JPH11341440A - Image display device and image switching display method applied to the device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To replace a reproduced image with optional image data at an optional reproduction position of a DVD video image. SOLUTION: A time counter 118 counts an elapsed time from start of reproduction of a DVD video image consisting of MPEG2 streams, and when the count of the time counter 118 reaches a link image insert time set to a time set register 117, a DVD decoder 113 generates an interrupt signal (INT). A DVD reproduction control program 201 in response to the interruption signal replaces image data to be reproduced consisting of the DVD video image with a link image designated by link file information. Since the elapsed time from start of reproduction is used for a trigger to replace the reproduced image in this way, the reproduced image is switched at an optional position independently of a position in the stream in which a command for video switching is imbedded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image display device for reproducing digital contents including moving images, and an image switching display method applied to the image display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of computer technology,
Digital video player, set-top box, T
Various types of multimedia-compatible electronic devices such as personal computers and personal computers have been developed.

[0003] With the development of multimedia in such electronic devices, DVDs have recently attracted attention as new storage media that can replace CD-ROMs. One DVD-R
The OM media can record about 4.7 Gbytes of data on one side, which is about seven times that of the current CD-ROM, and about 9.4 Gbytes of data can be recorded on double-sided recording. By using the DVD-ROM media, it is possible to reproduce a moving image such as a movie including a large amount of video information on a computer, a digital video player, a set-top box, or the like with high quality.

The data structure of video information recorded on DVD-ROM media is defined by the DVD video standard. The stream of video information is roughly divided into two types of data, presentation data and navigation data.

[0005] Presentation data is a set of video objects to be reproduced, and is composed of video, sub-picture, and audio. Video data is compression-coded by the MPEG2 system. In addition, as a coding method of sub-picture and audio, run-length coding, AC-3, and the like are supported. The sub-picture is bitmap data, and is used for displaying subtitles of a movie or displaying options on a menu screen. One video object can include one channel of video data, up to eight channels of audio data, and up to 32 channels of sub-picture data.

[0006] The navigation data is playback control data for controlling the playback procedure of the presentation data. At the time of title playback, the navigation data is interpreted to determine the playback order and playback method of the moving image data, and the playback of the moving image is performed accordingly. Further, a navigation command can be embedded in the navigation data. The navigation command is used to change the reproduction content and the reproduction order of the video data. By using the navigation command, the title creator can define various branch structures in the title. As a result, a video source switching function called a so-called multi-angle or multi-story can be realized, and a more interactive title can be created.

[0007]

However, in such a conventional title structure, the video source can be switched only at a specific position according to the DVD standard. This is because the position at which the video source can be switched is determined by where the navigation command is incorporated in the video stream when the title is created.

[0008] Further, the video source at the switching destination is also limited to a specific video source recorded on the same DVD medium, such as a video recorded on another medium or a digital content provided by the Internet. Cannot be controlled such that a DVD video is linked to another arbitrary video source different from the DVD video.

[0009] In recent years, information distribution using the Internet has been actively performed. The spread of the Internet has made it possible to easily obtain and view all kinds of digital contents in various parts of the world. In such an environment, creation of new content that combines a DVD video title and Internet technology has been demanded.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is possible to switch playback images at an arbitrary playback position of a moving image stream constituting a video title without changing the title structure of the video title. , An image display device that enables automatic updating of a link to an arbitrary video source, and furthermore, an automatic update of a linked video source and the like, and allows for more flexible title playback, and image switching applied to the device. It is intended to provide a display method.

[0011]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display apparatus for reading a moving image stream from a recording medium and reproducing the moving image stream. Link information for designating a link image to be stored is stored, a reproducing means for reproducing the moving image stream read from the recording medium, and counting an elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the moving image stream, When the elapsed time from the start of reproduction reaches a link image insertion time set in advance, a reproduction image switching unit that switches image data to be reproduced from the moving image stream to a link image specified by the link information. It is characterized by having.

In this image display device, when the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of a moving image stream reaches a predetermined link image insertion time, the image data to be reproduced is converted from the moving image stream into the link information. Is switched to the link image specified by. By using the elapsed time from the start of playback as a trigger for switching the playback image, the playback image can be linked at any position regardless of the position in the stream in which the command for video branching is embedded. It is possible to switch to.

The link information recorded on the same recording medium as the moving image stream is not the link image itself but identification information indicating a path name or a file name of a link image to be inserted into the moving image stream. . For this reason, for example, the link image is recorded on a second recording medium different from the recording medium on which the moving image stream is recorded, and the link image on the second recording medium is designated by the link information. In addition, it is possible to switch a reproduced image between different recording media. Therefore, even after the title composed of the moving image stream and the link information is created, the link specified by the link information is rewritten by rewriting the link image on the second recording medium or exchanging the second recording medium itself. You can easily update the content of the image.

Further, time information indicating the link image insertion time is added to the link image, and the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the moving image stream has reached the link image insertion time indicated by the time information. At this time, it is preferable that the image data to be reproduced is switched from the moving image stream to the link image. In this way, by associating the link image with the link image insertion time, it is possible to insert the link image at an arbitrary position even after the title is created. In the case of inserting a plurality of link images, it is possible to individually specify the link image insertion time for each link image. For example, link images such as CM information are sequentially displayed at predetermined time intervals from the start of title playback. Control such as insertion becomes possible.

Further, as the link image, digital content automatically distributed from the outside to a rewritable local storage of the image display device via a network by a push-type information service can be used. In this case, the link image in the local storage is automatically rewritten by the automatic distribution, so that the latest content can always be inserted as the link image.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image display comprising a CPU and a reproducing means for reproducing a moving image stream, wherein reproduction of the moving image stream is controlled by a moving image reproduction control program for controlling the reproducing means. In the apparatus, the reproducing means counts an elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the moving image stream, and notifies the CPU when the elapsed time from the start of reproduction reaches a preset link image insertion time. Means for generating an interrupt signal for switching the image data to be reproduced from the moving image stream to another link image in response to the interrupt signal. It is characterized by the following.

In this image display device, a function for counting the elapsed time from the start of the reproduction of the moving image stream is provided in the reproduction means. When the insertion time has been reached, an interrupt signal is generated from the reproducing means, and the interrupt signal is used as a trigger to start a reproduction image switching process by the moving image reproduction control program. As described above, by using the interrupt signal from the reproducing unit, it is possible to relatively easily realize the image switching using the elapsed time from the start of the reproduction.

The present invention is also applicable to an image display device for reproducing compression-encoded digital contents, and is a recording medium on which the compression-encoded digital contents are recorded. Link information for designating a link image to be inserted into the digital content and reproduced at an arbitrary reproduction time is recorded as file data that can be read independently of the digital content. .

Further, the present invention is a recording medium recording a computer program applied to an image display device for reproducing a compression-encoded moving image stream using a moving image decoding device, wherein the computer program is A procedure for setting an arbitrary elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the moving image stream as a link image insertion time for the moving image decoding unit, and transmitting the moving image stream to the moving image decoding unit. And a signal for notifying that the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the moving image stream has reached the link image insertion time is transmitted from the moving image decoding unit. When generated, in response to the signal, image data to be reproduced is retrieved from the moving image stream by a resource specified by the link information. ; And a procedure for switching to click an image, characterized in that so as to switch the playback image at an arbitrary playback position of the video stream.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of hardware and software of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This image display device is used as a digital video player, a set-top box, or a personal computer, and has a function of displaying computer graphics, moving images, and the like on a dedicated display monitor or a home TV. .

This image display device includes a DV (Digital Video Recorder) as main hardware necessary for reproducing DVD video information.
A DVD drive 111 for reading information recorded on the D-ROM medium, an HDD 112 used as a rewritable local storage of an image display device,
DV for decoding DVD video information (video, sub-picture, audio) composed of MPEG2 program stream read from DVD drive 111
D decoder 113, VGA controller 114 for controlling display monitor 115, and communication device (ISDN card or modem) 1 for Internet connection
16 and the like are provided.

In the DVD-ROM medium, in addition to a normal DVD video title including navigation data and presentation data, a link file for designating a link image to be switched and displayed with the DVD video during reproduction of the DVD video title Information (Link
file) is stored. The link file information (Link file) includes a link image (Video) downloaded in a predetermined area of the HDD 112 in advance.
Data), and is composed of a file name, a path name, and the like. Note that a URL designating digital content of a predetermined Web site can be used as link file information (Link file).

