WO2004032504A1

WO2004032504A1 - Information recording medium, information recording device and method, information reproduction device and method, information recording/reproduction device and method, recording or reproduction control computer program, and data structure containing control signal

Info

Publication number: WO2004032504A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/012590
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tohru Kanegae; Masanori Nakahara; Takao Sawabe; Nobuyuki Takakuwa; Yasuko Fukuda; Takeshi Koda; Akira Imamura
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation
Priority date: 2002-10-01
Filing date: 2003-10-01
Publication date: 2004-04-15
Also published as: AU2003268718A1; JP2004128774A

Abstract

In an information recording medium, there are recorded a plurality of content information and a plurality of play list sets each containing a plurality of play list information defining a reproduction sequence of the content information. Furthermore, title information is recorded to specify at least one ply list set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced among a plurality of play list sets, so that a plurality of content information are reproduced as a title which is theoretically one information unit.

Description

Description Information recording medium, information recording apparatus and method, information reproducing apparatus and method, information recording and reproducing apparatus and method, computer program for recording or reproducing control, and data structure including control signal

The present invention relates to an information recording medium such as a high-density optical disk capable of recording various types of information such as main video, audio, sub-video, and reproduction control information at a high density, an information recording device for recording information on the information recording medium, and A method, an information reproducing apparatus and method for reproducing information from the information recording medium, an information recording and reproducing apparatus and method capable of performing both recording and reproducing, a computer program for recording or reproducing control, and It relates to the technical field of data structures including control signals. Background art

DVDs have become popular as optical discs on which various information such as main video, audio, sub-video, and playback control information are recorded. According to the DVD standard, main video information (video data), audio information (audio data) and sub-video information (sub-picture data) are packetized together with playback control information (navigation data). It is multiplex-recorded on the disc in a Program Stream (MPEG EG 2 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2)) standard, which is a highly efficient encoding technique. Of these, the main video information exists in a data stream S compressed in accordance with the MPEG video format (IS013818-2), and only one stream exists in one program stream. On the other hand, audio information is recorded in multiple formats (ie, linear: PCM, AC-3 and MPEG audio, etc.), and up to 8 streams can exist in one program stream. . The sub-picture information is defined by a bitmap and recorded in a compressed manner in a run-length format, and can exist in one program stream up to 32 streams. W

2 In addition, the transport stream (TransportStream) format of the MPEG2 standard has been standardized, which is suitable for data transmission. According to this transport stream format, a plurality of elementary streams are transmitted simultaneously. For example, a plurality of programs or programs, such as a large number of satellite digital broadcast television channels, are multiplexed in a time-division manner and transmitted simultaneously on one satellite wave.

DVD recorders are commercially available for use as DVD recorders of this type. This involves converting an input recording signal into a video recording format and recording it, and as a control information or logical information for controlling its reproduction, a recording unit from recording start to stop is one unit. It is configured to record one playlist so that it can be played back as a title (eg, one movie, one program, etc.).

In addition, DVDs of this type, which are pre-recorded for movies, animations, games, etc., are sold as ROM applications. Among them, a plurality of procas S, such as parental block gang blocks, are recorded in the form of streams, and DVD-ROMs configured to be able to select or switch these are also sold. Here, the term "parental block" refers to, for example, a block composed of an image portion corresponding to an adult version or an image portion corresponding to a child version for the same title such as a single movie. . An “angle block” is, for example, a block composed of video portions taken from various viewpoints with respect to the same title such as a single movie.

On the other hand, as a recording device using a tape recording medium, there is a digital VCR of a D-VHS (digital VHS) system. Such a digital VCR is configured to directly record a stream signal output from a set top box (STB) on a tape medium and reproduce the stream signal. That is, a plurality of programs received simultaneously in a certain time zone are recorded in one title, so-called "program group in a certain time zone", and these are played back together as if they were received ( That is, playback is performed so that channel switching is possible. Disclosure of the invention

However, according to the digital VCR described above, the stream signal reproduced after recording has to be processed by the STB. Furthermore, even if the playback output obtained by this is used, there is a problem that a function equivalent to or more than the situation of receiving and outputting a plurality of programs in real time can hardly be executed.

On the other hand, in the conventional DVD described above, the main video of one stream can be multiplex-recorded together with audio information and sub-video information of a plurality of streams, and the main video of a plurality of streams is multiplex-recorded. Not suitable. That is, a DVD that records in conformity with the MPEG 2 program stream format is essentially unable to multiplex-record a plurality of programs or programs simultaneously transmitted in the above-described MPEG 2 transport stream format. There is.

Even if a disc with a high transfer rate and a large recording capacity or high density recording exists so that a plurality of programs transmitted in the transport stream format can be recorded at the same time, the above-mentioned digital VCR As described above, if a stream signal is recorded as it is on an optical disc, there is a high possibility that one stream signal includes a plurality of programs whose time axes are not aligned. For this reason, as in the case of the above-mentioned DVD recorder, one play list is recorded in order to play back from the start to the end of recording as a logically one title, for example, "programs in a certain time zone". With only f, it is technically difficult to select a desired program that may start at an arbitrary time from among a plurality of programs included in the one title.

As described above, according to the conventional DVD recorder application, when simultaneously recording and reproducing a plurality of programs included in one stream signal in digital broadcasting or the like, for example, the program is started at an arbitrary time from among these. desired, such as Play by selecting on the menu screen things, a technical problem that it is difficult to play a desired program that, there is a force ^s.

In addition, according to the DVD-ROM application, for example, when recording a plurality of content information having substantially the same content but different video resolutions, parental levels, angles, etc., a playlist for each content information is recorded. Just do You. Therefore, during playback, the player presents each playlist to the user with the same title as that of a different title, causing a problem in that the content selection of the user is confused.

The present invention has been made in view of, for example, the above-described problems, and has been made to enable a large amount of content information including, for example, a plurality of programs, video resolutions, parental levels, angles, and the like to be efficiently recorded as one title. An information recording medium, an information recording apparatus and a method, an information reproducing apparatus and a method, an information recording and reproducing apparatus and a method, in which a desired one of the programs and the like can be selected and reproduced relatively easily. Another object is to provide a computer program for reproduction control and a data structure including a control signal.

The information recording medium of the present invention logically stores a plurality of pieces of content information, a plurality of playlist sets each including a plurality of playlist information that defines a reproduction sequence of the plurality of content information, and the plurality of content information. (A) A first method of designating at least one playlist set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced from the plurality of playlist sets so as to be reproduced as a title as a unit of information. Pointer information and (b) title information including identification information for identifying the playlist information to be a selection candidate in the playlist set specified by the first pointer information are recorded.

According to the information recording medium of the present invention, the plurality of pieces of content information are stored in the object data file, for example, as object data. Here, the “content information” includes, for example, main video information (video data), audio information (audio data), sub-video information (sub-picture data), and the like. Such various types of content information are multiplexed, for example, in the format of the above-described MPEG2 transport stream. Alternatively, they may be multiplexed in the MPEG2 program stream, or may not be multiplexed.

The plurality of playlist sets are stored in, for example, a playlist information file in a table format for each playlist set. Each of a plurality of playlist information constituting the playlist set is an information unit logically accessible by the information reproducing apparatus. Playlist information, for example, points to logically accessible items. It may include pointer information to indicate. Alternatively, it may include pointer information specifying a set of items. Here, in particular, the plurality of playlist information defines a reproduction sequence of the plurality of content information. For example, each playlist information specifies a playback sequence of one piece of content information corresponding to each piece of playlist information among a plurality of pieces of content information.

The title information is stored in a table format for each title, for example, in a disc information file. Then, a plurality of title information usually exist for the one information recording medium, and for example, a plurality of title information are stored in a disc information file. The title information functions as a part of playback control information for controlling the playback of the content information, and a plurality of pieces of content information are logically grouped in units of information such as one movie or one program. Designate one or more corresponding playlist sets to play as a title.

In the present invention, in particular, the title information includes first pointer information and identification information. Here, the “first pointer information” designates an identification (ID) number of a playlist set or records the playlist set, as in the first pointer information 200 PT described later, for example. It is a pointer that specifies a position (for example, a logical address) (see Figure 33, etc.). The “first pointer information” designates at least one playlist set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced from a plurality of playlist sets. On the other hand, the “identification information” is, for example, identification information 200 PN specifying the identification (ID) number of a play list described later (see FIG. 33 and the like). Then, "identification information j identifies one or a plurality of pieces of playlist information to be selected as candidates in the playlist set specified by the first pointer information. Alternatively, identification information for identifying each playlist information by indicating a recording position (for example, a logical address) of each piece of playlist information that is a selection candidate may be used.

At the time of recording on the information recording medium, a plurality of programs streamed to the same transmission wave or the same transmission signal are used for a DVD recorder, for example, in one or a plurality of transport streams such as D-VHS. Recorded as a stream of Or, for example, for DVD-ROM applications, a plurality of contents with different video resolutions, parental levels, angles, etc., but with substantially the same content body The information is streamed and recorded.

When recording such a plurality of pieces of content information, while recording from the start to the end of recording as a single logical title, a plurality of pieces of playlist information that are related to the plurality of pieces of content information are respectively recorded. Multiple playlist sets are recorded. Moreover, from among the plurality of playlist sets, title information for specifying a playlist set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced, for each of a plurality of pieces of content information such as, for example, by program, video resolution, parental level, and angle. Is recorded.

Therefore, at the time of reproduction of the information recording medium, the “first pointer information” included in the title information specifies a playlist set for reproduction from a plurality of playlist sets. Further, from the selected playlist set, one or a plurality of pieces of playlist information identified by “identification information” included in the title information are identified as selection candidates. If the content information is reproduced in the reproduction sequence defined by any of the playlist information thus selected as a selection candidate, for example, the content is reproduced for a DVD recorder or a DVD-ROM. One of a plurality of content information recorded as one title will be reproduced. Therefore, in an information reproducing apparatus such as a DVD player, of a plurality of playlist information included in each playlist set, a desired program, a desired video resolution, a desired parental level, a desired andal, etc. If the control is executed so as to select one corresponding to the content information, the desired content information can be reproduced as a title. In particular, by providing such “identification information”, it is possible to include a playlist as a selection candidate for playing different titles in one playlist set. It is possible to use the same title with different title elements.

As a result, according to the present invention, a related playlist from a large amount of content information including a plurality of programs or a plurality of video resolutions, including a parental level, an angle, etc. It becomes possible to record efficiently as a title. Make it relatively easy, select the desired program, etc. It becomes reproducible.

In one aspect of the information recording medium of the present invention, the title information includes at least one title element, and the title element includes the first pointer information and the identification information.

According to this aspect, at the time of reproducing the information recording medium, a playlist set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced can be specified according to the first pointer information included in the title element. Then, from among the plurality of playlist information as selection catches identified by the identification information included in the title element from the identified playlist list, a playlist corresponding to a desired program or the like is selected. If the control is executed so as to select the content, the desired content information can be reproduced as a title element. Further, by reproducing such title elements one by one or sequentially, one title can be reproduced.

In the aspect according to this title element, the title element is

In addition to the one-pointer information, (i) a first bri-command indicating a command to be executed before reproducing the content information whose reproduction sequence is defined by one playlist set specified by the first-pointer information Information, (ii) first boost command information indicating a command to be executed after the reproduction of the content information whose reproduction sequence is defined by the one playlist set, and (iii) the title element. May be configured to include at least one of the first next information items specifying the title element related to the next reproduction after the reproduction.

With this configuration, when the information recording medium is reproduced, before the reproduction of the content information whose reproduction sequence is defined by the playlist set specified by the first pointer information in accordance with the first pre-command information, Can execute the command to be executed. Furthermore, according to the first post command information, a command to be executed after the reproduction of the content information in which the reproduction sequence is defined by one playlist set specified by the first pointer information can be executed. In addition, according to the first next information, a title element following the current title element being reproduced can be reproduced.

The first boss command information or the second boss command described later is, for example, content. This command specifies a dynamic action, such as a command for instructing the branching of information or a command for selecting the next title.

On the other hand, the first next information or the second next information to be described later, for example, only describes the next title element number. The operation based on this depends on the system of the DVD player. That is, it is information that is not in the form of a command for simplicity, for example, information indicating a static movement such as moving to the next specific title element or the next specific playlist element uniformly. .

In the above aspect of the title element, the title element is configured to further include selection condition information indicating a selection condition for each of a plurality of playlist information included in the same playlist set. Is also good.

With this configuration, when reproducing the information recording medium, a desired one of a plurality of playlist information included in each playlist set is selected according to the selection condition information for each playlist information included in the title element. It is possible to control to select a program, a desired parental block, a desired angle block, or the like corresponding to desired content information.

As a result, a large amount of content information including a plurality of programs and blocks can be efficiently recorded as one title, for example, both in a DVD recorder application and a DVD-ROM application. It can be selected and played.

In the aspect relating to the selection of the playlist information in the same playlist set, the plurality of playlist information included in the same playlist set can form the same title by any one of the levels. You may be comprised so that the reproduction | regeneration sequence of several content information may be prescribed | regulated.

With such a configuration, in a DVD-ROM application capable of parental reproduction or angle reproduction, a plurality of parental blocks, angle blocks, etc., recorded as one title when reproducing the information recording medium are used. At least one of the blocks can be reproduced. As a result, the user can reproduce one title with a desired parental or oral. Alternatively, in a DVD recorder application, when playing back the information recording medium, for example, “one time” recorded as one title Any one of the content information such as “inter-band program group” can be reproduced. Thereby, the user can select and reproduce a desired program in one title, for example.

In another aspect of the information recording medium of the present invention, each of the playlist information includes at least one playlist element, and the playlist element constitutes the content information and is logically accessible. Includes second pointer information that specifies item information that is the playback unit.

According to this aspect, at the time of reproduction of the information recording medium, item information corresponding to the content information to be reproduced can be specified according to the second pointer information included in the playlist element. Then, by reproducing the specified item information, the desired content information can be reproduced as a playlist element. Further, by reproducing such playlist elements one by one or sequentially, one playlist can be reproduced.

