JP2001351312A - Reproducer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reproducer which can perform automatic replacement of disks at a proper position of reproduction. SOLUTION: A reproduction means 13 receives output from a read means 12 and reproduces each contents element that is recorded on a recording medium. A main contents judgment means 14 receives output from the read means 12 and judges reproduction or non-reproduction of a main contents element according to the length of each recorded contents element. A menu judgment means 15 judges whether each contents element is a menu content element or not. A replacement control means 16 instructs a replacement holding means 11 to replace the recording medium when the menu contents element is reproduced after the main contents element is reproduced. Then the means 11 performs replacement of the recording medium.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to automatic exchange of recording media, and more particularly to automatic exchange at an appropriate playback position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional DVD changer holds a plurality of discs, reads out video and audio stored in a PGC in the discs, and reproduces them.
When the reproduction of all the PGCs in the disc is completed, the disc is automatically replaced with the next disc. Therefore, disk exchange can be performed easily and quickly without requiring user operation.

[0003]

However, FIG.
In the DVD in which the PGC is reproduced as in A, after the reproduction of the main title (PGC2), which is the main video, is finished,
The display automatically shifts to the menu (PGC3) and requests the user to perform a key operation. Here, the menu is a selection display of a button, and requests the user to make a selection.

Therefore, unless the user performs any operation, the automatic change of the disc by the DVD changer is not performed.

In order to solve this problem, a method of automatically exchanging disks when reproducing a menu can be envisaged. However, in the DVD in which the PGC is reproduced as shown in FIG. 11B, the disc is automatically exchanged when the menu (PGC2) is reproduced without reproducing the main title (PGC3). That is, the disc is exchanged regardless of whether or not the main title is reproduced, and the user cannot see the main video.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to solve such a problem and to provide a reproducing apparatus capable of automatically performing disk exchange at an appropriate reproducing position.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
A storage device for storing and holding a plurality of recording media, and an exchange holding unit capable of replacing a recording medium read by the reading unit, a reading unit for reading the content recorded on the recording medium held by the exchange holding unit, Receiving means for receiving the output from the reading means and playing back each content element recorded on the recording medium, receiving the output from the reading means, based on the content element length of each content element recorded on the recording medium The main content determining means for determining whether or not the reproduction of the main content element has been performed, receives the output from the reading means, and determines whether or not each content element recorded on the recording medium is a menu content element. After receiving the output of the menu determining means for determining, the main content determining means and the menu determining means, and completing the reproduction of the main content element, It is characterized by having a replacement control means for instructing the replacement of the recording medium to the switching holding means during the reproduction of the new content element.

Therefore, the recording medium can be automatically exchanged after the reproduction of the main content element is completed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the reproducing apparatus, the main content judging means calculates a total sum of the content element lengths of the respective content elements recorded on the recording medium, and halves the total sum of the respective content element lengths. When the total sum of the content element lengths of the content element whose reproduction has ended and the content element whose reproduction has started exceeds, it is determined that the main content element has been reproduced.

Therefore, the recording medium is not automatically replaced before the content element having the main content is reproduced.

[0011] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the menu determining means determines that the content element recording the still information is a menu content element.

Therefore, when the menu is a still image, the menu content element can be determined.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the reproducing apparatus, when the content element whose reproduction has been started is the same as the content element whose reproduction has already ended, the menu judging means determines that the content element whose reproduction has started is one of the menu content elements. It is characterized by being judged to be a department.

Therefore, when the menu is a moving image, the menu content element can be determined.

The exchange and holding means is means for accommodating and holding a plurality of recording media and exchanging a recording medium to be read by the reading means. In the following embodiment, the exchange and holding unit corresponds to the exchange and holding unit.

The reading means is means for reading the contents recorded on the recording medium held by the exchange holding means, and corresponds to the pickup 24 in the following embodiment.

The reproducing means is means for reproducing each content element recorded on the recording medium in response to the output from the reading means. In the following embodiment, the signal processing unit 25 and the video / audio demodulation unit will be described. 26 corresponds to this.

[0018] The main content determining means receives the output from the reading means and determines whether or not the main content element has been reproduced based on the content element length of each content element recorded on the recording medium. In the following embodiment, this corresponds to ST22 in FIG.

The menu determining means receives the output from the reading means and determines whether or not each content element recorded on the recording medium is a menu content element. In the following embodiment, ST1 of FIG.
5, 16 correspond.

