JP4449812B2 - Recording apparatus, recording method, and recording program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recording method, and a recording program that use an optical disk as a recording medium, and that can perform an optical disk mounting operation at high speed.

  In recent years, optical discs have emerged that use a laser beam having a shorter wavelength as a light source to enable recording and reproduction with a larger capacity. For example, a recording capacity of 23 GB (gigabyte) is realized by using a blue-violet laser emitting laser light having a wavelength of 405 nm as a light source and using an optical disk having a single-sided single layer structure.

  It has been proposed to use this optical disk as a recording medium for video / audio equipment for broadcasting stations. The optical disk is loaded into a video camera body or a camera controller connected to the video camera. Video data based on the video taken by the video camera is recorded on the loaded optical disc, and sound accompanying the video is collected by the microphone, and audio data based on the collected audio is recorded. Video data and audio data are recorded as separate files for each clip, for example. Note that a clip is a set of data from when shooting is started to when it is stopped.

Non-Patent Document 1 describes a video camera that uses the above-described large-capacity optical disk, outputs a high-resolution main video signal, and generates a low-resolution auxiliary video signal.
AV Watch editorial department, “Sony, camcorder using blue-violet laser disc, etc.”, “Sony, camcorder using blue-violet laser disc, etc. Exhibited at NAB 2003 held in April. Studio recorder etc. also exhibited” [online] , March 5, 2003, Impression Corporation, AV Watch homepage, [Search April 12, 2005], Internet <URL: http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20030305/ sony.htm>

  In such a recording / reproducing apparatus, video data and audio data obtained by shooting are recorded on the optical disk in units of clips, and non-time series metadata corresponding to the clips is recorded on the optical disk. The metadata consists of attribute information about the clip such as management information for the clip and position information indicating the position in the clip. Some non-time series metadata for such clips is read when an optical disc is loaded into a drive device and mounted on a system.

  As the non-time series metadata, for example, an index file that stores index information of all clips recorded on the optical disc, metadata that exists only for one disc, and information for each clip are stored. There is metadata that exists for each clip, such as a file in which information indicating the position of a frame or the like in each clip is stored. For example, metadata that exists for each clip is read for all clips recorded on the disc when the disc is mounted.

  In addition, the non-time-series metadata to be read at the time of mounting such a disk includes a file whose contents are updated and a file whose contents are not updated. For example, the contents of the index file are updated each time a clip is added and recorded on the disc or a clip recorded on the disc is deleted. In addition, the file storing the information for each clip is updated when the clip is edited or the title is changed. On the other hand, the content of a file storing information indicating the frame position in a clip is often not updated.

  For example, in an optical disc, recording and reproduction are performed with a minimum recording unit of, for example, about 64 kB (kilobytes), and even when a file whose data size is less than the minimum recording unit size is rewritten, the minimum recording unit including the file is included. Data is read from the disk and stored in memory. A file that has undergone predetermined processing on the memory is read from the memory and overwritten at the original position on the disk.

  In this case, in the minimum recording unit on the disc in which the non-time-series metadata whose contents are updated is recorded, the number of rewrites is increased by one. Of course, if the same file is frequently updated, the number of rewrites further increases in the area on the disc where the file is recorded.

  Generally, there is an upper limit of the number of rewrites in a recording medium, but an optical disc has a lower upper limit of the number of rewrites compared to other randomly accessible recording media such as a hard disk and a semiconductor memory. Therefore, unless the number of rewrites is made as uniform as possible over each area of the disc, the life of the optical disc may be shortened. This also reduces the reliability of the recorded data.

  In order to solve this problem, a technique called circular recording has been proposed. In the circular recording, the file updated in this way is newly recorded on the unrecorded portion at the rear of the disc (in the system where the disc is recorded from the inside to the outside). The file before update recorded at the position of is deleted. According to this circular recording, it is possible to prevent the number of rewrites from increasing at a specific position on the disk, and to make the number of rewrites over the entire disk uniform.

  However, according to this circular recording, if the update of the non-time series metadata file is frequently repeated, the updated non-time series metadata file will be scattered on the disk, and the mounting process will take time. There was a problem that it would end up.

  For example, in the non-time-series metadata existing for each clip, a file whose type is updated is recorded in an unrecorded area at the rear of the disc as the content is updated. On the other hand, a file whose type is not updated does not move from the original recording position. When all of these files are read when the disc is mounted, the number of seeks of the optical pickup is increased, and there is a problem that it takes a lot of time for the mounting process.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus, a recording method, and a recording program capable of speeding up a disk mounting process when performing circular recording.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention includes a recording unit that writes data to an optical disc in a recording unit, and a recording control unit that controls writing of data to the optical disc by the recording unit. The non-time series metadata file and the picture pointer file are divided into odd-numbered clips and even-numbered so that the minimum recording unit of the optical disk on which a plurality of non-time series metadata files and picture pointer files to be read are mounted is continuous. The recording unit is controlled so that the order is alternately switched with the second clip, and at least one of a plurality of non-time series metadata files and picture pointer files recorded so that the minimum recording unit is continuous When the rewriting of the have been made, includes one of the file A recording device for controlling the recording unit to record the unrecorded area of the optical disk are collectively non-timeline metadata file and picture pointer file number.

The present invention also provides a non-time series metadata file and a picture pointer file so that a minimum recording unit of an optical disk on which a plurality of non-time series metadata files and a picture pointer file to be read when the optical disk is mounted is continuous. At least one of a plurality of non-time series metadata files and picture pointer files recorded so that the minimum recording unit is continuous . This is a recording method in which when a file is rewritten, a plurality of non-time series metadata files and picture pointer files including one file are collectively recorded in an unrecorded area of the optical disc.

The non-time series metadata file and the picture pointer file are divided into odd-numbered clips so that the minimum recording unit of the optical disk on which a plurality of non-time series metadata files and picture pointer files to be read when the optical disk is mounted is continuous. When the reordering is performed alternately with the even-numbered clips, and at least one of a plurality of non-time-series metadata files and picture pointer files recorded so that the minimum recording unit is continuous is rewritten. a plurality of non-time-sequential metadata file and recording program Ru to execute the recording method in the computer apparatus together picture pointer file to be recorded in the unrecorded area of the optical disc includes one file.

  As described above, the present invention controls to record a plurality of files to be read at the time of mounting the optical disc on the optical disc so as to be continuously readable based on the recording unit, and at least one file among the plurality of files. Since a plurality of files including one file are collectively recorded in the unrecorded area of the optical disc at the time of updating, even when only one file among a plurality of files to be read at the time of mounting is updated, Since the plurality of files can be read continuously at the time of mounting, the mounting process can be accelerated.

  The present invention controls to record a plurality of files to be read at the time of mounting the optical disc on the optical disc so that they can be continuously read based on the recording unit, and at the time of updating at least one of the plurality of files, 1 Are recorded together in the unrecorded area of the optical disk, so even if only one of the multiple files to be read at the time of mounting is updated, the multiple files at the time of mounting Can be read out continuously, which has the effect of speeding up the mounting process.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, when at least one of the plurality of files is updated, a plurality of files including one file are collectively recorded in an unrecorded area of the optical disc. There is an effect that the number of rewrites in each area of the optical disk can be made uniform.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, in order to facilitate understanding, a recording medium and a recording / reproducing apparatus applicable to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows an example of data arrangement in a disc-shaped recording medium. The data arrangement shown as an example in FIG. 1 is a general data arrangement in a disc-shaped recording medium that can be randomly accessed, such as a recordable optical disk or hard disk. The logical address space is an area where arbitrary data can be recorded / reproduced.

  In this embodiment, the recording medium is an optical disk, and the block size of the minimum recording unit of the optical disk is 64 kB (kilobytes). This minimum recording unit of the optical disc is called RUB (Read Unit Block).

  A file system FS is arranged at the leading and trailing ends of the logical address. Arbitrary data is recorded in a predetermined format generally called a file in the logical address space. Data on the recording medium is basically managed in file units. File management information is recorded in the file system FS. A file system layer of a system control unit (described later) of the recording / reproducing apparatus can manage various kinds of data on one recording medium by referring to and operating information of the file system FS. The file system FS uses, for example, UDF (Universal Disk Format) and manages files in units of 2 kB.

  A replacement area is arranged outside the logical address space. The spare area is an area that can be used as an alternative when a part of the recording medium cannot be physically read or written due to a defect. For example, when a defective area is recognized at the time of access to the recording medium (particularly at the time of recording), a replacement process is normally performed, and the address of the defective area is moved into the replacement area.

  The usage status of the spare area is stored as a defect list in a predetermined area, and is used by a drive control unit of the recording / reproducing apparatus and a lower hierarchy of the system control unit. In other words, in the lower layers of the drive control unit and system control unit described later, by referring to the defect list when accessing the recording medium, even when replacement processing is performed, access to an appropriate area is performed. It can be carried out. By this mechanism of the spare area, the host application can perform data recording / reproduction with respect to the recording medium without considering the presence / absence or position of the defective recording area on the recording medium.

  In the case of a disc-shaped recording medium, the replacement area is often arranged on the innermost or outermost side of the disc. When the disk rotation control is performed by zone control in which the rotation speed is changed stepwise in the radial direction of the disk, a replacement area may be provided for each zone. When the recording medium is not a disk-shaped recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, it is often arranged on the side having the smallest physical address or the largest physical address.

  In an application that handles AV data, a group of data that is a unit that requires continuous synchronized playback, that is, playback that guarantees real-time playback is called a clip. For example, a group of data from the start to the end of shooting by the video camera is used as a clip. The entity of a clip consists of a single file or multiple files. In the present invention, a clip consists of a plurality of files. Details of the clip will be described later.

  For example, an NRT (Non Real Time) area in which an arbitrary file other than a clip can be recorded is arranged at the head side in the logical address space, and clips are sequentially packed from the next of the NRT area. The clip is arranged avoiding the defect position on the optical disc 100 so that the replacement process described above is not performed. A header (H) and a footer (F) are added to each clip. In this example, the header and footer are arranged together on the rear end side of the clip.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the clip first recorded on the optical disc 100 is the clip # 1, and the clip numbers are subsequently increased as clip # 2, clip # 3,.

  In the logical address space, an area where no data is recorded or an area where data has been recorded in the past but is no longer needed is managed as an unused area in the file system FS. A recording area is allocated to a file newly recorded on the recording medium based on an unused area. The management information of the file is added to the file system FS.

  When a recordable optical disc is used as the recording medium, the present invention records the clip on the recording medium with an annual ring structure. The annual ring structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2A is an example showing one clip 20 on the timeline. In this example, the clip 20 includes seven files of video data 21, audio data 22 </ b> A to 22 </ b> D, auxiliary AV data 23, and real-time metadata 24.

  The video data 21 is video data obtained by compression-coding baseband video data at a high bit rate. As the compression encoding method, for example, MPEG2 (Moving Pictures Experts Group 2) method is used. As the audio data 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D, baseband audio data is used, each of which is 2-channel audio data. However, the audio data 22A, 22B, 22C, and 22D may be audio data obtained by compression-coding baseband audio data at a high bit rate. The video data 21 and the audio data 22A to 22D are data to be actually broadcast and edited, and are referred to as main line data.

  In this embodiment, as main-line AV video data, video data with a bit rate of 50 Mbps (megabit second) (referred to as HD (High Definition) format) and / or data with a bit rate of 25 Mbps (SD (Standard Definition) format).

  The auxiliary AV data 23 is data obtained by compressing and multiplexing baseband video data and audio data at a lower bit rate than main line video data and audio data. As the compression encoding method, for example, the MPEG4 method is used, and main line AV data is generated by compression encoding so as to reduce the bit rate to, for example, several Mbps (Mega bits per second). The auxiliary AV data 23 is data used as a proxy for main line data when determining edit points and the like, and is also referred to as proxy data. In this embodiment, the number of audio data channels in the auxiliary AV data is fixed to 8 channels.

  Metadata is high-order data related to certain data, and functions as an index for representing the contents of various data. The metadata includes real-time metadata 24 generated along the time series of the main AV data and non-time series meta data generated for a predetermined section such as for each scene in the main AV data. There are two types of data. The non-time series metadata is recorded in, for example, the NRT area described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the clip 20 is divided on the basis of a predetermined reproduction time and recorded on the optical disc as an annual ring structure. As an example is shown in FIG. 2C, one annual ring includes a video data 21, audio data 22A to 22D, auxiliary AV data 23, and real-time metadata (RM) 24 so that the playback time zones correspond to each other. The data is divided into predetermined reproduction time units having a data size of one or more rounds, and the divided reproduction time units are sequentially arranged and recorded. That is, each data constituting the clip 20 is interleaved in a predetermined time unit by the annual ring structure and recorded on the optical disc.

  Data forming the annual ring is referred to as annual ring data. The annual ring data has an amount of data that is an integral multiple of the smallest recording unit on the disc. The annual rings are recorded so that the boundaries coincide with the block boundaries of the recording units of the disc.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of annual ring data formed on the optical disc 100. In the example of FIG. 3, auxiliary AV annual ring data # 1, real-time meta annual ring data # 1, audio annual ring data # 1 for the number of channels, and video annual ring data # 1 are recorded in order from the inner circumference side of the optical disc 100. In this cycle, annual ring data is handled. On the outer peripheral side of the video annual ring data # 1, a part of the annual ring data of the next cycle is further shown as auxiliary AV annual ring data # 2.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the playback time zone for the 1-year ring data of the real-time meta annual ring data corresponds to the playback time zone for the 1-year ring data of the auxiliary AV annual ring data. It shows that the playback time zone corresponding to two periods of the time zone and the audio annual ring data corresponds. Similarly, it is shown that the playback time zone for one annual ring data of real-time meta annual ring data corresponds to the playback time zone for four cycles of video annual ring data. Such association between the reproduction time zone and the cycle of each annual ring data is set based on, for example, each data rate. In the following, it is assumed that the playback time for one ring data is 2 seconds.

  Note that the header and footer for the clip are also recorded by the annual ring structure as shown in FIG. 2D.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of data reading / writing with respect to the optical disc 100 on which annual rings are formed as shown in FIG. If there is a continuous free area of sufficient size on the optical disc 100 and there is no defect in the free area, each of the data series of audio data, video data, and auxiliary AV data time series metadata is based on the playback time zone. The generated audio annulus data, video annulus data, auxiliary AV annulus data, and time-series meta annulus data are written in such a manner that a single stroke is written in an empty area of the optical disc 100 as shown in FIG. 4A. It is. At this time, any data boundary is written so as to coincide with the sector boundary of the optical disc 100. Reading of data from the optical disc 100 is also performed in the same manner as writing.

  On the other hand, when reading a specific data series from the optical disc 100, the operation of seeking to the recording position of the read data series and reading the data is repeated. FIG. 4B shows how the auxiliary AV data series is selectively read in this way. For example, referring also to FIG. 3, when auxiliary AV annual ring data # 1 is read out, time series meta annual ring data # 1, audio annual ring data # 3 and video annual ring data # 3, and audio annual ring data are recorded. # 4 and video annual ring data # 4 (not shown) are skipped by seeking, and auxiliary AV annual ring data # 2 of the next cycle is read out.

  In this manner, recording of data on the optical disc 100 is periodically performed as an annulus data corresponding to the reproduction time zone in units of the reproduction time, so that audio annulus data and video annulus data in the same reproduction time zone can be obtained. Is arranged at a close position on the optical disc 100, it is possible to quickly read out and reproduce audio data and video data corresponding to the reproduction time from the optical disc 100. In addition, since the boundaries of the annual rings and the boundaries of the sectors are recorded, only the audio data or video data can be read from the optical disc 100, and only the audio data or video data can be edited quickly. It becomes possible.