The link image (Video Data) is
Digital content (moving image, still image, or the like) automatically distributed from the outside by a push-type information service or the like via the Internet. That is, Web
The WWW browser 203 having a casting function is
New digital contents are always automatically downloaded from a Web site managed by a VD title creator or the like, and are stored in a dedicated cache area prepared on the HDD 112. These digital contents are M
Provided as a PEG2 stream.

Timer information (Time Data) is added to each link image (Video Data). The timer information (Time Data) is for specifying the timing at which the link image is to be inserted into the DVD title and played, and is given by a value indicating the elapsed time from the start of the DVD title playback.

The DVD decoder 113 performs a decoding process for reproducing an MPEG2 stream such as a DVD video or a link image. The decoded DVD video or link image is converted to a digital YUV format video signal (VIDEO
O) is sent to the video input port of the VGA controller 114. The DVD decoder 113 further includes a time set register 117 and a time counter 11.
8 are provided.

The time set register 117 contains a DVD
Link image to be inserted and displayed in the video (Video
The timer information (Time Data) of “Data” is set as the link image insertion time. Time counter 11
An interrupt signal (INT) 8 counts the elapsed time from the start of DVD video playback and, when the elapsed time from the start of playback matches the link image insertion time set in the time set register 117, indicates the elapsed time. Occurs.
The interrupt signal (INT) is used as a trigger for switching the image being reproduced from the DVD video to the link image.

To reproduce a title on a DVD-ROM medium, a DVD drive 111 and a DVD decoder 113
Playback control program 201 having an operation control function
Is controlled by This DVD playback control program 2
Reference numeral 01 denotes a hardware driver group, an application program for playing back titles using the driver group, and the like.

The DVD playback control program 201 further has the following functions for switching and displaying a DVD video and a link image. 1) Link image insertion time information setting function to time set register 117 2) Function of switching image data to be transmitted to DVD decoder 113 from DVD video to link image in response to interrupt (INT) from DVD decoder 113 ) A function of returning image data to be transmitted to the DVD decoder 113 to be reproduced in response to the end of reproduction of the link image to DVD video. The WWW browser 203 uses the protocol called HTTP to communicate with an external WWW server. WWW
The client is a client that receives Web contents from a Web site via the communication device 100 and displays the Web contents on the screen using the VGA controller 114. The WWW browser 203 is provided with a Webcasting function for supporting the push-type information service.
The data is stored in the cache area of the DD 112.

Hereinafter, a moving image or a still image transmitted as Web contents from the Internet and a DVD-
The operation when linking a DVD video on a ROM medium will be described.

1) The link image (Video D) is transmitted via the communication device 116 using the Internet push technology.
Data for link image, which is composed of “data” and time information (Time Data), is downloaded from the outside and saved in the cache area of the HDD 112.

2) The user sets the DVD playback control program 2
01 is started and the DVD video playback operation is performed.
Prior to the start of the DVD video playback, the DVD playback control program 201
By referring to the link file information stored on the VD medium, it is confirmed whether or not an image to be linked is set (a plurality of link images can be specified by the link file information).

3) The DVD playback control program 201
The link image specified by the link file information is stored in the HDD 1
Search from 12 cache areas. 4) The DVD playback control program 201 converts time information (Time Data) corresponding to the searched link image into
The link image insertion time is set in the time set register 117 of the DVD decoder 113.

5) DVD playback control program 201
Instructs the DVD decoder 113 to reproduce the VD video,
The VD decoder 113 controls the DVD playback control program 20
1 read from the DVD-ROM medium
The decoding process for reproducing the VD video is started.

6) When the decoding process for DVD video playback is started, the counting operation of the time counter 118 is started, and the elapsed time from the start of DVD video playback is counted.

7) When the count value of the time counter 118 reaches the value indicating the link image insertion time set in the time set register 117, the DVD decoder 113
Suspends the reproduction of the DVD video, generates an interrupt signal (INT), and notifies the DVD reproduction control program 201 that the link image insertion time has been reached.

8) The DVD playback control program 201
When receiving the interrupt signal (INT), the link image stored in the HDD 112 is sent to the DVD decoder 113 to instruct the DVD decoder 113 to reproduce the link image.

9) The DVD playback control program 201
When the transfer of the link image to the DVD decoder 113 is completed, the continuation of the DVD video whose reproduction has been interrupted is sent to the DVD decoder 113 and its reproduction is started.

10) When a plurality of link images are specified by the link file information, a new link image insertion time is set in the time set register 117 before the reproduction of the DVD video is started.

11) Repeat steps 7 to 10. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of a DVD video composed of an MPEG2 stream reaches a preset link image insertion time, the image data to be reproduced starts from the DVD video. Is switched to the link image specified by the link file information. By using the elapsed time from the start of playback as a trigger for switching the playback image, the playback image can be linked at any position regardless of the position in the stream in which the command for video branching is embedded. It is possible to switch to.

FIG. 2 shows a specific system configuration when the image display device of the present embodiment is realized as a personal computer. As shown, the system includes a PCI bus 10, a CPU 11, and a main memory (ME).
M) 12, a DVD interface 16 composed of an ATAPI or SCSI interface, an audio controller 17, and the aforementioned DVD drive 11
1, an HDD 112, a DVD decoder 113, a VGA controller 114, and a communication device 116.

The DVD drive 111 converts a DVD video stream stored in a DVD medium into a DVD video stream of at most 10.
Read at a transfer rate of 08 Mbps. The DVD drive 111 includes a DVD medium composed of an optical disk, a motor, a pickup, a pickup drive, a servo controller, a drive controller including an ECC circuit for error detection and correction, and the like.
The motor, pickup, pickup drive, servo controller and drive controller are DVD
The medium functions as a drive device for driving the medium and reading data recorded on the DVD medium.

For DVD media, for example, 13
A movie of about 5 minutes can be recorded. The presentation data making up the movie information can include main video (video), sub-video (sub-picture) up to 32 channels, and audio (audio) up to 8 channels.

According to the MPEG2 standard, data encoded by MPEG2 can include other encoded data, and the encoded data is handled as one MPEG2 program stream.

MPEG2 is used for video encoding.
Run-length coding and DOLBY AC3 are used for sub-picture and audio coding, respectively. Even in this case, the encoded video, sub-picture, and audio are treated as one MPEG2 program stream.

The encoding processing of the MPEG2 standard is variable rate encoding, and the amount of information to be recorded / reproduced per unit time can be made different. Therefore, the higher the moving rate of the scene, the higher the transfer rate of the MPEG stream constituting the frame group corresponding to the scene, the higher the quality of the moving image can be reproduced.

FIG. 3 shows a DVD used in this embodiment.
An example of a recording format of video information is shown.
This recording format corresponds to the DVD video standard.

As shown in FIG. 3, the DVD-RO
The volume space of M media is a volume / file structure for volume and file management, DV
DVD video zone constituting D video information, and D
It is composed of other file areas other than the VD video, and the other file areas store the link file information described above. In this link file information, a plurality of link destination file names (or path names such as URLs) specifying images to be linked can be set.

The DVD video zone includes a video manager (VMG) and one or more DVD video title sets (VTS # 1 to VTS # n). VMG
Contains the video manager information (VMG
I), video object set for menu (VOB)
S), and video manager information (VMGI) for backup.

VMGI includes all DVD video title sets (VTS # 1 to # VTS #) existing on DVD media.
n) is used as table of contents information, and includes search information and parental attribute information for each video title set (VTS). When the VMG includes a video object set (VOBS) for a menu, the VMGI uses the program information (PG) as information for controlling reproduction of the menu.
CI). The PGCI indicates the playback order of a plurality of cells constituting each video object (VOB) for a menu, and the title creator specifies here the navigation commands (pre-command, post-command, button command, cell command). ) Can be embedded.

The pre-command is a navigation command group to be executed before the reproduction of a cell group (cells in the PGC) whose reproduction order is defined by the PGCI is started.
This is used for initial setting before PGC reproduction. The post command is a navigation command group that is executed when the reproduction of all the cells in the PGC is completed, and is used for processing the PGC to be reproduced next. The cell command is a navigation command group that is executed when the reproduction of the corresponding cell in the PGC is completed, and is used for repetitive reproduction of a specific cell. The button commands are a group of navigation commands that are executed when a button that is a selection item on the menu screen is determined by a user operation, and is used for executing a menu item.

Each video title set (VTS) includes video title set information (VTSI),
Video object set for menu (VOBS),
Video object set (VOB) constituting the title
S) and video title set information (VTSI) for backup.

The VTSI is playback control information of a menu and a title in the VTS, and includes search information of the title and program chain information (PGCI) for managing a cell playback order in the menu and the title. This PGCI also has the navigation commands (pre-command, post-command,
Button command, cell command).

The video object set (VOBS) constituting the title includes a number of video objects (cells # 1, # 2,...) Called cells. Each cell (video object) is composed of a number of video object units, and the head of the cell is a navipack (NAVI).
Exists. That is, one cell (video object) is from the navi pack to the next navi pack. This Navipack is 1 GOP or 2 GOP
(0.5 second to 1 second) in video data units. Each navigation pack is management information for controlling reproduction of a corresponding video object, and is composed of a disc search information (DSI) pack and a presentation control information (PCI) pack. The DSI pack is used as search information of a reproduction start address at the time of special reproduction such as fast forward and rewind. The PCI pack is provided with a navigation command (button command) according to an angle switch at the time of multi-angle reproduction and an instruction from a user.
Is used to display highlight information for executing

One cell is stored for a certain period of time, for example, 0.
It constitutes information for 15 frames required for moving image reproduction for 5 to 1 second. As described above, the GOP (Group of pic) of the MPEG2 program stream is used.
cure). In each cell, a video pack (V), a sub-picture pack (S), and an audio pack (A) are multiplexed and recorded.
The video pack (V), sub-picture pack (S), and audio pack (A) are encoded video, sub-picture, and audio data units, respectively. The data size of these packs is fixed, but the number of packs that can be included in one cell is variable. Therefore, a cell corresponding to a scene with more rapid motion includes a larger number of video packs.

In the above format, VMG
I, VTSI, PGCI, PCI, and DSI make up navigation data, and video packs, sub-picture packs, and audio packs for each menu and title make up presentation data.

Next, each unit of the system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The CPU 11 controls the operation of the entire system, and executes an operating system and an application program to be executed stored in a system memory (MEM) 12. The reproduction of the DVD video title recorded on the DVD medium is performed by the CPU.
11 is started by causing the DVD playback control program 201 to execute.

The DVD interface 16 is a HDD or C
A peripheral interface for connecting a peripheral device such as a D-ROM to the PCI bus 10. In this embodiment,
Data transfer with the DVD drive 111 is performed.

The audio controller 17 has a CPU 1
1 controls the input / output of sound data under the control of the PCM sound sources 171 and F for sound output.
An M sound source 172, a multiplexer 173, and a D / A converter 174 are provided. The output from the PCM sound source 171 and the FM sound source 172 and the digital audio data transferred from the DVD decoder 113 are input to the multiplexer 173, and one of them is selected.
Note that a function corresponding to the D / A converter of the audio controller 17 is also provided in the DVD decoder 113, so that the audio controller 17 can be used without using the audio controller 17.
An analog audio signal can be directly output.

The digital audio data is obtained by decoding audio data read from the DVD drive 111. The audio bus 18a is used for transferring digital audio data from the DVD decoder 113 to the audio controller 17, and the PCI bus 10 is not used. Therefore, digital audio data can be transferred at a high speed without affecting the performance of the computer system.

The DVD decoder 113 is controlled by the CPU 11 via the memory 12 or the DVD-RO
After reading the MPEG2 program stream directly from the M drive 111 and separating it into video, sub-picture, and audio packets, they are decoded, synchronized, and output. The DVD decoder 113 includes a transaction control unit,
It has a FIFO buffer and an MPEG2 decoder. The transaction control unit includes the DVD decoder 11
3 as a bus master (initiator) for issuing a transaction on the PCI bus 10 and a memory 12 or a DVD-ROM drive 11
1 executes a bus cycle for reading the MPEG2 program stream. This MPEG2 program stream is sent to an MPEG2 decoder via a FIFO buffer, where it is separated into video, sub-picture, and audio packets and their decoding processing is performed.

