MXPA99006949A - A method a - Google Patents

Abstract

Audio-centered information is stored on a unitary medium by a Table-of-Contents (TOC) mechanism for specifying an actual configuration of various audio items on the medium. In addition to the TOC mechanism a file-based access mechanism to the information is assigned through a ROOT directory that contains a highest level TOC directory pointing at various audio items.

Description

A METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR STORING INFORMATION AUDIO CENTERED BY MEANS OF AN INDEX MECHANISM MATTERS AND ALSO THROUGH A BASED ACCESS MECHANISM IN ARCHIVES THROUGH A MAIN DIRECTORY THAT CONTAINS A BOARD OF INDEX OF HIGHER LEVELS, AND A MEDIUM OF UNIT STORAGE CONTAINING SUCH INFORMATION The invention relates to a method as set forth in the preamble of Claim 1. The storage of digital audio on a unitary medium such as a disk or tape is in the present invention. If audio is effectively subdivided into multiple sub-elements, providing a Table of Contents (TOC) index allows access to information in a relatively fast way. In general, a TOC specifies at least what has been stored and where it has been stored, to facilitate access to it in a type of player of the domestic type. A lower level TOC file, which in the case of a single-level TOC structure is also the highest level TOC file, therefore immediately points to the content of the audio elements or tracks. Now, such audio signals are also used in the environment of personal computers and the like, where the scope of such use, can have several extensive features. An audio provider may wish to have such information directly accessible through various platforms, as well as different portable players from a developed multi-media machine. Consequently, among other things, an object of the present invention is to allow the administration of audio at different levels of complexity, through providing parallel accessibility, but compatible to players, as well as to PC, and in particular, through the file structure of the latter. Now, therefore, according to one of its aspects, the invention is characterized according to the characterizing part of Claim 1. A lower level directory, which in the case of a single-level directory structure is also the directory of higher level or main (ROOT), contains information of location of the elements or associated audio tracks. However, such a lower-level directory can not immediately access the audio content of those tracks, but would need the appropriate application program to execute an interpretation with respect to the audio file to which it belongs. Advantageous features of the invention are that it provides a multi-level TOC structure, as well as a multi-level directory structure to increase access flexibility.

The invention also relates to a unit storage medium produced by the method, and to a reader or player arranged to interconnect with such storage medium. Additional advantageous aspects of the invention are set forth in the dependent Claims. These and other additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, with reference to the description of the preferred embodiments, and in particular with reference to the Attached figures that show: Figures la, Ib, a record carrier, Figure 2, a reproductive device, Figure 3, a recording device, Figure 4, a file system for use with the invention; Figure 5, a first storage arrangement for the invention; Figure 6, a second storage arrangement for the invention; Table 1 specifies a Master_TOC syntax; Table 2 specifies a Syntax of Master_TOC_0; Table 3 specifies a Syntax of Disc_Info. The Figure shows a disc-shaped record carrier 11 with track 19 and a central hole 10.