The “item information” is a minimum unit of display. For example, if the content information is still image information, it is an information unit corresponding to one or more images.

In this aspect of the playlist element, the playlist element, in addition to the second pointer information, should be executed before (i) reproduction of one item information specified by the second pointer information. Second pre-command information indicating a command, (ii) second post-command information indicating a command to be executed after the reproduction of the one item information, and (iii) reproduction of the next playlist element. It may be configured so as to include at least one of the second next information specifying the play list element concerned.

With such a configuration, at the time of reproducing the information recording medium, a command to be executed before reproduction of one item information designated by the second pointer information can be executed according to the second pre-command information. Further, according to the second post command information, a command to be executed after the reproduction of one item information specified by the second pointer information can be executed. In addition, according to the second next information, the playlist element next to the playlist element being reproduced can be reproduced.

In another aspect of the information recording medium of the present invention, each of the plurality of playlist sets includes: In addition to the plurality of playlist information, the playlist information includes an item definition table that defines the item information that constitutes the content information and is a logically accessible playback unit, and the plurality of playlist information includes: A reproduction sequence of the content information is defined in units of the item information.

According to this aspect, at the time of reproduction of the information recording medium, the reproduction of the content information is performed in a reproduction sequence defined in units of item information by the playlist information. In this case, in particular, since the item information is defined collectively in the item definition table, the item information can be referred to easily and quickly, and the same item information can be stored in a plurality of items in the same playlist set. It can be reused depending on the playlist information, which is advantageous.

In the aspect according to the item information described above, the item information is configured to include information that defines a playback start address of the content information as the point information and defines a playback end address as the outpoint information. May be. With this configuration, it is possible to start reproduction of the corresponding content information portion according to the in-point information of the item information. The reproduction of the corresponding content information portion can be ended according to the out-point information of the item information. As a result, the content information portion corresponding to each item information can be easily reproduced, and a series of content information can be reproduced by such continuous reproduction.

According to another aspect of the information recording medium of the present invention, the entire stream including a plurality of partial streams composed of the plurality of content information is a physically accessible unit, and Multiplexed in units of buckets each storing fragments of the content information, and as reproduction control information for controlling reproduction of the plurality of pieces of content information, a plurality of multiplexed packets and the plurality of portions. Correspondence definition information for defining the correspondence with the stream is further recorded.

According to this aspect, for example, the entire stream such as at least a part of the transport stream of MPEG2 includes a plurality of partial streams such as the elementary stream. That is, in the present application, one “partial stream” is a video stream that forms a series of content information, for example, an elementary stream. A single data array or information array, such as a video stream, audio stream, sub-picture stream, etc. On the other hand, in the present application, one “whole stream” refers to a data array or an information array in which a plurality of partial streams are bundled. Then, such an entire stream is multiplex-recorded on the information recording medium in units of packets (for example, TS packets described later), which are units physically accessible by the information reproducing apparatus. . The content information is a unit logically accessible by the information reproducing apparatus, and is composed of a plurality of packets each storing a fragment of the content information. Further, it controls the correspondence definition information (for example, an ES map table (ES-MapTab1e) indicating the elementary stream packet ID (ES-PID) described later), and controls the reproduction of the content information by the information reproducing apparatus. It is further recorded as reproduction control information for the purpose.

Therefore, in the information reproducing apparatus, based on the correspondence between the plurality of buckets multiplexed at the same time and the plurality of partial streams described in the corresponding definition information, for example, the information is reproduced on the information recording medium. It is possible to reproduce a desired program, block, or the like, which is composed of a combination of content information that is a part of the recorded entire stream or a single content.

In the information recording medium described above, for example, an object data file storing a plurality of pieces of content information, a playlist information file storing a plurality of playlist sets, and a plurality of title information are stored. The disc information files may be collectively recorded in different areas on the information recording medium. Of these, the object data file may be multiplexed and recorded in the MPEG 2 transport stream format or the program stream format. Of these, the playlist information file and the disc information file have playback control. From the viewpoint of quick and easy execution, the multiplexed recording need not be performed.

An information recording apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first recording unit that records a plurality of pieces of content information; and a second recording unit that records a plurality of playlist sets each including a plurality of playlist information that defines a reproduction sequence of the plurality of content information. (2) a recording unit, which reproduces the plurality of pieces of content information as a title which is a logical unit of information; In addition, (a) first pointer information specifying at least one playlist set corresponding to content information to be reproduced from the plurality of playlist lists, and (b) the first pointer information. And a third recording means for recording title information including identification information for identifying the playlist information to be a selection candidate in the designated playlist.

According to the information recording apparatus of the present invention, the first recording means including, for example, a controller, an encoder, a TS object generator described below, an optical pickup, a cutting device, and the like, is provided on an information recording medium, such as a DVD, for example. Records multiple content information. For example, the second recording unit including a controller, an encoder, an optical pickup, a cutting device, and the like records a plurality of playlist sets each including a plurality of playlist information on an information recording medium including, for example, a DVD. For example, the third recording means including a controller, an encoder, an optical pick-up or a cutting device, etc. includes “first pointer information” such as first pointer information 200 PT described later and identification information (such as identification information 200 PN). Record the title information (see Fig. 33 etc.).

Therefore, the above-described information recording medium of the present invention (including its various aspects) can be recorded with relatively high efficiency.

Incidentally, the information recording apparatus of the present invention can also adopt various aspects in correspondence with the various aspects of the information recording medium of the present invention described above.

In the information recording method of the present invention, a first recording step of recording a plurality of pieces of content information, and a plurality of playlist sets each including a plurality of pieces of playlist information defining a reproduction sequence of the plurality of pieces of content information are recorded. And (a) at least one "" ^ corresponding to the content information to be reproduced so that the second recording step reproduces the plurality of pieces of content information logically as a title which is a unit of information. First pointer information specifying a playlist set from among the plurality of playlist sets, and (b) identifying the playlist information to be a selection candidate in the playlist specified by the first pointer information And a third recording step of recording title information including identification information.

According to the information recording method of the present invention, for example, a controller, an encoder, and a T The first recording step records a plurality of pieces of content information on an information recording medium such as a DVD using an S object generator, an optical pickup or a cutting device, and the second recording step includes a plurality of playlists. The third recording step records title information including first pointer information and identification information.

Therefore, the above-described information recording medium of the present invention (including various aspects thereof) can be recorded with relatively high efficiency.

Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the information recording method of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

A first information reproducing apparatus of the present invention is an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information recording medium of the present invention (including its various aspects), wherein the plurality of pieces of content information and the plurality of playlist sets are provided. A reproducing means capable of reproducing the title information; and (i) first pointer information included in the title information reproduced by the reproducing means from a plurality of playlist sets reproduced by the reproducing means. (Ii) selecting, from the plurality of play list information included in the selected playlist set, play list information that is a selection candidate based on the identification information. (Iii) one play that defines a playback sequence of the content information to be played back in the play list information as the identified selection candidate. And control means for controlling the reproducing means so as to reproduce the plurality of pieces of content information in a specified reproduction sequence according to the list information.

According to the first information reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the reproducing means including, for example, a controller, a decoder, a demultiplexer, an optical pickup and the like can reproduce the content information, the play list set, and the title information. Then, for example, the control means including a controller or the like selects at least one of the plurality of playlist sets reproduced, specified by the first pointer information included in the reproduced title information. Furthermore, playlist information to be selected as a selection candidate is identified from the plurality of playlist information included in the selected playlist set based on the identification information. Furthermore, a plurality of pieces of content information are defined in a playback sequence defined by one playlist information which defines a playback sequence of the content information to be played back in the playlist information as the identified selective catch. Like to play Control the playback means.

Therefore, the above-described information recording medium of the present invention (including its various aspects) can be reproduced relatively efficiently.

Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the first information reproducing apparatus of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

A second information reproducing apparatus of the present invention is an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing an aspect according to selection condition information among the information recording media of the present invention described above, wherein the plurality of pieces of content information and the plurality of playlist sets are provided. (I) the first pointer included in the title information reproduced by the reproducing means from a plurality of playlist sets reproduced by the reproducing means; At least one specified by the information is selected, and (ii) playlist information serving as a selected indicator is selected from a plurality of playlist information included in the selected playlist set based on the identification information. And (iii) one step that defines a playback sequence of the content information to be played back in the play list information as the identified selection candidate. Control means for controlling the reproduction means so as to reproduce the plurality of pieces of content information in a reproduction sequence defined by the list information, and the control means comprises: The one playlist information is selected from a plurality of playlist information as identified selection candidates.

According to the second information reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the reproducing means including, for example, a controller, a decoder, a demultiplexer, and an optical pickup can reproduce the content information, the play list set, and the title information. Then, the control means including, for example, a controller or the like selects at least one of the reproduced playlist sets specified by the first pointer information included in the reproduced title information. Further, playlist information to be selected as a selection candidate is identified from the plurality of playlist information included in the selected playlist list based on the identification information. Furthermore, a plurality of pieces of content information are reproduced in a specified reproduction sequence by one playlist information which specifies a reproduction sequence of the content information to be reproduced in the playlist information as the identified selection candidate. The playback means is controlled to perform At this time, the control means selects a selection candidate based on the selection condition information. One playlist information is selected from among a plurality of playlist information. Therefore, the above-described aspect of the information recording medium selection condition information of the present invention can be reproduced relatively efficiently.

Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the second information reproducing apparatus of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

The information reproducing method of the present invention reproduces the above-described information recording medium (including various aspects thereof) of the present invention, the plurality of content information, the plurality of playlist sets, and the title information. An information reproducing method in an information reproducing apparatus provided with a reproducing means capable of reproducing the information, wherein the title information included in the title information reproduced by the reproducing means is selected from a plurality of playlist sets reproduced by the reproducing means. A first control step of selecting at least one specified by the first pointer information; and playlist information to be selected from a plurality of playlist information included in the selected playlist set. A second control step of identifying the content to be reproduced in the playlist information as the selected option. And a third control step of controlling the reproducing means so as to reproduce the plurality of pieces of content information in a defined reproduction sequence by one piece of play list small information defining a reproduction sequence of the content information.

According to the information reproducing method of the present invention, the first control step uses, for example, a controller, a decoder, a demultiplexer, an optical pickup, etc., to reproduce reproduced title information from a plurality of reproduced playlist sets. Select at least one specified by the first pointer information included in. Further, the second control step identifies playlist information to be a selection candidate from among the plurality of playlist information included in the selected playlist set based on the identification information. Still further, the third control step includes a reproduction sequence defined by one playlist information that defines a reproduction sequence of the content information to be reproduced in the playlist information as the identified selection candidate. Controls the playback means to play back multiple pieces of content information.

Therefore, the above-described information recording medium of the present invention (including its various aspects) can be reproduced relatively efficiently. Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the information reproducing method of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

An information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention records first recording means for recording a plurality of pieces of content information, and a plurality of playlist sets each including a plurality of pieces of playlist information defining a playback sequence of the plurality of pieces of content information. A second recording unit, and (a) at least one play list set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced, so that the plurality of pieces of content information are logically reproduced as a title as an information unit. First pointer information for designating the playlist from the plurality of playlist sets; and (b) identification information for identifying the playlist information to be a selection candidate in the playlist designated by the first pointer information. Third recording means for recording title information including: the plurality of pieces of content information, the plurality of playlist sets, and the A reproduction means capable of reproducing title information; and (i) a plurality of playlist sets reproduced by the reproduction means, wherein the first button information included in the title information reproduced by the reproduction means includes: At least one of the specified playlists is selected, and (ii) playlist information which is a candidate for selection from a plurality of playlist information included in the selected playlist set is identified by the identification information. (Iii) a reproduction sequence specified by one playlist information that specifies a reproduction sequence of the content information to be reproduced, which is included in the identified playlist information as a selection indicator. Control means for controlling the reproduction means so as to reproduce the plurality of pieces of content information with a can.

According to the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, since both the information recording apparatus and the information reproducing apparatus of the present invention described above are combined, the information recording medium of the present invention (including its various aspects) can be compared. It can record and play back efficiently and efficiently.

Incidentally, the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention can also adopt various aspects in correspondence with the various aspects of the information recording medium of the present invention described above.

An information recording / reproducing method according to the present invention is an information recording / reproducing method in an information recording / reproducing apparatus provided with a reproducing means capable of reproducing a plurality of content information, a plurality of play list sets, and title information. A first recording step of recording the content information; and a plurality of playlist information defining a reproduction sequence of the plurality of content information. A second recording step of recording a plurality of playlist sets, each including a plurality of playlist sets, and (a) content to be reproduced so that the plurality of pieces of content information are logically reproduced as a title as an information unit. First button information specifying at least three playlist sets corresponding to the information from the plurality of playlist sets; and (b) selection candidates in the playlist specified by the first button information. A third recording step of recording title information including identification information for identifying the playlist information, and a playlist set reproduced from the plurality of playlist sets reproduced by the reproducing section. A first control step of selecting at least one specified by the first pointer information included in the selected title information, and the selected playlist list. A second control step of identifying, based on the identification information, playlist information that is a selection candidate from a plurality of playlist information included in the playlist, and the playlist information as the identified selection candidate is included in the second control step. A third control for controlling the reproducing means so as to reproduce the plurality of pieces of content information in a specified reproduction sequence by one playlist information which specifies a reproduction sequence of the content information to be reproduced. And a process.

According to the information recording / reproducing method of the present invention, since it has both the information recording method and the information reproducing method of the present invention described above, the information recording medium of the present invention (including its various aspects) can be compared. It can record and play back efficiently and efficiently.

Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the information recording / reproducing method of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

The computer program for recording control of the present invention is a computer program for recording control for controlling a computer provided in the above-described information recording apparatus of the present invention (including its various aspects). The first recording means, the second recording means, and the third recording means function as at least a part of them. According to the recording control computer program of the present invention, the computer program can be read from a recording medium such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a hard disk that stores the computer program and executed by the computer, or If the computer program is executed after being downloaded to the computer via the communication means, the above-described information recording apparatus according to the present invention can be realized. Can be realized relatively easily.

