WO2004032502A1

WO2004032502A1 - Information recording medium, information recording device and method, information reproduction device and method, information recording/reproduction device and method, information recording program, and information reproduction program

Info

Publication number: WO2004032502A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/012588
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tohru Kanegae; Takeshi Koda; Takao Sawabe; Masanori Nakahara; Nobuyuki Takakuwa; Yasuko Fukuda; Akira Imamura
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation
Priority date: 2002-10-01
Filing date: 2003-10-01
Publication date: 2004-04-15
Also published as: AU2003268716A1; JP4532062B2; JP2004128765A

Abstract

On an information recording medium, there are recorded a plurality of still image information and information on a transition effect during continuous reproduction of the plurality of still image information. The plurality of still image information theoretically constitute a still image set. There are recorded external transition effect information specifying the first still image information start transition effect in the still image set and the last still image information end transition effect in the still image set and internal transition effect information specifying the start transition effect and the end transition effect of each still image information between a plurality of still image information contained in the still image set. During continuous reproduction of the still image information, the transition effect information recorded corresponding to each still image set is referenced so that each still image is reproduced so as to produce the transition effect at switching of still images.

Description

Description Information recording medium, information recording apparatus and method, information reproducing apparatus and method, information recording and reproducing apparatus and method, information recording program, and information reproducing program

The present invention relates to an information recording medium on which a still image is recorded, reproduction of a still image from the information recording medium, and recording of a still image on the information recording medium. Background art

A DVD audio disc is known as an information recording medium on which a plurality of still images are recorded. On a DVD audio disc, a plurality of still picture information are recorded in addition to information such as music, and such still picture information can be reproduced in synchronization with the reproduction of the audio information. Therefore, it is possible to continuously reproduce a plurality of pieces of still image information along with the reproduction of the audio information.

Since still images do not have a different re-moving element from video, simply switching between multiple still images and playing them back may be too simple and lack interest. For this reason, even when the same still image is played, the transition of the still image is changed by giving various transition effects at the start of the playback and at the end of the playback. Can be. Disclosure of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide various transition effects in continuous reproduction of still images with a minimum amount of information.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in an information recording medium, the first still image information in a still image set composed of a plurality of still image information to be continuously reproduced and a plurality of still image information to be reproduced. Start transition effect, and external transition effect information that specifies the end transition effect of the last still image information in the still image set, and are included in the still image set And the internal transition effect information that specifies the start transition effect and end transition effect of each still image information among a plurality of still image information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an information recording apparatus, a first recording unit that records a plurality of still image information on an information recording medium, and a still image that includes a plurality of still image information to be continuously reproduced. Second transition effect information for recording the start transition effect of the first still image information in the image set and the external transition effect information designating the end transition effect of the last still image information in the still image set. Recording means; and third recording means for recording, on the information recording medium, internal transition effect information for designating a start transition effect and an end transition effect of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set. And can be provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the information recording method, a first recording step of recording a plurality of pieces of still image information on an information recording medium, and a still image composed of a plurality of pieces of still image information to be continuously reproduced. Second transition effect information for recording the start transition effect of the first still image information in the image set and the external transition effect information designating the end transition effect of the last still image information in the still image set. A recording step; and a third recording step of recording, on the information recording medium, internal transition effect information specifying a start transition effect and an end transition effect of each still image information among the plurality of still image information included in the still image set. And can be provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of still image information, the external transition Reading means for reading effect information and the internal transition effect information from the information recording medium; and a start portion of the first still image information included in the still image set and the still image set according to the external transition effect information. The reproduction of the end portion of the last still image information included is performed, and the start portion and the end portion of each still image information among the plurality of still image information included in the still image set are performed according to the internal transition effect information. And reproduction means for performing reproduction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information reproducing method for reproducing an information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of pieces of still image information, Reading the partial transition effect information and the internal transition effect information from the information recording medium; and starting the first still image information included in the still image set and the still image set according to the external transition effect information. In addition to playing back the end portion of the last still image information included in the still image set, the start and end of each still image information among the plurality of still image information included in the still image set according to the internal transition effect information. And a regeneration step for regenerating the part.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the information recording / reproducing apparatus, a first recording unit that records a plurality of pieces of still image information on an information recording medium; Second recording means for recording, on the information recording medium, start transition effect of the first still image information in the set and external transition effect information designating end transition effect of the last still image information in the still image set. Third recording means for recording, on the information recording medium, internal transition effect information for designating a start transition effect and an end transition effect of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set. Reading means for reading the plurality of still image information, the external transition effect information and the internal transition effect information from the information recording medium, and reading the still image information according to the external transition effect information. The start part of the first still image information included in the still image set and the end part of the last still image information included in the still image set are reproduced, and included in the still image set according to the internal transition effect information. And reproducing means for reproducing a start portion and an end portion of each piece of still image information between a plurality of pieces of still image information. According to another aspect of the present invention, in the information recording / reproducing method, a first recording step of recording a plurality of pieces of still image information on an information recording medium; A second recording step of recording, on the information recording medium, a start transition effect of the first still image information in the set and an external transition effect information designating an end transition effect of the last still image information in the still image set. A third recording step of recording, on the information recording medium, internal transition effect information specifying a start transition effect and an end transition effect of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set. Reading the plurality of still image information, the external transition effect information, and the internal transition effect information from the information recording medium; In addition to playing back the start portion of the first still image information included in the still image set and the end portion of the last still image information included in the still image set, the still image set according to the internal transition effect information And reproducing a start portion and an end portion of each piece of still image information among a plurality of pieces of still image information included in the above. According to another aspect of the present invention, in an information recording program, a first recording unit that records a plurality of pieces of still image information on an information recording medium by being executed on a computer; The external transition effect information that specifies the start transition effect of the first still image information in the still image set composed of still image information and the end transition effect of the last still image information in the still image set Second recording means for recording on the information recording medium; and information recording internal transition effect information for designating a start transition effect and an end transition effect of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set. The computer can function as third recording means for recording on a medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the information reproduction program, the plurality of stationary programs are executed on a computer, from the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Reading means for reading the image information, the external transition effect information and the internal transition effect information from the information recording medium, and starting the first still image information included in the still image set according to the external transition effect information A part and the end part of the last still image information included in the still image set are reproduced, and each still image information among the plurality of still image information included in the still image set is reproduced according to the internal transition effect information. The computer can function as a reproducing unit that reproduces a start portion and an end portion of the image information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a basic structure of an optical disc which is an embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention. An upper part is a schematic plan view of an optical disc having a plurality of areas, and a lower part corresponding thereto is: FIG. 3 is a schematic conceptual diagram of an area structure in the radial direction. FIG. 2A is a schematic conceptual diagram of a conventional MPEG 2 program stream. FIG. 2B is a schematic conceptual diagram of an MPEG 2 transport stream used in the present embodiment. FIG. 2C is a schematic conceptual diagram of an MPEG 2 program stream used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a data structure recorded on the optical disc of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the title shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the playlist set shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing the structure of a playlist set.

Figure 7A shows an item for a transport stream object. FIG. 7B is a diagram schematically showing a data structure of a still image object item.

FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing the structure of a title element when a playlist set has a plurality of playlists.

FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing the structure of a title element when a playlist set has a single playlist.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing details of a data structure in each object shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a multiplexed elementary stream for the upper program # 1 and an elementary stream for the middle program # 2 in the present embodiment, and a transport stream for these two programs. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing how is constructed with the horizontal axis as a time axis.

FIG. 12 conceptually shows an image of a TS bucket multiplexed in one transport stream in the present embodiment as a bucket array along time.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a logical configuration of data on an optical disc in the embodiment, focusing on development from a logical hierarchy to an object hierarchy or an entity hierarchy.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a recording operation (No. 1) of the information recording / reproducing apparatus in the present embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a recording operation (No. 2) of the information recording / reproducing apparatus in the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a recording operation (part 3) of the information recording / reproducing apparatus in the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a recording operation (part 4) of the information recording / reproducing apparatus in the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a reproducing operation of the information recording / reproducing apparatus in the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically showing a data structure of a still image object.

FIG. 21 is a diagram schematically showing a data structure of a play item for a still image. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a method of reproducing a still image according to a still image play item. FIG. 23 is a diagram schematically showing a state of playback of a plurality of play items defined by still image play items.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for comparatively explaining a still image reproducing method using a normal transition and a cross transition.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the difference in the total playback time of the play item for a still image between when the internal cross transition is performed and when the internal cross transition is not performed.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing elements related to still image reproduction in the video decoder shown in FIG.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing data stored in the video buffer in the case of normal transition.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating data stored in the video buffer in the case of a cross transition.

Fig. 29A shows the still image playlist playback process. FIG. 29B is a flowchart of the normal display time end waiting process included therein.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of still image play item playback processing in the case of a normal transition during still image play list playback processing.

Figure 31 shows a cross transition during still image playlist playback. It is a flowchart of a still image play item reproduction process. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, the start transition of the first still image information in a still image set composed of a plurality of still image information and a plurality of still image information to be reproduced continuously is stored in the information recording medium. Effect, external transition effect information designating an end transition effect of the last still image information in the still image set, and start of each still image information between a plurality of still image information included in the still image set Internal transition effect information that specifies transition effects and end transition effects, and are recorded.

As the information recording medium, a medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a high-density optical disk having a further improved recording density can be preferably used. However, the present invention may be applied to a recording medium other than an optical disk. It is possible to implement

First, a plurality of independently reproducible still image information is recorded on the information recording medium, and these can be reproduced continuously. In the present embodiment, when reproducing a plurality of pieces of still image information, when the transition is made (that is, when the reproduction is switched from one piece of still image information to the next piece of still image information. (Trans iti on) "is also used synonymously.) Effect (transition effect) can be specified.