  Further, as described above, the audio annulus data, the video annulus data, the auxiliary AV annulus data, and the time-series meta annulus data have a data amount that is an integral multiple of the sector of the optical disc 100, and further, the boundary between the annulus data and the sector Recorded to coincide with the boundary. Therefore, when only one series of data is required among audio annual ring data, video annual ring data, auxiliary AV annual ring data and time series meta annual ring data, only necessary data is read without reading other data. Can be read.

  In order to take advantage of the convenience of data arrangement by annual rings as described above, it is necessary to record data on the optical disc 100 so as to ensure the continuity of annual rings. This will be described with reference to FIG. For example, consider reading only auxiliary AV annual ring data (indicated as “LR” in FIG. 5).

  For example, if a sufficiently large continuous space is secured at the time of recording, a plurality of cycles of annual rings can be continuously recorded. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, temporally continuous auxiliary AV annual ring data can be read out with the minimum track jump. That is, when the auxiliary AV annual ring data is read, it is possible to repeat the operation of reading the auxiliary AV annual ring data in the annual ring of the next cycle, and the distance that the pickup jumps becomes the shortest.

  On the other hand, for example, when a continuous vacant area cannot be secured during recording and auxiliary AV data that is temporally continuous is recorded in a skipped area on the optical disc 100, as shown in FIG. When the auxiliary AV annual ring data is read, for example, the pickup jumps a distance corresponding to a plurality of cycles of the annual ring, and the next auxiliary AV annual ring data must be read. Since this operation is repeated, the reading speed of the auxiliary AV annual ring data is reduced as compared with the case shown in FIG. 5A. Further, in the main line AV data, as shown in FIG. 5C, the reproduction of unedited AV data (AV clip) may be delayed.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, in order to guarantee the continuity of the annual ring, an allocation unit having a length corresponding to a plurality of cycles of the annual ring is defined, and when the data is recorded with the annual ring, Allocate a contiguous free space whose length exceeds the defined allocation unit length.

  This will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. The allocation unit length is set in advance. The allocation unit length is set to a multiple of the total playback time of each data recorded in one cycle with annual rings. For example, if the playback time corresponding to one cycle of the annual ring is 2 seconds, the allocation unit length is set to 10 seconds. This allocation unit length is used as a ruler for measuring the length of the empty area of the optical disc 100 (see the upper right in FIG. 6). As an example, FIG. 6A shows an initial state in which three used areas are arranged so as to be separated from the optical disc 100, and a portion sandwiched between the used areas is an empty area.

  When recording AV data having a certain length on the optical disc 100 and auxiliary AV data corresponding to the AV data, first, the allocation unit length is compared with the length of the free area. An empty area having the above length is secured as a reserved area (FIG. 6B). In the example of FIG. 6, of the two free areas, the right free area is assumed to be longer than the allocation unit length, and is reserved as a reserved area. Next, annual ring data is sequentially recorded sequentially from the head of the reserved area in this reserved area (FIG. 6C). In this way, when the annual ring data is recorded and the length of the free area in the reserved area is less than the length of one cycle of the annual ring data to be recorded next (FIG. 6D), the reserved area is released, As in 6A, a free area that can be set as a reserved area is searched for while applying the allocation unit length to another free area on the optical disc 100.

  In this way, by searching for an empty area that can be recorded by an annual ring for a plurality of cycles and recording the annual ring in the empty area, a certain degree of continuity of the annual ring is guaranteed, and the annual ring data can be reproduced smoothly. It is possible. Although the allocation unit length is set to 10 seconds in the above description, this is not limited to this example, and a length corresponding to a longer reproduction time can be set as the allocation unit length. Actually, it is preferable to set the allocation unit length between 10 seconds and 30 seconds.

  Next, a data management structure applicable to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. FIG. In one embodiment of the present invention, data is managed in a directory structure by a file system. As shown in FIG. 7 as an example, a directory PAV is provided immediately below the root directory (root). In this embodiment, the directory PAV and below are defined.

  That is, the above-described mixed recording of a plurality of signal types of audio data and video data on one disc is defined under the directory PAV. The recording of data in the directory PAV that cannot be managed in the embodiment of the present invention is optional.

  Four files (INDEX.XML, INDEX.BUP, DISCINFO.XML, and DISCINFO.BUP) are placed directly under the directory PAV, and two directories (CLPR and EDTR) are provided.

  The directory CLPR manages clip data. A clip here is a set of data from when shooting is started to when it is stopped, for example. For example, in the operation of the video camera, one clip is a period from when the operation start button is pressed until the operation stop button is pressed (the operation start button is released).

  This group of data includes the main line audio data and video data described above, auxiliary AV data generated from the audio data and video data, time-series metadata corresponding to the audio data and video data, and non-data. It consists of time series metadata. In the directories “C0001”, “C0002”,... Provided immediately below the directory CLPR, a group of data constituting the clip is stored for each clip.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the structure of a directory “C0001” corresponding to one clip “C0001” provided immediately below the directory CLPR. Hereinafter, a directory corresponding to one clip immediately below the directory CLPR is appropriately referred to as a clip directory. In the clip directory “C0001”, each of the above-described pieces of data is stored by being distinguished by a file name. In the example of FIG. 8, the file name is composed of 12 digits, and among the 8 digits before the delimiter “.”, The front 5 digits are used to identify the clip, and the 3 digits immediately before the delimiter are the audio digits. Used to indicate the type of data, such as data, video data, auxiliary AV data. Further, the three digits after the delimiter are an extension and indicate the data format.

  More specifically, in the example of FIG. 8, as a group of files constituting the clip “C0001”, a clip information file “C0001C01.SMI” indicating clip information, a main video data file “C0001V01.MXF”, Audio data files “C0001A01.MXF” to “C0001A08.MXF” for 8 channels of main line system, auxiliary AV data file “C0001S01.MXF”, non-time series metadata file “C0001M01.XML”, time series metadata file “C0001R01” .BIM ”and pointer information (picture pointer) file“ C0001I01.PPN ”are stored in the clip directory“ C0001 ”.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, mixing of the above-described data signal types between the clip directories in the directory CLPR is permitted. For example, for main line video data signal types, single GOP and bit rate 50 Mbps video data are stored in the clip directory “C0001”, and long GOP and bit rate 25 Mbps video data are stored in the clip directory “C0002”. Is possible. On the other hand, mixing of data signal types in each data in the clip directory is not permitted. For example, in video data, a video data file recorded at a bit rate mode of 50 Mbps from the beginning to a certain point and a video data file recorded at a bit rate mode of 25 Mbps from that point to the end cannot be stored. .

  Note that the single GOP has a structure in which all frames are composed of I pictures and 1 GOP = 1 frame, and high image quality can be maintained with respect to editing in units of frames. The long GOP is a structure in which a frame is composed of an I picture, a P picture, and a B picture, and one GOP is formed by a plurality of frames that are completed by the I picture. A long GOP may be configured not to use a B picture.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the directory EDTR manages editing information. In one embodiment of the present invention, the editing result is recorded as an edit list or a play list. In the directories “E0001”, “E0002”,... Provided immediately below the directory EDTR, a set of data constituting the editing result is stored for each editing result.

  The edit list is a list in which edit points (IN point, OUT point, etc.) and playback order for clips are described. The edit list includes nondestructive edit results for clips and a play list described later. When the edit result of non-destructive editing of the edit list is played back, the files stored in the clip directory are referred to according to the description of the list. Playback video is obtained. However, as a result of nondestructive editing, the file in the list is referred regardless of the position of the file on the optical disc 100, and thus continuity during reproduction is not guaranteed.

  When it is determined that it is difficult to continuously reproduce a file or a part of a file that is referred to by the list based on the editing result, the playlist is stored on the optical disc 100 with a predetermined part of the file or the file. By re-arranging in this area, the continuity at the time of playback of the edit list is guaranteed.

  Based on the result of creating the above-described edit list by editing work, the management information of the file used for editing (for example, an index file “INDEX.XML” described later) is referred to, and non-destructive based on the editing work, that is, the editing result It is estimated whether or not continuous reproduction is possible with the file referred to based on the file being placed in each clip directory. As a result, if it is determined that continuous reproduction is difficult, the corresponding file is copied to a predetermined area of the optical disc 100. The file rearranged in the predetermined area is referred to as a bridge essence file. A list in which the bridge essence file is reflected in the edited result is referred to as a play list.

  For example, if the editing result is a reference to a complicated clip, there is a possibility that the pickup seek may not be in time for the transition from clip to clip during playback based on the editing result. is there. In such a case, a playlist is created and a bridge essence file is recorded in a predetermined area of the optical disc 100.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the structure of the directory “E0002” corresponding to one editing result “E0002” provided immediately below the directory EDTR. Hereinafter, a directory corresponding to one editing result directly under the directory EDTR is appropriately referred to as an edit directory. In the edit directory “E0002”, data generated by the above-described editing result is stored with being distinguished by file names. The file name is composed of 12 digits. Of the 8 digits before the delimiter “.”, The first 5 digits are used to identify the editing operation, and the 3 digits immediately before the delimiter are used to indicate the type of data. Used. Further, the three digits after the delimiter are an extension and indicate the data format.

  More specifically, in the example of FIG. 9, as a file constituting the editing result “E0002”, an edit list file “E0002E01.SMI” is a file “E0002M01. `` XML '', playlist file `` E0002P01.SMI '', bridge essence files `` E0002V01.BMX '' and `` E0002A01.BMX '' to `` E0002A04.BMX '' with main line data, bridge essence file `` E0002S01.BMX '' with auxiliary AV data and A bridge essence file “E0002R01.BMX” based on time-series and non-time-series metadata is stored in the edit directory “E0002”.

  Of these files stored in the edit directory “E0002”, the shaded files, that is, the bridge essence files “E0002V01.BMX” and “E0002A01.BMX” to “E0002A04.BMX” by the main line data, auxiliary The bridge essence file “E0002S01.BMX” based on AV data and the bridge essence file “E0002R01.BMX” based on time-series and non-time-series metadata are files belonging to a playlist.

  As described above, for example, video data stored in the clip directory is referred to by the edit list. Since different data signal types can be mixed between clip directories, as a result, different data signal types can be mixed on the edit list.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the file “INDEX.XML” is an index file for managing material information stored under the directory PAV. In this example, the file “INDEX.XML” is described in an XML (Extensible Markup Language) format. Each file and edit list described above are managed by this file “INDEX.XML”. For example, the conversion table of file name and UMID, length information (Duration), the reproduction order of each material when reproducing the entire optical disc 100, and the like are managed. In addition, video data, audio data, auxiliary AV data, and the like belonging to each clip are managed, and clip information managed by files is managed in the clip directory.

  The disc information file “DISCINFO.XML” manages information related to this disc. Playback position information and the like are also stored in this file “DISCINFO.XML”.

  When the optical disk 100 is loaded into the drive device and recording / reproduction is performed, a mounting process is required in which the file system of the optical disk 100 is connected to the drive device or application system by software. During this mounting process, the file system FS area on the optical disc 100 is read into the system, and among the files managed by the above management structure, the index file “INDEX.XML” and the index file backup file “INDEX” .BUP ", disk information file" DISCINFO.XML "and disk information file backup file" DISCINFO.BUP ", disk metafile (not shown), clip information file" CxxxxC01.SMI ", non-time-series metadata files related to clips “CxxxxM01.XML”, picture pointer file “CxxxxI01.PPN”, edit list file “ExxxxE01.SMI”, non-time series metadata about edit list “ExxxxM01.XML” are read by the system when the optical disc 100 is loaded. Murrell.

  In each of the above-described data, the index file and the backup file of the index file, and the disk information file and the backup file of the index file are read out when either the main body file or the backup file is mounted. Only one disk metadata file is read. The non-time series metadata file and the picture pointer file relating to the clip are read when all files existing on the optical disc 100 are mounted, for example.

  Further, these data read in the mounting process are data having a data size of, for example, several kilobytes and smaller than the RUB.

  FIG. 10 schematically shows a configuration of an example of a recording / reproducing apparatus applicable to the present invention. This recording / playback apparatus is connected to, for example, a video camera, and performs signal processing on AV data obtained by the video camera and records it on the optical disc 100. Also, AV data and the like recorded on the optical disc 100 are reproduced, subjected to predetermined signal processing and output. Furthermore, editing work can be performed on AV data recorded on the optical disc 100 based on an instruction from a control panel attached to the apparatus or an input apparatus connected via an RS-422 interface (not shown).

  The system control unit 17 includes one or a plurality of CPUs (Central Processing Units), a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which programs and data are stored in advance, a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work memory of the CPU, and the like. According to the program read from the ROM, the entire recording / reproducing apparatus is controlled in accordance with the control signal input from the control input / output terminal. For example, the system control unit 17 executes a file system layer program, and controls reading / writing of data from / to the optical disc 100 based on information in the file system FS of the optical disc 100. For example, an input device is connected to the control input terminal via the control panel described above or an RS-422 interface.

  The configuration of the recording system will be described. A recording operation is instructed to the system control unit 17 from the control input / output terminal. Based on the recording operation instruction, the system control unit 17 issues an instruction to each unit of the recording / reproducing apparatus so that the recording operation can be started.

  For example, baseband AV data to be recorded is supplied to the recording signal processing unit 13 from a video camera or an external device. The recording signal processing unit 13 performs predetermined signal processing and compression encoding processing on the input baseband AV data, and generates main AV data and auxiliary AV data for recording.

  For example, baseband video data is composed of at least one I picture and a plurality of P pictures according to the MPEG2 system to form one GOP (Group Of Picture). The video data of the main line system is generated by controlling the bit rate to be compressed and encoded. As for audio data, for example, PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) data is used as main line audio data without being compressed and encoded.

  In addition, baseband video data and audio data are compression-encoded with, for example, the MPEG4 system and a bit rate of several Mbps, and auxiliary AV data is generated. As for video data, auxiliary AV data is encoded in units of a predetermined number of frames. In this embodiment, the video data of the auxiliary AV data is composed of 10 frames of one I picture and nine P pictures, and 1 GOV (Group Of Video Object Plane) is formed.

  Audio data in the auxiliary AV data is generated by instantaneously compressing main-line audio data by combining, for example, sampling frequency conversion for compressing the time axis direction and logarithmic compression for compressing the word length. For example, the sampling frequency conversion is performed by down-sampling main-line audio data with a sampling frequency of 48 kHz to audio data with a sampling frequency of 8 kHz. As a word length compression method, an A-law method can be used in which the quantization step is set small when the data has a small amplitude and the word length is compressed by setting the quantization step large when the data has a large amplitude. Further, by performing band limitation on the main line audio data in advance with a low-pass filter before compression encoding, it is possible to minimize deterioration in sound quality due to compression encoding. In this embodiment, a 512 tap FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filter is used as the low pass filter.

  The main line AV data and auxiliary AV data output from the recording signal processing unit 13 are supplied to the formatter / unformatter unit 12. The main line AV data and auxiliary AV data output from the recording signal processing unit 13 and real-time metadata output from the metadata processing unit 15 described later constitute a clip.

  Under the control of the system control unit 17, the metadata processing unit 15 performs real-time metadata recorded on the optical disc 100 together with main AV data and auxiliary AV data, and data (header and footer) for arranging clips into a predetermined format. ) Is generated. The metadata processing unit 15 also generates non-time series metadata. These data generated by the metadata processing unit 15 are supplied to the formatter / unformatter unit 12.

  The formatter / unformatter unit 12 arranges each data supplied from the recording signal processing unit 13 and the metadata processing unit 15 in the above-described annual ring structure. For example, the formatter / unformatter unit 12 has a memory, and stores the supplied data in the memory in an address arrangement corresponding to the annual ring structure. Then, read control is performed so that data is read from the memory in units of annual rings. The clips arranged in the annual ring structure are supplied to the drive control unit 11 in units of annual rings.

  In addition, the formatter / unformatter unit 12 performs an arrangement process on the annual ring structure for the non-time series metadata supplied from the metadata processing unit 15. Although details will be described later, with respect to a non-time-series metadata file from which all files recorded on the optical disc 100 are to be read during the mounting process of the optical disc 100, a pair consisting of odd-numbered clips and even-numbered clips is in RUB units. The files are arranged so that they can be read continuously.

  The drive control unit 11 has a buffer memory that can read and write data in units of RUB, for example, and the supplied data is once written in the buffer memory and recorded on the optical disc 100 in units of RUB. That is, this buffer memory can match the data transmission speed and the recording / reproducing speed, and can temporarily store recording data or the like for use in caching.

  The drive control unit 11 performs predetermined recording signal processing on the supplied data at the time of recording, and reads / writes 10 and 10 based on signals obtained from a read / write unit 10 and a servo unit 14 described later. By controlling the servo control unit 14, the writing operation is controlled so that the recording data is written at a predetermined address of the optical disc 100. For example, a write pointer indicating the position where writing is performed next in RUB units on the optical disc 100 is designated, and the writing position is controlled.

  The main line AV data, auxiliary AV data, real-time metadata and non-time series metadata, header, and footer supplied from the formatter / unformatter unit 12 to the drive control unit 11 are each an ECC (Error Correction Coding) of a predetermined size. ) Error correction coding is performed in block units. The error-corrected encoded data is recorded and encoded in a predetermined manner, and is supplied as a recording signal to the read / write unit 10.

  The read / write unit 10 includes an optical pickup made of, for example, a laser diode, and a laser driving circuit that controls the laser power of the optical pickup in accordance with the recording / reproducing operation mode. The read / write unit 10 also has a thread drive unit that controls the position of the optical pickup in the radial direction of the disk 100 based on a thread control signal supplied from the servo control unit 14. The servo control unit 14 performs control of the sled driving unit and control of a spindle motor (not shown) for rotationally driving the optical disc 100 based on control signals respectively supplied from the drive control unit 11 and the system control unit 17.

  The read / write unit 10 drives the optical pickup based on the recording signal supplied from the drive control unit 11 and performs recording on the optical disc 100 based on the recording signal. The recording position is based on information indicating the area usage status of the optical disc 100 based on information of the file system FS read from the optical disc 100 in advance prior to the recording operation, and based on an instruction from the control input / output terminal. And specified by the drive control unit 11.

  In this embodiment, the recording operation on the optical disc 100 is continuously performed for each annual ring unit. In this embodiment, the minimum recording unit block size of the optical disc 100 and the ECC block size are the same, and recording is performed so that the minimum recording unit of the optical disc 100 matches the ECC block. In other words, in this embodiment, the ECC block is a unit for recording signal processing, and is also a block that is actually a unit for reading and writing data on the optical disc 100.

  Further, for each annual ring unit, for example, a marker block composed of a predetermined data string for one to several ECC blocks is recorded. This marker block is used to make it possible to reproduce the recorded data up to the previous annual ring when a recording error or the like occurs during recording of the annual ring. Therefore, each time the recording for one annual ring is completed, the marker block for the annual ring becomes unnecessary.

  The configuration of the reproduction system will be described. A reproduction operation is instructed to the system control unit 17 from the control input / output terminal. Based on this playback operation instruction, the system control unit 17 issues an instruction to each unit of the recording / playback apparatus so that the playback operation can be started. The read / write unit 10 is controlled in a predetermined manner, and reading is performed for each recording unit from the designated address of the optical disc 100. The read reproduction signal is supplied from the read / write unit 10 to the drive control unit 11.

  The drive control unit 11 decodes the recording code of the supplied reproduction signal to obtain reproduction data, and further decodes the error correction code of the reproduction data to perform error correction. The error-corrected reproduction data is supplied to the formatter / unformatter unit 12. The formatter / unformatter unit 12 separates the supplied reproduction data for each data type such as main line AV data, auxiliary AV data, and real-time metadata. For example, the supplied reproduction data is stored in a memory included in the formatter / unformatter unit 12. When the annual ring portion is accumulated, each data constituting the annual ring is read and supplied to the corresponding processing unit. The main line AV data and the auxiliary AV data are supplied to the reproduction signal processing unit 16. The real time metadata is supplied to the metadata processing unit 15.

  The metadata processing unit decodes the supplied real-time metadata and supplies the decoded information to the system control unit 17.

  The reproduction signal processing unit 16 performs predetermined signal processing on the supplied main AV data and auxiliary AV data. For example, main line AV data and / or auxiliary AV data are each decoded. It is also possible to output without decoding. As for the auxiliary AV data, the video data is decoded in units of 1 GOV since 1 GOV is formed with 10 frames. In addition, the audio data is instantaneously decompressed by A-Law method word length compression, and the downsampled sampling frequency is upsampled to 48 kHz. During upsampling, a 512-tap FIR filter similar to that used during recording is used as a low-pass filter, and sound quality degradation is minimized.

  The network interface (I / F) 18 is connected to a network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network), for example, and controls communication via the network. For example, this recording / reproducing apparatus can receive AV data transmitted via a network and record it on the optical disc 100.

  For example, AV data transmitted via the network and received by the network I / F 18 is supplied to the formatter / unformatter unit 12. In this case, the recording signal processing unit 13 may be supplied from the network I / F 18. It is also conceivable to supply the drive control unit 11 directly from the network I / F 18. For example, when AV data is received by the network I / F 18, the system control unit 17 determines the format of the received AV data, performs recording signal processing, processing by the formatter / unformatter unit 12, Perform data processing. The processed AV data is supplied to the drive control unit 11, subjected to predetermined processing, and then recorded on the optical disc 100.

  AV data and auxiliary AV data read from the optical disc 100 can be supplied to the network I / F 18 via the formatter / unformatter unit 12 and transmitted to the network. In this case, since the auxiliary AV data is compressed and encoded at a low bit rate, it is suitable for transmission over a network.

  Next, a non-time-series metadata writing process with respect to the optical disc 100 that can be applied to this embodiment will be described. 11 and 12 schematically show a non-time-series metadata writing process in the SD format. Here, an index file (indicated by “I” in the figure), a backup file of the index file (indicated by “B” in the figure), a clip information file (indicated by “C” in the figure), and non-time series metadata relating to the clip The writing of a file (indicated by “M” in the figure) will be described.

  The file system can manage files in units of 2 kB. On the other hand, the minimum recording unit (RUB) of the optical disc 100 has a size of 64 kB. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the non-time-series metadata is written for each clip in the logical address space of the optical disc 100 in the NRT area, which is different from the clip body, corresponding to the clip body. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, in clip # 1, index file I, index file backup file B (hereinafter abbreviated as backup file B), clip information file C, and non-time-series metadata file M related to the clip. For example, one file is written for one RUB.

  In the next clip # 2, as shown in an example in FIG. 11B, the order of the non-time series metadata is different from that of the clip # 1, and the non-time series metadata file M, the clip information file C, and the index file related to the clip are displayed. And I backup file B are written in the order of 1 file to 1 RUB.

  In addition, the index file I and the backup file B are recorded in the area of the clip # 2 with information on the clip # 2 added when the clip # 2 is written. At the same time, the index file I and the backup file B written in the clip # 1 are deleted because they are no longer necessary. In this manner, writing the changed file in the unrecorded area and erasing the previously written file is referred to as circular recording.

  Further, for the next clip # 3, as shown in an example in FIG. 11C, the recording order of each data is the same as that of the clip # 1, and the clip # 3 is compared with the index file I and the backup file B. Information is added and recorded, and the index file I and backup file B recorded in the area of clip # 2 are deleted.

  As described above, when the odd-numbered clip and the even-numbered clip are paired, and the arrangement order of the files is switched between the paired clips, when this optical disc 100 is mounted later, non-time series metadata about the clip The number of seeks for reading the file M is reduced, and the reading speed is improved. FIG. 12 shows such a state. As described above, at the time of mounting, all the non-time series metadata files M related to the clips on the optical disc 100 are read. As described above, since the recording order of the non-time series metadata file M related to the clip is switched for every odd-numbered and even-numbered clip, the RUB in which the non-time series metadata file M related to the clip is recorded every two clips. Adjacent, no seek occurs when reading these two files, and the mount processing is speeded up.

  Next, the non-time-series metadata writing process in the HD format will be schematically described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. Since the HD format allows compression encoding at a variable bit rate, access to a desired position is realized using a picture pointer file (indicated by “P” in the figure).

  The picture pointer is offset information of each frame position in the clip. That is, for example, in MPEG2, a variable bit rate that changes the data compression rate for each frame is possible. For example, a flat screen frame is compression-encoded at a higher compression rate, and a coarse screen frame is compression-encoded at a lower compression rate. Thus, by changing the compression rate according to the nature of the frame, higher resolution video data can be transmitted and recorded at a lower bit rate. In MPEG2, compression encoding is also performed using a variable length code.

  In such video data that is compression-coded with a variable bit rate, the frame position and the GOP (Group Of Picture) position at which reproduction is completed in a plurality of frames differ from frame to frame and from GOP to the desired position. It is difficult to jump. Therefore, in order to facilitate access to the variable length bit rate, the offset information of each frame position in the clip is tabulated as a picture point to form a non-time series metadata file, which is arranged corresponding to each clip. For example, when the disc is inserted into the drive, this picture point is read in a predetermined manner, so that a desired position in the clip can be accessed at high speed.

  As a method for reading this picture pointer file P, a first method for reading all picture point files P recorded on the optical disc 100 when the disc is mounted, and a clip is reproduced from the optical disc 100 without being read when the optical disc 100 is mounted. At this time, a second method of sequentially reading in accordance with the clip to be played back can be considered.

  In the second method, it is necessary to read the picture pointer file P every time a clip jumps. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the non-time series metadata file is written in an NRT area provided separately from an area in which the clip body is written on the inner peripheral side of the optical disc 100. Therefore, if the picture pointer file P is read every time the clip is accessed, access to the NRT area for that purpose is required, so it takes a seek time, and in some cases, the clip may not be played back in time. .

  On the other hand, if, for example, the picture pointer file P is all read independently at the time of mount processing or after mount processing, seek is performed by the number of clips recorded on the optical disc 100 as shown in FIG. Repeatedly, it takes a lot of time to read.

  Therefore, the method already described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 is applied, and as shown in FIG. 14 as an example, a non-time-series metadata file M and a picture pointer file P related to clips that are always read when the disc is mounted. Are alternately switched between odd-numbered clips and even-numbered clips, and recording is performed so that RUBs in which these files are recorded are continuous. The clip information file C is a file that can be omitted.

  In the example of FIG. 14, in the odd-numbered clips (clip # 1, clip # 3, and clip # 5), the index file I, the backup file B, the clip information file C, the non-time series metadata file M related to the clip, and the picture pointer. In order of the file P, it is arranged and recorded for each RUB. On the other hand, in the even-numbered clips (clip # 2, clip # 4, and clip # 6), the order of the non-time series metadata file M and the picture pointer file P related to the clip is reversed and the RUB on the head side of the clip area is reversed. Are recorded respectively.

  As described above, the recording order of the non-time series metadata file M and the picture pointer file P related to the clip is switched for each of the odd and even-numbered clips, and the non-time series metadata file M and the picture pointer file P related to the clip are changed. The recording order of the index file I and the backup file B is switched. A RUB in which a non-time-series metadata file M related to a clip is adjacent to each other in every two clips consisting of an odd-numbered and even-numbered clip pair, and no seek occurs when these four files are read, and the mount process Is faster.

  Here, a method for performing reading at a higher speed when mounting a non-time series metadata file will be considered. In the above description, one non-time series metadata file is written for one RUB. However, when a plurality of non-time series metadata files are written to one RUB, the number of RUBs to be read at the time of mounting is reduced, and the mount process is performed. Is expected to be faster.

  For example, by controlling based on the file system, a plurality of files can be written in one RUB, and non-time series metadata for each clip is sequentially packed and recorded in one RUB. When the total data size of the non-time series metadata file for one clip exceeds one RUB (64 kB in this example), the data exceeding one RUB is continuously recorded in adjacent RUBs.

  Such processing is performed using the cache function described above. For example, the buffer memory of the drive control unit 11 is controlled so that writing is performed in the file system management unit (2 kB) and reading is performed in the RUB unit (64 kB). Do. The data stored in the buffer memory by the cache in the unit of management of the file system is discharged in units of RUB and written to the corresponding RUB of the optical disc 100.

  As examples of more specific processing, the clip information file C of the non-time series metadata file, the non-time series metadata file M and the picture pointer file P related to the clip, the index file I or the backup file by control based on the file system B is cached and written continuously to the area corresponding to the RUB with the write pointer on the buffer memory. When the total data size exceeds the data size of the RUB, the excess data is written in an area on the buffer memory corresponding to the RUB adjacent to the RUB.

  When the writing of these data to the cache is completed, the data stored in the cache is discharged and written to the corresponding RUB of the optical disc 100, respectively. Data that could not be written to one RUB is written to the adjacent RUB. Actually, for example, cache data is written to the optical disc 100 in RUB units. That is, even when data is only partially written in the area corresponding to the RUB of the cache, the contents of the entire area on the cache are written to the optical disc 100.

  Normally, when a file managed with a data size smaller than the minimum recording unit of the recording medium as a management unit is written on the recording medium as described above, as described in the related art, the read modify write is used. . Hereinafter, an example in which the read modify write is applied to a file structure applicable to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of recording by read-modify-write. As shown in FIG. 15A, recording is performed up to clip 5 # on the new disc, and part of the picture pointer file P200 in the non-time series metadata file cannot be written to the RUB 201, and the next RUB 202 A case where a disc on which a part of the picture pointer file P200 that could not be written is loaded is described.

  At this time, since the RUB 202 has already written a part of the picture pointer file P200 that could not be written to the RUB 201, the number of rewrites is set to 1. Since the RUBs after the RUB 202 have not yet been written with data, the number of rewrites is set to zero.

  When clip # 6 is recorded on this disc, the corresponding non-time series metadata is written in the NRT area in a predetermined manner. At this time, each data written to the RUB 202 is cached, and is continuously arranged and written in an area corresponding to the RUB 202 of the buffer memory. That is, as shown in FIG. 15B, a part of the picture pointer file P200A that is written in the RUB 202 in the picture pointer file P is stored in an area corresponding to the RUB 202 in the buffer memory. Then, as shown in FIG. 15C, the picture pointer file P203 of clip # 6 is stored in the buffer memory and arranged so as to be connected to a part of the picture pointer file P200A already stored in the buffer memory. .

  In the following order, the non-time series metadata M204 related to the clip which is the non-time series metadata file of clip # 6 is stored in the area corresponding to the RUB 202 of the buffer memory so as to be connected to the picture pointer file P203 (FIG. 16A). Subsequently, a clip information file C205 is stored (FIG. 16B).

  Next, the index file I206 is stored in the buffer memory following the clip information file C205 (FIG. 16C). When the index file I206 has been stored in the buffer memory, the area for 1 RUB on the buffer memory is filled with unrecorded data, so the data on this buffer memory is written to the RUB 202 of the disk and stored in the cache. The data is synchronized with the recording area (RUB 202) of the optical disc 100. As described above, a part 200A of the picture pointer file P has already been written to the RUB 202 at the time of recording of the clip # 5, and the number of rewrites becomes 2 due to the synchronization operation of the cache, and the number of rewrites is uneven. Invite.

