WO2007114023A1

WO2007114023A1 - Information recording device and information recording method

Info

Publication number: WO2007114023A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/055235
Authority: WO
Inventors: Koichiro Kakutani; Naotaka Fukushima
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation
Priority date: 2006-03-30
Filing date: 2007-03-15
Publication date: 2007-10-11

Abstract

A information recording device separates character data from digital broadcasting data received from a television broadcasting station, converts the character data to bit map data, compresses the bit map data by means of a run-length method to generate sub-picture data, and records the sub-picture data on a DVD.

Description

Specification

Information recording apparatus and information recording method

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information recording apparatus for recording digital broadcast data transmitted from a digital television broadcast station, for example, in an information recording medium in digital television broadcasting (hereinafter referred to as "digital broadcasting" t). And an information recording method.

Background art

[0002] Currently, digital broadcasting is spreading. Digital broadcasting includes terrestrial digital broadcasting, B¾ (Broadcasting satellite broadcast) and CS (communication Satellite) broadcast.

[0003] In digital broadcasting, video data and audio data are each transmitted as digital data. Furthermore, character data can be transmitted in digital broadcasting. For example, in digital broadcasting, it is possible to transmit character data related to subtitles, character supervision, and electronic program guide (EPG).

[0004] Currently, DVD recorders are widely used. DVD recorders can convert video and audio data transmitted by digital broadcasting into a data format that conforms to the DVD standard and record them on a DVD. With the spread of digital broadcasting, DVD recorders with built-in tuners for receiving digital broadcasts are beginning to appear on the market. Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] By the way, DVD recorders that are widely used at present cannot record character data transmitted over digital broadcasting on a DVD. One reason for this is that the data format of character data in digital broadcasting is different from the data format that can be recorded on a DVD.

That is, character data in digital broadcasting is, for example, an 8-unit code character code. In contrast, visual data that can be recorded on a DVD is MPEG video data and sub-picture data. Sub-picture data is bitmap data. The data is run-length compressed data. Due to the difference in data format, character data transmitted through digital broadcasting cannot be directly recorded on a DVD.

[0007] Even if character data transmitted through digital broadcasting cannot be directly recorded on a DVD, the characters corresponding to the character data are imaged, and the image data of the imaged characters is recorded on the DVD. It is possible to record.

[0008] The following method is known as one method of recording image data of imaged characters on a DVD.

[0009] That is, the image data of the imaged characters is synthesized with the image data transmitted in the digital broadcast, thereby creating synthesized video data in which the video and the characters overlap. Then, the synthesized video data is converted into MPEG video data and recorded in DVD.

However, according to this method, the following problem occurs.

[0011] Since video and text are superimposed to create composite video data, character display cannot be turned on or off when video data corresponding to the composite video is played. For example, subtitles cannot be turned on or off.

[0012] In general, characters such as subtitles and character superimposes are displayed small on a part of the screen. For this reason, when the data rate (bit rate) in MPEG video data is low, and therefore the resolution of video is low, the resolution of characters is also lowered accordingly. As a result, characters may become unclear.

[0013] In addition, since video and characters are superimposed to create composite video data, a portion of the video corresponding to the area used for displaying characters is lost. However, once the composite video data has been created, some of the lost video can no longer be recovered. As a result, the video is degraded.

[0014] In addition, when a plurality of types of character data of different languages such as Japanese and English are transmitted in digital broadcasting, there is usually only one type of character that can be superimposed on the video. For this reason, it is impossible to record multiple types of characters in different languages on a DVD. For example, after completing the composite video data by superimposing Japanese subtitle characters on the video, And Japanese subtitles cannot be switched to English subtitles!

[0015] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a first object of the present invention is to display characters corresponding to character data transmitted in digital broadcasting during playback. An object is to provide an information recording apparatus, an information recording method, and a computer program that can be recorded on a DVD or other similar information recording medium so as to enable on-off.

[0016] A second problem of the present invention is that information recording can be recorded on a DVD or other similar information recording medium so that characters corresponding to character data transmitted in digital broadcasting can be clearly displayed during reproduction. An object is to provide an apparatus, an information recording method, and a computer program.

A third problem of the present invention is an information recording apparatus capable of recording characters corresponding to character data transmitted in digital broadcasting on a DVD or other similar information recording medium without degrading the video. , To provide information recording methods and computer programs.

[0018] A fourth problem of the present invention is an information recording apparatus capable of recording characters in a plurality of languages corresponding to character data in a plurality of languages transmitted in digital broadcasting on a DVD or other similar information recording medium, It is to provide an information recording method and a computer program.