The exchange control means receives the outputs of the main content determination means and the menu determination means and, after the reproduction of the main content element is completed, exchanges the recording medium with the exchange holding means when reproducing the menu content element. The ST23 in FIG. 5 corresponds to the following embodiment.

The content element corresponds to each PGC in the following embodiment.

The main content element corresponds to a main title (PGC 21 to 23) in the following embodiment.

In the following embodiment, the menu content element corresponds to the menu in title (PGC3). If the menu in the title is a movie,
PGCs 31 to 33 correspond to this. Also, a menu in the system is applicable.

The recording medium on which the program is recorded is a concept including a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a hard disk, a memory card, a ROM, a punch card, a tape, and the like. In addition to a recording medium on which a program that can be directly executed by a computer is recorded, a recording medium on which a program that can be executed once by being installed on another recording medium (such as a hard disk), or an encrypted or recorded medium is recorded. This is a concept including a recording medium on which a compressed program is recorded.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 1. Functional Block Diagram FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the reading means 12 reads the contents of the recording medium held in the exchange holding means 11, the reproducing means 13 receives the output from the reading means 12 and reproduces each content element recorded on the recording medium. Further, the main content determining means 14 receives the output from the reading means 12 and determines whether or not the main content element has been reproduced based on the content element length of each content element recorded on the recording medium. I do. Further, the menu determining means 15 receives the output from the reading means 12, and determines whether each content element recorded on the recording medium is a menu content element.

Next, the exchange control means 16 receives the outputs of the main content judgment means 14 and the menu judgment means 15,
After the reproduction of the main content element is completed, the exchange unit 11 is instructed to exchange the recording medium when the menu content element is reproduced. The exchange holding unit 11 exchanges a recording medium.

2. Configuration Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention when a DVD is used as a recording medium will be described.

2.1 Configuration of DVD Player FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the DVD player. The CPU 21 is connected to a memory 22, an exchange holding unit 23 as an exchange holding unit, a pickup 24 as a reading unit, a signal processing unit 25 as a reproducing unit, a video / audio demodulation unit 26, and an operation / display unit 27 via a bus line. Have been. Memory 22
Stores a system control program 28, an automatic exchange control program 29, an operating system 30, a matrix storage unit 31, and a button / flag 32.

The exchange holder 23 includes actuators such as a spindle, a thread, and a tray motor.
Has the function of replacing The operation / display unit 25 includes a panel key, a remote controller, a fluorescent display tube, and the like.

The DVD set in the exchange holder 23
Is read by the pickup 24, the read signal is amplified and enters the signal processing unit 25, where the signal processing unit 25 performs 16-8 conversion and error correction processing. After that, it is sent to the video / audio demodulation unit 26 as a video and audio stream.

Also, the signal processing unit 25 to the exchange holding unit 23
The feedback to the pickup 24 forms a focus, tracking, and sled servo loop. The system control program 28 performs these controls, and also accepts key operation input of the operation / display unit 27 and controls a display device such as a fluorescent display tube.

The automatic exchange control program 29 determines whether the menu is a menu or not and whether it is a main title based on the output from the pickup 24. Further, based on these results, it instructs the replacement holding unit 23 to replace the disk.

The matrix storage unit 31 stores a record for storing a command for specifying a PGC when executing a jump navigation command (see below) in the PGCI of the PGC. The record stores a VTS number, a PGC number, a jump command, button presence information, and the like. Here, the button presence information is set when the PGC has a button selection display. The button presence information stored in the record is copied to the button flag 32.

2.2 DVD Configuration The configuration of the DVD is shown in FIG. 3A, taking the DVD used in this embodiment as an example. VTS1-3 (Video
Title Set) and VMG (Video Manager)
Each of the VTSs 1 to 3 is mainly divided into a title area and a system area. The system area is provided with a PGC (Program Chain) and is used for subtitle selection, audio selection, and the like, and is called an in-system menu. On the other hand, the PGC of menu-like display in the title area is called a menu in title (see below).

In the title area of VTS1, a P
GC1 is provided. The PGC 1 is reproduced before the main title and is used for advertisement.

In the title area of the VTS 2, PGCs 21 to 23 as main titles and P
GC3 is provided. The main title is a main video or the like on the DVD, and has the longest reproduction time. Also,
The in-title menu automatically requests the user to select a chapter or the like during playback, and requires some operation by the user.

In the title area of VTS3, a P
GC4 is provided. The PGC 4 is reproduced after the main title and is used for the next notice.