Incidentally, the computer program for recording control of the present invention can also adopt various aspects, corresponding to the various aspects of the information recording medium of the present invention described above. The computer program for reproduction control of the present invention is a computer program for reproduction control for controlling a computer provided in the above-mentioned first or second information reproducing apparatus of the present invention (including its various aspects). And causing the computer to function as at least a part of the reproduction unit and the control unit.

According to the computer program for reproduction control of the present invention, if the computer program is read and executed from a recording medium such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a hard disk that stores the computer program, Alternatively, if the computer program is executed after being downloaded to the computer via the communication means, the above-described information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention can be realized relatively easily.

Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the computer program for playback control of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

The computer program for recording / reproducing control of the present invention is a computer program for recording / reproducing control for controlling a computer provided in the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention (including its various aspects), The computer is caused to function as at least a part of the first recording unit, the second recording unit, the third recording unit, the reproducing unit, and the control unit.

According to the recording / playback control computer program of the present invention, the computer program can be read and executed by a computer from a recording medium such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a hard disk that stores the computer program. Alternatively, if the computer program is executed after being downloaded to a computer via communication means, the above-described information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention can be realized relatively easily.

Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the computer program for recording and reproduction control of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

The data structure including the control signal according to the present invention includes: a plurality of pieces of content information; A plurality of playlist sets each including a plurality of playlist information defining a playback sequence of the content information, and a plurality of content information items are logically reproduced as a title as an information unit (a ) First pointer information specifying at least one playlist set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced from the plurality of playlist sets, and (b) specified by the first pointer information. And title information including identification information for identifying the playlist information that is a selection candidate in the playlist.

According to the data structure including the control signal of the present invention, as in the case of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, a large amount of content information including, for example, a plurality of programs or a plurality of parental locks / angle blocks can be stored. However, it becomes possible to record efficiently as one title, and to make it relatively easy to select and reproduce desired programs and the like.

Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the data structure including the control signal of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a computer program product for recording control in a computer-readable medium can be executed by a computer provided in the above-described information recording device of the present invention (including its various aspects). The program instructions are tangibly embodied to cause the computer to function as at least a part of the first recording unit, the second recording unit, and the third recording unit.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a computer program product for reproduction control in a computer-readable medium can be executed by a computer provided in the above-described information reproduction apparatus of the present invention (including its various aspects). The program instructions are tangibly embodied to cause the computer to function as at least a part of the reproduction means and the control means.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a computer program product for recording / reproduction control in a computer-readable medium is provided by a computer provided in the above-described information recording / reproduction apparatus of the present invention (including its various aspects). The computer program clearly embodies executable program instructions, and functions as at least a part of the first recording unit, the second recording unit, the third recording unit, the reproducing unit, and the control unit. Let it.

According to the computer program product for recording control, reproduction control, or recording / reproduction control of the present invention, a recording medium such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk or the like storing the computer program product can be used. If the computer program product is read into a computer, or if the computer program product, which is, for example, a transmission wave, is downloaded to a computer via communication means, the first recording means, the second recording means, At least a part of the recording unit, the third recording unit, the reproducing unit, and the control unit can be relatively easily implemented. More specifically, the computer program product is a computer-readable program that causes a computer to function as at least a part of the first recording unit, the second recording unit, the third recording unit, the reproducing unit, and the control unit. It may consist of possible codes (or computer readable instructions).

The operation and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the embodiments explained below. 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. The upper part is a schematic plan view of an optical disk having a plurality of areas, and the lower part corresponding thereto is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic conceptual view of an area structure in the radial direction. FIG. 2 is a schematic conceptual diagram of a conventional program stream of MPEG2 (FIG. 2 (a)), and a schematic conceptual diagram of a transport stream of MPEG2 used in the present embodiment (FIG. 2 (a)). b)), which is a schematic conceptual diagram (FIG. 2 (c)) of the program stream of MPEG2 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 conceptual diagram hierarchically showing details of a data structure in each title shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram hierarchically showing details of a data structure in each playlist set No. shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing details of the data structure in each playlist set shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing details of the data structure of each item shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a logical configuration of data in each title element shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a logical configuration of data in each title element に shown in FIG. 4 when each playlist set is composed of playlists in the present embodiment. is there.

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

FIG. 11 shows that the elementary stream for the upper program # 1 and the elementary stream for the middle program # 2 in the present embodiment are multiplexed to form 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 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing 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 conceptual diagram schematically showing a logical configuration of data in an example of the title element 200-2 used in the first selection method of the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a reproduction operation by one play list in the first selection method of the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a selection scale operation for selecting one playlist in the first selection method of the present embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a logical configuration of data in another example of the title element 200-2 used in the second selection method of the present embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a reproduction operation by one playlist in the second selection method of the present embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a selection operation for selecting one playlist in the second selection method of the present embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a logical configuration of data in another example of the title element 200-2 used in the third selection method of the present embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the details of the data structure of the playlist set control information in FIG.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a playback operation using one playlist in the third selection method according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a selection operation for selecting one play list in the third selection method according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram conceptually showing the entire access flow at the time of reproduction in relation to the logical structure of the optical disc in the present embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a hierarchical structure in a specific example of the title information set in the present embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a hierarchical structure in a specific example of the disk header in the present embodiment.

Fig. 33 schematically shows the hierarchical structure of a specific example of the title information in this embodiment. FIG.

FIG. 34 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a hierarchical structure in a specific example of the play list set in the present embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a hierarchical structure in a specific example of the playlist in this embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a hierarchical structure in a specific example of a playlist element in the present embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a hierarchical structure in a specific example of the item definition table in the present embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a diagram schematically illustrating a specific example of a data configuration in an AU table constructed in an object information file and an ES map table associated therewith in one specific example according to the present embodiment. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Information recording medium)

An embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present 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 an 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. As with DVDs, the lead-in area 104, the data area 106, and the lead-out area 10 8 are provided. In each area, for example, a group track and a land track are alternately provided spirally or concentrically around the center hole 102. The loop track may be coupled, or one or both of the tracks may be formed with a pre-pit. The present invention is not particularly limited to an optical disk having such three areas.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configurations of the transport stream (TS) and the program stream (PS) recorded on the optical disk of this embodiment will be described. Here, Fig. 2 (a) schematically shows the configuration of the program stream of MPEG2 in a conventional DVD for comparison, and Fig. 2 (b) shows the trans- form of MPEG2. It schematically shows the configuration of the port stream (TS). FIG. 2 (c) schematically shows the configuration of the program stream of MPEG2 in the present invention.

In FIG. 2 (a), one program stream recorded on a conventional DVD includes only one video stream for video data, which is main video information, along with the time axis t, and furthermore, audio information. It contains a maximum of eight audio streams for audio data and a maximum of 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. In order to multiplex and transmit or record television programs with video, at least one video stream is required for each television program.Therefore, only one video stream exists. With the DVD program stream format, multiple TV programs cannot be multiplexed for transmission or recording.

In FIG. 2 (b), 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. Furthermore, it includes a plurality of audio streams as elementary streams (ES) for audio data as audio information, and a plurality of sub-picture streams as elementary streams (ES) for sub-picture data as sub-picture information. It becomes. That is, video data multiplexed at an arbitrary time tX includes a plurality of video streams. It is related to a stream, and for example, a plurality of video streams corresponding to a plurality of television programs or a plurality of movies can be simultaneously included in the transport stream. As described above, in the transport stream format in which a plurality of video streams exist, it is possible to multiplex and transmit or record a plurality of television sets, such as a set of television sets. However, digital broadcasts that use the current transport stream do not transmit the sub-picture stream.

In FIG. 2 (c), 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. It includes several audio streams for audio data as information 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.

2 (a) to 2 (c), the video stream, the audio stream, and the sub-picture stream are arranged from the top in this order for convenience of description, but this order is in units of packets as described later. It does not correspond to the order of multiplexing. In the transport stream, conceptually, for example, one program is composed of one video stream, two audio streams, and two sub-picture streams. Yes, it is.

The optical disc 100 of the present embodiment described above is capable of multiplex-recording a transport stream (TS) as shown in FIG. 2 (b) within the limit of the recording rate, that is, simultaneously recording a plurality of programs or programs. It is configured to be possible. Further, in addition to or instead of such a transport stream, a program stream (PS) as shown in FIG. 2 (c) can be multiplex-recorded on the same optical disc 100.

Next, the structure of data recorded on the optical disc 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 3 schematically shows a data structure recorded on the optical disc 100. Fig. 4 shows the data at each title shown in Fig. 3. 3 schematically shows details of the data structure. FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically show details of the data structure in each play (P) list set shown in FIG. 3, respectively. FIG. 7 schematically shows 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, and FIG. 9 shows the configuration shown in FIG. 4 when each playlist set is composed of playlists. It schematically shows the logical configuration of data in each title element II. FIG. 10 schematically shows the 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. The “play list set” means “a bundle of play list J. For example, a play list for reproducing a plurality of pieces of content information having a specific relationship that can be switched mutually in angle reproduction / parental reproduction. This is a bunch or a bunch of playlists for reproducing content information on multiple programs broadcast and recorded together in the same time zone, or a display supporting the same title with high vision. Resolution, surround speaker support, speaker array, etc., provided for each required function, such as video playback function (video performance) and audio playback function (audio performance) required for the information playback system A playlist is a set of playlists for reproducing content information. Is information for storing the information required for reproduction of Brzeg bets ", and a" item "information respectively stored plurality of related objects of the playback range for access to the O Bed Jeku bets. The “object” is the entity information of the content that constitutes the transport stream of MPEG2 described above.

In FIG. 3, the optical disc 100 has a logical structure of a disc information file 110, a play (P) list information file 120, an object information file 130, and an object data file 140. There are four types of files, and a file system 105 for managing these files is further provided. FIG. 3 directly shows the physical data arrangement on the optical disc 100. However, the sequence shown in Fig. 3 should be recorded so as to correspond to the sequence shown in Fig. 1. That is, the file system 105 etc. should be recorded in the data recording area 1 following the lead-in area 104. It is also possible to record the object data file 140 and the like in the data recording area 106 as well. Even without the lead-in area 104 and the lead-out area 108 shown in FIG. 1, the file structure shown in FIG. 3 can be constructed.

The disc information file 110 is a file for storing comprehensive information on the entire optical disc 100, and includes a disc total information 112, a title information table 114, and other information 118. Store. The disc total information 112 stores, for example, the total number of titles in the optical disc 100 and the like. The title information table 114 includes a title bottle pointer 1141, and a plurality of titles 200 (titles # 1 to #m) indicating an identification number or a recording address. . 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. Store.

As shown in FIG. 4, more specifically, each title 200 is composed of, for example, title comprehensive information 200-1 and a plurality of title elements 200-2 and other information 200-5. It is comprised including. Further, each title element 200-2 is composed of a pre-command 200 PR, a pointer 200 PT to a playlist set, a post command 200 PS, and other information 200-6. Have been. Here, the pointer 200 PT, which is an example of the first pointer information according to the present invention, is a playlist corresponding to the content information to be reproduced based on the title element 200-2 including the pointer 20 OPT. Shows the identification number of the playlist set 1226S stored in the playlist information file 120. Note that the pointer 200 PT may be information indicating the recording position of the playlist set 126S corresponding to the content information to be reproduced based on the title element 200-2. The pre-command 200 PR, which is an example of the first pre-command according to the present invention, is provided 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 200 PT. Indicates the command to be executed. Departure A boss command 200PS, which is an example of a first post command according to the present invention, indicates a command to be executed after reproducing the content information whose reproduction sequence is defined by the one playlist set. The other information 200-5 contained in the title element 2000-2 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 described below, the playlist set 126 S is accessed according to the pointer 200 PT, and a desired one of the plurality of playlists 126 included therein is accessed. By executing control so as to select an item corresponding to a program or the like, the desired content information can be reproduced as the title element 200-2. Furthermore, by reproducing one or more of such title elements 200-2, 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 for which the reproduction sequence is defined by one play list set 126 S specified by the pointer 200 PT can be executed. Further, according to the post command 200 PS, a command to be executed after the reproduction of the content information for which the reproduction sequence is defined by one playlist set 126 S specified by the pointer 200 PT. Can be executed. 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 play list information file 120 stores a play (P) list information table 121 indicating the logical structure of each play list, which is a play (P) list. Management information 1 2 2, play (P) list set pointer 1 24, multiple play (P) list set 1 26 S (P list set #l to #n), and other information 1 It is divided into two and eight. The playlist information table 122 stores the logic information of each playlist set 126S in the order of the playlist set number. In other words, the order of storing each playlist set 126S is the playlist set number. In the above-described title information table 114, the same playlist set 126S can be referred to from a plurality of titles 200. That is, even when the title #ci and the title #r use the same playlist set #p, the playlist list set #p in the playlist information table 12 1 is replaced with the title information table 1. It may be configured to point at 14.

As shown in FIG. 5, the play list Tose' sheet 1 2 6 S includes a play list Tose' preparative General Information 1 2 6 1, a plurality of play list 1 2 6 (play list # l to # _x), It is configured to include the item definition tape 1 2 6—3 and other information 1 2 6—4. Each playlist 1226 is configured to include a plurality of playlist elements 1226-2 (playlist elements # 1 to #y) and other information 1226-5. . Further, each playlist element 1 2 6—2 is composed of a pre-command 1 2 6 PR, a pointer 1 2 6 PT to an item, a post command 1 2 6 PS, and other information 1 2 6—6. It is configured.

Here, the pointer 126PT, which is an example of the second pointer information according to the present invention, corresponds to the content information to be reproduced based on the playlist element 1226-2 including the pointer 126PT. Indicates the item identification number defined by the item definition table 1 2 6—3. The pointer 126PT 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 126-6-3. These are shared by multiple playlists 126. In addition, the playlist set comprehensive information 126--1 includes the names of the playlists 126 included in the playlist set 126 S, the UI (user interface information) such as the playback time, and the like. The address information to the item definition table 1 2 6-3 is described.

