JP4800824B2 - recoding media - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording medium on which a main transport stream including encoded image information and sub-image information that can be displayed superimposed on the image information is recorded.

  The DVD video format realizes continuous playback of still images (so-called slide show). Each still image signal is encoded into an intra-frame encoded image (I-picture) of MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2) video and multiplexed into an MPEG2 program stream. Also, by multiplexing the I-picture, audio, and subpicture into the MPEG2 program stream, the audio and subpicture can be reproduced in synchronization with the slide show. Such a slide show is reproduced at a predetermined timing based on a presentation time stamp PTS (Presentation Time Stamp).

  The DVD video program stream has a structure in units of VOBU (Video Object Unit). Such a conventional DVD data structure is described, for example, in Patent Document 1 below. FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a conventional DVD video program stream. As shown in FIG. 36, a DVD video program stream is managed in units of VOBS (Video Object Set), and this is a unit of, for example, one movie. This VOBS is composed of a plurality of Video Objects (VOB). This VOB is a unit in which each data is recorded as a group on the disc. This VOB is composed of a plurality of cells, and this is a unit such as one scene or one cut in a movie, for example. Furthermore, this Cell is composed of a plurality of VOBUs (Video Object Units). This VOBU is a unit of 0.4 to 1.2 seconds in a moving image, and one or more GOPs (Group of Picture) in the MPEG2 format are included in this VOBU.

  The VOBU has a navigation pack (N_PCK) which is a pack having management information of this VOBU, and this navigation pack is arranged at the head of each VOBU. The navigation pack has VOBU_SRI (VOBU Search Information) and SP_SYNCA. VOBU_SRI has a head address of VOBU to be played back N seconds (N is an integer) before and after the playback time of the VOBU including the VOBU_SRI. Further, SP_SYNCA has address information of a sub-picture that is reproduced in synchronization with the VOBU video including the SP_SYNCA. When playing back a movie or the like, the navigation pack can be read in advance and played back based on the management information indicated by the navigation pack.

  In addition to this NV_PCK, the VOBU has a video pack (V_PCK) that is a pack having main video, an audio pack (A_PCK) that is a pack having audio data, and a sub-picture pack that is a pack having sub-video data. (SP_PCK). These V_PCK, A_PCK, and SP_PCK are each compressed and recorded on a recording medium in a predetermined format such as MPEG2. This VOBU includes, for example, a VOBU1 including a video pack shown in FIG. 36 (including one I-picture and Sequence_end_code data), a VOBU2 not including a video pack, and the like.

  Here, the VOBU used for the slide show may not include a video pack (Video pack including MPEG2 video). In a VOBU that does not include a video pack, for example, VOBU2 in FIG. 36, the video still from the previous VOBU1 is continued. The length of time that the I-picture is still can be controlled by a navigation command.

  Also, the DVD audio program stream has basically the same structure as that shown in FIG. The DVD audio format realizes a mode (Browsable slide show) in which audio playback and slide show progress are asynchronous. In Browsable slide show, even if the user instructs the player to proceed to the next still image using a remote controller or the like and the still playback time of each still image changes, audio playback is played continuously without interruption. . Thus, DVD audio has a mode in which video and audio playback are asynchronous.

  Incidentally, data in a format different from that shown in FIG. 36 is described in the following Patent Document 2 filed earlier by the present inventors. The application format of data recorded in the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 2 below has two layers consisting of a Play List and a Clip for AV stream management. The Play List in the Play List layer is referenced only by the user, and can be used when the user reproduces and edits data such as video by referring to the Play List. On the other hand, the Clip layer is used when the player reproduces the AV stream specified by the Play List. Here, one AV stream and a pair which is ancillary information of the AV stream are set as one object, which is managed in a unit called Clip. The AV stream file is called a Clip AV stream file, and the attached information is called a Clip Information file, and is separately recorded on a recording medium. As described above, the stream data and the associated information are separately recorded and managed so that the data can be easily managed.

JP-A-10-271444 JP 2002-158972 A

  However, in the data format as shown in FIG. 36 described above, it takes time to read out the address information of the still image embedded in the MPEG program stream. That is, when determining the read address of the still image, the stream data is read from the disk, the data is analyzed by the host CPU of the player, and then the address of the still image access point is determined. The reading process takes time. On the other hand, if a slide show can be realized using the same format as the audio / video data described in Patent Document 2, it is easy to manage the data and use the same recording / reproducing apparatus. .

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such a conventional situation, and is a recording used for easily realizing a slide show using still images in the same format as audio / video data and their associated information. The purpose is to provide a medium.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a recording medium according to the present invention shows an AV stream used by a playback apparatus , a clip including image attribute information thereof, and a playback path that specifies playback of at least a part of the clip. A recording medium on which data structure information including image playback designation information is recorded and played back by a playback device, a still image group including one or more still images in an AV stream, and each still image of the still image group Image attribute information for managing images, information created by using the image attribute information, information specifying the playback start time and playback end time of each still image, and images at the playback end time are displayed unless a command from the user is given Image reproduction designation information having first information indicating whether or not to continue, and a reproduction path for designating reproduction of an audio stream reproduced simultaneously with a still image Indicates a playback path for specifying the playback start time and playback end time on the time axis of the audio stream, and includes second information indicating whether or not playback of a still image is asynchronous, and audio playback specification information. Audio reproduction designation information having third information indicating whether or not to repeatedly reproduce the included reproduction path is recorded , and the AV stream is reproduced by the reproduction device using the image reproduction designation information and the audio reproduction designation information. .

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is an information processing apparatus for recording data for realizing a slide show for continuously reproducing still images while using a format for recording and reproducing moving images on a DVD, and such data. The present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus to be reproduced.

(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Data Structure Here, first, the structure of data recorded or reproduced by the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a simplified structure of a still image application format on a recording medium used in the recording / reproducing system of the present invention. This format has the same configuration as the application format described in Patent Document 2 described above, and has two layers, Play List and Clip, for AV stream management.

  In the first embodiment, a pair of a still image group (Group of picture files) that is a group of still images composed of one or more still images and the attached information of the still image group is considered as one object, This object is managed in a unit called Clip. The attached information (image attribute information) of this still image group is called Clip Information.

  A collection of playback sections of a slide show using still images in a clip is called a play list. The Play List is reproduction designation information indicating a reproduction path (reproduction path) for designating the reproduction order of still images. One playback section is called a Play Item. Therefore, the Play List is composed of a collection of Play Items.

  There are two types of Play List. One is a Real Play List, and the other is a Virtual Play List. The Real Play List is considered to share the part of the still image group of the Clip that it refers to. That is, the Real Play List occupies the data capacity corresponding to the portion of the still image group of the Clip referenced by the Real Play List on the disc. When a new still image is recorded, it is automatically added to the Real Play List. When a part of the playback range of the Real Play List is erased, the data of the still image group part of the Clip to which it refers is also erased. On the other hand, the Virtual Play List is regarded as not sharing Clip data. Even if the Virtual Play List is changed or deleted, the Clip does not change anything. In the following description, the Real Play List and Virtual Play List are collectively referred to simply as “Play List”.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of Group of picture files and Clip Information thereof. In the present embodiment, as described above, one or more still image files are managed as one group of picture files. Then, a Clip Information file corresponding to this Group of picture files is provided. Clip Information includes, for each still image file included in Group of picture files, an ID (file_id) that is still image identification information when referring to the still image file, a file name (file_name) corresponding to file_id, It has information indicating the byte size (file_size), the number of horizontal pixels of each still image (horizontal_size), and the number of vertical pixels of the still image (vertical_size).

  In FIG. 2, the still image data format is JPEG or PNG, but it goes without saying that any other still image data format may be used, such as MPEG2 I-picture, GIF, and JPEG2000. .

  In this embodiment, two types of slide shows will be described. The first slide show is a slide show in which the playback start time of each still image is determined in advance (hereinafter also referred to as a time base slide show or time base mode), and the second slide show is the playback start time of each still image. Is a slide show in which the playback order is determined (hereinafter also referred to as “Browsable slide show”).

  In a time-based slide show, when the user does not instruct the playback device (player) to proceed with slide playback, playback of each slide automatically proceeds at a predetermined time on the time axis. The slide is played. Therefore, the playback time of each slide (the duration of the slide still) is finite. In the time-based slide show, when audio is played back simultaneously with a still image, audio playback can be synchronized with playback of the still image.