Track 19 is arranged in a spiral pattern of turns that form substantially parallel tracks on an information layer. The carrier can be an optical disk with a recordable or precoded information layer. Examples of a recordable disc are the CD-R, CR-RW and DVD-RAM, while an audio CD is a pre-registered disc. Pre-registered discs can be manufactured by first registering a master disc and then pressing discs for the consumer. Track 19 on the recordable record carrier is indicated by providing a pre-stamped track structure during the manufacture of the blank record carrier. The track can be configured as a pre-slot 14, which allows a read / write head to follow track 19 during the scan. The information is recorded on the information layer by means of optically detectable marks along the track, for example, depressions and projections. Figure Ib is a section along the line bb of the recordable record carrier 11, where the transparent substrate 15 contains the recording layer 16 and the protective layer 17. The pre-race 14 can be implemented as an indentation, an elevation, or as an appropriate material that deviates from its surroundings. For convenience of use, the audio information about the record carrier has been subdivided into units of information, which usually last for a few minutes, for example, songs on an album or movements of a symphony. Usually, the record carrier also contains access information to identify the units of information, such as the so-called Table of Contents (TOC), or included in a file system such as ISO 9660 for CD-ROM. . The access information may include the execution time and address of each unit of information, and also additional information, such as the title of the song. The audio information is recorded in a digital representation after analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion. The A / D conversion examples in the 16-bit PCM per sample at 44.1 kHz are known for 1-bit Sigma Delta audio and modulation CDs at a higher oversampling rate, for example, the so-called 64 x Fs bitstream. The latter method represents a high-quality encoding method, with the choice between high-quality decoding and low-quality decoding, the latter allowing for a simpler decoding circuit. Reference is made in this regard to documents D5 and D6 below. After the A / D conversion, the digital audio is compressed to audio data at a variable bit rate for recording on the information layer. The compressed audio data is read from the record carrier at such a rate that, after decompression, substantially the original time scale will be restored when the audio information is continuously reproduced. Accordingly, the compressed data must be retrieved from the record carrier at a rate that depends on the variable bit rate. The data is retrieved from the record carrier at the so-called transfer rate, i.e., the data byte transfer rate of the record carrier to a decompressor. Preferably, the record carrier has a constant spatial data density, which gives the highest data storage capacity per unit area. In such a system, the transfer speed is proportional to the relative linear velocity between the medium and the read / write head. If a buffer is provided before the decompressor, the actual transfer rate is the speed before that buffer. Figure 2 shows a reproducing apparatus according to the invention for reading a record carrier 11 of the type shown in Figure 1. The device has motor means 21 for rotating the record carrier 11 and a read head 22 for scanning the track of the record carrier. The positioning means 25 effect the approximate radial position of the reading head 22. The reading head comprises a known optical system with a radiation source for generating a beam 24 which is guided through optical elements and focused to a point 23. on a track of the information layer. The reading head comprises, in addition, a focusing actuator for moving the focus of the radiation 24 along the optical axis of the beam and a tracking actuator for fine positioning of the point 23 in a radial direction on the center of the track. The tracking actuator may comprise coils for moving an optical element or may be arranged to change the angle of a reflective element. The radiation reflected by the information layer is detected by a known detector in the read head 22, for example, a four-quadrant diode, to generate a read signal and additional detector signals, including tracking error and error signals. Focus error for the tracking and focusing actuators, respectively. The read signal is processed by the reading means 27 to recover the data, and reading means, which are of a usual type, for example, comprising a channel decoder and an error corrector. The recovered data is passed to data selection means 28, to select the compressed audio data to be passed over a buffer 29. The selection is based on data type indicators, also recorded on the record carrier, by example, headings in a framed format. Of the ^ Jji ^^^^^^? buffer 29, the compressed audio data is passed to the decompressor 31 as the signal 30. This signal can also be sent to an external decompressor. The decompressor 31 decodes the compressed audio data to reproduce the original audio information at the output 32. The decompressor can be connected separately, for example, in an analog-to-digital converter (D / A converter) of high-quality stand-alone audio , as indicated by the rectangle 33 in Figure 2. Alternatively, the buffer can be placed before the data selection means. The buffer 29 can be placed in a separate housing or can be combined with a buffer in the decompressor. The device also has a control unit 20 for receiving control commands from a user or from a central computer not shown, which via control lines 26, such as a collective conductor of the system, are connected to the motor means 21, the positioning means 25, the reading means 27 and the data selection means 28, and possibly also a collective conductor 29 for controlling the saturation level of the collective conductor. For this purpose, the control unit 20 may comprise a control circuit, such as a microprocessor, a program memory and control gates, to perform the procedures described below. The control unit 20 can be implemented as a state machine for logic circuits. The technique of compression and decompression of audio is known. The audio can be compressed after being digitized by analyzing the correlation of the signal, and producing parameters for fragments of specific size. During decompression, the reverse process is used to reconstruct the original signal. If the original digitized signal is reconstructed exactly, it is said that the (de) compression is lossless, while the (des) compression with losses will not reproduce certain details of the original signal, which, however, are substantially not detectable by the ear or human eye. Most of the known audio and video systems, such like DCC or MPEG, they use lossy compression, while lossless compression is used to store computer data. Examples of audio compression and decompression can be found in D2, D3 and D4, hereinafter, of which in particular, the lossless compression of D2 is suitable for high quality audio. According to the invention, the data selection means 28 are arranged to retrieve certain control information from the read data. The means of data selection 28 are also arranged to discard Any packaged data that has been added during the registration. When the control unit 20 is commanded to reproduce an audio element of the record carrier, the positioning means 25 are controlled to place the reading head on the portion of the track containing the TOC. The start address for this element will then be recovered from the TOC, via the data selection means 28. Alternatively, the content of the TOC can be read only once and stored in a memory when the disk is inserted into the apparatus. In order to reproduce the element, the motor means 21 are controlled to rotate the record carrier at an appropriate speed indicated by the extraction of the stored time codes with the audio, which indicate an intended duration. To provide a continuous reproduction without a subflow or overflow of the buffer, the transfer rate is coupled to the reproduction rate of the D / A converter, that is, to the bit rate after decompression. For this purpose, the apparatus may comprise a source of reference frequencies for controlling the decompressor. Alternatively or additionally, the rotation speed can be adjusted using the average fill level of the buffer 29, for example, by decreasing the rotation speed when the