Referring again to FIG. 5, a 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 designated by the pointer 126 PT. The post command 1 26 PS, which is an example of the second post command according to the present invention, indicates a command to be executed after the reproduction of the one item 204. The other information 1 2 6-6 included in the playlist element 1 2 6-2 includes, for example, the playlist element 1 2 6-2 related to the next playback after the playback according to the playlist element 1 2 6-2. Contains next information that specifies As illustrated in FIG. 7, the item 204 is the minimum unit of display. The item 204 describes “IN point information” indicating the start address of the object and “OUT point information” indicating the end address. Note that these “IN point information” and “OUT point information” may each indicate an address directly, or may indirectly indicate an address such as time or time on a reproduction time axis. . In the figure, when multiple ESs (Elementary Streams) are multiplexed on the object indicated by "Stream Object #m", the specification of item 204 is specified. ES combination or specific ES will be specified. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the title element 200-2 is logically composed of a pre-command 200 PR or 126 PR and a playlist list 1 26 selected by the pointer 200 PT. It consists of S, a post command 200 PS or a post command 1 26 PS, and next information 200 0-6N. Therefore, the process of selecting the playlist 126 from the playlist set 126S is executed according to some conditions that can be played back by the system, such as the video resolution. However, as shown in FIG. 9, when the playlist set designated by the pointer 200 PT is composed of a single playlist, that is, the playlist list 1 26 S shown in FIG. When replaced with the playlist 126 of the title, the title element 200-2 logically becomes the pre-command 200 PR or 126 PR and the playlist 126 reproduced at the time of reproduction. And 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 in the object data file 140 for each item included in each playlist 126 (that is, the logical address to be reproduced). ) And various attribute information related to the reproduction of the item are stored. In the present embodiment, in particular, the object information file 130 contains an AU file including a plurality of AU (associate unit) information 1321 (AU # 1 to AU # q) described in detail later. One pull 1 3 1 and ES (Elementary Stream) Stores map table 13.4 and other information 138.

The object data file 140 contains transport stream (TS) separate TS objects 142 (TS # 1 object to TS #s object), that is, the entity data of the content to be played back immediately. Store multiple.

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, and so on.

As shown in FIG. 10, the TS object 142 shown in FIG. 3, which is a logically reproducible unit, is composed of a plurality of aligned units 14 3 each having a data amount of 6 kB, for example. It is divided. The beginning of the aligned unit 144 coincides with the beginning of the TS object 144 (aligned). Each aligned unit 144 is further subdivided into a plurality of source packets 144 each having a data amount of 1922B. The source packet 144 is a physically reproducible unit. In this unit, that is, a packet unit, at least video data, audio data and sub-picture data of data on the optical disc 100 are multiplexed. The other information may be multiplexed in the same manner. Each source packet 144 controls the reproduction of a bucket rival timestamp or the like having a data amount of 4B and indicating a reproduction processing start time of a TS (Transport Stream) packet on the reproduction time axis. Control information 145 and a TS packet 146 having a data amount of 188 B. TS packet 146 (also referred to as “TS bucket payload”) has a packet header 146a at the beginning of the packet, and is the video data packetized to form a “video packet”? The audio data is converted into a packet to form a small packet J, the sub-picture data is converted into a packet to form a sub-picture packet, or other data is converted into a packet. Is performed.

Next, referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, video data, audio data, sub-picture data, etc. in the transport stream format shown in FIG. The point that multiplex recording is performed on the optical disk 100 by the TS packet 146 shown in FIG. 4 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. The configuration of the transport stream (TS) for these two programs (PG 1 & 2) is conceptually shown with the horizontal axis as the time axis. Figure 12 shows one transformer. It conceptually shows the image of TS packets multiplexed in the port stream (TS) as a packet arrangement along time.

As shown in Fig. 11, the elementary stream for program # 1 (upper) is, for example, a TS packet 146 in which video data for program # 1 has been packetized. Axis). The elementary stream for program # 2 (middle) is, for example, a TS packet 146, in which video data for program # 2 is packetized, discretely with respect to the time axis (horizontal axis). It is arranged. Then, these TS packets 146 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. 2 (b), actually, audio data is packetized as an elementary stream for program # 1. An elementary stream consisting of a TS packet and a sub-picture stream consisting of a TS packet in which sub-picture data is packetized may be similarly multiplexed. In addition to these, an elementary stream for program # 2 may be added. As a stream, an elementary stream composed of a TS bucket in which audio data is packetized and a subpicture stream composed of a TS packet in which a subpicture data is packetized may be similarly multiplexed. .

As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, one TS stream is constructed from many TS packets 146 multiplexed in this way. Then, a large number of TS packets 146 are multiplex-recorded on the optical disc 100 in such a multiplexed form, with the information of the packet arriving time stamps 144 added thereto. In FIG. 12, j (j = 1, 2,...) Is assigned to the program for the TS bucket 1 46 consisting of data that constitutes program # i (i = l, 2, 3). By stream to configure This is indicated by “E lement (i 0 j)”, which is the packet ID that is the identification number of the TS packet 146 for each elementary lease stream. I have. This bucket ID is unique among a plurality of TS buckets 146 multiplexed at the same time so that even if a plurality of TS buckets 146 are multiplexed at the same time, they can be distinguished from each other. Is given.

In FIG. 12, the PAT (program association table) and the PMT (program map table) are also packetized and multiplexed in units of TS packets 146. Among these, the PAT stores a table indicating packet IDs of a plurality of PMTs. In particular, the MPEG2 standard specifies that a PAT is given (0000) as a predetermined bucket ID as shown in FIG. 12. That is, of a number of packets multiplexed at the same time, a TS packet in which the PAT is packetized is referred to as a TS packet with a packet ID of (0000). 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 packet ID can be assigned to the PMT, and those bucket IDs are indicated by the PAT that allows the bucket ID to be detected as (0000) as described above. Therefore, among a number of packets multiplexed at the same time, TS packets 146 in which the PMT is packetized (that is, packet IDs (100) and (200) in FIG. 12). ), TS packet 146 to which (300) has been assigned, and is configured to be detected by force S and PAT.

When the transport stream as shown in FIG. 12 is transmitted digitally, the tuner refers to the PAT and PMT configured as described above to select a desired element from among the multiplexed packets. It is possible to extract those corresponding to the tarry stream and demodulate them.

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 in that the data can be recorded on the optical disk 100 as it is.

Further, in this embodiment, the PAT or PMT recorded in this manner is When the disk 100 is played back, it is not necessary to refer to it, but instead by referring to the AU table 1331 and the ES map table 134 which will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. It is possible to deal with complicated multi-vision playback. For this reason, in the present embodiment, for example, the correspondence between the elementary stream and the packet 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. It is stored in the object information file 130 in the form of 4 and without packetization or multiplexing.

Next, a 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 data on the optical disk 100, focusing on the development from the logical layer to the object layer or the entity layer. In FIG. 13, one or a plurality of titles 200, which are logically large groups such as one movie and one television program, are recorded on the optical disc 100, for example. 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. In 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 list. Consists of 1 2 6 It is also possible to refer to one playlist set 126S 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 play list 1 within 26, ² 04 more items may have the and sequentially distributed structure or may have a branched structure. It is also possible to refer to one item 204 from a plurality of playlists 126. The playback 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, Eventually, the playback range of object S 142 is physically specified via the file system. Here, the object information 134 d is the attribute information of the TS object 142, the TS object information such as the ES address information 134 d required for data search in the TS object 142, and the like. 2 includes various information for reproducing (the ES map table 134 shown in FIG. 3 includes a plurality of such ES address information 134d).

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 130d. And the regeneration of the desired elementary stream is performed.

The EP (entry path) map containing a plurality of ES address information 134 d shown in the object information 130 d of FIG. 13 is shown in FIG. 13 here as the AU table 13 1 and the ES map table 1. It refers to an object information table that summarizes both items 3 and 4.

As described above, in this embodiment, the IN point information and the OUT point information described in the item 204 and the ES map table 133 of the object information 130 d (see FIG. 3) are described. According to the address information 134d, the association from the logical hierarchy to the object hierarchy in the playback sequence is executed, and the elementary stream can be played back.

As described in detail above, in this embodiment, multiplex recording is performed on the optical disc 100 in units of TS packets 146, whereby a large number of element leases as shown in FIG. The transport stream including the 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. A method of multiplexing and recording a plurality of programs or a plurality of programs into 2 is adopted. Hereinafter, 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 and reproducing the information recorded thereon. It 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 includes an optical pickup 502, a servo unit 503, a spindle motor 504, a demodulator 506, a demultiplexer 508, a video decoder 511, an audio decoder 511, Sub-picture decoder 5 13, adder 5 14, still image decoder 5 15, system controller 520, memory 530, memory 540, memory 550, modulator 606, formatter 600 8, TS objet generator 610, video encoder 611, audio encoder 612, and sub-picture encoder 613. The system controller 520 includes a file (File) system / logical structure data generator 521 and a file (File) system / logical structure data reader 522. Further, the system controller 520 is connected to a memory 530 and a user interface 720 for performing user input such as title / information.

Of these components, demodulator 506, demultiplexer 508, video decoder 511, audio decoder 511, sub-picture decoder 513, adder 514, still picture decoder 511 5, a memory 540 and a memory 550 generally constitute a reproducing system. On the other hand, among 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 Generally, a recording system is configured. Then, a user for inputting an optical pickup 502, a servo unit 503, a spinner motor 504, a system controller 520, a memory 530, and user information such as title information. Interface 720 is generally a playback system It is shared by both the record system. Further, regarding the recording system, a TS object data source 700 (or a PS object data source 700 or a still image data source 700 such as bitmap data or JPEG data) and a video data source 71 1 An audio data source 7 12 and a sub-picture data source 7 13 are provided. The file system / logical structure data generator 521 provided in the system controller 520 is mainly used in a recording system, and the file system / logical structure reader 522 is mainly used for reproduction. Used in systems.

The optical pickup 502 irradiates the optical disk 100 with an optical beam LB such as a laser beam at a first power as a reading light at the time of reproduction and at a second power as a writing light at the time of recording. Irradiation is performed with modulation. The servo unit 503 performs focus servo, tracking servo, etc. in the optical pickup 502 under the control of the control signal Sc1 output from the system controller 520 during reproduction and recording. The spindle servo 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 spindle servo from the servo unit 503.

(i) Configuration and operation of recording system:

Next, with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. 18, a specific configuration and operation of each component constituting the recording system of the information recording / reproducing device 500 will be described for each case. .

(i-1) When using the created TS object:

This case will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

In FIG. 14, the TS object data source 700 is composed of recording storage such as a video tape and a memory, and stores the TS object data D1. 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 transmitted from the user interface 720. The information is input to the system controller 520 as a user input I2 such as title information. Then, the system controller 520 sends the user interface; : User input of title information etc. from 720 (Step S21: Yes and Step S22). At this time, the user interface 720 receives the control according to the control signal Sc4 from the system controller 520, and inputs according to the content to be recorded, for example, selection via the 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 D1 under the control of the control signal Sc8 instructing data reading from the system controller 520. Then, the system controller 520 fetches the TS object data D1 from the TS object source 700 (step S23), and uses the TS analysis function in the logical system data generator 521 of the file system. For example, based on the PAT, PMT, etc. packetized together with the video data as described above, analysis of the data arrangement (for example, recording data length, etc.) in the TS object data D1, and the configuration of each elementary stream ( For example, the following ES_P ID (elementary stream 'packet identification number) is understood) (step S24).

Subsequently, the system controller 520 obtains the file system Z logical structure from the user input I2 such as the captured title information and the data array of the TS object data D1 and the analysis result of each elementary stream. The data generator 521 generates the logical information file data D4 as the disk information file 110, the playlist information file 120, the object information file 130, and the file system 105 (see FIG. 3). Is created (step S25). The memory 530 is used when creating such logical information file data D4.

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

In FIG. 14, the 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 disk 100. More specifically, the formatter 608 comprises a switch S w1 and a switch S w2, The switching control is performed by the switch control signal S c5 from the controller, and when the TS object data D1 is formatted, the switch Sw 1 is connected to the ① side and the switch Sw 2 is connected to the ① side, and the TS It outputs TS object data D1 from the object data source 700. The transmission control of the TS object data D1 is performed by a control signal Sc8 from the system controller 52. On the other hand, when formatting the logical information file data D4, the formatter 608 is controlled by the switch control signal Sc5 from the system controller 520 to control the switch Sw2. It is configured to output the logical information file data D4 in contact with the side.

In step S26 of Fig. 15, the switching control by the formatter 608 configured in this way allows (i) the logical information from the file system logical structure data generator 521 in step S25. The file data 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 D 5, modulated by the modulator 606, and transmitted to the optical disc 100 via the optical pickup 502. It is recorded (step S27). 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, and the recording is continuously performed. (Step S28: No) ₀ 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 these have been recorded, it is determined whether or not to end recording on the optical disc 100 based on the presence or absence of the end command (step S29). S29: No) Return to step S21 and continue the recording process. On the other hand, if the processing should be terminated (step S29: Yes), the series of recording processing ends.

As described above, the information recording / reproducing device 500 creates the created TS object. Is used to perform the recording process.

In the example shown in FIG. 15, after the logical information file data D4 is created in step S25, the logical information file data D4 and the corresponding TS object data D1 are created in step S26. Although the data output is 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, It is also possible to generate and record the logical information file data D4.

In addition, a PS object data source or a still image data source may be used instead of the TS object data source 700. In this case, instead of the TS object data D1, the recording process for the TS object data D1 described above is performed on the still object data such as PS object data or bitmap data and JPEG data. The same operation is performed, and PS object data or still image object data is stored in the object data file 140 in addition to or instead of the TS object 142 (see FIG. 3). Then, various kinds of logical information relating to the PS object data or the still image object data are generated under the control of the system controller 520, and the disk information file 110, the playlist information file 120, the object It is stored in the information file 130 etc.

(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 not be repeated.

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.

In the case of receiving and recording a transport stream being broadcast, the TS object data source 700 includes, for example, a receiver (set top box) for receiving a digital broadcast being broadcast, and a TS object data source. D1 is received and transmitted to the formatter 608 in real time (step S41). At the same time, the receiving information D3 (that is, the program configuration information decoded at the time of reception and the ES-PID information to be described later) that is transmitted via the receiver and the interface of the system controller 500 are transmitted. The information corresponding to the input data) is taken into the system controller 520 and stored in the memory 530 (step S44).

On the other hand, the TS object data D1 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 S43).

In parallel with these, the file system logical structure generator 52 1 uses the program configuration information and the ES_P ID information contained in the reception information D 3 which is fetched at the time of reception and stored in the memory 530. The logical information file data D4 is created (Step S24 and Step S25). After completion of the recording of the series of TS object data D1, the logical information file data D4 is additionally recorded on the optical disk 100 (steps S46 and S47). Note that 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 12 such as the title information from the user interface 720 is stored in the program configuration stored in the memory 530. The logical information file data D4 may be created by the system controller 520 by adding it to the information and ES-PID information, and this may be 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. If all the received data at the time of broadcasting are stored in the archive device and then used as the TS object source 700, the same processing as in the above-mentioned "when using the created TS object" is performed. Is enough.

(i-3) 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 71 12, and the sub-picture data source 71 13 are respectively, for example, a video tape, Recording storage such as memory Video data DV, audio data DA, and sub-picture data DS, respectively.

These data sources receive the video data DV, the audio data DA, and the sub-picture data DS, respectively, under the control of a control signal Sc8 for instructing data reading from the system controller 520. 11, and sent to the audio 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).

Under the control of the control signal Sc6 from the system controller 520, the TS object generator 610 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.) 構成 The configuration information of each elementary stream (for example, ES_PID described later) is transmitted from the TS object generator 610 to the information I 6. Is sent to the system controller 520 and stored in the memory 530 (step S666).

On the other hand, the TS object data generated by the TS object generator 610 is transmitted to the switch SW1 of the formatter 608 at the # 1 side. That is, when the TS object data from the TS object generator 610 is formatted, the formatter 608 is controlled by the switch control signal Sc 5 from the system controller 520 to perform switching control. By connecting wl to the ② side and connecting the switch Sw 2 to the ① side, the corresponding TS object data is output (step S64). Then, the TS object with Dinner ^ "data via the modulator 6 0 6, are recorded on the optical disc 1 0 0 (Step S 6 5) ₀

In parallel with these, a file system logical structure generator 52 1 is created by using the data arrangement information of each TS object data and the configuration information of each elementary stream, which are loaded into the memory 530 as information I 6. To create logical information file data D4 (step S24 and step S25). Then, after the recording of the X-series TS object data D2 is completed, this is additionally recorded on the optical disc 100 (step Steps S67 and S68). Note that the processing in steps S24 and S25 may be performed after the end of step S65.

Further, when necessary (for example, when editing a part of the title), the user input 12 such as the title information from the user interface 720 is stored in the memory 530. By adding to the information, the logical information file data D 4 may be created by the file system / logical structure generator 5 21, and this may be additionally recorded on the optical disc 100.

As described above, the information recording / reproducing device 500 performs a 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, etc. in advance (step S81), and then executes the formatter. The processing up to the switching control performed in step 608 is completed (step S82). Thereafter, master information resulting et al is by this operation, the modulator ⁶ 0 6 installed on the front and rear disc master force Tsu computing machine, sent as Disukuime one Jideta D 5 (Step S 8 3), and this cutting machine Creation is performed (step S84).

(ii) Configuration and operation of playback system:

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 of title information and the like. At this time, the user interface 7 2 0 Under the control of the control signal Sc4 from the system controller 520, 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 P list information file 1 shown in FIG. 3). 20 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 types of reproduction control such as a reproduction address determination process and control of the optical pickup 502.

On the other hand, depending on whether the demodulated data D8 contains TS object data as a multiplexed information part, still image data, or both, the switching switch SW Under the control of the control signal Sc10 from the system controller 520, the switch 3 is switched to the demultiplexer 508 as the ① side or the still image decoder 515 as the ② side. . As a result, the TS object data is selectively supplied to the demultiplexer 508, and the still image data is supplied to the still image decoder 515.

The TS object data as the multiplexed information portion included in the demodulated data D 8 is obtained by controlling the control signal S c 2 from the demanole multiplexer 508 and the system controller 520. Demultipletus under the control of. Here, when the access to the reproduction position address is completed by the reproduction control of the system controller 520, the control signal Sc2 is transmitted so as to start the demultiplexing. '

From the demultiplexer 508, a video packet, an audio packet, and a sub-picture packet are transmitted respectively, and the video decoder 511 and the audio deco This is supplied to the decoder 5 12 and the sub-picture decoder 5 13. Then, the video data DV, the audio data DA and the sub-picture data DS are respectively decoded. At this time, the sub-picture data DS is supplied to the adder 514 via the memory 540. Under the control of the control signal Sc5 from the system controller 520, the memory 540 outputs the sub-picture data DS at a predetermined timing or selectively and superimposes the video data DV. Imposition is performed as appropriate. That is, it is possible to control whether or not superimposed timing is required as compared with the case where the sub-picture data output from the sub-picture decoder 5 13 is superimposed as it is. For example, the output control using the control signal Sc5 does not cause the subtitles using the sub-pictures to be appropriately displayed on the main video or the menu screens using the sub-pictures to be appropriately displayed. It is also possible.

Note that the PAT or PMT bucket included in the transport stream shown in FIG. 6 is included as a part of the demodulated data D8. Discarded.

The adder 5 14 is controlled by the control signal S c 3 instructing the mixing from the system controller 5 20, and is decoded by the video decoder 5 11 and the sub-picture decoder 5 13 respectively. The video data DV and the 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.

If still image data is included in the demodulated data D8 instead of or in addition to the reproduction processing of the video data DV and the subpicture data DS, the still image data is transmitted from the system controller 520 Is supplied to the still picture decoder 5 15 via the switching switch SW 3 which is controlled by the control signal Sc 10. Still image data such as decoded bitmap data and JPEG data is stored in the system. Under the control of the control signal Sc11 from the system controller 520, it is directly added to the adder 5'14 via the switching switch SW4. Alternatively, the data is stored in the memory 550 via the switching switch SW4. Under the control of the control signal Sc12 from the system controller 520, the still image data is output from the memory 550 at a predetermined timing or selectively, and is output via the switch SW5. And supplied to the adder 514. As a result, superimposition of the still image data with the video data DV and the sub-picture data DS is performed as appropriate. That is, it is possible to control the timing of superimposition / the necessity of superimposition as compared with the case of superimposing still image data output from the still image decoder 5 15 as it is. For example, by controlling the output using the control signal Sc 12, a still image such as a menu screen or a window screen or a still image as a background image using still image data is displayed on the main video or the sub-video. It can be displayed or not displayed as appropriate.

In addition, under the control of the control signal Sc13 from the system controller 520, still image data is separately output on a path (not shown) via the switch SW5 switched to the ② side. You may. Alternatively, by switching to the (2) side, no still image data may be output from the switching switch SW5.

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

In FIG. 19, as the initial state, the recognition of the optical disk 100 by the playback system and the recognition of the volume structure and file structure by the file system 105 (see FIG. 3) are already performed by the system controller 520 and its It is assumed that the file system has been completed with a logical structure reader 5 2 Here, the processing flow after obtaining the total number of titles from the disk general information 112 in the disk information file 110 and selecting one of the titles 200 will be described.

First, the title 200 is selected by the user interface 720 (step S211). In response, the system controller 520 obtains information on the playback sequence from the reading result of the file system / logical structure reader 522. In selecting the title 200, the user A desired one of a plurality of title elements 200-2 (see FIG. 4) constituting the title 200 may be selected by an external input operation using a remote controller or the like. One title element 200-0-2 may be automatically selected according to the system parameters set to 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 (see FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 13). Step S2 1 2).

Next, from the plurality of playlists 126 acquired in step S212, the contents of the playlists 126 to be reproduced are acquired. Here, for example, it is assumed that the reproduction is first started from the play list # 1, and the contents of the corresponding play list 126 are acquired (step S213). The contents of the playlist 1 26 include one or more playlist elements 126-2 (see FIG. 5) and the like. In the acquisition process of the step S 2 13, such playlist elements are referred to. Acquisition of 1 2 6—2 is performed. .

Subsequently, a pre-command 126 PR (see FIG. 5) included in the playlist 12 26 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. Also, this processing is omitted if the playlist element 1 26-2 constituting the playlist 1 2 6 does not have the pre-command 1 2 6 PR.

Next, based on the item 204 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) specified by the playlist 126 obtained in step S213, the TS object 142 (FIG. (See FIG. 10 and FIG. 10). More specifically, an object information file 130 (see FIG. 3) related to the TS object 142 to be reproduced is acquired based on the item 204, and should be reproduced. Identify the stream number, address, etc. of TS object 142.

In the present embodiment, AU (associate unit) information 1 3 2 1 and PU (presentation unit) information 302 I is 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 S2 17). 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 144 are repeated. returned.

On the other hand, if the next item 204 does not exist in the judgment in step S217 (step S217: No), the post command 1 2 6 corresponding to the playlist 1 2 6 being executed is performed. PS (see Fig. 5) is executed (step S2 18). Note that this processing is omitted unless the playlist element 1262-2 constituting the play list 126 has the post command 126PS.

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 1226 to be reproduced is repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, if the next playlist 1 26 does not exist in the determination in step S 2 19 (step S 2 19: No), that is, the selection of the title 200 in step S 2 11 If the reproduction of all the playlists 1 26 to be reproduced accordingly has been completed, the series of reproduction processing ends.

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

In this embodiment, in particular, 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-14), etc.), a plurality of parental Content information that forms a plurality of blocks, such as a mouthpiece and an angle block, is recorded as a transport stream or the like. Also, for example, in the case of a DVD recorder application (that is, in the case of (i-1), etc.), the content information forming a plurality of programs streamed into the same transmission wave or the same transmission signal is used as a transport stream or the like. Recorded. Or, for the same title, the video playback function required by the information playback system, such as HDTV-compatible content information and normal video-compatible content information, surround-speed power-compatible content information and monaural content information, etc. Various types of content information prepared for each required function, such as video performance) and audio playback function (audio performance), are recorded as a transport stream. At the time of such recording, while recording from the start to the end of the recording as a logical one-thousand title 200, a plurality of playlists 1 2 6 Are recorded. A plurality of playlist sets 1226S each including are stored.

In the present embodiment, particularly, (ii) in the configuration and operation of the reproduction system, the processing of the logical hierarchy in steps S211 to S214 in FIG. In the process of associating the playlist with the object hierarchy, one of the playlists 126 included in each playlist set 126 S specified by the title 200 is described in detail later. And the content information is reproduced in the reproduction sequence defined by the selection. For example, for a DVD recorder application or a DVD-ROM, of a plurality of playlist information included in each playlist set 126S recorded as one title, a desired program, a desired parental block, For the desired content information, such as a desired angle block, a version that can be actually played back by each information playback system when viewed functionally, and a purge type that efficiently or maximizes the functions of each information playback system By selecting the corresponding content, the desired content information can be reproduced as a title 200.

(Selecting a playlist in the playlist set)

Next, referring to FIGS. 20 to 29, in the information recording / reproducing device 500 described above, the playlist set 1 2 included in the playlist information file 120 reproduced. Various specific examples for appropriately selecting a playlist 126 corresponding to desired content information from 6S will be described. The present invention is not limited to these selection methods. For example, it specifies a reproduction sequence of content information closely related to each other, such as a plurality of programs recorded in the same time slot or a parental lock or an angle block. The advantages of the present invention obtained by combining the playlist 1 26 into the playlist set 1 26 S can be appropriately exhibited depending on the contents of the other selection methods. Things.

In the three selection methods described below, in particular, the data configuration of the title element 200-2 described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, and the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500 with reference to FIG. A playlist is selected by a reproduction process based on the title element 200-2.

(First choice method)

First, the first selection method will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 20 schematically shows a logical configuration of data in an example of the title element 200-2 (see FIG. 8) used in the first selection method. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a reproduction operation by one playlist in the first selection method, and FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a selection operation of selecting one of the playlists. It is.

As shown in FIG. 20, the title element 200-2a in the first selection method has a pre-command 200 PR and a pointer 200 0 similarly to the case of the title element 2000-2 shown in FIG. It is configured to include a playlist set 1226S specified by PT, a post command 200PS, and next information 200-6N. In particular, in the title element 200-2a, the pre-command 200 RP includes, in addition to the command, a playlist selection instruction group list in which selection conditions are described separately for each of the playlists 126. It is provided with.

Therefore, as a command processing by the pre-command 200 PR placed at the head of each title element 200-2a, the playlist set 1 26 according to some conditions that can be played back by the system, such as video resolution, etc. It is possible to select one playlist 1 26 from S. As shown in FIG. 21, in the first selection method, when playback by the title element 200-2a is started as part of the title playback, a pre-command is first executed (step S). 1 0 1). Next, the playlist 126 selected by the execution of the pre-command is reproduced (step S102), and then the post command 200 PS is executed. — With reference to 6 N (step S 104), playback by the title element 200 — 2 a is terminated, and playback continues by the next title element 200 — 2 a.

Among such processes, the playlist selection process by the pre-command 200 PR is executed as follows, for example.

That is, in FIG. 22, first, the playlist selection conditions described in the pre-command 200 PR are read out one by one for each playlist (step S111). In parallel with this, selection information is input on the information recording / reproducing device 500 side (step S112). Such selection determination information is, for example, user input information indicating one program in a program group recorded in the same time zone, or user input information indicating selection of a parental lock / angle block. I do. Alternatively, in the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500, system parameters such as reproducible resolution and the number of reproducible channels set according to the function, and setting information indicating a reproducible function set by a user. It may be.

Subsequently, the information obtained in steps S111 and S112 is compared with each other, and the contents of the selection judgment information obtained in step S112 are read out in step S111. It is determined whether the selected playlist selection condition is satisfied (step S113). Here, if they match (Step S113: Yes), the playlist 126 having the matching selection conditions is selected (Step S114), and a series of selection processing ends.

On the other hand, if they do not match (Step S113: No), it is determined whether or not the last selection condition #n described in the pre-command 200PR is satisfied (Step S115). If it is not the last selection requirement #n (Step S115: No), the process returns to Step S111 to read the next playlist selection condition and repeat the subsequent processing. And executed. In the repetition of such processing, if the last selection requirement #n is (step S115: Yes), the selection judgment information from the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500 side is determined by any of the playlists. Therefore, it does not meet the selection conditions. Then, after the predetermined alternative processing is executed (step S116), a series of selection processing ends.

As described above, according to the first selection method, the title element 200-2a is composed of a plurality of playlists 1226 included in the playlist set 1226S according to the pre-command 200PR. Among them, it is possible to select a program corresponding to desired content information, such as a desired program, a desired parental book, a desired angle block, and the like. Alternatively, in consideration of the video reproduction function and the audio reproduction function, it is possible to select a playlist 126 corresponding to the content information that can be reproduced by the information recording / reproducing device 500.

(2nd selection method)

Next, the second selection method will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 23 schematically shows the logical configuration of data in another example of the title element 200-2 (see FIG. 8) used in the second selection method. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a reproduction operation using one playlist in the second selection method, and FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a selection operation for selecting the one playlist. It is.

As shown in FIG. 23, the title element 200-0—2b in the second selection method includes the pre-command 200 PR and the pointer 20 as in the case of the title element 200—2 shown in FIG. 0 Play list set designated by PT 1 26 S, post command 200 PS and next information 200 0-6N.

In the title element 200-2b, attribute information is added to each playlist 126 stored in the playlist set 126S. Here, “attribute information” refers to the content information corresponding to each playlist, the video function, video resolution, progressive / interleave, angle of view, and refreshment. Play what rate is, what the codec is, or whether it is compatible with HDTV or normal This is information indicating the attribute of the content information related to the list. As for the “attribute information” audio function, what is the channel assignment, what is the codec, what is the sampling frequency, what is the sample bit, or whether it is for surround speakers, stereo, or monaural This is information indicating the attribute of the content information related to the playlist indicating the correspondence or the like.

In addition, the title element 200-2b particularly includes a play list set control information including a selectable flag (selectable flag) indicating whether or not a plurality of play lists 1 26 can be selected. 1 2 6 SD—1 is stored.

Therefore, at the time of reproducing the information recording medium, the selection processing can be appropriately executed according to the selector pull flag in the playlist set control information 126 SD-1. If the selector pull flag indicates that selection is possible, for example, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500 compares the system parameter such as the video resolution with the attribute information, and sets the playlist set 12 The optimum playlist 126 for the information recording / reproducing device 500 in 6S can be selected. Alternatively, according to the attribute information added to the playlist 126, the desired program, the desired video resolution, and the desired video resolution among the plurality of playlists 126 included in the playlist set 1'26S are determined. It is possible to control to select a content corresponding to desired content information, such as a parent book or a desired angle block.

For example, in the case where the selectable flag does not indicate that selection is possible, the playlist set control information 1 26 SD-1 specifies the number of the playlist 1 26 that should be uniquely selected. Further holding. Such playlist set control information 1 26 SD-1 is stored for each title element 200-2b. As shown in FIG. 24, in the second selection method, when the playback by the title element 200-2b is started as part of the title playback, first, the playlist is checked whether it is selectable. Is determined by referring to the selector pull flag (step S122). Here, if it is determined that selection is possible (Step S121: Yes), the playlist 126 in the playlist set 126S is selected (Step S123). Next, the pre-command 200 PR included in the playlist set 126 S is executed (step S 124). Next, the selected playlist The reproduction of the list 1256 is performed (step S125), followed by the execution of the post command 200pS (step S126), and further, the next information 200-0-6N Is referred to (step S127), the reproduction by the title element 200-2b is terminated, and the reproduction by the next title element 2000-2b is continued.

On the other hand, if it is not selectable in step S121 (step S122: No), the playlist set control information 1 26 SD-1 holds the playlist 1 2 to be uniquely selected. With reference to the number 6 (step S122), it is assumed that the play list 126 with this number has been selected, and the processing from step S124 is continued. Among such processes, the playlist selection process based on the attribute information of the playlist set control information 126-SD-1 and the playlist 126 is executed, for example, as follows.

That is, in FIG. 25, in the playlist set 1226S, the attribute information added to each playlist 126 is read out one by one for each playlist (step S1311). In parallel with this, selection information is input on the information recording / reproducing device 500 side (step S132). The selection determination information is, for example, user input information indicating one program in a program group recorded in the same time zone, or user input information indicating that parental lock / angle lock is selected. To Alternatively, in the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500, system information such as a reproducible resolution and the number of reproducible channels set according to the function, or setting information indicating a reproducible function set by a user. Is also good.

Subsequently, the information obtained in steps S131 and S132 is compared with each other, and the content of the selection judgment information obtained in step S132 is read out in step S131. It is determined whether or not the attribute matches the attribute of the playlist indicated by the attribute information (step S133). Here, if they match (step S133: Yes), the playlist 126 having the matching attribute is selected (step S1334), and a series of selection processing ends.

On the other hand, if they do not match (step S133: No), it is determined whether or not the playlist is the last playlist 126 in the playlist set 1226S (that is, playlist #m). Is set (step S1 3 5). Here, if it is not the last playlist 126, (Step S135: N0), returning to step S131, the attribute information of the next playlist is read, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

In the repetition of such processing, if it is the last playlist 126 (step S135: Yes), the selection judgment information from the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500 side is any playlist. Will not match the attributes of the Therefore, after a predetermined alternative process is executed (step S136), a series of selection processes ends.

As described above, according to the second selection method, according to the attribute information and the selectable flag, of the plurality of playlists 126 included in the playlist set 126 S, a desired program and a desired Items corresponding to desired content information, such as parental books and desired angle blocks, can be selected. Alternatively, in consideration of the video reproduction function and the audio reproduction function, it is possible to select the playlist 126 corresponding to the content information that can be reproduced by the information recording / reproducing device 500.

(3rd choice method)

Next, the third selection method will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 29. Here, FIG. 26 schematically shows the logical configuration of data in another example of the title element 200-2 (see FIG. 8) used in the third selection method, and FIG. It schematically shows details of the data structure of playlist set control information. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a reproduction operation using one playlist in the third selection method, and FIG. 29 is a chart showing a selection operation for selecting the one playlist.

As shown in FIG. 26, the title element 200—2 c in the third selection method has the pre-command 200 PR and the pointer 2 similarly to the case of the title element 200—2 shown in FIG. 00 It is configured to include a playlist set 1226S specified by PT, a post command 200PS, and next information 200-6N.

The title element 200-2c stores, in particular, playlist set control information 126 SD-2 for storing selection conditions for each playlist. As shown in Fig. 27, the playlist set control information 1 2 6 SD-2 contains, for example, the video resolution required for playback and whether HDTV support is required for playback. F) Selection conditions #l to #m, such as whether a surround speaker system is required during playback and whether stereo is required during playback, are stored in association with playlist numbers # 1 to #m. ing. More specifically, for example, (i) the number of a parameter related to various selection conditions, which is numbered in advance, (ii) what kind of comparison operation is to be performed on this parameter, and (iii) comparison operation Details such as values (threshold values) or numbers of other parameters that are to be compared with each other are stored. Then, a structure in which one playlist 126 can be selected under one or more of these conditions is searched for.

For this reason, according to the playlist set control information 1 2 6 SD-2, by comparing these selection conditions with system parameters set for the functions of the player on the information recording / reproducing device 500 side, etc. One playlist 1 26 can be selected from the playlist set 1 26 S. In the playlist set control information 1 2 6 SD-2, it suffices to describe information such as selection conditions only for the playlist 1 26 used in the playback of the title element 200-2 c. It is.

Therefore, at the time of reproduction of the information recording medium, a plurality of playlists 1 2 6 in each playlist set 1 2 6 S according to the selection conditions described in the playlist set control information 1 2 6 SD-2. Among them, content information that makes full use of the functions of the information recording / reproducing device 500 or information corresponding to desired content information such as a desired program, a desired parental block, or a desired angle block is selected. Control becomes possible.

As shown in FIG. 28, in the third selection method, when the reproduction by the title element 200—2c is started as a part of the title reproduction, first, in the title element 200—2c, The playlist set control information 1 2 6 Referring to the selection condition of SD-2, the playlist 1 26 in the playlist set 1 26 S is selected (step S 14 1). Next, the pre-command 200 PR included in the playlist set 126S is executed (step S144). Next, playback of the selected playlist 1 26 is performed (step S144), followed by execution of a boss command 200 PS (step S144), and further, next information 2PS. 00-6 N force S is referenced (step S 1 4 5), and the corresponding title The birth is terminated and the reproduction continues with the next title element 200-2c.

Among such processes, the playlist selection process based on the selection condition of the playlist set control information 126 SD_2 is executed, for example, as follows.

That is, in FIG. 29, first, the selection conditions of the playlist set control information 12 26 SD-2 are read out one by one for each playlist (step S 15 1). In parallel with this, selection information is input on the information recording / reproducing device 500 side (step S152). Such selection determination information is, for example, user input information indicating one program in a program group recorded in the same time slot, or user input information indicating selection of parental block / angle block. I do. Alternatively, in the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500, system parameters such as reproducible resolution and number of reproducible channels set according to the function, and setting information indicating reproducible function set by a user are used. There may be.

Subsequently, the information acquired in steps S 15 1 and S 15 2 is compared with each other, and the contents of the selection judgment information obtained in step S 15 2 are read out in step S 15 1 It is determined whether the selected playlist selection condition is satisfied (step S153). Here, if they match (Step S153: Yes), the playlists 126 having the matching selection conditions are selected (Step S154), and a series of selection processing ends.

On the other hand, if they do not match (step S153: No), the playlist set control information 1 2 6 is selected according to the last playlist 1 26 in SD-2 (that is, playlist #m). It is determined whether the condition is satisfied (step S155). Here, if it is not the last playlist 1 26 (step S155: No), the process returns to step S151 to read the selection condition for the next playlist 1 26, and Subsequent processing is executed repeatedly.

In the loop of such processing, if it is the last playlist 126 (step S155: Yes :), the selection judgment information from the information recording / reproducing apparatus 500 side is It will not meet the selection conditions for any playlist. Therefore, after the predetermined alternative processing is executed (step S156), a series of selection processing ends.

As described above, according to the third selection method, according to the selection conditions for each playlist. Therefore, among a plurality of playlists 126 included in the playlist set 126 S, it is possible to select one corresponding to desired content information such as a desired program, a desired parental block, or a desired angle block. Become. Alternatively, in consideration of the video reproduction function and the audio reproduction function, it is possible to select a playlist 126 corresponding to the content information that can be reproduced by the information recording / reproducing device 500.

(Access flow during playback)

Next, referring to FIG. 30, an information recording / reproducing apparatus using AU (association unit) information 132 and PU (presentation unit) information 302, which is one of the features of the present embodiment. The access flow at the time of reproduction in 500 will be described together with the logical structure of the optical disk 100. Here, FIG. 30 conceptually shows the entire access flow at the time of reproduction in relation to the logical structure of the optical disc 100.

In FIG. 30, the logical structure of the optical disc 100 is composed of three layers: a logical layer 401, an object layer 403, and a logical-object associating layer 402 that associates these two layers with each other. It is roughly divided into.

Among them, the logical layer 401 is a layer that logically specifies various kinds of logical information for reproducing a desired title at the time of reproduction, a play list (P list) to be reproduced, and its configuration contents. It is. In the logical hierarchy 410, disk information 110d indicating all titles 2000 on the optical disk 100 is described in a disk information file 110 (see FIG. 3). Further, reproduction sequence information 120d of all contents on the optical disc 100 is described in the playlist information file 120 (see FIG. 3). More specifically, as the reproduction sequence information 1 2 0 d, one or more of each relative Thai Tonoree Remento ² 0 0 ² included in each title 2 0 0 s, -. Or a plurality of play list It describes the configuration of Tset 126 S. Further, each playlist set 1 26 S includes one or more playlists 126, and each playlist 126 includes one or more items 204 (see FIG. 13). ) Is described. Then, at the time of access at the time of reproduction, the title 200 to be reproduced is specified by the logical hierarchy 401, the play list 126 corresponding to the title 200 is specified, and furthermore, the corresponding play list 126 is specified. Item 2 0 4 to be specified. Subsequently, the logical-object-association layer 402 specifies the combination and configuration of the TS object data 144 d that is the entity data based on the information specified in the logical layer 401 as described above. At the same time, in order to perform the address conversion from the logical hierarchy 401 to the object hierarchy 403, the hierarchy that specifies the attribute of the TS object data 140d to be reproduced and the physical storage address thereof is specified. is there. More specifically, in the logical object association hierarchy 4002, a block of contents constituting each item 204 is classified into units of AU132, and each AU132 is referred to as PU302. Object information data 130d, which is subdivided into units of 2, is described in the object information file 130 (see Fig. 3).

Here, “PU (presentation unit) 302” is a unit in which a plurality of elementary streams are associated with each other in units of playback switching. If there are three audio streams in this PU302, the user can freely switch between the three audio streams (for example, language-specific audio) while playing this vision. Become.

On the other hand, the “AU (association unit) 1 32” is a unit in which a plurality of elementary lease streams such as video streams in a TS object used in one title are collected. It consists of a set of PUs 302. More specifically, it is a unit in which the elementary stream bucket ID (ES-PID) is indirectly arranged for each TS object via PU302. The AU1332 corresponds to a set of a plurality of programs or a plurality of programs having a specific relationship with each other in consideration of content, such as a plurality of programs or a plurality of programs which can be switched mutually in a multi-source broadcast. I have. The PU 302 belonging to the same AU 132 is a part of one or a plurality of elementary streams constituting a plurality of programs or a plurality of programs which can be switched mutually by a user operation during reproduction. It corresponds to a set.

Therefore, if the AUs 132 to be reproduced are specified and the PUs 302 belonging to them are specified, the elementary stream to be reproduced is specified. That is, even without using the PAT or PMT shown in FIG. 12, a desired elementary ^ "stream can be reproduced from the multiplex-recorded data from the optical disc 100. The more specific data structures of the AU information 1321 and the PU information 302I, which define the AU 132 and the PU 302, respectively, will be described later in detail. The elementary stream actually reproduced here is specified or specified from the PU information 302 by the ES-PID which is the packet ID of the elementary stream (see FIG. 12). At the same time, the content in the specific area (or specific time range) of the specific elementary stream is reproduced by being converted into information S indicating the start time and end time of the reproduction and the address information of the elementary stream. Will be.

In this manner, in the logical-object association hierarchy 402, the address conversion from the logical address related to each item 204 to the physical address related to each PU 302 is executed.

Subsequently, the object layer 4003 is a physical layer for reproducing the actual TS object data 140d. In the object hierarchy 403, the TS object data 140d is described in the object data file 140d (see FIG. 3). More specifically, TS buckets 146 constituting a plurality of elementary streams (ES) are multiplexed for each time, and these are arranged along a time axis, so that a plurality of TS buckets are arranged. An elementary lease stream is configured (see Fig. 11). Then, the plurality of TS packets multiplexed at each time are associated with the PU 302 specified by the logical-object association hierarchy 402 for each elementary stream. In addition, associating a plurality of PUs 302 with one elementary stream (for example, an elementary stream related to the same audio data between a plurality of switchable programs or a plurality of programs) Can be used in common, or the elementary stream related to the same subpicture data can be used in common).

As described above, in the object hierarchy 403, the actual object data is reproduced by using the physical address obtained by the conversion in the logical-to-object association hierarchy 402.

As described above, the access to the optical disc 100 at the time of reproduction is executed by the three hierarchies shown in FIG. (Structure of each information file)

Next, with reference to FIGS. 31 to 38, various information files constructed on the optical disk 100 of this embodiment, that is, the (1) disk information file 110 described with reference to FIG. Specific examples of the data structure in the playlist information file 120 and (2) the object information file 130 will be described.

(1) Disc information file and playlist information file:

With reference to FIG. 31 to FIG. 37, each component in a specific example of these files and the hierarchical structure between the components will be described. Here, FIG. 31 to FIG. 37 are conceptual diagrams schematically showing the hierarchical structure of these files. In FIGS. 31 to 37, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those already described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9 and the like, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate. I do. First, as shown in FIG. 31, the “Title information set” according to this specific example includes information including the disc information file 110 and the playlist information file 120 shown in FIG. 3 and the like. It is a set.

The title information set includes a disc header 1 1 2 x, a plurality of title information 200 (title information # 1,..., #N), and a plurality of play (P) list sets 1. 26 S (P list set # 1,..., #N) and other information.

(1-1) Disc header:

First, of the title information set shown in FIG. 31, the disc header 112 x will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32.

In FIG. 31, the disk header 1 1 2 X is shown in a form branched off to the upper right in the figure, and the disk header information 1 12 X shown in FIG. The corresponding information includes a plurality of fields for various information such as a purge ion number, a total title, a total title information, and a total number of play (P) list sets. The disc header 1 12 X has a title start address table as an information table corresponding to the title pointer 1 114 1 shown in FIG. 3, and the play shown in FIG. As a table for information corresponding to the list set pointers 124, a play (P) list set start address table is provided. The disc header 1 1 2 X includes a field for information indicating a title set attribute indicating the attribute of each title set. Have. Further, the disc header 112X has a title table 112Xtt and a play list set table 112Xpt.

The disk header 111X having a plurality of fields and a plurality of tables as described above is for comprehensively managing a plurality of titles in the entire recording area on the disk.

Here, the “version number” is a version number in the relevant standard, and is, for example, a code “0700” according to ISO 6446. "Total number of titles" is the total number of titles in the entire recording area on the disk, and "Total title information" is the total number of title information in the entire recording area on the disk. “Total playlist set” is the total number of playlist sets in the entire recording area on the disc, and “Title start address table” is the byte number relative to the beginning of the title set. Indicates the starting address of each title. This byte number is counted from 0, for example. The “playlist set start address table” indicates the start address of each playlist set as a byte number relative to the head of the title set. This byte number is counted from 0, for example. “Titleset attribute” indicates attributes of the titleset, such as the data length of the titleset, the type of character used in the titleset (Japanese, English, etc.), the titleset name, and the like.

In FIG. 32, the title table 1 12 X tt is shown in a form that branches to the upper right in the figure, and a plurality of title menu start address information # in order from the top in the figure. 1,..., #N and a plurality of title content start address information # 1,..., #N are provided with a plurality of fields for recording in a paired format by number.

Here, “Title menu start address” indicates the start address of the title information including each title menu as a relative byte number from the head of the title set. This byte number is counted from 0, for example. The title menu start address "0" is assigned to the disc menu, which is a menu for the entire disc. "Title content start address J indicates the start address of the title information including each content title as a byte number relative to the beginning of the title set. Here, the" content title " , A title indicating the content of each title. This bit number is counted from 0, for example. The title content start address "0" is harmed, for example, to the first play title that is unconditionally played in the early stage of the title playback.

In FIG. 32, the playlist set table 1 1 2 xpt is shown in a branched form at the lower right in the figure, and a plurality of play (P) list set start addresses # 1,... , #M to record multiple fields.

Here, the “playlist set start address” indicates the start address of each playlist set as a relative byte number from the head of the title set. This byte number is counted from 0, for example.

(1-2) Title information:

Next, the title information 200 of the title information set shown in FIG. 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 and 33.

In FIG. 31, the title information 200 is shown as branching to the middle right in the figure, and the title information 200 shown in FIG. Information indicating the total number of title elements corresponding to 1 2 0 0-1 Contains a field for recording X, and a plurality of title elements 200-2 (Title element # 1, ···, # k) and other information 200 0-5 Has multiple fields for recording.

Here, the “total number of title elements” indicates the total number of title elements included in the title information.

In FIG. 33, each title element 200-2 is shown as a branch to the right in the figure, and a pointer in which a "playlist set number" is described in order from the top in the figure. 2,000 PT, total number of candidates, one or more applicable play (P) P-list identification information describing the list number (ie, P-list # 1, '..., #k) 2 Record OOPN To have multiple fields. Further, a plurality of fields for recording a P list pre-command 200 PR, a P list post command 200 PS, and next information 200 0-6 N indicating a title element to be reproduced next. Having. The other information in the title element 200-2 is, for example, information on each title element such as the type of a title such as a sequential type or a branch type. Here, “pointer 200 PT in which the playlist set number is described” is a pointer indicating the ID (identification) number of the playlist set. “Total number of candidates” indicates the total number of play lists that can be selected as title selection candidates in the playlist set specified by the pointer 200 PT. “P list identification information 200 PN” indicates an ID (identification) number of one or more playlists that can be selected as such. By providing such P-list identification information 200 PN, it is possible to include a playlist as a selection candidate for playing different titles in one playlist list, and to provide one playlist. It is possible to use the tset with different title elements. On the other hand, the “P list pre-command 200 PRJ”, ΓP list post command 200 PSJ, “next information 200-6N”, etc. are as described above.

(1-3) Playlist set:

Next, among the title information sets shown in FIG. 31, the playlist set 126S will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 and 34 to 37. FIG.

In FIG. 31, the playlist set 1 26 S is shown in a form branched off to the lower right in the figure, and the playlist set comprehensive information 1 shown in FIG. 2 Information corresponding to 6-1 includes the total number of play (P) lists and multiple playlists (PL) presentations (PL presentations # 1, ..., #i). 2 6—1 Has a field for recording X. In addition, the play list set 1 26 S contains multiple play (P) lists 1 26 (that is, P lists # 1,..., # I), and item definition tables 1 26 6 3 It has multiple fields for recording 1 2 6-4 as well as other information.

Here, the “total number of playlists” indicates the total number of playlists in the playlist list. PL presentations # 1, ···, #i are attribute information corresponding to the PL lists # 1, · 'ヽ #i, respectively, and correspond to the attribute information shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 34, each PL presentation 1 26—lxi is shown as branching to the upper right in the same figure, and in order from the top in the same figure, the video codec, the video resolution, and the video It has multiple fields for recording information indicating the aspect ratio, video frame rate, audio channel assignment, and the like. Here, “video codec j is used when recording video information related to the playlist set, and thus indicates the type of video codec to be used during playback.“ Video resolution ”is the main video set among the playlist set. Indicates the video resolution used when recording the video information for the play list corresponding to the path (that is, the video stream providing the main video). The “video aspect ratio” indicates a video aspect ratio used when recording video information relating to a playlist corresponding to the main path in the playlist set. “Video frame rate” indicates the video frame rate used when recording video information related to the playlist corresponding to the main path in the playlist set. “Audio channel assignment” indicates the assignment of the audio channel used at the time of recording the audio information of the playlist corresponding to the main path in the playlist set.

In FIG. 34, each playlist 1226 is shown as branching to the middle right in the figure, and the data length of the playlist 1226 is shown in order from the top in the figure. It has a plurality of fields for recording information, a playlist header, a plurality of playlist elements 1 26-2 (ie, P list elements #l, '.', #I) and the like.

Here, the “length” of the playlist indicates the length of the next playlist in bytes. This indicates the length of the data, not including the Length field itself. “Playlist header” indicates information such as the total number of playlist elements included in the playlist, the playback time of the playlist, and the name of the playlist.

Further, in FIG. 35, each playlist element 1 26 6-2 is shown to be branched to the right in the same figure, and the items for the master play (P) item are shown in order from the top in the same figure. Number pointer 1 26 PT, total number of sub-paths, multiple sub-path information 1 2 6—2 sub (that is, sub-path information # 1,..., #K), next information 1 2 6—6N, Pre-commands for play (P) items 1 26 PR, post commands for play (P) items 1 26 PS and other information 1 2 6-6 Multiple records for recording etc.

Here, “Pointer 1 26 PT”, “Pre command 1 26 PR” and “Post command 1 26 PS j” are as described above. Indicates the total number of sub-paths present in the play list element. "Next information 126-6N" indicates the playlist element to be played next.

Further, in FIG. 36, each of the sub-path information 1 26-2 sub is shown in the form of branching to the right toward the center in the same figure. (P) Total number of items, and multiple slave plays. (P) Item information 1 2 6—Has multiple fields for recording sub PT (ie, Slave P item information 1,..., # K).

Here, the “sub path type” indicates what kind of display is performed by the sub path such as various menu displays. “Total number of slave P items” indicates the total number of slave play items in the sub-pass.

Each slave play (P) item information 1 2 6—sub PT is shown in the figure as branching from the center to the right end. In the figure, the slave play (P) It has multiple fields for recording the item number and the master play (P) item start PTS.

Here, “Slave P item number” indicates the ID (identification) number of the play item in the sub path. “Start PTS (Presentation Time Stamp) of Master Play Item” indicates the playback time of the slave item on the playback time axis of the master play item.

On the other hand, in FIG. 34, the item definition table 1 2 6—3 is shown as branching to the lower right in the figure, and the total number of play (P) items is shown in order from the top in the figure. , A plurality of play (P) items 204 (i.e., P items # 1, .., #n) and the like.

Here, the “total number of play items” indicates the total number of items 204 in the item definition table.

In FIG. 37, each item 204 is shown as branching to the upper right side toward the center in the figure, and in order from the top in the figure, the play (P) item type and the stream object play. (P) Item 2 It has multiple fields for recording 04-stream etc.

Here, “play (P) item type” indicates the type of the play item. For example, if the item is for a video stream object, the code is "0 Oh". If the item is for a still image object, the code is "1 Oh". For items for objects for various menus, the code is "20h".

In addition, the stream object play (P) item 204-stream is shown as branching from the center to the right end in the figure, and the order of each play item is shown in order from the top in the figure. , ES (Elementary lease stream) index number, IN time (IN point), OUT time (OU point) and other information.

Here, the “ES index number” indicates the ID (identification) number and type of the elementary stream to which the IN time and the OUT time are applied. The “IN time (IN point)” and “OUT time (OUT point)” are as described above. For example, the playback time and the playback time of the item are based on a 90 kHz time base. End time is described.

Note that in FIG. 37, the item definition table 1 2 6—3 indicates that the item 204 for a still image object is replaced with the item 204 for a still image object instead of the item 204 for a stream object. May be included. In this case, item 204-still has information indicating the type of play item, a still image object play (P) item, and the like.

Each data amount in the title information set described above may be a fixed byte or a variable byte. Further, each field may have a structure in which a required number of tables can be added.

(2) Object information file:

Next, with reference to FIG. 38, the object information file 130 will be described in detail using a specific example. Here, Fig. 38 shows the AU (associate unit) table 13 1 (see Fig. 3) constructed in the object information file 130 and the ES (elementary stream) map table associated therewith. FIG. 13 schematically shows a specific example of the data configuration in 1 3 4 (see FIG. 3).

In this specific example, as shown in FIG. 38, the object information file 130 contains The object information table (object information table) is stored. The object information table includes an AU table 1331 shown in the upper part of the figure and an ES map table 134 shown in the lower part.

In the upper part of FIG. 38, the AU table 13 1 may have a structure capable of adding as many tables as necessary for each field (Fie 1 d). For example, if there are four AUs, the structure may be such that the corresponding field is increased to four.

The AU table 13 1 stores “AU table general information” in which the number of AUs, a pointer to each AU, and the like are described in another field (Fie 1 d), and “other information J”. I have.

The AU table 13 1 contains AU information 13 2 I indicating ES table index #m (ES—table index #m) in each PU #m corresponding to each AU #n. The index number (Index number = '···) of the corresponding ES map table 134 is described. Here, "AU" is a unit corresponding to a "program" in a television broadcast as described above (particularly, in the case of a "multi-vision" broadcast, a plurality of switchable "visions"). Is a unit), and contains at least one PU as a playback unit. Further, “PU” is a set of mutually switchable elementary stream included in each AU as described above, and the ES table index # corresponding to each PU is specified by PU information 302 I. Have been. For example, when configuring a multi-view content with an AU, a plurality of PUs are stored in the AU, and in each PU, a plurality of elementers indicating packets constituting the content of each view are stored. Contains a pointer to the lease stream packet ID. This indicates an index number in the ES map-table 134 described later.

In the lower part of Fig. 38, the ES map table 134 includes ES map table general information (ES—maptab 1 e general information) and a plurality of indexes #m (m = 1, m) for each field (Fie 1 d). 2, ...) and "other information" are stored.

The “ES map table comprehensive information” describes the size of the ES map table, the total number of indexes, and the like. The “index #m” indicates the elementary lease stream packet ID (ES-PID) of all the elementary lease streams used for playback, the corresponding index number, and the address information of the elementary stream. It is comprised including.

In the present embodiment, for example, as this address information, that is, ES address information 134d, when the elementary stream is an MPEG-2 video stream as described above, the start of the I picture Only the TS packet number and the corresponding display time are described in the ES map table 134, and the data amount is reduced.

With such a configuration, the elementary stream packet ID (ES—PID) of the actual elementary stream can be obtained from the index number of the ES map 134 specified from the AU table 133. Can be acquired. In addition, since address information of the elementary stream stream corresponding to the elementary stream stream packet ID can be obtained at the same time, it is possible to reproduce the object data based on the information.

According to the data structure of the optical disc 100 described above, even if a new title is added to the optical disc 100, it is useful because necessary information can be easily added. Conversely, even if certain information becomes unnecessary as a result of, for example, editing, it is only necessary to refer to that information, and it is not necessary to actually delete that information from the table. It is useful.

In FIG. 38, the ES—PID that is not referenced from the upper AU table 13 1 is also described for each index of the lower ES map table 13 4, but the ES_PID that is not referenced is Need not be described this way. However, if ES-PIDs that are not referred to in this way are also described, creating a more versatile ES map table 13 4 will allow you to re-edit the content, for example, when re-authoring. This has the advantage that there is no need to rebuild the ES map table.

Here, the reproduction order of various files and the like when reproducing the optical disc 100 having the data structure as in the specific example described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 38 will be added. I can.

First, of the title information set shown in Fig. 31, the disc header 1 12 X force S is reproduced. As a part of this, the title table 1 12 Xtt shown in Fig. 32 is played, and the title menu start address or title content start address is acquired.

Next, the reproduction of the title information 200 shown in FIG. 31 is started according to the acquired address information. More specifically, the title element 200-2 shown in FIG. 33 is reproduced, and the playlist set number is obtained. Further, pointers 200 PT to playlists # 1 to #k are obtained. Note that by adopting a configuration in which the playlist 1 26 is specified by the pointer 200 PT, a plurality of playlists in the playlist set set により previously specified by the playback of the title element 200 0-2 can be used. Can be shared among multiple titles.

Next, the playlist set table 112 Xpt shown in FIG. 32 is reproduced, and the playlist set start address is obtained. Based on this, the reproduction of the play list set 1226S shown in FIG. 34 is started, and first, the PL presentation 1226-1Xi is reproduced.

Next, a comparison is made between the PL presentation 126-lxi, which is an example of the required function information, and the playback function (ie, video performance, audio performance, etc.) of the information playback system that is playing the optical disc 100. As a result, an optimal playlist 126 is selected from the playlist set 126 S shown in FIG. 34.

Next, playback of the selected playlist 126 is performed. More specifically, the reproduction of the playlist element 1 26-2 shown in FIG. 35 is performed. At this time, first, the pre-command 1 26 PR is executed, and subsequently, the master P-item number shown in FIG. 36 is obtained, and the corresponding item definition table shown in FIG. 37 is referred to. Item 204 is played. The playback of this item 204 is actually performed by playing the corresponding TS object according to the ES index number, IN time, and OUT time obtained by playing the stream object P item 204 -stream. (See Figure 38). Then, as shown in Figure 35 The post command 1 26 PS is executed, and the playlist element to be reproduced next is specified according to the next information 126 6-6N, and the reproduction is repeated in the same manner. Done.

As described above in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 38, according to the present embodiment, a large amount of content information including, for example, a plurality of programs or a plurality of parental blocks / angle blocks, etc. This makes it possible to record efficiently as one title, and it is also possible to select and reproduce desired programs among those programs relatively easily.

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

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within the scope not contrary to the gist or idea of the invention, which can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and information accompanied by such changes A recording medium, an information recording device and method, an information reproducing device and method, an information recording and reproducing device and method, a computer program for recording or reproducing control, and a data structure including a control signal are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. That is. 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 content information,

A plurality of playlist sets each including a plurality of playlist information defining a reproduction sequence of the plurality of content information;

(A) At least one playlist set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced is divided into the plurality of pieces of content information so that the plurality of pieces of content information are logically reproduced as a title which is an information unit. First playlist information specified from the playlist set and (b) identification information for identifying the playlist information to be a selection candidate in the playlist set specified by the first pointer information. Including title information and

An information recording medium on which is recorded.

2. The title information includes at least one title element,

The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the title element includes the first pointer information and the identification information.

3. The title element executes, in addition to the first pointer information, (i) before playback of content information in which a playback sequence is specified by one playlist set specified by the first pointer information. First pre-command information indicating a command to be executed, (ii) first boost command information indicating a command to be executed after reproducing the content information whose reproduction sequence is defined by the one playlist set, andぴ (iii) at least one of the first next information specifying the title element to be played next to the playback of the title element, the title information including at least one of the first next information. Information recording medium.

4. The title element according to claim 2, wherein the title element further includes selection condition information indicating a selection condition for each of a plurality of playlist information included in the same playlist set. Information recording medium.

5. The plurality of playlist information included in the same playlist set specifies a reproduction sequence of a plurality of pieces of content information that can constitute the same title by any one of the plurality of playlist information. The information recording medium according to claim 4.

6. Each of the playlist information includes at least one playlist element,

The playlist element according to claim 1, wherein the playlist element includes second pointer information that specifies a recording position of item information that is a playback unit that constitutes the content information and is a logically accessible playback unit. Information recording medium as described.

7. The playlist element indicates, in addition to the second pointer information, (i) a play command to be executed before the reproduction of one item information whose recording position is specified by the second pointer information. Second pre-command information, (ii) second post command information indicating a command to be executed after the reproduction of the one item information, and (iii) play relating to the reproduction next to the reproduction relating to the play list element. 7. The information recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the information recording medium includes at least one of the second next information specifying a list element.

8. Each of the plurality of playlist sets includes, in addition to the plurality of playlist information, an item definition table that defines the item information that constitutes the content information and is a logically accessible playback unit. Including

2. The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of playlist information defines a reproduction sequence of the content information in a unit of the item information.

9. The item information according to claim 6, wherein the item information is information that defines a reproduction start address of the content information as the point information and a reproduction end address as the point information. Information recording medium as described.

10. A whole stream including a plurality of partial streams composed of the plurality of pieces of content information is a packet that is a physically accessible unit and stores a fragment of the plurality of pieces of content information, respectively. Multiplexed in units,

As the playback control information for controlling the playback of the plurality of pieces of content information, it is further noted that the correspondence definition information defining the correspondence between the plurality of multiplexed buckets and the plurality of partial streams is further recorded. An information recording medium according to claim 1, characterized by the features.

1 1. First recording means for recording a plurality of pieces of content information;

Second recording means for recording a plurality of playlist sets each including a plurality of playlist information defining a reproduction sequence of the plurality of content information;

(A) At least one playlist set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced is divided into the plurality of pieces of content information so that the plurality of pieces of content information are logically reproduced as a title which is an information unit. Title information including first pointer information specified from the playlist set and (b) identification information for identifying the playlist information to be a selection candidate in the playlist set specified by the first pointer information. Third recording means for recording information

An information recording device comprising:

1 2. A first recording step of recording a plurality of pieces of content information,

A second recording step of recording a plurality of playlist sets each including a plurality of playlist information defining a reproduction sequence of the plurality of content information;

(A) At least one playlist set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced is divided into the plurality of pieces of content information so that the plurality of pieces of content information are logically reproduced as a title which is an information unit. The playlist information includes first pointer information specified from the playlist set and (b) identification information for identifying the playlist information to be selected in the playlist set specified by the first pointer information. A third recording process for recording title information An information recording method comprising:

13.An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the reproducing means is capable of reproducing the plurality of content information, the plurality of playlist sets, and the title information. ,

(i) selecting at least one of a plurality of playlist sets reproduced by the reproducing means specified by the first pointer information included in the title information reproduced by the reproducing means; (Ii) identifying, based on the identification information, playlist information that is a selection candidate from among a plurality of playlist information included in the selected playlist set, and (iii) identifying the identified playlist information. The one or more playlist information that defines the playback sequence of the content information to be played back in the playlist information as a selection indicator is used to play back the plurality of pieces of content information in a defined playback sequence. Control means for controlling the reproduction means;

An information reproducing apparatus comprising:

14.An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information recording medium according to claim 4, wherein the reproducing means is capable of reproducing the plurality of content information, the plurality of playlist sets, and the title information. ,

(i) selecting at least one of a plurality of playlist sets reproduced by the reproducing means specified by the first pointer information included in the title information reproduced by the reproducing means; (Ii) identifying, based on the identification information, playlist information to be selected from among a plurality of playlist information included in the selected playlist list set, and (iii) identifying the identified playlist information. The plurality of pieces of content information are reproduced in a specified reproduction sequence by one play list information that specifies a reproduction sequence of the content information to be reproduced in the playlist information as the selection candidate. Control means for controlling the reproduction means;

With

The control means selects the one piece of playlist information from among the plurality of pieces of playlist information as the identified selection candidates based on the selection condition information. An information reproducing apparatus characterized by the following.

15. An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information recording medium according to claim 1, comprising: a reproducing unit capable of reproducing the plurality of pieces of content information, the plurality of playlist sets, and the title information. An information reproducing method,

A first control step of selecting at least one of a plurality of playlist sets reproduced by the reproducing means specified by the first button information included in the title information reproduced by the reproducing means; When,

A second control step of identifying, based on the identification information, playlist information to be selected from among a plurality of playlist information included in the selected playlist set,

According to one playlist information that defines a playback sequence of the content information to be played back in the playlist information as the identified selection information, the plurality of pieces of content information are defined in a defined playback sequence. A third control step of controlling said reproducing means so as to reproduce

An information reproducing method, comprising:

1 6. A first recording means for recording a plurality of pieces of content information,

(A) At least one playlist set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced is divided into the plurality of pieces of content information so that the plurality of pieces of content information are logically reproduced as a title which is an information unit. A title including first pointer information specified from the playlist set and (b) identification information for identifying the playlist information to be selected in the playlist set specified by the first pointer information. A third recording means for recording information;

Playback means capable of playing back the plurality of pieces of content information, the plurality of playlist sets and the title information,

(i) from among a plurality of playlist sets reproduced by the reproducing means, Selecting at least one specified by the first pointer information included in the title information reproduced by the live means, and (ii) selecting a plurality of playlist information included in the selected playlist set. The playlist information as a selection candidate from among them is identified based on the identification information, and (iii) a reproduction sequence of the content information to be reproduced in the playlist information as the identified selection candidate is defined. Control means for controlling the reproduction means so as to reproduce the plurality of pieces of content information in a reproduction sequence defined by one piece of play list information;

An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising:

17. An information recording / reproducing method for an information recording / reproducing apparatus including a reproducing means capable of reproducing a plurality of pieces of content information, a plurality of playlist sets, and title information, wherein a first method for recording a plurality of pieces of content information is provided. A recording process;

(A) At least one playlist set corresponding to the content information to be reproduced is divided into the plurality of playlists so that the plurality of content information is logically reproduced as a title which is a unit of information. (B) title information including identification information for identifying the playlist information to be a selection candidate in the playlist set specified by the first pointer information. A third recording step of recording

A first control step of selecting at least one of a plurality of playlist sets reproduced by the reproducing means specified by the first pointer information included in the title information reproduced by the reproducing means; When,

A second control step of identifying, based on the identification information, playlist information to be selected from among a plurality of playlist information included in the selected playlist list set;

The plurality of pieces of content information are reproduced in a specified reproduction sequence by one playlist information which specifies a reproduction sequence of the content information to be reproduced in the playlist information as the selected selection target. So play A third control step to control the means

An information recording / reproducing method, comprising:

18. A recording control computer program for controlling a computer provided in the information recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the computer is a computer-readable storage medium storing the first recording unit and the second recording unit. And a computer program for recording control, which functions as at least a part of the third recording means.

19. A reproduction control computer program for controlling a computer provided in the information reproducing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the computer comprises at least one of the reproducing unit and the control unit. A computer program for reproduction control characterized by functioning as a unit.

20. A reproduction control computer program for controlling a computer provided in the information reproducing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the computer comprises at least one of the reproduction unit and the control unit. A computer program for reproduction control characterized by functioning as a unit.

21. A computer program for recording / reproducing control for controlling a computer provided in the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the computer is the first recording means, the second recording. A computer program for recording / reproduction control, wherein the computer program causes the computer to function as at least a part of the means, the third recording means, the reproduction means and the control means.

2 2. Multiple content information and

(A) At least one content information corresponding to the content information to be reproduced is reproduced so that the plurality of content information is reproduced as a title which is a logical unit of information. First playlist information specifying one playlist set from the plurality of playlist sets; and (b) identifying the playlist information that is a selection candidate in the playlist set specified by the first playlist information. Title information including identifying information

A data structure including a control signal, comprising: