JP4735611B2 - Image data reproducing apparatus and image data reproducing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image data reproducing apparatus and an image data reproducing method for searching for and reproducing desired main image data from a plurality of main image data recorded on a recording medium.

A reference mark added to the digest image by playing the digest video of the main video and selecting it to make it easier to search for the desired video from the main video images such as video data recorded on the recording medium. There is a data reproduction method for reproducing a corresponding main video (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-32288

  However, in the background art described in Patent Document 1 described above, as the number of main image data increases, the number of short digest image data increases accordingly, and desired main image data can be obtained from a large amount of main image data. To search, it is necessary to view the corresponding number of digest image data. Therefore, there is a problem that the advantage is lost when the main image data increases.

  In particular, when image data has a sufficient length of time, such as when a TV program is recorded, the user looks at the digest and guesses the contents of the main part to determine whether the main part data is desired. However, when a user shoots a lot of scenery such as several tens of seconds to several minutes as a travel record with a video camera, not only the main part but also the main part when watching the digest. You do not necessarily want to see only the main part of the selected digest, such as wanting to see all the pictures taken in the day, or seeing a digest summarizing the pictures taken that afternoon.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image data reproducing apparatus and image data reproducing apparatus that can easily search for desired main image data using digest image data even when the main image data recorded on the recording medium increases. It aims to provide a method.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the image data reproducing device and the image data reproducing method of the present invention, a plurality of main image data recorded on a recording medium are grouped based on their recording dates and a plurality of groups are created. Then, one or a plurality of main image data included in each of the plurality of groups is extracted from one or a plurality of image data that is a summary of the main image data, and digest image data is created for each group. When the main image data belonging to each group and the digest image data are associated with each group of the group, and the user inputs an instruction to start reproduction of the digest image data, the digest image data is converted to the digest image data. Are reproduced according to the recording date order of the main image data associated with the main image data. Alternatively, a plurality of main image data recorded on the recording medium is grouped based on the recording date and time, a plurality of groups are created, and the main image is obtained from one or a plurality of main image data included in each of the plurality of groups. Extract one or a plurality of image data sections to be a summary of the image data, and create digest section information for each group indicating the sections by section start information and section end information or section length information on the main image data, When the main image data belonging to each group is associated with the digest section information for each of the plurality of groups, and when an instruction to start reproduction of the digest image data is input from the user, the section start information and the section of the digest section information The main image data of the section indicated by the end information or section length information is converted to the digest image data. As data is reproduced in accordance with the recording date and time order of the main image data associated with the digest segment information.

  Here, when a reproduction switching instruction to the main image data is received from the user during the reproduction of the digest image data, one or more of the one or more of the above-described groups belonging to the same group as the group of the digest image data being reproduced based on the association The main image data may be selected and played back in the order of recording date and time. When the user receives a playback switching instruction to digest image data during playback of the main image data, the main image data is being played back based on the association. The digest image data belonging to the same group as the main image data group may be selected, and the digest image data may be reproduced in order of the recording date and time of the main image data in order from the selected digest image data.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of main image data recorded on a recording medium is grouped based on the recording date and time to create a plurality of groups, and one or a plurality of main image data included in each of the plurality of groups Thus, digest image data that is a summary of main image data is extracted and collected for each group, and main image data belonging to each group is associated with the digest image data for each group. When the user inputs an instruction to start reproduction of digest image data, the digest image data is reproduced according to the recording date order of the main image data associated with the digest image data, or included in each of the plurality of groups. Image data that is a summary of the main image data from one or more main image data One or a plurality of sections are extracted, and digest section information indicating each section on the main image data by section start information and section end information or section length information is created for each group, and each group is assigned to each group. When the main image data and the digest section information that belong to each other are associated and an instruction to start playback of the digest image data is input from the user, the section start information and the section end information or the section length information of the digest section information Since the main image data is reproduced as digest image data according to the recording date order of the main image data associated with the digest section information, the contents of the plurality of main image data recorded on the recording medium are grouped for each group. Easily confirm desired and main image data easily and quickly It is possible to search.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an image data reproducing apparatus and an image data reproducing method according to the present invention will be described. The image data reproducing apparatus described below assumes an image data reproducing apparatus such as a video camera and an image data reproducing method having a main image data recording function and a reproducing function. The main image data may include audio data in addition to the image data. The image data may be not only moving image data but also still image data, and moving image data and still image data may be included. Of course, it may be mixed. Therefore, audio data is included in the digest image data, or the digest image data may be not only moving image data but also still image data.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image data reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image data reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 reads data from a recording medium 10 or records data on the recording medium 10. The data reading / writing unit 11 functions as a data reading unit and a data writing unit of the present invention. A main image data creation unit 12 that encodes image data such as a moving image or a still image captured by a camera (not shown) to generate main image data and records the data in the recording medium 10 via the data read / write unit 11; A main image group creating unit 13 for grouping a plurality of main image data recorded on a recording medium into groups based on the recording date and time, and one or a plurality of main image data included in each group A digest image data creating unit 14 that creates digest image data from the recording medium 10 and records the digest image data on the recording medium 10 for each group; A data reproduction unit 15 that decodes and reproduces the main image data and digest image data read from the recording medium 10, and starts, stops, and pauses reproduction of the main image data and digest image data for the data reproduction unit 15. A playback control unit 16 that performs control related to playback such as fast forward and fast return, a main image data playback (main playback mode) and a digest image data playback (digest playback mode) switching instruction, and a main image An operation input unit 17 for inputting instructions relating to reproduction of data and digest image data, a monitor 18 for displaying the reproduced main image data or digest image data, and an image signal to an external display device (not shown). And a video signal output unit 19 for transmission.

  The recording medium 10 may be a hard disk or a memory fixed to or removable from the image data reproducing apparatus 10 or a recording medium such as an optical disk such as a DVD or a BD. It suffices to have a recording capacity capable of recording image data. Of course, the main image data and the digest image data may be recorded on different recording media.

  The data read / write unit 11 is a magnetic head if the recording medium 10 is a hard disk, and an optical pickup if the recording medium 10 is an optical disk. The data reading / writing unit 11 includes data modulation necessary for recording a signal. When the recording medium 10 is provided outside the apparatus, it is an interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from the external recording medium 10, and at this time, data is directly read from or recorded on the recording medium 10 The access unit is provided on the medium 10.

  The data reproducing unit 15 may be a single data reproducing unit 15 because the main image data and the digest image data may have the same decoding process if the same encoding method, for example, MPEG2, is used. When a plurality of main image data or a plurality of main image data or digest image data are reproduced and displayed at the same time, the data reproducing unit 15 that is the number of decoders necessary for reproducing and displaying is required.

  The playback control unit 16 operates in response to an input from the operation input unit 17. For example, the main image data or digest image data that starts playback when a playback start is input is acquired via the data read / write unit 11. It is assumed that the data reproducing unit 15 is controlled to perform the decoding process.

  The operation input unit 17 only needs to allow the device user to input a predetermined operation, and may be provided with buttons corresponding to controls related to playback such as playback start and playback stop, or a GUI (graphical user interface). ) And a button that can be used to input the up / down / left / right directions such as the cross key and the arrow button, and a determination button that determines the operation. A list of main image data or digest image data may be displayed and selected from the selection button and input. Alternatively, input may be performed from key operations on the remote controller using an input device used in a personal computer such as a keyboard and a mouse or an infrared remote controller. In that case, an interface for receiving a signal input from the input device is required.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of grouping by the main image group creation unit 13 and digest image data creation by the digest image data creation unit 14 according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 2A shows main image data D1 to D9 created by the main image data creation unit 12 and their grouping. Here, the direction of the arrow marked “reproduction direction” from left to right indicates the reproduction order of the main image data H1 to H9, and the main image data H1 to H9 is H1 → H2 → H3 → ... → H9. In addition, the length of the main image data H1 to H9 in the horizontal direction, that is, the length in the playback direction indicates the playback time. Further, the interval between the main image data H1 to H9 indicates the time interval at which the main image data was captured or recorded. That is, it is assumed that the time from the time when the previous main image data is captured and the time when the next main image data is captured is indicated. In FIG. 2A, for example, grouping is performed based on whether or not the time interval between the main image data is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In the main image data H1 to H3, H4 and H5, and H6 to H9, the recording interval between the main image data is less than a predetermined threshold such as one day, five days, one week, etc., and the main image data H3 and H4 The recording interval between H5 and H6 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold.

  Then, when the recording interval between the main image data is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the main image group creation unit 13 assumes that the main image data is an event such as a trip, an athletic meet, a play shooting, or a different shooting date and time. Grouping is performed depending on whether the recording interval between the main image data is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Here, as shown in FIG. 2A, main image data H1 to H3 are grouped into group 1, main image data H4 and H5 are grouped into 2, and main image data H6 to H9 are grouped into group 1. By this grouping, the main image data of the same group has almost the same event and shooting date and time such as travel, sports day, play shooting and the like.

  Here, if the predetermined threshold is shortened to 10 minutes or 20 minutes, grouping for each sightseeing spot around the destination or grouping for each event at the athletic meet can be performed. In addition to performing grouping based on whether or not the interval of recorded image data is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, several pieces of image data included in a specific time may be made into one group, or may have a specific length. If the image data is recorded, grouping may be performed based on the recording date and time, such as grouping before and after the image data. Further, the specific threshold value may be set in advance in the image data reproduction apparatus and recorded in the reproduction control unit, and grouping may be performed based on the predetermined threshold value. For example, a GUI displayed on the monitor 18 may be displayed by the user. It may be possible to select from the displayed time options, or to directly set a number.

  FIG. 2B shows a state in which the main image data H1 to H9 grouped as shown in FIG. 2A are grouped into one for each group to form one stream. Yes. Here, when the main image data is joined together for each group, the main image data is re-encoded (re-encoded) in accordance with the encoding method of the main image data so that the main image data is collected. May be.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, the digest image data creation unit 14 extracts a part of the main image data of each group and creates one digest image data D1 to D3 for each group. .

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a digest image data creation method by the digest image data creation unit 14 according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 3A shows an example in which a part of each main image data is extracted, for example, every 3 seconds from the head of each main image data belonging to each group to create digest image data of each group. Here, a part of the main image data 1 to 20 is extracted from the head of the main image data 1 to 20 belonging to the group 1 every 3 seconds, for example, and the digest image data of the group 1 of 60 seconds is generated. Yes.

  FIG. 3B shows the digest image data of each group by extracting a part of each main image data from an arbitrary position of each main image data belonging to each group according to the length of recording time of each main image data. An example of creating Here, a part of the main image data 1 to 20 is extracted from any position of the main image data 1 to 20 belonging to the group 1 for 3 seconds, 4 seconds, and 5 seconds, for example, and the digest image data of the group 1 is created. It shows that

  As described above, the digest image data created by the digest image data creation unit 14 according to the first embodiment may be a video that summarizes the corresponding main image data, and therefore is constant from all the main image data included in the group. It is not necessary to extract a summary video of time, and a plurality of summary videos may be extracted from one main image data. Also, if the playback time of the main image data is short, a video shorter than 3 seconds is extracted, and if the playback time of the main image data is long, a video longer than 3 seconds is extracted. Digest image data may be created, or all the main image data may not have a fixed time. Even if it is not a video from the beginning, it may be possible to acquire a video for a certain period of time after several seconds, or it may be a fixed length such as main image data of the same time as the time to acquire In this case, the summary video does not have to be acquired from the main image data, and if the main image data is recorded by using compression encoding such as MPEG instead of a unit of time such as seconds. A unit corresponding to the compression method such as several GOPs or a unit used for video such as several frames may be used.

  Also, in the case of recording by compression encoding such as MPEG, if the digest video data of the 20 main image data acquired as described above is set as one digest image data, it is not possible at the joint at the time of reproduction. Since continuous points may occur and images and sounds may not be reproduced correctly, it is preferable to re-encode (re-encode) several GOPs before and after that or the entire digest image data.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of management information recorded on the recording medium 10 of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the recording medium 10 includes a main image data recording area 41 in which main image data generated by the main image data generating unit 12 is recorded, and main image data generated by the digest image data generating unit 14. A digest image data recording area 42 to be recorded, and a management information recording area 43 in which management information such as logical block addresses of main image data and digest image data, recording date and time, reproduction time, and image quality are recorded are provided. . In the drawings, hereinafter, the main image data may be abbreviated as main data and the digest image data may be abbreviated as digest data.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure of management information managed by the reproduction control unit 16 of the first embodiment for the main image data and the digest image data.

  The reproduction control unit 16 according to the first embodiment reads management information of the main image data and the digest image data from the main image data creation unit 12, the main image group creation unit 13, and the digest image data creation unit 14, and stores them in an internal memory or the like. As shown in FIG. 5, each group is stored and managed in association with or associated with each group.

  FIG. 5A shows an example of the contents of management information stored in the internal memory or the like of the playback control unit 16. Specifically, the recording medium name “A001”, the recording medium medium type “HDD”, the total number of groups “4” when the main image data recorded on the recording medium 10 is grouped, and recorded on the recording medium 10 The main image data and the digest image for each group of the main image data total reproduction time “**; **; **;” and groups 1 to N (here, n = 4 because the total number of groups is 4). Data file name, playback time “***; ***; **;”, logical address “******”; .

  FIG. 5B shows an example of a tree structure of management information stored in the recording medium 10 by the reproduction control unit 16. Specifically, the playback control unit 16 sets the file names of the main image data and the digest image data, the playback time “for each group of loops 1 to N (here, n = 4 because the total number of groups is 4). **; **; **; "and logical address" ****** "; are recorded on the recording medium 10 and managed.

  Here, the playback control unit 16 is configured to be able to acquire date / time information from a clock for acquiring date / time information or from the outside, thereby recording and managing the recording date / time of the main image data. The attribute information such as the recording date / time may be recorded on the recording medium 10 via the medium access unit together with the main image data instead of in the reproduction control unit 16. In this case, a management area is provided and recorded in an area different from the recording area of the main image data, and which main image data corresponds to the management data, the data name of the main image data, or the recording medium 10 The logical and physical address information may be recorded together.

  Next, the processing procedure of the image data reproducing apparatus will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image data reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  It is assumed that a plurality of main image data is recorded in advance on the recording medium 10 by the main image data creation unit 12. Each main image data is stored and managed in the reproduction control unit 16 with all management information related to the main image data such as the recording date or shooting date, genre, recording or photographer name, recording or shooting location, and reproduction time of the main image data. It is assumed that

  First, when the user of the image data reproduction apparatus 10 inputs a digest reproduction start instruction for instructing the reproduction start of digest image data from the operation input unit 17, and the reproduction control unit 16 receives the digest reproduction start instruction as an event ( Step 600), the reproduction control unit 16 outputs a grouping instruction to the main image group creation unit 13, and the main image group creation unit 13 stores a plurality of information recorded on the recording medium 10 as shown in FIG. The main image data is grouped (S610).

  That is, the digest image data creation unit 16 obtains information such as the number of main image data recorded on the recording medium 10 and the recording date / time from the reproduction control unit 16, and based on the recording interval between the main image data. Perform grouping.

  It should be noted that the digest playback start can be input by providing a playback start button as described above and pressing the button by the user, or without providing a direct input button. As a general-purpose method, a GUI (graphical user interface) button “digest playback” is displayed on the monitor 18, or a selection button for selecting the start of playback of digest image data is displayed on the monitor 18. You may make it make a user select.

  Next, when the grouping of the main image data is completed, the reproduction control unit 16 outputs a digest image creation instruction to the digest image data creation unit 14.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B, the digest image data creation unit 14 generates digest image data for each group of the main image data grouped by the main image group creation unit 13. In addition to the creation (step 620), the management information indicating the reproduction time and logical address of the digest image data, and which main image data group the digest image data belongs to is created (step 630).

  Here, the management information is information indicating which main image data and digest image data are included for each group of main image data as shown in FIG. 5A, for example. For example, the first group includes main data having data names 0001 to 0020, and information indicating that the digest image data is d001. In addition to the data name, information for specifying the logical or physical position on the recording medium 10 on which the main image data and the digest image data are recorded, such as a logical address and a physical address, is also recorded. Also good. In addition, when main image data and digest image data are recorded across a plurality of media, information for specifying the media may be recorded together. The playback time of the main image data and digest image data may also be recorded. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the management information is stored by creating a directory with the group name of each group under the root directory and storing data files belonging to the group under the directory. You may make it equal. In that case, if the extension is changed between the main image data and the digest image data, the main image data and the digest image data can be managed separately.

  Next, the playback control unit 16 records the digest image data created by the digest image data creation unit 14 on the recording medium 10 or the like as described above (step 640), and stores the management information created in step 630 for each group. The main image data and the digest image data are recorded on the recording medium 10 or the like so as to be associated or associated with each other (step 650).