Means for solving the problem

In order to solve the above problems, an information recording apparatus according to the present invention converts digital broadcast data obtained by multiplexing first video data or first audio data and character data that is digital data into digital broadcast data. Separation means for separating the character data from the digital broadcast data obtained from the supply source, conversion means for converting the character data separated by the separation means into bitmap data, and the conversion means The converted bitmap data is compressed by a run-length compression method, thereby generating sub-picture data, sub-picture data generated by the sub-picture data generating means, and the first video Convert the second video data or the first audio data obtained by converting the data Second obtained by Data stream generating means for multiplexing audio data and thereby generating a data stream, and recording means for recording the data stream generated by the data stream generating means on an information recording medium are provided.

[0020] In order to solve the above problems, the information recording method of the present invention provides digital broadcast data obtained by multiplexing digital broadcast data in which first video data or first audio data and character data that is digital data are multiplexed. A separation step of separating the character data from the acquired digital broadcast data, a conversion step of converting the character data separated in the separation step into bitmap data, and the conversion The bitmap data converted in the process is compressed by a run-length compression method, thereby generating sub-picture data, the sub-picture data generated in the sub-picture data generating process, and the first picture The second video data or the first audio data obtained by converting the video data The second audio data obtained by the conversion is multiplexed, whereby a data stream generating step for generating a data stream, and the data stream generated in the data stream generating step are recorded on an information recording medium Recording process.

[0021] In order to solve the above problems, the computer program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the information recording method of the present invention.

[0022] In order to solve the above problems, a computer program product in a computer-readable medium clearly embodies program instructions executable by a computer, and the information recording method of the present invention is applied to the computer. Let it run.

[0023] According to the computer program product of the present invention, the computer program product is read into a computer from a recording medium such as a ROM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or hard disk storing the computer program product, or For example, if the computer program product, which is a transmission wave, is downloaded to a computer via communication means, the information recording method of the present invention described above can be implemented relatively easily. More specifically, the computer program product may be composed of computer-readable code (or computer-readable instructions) for executing the above-described information recording method of the present invention. [0024] These effects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the embodiments described below.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a DVD recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of digital broadcast data.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the DVD recorder in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of independent PES related to caption data.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure recorded in a user data area of a DVD.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the DVD recorder 1 in the information recording process.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a DVD recorder according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a more specific configuration example of a DVD recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

[0026] 1, 90, 100 DVD recorder

3 DVD

41 Digitano tuner

42 Separation part

43 Selection section

44 Conversion unit

45 Subpictia -Data raw,

46 Data stream generator

47 DVD drive

48 Control unit

60 independent PES

63 Subtitle Management Data

64 Subtitle text data

84 Sub-picture —Knock

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described for each embodiment in order with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a DVD recorder that is an embodiment of the present invention.

A DVD recorder 1 in FIG. 1 is a DVD recorder that incorporates a digital tuner for receiving digital broadcasts, for example.

[0030] The DVD recorder 1 can separate subtitle data from the digital broadcast data transmitted from the digital television broadcast station 2, convert the subtitle data into sub-picture data, and record this in DV D3.

[0031] For example, the digital television broadcasting station 2 performs digital television broadcasting of movie programs. The movie program data includes video data, audio data, and caption data. These data are all digital data. As shown in Fig. 2, video data and audio data are converted into video PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) and audio PES, respectively. Subtitle data is converted to independent PES. The video PES, audio PES, and independent PES are multiplexed, thereby generating a TS (Transport Stream). This TS is called digital broadcast data here. The digital television broadcast station 2 encodes this digital broadcast data with an encoding method suitable for the transmission path (transmission path encoding), and transmits this as a digital broadcast radio wave.

[0032] The digital broadcasting radio wave transmitted from the digital television broadcasting station 2 is received by the antenna 4 as shown in FIG. Then, a signal corresponding to the received digital broadcast radio wave is supplied to the DVD recorder 1.

[0033] The DVD recorder 1 demodulates a signal corresponding to a digital broadcast radio wave of a channel designated by the user, thereby acquiring digital broadcast data. Subsequently, the DVD recorder 1 separates the caption data from the digital broadcast data. When subtitle data in multiple languages are included in the separated subtitle data, the DVD recorder 1 selects subtitle data in one language specified by the user. Subsequently, the DVD recorder 1 converts the selected character data into bitmap data. Subsequently, the DVD recorder 1 compresses this bit map data by the run length compression method, thereby generating sub-picture data. [0034] Further, the DVD recorder 1 separates video data from the digital broadcast data, decodes the video data, changes the resolution as necessary, and then converts the video data to MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group). Encode using the encoding method to generate MPEG video data.