VMG is DVD management information in which information such as the number of VTSs is stored. Further, the VMG has a VMG menu used for selecting a title.

Here, the main titles PGC 21 and PGC 21
3 is a main content element. PGC3 which is a menu in a title is a menu content element. The menu in the system is also a menu content element.

FIG. 3B shows the structure of the PGC. PGC is P
A GCI and a VOBS are provided. The VOBS stores data such as video and audio, and the PGCI stores a navigation command. By specifying the address of the VOBS in each cell 42 in accordance with the PGCI programs 1 to N, the video, audio, and the like are read.

FIG. 3C shows the structure of the PGCI. The PGC general information 44 describes the number of programs, the PGC playback time, and the like. The pre-command 41 and the post command 4 are stored in the program chain command table 45.
3 are described, and these are commands executed before and after the PGC. The post command 43 includes a jump navigation command, and jumps to the PGC specified by the command. In some cases, the post command 43 does not include a jump-type navigation command, or even if it does, the post command 43 is not executed because the condition is not satisfied, or the post command 43 itself does not exist. In such a case, the jump is performed with reference to the PGC general information 44.

Program chain program map 46
Indicates the start number of the program. The cell playback information table 47 includes a cell still time, which is a time during which the menu in the title is stopped (hereinafter, “still”).
Information). The cell position information table 48 describes a VOB-ID number and the like.

In the VOBS of the PGC in which the menu in the title is a moving image display, in addition to video and audio, a command to be executed when a button to be displayed on the screen is selected and the button selection is confirmed is recorded.

3 Operation The menu in the title is displayed as a still image or a moving image. Hereinafter, the case of a still image and the case of a moving image will be described separately.

(1) When the Menu in the Title is a Still Image The operation of the automatic exchange control program 29 when the DVD for playing the PGC is set as shown in FIG. 4 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. PGC3 is a menu in the title of the still image, and is stored in the cell playback information table 4 of PGCI.
7, “still” information is described. FIG. 4 shows the playback time of each PGC, which is the content element length.

First, the sum S of the reproduction times of the respective PGCs in the title area is obtained according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 (ST
11). The number n = 3 of VTS in the disk is obtained, and
Is cleared (ST31, ST32). Set the counter i = 1, read the navigation data of VTS1,
The number m = 1 of PGCs in the title area is obtained (ST3).
3-35). By setting the counter j = 1, the PGC1 P
The reproduction time of PGC1 is obtained from the PGC general information 44 in GCI and added to S (ST36, 37). 1 is added to the counter j, and j = 2> m = 1 (ST3
8, 39), and adds 1 to the counter i (ST40).
Since i = 2 <n = 3 (ST41), V
The playback time of the PGC in the title area of TS2 and VTS3 is added to S. Then, when 1 is added to the counter i, i
= 4> n = 3 (ST40, 41), and S is determined. That is, S = t1 + t21 + t22 + t23 + t3
+ T4.

Next, the title reproduction time T is cleared (ST12). This title playback time T is calculated by adding the playback time of the PGC that has started playback to the total playback time of the PGCs that have finished playback.
Playback time.

Next, when reproduction of PGC1 is started, PG
Since C1 is the PGC of the title area, the playback time t1 of PGC1 is obtained from the PGC general information 44 (see FIG. 3C) in the PGCI, and the title playback time T = t1 (ST13, ST14). It is determined that there is no “still” information to be executed in the PGCI of PGC1 (ST15),
It is determined that a loop is not configured (ST16, ST17) (for determination of the loop configuration, see below).

When the reproduction of the PGC 21 is started, the PGC 2
1 is the PGC of the title area, and the reproduction time t21 of the PGC 21 is obtained from the PGC general information 44 in the PGCI.
And adds it to the title playback time T (T = t1 + t
21) (ST18, 20, 21). PGC of PGC21
It is determined that there is no “still” information to be executed in I (ST15), and it is determined that no loop is formed (ST1).
6, 17). Similarly, T = t1 + t21 + t22 + t23 for the PGCs 22 and 23.

When the reproduction of the PGC 3 is started, the PGC 3 is the PGC of the title area.
The reproduction time t3 of PGC3 is obtained from the GC general information 44 and added to the title reproduction time T (T = t1 + t21 +
t22 + t23 + t3) (ST18, 20, 21). P
Since the “still” information to be executed exists in the PGCI of the GC 3 (ST15), the title reproduction time T is compared with S / 2 (ST22). Title playback time T is S / 2
If it is determined that the number of discs exceeds the limit, when the PGC 3 is reproduced, the exchange holding unit 23 is instructed to exchange the disc (ST23). Upon receiving the instruction, the exchange holding unit 23
Exchanges a disk when reproducing PGC3.