  Even if such management information is not recorded in the recording medium 10 or the reproduction control unit 16 or the like, information indicating group 1 is stored in the header portion of the digest image data, and the main image belonging to group 1 is stored. In the data, information indicating group 1 may be stored in the header portion. For example, if the main image data and the digest image data are MPEG, the header portion may be an area that can be freely used by the user, such as a user data area provided in a GOP layer, a picture layer, or the like. If the watermark information is embedded in the video information, the group information can be stored even in an encoding method having no area other than the video information such as header information and user data area. However, when management information that is group information is recorded in the main image data or digest image data, it is necessary to perform a process of controlling the reproduction by accessing the recorded area every time the reproduction control unit 16 reproduces.

  Next, the reproduction control unit 16 outputs a digest data reproduction instruction to the data reproduction unit 15 and controls to reproduce the digest image data in the group order (step 660). In the group order, for example, the digest image data in the group that is the basis of the digest image data is reproduced in order from the digest image data with the oldest recording date of the main image data. For example, as in the example of the first embodiment, when there are four groups, reproduction is performed in order from the digest data of the group with the oldest recording date and time, and when reproduction of the digest data of all groups is completed, The digest data may be reproduced, or may of course be reproduced again in order from the digest data of the group with the oldest recording date and time.

  When the reproduction of the digest image data is started, the reproduction image of the digest image data is displayed on an external display device (not shown) connected via the monitor 18 or the video signal output unit 19. As a result, the user of this apparatus can view digest image data, which is a summary video of a large number of main image data recorded on the recording medium 10, by displaying the digest image data. You can search for videos recorded during a certain period.

  Here, when a main body playback mode, that is, an instruction to switch to the main image data is input via the operation input unit 17 from the user of the present apparatus (step 665 “YES”), the reproduction control unit 16 displays the main image data group. From the first main image data in the same group as the digest image data reproduced by the data reproduction unit 15 when the switching input is received from the operation input unit 17 based on the management information indicating the correspondence between the image data and the digest image data. Reproduction is performed in order of date and time (step 680). For example, when the main image playback mode switching instruction is input while the digest image data d002 of group 2 is being reproduced, the main image data 0021 at the head of group 2 is reproduced as shown in FIG. become. If the user of the apparatus does not input an instruction to switch to the main image data via the operation input unit 17 (step 665 “no”), the digest data of all groups is reproduced as it is (step 680). Note that the input at the operation input unit 17 may be a button that can directly specify a switching operation, or may be input using a GUI as described in the start of digest data reproduction.

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the correspondence between the digest data playback order and the main data group.

  The digest image data is reproduced in order from the old group to the new group in order of the digest image data of the group 1, the digest image data of the group 2, the digest image data of the group 3, and so on. Perform playback. Here, if there is a switching input during digest data reproduction of group 1, information for specifying the main image data included in group 1 is recorded in the management information. The main image data 1 and the main image data 2 are reproduced.

  When the main image data is being reproduced, if the user again inputs switching to the digest reproduction mode via the operation input unit 17 (step 685 “YES”), switching from the digest image data to the main image data is performed. In the same manner as described above, the playback control unit 16 refers to the management information, and switches within the digest image data at the beginning of the digest image data in the same group as the main image data group displayed at the time of the digest playback mode switching input or within the digest image data. An instruction is given to the data reproduction unit 15 to reproduce the digest image data in the order of the groups described above from the main image data displayed at the time of input or the image data extracted from the main image data recorded at a later date and time. .

  Thereby, the data reproduction unit 15 resumes the reproduction of the digest image data in the order of the groups described above from the digest image data of the same group as the main image data group displayed when the digest reproduction mode switching is input (step 690). . When the reproduction of the digest image data of the group is finished, the reproduction of the digest image data may be finished there, the reproduction of the digest image data may be repeated, and further, the digest of the next group may be repeated. Of course, the image data may be reproduced sequentially.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, a plurality of main image data recorded on the recording medium 10 are grouped based on the recording date and time to create a plurality of groups, and one or more included in each group Digest image data is created from each main image data and recorded on a recording medium for each group. When the digest reproduction mode is instructed by the user, the digest image data is reproduced for each group. The contents of a plurality of main image data recorded in the user can be easily and quickly known for each group.

