KR20040014191A - Recording and reproducing apparatus and data combining method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a recording and reproducing device which can appropriately select the data that can be combined and then combine the data. CONSTITUTION: When music data which constitute a combination origin are specified and a combination(COMBINE) is instructed through an operating section 14, a system control microcomputer 13 reads the track mode of the combination origin and reads the track modes of all other music data from a disk d. Then, discrimination is made to determine whether there exists a track mode that matches the track mode of the combination origin. When music data having a matching track mode exist, only the music data that can be selected as a combination object are displayed on a display panel 15 so that the music data can be selected as the combination object. When the selection of the music data that are the combination object is received, the microcomputer 13 controls an MD mechanism-controlling microcomputer 21 and combine the selected music data on the disk d.

Description

RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND DATA COMBINING METHOD}

The present invention relates to a recording / playback apparatus and a data combining method.

Background Art Conventionally, electronic devices such as printers and modems connected to control devices such as personal computers (personal computers) and used are known. Such an electronic device is provided with an interface such as RS232C or Centronics, for example, is connected to a control device via a predetermined cable, and operates according to control from the control device or the like.

In recent years, USB (Universal Serial Bus) and the like have attracted attention as an interface standard employed in personal computers and the like (control devices). This USB is supported by general OS (Operating System) introduced in personal computer, and setting to use hot plug-in which can connect electronic device with power supply of personal computer and electronic device to use It features a plug and play that can be done automatically.

Recently, a new interface standard called "Net MD (registered trademark)" for connecting a personal computer and an MD (mini disk) recording and reproducing apparatus using this USB has been devised.

This Net MD standard is an extension standard for music MD. Based on strong copyright protection technology, music data recorded on a hard disk of a personal computer is transferred to an MD recording and reproducing apparatus, and recorded in a commercial recording MD. It is. At that time, since music data in a state before decoding is transmitted as it is, deterioration of sound quality due to decoding / encoding and the like is prevented. In contrast to the recording accompanied by the reproduction, since the data is actually transmitted, recording is terminated at a rate several times to several tens of times that of normal recording.

Each audio maker or the like manufactures a variety of MD recording and reproducing apparatuses conforming to the Net MD standard having such characteristics, and starts to enter the market. Then, among users who own a personal computer, such MD recording and reproducing apparatus is gradually spreading.

As described above, the Net MD standard has a strong copyright protection technology as one of its features, and prevents the spread of disordered music data. Specifically, the effectiveness of copyright protection is aimed at by the checkout and check-in function.

Here, the checkout means transfer of music data (contents) from a personal computer to an MD recording and reproducing apparatus (copying to a recording MD).

In addition, check-in refers to an MD recording / reproducing apparatus by returning music data (actually a content hash) transferred and recorded to the MD recording / reproducing apparatus by check-out to a personal computer (the same personal computer serving as a transfer source). To disable the music data.

The MD in which music data checked out in the Net MD standard is recorded can be played back in a recording / reproducing apparatus such as an ordinary MD recorder. For example, in a recording / playback apparatus compliant with the MDLP standard, even if music data is checked out to the MD in a long time recording mode of "ATA C3 LP2" or "ATRA C3 LP4", playback can be performed.

The conventional recording and reproducing apparatus will be described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the recording and reproducing apparatus includes a system control microcomputer 111, an operation unit 112, a display panel 113, and an MD mechanism unit 120.

The system control microcomputer 111 controls the MD mechanism unit 120 to record music data on the disc d (MD) and to reproduce the music data recorded on the disc d. Specifically, the system control microcomputer 111 controls the MD mechanism unit 120 by issuing a predetermined control command to the MD mechanism control microcomputer 121 described later.

The operation unit 112 generates an instruction signal in accordance with the user's operation and supplies it to the system control microcomputer 111. Specifically, the operation unit 112 includes a "TRACK EDIT key" for instructing editing of music data, an "UP / DOWN key" for instructing change of an edit item, a "SET key" for instructing selection of an edit item, And an "ENTER key" for instructing execution of editing. When these keys are operated by the user, the operation unit 112 supplies the corresponding instruction signal to the system control microcomputer 111.

The display panel 113 is controlled by the system control microcomputer 111 to display characters, figures, and the like that indicate the operation status of the recording / playback apparatus.