[0035] Also, the DVD recorder 1 separates audio data from the digital broadcast data, decodes the audio data, encodes the audio data with a predetermined encoding method, and generates encoded audio data of the DVD standard. To do. In the following description, MPEG audio data generated by encoding audio data with the MPEG encoding method is taken as an example of DVD standard encoded audio data.

Subsequently, the DVD recorder 1 multiplexes the sub-picture data, MPEG video data, and MPEG audio data, thereby generating a data stream. Subsequently, the DVD recorder 1 records this data stream on DVD3.

[0037] DVD3 is a recordable DVD, for example, DVD-R or DVD-RW.

[0038] Here, as an embodiment of the information recording apparatus of the present invention, the power of raising a DVD recorder with a built-in digital television tuner. The information recording apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information recording apparatus of the present invention includes a DVD recorder that does not incorporate a digital TV tuner, a DVD recorder that incorporates a hard disk drive, a DVD recorder that incorporates a video tape recorder, a television apparatus that incorporates a DVD recorder, Even a personal computer with a DVD drive.

[0039] Also, here, DVD is used as an information recording medium for recording a data stream, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an optical disc such as a Blu-ray disc can be used instead of a DVD. Alternatively, a hard disk may be used instead of a DVD.

[0040] In addition, digital broadcasting includes terrestrial digital broadcasting, BS digital broadcasting, CS digital broadcasting, and the like, and the present invention can be applied to all these digital broadcasting. The present invention can also be applied to digital radio broadcasting.

[0041] Further, here, the power of subtitle data converted into sub-picture data and recorded on DVD3 is taken as an example. Subtitle data is only an example of character data. In addition to caption data, character data that can be transmitted in digital broadcasting includes character super data, electronic numbers. There are group guide data. According to the present invention, both character super data and electronic program guide data can be converted into sub-picture data and recorded on DVD3.

FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the DVD recorder 1! /

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the DVD recorder 1 includes a digital tuner 41, a separation unit 42, a selection unit 43, a conversion unit 44, a sub-picture data generation unit 45, a data stream generation unit 46, a DVD drive 47, and a control. Part 48 is provided.

The digital tuner 41 acquires digital broadcast data from a signal corresponding to the digital broadcast radio wave supplied via the antenna 4. Specifically, the digital tuner 41 receives a signal corresponding to the digital broadcast radio wave supplied via the antenna 4, selects a signal of a channel designated by the user from this signal, and selects the selected signal. Is demodulated. Thereby, digital broadcast data is obtained.

The separation unit 42 separates the digital broadcast data force caption data acquired by the digital tuner 41. The separation unit 42 is configured by, for example, a demultiplexer.

[0046] When the separated subtitle data includes subtitle data in a plurality of languages, the selection unit 43 selects one language specified by the user from the subtitle data in the plurality of languages. Select the headline data. When the separated caption data is caption data in one language, the selection unit 43 selects caption data in this language. The selection unit 43 is constituted by, for example, an arithmetic processing device.

[0047] The conversion unit 44 converts the caption data selected by the selection unit 43 into bitmap data. Specifically, the conversion unit 44 generates bitmap data representing characters based on the character code and the character-accompanying information included in the caption data. In addition, when generating bitmap data representing characters, the conversion unit 44 sets a character size suitable for displaying characters at the resolution of a caption plane according to SD (Standard Definition). Note that the resolution of the subtitle plane by SD is 720 x 480 pixels. The conversion unit 44 is configured by, for example, an LSI (Large Scale Integration) circuit.

[0048] The sub-picture data generation unit 45 compresses the bitmap data converted by the conversion unit 44 by the run-length compression method, thereby generating sub-picture data. The sub-picture data generation unit 45 is configured by, for example, an LSI circuit. [0049] The data stream generation unit 46 multiplexes the sub-picture data generated by the sub-picture data generation unit 45, MPEG video data, and MPEG audio data, thereby generating a data stream. MPEG video data can be obtained by decoding and further MPEG-encoding video data separated from digital broadcast data. MPEG audio data can be obtained by decoding audio data separated from digital broadcast data and then MPEG encoding (see Fig. 8). The data stream generation unit 46 is configured by a multiplexer, for example.

[0050] The DVD drive 47 records and reads information on the DVD 3.