  On the other hand, the playback order of the browsable slide show is determined, and the playback time of each slide is finite or infinite. As described above, when the slide playback time is infinite, it does not proceed to the playback of the next slide unless the user instructs the playback device to proceed with the slide playback. Therefore, each slide is not reproduced at a predetermined time on the time axis. In the browsable slide show, when audio is reproduced simultaneously with a still image, the audio is not synchronized with the reproduction of the still image.

(1-2) Slideshow with designated playback start time A first slideshow in which the playback start time of each still image is determined in advance will be described with reference to FIGS.

(1-2-1) Slideshow: Still Image Only FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a slideshow in which the playback start time of each still image is determined in advance, and FIG. 3A shows the playback of each still image. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of a Play List in a slide show in which a start time is predetermined, and FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a still image and a reproduction time. In a slide show in which the reproduction start time of each still image is determined in advance, each still image is reproduced at a predetermined timing on the time axis of the Play Item.

  The Play List is composed of a plurality of Play Items. As shown in FIG. 3, each Play Item has IN_time and OUT_time data indicating the playback section of the slide show. The playback start and end times of each slide show are designated by the IN_time and OUT_time. Each Play Item has data for each still image constituting the slide show (hereinafter also referred to as “Scene”). This Scene includes an ID (file_id) which is identification information of a still image when referring to Group of picture files in the Clip. Also, these scenes include a playback start time (start_time_stamp) in the PlayItem. Each scene has a display time (duration) that is a playback time of each scene, that is, a still playback time of each still image.

  Here, the playback time of each scene may overlap in the play item, and one scene can have a plurality of file_ids. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 3B, Scene [2] overlaps Scene [1] and Scene [3]. In this case, the image of Scene [2] is displayed superimposed on both the images of Scene [1] and Scene [3]. Here, the numbers in the image in FIG. 3B indicate file_id. In addition, in FIG. 3B, for example, the information on the display position of the image of Scene [2] on the image of Scene [1] can be described in the Play List in FIG. 3B. However, it may be described in a file different from the Play List, or may be described in a Group of picture files referenced by Scene [2].

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the Play List and Clip shown in FIG. The Play List refers to a still image (file ID in this example) in the Clip. Clip Information indicates the relationship between a still image (file ID) referenced by the Play List and its actual state (file name in this example). That is, referring to Clip Information, the file name File_name of the ID (file_id) that is still image identification information described in the Play List is specified. Then, the still image file with this file name is read from the Group of Picture files.

(1-2-2) Slideshow: Still Image + Audio Next, a case where audio is synchronously reproduced in a slideshow in which the reproduction start time of each still image is determined in advance will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a Play List when audio is reproduced in synchronization with a still image slide show. When synchronizing the audio to a slide show that has a predetermined playback start time for each still image, in the Play List, an audio playback designation that indicates the audio playback path is separate from the Play Item (MainPath) that indicates the still image playback path. Sub Play Item (SubPath) is provided as information.

  This Sub Play Item includes a playback start time (sync_start_PTS_of_Play Item) on the time axis of the Play Item (Play List). Further, this Sub Play Item includes a playback start time (Sub Play Item_IN_time) on the Clip referred to by the Sub Play Item. Further, this Sub Play Item includes a playback end time (Sub Play Item_OUT_time) on the Clip referred to by the Sub Play Item.

  When the Sub Play Item indicates an access point into the Clip by a presentation time stamp (PTS), the Clip Information file is useful for finding address information at which to start decoding the stream in the AV stream file. The clip AV stream file referred to by the Sub Play Item is an audio stream.

  That is, the Clip Information file includes a table (audio EP_map) in which information indicating the start time in the audio stream and the address of the source packet (minimum access unit) corresponding to the start time and end time is described. With reference to this table, an address corresponding to the designated presentation time PTS can be acquired, and the audio data indicated by this address can be read and reproduced. As described above, the Sub Play Item has a playback start time on the time axis of the Play Item indicating the playback path of the still image, so that the audio can be played back in synchronization with the slide show of the still image.

(1-3) Slideshow in which only playback order is specified Next, a second slideshow (Browsable slide show) in which only the playback order of still images is specified will be described with reference to FIGS.

(1-3-1) Slide show: Still image only FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of a Play List showing a Browsable slide show, and FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the still image and the playback time. FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6A, the Play Item Scene of the Browsable slide show does not specify the playback start time of the still image unlike the cases of FIGS. Instead of the information of the reproduction start time (start_time_stamp) in the PlayItem of each still image, the image has information specifying only the order in which each still image is reproduced on the PlayItem. Further, unlike the examples shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the Play Item does not have IN_time and OUT_time. Also, the playback time (display time) of each still image constituting the slide show is not determined. In this example, the user can instruct the player of the playback time of each scene.

  In addition, each Scene of this Play List includes information indicating the default playback time corresponding to the playback order in the Play Item of each still image, instead of the predetermined playback time (duration) as shown in FIG. Have. Only when the user does not specify anything, the player performs still playback for the default playback time. Thus, by having the default playback time, the user can instruct the player to proceed to the next still image with a remote controller or the like, and can freely control the still playback time of each still image.

  That is, each scene of the Play Item includes information (playing_order) that specifies the playback order of the Scene in the Play Item, and ID that is identification information of a still image when referring to the Group of Picture files in the Clip (File_id) and the default playback time (default_duration) of each Scene. Note that the default playback time may be different for each still image or the same value.

  Also in the Browsable slide show, a plurality of still images can be displayed in a single scene in the same manner as in the case of the slide show in which the playback time is specified in advance. In this case, a plurality of file_ids are described in one scene. For example, in the case of FIG. 6A, as shown in FIG. 6B, when file_id = 1 and file_id = 2 are described in Scene [1], an image with file_id = 2 is an image with file_id = 1 Displayed above. Here, the numbers in the image in FIG. 6B indicate file_id. The information on the display position of the file_id = 2 image on the file_id = 1 image can be described in the Play List, but may be described in a file different from the Play List, or file_id = 2 may be described in the image file to be referenced.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the Play List shown in FIG. The Play List refers to a still image in the Clip, and the Clip Information indicates the relationship between the still image referred to by the Play List and its actual state. That is, in this embodiment, the Clip Information is referred to from the file ID for identifying the still image in the Clip indicated by the Play List, the file name corresponding to this file ID is obtained, and the file name Read and play still images from Group of Picture files.

(1-3-2) Slideshow: Still Image + Audio Next, a case where audio is reproduced asynchronously with respect to such a Browsable slide show will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among a Play List of a Browsable slide show for reproducing audio asynchronously, a Clip Information file, and an audio stream. The Play List is made up of a Play Item indicating a still image playback path and a Play Item indicating an audio playback path. Unlike the case shown in FIG. Indicates an audio playback path, and Sub Play Item indicates a still image playback path.

  In this Browsable slide show, even if the user instructs the player to proceed to the next still image with a remote controller or the like and the still playback time of each still image changes, audio playback is asynchronous with the progress of the slide show. Therefore, it is played continuously without interruption.

  Here, the configuration of the Sub Play Item indicating the playback path of the slide show is the same as the Play Item indicating the playback path of the slide show described with reference to FIG. That is, from the playback order of the scene in the play item (playing_order), the ID (file_id) required when referring to the group of picture files in the clip, and the default playback time of the scene (defoult_duration) It is configured.

  In addition, the Play Item indicating the audio playback path of the Browsable slide show shown in FIG. 8 includes the playback start time (IN_time) on the Clip referred to by the Play Item and the playback end time ( OUT_time) is described.

  When the Play Item indicating the audio playback path indicates the access point into the audio stream of the clip with a time stamp, the clip information file should start decoding the audio stream in the clip AV stream file Useful for finding address information.

  That is, the Clip Information file referenced by the Play Item has a table (audio EP_map) in which the correspondence between the start time of each playback section and its address is described in the audio stream. As a result, the playback device can convert the designated time stamp into an address and read and play the audio stream in the target playback section.

  Here, since the playback start time and end time are determined in the Play Item indicating the audio playback path, for example, the slide show may end at the audio playback end time, or until the end time. The reproduced audio may be reproduced again, and the audio may be reproduced repeatedly a plurality of times.

(1-4) Configuration of Information Processing Device (Recording Device) Next, as described above, a slide show in which the playback start time of each still image is determined in advance or a slide show in which only the playback order of still images is determined in advance. An information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment for recording data for realizing the above will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the information processing apparatus 1 receives a still image input via a terminal 13 and encodes a still image encoder 14 that encodes the still image encoder 14 and audio via a terminal 10. Information about the playback content of the slide show is input via the audio encoder 11 and the terminal 15, and image attribute information and audio attribute information are supplied from the still image encoder 14 and the audio encoder 11, respectively. And a controller 16 for generating a playlist, and a Play List and Clip Information are supplied from the controller 16 and recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD, and still images and audio data are recorded on the recording medium in a predetermined format. And a recording unit 17 that performs recording.

  When the playback start time of each still image is determined in advance as information related to the playback content of the slide show as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 16 displays the playback start time and playback time (display of each still image). Time) information. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, when audio is played back in synchronization with such a slide show, the still image playback path is used as the playback time information of the audio in addition to the playback start time and playback time of each still image. The playback start time on the Play Item indicating and the information indicating the playback section in the audio stream are received. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6 above, in the case of a slide show in which the playback start time of each still image is not determined but only the playback order is determined, the playback order of each still image and its default playback time As shown in FIG. 8, in the case of playing back asynchronous audio, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the playback order of each still image and its default playback time, the playback section in the audio stream The information indicating is received. Further, the controller 16 is supplied with data such as the data size of each still image, the number of vertical and horizontal pixels as image attribute information from the still image encoder 14, and corresponds to each still image included in the Group of Picture files. The Clip Informatioin shown in FIG. 2 is created.

  Then, the controller 16 uses the ID (file_id) described in the Clip Informatioin from the supplied information to create a Play List indicating the above-described still image and audio playback path. Also, Clip Information for audio data (audio attribute information) having a table (EP_map for audio) indicating the correspondence between the reproduction time of the audio data on the Play Item and the address of the minimum access unit (access point) of the audio stream ).

  The recording unit 17 records the Clip Information and Play Item on a recording medium, and records data according to the information. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of files and directories of data to be recorded. As shown in FIG. 10, the root 100 has directories for BDAV 110 and PICTURE 120, and the BDAV 110 has directories for PLAY LIST 111, CLIPINF 112, and STREAM 113. The PLAY LIST 111 has a plurality of Play List files 111a to 111c. The CLIPINF 112 includes a clip information file 112a of an audio stream and a clip information file 112b of a group of picture files. The STREAM 113 has an audio stream file 113a. Further, the PICTURE 120 has a plurality of Group of picture files 120a composed of groups of still image files 121 to 125, for example.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of data arrangement on a recording medium (disc) of Clip Information and related still image files. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the playback device (player) stores still image files in the order of image file names (image identification information ID (file_id)) that appear in Clip Information. Read and play. Therefore, if the still image data is arranged on the recording medium (disc) in the order in which the player reads the still image file, the time required for seeking the player data can be minimized. Still image data can be written on the recording medium.

  Next, the recording operation of the information processing apparatus in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a Play List creation method in the recording operation of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. First, the still image encoder 14 encodes a still image supplied via the terminal 13 to generate image data, supplies the image data to the recording unit 17, and supplies the image attribute information to the controller 16. The audio encoder 11 encodes audio data supplied via the terminal 10 to generate an audio stream, supplies the audio stream to the recording unit 17, and supplies the stream attribute information to the controller 16.

  And as shown in FIG. 12, the controller 16 acquires the reproduction | regeneration content of a slide show (step S1). That is, as described above, when the slide show and the audio are AV-synchronized, information on the playback start time and the playback time of each still image and the playback time of the audio to be played back in synchronization therewith is input to the terminal 15. Receive through. When the slide show and the audio are asynchronous with AV, information about the playback order of each still image, its default playback time, and the playback time of the audio is received via the terminal 15.

  Next, the controller 16 receives image attribute information from the still image encoder 14 (step S2), and receives audio stream attribute information such as audio EP_map from the audio encoder 11 (step S3). Then, the controller 16 creates Clip Information as attached information regarding the above-mentioned Group of picture files according to the image attribute information (step S4). That is, the attribute data of each still image is registered in the order of images to be reproduced in the slide show. Furthermore, referring to the file_id of the Clip Information image file, a Play List indicating the slide show playback section (play path) is created based on the supplied external information, and a Play List indicating the audio playback path is created. (Step S5). Further, the controller 16 instructs the recording unit 17 to record the Play List and Clip Information.

  The recording unit 17 records the Play List and Clip Information created by the controller 16 on a recording medium, and records the image data and audio data generated by the still image encoder 14 and the audio encoder, respectively, on the recording medium. At this time, the recording unit 17 records the image data so that the image data is arranged in the order of the image files appearing in the Play Item of Clip Information.

  In the information processing apparatus as the recording apparatus configured as described above, one or more still image files are managed as a group of picture files as one file, and each still image included in the file is managed. Information such as identification information (file_id) is managed as Clip Information, and a Play Item that specifies reproduction of each still image in a slide show is used. Therefore, it is possible to record data that realizes a slide show while maintaining compatibility with the moving image recording apparatus described in Patent Document 2 and the like. That is, a still image group file (Group of picture files) is prepared instead of an AV stream file in a moving image. A Clip Information file for referencing files in this Group of picture files is prepared, and playback is specified by the Play List, so that it is common with Clip (Information file), Play List, etc. in the format of moving image data Can be achieved.

(1-5) Configuration of Information Processing Device (Playback Device) FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an information processing device that plays back data recorded by the recording device described above. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the information processing apparatus 20 includes a reading unit 21 that reads data from a recording medium, a controller 22 that is supplied with the Play List and ClipInformation read by the reading unit 21, and a reading unit 21 that reads the data. Still image decoder 23 and audio decoder 26 to which the still image data and audio data thus supplied are supplied, a frame buffer 24 that temporarily stores the decoded still image, and a processor 25 that controls reproduction of the still image, respectively. Composed.

  The controller 22 acquires an ID (file_id) of still image data to be reproduced with reference to the Play List, and causes the still image decoder 23 to read and decode the still image elementary data indicated by the acquired still image data ID. . Here, in the case of playing a slide show in which the playback start time of the still image is not determined in advance, the controller 22 is supplied with an instruction from the user via the user interface 27, and according to the timing of the instruction from the user, The ID of the still image data can be acquired and the reading operation can be performed. If there is no instruction from the user, the still image data ID is acquired and read out when the playback time (duration) of the still image described in the Play List or the default playback time (default_duration) has elapsed. I do.

  Further, the controller 22 refers to the Play List, acquires the playback time of the audio data to be played back, refers to the Clip Information of the audio stream, acquires the address of the audio stream corresponding to the playback time, and sends it to the reading unit 21. It instructs the corresponding audio data to be read out.

  Hereinafter, the reproduction operation of the information processing apparatus will be described in detail. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the reproduction operation in the information processing apparatus of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, first, the read unit 21 reads the Play List and Clip Information and supplies them to the controller 22. The controller 22 acquires file_id for identifying the still image of the Play Item indicating the playback path of the still image of the Play List (step S11). Then, the controller 22 refers to the Clip Information of the Group of picture files, specifies the still image file indicated by the file_id of the still image, and reads the still image file from the Group of picture files by the reading unit 21 ( Step S12).

  Further, the controller 22 acquires the audio playback time according to the Play Item indicating the audio playback path of the Play List (step S13). Then, by referring to the Clip Information of the auxiliary audio stream, the address information at which the decoding of the stream is to be started is acquired in the audio stream file, and the audio data is obtained from the audio stream file by the reading unit 21 based on the information. Control is performed so as to read (step S14).

  Then, the still image decoder 23 decodes the still image data read in step S12 (step S15), and inputs the decoded image to the frame buffer 24. The audio decoder 26 decodes the audio data read in step S14 (step S16) and outputs the decoded audio. The controller 22 issues a predetermined instruction to the processor 25, and the frame buffer 24 reproduces the stored image at a predetermined timing in accordance with the instruction (step S17).

  Here, in step S11, the controller 22 acquires the file_id of the still image at the next timing t1 or t2. That is, a still image playback time is received at timing t1 when the playback time described in the corresponding Scene of the Play Item indicating the playback path of the still image in the Play List has elapsed, or an instruction to switch the still image is received from the user interface 27. The timing t2. Here, when the reproduction of the last still image of the Play Item is completed, the controller 22 ends the reproduction of the Play List.

  That is, when the playback start time of each still image shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 is determined in advance, the controller 22 performs the timing t1, that is, the timing when the duraton described in the scene of the Play Item has elapsed. It is possible to read file_id and instruct the reading unit 21 to read a still image corresponding to the file_id. Further, when the user or the like is instructed to start the reproduction start time of each still image shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the next file_id is set at the timing t2, that is, the timing of the still image switching instruction from the user. It is possible to instruct reading and reading of a corresponding still image. Here, when a still image switching instruction is not supplied, a time point when a predetermined default reproduction time (default_dulation) has elapsed is set as a read timing of the next file_id.

  In the information processing apparatus as the playback apparatus configured as described above, as a data format for realizing a slide show that is a continuous playback of still images, a Play List and a Clip are used to manage still images and audio data. Since two layers are provided and the still image group and audio stream in the Clip and the Clip Information file as the attached information thereof are managed as separate files, the moving image recording described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 and the like is provided. The data format used for reproduction can be shared. In other words, a group of picture files consisting of one or more still images and a clip information file for managing the clips are provided in the clip, and the playback section of the slide show is specified by the Play Item of the Play List, and the still images can be continuously played back. Since a certain slide show is realized, it is possible to continuously reproduce still images while maintaining compatibility with an information processing apparatus that handles moving images.

  In addition, by recording still images in the order of playback paths described in the Play Item of the Play List, it is possible to shorten the seek time required for reading.

In the above-described embodiment, different image file names are assigned to one or more still images included in Group of picture files, and Group of picture files are stored in different image files. Although the case of managing as a set has been described, this may be managed as one image file. Next, a modification of the first embodiment that manages one or more still images included in Group of picture files as one image file will be described.

  In the present modification, the group of picture files is divided into groups of image files including one or more still images (hereinafter referred to as still image group files), and IDs are sequentially assigned from the beginning of the playback order of the still image groups, for example. A number is assigned, and Clip Information refers to the ID number.

  In this modified example in which one or more still images included in Group of picture files are managed as one image file, for example, still images that are presented at the same time can be managed as a group. Specifically, in the case of the slide show shown in FIG. 7 described above, two still images with file_id = 1 and file_id = 2 that are played back simultaneously are grouped as one group, and still images with file_id = 3 are grouped into one group. In addition, the still images of file_id = 4 and file_id = 5 that are reproduced simultaneously are grouped as one group.

  In this case, it has a different structure from the above-described Play List shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a Play List and a Clip in the present modification. As shown in FIG. 15, the Play List is similar to FIG. 6 in that the Play List is composed of Play Items indicating still image playback paths, but the Play Item is a Page instead of the Scene shown in FIG. 6. Have. Here, the Scene shown in FIG. 6 includes information specifying the playback order of each Scene in the Play Item, identification information ID (file_id) of the still image when referring to the Group of picture files in the Clip, and Although it has a default playback time, the page in this modification example describes the ID (group_id), which is the identification information of each still image group, instead of the identification information ID (file_id) of the still image of the scene. Is different. In other respects, this page has the same function as Scene. That is, the page is information (playing_order) that specifies the playback order of each page in the play item, and ID (group_id) that is identification information of a still image group when referring to the group of picture files in the clip. ) And the default playback time (default_duration) of each Group.

  Also in this modified example, the Play List refers to still images in the Clip, and Clip Information indicates the relationship between the still images referenced by the Play List and their actual state. That is, the Play List refers to a still image group identification information ID (group_id) for identifying a still image in the Clip. Clip Information indicates address information on the recording medium of the grouped still images corresponding to the still image group identification information ID (group_id). The playback device acquires this address information, reads out and plays back a still image.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of data arrangement on the recording medium (disk) of Clip Information and related still image files in this modification shown in FIG. As described above, Clip Information includes address information (ads1, ads2, ads3) on the recording medium of the grouped still images corresponding to each still image group identification information ID (group_id). On the recording medium, in accordance with the playback order of Play Items, that is, in the order of still image group identification information IDs (group_id = 1, 2, 3) described in Page [1], [2], [3]. Still image group data is recorded.

  The playback device (player) reads and plays still image data in the order of still image group identification information ID (group_id) appearing in Clip Information. By adopting such a still image file structure, it is possible to reduce the amount of file system data for managing files, compared to a case where Group of picture files is a set of separate image files.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above-described second embodiment, each still image of Group of picture files or each still image group image data has been described as being recorded on a recording medium as it is, but in this embodiment, This image data is recorded in the transport stream (TS) format. When multiplexing a still image into a transport stream, it is assumed that the recording unit 17 in FIG. 9 described above multiplexes the still image.

(2-1) Slideshow: Still Image Only FIG. 17 shows data arrangement on the recording medium (disc) of Clip Information and related still image files in the present embodiment. Again, this is a case where one or more still images that are played back simultaneously are managed as a still image group, in which a playback order is specified, and the playback time of each still image (slide still duration) is finite. A slide show with a playback time will be described.

  In the present embodiment, since the image data of each still image group is multiplexed in the transport stream, Clip Information includes the identification information ID (group_id) of the grouped still images and the corresponding group. EP_map which is a table indicating the start address in the transport stream in which the converted still image is multiplexed, that is, the head source packet number (SPN_start). The source packet number is a number that is incremented by 1 in the order of the source packets in the transport stream file, and the leading source packet number of the transport stream file is set to zero. .

  As in the first embodiment, the recording device multiplexes and records the image data of the still image group in the transport stream in accordance with the reproduction order (reading order), and the reproduction device (player) Still image data is read out and played back in the order of still image group identification information ID (group_id) appearing therein. By adopting such a still image file structure, the structure of this transport stream can be made the same as that of the AV stream file described in Patent Document 2 above, and the same recording / reproducing apparatus should be used. Etc. are convenient.

  Further, as shown in the modification example shown in FIG. 16 and the present embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the same effect as in the case of FIG. That is, by arranging the still image data on the recording medium (disc) in the order in which the player reads out the still image file and writing the still image data on the recording medium in the order of the still image file to be read out, Data seek time can be minimized.

(2-2) Slideshow: Still Image + Audio Next, a case where audio is reproduced asynchronously with respect to such a slideshow will be described. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a Play List when audio is reproduced asynchronously in the present embodiment. The Play List includes a Play Item indicating a still image playback path and a Play Item indicating an audio playback path. Here, the point that the playback path of the still image is Play Item and the playback path of the audio is Sub Play Item is different from the case shown in FIG. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the Sub Play Item has the playback start time In_time and the playback end time Out_time, and refers to the playback start and playback end time stamps in the audio stream. Also, the Play Item has a Page that is data of each still image constituting the slide show as described above.

  The playback device refers to the Clip information and acquires address information on the recording medium of the audio stream data corresponding to the playback start time In_time and the playback end time Out_time of the Sub Play Item. Then, the playback device reads out and plays back the audio using this address information. Such an audio playback mechanism is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Also, playback control information can be added to the Sub Play Item and Play Item in addition to information such as the playback path. Here, the first information (Sub Play Item_type) indicating that the playback of the Sub Play Item is asynchronous with the playback of the Play Item is added to the Sub Play Item in the present embodiment as the playback control information. Further, as the playback control information of the Sub Play Item, a flag (second second) indicating whether the playback section indicated by the playback start time IN_time and the playback end time Out_time of the audio stream is to be repeatedly played or only played once. Information) (is_repeat_Sub Play Item flag) is added. Based on the first information Sub Play Item_type, the playback device determines that playback of the Sub Play Item is asynchronous with playback of the Play Item. For example, when the is_repeat_Sub Play Item flag is 0, playback is performed only once. When the flag is 1, the playback section is repeatedly played back.

  Here, the two playback control information has been described as data attached to the Sub Play Item in a static data format, but in addition, it is attached to the Sub Play Item in the command format of playback control (so-called PBC). May be. Specifically, for example, instead of the is_repeat_Sub Play Item flag, a command called Repeat-Sub Play Item may be used to accompany the Sub Play Item.

(3) Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, a slide show in which the playback time of each still image shown in FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment is determined in advance, or only the playback order of still images is specified. In the slide show shown in FIG. 4, image reproduction designation information indicating one reproduction path described as a Scene or Page is set as one Play Item, and the number of Play Items corresponding to each Scene or Page is provided. In this way, by indicating the playback path (one playback section) by each Play Item, the playback section of the AV stream (Play Item represented by a pair of IN point (IN) and OUT point (OUT) on the time axis) ) Are grouped as a Play List and have the same configuration as the Play Item in the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, and compatibility can be further improved.

(3-1) Slide show: Still image only FIGS. 19A and 19B are slide shows in which the playback order is designated and the playback time of each slide (the duration of the slide still) is finite. For example, instead of the Scene shown in FIG. 6 or the Page shown in FIG. 18, the Play List and the relationship between the still image and the playback time when Play Items are used are shown. As shown in FIG. 19, in the present embodiment, each Play Item indicates a playback section of each still image or a still image group that is played back simultaneously using a playback start time IN_time and a playback end time OUT_time. That is, in the Play Item shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 18, the default playback time (display time) default_dulation indicating the length of each Scene or Page is specified in each Scene or Page. In FIG. 19A, Play Item 1 corresponds to, for example, Page [1] in FIG. 18, and its IN_time and OUT_time are set to t1 and t2, respectively. Therefore, the playback section indicated by t1 to t2 is equal to d1 of the default playback time (delfault_duration). Also, IN_time and OUT_time of Play Item 2 are set to t2 and t3, respectively. The playback section from t2 to t3 is equal to d2 of the default playback time (delfault_duration). Also, IN_time and OUT_time of Play Item 3 are set to t3 and t4, respectively. The playback section from t3 to t4 is equal to d3 of the default playback time (delfault_duration).

  IN_time and OUT_time of each Play Item indicate a playback range in the AV stream, and still image data from the IN_time PTS to the OUT_time PTS value in the AV stream is played back. In the case of a slide show of the type shown in FIG. 19, when still image data from an IN_time PTS to an OUT_time PTS value of a certain Play Item is reproduced, the player automatically proceeds to reproduction of the next Play Item.

  In the Play Item shown in FIG. 19, the default playback time of a still image is finite. However, for example, if the creator of the Play List wants to set the default playback time to infinity, the default playback time is added by adding information indicating that the playback image at the playback end time OUT_time is continuously displayed to the Play Item information. It is also possible to set the time indefinitely. As described above, information (reproduction control information) can be newly added to the Play Item, as in the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, a flag “is_Play Item_Still” can be attached to the Play Item as playback control information indicating whether or not to continue to display the OUT_Time image, and this flag is_Play Item_Still = 1 is set. In this case (when default_duration is infinite), the playback device continues to display the image when the PTS image at the playback end time OUT_time of the Play Item is played back. In this case, unless the user instructs the player to proceed with the next slide reproduction, the next slide reproduction does not proceed. When the user instructs the playback device to proceed with playback to the next still image, the playback device starts playback of the next Play Item.

  As described above, when the flag is_Play Item_Still is attached to the Play Item, a Play Item having a default playback time of a still image and an Infinite Play Item can be mixed in one Play List. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the playback time of Play Item 1 and Play Item 3 is made infinite, and the playback time of Play Item 2 is made finite. Also, the playback time for all Play Items may be infinite.

  Note that here, the playback control information indicating that the playback image of OUT_time continues to be displayed has been described as data attached to the PlayItem in a data format called a static flag, but in addition, playback control (so-called PBC) It may be attached to the Play Item in command format. Specifically, for example, it can be attached to a Play Item using a command called Still-Play Item.

  A still image file composed of one or more still images referred to by PlayItems in FIGS. 19 and 20 is recorded on a recording medium in the transport stream format as shown in FIG. The data address of the transport stream indicated by the playback start time IN_time and the playback end time OUT_time of the Play Item can be obtained by referring to the EP_map of Clip Information. 21 and 22 are diagrams schematically showing a Play List, its Clip Information file, and data recorded on a recording medium.

  FIG. 21 shows a case where the playback time of the Play Item shown in FIG. 19 is finite. Similarly to FIG. 17, in the transport stream still image file, the transport stream in which ABCD0001.JPG and ABCD0001.PNG are multiplexed has a presentation time stamp PTS in the range from t1 to t2, and The transport stream in which ABCD0002.JPG is multiplexed has a PTS in the range from t2 to t3, and the transport stream in which ABCD0003.JPG and ABCD0003.PNG are multiplexed has a PTS in the range from t3 to t4. Range. When these PTSs are between t1 and t4, still images and graphics or subtitles overlaid thereon are multiplexed in the transport stream.

  The EP_map of the Clip Information file recorded on the recording medium in relation to the transport stream of this still image file is the value of the presentation type stamp PTS of the transport stream and the source packet number in the transport stream indicated by it It is a table which shows the corresponding relationship. That is, the EP_map in the present embodiment has values of source packet numbers indicated by t1, t2, and t3 that are IN_time of Play Item 1, Play Item 2, and Play Item 3, respectively. Here, the EP_map shown in FIG. 17 in the second embodiment described above is a table indicating the correspondence between a plurality of still image group identification information Group_id and the source packet number SPN_start from which it is started. The EP_map in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 21 has the same configuration as the EP_map described in Patent Document 2, that is, the correspondence between the still image time stamp PTS_start and the first source packet number SPN_start at which it starts. It is a table showing the relationship.

  Using this EP_map, the playback device (player) reads out and plays back still image data referred to by the Play Item, that is, data indicated by the source packet number SPN_start. By adopting such a still image file structure, the structure of this transport stream is the same as that of the AV stream file described in Patent Document 2, so that the same recording / reproducing apparatus should be used. Etc. are convenient.

  In the PlayList shown in FIG. 21, the default playback time of a still image is set to be finite, and the default playback time is a time section indicated by Play Item playback start time IN_time and playback end time OUT_time. is there. On the other hand, the Play List shown in FIG. 22 includes a Play Item in which the default playback time of a still image is set to infinite, and that the default playback time is infinite is indicated by the is_Play Item_Still flag added to the Play Item. It is.

  The user instructs the playback apparatus not to wait for the end of the finite set default playback time, or to advance playback to the next still image in the middle of the default playback time if it is set to infinity. be able to. For example, when the user instructs the playback device to advance playback to the next still image while the playback device is playing Play Item 1, the playback device starts playback of Play Item 2. The playback start time at this time is IN_Time = t2, and the playback apparatus reads out and plays back from the source packet indicated by the source packet number spn2 corresponding to t2 of EP_map.

  Also, in order to indicate the default playback time of a Play Item still image, as information attached to the Play Item (playback control information), information indicating that the playback of the OUT_time image is still performed, and information indicating the still duration of the still image Can also be used.

  For example, as the information indicating that the playback of the OUT_time image is to be still, the above-described is_Play Item_Still flag is used, and in addition to the is_Play Item_Still flag, information Still_duration indicating the duration of the still is added. Specifically, when the is_Play Item_Still flag is 1, it indicates that the playback of the OUT_time image is to be still, and the still duration can be indicated by Still_duration. Further, when the still duration Still_duration is set to a predetermined value, it may be indicated that the still duration is infinite. For example, if the still duration Still_duration is an 8-bit value, 0xFF indicates that the still duration is infinite. If it is any other value, the Still_duration value is a finite still duration. Show time. As a unit of the value of this still duration Still_duration, for example, second (s) can be set.

  In consideration of random access to an arbitrary Play Item, it is convenient that the transport stream portion referred to by each Play Item is not multiplexed at the source packet level in the transport stream file. This is because it is possible to minimize the amount of data read necessary for reproducing the PlayItem. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 23, it is preferable that the synchronization signal (system time clock (SystemTimeClock)) STC that is the basis of the transport stream is made independent for each transport stream portion referred to by each Play Item. . As a result, the transport stream can be multiplexed while the transport stream portion referred to by each Play Item is made independent in the transport stream file.

  The Clip Information file shown in FIG. 23 has SequenceInfo similar to that in Patent Document 2. SequenceInfo is ancillary information of the Clip Information file, and includes the source packet number (SPN_STC_start) where the continuous system time clock STC starts in the transport stream file and the index number (stc_id) of the system time clock STC. It is a table which shows a correspondence. A source packet sequence having one continuous system time clock STC is called an STC-sequence.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 23, in addition to the reproduction start time IN_time and the reproduction end time OUT_time, the Play Item has a reference value (ref_to_stc_id) to the STC referred to by these time stamps. The playback device (player) uses EP_map and SequenceInfo to read and play back still image data referenced by the Play Item.

(3-2) Slideshow: Still Image + Audio Next, a case where audio is played together with a slideshow in which each playback section is indicated by PlatList will be described.

(3-2-1) When Still Image and Audio Play in Synchronism First, a case will be described in which audio is played in synchronization with a Play List of still images as shown in FIG. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 described above, the playback start time and playback time of each still image in the slide show are determined, and an audio playback path to be played back in synchronization with the playback of this still image is shown. Sub Play Item is used for audio playback specification information. In this way, the Sub Play Item can be used as an audio playback path. However, when a still image is multiplexed into a transport stream, the audio played back in synchronization with the still image is also multiplexed into the transport stream. Since the number of streams to be read becomes one, the reproduction process is easy.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a slide list Play List in which audio reproduced in synchronization with a still image is also multiplexed into a transport stream and audio is reproduced in synchronization with reproduction of the still image. In the example shown in FIG. 21, one or more still images are multiplexed in a transport stream. However, in this embodiment, an audio stream that is played back in synchronization with a slide show is a transport stream together with a still image. Are multiplexed. The playback device (player) reads the still image data and audio referenced by the Play Item using the EP_map of Clip Information, and plays back and outputs the audio synchronized with the still image based on the presentation time slump PTS.

  Here, two methods will be described for the source packet indicated by EP_map in FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 23, or FIG. 24 in the transport stream file (still image file).

  In the EP_map shown in FIG. 25, the first video packet (“V”) including still image data corresponding to the PTS (= t2) of the reproduction start time of the still image is indicated by the source packet number spn2. In this case, sub-image information such as graphics (“G”) and subtitles (“S”) overlaid on a still image (synchronized playback) is positioned behind the video packet indicated by EP_map. Is multiplexed.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 26, in the TS file, MPEG2 transport is performed before the first video packet (“V”) including still image data corresponding to the PTS (= t2) of the still image reproduction start time. Stream system information PAT (Program Association Table) and PMT (Program Map Table) are multiplexed. For example, the packet containing the PAT is indicated by the source packet number spn2 of EP_map. May be.

(3-2-2) When Still Image Playback Is Asynchronous with Audio Playback Next, a case where audio is played back asynchronously with respect to such a still image Play List will be described. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a Play List of a Browsable slide show that plays audio asynchronously. The Play List includes a plurality of Play Items indicating still image playback paths and Sub Play Items indicating audio playback paths. Similarly to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the playback start time IN_time and the playback end time OUT_time of the Sub Play Item are indicated by playback start and end time stamps in the audio stream, respectively.

  The playback device refers to Clip Information, and acquires data address information on the recording medium of the audio stream corresponding to IN_time and OUT_time of Sub Play Item. Then, the playback device reads out and plays back the audio using this address information. Such an audio reproduction mechanism is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The creator of the Play List can add playback control information to the Play Item in the same manner as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. That is, as playback control information, a flag (is_repeat_Sub Play Item flag) indicating whether the playback section indicated by the playback start time IN_time and the playback end time Out_time of the audio stream is to be repeatedly played or only played once, and Sub Play Information (Sub Play Item_type) indicating that playback of an item is asynchronous with playback of a play item is added. As described above, this playback control information may be attached to the Sub Play Item in the command format of playback control (so-called PBC).

  In this case, the playback device can play back the Sub Play Item by the following three methods. That is, in the first method, when data of two files, that is, a still image file referred to by the Play Item and an audio stream file referred to by the Sub Play Item are read from the recording medium, the respective files are alternately arranged in time division. It is a method of reading out. In this case, the playback device plays back still images and audio while alternately reading the data of the two files from the recording medium.

  In the second method, first, all data of an audio stream file referred to by the Sub Play Item is read and stored in a buffer memory in the playback device. Next, the still image data referred to by the Play Item is read from the recording medium. The playback device plays back still images and audio while reading still image data from the recording medium and reading audio data from the buffer memory.

  In the third method, first, all data of the still image file referred to by the Play Item is read and stored in a buffer memory in the playback device. Next, the audio stream referred to by the Sub Play Item is read from the recording medium. The reproduction device reproduces the still image and the audio while reading the audio stream from the recording medium and reading the still image from the buffer memory.

  Here, the second method is effective when the byte size of the audio stream file referred to by the Sub Play Item is small, and the third method is the byte of the still image file referenced by the Sub Play Item. Effective when the size is small.

  For example, as a practical example, if the size is about several megabytes (Mbyte), all file data can be read into the buffer memory prior to reproduction. As an application of the browsable slide show, audio playback is BGM (Back Ground Music), and when the playback of the Sub Play Item is repeated, for example, the data size of an audio stream with a bit rate of 256 kbps is about 2 megabytes ( Therefore, the second method is effective.

  Next, a player model when reading by the first method will be described. FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a playback apparatus that reads and plays back data by the first method. In this method, there are two main transport streams (still image files) (hereinafter referred to as main TS) referred to by Play Item and audio transport streams (hereinafter referred to as audio TS) referred to by Sub Play Item. When data of one file is read from the drive (recording medium), each file is alternately read in a time division manner. The configuration of the transport stream (DVR MPEG2-TS) in the present embodiment will be described later.

  The playback device plays back still images and audio while reading data of two files (main TS and audio TS) alternately from the recording medium 31. Each file data read by the reading unit 31 is demodulated by the demodulation / ECC decoding unit 32, and error correction is performed on the demodulated multiplexed stream. The source packet data of the main TS file is buffered in a main TS read buffer 33 that buffers the main TS, and the source packet data of the audio TS file is audio that buffers the audio TS. Buffered in the TS read buffer 34.

  The stream data read from the main TS read buffer 33 is supplied to a main player (BDAV MPEG2 TS Player Model_1) 35 described later. The main player 35 outputs the stream data read from the main TS read buffer 33 at the transmission rate RMAX to the subsequent main PID (packet ID) filter 37 at a predetermined timing (transmission rate RTS_m). The stream data read from the audio TS read buffer 34 is supplied to an audio player (BDAV MPEG2 TS Player Model_2) 36 described later. The audio player 36 outputs the stream data read from the audio TS read buffer 34 at the transmission rate RA to the subsequent audio PID filter 39 at a predetermined timing (transmission rate RTS_a).

  The main PID filter 37 distributes the input main TS to the decoders of the subsequent elementary streams according to the PID (packet ID) and outputs the result. That is, system information such as still images (video), sub-image information (graphics and subtitles (caption), etc.), and PSI (Program Specific Information) and SI (Service Information) of the main TS are respectively transcoded. It is distributed to the port buffers TB1, TB2 and TBsys1. SI is a table describing additional information of TS, and indicates a non-MPEG2 standard. SI is also packetized into transport packets. SI includes SIT (Selection Information Table). The still image transport packet is transmitted from the transport buffer TB1 to the multiplex buffer MB at a constant rate Rx1, further transmitted to the elementary stream EB at a constant rate Rbx1, and decoded and output by the decoder D1. Further, the transport packet of the sub-image information is transmitted from the transport stream buffer TB2 to the buffer B2 at a constant rate Rx2, and decoded and output by the decoder D2. The transport packet of system information is transmitted from the transport buffer TBsys1 to the buffer Bsys1 at a constant rate Rxsys, and is decoded and output by the decoder Dsys1.

  Similarly, the audio PID filter 38 distributes and outputs the input audio transport stream to the decoders of the subsequent elementary streams according to the PID (packet ID). That is, the audio transport packet is transmitted from the transport buffer TB4 to the main buffer B4 at a constant rate Rx4, and is decoded and output by the decoder D4. The transport packet of the system information of the audio TS is transmitted from the transport buffer TBsys2 to the buffer Bsys2 at a constant rate Rxsys, further transmitted to the decoder Dsys2 at a constant rate Rsys, and decoded and output.

  An audio switch (Audio SW) 39 is provided between the audio PID filter 38 and the transport stream buffers TB4 and TBsys. The audio switch 39 reproduces a slide show in a time-based mode (Time Based mode) as shown in FIG. 24, for example, and a slide show in a browseable mode (Browsable mode) as shown in FIG. 22 or FIG. Is controlled to switch between playback and playback. That is, the audio switch 39 is connected to the main PID filter 37 to which data from the main TS read buffer 33 is supplied, and for audio to which data from the audio read buffer 34 is supplied. A browsable mode switch SWB connected to the PID filter 38 is provided, which is switched to supply an audio stream to the transport buffer TB4. For example, in the case of a browsable slide show, the audio switch 39 is on the side of the browsable mode switch SWB. Therefore, in this case, the audio stream is sent from the audio TS read buffer 34 through the audio PID filter 38 to the audio decoder D4. Supplied to. For example, in the case of the time-based slide show shown in FIG. 24, when the audio stream is multiplexed on the main TS, the audio switch 39 is on the time base mode switch SWT side and multiplexed on the main TS. The audio stream is supplied from the main TS read buffer 33 via the main PID filter 37 to the transport buffer TB4 or TBsys2.

Next, an elementary stream decoder will be described. TBn, MB, EB, TBsys, Bsys, Rxn, Rbxn, Rxsys, Dn, and Dsys are defined in ISO / IEC13818-1 (MPEG2 Systems standard) T-STD (System Target Decoder). Is the same. That is, it is as follows.
TBn (n = 1 to 5): transport buffer of elementary stream n
MB: Multiple video stream buffers
EB: Video stream elementary stream buffer
TBsys: Input buffer for system information of the program being decrypted
Bsys: Main buffer in the system target decoder for system information of the program being decoded
Rxn: Transmission rate at which data is removed from TBn
Rbxn: Transmission rate at which the PES packet payload is removed from MBn (present only for video streams)
Rxsys: Transmission rate at which data is removed from TBsys
Dn: Decoder for elementary stream n
Dsys: Decoder for system information of program being decoded Next, the main player (BDAV MPEG2 TS Player_1) 35 and the audio player (BDAV MPEG2 TS Player_2) 36 included in the player model shown in FIG. 28 will be described. FIGS. 29A and 29B are block diagrams showing the main player 35 and the audio player 36, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 29A, in the main player 35, the source packet data read from the main TS read buffer 33 is input to the source depacketizer unit 41 at the bit rate RMAX. RMAX is the bit rate of the source packet stream of the main TS file.

  An arrival time clock counter 42 is a binary counter that counts pulses with a frequency of 27 MHz output from a pulse oscillator (27 MHz X-tal) 43. Then, the arrival time clock counter outputs a count value Arrival_time_clock (i) at time t (i).

  The main TS and the audio TS are composed of a data sequence in units of source packets each having a transport packet and its arrival time stamp, and one source packet has one transport packet and its arrival_time_stamp (ATS). arrival_time_stamp is a time stamp indicating the time at which the corresponding transport packet arrives at the decoder in the main TS or audio TS. A time axis created based on arrival_time_stamp of each source packet constituting each stream is called an arrival time base, and its clock is called ATC (Arrival Time Clock).

  When the arrival_time_stamp of the current source packet read from the main TS is equal to the 30-bit LSB (least significant bit) of the count value arrival_time_clock (i) of the arrival time clock counter 42 The transport packet of the source packet is output from the source depacketizer unit 41. RTS_m is the bit rate of the main TS.

  As shown in FIG. 29B, in the audio player 36, the source packet data read from the preceding audio TS read buffer 34 is input to the source depacketizer 44 at the bit rate RA. The bit rate RA is the bit rate of the source packet stream of the audio TS file.

  The arrival time clock counter 45 and the pulse oscillator 46 operate in the same manner as the main player 35. The source depacketizer 44 functions in the same manner as the main player 35. That is, when the arrival_time_stamp of the current source packet is equal to the LSB 30 bit value of the count value arrival_time_clock (i) of the arrival time clock counter 45, the transport packet of the source packet is output from the source depacketizer unit 44. RTS_A is the bit rate of the audio TS.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating the concept of a buffer model for a slideshow in the browsable mode. In the browseable mode, when the main TS file, which is a still image file referred to by the Play Item, and the audio TS file referred to by the Sub Play Item are alternately read in a time-division manner from the drive at the rate RUD, the source packet stream of the main TS And the bit rate RA of the source packet stream of the audio TS need to be guaranteed. Therefore, for example, in the still image encoder 14 and the audio encoder 11 shown in FIG. 9, when the main TS and the audio TS are encoded and recorded, the upper limit value of each bit rate must be limited.

  FIGS. 31A and 31B show examples of the bit occupancy of the elementary stream buffer EB (video code buffer) and the bit occupancy of the audio code buffer B4 at the time of the slide show in the browserable mode shown in FIG. It is a graph. 31A and 31B, the vertical axis indicates the buffer occupancy ratio of the video code buffer and the audio code buffer, respectively, and the horizontal axis indicates the system time clock STC of the main TS and the audio TS, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 31A, the start-up delay is a time (DTS) from the time tV when the first video packet is input until the I-picture is buffered in the elementary stream buffer EB. : Decoding Time Stamp). In the browserable mode, when the user skips to the next slide, the input of the first video packet is started. 31A and 31B, the slope kEB indicates the input rate to the video buffer EB, and the slope kB4 indicates the input rate of the audio buffer B4. In FIG. 31A, the time when the slope kEB is zero and the video code occupancy is a constant value indicates the time during which sub-image information such as graphics and subtitles is read.

  If it can be ensured that the source packet stream of the main TS is read out at the bit rate RMAX, the video decoder D1 shown in FIG. 28 shown later can decode the still image in time for a predetermined decoding timing. If it can be ensured that the source packet stream of the audio TS is read at the bit rate RA, the audio data can be decoded in time for a predetermined decoding timing in the audio decoder D4 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing a model of a method for simultaneously reading the main TS and the audio TS in the slide show in the browserable mode.

Each of the main TS and the audio TS is assumed to be continuously arranged on the disc. At this time, the main TS and the audio TS are alternately read as follows.
(1) A predetermined data amount X is read from the main TS.
(2) Jump to a predetermined data position of the audio TS.
(3) A predetermined data amount Y is read from the audio TS.
(4) Jump to a predetermined data position of the main TS. Then, a predetermined data amount X is read from the main TS.

  The data amount X read from the main TS by one read action is a necessary size of the main TS read buffer 33. Further, the data amount Y read from the audio TS by one read action is a necessary size of the audio TS read buffer 34. The following formula (1) shows a formula for calculating the size required for the main TS read buffer 33 and the audio TS read buffer 34.

For example,
Read rate from drive RUD = 54Mbps
Jump time Tj = 0.8 seconds Bit rate RMAX of main TS source packet stream = 20 Mbps
Audio TS source packet stream bit rate RA = 640 kbps
Then,
Size x required for main TS read buffer 33 = 4.06 MBytes
Required size y = 0.176MBytes for read buffer 34 for audio TS
It becomes.

(3-3) Other Examples of Still Image Data In the description of FIG. 22 described above, the data format of still images is JPEG and PNG. However, as described above, MPEG2 I-picture, GIF, Needless to say, the data format may be a still image data format such as JPEG2000. For example, FIG. 33 shows an example in which an MPEG2 I-picture (intra-frame encoded image) is multiplexed into a transport stream. FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a Play List, a Clip Information file, and a data structure recorded on a recording medium when an I picture is used as still image data. Compared to the case shown in FIG. 22, the only difference is that the data format of the still image is an I picture (intra-frame encoded image), and the relationship between the Play List, EP_map, and transport stream is the same. Also in this case, a Sub Play Item indicating an audio playback path may be added to a Play List indicating a still image playback path in the same manner as shown in FIG.

  Similarly, in the description of FIG. 21, the still image data format is JPEG or PNG, but any other still image data format such as MPEG2 I-picture, GIF, or JPEG2000 may be used. In this case as well, audio may be multiplexed into a transport stream file (still image file) in the same manner as shown in FIG.

  Two methods will be described for the source packet indicated by EP_map in FIG. 33 in the transport stream file (still image file). In the transport stream file shown in FIG. 34, each I picture starts from a sequence header, and a packet including the first byte of this sequence header is indicated by EP_map, as described in Patent Document 2 above. . In this case, graphics and subtitles that are overlaid on a still image (reproduced in synchronization) are multiplexed behind the video packet indicated by the EP_map.

  In the transport stream file shown in FIG. 35, PAT and PMT which are system information of the MPEG2 transport stream are multiplexed before the packet including the first byte of the sequence header, and the packet including the PAT is included. Is pointed to by EP_map.