The MD mechanism unit 120 includes an MD mechanism control microcomputer 121, a head driver 122, a recording head 123, a spindle motor 124, an optical pickup 125, and a transfer motor 126. And an RF amplifier 127, a digital signal processing circuit 128, and a buffer memory 129.

The MD mechanism control microcomputer 121 controls the digital signal processing circuit 128 in accordance with a control command sent from the system control microcomputer 111.

The head driver 122 controls the recording head 123 to record music data and the like on the disc d.

The spindle motor 124 rotates the disk d mounted on the turntable. The optical pickup 125 also reads music data and the like on the disk d carried by the transfer motor 126 and supplies it to the digital signal processing circuit 128 through the RF amplifier 127.

The digital signal processing circuit 128 includes an ADIP (ADdress In Pre-groove) decoder, an EFM (Eight to Fourteen Modulation) decoder, a shock proof memory controller, an ATRAC (Adaptive TRansform Acoustic Coding) encoder, And a servo control unit.

The buffer memory 129 temporarily stores music data of a predetermined capacity at the time of reproduction and the like.

The recording and reproducing apparatus having such a configuration can reproduce music data checked out in the Net MD standard or music data normally recorded, and also edit (combine, divide, erase, etc.) the music data.

An example of the editing operation of the recording / playback apparatus shown in FIG. 12 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a data combining process for combining any two pieces of music data among music data recorded on the disc d. At this time, this data combining process is executed by the system control microcomputer 111 in response to the operation of the operation unit 112 by the user.

First, the system control microcomputer 111 waits for execution of subsequent processing until the TRACK EDlT key is input (step S101). When the TRACK EDIT key is input, it is judged whether or not reproduction is in progress and whether or not data recording on the disc d is possible (step S102).

If the system control microcomputer 111 is not in the reproducing operation and is not in a state where recording is possible, the process returns to step S101.

On the other hand, in the reproducing operation and in the state where recording is possible, the system control microcomputer 111 is until the UP / DOWN key is input from the operation unit 112 and the item of COMBINE is selected by the SET key. The execution of the subsequent processing is awaited (steps S103 to S105).

When the item of COMBINE is selected, the system control microcomputer 111 waits for execution of subsequent processing until the UP / DOWN key is input and the music data (track number) to be combined is selected by the SET key. (Step S106, S107).

Then, when the mating partner is selected, the system control microcomputer 111 displays a message for confirming the COMBINE on the display panel 113 (step S108), and waits for the ENTER key to be input from the operation unit 112 ( Step S109).

When the ENTER key is input, the system control microcomputer 111 executes COMBINE (step S110). That is, the system control microcomputer 111 controls the MD mechanism control microcomputer 121 to combine the two pieces of music data indicated on the disc d.

The system control microcomputer 111 determines whether the execution result returned from the MD mechanism control microcomputer 121 is information indicating the success of the joining (step S111).

Then, when the combination is not successful, the system control microcomputer 111 displays, for example, an error message of "CAN'T EDIT" on the display panel 113 (step S112). On the other hand, when the association is successful, a message indicating completion of COMBINE is displayed on the display panel 113 (step S113).

Each music data recorded on the above-mentioned disc d (MD) has a different recording mode (ATRA C3 LP2, ATRA C3 LP4, ATRAC STEREO, ATRAC MON0, etc.) or a different protection state (track protection on / off). There is also.

For example, in the recorded music data, track protection is set to off, while the checked out music data is set to track protection on.

The conventional recording and reproducing apparatus compares the recording mode, the protection state, and the like of the respective music data when executing COMBINE in step S110 of the above-described data combining process, and if they do not match, the joining is made into an error. Doing.

However, there has been a problem that the user cannot actually know whether or not the music data can be combined unless the operation unit 112 is instructed to combine the pieces of music data. In short, it is not clear to the user whether or not the recording mode, the protection state, etc. of the respective music data are consistent, and COMBINE is executed in the recording / reproducing apparatus. .

For this reason, the user needs to operate the operation unit 112 to instruct the music data to be combined each time in order to confirm that it is impossible to combine or to search for music data that can be combined.

In addition, since the music data recorded on the disc d is diversified, and the music data checked out is added to the music data to be joined or to be joined, the "CAN'T EDIT" displayed when the joining becomes an error. Message, etc., the user may not know why the failure occurred.

For this reason, there has been a demand for a user to understand in advance music data that can be combined.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a recording / playback apparatus and a data combining method capable of appropriately selecting and combining data that can be combined.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system including a recording / playback apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the structure of UTOC information.

3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a data structure of a track mode in UTOC information.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a bit for determining whether to combine or not among the bits constituting the track mode.

5 is a flowchart for explaining the first half of the data combining process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart for explaining the second half of the data combining process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart for explaining a track mode conformance process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fitting table stored in a memory of a system control microcomputer.

9 is a flowchart for explaining the first half of the data combining process according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a flowchart for explaining the second half of the data combining process according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

11A and 11B are schematic diagrams showing an example of the fitting table stored in the memory of the system control microcomputer.

12 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a conventional recording and reproducing apparatus.

13 is a flowchart for explaining a data combining process performed in a conventional recording and reproducing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: recording / playback apparatus 11: security circuit

12: Security control micom 13: System control micom

14: operation unit 15: display panel

16: MD mechanism unit 21: MD mechanism control microcomputer

22: head driver 23: recording head

24: spindle motor 25: optical pickup

26: transfer motor 27: RF amplifier

28: digital signal processing circuit 29: buffer memory

3: personal computer C: USB cable

A recording and reproducing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object,

Designating means for designating first data from a predetermined recording medium on which a plurality of data is recorded;

Specifying means for specifying from the recording medium data matching with at least the type of the first data designated by the designating means;

Selecting means for selecting second data from data specified by said specifying means;

And combining means for combining the first data designated by the designating means and the second data selected by the selecting means.

A recording and reproducing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object,

Designating means for designating music data of a combined source from a predetermined recording medium on which a plurality of music data is recorded;

Specifying means for specifying, from the recording medium, the music data that can be combined with the music data of the combined source, from at least the type and the protected state of the music data designated by the designating means;

Presenting means for presenting the music data specified by the specifying means as a combinable object;

Selection means for selecting music data to be combined from among the music data presented by the presentation means;

And combining means for combining the music data designated by the designating means and the music data selected by the selecting means.

The specifying means may specify music data to which the track mode including the type and / or the protection state coincides.

A recording and reproducing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object,

Reading means for reading a track mode that defines the type and protection state of each piece of music data from a rewritable disc on which a plurality of pieces of music data are recorded;

Storage means for storing the track mode read by the reading means corresponding to each piece of music data;

Designation means for designating music data of the association source from the disc;

Specifying means for specifying music data that can be combined with the music data of the source of association from at least the type and protection state of the music data designated by the designation means, in accordance with the track mode stored in the storage means;

Presenting means for presenting the music data specified by the specifying means as a combinable object;

Selection means for selecting music data to be combined from among the music data presented by the presentation means;

And combining means for combining the music data designated by the designating means and the music data selected by the selecting means.

In order to achieve the above object, the data combining method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention,

A designation step of designating music data of a combined source from a predetermined recording medium on which a plurality of music data is recorded;

A specific step of specifying, from the recording medium, the music data that can be combined with the music data of the combined source, from at least the type and the protected state of the music data designated in the designated step;

A presentation step of presenting the music data specified in the specific step as a combinable object;

A selection step of selecting music data to be combined from among the music data presented in the presenting step;

And a combining step of combining the music data specified in the designated step and the music data selected in the selection step.

EXAMPLE

A recording / playback apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system including a recording / playback apparatus 1 applied to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the system is configured by connecting the recording / playback apparatus 1 and the personal computer 3 via the USB cable C. FIG.

The recording and reproducing apparatus 1 is an audio device that complies with the "Net MD (registered trademark)" standard, and as shown, a security circuit 11, a security control microcomputer 12, and a system control microcomputer 13 And an operation unit 14, a display panel 15, and an MD mechanism unit 16.

That is, the recording / playback apparatus 1 records the music data transmitted from the personal computer 3 on the disc d (MD; mini-disc) at the time of checkout in accordance with the Net MD standard. At check-in, the music data recorded on the disc d is returned to the personal computer 3 (actually, the music data is deleted from the disc d while returning the content hash).

At this time, at check-out and check-in, the recording / playback apparatus 1 generates a content hash (information uniquely determined according to the music data and specifies music data) for appropriately protecting copyright, It transmits to the personal computer 3.

By the way, in the disc d, a UTOC (User Table 0f Contents) recording area is set, and UTOC information as shown in FIG. 2 is stored.

This UTOC information is information for managing music data recorded on the disc d. For example, a track mode is set in an area indicated by diagonal lines in the figure.

This track mode is information for specifying the type of the recording mode of music data, the availability of protection, and the like. As shown in Fig. 3, respective meanings are defined in the value of each bit.

At this time, " 0 " (Write Protected) is set to d1 (Write Protect) in the figure for the music data checked out according to the Net MD standard. On the other hand, "1" (Write Permitted) is normally set to d1 in the figure in the recorded music data.

Then, the value of the track mode determines whether music data is combined with each other. Specifically, the availability of the combination is determined by whether or not the bit values except d2 (Copy Protect) and d8 (Emphasis) shown in FIG. 3 match.

For example, as shown in Fig. 4, in the case where the track mode 20h of (a) is set as a reference (coupling circle), the track modes of (b) to (d) are different values, respectively. Comparing each bit except d2 and d8 shown, all agree with the track mode of (a).

For this reason, based on the track mode of (a), each track mode of (b) to (d) is matched, and the music data of (a) matches any of the music data of (b) to (d). Also possible to combine.

Returning to FIG. 1, the security circuit 11 includes a USB interface for communicating with the personal computer 3 via the USB cable C, and is controlled by the security control microcomputer 12 to control the personal. Authentication with the computer 3 is performed.

The security control microcomputer 12 generates a content hash from the sound group data, the track mode, and the content size acquired by the system control microcomputer 13 from the MD mechanism unit 16.

The system control microcomputer 13 controls the security control microcomputer 12 and the MD mechanism unit 16 (MD mechanism control microcomputer 21) to control the entire recording and reproducing apparatus 1.

For example, the system control microcomputer 13 performs a data combining process and the like described later to display only the tracks in the track mode that coincide with the track mode of the music data (track) to be combined as a combination object. (15), the tracks are selected, and each track is combined.

At this time, the system control microcomputer 13 includes a memory and can store a track mode conformance table or the like described later.

The operation unit 14 is composed of a plurality of key switch groups, for example, and supplies instruction information corresponding to the user's operation (pressing or the like) to the system control microcomputer 13.

Specifically, the operation unit 14 includes a "TRACK EDIT key" for instructing editing of music data, an "UP / DOWN key" for instructing change of an edit item, a "SET key" for instructing selection of an edit item, and Includes an "ENTER key" for instructing execution of editing. Then, when these keys are operated by the user, the operation unit 14 supplies the corresponding instruction signal to the system control microcomputer 13.

The display panel 15 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel and the like, and displays characters, figures, and the like that indicate the operation status of the recording / playback apparatus 1 in accordance with the display data supplied from the system control microcomputer 13.

For example, when editing music data (COMBINE), track numbers and the like indicating tracks (tracks in which the track modes are matched) that can be combined are displayed for the tracks of the source of the combination.

The MD mechanism unit 16 includes an MD mechanism control microcomputer 21, a head driver 22, a recording head 23, a spindle motor 24, an optical pickup 25, and a transfer motor 26. And an RF amplifier 27, a digital signal processing circuit 28, and a buffer memory 29.

The MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 controls the digital signal processing circuit 28 in accordance with a control command sent from the system control microcomputer 13.

For example, when performing music data combination (COMBINE) in accordance with a control command, the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 sets the digital signal processing circuit 28 to change the track mode of each music data to be combined and to be combined. It reads through and supplies it to the system control microcomputer 13.

The head driver 22 controls the recording head 23 to record music data, title information and the like on the disc d.

The recording head 23 magnetizes the recording surface of the disk d heated to the Curie point or more by the optical pickup 25, thereby recording music data and the like on the disk d. Also, the two selected music data (tracks) are combined on the disc d.

The spindle motor 24 rotates a turntable (not shown) on which the disk d is mounted.

The optical pickup 25 irradiates a laser beam of a predetermined wavelength toward the recording surface of the disc d at the time of reproduction of the music data, receives the reflected light, and converts it into an electric signal. The optical pickup 25 supplies the converted electric signal to the RF amplifier 27.

In addition, the optical pickup 25 irradiates a laser beam toward the recording surface of the disc d at the time of recording music data, and heats it until it becomes more than a Curie point.

The feed motor 26 is controlled by the digital signal processing circuit 28 to move the optical pickup 25 to the predetermined position of the disc d.

The RF amplifier 27 generates an RF signal, a focus error signal, a tracking error signal, and the like from the electric signal supplied from the optical pickup 25. The RF amplifier 27 supplies the generated RF signal or the like to the digital signal processing circuit 28 or the like.

The digital signal processing circuit 28 is controlled by the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 to control the spindle motor 24, the optical pickup 25, the feed motor 26, the head driver 22, and the like.

For example, when the digital signal processing circuit 28 is instructed to read the track mode of the music data from the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21, the digital signal processing circuit 28 controls the optical pickup 25, the transfer motor 26, and the like. The track mode of the target is read from the UTOC information as shown in FIG.

In addition, when the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 is instructed to combine the two music data (tracks), the optical pickup 25, the head driver 22, and the like are controlled to combine the respective tracks of the object on the disc d ( Specifically, UTOC information as shown in FIG. 2 is updated).

The buffer memory 29 temporarily stores music data of a predetermined capacity at the time of reproduction, recording, or the like.

On the other hand, the personal computer 3 is a general-purpose personal computer provided with a calculation unit such as a CPU, a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk, an operation device such as a mouse or a keyboard, a display device such as a display, and a USB interface. Is done.

The personal computer 3 is operated according to an OS (Operating System) installed in a hard disk or the like, and executes application software corresponding to the Net MD standard on the OS.

Specifically, the personal computer 3 transfers the music data (content) stored in advance to the hard disk to the recording / playback apparatus 1 by the checkout function, and records it on the disk d.

An example of the editing operation of the recording / playback apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 are flowcharts for explaining a data combining process for appropriately combining music data recorded on the disc d, in which FIG. 5 shows the first half thereof, and FIG. 6 shows the second half thereof. At this time, this data combining process is executed by the system control microcomputer 13 in response to the operation of the operation unit 14 by the user.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the system control microcomputer 13 waits for execution of subsequent processing until the TRACK EDIT key which instructs editing of music data is input from the operation part 14 (step S11).

When the TRACK EDIT key is input, the system control microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is in the reproducing operation and recording of data on the disc d is possible (step S12).

The system control microcomputer 13 returns the processing to step S11 when it is not during the reproducing operation and when recording is not possible.

On the other hand, in the recording / playback apparatus 1, during the reproducing operation and in the state where recording is possible, the system control microcomputer 13 inputs an UP / DOWN key for instructing the change of the edit item, and then edits. The execution of subsequent processing is awaited until a SET key for selecting an item is input and an item of COMBINE is selected (steps S13 to S15). At this time, the UP / DOWN key and the SET key are input from the operation unit 14.

When the item of COMBINE is selected, the system control microcomputer 13 requests reading of the track mode of the music data to be combined (step S16). In short, the system control microcomputer 13 sets the track number corresponding to the music data being reproduced to the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 and requests reading of the track mode of the music data.

The system control microcomputer 13 then controls the digital signal processing circuit 28 by the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 to finish reading the corresponding track mode from the UTOC information as shown in FIG. It waits until (step S17).

When the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 finishes reading the track mode, the system control microcomputer 13 stores the track number of the combined source and its track mode in its own memory (step S18).

The system control microcomputer 13 sets a track number and requests reading of the track mode (step S19). In short, the system control microcomputer 13 sets a track number corresponding to one piece of music data recorded on the disc d to the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21, and requests reading of the track mode of the music data. .

The system control microcomputer 13 waits until the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 controls the digital signal processing circuit 28 to finish reading the track mode (step S20).

When the reading of the track mode is finished, the system control microcomputer 13 executes the track mode conforming process (step S21).

Specifically, the system control microcomputer 13 executes the track mode conforming process shown in Fig. 7, and checks the music data of the track mode matching the track mode of the music data to be combined.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the system control microcomputer 13 waits until the track mode supplied from the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 is completed (step S41).

When the track mode has been received, the system control microcomputer 13 masks the received track mode with the specified mask data (step S42). In other words, as described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4 described above, d2 and d8 are not used to determine the agreement of the track modes in the track mode, so that mask data masking the bit values of these d2 and d8 is used. Mask the received track mode.

At this time, it is assumed that the track mode of the music data to be the combined source stored in the memory in step S18 (data combining process in Fig. 5) is also masked by the same mask data.

The system control microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the track mode of the music data to be combined with the masked track mode matches (step S43). In other words, it is determined whether or not the track mode of the joining source and the track mode read out from this disc d match.