The control unit 48 controls the DVD drive 47 and records the data stream generated by the data stream generation unit 46 on the DVD 3.

[0052] Further, the control unit 48 controls each component 41 such as control relating to channel designation in the digital tuner 41, control relating to language designation in the selection unit 43, and generation of various management information included in the data stream to be recorded on the DVD. Or control 47. The control unit 48 includes an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of an independent PES related to caption data.

As shown in FIG. 4, the independent PES 60 includes a header 61 and a data group 62. There are two types of data groups 62. That is, the caption management data 63 and the caption text data 64 are provided.

[0055] The caption management data 63 includes language identification data, display format data, and the like.

[0056] The caption text data includes a character code and character-accompanying information constituting the caption text.

[0057] The character code is, for example, an 8-unit code.

[0058] The character-associated information includes, for example, the following information.

1. Character size information indicating the character size

2. Character modification information that indicates the color, underline, border, box, and flushing of the character

3.Enlargement of characters · Enlargement indicating reduction · Reduction information FIG. 5 shows the structure of data recorded in the user data area of DVD3.

As shown in FIG. 5, according to the DVD video standard, data to be recorded in the user data area of DVD 3 includes video management information 71 and a video title set 72. The video title set 72 includes video title set information 73, a video object set 74, and a backup 75. The video object set 74 includes a video object 76. Video object 76 includes cell 77. Cell 77 includes a video object unit 78. The video object unit 78 includes a navigation pack 81, a video pack 82, an audio pack 83, and a sub-picture pack 84. The video pack 82 includes MPEG video data, the audio pack 83 includes MPEG audio data, and the sub-picture pack 84 includes sub-picture data.

[0060] In the video object unit 78, a plurality of navigation packs 81, a plurality of video packs 82, a plurality of audio packs 83, and a plurality of sub-picture packs 84 can be distributed IJ in an appropriate order.

FIG. 6 shows the operation of the DVD recorder 1 in the information recording process.

[0062] For example, when a user transmits movie program data transmitted from the digital television broadcasting station 2 to DV

When an instruction to record in D is input to DVD recorder 1, DVD recorder 1 starts the information recording process.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, first, the digital tuner 41 demodulates a signal corresponding to the digital broadcast radio wave of the channel designated by the user, thereby acquiring digital broadcast data (step S1).

Subsequently, the separation unit 42 separates the caption data from the digital broadcast data (step S2). Specifically, the separation unit 42 converts the digital broadcast data that is a TS into a video PES, an audio PES, and an independent PES. To separate. As the separation method, for example, a well-known separation method employed in MEPG2-TS can be used.

[0064] If the subtitle data in a plurality of languages is included in the separated subtitle data, the selection unit 43 selects the subtitle data in the language specified by the user (step S3). Selection of subtitle data is performed by, for example, reading language identification data included in subtitle sentence data This is done by determining the language of the caption data based on the read language identification data.

[0065] Subsequently, the conversion unit 44 converts the selected caption data into bitmap data (step S4).

[0066] Specifically, the converting unit 44 reads the character code included in the caption text data, recognizes the content of the read character code, and based on this recognition! Determine the shape of the image.

[0067] In addition, the conversion unit 44 reads the character size information included in the caption text data, recognizes the content of the read character size information, and determines the size of the bitmap image representing the character based on this recognition. To do. When determining the character size, the conversion unit 44 sets a character size suitable for displaying characters at the resolution of the subtitle plane in SD. In this case, the conversion unit 44 sets a character size different from the character size indicated by the character size information included in the caption text data as necessary.

[0068] In addition, the conversion unit 44 reads the character modification information included in the caption text data, recognizes the content of the read character modification information, and based on this recognition! Determine the color.

[0069] Also, the conversion unit 44 reads the enlargement / reduction information included in the caption text data, recognizes the content of the read enlargement / reduction information, and based on this recognition, vertically converts a bitmap image representing characters. Determines whether to expand or contract in the direction or lateral direction.

[0070] The conversion unit 44 generates bitmap data that should form the subtitle plane according to the determination of the shape, size, color, enlargement / reduction, and the like of the bitmap image representing characters.

Subsequently, the sub-picture data generation unit 45 compresses the bitmap data generated in step S4 by the run-length compression method, thereby generating sub-picture data (step S5).

[0072] On the other hand, the DVD recorder 1 separates the video data from the digital broadcast data, decodes the video data, changes the resolution as necessary, and then encodes the video data using the MPEG encoding method. Generate MPEG video data. In addition, the DV D recorder 1 separates audio data from the digital broadcast data, and the audio data is decoded. The audio data is encoded, and the audio data is encoded by the MPEG encoding method to generate MPEG audio data.

Subsequently, the data stream generation unit 45 multiplexes the sub-picture data, MPEG video data, and MPEG audio data, thereby generating a data stream (step S6).

[0074] Next, the control unit 48 controls the DVD drive 47 to record the data stream on the DVD 3 (step S7).

[0075] As described above, the DVD recorder 1 separates caption data from digital broadcast data, converts the caption data into sub-picture data, and records this on the DVD 3. This makes it possible to switch on / off the display of characters corresponding to caption data transmitted in digital broadcasting during playback.

That is, when reproducing the sub-picture data recorded on the DVD, it is possible to switch on / off the display of the sub-picture data by operating a DVD recorder or a DVD player. This is defined by the DVD standard. A DVD recorder, a DVD player, and other devices having a function of reproducing information recorded on a DVD have a function of switching on / off the display of sub-pictures according to the DVD standard. Therefore, by converting subtitle data to sub-picture data and recording it on DVD3, whether or not to display subtitle characters on the screen during playback can be switched according to the user's specification.

[0077] Also, by separating subtitle data from digital broadcast data, converting the subtitle data into sub-picture data and recording it on DVD3, the characters corresponding to the subtitle data can be clearly displayed during playback. Is possible.

That is, subtitle data and video data multiplexed in digital broadcast data are separated, subtitle data is converted into sub-picture data, and video data is converted into MPEG video data. The conversion process of subtitle data to sub-picture data and the conversion process of video data to MPEG video data are independent and independent processes. The character resolution corresponding to the caption data and the video resolution corresponding to the video data are set independently and separately. Therefore, even if the video data In the MPEG encoding process, even if the video data rate (video bit rate) is low, the resolution of the video does not affect the resolution of the subtitle characters. In other words, the resolution of subtitle characters can be set separately from the video resolution. This makes it possible to display the subtitle characters clearly during reproduction.

[0079] In addition, subtitle data is separated from digital broadcast data, and the subtitle data is converted into sub-picture data and recorded on DVD3. Therefore, characters corresponding to the subtitle data are not deteriorated in video. Can be recorded on DVD3.

That is, in the information recording process in the DVD recorder 1, the conversion of subtitle data into sub-picture data and the conversion of video data into MPEG video data are performed separately and separately. Is called. The subtitle characters corresponding to the sub-picture data and the video corresponding to the MPE G video data are superimposed when the sub-picture data and MPEG video data recorded on the DVD 3 are reproduced (see FIG. 8). Therefore, the video data multiplexed into the digital broadcast data is separated, converted into MPEG video data, and recorded on DVD3. As a result, the video is not lost. Will not deteriorate.

[0081] According to the known method introduced above, a video corresponding to an area used for displaying characters is created in order to create composite video data by superimposing video and characters when recording on a DVD. There is a problem that a part of the image is lost, and as a result, the video deteriorates. However, the DVD recorder 1 does not cause such a problem.

[0082] In the above description, when caption data separated from digital broadcast data includes caption data in a plurality of languages, the caption data in one language specified by the user is selected. Take an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Subtitle data of multiple languages may be converted into multiple types of sub-picture data, and these multiple types of sub-picture data may be multiplexed into a data stream and recorded on DVD3.

[0083] For example, when the subtitle data separated from the digital broadcast data includes Japanese subtitle data and English subtitle data, the conversion unit 44 converts the Japanese subtitle data into the first bit map data, Convert English curtain data to second bitmap data. Next, The sub-picture data generation unit 45 generates the first sub-picture data by compressing the first bit map data, and generates the second sub-picture data by compressing the second bit map data. Subsequently, the data stream generation unit 46 multiplexes the first sub-picture data, the second sub-picture data, the MPEG video data, and the MPEG audio data, thereby generating a data stream. Subsequently, the control unit 48 controls the DVD drive 47 and records this data stream on the DVD 3.

[0084] Further, in the above description, character data to be converted into sub-picture data is exemplified as character data. Character data to be converted into sub-picture data is not limited to subtitle data, character super data, Electronic program guide data may be used.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration example in the case of converting electronic program guide data into sub-picture data and recording it on DVD3. In the DVD recorder 90 shown in FIG. 7, the separating unit 91 separates the electronic program guide data from the digital broadcast data. The electronic program guide data is divided into a plurality of partial data and transmitted from the digital television broadcasting station 2 in accordance with a predetermined cycle. Therefore, for example, the separation unit 91 stores the partial data in the temporary memory 92 in order to collect partial data necessary to form one television program guide. When the collection of the partial data necessary for forming one TV program guide is completed, the separating unit 91 reads all the partial data required for forming the TV program guide from the temporary memory 92. This is supplied to the conversion unit 93. Subsequently, the conversion unit 93 converts the data supplied from the separation unit 91 into bitmap data. Subsequently, the sub-picture data generator 45 compresses the bitmap data by the run-length compression method, thereby generating sub-picture data. Subsequently, the data stream generation unit 46 generates a data stream using the sub-picture data. Subsequently, the control unit 94 controls the DV recorder 47 to record the data stream on the DVD 3.

FIG. 8 shows a more specific configuration example of the DVD recorder according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] In FIG. 8, the digital broadcast data transmitted from the digital television broadcast station 2 is converted into a DVD.

When recording to 3, the DVD recorder 100 operates as follows, for example.

[0088] The antenna 4 receives the digital broadcast wave transmitted from the digital television broadcast station 2, A signal corresponding to the digital broadcast radio wave is supplied to the digital tuner 101. Digital tuner 101 selects a signal of a channel designated by the user from signals corresponding to digital broadcast radio waves, and demodulates the selected signal. This provides digital broadcast data. Digital broadcast data passes through a stream switcher (SW) 102 and is supplied to a demultiplexer 103. The demultiplexer 103 separates the video PES, audio PES, and independent PES from the digital broadcast data, and distributes them to the video decoder 104, audio decoder 105, and bitmap conversion LSI circuit 106, respectively.

[0089] The independent PES includes caption data, specifically caption management data and caption text data. The bitmap conversion LSI circuit 106 reads the character code, character size information, character modification information, and the like from, for example, caption text data, and determines the shape, size, color, and the like of the bitmap image representing the character based on the information. Then, according to this determination, bitmap data that should form the subtitle plane is generated. When determining the character size, the bit map conversion LSI circuit 106 sets a character size suitable for displaying characters at the resolution of the subtitle plane by SD. The bitmap data generated by the bitmap conversion LSI circuit 106 is supplied to the run-length compression LSI circuit 107. Run-length compression L SI circuit 107 compresses bitmap data by a run-length compression method, thereby generating sub-picture data. This sub-picture data is supplied to the multiplexer 108.

On the other hand, the video data decoder 104 decodes video data included in the video PES. When the resolution of the video corresponding to the video data is the resolution by HD, the resolution conversion unit 109 converts the resolution of the video corresponding to the video data to the resolution by SD. Subsequently, the MPEG video encoder 110 encodes the video data supplied from the resolution conversion unit 109 using the MPEG encoding method, thereby generating MPEG video data. The MPEG video data is supplied to the multiplexer 108.

On the other hand, the audio data decoder 105 decodes audio data included in the audio PES. Subsequently, the MPEG audio encoder 111 encodes the audio data supplied from the audio data decoder 105 by the MPEG encoding method, thereby Generate Dio data. The MPEG audio data is supplied to the multiplexer 108.

The multiplexer 108 multiplexes the sub-picture data, MPEG video data, and MPEG audio data, thereby generating a data stream. This data stream is supplied to the DVD drive 113 via a stream switcher (SW) 112. Then, the CPU 114 controls the DVD drive 113 and records the data stream on the DVD 3.

[0093] As described above, when the digital broadcast data is recorded on the DVD 3, the DVD recorder 100 can monitor the digital broadcast data.

That is, when digital broadcast data is recorded on DVD 3, the video data output from video data decoder 104 and the bitmap data output from bitmap conversion LSI circuit 106 are also sent to video superimposing circuit 120. Supplied respectively. The video superimposing circuit 120 synthesizes the video data and the bitmap data, thereby generating synthesized video data, and supplies the synthesized video data to the resolution converter 121. The resolution conversion unit 121 changes the resolution of the composite video corresponding to the composite video data as necessary, and outputs the composite video data in the HD mode and the composite video data in the SD mode, respectively. These combined video data are converted into analog video signals by digital analog converters (DACs) 122 and 123, respectively, and the HD mode video output terminal and SD mode video output terminal power of the DVD recorder 100 are also output. As a result, a composite video of video and subtitles is displayed on the screen of a display device (not shown) connected to the HD mode video output terminal or the SD mode video output terminal of the DVD recorder 100. At this time, the audio data output from the audio data decoder 105 is also converted into an analog audio signal by the digital / analog converter 124 and output to, for example, a speaker system connected to the DVD recorder 100 (in this case, The signal path of the audio signal is omitted in Fig. 8).

On the other hand, the DVD recorder 100 can record digital broadcast data on a hard disk. When recording digital broadcast data on a node disc, the DVD recorder 100 is capable of separating video PES, audio PES or independent PES as well as subpicture subtitles. It does not convert data, convert audio data to MPEG audio data, or convert video data to MPEG video data. That is, the DVD recorder 100 immediately records the digital broadcast data demodulated by the digital tuner 101 on the hard disk. Specifically, digital broadcast data demodulated by the digital tuner 101 is supplied from the stream switcher 102 arranged on the input side to the stream switcher 112 arranged on the output side, and further from the stream switcher 112 to the hard disk drive. Supplied to 125. The CPU 114 controls the hard disk drive 125 to record digital broadcast data on the node disk.

[0096] Further, the DVD recorder 100 can record the digital broadcast data recorded on the hard disk in DV D3. That is, the CPU 114 controls the hard disk drive 125 and reads the digital broadcast data recorded on the hard disk. The digital broadcast data is supplied from the stream switcher 112 to the stream switcher 102, and further supplied from the stream switcher 102 to the demultiplexer 103. This digital broadcast data is separated by the demultiplexer 103 into video PES, audio PES, and independent PES. The subtitle data included in the independent PES is converted into sub-picture data by the bitmap conversion LSI circuit 106 and the run-length compression LSI circuit 107. Also, the video data included in the video PES is converted into MPEG video data by the video data decoder 104, the resolution conversion unit 109, and the MPEG video encoder 110. The audio data included in the audio PES is converted into MPEG audio data by the audio data decoder 105 and the MPEG audio encoder 111. The sub picture data, MPEG video data, and MPEG audio data are multiplexed by the multiplexer 108, and the data stream generated thereby is recorded on the DVD 3 via the DVD drive 113.

On the other hand, when reproducing a data stream recorded on a DVD, the DVD recorder 100 operates as follows, for example.

That is, the CPU 114 controls the DVD drive and reads the data stream recorded on the DVD 3. This data stream is supplied to the demultiplexer 130 via the stream switcher 112. Demultiplexer 130 receives sub-pictures from the data stream. The check data, MPEG video data, and MPEG audio data are separated from each other and supplied to the sub-picture decoder 131, the MPEG video decoder 132, and the MP EG audio decoder 133, respectively. The sub picture decoder 131 decodes the sub picture data, thereby generating subtitle data. The MPEG video decoder 132 decodes the MPEG video data, thereby generating video data. The MPEG audio decoder 133 decodes MPEG audio data and generates audio data. The video superimposing circuit 120 synthesizes the caption data supplied from the sub-picture decoder 131 and the video data supplied from the MPEG video decoder 132, thereby generating synthesized video data. Subsequently, the resolution conversion unit 121 changes the resolution of the composite video corresponding to the composite video data as necessary, and outputs the HD mode composite video data and the SD mode composite video data, respectively. These synthesized video data are converted into analog video signals by digital / analog converters (DACs) 122 and 123, respectively, and output to the HD mode video output terminal and the SD mode video output terminal of the DVD recorder 100, respectively. As a result, the combined video and subtitle video is displayed on the screen of the display device (not shown) connected to the HD mode video output terminal or SD mode video output terminal of the DVD recorder 100. On the other hand, the audio data output from the MPEG audio decoder 133 is converted into an analog audio signal by the digital analog converter 124 and output to, for example, a speaker system connected to the DVD recorder 100.

[0099] Incidentally, there are cases where multiple types of character data such as Japanese and English are transmitted over digital broadcasting. In such a case, the DVD recorder 100 selects one type of subtitle data in the language specified by the user, converts the selected subtitle data into sub-picture data, and records it on the DVD 3.

[0100] The DVD recorder 100 employs the following method as a language designation method.

[0101] That is, the DVD recorder 100 selects caption data in the same language as the language specified by the user for viewing (monitoring) as the caption data to be recorded on the DVD 3.

[0102] For example, a user views a movie program that has been broadcast! When the digital broadcast data to be recorded is recorded on the DVD 3, the user designates a subtitle language (for example, Japanese) by operating the remote control of the DVD recorder 100 or the like for viewing. The DV recorder 100 selects the subtitle data in the same language as the subtitle language as the subtitle data to be recorded on the DVD3.

[0103] Digital TV broadcast station 2 in Fig. 1 is a specific example of a digital broadcast data supply source. 3 is a specific example of the separation unit, the selection unit 43 is a specific example of the selection unit, the conversion unit 44 is a specific example of the conversion unit, and the sub-picture data generation unit 45 is a sub-picture data generation unit 45. This is a specific example of picture data generation means, the data stream generation unit 46 is a specific example of data stream generation means, and the control unit 48 is a specific example of recording means. 7 is another specific example of the separation unit, the conversion unit 93 is another specific example of the conversion unit, and the control unit 94 is another specific example of the recording unit. Further, the hard disk drive 125 in FIG. 8 is another specific example of the digital broadcast data supply source. In addition, MPEG video data is a specific example of the second video data, and MPEG audio data is a specific example of the second audio data.

[0104] Step S2 in FIG. 6 is a specific example of the separation process, step S4 is a specific example of the conversion process, step S5 is a specific example of the sub-picture data generation process, and step S6 is the data This is a specific example of the stream generation process, and step S7 is a specific example of the recording process.

[0105] The present invention can also be realized as a computer program, a computer program product, or a recording medium on which a computer program is recorded. In this case, a computer program describing commands for realizing the separation unit 42, the conversion unit 44, the sub-picture data generation unit 45, the data stream generation unit 46, and the control unit 48 is generated. Then, the computer program is recorded on an information recording medium such as a CD or DVD, and the CD or DVD is sold. Alternatively, the computer program can be downloaded via a computer network such as the Internet. By loading a computer program obtained by purchasing or downloading an information recording medium into a computer, the computer resources that the computer normally has, such as a CPU, main storage device, LSI circuit, DVD drive, etc. Using a digital TV tuner board, a computer can be used as the information recording apparatus of the present invention.

[0106] The present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist or concept of the invention which can also read the claims and the entire specification. The information recording apparatus and the information recording accompanying such a change are also possible. Methods and computer programs that implement these functions are also included in the technical idea of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

[0107] The information recording apparatus and information recording method according to the present invention record digital broadcast data, which is also transmitted, for example, in digital television broadcasting (hereinafter referred to as "digital broadcasting") on an information recording medium. It can be used for an information recording apparatus. The present invention can also be used for an information recording device or the like that is mounted on or can be connected to various computer devices for consumer use or business use.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] Digital broadcast data obtained by multiplexing first video data or first audio data and character data, which is digital data, is obtained from a digital broadcast data supply source, and the characters are obtained from the obtained digital broadcast data. A separation means for separating data;

A conversion means for converting the character data separated by the separation means into bitmap data;

Bitmap data converted by the conversion means is compressed by a run length compression method, thereby generating subpicture data, subpicture data generated by the subpicture data generation means, Data for generating a data stream by multiplexing the second video data obtained by converting the first video data or the second audio data obtained by converting the first audio data. Stream generation means;

An information recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that records the data stream generated by the data stream generating unit on an information recording medium.

[2] The character data includes a character code and character accompanying information,

2. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit generates bitmap data representing a character based on the character code and the character associated information.

3. The information recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the conversion unit sets a character size suitable for displaying characters with a predetermined resolution.

[4] The character data includes first character data in the first language and second character data in the second language, and includes selection means for selecting one of the first character data and the second character data.

2. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit converts the character data selected by the selection unit into bitmap data.

[5] The character data includes first character data in a first language and second character data in a second language, and the conversion means converts the first character data into first bitmap data, and second character data. Data to the second bitmap data, The sub-picture data generation means generates first sub-picture data by compressing the first bitmap data, and generates second sub-picture data by compressing the second bitmap data;

The data stream generating means converts the second video data or the first audio data obtained by converting the first sub-picture data, the second sub-picture data, and the first video data. 2. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second audio data obtained by the above is multiplexed, thereby generating a data stream.

[6] Digital broadcast data obtained by multiplexing first video data or first audio data and character data that is digital data is obtained from a digital broadcast data supply source, and the character is obtained from the obtained digital broadcast data. A separation process for separating data;

A conversion step of converting the character data separated in the separation step into bitmap data;

The bitmap data converted in the conversion step is compressed by a run-length compression method, thereby generating sub-picture data, sub-picture data generated in the sub-picture data generation step, (1) Data that multiplexes the second video data obtained by converting the video data or the second audio data obtained by converting the first audio data, thereby generating a data stream. A stream generation process;

A recording step of recording the data stream generated in the data stream generation step on an information recording medium.

[7] A computer program for causing a computer to execute the information recording method according to claim 6.