If the title reproduction time T does not exceed S / 2 in ST22, the disc is not automatically exchanged and the menu in the title is reproduced (ST2).
4). Therefore, there is no possibility that the disc is automatically exchanged without reproducing the main title.

Also, if there is no menu in the title,
Even when the reproduction is completed, the exchange holding unit 23
Instructs to replace the disk (ST19, 2)
3).

Also, the title playback time T does not include the playback time of the in-title menu PGC3 whose playback has been started,
The reproduction time of only the PGC for which reproduction has been completed may be set as the title reproduction time T and compared with S / 2.

The reference for comparison with the playback time of each PGC in ST22 is not limited to １ ／ of the total S of the playback times of each PGC in the title area, but may be 45% or 5%.
It may be 5% or the like.

The reference for comparison with the playback time of each PGC in ST22 is not limited to the sum of the playback times of the PGCs in the title area.
May be added to the sum.

Also, when the in-system menu is reproduced, the determination is made by searching for "still" information in ST15.

In this embodiment, the reproduction time is used as the content element length, but the data amount of the content element may be used.

(2) When the menu in the title is a moving picture In the above description, the case where the PGC 3 is a still picture display has been described.
The operation of the automatic exchange control program 29 for the cases 1 to 33) is shown in the flowchart of FIG. Note that P
In the VOBS of the GC 32, a command to be executed when a button to be displayed on the screen is selected and the button selection is confirmed is recorded. Here, the button selection display is a display requesting the user to make a selection. In addition, it is assumed that a transition to the next PGC is made by the command shown in FIG.

As described above, in parallel with the reproduction of the PGC, it is determined whether or not the menu in the title is reproduced (ST1).
5, 16). Then, even if the reproduction of PGC1 to PGC32 is completed, the “still” information and the configuration of the loop cannot be detected, and the records specifying PGC1 to PGC32 are accumulated in the matrix storage unit 31 (1 to 6 in FIG. 9A). Th record). The record stores information that specifies the PGC, and the matrix storage unit 31 stores the information (see above).

Next, the command B of the PGC 32
When the process proceeds to C33, a record of the PGC 33 is added to the matrix storage unit 31 as described below, and the configuration of the loop is determined.

Since the PGC 33 has no buttons,
The button presence information in the record of the PGC 33 is not set (ST51, 52).

When executing the command B in the PGCI of the PGC 32, a record of the PGC 33 is added to the matrix storage unit 31 (the seventh record in FIG. 9A) (ST53, ST5).
4).

The button presence information in the seventh record stored in the matrix storage unit 31 is copied to the button / flag 32, and the button presence information is cleared (ST5).
5, 56). In this case, since the button presence information is not set in the seventh record, the button flag 32
Is not set.

The number of records r = 7 stored in the matrix storage section 31 is obtained, and the counter P = r-1 = 6 is set (ST57, ST58). Since P> 0, the sixth record and the seventh record are obtained and compared (ST5).
9-61).

Since the sixth record does not match the seventh record, it is determined whether or not the button presence information of the sixth record is set (ST62). PGC
Since there is a button in 32 and the button presence information of the record (the sixth record) is set, the button flag 32 is set and 1 is subtracted from the count P (ST63, 64).

Similarly, the first to fifth records are compared with the seventh record (ST59 to ST64). When the count P = 0, there is no record to be compared, so it is determined that a loop is not formed (ST67).

Next, the PG is executed by the command C of the PGC 33.
When the process proceeds to C31, the record of the PGC 31 is added to the matrix storage unit 31 as the eighth record in the same manner as described above (see FIG. 9B), and the loop configuration is determined.

It is determined that the seventh record and the eighth record do not match, and that the sixth record and the eighth record do not match. However, since the button existence information of the sixth record is set, ST4
At 3, the button flag 32 is set.

In ST61, the fifth record and the eighth record are compared, and since they match, it is determined whether or not the button flag 32 is set (ST6).
5). Since the button / flag 32 has been set in ST43, it is determined that a loop is formed (ST6).
6).

If it is determined that a loop is to be formed, the title playback time T and S / S
Compare with 2. Thereafter, the disk exchange is performed in the same manner.

4. Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the automatic exchange control program 29 adds the playback time of the PGC whose playback has started to the title playback time T in ST21 of FIG. In this case, when all the cells constituting the PGC are not reproduced, an accurate title reproduction time T cannot be calculated.

Therefore, the title reproduction time T may be calculated by a process as shown in FIG. This is S
In T76, it is determined whether or not the reproduction of the cell has been completed. In ST78, the reproduction time of the cell in which the reproduction has been completed is added to the title reproduction time T. Therefore, the reproduction time of a cell that is not actually reproduced is not added as the title reproduction time T. The cell reproduction time is recorded in the cell reproduction information table 47 described above.

In this embodiment, a DVD is used as a recording medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a CD-ROM or the like may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a DVD player used in the embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a DVD used in the embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a configuration of a PGC in a DVD used in the embodiment.

FIG. 3C is a view showing a PGC of a PGC in a DVD used in the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a GCI.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing transition of a PGC of a DVD used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an automatic exchange control program 29 according to the embodiment.
3 is a flowchart performed by the user.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for calculating a total S of reproduction times of PGCs in a title area in a DVD used in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing transition of a PGC of a DVD used in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an automatic exchange control program 29 in the embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing the processing of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing records stored in a queue storage unit 31 in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of an automatic exchange control program 29 in another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing transition of PGC of a DVD.

[Explanation of symbols]

 23 ... Exchange Holder 24 ... Pickup 25 ... Signal Processor 26 ... Video / Audio Demodulator 29 ... Automatic Exchange Control Program

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Nao Yamamoto 2-1 Nissincho, Neyagawa-shi, Osaka Onkyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5D044 AB07 BC03 CC06 DE03 DE12 DE17 DE22 DE23 DE29 DE54 DE59 FG19 5D066 BA03 BA05 BA06 DA02 DA11 DA16 5D077 AA23 AA38 BA14 CB06

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A storage device for storing a plurality of recording media,
Replacement holding means capable of replacing the recording medium read by the reading means, reading means for reading the content recorded on the recording medium held by the replacement holding means, receiving the output from the reading means and recording the content on the recording medium Receiving the output from the reproducing means and the reading means for reproducing each content element, it is determined whether or not the main content element has been reproduced based on the content element length of each content element recorded on the recording medium. A main content determining unit, a menu determining unit that receives an output from the reading unit and determines whether or not each content element recorded on the recording medium is a menu content element; an output of the main content determining unit and the menu determining unit After the main content element has been reproduced, the exchange holding means Reproducing apparatus characterized by comprising a replacement control means for instructing the replacement of the recording medium. 2. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main content determining means calculates a sum of the content element lengths of the respective content elements recorded on the recording medium, and calculates 1/1 of the sum of the respective content element lengths. 2 is characterized in that it is determined that the main content element has been reproduced when the sum of the content element lengths of the content element whose reproduction has ended and the content element which has started reproduction has exceeded. 3. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main content determining means calculates a total sum of content element lengths of each content element recorded on a recording medium, and calculates 1/1/1 of the total sum of the content element lengths. 2. If the sum of the content element lengths of the content elements for which reproduction has been completed exceeds 2, the main content element is determined to have been reproduced. 4. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said menu judging means judges a content element recording still information as a menu content element. 5. The playback device according to claim 1, wherein the menu determining unit determines that the content element that has started playing when the content element that has started playing is the same as the content element that has already finished playing. Is determined as a part of the menu content element. 6. Reading contents recorded on a recording medium, and judging whether or not reproduction of a main content element has been performed based on a content element length of each content element recorded on the recording medium, The content recorded on the recording medium is read to determine whether each content element recorded on the recording medium is a menu content element, and the content element length of each content element recorded on the recording medium is determined. Is determined based on the main content element has been played, when the content element recorded on the recording medium is determined to be a menu content element or when it is determined that the content element is a part of the menu content element After the reproduction of the main content element is completed, a program for controlling the recording medium to be exchanged when the menu content element is reproduced. Recording medium recording the ram. 7. A content recorded on a recording medium is read, and it is determined whether or not a main content element has been reproduced based on a content element length of each content element recorded on the recording medium. The content recorded on the recording medium is read to determine whether each content element recorded on the recording medium is a menu content element, and the content element length of each content element recorded on the recording medium is determined. Is determined based on the main content element has been played, and when it is determined that the content element recorded on the recording medium is a menu content element,
A reproduction method for exchanging a recording medium when reproducing a menu content element after reproduction of a main content element is completed.