buffer is more than 50% full on average. Figure 3 shows a recording device for writing information about a record carrier 11 according to the invention of a type, which is (re) writable. During a write operation, marks are formed representing the information about the record carrier. The marks can be in any optically readable form, for example, in the form of areas whose reflection coefficient differs from their surroundings, through registration in materials such as dyes, alloys or phase changes, or in the form of areas with an address of magnetization different from that of its surroundings, when the magneto-optical material is recorded. The writing and reading of information for the registration of optical discs and the useful rules for formatting, error correction and channel coding are well known, for example, from the CD system. The marks can be formed through a spot or spot 23 generated on the recording layer, via a beam 24 of electromagnetic radiation usually of a laser diode. The recording device comprises similar basic elements as described with reference to Figure 2, that is, a control unit 20, motor means 21 and positioning means 25, but has a distinctive writing head 39. The audio information is presents on the inlet of the compression means 35, which can be placed in a separate housing. Proper compression has been described in D2, D3 and D4. The compressed audio at a variable bit rate on the output of the compression means 35 is passed to the buffer 36. From the buffer 36, the data is passed to data combining means 37 to aggregate packaged data and additional control data. The total data stream is passed to the writing means 38 for registration. The writing head 39 is coupled to the writing means 38, which comprise, for example, a formatting device, an error encoder and a channel encoder. The data presented at the input of the writing means 38 are distributed to the logical and physical sectors according to the rules for formatting and coding, and are converted to writing signals for the writing head 39. The unit 20 is arranged to control the buffer 36, the data combining means 37 and the writing means 38, via the control line 26 and to perform the positioning procedure as described above for the reading apparatus. Alternatively, the recording apparatus can be arranged to read, having the characteristics of the reproductive apparatus and a combined writing / reading head. Figure 4 shows a file system to be used with the invention, for which, in principle, there are several options. As the main choices, the inventors have proposed that the storage medium should be based on the UDF file system or the ISO 9660 file system, or both, which are, by themselves, standards for an expert in the field. In the alternative case, a file system should not be present, and the spaces of the relevant sectors should be kept empty. If, however, a file system is present, all audio will be stored in Audio Files. Figure 4 has a double access hierarchy, as follows. First, the main directory (ROOT) 50 points to the MASTER TOC 52 files, and also to the sub directories 2C_AUDIO 54, MC_AUDIO 56, and PICTURES 66. The structure of the MASTER. TOC 52 will be discussed here later. In addition, the directory 2C_AUDI0 54 points to the TOC 2C_AREA.TOC 58 and in parallel with it, to different stereo tracks TRACKn.2CH 60. In addition, there is the directory MC_AUDI0 56. This points to the TOC MC_AREA.TOC 62 and in parallel with it, to the different stereo tracks TRACKn.MCH 64. Consequently, the tracks can to be accessed via the associated directories, or via the file system that can have MASTER files. TOC and sub-TOCS. However, the double storage devices thereof are superfluous, while the directories 5 need only refer to the TOC or TOCS. For safety reasons, the main TOCs have been provided in triplicate. In addition, the AREA. TOC or subalterns have been provided in duplicate. Next, for audio, the system can be organized to contain even more elements, such as images that also have directories 66. As an additional extra, the 2C_TAREA.2CH 59 and the MC_TAREA.MCH contain all the associated tracks. Figure 5 shows a first storage array for use with the invention, which As an example, it has been represented as a single track in series. Along the horizontal axis, the following elements are evident. Element 120 is an Input area that is used to mutually synchronize the reader and the medium drive device. Element 122 represents the File System that has been described with reference to Figure 4. Element 124 represents a TOC that can be configured according to standard procedures and belongs to subsequent elements of the Audio and Stereo Element 126 and the Channel Audio Element. Multiple 128, and if necessary, also the Extra Data Element 130. The ... »^ e - ^ & & d ---- & : _- '? j? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? it needs to be standardized, while several different amounts of information may be present. The element 126 represents the Audio and Stereo Information, which can be defined according to a conventional standard, which by itself does not constitute part of the invention. The element 128 represents the Multiple Channel Audio Information, which can be defined according to a conventional standard and which by itself does not constitute part of the invention. In general, the two audio areas can have the same structure and contain the same piece of audio, in addition to the distinctive definitions of the different channels. The audio can be clearly encoded or encoded without loss. All types of audio can be multiplexed with supplementary data, such as Compact Disc Text. The element 130 represents Extra Data Information which can be defined in a conventional standard and which by itself does not form part of the invention. The element 132 represents an Output Information. The last element is used in particular during search operations. The outlet can cover a ring of 0.5 to 1 millimeter wide. According to the above, the stored information can be accessed via the file system located under the element 122, or via the structure of the TOC that is under the element 124, and more particularly, via a structure of TOC of two or multiple levels as discussed here later. Figure 6 shows a second storage array for use with the invention, and in particular, belonging to a two-tier TOC structure. Along the horizontal axis, the following elements are evident, close to the elements that have already been shown in Figure 3 and that contain the same reference numbers. For clarity, elements 120 and 132 have been deleted. Element 134 represents the Master TOC that begins in a deviated position, standardized uniformly with respect to the start of the Entry area in the 510 byte number, copies in 520, 530. According to the modality, the Master-TOC measures only one sector of standard size and mainly contains indicators of the different Sub-TOC or Area-TOC to be described here later. A preferred syntax of the Master-TOC has a header with a signature that identifies the Master-TOC, such as "SACD Master TOC". In addition, Tables 1 and 2 specify the precise syntax of the MASTER_TOC. The syntax has been given in elementary computer notation, along with the associated lengths and formats. The Master_TOC_Signature is an ordered sequence or chain of 8 bytes that identifies the Master TOC or Main TOC. The value of the »^^^^^. ^^ ^, ^ - • Á eg * ^ y0_ ^ ß? Master_TOC_Signature must be "SACDMTOC" ($ 53 $ 41 $ 43 $ 44 $ 4D $ 54 $ 4F $ 43). Similarly, Table 3 specifies the information syntax of the disk in the same way. In particular: 2CH_T0C_l_Address is a 5-byte integer that contains the logical sector number (LSN) of the first sector of the TOC-1 Area in the Stereo Area of Channel 2. If the Stereo area of Channel 2 is not present, the value of 2CH_T0C_l_Address must be zero. 2CH_TOC_2_Address is a 4-byte integer containing the LSN of the first sector of the TOC-2 Area in the Stereo Area of Channel 2. If the Stereo Area of Channel 2 is not present, the value of 2CH_TOC_2_Address must be zero. MC_TOC_l_Address is a 4-byte integer that contains the LSN of the first sector of the TOC-1 Area in the Multiple Channel Sector Area. If the Channels Area Multiple is not present, the value of MC_TOC_l_Address must be zero. MC_TOC_2_Address is a 4-byte integer that contains the LSN of the first sector of the TOC-2 Area in the Multiple Channel Stereo Area. If the Channels Area Multiple is not present, the value of MC_TOC_2_Address must be zero. The format of Disc_Flags should be as follows: a hybrid and seven reserved bits.

The Hybrid bit must be set to one on a Hybrid Disk. The Hybrid bit must be set to zero on a Non-Hybrid Disk.

List d? related documents (DI) Reserch Disclosure number 36411 August 1994, pages 412-413 (D2) PCT / IB97 / 01156 (PHN 16.452) ADC 1 bit and lossy audio compression (D3) PCT / IB97 / 01303 (PHN 16.405) Audio compression (D4; EP-A 402,973 (PHN 13.241) Audio compression (D5) "A digital decimator filter for analog-to-digital conversion of high-fidelity audio signals", by JJ van der Kam at Philips Techn. Rev. 42, No. 6/7, April 1986, pp. 230-8. (D6) "A higher-order topology for modular interpolators for oversampling converters A / D ", by Kirk C.H. Chao et al in IEEE Trans.

Circuits and Systems, Vol 37, no. 3, March 1990, pp. 309-18.

Claims (9)

CHAPTER CLAIMEDICATORÍO Having described the invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content is claimed in the following CLAIMS:

1. A method to store audio centered information on a unitary storage medium, through a mechanism of index of Matters (Table of Contents (TOC)) to specify in it the current configuration of several audio elements on the medium, characterized by the assignment in addition to the TOC mechanism, where a lower level TOC file immediately points to the respective content of the elements of audio, also assigning a file-based access mechanism to the audio-centered information through a main directory (ROOT), which contains a higher-level TOC file, which points to several audio elements, where the main directory (ROOT) through the location information of the element, provides an additional access mechanism in addition to the access mechanism based on the TOC. «^ ** taS = > «

2. The method in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that it also provides the highest level TOC file with one or more sub-TOC archiving directories, each of which contains its own Sub-TOC file, respectively assigned to a uniquely standardized audio format.

3. The method of compliance with the claim 2, characterized in that the sub-TOC number is exactly equal to 2.

4. The method according to the claim 1, characterized in that it provides the main directory (ROOT) with additional lower level directories, each of which belongs to a standardized audio format respectively, thereby providing an additional access mechanism at different respective levels.

5. The method of compliance with the claim 2, characterized in that the audio formats comprise at least one Stereo format and at least one audio format of Multiple channels.

6. A unit medium, characterized in that it is produced by practicing the method according to claim 1.

7. The medium according to claim 5, characterized in that it is executed as an optically readable disk.

8. A reading device, characterized in that it is interconnected to a medium according to claim 5.

9. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that it is provided with disc retaining means, optical reading means and disc driving means, to drive a disc track along the optical reading means.