When the system control microcomputer 13 determines that the respective track modes match, the system control microcomputer 13 sets "1" to indicate the conformance table (step S44). For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the track mode of track number 001 to be combined with the track mode of track number 005 match, the system control microcomputer 13 conforms to the flag corresponding to track number 005. Set 1 to. At this time, 1 is also set in the conformance flag corresponding to the track number 001 which is the coupling source.

On the other hand, when it is determined that each track mode does not coincide, "0" indicating incompatibility is set in the fitting table (step S45). For example, as shown in Fig. 8, when the track mode of track number 001 to be combined with the track mode of track number 009 do not match, the system control microcomputer 13 corresponds to track number 009. Set 0 to the fit flag.

When the track mode fitting process is finished, the system control microcomputer 13 returns the process to the data combining process of FIG.

When the process returns to the data combining process, the system control microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the reading of the track mode of all the tracks (all the music data) recorded on the disc d has been completed (step S22).

When the system control microcomputer 13 determines that the reading of all the tracks has not been completed, the process returns to step S19 to repeat the processes of steps S19 to S22 described above.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the reading of all the tracks has been completed, the system control microcomputer 13 proceeds to FIG. 6 to determine whether or not the track to be combined is present (step S23). For example, in the fit table as shown in Fig. 8 created in the track mode conformance process of Fig. 7 described above, it is determined whether two or more tracks having a fit flag of 1 exist.

If the system control microcomputer 13 determines that there is no track to be joined, the display panel 15 displays a message indicating that music data to be joined is not recorded on the disc d (step S24). ), And ends the data combining process.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a track to be joined, the system control microcomputer 13 inputs the UP / DOWN key until the music data (track number) to be joined is selected by the SET key. The execution of the subsequent processing is awaited (steps S25 and S26). At this time, the system control microcomputer 13 refers to the conformance table as shown in FIG. 8 described above according to the input of the UP / DOWN key, and the track number with the conformance flag of 1 (track number of the combined source). Display only) and make a selection.

When the object to be combined is selected, the system control microcomputer 13 determines whether or not each piece of music data is protected (step S27). For example, with reference to the track mode of the combined source stored in its memory in step S18 (FIG. 5) mentioned above, from the bit value of the most significant bit (d1; Write Protect), the protected tracks (music by checkout) Whether or not the data is combined). At this time, since the suitability of the track mode of each music data is determined, it is possible to discriminate from one track mode.

If the system control microcomputer 13 determines that each music data is not in the protected state, it advances the process to step S31 mentioned later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that each music data is in the protected state, the system control microcomputer 13 displays a message such as "PROTECTED" on the display panel 15 (step S28).

At this time, when the tracks are connected to each other, the match between the content hash obtained from the music data after the joining and the content hash managed by the personal computer 3 cannot be achieved. Can be. For this reason, music data may not be combined.

For example, in step S16 shown in Fig. 5, reading of the track source of the combined source is requested, and when the reading is completed in step S17, the most significant bit d1 of the track mode displays " 0 " (Write Protected). If so, a message such as "Check Out Content" may be displayed on the display panel 15, and the data combining process may be terminated as it is.

Then, the system control microcomputer 13 waits until the SET key is input, the binding of the protected tracks is confirmed, or the TRACK EDIT key is input, and the end of editing (end without performing the joining) is instructed ( Step S29, S30).

Here, when the TRACK EDIT key is input, the system control micom 13 ends the data combining process.

On the other hand, when the SET key is input, the system control microcomputer 13 displays a message for confirming the COMBINE on the display panel 15 (step S31), and waits for the ENTER key to be input on the operation unit 14 ( Step S32).

When the ENTER key is input, the system control microcomputer 13 executes COMBINE (step S33). That is, the system control microcomputer 13 controls the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 to combine two tracks whose track mode suitability is determined, and combines them on the disc d.

The system control microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the execution result returned from the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 is information indicating the success of the joining (step S34).

Then, the system control microcomputer 13 displays a predetermined error message on the display panel 15 when the association is not successful (step S35), and on the other hand, a message indicating the completion of COMBINE when the association is successful. Is displayed on the display panel 15 (step S36).

By the above-described processing shown in Figs. 5 to 7, only the music data that can be combined with the music data of the joining source can be selected, so that the joining does not become an error from the failure of the track mode. In addition, at the time of joining the checked out music data (tracks in which the protection information is set), a message indicating that the protection tracks are joined is displayed, so that the user can easily determine whether to perform the joining or not.

In short, since only the music data that can be combined with the music data of the joining source is displayed and selected, there is no need to find a combination of music data that can be combined by trial and error as in the prior art. In addition, there is no need to issue a combining instruction to music data in an inappropriate combination.

In addition, when the music data to be combined is a protect track, the message can be displayed as a message to inform the user, so that inadvertent editing of the checked out music data can be prevented.

As a result, data that can be combined can be selected and combined appropriately.

In the above embodiment, the case where the track mode of each music data is acquired on the disc d after the editing (COMBINE) is instructed has been described. However, the timing for acquiring the track mode is arbitrary. For example, at the timing of reading the UTOC information (for example, after powering on, after inserting a disc, after writing to a disc, after various editing, etc.), a track mode of each music data may be acquired.

Hereinafter, the operation of the recording / playback apparatus 1 acquiring the track mode when the UTOC information is read will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 and 10 are flowcharts for explaining a data combining process according to still another embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 9 shows the first half thereof and Fig. 10 shows the latter half thereof. At this time, this data combining process is automatically started, for example, after power-on or after disk insertion.

First, the system control microcomputer 13 controls the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 and waits until the reading of the UTOC information is started (step S51). When the reading is started, the system control microcomputer 13 reads the UTOC information from the disk d. The memory is stored in its own memory (step S52).

The system control microcomputer 13 sets a track number and requests reading of the track mode (step S53). The system control microcomputer 13 waits until the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 controls the digital signal processing circuit 28 to finish reading the track mode (step S54).

When the reading of the track mode is finished, the system control microcomputer 13 sets the value of the track mode in the fit table (step S55).

Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11A, the system control microcomputer 13 sets the value of the read track mode in the appropriate flag corresponding to the track number.

The system control microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the reading of the track mode of all tracks (all music data) recorded on the disc d has been completed (step S56).

When the system control microcomputer 13 determines that the reading of all tracks has not been completed, the process returns to step S53, and the processes of steps S53 to S56 described above are repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, when it is determined that reading of all tracks has been completed, the system control microcomputer 13 waits for execution of subsequent processing until the TRACK EDIT key is input (step S57). When the TRACK EDIT key is input, it is determined whether or not the reproduction is in progress and whether or not data recording on the disc d is possible (step S58).

The system control microcomputer 13 returns the processing to step S57 when it is not during the reproducing operation and when recording is not possible.

On the other hand, in the reproducing operation and in the state where recording is possible, the system control micom 13 is provided until the UP / DOWN key is input from the operation unit 14 and the item of COMBINE is selected by the SET key. The execution of the subsequent processing is awaited (steps S59 to S61).

Then, when the item of COMBINE is selected, the system control microcomputer 13 specifies the value of the track mode of the combined source from the fit table (step S62). Then, the process proceeds to FIG. 10.

Proceeding to Fig. 10, the system control microcomputer 13 determines whether or not a track to be combined is present (step S63). For example, in the fitting table as shown in Fig. 11B, it is determined whether two or more tracks to which the values of the fitting flag (track mode) coincide exist. At this time, the determination of the coincidence in this case is also determined except for the bit values d2 and d8 in the track mode as described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4 described above. In other words, in Fig. 11B, the respective conformity flags indicated by the diagonal lines coincide with each other.

If the system control microcomputer 13 determines that there is no track to be joined, a message indicating that there is no music data to be joined is displayed on the display panel 15 (step S64). End the process. On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that there is a track to be combined, the system control microcomputer 13 has until the UP / DOWN key is input and the music data (track number) to be combined is selected by the SET key. The execution of the subsequent processing is awaited (steps S65 and S66). At this time, the system control microcomputer 13 refers to the conformance table as shown in FIG. 11B described above according to the input of the UP / DOWN key, and excludes the track number to which the conformance flag matches (except the track number of the combined source). Only) and it is selected.

When the object to be combined is selected, the system control microcomputer 13 determines whether or not each piece of music data is protected (step S67). If it is determined that each music data is not in the protected state, the system control microcomputer 13 advances the processing to step S71 described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that each music data is in the protected state, the system control microcomputer 13 displays a message such as "PROTECTED" on the display panel 15 (step S68), and the SET key is input to protect the track. The connection is confirmed, or the TRACK EDIT key is input, and waits until the end of editing is instructed (steps S69 and S70).

Here, when the TRACK EDIT key is input, the system control micom 13 ends the data combining process.

On the other hand, when the SET key is input, the system control microcomputer 13 displays a message for confirming the COMBINE on the display panel 15 (step S71), and waits for the ENTER key to be input on the operation unit 14 ( Step S72). Then, when the ENTER key is input, the system control microcomputer 13 executes COMBINE (step S73).

The system control microcomputer 13 determines whether the execution result returned from the MD mechanism control microcomputer 21 is information indicating the success of the joining (step S74).

The system control microcomputer 13 displays a predetermined error message on the display panel 15 when the association is not successful (step S75), and displays a message indicating the completion of COMBINE when the association is successful. It displays on the panel 15 (step S76).

9 and 10 described above, only the music data that can be combined with the music data of the joining source can be selected, so that the joining is not an error from the failure of the track mode. In addition, when the music data checked out are joined together, a message indicating that the protected tracks are joined together is displayed, so that the user can easily determine whether to perform the joining or not.

As a result, data that can be combined can be selected and combined appropriately.

In the above-described embodiment, the recording and reproducing apparatus corresponding to the Net MD standard has been described, but a recording and reproducing apparatus not conforming to the Net MD standard can be suitably applied. Moreover, although the case where music data is recorded on the disc d which consists of MDs was demonstrated, the recording medium which records music data etc. is arbitrary, not limited to MD.

For example, music data or the like may be recorded on a recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk (MO) or a digital versatile disk-RAM (DVD-RAM), and a smart media (registered trademark) and a memory stick ( Music data or the like may be recorded on a recording medium such as a registered trademark).

In addition, the data recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the music data but may be video data or the like.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the recording / playback apparatus 1 and the personal computer 3 each have a USB interface, and the recording / playback apparatus 1 and the personal computer 3 are connected via a USB cable C. FIG. The audio system is described. However, the interface provided by the recording / playback apparatus 1 and the personal computer 3 is not limited to USB, but arbitrary. For example, an interface such as IEEE1394 may be used, and the recording / playback apparatus 1 and the personal computer 3 may be connected via an IEEE1394 cable. In addition, you may connect using a wireless technology (Bluetooth etc.).

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately select and combine data that can be combined.

Claims (5)

Designating means for designating first data from a predetermined recording medium on which a plurality of data is recorded; Specifying means for specifying from the recording medium data matching with at least the type of the first data designated by the designating means; Selecting means for selecting second data from data specified by said specifying means; And a combining means for combining the first data designated by the designating means and the second data selected by the selecting means. Designating means for designating music data of a combined source from a predetermined recording medium on which a plurality of music data is recorded; Specifying means for specifying, from the recording medium, the music data that can be combined with the music data of the combined source, from at least the type and the protected state of the music data designated by the designating means; Presenting means for presenting the music data specified by the specifying means as a combinable object; Selection means for selecting music data to be combined from among the music data presented by the presentation means; And combining means for combining the music data designated by the designating means and the music data selected by the selecting means. The method of claim 2, And the specifying means specifies music data to which the track mode including the type and / or the protection state is matched. Reading means for reading a track mode that defines the type and protection state of each piece of music data from a rewritable disc on which a plurality of pieces of music data are recorded; Storage means for storing the track mode read by the reading means corresponding to each piece of music data; Designation means for designating music data of the association source from the disc; Specifying means for specifying music data that can be combined with the music data of the source of association from at least the type and protection state of the music data designated by the designation means, in accordance with the track mode stored in the storage means; Presenting means for presenting the music data specified by the specifying means as a combinable object; Selection means for selecting music data to be combined from among the music data presented by the presentation means; And combining means for combining the music data designated by the designating means and the music data selected by the selecting means. A designation step of designating music data of a combined source from a predetermined recording medium on which a plurality of music data is recorded; A specific step of specifying, from the recording medium, the music data that can be combined with the music data of the combined source, from at least the type and the protected state of the music data designated in the designated step; A presentation step of presenting the music data specified in the specific step as a combinable object; A selection step of selecting music data to be combined from among the music data presented in the presenting step; And a combining step of combining the music data specified in the designated step and the music data selected in the selection step.