A plurality of pieces of still image information to be reproduced continuously is logically reproduced as a predetermined number of sets, and the predetermined number of pieces of still image information is referred to as a “still image set”. Therefore, by continuing the reproduction of the still image set, it is possible to continuously reproduce a large number of still image information. Since a single still image set includes multiple pieces of still image information, the position where the still image information changes is (1) the beginning of the still image set, that is, the first position in the still image set. At the start of still image information, (2) at the start of each still image information between a plurality of still image information in a still image set, and (3) at the start of each still image information in a still image set. At the end of the still image information, and (4) at the end of the still image set, that is, at the end of the last still image information in the still image set. Here, in the present embodiment, transition effects are defined independently for these four transition positions. That is, the top of the still image set The end and the end are defined as external transition effects, and between multiple still images in a still image set are specified as internal transition effects. Regarding the external transition effect, the beginning of the still image set is defined as the external start transition effect, and the end of the still image set is defined as the external end transition effect. Similarly, regarding the internal transition effect, the start side of each still picture information is defined as an internal start transition effect, and the end side of each still picture information is defined as an internal end transition effect. By defining transition effects independently for each transition position in this way, it is possible to define various different transition effects with a relatively small amount of information, without increasing the information amount more than necessary. Various changes can be given during the transition of continuous playback of still images.

For each transition effect, transition effect type information indicating the type of transition effect and transition effect time information indicating the period of the transition effect are defined. The transition effect type information is, for example, information specifying whether to display the still image by a wipe display, a slide display, or a dissolve display at the start or end of the display of the still image information. be able to. This makes it possible to perform still image transitions with different transition types at the four transition positions described above. In addition, the transition effect time information is information that specifies how long such a transition effect of each type is to be executed. Therefore, if different transition effect time information is specified at the four transition positions described above, still image display starts or ends slowly at a certain transition position, and still image display is instantaneously performed at another transition position. Changes can be made, such as starting or ending.

On the other hand, within one still image set, the start transition effect of each still image information is specified to be the same for all still image information, and the end transition effect of each still image information is also all Is defined so as to be the same for the still image information. Therefore, the transition effect information is individually assigned to all the still image information by logically defining a plurality of still image information for which it is appropriate to apply the same transition effect as one still image set. There is no need to reapply, and various transition effects can be set effectively with a small amount of information.

Playback sequence information for continuous playback of multiple pieces of still image information is, for example, playlist information. In this case, each transition effect information can be included in the playlist information. As a result, it is possible to define and hold the transition effect information in association with the reproduction sequence.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an information recording device and an information recording method for recording the above-described still image information and each transition effect information on an information recording medium such as an optical disk are provided. In addition, each still image information is read from the above-described information recording medium on which each information is recorded, and each still image information is reproduced while realizing the transition effect based on the transition effect information defined for each. An information reproducing apparatus and an information reproducing method capable of performing the same are provided. Further, an information recording / reproducing apparatus and an information recording / reproducing method having both functions of information recording and information reproduction can be provided. Further, by executing the program on a computer, an information recording program that causes the computer to function as an information recording device and an information reproducing program that causes the computer to function as an information reproducing device can be provided.

The details of each of the above embodiments will be made clear by the description of the following examples.

[Information recording medium]

An embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. In this embodiment, the information recording medium of the present invention is applied to an optical disk of a type capable of recording (writing) and reproducing (reading).

First, the basic structure of the optical disc of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of the structure of an optical disk having a plurality of areas on the upper side, and shows a conceptual diagram of the area structure in the radial direction on the lower side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical disc 100 can be recorded by various recording methods, such as a magneto-optical method and a phase change method, which can record (write) plural times or only once. Like the DVD, the lead-in area 104, the data area 106, and the center of the center hole 102 from the inner circumference toward the outer circumference are recorded on the recording surface on the disk A lead-out area 108 is provided. In each area, for example, a spiral or concentric centering on the center hall 102 Groove tracks and land tracks are alternately provided in a circular shape. The group tracks may be driven, or one or both of these tracks may be formed with prepits. The present invention is not particularly limited to an optical disk having such three areas.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C, the configurations of the transport stream (TS) and the program stream (PS) recorded on the optical disc of the present embodiment will be described. Here, FIG. 2A schematically shows the configuration of an MPEG 2 program stream in a conventional DVD for comparison, and FIG. 2B shows the configuration of an MPEG 2 transport stream (TS). This is shown schematically. Further, FIG. 2C schematically shows the configuration of the program stream of MPEG2 in the present invention.

In FIG. 2A, one program stream recorded on a conventional DVD includes only one video stream for video data as main video information along a time axis t, and further includes audio information. It contains a maximum of eight audio streams for audio data and 32 sub-picture streams for sub-picture data as sub-picture information. That is, the video data multiplexed at an arbitrary time tX relates to only one video stream. For example, a plurality of video streams corresponding to a plurality of television programs or a plurality of movies are simultaneously transmitted. It cannot be included in the program stream. To multiplex and transmit or record TV programs with video, at least one video stream is required for each TV program. In the program stream format, it is not possible to multiplex and transmit or record a plurality of television programs.

In FIG. 2B, one transport stream (TS) recorded on the optical disc 100 of the present invention includes a plurality of video streams as elementary streams (ES) for video data as main video information. And a plurality of audio streams as elementary streams (ES) for audio data as audio data, and an elementary for sub-picture data as sub-picture information. The stream (ES) includes a plurality of sub-picture streams. That is, the video data multiplexed at an arbitrary time tX relates to a plurality of video streams. For example, a plurality of video streams corresponding to a plurality of television programs or a plurality of movies are simultaneously transmitted. It can be included in the port stream. In the transport stream format in which a plurality of video streams exist, a plurality of television programs and the like can be multiplexed and transmitted or recorded. However, digital broadcasts that use the current transport stream do not transmit the sub-picture stream.

In FIG. 2C, one program stream (PS) recorded on the optical disc 100 of the present invention includes a plurality of video streams for video data as main video information, and further includes audio as audio information. It includes a plurality of audio streams for data and a plurality of sub-picture streams for sub-picture data as sub-picture information. That is, the video data multiplexed at an arbitrary time tX relates to a plurality of video streams. For example, a plurality of video streams corresponding to a plurality of television programs or a plurality of movies are simultaneously programmed. It can be included in the trim.

2A to 2C, the video stream, the audio stream, and the sub-picture stream are arranged in this order from the top for convenience of explanation, but this order is multiplexed in bucket units as described later. It does not correspond to the order in which they are converted. In the transport stream, conceptually, for example, one program corresponds to a group of one video stream, two audio streams, and two sub-picture streams.

The optical disc 100 of the present embodiment described above is capable of multiplex-recording a transport stream (TS) as shown in FIG. 2B, that is, capable of recording a plurality of programs or programs simultaneously, within the limitations of the recording rate. It is configured. Further, in addition to or instead of such a transport stream, a program stream (PS) as shown in FIG. 2C can be multiplex-recorded on the same optical disc 100. . Next, referring to FIGS. 3 to 10, the structure of data recorded on the optical disc 100 will be described. The construction will be described. Here, FIG. 3 schematically shows a data structure recorded on the optical disc 100. FIG. 4 schematically shows details of the data structure in each title shown in FIG. FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically show details of the data structure in each play (P) list set shown in FIG. 3, respectively. FIGS. 7A and 7B schematically show details of the data structure of each item shown in FIG. Fig. 8 schematically shows the logical configuration of data in each title element shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 shows the logical configuration shown in Fig. 4 when each playlist set consists of playlists. This diagram schematically shows the logical structure of data in each title element. FIG. 10 schematically shows details of the data structure in each object shown in FIG. In the following description, a “title” is a playback unit that executes a plurality of “playlists” in succession, and has a logically large unit, such as one movie or one TV program. Units. “Playlist Set” means a bunch of “Playlists”. For example, it relates to a bunch of playlists for reproducing a plurality of pieces of content information having a mutually switchable specific relationship in angle reproduction and parental reproduction, and to a plurality of programs broadcast and recorded together at the same time. It is a bunch of playlists for reproducing content information. Alternatively, for the same title, the video playback function (video performance) required for the information playback system, such as high-vision support, display resolution, surround speaker support, and high-speed arrangement, and audio playback function (audio It is a bunch of playlists for reproducing various types of content information prepared for each required function such as performance. The “playlist” is a “file storing information necessary for reproducing the object J, and a plurality of“ items ”each storing information on a reproduction range of the object for accessing the object. It is configured. The “object” is the entity information of the content constituting the above-described MPEG-2 transport stream.

In FIG. 3, the optical disc 100 has a logical structure of a disc information file 110, a play (P) list information file 120, and an object information file. There are four types of files, 130 and object data files 140, and a file system 105 for managing these files is further provided. Although FIG. 3 does not directly show the physical data arrangement on the optical disc 100, the arrangement order shown in FIG. 3 is recorded so as to correspond to the arrangement order shown in FIG. It is also possible to record the file system 105 etc. in the data recording area 106 following the lead-in area 104, and further record the object data file 140 etc. in the data recording area 106. Even if the lead-in area 104 and the lead-out area 108 shown in FIG. 1 do not exist, the file structure shown in FIG. 3 can be constructed.

The disc information file 110 is a file that stores comprehensive information on the entire optical disc 100, and stores the disc total information 112, the title information table 114, and other information 118. I do. The disc total information 112 stores the total number of titles in the optical disc 100, for example. The title information table 114 includes a title pointer 1144-1 and a plurality of titles 200 (Title # 1 to #m) indicating the identification number or recording address. It is composed of Each title 200 includes, as logical information, the type of each title (for example, sequential playback type, branch type, etc.) and the play (P) list number that constitutes each title, for each title. To be stored. .

As shown in FIG. 4, more specifically, each title 200 includes, for example, title general information 200-1, a plurality of title elements 200-2, and other information 200-5. It is configured. Further, each title element 200-2 is composed of a pre-command 200PR, a pointer 200PT to a playlist set, a post command 200PS, and other information 200-6.