  In particular, in the main image group creation unit 13 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the main image is determined depending on whether or not the interval of the next main image data from the recording end time of the main image data is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. Since the data group is created, the main image data with the same recording date and time are grouped into the same group, so that the same content or images of the same subject recorded or photographed at almost the same time are handled as the same group. Can do. In addition, the grouping may include not only the shooting interval but also the video data including the recording date and time in a certain interval in the same group. For example, if the interval is set as 24 hours, a specific date The recorded moving image data becomes one and the same group, and grouping is performed for each date. Such sections may be further subdivided using the recording time information, and each day may be divided into morning and afternoon, for a total of eight groups, or sections may be set in advance in the device. In addition, the user may select from the time options displayed on the monitor as in the method using the GUI described above, or input a number, or recorded video data The time interval between the oldest recorded data and the newest data is evenly divided in time, or the same group is used if the total playback time of video data included in one group is within a certain time, etc. It may be calculated from the recording date and time of moving image data and the reproduction time of moving image data. In addition, it may be configured such that the number of moving image data recorded in each group is divided from the number of recorded moving image data.

  When the digest image data is designated by the user when the digest image data is reproduced, the main image data belonging to the group is reproduced from the main image data at the head of the group to which the main image data belongs. So, using the digest image data, you can easily search for the main video recorded or recorded at approximately the same time as the video from the recording medium on which multiple main image data was recorded, or the main video with the same attributes Can be played.

  As a result, in particular, when playing back the recording medium 10 on which a lot of pictures taken by individuals such as a video camera are played, the user not only searches for a desired picture but also plays pictures taken before and after that. can do.

  In an image data reproducing apparatus that reproduces and displays main image data from a recording medium on which a large number of main image data is recorded, not only can the user search for desired main image data while viewing digest image data that summarizes the main image.

  Also, when you watch a main video, you can see the digest image data that summarizes the main image data that was taken after a certain amount of time from the main video or the digest image data that summarizes the main image data with different attributes Can do. In addition, when searching for main image data using digest image data that does not necessarily present complete main image data, the main image data that is not the desired main image is accidentally started. However, it is possible to quickly return to the digest image data and search the main image data again.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the image data reproduction apparatus of the first embodiment, the digest image data creation unit 14 creates actual digest image data from each of one or more main image data included in each group, and stores the actual digest image data on a recording medium for each group. In the second embodiment, the actual digest data is not created, but a digest data playlist for creating a part of the main image data as digest image data is created in the second embodiment. It is. In this case, since the actual data of the digest image data is not created, there is an advantage that the consumption of the capacity of the recording medium 10 can be suppressed.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image data reproduction device according to the second embodiment.

  The image data reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is provided with the digest image data creating unit 14 for creating the actual data of the digest image data, whereas the image data according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. Instead, the playback device does not create actual data of the digest image data, but a digest data playlist for converting a part of the main image data into digest image data, that is, a part of the main image data is set to the section start information and the section. A digest section information creation unit 24 is provided that creates digest section information for extracting digest image data by designating with end information or section length information. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a digest data playlist created by the digest section information creation unit 24 according to the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 9, for example, the digest data playlist of the main data 1 to 20 of the group 1 has a reproduction start time and a reproduction end time in each main data 1 to 20, for example, “00; 00; "00", "00; 00; 03", "00; 01; 20", "00; 01; 25", etc. By specifying a short time from 3 seconds to several seconds, abstract videos are extracted from the main data 1 to 20 respectively, and are reproduced continuously to form digest image data of group 1.

  In FIG. 9, the playback order, the corresponding main image data, and the start and end points of the playback section are indicated by digest section information such as playback start time and playback end time. The digest image data playback unit 14 Based on the digest section information, a part of the main image data is read as digest image data from the recording medium 10 via the data read / write unit 11 and reproduced. Here, if the digest section information of the digest data playlist is in a format that can specify the section of the main data to be reproduced, for example, instead of the start point, the elapsed time from the beginning of the main image data is started instead of the end point. A format in which the elapsed time from a point is specified may be used. Further, instead of time information, any information may be used for designating a specific location such as a PTS for identifying the position of a video in accordance with the main image data encoding method and the number of GOPs from the beginning.

  The digest section information creation unit 24 according to the second embodiment creates digest image data based on such a digest data playlist for all groups of main image data.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the contents of a plurality of main image data recorded on the recording medium 10 can be easily and quickly known for each group, and the digest image can be obtained. It is possible to easily search and play back a main video shot or recorded at almost the same time as the video from a recording medium on which a plurality of main video data is recorded using data, or a main video having the same attributes. .

  In particular, according to the image data reproducing apparatus of the second embodiment, digest image data is created from digest section information of a digest data playlist that extracts a part of main image data by designating a start point and an end point. Since the actual data of the digest image data is not created, there is no need to store the actual data of the digest image data in the recording medium 10, and there is an advantage that the consumption of the capacity of the recording medium 10 can be suppressed.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the image data reproducing apparatuses of the first and second embodiments, the main program group creating unit 13 refers to the recording date and time and the reproduction time of the main program data recorded on the recording medium 10 and groups them based on the recording interval between the main program data. As described above, the third embodiment performs grouping for each day based on the recording date and time of the main data recorded on the recording medium 10.

  Specifically, the recording medium 10 includes, for example, 20 main image data recorded on April 29, 30 main image data recorded on May 3 of the same year, and May 4 of the same year. It is assumed that 40 main image data recorded on the day and 10 main image data recorded on May 5 of the same year are recorded.

  Then, the main group creating unit 13 of the third embodiment, based on the recording date / time of the main data recorded on the recording medium 10, includes a group of 20 main image data recorded on April 29, 2007. 1. Group 2 consisting of 30 main image data recorded on May 3 of the same year, Group 3 consisting of 40 main image data recorded on May 4 of the same year, recorded on May 5 of the same year Further, grouping is performed such as a group 4 composed of 10 main image data.

  Then, the digest image data creation unit 14 of the third embodiment performs digest image data that becomes a summary video from the 20 main image data recorded on April 29, 2007, as in the first embodiment. 1 digest image data from 30 main image data recorded on May 3, the same year, one digest image data from 40 main image data recorded on May 4, the same year, A total of four digest image data are created for each group 1 to 4 such as one digest image data from the ten main image data recorded on May 5 of the same year.

  Therefore, according to the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the contents of the plurality of main image data recorded on the recording medium 10 can be easily and quickly known for each group, and the digest image can be obtained. It is possible to easily search and play back a main video shot or recorded at almost the same time as the video from a recording medium on which a plurality of main video data is recorded using data, or a main video having the same attributes. .

  In particular, according to the third embodiment, the main program group creating unit 13 does not perform grouping based on the recording interval between the main program data with reference to the recording date and reproduction time of the main program data recorded on the recording medium 10. Since the main data recorded on the recording medium 10 is grouped by day based on the recording date and time of the main data, digest data for each day can be created.

  In the above description of the first to third embodiments, the image data reproducing apparatus is configured as hardware. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be configured as software by a program.

  In the description of the first to third embodiments, the digest image data creation unit 14 or the digest section information creation unit 24 creates digest image data from each of one or a plurality of main image data included in each group, and each group. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the internal memory of the digest image data creating unit 14 or the digest section information creating unit 24 is different from the recording medium 10. Of course, the data may be stored in a memory such as an internal memory of the reproduction control unit 16 or the like.

  In the description of the first to third embodiments, the data read / write unit 11 writes the main image data and the digest image data to the recording medium 10. However, the main image data and the digest image are written to the recording medium 10. When it is not necessary to write data, for example, when main image data or digest image data has already been written on the recording medium 10, the writing function of the data reading / writing unit 11 is omitted, and the configuration is simply a data reading unit. Of course.

  In the description of the first to third embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, when the digest reproduction start input from the user is accepted, the main image data is divided into groups, and the digest image data for each group. However, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), from the grouping of the main image data to the creation of the digest image data for each group, steps 610 to 650 are performed. The processing and the processing from step 660 to 690 such as digest image data reproduction processing as shown in FIG. 10B are separated, and reception of different event inputs, that is, digest creation start input reception (step 605). And the digest reproduction start input reception (step 600). For example, the digest creation start event in step 605 shown in FIG. 10A may be a digest creation start input by the operation input unit 17 by the user, or the charging start of the apparatus may be a digest creation start input event. Of course, recording a predetermined volume of the main image data on the recording medium 10 may be used as a digest creation start input event.