  In a transport stream file (still image file), when an I picture and graphics or subtitles overlaid thereon are multiplexed in a transport stream, the data structure shown as an I picture has the following two structures: Is mentioned. That is, the first structure is a structure in which a sequence end code follows immediately after one I picture. The second structure is a case where a still image is encoded as a video sequence, and a plurality of pictures equal to the playback time of a Play Item are encoded. That is, it is a structure composed of an I picture followed by a plurality of P pictures (inter-frame forward predictive encoded images) and a B picture (bidirectional predictive encoded images). The P picture and the B picture are pictures predicted from the I picture. However, since the still picture is encoded as a video, the P picture and the B picture have no prediction data, and so-called MPEG2 skipped macroblocks are used. Encoded. In both the first structure and the second structure, a sequence header is provided in front of the I picture.

  In addition, the Play Item for the slide show in this embodiment and the Play Item for moving image reproduction described in Patent Document 2 may be mixed in one Play List. Thereby, the user can seamlessly enjoy the reproduction of moving images and the reproduction of still images in the reproduction of one playlist.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the recording device and the playback device are recorded as separate devices, but the recording and playback device may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the hardware configuration has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and arbitrary processing may be realized by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a computer program. Is possible. In this case, the computer program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium, or can be provided by being transmitted via the Internet or another transmission medium.

  As described above in detail, according to the embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, attribute information creating means for creating image attribute information for managing each still image of a still image group composed of one or more still images; , Reproduction information creating means for creating image reproduction designation information indicating a reproduction path for designating reproduction of at least a part of the still image group, the still image group, and the corresponding image attribute information and image reproduction designation information. Are recorded on a recording medium, reproducing means for reading out and reproducing a still image from the recording medium, and control means for controlling the reproducing means according to the image reproduction designation information with reference to the image attribute information. Since the reproduction information creating means creates the image reproduction designation information using the image attribute information, the image attribute information and the image reproduction designation information are recorded separately from the still image group. Since it is recorded on the medium, when reading and reproducing a still image from the recording medium, the image attribute information and the image reproduction designation information can be read first, and each still image of the still image group can be generated in a predetermined order. Continuous reproduction of still images (so-called slide show) can be easily realized.

It is a figure which simplifies and shows the structure of the still image application format on the recording medium used with the information processing apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of Group of picture files and its Clip Information. (A) is a figure which shows an example of PlayList in the slide show in which the reproduction start time of each still image in the 1st Embodiment of this invention was decided beforehand, (b) is the relationship between a still image and reproduction time. It is a schematic diagram which shows. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a Play List and a Clip illustrated in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of PlayList in the case of reproducing | regenerating audio | voice synchronizing with the slide show in which the reproduction start time of each still image was predetermined in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) in the first embodiment of the present invention is a diagram showing an example of a Play List in a slide show in which only the playback order of still images is determined, and (b) shows the relationship between still images and playback time. It is a schematic diagram shown. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a Play List illustrated in FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a Play List, Clip Information file, and an audio stream in the case of reproducing | regenerating audio | synchronously to the slide show in which only the reproduction | regeneration order of each still image in the 1st Embodiment of this invention was decided. . It is a block diagram which shows the information processing apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the file and directory of the data recorded on a recording medium. It is a figure which shows the example of data arrangement | positioning on the recording medium (disk) of Clip Information in the 1st Embodiment of this invention and the still image file relevant to it. It is a flowchart which shows the preparation method of PlayList among the recording operations of the information processing apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus that reproduces data recorded by the information processing apparatus of FIG. 9. It is a flowchart which shows the reproduction | regeneration operation | movement in the information processing apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the relationship between PlayList and Clip in the modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of data arrangement on a recording medium (disc) of Clip Information shown in FIG. 15 and related still image files. It is a figure which shows the data arrangement | positioning on the recording medium (disk) of Clip Information and the related still image file in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the Play List, Clip Information file, and audio stream when audio is asynchronously reproduced in the Browsable slide show in the second embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows an example of PlayList in the slide show in which only the reproduction order of each still image in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention was decided, (b) shows the relationship between a still image and reproduction time. It is a schematic diagram shown. (A) is a figure which shows the other example of PlayList in the slide show in which only the reproduction | regeneration order of each still image in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention was decided, (b) is a still image and reproduction | regeneration time. It is a schematic diagram which shows a relationship. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the relationship between the Play List shown in FIG. 19, its Clip Information file, and the data arrangement on the recording medium (disc) of the related still image file. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the relationship between the Play List shown in FIG. 20, its Clip Information file, and the data arrangement on the recording medium (disc) of the related still image file. It is another example in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: The figure which shows the relationship between PlayList, its Clip Information file, and the data arrangement on the recording medium (disc) of the related still image file It is. In the third embodiment of the present invention, a slide show Play List for reproducing audio in synchronization with still image reproduction, its Clip Information file, and a related still image file on a recording medium (disc) It is a figure which shows the relationship with data arrangement | positioning. It is a schematic diagram explaining the example of the source packet pointed out in a transport stream file (still image file). It is a schematic diagram explaining the other example of the source packet pointed out in a transport stream file (still image file). It is a figure in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention which shows the relationship between the play list of the slide show whose audio | voice and still image reproduction | regeneration is asynchronous, its Clip Information file, and an audio stream. The following shows a playback device for reading each file alternately in a time-division manner when reading data from a recording medium: a still image file referenced by a Play Item and an audio stream file referenced by a Sub Play Item. It is a block diagram (A) And (b) is a block diagram which shows BDAV MPEG2 TS Player Model_1 and BDAV MPEG2 TS Player Model_2, respectively. It is a block diagram which shows the buffer model of a browsable slide show. (A) And (b) is a graph which shows the bit occupation amount of EB buffer (video code buffer) and the bit occupation amount of B4 buffer (audio code buffer) at the time of a slide show of browserable mode, respectively. It is a schematic diagram explaining the simultaneous reading method of main TS and audio TS in a browsable slide show. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the data arrangement | positioning on the recording medium (disc) of the Play List, Clip Information file, and related still image file when using I picture as still image data. It is a schematic diagram explaining the example of the source packet pointed out in a transport stream file (still image (I-picture) file). It is a schematic diagram explaining the other example of the source packet pointed out in a transport stream file (still image (I-picture) file). It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the program stream of the conventional DVD video.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 10, 13, 15 terminal, 11 Audio encoder, 14 Still image encoder, 16, 22 Controller, 17 Recording part, 21 Reading part, 23 Still image decoder, 26 Audio decoder, 24 Frame buffer, 25 Processor

Claims (8)

Information of a data structure including an AV stream used by the playback device, a Clip including the image attribute information thereof, and an image playback designation information indicating a playback path for designating at least a part of the Clip is recorded, and the playback A recording medium played back by a device ,
Still image group composed of one or more still images in the AV stream, image attribute information for managing each still image of the still image group, and reproduction start of each still image created using the image attribute information Information specifying the time and playback end time, the image playback specifying information having first information indicating whether or not to continue displaying an image at the playback end time unless there is a command from the user,
Indicates a playback path that specifies playback of an audio stream that is played back simultaneously with the still image or a playback path that specifies playback start time and playback end time on the time axis of the audio stream, and is asynchronous with playback of the still image Is recorded, and audio reproduction designation information having third information indicating whether or not the reproduction path included in the audio reproduction designation information is repeatedly reproduced is recorded by the reproduction apparatus. A recording medium on which the AV stream is reproduced using the image reproduction designation information and the audio reproduction designation information . The image attribute information, identification information of each still image included in the still image group, file name, data size, and recording medium according to claim 1, wherein that having a number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions. The image reproduction designation information includes information specifying a playback start time of each still image, a recording medium according to claim 1, wherein that having a information specifying a display time of each still picture. The image reproduction designation information recording medium according to claim 3, wherein that having a information specifying the simultaneous playback of a plurality of still images. Recording medium of correspondence according to claim 1, wherein that having a audio attribute information indicating the address in the audio stream corresponding to the presentation time stamp and which indicating the playback start time of the audio stream. The image reproduction designation information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein that having a information specifying a reproduction order of the still images. The still image recording medium according to claim 6, wherein that have been recorded in the reproduction order shown in the image reproduction specifying information. And the still image group and the image attribute information and one object, the recording medium according to claim 1, wherein which to manage in Clip units.

Images