JP2723498B1 - Apparatus and method for reproducing multi-scene recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention notifies a user of a current reproduction state to assist handling when performing a scene switching operation of a multi-scene or the like. Kind Code: A1 A data area records first program information and second program information that can be reproduced by replacement, and multi-scene configuration information indicating that the first and second program information are linked to a management area. Play the disc on which is recorded. In the multi-scene reproduction state, a screen indicating which of the first and second program information is being reproduced is synthesized with the decoded output of the program information and output.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a program for recording a movie or the like on a recording medium such as an optical disk or a CD-ROM. And a method and apparatus for reproducing a multi-scene recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional movie is a time-series image, and there is no image of a plurality of scenes which proceed simultaneously. For example, if the video viewed by the viewer is a front scene, the viewer can only see the front scene. However, there are actually a plurality of scenes that proceed simultaneously, such as a scene inside the space shuttle (front scene) and a scene of the ground control tower (back scene). In a conventional movie, even if there are a plurality of scenes, these are connected in a time series to produce and edit. In the case of an opera, for example,
There are various scenes and timings to see depending on the person, such as a person who wants to see the whole scene continuously, a person who wants to zoom in on the lips of the opera singer, or a person who wants to zoom in on the expression of the conductor. In television broadcasting technology, simultaneous front and back scenes can be displayed using a multi-screen. For example, both a video captured from a long distance and a zoomed-up video are transmitted using two channels, and the user can select a favorite scene at a desired timing.

However, the program information already recorded on the recording medium is only the front scene, and the user has no freedom to select the back scene. Also, filmmakers have limited freedom in editing programs. In addition, the scenes on the front and the back can be connected in chronological order by editing the program, but the user is limited in the degree of freedom of selection timing.

[0004]

As described above, in the television broadcasting technology, a front-end scene and a back-end scene that progress simultaneously can be transmitted on the broadcast production side using a plurality of channels. However, the program information recorded on the recording medium is only the front scene, and the user has no freedom to select the back scene.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for reproducing a multi-scene recording medium that allows a user to select not only a front scene but also a back scene, even if the program information is already recorded on the recording medium. The purpose is to provide.

In this case, in particular, according to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and method for reproducing a multi-scene recording medium which allows a user to recognize which scene is being reproduced during reproduction of a multi-scene and facilitates handling in operation. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a management area is formed in one area and a data area is formed in another area, and a first program information is stored in the data area. And at least second program information that can be reproduced in place of the first program information, and the management area includes a multi-track indicating that the first program information and the second program information are linked. An apparatus for reproducing a disc on which scene configuration information is recorded, a pickup unit for reading information on the disc, a demodulation unit for demodulating an output signal from the pickup unit, and the multi-player output from the demodulation unit. Management information storage means for storing scene configuration information;
Referring to the multi-scene configuration information, the first and second
Screen generating means for generating a screen in which the identification information of the currently reproduced program information is synthesized with the decoded output of the currently reproduced program information in a state where either of the program information is reproduced. It is provided.

Thus, even if the program information is already recorded on the recording medium, not only the front scene but also the user can be given the freedom to select the back scene. Can be notified of the current playback scene to assist handling.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a recording medium (for example, an optical disk, hereinafter simply referred to as a disk) 100 of the present invention.
In a recording / reproducing device (access device).

The disk 100 includes a turntable 101
It is placed on the top and driven to rotate by a motor 102.
If the reproducing mode is set, the information recorded on the disc 100 is picked up by the pick-up means 103. The movement and tracking of the pickup unit 103 are controlled by a pickup driving unit 104. The output of the pickup means 103 is input to the modulation and demodulation unit 201 and demodulated. The demodulated data demodulated here is input to the error correction data processing unit 202, and after error correction, is input to the data string processing unit 203. The data string processing unit 203 separates and derives video information, caption and character information, and audio information. That is, as described later, subtitles, character information, and audio information are recorded on the disc 100 in correspondence with video information. In this case, various languages can be selected as subtitles, character information, and audio information, which are selected under the control of the system control unit 204. An operation input by a user is provided to the system control unit 204 through the operation unit 205.

Further, if it is assumed that, for example, movie information is recorded on the disc 100, a plurality of scenes that can be selected by the user are recorded. For this purpose, in the reproducing apparatus, the data string processing unit 203, the system control unit 204, and the operation unit 205 constitute a data string control unit and a scene selection unit in response to a user operation.

[0012] The video information separated by the data string processing unit 203 is input to a video processing unit 206 and subjected to a decoding process corresponding to the type of the display device. For example, NTS
It is converted to C, PAL, SECAM, wide screen, and the like. The video signal decoded by the video processing unit 206 is input to an adder 207, where it is added to subtitles and character information, and the added output is output to an output terminal 209. The audio information selected and separated by the data string processing unit 203 is input to the audio processing unit 211, demodulated, and led out to the output terminal 212.

An audio processing unit as a decoding unit includes:
Audio processing unit 213 in addition to audio processing unit 211
It is also possible to reproduce audio in another language and output it to the output terminal 214 (this function will be described later).

The above-mentioned device is also capable of recording. In this case, a recording video signal is inputted from the input terminal 301,
A recording audio signal is input from an input terminal 302.
In this case, the video processing unit 206 operates as a video encoder, and the audio processing unit 211 operates as an audio encoder. The data string processing unit 203 operates as a formatter of recording information, and the error correction data processing unit 202 operates as an error code adding unit. The data processed in this manner is transmitted to the modulation and demodulation unit 2
01 and modulated by the modulator 201
Is sent as record information.

As described above, the disc 100 used in the present invention stores a plurality of pieces of program information (multi-scene program information) related to each other. For this reason, the reproducing apparatus can reproduce an arbitrary one of the plurality of pieces of program information according to the user's specification, or shift from one program information reproducing state to the other program information reproducing state on the way.

In addition, audio information including language information of various languages, music information and environmental sound information is recorded in correspondence with the video information, and subtitle information of various languages is recorded. In order to determine which of these pieces of information is to be reproduced, the data string processing unit 203 and the system control unit 20
4. The operation unit 205 constitutes a data string control unit and a scene selection unit.

Next, an outline of the disk used in the present invention, its recording format, and its use will be described. The disk according to the present invention has a plurality of scenes of a movie, for example, as long as the disc records a movie. Also, a plurality of language information is recorded corresponding to the movie. Further, subtitle information in a plurality of languages is also recorded corresponding to the movie.

FIG. 2A shows an information area of the disk 10. There is a management area on the inner circumference side of the disk 10, and a data area on the outer circumference side of this management area. In the management area, management data for managing a program in the data area is recorded as described later. In the data area, information such as a subcode, a subpicture, audio, and video, that is, a program is recorded.

First, what kind of information is written in the data area will be described with reference to FIG. 2B. FIG. 2B shows data unit DUT (Data Unit) # 0 in the data area.
Is expanded. Data unit DUT #
0 has a sub-code (SUB-CODE) at the beginning, followed by a sub-picture (SUB-PICTURE) and audio (AUD
IO) and video (VIDEO) information. The subcode (SUB-CODE) is attribute information of the data unit DUT # 0. It is the size (information amount) of the data unit, the start position of video and audio information in the data unit, and control information for the data unit. The sub-picture (SUB-PICTURE) is, for example, subtitle information (when the program is a movie) and character information (when the program is, for example, karaoke, educational video, or the like). The caption information and the character information include PICTURE # 0 to # 7, each of which has a different language, or some of which are in different languages, and the rest are non-signal portions. Further, information for different purposes such as questions and answers can be recorded. The audio (AUDIO) information is music information or eight different languages of up to AUDIO # 0 to # 7 in different languages (each of which corresponds to about one second).
It is recorded in. There are no particular restrictions on how to use orchestra and solo, karaoke and vocals. Each AUDIO information is recorded in a frame unit,
Each of the frames # 0, # 1,... Is composed of a header (HEADER) and data (DATA). Video (VIDEO)
The information includes, for example, 30 frames of video (reproducing about 1 second). This video (VIDEO) information is recorded by employing a high efficiency coded image compression technique. Note that the number of frames is not limited depending on the standard. The audio information is subjected to a high-efficiency encoding process.

Further, the types of the data unit (DUT) will be described. FIG. 3A shows a configuration column of information of a certain program. Here, a program constituting one flow is referred to as a program chapter (program movement), and a plurality of programs constituting the program chapter are referred to as program bars (program bars). Each program bar is composed of a plurality of data units described with reference to FIG.

The example of FIG. 3A shows first and second program chapters (program movements). The first program chapter 901 is, for example, a scene in which the entire scene of an orchestra is photographed by a first camera. A second program chapter 902 is a scene in which, for example, in the orchestra, only the conductor is zoomed up and photographed by the second camera. In the case of such a program, the video and audio of one of the program chapters can be reproduced and viewed on a monitor. As shown by the dotted line, while the video and audio of the first program chapter 901 are reproduced and viewed on the monitor, the video and audio of the other second program chapter 902 are reproduced and viewed on the monitor. can do. That is, the user has a degree of freedom in selecting a scene. FIG.
In the example of A, two program chapters are shown, but more program chapters may be recorded on the disc. When such a program structure is applied to a movie,
For example, after the people who originally lived together grew,
A program that tracks the progress of each person can be created separately.

FIG. 3B shows a standard program chapter 903.
Is a program that enables the output of a multi-scene in which a part of the time progresses on the same time axis during the course of. According to this program configuration, the data amount may be smaller than in the case of FIG. 3A. Now, the program measures will be described with numbers. In this example, program measures # 1 and # 2 constitute a multi-scene. Also, program bar #
4, # 5 and # 6 constitute a multi-scene. In the case of such a program, for example, the standard program chapter 903
Was shot with camera # 0, program bar # 4,
# 5 shot with camera 2, program bar # 6
Can be edited as if they were shot by the camera 3.

Now, it is assumed that the standard program chapter 903 captures, for example, a professional baseball scene with the camera 1 from behind the backnet. Program bars # 2 and # 5 are taken by the camera 2 from the outfield stand, and program bar # 6 is taken by the light side stand. When this program is reproduced, for example, when the reproduction of the program bar # 0 ends, the menu screen is displayed in the last frame of the program bar # 0, and the user is given an opportunity to select a scene.

FIG. 4A is an example of a menu screen for giving a scene selection opportunity. In this menu screen,
For example, a message such as "Please select one of # 1 and # 2 from here is a multi-scene" is displayed. When the program bar # 3 has been played, as shown in FIG. 4B, "From here, it is a multi-scene #Please select one of # 4, # 5, and # 6" It is displayed like this. This display format is not limited to the examples of FIGS. 4A and 4B, and for example, as shown in FIG. 4C, "From here is a multi-scene # 4 backnet angle, # 5 center angle, # 6 first base angle" You may show your viewpoint.

The user operates the operation unit of the playback device,
One of the program bars will be selected. Then, the playback device plays back the selected program bar.
In the above description, it is assumed that a menu screen as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C is displayed when the reproduction of the program bar before the multi-scene ends.

However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example,
As shown in FIG. 5A, program measures # 4, # 5, # 6
May be read from the disc and displayed on a multi-screen. Alternatively, the scene of the standard program chapter 903 is displayed in a large size, and the representative scenes of the other program measures # 5 and # 6 are displayed small as shown in FIG. 5B so as to give the user flexibility in scene selection. Is also good.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the program bar # 4 is reached during reproduction of the standard program chapter 903, for example, only the key information of # 5 and # 6 is displayed at the corner of the screen to display the program bar. The fact that program bars # 5 and # 6 corresponding to # 4 exist may be notified.

Further, as a method of notifying a multi-scene, for example, as shown in FIG.
The representative scenes of # 5 and # 6 may be repeated in a cycle, for example, for about 2 seconds. Then, the user may perform a key operation in a desired scene.

The above description has been made on the assumption that, during the reproduction of the program chapter 903, a part of the program bar section indicates that another program bar is present and constitutes a multi-scene. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user may determine and fix the order of program measures to be reproduced at the first stage.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a menu screen that appears when a disc is loaded into the playback apparatus. The playback device reads the management information of the disc and recognizes that a multi-scene exists. Thereby, the menu screen is displayed on the monitor. For example, image by camera # 0, camera # 1
Of the camera or the image by the camera # 2. When the key information corresponding to the camera # 0 is given, it is set so that the program bars of the data sequence 904 of FIG. 3B are sequentially reproduced. When the key information corresponding to the camera # 1 is given, it is set so that the program bars of the data string 905 in FIG. 3B are sequentially reproduced. When the key information corresponding to the camera # 2 is given, it is set so that the program bars of the data string 906 in FIG. 3B are sequentially reproduced.

Next, the management information recorded in the management area will be described. The management information is tabulated. As the management table, as shown in FIG. 2, the innermost volume identity field (VID)
And a picture information field (PIF) on the outer periphery and a data unit allocation table (DAT) on the outer periphery.

(VID) is written from the first byte of the management table area, and uses 256 bytes to indicate the specification information of the entire disk. For example, country identification information indicating the country of the recorded language, or the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, when there is a program chapter or a program bar constituting the multi-scene, the combination information of the program is stored in a table. In the case of FIG. 8A, the combination information is for the program shown in FIG. 3B.

On the other hand, on the (PIF) table, program bar links are defined in more detail. FIG. 8B is (PIF) for the program management of FIG. 3B. The number of the program measure to be reproduced next (for example, the start address) is defined for the number of the program measure to be reproduced (for example, the start address). It is shown that next to # 0 is # 1, and next to # 1 is # 3. However, this system recognizes from the information of (VID) that # 2 and # 1 constitute a multi-scene. For this reason, when the playback of # 0 ends,
Software is constructed to give the user an opportunity to select a scene. In other words, the playback device does not shift to playback of # 1 immediately after # 0, but enters a standby state until selection information is input from the user. When the user selects # 2, after the reproduction of # 2, the reproducing device sets (PI
Automatically # 3 according to the program link of the table in F)
Move to playback.

After the reproduction in step # 3, the reproducing apparatus waits for an instruction from the user again. This is indicated by a (PIF) program link to be reproduced after the reproduction of # 3, and # 4 and # 6 are indicated by (VID) information.
Is defined as constituting a multi-scene. After playback of # 4 or # 5 or # 6,
7 is defined by the program link table in (PIF).

The (PIF) records the specification information of each program. For example, 16 bytes are used for each program bar. As the specification information, the start time and end time of the program bar, the program bar is home video, movie, music, karaoke, computer graphics, interactive, games, computer data,
Identification of audio coding system, identification of video coding system, picture attribute, information for identifying aspect ratio, PAL, NTSC, etc., screen horizontal resolution, screen vertical resolution, etc. There is information of. In addition, there is a start pointer, and a pointer value indicating a DAT address where data unit information of a program bar start point is stored is recorded.

Next, (DAT) is a table of information indicating the physical arrangement when reading data in the data area in a state where the program to be reproduced is determined and the identification of the program is known. Has been recorded.

The (DAT) table has parameters such as zone number (NZON), sector number (NSCT), track number (NTRC), program time (PTMB), and link pointer (PNTL) on the disk as parameters. The head recording sector of the data unit can be known from the zone number, track number, and sector number. (NZON) is the zone number to which the recording sector at the head of the data unit belongs. The zone number is assigned by dividing a plurality of tracks in the radial direction from the inner circumference of the recording,
Numbers are assigned in order from 0 on the inner circumference side. One zone consists of a number of tracks. There are 2528 tracks per zone. (NSCT) indicates the head sector number of the data unit in the track. The sector number is a number completed within the zone. (NTRC)
Indicates a track number in the zone. further,
(PTMB) is a flag indicating temporal position information of the video data (I picture) at the head of the data unit, and the content is a relative elapsed time (second) from the start point of the program chapter. This temporal position information is used when a time code search is performed. The time position information is taken into the reproducing apparatus when displaying the program time, the absolute time, the remaining amount, and the like, and is used as start reference data. (PNTL) is a flag for indicating the next data unit number temporally continuous with the current data unit number. The unit corresponds to the data unit number, and when there is no link destination at the end point of the program or the like, all bits are set to “1” (= 0 × FFFF). Valid values for the link pointer are 0x0000 to 0xFFFF
It is.

FIG. 8C shows a part of (DAT) which is related to the present invention. For example, if program bar # 0 in FIG. 3B is 3 minutes and 40 seconds in total time and program bar # 1 is 1 minute and 18 seconds in total time, program bar # 2 linked to # 1 is also 1 minute in total time. It is set at 18 seconds. This is because, for example, when a program is orchestral music and scenes of different angles are edited, scene selection can be performed while music is continuous. As shown in FIG. 8C, (DA
T) includes a zone number (NZON), a sector number (NSTC), a track number (NTRC), and a link pointer (PNTL) on the disk. Program time (PT
MB) corresponds to the elapsed time for each data unit in FIG. 8C. That is, (PTMB) indicates the elapsed time when the data unit in each program bar is reproduced from the beginning of the program bar.

When the program to be reproduced is determined, the system control section 204 controls the pickup driving section 104 to move the pickup 103 and control the pickup to a desired program recording position. Then, reproduction is performed in accordance with the management data read from the management area and the user's selection information or designation information.

In the program shown in FIG. 3B, when a multi-scene exists, the time length when each linked program bar is reproduced is the same. For example, FIG.
The elapsed time when the program sections # 1 and # 2 of B are reproduced is the same. In the example of the figure, it is written as 1 minute and 18 seconds.

However, when the continuity of voice is not required, the program is not limited to the program shown in FIG. 3B, but may be a program capable of selecting a story as shown in FIG. 9A. For example, a description will be given by giving a number to each program bar of the program of FIG. 9A. In this program, program bars # 0, # 1, # 5, and # 6 are stories that follow the first hero, and program bars # 0, # 2, # 3, and # 6
Story following the second hero, program bar #
0, # 1, # 4, and # 6 are edited in a story following the third hero. The program bars having the multi-scene configuration are # 1 and # 2, and # 5 and # 4. in this way,
In the case of multi-story, the time length during playback of # 1 is #
It is not always necessary to match the time length during reproduction of 2 + # 3. In the case of a disc on which such information is recorded, a plurality of tables are provided as tables indicating program links of (PIF) in the management table. FIG. 9B is a (PIF) standard table used when story # 1 is specified. FIG. 9C is an extension table of (PIF) used when story # 2 is specified. FIG. 9D is an extension table of (PIF) used when story # 3 is specified.

In the above description, when multi-scene program information exists, it has been described that any user can select and view the multi-scene program information. However, referring to the example of the movie program of FIG. 3B, the scene of camera # 2 may be made available only to a specific person or a specific country. In the case of the multi-story example shown in FIG. 9A, story # 3 may be viewed only by a specific person or a specific country.

The reason why the content can be seen only in a specific country is that the content of the scene is regulated by the law of each country. In such a case, for example, a recording medium in which a parental outlet code or a country code is added to the sub-code (SUB-CODE) of the data unit is used. For example, when the story # 3 is selected by the user, the playback device reads the program bar # 4, but if the parental outlet data of the data unit or the specific country code exists, the playback device image of the program bar # 4 is read. For this, a mask function for overlapping or partially masking another image and masking, or an image replacement function for completely replacing another image is provided. The parental outlet mode is a function of giving a parent a right to select a scene display at home. The country code is key information for controlling scene display, and the playback device determines the country code.

To this end, video information for masking or replacement may be recorded on this type of recording medium. Further, management data indicating an address for the video information may be included in the table of (PIF). The means for generating a signal for image masking or jamming may be provided inside the playback device.

When the above-mentioned country code is used, for example, a combination of scenes is determined according to the country code. For example, if the code of country A is recorded, FIG.
In the example, the scene playback order is # 0, # 2, # 5, #
6 and if the code of country B is recorded, # 0,
A combination of scenes such as # 1, # 4, and # 6 is determined, and reproduction is performed according to the combination. The same applies to the parental outlet mode. For example, in the parental outlet mode, the scene playback order is # 0, #
2, # 5, and # 6, and when these are released, # 0, #
1, # 4, # 6. When a specific country code is present, it is compared with the country code stored in the playback device. If the two do not match, the playback of the predetermined program bar may be forcibly prevented. Good.

FIG. 10A shows an example in which a part of the reproduced image is masked. FIG. 10B shows an example in which the image has been replaced. At this time, a display indicating that the parental outlet mode is set and a comment prompting input of a secret code for canceling this mode are displayed.

Next, data processing of the reproducing apparatus at the time of multi-scene switching will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for giving a user an opportunity to select a scene when playing a disc on which a movie having multiple scenes is recorded. During playback of the disc, it is determined whether or not the end of the program bar is reached (step S1). If it is the end of the program bar, it is determined whether or not there is another program bar linked to the next program bar (step S2). This determination can be made by reading the (PIF) management data shown in FIG. 8B into the work memory. If there is another program bar linked to the next program bar, the process shifts to reproduction of the next program bar (step S3). If there is no other program bar linked to the next program bar, it is determined whether or not there is preselection information input by the user in advance (step S4). This pre-selection information is shown in FIG.
As shown in the above, the user who has referred to the menu screen before the start of the program reproduction has input from the operation unit and is stored in the memory of the system control unit.
When the pre-selection information has been input by the user in advance, the program bar is reproduced according to the selected data string (step S5). If there is no pre-selection information, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, a menu screen for scene selection is displayed. This display screen is shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG.
Examples of the various embodiments described with reference to FIGS. A, 5B, 5C, and 6 are possible. In this state, it is determined whether or not selection information has been input by the user (step S).
7). When the selection information is input, the program bar of the selected scene is reproduced (step S8).
In step S6, if the selection information has not been input by the user even after the lapse of a certain time, a standard program bar is automatically selected and played back.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart according to another embodiment that operates when scene selection information is randomly input by the user while the first program bar is being reproduced. The function according to this flowchart is effective when the scene switching is performed smoothly.

During the reproduction of the first program bar, it is determined whether or not multi-scene selection information has been input (steps S11 and S12). When selection information is input, refer to (VID) to determine whether or not there is a second program bar (number specified by the selection information) of a multi-scene to be multi-arranged in the first program bar currently being reproduced. (Step S13). When the second program bar is present, the unit number of the first data unit currently being reproduced (within the first program bar) and the count value (FNO) of the frame being reproduced are stored in the memory (step). S14).
Further, the elapsed time length (TL1) of the first data unit is stored in the memory (Step S15). This elapsed time length (TL1) can be recognized by referring to the (DAT) data as described with reference to FIG. 8C. Next, the start address of the second program bar to be reproduced is recognized by referring to (PIF), and among the data units in the second program bar, the same as the previous elapsed time length (TL1) The unit number of the data unit having the elapsed time length is recognized by referring to the data of (DAT) (step S16). This allows
The playback device can control the pickup to search for the start position of the second program bar. And
The second data unit can be searched (step S17). When the second data unit is captured, the playback device sequentially decodes the video data in the video processing unit from the first frame of the second data unit. However, video output is prohibited. While decoding
Count the number of frames. When this frame count value becomes equal to the previously stored frame count value (FNO), video output is permitted (S18).

The function according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 may be independently incorporated in the reproducing apparatus. FIG.
It may be incorporated in the retransmission device together with the flowchart shown in FIG. When the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is mainly incorporated into the playback device, mainly the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is an interrupt routine. Then, the next step after step S18 is step S1 in FIG. Also, the functions of the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 and 12 may be switchable and incorporated in the playback device. In this case, it is preferable that the menu screen is displayed in the manner shown in FIG. 5C or FIG. That is, it is preferable to display the menu screen shown in FIG. 5C in order to provide a chance to select a multi-scene without hiding the currently viewed scene as much as possible.
If the user recognizes beforehand that the program includes a multi-scene before playing the disc, and the user's intention to select is clearly determined, the multi-screen of the system shown in FIG. 7 is effective. When the menu screen of FIG. 5C is displayed, a menu screen output process may be provided between steps S13 and S14 of FIG.

In step S18 in FIG. 12, the method for starting the video output may be the following method. FIG. 13 shows the timing when a command is given to the system control unit, for example, to switch from the program bar # 4 of the multi-scene of FIG. 3B to # 5. For example, assume that a command is input while the fifth frame is being reproduced in the data unit at the n-th second in program bar # 4. Then, when the playback device has performed the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the playback device starts video output from the fifth frame of the data unit at the n-th second in program bar # 5. In this case, the output pulses of the decoded frame are counted, and the counted number is
Output starts when the fifth frame is indicated. The positional relationship between the data units at this time is as shown by a broken line 951. However, as in the positional relationship indicated by the broken line 952, the video output may be started from the time when the decoded output of the first frame of the data unit at the nth second in the program bar # 5 is obtained. Alternatively, as indicated by the positional relationship indicated by the broken line 953, the video output may be started at the time when the decoded output of the first frame of the data unit next to the data unit at the nth second in the program bar # 5 is obtained. .

If there is an idle time before the start of the video output of the program bar # 5, the program bar # 5
The final frame of the video output of No. 4 is written to the image memory and repeatedly read out, thereby setting the still playback state. The image memory is provided in the decoder or the control unit.

Assuming that the data units at the n-th second in the program bars # 4 and # 5 are images of the same subject and of the same environmental sound, which are shot from different angles, the audio information of both are the same. It is. Therefore, the audio information recorded in the head area of the n-th data unit of the program bar # 4 (see FIG. 2B) can be used while the n-th data unit of the program bar # 5 is being reproduced. it can.

FIG. 14 shows a method for further smoothing the reproduction and output of audio information and video information when a scene is selected. In this case, a buffer memory for temporarily storing audio information and video information read from the disk is used.

The data unit # 4U of FIG.
, The data unit # 5U is the n-th data unit of the program bar # 5. A4 is a data read period of audio # 4A, and A5 is an audio # 4A.
5A data reading period, and V4 is video information # 4
V is a data reading period, and V5 is a data reading period of video # 5V. The output period of the decoded data of audio A4 and video V4 is indicated by AV4. The output period of the decoded data of audio A5 and video V5 is indicated by AV5. When the scene switching function is provided, a buffer memory that can temporarily store at least the data of the data unit # 4U and the data unit # 5U is prepared.
Of the data unit # 5U can be performed next. Thus, during the playback period of data unit # 4U,
Even when scene switching is performed, audio and video can be smoothly reproduced. In this case, in the case of a movie that requires audio continuity, it is preferable to record the audio information of data unit # 4U and audio information of data unit # 5U with continuity. In the above description, the movement time of the pickup is omitted in the figure.

In the case of a recording medium having multi-scene video information, it has been described with reference to FIG. 10 that a parental outlet (parent approval) function is possible. FIG. 15 shows a flowchart when the parental outlet function operates. When the disc is inserted, management data of the management area, that is, (VID), (PIF), and (DAT) are read and stored in the work memory. Next, the playback device determines whether to set the parental outlet mode. There are various methods for this determination. For example, FIG.
As described above, parental outlet data may be recorded in the sub-code of the data unit, and the determination may be made when a disc is inserted or during playback. In (VID), a program measure to be linked is defined (see FIG. 8A). A flag is added to a data string of a specific program measure, and a data string or a story to which this flag is added is added. May be determined as requiring a specific operation.

In the example of FIG. 15, first, it is determined whether or not the information of the parental outlet is recorded (steps S21 to S23). If there is no parental outlet program, a reproduction process is performed according to a normal program link (step S24). If it is detected that the parental outlet program exists, a comment screen as shown in FIG. 10B is displayed (step S25). When the permission key is input, the reproduction is performed according to the specific program link (step S27).

FIG. 16 shows another example of a flow chart when the parental outlet function operates. FIG.
The same parts as those in the flowchart in FIG. If there is no parental outlet program, the process proceeds to step S32, and a program selection menu screen is displayed. If the parental outlet program exists, a comment screen is displayed, and it is determined whether or not the permission key has been input (steps S25 and S25).
26). If the permission key is not input, step S3
The program proceeds to step 2 to display a program selection menu screen. If the permission key has been input, the confidential mode is canceled (step S31), and the process proceeds to step S32.
When program selection, data string selection, or story selection is performed in the display state of the program selection menu screen, playback is performed according to the selection. When the confidential mode is released, for example, the image display processing as shown in FIG. 10A is not performed, and the image display processing is performed in a normal state.

As described above, in the case of a disc in which the reproduction data sequence of the program is controlled, it is convenient to record various extension tables as management data as described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 17 shows an example of an apparatus for displaying all the multi-scenes on the screen when reproducing a disc on which multi-scenes are recorded. The data on the disk is read (step S41), and the subcode of the data unit is read (step S42). For this disc,
A code (for example, a parental consent code) indicating the existence of a multi-scene is recorded in the subcode. When this code is detected, the playback device determines whether or not the frame division display mode is set (step S43). The frame division display mode is input from the operation unit of the playback device by a user operation.

The program bar of the scene to be linked is recognized, and the screen of the linked program bar is divided and displayed (step S44). FIG. 18A shows, for example, four linked program bars # 11, # 12, # 13,
It is an example of the split screen displayed when # 14 exists. FIG. 18B shows an example of program measures # 11, # 12, # 13, and # 14 on a linked disk. In this case, program bars # 11, # 12, # 1
3, a program bar # 15 obtained by reducing # 14 to 記録 may be recorded on the disc. In step S44, by reproducing the program bar # 15, the reduced program bars # 11 ', # 12', #
13 'and # 14' are displayed.

If the split display mode is not set in step S43, the screen enlargement switch information is read, and it is determined whether or not the screen enlargement is instructed (steps S45 and S46). If the enlargement mode has not been instructed, the flow shifts to step S44 to perform multi-screen display. If the enlargement mode instruction is given,
The selection information (data string selection information, story selection information, etc.) of the screen to be enlarged is read, and the designated program bar is normally reproduced (step S48). FIG. 18B
In the case of a disc on which the program shown in FIG. 18 is recorded, when the process proceeds from step S43 or step S46 to step S44, a display as shown in FIG. 18A is performed. That is, program bars # 10 and # 1
5, # 10, # 16,... However, when the enlarged screen is instructed, any one of # 11, # 12, # 13, and # 14 is reproduced at the normal size after the program bar # 10. Next, program bar # 16
Is played.

In the above embodiment, program bar # 15
Is prepared in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this. If multi-screen display is performed, program measures # 11, # 12, # 13, #
A method may be employed in which each of the fourteen representative frames is decoded and displayed, the still image state is set, and an instruction for an enlarged screen is awaited. In this case, the reproducing apparatus further includes a video processing unit and prepares a plurality of decoders. Further, the reproducing apparatus includes a circuit for reducing the screen of the decoded output and synthesizing the decoded output to create a multi-screen video signal.

In the above-described system, as described with reference to FIG. 2, it is assumed that the disc contains audio information in various languages as audio information relating to a movie, for example. Therefore, this system also has an audio data string selection function, and the data string processing unit 2
03 (FIG. 1), audio / audio information and subtitle information in an arbitrary language can be selected.

When the selection mode is set to automatic, when scene switching is performed, decoding of audio information of a data unit to be automatically reproduced is started. As for the language selected at this time, audio information of the same language as the language selected before the switching is selected.

In the above embodiment, when the parental outlet function operates, the start information is obtained from the management data or the subcode recorded on the disk. Further, in FIG. 16, an example in which the secret mode is released has been described. However, there may be a case where, for example, a disc on which a multi-story is recorded is purchased, and conversely, the parental outlet mode is set.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the playback apparatus when setting the parental outlet mode. The disc is inserted, and the management data is read (steps S51 and S52). Next, it is determined whether or not a request signal for setting the parental outlet mode has been input by a user operation (step S53). If there is no request signal, a normal reproduction mode is set. If the request signal for setting the parental outlet mode has been input, a menu screen is displayed using the link information of the program from the management data (step S54). As a menu screen,
For example, this is a screen as shown in FIG. 7, in which a number is assigned to a plurality of data strings and displayed. Here, the user gives a number for setting the parental outlet mode by the key information, and specifies a data string corresponding to the scene (step S55). Then, a menu screen for inputting the permission code is displayed. This menu screen is, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 10B (step S5).
6). When the permission code is input, the permission code, the number of the designated data string, the disc identification number, and the like are paired and stored in the work memory.

As described above, when the parental outlet mode is set, when the disc is loaded, the playback device reads the management data as well as the work memory. Thereafter, the processing shifts to the processing from step 23 in FIG. 15 and FIG.

When the user knows the existence of a multi-scene recording disc, the user may perform a scene switching operation at random timing. In such a case, if the scene is not switched, it may be mistaken as a failure.
Further, it is not clear which of the multi-scene the data string currently being reproduced is in, so that a scene switching operation may be performed unnecessarily. Therefore, this reproducing apparatus is also provided with a menu screen display function as shown in FIG.

If there is a program bar to be linked with reference to the link information when there is a scene switching input, if there is a program as shown in FIG. 3B, as shown in FIG. Such a display is performed. When the multi-scene is switched, a display such as “the current scene is data string # 1” or “the current scene is data string # 4” is displayed as shown in FIG. 20B or FIG. 20C. Do. Thereby, the usability for the user is improved.

As described above, according to the present invention,
This gives the user the freedom to select a scene, and also allows the software to be expanded. FIG. 21A is another example of an arrangement of program measures on a disc on which a multi-scene is recorded. For example, the multi-scene program shown in FIG. 3B may be recorded as shown in FIG. 21A. That is, # 0 ... # 1 # 2 # 1 # 2 ... # 3 ... # 4 # 5 # 6 # 4
# 5 # 6 #... # 7 are sequentially recorded on the track. In other words, the program bar # 0 is followed by the program bars # 1 and # 2 of a multi-scene configuration. In this disk, the program bars # 1 and # 2 are recorded in the area TA in the order of reproduction. The same applies to program measures # 4, # 5, and # 6 in a multi-scene configuration following program measure # 3. In this case, the program measure of the multi-scene configuration has a smaller data amount than that in the case of FIG. 3B. Disc 100 having such a recording format
Is accessed by a playback device as shown in FIG. 21B.
This reproducing apparatus is almost the same as that shown in FIG.
30 are provided. This buffer memory 203
It is used to store the program bars of the multi-scene configuration. For example, after the program bar # 0, the data units of the program bars # 1 and # 2 are read and stored in the buffer memory 230. After the program bar # 3, the data units of the program bars # 4 # 5 # 6 of the multi-scene configuration are read and stored in the buffer memory 230. Then, the program bars of the multi-scene configuration are sent to the video processing unit 206. As a result, on the monitor, the video of the program bar having the multi-scene configuration can be viewed simultaneously on the multi-screen. In such reproduction, multi-scene real-time reproduction can be obtained. When a program bar having a multi-scene configuration is read, the system control unit 2
Reference numeral 04 controls the motor 102 to realize high-speed data reading. For example, when there are n program measures, reading is performed at n times speed. With the recording method shown in FIG. 21A, it is not necessary to control the movement of the pickup.

FIGS. 22A and 22B show still another example of the arrangement of program measures on a disc on which a multi-scene is recorded. In the case of this disc, program bar # 10
When the next program bar # 11 is reproduced, for example, four-screen information is recorded. The screens A to D are shown in the figure. When this program bar # 11 is continuously played back, multi-scenes are simultaneously displayed as moving images on the screen. The user can watch the multi-scene on another screen at the same time.
In addition, during the reproduction of the multi-scene, the user can designate and select any one screen from the operation unit. Then, the playback device enlarges and displays the selected screen. FIG. 22B is a flowchart of software incorporated in a playback device that plays the above-described disc. When the playback device starts playback and performs normal playback, if it is determined that the portion is a multi-scene portion, the multi-scene is played back on another screen as it is. That is, the program bar # 11 of FIG. 22A is reproduced (steps S71 to S74). Next, when the user selects one screen during the reproduction, the reproducing apparatus converts information of the selected screen into an enlarged screen. As a result, the selected screen is enlarged and displayed on the display. When the reproduction of the multi-scene portion is completed, the process shifts to the normal reproduction (steps S75 to S7).
7).

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even with the program information already recorded on the recording medium, the user can be given the freedom to select not only the front scene but also the back scene, and the user can perform the current playback even when performing a scene switching operation. The scene can be notified and the handling can be assisted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an information area of a disc according to the present invention and a diagram showing an example of a data format.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data string on the disk.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a display example of a menu screen by the playback device.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a display example of a menu screen by the playback device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a menu screen by the playback device.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a display example of a menu screen by the playback device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an information table of a management area of the disk.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the data sequence of the disk and an example of an information table of a management area of the disk.

FIG. 10 is a view showing another example of a menu screen by the playback device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart shown to explain an operation example of the playback device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart shown to explain an operation example of the reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of a data sequence shown for explaining the operation of the playback apparatus at the time of scene switching.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a data sequence shown for explaining the operation of the playback apparatus when switching scenes.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart shown to explain an operation example of the playback device.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart shown to explain an operation example of the playback device.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart shown to explain an operation example of the playback device.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display by the playback device and a diagram showing an example of a data sequence of a disc.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart shown to explain an operation example of the playback device.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a screen display example by the playback device.

FIG. 21 shows still another example of the data sequence of the disc and a part of a retransmitting device for processing the data sequence.

FIG. 22 shows still another example of the data sequence of the disk and an example of a flowchart for processing the data sequence.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100: a disk, 201: a modulation and demodulation unit, 202: an error correction data processing unit, 203: a data string processing unit, 204: a system control unit, 205: an operation unit.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A management area is formed in a part of an area, and a data area is formed in another area. The data area has a first program information and a second program which can be replaced with the first program information and reproduced. An apparatus for reproducing a disc on which at least program information is recorded, and in which the management area records multi-scene configuration information indicating that the first program information and the second program information are linked. A pickup unit for reading information on the disc; a demodulation unit for demodulating an output signal from the pickup unit; a management information storage unit for storing the multi-scene configuration information output from the demodulation unit; Referring to the scene configuration information, the first and second
Screen generating means for generating a screen in which the identification information of the currently reproduced program information is synthesized with the decoded output of the currently reproduced program information in a state where either of the program information is reproduced. An apparatus for reproducing a multi-scene recording medium, comprising: 2. A management area is formed in a partial area, and a data area is formed in another area. The data area has a first program information and a second program that can be replaced with the first program information and reproduced. A method for reproducing a disc in which at least program information is recorded, and in the management area, multi-scene configuration information indicating that the first program information and the second program information are linked is recorded. A first step of reading information on the disc; a second step of demodulating an output signal from the pickup means; and a third step of storing the multi-scene configuration information output from the demodulation means. Referring to the multi-scene configuration information, the first and second
A fourth step of generating a screen in which the identification information of the currently reproduced program information is combined with the decoded output of the currently reproduced program information in a state where either of the program information is reproduced. A method for reproducing a multi-scene recording medium, comprising: