in the middle of video frame f71 in this figure
At ST_SCR, input of a pack including picture data is started, and only BT2 is stored in the video buffer at the reproduction end time of the video frame f72. At the reproduction end time of the video frame f73, only BT3 of picture data is stored in the video buffer. After that, at the reproduction end time of the video frame f74 (hereinafter referred to as FIRST_DTS), it is taken out by the video decoder. As described above, since there is no preceding video stream at the leading end of the VOB, only the triangle is drawn as the buffer state as shown in FIG. In addition, this figure is drawn on the assumption that the video pack is input in FIRST_SCR, but if the pack located at the beginning of VOB is another pack, FIRST_SCR,
It does not coincide with the start of increasing buffer status. Also, LAST_S
The CR is located in the middle of the video frame because it is independent of the data structure of the pack and the data structure of the video data.

FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a buffer state at the end of the video stream. In this figure, the data input to the video buffer is completed at LAST_SCR located in the middle of the video frame f61. After that, the accumulated video data is taken out from the video buffer by the data amount Δ3 at the reproduction end time of the video frame f61. After that, it can be seen that only the data amount Δ4 is extracted at the reproduction end time of the video frame f62, and the data amount Δ5 is extracted from the video buffer at the reproduction end time of the video frame f63 (hereinafter referred to as LAST_DTS).
At the end of VOB, input of video pack-audio pack is completed by the time indicated by LAST_SCR in the figure, and this LA
In the video frames f61, f62, f63, and f64 after ST_SCR, the storage amount of the video buffer gradually decreases. Therefore, the buffer state at the end of the video stream is as shown in FIG.
A step is drawn as shown in 0 (b).

FIG. 10 (c) is a diagram showing a buffer state between VOBs. A video stream having the buffer state shown in FIG. 10 (b) at its end portion and FIG.
The buffer state when seamlessly connecting with the video stream having the buffer state shown in 0 (a) is shown. When seamlessly connecting two video streams, there must be a FIRST_DTS at the end of the video stream to be played after one video frame of LAST_DTS at the end of the video stream to be played first. I have to. That is, the first decoding of the subsequent video stream must be performed after one video frame of the last decoding time of the preceding video stream. When the interval between the LAST_DTS at the end and the FIRST_DTS at the end is one video frame, the picture data at the end of the preceding video stream and the picture at the end of the subsequent video stream are stored in the video buffer as shown in FIG. The state that data and data are mixed appears.

In FIG. 10C, it is assumed that the video frames f71, f72, f73 shown in FIG. 10A and the video frames f61, f62, f63 shown in FIG. I have to. In this state, video frame f7
At the playback end time of 1, the picture data BE1 at the end part,
The data BT1 forming the picture data at the leading end is present in the video buffer, and at the playback end time of the video frame f72, the picture data BE2 at the ending portion and the data BT2 forming the picture data at the leading end are stored in the video buffer. It exists in the buffer. At the reproduction end time of the video frame f73, the picture data BE3 at the end and the data BT3 forming the picture data at the end are present in the video buffer. As the video frame progresses, the picture data at the end of the VOB gradually decreases,
The picture data at the VOB tip is gradually increasing. Since such an increase / decrease appears at the same time, the buffer state becomes saw-like in FIG. 10 (c), which is similar to the buffer state in the VOB shown in FIG. 7 (c). I understand.

It should be noted here that the sum BT1 + BE1 of the data amount BT1 and the data amount BE1, the sum BT2 + BE2 of the data amount BT2 and the data amount BE2, and the sum BT3 of the data amount BT3 and the data amount BE3.
+ BE3 is less than the capacity of the video buffer. That is, when the sum BT1 + BE1, the sum BT2 + BE2, and the sum BT3 + BE3 described above exceed the upper limit value of the video buffer, the video buffer overflows. If the maximum value of the total sum is Bv1 + Bv2, then B
v1 + Bv2 must be below the video buffer limit.

(1-2-3-3) Pack header, system header, packet header The information for buffer control described above is shown in FIG.
It is described as a time stamp in the pack header, system header, and packet header shown in (f) to FIG. 6 (h). 6F to 6H are diagrams showing the logical formats of the pack header, the system header, and the packet header. As shown in FIG. 6 (f), the pack header is Pack_Start_Code, SCR (System Clock Reference), Progr, which indicates when the data stored in the pack should be input to the video buffer and audio buffer.
Includes am_max_rate. The first SCR in the VOB is set to STC as an initial value of a system time clock (hereinafter referred to as "STC") that is standardly equipped with an MPEG standard decoder.

The system header shown in FIG. 6 (g) is VOBU.
The maximum rate information (Rate.bound.inf in the figure) that indicates the transfer rate required for the playback device when inputting data.
o) and buffer size information (Buffer.bound.info in the figure) indicating the maximum buffer size required for the playback device when inputting data in VOBU.

The packet header is a DT indicating the decoding time.
In the case of S (Decoding Time Stamp) and video stream,
It includes a PTS (Presentation Time Stamp) for instructing when to reorder the decoded video stream and output it. PTS and DTS are set based on the playback start time of video frames and audio frames. Although PTS and DTS can be set for all packs in terms of data structure, they are rarely added to picture data to be displayed in all video frames. It is often applied once per GOP, that is, about once every 0.5 seconds. On the other hand, SCR is added to all video packs and audio packs.

In the video stream, one PTS is often added to each GOP video frame.
In the audio stream, one PTS is often added to every 1 to 2 audio frames. In the audio stream, the coding order and the display order cannot be interchanged, so that DTS is not added. When audio data to be reproduced in two or more audio frames is completely stored in one audio pack, the PTS of the first audio frame is described.

For example, the audio pack A71 shown in FIG.
About PTS the playback start time of audio frame f81
Can be described as On the other hand, for the audio pack A72 that stores the divided audio frame f83, the reproduction start time of the audio frame f83 must be described in the PTS, not the reproduction start time of the audio frame f84. The same applies to audio pack A73. Instead of describing the playback start time of audio frame f85 in PTS, audio frame f86
The playback start time of must be described.

(1-2-3-4) Continuity of time stamps Next, PTS, DTS, SC shown in FIGS. 6 (f) to 6 (h)
The following describes how R is set in each video pack and audio pack. Figure 11
(A) is a graph in which the SCR values of the packs included in the VOB are plotted and drawn in the pack arrangement order. The horizontal axis represents the rank of each video pack, and the vertical axis represents the SCR value given to each video pack.

It can be seen that the initial value of SCR in FIG. 11A is not "0" but a predetermined value of Init1. In this way, the initial value of SCR is not "0" because the VOB targeted by the video data editing device is often subjected to video editing several times so far, and the tip part is partially deleted. Because there are often cases where Of course, the VOB that has just been encoded is considered to have the initial value of SCR set to 0. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, the initial value of SCR of VOB is anything other than 0. Suppose it is set to the value of.

Referring to this graph, it is understood that the video pack located earlier in the VOB has a smaller SCR value, and the video pack located later in the VOB has a larger SCR value. This means that video packs that are later in the VOB have a larger SCR.
In this way, a pack that is located earlier in the VOB has a smaller time stamp value, and a pack that is located later in the VOB has a larger time stamp value, which is called "time stamp continuity". This continuity exists in DTS as well. The PTS assigned to each video pack causes the video pack encoded later in the encoding order to be displayed first, so the PTS value may be reversed in the preceding and following video packs, but in general, Similar to SCR and DTS, it does not change to have continuity.

On the other hand, the SCR of the audio pack has continuity like the video pack. Place SCR, DTS, PTS
The continuity in is an essential requirement for the VOB to be decoded normally, but what value of SCR can maintain the continuity will be explained. In FIG. 11B, a straight line showing the SCR of the section B exists on the extension of the straight line showing the SCR of the section A. In such a case, it can be said that the time stamps are continuous between section A and section B.

It can be seen from FIG. 11C that the initial value of the SCR in the section D is higher than the final value of the straight line showing the SCR in the section C. However, even in this case, the value of the time stamp is smaller for the pack located earlier, and the value of the time stamp is larger for the pack located later, so it can be said that the time stamps are continuous between section C and section D. . Of course, when the difference between other stamps is large, the stamps are discontinuous. In the MPEG standard, the difference between each time stamp, for example, the difference between SCRs must not exceed 0.7 seconds. Therefore, if it exceeds this range, it is treated as discontinuous.

It can be seen from FIG. 11D that the end value of the SCR in the section E is higher than the initial value of the straight line showing the SCR in the section F. In this case, the continuity is broken that the earlier the pack is, the smaller the value of the time stamp is, and the VOB is the later pack is, the larger the value of the time stamp is. It is discontinuous. Before and after the discontinuous boundary of the time stamps, such as section E-section F in FIG. 11D, two VOBs are managed.

The details of buffer control between VOBs and the multiplexing method are described in the patent "International Publication No. WO97 / 1336".
7 "and" International Publication No. WO 97/13363 ". For more detailed technical contents, refer to these publications. (1-2-4) AV file An AV file is a file that contains one or more VOBs that should be played continuously. If multiple VOBs are stored in this file, these VOBs will be played in the order in which they are recorded in the file. In the example of FIG. 4, the AV file is VO
You can see that it stores three VOBs, B # 1, VOB # 2, VOB # 3, but these VOBs will be played in the order VOB # 1, VOB # 2, VOB # 3. . VO stored in this way
Of B, the buffer state between the video stream located at the end of the VOB to be played back first and the video stream located at the end of the VOB to be played back is shown in FIG. If the maximum value Bv1 + Bv2 of the buffer storage exceeds the capacity of the video buffer, or the last time stamp of the VOB that should be played first and the VOB that should be played subsequently. When there is a discontinuity between the first time stamp and the VOB to be reproduced first, the VOB to be reproduced first and the subsequent VOB are reproduced with interruption of reproduction. (1-3) Logical structure of RTRW management file Next, the structure of the RTRW management file will be described. RTRW
The management file is each VOB recorded in the AV file.
Is information indicating the attribute for each VOB.

FIG. 12A is a diagram in which the recorded contents of the RTRW management file are detailed step by step. That is, in the figure, the logical format located on the right side is a detailed version of the logical format located on the left side. It clarifies which part of the has been refined.

VOB in this figure according to such notation
Referring to the logical format of, the RTRW management file contains VOB information about VOB # 1, VOB # 2, VOB # 3 ... VOB # 6, and VOB information is VOB general information and It can be seen that it is composed of stream attribute information, a time map table, and seamless connection information. (1-3-1) VOB general information "VOB general information" is for each VOB recorded in the AV file.
The VOB-ID uniquely assigned to the VOB and the VOB playback time information.

(1-3-2) Stream attribute information "Stream attribute information" consists of "video attribute information" and "audio attribute information". "Video attribute information" is MP
It includes video format information in which either EG2 or MPEG1 is described, and a display system in which NTSC or PAL / SECAM is described. When the video attribute information is described in the NTSC system, it is possible to describe 720 x 480, 352 x 240, etc. as the resolution. Also, the aspect ratio is 4: 3 or 16:
Can describe 9. It is possible to describe the presence / absence of copy protection control for analog video signals and the presence / absence of copy guard to the VTR by changing the signal amplitude of the blank section of the video signal and impeding the AGC circuit of the VTR.

"Audio attribute information" is MPEG2, Dolby
Encoding format indicating Digital, linear PCM, etc., 48K
It has a sampling frequency at which Hz or the like is set, and an audio bit rate that indicates the bit rate in the case of a fixed bit rate and in which a mark "VBR" is described in the case of a variable bit rate. "Time map table"
Indicates the size of each VOBU that composes the VOB and the playback time of those VOBUs. To further improve access performance, a representative VOBU is selected at regular intervals, for example, in units of several tens of seconds.
B Address and elapsed time from the beginning are shown.

(1-3-3) Seamless connection information "Seamless connection information" is information for seamlessly performing continuous reproduction of a plurality of VOBs recorded in the AV file. Time VOB_
V_S_PTM ”,“ Video playback end time VOB_V_E_PTM ”,“ FI
"RST_SCR", "LAST_SCR", "Audio gap start time A_STP_PTM", "Audio gap length A_GAP_LEN"
It consists of "audio gap position information A_GAP_LOC".

(1-3-3-1) Seamless flag The "seamless flag" indicates that the VOB (front VOB) arranged before this VOB in the AV file has been reproduced.
This is a flag indicating whether or not the VOB corresponding to the seamless connection information is seamlessly performed. When this flag is set to 01, it indicates that the reproduction of the main VOB (rear VOB) is performed seamlessly, and when it is set to 00, it indicates that the reproduction of the rear VOB is performed non-seamlessly.

In order to realize seamless reproduction of a plurality of VOBs, the following (1) and (2) are provided between the rear VOB and the front VOB.
The relationship must be met. (1) The video stream display methods (NTSC, PAL, etc.) indicated in the video attribute information are the same. (2) The encoding methods (AC-3, MPEG, LPCM, etc.) of the audio streams indicated in the audio attribute information are the same.

In the above (1) and (2), seamless reproduction is impossible because the display method and encoding method of the video decoder and the audio decoder are different when the display method and encoding method of the video stream and audio stream are different. This is because the operation is stopped due to the bit rate switching. For example, it should play continuously
In the case of two audio streams, if one encoding method is the AC3 method and the other is the MPEG standard, the audio decoder internally switches the stream attributes when the streams change from AC3 to MPEG. , Decoding stops during this time. The same applies when the attributes of the video stream change.

The seamless flag is set to 01 only when all of the relationships (1) and (2) are satisfied, and the seamless flag is set to 00 when even one of the relationships (1) and (2) is not satisfied. Is set to. (1-3-3-2) Video playback start time VOB_V_S_PTM "Video playback start time VOB_V_S_PTM" describes the time when the playback of the first video field of the video stream forming the VOB starts in PTM description format. is there.

The PTM description format is such that the time to be described has a time accuracy of 1 / 27,000,000 seconds and 1 / 90,000 (= 300/2
It is a format specified to be expressed using a time precision of 7,000,000) seconds. Here, the time accuracy of 1 / 90,000 seconds takes into consideration the common multiple of the frame frequency of NTSC signal, PAL signal, Dolby AC-3, MPEG audio, and is 1 / 27,0
The time accuracy of 00,000 seconds takes into consideration the STC frequency of 27 MHz.

FIG. 12B shows the PTM description format. In this figure, the PTM description format is
A base part (PTM_base) that represents the quotient when the playback start time is divided by 1 / 90,000 seconds and an extension part (PT that represents the remainder when the playback start time is divided by the base part with a time accuracy of 1 / 27,000,000 seconds).
M_extension) and. (1-3-3-3) Video playback end time VOB_V_E_PTM "Video playback end time VOB_V_E_PTM" describes the time when the playback of the final video field of the video stream forming the VOB ends in PTM description format. is there.

(1-3-3-4) Video playback start time VOB_V_S_P
Relationship between TM and video playback end time VOB_V_E_PTM In case of seamless playback of two VOBs, rear VOB
The relationship between the VOB_V_S_PTM of the VOB and the VOB_V_E_PTM of the front VOB should be described. Originally, the rear VOB is reproduced after all the video packs included in the front VOB are reproduced, so that the VOB_V_S_PTM of the rear VOB is reproduced.
Is not the same as VOB_V_E_PTM of the front VOB, the time stamp becomes discontinuous, and it is impossible to continuously reproduce the front VOB-the rear VOB. However, for two VOBs encoded completely differently, the encoder uniquely adds a time stamp to each video pack and audio pack at the time of encoding, and the video playback end time VOB_V_E_PTM of the front VOB and the rear VOB Video playback start time VOB_V_S_
It is difficult to demand a relationship where PTMs are equal.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the buffer occupation amount for each of the front VOB and the rear VOB. In these graphs, the vertical axis represents the buffer occupancy of the buffer, and the horizontal axis is the time axis. On this time axis, the times indicated by SCR, PTS, video reproduction end time VOB_V_E_PTM, and video reproduction start time VOB_V_S_PTM are plotted. FIG. 11 (b)
In the case of the picture data that should be displayed last in the front VOB, the display processing is started after the input of the video data forming the picture data to the video buffer is completed by LAST_SCR and the PTS that is the reproduction start time is waited for. (Finally MPEG
This does not apply if the pack input to the decoder is another pack such as an audio pack). The time when the display period h1 has passed from this PTS is the video playback end time VOB_
It is V_E_PTM. The display period h1 is a period in which drawing from the first field to the last field forming an image for one screen is completed.

In the lower part of FIG. 13, the picture data to be displayed first in the rear VOB is input to the video buffer by FIRST_SCR, and the PTS becomes the reproduction start time.
Will be displayed. This display time is the video reproduction start time VOB_V_S_PTM. In this figure, front VOB and rear VOB
The video pack contains SCR and video playback end time VOB_V_E
_PTM and video playback start time VOB_V_S_PTM are added, so VOB_V_S_PTM of rear VOB <VOB_V_E_PTM of front VOB
You can see that it has a relationship of.

Then, VOB_V_S_PTM of the rear VOB <front VO
The reason why seamless playback is possible even with the relationship of VOB_V_E_PTM of B will be described. In the DVD-RAM standard, an extended STD model (hereinafter referred to as "ES
"TD") is defined (see FIG. 19). In general
The MPEG standard decoder has a system time clock STC that measures a reference time, and the video decoder and the audio decoder refer to the reference time measured by this STC to perform decoding processing and display processing. E-STD
Has an adder that adds an offset to the reference time output by the STC in addition to the STC, and selects either the reference time output by the STC or the output value of the adder to select the video decoder. , Can be given to the audio decoder. With this configuration, even if the time stamps between VOBs are discontinuous, by giving the output value of the adder to the decoding, it is possible to behave as if the time stamps between VOBs are continuous. , V of the front VOB
Even if the OB_V_E_PTM and the VOB_V_S_PTM of the rear VOB have the discontinuous relationship as described above, the seamless reproduction is performed.

Not only that, the video reproduction end time VOB_V_E_PTM of the rear VOB and the video reproduction start time VOB of the front VOB.
The difference from _V_S_PTM can be used as an offset (generally called “STC offset”) to be added by the adder. Therefore, the playback device of the E-STD model has a video playback end time VOB_V_E_PTM and a video playback start time V.
The following calculation is performed using OB_V_S_PTM to obtain STC_offset and set it in the adder. STC offset = VOB_V_E_PTM of front VOB-VOB_V of rear VOB
_S_PTM Actually, the video playback start time VOB_V_S_PTM and end time VOB_V_E_PTM in the seamless connection information are described because the decoder is made to perform the above calculation and STC of
It also has the purpose of setting fset to the adder.

FIG. 11 (e) is a diagram showing the graph showing the continuity of the time stamps shown in FIG. 11 (a) for two VOBs. The time stamp of the first pack in VOB # 1 has an initial value Init1, and the time stamp of a later pack has a larger value. VO
The time stamp of the first pack in B # 2 is also the initial value I
nit2 and later packs have a higher time stamp. In this figure, since the end value of the time stamp in VOB # 1 exceeds the initial value of the time stamp in VOB # 2, it can be seen that the time stamps of the two VOBs are discontinuous. Nevertheless VOB #
If you want to decode the first pack of VOB # 2 after the last pack of 1, STC_offset is added to the time stamp of VOB # 2.
Is added, the continuity in the VOB # 2 time stamp shifts from that shown by the solid line to that shown by the broken line.
If the time stamp of VOB # 2 moves to that shown by the broken line, the straight line showing the increasing property of the time stamp value of VOB # 2 becomes VOB.
It is located on the extension of the increasing straight line of the timestamp value of # 1,
It can be seen that the time stamp continuity is established.

(1-3-3-5) FIRST_SCR In "FIRST_SCR", the SCR attached to the top pack of the VOB is the PTM.
It is written in the description format. (1-3-3-6) LAST_SCR In "LAST_SCR", the SCR attached to the last packed pack in the VOB is entered in PTM description format.

(1-3-3-7) Relationship between FIRST_SCR and LAST_SCR As described above, since the reproduction of VOB is performed by the E-STD type decoder, LAST_SCR of the front VOB and FIRS of the rear VOB are used.
It can be seen that T_SCR does not have to be LAST_SCR of the front VOB = FIRST_SCR of the rear VOB. However, considering STC_offset, the relation of the following formula must be satisfied. Time required for LAST_SCR +1 pack transfer of front VOB ≤ STC
_offset + FIRST_SCR of the rear VOB where LAST_SCR of the front VOB and FIRST_SCR of the rear VOB do not satisfy the above relationship because the packs forming the front VOB and the packs forming the rear VOB are simultaneously buffered with video. , Which means that data is transferred to an audio buffer, which is contrary to the MPEG standard and the E-STD decoder model in which transfer is performed in pack units in accordance with the pack sequence. Here, referring to FIG. 10C, LAST_SCR of the front VOB and FIRS_SCR of STC_offset + rear VOB.
And are in agreement, which means that the above relationship is satisfied.

When playing a VOB using an E-STD type decoder, it should be noted that the reference time output by the STC and
It is the time to switch to the reference time with offset output from the adder. Since the VOB time stamp does not contain any information about such a switching time, there is a possibility that the timing for switching to the output value of the adder may be missed even if the E-STD is a corner.

FIRST_SCR and LAST_SCR are effective for informing the decoder of the switching timing of the output value of the adder, and the decoder is in charge of STC while the STC is being counted.
The reference time output by is compared with FIRST_SCR and LAST_SCR. Standard time output by STC, FIRST_SCR, LAST_SCR
If and match, the reference time output by the STC is switched to the output value of the adder.

Here, in reproducing the VOB, from the front VOB to the rear VO
Normal playback with playback to B and rear VOB to front VOB
There is rewinding playback, where LAST_SCR is used to switch the reference time during normal playback.
RST_SCR is used to switch the reference time during rewinding reproduction. Final V of rear VOB during rewind playback
After decoding from the OBU to the first VOBU and after decoding the first video pack of the rear VOB, the final V of the front VOB
It is decoded from OBU to the first VOBU. In other words, during rewind playback, it is necessary to switch the reference time at the time when the first video pack of the rear VOB has been decoded. FIRST_SCR of each VOB is entered.

For more detailed technical contents regarding the above E-STD and STC_offset, refer to International Publication No. WO 97/13364. (1-3-3-8) Audio gap start time A_STP_PTM "Audio gap start time A_STP_PTM" is the PTM description format for the stop start time that should stop the operation of the audio decoder when an audio playback gap exists in the VOB. Can be described in. Audio gap start time The time indicated by A_STP_PTM is one V
One per OB.

(1-3-3-9) Audio gap length A_GAP_LEN "Audio gap length A_GAP_LEN" is the number of hours the audio decoder is kept in the stopped state from the stop start time indicated by the audio gap start time A_STP_PTM. Indicates. The time length of the audio gap length A_GAP_LEN is limited to less than 1 audio frame.

(1-3-3-10) Necessity of Audio Gap The reason why the audio gap start time A_STP_PTM and the audio gap length A_GAP_LEN are used to specify the period in which the audio gap occurs will be described. Since the video stream and the audio stream are reproduced in different cycles, the total reproduction time of the video stream and the audio stream included in the VOB are different from each other. For example, when the video stream is the NTSC system and the audio stream is the Dolby-AC3 system, the total reproduction time of the video stream is an integral multiple of 33 msec as shown in FIG. It is an integer multiple of 32 msec.

When two VOBs are continuously reproduced despite the total reproduction time being different, in order to synchronize reproduction of picture data and reproduction of audio data, reproduction time of any picture data and reproduction time of audio data. And need to be aligned. When trying to align in this way, a time difference of the total reproduction time appears at the leading end or the trailing end of the picture data and audio data.

FIG. 14B shows a state in which a time difference g1 appears at the end of picture data and audio data because the reproduction time of picture data and the reproduction time of audio data are attempted to be aligned at the end of VOB. It is a figure. It can be seen that VOB # 1 has a time difference g1 at its terminal end. If you try to connect VOB # 2 to VOB # 1 here, the audio stream of VOB # 2 is played so as to close the time difference g1, so the playback of the audio stream of VOB # 2 is performed at time g0. I will be destroyed. This is because the audio decoder uses the fact that the audio stream is played back at a constant frame rate to continuously decode the audio stream at a fixed cycle. VOB # 2 to be done already DV
This is because, if it has been read from the D-RAM, decoding of VOB # 2 will start as soon as all the audio streams of VOB # 1 have been decoded.

In order to prevent the reproduction of the audio stream of the VOB to be reproduced subsequently during the seamless reproduction from preceding, the audio gap information in the stream is managed by the host side in the reproducing device, and during the audio gap period, The host must stop the audio decoder from decoding. This playback stop period is the audio gap, and the audio gap start time A_STP_
The PTM and audio gap length A_GAP_LEN specify the time zone in which this audio gap appears.

Further, processing for specifying the audio gap is also performed in the stream. Specifically, the PT of the audio frame immediately after the audio gap.
By describing S in the packet header of the audio packet, it is possible to specify when the audio gap ends. However, this specifying method has a problem when a plurality of audio data to be reproduced in a plurality of audio frames are stored in the audio packet. This is because if multiple audio data that should be played in multiple audio frames are stored,
The PTS can be described in the packet only in the first audio frame among the plurality of audio frames. So for the rest of the audio frames
It is not possible to describe PTS. If the audio data to be played in the audio frames located before and after the audio gap is placed in the same packet, the PTS of the audio frame immediately after the audio gap cannot be described, so the audio gap cannot be specified and the audio gap is It will disappear. Therefore, the audio frame immediately after the audio gap is processed so as to be arranged at the beginning of the next audio pack, and the PTS (audio gap start time A_STP_PTM + audio gap length A_GAP_LEN) of the audio frame immediately after the audio gap is explicitly shown in the stream.

Further, if necessary, in an audio packet storing audio data to be reproduced immediately before the audio gap, a Padding-Packet defined by the MPEG standard is inserted immediately after the audio data. FIG. 14C shows audio data y-2, y-1 to be reproduced in a plurality of audio frames y-2, y-1, y located at the end of VOB # 1 shown in FIG. 14B. , y and Padding-Packet
An audio pack that includes an audio gap that includes and
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing G3 and showing an audio pack G4 including a plurality of audio frames u, u + 1, u + 2 located at the tip of VOB # 2.

The audio pack G4 described above is a pack containing audio data to be reproduced in an audio frame located immediately after the audio gap, and the audio pack G3 is a pack located immediately before the pack. . When the pack containing audio data to be played in the audio frame located immediately after the audio gap is included in the pack, the pack located immediately before the pack is called an "audio pack including an audio gap".

Since the audio pack G3 is located behind the video pack string in the VOBU, there is no picture data to be displayed in the future from VOB # 1. However, since the reproduction of VOB # 1 is premised on that VOB # 2 follows, the picture data contained in VOB # 2 is read in audio frames y-2, y-1, y. It becomes the correct picture data. If so, the audio pack G3 including the audio gap is placed at the top of VOB # 2 within the range that does not violate the "1 second rule".
It may be arranged in any of the above. FIG.14 (d) is
Audio pack G3 with audio gap is VOB #
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing that the VOBU # 1, VOBU # 2, or VOBU # 3 located at the tip of the second lane is placed.

During the audio gap, the operation of the audio decoder must be temporarily stopped. This is because the audio decoder tries to perform the decoding process even during the audio gap period, and the host-side control unit that performs the central control in the playback device, after the playback of the picture data-audio data ends,
The audio pause is instructed to the decoder and the audio decoder is temporarily stopped (this instruction information is shown in FIG.
It is ADPI (Audio Decoder Pause Information) inside. In this way, the operation of the audio decoder can be stopped during the audio gap. That does not mean that audio output can be stopped no matter how the audio gap appears.

Because the control unit is often composed of a general-purpose microcomputer and software, in order to stop the audio decoding, if the audio gap continues for a short period of time, the stop instruction from the control unit will be in time. Because there is a possibility that there is no For example, when playing a VOB that is about 1 second long continuously, it is necessary to instruct to stop the audio decoder at an interval of about 1 second. It may not be possible to stop the audio decoder while continuing. Also, in VOB playback, if you try to align the playback time of picture data with the playback time of audio data many times, it is necessary to instruct the audio decoder to stop each time. The control unit may not be able to stop the audio decoder while the audio gap continues.

Therefore, the following restrictions are set so that the audio gap occurs after a certain period of time. First of all, the VOB time length is set to 1.5 seconds or more so that the stop control by the control unit is performed with a margin to prevent the audio gap from being shortened. Secondly, the reproduction time of the picture data and the reproduction time of the audio data are aligned only once for each VOB. By doing this, there will be one audio gap per VOB.

Thirdly, the time length of the audio gap is limited to less than one audio frame. Finally,
Limit the audio gap start time VOB_A_STP_PTM to less than 1 audio frame before the rear video playback start time (VOB_V_S_PTM) based on the rear video playback start time VOB_V_S_PTM. . That is, it is limited so as to satisfy the relationship of the following equation. VOB_V_S_PTM-1 Audio frame playback time <A_STP_PTM ≤ VOB_V_S_PTM Because even if an audio gap occurs at such time, the first video is just displayed in the rear VOB, and the audio output is silent, the operator This is because it is considered unlikely to give a feeling of strangeness to.

By providing the above restrictions, the audio gap generation interval during seamless reproduction is at least "1.5 seconds-1 audio frame reproduction time x 2". Applying the numerical value concretely, the audio
With lby AC3, the playback time for one audio frame is 32 msec.
Therefore, the audio gap occurrence interval is at least
It is 1436 msec, and it is highly possible that the control unit will perform stop control with sufficient margin.

(1-3-3-11) Audio gap position information "Audio gap position information A_GAP_LOC" is the rear VO
It is a 3-bit value indicating which VOBU of the three VOBUs located at the tip of B has an audio pack including an audio gap inserted therein. If this information is 1, VO
BU # 1 indicates that there is an audio gap, and 2 indicates that VOBU # 2 has an audio gap. A value of 3 indicates that there is an audio gap in VOBU # 3.

The necessity of such a flag is to recreate the audio gap when the rear VOB of the two VOBs to be seamlessly reproduced needs to be partially deleted. Partial deletion of a VOB means deleting a plurality of VOBUs located at the front end or the end end of the VOB. For example, when editing a video, it is often desirable to cut only the opening scene. In this case, "VOB partial deletion" is to delete the VOBU including the opening scene.

When performing such partial deletion, it should be noted that the audio pack includes the audio gap moved to the rear VOB. As described above, the audio gap is determined based on the video reproduction start time VOB_V_S_PTM of the rear VOB, so that the audio gap is multiplexed in any of the three VOBUs at the head of the VOB. Because of this some
If a VOBU, for example the first one VOBU, is deleted, it is unclear whether the audio gap has been deleted or disappeared.

The number of audio gaps that can be provided in a VOB is only one audio gap per VOB. When a new audio gap is generated, the past audio gap is unnecessary and must be deleted. I won't. What is troublesome here is the audio pack including the audio gap as shown in FIG.
G3 is VOBU in VOB # 2 as long as it does not violate the 1 second rule.
Since it is inserted in any of # 1 to VOBU # 3, these
The audio pack G3 including the audio gap must be taken out from the packs included in VOB # 1 to VOB # 3. Audio pack G3 that includes an audio gap among these, even at most 3 VOBUs
Immediate retrieval of only the stream requires parsing of the stream. This is because each VOBU contains several hundreds of packs, and the inside of each VOBU requires a considerable amount of processing.

Audio gap position information A_GAP_LOC
Shows a VOBU to be searched for an audio gap, as a 3-bit flag indicates in which VOBU of the three VOBUs located at the front end of the rear VOB the audio pack containing the audio gap was inserted. It can be specified to any one, and the audio pack G3 including the audio gap can be easily taken out.

FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (d) show the video when the VOBU located at the tip of VOB # 2 of VOB # 1-VOB # 2 which should be reproduced seamlessly is deleted. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure which a data editing apparatus re-creates an audio gap. In FIG. 15A, VOB # 1 is “VOBU #
It can be seen that "98", "VOBU # 99", and "VOBU # 100" are located at the end of it. For VOB # 2, "VOBU # 1" and "VOB"
It can be seen that U # 2 and VOBU # 3 are placed at the tip. It is assumed that a partial deletion from VOBU # 1 to VOBU # 2 in VOB # 2 is instructed to the video data editing device.

The audio gap position information A_GAP_LOC is referred to in order to specify the VOBU in which the audio pack G3 including the audio gap is arranged. If the audio gap position information A_GAP_LOC is set as shown in FIG. 15B, it can be seen that the audio pack G3 including the audio gap is arranged in VOBU # 3 of VOB # 2.

When it is found that the audio pack G3 including the audio gap is arranged in the VOBU # 3 as described above, it is known whether or not the audio gap is multiplexed within the partial deletion range. Does not include an audio gap, so A_GAP_LOC is modified by the number of deleted VOBUs as shown in FIG. (1-4) System Configuration of Video Data Editing Device The video data editing device in this embodiment is a DVD-RAM.
The reproducing device-the recording device also has a function as a recording device. FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of a system using the video data editing device according to this embodiment. The video data editing device (hereinafter referred to as DVD recorder 70) in this system includes a remote controller 71, a television receiver 72 connected to the DVD recorder 70, and an antenna 73. Book dvd
The recorder 70 is assumed to be used as an alternative machine with an editing function of a video tape recorder which is widely used as a recorder for television broadcasting, and this system is used as a video data editing apparatus for home use in such a purpose. It shows the case where it is used in. The DVD-RAM is used as a recording medium for the DVD recorder 70 to record a television broadcast.

When the DVD recorder 70 is loaded with the DVD-RAM, the DVD recorder 70 receives the video signal or NT signal received through the antenna 73.
The SC signal is compressed and recorded as VOB on DVD-RAM, and also DV
The video stream and the audio stream included in the VOB recorded in the D-RAM are expanded and the video signal, the NTSC signal or the audio signal is output to the television receiver 72.

(1-4-1) Hardware Configuration of DVD Recorder 70 FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the DVD recorder 70. The DVD recorder 70 has a control unit 1, an MPEG encoder 2, a disc access unit 3, a decoder 4, a video signal processing unit 5, a remote controller 71, a bus 7, a remote controller signal receiving unit 8 and a receiver 9.

Solid line arrows in the figure are physical connection lines mounted as board wiring in the video data editing device, and broken lines in the figure are on the connection lines indicated by the solid line arrows at the time of image editing. It is a logical connection line indicating how various data are input / output. Attached to the broken line
The values of (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) are how the VOBU and its constituent picture data and audio data are transmitted on the physical connection line when the VOBU is re-encoded. Indicates whether to go.

The control unit 1 includes a CPU 1a and a processor bus 1
It is a host-side control unit having b, a bus interface 1c, a main memory 1d, and a ROM 1e, and executes a program stored in the ROM 1e to record, reproduce, and edit a VOB. When the receiver 9 receives the NTSC signal through the antenna 73, or from the video input terminal provided on the back surface of the DVD recorder 70, the MPEG encoder 2
When the video signal output from the home video camera is input, the VOB is obtained by encoding the NTSC signal and the video signal, and the encoded VOB is output to the disk access unit 3 through the bus 7. In particular, as a process related to video editing, the MPEG encoder 2 inputs the decoding result by the decoder 4 output from the connection line c1 via the bus 7 as shown by the broken line (4), and encodes this decoding result to obtain VOB. Then, the encoded VOB is output to the disk access unit 3 through the bus 7 as indicated by a broken line (5).

The disk access unit 3 has a track buffer 3a, an ECC processing unit 3b, and a drive mechanism 3c for the DVD-RAM, and accesses the DVD-RAM under the control of the control unit 1. More specifically, when the control unit 1 instructs recording on the DVD-RAM and the encoded VOBs are sequentially output from the MPEG encoder 2 as shown by the broken line (5), the disk access unit 3 outputs those output signals. VOB of the above is stored in the track buffer 3a, and once the ECC processing unit 3b performs the ECC.
After performing the processing, the drive mechanism 3c is controlled so as to sequentially record on the DVD-RAM. On the other hand, when the control unit 1 instructs reading from the DVD-RAM, the drive mechanism 3c is controlled so as to sequentially read the VOBs from the DVD-RAM, and the reading is performed.
The VOB is subjected to ECC processing by the ECC processing unit 3b and then stored in the track buffer 3a.

Here, the drive mechanism 3c includes a base for setting the DVD-RAM, a spindle motor for clamping and rotating the set DVD-RAM, and an optical pickup for reading the signals recorded in the DVD-RAM. , Equipped with an optical pickup actuator, for reading and writing DVD-RAM,
It is realized by these controls, but the details of the control are not the main subject of the present invention and can be realized even by a known technique, and thus the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the VOB read from the DVD-RAM by the disk access unit 3 is output as indicated by the broken arrow (1), the decoder 4 decodes the output VOB to obtain digital uncompressed data. The video data and the audio signal are obtained, the digital uncompressed video data is output to the video signal processing unit 5, and the audio signal is transmitted to the television receiver 7.
Output to 2. In addition, when editing the video, the decoder 4
Outputs the decoding result of the video stream and the audio stream to the bus 7 via the connection lines c2 and c3 in FIG. 17 as indicated by the broken arrows (2) and (3). The decoding result output to the bus 7 is output to the MPEG encoder 2 via the connection line c1 as indicated by a dashed arrow (4).

The video signal processing section 5 converts the video data from the decoder 4 into a video signal for the television receiver 72, and if the graphics data is output from the outside, the video data after the conversion of the graphics data. Signal processing is performed so as to combine the two. The remote control signal receiving unit 8 receives the remote control signal, notifies the control unit 1 of the key code included in the signal, and causes the control unit 1 to perform control according to the operation of the remote control 71.

(1-4-1-1) Internal Structure of MPEG Encoder 2 FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the structure of the MPEG encoder 2. As shown in the figure, the MPEG encoder 2 includes a video encoder 2a, a video buffer 2b that stores the output of the video encoder, an audio encoder 2c, and an audio buffer 2d that stores the output of the audio encoder.
And a system encoder 2e that multiplexes the encoded video stream in the video buffer 2b and the encoded audio stream in the audio buffer 2d, and an STC that generates a synchronization clock for the encoder 2.
It is composed of a (system time clock) unit 2f and an encoder control unit 2g for controlling and managing these.

(1-4-1-2) Internal Structure of Decoder 4 FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the structure of the decoder 4.
As shown in the figure, the decoder 4 includes a demultiplexer 4a, a video buffer 4b, a video decoder 4c, an audio buffer 4d, an audio decoder 4e, a reorder buffer 4f, an STC 4g, an adder 4h, a switch SW1 and a switch SW.
2, switch SW3, switch SW4, and decoder control unit 4k.

The demultiplexer 4a refers to the header of the packet read from the VOB and determines whether each pack is a video pack or an audio pack. If the determination result is a video pack, the video data in the pack is output to the video buffer 4b, and if it is an audio pack, the audio data in the pack is output to the audio buffer 4d.

The video buffer 4b is a buffer for accumulating the video data output from the demultiplexer 4a. Each picture data is stored in the video buffer 4b at the decoding time until it is taken out from the buffer. The video decoder 4c takes out the picture data stored in the video buffer 4b from the video buffer 4b at each decoding time and instantaneously decodes the picture data.

The audio buffer 4d is a buffer for accumulating the audio data output from the demultiplexer 4a. The audio decoder 4e sequentially decodes audio data in audio frame units stored in the audio decoder 4e. When the output of ADPI (Audio Decoder Pause Information) issued by the control unit 1 is accepted, the audio decoder 4e stops the decoding process of the audio frame data. ADPI is
When the current time reaches the audio gap start time A_STP_PTM indicated in the seamless connection information, the control unit 1
Is emitted from.

When the picture data decoded by the video decoder 4c is an I picture or a P picture, the re-order buffer 4f is a buffer for storing the decoding result thereof. I picture, P
The decoding result of the picture is stored because the encoding order and the display order are exchanged, and all the B pictures to be displayed before the decoding result stored in the re-order buffer 4f are stored by the video decoder 4c. After being decoded, the re-order buffer 4f outputs the decoding results of the I picture and P picture stored until then as a video signal or an NTSC signal.

The STC (system time clock) unit 4g is
A synchronous clock indicating the reference time in the decoder 4 is generated. The adder 4h outputs a value obtained by adding STC_Offset to the reference time indicated by the synchronous clock as the reference time with offset. This STC_offset is the video playback start time VOB_V_ indicated by the control unit 1 in the seamless connection information.
It is calculated and set by taking the difference between S_PTM and the video playback end time VOB_V_E_PTM.

The switch SW1 supplies the reference time counted by the STC 4g or the reference time with offset output from the adder 4h to the demultiplexer 4a. Switch SW2
Supplies the reference time counted by the STC 4g or the reference time with offset output by the adder 4h to the audio decoder 4e. The supplied reference time or reference time with offset is used for comparison with the decoding time and the reproduction start time of each audio frame.

The switch SW3 supplies the reference time measured by the STC 4g or the reference time with offset output by the adder 4h to the video decoder 4c. The supplied reference time or reference time with offset is used for collation with the decoding time of each picture data. Switch SW4
Supplies the reference time measured by the STC 4g or the reference time with offset output from the adder 4h to the re-order buffer 4f. The supplied reference time or reference time with offset is used for collation with the reproduction start time of each picture data.

The decoder control unit 4k receives from the control unit 1 a decoding processing request in units of integer multiples of VOBU, that is, in units of integer multiples of GOP, and performs decoding processing on the demultiplexer 4a to the reorder buffer 4f. Let Also,
When the reproduction output is valid, the decoding result of the video decoder 4c and the audio decoder 4e is output to the outside, and when the reproduction output is invalid, the video decoder 4c and the audio decoder 4e receive the decoding output. Disables the output of decoding results to the outside.
The valid / invalid instruction can be made in a unit smaller than the video frame, that is, in the video field. The information specifying the effective section of the reproduction output in units of this video field is called effective reproduction section information.

(1-4-1-2-1) Switching Timing of Switches SW1 to SW4 FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing switching timing of the switches SW1 to SW4. This timing chart shows at what timing the switches SW1 to SW4 are switched when VOB # 1 and VOB # 2 are continuously reproduced. The upper part of the figure shows the pack sequence forming VOB # 1-VOB # 2, and the middle part shows the video frame. The lower row shows audio frames.

The switching timing of the switch SW1 is the time when the pack sequence transferred to the decoder 4 is changed from VOB # 1 to VOB # 2. This time is shown in LAST_SCR of seamless connection information about VOB # 1. The switching timing of the switch SW2 is the time when all the VOB stored in the audio buffer 4d before the switching of the switch SW1, that is, all the audio data of VOB # 1 are decoded.

The switching timing of the switch SW3 is the same as that of the video buffer 4b before the switching time (T1) of the switch SW1.
It is the time when all the VOBs accumulated in the above, that is, the video data of VOB # 1 are all decoded. The switching timing of the switch SW4 is the time when the display of the last video frame is completed in the display order of VOB # 1.

The program stored in the ROM1e is a DVD-RA
It includes a module that processes the two VOBs recorded on M so that they can be seamlessly played. (1-4-1-2-2) Processing procedure for seamless processing on VOB FIGS. 21 and 22 show the processing procedure of the processing module for processing so that two VOBs in an AV file are seamlessly connected. It is a flowchart shown. FIG. 23 (a),
FIG. 23B is an explanatory diagram showing how the buffer state is analyzed based on each video pack. Figure 24
(A), FIG. 25 shows which audio frame x, x + 1, y-1, y, u, u + 1, u + 2 used in FIG. 22 corresponds to which audio frame of the audio stream. FIG.

Next, VOB re-encoding will be described. In step S102 of FIG. 21, the control unit 1 obtains STC_OFFSET by calculating VOB_V_E_PTM of the front VOB-VOB_V_S_PTM of the rear VOB. In step S103, the control unit 1 analyzes the change in the buffer occupancy amount from FIRST_SCR of the front VOB to the decoding end time of all data. 23 (a) and 23 (b) shows step S103.
5 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of analyzing a buffer occupancy amount in FIG. Video pack # in front VOB
When 1 and video pack # 2 are included, SCR # 1 and # 2 and DTS # 1 included in these video packs are plotted on the time axis. Followed by Video Pack # 1 and Video Pack # 2
Detects the data size of the data contained in. SCR #
Plot the data size of video pack # 1 from 1 to the slope of the bit rate information in the pack header.
Next, similarly plot only the data size of Video Pack # 2 from SCR # 2. Next, plotting is performed so that the size is reduced by the data size of the picture data P1 decoded by DTS # 1. At this time, the size of the picture data P1 is obtained by analyzing the video stream.

When the data sizes of the video pack and the picture data are plotted in this way, the STS from the head SCR to the DTS
The buffer states of the video buffer 4b up to can be graphed. By repeating the same procedure for all the video data and audio data included in the VOB, a graph showing the buffer state as shown in FIG. 23B can be obtained.

In step S104, the control section 1 analyzes the change in the video buffer occupancy from FIRST_SCR of the rear VOB to the decoding end time LAST_DTS of all data by performing the same analysis as in step S103 on the rear VOB. . In step S105, the control unit 1 controls the rear part.
The change of the video buffer occupancy from FIRST_SCR + STC_offset of VOB to LAST_DTS of the front VOB is analyzed. Rear VOB F
In the time zone from IRST_SCR + STC_offset to LAST_DTS of the front VOB, the last picture data of the front VOB is accumulated in the video buffer 4b, but the first picture data of the rear VOB is transferred to the video buffer 4b. Is.

When the video data of the front VOB and the rear VOB are mixed in the buffer, the buffer state is shown in FIG.
It becomes what was shown in (c). FIRS in FIG. 10 (c)
In the period from T_SCR + STC_offset to LAST_DTS,
Since the video data of both the front VOB and the rear VOB is stored in the video buffer 4b, the maximum storage amount Bv1 + Bv2 of the video buffer 4b is calculated.

In step S106, the control unit 1 controls the disk access unit 3 to read out the three VOBUs located at the end of the front VOB. Then, step S107.
In the control unit 1, the three control units located at the tip of the rear VOB are
The disk access unit 3 is controlled to read the VOBU.
FIG. 23C is a diagram showing a read range to be read from the front VOB in step S106. FIG. 23
In (c), the front VOB includes VOBU # 98 to # 105,
If the last VOBU is # 105, VOBU # 103- # is the VOBU including the picture data V_END to be decoded last.
105 will be read. FIG. 23D is a diagram showing a read range to be read from the rear VOB in step S107. The rear VOB in FIG. 23 (d)
Include VOBU # 1 to # 8, and the first VOBU is # 1, VOBU # 1 to # 3 are read as the VOBU including the picture data V_TOP to be decoded first.

According to the one second rule, there are three audio data and picture data to be reproduced within one second.
Since it is possible that they are stored separately in VOBU, as described above, 3 VOs including the start point and end point of VOB
By reading the BU, the front part
That is, all the picture data and audio data to be reproduced from the playback end time of 1 second before the reproduction end time of the picture data V_end located at the end portion of the VOB are collectively read. Further, in step S107, all the picture data and audio data to be reproduced from the reproduction start time of the picture data V_top located at the front end of the rear VOB to 1 second after the reproduction start time are collectively read. It was. In this flow chart, reading was performed in units of 3 VOBUs, but the number of VOBUs may be any number. Also, instead of reading by VOBU unit, VOBU
Of the picture data and audio data contained in the BU, only all that should be reproduced in 1 second may be read. Furthermore, you may read the video data and audio data which should be reproduced in the period longer than 1 second.

After reading, in step S108, the control unit 1 controls the demultiplexer 4a so as to separate the VOBUs at the leading end and the trailing end into a video stream and an audio stream, and decodes these streams by the video decoder 4c and the audio stream. Let the decoder 4e do it. During normal playback, the decoding results of the video decoder 4c and audio decoder 4e are output as video and audio,
At the time of re-encoding, in order to input these decoding results to the MPEG encoder 2, the control unit 1 sends the decoding results of the video stream and the audio stream to the bus 7 as shown by the dashed arrows (2) and (3) in FIG. Output.
The decoding result of the video stream and the decoding result of the audio stream transferred to the bus 7 are taken in by the sequential MPEG encoder 2 as indicated by a dashed arrow (4).

After that, the control unit 1 calculates the code amount for causing the MPEG encoder 2 which takes in the decoding result of the video stream and the decoding result of the audio stream to re-encode. First, in step S109, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the buffer storage amount at each decoding timing exceeds the upper limit value of the buffer in a period in which the front VOB and the rear VOB are mixed in the buffer.
In this embodiment, it is calculated in step S105.
It is determined whether Bv1 + Bv2 exceeds the upper limit value of the buffer. If it does not exceed the upper limit, step S11
If it exceeds 2, the control unit 1 assigns the code amount based on the over amount A, that is, the code amount with the over amount A reduced to the decoded VOBU sequence in step S110. The reduction of the code amount lowers the image quality of the video stream in the read VOBU sequence, but overflow of the video buffer 4b must be avoided to seamlessly connect the two VOBs. The method of lowering is selected. In step S111, the video decoder 4c is controlled so that the decoding results of the video decoder 4c and the audio decoder 4e are re-encoded based on the code amount assigned in step S110.

Here, by the decoding by the MPEG encoder 2, the pixel value of the video data is once converted into the digital data of the YUV coordinate system. The digital data of the YUV coordinate system is digital data having signals (luminance signal (Y), color difference signals (U, V)) that specify the color in the color TV, and the video decoder 4c reproduces such digital data again. Encode into multiple picture data. For the code amount allocation technology, refer to MPEG2 DIS (Draft Int
ernational Standard) Test Model 3 is used. Re-encoding with the code amount constrained is realized by processing such as replacing the quantization coefficient. The code amount with the excess amount A reduced may be assigned only to the rear VOB or only to the front VOB.

In step S112, the control unit 1 calculates, of the decoding results of the audio data obtained by separating the front VOB, the one corresponding to the audio frame x including FIRST_SCR + STC_offset of the rear VOB. Figure 24
In FIG. 24A, the upper graph shows the buffer state by the video data of the front VOB and the rear VOB.
In the lower part of (a), an audio frame of audio data obtained by separating the front VOB and an audio frame of audio data obtained by separating the rear VOB are arranged above and below, respectively. The audio frame sequence in the lower row clarifies the correspondence between the time axis of the graph in the upper row and each audio frame. Here in the upper graph
If you draw a vertical line from FIRST_SCR + STC_offset, this vertical line intersects with one audio frame in the audio frame sequence of the front VOB. This intersected audio frame is the audio frame x, and the immediately following audio frame x + 1 is the last audio data included in the front VOB. The data of the audio frames x and x + 1 is the final picture data V_END at the end of the front VOB.
It is included in multiple audio data that should be played during the time period of adding 1.0 seconds before and after the display period of
It is included in the three VOBUs read in step S105.

FIG. 24B shows the case where FIRST_SCR + STC_offset matches the audio frame boundary of the front VOB. In the case of such a match, the audio frame immediately before that is defined as audio frame x. Step S11
In 3, the control unit 1 controls the VOB_V_S_PTM + STC_Off of the rear VOB.
Calculate audio frame y + 1 containing set. Figure 24
The video playback start time VOB_ of the upper graph in (a)
When a perpendicular is drawn from V_S_PTM, this perpendicular intersects with one audio frame in the audio frame sequence of the rear VOB. The intersected audio frame is the audio frame y + 1, and the audio frames up to the preceding audio frame y are the valid audio frames that are used even after the editing among the original audio data included in the front VOB.

FIG. 24C shows the video reproduction start time VOB_.
It is a figure which shows the case where V_S_PTM + STC_offset corresponds with the audio frame boundary of a front VOB. If there is such a match, the time video playback start time VOB_V_S_PTM + STC_offset
The audio frame immediately before is defined as audio frame y. In step S114, the audio frames x + 2 to y
Cut out audio data up to. In FIG. 24A, the audio frames after the audio frame y + 1 are shown by broken lines.
Means not to multiplex to B. Since the time stamp in the front VOB is added to the audio frame moved to the rear VOB, the time stamp is re-added to the rear VOB.

In step S115, the audio frame u which is the next audio frame of the audio frame including the audio frame y and the boundary of the audio frame y + 1 is detected from the audio frame sequence of the rear VOB. If a perpendicular is drawn from the boundary line between the audio frame y and the audio frame y + 1, it intersects with any one audio frame in the audio frame sequence of the rear audio data. The audio frame next to this intersected audio frame is the audio frame u.

FIG. 24D shows the case where the reproduction end time of the audio frame y and the audio frame boundary of the rear VOB coincide. In the case of such a match, the audio frame immediately before this time is set as the audio frame u. In step S116, an audio pack G4 including an audio data string in which the audio data reproduced in the audio frame u is arranged at the head is generated from the audio stream of the rear VOB. In FIG. 24 (a), the audio frames before the audio frame u are indicated by broken lines, which means that the portion indicated by the broken lines in the rear audio data is not multiplexed with VOB.

The above steps S114 to S11
It can be seen from 6 that the beginning audio frame of the front audio data to the audio frame x + 1 are multiplexed in the front VOB. It can be seen that the audio frame x + 2 to the audio frame y of the front audio data and the audio frame u to the last audio frame of the rear audio data are multiplexed in the rear VOB. With such multiplexing, the audio frame at the end of the rear audio data is read from the DVD-RAM at the same time as the picture data to be reproduced in the future in time.

At this time, if the audio data of the front VOB does not exist until the audio frame y, that is, if it is short,
Interpolate silent audio frame data only for the missing audio frames. Similarly, when the audio data of the rear VOB does not exist from the audio frame u, that is, when the audio data is short, the silence audio frame data is interpolated only for the missing audio frames.

Here, when trying to multiplex the audio frame x + 2 to the audio frame y of the front audio data and the audio frame u to the last audio frame of the rear audio data into the rear VOB, there is a problem. It is AV synchronization. 24 (a)-
As shown in (d), there is a reproduction gap between the audio frame y and the audio frame u. If the reproduction gap is ignored and multiplexing is performed, the audio frame u is advanced with respect to the video display. There will be a gap in synchronization.

To prevent such an increase in deviation, a time stamp indicating the audio frame u may be added to the audio packet. Therefore, step S117
Then, in order not to store the audio frame u in the pack storing the audio frame y, a padding-packet or a stuffing byte is inserted into the pack after the data of the audio frame y to store the audio frame u.
Starts at the beginning of the next pack.

In step S118, of the audio data extracted from the VOBU located at the end of the front VOB, the audio data up to audio frame x + 1 and the re-encoded video data are multiplexed, Create a VOBU string located at the end of a partial VOB. In step S119, the data after the audio frame x + 2 and the video data extracted from the VOBU located at the front end of the rear VOB are multiplexed to create a VOBU to be arranged at the front end of the rear VOB.

Specifically, the first audio frame
Video data re-encoded with an audio data string from x + 2 to audio frame y, an audio pack G3 including Padding-Packet, and an audio pack G4 including an audio data string after audio frame u of rear audio data System encoder 2 to create a VOBU that should be placed at the tip of the rear VOB.
control e. Due to such multiplexing, the audio frame at the end of the front audio data is recorded on the DVD-RA at the same time as the picture data to be reproduced temporally in the future.
It will be read from M.

FIG. 25 shows how an audio pack storing a plurality of audio data to be reproduced in a plurality of audio frames and a video pack storing picture data to be reproduced in each video frame are multiplexed. FIG. In FIG. 25, it can be said that the transfer of the picture data V_TOP to be decoded at the beginning of the rear VOB is completed within the time “Tf_Period”. The pack string arranged immediately below the time “Tf_Period” constitutes the picture data V_TOP.

In this figure, an audio pack G3 including an audio gap is an audio frame x + 2, y-1, y
It is an audio pack in which audio data x + 2, y-1, y to be played back in is stored. Of the audio data stored in this audio pack, the earliest to be decoded is the audio data x + 2. This audio data is audio frame x + 1
Since it should be decoded at the playback end time of, the data should be read from the DVD-RAM together with the picture data V_TOP in which the pack sequence is transferred at the same time (Tf_period) as this audio frame x + 1. Therefore, as shown at the bottom of FIG. 9, the video data is inserted between the video pack sequence P51 storing the picture data V_TOP and the video pack sequence P52.

The audio pack G4 having therein the audio data u, u + 1, u + 2 to be reproduced in the audio frames u, u + 1, u + 2 is the earliest audio data to be decoded. Since the audio data u is included and this audio data should be decoded at the playback start time of the audio frame u, the DVD-DVD together with the picture data V_NXT in which the pack string is transferred at the same time as this audio frame u is transferred. Should be read from RAM. Therefore, as shown at the bottom of FIG. 25, it is inserted between the video pack P52 storing the picture data V_TOP and the video pack P53 storing the picture data V_NXT.

As described above, the audio pack G3 including the audio gap is inserted between the video pack row P51 and the video pack row P52, and the audio pack G3 is inserted.
4 is inserted between the video pack sequence P53 and the pack P54 to complete multiplexing. Subsequently, in step S120, the control unit 1 outputs FIRST_SCR, LAS for the front VOB and the rear VOB.
Enter T_SCR, seamless flag, VOB_V_E_PTM, VOB_V_S_PTM in the seamless connection information of the front VOB. In the following steps S121 and S122, the audio gap start time A_STP_PTM, the audio gap length A_GAP_LEN, and the audio gap position information A are written in order to write all the information related to the audio gap in the seamless connection information.
Describe _GAP_LOC in the seamless connection information.

[0174] After the above processing, the seamless connection information is recorded on the DVD-RAM at the end of the front VOB and the end of the rear VOB.
Write in. Here, SCRs are given in ascending order to the video data obtained by re-encoding, the video pack storing the audio data, and the audio pack. The SCR value before re-encoding given to the pack located at the head in the re-encoding range is used as the initial value of SCR in the ascending order.

The SCR stores the respective video packs and audio packs in the video buffer 4b-audio buffer 4
Since the time to be input is shown in c, if the number of data changes before and after re-encoding, the SCR must be updated again. Even so, for example, normal decoding is possible as long as the SCR of the leading end portion re-encoded in the rear VOB is lower than the SCRs of the remaining video packs outside the re-encoding range.

The PTS and DTS are given based on the video frame and the audio frame, and do not change greatly after re-encoding. Therefore, DTS-PTS outside the re-encoding range and DTS-PS within the re-encoding range
Continuity with TS is maintained. Next, a case in which discontinuity of time stamps occurs will be described. In order to play two VOBs seamlessly, it is necessary to avoid the occurrence of time stamp discontinuity. Therefore, it is determined in step S123 whether SCR duplication has occurred. If there is no overlap, the processing of this flowchart is terminated, but if there is overlap, the over amount A is calculated based on the number of packs to which the overlapping SCRs are added in step S124, The process proceeds to step S110 to determine the code amount based on the over amount A and perform re-encoding again.

The six VOBUs newly multiplexed by this flow are output to the disc access unit 3 as indicated by the broken line arrow (5), and the disc access unit 3 outputs these VOBU strings to the DVD. -Write to RAM. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 21 to 22, the seamless connection between the two VOBs has been described, but the seamless connection may be performed to the partial section included in one VOB. For example, in FIG.
When some VOBUs # 2, # 4, # 6, # 8 are partially deleted as shown in (b), the VOBU column located in the front of the deletion range and the VOBU column located in the rear of the deletion range 21 and 2 in FIG.
The seamless connection shown in 2 may be performed.

A reproduction procedure in the case of continuously reproducing two VOBs processed for seamless connection by the above procedure will be described. If the operator instructs to continuously play two or more VOBs recorded in the AV file,
The control unit 1 refers to the seamless flag shown in the seamless connection information about the VOB on the rear side of the two VOBs. If the seamless flag is set to ON, the video playback end time of the preceding VOB starts from VOB_V_E_PTM.
VOB video playback start time VOB_V_S_PTM minus ST
As the C_offset, the adder 4h is controlled so that the STC 4g adds the time to the reference time. After that, the buffer input time FIRST_S of the preceding VOB indicated in the seamless connection information
Check the CR against the reference time measured by STC4g. When this reference time reaches FIRST_SCR, the switch SW1 is controlled so as to switch the output from the reference time measured by the STC 4g to the reference time with offset to which the offset is added by the adder 4h. After that, SW2 to SW4 are switched as shown in the timing chart of FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform processing so that the reproduction of a plurality of VOBs can be performed seamlessly by reading out only the end-front end of the VOB and performing the re-encoding. Target of re-encoding is VOB
Since only the VOBUs located at the end-tip of the VOB can be re-encoded in a very short time.
Although the seamless connection information is managed for each VOB in this embodiment, the information required for seamless VOBs may be collected in one place. For example, although the video reproduction end time VOB_V_E_PTM and the video reproduction start time VOB_V_S_PTM required for obtaining STC_offset are described separately in two VOB information, they may be described as seamless connection information of subsequent VOBs. In this case, it is desirable to provide the VOB information with an information element called the reproduction end time (PREV_VOB_V_E_PTM) of the previous VOB.

Similarly, in LAST_SCR, it is desirable to provide a previous VOB end SCR (PREV_VOB_LAST_SCR) information element as seamless connection information of the following VOB. Further, in the present embodiment, the DVD recorder 70 is a conventional stationary home V recorder.
Although the configuration is shown on the assumption that it will be substituted for TR, DVD-RA
When M is also used as a recording medium for a computer, it may have the following configuration. That is, the disk access unit 3 uses the SCSI, ID as a DVD-RAM drive device.
E, connected to computer bus via IEEE1394 compliant interface. In addition, the components other than the disk access unit 3 in FIG.
It is realized when the OS and application programs are executed.

This DVD recorder 70 includes a control unit 1, MPEG
It has an encoder 2, a disk access unit 3, a decoder 4, a video signal processing unit 5, a remote controller 71, a bus 7, a remote controller signal receiving unit 8 and a receiver 9. Further, in the present embodiment, the video stream and the audio stream are multiplexed in the VOB, but the sub-picture data in which the subtitle characters are run-length compressed may be multiplexed.
Also, video streams forming still image data may be multiplexed.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the MPEG encoder 2 re-encodes after the VOB is once decoded by the decoder 4, but the direct disk access unit 3 does not decode and the MPEG encoder 2 performs VOB decoding. May be output for re-encoding. In addition, although all units are described by video frames and audio frames in the present embodiment, a video stream using 3: 2 pulldown used when compressing a video of 24 frames / second like a film material is used. In this case, there are cases where 1.5 frames = 1 picture instead of 1 frame = 1 picture. The present invention is not substantially dependent on 3: 2 pulldown and is not limited to the frames described above.

Finally, the processing module software procedure (FIGS. 21 to 22) described with reference to the flow chart in the first embodiment is realized by a machine language program, which is recorded in a recording medium for distribution / sales. May be the target of. Such recording media include IC cards, optical disks, floppy disks, etc., but the machine language programs recorded in these are provided for use by being installed in a general-purpose computer. This general-purpose computer sequentially executes the installed machine language program to realize the function of the video data editing apparatus shown in this embodiment.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the seamless connection process between VOBs is premised.
The second embodiment is an embodiment relating to seamless connection of a plurality of partial sections included in a VOB. Depending on how to specify this partial section, in the second embodiment, it is assumed that the partial section is specified using time information representing a video field. The video field here is
It is a unit smaller than a video frame, and its time information can be expressed using the PTS of a video pack.

A partial section specified by using time information about the video field is called a cell, and information for designating the partial section is called cell information. The cell information is recorded in the RTRW management file as one information element of PGC information.
The data structures of the cell information and PGC information and the procedure for creating them will be described in detail in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a partial section specified by a video field serving as a start point and an end point. The set of time information C_V_S_PTM and C_V_E_PTM in FIG. 26 specifies the video fields that are the start point and the end point.

C_V_S_PTM in FIG. 26 is the reproduction start time of the video field in which the P picture in VOBU # 100 forming the VOB is to be reproduced, and C_V_E_PTM is the B picture 1 in VOBU # 105 forming the same VOB. Specifies the reproduction end time of the video field to be reproduced. C_
V_S_PTM and C_V_E_PTM are B from P picture in FIG.
The partial section up to picture 1 is specified as a cell.

(2-1) When seamlessly connecting the VOB subsections designated by the reconstruction time information of the GOP structure, it was not necessary in the first embodiment.
Two processes are needed. The first process is
This is a process of reconstructing the GOP structure in order to convert the partial section specified by the time information into an independent VOB. The second process is a process of predicting an increase in the buffer occupancy due to the reconstruction of the GOP structure.

Here, the rebuilding of the GOP structure means a process of rebuilding the GOP structure so that the sub-sections designated by the cells have a proper display order and coding order. More specifically, when the sub-sections to be connected are designated by the cell information, an edit boundary may be set in the middle of the VOBU as shown in FIG. 28 (a). If the editing boundary is set at such a position, the two cells to be connected cannot have the proper display order and coding order.

In order to justify the display order and the encoding order,
When reconstructing the GOP structure, the following 3 shown in FIG.
Process according to one rule. The process according to the first rule is a process of re-encoding this picture data into a P picture (or I picture) when the last picture data is a B picture in the display order of the front cell. Also, the future P that the B picture referred to
Although the picture exists before the B picture in the coding order, it is not displayed and is deleted from the VOB.

The process according to the second rule is a process of re-encoding this picture data into an I picture when the leading picture data is a P picture in the coding order of the front cell. The process according to the third rule is that, in the display order of the front cell, when the plurality of picture data located at the head is a B picture group, this picture data is regarded as an image to be reproduced in the past direction. It is encoded into picture data that does not depend on the correlation characteristics of (which means picture data that depends on the correlation characteristics with the image to be reproduced in the future direction. Hereinafter, picture data of this picture type is referred to as Forward-B picture). It is a process of fixing.

(2-2) Prediction process of increase in buffer occupancy The prediction process of increase in buffer occupancy is based on the above three rules, and when the picture type is changed, the changed picture data Is a process of predicting how large the size is. When the above reconstruction process is performed on the front cell, the picture data located at the end in the display order of the front cell is changed from the B picture to the P picture or the I picture, so that the size becomes larger. .

When the above reconstruction process is performed on the rear cell, the picture type of the picture data which is first located in the coding order of the rear cell is changed from the P picture to the I picture and is located first in the display order. As the picture type of video data changes to Forward-B picture, its size becomes larger. Then, how to predict the increase in size with the change of the picture type will be described. 29 (a) and 29 (b)
[Fig. 6] is an explanatory diagram for explaining how to predict an increase in buffer occupancy accompanying a change in picture type in a front cell.

In FIG. 29A, up to B picture B3 of VOB belongs to the front cell. According to the above rule, this B picture B3 must be changed to the P picture P1. Here, if the B picture B3 has an information component that depends on the P picture P2 that should be reproduced in the future, when the picture type is changed, the information component that this P picture P2 has is It should be captured in picture P2.

Considering this, the P picture P that should be obtained by changing the picture type based on the value obtained by adding the size of the B picture B3 and the size of the P picture P2.
A size of 1 can be predicted (note that such a prediction method is just an example, and other prediction methods may be used). By determining the code amount at the time of re-encoding based on the buffer occupancy predicted in this way, the optimum code amount can be assigned to the front cell and the rear cell.

FIGS. 30 (a) and 30 (b) are explanatory views for explaining how to predict the increase in the buffer occupancy amount due to the change of the picture type in the rear cell.
30A and 30B, it is assumed that the B picture B3 of the VOB belongs to the rear cell. Since the head of the cell is determined based on the display time, the B picture B3 is the picture data located at the head of the display order of the rear cells. Therefore, according to the above rule, B picture B3
Must be changed to ward-B picture B1. If the B picture B3 has an information component dependent on the P picture P2 to be reproduced in the past, the information component of the P picture P2 is taken into the Forward-B picture B1 when the picture type is changed. It should be.

Considering this, the Forward-B which should be obtained by changing the picture type based on the value obtained by adding the size of the B picture B3 and the size of the P picture P2.
The size of picture B1 can be predicted. Rear VOB
With respect to, the picture type of the picture data located at the beginning in the encoding order must be changed. rear end
Referring to the VOB display order, it can be seen that the P picture P3 exists as picture data to be displayed immediately after the B picture B3. The P picture P3 is accumulated in the re-order buffer 4f until the B picture B3 is decoded, and is displayed after the B picture B3 is decoded. By the reordering via the reorder buffer 4f as described above, the P picture P3 is displayed after the B picture B3, but the P picture P3 should precede. According to the above rule, the P picture P3 detected as the leading picture data in the encoding order in this way must be changed to the I picture. If the P picture P3 has an information component that depends on an I picture to be played in the past, the information component of this I picture is taken into the P picture P3 when the picture type is changed. It should be.

Considering this, it should be obtained by changing the picture type based on the value obtained by adding the size of the P picture P3 and the size of the I picture located immediately before.
The size of the I picture I can be predicted. By determining the code amount at the time of re-encoding based on the buffer occupancy predicted in this way, the optimum code amount can be assigned to the front cell and the rear cell.

(2-3) Processing procedure for seamlessly connecting partial sections FIGS. 31, 32, and 33 are flowcharts showing processing procedures for performing processing so that two cells are reproduced seamlessly. Is. In addition, this flow chart is shown in FIG.
In the procedure shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 22, there are many steps described by replacing the term "VOB" with "cell". The same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are attached to these steps to simplify the description.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing which audio frame of the audio stream the audio frame x, the audio frame x + 1, and the audio frame y used in FIG. 31 correspond to. Step S10
In 2, the control unit 1 specifies time information for identifying the end of a partial section to be reproduced first (hereinafter referred to as a front section) and a tip of a partial section to be reproduced subsequently (hereinafter referred to as a rear section). STC_offset is obtained by subtracting C_V_S_PTM of the rear cell from C_V_E_PTM of the front cell based on the time information specifying the copy.

In step S103, the control unit 1 analyzes the change in the buffer occupation amount from FIRST_SCR of the front cell to the decoding end time LAST_DTS of all the data of the front cell. In step S104, the control unit 1 executes step S
By performing the same analysis of 103 on the rear cell, the change in the buffer occupancy from FIRST_SCR of the rear cell to the decoding end time LAST_DTS of all the data of the rear cell is analyzed.

In step S130, the control unit 1 predicts the increase amount α of the buffer occupation amount due to the change of the picture type of the rear cell according to the procedure shown in FIG. In step S131, the increase amount β of the buffer occupancy amount due to the picture type change of the front cell is predicted according to the procedure shown in FIG. In step S132, the increase amount α,
β is added to the buffer occupancy of the front cell and the rear cell.

At step S105, the control section 1 determines from FIRST_SCR + STC_offset of the rear cell to LAST_DTS of the front cell.
Analyze the change in video buffer occupancy up to. As shown in FIG. 10C of the first embodiment, the maximum storage amount Bv1 of the video buffer 4b in the state where the video data of both the front cell and the rear cell are stored in the video buffer 4b.
Gain + Bv2.

In step S106, the control unit 1 reads out the three VOBUs which are considered to include the picture data located at the end of the front cell so that the disk access unit 3 can read out the three VOBUs.
To control. Subsequently, in step S107, the disk access unit 3 is controlled so as to read out three VOBUs which are considered to include picture data located at the leading end of the rear cell.

FIG. 27A shows the read range to be read from the front cell in step S106. In FIG. 27A, it is assumed that the VOB includes VOBUs # 98 to # 107, of which VOBUs # 99 to # 105 are designated as the front cells. If the last picture data to be displayed in the front cell is picture data Bend, this picture data Bend is VOBU # according to the 1-second rule.
Since it is included in 103 to # 105, VOBUs # 103 to # 105 are read as the VOBU sequence including the picture data to be displayed last.

In FIG. 27B, VOB is VOBU # 498 to # 50.
It is assumed that VOBU # 500 to # 506 are designated as the rear cells among them. The picture data that should be displayed first in the subsequent cell is picture data.
If it is Ptop, this picture data Ptop is VOBU # 500-
Since it is included in # 502, VOBUs # 500 to # 502 are read out as the VOBU string including the picture data to be displayed first. These VOBUs are picture data Pt
In addition to the audio data to be played back at the same time as op and the picture data Bend, all picture data having a dependency relationship with the picture data Ptop and the picture data Bend are included, so the picture data necessary for changing the picture type Are all read.

In this flow chart, reading was performed in units of 3 VOBUs, but the number of VOBUs may be any number. Instead of reading in units of VOBU, only all of the picture data and audio data included in the VOBU that should be reproduced in one second may be read out. Furthermore, you may read the video data and audio data which should be reproduced in the period longer than 1 second.

After reading, in step S108, the control unit 1 sets the VOBUs located at the leading end and the trailing end to video data,
Demultiplexer 4a to separate audio data
To control. In step S109, it is determined whether the buffer storage amount at each decoding timing exceeds the upper limit value of the buffer during the period when the front cell and the rear cell are mixed in the buffer. Specifically, it is determined whether the value of Bv1 + Bv2 calculated in step S105 exceeds the upper limit value of the buffer. If it does not exceed, the process proceeds to step S133. If it exceeds, the code amount based on the over amount A is assigned to the front cell and the back cell in step S110. Note that only one of the front cells and the rear cells may be re-encoded instead of both. Step S
In 111, the front video data is re-encoded based on the code amount assigned in step S110, for the video data obtained from the two cells.

FIRST_SC newly assigned to the rear video data re-encoded in step S133
Get R. Since the picture type of the first picture data in the display order of the rear VOB and the first picture data in the coding order has been changed to larger picture data, it goes without saying that STC_offset + FIRST_SCR is located in the past direction in FIG. 34. .

[0209] In step S112, of the audio data obtained by separating the front cells, one corresponding to the audio frame x including FIRST_SCR + STC_offset newly allocated to the rear video data is calculated. FIG. 34
In FIG. 34, the upper graph shows the buffer state by the video data of the front cell and the rear cell, and the lower part of FIG. 34 shows the audio frame of the audio data obtained by separating the front cell. There is. The audio frame sequence in the lower row clarifies the correspondence between the time axis of the graph in the upper row and each audio frame. Here, the buffer occupancy of the rear cell newly obtained by re-encoding is increased by α1 (α1 is determined in step S132).
It means that it is different from the increase amount α predicted in. ), The FIRST_SCR newly added to the rear video data indicates the past by the increase amount α1.

The new FIRST_SCR + S can be found by referring to the upper graph.
It can be seen that TC_offset is located in the past by time Tα1. When a perpendicular is drawn from this new FIRST_SCR + STC_offset, this perpendicular intersects one audio frame in the audio frame sequence of the front cell. This intersected audio frame is audio frame x,
The immediately following audio frame x + 1 is the last audio data included in the front cell.

[0211] STC_offset of rear video data + new FIRST_
Since the SCR is located in the more past direction, the audio frame in the more past direction corresponds to the audio frame x.
Audio frames in the past direction are audio frames x
Therefore, at the start of reading the video data of the rear cell, the front audio data to be read together with the video data becomes larger than that of the first embodiment.

Thereafter, steps S113 to S11
By performing the processing of 9, the system encoder 2e is caused to perform the multiplexing as shown in FIG. Then step S12
In 0, after writing FIRST_SCR, LAST_SCR, seamless flag, VOB_V_E_PTM, VOB_V_S_PTM of the front cell and the rear cell in the seamless connection information of the front cell, step S121
-The process of step S122 is performed. Of the 6 VOBU's worth of data obtained by re-encoding, the 3 VOBUs (preceding VOBUs) placed ahead are originally from the front section, so they are added to the rear section of the front section. Since the 3 VOBUs (subsequent VOBUs) that are arranged subsequent to the re-encoded data originally belong to the rear section, they are added before the rear section. In this way, one of the front section and the rear section to which the re-encoded data is added is managed by being assigned the same identifier as the division source VOB, but the other is assigned an identifier different from the division source VOB. Be managed and managed. That is, after division, the front section and the rear section are managed as separate VOBs. This is because the boundary between the front section and the rear section is likely to be a discontinuous boundary of time stamps.

Subsequently, as in the first embodiment, step S12.
In 3, the continuity of SCR is judged. If there is continuity, the process of this flow chart is ended, but if there is no continuity, the duplicated SC in step S124.
The over amount A is calculated based on the number of packs to which R is added, the code amount based on the over amount A is determined, and the process proceeds to step S109 to perform re-encoding.

When the cell is re-encoded through the above procedure, these partial sections designated by the cell information become independent VOBs. Then, in the RTRW management file, VOB information about the newly created VOB is required. The following describes how to define VOB information for a subsection.

The "video stream attribute information" includes compression mode information, TV system information, aspect ratio information, and resolution information.
The information set for the VOB may be used as it is. The "audio stream attribute information" includes the encoding mode, the presence / absence of dynamic range control, the sampling frequency, the number of channels, etc., and these may be used as they are with the information set for the VOB from which the partial section is cut out. .

The "time map table" is composed of the size of each VOBU that constitutes a VOB and the display time of those VOBUs. Correct the size and display time only for the VOBU that was re-encoded by cutting out a part. Next, the "seamless connection information" generated in step S133 will be described. Seamless connection information is "seamless flag", "video playback start time VOB_V_S_PTM", "video playback end time VOB_V_E_P"
TM ”,“ FIRST_SCR ”,“ LAST_SCR ”,“ Audio gap start time A_STP_PTM ”,“ Audio gap length A ”
_GAP_LEN ”, so we will describe this information individually.

The "seamless flag" has the same display method (NTSC, PAL, etc.) of the video stream indicated in (1) video attribute information between the front section and the rear section. (2) The encoding methods (AC-3, MPEG, LPCM, etc.) of the audio streams indicated in the audio attribute information are the same.

The value is set to 01 only when all the relationships (1) and (2) are satisfied, and is set to 00 when at least one of the relationships (1) and (2) is not satisfied. "Video playback start time VO
B_V_S_PTM ”is updated to the reproduction start time after re-encoding. "Video playback end time VOB_V_E_PTM" is
Update to the playback end time after re-encoding.

[0219] "FIRST_SCR" is updated to the SCR of the first pack after being re-encoded. "LAST_SCR" is updated to the SCR of the final pack after being re-encoded. "Audio gap start time A_STP_PTM" sets the reproduction end time of the last audio frame y reproduced by the plurality of audio data transferred to the rear cell in FIG.

“Audio gap length A_GAP_LEN” is
In FIG. 34, the time length from the reproduction end time of the last audio frame y reproduced by the plurality of audio data transferred to the rear cell to the reproduction start time of the audio frame u is set. The VOB information is generated as described above, and the RTRW management file including the VOB information is recorded on the DVD-RAM. As a result, the two partial sections specified by the cell information will be seamlessly played as two VOBs on the DVD-R.
It will be recorded in AM.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by reading out only the end portion-tip portion of the cell and re-encoding, it is possible to perform processing so that the partial sections in the VOB can be reproduced seamlessly. it can. Since the target of re-encoding is only the VOBU located at the end-tip of the cell, re-encoding of the cell can be completed in an extremely short period of time.

In this embodiment, the partial section is designated by the time precision of the video field, but it may be designated by the time precision of the video frame. In addition, the procedure (FIGS. 31 to 33) of the processing module software described with reference to the flowchart in the second embodiment is realized by a machine language program, and this is recorded on a recording medium to be a target of distribution / sales. May be. Such recording media include IC cards, optical disks, floppy disks, etc., but the machine language programs recorded in these are provided for use by being installed in a general-purpose computer. This general-purpose computer sequentially executes the installed machine language program to realize the function of the video data editing apparatus shown in this embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment is an embodiment for managing an AV file on a file system and realizing video editing with a higher degree of freedom. (3-1) Directory Configuration on DVD-RAM The RTRW management file and AV file shown in the first embodiment are arranged on the directory shown in FIG. 35 in the file system defined in ISO / IEC13346. .
FIG. 35 shows the RTRW management file and AV shown in the first embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the directory structure in which a file is arrange | positioned. In FIG. 35, an elliptical figure represents a directory and a rectangle represents a file. Root directory is RT
It has one directory called RW and two files called File1.DAT and File2.DAT, and the RTRW directory is called Mov
It has three files, ie1.VOB, Movie2.VOB and RTRWM.IFO.

(3-1-1) Management Information for File System in Directory The management information of the RTRW management file and the AV file in the directory structure shown in FIG. 35 will be described. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the file system management information in the directory shown in FIG. In the figure, the volume space shown in FIG. 3D, the sectors, and the recorded contents of the sectors are hierarchically illustrated. Arrows ~ in the figure indicate "M" according to the management information in the figure.
This shows the order in which the recording positions of the file "ovie1.VOB" are specified.

The first hierarchy in the figure shows the volume space shown in FIG. 3 (d). The second layer shows a file set descriptor, a terminal descriptor, a file entry, a directory, etc. in the management information. This information is
It conforms to the file system specified in ISO / IEC13346. The file system defined in ISO / IEC13346 is
It realizes hierarchical directory management.

The management information of FIG. 36 is illustrated along this directory structure. However, the recording area of each file shows only Movie1.VOB which is an AV file. Fileset descriptor in the second layer (LBN8
0) indicates the LBN or the like of the sector in which the file entry of the root directory is recorded. Termination descriptor (LBN8
1) indicates the end of the file set descriptor.

File entry (LBN 82, 584, 3
585) is recorded for each file (including directory) and indicates the recording position of the file or directory. The file entry for a file and the file entry for a directory are defined in the same format so that a hierarchical directory structure can be freely constructed.

Directory (LBN83, 584, 358
5) indicates the recording position of the file entry for each file and each directory included in the directory. The third hierarchy illustrates three file entries and two directories. The file entry and the directory are tracked by the file system, and have a data structure that can specify the recording position of a specific file, regardless of how the directory structure is hierarchized.

Each file entry includes an allocation descriptor indicating the recording position of the file or directory. When the data recorded in the file is divided into a plurality of extents, the file entry will have a plurality of allocation descriptors for each extent data. Here, the extent is a partial section of data recorded in a file and should be stored in a continuous area. For example, if the size of the VOB to be recorded in the AV file is large and there is no continuous area for storing this, the AV file cannot be recorded in the DVD-RAM. However, if multiple small continuous areas are scattered in the partition space, if the VOB that should be recorded in the AV file is divided into multiple parts, each partial section obtained by the division will be divided into those continuous areas. Can be recorded. If you divide like this,
Even if the number and length of continuous areas in the partition space are limited, the probability that a VOB can be recorded as an AV file increases. In order to improve the recording rate in DVD-RAM, VOBs to be recorded in an AV file are divided into a plurality, and the respective extents obtained by the division are recorded in scattered continuous areas.

[0230] It should be clarified that there is no doubt in interpretation, but a continuous area is an EC that is logically or physically continuous.
An area consisting of C blocks. For example, LBN8 in Figure 36
Since each of the file entries of 2,584 includes one allocation descriptor, it means that the file is not divided into a plurality of extents (consisting of one extent). On the other hand, the file entry of LBN3585 includes two allocation descriptors, which means that the data to be stored in the file consists of two extents.

Each directory includes, for each file and directory included in the directory, a file identification descriptor indicating the recording position of the file entry. According to such file entries and directories, for example, "root / video / Movie1.VO" as shown by the arrow in the figure.
The recording position of the B ”file is the file set descriptor →
→ file entry (root) → → directory (roo
t) → → File entry (RTRW) → → Directory (RTRW) → → File entry (Movie1.VOB) →
→ Tracked in order of files (Extents # 1, # 2 of Movie1.VOB).

FIG. 37 is a diagram in which the link relationship between the file entry and the directory on this path is rewritten according to the directory structure. In the figure, the root directory includes file identification descriptors for the parent directory (the root parent is the root itself), the RTRW directory, the File1.DAT file, and the File2.DAT file. The RTRW directory is for the parent directory (root), Movie1.VOB file, and Movie.
2. Includes file identifier descriptors for VOB files and RTRWM.IFO files. Also in the figure, the recording position of the Movie1.VOB file is specified by following the above steps 1 to 3. (3-1-2) Data Structure of File Entry FIG. 38 (a) is a diagram showing a more detailed data structure of the file entry. As shown in the figure, the file entry has a descriptor tag, an ICB tag, an allocation descriptor length, an extended attribute, and an allocation descriptor. In the figure, BP represents a bit position and RBP represents a relative bit position.

The descriptor tag is a tag indicating that it is a file entry. DVD-DAM tags include:
Although there are types such as a file entry descriptor and a space bitmap descriptor, in the case of a file entry, 261 indicating the file entry is described as a descriptor tag. The ICB tag indicates attribute information about the file entry itself.

The extended attribute is information for indicating an attribute higher than the contents specified by the attribute information field in the file entry. In the allocation descriptor field, the same number of allocation descriptors as the extents forming the file are recorded. The allocation descriptor is
Indicates the logical block number (LBN) that indicates the recording position of the extent of a file or directory. The data structure of the allocation descriptor is shown in FIG. Figure 38
In (b), the allocation descriptor includes data indicating the extent length and a logical block number indicating the recording position of the extent. However, the upper 2 bits of the data indicating the extent length indicate the recording status of the extent recording area as shown in FIG. 38 (c). (3-1-3) Data structure of file identification descriptor for directory and file FIGS. 39 (a) and 39 (b) show detailed data of file identification descriptor for directory and file included in the directory, respectively. The configuration is shown. The two types of file identification descriptors have the same format, and include management information, identification information, the length of the directory name, and an address indicating in which logical block number the file entry of the directory or file is recorded. , Extension information, and a directory name. As a result, the address of the file entry corresponding to the directory name or file name is specified.

(3-1-4) Minimum size of AV block When a VOB to be recorded in an AV file is divided into a plurality of extents, its data length must be longer than the AV block. Here, the AV block is
When reading VOB from DVD-RAM, it is the minimum length that guarantees that the track buffer 3a does not underflow.

In order to guarantee continuous reproduction, the minimum size of the AV block is determined in relation to the track buffer in the reproducing device. Here, the theory with which the lower limit value of the AV block is determined will be described. (3-1-5) Minimum size of AV block area First, the theoretical basis for determining the minimum size for guaranteeing continuous playback in (1) above will be described.

[0237] Fig. 40 is a model diagram of how AV data read from a DVD-RAM is buffered in a track buffer in a reproducing device for reproducing a video object. This model is a model that defines the minimum specifications that should be provided as a playback device, and continuous playback can be guaranteed as long as this specification is satisfied. In the upper part of FIG. 40, the AV data read from the DVD-RAM is ECC
It is processed, temporarily stored in the track buffer (FIFO memory), and then output from the track buffer to the decoder. Let Vr be the transfer rate of the track buffer input (read rate from the optical disk), and Vo be the transfer rate of the track buffer output (decoder input rate) (provided that Vr> Vo). In this model, Vr = 11Mbps.

The lower part of FIG. 40 is a graph showing changes in the data amount of the track buffer in this model. The vertical axis represents the amount of data in the track buffer, and the horizontal axis represents time. In the figure, it is assumed that the AV block #j having no defective sector and the AV block #k having a defective sector are sequentially read. The period T1 on the time axis is the time required to read all AV data from the beginning to the end of the AV block #j that does not include a defective sector. In this period, (Vr-V
The amount of data in the buffer increases at the rate of o).

A period T2 (hereinafter referred to as a jump period) is A
This is the time required for the light pickup from V block #j to AV block #k to jump. The jump time is
It includes the seek time of the optical pickup and the time required for the rotation of the optical disc to stabilize. This time, at maximum,
It is the time to jump from the innermost circumference to the outermost circumference, which is about 1500 mS in this model. During this period, the amount of data in the buffer decreases at the rate of Vo.

The periods T3 to T5 are the time required to read all the AV data from the beginning to the end of the AV block #k including the defective sector. Of these, the period T4 is a time for skipping the Ecc block in which the defective sector exists and skipping to the next Ecc block. If there is at least one defective sector in the Ecc block, this skip skips the relevant Ecc block (16 sectors) and continues to the next Ecc.
To jump to a block. That is, the Ecc block in which the defective sector exists in the AV block cannot be logically replaced with the alternative sector (alternative Ecc block), and the Ecc block (1
All 6 sectors) are simply not used (ECC block skip method above). This time T4 is
It is the rotation waiting time when the disk makes one rotation at maximum, and is about 105 mS in this model. In the periods T3 and T5, the data amount in the buffer increases at the rate of (Vr-Vo), but in the period T4, it decreases at the rate of Vo.

The size of the AV block is N_ecc * 16 * 8, where N_ecc is the number of all Ecc blocks included in the AV block.
* Expressed as 2048 bits. N_e to guarantee continuous playback
The lower limit value of cc can be derived as follows. In the period T2, only AV data is read from the track buffer. If the buffer capacity becomes 0 within this period, an underflow will occur in the decoder. In this case, continuous reproduction of AV data cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, in order to guarantee continuous reproduction (to prevent underflow), the following formula must be satisfied. {Equation 1} (Stored amount B)> = (Consumed amount R) The buffer stored amount B is the amount of data stored in the buffer at the end of the period T1. The consumption amount R is the total amount of data read within the period T2. > = Means greater than or equal to.

The accumulated amount B can be expressed by the following equation. {Equation 2} (Stored amount B) = (Period T1) * (Vr-Vo) = (Read time of one AV block) * (Vr-Vo) = (AV block size L / Vr) * (Vr -Vo) = (N_ecc * 16 * 8 * 2048 / Vr) * (Vr-Vo) = (N_ecc * 16 * 8 * 2048) * (1-Vo / Vr) The consumption R can be expressed by the following formula. {Equation 3} (Consumption amount R) = T2 * Vo When both sides of the above (Equation 1) are replaced with (Equation 2) (Equation 3), the following equation is obtained. {Equation 4} (N_ecc * 16 * 8 * 2048) * (1-Vo / Vr)> = T2 * Vo From this equation, the number of Ecc blocks to guarantee continuous playback N
_ecc must satisfy the following formula. {Equation 5} N_ecc> = Vo * Tj / ((16 * 8 * 2048) * (1-Vo / Vr)) In this equation, Tj is the above jump time, which is 1.5 seconds at the maximum. Vr is a fixed value (about 11 Mbps in the reproducing device model in the upper part of FIG. 40). Further, Vo is represented by Expression 6 in consideration of the fact that the video object has a variable bit rate. That is, Vo is obtained not by the maximum physical transfer rate of the output of the track buffer, but by the equation 6 as the actual input rate of the variable bit rate AV data to the decoder. However, the AV block length is N_
The number of packs in an AV block consisting of ecc Ecc blocks
It is N_pack. {Equation 6} Vo = AV block length (bit) * (1 / AV block playback time (sec)) = (N_pack * 2048 * 8) * (27M / (SCR_first_next-SCR_first_current)) where SCR_first_next is the next This is the SCR of the head pack of the AV block, and SCR_first_current is the SCR of the head pack of the AV block. SCR indicates the time when the pack should be output from the track buffer to the decoder.
The unit is 7M) sec.

As shown in (Equation 5) and (Equation 6), the minimum size of the AV block is the AV that is actually recorded.
It can be theoretically calculated according to the bit rate of the data. Further, in the above expression 5, the number of Ecc blocks N_ecc for ensuring continuous reproduction when the defective sector exists, which is valid when the optical disk has no defective sector, will be described.

EC having a defective sector in the AV block area
It is assumed that there are dN_ecc C blocks. This dN_ec
AV data is not recorded in the c ECC blocks due to the above ECC block skip. Loss time Ts due to skipping dN_ecc ECC blocks is T4 * dN_ecc
(T4 is the ECC block skip time in the model of FIG. 40).

When these are added to the equation 5, in order to guarantee continuous reproduction even when there is a defective sector, a continuous area of the number of ECC blocks N_ecc that satisfies the following expression may be used as an AV block area. {Equation 7} N_ecc> = dN_ecc + Vo * (Tj + Ts) / ((16 * 8 * 2048)
* (1-Vo / Vr)) As described above, the AV block area may have a size that satisfies Expression 5 when there is no defective sector and Expression 7 when there is a defective sector.

[0246] However, one continuous AV data has a plurality of
In the case of AV blocks, not all AV blocks need to satisfy Expression 5 or Expression 7, and the beginning and end AV blocks do not have to satisfy Expression 5 or Expression 7. This is because the trailing AV block has no subsequent AV data, and the beginning AV block delays the decoding start timing, that is, starts supplying data to the decoder when the data is accumulated in the track buffer. By doing so, continuous playback can be guaranteed between the beginning and the next AV block. (3-2) Functional Block of DVD Recorder 70 FIG. 41 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the DVD recorder 70 by function. Each function in FIG.
It is realized by controlling the hardware shown in FIG. 17 by executing the program of the ROM 1e by the CPU 1a in FIG.

In FIG. 41, the DVD player includes a disc recording section 100, a disc reading section 101, a common file system section 10, an AV file system section 11, a recording / editing /
The playback control unit 12, the AV data recording unit 13, the AV data playback unit 14, and the AV data editing unit 15 are included. (3-2-1) Disc Recording Unit 100-Disc Reading Unit 101 The disc recording unit 100 includes the common file system unit 10
When the logical sector number to start recording and the data to be recorded are input from the AV file system unit 11, the optical pickup is moved to the logical sector number,
Logical data is recorded on the disk in units of ECC blocks (16 sectors) in logical sectors designated by the optical pickup. The data to be recorded in the logical data is 1
If the size is less than 6 sectors, the size of the ECC block is once changed, the ECC process is performed, and then the ECC block is recorded.

Upon receiving the logical sector number and the number of sectors from which data should be read from the common file system unit 10 and the AV file system unit 11, the disc reading unit 101 moves the optical pickup to the logical sector number. From the logical sector designated by the optical pickup
Data is read in ECC block units. The read data is subjected to ECC processing, and only necessary sector data is transferred to the common file system unit 10. As with the disc recording part, each VEC is read out by ECC block
The overhead is reduced by reading in units of 16 sectors. (3-2-2) Common File System Unit 10 The common file system unit 10 has a standard function for accessing a data format conforming to ISO / IEC13346, which is a recording / editing / playback control unit 12 and a recording / editing / playback control unit. 12, AV
It is provided to the data recording unit 13, the AV data reproducing unit 14, and the AV data editing unit 15. The standard function provided by the common file system unit 10 is the disc recording unit 1 so that the DVD-RAM can be read and written in directory units and file units.
00 and controlling the disc reading unit 101.
A typical function provided by the common file system unit 10 is a function of recording a file entry in the disc recording unit 100 and outputting a file identification descriptor to the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 (1 ), A function to release the recording area occupied by one file on the disc to a free area (2), and controls the disc reading unit 101 to read the file identification descriptor of the specified file from the DVD-RAM. Function (3), function to control the disk recording unit 100 to record the data existing in the memory as a non-AV file on the disk (4), read extents constituting the file recorded on the disk A function (5) for controlling the disc reading unit 101,
There is a type such as a function (6) for controlling the disc reading unit 101 so as to move the optical pickup to a desired position on the extent forming the file.

In order to receive the provision of these functions (1) to (6), the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 to the AV data editing unit 15 select a file for recording data or a file for reading out data. A command specified as a parameter (hereinafter, a command for common file system) may be issued to the common file system unit 10. Commands for common file system include "(1) CREATE" and "(2) DELETE".
There are types such as “(3) OPEN / CLOSE”, “(4) WRITE”, “READ”, “SEEK”, etc., and these commands are assigned to each of the above functions (1) to (6). The assignment of the standard function and the command in this embodiment is set as follows. That is, in order to receive the provision of the function (1), the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 to the AV data editing unit 15 may issue a CREATE command to the common file system unit 10. To receive the function (2), the recording / editing / playback control unit 12
~ The AV data editing unit 15 may issue a DELETE command to the common file system unit 10, and the same functions (3) (4)
To receive (5) (6), OPEN / CLOSE command, WRI
You can issue the TE command, READ command, and SEEK command respectively.

(3-2-3) AV File System Unit 11 The AV file system unit 11 is a function that cannot be provided by the common file system unit 10, and is necessary only for recording AV files and editing AV files. Record advanced features
It is provided to the editing / playback control unit 12 to the AV data editing unit 15. A typical example of these extended functions is a VOB encoded by the MPEG encoder 2 as an AV file.
Function to write to VD-RAM (7), function to cut out a pre-specified range from the AV data recorded in the AV file to another file (8), pre-specified from the AV data recorded to the AV file To release the specified range to free space
(9), a function to connect the two AV files already managed on the DVD-RAM and the AV data located on the memory (1
There is 0).

In order to receive the provision of these functions (7) to (10), the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 to the AV data editing unit 15 concatenate or cut out a file to record data or data. AV command that specifies a file that should be used as a parameter (hereinafter, AV file system command)
It may be issued to the file system unit 11. Commands for AV file systems include "(7) AV-WRITE" and "(8) SP
There are types of "LIT", "(9) SHORTEN", and "(10) MERGE",
These commands are assigned to each of the functions (7)-(10) above. Assignment of the above-mentioned extended function and command in the present embodiment is set as follows. That is, in order to receive the provision of the function (7), the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 to the AV data editing unit 15 may issue an AV-WRITE command, and to receive the provision of the function (8), the recording・
The editing / playback control unit 12 to the AV data editing unit 15 may issue the SPLIT command. To receive the functions (9) and (10), issue the SHORTEN command and MERGE command. In the function (10), the extent of the file after concatenation is
It is connected so that it is longer than the AV block length. (3-2-4) Recording / editing / playback control unit 12 The recording / editing / playback control unit 12 issues an OPEN command specifying each directory name as a parameter to the common file system unit 10 to write to the DVD-RAM. The common file system unit 10 is made to read a plurality of already recorded file identification descriptors, the directory structure in the DVD-RAM is analyzed from these file identification descriptors, and the directory to be operated in this directory structure is to be operated. Also, the file designation is accepted from the operator. When the designation of the operation target is accepted, the operation content by the operator is specified based on the user operation notified from the remote control signal receiving unit 8, and the operation content processing is performed on the directory and the file specified as the operation target. The data recording unit 13, the AV data reproducing unit 14, and the AV data editing unit 15 are instructed to perform the processing.

In designating the operation target, the video recording / editing / playback control unit 12 outputs the graphics data in which the directory structure, the total number of AV files, the data size of the free area on this disc, etc. are drawn to the video signal processing unit 5.
To the television receiver 7
Display on 2. FIG. 42 shows the recording / editing / playback control unit 12.
7 is a diagram showing an example of graphics data displayed on the television receiver 72 under the control of FIG. When drawing this graphics data, any directory or file is displayed as an operation target while changing the drawing color. A state where no such changes have been made). Also the remote control 71
When the mark key is pressed, the files and directories set in the focus state are returned to the normal state, and other files and directories in the normal state are changed to the focus state. When any file or directory is set to focus state, recording / editing /
The reproduction control unit 12 waits for the confirmation key on the remote controller 71 to be pressed. The recording / editing / playback control unit 12 recognizes the file or directory in the focus state as the operation target when the enter key is pressed. In this way, the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 can specify the file and directory to be operated.

On the other hand, in specifying the operation content, the recording / editing / reproduction control unit 12 determines what operation content is assigned to the key code notified from the remote control signal receiving unit 8. As shown on the left side of FIG. 41, the keys on the remote control 71 are "play", "rewind", and "stop".
Character strings such as "fast forward", "record", "mark", "temporary edit", and "book edit" are written. The recording / editing / playback control unit 12 specifies the operation content designated by the operator according to the key code notified from the remote control signal receiving unit 8. (3-2-4-1) Operation content received by the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 The above operation content is provided for the operation content provided to the operator by the existing consumer AV device and for the video editing. It is classified as a specially provided operation content. Specifically, among the above operation contents, “play”, “rewind”, “stop”, “fast forward”, and “record” are classified as the former, and also “mark”.
"Temporary editing" and "main editing" are classified into the latter.

"Playback" is designated as the operation target.
DVD recorder 7 to play VOB recorded in AV file
"Rewind" is an operation for instructing the DVD recorder 70 to advance the reproduction of the VOB currently being reproduced in the past direction. "Stop" is an operation that instructs the DVD recorder 70 to stop the reproduction of the VOB that is currently being reproduced, and "fast forward" is the VO that is currently being reproduced.
This is an operation for instructing the DVD recorder 70 to proceed with the reproduction of B in the future direction.

"Recording" is an operation for creating a new AV file in a directory designated as an operation target, writing a VOB to be recorded therein, and instructing the DVD recorder 70. These operations are based on existing consumer AV equipment, namely
It is familiar to many operators as a function of video tape recorders and CD players. On the other hand, the latter operation content allows the operator to perform a video editing operation of cutting an arbitrary portion of a movie film and connecting the cut portions to obtain an arbitrary combination of films. .

[0256] The "mark" means that the VOB recorded in the AV file designated as the operation target is played back, and the V
This is an operation for instructing the DVD recorder 70 to mark the time when an arbitrary image appears in the moving image reproduced by the OB. For example, the act of specifying the cut portion of a movie film corresponds to this “mark” operation, when compared to video editing on a film.

"Temporary editing" means that one set of arbitrary two sets is selected as the reproduction start point and the reproduction end point from the time points marked by the mark operation, and the reproduction order is assigned to the plurality of sets. Is an operation for instructing the DVD recorder 70 to define a logical reproduction route by adding the. It should be noted that the partial section specified by the set of the reproduction start point and the reproduction end point selected by the operator in the temporary editing operation is a cell, and a reproduction route defined by giving a reproduction order to each cell is defined as a program chain. Say.

[Main editing] means AV recorded on DVD-RAM.
Cut out the range specified by the cell in another file, and connect the cut out files according to the playback order shown in the program chain. DV
This is a process for instructing the D recorder 70. This operation corresponds to the act of cutting the cut edges determined by the "mark" operation and joining the cut parts together. In this editing, the extents of the concatenated files are concatenated so as to be the AV block length or more.

The recording / editing / playback control unit 12 manages which of the above-mentioned operation contents each of the AV data recording unit 13 to the AV data editing unit 15 has a processing capacity. Along with specifying the target and the operation content, select the components according to the operation content, and select the AV data recording units 13 to AV.
The operation content instruction is output to the data editing unit 15. Less than,
Depending on the combination of the operation contents of the operation target, the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 gives what kind of instruction the AV data recording unit 13,
An example of whether the data is issued to the AV data reproducing unit 14 or the AV data editing unit 15 is shown.

When the directory DVD_Video shown in FIG. 42 is set to the focus state and the recording key is pressed, the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 specifies the directory DVD_Video as the operation target and specifies "recording" as the operation content. To do. The AV data recording unit 13 is selected as a component having a processing capability of the operation content “record”, and an instruction is made to create a new AV file in the operation target directory.

When the file AV_FILE # 1 is set to the focus state and the playback key is pressed, the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 identifies the file AV_FILE # 1 as the operation target and “playback” as the operation content. To do. The AV data reproducing unit 14 is selected as a component having the processing capability of the operation content to instruct to reproduce the AV file to be operated. File AV
When _FILE # 1 is set to the focus state and the mark key is pressed, the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 sets the file AV_F
ILE # 1 is specified as the operation target, and "mark" is specified as the operation content. AV as a component that has the processing capability of the operation content
The data editing unit 15 is selected to instruct the AV file to be operated to perform marking processing. (3-2-5) AV data recording unit 13 The AV data recording unit 13 controls the MPEG encoder 2 to perform encoding, and combines common file system commands and AV file system commands in a predetermined order to make them common. Issuing to the file system unit 10 and the AV file system unit 11, the functions (1) to
Realize the recording operation by providing (10). (3-2-6) AV data playback unit 14 The AV data playback unit 14 controls the decoder 4 to perform decoding, and combines the common file system command and the AV file system command in a predetermined order to create a common file. Realize operation contents such as "play", "rewind", "fast forward", "stop" by issuing to the system unit 10 and the AV file system unit 11 and having them provide the functions (1) to (10). Measure (3-2-7) AV Data Editing Unit 15 The AV data editing unit 15 controls the MPEG decoder 4 to perform decoding, and combines the common file system command and the AV file system command in a predetermined order to make them common. Issuing to the file system unit 10 and the AV file system unit 11, and functions for these (1) to (10)
"Mark""provisionalediting"
Realize the operation contents such as "book editing".

Specifically, when the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 instructs the AV data editing unit 15 to set a mark on an AV file to be operated, the AV data editing unit 15 becomes the operation target AV file.
The file is reproduced by the AV data reproducing unit 14, and it is monitored that the mark key is pressed again. When the mark key is pressed during the reproduction period, information indicating how many seconds after the start of reproduction of the AV file is pressed is written in the non-AV file as information called a mark point.

When the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 instructs the contents of the temporary editing operation, the AV data editing unit 15 defines a logical playback route in accordance with the key operation on the remote controller 71. The common file system unit 10 is controlled to generate information and write this as a non-AV file in the DVD-RAM. When the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 instructs the operation content of the main editing, the AV data editing unit 15
Out of the AV files recorded in the D-RAM, the range designated by the cell is cut out to another file, and the cut out files are concatenated in the order of the cells.

[0264] The AV data editing unit 15 performs a process of concatenating a plurality of files in the concatenated AV file so that seamless reproduction within the file is realized. Here, “in-file seamless” means that reproduction of an AV file after concatenation is performed without interruption, and the AV data editing unit 15 selects extents other than the extent to be reproduced last among the extents forming the AV file. , The extent concatenation processing is performed from the viewpoint of making all AV block lengths or more. (3-2-7-1) Temporary Editing and Main Editing Process Procedure by AV Data Editing Unit 15 FIG. 43 shows how the temporary editing and main editing processes described above are performed. It is a flow chart. FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV data editing unit 15 in the flowchart of FIG. The editing process by the AV data editing unit 15 will be described with reference to this flowchart and the explanatory diagram of FIG.

The AV file shown in FIG. 44 (a) is already a DVD-
It is assumed that the AV file recorded in the RAM is designated as the operation target and the operator presses the reproduction key on the remote controller 71. When this pressing is detected by the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 and a playback operation is instructed, the AV data editing unit 15 causes the AV data playback unit 14 to perform AV playback in step S1.
Start playing the file. Figure 44
It is assumed that the operator depresses the mark key again at the time when the reproduction has proceeded to the time t1 shown in (b). Then,
Mark point # 1 indicating the relative time code of time t1
Set to AV file. Similarly, it is assumed that the operator depresses the mark key seven times in total when the times t2, t3, t4 ... T8 have passed. Then, as shown in FIG. 44 (b), mark points # 2, # 3, # 4, # 5, ... # 8 indicating relative time codes of the times t2, t3, t4, t5 ... Is set.

After the execution of step S1, the process moves to step S2, and the AV data editing section 15 causes the operator to designate a set of mark points, and according to the designation of the set, the cells to be reproduced in the AV file are selected. Make multiple decisions. In FIG. 44 (c), the operator designates a pair (1) of Mark # 1 and Mark # 2, and similarly, a pair (2) of Mark # 3 and Mark # 4, Mark # 5 and Mark # 6. One set
(3), Mark # 7 and Mark # 8 (4) are specified.

Then, the AV data editing unit 15 sets one set of these mark points as one cell, and sets Cell #
Set four cells of 1, Cell # 2, Cell # 3, Cell # 4 (Note that one set of Mark # 2-Mark # 3 and one set of Mark # 4-Mark # 5 should be designated as cells. It is also possible, and if specified in this way, one set of Mark # 2-Mark # 3 and one set of Mark # 4-Mark # 5 are respectively set as one cell.)

Subsequently, in step S3, the AV data editing unit 15 creates a program chain by giving a reproduction order to each cell. Four Cell # 1, Cell # 2, Cell # 3, C already set in FIG. 44 (d)
Among ell # 4, it is assumed that Cell # 1 is given the first playback order (1st in the figure) and Cell # 2 is given the second playback order (2nd in the figure). Similarly, in Cell # 3, Cell # 4, the third,
It is assumed that the fourth playback order is given (3rd in the figure,
4th). Then, the AV data editing unit 15 interprets a plurality of cells as a program chain according to the playback order set in this way (note that FIG. 44 shows the simplest example, cell # 3, cell # 1). , It is also possible to specify the order of cell # 2.).

In step S6, the AV data editing section 15
Monitors whether the operator has instructed the program chain to perform reproduction, and in step S5 monitors whether the operator has instructed the program chain to perform main editing. When the reproduction instruction is given, the AV data editing unit 15 instructs the AV data reproducing unit 14 to reproduce the program chain for which the reproduction is instructed.

[0270] The instructed AV data reproducing unit 14 first sets the Mark as the reproduction starting point of the cell # 1 as shown in Fig. 44 (e).
The AV data editing unit 15 issues a SEEK command for seeking the optical pickup to # 1. When the optical pickup moves to Mark # 1 of the AV file by issuing the SEEK command, read the range of Mark # 1 to Mark # 2.
The "AD" command is issued to the common file system unit 10. As a result, the VOBU of cell # 1 is read from the DVD-RAM, the read VOBU is sequentially decoded by the decoder 4, and the video is displayed on the television receiver 72. VOBU playback
When Mark # 2 is performed, the same processing is performed on the remaining cells. Then, only the range designated as cells # 1, # 2, # 3, and # 4 will be played.

Here, it is assumed that the AV file in FIG. 44 (a) is a movie televised on television. Also, FIG. 44 (f)
As shown in, the video content of each time zone of the AV file is the time t0.
The period from the time t1 to the time t1 is the credit scene V1 displaying the character names and director names of the movie, and the time t1 to the time t2.
Until the first showcase scene V2 of the main part of the movie, time
The period from t2 to time t3 is the commercial scene V3 inserted because it is a television broadcast, the period from time t3 to time t4 is the second showcase scene V4 of the movie main part, and the period from time t5 to time t6 Is the third showcase scene in the main movie
Assume that it is V5.

Mark times at these times t1, t2, t3, t4, t5, t6 are Mark #
1, Mark # 2, Mark # 3, Mark # 4, Mark # 5, Mark # 6 are set, and one set of mark points is designated as a cell,
The display order as a program chain is set. Therefore, when reading is performed as shown in FIG. 44 (e), the credit scene V1 is skipped without being reproduced.
The highlight scene V2 is reproduced from time t1 to time t2. Subsequently, the commercial scene V3 is skipped without being played back, and the show-scene V4 from time t3 to time t4 is played back.

Next, the processing in the case where the operator gives an instruction for main editing will be described with reference to the explanatory views of FIGS. 45 and 46. 45 and 46 are explanatory views for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV data editing unit 15 in the flowchart of FIG. This explanatory diagram is the flowchart of FIG.
The variables mx and Af used in the table indicate which part of the AV file is designated. This flow
The procedure of the main editing will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S8, the AV data editing unit 15 determines two or more ranges to be cut out from the AV file according to the program chain defined by the temporary editing. The “Edit source AV file” in FIG.
Mark points # 1, # 2, # 3, ... # 8 are added. The cells set for the AV file are specified by a set of Mark # 1, # 2, # 3, ... # 8, so the AV data editing unit 15 starts editing a set of these mark points. Interpret as a point or an edit end point. That is, one set of Mark # 1 and # 2 is the editing start point In point
(1), the edit end point Out point (1) is interpreted, and a pair of Marks # 3 and # 4 is interpreted as the edit start point In point (2) and the edit end point Out point (2). Mark # 5, # 6 pair, Mark # 7, # 8 pair, edit start point In point (3), edit end point Out point (3), edit start point In point (4), edit End point Interpreted as Out point (4).

Here, the period from Mark # 1 to Mark # 2 corresponds to the first showcase scene V2 of the main part of the movie from time t1 to time t2 shown in FIG. 44 (f). Also from Mark # 3 to Mark
The period up to # 4 is from time t3 to time shown in Fig. 44 (f).
Corresponds to the second showcase scene V4 of the main movie until t4, Ma
The period from rk # 5 to Mark # 6 is the third showcase scene V5 of the main movie from time t5 to time t6 shown in FIG. 44 (f).
Therefore, the operator intends to obtain an AV file consisting of only the show scenes V2, V4, and V5 by the subsequent main editing process.

[0276] Next, in step S9, the AV data editing unit 15 issues to the AV file system unit 11 a SPLIT command for cutting out the determined cut-out range into mx (mx is an integer of 2 or more) AV files. . The AV data editing unit 15 interprets the closed section specified by the pair of the edit start point and the edit end point shown in FIG. Cut out the AV file of.

Hereinafter, each of the cut-out mx AV files is referred to as an AV file Af1, Af2, Af3, Af4 ... Afm, and in the present flowchart, these are designated by the variable "Af". I shall. In step S10, the variable Af is initialized by setting the variable Af to 1, and step S1
In 1, the READ command for the VOBU located at the end of the AV file Af in the program chain (hereinafter referred to as the end) and the VOBU located at the tip of the AV file Af + 1 (hereinafter referred to as the tip) is executed. AV file system section 11
To publish. After issuance, in step S12, the read end portion and tip portion are re-encoded using the procedure shown in the second embodiment.

When re-encoding is performed, AV file A
Issue the SHORTEN command to the file system for the end and top of f and Af + 1. In FIG. 45 (c), AV
The end of the file Af1 and the end of the AV file Af2 are read by the "READ" command, and the end and the end are re-encoded. This re-encoding causes DV
The re-encoded data obtained by re-encoding these one set is stored in the memory of the D recorder 70. By issuing the "SHORTEN" command in step S13, the areas originally occupied by the leading end and the trailing end are deleted.

When the deletion is performed as described above, it should be noted that the following two cases occur. The first case is that both the extent of the AV file Af from which the portion to be re-encoded has been removed and the extent of the AV file Af + 1 have a continuous length equal to or longer than the AV block length. This is the case where the continuous length on one side is less than the data size of the AV block. The length of the AV block is set to a length that avoids the occurrence of underflow, so if playback of the AV file Af or AV file Af + 1 is instructed while the continuous length is less than the AV block length, the track The buffer underflows.

The second case is a case where the data size of the data (in-memory data) re-encoded and stored in the memory is less than the data size of the AV block. That is, the data size of the data in the memory is large,
If the data in memory occupies more than one AV block when recorded on DVD-RAM, AV file Af, AV file
The in-memory data may be recorded in an isolated position separated from Af + 1. However, if the data size of the in-memory data is smaller than the data size of the AV block, the in-memory data cannot be recorded in an isolated position separated from the AV file Af and AV file Af + 1.

Because if the data in the memory is recorded in an isolated position, the data size of the data in the memory is small, and therefore when the data in the memory is read out to the track buffer and a sufficient amount of storage is made in the track buffer. This is because if it cannot be obtained and it takes a long time to jump from the in-memory data to the AV file Af + 1, underflow of the track buffer occurs during the jump.

In FIG. 45 (d), AV files Af1 and Af2
, The leading end and the trailing end are deleted as represented by the broken line. At this time, it is found that the continuous length of the AV file Af1 is less than the AV block length. Similarly, it can be seen that the data size of the re-encoded data in memory is less than the data size of the AV block. This AV file
If Af1 is left in a short state, underflow may occur when the AV file Af1 is played back and jumped to the AV file Af2. In order to avoid the occurrence of underflow, a MERGE command for the AV file Af and the AV file Af + 1 is issued to the file system in step S14. Then, FIG. 45 (e) and FIG.
As shown in 6 (a), the AV file Af1 and the re-encoded VOBU are linked, and the continuous length of the recording areas of all the extents forming the AV file Af is equal to or longer than the AV block length. After issuing the "MERGE" command, it is determined in step S15 whether the variable Af and the number of AV files mx-1 match. If they do not match, the variable Af is incremented in step S16 and the process proceeds to step S11. As a result, the procedure of steps S11 to S14 is repeated.

When the variable Af is incremented to 2, the end portion of the concatenated AV file Af2 and the AV file Af3
The tip of the is read by the "READ" command (Fig. 4
6 (b)), when the trailing end and the leading end are re-encoded, the re-encoded data obtained by re-encoding one set of these is stored in the memory of the DVD recorder 70. Become. The area originally occupied by the leading end and the trailing end is deleted by issuing the "SHORTEN" command in step S13 (FIG. 46).
(See (c)) At this time, the AV file Af3 has a continuous length that is less than the AV block length. Since the AV file Af3 may also underflow, the AV data editing unit 15 issues the MERGE command for the AV files Af2 and Af3 to the file system again (FIG. 46 (d),
(See (e)). The above process is repeated until the variable Af becomes mx-1.

As a result of the above processing, the extents on the recording area are all the show scenes V2, V4, V5. Further, since all of these extents have a continuous length equal to or longer than the AV block length, it is guaranteed that the video display will not be interrupted during the reproduction. Here, the period from Mark # 1 to Mark # 2 corresponds to the show scene V2. See also Mark # 3 to Mark # 4
Up to the second showcase scene V4, Mark # 5
Since the period from to Mark # 6 corresponds to the third show scene V5, the operator obtains an AV file including only the show scenes V2, V4, and V5 by the process of the main editing thereafter.

(3-2-7-1-2) When issuing the SPLIT command
The process of the AV file system unit 11 will be described in detail when the extended function is provided by issuing the process “SPLIT”. FIG. 48
(A) is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the AV file system unit 11 when a function is provided by issuing a "SPLIT" command. After that, in this flowchart, mx editing start points (In
Point) and the edit end point (Out point) are designated by the variable h. In step S22, first the first In
Assign 1 to the variable h to indicate the point and the Out point.

File entry in step S31
(h) is generated, and in step S32, the AV file system unit 11 adds the file identification descriptor (h) for the file entry (h) to the directory file in the temporary directory. In step S33, the In point
The start address s and the occupied block number r of the u logical block sequence occupying from the logical block corresponding to (h) to the logical block corresponding to the Out point (h) are calculated (u ≧ 1). In step S34, u allocation descriptors are generated in the file entry (h). In step S35, the start address s and occupied block number r of the u logical block string are registered in each of the u allocation descriptors, and in step S35, it is determined whether the variable h has reached mx-1. If not, the variable h is incremented and the process proceeds to step S31. In this way, the procedure of steps S31 to S35 is repeated until the variable h becomes mx-1, and the closed section specified by the set of mx-1 In points and Out points is mx-1 independent. It is cut out as an AV file. (3-2-7-1-3) Processing of AV file system unit 11 when the SHORTEN command is issued Next, when the extended function is provided by issuing "SHORTEN"
The processing of the file system unit 11 will be described in detail. Figure 4
8B is a flowchart showing the processing contents when the SHORTEN command is issued.

At step S38, the AV file system unit 11 calculates the head address c and the occupied block number d of the logical block sequence occupying from the deletion start address to the deletion end address for specifying the deletion range. Step S
At 45, the allocation descriptor of the AV file whose head or tail is to be deleted is accessed. Step S46
In, it is determined whether the deletion range is the tip of the extent. If it is the leading end, step S46 becomes Yes and the process moves to step S47, and the recording start address p of the extent in the allocation descriptor is updated to the recording start address p + cxd in step S47. After updating, the occupied block number q in the allocation descriptor is set to the extent data size q in step S48.
To the data size qc × d. If it is the end portion, the process directly goes to step S48 in step S46,
The occupied block number q in the allocation descriptor is updated to the extent data size q to the data size qc × d.

(3-2-7-1-4) When issuing the MERGE command
Processing of AV File System Section 11 Next, the processing content of the AV file system section 11 when providing an extended function when the "MERGE" command is issued will be described in detail. In the following description, of the processes shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, the procedure for performing the process in the range indicated by the alternate long and short dash lines y3 and y4 will be clarified.

During execution of the MERGE command, the AV file system unit 11 reproduces two AV files Af and Af + 1 which are cut out by the “SPLIT” command and whose ends are deleted by the “SHORTEN” command, and the DVD recorder 70. The re-encoded data (in-memory data) that has been placed on the memory in the DVD recorder 70 because it has been encoded is played back seamlessly in order of the AV file Af, the data on the memory, and the AV file Af + 1. -Place on RAM.

[0290] FIG. 47A shows the AV file system unit 1 when the extended function is provided by issuing the "MERGE" command.
It is a figure which shows an example of the target object of the process of 1. Fig. 47 (a)
In AV file Af and AV file Af + 1, "SPLI
It is an AV file cut out by the "T" command.
Here, by temporary editing, AV file Af, in-memory data,
It is assumed that the reproduction route is defined so that the audiovisual data is reproduced in the order of the AV file Af + 1. Fig. 47 (a)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a reproduction route set for the audiovisual data recorded in the AV file Af and AV file Af + 1. In this figure, the horizontal axis means the time axis, and when interpreting the display order along this horizontal axis, the playback route in this figure is AV file Af, in-memory data, AV file
It can be seen that they are decided in the order of Af + 1.

In the AV file Af, the range from the beginning to the data size m is recorded in a continuous area in the DVD-RAM and corresponds to the preceding extent. In the AV block, the range from the end to the data size n is also recorded in a continuous area in the DVD-RAM and corresponds to the subsequent extent. Here, if the AV audio file Af and AV file Af + 1 are obtained by cutting out the audiovisual data of an arbitrary section by the "SPLIT" command, the file system manages the free space, but the actual logical block The contents of the original AV file should have been left untouched. Also,
The playback route setting by the operator above is based on the premise that it is set without considering "which AV block on the DVD-RAM the clipped AV file is recorded on". The positional relationship between the extent and the succeeding extent in the DVD-RAM cannot be uniquely specified. Also, the playback route is AV file Af,
Even if the AV files Af + 1 are designated in this order, it is undeniable that there may be audiovisual data that is completely unrelated to the playback route between the preceding extent and the succeeding extent.

With the above in mind, when concatenating AV files cut out by the "SPLIT" command, the leading extent and the trailing extent are the DVD-RA.
The preceding extent and succeeding extents are DV instead of assuming that they are recorded at consecutive positions in M.
It should be assumed that it is recorded in a completely unrelated position in D-RAM.

Further, between the recording areas of the preceding extent and the succeeding extent, the AV file Af and the AV file Af
It should be assumed that at least one extent of another file that is completely unrelated to the reproduction route that specifies +1 exists and is recorded (in the present embodiment,
It is assumed that these preceding extent and succeeding extent are present in the same zone area. ). FIG. 47
(B) is a recording image diagram in which it is assumed what kind of positional relationship the preceding extent and the following extent have in the DVD-RAM in consideration of the above.

[0294] Here, an AV file including the preceding extent
Since Af was cut out by executing the "SPLIT" command, there is a free area behind the preceding extent (in this way, there is a free area behind the preceding extent, Those existing in the same zone area are called Out areas). As described above, the audio and audio data recorded in the AV file before being cut out is actually recorded in this Out area, but since the “SPLIT” command has already been issued, the AV It is treated as a free area by the file system unit 11.

Since the AV block including the subsequent extent is cut out by executing the "SPLIT" command, there is a free area in front of the subsequent extent (in this way, there is a space in front of the subsequent extent. A free area that exists in the same zone area as the subsequent extent is called an In area.) Actually, in the In area, the audiovisual data recorded in the AV file before being cut out is actually recorded.
Since the “T” command has already been executed, it is treated as an empty area from the outside.

In the figure, the preceding extent is recorded before the succeeding extent, but this is merely an example for convenience of drawing, and the succeeding extent may be recorded before the preceding extent. An extent of another file exists between the recording areas of the preceding extent and the succeeding extent.
The In area and the Out area are optimal for recording the in-memory data as described above, but the continuous length of the In area and the Out area is restricted due to the existence of the third extent. Is assumed.

First, in step S62 in the flowchart of FIG. 49, the AV file system unit 11 calculates the data size of the Out area and the data size of the In area. When the data size of the In area and the Out area is obtained as described above, the data size of the preceding extent m
And referring to the data size n of the subsequent extent,
It is determined whether or not underflow occurs in the preceding extent.

(3-2-7-1-4-1) Processing when preceding extent m is less than AV block length When preceding extent m is less than AV block length and subsequent extent n is more than AV block length Since there is a risk of underflow in the preceding extent m, the process proceeds to step S70 in FIG. FIG. 50 is a flowchart when the preceding extent is shorter than the AV block length and the succeeding extent is longer than the AV block length. 51, 52 and 53 are explanatory diagrams for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11 in the flowchart of FIG. These figures show the relationship between extent data size m, n and In area, Out area data size i, j, in-memory data size k, and AV block data size B. It is specified which area is the recording destination and the moving destination of each data when the above is satisfied.

[0299] Since the data size of the preceding extent is smaller than the AV block, if the preceding extent is left as it is, underflow will occur in the preceding extent. Where to set the recording positions of both the preceding extent and the in-memory data is the process to be performed in the flow chart of FIG. In step S70, it is first determined whether the total size of the preceding extent and the in-memory data is equal to or larger than the AV block length. If it is equal to or longer than the AV block length, the process proceeds to step S71, and it is first determined whether the Out area is larger than the in-memory data. If it is larger, the in-memory data is written in the Out area and the continuous length of the preceding extent is set to the AV block length or more. In FIG. 51A, i ≧
It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the preceding extent, succeeding extent, In area | region, and Out area | region on DVD-RAM at the time of the relationship of k and m + k> B being materialized. In this case, if the data in the memory is recorded in the Out area as shown in FIG. 51B, the continuous length of the preceding extent can be made equal to or longer than the AV block length.

On the other hand, if the Out area is smaller than the in-memory data, the move process is performed. In FIG. 52A, i <k, m +
It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the preceding extent, succeeding extent, In area, and Out area on DVD-RAM at the time of the relationship of k> B being materialized. In such a state, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), first, the preceding extent is read into the memory, and the preceding extent is moved to the empty area by writing it into the empty area existing in the same zone area as the preceding extent. After the movement, FIG. 52 (c)
Write the in-memory data to the end of the moved preceding extent as shown in.

If the total size of the preceding extent and the in-memory data is less than 1 AV block length, step S70 returns No.
Then, the process proceeds to step S72. In step S72, it is determined whether the total size of the preceding extent, the following extent, and the in-memory data is 2AV block length or more. If the total size is less than 1 AV block, even one AV block cannot be filled even if the moving process is performed, and underflow occurs. If the total data size of the preceding extent, in-memory data, and subsequent extent is less than the 2AV block length, recording time will not be too long even if the preceding extent, in-memory data, and subsequent extent are written to the logical block at one time. . In the flowchart of FIG. 50, when the total size of the in-memory data, the preceding extent and the succeeding extent is less than the 2AV block length, the process proceeds from step S72 to step S73, and the preceding extent and the succeeding extent are processed. To move both.

In FIG. 53 (a), i <k, m + k <B, B ≦ m + n
It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the preceding extent, succeeding extent, In area | region, and Out area | region on DVD-RAM at the time of the relationship of + k <2B being materialized. In this case, a free area existing in the same zone area as the preceding-succeeding extent is searched.
When the free area is obtained, as shown in FIG. 53 (b), the preceding extent is first read into the memory and is written again in the empty area to move the preceding extent to the empty area. After the movement, as shown in FIG. 53C, the in-memory data is written to the end of the moved preceding extent. When the data in the memory is written, as shown in FIG. 53 (d), the subsequent extent is first read into the memory, and the subsequent extent is written immediately after the area occupied by the in-memory data after the movement so that the subsequent extent is a free area. Move to.

The above-mentioned in-memory data and preceding extent,
If the total size of the subsequent extents is equal to or greater than the 2AV block length, the process proceeds from step S72 to step S74. If the total size is 2 AV blocks or more, the time required to write a logical block becomes enormous, and the method of simply moving the preceding extent and writing the in-memory data to the movement destination should not be accepted from the viewpoint of access speed. However, it should be noted that the transition from step S72 to step S74 is performed because the relation that the total size of the in-memory data and the preceding extent is less than the AV block length is established. The total size of this in-memory data and the preceding extent is AV
Although the relationship that the length is less than the block length is established, the relationship that the total size of the in-memory data, the preceding extent, and the subsequent extent is 2AV block length or more is established. Large data size, (subsequent extent-AV block)
The data size of is also considerable. Since the data size of (subsequent extent-AV block) is a considerable amount, the data size of the subsequent extent can be obtained even if the subsequent extent covers the amount that is less than the AV block when the preceding extent and the in-memory data are added. There is no shortage of money.

Therefore, when the total size of the in-memory data, the preceding extent and the succeeding extent is equal to or larger than the 2AV block length, steps S72 to S74.
Then, the connection processing is performed according to the procedure shown in FIGS. 54 (a) to 54 (d). FIG. 54A shows m + k <B, m + n + k ≧ 2B.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of a preceding extent, a succeeding extent, an In area, and an Out area on a DVD-RAM when the relationship is established. In this case, a free area existing in the same zone area as the preceding and succeeding extents is obtained by searching. When the empty area is obtained, as shown in FIG. 54 (b), the preceding extent is first read into the memory, and this is written again in the empty area to move the preceding extent to the empty area. After the movement, as shown in FIG. 54C, the in-memory data is written to the end of the moved preceding extent. When the data in the memory is written,
As shown in (d), an extent having a data size of (subsequent extent-AV block) is moved to the recording destination of the in-memory data.

After the preceding extent, the in-memory data, and the subsequent extent have been concatenated through the above processing, the file entry of the AV file Af including the preceding extent and the file entry of the AV file Af + 1 including the succeeding extent are integrated. , Obtains one file entry after concatenation and ends the process. (3-2-7-1-4-2) Processing when the subsequent extent n is less than the AV block length If step S63 is No in the flowchart of FIG. 49, the process proceeds to step S64 and the preceding extent
It is determined whether m is the AV block length or more and the subsequent extent n is less than the AV block length. In this step, it is determined whether there is a risk of underflow in the subsequent extent n.

FIG. 55 shows a flowchart in the case where the subsequent extent is less than the AV block length and the preceding extent is more than the AV block length. AV in the flowchart of FIG. 55
FIG. 56, FIG. 57, FIG. 58, and FIG. 59 are explanatory diagrams for supplementarily explaining the processing of the file system unit 11. These figures show extent data size m, n and In area, and O
ut If the relationship between the data size i, j of the area, the data size k of the data in the memory, and the data size B of the AV block is established, which area will be the recording destination of each data, movement It is specified whether it will be the destination.

[0307] In step S75, it is first determined whether the total size of the subsequent extent and the in-memory data is equal to or larger than the AV block length. If the AV block length or more, step S7
The process proceeds from step 5 to step S76, and it is first determined whether the In area is larger than the in-memory data. Fig. 56 (a) shows j
It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the preceding extent, succeeding extent, In area | region, and Out area | region on DVD-RAM at the time of the relationship of> = k and n + k> B being materialized. In this case, if the data in the memory is recorded in the In area as shown in FIG. 56 (b), the continuous length of the subsequent extent can be made longer than the AV block length.

On the other hand, when the In area and Out area are smaller than the in-memory data, the moving process is performed. Fig. 57 (a) shows j
It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the preceding extent, succeeding extent, In area | region, and Out area | region on DVD-RAM at the time of the relationship of <k, n + k> = B being materialized. In this case, a free area existing in the same zone area as the preceding-succeeding extent is searched. When the empty area is obtained, the in-memory data is written in the empty area as shown in FIG. 57 (b). Then, FIG.
As shown in (c), the subsequent extent is first read into the memory and written immediately after the recording area of the data in the memory.

If the total size of the subsequent extent and the in-memory data is less than 1 AV block length, the process proceeds from step S75 to step S77. In step S77, the total size of the preceding extent, the subsequent extent, and the in-memory data is 2 AV block length. It is determined whether or not the above. If it is less than 2 AV block length, step S78.
Move to. FIG. 58A shows j <k, n + k <B, m + n + k.
It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the preceding extent, succeeding extent, In area | region, and Out area | region on DVD-RAM at the time of <2B relationship being materialized. In step S78, the AV file system unit 11 searches for a free area existing in the same zone area as the preceding-succeeding extent. In such a state, as shown in FIG. 58 (b), the preceding extent is first read into the memory and then written again in the empty area to move the preceding extent to the empty area. After the movement, as shown in FIG. 58C, the in-memory data is written to the end of the moved preceding extent. When the data in the memory is written, the subsequent extents are first read in the memory as shown in FIG.
By writing this immediately after the area occupied by the in-memory data after the movement, the subsequent extent is moved to a free area existing in the same zone area as the preceding-successive extent.

On the other hand, if it is 2 AV block length or more, the process proceeds from step S77 to step S79, and FIG.
The linking process is performed by the procedure shown in (d). FIG. 59.
(A) is a preceding extent, succeeding extent, I on the DVD-RAM when the relations of n + k <B and m + n + k ≧ 2B are established.
It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of n area | region and Out area. in this case,
A free area existing in the same zone area as the preceding-succeeding extent is searched for. When the free area is obtained, FIG.
As shown in (b), the end part mend of the extent having a data size of (AV block- (n + k)) is moved to the recording destination of the in-memory data. As shown in FIG. 59C, the in-memory data is written to the end of the moved preceding extent. When the data in the memory is written,
As shown in (d), the subsequent extent is moved to immediately after the recording area of the data in the memory.

If step S64 in FIG. 49 is No,
In step S65, whether the preceding extent m is less than the AV block length and the succeeding extent n is less than the AV block length, that is, whether there is a risk of underflow in both the preceding extent m and the succeeding extent n. judge. FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing the processing contents when the preceding extent and the subsequent extent are both less than the AV block length. In the flow chart of FIG.
61, 62, 63, and 64 are explanatory views for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11. These figures show the relationship between extent data size m, n and In area, Out area data size i, j, in-memory data size k, and AV block data size B. It is specified which area is the recording destination and the moving destination of each data when the above is satisfied.

In this flowchart, first in step S80, it is determined whether the total size of the in-memory data, the preceding extent and the succeeding extent is equal to or larger than the AV block length. If the total size is less than the AV block length, the process proceeds to step S81. In this case, the AV block cannot be filled even if the preceding extent, the in-memory data, and the subsequent extent are added together, so it is determined whether the extent follows the subsequent extent. If it is not succeeding, the succeeding extent is effectively the extent that constitutes the end of the AV file created after concatenation, so you can leave it as it is, but if the extent is succeeding, the preceding extent-in memory Underflow occurs because the data-subsequent extent pair cannot fill the AV block. In order to avoid this, when there is an extent subsequent to the subsequent extent, the concatenation process is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. FIG. 61A shows a DVD- when the relationship of m + n + k <B is established.
It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the preceding extent, succeeding extent, In area, and Out area on RAM. Step S81
At, the AV file system unit 11 writes the in-memory data in the In area as shown in FIG. When the data in the memory is written, as shown in FIG. 62 (c), the subsequent extent is first read in the memory, and the subsequent extent is written immediately after the area occupied by the in-memory data after the movement so that the subsequent extent is a free area. Move to.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 61 (d), from the extent following the subsequent extent (AV block-
Data is extracted by a data size of (preceding extent + data in memory + successive extent), and the extracted data is connected to the preceding extent, in-memory data, and subsequent extent. If the total size of the preceding extent, the following extent, and the in-memory data is equal to or larger than the AV block length, the process proceeds to step S82. In step S82, the AV file system unit 11 determines whether the data size of the Out area subsequent to the preceding extent is smaller than the total size of the subsequent extent and the in-memory data. If it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S83. FIG. 62 (a)
Is a DVD-RAM when the relationship of i ≧ n + k, m + n + k ≧ B holds.
The preceding extent, succeeding extent, and In area above,
It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of Out area | region. In step S83, the AV file system unit 11 writes the in-memory data in the In area as shown in FIG. 62 (b). When the data in the memory is written, as shown in FIG. 62 (c), the subsequent extent is first read into the memory and is written immediately after the area occupied by the in-memory data after the movement, whereby the preceding extent is vacant. Move to.

If the Out area is smaller, the process proceeds from step S82 to step S84, and step S84
At, it is determined whether the data size of the In area preceding the subsequent extent is smaller than the total size of the preceding extent and the in-memory data. If it exceeds, step S85
Move to. FIG. 63A is a diagram showing an arrangement example of the preceding extent, the succeeding extent, the In area, and the Out area on the DVD-RAM when the relationship of i <n + k, m + n + k ≧ B is established. In step S85, the AV file system unit 11 writes the in-memory data in the Out area as shown in FIG. 63 (b). When the data in the memory is written,
As shown in 3 (c), the preceding extent is first read into the memory, and is written immediately before the area occupied by the data in the moved memory, thereby moving the preceding extent to the In area.

[0315] If step S84 is NO, control is passed to step S86. In FIG. 64 (a), i <n + k, j <m + k,
It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the preceding extent, succeeding extent, In area, and Out area on DVD-RAM at the time of the relationship of m + n + k> = B being materialized. In step S86, it is determined whether the total size of the preceding extent, the following extent, and the in-memory data exceeds the 2AV block length. In the case of no, the AV file system unit 11 searches for a free area existing in the same zone area as the preceding extent. When the free area is obtained, as shown in FIG. 64 (b), the preceding extent is first read into the memory, and this is again written into the empty area to move the preceding extent to the empty area. After the movement, as shown in FIG. 64 (c), the in-memory data is written to the end of the moved preceding extent. When the data in the memory is written,
As shown in 4 (d), the subsequent extent is first read into the memory and is written immediately after the area occupied by the in-memory data after the movement, thereby moving the subsequent extent to the empty area.

When the total size of the preceding extent, the following extent and the in-memory data is 2 AV blocks,
It is determined which of the Out area and In area has a larger data size. When the data size of the Out area is large, the in-memory data is recorded in the Out area until the AV block length is reached. After that, record the rest of the data in memory in the free space,
The subsequent extent is moved to the recording destination.

When the data size of the In area is large, the AV file system unit 11 moves the preceding extent to a free area, and from the beginning of the in-memory data of the in-memory data to the moving area (in-memory data-In area ) Data is recorded in the destination of the preceding extent. After that, the remaining portion of the data in the memory is recorded in the In area. After the moving process as described above, the total moving amount is set to 2 in step S86.
It can be kept below the AV block length.

After the preceding extent, the in-memory data, and the subsequent extent are linked through the above processing, the file entry of the AV file Af including the preceding extent and the file entry of the AV file Af + 1 including the succeeding extent are integrated. , Obtains one file entry after concatenation and ends the process. (3-2-7-1-4-3) Processing when both the preceding and succeeding extents are equal to or greater than the AV block length If step S65 in FIG. 49 is determined as No, the AV file system unit 11 stores the memory in step S66. Determine whether the internal data is less than the AV block length. If it is equal to or longer than the AV block length in step S67, the data in the memory is recorded in the free area and the process is ended.

If No in step S66, the AV file system unit 11 determines that the preceding extent m is the AV block length or more, the subsequent extent n is the AV block length or more, and the data size of the in-memory data k is the In area. i and Ou
It is determined whether it is smaller than the total length with the t region j. FIG. 65 shows
This is a flowchart when the preceding extent and succeeding extent have a length equal to or longer than the AV block length.

Further, FIG. 66 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11 in the flowchart of FIG. In the explanatory diagram (a), an example of recorded contents in which both the subsequent extent and the preceding extent are equal to or longer than the AV block length is shown in the upper stage. Also (b) ~
(D) shows how in-memory data and extents are recorded in the In area, Out area, and other free areas during execution of each step in FIG. 65.

In this case, there is no fear that underflow will occur in the preceding extent and the succeeding extent. Speaking of desire, this AV file Au is located behind Af
If the in-memory data can be recorded in either or both of the t area and the In area located ahead of the AV file Af + 1, the in-memory data is recorded without moving the preceding extent and the subsequent extent to the empty area. be able to.

In the flowchart of FIG. 65, step S
At 87, it is determined whether the data size of the Out area is larger than the data size of the in-memory data.
If it exceeds, in step S88, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the data in the memory is recorded in the Out area, and the process ends. If it is less than that, step S89
Then, it is determined whether the data size of the In area exceeds the data size of the data in the memory. If it exceeds, in step S90, FIG.
As shown in, the data in the memory is recorded in the In area and the process ends. If the in-memory data cannot be recorded in only one of the In area and the Out area, the process proceeds from step S89 to step S91.
As shown in (d), the in-memory data is divided into two empty areas, and each divided area is recorded in each of the In area and the Out area.

After the preceding extent, the in-memory data, and the subsequent extent are linked through the above processing, the file entry of the AV file Af including the preceding extent and the file entry of the AV file Af + 1 including the succeeding extent are integrated. , Obtains one file entry after concatenation and ends the process. (3-2-7-1-4-4) Processing when both the preceding and succeeding extents are equal to or longer than the AV block length In step S69 in FIG. 49, the preceding extent m is AV
It is determined whether the block length is greater than or equal to the succeeding extent n is greater than or equal to the AV block length, and the data size of the in-memory data k is greater than the total length of the In area i and the Out area j.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart showing the processing when the data size of both the preceding extent and the subsequent extent is equal to or larger than the AV block, and the total size of the In area and the Out area is smaller than the size of the in-memory data. . In addition, FIG. 68 shows the AV in the flowchart of FIG. 67.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the file system unit 11. In the explanatory diagram (a), an example of recorded contents in which both the subsequent extent and the preceding extent are equal to or longer than the AV block length is shown in the upper stage. Also (b) to (d)
67, when executing each step of FIG.
It shows how in-memory data and extents are recorded in the Out area and other free areas.

In this case, underflow does not occur in the preceding extent and the succeeding extent, but the continuous length of the recording area of the in-memory data must be equal to or longer than the AV block length. In step S92, it is determined whether the total data size of the preceding extent and the in-memory data is 2 AV blocks or more.

If the total size is equal to or greater than 2 AV block lengths, the process proceeds from step S92 to step S93, and the data of size (AV block length-data size k of data in memory) is read from the end of the preceding extent and is free. While moving to the area, the data in the memory is recorded at the destination. Due to this recording, the free area is shown in FIG. 68 (b).
It is filled with in-memory data and extents, as shown in.

[0327] If the total size of the in-memory data and the preceding extent is less than the 2AV block length, step S
The shift from 92 to step S94 is performed. In step S94, it is determined whether the total data size of the subsequent extent and the in-memory data is 2 AV blocks or more. It is the step S that makes such a determination.
This is the same as in the case of No. 92, and in order to avoid an enormous amount of time required to write a logical block, and even if data of a considerable data size is moved from the preceding extent, the data size of the remaining extent is also 1.
This is because there is a high possibility that the AV block length or more can be maintained.

From this point of view, if the total size is 2 AV block lengths or more, the process proceeds to step S95, and the data of size (AV block length-data size k of data in memory) is read from the leading end of the subsequent extent, This is moved to a free area existing in the same zone area as the preceding-succeeding extent, and the in-memory data is recorded at the moving destination. Due to this recording, the free area is shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), it is filled with in-memory data and extents.

When the total size of the in-memory data and the subsequent extent is less than the 2AV block length and the total size of the in-memory data and the preceding extent is less than the 2AV block length, the total write amount of the logical block Since it is less than 2 AV blocks, the speed is not affected even if the moving process is actively performed. Therefore, if the total size of the in-memory data and the subsequent extent is less than the 2AV block length and the total size of the in-memory data and the subsequent extent is less than the 2AV block length, the process proceeds to step S96. The larger data size of the extent and the subsequent extent is determined. If the total size of the in-memory data and the subsequent extent is less than 2AV block length, and the total size of the in-memory data and the subsequent extent is less than 2AV block length, the preceding extent and the subsequent extent are satisfied. Any of the above may be moved, but in the present embodiment, since the amount of movement is more motivated to reduce, the process of determining the one with the smaller data size is performed. If the preceding extent is smaller, the preceding extent is first moved in step S97, and then the in-memory data is written to the movement destination. By this recording, the empty area of 2AV block length is filled with in-memory data and extents as shown in FIG. 68 (d).

If the subsequent extent is smaller, the in-memory data is first written in step S98,
The subsequent extent is moved to the write destination. By this recording, the empty area of 2AV block length is filled with in-memory data and extents as shown in FIG. 68 (e).
Through the above processing, the preceding extent, in-memory data,
After concatenating the subsequent extents, the file entry of the AV file Af including the preceding extent and the file entry of the AV file Af + 1 including the succeeding extent are integrated, and one concatenated file entry is obtained, and the processing ends. . The “MERGE” processing in various cases has been shown in the flowcharts, but in any case, the data size to be moved can be kept to 2 AV block length or less at worst.
However, there is no exception that the total amount of data written exceeds 2 AV blocks, and the total amount of data written exceeds 2 AV blocks when the following two exceptions occur.

The first exception is two consecutive empty AVs.
This is a case where, when a block area is required, there is only one AV block that is isolated one by one, and it is necessary to move the data of one AV block in order to create two consecutive free AV blocks. The second exception is the case where new data movement occurs when the portion left after the data is extracted from the subsequent extent to the subsequent extent in step S81 of FIG. 60 is less than the AV block length. In this case, the amount of data moved as a whole exceeds 2 AV blocks.

It should be noted that although only the connection processing of two AV files and data in memory has been described so far, one AV file and data in memory may be connected when the MERGE command is executed. I can. In this case, the processing is equivalent to adding data to the end extent of the AV file, so it is not necessary to satisfy the condition that the extent after concatenation is the AV block length or more. Therefore, as a process, the data in the memory is recorded in the Out area following the last extent, and if all the data in the memory cannot be recorded in the Out area, an empty AV block is allocated and remains in that area. It is sufficient to record the data in the memory.

Further, although the description has been given on the premise of seamless reproduction within a file in the concatenation process, the concatenation process on the premise of inter-file seamless may be performed. Inter-file seamless playback refers to playback in which video display is not interrupted even when branching from playback of one AV file to playback of another AV file. When seamless playback between files is assumed, the continuous length of all extents must be set to the AV block length or more when connecting the two AV files and the data in the memory shown above, and more thorough connection processing will be performed. There is a need. The long sentence has been described above, but the description of the connection processing by the AV file system unit 11 is finished. (3-2-7-1-5) Updating VOB information and PGC information When performing the SPLIT command and MERGE command execution processing, VO
How to update B information (time map table, seamless connection information) and PGC information (cell information) will be described.

First, the updating of the above information accompanying the SPLIT command execution processing will be described. Of the plurality of AV files obtained by the SPLIT command execution processing, one AV file is given the same AV_File_ID as the AV file that recorded the VOB of the cutout source. New identifiers must be added to the AV_File_IDs of other AV files.

VOB that was once recorded in the AV file
Has lost several subsections due to the SPLIT command execution process, it is necessary to delete the mark that specified the lost subsection. Similarly, the cell information having such marks as the start point and the end point must be deleted from the RTRW management file. The mark point is deleted and the video display start frame of the AV file is set to C_V_S_PTM.
And specify the video display end frame of the AV file.
Generate new cell information specified as C_V_E_PTM and RTR
Must be added to the W management file.

The VOB information including the seamless connection information and the time map table is divided into a plurality of pieces according to the division of the VOB. That is, if mx VOBs are obtained by the above division, m
Divide into x time map table and seamless connection information. Video display start time VOB_V_S_PTM of VOB generated by SPLIT command execution processing, video display end time V
OB_V_E_PTM is updated based on C_V_S_PTM and C_V_E_PTM that have designated the start and end points of the cell information, and LAST_SCR and FIRST_SCR in the seamless connection information are also updated.

How to update the above information during the MERGE command execution process will be described. Where MERGE
Even if it is said that a plurality of AV files become one AV file by executing the command, each VOB included in the plurality of AV files is composed of frame data having no correlation with each other. , Time stamp discontinuity occurs between two AV files. Originally separate AV
To manage multiple VOBs contained in the file as different VOBs, assign different VOB IDs to these multiple VOBs.

Except for these processes, the process is the same as that of the second embodiment. On the other hand, the number of frames included in the re-encoded preceding VOBU is added to C_V_E_PTM in the cell information specifying the cutout range. C_V_S_PTM in the cell information that specifies the extraction range of the subsequent AV file
Are deleted by the number of frames contained in the subsequent re-encoded VOBU.

(3-2-3) Fragmentation elimination section 16 The fragmentation elimination section 16 is connected to the fixed magnetic disk device, and among the extents already recorded in the DVD-RAM and subjected to the concatenation processing, etc. A data having an empty area before and after the recording area is read and written in the fixed magnetic disk device to create backup data in the disk device. After writing all the extents to the fixed magnetic disk device, the backup data is read again and the extents are written so that the empty areas existing before and after the recorded extents are filled. Here, the extent having an empty area before and after the recording area is "SP
The "LIT" command and the "SHORTEN" command are generated because they are sequentially executed by the AV file system unit 11. When the "MERGE" command is executed, the recording destination of the in-memory data and the movement destination of other extents are also recorded. It is assumed that it was left unattended because it did not happen.

FIG. 69 is an explanatory view for supplementarily explaining the processing contents by the fragmentation eliminating section 16. In this figure,
An extent #x is shown in the figure as an extent having free areas i and j before and after the recording area. The fragmentation eliminating unit 16 detects such an extent as shown in FIG. 69A, reads it to the DVD recorder 70, and writes it to the fixed magnetic disk device.

By such writing, backup data is created in the disk device as shown in FIG. 69 (b). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 69 (c), the backup data is read from the fixed magnetic disk device, and the extents are written so as to fill the empty areas j existing before and after the recorded extents. Since the empty area is packed, the data size of the empty area located behind the extent #x is i + j, and the continuous length can be increased. The size of the empty area can be further expanded by performing such processing for the extent #y subsequent to the empty area.

The recording by the fragmentation eliminating unit 16 has already been performed on the DVD-
Since the backup data of the extents recorded in the RAM is created in the fixed magnetic disk device once, it is performed even if the power of the DVD recorder 70 is cut off during the writing period to the DVD-RAM. It is possible to retry writing the extent that was interrupted at some point in time. In this way, the backup data is created in the disk device and the work of packing the extents is performed. Therefore, even if the power of the DVD recorder 70 is cut off during writing, the extents will not be lost.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a plurality of AV
Even if the operator arbitrarily edits a file and a plurality of fragmentary AV files with a short continuous length are generated, the DVD recorder 70 concatenates such AV files with a short continuous length so that the AV block is larger than the AV block. Since the AV file having the length of is generated, fragmentation of the AV file can be eliminated, and the audiovisual data recorded in the AV file can be continuously reproduced.

In the concatenation process, it is determined whether the total amount of data to be written is 2 AV block length or more. If the total write data size is 2 AV block length or more, the movement amount of the recorded AV file is further reduced. Since the movement amount is limited so that the total write data size is less than the 2AV block length, the fragmentation can be eliminated in a short time.

Further, even if it is necessary for an operator to arbitrarily edit a plurality of AV files to record a re-encoding having a short continuous length, the DVD recorder 70 does not reproduce such a short continuous length. The encoded data is recorded by selecting the recording position where it is connected to the audiovisual data to be played before and after it, so that the re-encoded data can be prevented from being recorded in pieces and recorded in the AV file. The reproduced audiovisual data can be continuously reproduced.

It should be noted that the data movement is not limited to the case where continuous data of less than a predetermined amount is generated, but the two audiovisual data are too far apart on the disc when the two audiovisual data are connected. If there is, data may be moved. This is because the data generated by connecting the audiovisual data physically separated from each other is arranged so that continuous reproduction can be guaranteed when normally reproduced. However, when fast-forwarding the special reproduction is performed, if the data to be reproduced is too far apart, the reproduction becomes jerky.

In order to make this smooth, when two audiovisual data are connected, one of the data is continuous data having a size which is several times as large as a predetermined fixed amount, and moreover, the two audiovisual data are generally arranged between the two audiovisual data. If there is an AV block free area at equal intervals, the data is moved to that area.
This makes it possible to smoothly perform special reproduction while guaranteeing normal reproduction.

Further, the time code may be extracted from the cell information mark, the information such as the address may be extracted from the time map table, managed in the table, and displayed in the initial state screen or the like to be used as selection assist information for the user.
Furthermore, reduced images of each mark may be created and recorded in a separate file, pointer information for these reduced images may be provided for each mark, and may be used as auxiliary information when displaying cell information in the initial state or the like. ..

In addition, in the present embodiment, moving image data and audio data are handled, but the present invention is not limited to this, and run-length-compressed sub-pictures such as subtitles used in DVD-ROM. Data or still image data may be handled. Finally, the procedure of the AV file system described with reference to the flowchart in the third embodiment (see FIG. 48).
(A), FIG. 48 (b), FIGS. 49 to 50, FIG. 55, and FIG.
0, FIG. 65, FIG. 67) and the like may be realized by a machine language program and recorded in a recording medium for distribution or sale. Such recording media include IC cards, optical disks, floppy disks, etc., but the machine language programs recorded in these are provided for use by being installed in a general-purpose computer. This general-purpose computer sequentially executes the installed machine language program to realize the function of the video data editing apparatus shown in this embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, a user-defined PG is used for hierarchical video editing consisting of temporary editing and main editing.
This is an embodiment realized by using two types of program chains called C-original PGC. User-defined PGC
-A new table is added to the RTRW management file shown in the first embodiment to define the original PGC (4-1) RTRW management file The configuration of the RTRW management file in the fourth embodiment will be described. . In the fourth embodiment, the RTRW management file is
It is recorded in the same directory (RTRW directory) as the AV file, and contains the contents shown in FIG. 70 (a).

FIG. 70A shows the RT in the fourth embodiment.
It is the figure which made the contents of the RW management file detailed step by step. That is, in the figure, the logical format located on the right side is a detailed version of the logical format located on the left side. It clarifies which part of the has been refined.

[0352] According to such notation, VOB in this figure
Referring to the logical format of, the RTRW management file includes the original PB in addition to the VOB information shown in the first embodiment.
It can be seen that the GC information table, the user-defined PGC information table, and the title search pointer are recorded. (4-1-2) Contents of original PGC information The "original PGC information table" contains multiple original
It consists of GC information.

The original PGC information is information designating each of a plurality of VOBs recorded in the AV file existing in the RTRW directory or a partial section in each VOB according to the arrangement order. Original PGC information is R
It is associated with each VOB recorded in the AV file existing in the TRW directory, and when the AV file is recorded in the RTRW directory, the original PGC information is generated by the video data editing device at that point. Recorded in the RTRW management file.

The data format of the original PGC information is shown in FIG. 70 (b). The original PGC information is composed of a plurality of cell information, and the cell information is a cell ID (CELL # 1, in the figure, which is an identifier uniquely assigned to each cell information.
# 2, # 3, # 4 ...), AV file ID (AVF_ID in the figure), and VO
It is composed of B_ID, C_V_S_PTM, and C_V_E_PTM. AV
The file ID is a field in which the identifier of the AV file corresponding to the cell information is entered.

VOB_ID is the VOB included in the AV file.
This field is for entering the identifier of. When the AV file corresponding to the cell information includes a plurality of VOBs, it has a role of clearly indicating which of the plurality of VOBs the cell information corresponds to. Cell start time C_V_S_PTM (in the figure, C_V_S_PT
(Abbreviated as M) ”is information indicating the start point of the partial section specified by the cell information, and the PTS attached to the start time of the video field located at the start point is entered in the PTM description format. There is an entry field for doing.

[Cell end time C_V_E_PTM (in the figure, C_V_E_PTM)
(Abbreviated as E_PTM) '' is information indicating the end point of the partial section specified by the cell information, and is an entry field for entering the end time of the video field located at the end point in the PTM description format. Have. "Cell start time
The time information in “C_V_S_PTM” and “cell end time C_V_E_PTM” means the start point of the encoding operation by the video encoder, the end point of the encoding operation, the mark point inserted by the operator, and the like.

[0357] Also, "cell end time C_V_E_PTM" of each cell information of the original PGC information is "cell start time" of the cell information arranged in the next order in the original PGC information.
C_V_S_PTM ”. Since "cell end time C_V_E_PTM" and "cell start time C_V_S_PTM" of each cell information have such a matching relationship, in the original PGC, some partial sections are not dropped, and all of the VOBs are deleted. The subsection of is specified. Also the original PGC
Cannot specify subsections in an order in which the order in VOB is reversed.

(4-1-3) Contents of user-defined PGC information The "user-defined PGC information table" is a plurality of user-defined PGC information.
It consists of information. The data format of the user-defined PGC information is shown in FIG. 70 (c). Like the original PGC information,
The user-defined PGC information is composed of multiple pieces of cell information, and the cell information includes AV file ID, VOB_ID, C_V_S_PTM, and C
It consists of _V_E_PTM.

The user-defined PGC information is made up of a plurality of pieces of cell information like the original PGC information, but what kind of cell information these are and what viewpoint they are arranged in is different from the original PGC information. The original PGC information indicates that the sub-intervals of the video object should be played sequentially according to the arrangement order, whereas the user-defined PGC information indicates that the sub-intervals of the video object are in an order not restricted by the arrangement order. You can instruct to play.

Here, the partial section specified by the cell in the user-defined PGC is specified by the partial section itself (entire section) specified by the cell information in the original PGC information or the cell information in the original PGC information. It is further inside (partial section) than the partial section. Moreover, another cell information may be redundantly designated for a partial section designated by one cell information. That is, there may be overlap between cells. In addition, a partial section specified by certain cell information and a partial section specified by another cell information may be separated. That is, there may be a gap between cells. In the user-defined PGC information, it is not necessary to specify all the partial sections in the VOB, and some partial sections in the VOB may not be specified.

In the original PGC, the reproduction order is remarkably limited, whereas in the user-defined PGC, such restriction is not imposed, and the cell reproduction order can be freely defined. Specifically, the order may be reverse to the order in VOB. In addition, it is also possible to specify the sub-sections of VOBs recorded in different AV files. Since the original PGC specifies the sub-sections in one AV file and VOB according to the order in the AV file and VOB, the order of the sub-sections in the AV file and VOB that is the specification source is respected. It can be said that user-defined PG
C is not constrained by the order of the sub-sections in the VOB, the operator wants to view which sub-section in what order,
That is, the partial section can be designated according to the viewing intention of the user. Therefore, it is understood that the user-defined PGC is suitable for the purpose of preserving the order of determination when tentatively determining in what order the plurality of sub-sections included in the VOB should be connected during the video editing work.

The original PGC is an AV file or AV file.
Corresponding to the VOB in the file, the original PGC
The cell inside specified only the partial section of the VOB,
The user-defined PGC does not have a constraint that it cannot be associated with a specific VOB, and the cell information included in the user-defined PGC information may specify different VOB subsections.

Further, the original PGC is generated at the time of recording the AV file, but the user-defined PGC may be generated at any time after the time when the AV file is recorded. (4-1-4) PGC information-VOB information-AV file integrity The following describes how the AV file, VOB, time map table, and PGC information described above have mutual relationships. FIG. 71 shows the interrelationship among AV files, VOB, VOB information, original PGC information, and user-defined PGC information.
FIG. 72 is a diagram in which those having integrity are arranged in a bold frame (in FIG. 71, PGC information is abbreviated as PGC information).

In FIG. 71, AV file # 1 including VOB # 1, VOB information # 1, cell information # 1-cell information # 2-cell information #
Original PGC information # 1 consisting of 3 is arranged in the same bold frame, AV file # 2 including VOB # 2, VOB information # 2, cell information # 1-cell information # 2-cell information # 3 Original PG
It can be seen that C information # 2 is arranged in the same bold frame.

AV file (VOB) -V surrounded by these thick lines
A set of OB information-original PGC information is called an original PGC in the DVD-RAM standard. The video data editing device conforming to the DVD-RAM standard recognizes this unit of original PGC as a management unit of video title. In the example of FIG. 71,
AV file # 1 and VOB information #, which are arranged in the same bold line frame
1.A set of original PGC information # 1 is named original PGC # 1 and is placed in the same bold line frame as AV file #
2. A set of VOB information # 2 and original PGC information # 2 is named original PGC # 2.

When recording the original PGC, it is necessary to record the encoded VOB in the DVD-RAM, generate VOB information, and generate the original PGC information for the VOB. It is considered that the recording of the original PGC is completed for the first time by recording the three in the AV file-VOB information table-original PGC information on the DVD-RAM. Conversely, if the encoded VOB is recorded on the DVD-RAM as an AV file, the original P
The GC recording is not considered complete.

The same applies when erasing, and the original
The PGC is erased as a unit. In other words, AV file, V
When any one of the OB information and the original PGC information is erased, the information that constitutes the original PGC together with it is erased at the same time. Then, in what unit is the original PGC played?
Is reproduced by the original PGC information specified by the operator. Conversely, the operator does not directly specify the AV file and VOB to instruct the reproduction.

The original PGC can be partially reproduced, but the partial reproduction of the original PGC is
This is performed by the operator designating the cells included in the original PGC, and the partial reproduction is not ordered by directly designating, for example, a VOBU smaller than the cells. The unity in the original PGC information is as described above. Next, how the user-defined PGC information is managed as a video title will be described. In FIG. 71, the original PGC is arranged in the same bold line frame as the original PGC information-VOB information table-AV file, whereas cell information # 1, cell information # 2, cell information # 3, cell information
It can be seen that the user-defined PGC information # 3 in the figure composed of # 4 is enclosed by a thick line frame by itself. In the DVD-RAM standard, the user-defined PGC information is not the actual AV data,
It indicates that it is managed as a title by itself.

Therefore, it can be said that the generation of the user-defined PGC is completed only by the video data editing device defining the user-defined PGC information in the RTRW management file. That is, in the user-defined PGC, "user-defined PGC
The relationship of "production equal definition of user-defined PGC information" is established. The same is true at the time of deletion, and if the user-defined PGC information is deleted from the RTRW management file, it is considered that the user-defined PGC constituted by it does not exist.

[0370] The playback unit of the user-defined PGC is the original P.
Similar to GC. User defined PGC playback is user defined P
This is done by specifying the GC by the operator. The user-defined PGC can also be partially played. Partial reproduction of the user-defined PGC is performed by the operator specifying a cell included in the user-defined PGC.

Although it is clear that the original PGC-user-defined PGC is different as described above, from the operator's point of view, the original PGC-user-defined PGC is the PG
Since the C information and the cell information are designated to perform the whole reproduction-partial reproduction, it is not necessary to be aware of the difference between the two. Therefore, without discriminating the difference between the original PGC and the user-defined PGC, these are uniformly managed in units of video titles.

Next, how to reproduce the original PGC and the user-defined PGC will be described. The dashed arrows in FIG. 71 represent the relationship between the data on the referenced side and the data on the referenced side. Arrows y2, y4, y6, y8
Indicates the reference relationship between each VOBU in the VOB and the time code included in the time map table in the VOB information.Arrows y1, y3, y5, y7 indicate the time map in the VOB information. The reference relation between each time code included in the table and the cell information is specified.

It is assumed that the operator has designated one of the PGCs and instructed the reproduction of the video title. PG specified
If C is the original PGC # 1, then the original PGC # 1
The cell information # 1 located at the beginning of is reproduced by the playback device. Next, by referring to the AV file and VOB identifier included in the extracted cell information # 1, the AV file corresponding to the cell information and the AV as the VOB
The file # 1, the VOB # 1, and the time map table # 1 for the VOB are specified.

In the specified time map table # 1,
The size of each VOBU that composes a VOB and the playback time of those VOBUs are recorded.To further improve access performance, a representative VOBU is selected in units of several tens of seconds, and the address and progress from the beginning of the VOB are selected. Have time, so arrow y1
By referring to the time map table by using the cell start time C_V_S_PTM as shown in, the cell start time C_V_S_PTM included in the cell information # 1 can be changed to any V in the AV file.
Specify whether it corresponds to the OBU and specify its start address. As a result, the VOBU corresponding to the cell start time C_V_S_PTM
Since the head address of the VOBU # 1 is known, the playback device accesses VOB # 1 as indicated by arrow y2 and starts reading the VOBU string from VOBU # 1 indicated by the head address.

On the other hand, cell start time C_V_S_ is set in cell information # 1.
Since the cell end time C_V_E_PTM is included with the PTM, by referring to the time map table using the cell end time C_V_E_PTM as shown by the arrow y3, the cell end time C_V_E_PTM included in the cell information # 1 is stored in the AV file. Identify which VOBU in As a result, the start address of the VOBU corresponding to the cell end time C_V_E_PTM is found. Assuming that the VOBU specified here is VOBU # 10, as shown by arrow y4, when VOBU # 10 is reached, VOBU # 10 is reached.
The reading of the column ends.

As described above, if the access via the cell information # 1-VOB information # 1 is performed for the AV file, the AV file
Of VOB # 1 recorded in # 1, only the partial section specified by cell information # 1 can be read. If such a partial section is read for cell information # 2, cell information # 3, and cell information # 4, all VOBs included in VOB # 1
U is read and played.

As described above, in the reproduction by the original PGC information, it is possible to reproduce the partial sections in the VOB according to the arrangement order. On the other hand, it is assumed that the operator has designated one of the user-defined PGCs to instruct the reproduction of the video title. The specified PGC is a user-defined PGC
When it is # 1, the cell information # 1 located at the head of the user-defined PGC information # 1 is extracted by the playback device.
Then, by referring to the time map table # 1 using the cell start time C_V_S_PTM included in the cell information as indicated by the arrow y5, the cell start time C_V_S_PTM included in the cell information # 1 is VOB. Identify which VOBU in # 1 it corresponds to. This reveals that the VOBU corresponding to the cell start time C_V_S_PTM is VOBU # 11, so the playback device accesses VOB # 11 as indicated by arrow y6,
The reading of the VOBU string is started from VOBU # 11 indicated by this start address.

On the other hand, the cell information # 1 of the user-defined PGC # 1 includes the cell start time C_V_S_PTM and the cell end time C_V_E_PTM. Therefore, as shown by the arrow y7, the cell end time C_
By referring to the time map table using V_E_PTM, the cell end time C_V_E_ contained in cell information # 1
Identify which VOBU in VOB # 1 the PTM corresponds to. Assuming that the VOBU specified here is VOBU # 21, arrow y
As shown in FIG. 8, the reading of the VOBU sequence ends when VOBU # 21 is reached.

[0379] As described above, after the access via the cell information # 1-VOB information # 1 is performed to the AV file, the same processing is performed, and the cell information # 2 included in the user-defined PGC information # 1 is stored.
This is performed for cell information # 3 and cell information # 4. When the cell information # 2 located next to the cell information # 1 is retrieved by the playback device, the AV file identifier included in the retrieved cell information # 2 is referenced to correspond to that cell information. The AV file # 2 and the time map table # 2 corresponding to the AV file are specified.

The specified time map table contains VO
The size of each VOBU that composes B and the playback time of those VOBUs are recorded.To further improve access performance, a representative VOBU is selected in units of several tens of seconds. Since it has time, the cell start time C_V_S_PTM included in the cell information # 2 indicates which VOB in the AV file by referring to the time map table using the cell start time C_V_S_PTM as shown by the arrow y9.
Determine if it corresponds to U. This gives the cell start time C_V
Since the start address of VOBU corresponding to _S_PTM is known,
The video data editing device accesses VOB # 2 as shown by the arrow y10, and the VOB # 1 indicated at this head address is accessed.
To start reading the VOBU sequence.

On the other hand, cell start time C_V_S_ is stored in cell information # 2.
Since the cell end time C_V_E_PTM is included with the PTM,
By referring to the time map table using the cell end time C_V_E_PTM as shown by the arrow y11, the cell information
Which cell end time C_V_E_PTM included in # 2 is in VOB
Identify whether it corresponds to VOBU. This gives the cell end time
The start address of the VOBU corresponding to C_V_E_PTM is found.
If the VOBU specified here is VOBU # 11,
As indicated by the arrow y12, the reading of the VOBU string is terminated when the VOBU # 11 is reached.

In the reproduction by the user-defined PGC information, it is possible to reproduce arbitrary partial sections of VOB recorded in two AV files in a predetermined order. This concludes the description of the integrity of the AV file-VOB information-PGC information. Next, the title search pointer shown in FIG. 70D will be described. (4-1-5) Contents of the title search pointer The "title search pointer" contains the VOB information, time map table, PGC information, and AV file recorded on this DVD-RAM in the unit of the video title described above. This is information for management, and is configured by associating a PGC number given to the original PGC information and the user-defined PGC information with a title type and a title recording history.

"Title type" is set to 00 bytes to indicate that the video title having each PGC information is the original type, and is set to 01 byte to be the video title composed of each PGC information. Is information in which a flag indicating that is a user-defined type is associated with each PGC number. The “title recording history” is information indicating the date of recording of the PGC information, the month and the day of the year, and the recording time from the hour, the minute, and the second.

When the RTRW directory in the DVD-RAM is designated, the video data editing device conforming to the DVD-RAM standard reads out the main title search pointer from the RTRW management file and writes each directory of the DVD-RAM. It is possible to immediately recognize how much the original PGC and the user-defined PGC are recorded in, and when these video titles were recorded in the RTRW directory.

(4-1-6) Compatibility between user-defined and original PGC information in main editing The user-defined PGC information defined in the temporary editing is the cells in the main editing as shown in the fourth embodiment. Can be used to specify the connection order of. Further, if the user-defined PGC information is updated to the original PGC information after the main editing shown in the fourth embodiment is performed, the VOB obtained by the connection is obtained.
You can easily create the original PGC information about. Because user defined PGC information and original PGC
This is because the data structure is the same as the information except for the title type value, and the VOB partial section obtained after the main editing is specified by the user-defined PGC information before the main editing.

Hereinafter, the procedure of main editing in the fourth embodiment and how the user-defined PGC information is updated to the original PGC information before and after the main editing will be described. FIG. 72 is a diagram showing an example of the user-defined PGC-original PGC. In this figure, the original PGC information # 1 is
Only cell # 1 is included, and VOB # 1 and VOB information are integrated to form the original PGC. On the other hand, the user-defined PGC information # 2 forms a user-defined PGC only with the cell # 1, the cell # 2, and the cell # 3.

Cell # 1 designates a partial section from VOBU # 1 to VOBU # i as indicated by dashed arrows y51 and y52, and cell # 2 is indicated by dashed arrows y53 and y54. , VOBU # i +
Partial section from 1 to VOBU # j is specified. Cell # 3 has VOBU # j + 1 through VOBU # k + as indicated by the dashed arrows y55 and y56.
Partial sections up to 2 are specified. Of these, only cell # 2 in the user-defined PGC information is deleted, and the main editing is instructed using the user-defined PGC information after deletion, that is, the user-defined PGC information # 2 consisting of cell # 1-cell # 3. It is assumed that FIG. 73 is a diagram in which the parts corresponding to the cells in the deleted range are hatched.

The cell # 2 deleted here designates any one video frame among the plurality of picture data included in VOBU # i + 1 as C_V_S_PTM, as shown inside the frame w11. is there. Further, as shown inside the frame w12, any one video frame among the plurality of picture data included in VOBU # j + 1 is designated as C_V_E_PTM. When this editing is performed using this user-defined PGC information # 2, the VOBU located at the end of cell # 1
Re-encoding for #i, VOBU # i + 1, VOBU # i + 2 and VOBU # j, VOBU # j + 1, VOBU # j + 2 located at the tip of cell # 2 According to the procedure shown in the first embodiment to the second embodiment, the process of connecting extents is performed in the third embodiment.
It is performed according to the procedure shown in the embodiment.

FIG. 74 (a) shows which ECC block on the DVD-RAM is released to a free area by the main edit using the user-defined PGC information # 2. Referring to the second row of FIG. 74 (a), VOBU # i, VOBU # i + 1, VOBU # i + 2 are recorded on the AV block #m, and VOBU # j, VOBU # j + 1, VOBU are recorded. It can be seen that # j + 2 is recorded in AV block #n. As shown in FIG. 73, in cell # 2, the picture data contained in VOBU # i + 1 is designated as C_V_S_PTM, and the picture data contained in VOBU # j + 1 is designated as C_V_E_PTM. Therefore, as shown inside the frames w13 and w14, VOBU # i + 2
E occupied by VOBU # j from the ECC block occupied by
Up to the CC block is released to the free area by issuing the SPLIT command and SHORTEN command shown in the third embodiment. On the other hand, the ECC blocks occupied by VOBU # i and VOBU # i + 1 and the ECC blocks occupied by VOBU # j + 1 and VOBU # j + 2 are not released to the free area.

FIG. 74 (b) shows VOB, V after the main editing.
An example of OB information and PGC information is shown. Since the part corresponding to cell # 2 has been deleted, VOB # 1 is divided into (new) VOB # 1-VOB # 2. When the SPLIT command is issued, the VOB information about VOB # 1 is divided into VOB information # 1 and VOB information # 2.
The time map table included in these VOB information is also the time map table # 1 and the time map table.
It is divided into # 2 and. Although not shown, the seamless connection information is similarly divided.

VOBUs in VOB # 1-VOB # 2 are respectively referred to via the divided time map table. The user-defined PGC information and the original PGC information have the same data structure except that the title type value is different, and the VOB partial section obtained after this editing is the user-defined PGC information # 2 before this editing. Since it was specified, the user-defined PGC information # 2 has been updated to the original PGC information. Since the original PGC information is defined using the user-defined PGC information # 2 that specified the partial section before this editing, it is not necessary to define the original PGC information again after this editing. (4-2) Functional Block Diagram of DVD Recorder 70 FIG. 75 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the DVD recorder 70 in the fourth embodiment. Each function in the figure is realized by the CPU 1a in the control unit 1 executing the program of the ROM 1e to control the hardware shown in FIG.

In FIG. 75, the DVD player includes a disc recording unit 100, a disc reading unit 101, a common file system unit 10, an AV file system unit 11, and a recording / editing / playback control unit 12. In common with the video data editing device shown in the third embodiment,
The third embodiment in that the AV data recording unit 13 is replaced with a title recording control unit 22, the AV data reproducing unit 14 is replaced with a title reproduction control unit 23, and the AV data editing unit 15 is replaced with an editing hierarchy control unit 26. Different from Further, a PGC information table work area 21, an RTRW management file work area 24, and a user-defined PGC information generator 25 are newly provided in place of the fragmentation eliminating unit 16 shown in the third embodiment.

(4-2-1) Recording / Editing / Playback Control Unit 12 The recording / editing / playback control unit 12 in the fourth embodiment is a DV
The specification of the directory to be operated in the directory structure on D-RAM is accepted from the operator. When the designation of the operation target is accepted, the operation content by the operator is specified based on the user operation notified from the remote control signal receiving unit 8 and the operation content process is performed for the directory specified as the operation target. Part 22,
The title reproduction control unit 23 and the like are instructed to perform the processing.

FIG. 77 (a) shows the recording / editing / playback control unit 1
It is a figure which shows an example of the graphics data displayed on the television receiver 72 under control of 2. When any directory is set to focus state, recording / editing /
The reproduction control unit 12 waits for the confirmation key on the remote controller 71 to be pressed. The recording / editing / playback control unit 12 specifies the directory in the focus state at the time when the enter key is pressed as the current directory.

(4-2-2) PGC Information Table Work Area 24 The PGC information table work area 24 is a memory area in which a logical format is defined so as to sequentially define PGC information. This PGC information table work area 24
Has an internal area managed in a matrix. PGC
In the information table work area 24, a plurality of PGC information are arranged in the row direction, and a plurality of cell information are arranged in the column direction. Of the PGC information stored in the PGC information table work area 24, any cell information is the row number and
It is accessed using a set of column numbers.

FIG. 76 is an example of the original PGC information stored in the PGCI table work area 24. Note that the user-defined PGC information table is empty (NULL) when the AV file is recorded. Of the PGC information in this figure, in the original PGC information # 1, cell information # 1 with time T0-time T1 as the start point-end point of the partial section, time T1-time T2 start point-end of the partial section Cell information # 2 with time point T2-time T3 as the start point-end point of the partial section cell information # 3 with time T3-time T4 as the start point-end point of the partial section You can see that it contains.

(4-2-3) Title Recording Control Unit 22 The title recording control unit 22 records the VOB on the DVD-RAM as with the AV data recording unit 13 in the third embodiment. RTRW management file work area 24
A time map table and VOB information are generated, original PGC information is generated and stored in the PGCI table work area 24.

Generation of the original PGC information is realized by the title recording control unit 22 through the following procedure. First, when the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 notifies that the recording key has been pressed, the title recording control unit 22 reserves a line area in the PGC information table work area 14. Next, when the AV file recording control unit 13 assigns an AV file identifier and a VOB identifier to a VOB to be newly generated, the title recording control unit 22 acquires them and associates them with the newly assigned PGC number. And store it in the newly secured row area.

Next, at the start of VOB encoding,
When the MPEG encoder 2 is instructed to output the PTS of the first video frame and the encoder control unit 2g outputs the PTS of the first video frame, the encoder control unit 2g holds the PTS and waits for the marking operation by the operator. FIG. 80A is a diagram showing how data input / output between the components shown in FIG. 75 is performed when a marking operation is performed. It is assumed that the operator presses the mark key while watching the video displayed on the television receiver 72. Then, the marking operation is performed by the title recording control unit 2 through, in FIG.
2 is notified, and the title recording control unit 22 is shown in FIG.
The PTS at the time when the button is pressed is acquired from the encoder control unit 2g as time information, as indicated by.

While the above processing is repeated while the VOB is being encoded, if the operation for stopping the recording is performed during the generation, the reproduction end time of the last encoded video frame is set. When the encoder control unit 2g is instructed to output and the reproduction end time of the last video frame is output, the encoder control unit 2g holds it.

When the above processing is repeated until the VOB encoding is completed, the title recording control unit 22 determines that the AV file identifier, the VOB identifier, the reproduction start time of the first video frame, and the time when the marking operation is performed. The reproduction start time of the last video frame and the reproduction end time of the last video frame are held. Of the time information held in this way, an AV file identifier and a VOB identifier are attached to one set of the start point-end point of the partial section and newly secured in the PGC information table work area 14 as one cell information. Stored in the specified row area. Thereby, the original PGC information is newly generated.

After the above generation, the original PGC
The title search pointer indicating the type information indicating that this PGC information is the original PGC information and the record history information indicating the recording date and time when the recording of the original PGC information is associated with the PGC number assigned to the information. It is generated on the information table work area 21. When the title reproduction control unit 23 can detect a time point when the content of the scene changes significantly, the user-defined PGC information generator 25 automatically acquires the PTS at the time point when the scene change is made, so that the cell information is automatically acquired. You may set it.

Since the time map table and VOB information creation is not the main purpose of this embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted. (4-2-4) Title reproduction control unit 23 The title reproduction control unit 23 is a recording / editing / reproduction control unit 12.
Of the video titles recorded in the current directory designated in, all or partial playback of any one of the video titles is performed.

More specifically, the title reproduction control section 23 is shown in FIG.
77 (b), when the operator performs an operation to reproduce the video title recorded in the directory in the state where any directory is selected as the current directory as shown in FIG. Is displayed and the original PGC information table or user-defined PGC information table in the RTRW management file in that directory is read and the original PGC or user-defined PGC in the current directory is played completely or partially. Let the operator specify. 77 (b) is a diagram showing PGCs and cells displayed as a list of operation targets, and the PGC information and cell information appearing here are the same as those shown in the example of FIG. In this dialogue screen, the original PGC is displayed as a simple graph with the horizontal axis as the time axis, and is displayed with the recording date and time of the original PGC. The menu at the bottom right of the figure shows whether the video title in the current directory is to be wholly or partially played back, and the operator can press the 1 key or 2 key on the remote controller 71. Either of these can be selected. If the whole reproduction is instructed, the title reproduction control unit 23 allows the operator to designate any PGC as the operation target, and if the partial reproduction is instructed, the title reproduction control unit 23 selects any cell as the operation target. Let the operator specify as.

When the PGC and the cell to be wholly reproduced are specified, the title reproduction control unit 23 extracts the cell included in the PGC specified as the operation target, and the time map table as shown in FIG. By referring to, the partial section is reproduced. When the reproduction of the partial section is completed, the interactive screen of FIG. 77 (b) is displayed to wait for the selection of the next cell information.

FIG. 78 (a) is a flow chart showing the processing contents during partial reproduction of cell information. First, in step S271, C_V_S_PTM, C_V_E is selected from the original PGC information and the cell information to be reproduced in the user-defined PGC information.
Read _PTM. Then, in step S272, C_V_S_
The address of the VOBU (START) containing the picture data with PTM is specified. In step S273, C_V_E_PTM
The address of the VOBU (END) including the picture data added with is specified, and in step S274, from VOBU (START) to V
Read the range up to OBU (END) from VOB. Step S2
At 76, the MPEG decoder 4 is instructed to decode the VOBU in the read range. In step S277, the title reproduction control unit 23 requests the decoder control unit 4k in the MPEG decoder 4 to perform a decoding process request, together with cell reproduction start time information (C_V_S_PTM) and cell reproduction end time information (C_V_E_PTM) as valid reproduction section information. Is output.

The effective reproduction section is output to the MPEG decoder 4 in this way, because the decoder control unit 4k in the MPEG decoder 4 tries to decode even picture data outside the partial section specified by the cell. Is. That is, MP
The unit in which the EG decoder 4 can perform decoding processing is the VOBU unit, in which the entire range from VOBU (START) to VOBU (END) is decoded and even picture data outside the partial section specified by the cell is decoded. It will be played. The cell is
Since it is specified in video field units, the picture data outside the partial section must be prohibited by some method. The title reproduction control section 23 outputs the effective section information to the MPEG decoder 4 in order to prohibit reproduction outside the section. FIG. 78 (b) shows a cell reproduction start time information (C_V_S_PTM) to a cell reproduction end time information (C_V_E_P) in the range from VOBU (START) to VOBU (END).
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which only a section up to TM) is reproduced and output.

[0408] The MPEG decoder 4 according to the output of the effective reproduction section
Among all the VOBUs instructed to be decoded, the display output of the plurality of video fields from the head of the VOBU to C_V_S_PTM is stopped, and then the display output of the plurality of video fields from C_V_E_PTM to the end of the VOBU is stopped. As a result,
Logical connection lines in the hardware configuration diagram shown in 7.
The VOBU string read from the disk access unit 3 via (1) is subject to decoding processing by the MPEG decoder 4, but in the decoding result, the section before C_V_S_PTM and the section after C_V_E_PTM are reproduced. Output is prohibited. As a result, only the partial section designated by the cell information is reproduced.

As for the original PGC information or the user-defined PGC information, one PGC information includes a plurality of cell informations, so that the procedure of FIG. 78 (a) is not included in all PGC information. It may be repeated for cell information. (4-2-5) RTRW management file work area 24 The RTRW management file work area 24 is a plurality of original PGCs created on the PGC information table work area 24.
A work area for arranging an original PGC information table consisting of information, a user-defined PGC information table consisting of a plurality of user-defined PGC information, a title search pointer, and VOB information according to the logical format shown in FIG. Therefore, if the common file system unit 10 writes the data arranged here as a non-AV file in the RTRW directory, the RTRW management file is recorded in the RTRW directory.

(4-2-6) User-defined PGC information generator 2
5 User-defined PGC information generator 25 generates user-defined PGC information based on any one of PGC information recorded in the RTRW management file in the current directory. The cell information in the user-defined PGC information (user-defined cell information) further specifies the inside of the partial section specified by the cell information of the existing PGC information.
There are two types, (1) and (2) in which the partial section designated by the existing cell information is designated as it is, and the user-defined PGC information generator 25 generates these cell information by different methods.

[0411] The generation of the user-defined cell information (1) that further specifies the inside of the partial section specified by the existing cell information is performed by the title reproduction control unit 23 with partial reproduction using the cell information. That is, during the partial reproduction using the existing cell information, the user-defined PGC information generator 25 monitors when the marking operation is performed by the operator, and the marking operation time point is the start point and the end point. The generation of the cell information as points is repeated, and the user-defined PGC information including such cell information is generated.

FIGS. 79 (a) and 79 (b) are diagrams showing how the operator uses the television receiver 72 and the remote controller 71 when generating the user-defined PGC information.
FIG. 80B is a diagram showing how data input / output between the constituent elements shown in FIG. 75 is performed when a marking operation is performed. It is assumed that, while watching the video displayed on the television receiver 72 as shown in FIG. 79 (a), the video becomes a scene that the user likes and the operator depresses the mark key. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 79 (b), it is assumed that the scene in which the image is liked by the user ends, and the scene that is not so interested begins. Therefore, it is assumed that the operator has pressed the mark key.

Then, the marking operation is as shown in FIG.
The notification is sent to the user-defined PGC information generator 25 through, in (b), and the user-defined PGC information generator 2 is notified.
Reference numeral 5 acquires the PTS at the time of pressing as shown in (b) of FIG. 80 from the decoder control unit 4k as time information. The user-defined PGC information generator 25 attaches an AV file identifier and a VOB identifier to one set of the start point-end point of the partial section among the PTSs held in this way, and indicates it as one cell information. Then, the PGC information table is stored in the newly secured row area in the work area 24.

[0414] When generating user-defined cell information that specifies the subsection itself specified in the existing cell information, the user-defined PGC information generator 25 is already stored in the row area in the PGC information table work area 24. Copy cell information to another row area. Specifically, the user-defined PGC information generator 25 secures a line area for one line in the PGC information table work area 24, and allocates a new user-defined PGC information identifier to this line area. Of the cell information in the PGC information already stored in the PGC information table work area 24, if the cell information to be used as one element of the user-defined PGC information is designated using a set of row number and column number. , The cell information specified by this set is read and copied to the newly secured row area.

(4-2-7) Editing Hierarchical Control Unit 26 The editing hierarchical control unit 26 determines whether the temporary editing work is realized by the definition of the user-defined PGC information and the main editing is performed according to the temporary editing result. By the preview work for allowing the operator to view what kind of image is obtained in advance, the seamless connection shown in the first and second embodiments, and the connection processing between the AV files shown in the third embodiment. The title reproduction control unit 23 and the user-defined PGC information generator 25 are controlled so that the actual editing work that is realized is performed hierarchically.

(4-2-7-1) Hierarchical Editing Processing Procedure by Editing Hierarchical Control Unit 26 Hereinafter, a specific processing procedure of hierarchical control by the editing hierarchical control unit 26 will be described. When temporary editing is instructed by pressing the interactive screen remote controller 71 of FIG. 77 (a), the editing hierarchy control unit 26 accesses the RTRW directory, and the editing hierarchy control unit 26 causes the common file system unit 10 to access the RTRW directory. RT
It is instructed to read the RW management file from the RTRW directory and store it in the RTRW management file work area 24. After that, RTRW management file work area 24
The original PG among the RTRW management files read in
The C information table, the user-defined PGC information table, and the title search pointer are transferred to the PGC information table work area 24.

On the basis of the transferred original PGC information table, the edit layering control unit 26 displays the dialogue screen shown in FIG. 85, and waits for an instruction from the operator. Figure 85
Is a television receiver 72 for accepting an operation of selecting a cell which is a constituent element of the user-defined PGC in the temporary editing.
3 is an example of an interactive screen displayed in FIG. In this dialogue screen, the original PGC and the user-defined PGC are represented as a simple graph with the horizontal axis as the time axis, and displayed with the recording date and time of the original PGC and the user-defined PGC. Further, in the interactive screen, a plurality of cell information is shown as a rectangle arranged in the horizontal direction, and the operator is made to perform an operation of selecting one of the rectangles arranged in the horizontal direction by using the cursor keys. . These original PGCs and cells are the same as those shown in FIG. 76, and the state where the original PGC information table, the user-defined PGC information table, and the title search pointer are updated will be described below with FIG. 76 as the initial state. .

FIG. 81 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the editing hierarchy control section 26 when defining a user-defined PGC. In this flowchart, the variable j is a variable for designating each of a plurality of original PGCs arranged in the vertical direction on the dialog screen, and the variable k is a variable of the plurality of cells arranged in the horizontal direction on the dialog screen. It is a variable for indicating each.

The variable m is the P that should be added to the user-defined PGC information to be defined in the RTRW management file.
This is a GC number, and the variable n is a cell number to be added to the cell information to be defined in the RTRW management file.
In step S201, the value obtained by adding 1 to the last number of the original PGC information in the RTRW management file is substituted into the variable m and 1 is substituted into the variable n. Step S
In step 202, a column for m-th user-defined PGC information is added to the user-defined PGC information table in 202
At 03, a key operation waits. When the key operation is performed, in step S204, the flag corresponding to the pressed key among the flags assigned to each key is set to "1". In step S205, it is determined whether the flag indicating that the ENTER key has been pressed, Enter_Flag, is 1, and in step S206, whether the flag indicating that the end key has been pressed, End_Flag, is 1 is determined. If all of these flags are "0", step S20
In 7, the right key, the left key, the right key, and the down key are a group of flags indicating that Right_Flag and Left_Fla.
The calculation shown in the following formula is performed using g, Down_Flag, and Upper_Flag, and the calculation results are substituted into variables k and j, respectively.

K ← k + 1 * (Right_Flag) -1 * (Left_Flag) j ← j + 1 * (Down_Flag) -1 * (Upper_Flag) If the Right key is pressed and Right_Flag becomes “1”, the variable k
Is incremented. The Up key is pressed again, and Uppe
When r_Flag becomes “1”, the variable j is decremented.
If the Left key is pressed and Left_Flag becomes "1", the variable k
Is decremented. The Down key is pressed again, Down_F
When lag becomes "1", the variable j is incremented.
After the variable j and the variable k are updated in this way, the cell graphic at row j and column k is displayed in focus in step S208, and all the flags assigned to the remote controller 71 are cleared to zero in step S209.
The process shifts to 03 and the key operation waits again. By repeating the above steps S203 to S209, the cell graphics corresponding to the front, rear, left, and right cells are brought into the focus state according to the depression of the key on the remote controller 71.

If the ENTER key is pressed while any cell is set to the focus state while the above processing is repeated, the process proceeds to step S251 in FIG.
In step S251 of FIG. 82, the operator is instructed whether to use the cell information of the j-th row and the k-th column as it is, or to use the inner portion of the partial section specified by the cell information, and make the operator designate any one of them. When the cell information is used as it is, in step S252, the cell figure in the jth row and the kth column
Copy to m rows and n columns, and in step S253, copy Original_P
Define GC # j.CELL # k as User_Defined_PGC # m.CELL # n. After the definition, the variable n is incremented in step S254, and then the process proceeds to step S209 in FIG.

If the inside of the partial section specified by the cell information of the j-th row and the k-th column is used, the title reproduction control section 23 is caused to start the partial reproduction based on the cell information of the j-th row and the k-th column. Transition. Step S255
Then, it is determined whether or not the cell information of the j-th row and the k-th column has already been reproduced. Such a determination is made when the partial section specified by the cell information is reproduced halfway, it is not wasteful to reproduce the same partial section from the beginning. In this case, This is because it is desirable for the operator to start the partial reproduction of the j-th row and k-th column cell information from the time when the reproduction is interrupted (this time is referred to as the reproduction interrupt time t) (step S266).

On the other hand, if the cell information in the j-th row and the k-th column has not been reproduced,
In step S265, partial reproduction is started from the beginning of the cell information in the j-th row and the k-th column, and then the process proceeds to step S256 to enter the loop state of steps S256-S257. Step S256 is a step of waiting for the end of the reproduction by the cell, and step S257 is a step of waiting for the pressing of the marking key. Step S25
If 7 is Yes, the time information at the time of pressing at step S258 is acquired, and then step S25
Move to 9.

In step S259, it is determined whether or not there are two pieces of time information acquired. If not, the process returns to step S256 without generating cell information, and if there is, the two time information acquired in step S260 is acquired. The starting point and the ending point. The one time information acquired here is the time when the image displayed on the television receiver 72 is the scene that the user likes, and the other time information is the time when the scene that the user likes is finished. And Such time information is considered to be a partial section that should be particularly selected as video editing material inside the original PGC provided by the original PGC information. In order to generate user-defined PGC information for designating these partial sections, cell information is generated in the PGC information table work area 24, and the process proceeds to step S261.

[0425] In step S261, the user-defined PGC
Information generator 25 is V in Original_PGC # j.CELL # k
Get OB_ID and AV file ID. User_Defined_PGC # m.CELL # n is generated using the start point-end point time information, VOB_ID, and AV file ID acquired in step S262.
In step S263, the end point time information is held as the reproduction interruption time point t, then the variable n is incremented in step S254, and the process proceeds to step S209.

Through the above processing, new user-defined cell information is generated from the j-th row and k-th column cell information. After that, if the next different cell information is set to the focus and the user-defined cell information is generated using this as the generation source, the cell information constituting the user-defined PGC information is defined one by one. In the loop state of steps S256 to S257 of FIG. 82, when the reproduction by the j-th row and k-th column cell information is completed without operating the mark key, step S2 is performed.
Move to 54.

If it is determined that the END key is pressed, the result of step S206 in FIG. 80 (b) is Yes, and the process proceeds to step S213. In step S213, whether to define the next UserDefined_PGC is presented by a menu display. If the operator has an intention to define and an instruction to affirm this is made, the variable m is incremented in step S214, the variable n is initialized, and the process proceeds to steps S209 and S203.

(4-2-7-2) Specific example of user-defined PGC information definition A plurality of originals shown in the dialog screen shown in FIG. 85.
The operation of defining user-defined PGC information from PGC information will be described below. FIG. 86 is a diagram showing the relationship between the manual operation on the remote controller 71 and the display processing performed in accordance with the manual operation. The drawings from FIG. 87 to FIG. 90 are also drawn for the same purpose, and the operation will be described below with reference to these drawings.

After the cell # 1 existing in the first row and the first column is set to the focus state as shown in FIG. 85, and the ENTER key is pressed by the operator as shown in FIG. 86 (b), the step S205 Becomes Yes, and the process proceeds to the flowchart in FIG. In step S251 to step S266 of this flowchart, as shown in FIG.
The first cell information CELL # 1A of UserDefined_PGC # 1 is generated based on al_PGC # 1.CELL # 1. After generation, step S
In 254, the variable n is incremented and the variable n is
The value is set to 2, and the process proceeds to step S203 via step S209. When the down key is pressed once as shown in FIG. 87 (b) and the right key is pressed twice as shown in FIGS. 87 (c) and 87 (d), the keys are assigned to each key in step S204. The flag corresponding to the pressed key is set to "1".

By pressing the down key for the first time, k = 1 (= 1 + 1 * 0-1 * 0) j = 2 (= 1 + 1 * 1-1 * 0), and the right key for the first time is pressed. By pressing, k = 2 (= 1 + 1 * 1-1 * 0) j = 2 (= 2 + 1 * 0-1 * 0) By pressing the right key for the second time, k = 3 (= 2 + 1 * 1-1 * 0) j = 2 (2 + 1 * 0-1 * 0) becomes 2 as shown in Fig. 87 (a).
Cell # 7 located at the third row and the third row is in the focus state.

When the operator presses the ENTER key as shown in FIG. 88 (b) after the cell existing in the second row and third column is set to the focus state, step S205 becomes Yes and the flow in FIG. -Changing to the chart, original
Original_ located at the second row and third column in the PGC information table
The second cell information CELL # 7A of UserDefined_PGC # 1 is generated based on PGC # 2.CELL # 7 (see FIG. 88 (a)).

After the second cell information is generated, the above processing is repeated. When the ENTER key is pressed by the operator as shown in FIG. 89 (b), UserDefined_PG
C # 1 third cell information CELL # 11A, fourth cell information CEL
L # 3A is generated. After that, it is assumed that the operator depresses the stop key at the time of shifting to step S203. Then, End_Flag, which indicates that the stop key is pressed, becomes "1", and the process proceeds to step S213. By pressing the stop key as described above, the editing hierarchy control unit 26 is defined by the user.
It is considered that the definition of PGC information # 1 has been completed. Step S
In 213, the operator is asked whether or not to define the user-defined PGC information # 2 following this user-defined PGC information # 1.
If the operator has the intention, the variable m is incremented in step S214, the variable n is initialized to 1, and the process proceeds to step S209.

[0433] Such processing is repeated, and
As shown in 1, user defined PGC information # 2 consisting of CELL # 2B, CELL # 4B, CELL # 10B and CELL # 5B is defined, and CELL # 3C and CELL # 6.
It is assumed that the user-defined PGC information # 3 including C, CELL # 8C and CELL # 9C has been defined. FIG. 91 is a diagram showing the contents of the user-defined PGC information table, the original PGC information table, and the title search pointer at the end of provisional editing.

[0434] When the end key is pressed in this state,
90 is displayed in step S215 shown in FIG. 1, and the user-defined PG is displayed by pressing the up key or down key.
Waiting for selection of C information, waiting for preview specification by pressing the playback key, waiting for specification of main editing by pressing the main editing key, and waiting for recording the user-defined PGC information table. When the operation for recording the user-defined PGC is performed, the RTR displays the user-defined PGC information table containing the new user-defined PGC information generated in the PGC information table work area 24.
The file is transferred to the W management file work area 24, and is written in the part corresponding to the user-defined PGC information table in the RTRW management file read in the RTRW management file work area 24. At the same time, the title search pointer for the newly generated user-defined PGC information is transferred to the RTRW management file work area 24 and added to the title search pointer already existing in the RTRW management file. After writing the user-defined PGC information table and adding the title search pointer, the RTRW management file stored in the RTRW management file work area 24
Issue a file system command to write to the RW directory.

FIG. 83 is a flowchart showing the processing contents at the time of preview and at the time of main editing. The operation for previewing the VOB connecting work will be described below with reference to this flowchart. 92 and 93 are diagrams showing the relationship between the manual operation on the remote controller 71 and the display processing performed in accordance with the manual operation.

[0436] Step S22 of the flowchart in Fig. 83.
At 0, the head number in the user-defined PGC information table is assigned to the variable j, and at step S221 a key operation waiting state is entered. When the key operation is performed, step S
At 222, of the flags assigned to each key, the one corresponding to the pressed key is set to "1". In step S223, it is determined whether Play_Flag, which is a flag indicating that the play key has been pressed, is 1, and step S22
In 4, it is determined whether the flag indicating that the main edit key is pressed, the main edit_Flag is 1. When all of these flags are “0”, Down_Fla which is a flag group indicating that the up / down key is pressed in step S225.
The calculation shown in the following formula is performed using g and Upper_Flag, and the calculation result is substituted into the variable j.

J ← j + 1 * (Down_Flag) -1 * (Upper_Flag) If the Up key is pressed and Upper_Flag becomes "1", the variable j
Is decremented. The Down key is pressed again, Down_F
When lag becomes "1", the variable j is incremented.
After the variable j is updated in this way, step S22
In FIG. 6, the graphic corresponding to the PGC information located on the j-th line is displayed in focus, all the flags assigned to the remote controller 71 are cleared to zero in step S227, and then the process proceeds to step S221 to wait for a key operation again. . By repeating the above steps S221 to S227, the figure corresponding to the preceding and following user-defined PGC information is brought into the focus state according to the pressing of the key on the remote controller 71.

[0438] While the above processing is being repeated, if the play key is pressed while any user-defined PGC information is set to the focus state, Play_Flag becomes 1 and step S223 becomes Yes. The process moves to S228. In step S228, the title reproduction control unit 23
To instruct the VOB to be reproduced according to the PGC designated by the operator among the user-defined PGCs. User-defined PGC if the PGC specified by the operator is a user-defined PGC
The cells included in the above are selected in an arbitrary order from a plurality of partial sections in at least one VOB, and such reproduction is performed seamlessly as shown in the first and second embodiments. Since the conditions required for reproduction are not satisfied, video display and audio output are interrupted between cells. However, it can be said that the purpose of previewing the connection of multiple scenes has been achieved for the time being.

(4-2-7-3) Processing procedure at the time of preview of hierarchical editing and at the time of main editing The operation at the time of connecting VOBs in the main editing will be described below. FIG. 94 is a diagram showing the relationship between the manual operation on the remote controller 71 and the display processing performed in accordance with the manual operation. When the operator presses the up key as shown in FIG. 94 (b), cell # 1A becomes the focus, and the interactive screen shown in FIG. 94 (a) is displayed on the television receiver 72. Fig. 94 in this state
When the main edit key is pressed as shown in (c), the main edit
_Flag becomes “1”, and step S224 of FIG. 83 is Yes.
Therefore, the processing from step S8 to step S16 in the flowchart of FIG. 43 shown in the third embodiment is performed.

After passing through the processing of the third embodiment, the flow shifts to step S237 in FIG. After the variable n is set to 1 in step S237, User is set in step S238.
Original_PGC # that was the source of Defined_PGC # m.CELL # n
Search j.CELL # k, and in step S239, Original
Determine whether _PGC # j exists. If it exists, the Original_PGC # j is deleted in step S240, and the UserDefined_PGC # q that originally generated the Original_PGC # j is searched in step S241. In step S242, it is determined whether there is at least one UserDefined_PGC # q, and in step S243 UserDefined_PGC # q.
Delete all. In step S244, it is determined whether the variable n is the last number of cell information, and if not, the process proceeds to step S245, and step S245.
In, the variable n is updated to the next cell information in the PGC information #m, and the process proceeds to step S238. Step S above
The loop processing including 238 to step S245 is a variable
It is repeated until n becomes the last number of the cell information in PGC information #q.

It is understood that the VOB # 1, VOB # 2, and VOB # 3 all specify the partial section by the user-defined PGC information # 1, and these are the targets of the main editing. User-defined PG
The original PGC information, which is the generation source of the cell information included in the C information # 1, is deleted because the designated VOB is the target of this editing. Its original PG
The user-defined PGC information that was the source of the C information is also deleted because the VOB that is the designated destination is the target of this editing.

[0442] If step S244 becomes Yes and the process proceeds to step S246, P, which is the smallest number among the free PGC numbers obtained by deleting the original PGC information, is set.
Get the GC number #e. After acquisition, the AV file ID given to the AV file after MERGE in step S247 and V
The cell information is updated with OB_ID, and then step S24
In 8, the PGC number of UserDefined_PGC # q is updated to PGC number #e, and the type information in the title search pointer is updated to the original type.

FIG. 95 shows the original PGC accompanying this editing.
Information-PGC after deletion process of user-defined PGC information is done
It is a figure which shows an example of an information table and a title search pointer. VOB # 1, VOB # 2, and VOB # 3 whose subsections were specified by user-defined PGC information # 1 were subject to this editing, so the original PGC information # 1 and original PGC that specified these subsections Information # 2, original PGC information # 3, user-defined PGC information # 2, and user-defined PGC information # 3 have already been deleted, but former user-defined PGC information # 1 is defined as original PGC information # 1. I understand.

When the PGC information is updated in the PGC information table work area 24 as described above, the updated original PGC information is transferred to the RTRW management file work area 24 and read into the RTRW management file work area 24. Overwrite the issued RTRW management file. At the same time, the title search pointer for the newly generated original PGC information is transferred to the RTRW management file work area 24 to overwrite the title search pointer already existing in the RTRW management file.

[0445] User-defined PGC information table-When the title search pointer is overwritten, the RTRW management file stored in the RTRW management file work area 24 is changed to RTRW.
Issue a file system command to write to the directory. As described above, according to the present embodiment, among the partial sections in the AV data, an appropriate editing material is designated by using the user-defined cell information, and by arranging them freely, the playback order is provisionally determined. can do.

When it is desired to determine the reproduction order of the edited products,
Video editing can be done easily in a short period of time because you do not have to prototype a VOB once. Since it is not necessary to temporarily record the prototype on the recording medium, the capacity of the recording medium need not be so large. Since the scene connection can be provisionally determined only by defining the user-defined PGC information, many variations of the reproduction order can be created in a short period. Since the user-defined cell information specifies a partial section in the VOB by using the time information, the VOB can maintain the state at the time of recording.

User-defined PGC with different playback order
By creating a plurality of pieces of information and previewing them, it is possible to narrow down the work from a plurality of candidates. As a result of the narrowing down, the one that has been particularly satisfied with the playback is selected as the target of this editing, and the VOB is processed according to the user-defined PGC information narrowed down from a plurality of candidates. Even if the original VOB disappears from the optical disc due to a bold video editing that directly rewrites it, it will not be regretted.

After the main editing is performed, the title type of the user-defined PGC information targeted for the main editing is set in the title search pointer to the original PGC information, so that a new video editing is started based on this. be able to. With only one optical disk and one video data editing device, it is possible to realize advanced video editing by narrowing down the better ones from multiple candidates, so until then we thought of video editing as a flower of Takamine. The video enthusiasts, who used to be ordinary households, can now actually take up the challenge of video editing, and can stimulate the creative motivation of many people.

As the ratio of VOB and original PGC information, it is desirable to provide one original PGC information for each VOB. Further, the time information may be extracted from the cell information mark, the information such as the address may be extracted from the time map table, and may be displayed on the initial state screen or the like by managing in the table to serve as selection assistance information for the user.

Further, a reduced image of each mark is created, these are recorded in a separate file, pointer information for these reduced images is given to each mark, and auxiliary information for displaying cell information in the initial state or the like. Also good. Finally, the procedure of the title reproduction control section 23 (FIG. 78), the procedure of the editing hierarchy control section 26 (FIGS. 81 to 84), etc. described with reference to the flowchart in the fourth embodiment are realized by a machine language program. Alternatively, the data may be recorded in a recording medium and may be distributed or sold. Such recording media include IC cards, optical disks, floppy disks, etc., but the machine language programs recorded in these are provided for use by being installed in a general-purpose computer. This general-purpose computer sequentially executes the installed machine language program to realize the function of the video data editing apparatus shown in this embodiment.

[0451]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to specify that the chain information of the original type on the optical disk reproduces the sub-sections in the order faithful to the arrangement order of the video objects, and is defined by the user. The type chain information can specify a playback order provisionally determined in the video editing work for a plurality of partial sections included in the video object.

The original type chain information is
It is also possible to specify the final playback order that should be determined when the video data editing device processes the video objects in the data area according to the chain information of the user-defined type or overwrites the video objects in the data area. Since the chain information is used for these purposes in video editing work, the operator can tentatively decide the playback order according to the image imagined in the head by defining the user-defined type chain information. By the reproduction based on the information, it is possible to confirm what kind of reproduced video is displayed in the temporarily decided order.

By defining the user-defined type chain information, the work of temporarily determining the reproduction order can be easily performed in a short period of time. Also, since the data size of the user-defined type chain information is small, the video object recorded in the data area is not accidentally overwritten. Even if the video object recorded in the data area is a valuable image recording a commemorative event such as a child's entrance ceremony, athletic meet, family trip, graduation ceremony, etc., these images will not be overwritten. It is possible to tentatively determine the reproduction order for the recording medium on which the video of FIG.

If a plurality of user-defined type chain information items are defined and a particularly satisfying playback is selected as a processing target for the main editing, a video object already recorded on the optical disc is selected. Even if the original video object is erased from the optical disc due to a bold video editing that directly rewrites it, it will not be regretted.

Here, one or more of the user-defined type chain information is designated as the main editing target, and for the file recorded in the data area, one of the user-defined type chain information is the main editing target. When specified, the boundary of all the sub-sections specified by the user-defined type chain information is the start position of the video object −
It is processed to reach the end position.

When any user-defined type chain is designated as the main editing target, the original type chain information and other user-defined type chain information recorded in the index area are deleted and set as the main editing target. The specified user-defined type chain information is converted into original type chain information. Each of the original type chain information and the user-defined type chain information is a cell information string composed of a plurality of cell information, and the index area is further set to identification information of each cell information string and a first value. Indicates that the cell information sequence indicated by the identification information is the original type chain information, and the cell information sequence indicated by the identification information by setting the second value is the user-defined type chain information. And a search pointer area in which a flag group including a flag indicating that is recorded is recorded, and the flag set to the second value in the flag group has the user-defined type chain information corresponding to the flag set as the main editing target. When specified, the second value is updated to the first value.

When the reproduction instruction of the cell information is received, a set of reproduction start time information and reproduction end time information and mapping information are read out from the index area, and the mapping information is reproduced using the reproduction start time information and the reproduction end time information. By specifying the recording position of the leading video object unit including the picture data indicated by the reproduction start time information and the recording position of the ending video object unit including the picture data indicated by the reproduction end time information. An access position specifying means and a reading means for reading the video object unit sequence recorded between the specified recording positions are provided, and the read video object unit sequence is decoded and the partial section corresponding to the cell information is decoded. The boundary is the start position-end of the video object unit. If the position does not match, the video data having decoding means for outputting the first video field to the last field of the decoding result and for inhibiting the decoding of other decoding results According to the editing device, since the cell information specifies the partial section to be used as the editing target with the time accuracy of the video field, it is possible to specify the partial section to be used as the editing target with high time accuracy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a DVD-RAM disc which is a recordable optical disc according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a recording area. (B) It is a figure which shows the cross section and surface of DVD-RAM cut out to the sector level.

FIG. 3 (a) Zone areas 0 to 23 in DVD-RAM
It is a figure which shows other. (B) It is explanatory drawing which arrange | positioned zone area | region 0-23 etc. in the horizontal direction. (C) Logical sector number (LS
It is a figure which shows N). (D) Logical block number (LB
It is a figure which shows N).

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing what kind of content data is recorded in a volume area. (B) It is a figure which shows the hierarchical structure of the data definition prescribed | regulated by the MPEG standard.

5A is a diagram showing a plurality of picture data arranged in a display order and a plurality of picture data arranged in a coding order. FIG. (B) It is a figure which shows the correspondence of an audio frame and audio data.

FIG. 6A is a diagram in which the logical format of the VOB data structure is stepwise detailed. (B) FIG.6 (b) is a figure which shows an example of a mode that VOB is partially deleted. (C) It is a figure which shows the logical format of the video pack arrange | positioned at the head of VOBU. (D) It is a figure which shows the logical format of the video pack arrange | positioned other than the head in VOBU. (E) It is a figure which shows the logical format of an audio pack. (F) It is a figure which shows the logical format of a pack header. (G) It is a figure which shows the logical format of a system header. (H) It is a figure which shows the logical format of a packet header.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a video frame and a buffer occupancy amount in the video buffer. (B) It is a figure which shows an audio frame and the ideal buffer state in an audio buffer. (C) It is a figure which shows an audio frame and a realistic buffer state in an audio buffer. (D) It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the transfer time of each picture data in detail.

FIG. 8A is an audio pack storing audio data to be reproduced in each audio frame;
It is a figure which shows how to store the video pack which stored the picture data which should be reproduced in each video frame. (B) It is a figure explaining the notation in Fig.8 (a).

FIG. 9 shows how to store an audio pack storing audio data to be reproduced in a plurality of audio frames and a video pack storing picture data to be reproduced in each video frame. It is a figure.

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a buffer state at the leading end of a video stream. (B) It is a figure which shows the buffer state in the terminal part of a video stream. FIG. 11C is a diagram showing a buffer state between VOBs, in which a video stream having the buffer state shown in FIG. 10B at its end and a video stream having the buffer state shown in FIG. 10A at its tip. The buffer status when seamlessly connecting and is shown.

FIG. 11 (a) S of a video pack included in VOB
It is the graph which plotted and drawn CR in the arrangement order of a video pack. (B) It is a figure which shows an example in which the initial value of SCR of area B and the final value of SCR of area A match. (C) A diagram showing an example in which the initial value of the SCR in section C is higher than the final value of the straight line showing the SCR in section D. (D) A diagram showing an example in which the end value of the SCR in the section E is higher than the initial value of the straight line showing the SCR in the section F. (E) It is a figure which described the graph which shows the continuity of the time stamp shown in FIG. 11 (a) about two VOBs.

FIG. 12A is a diagram in which the recorded contents of the RTRW management file are detailed step by step. (B) It is a figure which shows a PTM description format. (C) It is a figure which shows the data structure of audio gap position information.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing a buffer occupancy amount for each of front VOB and rear VOB.

FIG. 14A is a diagram showing an example of a video frame and an audio frame. (B) It is a diagram showing a state in which a time difference g1 appears at the end of picture data and audio data because the reproduction time of picture data and the reproduction time of audio data are attempted to be aligned at the tip of the VOB. (C) shows an audio pack G3 including an audio gap including audio data y-2, y-1, y located at the end of VOB # 1 shown in FIG. 14 (b) and Padding-Packet, Audio data u, u + located at the tip of VOB # 2
It is a figure which shows the audio pack G4 containing 1, u + 2. (D) Audio pack including audio gap
VOBU # 1, VOBU # 2, VOBU # 3 where G3 is located at the tip of VOB # 2
It is explanatory drawing which shows that it is arrange | positioned in any of these.

15A to 15D are VOBUs located at the tip of VOB # 2 among VOB # 1-VOB # 2 that should be seamlessly reproduced.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for recreating an audio gap when is deleted.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system using the video data editing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a DVD recorder 70.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG encoder 2.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the structure of an MPEG decoder 4.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing switching timings of the switches SW1 to SW4.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a processing module for performing seamless processing.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a processing module for performing seamless processing.

23 (a) and 23 (b) are explanatory diagrams showing how a buffer state is analyzed based on each audio pack. (C) It is a figure which shows the read range which should be read from front VOB in step S106. (D) It is a figure which shows the read range which should be read from the back VOB in step S107.

24 (a) is a diagram showing to which audio frame of the audio stream the audio frames x, x + 1, y, u, u + 1, u + 2 used in FIG. 22 correspond. (B) is a diagram showing a case where FIRST_SCR + STC_offset matches an audio frame boundary of a front VOB. . (C) is a diagram showing a case where the video reproduction start time VOB_V_S_PTM + STC_offset matches the audio frame boundary of the front VOB. (D) Playback end time of audio frame y and rear V
It is a figure which shows the case where the audio frame boundary of OB corresponds.

FIG. 25 shows how an audio pack storing a plurality of audio data to be reproduced in a plurality of audio frames and a video pack storing picture data to be reproduced in each video frame are multiplexed. FIG.

[Fig. 26] Fig. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a partial section of a VOB specified using a set of time information C_V_S_PTM and C_V_E_PTM.

FIG. 27 (a) is a diagram showing a read range to be read from the front cell in step S106. (B) It is a figure which shows the read range which should be read from a back cell in step S107.

FIG. 28 (a) is an example of connecting cell information having edit boundaries defined in the middle of a VOBU. (B) To justify the display order and coding order, GOP
It is a figure which shows the process according to three rules at the time of structure reconstruction.

FIG. 29 (a) is a diagram showing a processing procedure when changing a picture type of a front cell. (B) It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure which predicts the increase amount (beta) of the buffer occupation amount accompanying the picture type change of a front cell.

FIG. 30A is a diagram showing a processing procedure when changing a picture type of a rear cell. (B) It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure which predicts the increase amount (alpha) of the buffer occupation amount accompanying the picture type change of a back cell.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a processing module for performing seamless processing.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a processing module for performing seamless processing.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a processing module for performing seamless processing.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing which audio frame of the audio stream the audio frame x, x + 1, y used in the flowchart of FIG. 31 corresponds to.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a hierarchical directory structure.

[Fig. 36] Fig. 6 of the file system management information
It is a figure for explaining information other than the sector management table and AV block management table in the inside.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a link relationship indicated by arrows in FIG. 6 along a directory structure.

FIG. 38 (a) is a diagram showing a more detailed data structure of a file entry. (B) It is a figure which shows the data structure of an allocation descriptor. FIG. 6C is a diagram showing a recording state of upper 2 bits of data indicating an extent length.

FIG. 39 (a) is a diagram showing a detailed data structure of a file identification descriptor for a directory. (B) It is a figure which shows the detailed data structure of the file identification descriptor for files.

[Fig. 40] Fig. 40 is a diagram modeling how AV data read from a DVD-RAM is buffered in a track buffer.

FIG. 41 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the DVD recorder 70 by function.

42 is a diagram showing an example of an interactive screen displayed on the television receiver 72 under the control of the recording / editing / playback control unit 12. FIG.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the procedure of temporary editing and main editing by the recording / editing / playback control unit 12.

44 (a) to (f) in the flowchart of FIG. 43.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV data editing unit 15.

45 (a) to (e) in the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV data editing unit 15.

46 (a) to (f) in the flow chart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV data editing unit 15.

FIG. 47 (a) is a diagram showing a temporal relationship between extents and in-memory data. FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a positional relationship between extents, In areas, and Out areas.

FIG. 48 (a) is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the AV file system unit 11 when executing the “SPLIT” command. (B) It is a flowchart which shows the processing content at the time of issuing a SHORTEN command.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing the processing contents when a MERGE command is issued.

[Fig. 50] Fig. 50 is a flowchart when the preceding extent is less than the AV block length and the subsequent extent is greater than or equal to the AV block length.

51 (a)-(b) in the flow chart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

52 (a) to (c) in the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

FIG. 53 (a) to (d) in the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

54 (a)-(d) in the flow chart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

[Fig. 55] Fig. 55 is a flowchart in the case where the subsequent extent is less than the AV block length and the preceding extent is more than the AV block length.

FIG. 56 (a)-(b) in the flow chart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

57 (a)-(c) in the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

58 (a) to (d) in the flow chart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

FIG. 59 (a)-(d) in the flow chart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

[Fig. 60] Both the preceding extent and the following extent
9 is a flowchart showing the processing contents when the length is less than the AV block length.

61 (a) to (d) in the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

FIG. 62 (a)-(c) in the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

FIG. 63 (a)-(c) in the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

64 (a) to (d) in the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

[Fig. 65] Fig. 65 is a flowchart when the preceding extent and the subsequent extent have a length equal to or longer than the AV block length.

66 (a) to (d) in the flow chart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

[Fig. 67] Fig. 67 is a flowchart when the preceding extent and the following extent have a length equal to or longer than the AV block length, and the data size of the In area and the Out area is insufficient.

68 (a) to (e) in the flowchart of FIG. 67.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for supplementarily explaining the processing of the AV file system unit 11.

69A to 69D are explanatory diagrams for supplementarily explaining the processing content by the fragmentation eliminating unit 16.

FIG. 70 (a) is a diagram in which the recorded contents of the RTRW management file in the fourth embodiment are detailed step by step. (B) It is a figure which shows the logical format of the original PGC information in 4th Embodiment. (C) It is a figure which shows the logical format of the user definition PGC information in 4th Embodiment. (D) It is a figure which shows the logical format of a title search pointer.

[FIG. 71] AV file, extent, VOB, VOB information,
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the mutual relationship between the original PGC information and the user-defined PGC information, and those having integrity among them are arranged in a thick line frame.

FIG. 72 is a diagram showing an example of a user-defined PGC-original PGC.

FIG. 73 is a diagram in which a portion corresponding to a cell that is a deletion range is hatched.

Fig. 74 (a) shows which ECC block on the DVD-RAM is released to a free area by the main edit using the user-defined PGC information # 2. (B) An example of VOB, VOB information, and PGC information after the main editing is shown.

75 is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the DVD recorder 70 by function. FIG.

FIG. 76: Original at the time of recording the AV file
Original PGC generated by PGC information generator 25
It is an example of information.

77A is a diagram showing an example of graphics data displayed on the television receiver 72 under the control of the recording / editing / reproduction control unit 12. FIG. (B) It is a figure which shows the PGC information and cell information displayed as a list as an operation target.

FIG. 78 (a) is a flowchart showing the processing contents when the title portion is reproduced. (B) Of the range from VOBU (START) to VOBU (END), only the section from cell reproduction start time information (C_V_S_PTM) to cell reproduction end time information (C_V_E_PTM) is reproduced and output. It is a figure.

79 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing a state in which the mark key is pressed while watching the video displayed on the television receiver 72.

80 (a) and 80 (b) are diagrams showing how data input / output is performed between the components shown in FIG. 75 when a marking operation is performed.

81 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the editing hierarchy control unit 26 when defining user-defined PGC information. FIG.

[Fig. 82] Fig. 82 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the edit hierarchy control unit 26 when defining user-defined PGC information.

[Fig. 83] Fig. 83 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the recording / editing / playback control unit 12 at the time of preview and main editing.

[Fig. 84] Fig. 84 is a flowchart showing a PGC information update process to be performed after the main editing.

[Fig. 85] Fig. 85 is an example of an interactive screen displayed on the television receiver 72 for accepting an operation of selecting cell information that is a constituent element of user-defined PGC information in temporary editing.

FIGS. 86 (a) and 86 (b) are diagrams showing the relationship between the manual operation on the remote controller 71 and the display processing performed in accordance with the manual operation.

87 (a) to (d) are diagrams showing the relationship between a manual operation on the remote controller 71 and a display process performed in accordance with the manual operation.

88 (a) and 88 (b) are diagrams showing a relationship between a manual operation on the remote controller 71 and a display process performed in accordance with the manual operation.

89 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the relationship between a manual operation on the remote controller 71 and a display process performed in accordance with the manual operation.

[Fig. 90] Fig. 90 is an example of an interactive screen when waiting for selection of user-defined PGC information, waiting for preview designation by pressing the playback key, and waiting for designation of main editing by pressing the main editing key.

[Fig. 91] User-defined PGC information # 2 consisting of CELL # 2B, CELL # 4B, CELL # 10B, CELL # 5B is defined, and CELL # 3C, CELL # 6C, CEL
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an original PGC information table and a user-defined PGC information table at the time when user-defined PGC information # 3 including L # 8C and CELL # 9C is defined.

92 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the relationship between a manual operation on the remote controller 71 and a display process performed in accordance with the manual operation.

93 (a) to (c) are diagrams showing the relationship between a manual operation on the remote controller 71 and a display process performed in accordance with the manual operation.

94A to 94C are diagrams showing the relationship between the operation of the remote controller 71 and the display processing performed for the operation.

[Fig. 95] Fig. 95 is a diagram showing an original PGC information table and a user-defined PGC information table after VOB processing in the main editing has been completed.

FIG. 96 (a) is a diagram showing a work environment of video editing using a video deck capable of reproducing / recording an existing video signal. (B) It is a figure which shows the relationship between an edit material and an edit result.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 control unit 2 MPEG encoder 3 Disk access section 3a track buffer 3b ECC processing unit 3c drive mechanism 4 MPEG encoder 4a Demultiplexer 4b video buffer 4c video decoder 4d audio buffer 4e audio decoder 4f re-order buffer 4g STC 4h adder 4k decoder controller 5 Video signal processor 10 Common File System Department 11 AV file system section 12 Recording / editing / playback control section 13 AV data recorder 14 AV data playback section 15 AV data editor 16 Defragmentation section 22 Title recording control section 23 Title Playback Control Section 24 RTRW management file work area 25 User-defined PGC information generator 26 Editing Hierarchy Control Unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Hamazaka 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-8-339662 (JP, A) JP-A-8- 339665 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/76-5/956 G11B 20/10-20/12

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A video object comprising a plurality of units
Disk and the cell information is recorded on the optical disc.
In any playback device, the unit includes a plurality of picture data, and the cell information is the picture data included in any unit.
Playback start time information that specifies the start point of the playback section.
Including the picture data specified by the playback start time information.
Read means for reading the first unit from the optical disc , and decoding processing for the read first unit.
There, a decoding means for obtaining a plurality of reproduced images, decoding means, before the picture data specified by the reproduction start time information
If there is at least one preceding picture data in
Playback of images corresponding to the one or more preceding picture data
A playback device characterized by prohibiting output . 2. The cell information is included in any unit.
Specify the picture data to be recorded as the end point of the playback section.
The read means includes live end time information, and the read means includes picture data specified by the reproduction end time information.
The second unit is read from the optical disc, and the decoding means performs a decoding process on the read second unit.
After the picture data specified by the playback end time information is obtained.
If there is one or more subsequent picture data in
Playback of images corresponding to the one or more preceding picture data
The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein output is prohibited . 3. The picture data includes past and / or
Frames that are compressed based on the correlation with the incoming image
And during compression type, on the basis of the characteristics in the image for one frame
There is an intra-frame compression type that is compressed, and the unit has at least one picture data of the intra-frame compression type.
A minimum decoding unit including one
1. The playback device according to 1 . 4. A video object comprising a plurality of units
Disk and the cell information is recorded on the optical disc.
The unit includes a plurality of picture data, and the cell information is the picture data included in any unit.
Playback start time information that specifies the start point of the playback section.
Including the picture data specified by the playback start time information.
Read step for reading the first unit from the optical disk
And decode the read first unit.
A decoding step for obtaining a plurality of reproduced images, wherein the decoding step is performed before the picture data specified by the reproduction start time information.
If there is at least one preceding picture data in
Playback of images corresponding to the one or more preceding picture data
A playback method characterized by prohibiting output . 5. The cell information is included in any unit.
Specify the picture data to be recorded as the end point of the playback section.
The reproduction step includes live end time information, and the reading step includes picture data specified by the reproduction end time information.
The second unit is read from the optical disc, and the decoding step performs a decoding process on the read second unit.
After the picture data specified by the playback end time information is obtained.
If there is one or more subsequent picture data in
Playback of images corresponding to the one or more preceding picture data
5. The reproducing method according to claim 4, wherein output is prohibited.
Law. 6. The picture data includes past and / or
Frames that are compressed based on the correlation with the incoming image
Based on the inter-compression type and the characteristics within the image of one frame
There is an intra-frame compression type that is compressed, and the unit has at least one picture data of the intra-frame compression type.
Claims, characterized in that the smallest decoding unit that includes One
The reproduction method described in 4 . 7. A video object comprising a plurality of units
Disk and the cell information is recorded on the optical disc.
Computer reading that causes a computer to perform all playback processing
The unit is a removable recording medium, and the unit includes a plurality of picture data, and the cell information is the picture data included in any unit.
Playback start time information that specifies the start point of the playback section.
Including the picture data specified by the playback start time information.
Read step for reading the first unit from the optical disk
And decode the read first unit.
Compile with the decoding step to obtain multiple playback images.
The decoding step is performed before the picture data specified by the reproduction start time information.
If there is at least one preceding picture data in
Playback of images corresponding to the one or more preceding picture data
Characterized by the recorded program that prohibits output
Computer-readable recording medium. 8. The cell information is included in any unit.
Specify the picture data to be recorded as the end point of the playback section.
The reproduction step includes live end time information, and the reading step includes picture data specified by the reproduction end time information.
Reads the free second unit from Hikaride disc, the decoding step, row a decoding process on the second unit read
After the picture data specified by the playback end time information is obtained.
If there is one or more subsequent picture data in
Playback of images corresponding to the one or more preceding picture data
Characterized by the recorded program that prohibits output
The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 7. 9. The picture data includes past and / or non-previous data.
Frames that are compressed based on the correlation with the incoming image
Based on the inter-compression type and the characteristics within the image of one frame
There is an intra-frame compression type that is compressed, and the unit has at least one picture data of the intra-frame compression type.
Claims, characterized in that the smallest decoding unit that includes One
7. A computer-readable recording medium according to 7.