The decoded audio data is transferred to the audio controller 17 via the audio bus 18a as digital audio data as described above, or is output directly to an external DSP or the like. The decoded video and sub-picture are combined and sent to the video input port of the VGA controller 114 as digital YUV data. In this case, DV
The video bus 18b is used for transferring digital YUV data from the D decoder 113 to the VGA controller 113, and the PCI bus 10 is not used. Therefore, similarly to digital audio data, transfer of digital YUV data can be performed at high speed without affecting the performance of the computer system.

As the video bus 18b, a VESA standard VEFC (VESA Advanced Feature) is used.
re Connector), VM-Channel
(VESA Media Channel), S3L
A BP interface, a ZV port, or the like can be used.

The VGA controller 114 is connected to the CPU 11
Under the control of the system, the CRT display and the LCD used as the display monitor of this system are controlled, and the VGA specification text and graphics display and the moving image display are supported. As shown, the VGA controller 114 includes a graphics display control circuit 191, a video display control circuit 192, a multiplexer 193, a D / A converter 194, and the like.

The graphics display control circuit 191 outputs V
This is a GA compatible graphics controller, which converts VGA graphics data drawn in a video memory (VRAM) 20 into RGB video data and outputs it.
The video display control circuit 192 includes a video buffer for storing digital YUV data, and a Y buffer stored in the buffer.
YUV-R that converts UV data to RGB video data
It has a GB conversion circuit and the like.

The multiplexer 193 selects one of the output data of the graphics display control circuit 191 and the video display control circuit 192, or synthesizes the video from the video display control circuit 192 on the VGA graphics from the graphics display control circuit 191. LCD and D / A
Send to converter 194. The D / A converter 194 is
The video data from multiplexer 194 is converted to analog R
The signal is converted into a GB signal and output to a CRT display.

FIG. 4 shows how the image is switched between the DVD video and the link image. Here, FIG.
In the DVD video stream shown in (a), the link image (link content 1) shown in FIG.
It is assumed that two link images of the link image (link content 2) of (c) are inserted.

Each of the link contents 1 and 2 is composed of a video source whose reproduction time is 2 minutes, the link image insertion time T1 corresponding to the link content 1 is 10 minutes, and the link image insertion time T2 corresponding to the link content 2 is 18 minutes.
4D, the playback image is switched to the link content 1 when 10 minutes have elapsed from the start of the DVD video playback, as shown in FIG. Is played. When the link content 1 is reproduced for 2 minutes and all the reproduction is completed, the reproduction of the DVD video is restarted again. And
18 specified by the link image insertion time T2 from the restart of reproduction
At the point in time when the minutes have elapsed, the reproduced image is switched to the link content 2, and the link content 2 is reproduced. When the link content 2 is reproduced for 2 minutes and all the reproduction is completed, the reproduction of the DVD video is restarted again.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The processing procedure by the DVD reproduction control program 201 will be described. When the user performs a DVD video playback operation on which the DVD playback control program 201 has been activated, the DVD playback control program 201 is stored on the same DVD medium as the DVD video to be played prior to the start of playback of the DVD video. With reference to the linked file information, it is determined whether or not an image to be linked is set (steps S101 and S102).

If an image to be linked is specified by the link file information, the DVD playback control program 201 searches the cache area of the HDD 112 for the link image specified by the link file information, and Corresponding time information (Time D
data) is set as the link image insertion time in the time set register 117 of the DVD decoder 113 (step S103).

Next, the DVD playback control program 201
Sends the DVD video read from the DVD-ROM medium to the DVD decoder 113, and instructs the DVD decoder 113 to reproduce the DVD video (step S104).

When an interruption occurs from the DVD decoder 113, the DVD reproduction control program 201 shifts the control to the interruption processing. In this interrupt processing, the DVD reproduction control program 201 interrupts the transmission of the DVD video, sends the link content stored in the HDD 112 to the DVD decoder 113, and instructs the reproduction thereof (step S105). When the transfer of the link content to the DVD decoder 113 is completed (step S10)
6) It is checked whether there is any unreproduced link content in the link content specified by the link file information, and if so, time information (Time Data) corresponding to the next link content to be inserted is read by the DVD decoder 11.
After setting the link image insertion time in the time set register 117 of No. 3 (steps S107 and S108), the process returns to the main routine, where the continuation of the DVD video whose reproduction has been interrupted is sent to the DVD decoder 113 to start its reproduction.

In this embodiment, a DVD video,
Although the switching display with the content downloaded in advance to the HDD by the push technology has been described, digital content such as a digital broadcast program provided by satellite broadcasting or CATV can be linked to a DVD video and reproduced. Also, the link image is converted to DV
It is also possible to record and distribute on DVD media or CD-ROM media other than D-video. further,
When an interrupt from the DVD decoder 113 occurs, WWW
Using the browser 203, the corresponding link image is
You may make it acquire from b site.

As the link image, in addition to a moving image composed of an MPEG2 stream, a DVD decoder 1
13 may be a still image in another file format that does not require decoding. In this case, the DVD reproduction control program 201 sends the still image to the VGA controller 114 via the VGA driver 202 as graphics data. Will be. This graphics data is V
The image is drawn on the VRAM 20 via the PCI bus interface of the GA controller 114 and is displayed on the screen.

Further, it goes without saying that the DVD reproduction control program having the procedure shown in FIG. 5 can be distributed through a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0076]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Without changing the title structure of DVD video, etc.
Switching of the playback image at an arbitrary playback position of the moving image stream constituting the title, linking to an arbitrary video source, and automatic updating of the linked video source can be realized by using a push technology. As a result, the title can be reproduced with a higher degree of freedom.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of hardware and software for realizing an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating an example of a specific hardware configuration of the image display apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a format of video data used in the image display device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing an example of switching display between a DVD video and a link image by the image display device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the procedure of a playback image switching processing method applied to the image display device of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 111 DVD drive 112 HDD 113 DVD decoder 114 VGA controller 115 Display monitor 116 Communication device 117 Time set register 118 Time counter 201 DVD playback control program 202 VGA driver 203 WWW browser

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image display apparatus for reading and reproducing a moving image stream from a recording medium, wherein the recording medium stores link information for designating a link image to be inserted into the moving image stream. A reproducing unit that reproduces the moving image stream read from the recording medium; and counts an elapsed time from the start of the reproduction of the moving image stream. An image display device, comprising: a reproduced image switching means for switching image data to be reproduced from the moving image stream to a link image specified by the link information when the image data to be reproduced is reached. 2. The link image is recorded on a second recording medium different from a recording medium on which the moving image stream is recorded, and a reproduced image is switched between different recording media. The image display device according to claim 1. 3. The link image has time information indicating a time at which the link image is to be inserted, and a link image insertion time indicated by the time information indicating the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the moving image stream. When the time is reached,
2. The image data to be reproduced is switched from the moving image stream to the link image.
The image display device as described in the above. 4. The link image is digital content that is automatically distributed from the outside via a network by a push-type information service and is written in a rewritable local storage of the image display device. 2. The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a link image specified by the information is searched from the digital contents in the local storage, and the searched link image is transmitted to the reproducing unit to be reproduced. 5. An image display device comprising: a CPU; and a reproducing unit that reproduces a moving image stream, wherein reproduction of the moving image stream is controlled by a moving image reproduction control program that controls the reproducing unit. The playback means counts an elapsed time from the start of playback of the moving image stream, and when the elapsed time from the start of playback reaches a preset link image insertion time, an interrupt for notifying the CPU of the time. A signal generating unit, wherein the moving image reproduction control program switches image data to be reproduced from the moving image stream to another link image in response to the interrupt signal. Image display device. 6. An image switching display method applied to an image display device for reading and reproducing a moving image stream stored therein from a recording medium, wherein a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of reproduction of the moving image stream. Time is set as a link image insertion time, and when the elapsed time from the start of reproduction of the moving image stream reaches the link image insertion time, image data to be reproduced is transferred from the moving image stream to another link. An image switching display method, wherein a reproduced image can be switched based on an elapsed time from a start of reproduction of the moving image stream. 7. The link image is stored on a second recording medium different from a recording medium on which the moving image stream is recorded, together with time information indicating the link image insertion time, and 7. The image switching and displaying method according to claim 6, wherein time information of the link image is read before starting reproduction of the image stream, and the link image insertion time is set based on the time information. 8. The image according to claim 6, wherein the link image is digital content automatically distributed to the rewritable local storage of the image display device from the outside via a network by a push-type information service. Switching display method.