  In the present invention, in accordance with the operation of writing the data cached in the memory to the disk, the RUB on the disk in which the data is written is closed, and the next writing is started from the RUB next to the closed RUB. By performing this process, the number of rewrites as described above, which occurs when data is written in a unit smaller than the minimum recording unit with respect to the minimum recording unit of the recording medium, or the number of readings by read-modify-write is reduced. A decrease in processing speed due to an increase can be avoided.

  A non-time series metadata file recording method applicable to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 17, the arrangement order of the non-time series metadata files is the same as the order described in FIG. That is, for odd-numbered clips (clip # 1, clip # 3, and clip # 5 in FIG. 17), index file I, backup file B, clip information file C, non-time-series metadata file M and picture pointer file related to the clip. The order is P. Further, in the even-numbered clips (clip # 2, clip # 4, and clip # 6 in FIG. 17), the order of the non-time series metadata file M and the picture pointer file P related to the clips is changed with respect to the odd-numbered clips. At the same time, the order of the non-time-series metadata file M and picture pointer file P related to the clip, and the index file I and backup file B are switched.

  Further, the odd-numbered clip and the even-numbered clip are paired, and all files recorded on the optical disc 100 at the time of mounting are to be read. Each file is arranged so that it can be read continuously.

  That is, for odd-numbered clips, the index file I is written in the first RUB, and the next writable RUB is the backup file B, the clip information file C, the non-time series metadata file M and the picture pointer file P related to the clip. Is written. For even-numbered clips, picture pointer file P, non-time-series metadata file M about clip, clip information file C and index file I are written to the first RUB, and backup file B is written to the next writable RUB. It is.

  Here, a process when the total of the file sizes of the continuous non-time series metadata files exceeds the RUB size when the non-time series metadata files are continuously written in the RUB will be described. The following processing is performed, for example, by controlling the drive control unit 11 in accordance with a program stored in a ROM (not shown) by the system control 17.

  In the example of FIG. 17, in clip # 4 to clip # 6, the size of the index file I and the size of the backup file B increase with the recording of the clip, and such a state occurs.

  In the example of clip # 4, the index file I210 cannot be completely written to the RUB 211, and a part thereof is written to the RUB 212. Processing at this time will be described. The picture pointer file P, the non-time series metadata M about the clip, the clip information file C, and the index file I210 are cached in the buffer memory. At this time, since a part of the index file I210 exceeds the data size for one RUB, this part of the data is cached in an area on the buffer memory corresponding to the adjacent RUB 212.

  Since the data for 1 RUB has been cached, the cached data is discharged from the buffer memory. Data corresponding to the RUB 211 is discharged and written to the RUB 211 of the optical disc 100. The RUB 211 that has been written is closed, and the write pointer is moved to the head of the next RUB 212. Subsequently, the portion that could not be written in the RUB 211 of the index file I210 is ejected from the buffer memory, recorded in the RUB 212 of the optical disc 100, the RUB 212 is closed, and the write pointer is moved to the head of the next RUB 213. Backup file B is written to RUB 213.

  Similarly, in the example of the clip # 5, the picture pointer file P214 cannot be written in the RUB 215, and a part thereof is written in the RUB 216. The processing at this time is also the same as in the case of clip # 4. That is, the backup file B, the clip information file C, the non-time series metadata M about the clip, and the picture pointer file P214 are cached in the buffer memory. At this time, since a part of the picture pointer file P214 exceeds the data size of 1 RUB, the data of this part is cached in an area on the buffer memory corresponding to the adjacent RUB 216.

  Since the data for 1 RUB has been cached, the cached data is discharged from the buffer memory. Data corresponding to the RUB 215 is discharged and written to the RUB 215 of the optical disc 100. The RUB 215 that has been written is closed, and the write pointer is moved to the head of the next RUB 216. Subsequently, the portion that could not be written to the RUB 215 of the picture pointer file P214 is ejected from the buffer memory, recorded on the RUB 216 of the optical disc 100, the RUB 216 is closed, and the write pointer is moved to the head of the next RUB 217. The non-time series metadata file of clip # 6 is written to RUB 217.

  The example of clip # 6 is substantially the same as that of clip # 4 described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  According to this method, even if the file management unit by the file system is smaller than the minimum recording unit of the recording medium, the read-modify-write process is not performed, so that the data writing speed is improved. Further, since the recording unit in which data is once written is closed, the number of rewrites can be made uniform over the entire recording medium.

  Next, a recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a problem when rewriting non-time series metadata already recorded on the optical disc 100 in a system to which cyclic recording is applied. 18 and 19, the cached data described with reference to FIG. 17 is recorded on the RUB of the optical disc 100, the RUB is closed, and the write point is moved to the next RUB. Series metadata is recorded.

  In FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, a file G indicates general data. As described above, general data can be recorded on the optical disc 100 by a computer device or the like. In a general computer apparatus, an operation system appropriately arranges data in an empty area on the optical disc 100 based on a file system, so that unrecorded RUBs are also distributed.

  FIG. 18 shows an example in which a non-time series metadata file M related to a clip, which is one of non-time series metadata files to be read at the time of disc mounting, is rewritten over clip # 1 to clip # 6. In accordance with the rule of circular recording, the rewritten non-time series metadata file M is written in an empty area on the optical disc 100, and the non-time series metadata file M at the original position is deleted.

  In this embodiment, as already described, AV data is recorded in an annual ring structure. Therefore, the empty area of the optical disc 100 is located behind the already recorded data.

  In the example of FIG. 18, a file M220 ′ in which the non-time series metadata file M220 of clip # 1 is rewritten is written to the RUB 222 in an empty area that is physically separated on the optical disc 100. Similarly, a file M221 ′ in which the non-time series metadata file M221 of clip # 2 is rewritten is written in the RUB 223 in an empty area at a position physically separated on the optical disc 100. In this example, the RUB 222 and the RUB 223 are in areas where general data G is scattered and written.

  Although not shown, the non-time series metadata file M related to the clips # 3 to # 6 is also written after the position where the file M221 'is written.

  Consider the mounting process of the optical disc 100 recorded in this way. Of the non-time series metadata files that exist for each clip, the non-time series metadata file M and the picture pointer file P related to the clip are read during the mount process. In the example of FIG. 18, the non-time series metadata file M related to the clip is rewritten and recorded at a position physically separated from the original clip # 1 to clip # 6. Therefore, at the time of mounting, after the picture pointer file P at the position of the original clip # 1 to clip # 6 is read, the files M220 and 221 in which the non-time series metadata files M220 and 221 related to the clips are rewritten are written. It is necessary to seek to the specified position and read these files further.

  For example, when the number of clips that can be recorded on the optical disc 100 (for example, 300 clips) is rewritten to the non-time-series metadata file M related to all clips, after the picture pointer file P for 300 clips is read. Furthermore, it is necessary to read 300 clips of the non-time-series metadata file M related to the rewritten clip, which requires a lot of time for the mounting process.

  In this invention, when a non-time series metadata file to be read at the time of mounting is rewritten, another non-time series metadata file to be read at the time of mounting corresponding to the same clip as the non-time series metadata file is rewritten. The processing based on the circular recording is performed together with the non-time series metadata file. The rewritten non-time-series metadata file M (hereinafter abbreviated as file M) and picture pointer file P (hereinafter abbreviated as file P) rewritten at the time of mounting can be read continuously. The mount process can be accelerated.

  This will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. As described above, in order to speed up the processing at the time of mounting, in the odd-numbered clip, the file M and the file P are continuously written on the tail side of the clip, and in the even-numbered clip, these file P and the file are written. M is written in the first RUB, and the odd-numbered clip file P and file M and the even-numbered clip file M and file P are arranged so that the RUB can be read continuously.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the odd-numbered clip file M and the file P, and the even-numbered clip files M and P, which are arranged so that the RUBs to be written are consecutive in the set of the odd-numbered clips and the even-numbered clips. If even one of the four files consisting of the clip file P and the file M is rewritten, these four files are collectively written in units of RUBs in the free space on the optical disc 100 in accordance with the rule of circular recording.

  In the example of FIG. 19, as in FIG. 18 described above, at least one of clip # 1 and clip # 2, clip # 3 and clip # 4, and clip # 5 and clip # 6 is set. It is assumed that the file M has been rewritten. As a representative example, clip # 1 and clip # 2 will be described.

  In clip # 1 and clip # 2, file M233 of clip # 2 is rewritten. As a result of this rewriting, the clip P232 arranged adjacent to the file M233 in the clip # 2 that has not actually been rewritten, and the RUB continues to the file P232 and the file M233 of the clip # 2. The file M230 and the file 231P of the clip # 1, which are arranged in the above, are written in RUB units in the free space later on the optical disc according to the rule of circular recording.

  That is, in the example of FIG. 19, the file M230 and the file P231 of the clip # 1 are copied to, for example, a buffer memory. The copied file M230 and file P231 are read from the buffer memory and written to the RUB 235 on the rear side of the optical disc 100. Similarly, the file P232 and the file M233 of the clip # 2 are copied to, for example, the buffer memory, and the rewritten contents of the file M233 are reflected in the buffer memory, and the file P232 and the rewritten file M233 ′ are read from the buffer memory. The data is written to the RUB 236 on the optical disc 100 at the rear side.

  In this case, the general data G is written from the RUB next to the RUB 235 where the file M230 and the file P231 of the clip # 1 are written. Therefore, the file P232 and the file M233 'of the clip # 2 cannot be arranged so that the RUB is continuous with the file M230 and the file P231 of the clip # 1 written in the RUB 235.

  The moved original file M230 and file P231, and file P232 and file M233 are deleted.

  Similarly, in the group of clip # 3 and clip # 4 and the group of clip # 5 and clip # 6, the file M and file P of the odd-numbered clip and the file P and file of the even-numbered clip M is copied to the buffer memory, and the rewrite contents of the file are reflected. Then, each file read from the buffer memory is written in a predetermined RUB at a later position. Also, the odd-numbered clip file M and file P of the original clip # 1 to clip # 6 and the even-numbered clip file P and file M are deleted.

  Thus, by performing the write control of the non-time series metadata file, the seek time when reading the file M and the file P at the time of mounting is shortened, and the processing is speeded up.

  That is, in the original clip # 1 to clip # 6, the odd-numbered clip file M and file P and the even-numbered clip file P and file M have already been deleted, respectively, and the index file I and backup. File B is also deleted as new clips are added. Therefore, the original clip # 1 to clip # 6 have no data to be read during the mounting process.

  Therefore, in this example, at the time of the mounting process, after the index file I and the backup file B written in the positions not shown are read, a seek operation is performed, and the RUB 235 at the rear is accessed to access the non-time series metadata file. Reading is started. Compared with the example of FIG. 18 described above, the seek distance and the number of seeks are reduced, and the time required for the seek operation is reduced.

  In the above description, the present invention has been described as being applied when recording non-time-series metadata relating to AV data, but this is not limited to this example. In other words, the present invention can be applied to other systems that handle general data as long as the system performs cyclic recording. For example, the present invention can also be applied to recording processing in a device that handles general-purpose data such as a computer device. The recording medium is not limited to an optical disk, and the recording method according to the present invention can be applied to a disk-shaped recording medium using another recording method such as a magneto-optical disk or a hard disk.

It is a basic diagram which shows an example data arrangement | positioning in a disk-shaped recording medium. It is a basic diagram which shows the data of an example which comprises a clip. It is a basic diagram which shows the mode of an example in which annual ring data was formed with respect to the optical disk. It is a basic diagram which shows the mode of an example in which the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk in which the annual ring was formed is performed. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating that it is necessary to record the data with respect to an optical disk so that the continuity of an annual ring is ensured. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating an allocation unit. It is a basic diagram shown about the management structure of the data applicable to one Embodiment. It is a basic diagram shown about the management structure of the data applicable to one Embodiment. It is a basic diagram shown about the management structure of the data applicable to one Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of an example of the recording / reproducing apparatus applicable to this invention. It is a basic diagram which shows roughly the write-in process of an example of the non-time series metadata in SD format. It is a basic diagram which shows roughly the write-in process of an example of the non-time series metadata in SD format. It is a basic diagram which illustrates roughly the write-in process of an example of the non-time series metadata in HD format. It is a basic diagram which illustrates roughly the write-in process of an example of the non-time series metadata in HD format. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating the example at the time of applying a read modify write with respect to the file structure applicable to this invention. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating the example at the time of applying a read modify write with respect to the file structure applicable to this invention. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating the recording method of the non-time-sequential metadata file by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the problem in the case of rewriting the non-time-sequential metadata already recorded on the optical disk in the system to which cyclic recording is applied. It is a basic diagram for demonstrating the recording method by one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Drive control unit 15 Metadata processing unit 100 Optical disc 200, 203, 214 Picture pointer file 201, 202, 211, 212, 215, 216, 217, 222, 223 RUB
220, 220 ', 221, 221' Non-time-series metadata files related to clips

Claims (6)

A recording unit for writing data on an optical disc in a recording unit;
A recording control unit that controls writing of data to the optical disc by the recording unit;
The recording control unit
The non-time series metadata file and the picture pointer file are odd-numbered so that the minimum recording unit of the optical disk in which a plurality of non-time series metadata files and picture pointer files to be read when the optical disk is mounted is continuous. A plurality of non-time-series metadata files and picture pointers recorded so that the minimum recording unit is continuous while controlling the recording unit so that the clips are alternately switched in order and recorded with even-numbered clips When rewriting of at least one file of the file is made, the recording unit so as to collectively the plurality of non-time-sequential metadata file and picture pointer file containing the files of the one recorded in the unrecorded area of the optical disk Recording device to control . The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The recording control unit
When the plurality of files including the one file are collectively recorded in the unrecorded area of the optical disc, the plurality of files recorded before the update on the optical disc are deleted. A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The recording control unit
The recording unit is configured to record at least video data in the first area of the optical disc for each clip and record non-time-series metadata corresponding to the clip of the video data in the second area for each clip. Was to control and
The plurality of files are a plurality of the non-time series metadata. The recording apparatus according to claim 3,
The recording control unit
A plurality of the non-time series metadata managed in a management unit corresponding to one clip and having a data size smaller than the recording unit can be recorded collectively in the recording unit of the optical disc. A recording apparatus. The non-time series metadata file and the picture pointer file are odd-numbered so that the minimum recording unit of the optical disk in which a plurality of non-time series metadata files and picture pointer files to be read at the time of mounting the optical disk are recorded is continuous. A clip and an even-numbered clip are alternately switched in order, and at least one of the plurality of non-time-series metadata files and picture pointer files recorded so that the minimum recording unit is continuous is recorded . A recording method in which , when rewriting is performed, the plurality of non-time series metadata files and picture pointer files including the one file are collectively recorded in an unrecorded area of the optical disc. The non-time series metadata file and the picture pointer file are odd-numbered so that the minimum recording unit of the optical disk in which a plurality of non-time series metadata files and picture pointer files to be read at the time of mounting the optical disk are recorded is continuous. The clip and even-numbered clip are alternately switched in order and recorded, and at least one of the plurality of non-time-series metadata files and picture pointer files recorded so that the minimum recording unit is continuous . When rewriting is performed, Ru to execute the recording method are collectively the plurality of non-time-sequential metadata file and picture pointer file containing the files of the one to be recorded in the unrecorded area of the optical disk to the computer records program.

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