It is a block diagram which shows the image data reproduction apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of grouping by a main image group creation unit 13 and digest image data creation by a digest image data creation unit 14 according to the first embodiment; It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the production method of the digest image data by the digest image data creation part 14 of this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of the management information recorded on the recording medium 10 of this Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of the management information which the reproduction | regeneration control part 16 of this Embodiment 1 manages main image data and digest image data. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image data reproduction device according to the first embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram showing the correspondence between the digest data playback order and the main data group. It is a block diagram which shows the image data reproduction apparatus of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the digest data play list which the digest area information preparation part 24 of Embodiment 2 produces. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement at the time of performing the process from the grouping of main image data to the production | generation of the digest image data for every group, and processes, such as a reproduction process of digest image data, according to a separate event.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Recording medium 11 Data reading / writing part 12 Main image data creation part 13 Main image group creation part 14 Digest image data creation part 15 Data reproduction part 16 Playback control part 17 Operation input part 18 Monitor 19 Video signal output part

Claims (6)

A data reading unit for reading a plurality of main image data recorded on a recording medium;
A data reproducing unit for reproducing the plurality of main image data read from the recording medium by the data reading unit;
A main image group creating unit that groups the plurality of main image data recorded on the recording medium based on their recording dates and creates a plurality of groups;
Digest image data obtained by extracting one or a plurality of image data to be a summary of main image data from one or a plurality of main image data included in each of the plurality of groups generated by the main image group generation unit. A digest image data creation unit for each group;
When the main image data belonging to each group and the digest image data are associated with each of the plurality of groups created by the main image group creation unit, and an instruction to start reproduction of the digest image data is input from the user, A reproduction control unit that controls the data reproduction unit to reproduce each digest image data in accordance with the recording date order of the main image data associated with each digest image data;
An image data reproducing apparatus having: A data reading unit for reading a plurality of main image data recorded on a recording medium;
A data reproducing unit for reproducing the plurality of main image data read from the recording medium by the data reading unit;
A main image group creating unit for grouping a plurality of main image data recorded on the recording medium based on the recording date and time to create a plurality of groups;
One or a plurality of image data sections to be a summary of the main image data are extracted from one or more main image data included in each of the plurality of groups generated by the main image group generation unit, and the main image data is extracted on the main image data. A digest section information creating unit that creates digest section information for each group, each section being represented by section start information and section end information or section length information;
When the main image data belonging to each group and the digest section information are associated with each of the plurality of groups created by the main image group creation unit, and an instruction to start reproduction of the digest image data is input from the user, The main image data of the section indicated by the section start information and the section end information or the section length information of the digest section information is reproduced as digest image data according to the recording date order of the main image data associated with the digest section information. A reproduction control unit for controlling the data reproduction unit;
An image data reproducing apparatus having: In the image data reproducing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The reproduction control unit
When the user receives a playback switching instruction to the main image data during playback of the digest image data, one or more main images belonging to the same group as the group of digest image data being played based on the association The image data reproducing apparatus that controls the data reproducing unit to select data and reproduce the data in order of recording date and time. In the image data reproducing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The reproduction control unit
When receiving a reproduction switching instruction to digest image data from the user during the reproduction of the main image data, the digest image data belonging to the same group as the main image data being reproduced is selected based on the association, An image data reproduction apparatus that controls the data reproduction unit to reproduce the digest image data in order of recording date and time of the main image data in order from the selected digest image data. Reading a plurality of main image data recorded on a recording medium;
Grouping the plurality of main image data recorded on the recording medium based on their recording date and time, creating a plurality of groups;
Creating digest image data for each group by extracting one or a plurality of image data as a summary of main image data from one or a plurality of main image data included in each of the plurality of groups;
When the main image data belonging to each group and the digest image data are associated for each of the plurality of groups and an instruction to start reproduction of the digest image data is input from the user, the digest image data is converted into the digest image. Replaying according to the recording date order of the main image data associated with the data;
A method for reproducing image data. Reading a plurality of main image data recorded on a recording medium;
Grouping the plurality of main image data recorded on the recording medium based on their recording date and time, creating a plurality of groups;
One or a plurality of image data sections to be a summary of the main image data are extracted from one or more main image data included in each of the plurality of groups, and each of the sections on the main image data is set as section start information and section end. Creating digest section information indicated by information or section length information for each group;
When the main image data belonging to each group is associated with the digest section information for each of the plurality of groups, and when an instruction to start reproduction of the digest image data is input from the user, the section start information and the section of the digest section information Replaying the main image data of the section indicated by the end information or the section length information as digest image data according to the recording date order of the main image data associated with the digest section information;
A method for reproducing image data.

Images