Here, the pointer 200PT, which is an example of the first pointer information according to the present invention, is a playlist information file 1 corresponding to content information to be reproduced based on the title element 200-2 including the pointer 200PT. Indicates the identification number of the playlist set 126S stored in 20. The pointer 200 PT indicates the content information to be reproduced based on the title element 200-2. The information may indicate the recording position of the corresponding playlist set 126S. The pre-command 200 PR, which is an example of the first pre-command according to the present invention, is executed before the reproduction of the content information in which the reproduction sequence is specified by one playlist set 1 26 S specified by the pointer 2 OOPT. Indicates the command to be performed. A boss command 200 PS, which is an example of the first post command according to the present invention, indicates a command to be executed after the reproduction of the content information for which the reproduction sequence is defined by the one playlist set. The other information 200-5 included in the title element 200-2 includes, for example, next information specifying a title element related to the next playback after the playback related to the title element.

Therefore, at the time of reproducing the information recording medium by the information reproducing apparatus to be described later, the playlist set 126S is accessed according to the pointer 200PT, and a desired program or the like among the plurality of playlists 126 included therein is accessed. If the control is executed so as to select the corresponding content, the desired content information can be reproduced as the title element 200-2. Further, by reproducing such title elements 200-2 one by one or sequentially, one title 200 can be reproduced. Further, in accordance with the pre-command 200 PR, a command to be executed before the reproduction of the content information whose reproduction sequence is defined by one play list set 126 S designated by the pointer 200 PT can be executed. Further, in accordance with the post command 200P, a command to be executed after the reproduction of the content information for which the replay sequence is specified by one playlist set 1226S designated by the pointer 200PT is executed. it can. The post command 200PS is, for example, a command for instructing branching of content information, a command for selecting the next title, and the like. In addition, according to the next information included in the other information 200-5, the title element 200-2 next to the currently playing title element 200-2 can be reproduced.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the playlist information file 120 stores a play (P) list set information table 122 indicating the logical configuration of each playlist. Information 122, play (P) list set pointer 124, and multiple play (P) list set 1 26 S (P list set # 1 ~ # n) and other information 1 2 8. This playlist set information table 122 stores logical information of each playlist set 126S in the order of the playlist set number. In other words, the order in which each playlist set 126S is stored is the playlist set number. In the above-described title information table 114, the same playlist set 126S can be referenced from a plurality of titles 200. That is, even when the title #q and the title #r use the same playlist set #p, the playlist set set #p in the playlist set information table 12 1 and the title information table 11 1 It may be configured to point at 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, the playlist set 126S includes playlist set general information 126-1, a plurality of playlists 126 (playlists # 1 to #x), and an item definition table 1. 26-3 and other information 1 2 6-4. Each playlist 126 is configured to include a plurality of playlist elements 126-2 (playlist elements # 1 to #y) and other information 126-5. Further, each playlist element 126-2 is composed of a pre-command 126 PR, a pointer 1226 PT to an item, a post command 126 PS, and other information 126-6. .

Here, the pointer 126 PT, which is an example of the second pointer information according to the present invention, is an item corresponding to the content information to be reproduced based on the playlist element 1226-2 including the pointer 126 PT. Indicates the identification number of the item defined by definition table 126-3. The pointer 126 PT may be a recording position of an item defined by the item definition table 126-6-3. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the playlist set 126S, a plurality of items 204 are defined in the item definition table 126-3. These are shared by multiple playlists 126. In addition, the playlist (set user information) such as the name of each playlist 126 included in the playlist set 126 S as the playlist set comprehensive information 126-1 and the item definition, Address information and the like to Table 1 2 6-3 are described. Referring again to FIG. 5, the pre-command 126 PR, which is an example of the second pre-command according to the present invention, indicates a command to be executed before the reproduction of one item 204 specified by the pointer 126 PT. The post command 126 PS, which is an example of the second boss command according to the present invention, indicates a command to be executed after the reproduction of the one item 204. The other information 126-6 included in the playlist element 126-2 is, for example, the next that specifies the playlist element 126-2 to be played next to the playback related to the playlist element 126-2. Contains information. Item 204 is the smallest unit of display, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. In the item 204, "IN point information J indicating the start address of the object and" Γουτ point information indicating the end address "are described. Each of these "I" point information and "U" point information may indicate the address directly, or may indicate the address indirectly such as time or time on the reproduction time axis. Is also good. In the figure, when a plurality of ESs (elementary lease streams) are multiplexed on the object indicated by “stream object h # m”, the specification of the item 204 is made by a specific ES combination or A specific ES will be specified.

Item 204 is the smallest unit of display, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. There are two types of item 204, item 204 for reproducing a TS object and item 204ST for a still image object for reproducing a still image object.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the title element 200-2 logically includes a bricom command 200PR or "126PR", a playlist set 126S selected by the pointer 200PT, and a post command. 200 PS or post command 1 26 PS and next information 200-6 N. Therefore, the play list set 1 26 according to some conditions that can be played back by the system, such as video resolution, for example. The process of selecting the playlist 126 from S is executed.However, as shown in FIG. 9, when the playlist set designated by the pointer 200 PT is composed of a single playlist, Play squirrel shown in Figure 3 If the set 126S were replaced with a single playlist 126, the title element 200-2 would logically be played back during playback with the precommand 200PR or 126PR. Playlist, a post command 200 PS or a post command 126 PS, and next information 200-6N. In this case, regardless of conditions that can be played back by the system, if a playlist set is designated for playback, playback processing of a single playlist 126 is executed.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the object information file 130 stores the storage position (ie, the logical address to be reproduced) in the object data file 140 for each item included in each playlist 126, Various attribute information related to the reproduction of the item is stored. In the present embodiment, in particular, the object information file 130 includes an AU table 1331 including a plurality of AU (associate unit) information 1321 (AU # 1 to AU # q) described in detail later. And an ES (elementary lease stream) map table 134 and other information 138 are stored.

The object data file 140 is composed of a TS object 142 (TS # 1 object to TS # s object) for each transport stream (TS) and a still image object 142 ST, that is, the content to be actually reproduced. Store multiple entity data of

The four types of files described with reference to FIG. 3 can be further divided into a plurality of files and stored, and all of them may be managed by the file system 105. For example, the object data file 140 can be divided into a plurality of object data files # 1, # 2,....

As shown in FIG. 10, the TS object 142 shown in FIG. 3, which is a logically reproducible unit, is divided into a plurality of align units 143 each having a data amount of, for example, 6 kB. It becomes. The beginning of the aligned unit 143 matches (aligns) with the beginning of the TS object 142. Each aligned unit 144 is further subdivided into a plurality of source buckets 144 each having a data volume of 192 B. Has been The source packet 144 is a physically reproducible unit, and at least video data, audio data, and sub-picture data of the data on the optical disc 100 are multiplexed in this unit, ie, a packet unit. And other information may be similarly multiplexed. Each source packet 144 has a data amount of 4 B, and is used to control the reproduction of a bucket rival time stamp or the like indicating a reproduction processing start time of a TS (Transport Stream) packet on the reproduction time axis. It comprises control information 145 and a TS packet 146 having a data amount of 188 B. The TS packet 146 has a packet header 146a and a TS packet payload 146b, and the TS packet payload includes video data that is packetized to form a “video packet”, Either the audio data is packetized into an “audio packet”, or the sub-picture data is packetized into a “sub-picture packet”, or other data is packetized. You.

Next, referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the transport stream format video data, audio data, sub-picture data, etc. as shown in FIG. 2B are transferred to the TS bucket 1 shown in FIG. With reference to 46, the point of multiplex recording on the optical disk 100 will be described. Here, Fig. 11 shows that the elementary stream (ES) for the upper program # 1 (PG1) and the elementary stream (ES) for the middle program # 2 (PG2) are multiplexed. Thus, the transport stream (TS) for these two programs (PG 1 & 2) is conceptually shown with the horizontal axis as the time axis. It conceptually shows the image of TS packets multiplexed in the transport stream (TS) as a packet arrangement along time.

As shown in Fig. 11, the elementary stream for program # 1 (upper part) is composed of, for example, a TS packet 146 in which video data for program # 1 is packetized on the time axis (horizontal axis). On the other hand, they are arranged discretely. The elementary lease stream (middle) for program # 2 is, for example, a TS packet 146 in which video data for program # 2 is packetized and distributed discretely with respect to the time axis (horizontal axis). Be lined up. Then, these packets S146 are multiplexed to construct a transport stream (lower) for these two programs. Although omitted in FIG. 11 for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 2B, a TS in which audio data is bucketed is actually used as an elementary stream for program # 1. An elementary lease consisting of a bucket or a sub-picture stream consisting of a TS bucket in which sub-picture data is bucketed may be similarly multiplexed. In addition to these, an elementary lease for program # 2 As a trim, an elementary stream composed of a TS bucket in which audio data is bucketed and a sub-picture stream composed of a TS bucket in which sub-picture data is bucketed are similarly multiplexed. May be done.

As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, one TS stream is constructed from a large number of TS packets 146 thus multiplexed. Then, a large number of TS packets 146 are multiplexed and recorded on the optical disc 100 in such a multiplexed form, with the information of the bucket rival time stamp 144 added thereto. In FIG. 12, j (j = 1, 2.,...) Constitutes a program for the TS bucket 146 consisting of data constituting program # i (i = 1, 2, 3). The number indicating the order of each stream to be performed is indicated by “E lement (i 0 j)”, where (i 0 j) is the packet that is the identification number of the TS packet 146 for each elementary lease stream. ID. This bucket ID is a unique value among multiple TS buckets 146 multiplexed at the same time so that multiple TS buckets 146 can be distinguished from each other even if multiplexed at the same time. Is given.

In FIG. 12, PAT (program association table) and PMT (program map table) are also bucketed and multiplexed in units of TS bucket 146. Among these, the PAT stores a table indicating the bucket IDs of a plurality of PMTs. In particular, the PAT is defined in the MPEG-2 standard as (000) is given as a predetermined packet ID as shown in FIG. That is, of the many buckets multiplexed at the same time, the TS bucket 146 having the bucket I is (000) ′ is the TS bucket 146 in which the PAT is bucketed. It is configured to be detected. The PMT stores, for one or a plurality of programs, a table indicating a bucket ID for each elementary stream constituting each program. An arbitrary bucket ID can be assigned to the PMT, and those packet IDs are indicated by the PAT that can detect the packet ID as (000) as described above. Therefore, of the many packets multiplexed at the same time, the TS packet 146 (ie, bucket IDs (100), (200), (200), ( The TS bucket 146) with 300) is configured to be detected by PAT.

When the transport stream as shown in Fig. 12 is transmitted digitally. The tuner refers to the PAT and PMT configured in this way to select from the multiplexed bucket. Those corresponding to the desired elementary stream can be extracted and demodulated.

In the present embodiment, such a PAT or PMT packet is included as the TS packet 146 stored in the TS object 142 shown in FIG. In other words, when a transport stream as shown in FIG. 12 is transmitted, a great advantage is obtained that the data can be recorded on the optical disk 100 as it is.

Further, in the present embodiment, the PAT and PMT recorded in this manner are not referred to when the optical disc 100 is reproduced, and instead, the AU table 13 1 shown in FIG. By referring to page 134, more efficient playback is possible and complicated multi-vision playback can be handled. For this reason, in the present embodiment, for example, the correspondence between the elementary stream and the bucket obtained by referring to the PAT and PMT at the time of demodulation and recording is described in the AU table 13 1 and the ES map table 13 4 It is stored in the object information file 130 in the form of and without bucketing or multiplexing.

Next, the logical configuration of data on the optical disc 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 13 schematically shows the logical configuration of the data on the optical disk 100, focusing on the development from the logical layer to the object layer or the entity layer. In FIG. For example, one movie, one TV show One or more of the logically large titles 200 are recorded. Each title 200 includes one or more title elements 200-2. Each title element 200-2 is logically composed of a plurality of playlist sets 126S. Within each title element 200-2, the plurality of play list sets 126S may have a sequential structure or a branch structure.

In the case of a simple logical configuration, one title element 200 is composed of one playlist set 126S, and one playlist set 126S is composed of one playlist 126. Be composed. Further, one playlist set 126S can be referred to from a plurality of title elements 200-2 or a plurality of titles 200.

Each playlist 1 26 is logically composed of a plurality of items (play items) 204. In each playlist 126, the plurality of items 204 may have a single-piece structure or a branch structure. In addition, one item 204 can be referred to from a plurality of playlists 126. The reproduction range of the TS object 142 is logically specified by the above-mentioned IN point information and OUT point information described in the item 204. Then, by referring to the object information 130d for the playback range logically specified, the playback range of the TS object 142 is finally physically specified via the file system. Is done. Here, the object information 130 d reproduces the attribute information of the TS object 142, and the TS object 142 such as the ES address information 134 d necessary for data search in the TS object 142. (Note that the ES map table 134 shown in FIG. 3 includes a plurality of such ES address information 134d).

Then, when the TS object 142 is reproduced by the information recording / reproducing apparatus described later, the physical address to be reproduced in the TS object 142 is obtained from the item 204 and the object information 130 d, and the desired address is obtained. Regeneration of the elementary lease stream is performed. Also, when playing back still image object 142 ST, From the still image object item 204 ST and the object information 130 d, the physical address to be reproduced in the still image object 144 ST is obtained, and the desired still image is reproduced. You.

As described above, in this embodiment, the ES address described in the ES map table 13 4 (see FIG. 3) of the IN point information and the OUT point information described in the item 204 and the object information 130 d is described. According to the information 134d, the association from the logical hierarchy to the object hierarchy in the playback sequence is performed, and the elementary stream can be played back.

As described in detail above, in the present embodiment, multiplex recording is performed on the optical disc 100 in units of TS buckets 146, thereby including a large number of elementary lease streams as shown in FIG. 2B. The transport stream can be multiplex-recorded on the optical disc 100. According to the present embodiment, when a digital broadcast is recorded on the optical disc 100, a plurality of programs or a plurality of programs can be recorded simultaneously within the limit of the recording rate. 2. A method of multiplexing and recording a plurality of programs or a plurality of programs in the second embodiment is described below. An embodiment of an information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of executing such a recording process will be described.

[Information recording / reproducing device]

Next, an embodiment of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. Here, FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the information recording / reproducing apparatus, and FIGS. 15 to 19 are flowcharts showing the operation.

In FIG. 14, the information recording / reproducing device 500 is roughly divided into a reproducing system and a recording system, and is capable of recording information on the optical disk 100 described above and reproducing the information recorded thereon. Is configured. In the present embodiment, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500 is for recording / reproducing as described above. However, it is basically possible to configure the embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention from its recording system part. Further, an embodiment of the information reproducing apparatus of the present invention can be constituted from the reproducing system.

The information recording / reproducing device 500 has an optical pickup 502, a service unit 503, Spindle motor 504, demodulator 506, demultiplexer 508, video decoder 511, audio decoder 511, sub-picture decoder 513, still picture decoder 517, adder 514, system controller 520, memory 5 30, memory 540, modulator 606, formatter 608, TS object generator 610, video encoder 611, audio encoder 612, sub picture encoder 613 I have. The system controller 520 includes a file (FiIe) system logical structure data generator 521 and a file (FiIe) system logical structure data reader 522. Further, the system controller 520 is connected with a memory 530 and a user interface 720 for inputting a user such as title information.

Among these components, demodulator 506, demultiplexer 508, video decoder 511, audio decoder 511, sub-picture decoder 513, still picture decoder 517, adder 514, and memory From 540, a regeneration system is generally configured. On the other hand, of these components, the modulator 606, the formatter 608, the TS object generator 610, the video encoder 611, the audio encoder 612, and the sub-picture encoder 613 record substantially. The system is configured. The optical pickup 502, the server unit 503, the spindle motor 504, the system controller 520 and the memory 530, and the user interface 720 for performing user input of title information and the like generally include a reproduction system and a recording system. Shared by both systems. Further, for the recording system, a TS object data source 700, a video data source 711, an audio data source 71, and a sub-picture data source 71 are prepared. The file system / logical structure data generator 521 provided in the system controller 520 is mainly used in the recording system, and the file system / logical structure reader 522 is mainly used in the reproduction system. Can be

The optical pickup 502 irradiates the optical disc 100 with an optical beam LB such as a laser beam with a first power as a reading light at the time of reproduction, and a second power as a writing light at the time of recording. Irradiation is performed with modulation. The control unit 503 controls the output from the system controller 520 during playback and recording. Under the control of the signal S c 1, a focus support and a tracking support in the optical pickup 502 are performed, and a spindle support in the spindle motor 504 is performed. The spindle motor 504 is configured to rotate the optical disc 100 at a predetermined speed while receiving the respindle service by the service unit 503.

(i) Configuration and operation of recording system:

Next, with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. 18, specific configurations and operations of respective components constituting the recording system in the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500 will be described for each case.

(i-1) Using a created TS object or still image object This case will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

In FIG. 14, the TS object data source 700 stores, for example, a TS from a recording storage such as a video tape or a memory, TS, or still image object data D 1.

In FIG. 15, first, information of each title logically configured on the optical disk 100 using the TS object data D 1 (for example, the configuration of the playlist) is stored in the user interface 720. Is input to the system controller 520 as a user input I2 such as title information. Then, the system controller 520 fetches a user input I2 such as title information from the user interface 720 (Step S21: Yes and Step S22). At this time, the user interface 720 receives the control according to the control signal Sc 4 from the system controller 520, and performs input according to the content to be recorded, for example, selection via a title menu screen. Processing is allowed. If the user input has already been executed (step S21: No), these processes are omitted.

Next, the TS object data source 700 outputs the TS object data D 1 under the control of the control signal Sc 8 instructing data reading from the system controller 520. And the system controller 5 20 The TS object data D 1 is fetched from the object source 700 (step S 23). The file system Z The PAT bucketed with the video data and the like by the TS analysis function in the logical structure data generator 521 as described above, for example, as described above. The data array (for example, recording data length, etc.) in the TS object data D1 and the analysis of the configuration of each elementary stream (for example, the ES- Ρ ID (elementary stream stream bucket (Step S24).

Subsequently, the system controller 520 outputs the file system logical structure data generator 5 from the user input 12 such as the captured title information and the analysis result of the data array of the TS object data D1 and each elementary stream. According to 21, a disk information file 110, a playlist information file 120, an object information file 130 and a file system 105 (see FIG. 3) are created as logical information file data D 4 (step S 2). Five) . The memory 530 is used when creating such logical information file data D4.

It should be noted that various variations, such as preparing data about the data array of the TS object data D1 and the configuration information of each element lease stream in advance, are naturally conceivable, but these are also within the scope of the present embodiment. It is.

In FIG. 14, a formatter 608 is a device that performs a data array format for storing both the TS object data D 1 and the logical information file data D 4 on the optical disc 100. More specifically, the formatter 608 includes a switch S w1 and a switch S w2, and is controlled by a switching control signal Sc 5 from the system controller 520 to control the TS object data D 1. At the time of formatting, the switch Sw 1 is connected to the ① side and the switch Sw 2 is connected to the ① side to output TS object data D 1 from the TS object data source 700. The transmission control of the TS object data D1 is performed by a control signal Sc8 from the system controller 520. On the other hand, when formatting the logical information file data D4, the formatter 608 is switched by the switch control signal Sc5 from the system controller 520. The switch Sw 2 is connected to the ② side under control of the switching, and the logical information file data D 4 is output.

In step S26 of FIG. 15, the switching control by the formatter 608 configured as described above allows (i) in step S25, the logical information file data from the file system logical structure data generator 521 in step S25. D4 or (ii) TS object data D1 from the TS object data source 700 is output via the formatter 608 (step S26).

The selected output from the formatter 608 is sent to the modulator 606 as disc image data D5, modulated by the modulator 606, and recorded on the optical disc 100 via the optical pickup 502 (Step S). 27). The disk recording control at this time is also executed by the system controller 520.

If both the logical information file data D4 generated in step S25 and the corresponding TS object data D1 have not been recorded, the process returns to step S26 to continue the recording. (Step S28: No). The recording order of the logical information file data D4 and the corresponding TS object data D1 may be either earlier or later.

On the other hand, if both of them have been recorded, it is determined whether or not the recording on the optical disc 100 should be terminated based on the presence or absence of the termination command (step S29). 29: No) Return to step S21 to continue the recording process. On the other hand, if the recording should be terminated (step S29: Yes), a series of recording processing is terminated.

As described above, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500 performs the recording process when using the created TS object or still image object.

In the example shown in FIG. 15, after creating the logical information file data D4 in step S25, the data of the logical information file data D4 and the corresponding TS object data D1 in step S26. Although the output is being executed, the output of the TS object data D1 and the recording on the optical disc 100 are executed before step S25, and after this recording or in parallel with this recording, the logical information file is output. data It is also possible to generate and record D4.

(i-12) When receiving and recording the transport stream being broadcast: This case will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 16. In FIG. 16, the same steps as those in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In this case as well, almost the same processing is performed as in the above-mentioned "When using a created TS object". Therefore, the following description focuses on the differences.

When receiving and recording the transport stream being broadcast, the TS object data source 700 is, for example, a receiver (set-top box) that receives the digital broadcast being broadcast, and the TS object data D 1 is transmitted to the formatter 608 in real time (step S41). At the same time, reception information D3 including program configuration information decoded at the time of reception and ES-PID information described later (that is, data corresponding to data sent via the receiver and the interface of the system controller 520) ) Is taken into the system controller 520 and stored in the memory 530 (step S44).

On the other hand, the TS object data D 1 output to the formatter 608 is output to the modulator 606 by the switching control of the formatter 608 (step S42), and is recorded on the optical disk 100 (step S42). Step S43).

In parallel with the above, the file system / logical structure generator 52 1 uses the program configuration information and ES-PID information included in the reception information D3 which is taken in at the time of reception and stored in the memory 530, and The logical information file data D4 is created (step S24 and step S25). After the recording of the series of TS object data D1, the logical information file data D4 is additionally recorded on the optical disc 100 (steps S46 and S47). The processing in steps S24 and S25 may also be performed after the end of step S43.

Further, if necessary (for example, when editing a part of the title), the user input I2 such as the title information from the user interface 720 is transmitted to the program configuration information stored in the memory 530 and the program input information I2. By adding to ESPID information, system The logical information file data D4 may be created by the controller 52 and additionally recorded on the optical disk 100.

As described above, the information recording / reproducing device 500 performs the recording process when the transport stream being broadcast is received and recorded in real time. Note that if all received data at the time of broadcasting is temporarily stored in the key live device, and this is used as the TS object source 700, the same as the above `` When using the created TS object J Processing is enough.

(i-13) Recording video, audio and sub-picture data: This case will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 17. In FIG. 17, the same steps as those in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

When recording separately prepared video data, audio data and sub-picture data, the video data source 711, the audio data source 712, and the sub-picture data source 713 are, for example, a video tape, It consists of a recording storage such as a memory, and stores video data DV, audio data DA and sub-picture data DS, respectively.

These data sources receive video data DV, audio data DA, and sub-picture data DS under the control of a control signal Sc8 instructing data read from the system controller 520, respectively. The data is sent to the encoder 611, the large-size encoder 612 and the sub-picture encoder 613 (step S61). Then, a predetermined type of encoding process is executed by the video encoder 611, the audio encoder 612, and the sub-picture encoder 613 (step S62).

The TS object generator 610 is controlled by the control signal Sc6 from the system controller 520, and converts the data thus encoded into TS object data forming a transport stream. (Step S63). At this time, the data arrangement information of each TS object data (for example, recording data length, etc.) and the configuration information of each elementary stream (for example, ES-PID described later) are The TS object generator 610 sends the information I6 to the system controller 520 and stores it in the memory 530 (step S66).

On the other hand, the TS object data generated by the TS object generator 610 is sent to the switch SW1 of the formatter 608 on the ② side. That is, when the TS object data from the TS object generator 610 is formatted, the formatter 608 is re-switched by the switch control signal Sc 5 from the system controller 520, and the switch S w By connecting 1 to the で side and connecting the switch Sw 2 to the ① side, the corresponding TS object data is output (step S64). Subsequently, the TS object data is recorded on the optical disk 100 via the modulator 606 (step S65).

In parallel with these, the file system / logical structure generator 521 uses the data array information of each TS object data and the configuration information of each elementary stream taken in the memory 530 as the information I6. Then, the logical information file data D4 is created (step S24 and step S25). After the recording of the series of TS object data D2 is completed, it is additionally recorded on the optical disk 100 (steps S67 and S68). The processing in steps S24 and S25 may be performed after the end of step S65.

Further, if necessary (for example, when editing a part of the title), the user input I2 such as the title information from the user interface 720 is stored in the information stored in the memory 530. In this case, the logical information file data D 4 may be created by the file system / logical structure generator 52 1, and may be additionally recorded on the optical disc 100.

As described above, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500 performs the recording process when recording separately prepared video data, audio data, and sub-picture data.

This recording process can also be applied to recording any content owned by the user.

(i-4) When recording data by authoring: This case will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 18. In FIG. 18, the same steps as those in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In this case, by combining the recording processes in the above three cases, the authoring system generates a TS object, generates logical information file data, and the like in advance (step S81). ), And ends the processing of the switching control performed by the formatter 608 (step S82). After that, the information obtained by this operation is sent as disc image data D5 to the modulator 606 provided before and after the disc mastering machine (step S83), and the master is created by this cutting machine. Perform (Step S84).

In the present embodiment, in particular, (i) in the configuration and operation of the recording system described above, while recording from the start to the end of recording is logically performed as one title 200, the content information is recorded on the plurality of contents information. A plurality of playlist sets 1 26 S each including a plurality of playlists 126 are recorded. In addition, each TS object in the object data file 120 is recorded in units of "switch units" for performing angle switching during reproduction, as described later in detail. Therefore, as described below, during reproduction of the information recording medium, a desired program, a desired angle block, or the like among a plurality of playlists 126 included in each playlist set 126 S is described. By executing the control for selecting the information corresponding to the title, the desired content information can be reproduced as a title. Moreover, during the reproduction, the angle can be switched seamlessly at each boundary of the switch in response to the input of the angle switching instruction.

In this embodiment, particularly, in the configuration and operation of the (i) recording system described above, for example, in the case of a DVD-ROM application (that is, in the case of (i-1)), a plurality of parental blocks and angle blocks are used. , Etc., is recorded as a transport stream or the like. Further, for example, in the case of a DVD recorder (ie, in the case of (i-2)), content information forming a plurality of programs streamed into the same transmission wave or the same transmission signal is recorded as a transport stream or the like. . Or, for the same title, content information for HDTV Video playback functions (video performance) required by the information playback system, such as content information compatible with broadcast and normal video, content information compatible with surround speakers, and content information compatible with monaural, and audio playback functions (audio Various types of content information prepared for each required function, such as for each function, are recorded as transport streams. At the time of such recording, while recording from the start to the end of the recording as one title 200 logically, a plurality of playlists 12 6 Are recorded. A plurality of play list sets 1 26 S each including are stored. Therefore, as described below, at the time of reproducing the information recording medium, a desired program, a desired parental block, and a desired program among a plurality of playlists 126 included in each playlist set 126S are described. By executing control for selecting an item corresponding to an angle block or the like, the desired content information can be reproduced as a title.

(i ί) Reconstruction system configuration and operation:

Next, with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 19, a specific configuration and operation of each component constituting the reproduction system in the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500 will be described.

In FIG. 14, a user interface 720 inputs a title to be reproduced from the optical disc 100 and its reproduction condition to the system controller as a user input I2 such as title information. At this time, the user interface 720 receives control based on the control signal Sc 4 from the system controller 520, and performs input processing according to the content to be reproduced, such as selection via a title menu screen. Is possible.

In response to this, the system controller 520 controls the disk reproduction for the optical disk 100, and the optical pickup 502 sends the read signal S7 to the demodulator 506.

The demodulator 506 demodulates the recording signal recorded on the optical disc 100 from the read signal S7, and outputs it as demodulated data D8. Logical information file data as an unmultiplexed information portion included in the demodulated data D8 (that is, the file system 105, disk information file 110, and Ρ list information shown in FIG. 3) The file 120 and the object information file 130) are supplied to the system controller 520. Based on the logical information file data, the system controller 520 executes various reproduction controls such as a reproduction address determination process and control of the optical pickup 502.

On the other hand, with respect to the TS object data as the multiplexed information portion included in the demodulated data D8, the demultiplexer 508 controls the control by the control signal Sc2 from the system controller 520. Receive and demultiplex. Here, when access to the playback position address is completed by the playback control of the system controller 520, the control signal Sc2 is transmitted so as to start demultiplexing.

From the demultiplexer 508, a video packet, an audio packet, and a sub-picture packet are respectively transmitted and supplied to the video decoder 511, the audio decoder 511, and the sub-picture decoder 513. You. Then, the video data DV, the audio data DA and the sub-picture data DS are respectively decoded. The buckets in which the PAT or PMT is included in the transport stream shown in FIG. 6 are each included as a part of the demodulated data D8. Is discarded.

The adder 514 is decoded by the video decoder 511 and the sub-picture decoder 513, respectively, under the control of the control signal Sc3 instructing the mixing from the system controller 520. Video data DV and sub-picture data DS are mixed or superimposed at a predetermined timing. The result is output as a video output from the information recording / reproducing device 500 to, for example, a television monitor.

On the other hand, the audio data DA decoded by the audio decoder 512 is output as an audio output from the information recording / reproducing device 500 to, for example, an external speaker.

The still image object output from the demodulator 506 is sent to the still image decoder 517, and the still image is decoded and reproduced. Note that the still image object Will be described later.

Here, a specific example of the reproduction processing routine by the system controller 520 will be described with further reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In FIG. 19, as the initial state, the recognition of the optical disk 100 by the playback system and the recognition of the film structure and the file structure by the file system 105 (see FIG. 3) are already performed by the system controller 520 and the file system therein. It is assumed that the processing has been completed by the logic structure reader 522. Here, a description will be given of a process flow after obtaining the total number of titles from the disc general information 112 in the disc information file 110 and selecting one of the titles 200 therein.

First, the title 200 is selected by the user interface 20 (step S211). In response, the system controller 520 obtains information about the playback sequence from the reading result of the file system / logical structure reader 522. In the selection of the title 200, a desired one of a plurality of title elements 200-2 (see FIG. 4) constituting the title 200 is selected by an external input operation using a remote controller or the like by the user. Alternatively, one of the title elements 200-2 may be automatically selected in accordance with system parameters or the like set in the information recording / reproducing device 500.

Next, the contents of a plurality of playlists 126 constituting the playlist set 126S corresponding to the selected title 200 (title element 200-2) are acquired. Here, as the processing of the logical hierarchy, the structure of each playlist 126 and the information (see FIGS. 5, 6 and 13) of each item 204 constituting the playlist are obtained (steps). S2 1 2).

Next, from the plurality of playlists 126 obtained in step S212, the contents of the playlists 126 to be reproduced are obtained. Here, for example, first, it is assumed that the reproduction is started from the playlist # 1, and the contents of the playlist 1226 corresponding to this are acquired (step S2113). The contents of the playlist 1 26 include one or more playlist elements 1 26-2 (see FIG. 5) and the like, and in the acquisition processing of the step S 2 13, the playlist elements are referred to. 1 26— Acquisition of 2nd mag Is performed.

Subsequently, a pre-command 126 PR (see FIG. 5) included in the playlist 126 is executed (step S2 14). Note that it is also possible to select one of a plurality of playlists 126 having a fixed relationship constituting the playlist set 126S by the pre-command 126PR. If the playlist element 126-2 constituting the playlist 126 does not have the pre-command 126PR, this processing is omitted.

Next, based on the game 204 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) specified by the playlist 126 acquired in step S213, the TS object 1442 ( Is determined (see FIGS. 3 and 10) (step S215). More specifically, based on the item 204, an object information file 130 (see FIG. 3) relating to the TS object 142 to be reproduced is obtained, and the TS object to be reproduced is executed. G Specify the stream number, address, etc. of 142.

In this embodiment, AU (association unit) information 132 I and PU (presentation unit) information 302 I described later are also acquired as information stored in the object information file 130. . Based on the obtained information, the above-mentioned association from the logical hierarchy to the object hierarchy is performed (see Fig. 13).

Next, the reproduction of the TS object 142 determined in step S215 is actually started. That is, based on the processing in the logical hierarchy, the processing in the object hierarchy is started (step S216).

During the reproduction process of the TS object 142, it is determined whether or not the next item 204 constituting the playlist 126 to be reproduced exists (step S2117). Then, as long as the next item 204 exists (Step S217: Yes), the process returns to Step S215, and the above-described determination and reproduction processing of the TS object 142 are repeated.

On the other hand, if the next item 204 does not exist in the determination in step S217 (step S217: No), the post corresponding to the playlist 126 being executed is determined. Command 1 26 PS (see FIG. 5) is executed (step S2 18). This processing is omitted if the playlist element 1 26-2 constituting the playlist 126 does not have the post command 1 2 6 PS.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a next playlist 126 constituting the selected title 200 (step S219). If it exists here (Step S219: Yes), the process returns to Step S213, and the processing after acquisition of the playlist 126 to be reproduced is repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, if the next playlist 126 does not exist in the determination of step S219 (step S219: No), that is, according to the selection of the title 200 in step S211. If the playback of all playlists 1 26 to be played back has been completed, a series of playback processing ends.

As described above, the reproduction process of the optical disc 100 by the information recording / reproducing device 500 of the present embodiment is performed.

In the present embodiment, in particular, in the processing of the logical layer in steps S211 to S214 in FIG. One of a plurality of playlists 126 included in each playlist set 126S to be reproduced is selected as described later in detail, and the content information is reproduced in a reproduction sequence defined by this. I do. For example, for a DVD recorder or DVD-ROM, of a plurality of playlist information included in each playlist set 126S recorded as one title, a desired program and a desired parental Block, desired angle block, version that can be actually reproduced by each information reproduction system in terms of functionality. Version that efficiently or maximizes the functions of each information reproduction system. By selecting the content corresponding to the desired content information, the desired content information can be reproduced as the title 200.

[Playlist selection method in playlist setting]

In the present embodiment, the playlist set 1226 included in the reproduced playlist information file 1220 is converted from the playlist 1226 corresponding to the desired content information. Is appropriately selected.

The selection of such a playlist is performed, for example, by a pre-command 200 RP (see FIG. 4) included in the title 200-2. A list is provided and may be performed according to this selection condition. Attribute information added to each playlist 126 stored in playlist set 126 S (for example, video resolution for video functions, progressive interleave, video codec, number of audio channels, audio) (Information indicating the attribute of the content information related to the playlist, such as a codec). Alternatively, the selection may be performed according to playlist set control information included in the title element 200-2 and storing the selection conditions for each playlist. By such a selection, it is possible to select a program corresponding to desired content information such as a desired program, a desired parental block, a desired angle block, and the like. Alternatively, for example, it is possible to select a playlist that can be reproduced by the information reproducing system, and preferably makes full or maximum use of the video reproducing function and the audio reproducing function of the information reproducing system.

[Still image playback]

Next, the reproduction of a still image will be described in detail.

(Still image object)

FIG. 20 shows the data structure of a still image object. The still image object 142 ST is included in the object data file 140 as shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 20, the still image object 14 2 ST is composed of the number of images 14 2 ST—1, multiple still image data 1 42 ST—2, and other information 14 2 ST—3. Be composed. The number of images 142ST-1 indicates the number of still image data 142ST-2 included in the still image object 142ST, that is, the number of still images. Each still image data 142 ST-2 can be, for example, data in the JPEG format, but is not limited thereto.

(Items for still images)

Next, a still image item used during still image reproduction will be described. Until now The above-described still image object 142 ST can be recorded on the optical disc 100 described above. At the time of reproduction, the still image object 142 ST is reproduced in accordance with a playlist composed of still image items. As a result, a plurality of still images can be reproduced by various reproduction (presentation) methods such as a slide show.

In the case of a still image, the data structure of the playlist is basically the same as that described above. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, the playlist information file 120 includes a plurality of playlist sets 126 S, and the playlist set 126 S includes a plurality of playlist lists as shown in FIG. The playlist 1 2 6 includes a plurality of items 204. The item 204 can include a still image object item 204 ST in addition to the stream object item 204 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Figure 21 shows the hierarchical structure of the still image object items. In FIG. 21, the still image item 204 ST includes an item type 7 10, a still image object play item 720, and other data 730.

The item type 710 is information indicating whether the item is an item for a stream object, an item for a still image object, or any other play item. Of course, the play item 402 ST for still images includes information indicating that it is a play item for a still image object as the item type 7 10. Therefore, in actuality, refer to the item type 710 to determine whether a plurality of items on the optical disk 100 are items for a stream object or a still image object. Will be identified.

When the item is for a still image, the play item 402 ST includes a still image object play item 720. The still image object play item 720 basically includes various types of information indicating a method of reproducing a still image object, and specifically, as shown in FIG. 21, an image index number 721, and Number of images 7 22, Still image total display time (duration time) 7 23, Still image Includes X position 724, still image Y position 725, background color 726, Still Effect 730, and other information 728.

To explain each information, first, the image index number 72 1 indicates the index number of the still image included in the corresponding still image object 144 ST. The number of images 722 indicates the number of still images included in the item 402 ST. The total still image display time 7 2 3 indicates the time width during which a still image is played (displayed). The total still image display time is defined to include a start transition time and an end transition time described later.

The still image X position 724 indicates the display position of the corresponding still image in the X-axis direction, and the still image Y position 725 indicates the display position of the corresponding still image in the Y-axis direction. The background color 726 indicates the color displayed on the background of the still image. As a method for displaying a still image object to be displayed, for example, a plurality of still images can be sequentially switched and displayed like a slide show. In such a case, a single-color background image is normally displayed during the display switching between the previous still image and the next still image, and the background color indicates the color of the background image. For example, red, blue, green, etc. can be used as the background color.

The still-effect 730 is information on the display method of a still image object, and mainly defines a transition effect when a plurality of still images are switched. Specifically, the still-effect 730 includes an external cross-transition flag 731, an external start transition type 732, an external end transition type 733, and an external start transition time. 7 34, external end transition time 7 3 5, internal cross transition flag 7 41, internal start transition type 7 42, internal end transition type 7 43, internal start transition Includes time 744, internal end transition time 745, and other information 750. Hereinafter, these will be described.

Figure 22 schematically shows a situation in which the presentation (display) of one still image is started by the slide-in method and the presentation is ended by the slide-out method. As shown in Fig. 22, the still image is switched from the display state of the background image. The display is displayed by the slide-in, and the display is switched to the background image display state again by the slide-out. Thus, the time from the start of presentation of one still image object to the end thereof is indicated by the total display time of still images. When one still image is displayed, the period from the start of the display until the completion of the display of one still image is called a start transition, and the display is started from the state where one still image is displayed. Until the end is called an end transition. The time required for a start transition is called a start transition time, and the time required for an end transition is called an end transition time.

FIG. 23 schematically shows a state in which a plurality of still images (# 1 to _#n ) are sequentially displayed by one still image item. Each still image is displayed by the slide-in and slide-out methods shown in FIG. When a plurality of still images are displayed in this way, their transition (switching) period is called a transition. As shown in Figure 23, the transition between multiple still images defined by one item is called “internal transition” IT, and the transitions located at the beginning and end of one item are called “external”. Transition "ET.

From the above, in the information in the still-life event 730 shown in Fig. 21, the external start transition type 732 is the start transition of the still image at the beginning of the multiple still images defined by one item. Indicates the type of session, and the external start transition time 734 indicates the period (time width). Here, as the type of transition, for example, in addition to the slide method (slide-in and slide-out) shown in FIG. 22, any one of wipe, dissolve (dissolve), and the like can be defined. This is the same for other transition types. The external end transition type 733 indicates the type of end transition of the last still image among the multiple still images defined by one item, and the external end transition time 735 indicates the type of end transition. Indicates the period.

Similarly, the internal start transition type 7424 indicates the type of transition at the start side of the transition between a plurality of still images defined by one item, and the internal start transition time 7424 indicates the period (see FIG. 2 2) Is shown. The internal end transition type 7435 indicates the type of transition on the ending side in the transition between a plurality of still images defined by one item, and the internal end transition time 7445 indicates the period. (See Figure 22).

Therefore, when a plurality of still images are displayed in order by one item, the start of display of the first still image is determined by the external start transition time 734 according to the external start transition type 732 (the period specified by the external start transition time 7334). Time span). In addition, each of a plurality of still images in the subsequent item ends display in the period of the internal end transition time 743 according to the internal end transition type 741, and according to the internal start transition type 742. The display starts during the period of the internal start transition time 744. This process is repeated for multiple still images defined by one item. Then, at the end of the display of the last still image among the plurality of still images defined by the item, the external end transition time 735 is determined by the method specified in the external end transition type 733. The display ends with.

From the above, regarding the transition of multiple still images defined by one item, the type and duration of the start transition of the first still image of the item, and the end of the still image at the end of the item The type and duration of the transition, the type and duration of the start transition of each of the multiple still images defined by the item, and the type of the end transition of each of the multiple still images defined by the play item And time can be specified independently. However, the types and times of the internal start transitions of multiple still images included in one item need to be the same. For example, the start transition of the second still image is wiped to m seconds, and It is not possible to make a different setting such that the start transition of the second still image is n seconds (n ≠ m) in slide. This also applies to multiple internal end transitions contained in one item. Therefore, for still images other than the beginning or end of one item, all the same transition types (for example, slides) and the same period A start transition will be performed between all of the transition transitions, and an end transition will be performed for all the same transition types (eg, wipes) and for the same period of time.

Next, the cross transition will be described. The cross transition is an aspect of the above-described transition. In the transition from the previous still image to the next still image, the end transition of the previous still image and the start transition of the next still image are simultaneously performed. Is what you do.

Figure 24 schematically shows the outline of the cross transition. In Fig. 24, the normal transition is the transition of two consecutive still images (the previous still image is an image of an airplane and the next still image is an image of a ship). And cross transitions. The normal transition is the transition described above, and is basically a method of executing the start transition of the next still image after the end transition of the previous still image is completed. In other words, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 24, the display of the previous still image (aircraft image) is completed, the background image is displayed for a moment, and then the next still image (ship image) is displayed. Will start. In contrast, cross transition is a method in which the end transition of the previous still image and the start transition of the next still image are performed simultaneously in parallel. Therefore, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 24, the previous image (airplane image) gradually slides to the left of the screen, and at the same time, the next image (ship image) appears on the screen. Sliding in from the direction. Therefore, the background image is not displayed during the transition as in the case of the normal transition.

The external cross transition flag 731 and the internal cross transition flag 741 in the still-life effect 730 shown in Fig. 21 perform the above-mentioned cross transition in the transition between two still images. This flag indicates whether or not each flag is set to `` 1 '' to execute a cross transition, and each flag is set to `` 0 '' to execute a normal transition. And If the external cross transition flag 31 is set to “1”, the last still image of the item and the first still image of the next play item In the transition with, a cross transition is executed. When the internal cross transition flag is set to Γ 1 j, cross transition is executed in all transitions between multiple still images defined by the play item.

As can be understood from Fig. 24, in the normal transition, there is no problem even if the end transition time of the previous still image is different from the start transition time of the next still image. However, when performing a cross transition, the end transition of the previous still image and the start transition of the next still image must be performed during the same cross transition time. Therefore, when performing an internal cross transition, the playback device makes the transition on the start transition side valid and executes the transition with the setting on the end transition side invalid. Specifically, when the internal cross transition flag 741 in a play item is set to "1", the internal start transition type 742 and the internal start transition time 7444 are valid, Execute the cross transition accordingly. For example, internal start transition type 7424 is set to slide, internal end transition type 7443 is set to wipe, and internal start transition time 7444 is set to msec. If the internal end transition time 745 is set to n seconds (n ≠ m), the transition type is slide, and the cross transition is executed with a cross transition time of m seconds. become.

The same can be applied to the case of an external cross transition. In other words, if the external cross transition flag 731 in a play item is set to "1", there is a gap between the last still image of the play item and the first still image of the next play item. Execute the cross transition in the external transition of <. In this case, the transition type and the cross transition time may be the external start transition type 732 and the external start transition time 734 of the next item.

Note that whether an internal cross transition is performed for a single item, The total playback time of the still image by the play item will be different. This will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 5, now, an internal start transient Chillon time 7 44 = _"a j of the still image included in a certain play item, the internal end transitional Chillon time 7 45 =" _c ", the remaining time (i.e., The time obtained by subtracting the internal start transition time and internal end transition time from the total display time of the still image) is “bj.” If the internal cross transition flag is set to “0” (= 0 FF), If the number of still images (number of images) defined by the item is n, the total playback time of one item is = (a + b + c) xn. On the other hand, if the internal cross transition flag is set to Γ1 ”(= ON) and the number of still images (images) specified by the item is n, the total playback time of one play item Becomes = (a + b) xn + c. This is because the internal cross transition ignores the internal end transition time 745 for each still image.

(Still image playback processing)

Next, reproduction of a still image using a still image item will be described. FIG. 26 shows an example of the internal configuration of the still image decoding section 517 of the information recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 26, the still image decoder 517 is a still image decoder 517. , A switch SW3, a video buffer 5 17a, a video buffer 5 17b, and an image synthesizer 5 17d. The video buffer 517a and the video buffer 517b are used to store one still image data in the above-described still image transition.

With reference to FIGS. 14 and 26, a basic operation in still image reproduction will be described. The system controller 520 controls disc reproduction for the optical disc 100, and the optical pickup 502 outputs a read signal S 7 to the demodulator 506. The demodulator 506 demodulates the recording signal S 8 from the read signal S 7, supplies the demodulated signal S 8 to the system controller 520 as demodulated data D 8, and supplies the demodulated data D 8 to the still image decoding unit 5 17. The system controller 520 transmits the logical information file data (playlist information file 120 and object information) from the demodulated data D8. (Including file 130), determine the playback address based on it, and control the disk and pickup. Thus, the still image object included in the demodulated data D8 is sent to the still image decoding unit 517 in the form of a bucket.

In the still image decoder 517 having the configuration shown in FIG. 26, the still image decoder 517c decodes the received still image object to generate still image data, and switches SW3. Via the video buffer 5 17 a or 5 17 b. Here, by controlling the switch SW3, the system controller 520 alternately switches the still image data to be continuously reproduced in accordance with the item for the still image to the video buffers 517a and 517a. Store in b. At the time of transition of a still image, the system controller 520 controls the image synthesizer 517d, and executes a transition according to the setting in the still effect 730 described above. The still image data D ST re-synthesized by the image synthesizer 5 17 d is displayed on a display device or the like.

Next, switching of still image data in transition will be described. FIG. 27 shows the data storage state of the video buffers 517a and 517b in the case of normal transition. The example in FIG. 27 shows a normal transition from still image #n to still image # n + 1. At time T1 during the regular playback time of still image #n, still image #n is stored in video buffer 517a and the still image is being played. The other video buffer 5 17 b has stored the previous still image, but that data has since been discarded and emptied. In the empty video buffer 5 17 b, the still images # n and # n + 1 during the transition period are stored with the still images # n + 1 by the switching time T2. Become.

During the transition period, the still image #n is output from the video buffer 5 17 a until the switching time T 2, but the switching time T 2 arrives and the still image from the video buffer 5 17 b # When the output of π + 1 starts, the still image #n in the video buffer 5 17 a is discarded. Thereafter, as shown in the figure, the still image # n + 1 is stored in the video buffer 517b and read out, and the other video buffer 517a is emptied. I have. However, the next still image # n + 2 will be stored in the video buffer 5 17a by the next transition switching time. You. As described above, when the still images #n and # n + 1 are switched at the switching time T2 without an interval (non-display time), the next still image is stored in the other video buffer by the switching time. Need to be kept. However, if an interval may occur at the switching time, the transition can be performed using only one video buffer.

Next, switching of still image data in a cross transition will be described. FIG. 28 shows the data storage state of the video buffers 5 17 a and 5 17 b in the case of a cross transition. The example of FIG. 28 shows a cross transition from a still image # π to a still image # n + 1. Time T4 is a stationary reproduction period of the still image # π, and the still image #n is stored in the video buffer 517a. The other video buffer 5 17 b is empty at time T 4, but by time T 5 when the cross transition starts, still image # n + 1 is decoded and stored in buffer 5 17 b. You.

At time T5, a still image #n is stored in the video buffer 517a, and a still image # n + 1 is stored in the video buffer 517b. The image synthesizer 517d combines the outputs from the buffers 517a and 517b to perform cross transition. Then, when the cross transition period ends at time T6, the still image #n stored in the video buffer 517a is discarded, and the video buffer 517a becomes empty. Note that the next still image # n + 2 is stored in the video buffer 517a until the next cross transition period.

Next, the reproduction process of the still image play list will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 29 to 31. Figure 29A shows the main routine for still picture playlist playback. The following processing is basically performed under the control of the system controller 520. First, the system controller 520 reads the playlist (step S201), and sequentially reproduces a plurality of still image items included in the playlist (step S202). Then, when the reproduction of the still image has been completed up to the last item (step S203; Yes), the process ends. FIG. 30 shows details of the still picture play item reproduction step (step S202) shown in FIG. 29A in the case of normal transition. First, the system controller 520 transfers the data of the still image # 1 to one of the video buffers 5 17a and 5 17b based on the image index number 7 21 shown in FIG. (Refer to video buffer 5 17 a) (step S 2 11 1), external start based on external start transition type 7 32 in still effect 7 30 and external start transition time 7 3 4 Execute the transition (step S212). After the end of the external start transition, the still image # 1 is displayed during the stationary display period of the still image # 1 (step S2113).

Then, the system controller 520 determines whether or not the still image is the last still image in the item (step S2114). If not, the next still image data (in this example, in this example) The still image # 2) is read into the other video buffer (the one not storing the previous still image # 1 in step S211. The video buffer 517b is used here) (step S215). ), And waits for the end of the stationary display time of the still image being reproduced (still image # 1 in this example) (step S2 16).

As shown in FIG. 29B, the system controller 520 first reads the system clock from the system clock (step S224) to determine whether or not the steady display time has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 29B. (Step S242). Note that the normal display time is a period during which a still image is completely displayed (that is, a period other than the transition period). Specifically, the static display time in the still image object play item 720 shown in FIG. It is obtained by subtracting the internal start transition time 744 and the internal end transition time 7445 from the total still image display time 7 23. After the stationary display time has elapsed, the display time of the still image ends (step S242; Yes), and the process returns to the routine in FIG. Then, the internal end transition type is executed according to the internal end transition type 743 in the still life extoff 30 and the internal end transition time 745 (step S2 17). Then, the internal start transition type 7 is executed. According to 4 2 and internal start transition time 7 44, the video buffer 5 17 has already been Execute the internal start transition of the loaded still image # 2 (step S218). Upon completion of the internal start transition of still image # 2, stationary display of still image # 2 is performed as it is (step S213).

In this way, steps S2 13 to S2 18 are repeatedly executed until the playback order of the last still image included in the item being played back is reached, and a plurality of still images are stored in the still effect 730. According to the settings Plays back sequentially with a transition effect. When the playback order of the last still image is reached (step S2114; Yes), the end of the stationary display time of the still image is waited for (step S219). This processing is the same as that described above with reference to FIG. 29B. Then, when the regular display time of the last still image ends, the system controller 520 executes the external end transition of the item according to the external end transition type 732 and the external end transition time 735. (Step S220). Thus, the reproduction of one still image play item ends.

Next, the still picture play item reproduction process (step S202) in the case of the cross transition will be described with reference to FIG. In the cross-transition still image play item playback process, after the steady display time of one still image has elapsed in step S216, a cross transition is performed instead of the internal end transition and internal start transition. (Step S221) The point is different from the case of the normal transition, but the other points are the same as those of the normal transition.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a still image object is reproduced according to a still image item that constitutes a playlist, a transition in a continuous reproduction of a plurality of still images is included in a still image item. Chillon (Transition) Records information on effects. Therefore, various transitions can be executed based on the set transition effect (ie, transition type, transition time, whether to perform a cross transition or a normal transition, etc.). It can change the playback of still images. In addition, since multiple still images are set for each item and the transition effect is set, the transition effect is set for each still image. Various transition effects can be set with a smaller amount of information as compared with the case of setting.

In the above-described embodiment, the optical disk 100 is described as an example of the information recording medium, and the recorder or player according to the optical disk 100 is described as an example of the information reproducing / recording apparatus. The present invention is not limited to such a recorder or player, but can be applied to other various information recording media compatible with high-density recording or a high transfer rate, and its recorder or player.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit or idea of the invention which can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and such changes are accompanied. An information recording medium, an information recording apparatus and method, an information reproducing apparatus and method, an information recording and reproducing apparatus and method, a computer program for recording or reproduction control, and a data structure including a control signal are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Things. Industrial applicability

The information recording medium, the information recording apparatus and method, the information reproducing apparatus and method, the information recording / reproducing apparatus and method, the recording or reproducing control computer program, and the data structure including the control signal according to the present invention include, for example, Alternatively, it can be used for high-density optical discs such as DVDs, which can record various types of information such as main video, audio, and sub-video for business use at high density, and can also be used for DVD players, DVD recorders, etc. . Further, for example, the present invention can be used for an information recording medium, an information recording / reproducing device, and the like, which are mounted on various consumer or business computer devices or connectable to various computer devices.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. Multiple still image information,

Start transition effect of the first still picture information in a still picture set composed of a plurality of still picture information to be played back continuously, and end transition effect of the last still picture information in the still picture set External transition effect information that specifies

An information recording medium characterized by recording information of a start transition effect and an end transition effect of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set, and .

2. The external transition effect information and the internal transition effect information each include transition effect type information indicating a type of transition effect, and transition effect time information indicating a period of the transition effect. An information recording medium according to paragraph 1 of the scope.

3. The claim 2, wherein the external transition effect information includes external start transition effect type information, external end transition effect type information, external start transition effect time information, and external end transition effect time information. Information recording medium as described.

4. The claim 2, wherein the internal transition effect information includes internal start transition effect type information, internal end transition effect type information, internal start transition effect time information, and internal end transition effect time information. An information recording medium according to paragraph 3.

5. Each of the internal start transition effect type information, the internal end transition effect type information, the internal start transition effect time information, and the internal end transition effect time information are all the still images included in the still image set. 5. The information recording medium according to claim 4, wherein the information recording medium is defined in the same manner as in claim 1.

6. Playlist information that defines the playback sequence of the plurality of still images is recorded. The information according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the external transition effect information and the internal transition effect information are included in the playlist information. recoding media.

7. The transition effect type information is a designation of any of wipe display, slide display, and dissolve display of the still image information, wherein the transition effect type information is any one of claims 1 to 6. An information recording medium according to claim 1.

8. First recording means for recording a plurality of pieces of still image information on an information recording medium;

Start transition effect of the first still picture information in a still picture set composed of a plurality of still picture information to be played back continuously, and end transition effect of the last still picture information in the still picture set Second recording means for recording external transition effect information specifying the following on the information recording medium:

Third recording means for recording, on the information recording medium, internal transition effect information designating a start transition effect and an end transition effect of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set. An information recording device, comprising:

9. A first recording step of recording a plurality of pieces of still image information on an information recording medium;

Start transition effect of the first still picture information in a still picture set composed of a plurality of still picture information to be reproduced continuously, and end of the last still picture information in the still picture set A second recording step of recording external transition effect information specifying transition effects on the information recording medium;

A third recording step of recording, on the information recording medium, internal transition effect information designating a start transition effect and an end transition effect of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set. An information recording method, comprising:

10. An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Reading means for reading the plurality of still image information, the external transition effect information, and the internal transition result information from the information recording medium;

According to the external transition effect information, a start portion of the first still image information included in the still image set and an end portion of the last still image information included in the still image set are reproduced, and the internal portion is reproduced. Information reproducing apparatus for reproducing a start portion and an end portion of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set in accordance with the transition effect information. .

11. An information reproducing method for reproducing the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein

A reading step of reading the plurality of still image information, the external transition effect information and the internal transition effect information from the information recording medium,

According to the external transition effect information, a start portion of the first still image information included in the still image set and an end portion of the last still image information included in the still image set are reproduced, and the internal portion is reproduced. A reproduction step of reproducing a start portion and an end portion of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set in accordance with the transition effect information. .

1 2. First recording means for recording a plurality of pieces of still picture information on an information recording medium, and the first still picture in a still picture set consisting of a plurality of pieces of still picture information to be reproduced continuously Second recording means for recording, on the information recording medium, an external transition effect information designating a start transition effect of information and an end transition effect of the last still image information in the still image set;

Third recording means for recording, on the information recording medium, internal transition effect information designating a start transition effect and an end transition effect of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set;

Reading means for reading the plurality of still image information, the external transition effect information and the internal transition effect information from the information recording medium, According to the external transition effect information, a start portion of the first still image information included in the still image set and an end portion of the last still image information included in the still image set are reproduced, and the internal portion is reproduced. Information recording / reproducing, comprising: reproducing means for reproducing a start portion and an end portion of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set in accordance with the transition effect information. apparatus.

1 3. A first recording step of recording a plurality of pieces of still picture information on an information recording medium, and a first still picture in a still picture set composed of a plurality of pieces of still picture information to be reproduced continuously. A second recording step of recording, on the information recording medium, an external transition effect information designating a start transition effect of the information and an end transition effect of the last still image information in the still image set;

A third recording step of recording, on the information recording medium, internal transition effect information designating a start transition effect and an end transition effect of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set;

According to the external transition effect information, a start portion of the first still image information included in the still image set and an end portion of the last still image information included in the still image set are reproduced, and the internal portion is reproduced. A reproduction step of reproducing a start portion and an end portion of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set in accordance with the transition effect information. Method.

1 4. By running on a computer,

First recording means for recording a plurality of still image information on an information recording medium,

Start transition effect of the first still picture information in a still picture set composed of a plurality of still picture information to be played back continuously, and end transition effect of the last still picture information in the still picture set Second recording means for recording external transition effect information specifying the following on the information recording medium: Third recording means for recording, on the information recording medium, internal transition effect information for designating a start transition effect and an end transition effect of each still image information among a plurality of still image information included in the still image set. An information recording program that causes a computer to function.

1 5. By running on a computer,

A reading unit that reads the plurality of still image information, the external transition effect information, and the internal transition effect information from the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7. ,

According to the external transition effect information, a start portion of the first still image information included in the still image set and an end portion of the last still image information included in the still image set are reproduced, and the internal portion is reproduced. According to the transition effect information, the computer functions as reproduction means for reproducing a start portion and an end portion of each still image information among the plurality of still image information included in the still image set. Information reproduction program.