Patent Application
20070160346
The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2005-356357 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Dec. 9, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reading apparatus, a reading method, a program, and a program recording medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to a reading apparatus for reading content, a reading method, a program, and a program recording medium.
2. Description of Related Art
A video/audio encoder 11 encodes image data of a baseband corresponding to an input image signal, in accordance with the MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) system. Furthermore, the video/audio encoder 11 encodes audio data of a baseband corresponding to an input audio signal (not shown) in accordance with the MPEG system. The video/audio encoder 11 supplies data obtained by the encoding to a stream encoder 12.
The stream encoder 12 multiplexes the encoded data, which is supplied from the video/audio encoder 11, converts the data into a stream by an MPEG transport stream method or an MPEG program stream method, and supplies the data stream obtained by the conversion to a write buffer 13.
The write buffer 13 temporarily stores the data stream supplied from the stream encoder 12 and supplies the stored data stream to a drive 14.
The drive 14 records the data supplied from the write buffer 13 onto a loaded optical disc 15. Furthermore, the drive 14 reads data that is recorded as a file from the loaded optical disc 15, and supplies the read data to a read buffer 19.
A juke system 16 controls loading and unloading of the optical disc 15 into and from the drive 14. The juke system 16 allows a picker 18 to select one of the optical discs 15 from disc slots 17 that store each of a plurality of optical discs 15.
Under the control of the juke system 16, the picker 18 transports the selected optical disc 15 and allows it to be loaded into the drive 14. Under the control of the juke system 16, the picker 18 transports the optical disc 15 taken out from the drive 14 and allows it to be stored in one of disc slots 17, that is, the juke system 16 controls the picker 18.
The read buffer 19 includes a semiconductor memory or a hard disk, and temporarily stores a data stream supplied from the drive 14. The read buffer 19 absorbs reading jitter, flattens the data rate so as to become constant, and supplies the stored data stream to a stream decoder 20.
The stream decoder 20 separates the data stream by the MPEG transport stream method or the MPEG program stream method into image data and audio data, and supplies the separated image data and audio data to a video/audio decoder 21.
The video/audio decoder 21 decodes the encoded image data and audio data into image data and audio data of a so-called baseband. Furthermore, the video/audio decoder 21 supplies, to a monitor 22, the output image signal and audio signal (not shown) based on the image data and audio data of the baseband, respectively, which are obtained by the decoding.
The monitor 22 displays an image on the basis of the output image signal and outputs audio on the basis of the supplied audio signal.
A description will now be given, with reference to
At time t2, reading of data recorded on the loaded optical disc 15 is started, and the data is stored in the read buffer 19. At time t3, when a predetermined amount of data is stored in the read buffer 19, the data stored in the read buffer 19 is read into the stream decoder 20. Then, the video/audio decoder 21 decodes the image data and the audio data, and supplies an output image signal and an output audio signal corresponding to the image data and the audio data obtained by the decoding to the monitor 22. At time t4, on the basis of the output image signal and the output audio signal, the monitor 22 displays an image and outputs audio.
That is, from when playback is requested from the user at time to until an image is displayed on the monitor 22 at time t4, a time lag corresponding to the period of time necessary from when the optical disc 15 stored in the disc slot 17 is loaded into the drive 14 until image data is read from the loaded optical disc 15 occurs. This time lag is approximately 20 to 30 seconds depending on the configuration of the recording and playback system.
This time lag occurs each time playback is requested. As a consequence, the user may feel very anxious. This point is a serious problem from the viewpoint of ease of operation.
Accordingly, in the related art, there has been developed a video recording and playback apparatus for recording or reproducing a video and/or audio signal onto or from a first recording medium; a second recording medium having an access time shorter than that of the first recording medium and into or from which a signal from the beginning portion of the video and/or analog signal up to a predetermined period of time is recorded or reproduced when a desired video and/or analog signal is recorded into or from the first recording medium; and a control for controlling the recording and playback apparatus and the second recording medium (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 1997-161461).
The present inventors, however, recognized that, also, when playback of content is to be started from the middle of the content, a similar time lag occurs. If this time lag can be shortened, it is possible to provide a playback function having a high degree of ease of operation. This ease of operation is particularly important in a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) capable of performing playback from the middle of the content in units of programs and chapters.
The present invention has been made in view of such and other circumstances, and recognizes it is desirable to reduce a wait time when a specified portion of a DVD is to be read during the playback of the DVD.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a reading apparatus for reading data from a digital versatile disc, includes: generation means for generating information indicating a plurality of predetermined portions of content stored on the digital versatile disc, wherein each predetermined portion corresponds to a segment indicated by a piece of navigation information of the digital versatile disc on which the content is recorded; storage means for reading the predetermined portions from the digital versatile disc on the basis of the information generated by the generation means and for storing the predetermined portions on a storage medium; and reading control means for controlling reading of data from the digital versatile disc and the storage medium so that the data of the predetermined portions stored on the storage medium is read and data subsequent to the data read from the storage medium is read from the digital versatile disc if reading of the data of the content is requested.
The predetermined portion may correspond to a period of time longer than a period of time necessary for reading data of content from the digital versatile disc.
The predetermined portion may correspond to a predetermined period of time from the start position of a program or a part of a title in a digital versatile disc-video standard.
The generation means may generate the information by assuming the beginning address of a beginning video object unit of a beginning cell of the program or a part of title (PTT) to be the start position of the predetermined portion and by assuming the beginning address of the video object unit that is played back from the beginning video object unit of the beginning cell of the program or the PTT after the predetermined period of time to be the end position of the predetermined portion.
The reading apparatus may further include acceptance means for accepting the starting of reading of content, wherein the reading control means controls reading of data from the storage medium and the digital versatile disc so that data of the predetermined portion corresponding to the reading accepted by the acceptance means, which is stored on the storage medium, is read, and data subsequent to the data read from the storage medium is read from the digital versatile disc.
Further, when recording the data on the storage medium, the navigation information may be converted into offset values from a beginning of a file of the data.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a reading method for use with a reading apparatus for reading data from a digital versatile disc, or a program for enabling a computer to perform a reading process for reading data from a digital versatile disc, includes: generating information indicating a plurality of predetermined portions of content stored on the digital versatile disc, wherein each predetermined portion corresponds to a segment indicated by a piece of navigation information of the digital versatile disc on which the content is recorded; reading the predetermined portions from the digital versatile disc on the basis of the information generated in the generation and storing the predetermined portions in advance on a storage medium; and controlling reading of data from the digital versatile disc and the storage medium so that the data of the predetermined portions stored on the storage medium is read and data subsequent to the data read from the storage medium is read from the digital versatile disc if reading of the data of the content is requested.
In the reading apparatus, the reading method, and the program according to an embodiment of the present invention, on the basis of navigation information of a DVD on which content is recorded, the navigation information indicating predetermined portions of content stored on the digital versatile disc. On the basis of the generated information, the predetermined portions are read from the DVD and stored in advance on a storage medium. When reading of the data of the content is requested, the reading of data from the storage medium and the DVD is controlled so that the data of the predetermined portions, which is stored on the storage medium, is read and data subsequent to the data read from the storage medium is read from the DVD.
The program may be recorded on a recording medium.
As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reduce a wait time when a specified portion of a DVD is to be played during the playback of the DVD.
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Before describing an embodiment of the present invention, the correspondence between the features of the claims and the specific elements disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention is discussed below. This description is intended to assure that embodiments supporting the claimed invention are described in this specification. Thus, even if an element in the following embodiments is not described as relating to a certain feature of the present invention, that does not necessarily mean that the element does not relate to that feature of the claims. Conversely, even if an element is described herein as relating to a certain feature of the claims, that does not necessarily mean that the element does not relate to other features of the claims.
A reading apparatus (for example, a recording and playback system 101 of
The predetermined portion corresponds to a period of time (for example, time T) longer than a period of time necessary for reading data of content from the DVD.
The predetermined portion corresponds to a predetermined period of time from the start position of a program or a part of a title (PTT) (for example, a program (PG) or a PTT of
The generation means generates (for example, step S3 of
The reading apparatus may further include acceptance means (for example, an application program 141 of
A reading method for use with a reading apparatus for reading data from a DVD or a storage medium or a program for enabling a computer to perform a reading process for reading data from a DVD or a storage medium according to another embodiment of the present invention includes: generating (for example, step S2 of
A video/audio encoder ill encodes image data of a baseband corresponding to an input image signal in accordance with the MPEG system. Furthermore, the video/audio encoder 111 encodes audio data of a baseband corresponding to the input audio signal (not shown) in accordance with the MPEG system. The video/audio encoder 111 supplies the data obtained by the encoding to a stream encoder 112.
The stream encoder 112 multiplexes the encoded data, which is supplied from the video/audio encoder 111, converts the data into a stream by an MPEG transport stream method or an MPEG program stream method, and supplies the stream obtained by the conversion to an HSM (Hierarchical Storage Management) 113.
The HSM 113 manages hierarchical storage of data of content onto a storage medium (that is, storage of data of content onto a storage medium having a hierarchical structure is managed).
Under the control of a storage manager 114, the HSM 113 supplies the stream supplied from the stream encoder 112 to an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 116 via a buffer 115.
The HSM 113 reads, from the HDD 116, the data stream that is read from an optical disc 119 and that is stored in the HDD 116 via the buffer 115, and supplies the read data stream to a stream decoder 123.
The HDD 116 is an example of a high-speed primary storage device, and stores a data stream supplied from the HSM 113 via the buffer 115 under the control of the HSM 113. Furthermore, the HDD 116 supplies the stored data stream to the buffer 115 or a buffer 117.
The buffer 115 is formed of a semiconductor memory, a portion of the HDD 116, or the like. The buffer 115 temporarily stores the data stream supplied from the HSM 113 or the HDD 116, and supplies the stored data stream to the HSM 113 or the HDD 116.
The buffer 117 is formed of a semiconductor memory, a portion of the HDD 116, or the like. The buffer 117 temporarily stores a data stream supplied from the HDD 116 or a drive 118 and supplies the stored data stream to the HDD 116 or the drive 118.
The buffer 115 and the buffer 117 absorb reading jitter and flatten the data rate so as to become constant.
The drive 118 records the data supplied from the buffer 117 as a file on a loaded optical disc 119.
The drive 118 reads the data recorded as a file from the loaded optical disc 119 and supplies the data to the buffer 117.
A juke system 120 controls loading and unloading of the optical disc 119 to and from the drive 118. Furthermore, the juke system 120 allows a picker 122 to select one of the optical discs 119 from disc slots 121 used for storing each of the optical discs 119.
Under the control of the juke system 120, the picker 122 transports the selected optical disc 119 and allows it to be loaded in the drive 118. Furthermore, under the control of the juke system 120, the picker 122 transports the optical disc 119 taken out from the drive 118 and allows it to be stored in one of the disc slots 121. That is, the juke system 120 controls the picker 122.
The stream decoder 123 separates a data stream by an MPEG transport stream method or an MPEG program stream method into image data and audio data, and supplies the separated image data and audio data to a video/audio decoder 124.
The video/audio decoder 124 decodes the encoded image data and audio data to image data and audio data of a so-called baseband. Furthermore, the video/audio decoder 124 supplies, to a monitor 125, an output image signal and an output audio signal (not shown), which are respectively based on the image data and the audio data of the baseband obtained by the decoding.
The monitor 125 displays an image on the basis of the output image signal and outputs audio on the basis of the output audio signal.
An application program 141 has an interface function with a user, and obtains instructions from the user or notifies the user of various kinds of information on the recording and playback system 101. The application program 141 controls the entire recording and playback system 101.
A content manager 142 manages descriptions of the content recorded by the recording and playback system 101 and searches through the descriptions of the content.
The content manager 142 controls recording of various kinds of information on content into a content database 161, and controls reading of information on content from the content database 161.
Various kinds of information on the content recorded in the content database 161 are as follows, for example:
Information (for example, file names, path names, etc.) of files associated with content
Descriptions of Content and additional information (for example, names of content, genres of content, etc.)
Compression format (method) of content, playback time, and index information (for example, index positions in content, etc.)
User information (for example, names of users, the passwords, etc.) of users having access authorization
The storage manager 114 controls the HSM 113 on the basis of a request from the application program 141.
The storage manager 114 is provided with a system manager 162 and a file I/O manager 163.
The system manager 162 sets a storage-control-related system, records an error log, and performs a maintenance process.
The file I/O manager 163 controls a process (a reloading process to be described later) for reading data from the optical disc 119 to the HDD 116 or a process for writing data from the HDD 116 to the optical disc 119.
The HSM 113 forms, as a virtual storage, the HDD 116, the drive 118, the optical disc 119, the juke system 120, the disc slot 121, and the picker 122, and controls temporary storage of data of content by the HDD 116.
The HSM 113 is configured to include a migration file system 164, a storage server 165, a store database (DB) 166, a medium server 167, and a volume database (DB) 168.
As shown in
The area information includes an offset indicating an offset value (bytes) from the beginning of the data of the content up to the beginning of the portion of the content stored as a cache file in the HDD 116, the size indicating the amount of data of the portion, a flag indicating whether only a portion has been stored or if stored in a hole state (described later), and the like.
The hint information includes a hint offset indicating an offset value (bytes) from the beginning of the data of content up to the beginning of the portion of the content to be stored as a cache file in the HDD 116, a hint size indicating the amount of data of the portion, and the like.
Area flags indicating attributes of a portion to be stored in the HDD 116, a hint priority indicating a priority when the portion is to be migrated, and the like, may be contained in the hint information.
The expansion attributes of the content may be stored or read by the file system of the operating system, or may be stored in the content database 161.
Referring back to
The storage server 165 reads data from the optical disc 119 into the HDD 116, or writes data from the HDD 116 to the optical disc 119.
Furthermore, the storage server 165 manages recording, into the store database 166, information on a cache file for storing data of content stored in the HDD 116, or manages reading of information on a cache file from the store database 166.
The information on the cache file 166 to be recorded in the store database 166 is as follows, for example:
Information by which cache file names stored in the HDD 116 and cache file IDs, which are values for specifying cache files, are associated with one another
Cache file date information indicating time when a cache file was written or when a cache file was last accessed
Volume ID for specifying the optical disc 119 on which the whole data is stored
Available capacity of each optical disc 119 in the jukebox 145
The medium server 167 manages the optical disc 119 stored in each disc slot 121.
The medium server 167 requests a changer driver 143 to load the specified optical disc 119 into the drive 118.
Furthermore, the medium server 167 requests the changer driver 143 to unload, to the disc slot 121, the optical disc 119 loaded into the drive 118.
The volume database 168 provided in the medium server 167 stores information on the optical disc 119.
Information on the optical disc 119, which is stored in the volume database 168, is as follows, for example:
Recording capacity of the disc 119 in a raw disc state
Type as medium of each disc 119 (MO (Magneto-Optical disk), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)+R, DVD+RW, and the like), and attributes, such as write-only or readable-writable
Volume ID of the optical disc 119 stored in each disc slot 121 in the jukebox 145
Use state of the drive 118 incorporated in the jukebox 145
The changer driver 143 controls the drive 118, and has an interface function to and from the jukebox control section 144 and the HSM 113.
The jukebox control section 144 includes the juke system 120 and a juke servo 169. The juke system 120 controls the system including the drive 118, the optical disc 119, the disc slot 121, and the picker 122. The juke servo 169 drives the jukebox 145.
The jukebox 145 includes the drive 118, the optical disc 119, the disc slot 121, and the picker 122.
Next, the outline of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The embodiment of the present invention aims to reduce a wait time when a specified portion of a DVD serving as the optical disc 119 is to be read.
In the embodiment of the present invention, when the DVD 119 is loaded into the drive 118, on the basis of navigation information in the DVD-Video standard, which is read from the DVD 119 by the drive 118, for example, hint information (
As noted above, the present invention utilizes navigation information on the DVD to indicate a point at which a portion of a program should be recorded. In the example shown in
In the example of
Here, the portion of content corresponding to the data stored as a cache file in the cache area of the HDD 116 will be referred to as a “stub”, and the area in the content, in which the stub data is stored in the HDD 116, will be referred to as a “stub area”. Furthermore, the area in the content, in which the stub data is not stored in the HDD 116, will be referred to as a “hole area”. When the stub area and the hole area need not be distinguished from each other, they will be simply referred to as an “area”.
That is, in the example of
The data (stub data) in an area, which is a stub area indicated by 2 of the program 2; the data (stub data) in an area, which is a stub area indicated by 4 of the program 3; and the data (stub data) in an area, which is a stub area indicated by 6 of the program 4, are also stored as cache files in the HDD 116.
The data in an area, which is a hole area indicated by 3 of the program 2; the data in an area, which is a hole area indicated by 5 of the program 3; and the data in an area, which is a hole area indicated by 7 of the program 4, are not stored in the HDD 116.
When the DVD 119 is loaded into the drive 118 in the manner described above, the data of content in a portion, for example, from the beginning of each program up to a predetermined period of time, is written in advance as a cache file in (the cache area of) the HDD 116.
As indicated by the white-on-black arrows in
Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, as indicated by the white-on-black arrows in
That is, according to the embodiment of the present invention, data of a predetermined period of time from the beginning of each program is prestored as a cache file in the HDD 116, and the drive 118 reads the data of the period of time (length of the data) from the DVD 119 at a speed higher than the speed of reading data necessary for playing back content. Therefore, by lengthening the period of time longer than the period of time necessary for reading the data of the content from the DVD 119, the data that is not stored in the cache file of the HDD 116 can be stored in the cache file of the HDD 116 before the data is read for playing back content. As a consequence, the data necessary for playing back content can typically be read from the cache file of the HDD 116. When a request for reading the data of the content is made, it is possible to quickly read the data of the content without hardly causing a wait time to occur. For example, in the case of audio or image content, the image or audio can be played back without the image and audio being interrupted.
Next, details of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The DVD-Video standard will be described first.
A PGC (Program Chain) specifies the order in which cells are played back. In
A group of one or more cells having consecutive numbers in the PGC is defined as one program (PG). The program is used as the unit of random shuffle playback and the unit of access by a command. In
A group of one or more programs having consecutive numbers in the PGC is defined as one PTT. The PTT corresponds to a chapter and is one of the units of access by a user. In
A cell is a unit at which real-time data is played back, and a cell number (Cell#1, Cell#2, . . . in
Each cell is formed of a plurality of VOBUs (Video Object Units), which is a set of video objects composed of data, such as video, audio, and subpictures.
Next, the file structure of the DVD-Video standard will be described below.
In the DVD-Video standard, a single DVD video zone is provided. As shown in
The VMG (Video Manager) is formed of VMGI, VMGM_VOBS, and VMGI_BUP.
The VMGI (Video Manager Information) is control information for the entire DVD video data and is formed of one VIDEO_TS.IFO file.
The VMGM_VOBS (VOBS for VMG menu) contains content for the title selection menu, such as video, audio, and the like of the title menu, and is formed of one VIDEO_TS.VOB file.
The VMGI_BUP (control data for backup) is a copy (backup) of the VMGI and is formed of one VIDEO_TS.BUP file.
Each VTS (Video Title Set) is formed of VTSI, VTSM_VOBS, VTS_TT_VOBS, and VTSI_BUP.
The VTSI (Video Title Set Information) is control information for the VTS of one or more titles, information of the VTS menu, and the like and is formed of one VTS_##—0.IFO file. ## (02 in
The VTSM_VOBS (VOBS for VTS menu) indicates content for various kinds of menus in the VTS, such as a chapter image, audio, and a subtitles selection image, and is formed of one VTS_##—0.VOB file.
The VTS_TT_VOBS (VOBS for titles in the VTS) contains content for reproducing a title and is formed of a plurality of files of VTS_##_@.VOB. @ indicates an integer from 1 to 9.
The VTSI_BUP (control data for backup) is a copy (backup) of VTSI and is formed of one VTS_##—0.BUP file.
Next, details of main files will be described below.
First, the VMGI (VIDEO_TS.IFO) of the VMG will be described.
As shown in
In the VMGI_MAT (Video Manager Information Management Table), for example, the sizes of the VMG and the VMGI, the beginning address of each piece of information (TT_SRPT, etc.) in the VMG, the attribute information of the VOB for the VMGM, and the like, are described.
In the TT_SRPT (Title Search Pointer Table), search information of titles in the content of DVD video is described. The search information is formed of TT_SRPTI and a plurality of TT_SRPs.
In the TT_SRPTI, for example, the number of TT_SRP (titles) and the end address of the TT_SRPT are described.
The TT_SRP is provided for each title. In the TT_SRP, for example, the number (VTSN) of the VTS to which the titles described below belong to, the title number (VTS_TTN) in the VTS, and furthermore the angles, the number of PTTs, the VTS address, and the like are described:
In the TXTDT_MG, text information, such as the name provided to the disc and the title, is described.
Next, the VTSI (VTS_##—0.IFO) of the VTS will be described below.
As shown in
The VTS_PTT_SRPT (VTS PTT Search Pointer Table) is a table for indicating which PG of which PGC each PTT corresponds to. In the table, the PGCI numbers necessary for reproducing VTS_TTN are described.
The VTS_PTT_SRPT is formed of PTT_SRPTI, a plurality of TTU_SRPs, and a plurality of TTUs.
In the PTT_SRPTI, the TTU number and the end address of the VTS_PTT_SRPT are described.
In each TTU_SRP, the number of relative bytes from the beginning of the VTS_PTT_SRPT at the beginning address of the TTU is described.
The TTU is a set of PTT_SRPs for each title and indicates which PTT each title is formed of.
The VTS_PGCIT (VTS Program Chain Information Table) is a group of tables in which information of all the PGCs belonging to the VTS is described, and contains a plurality of PGCIs.
The PGCI (Program Chain Information) is a set of navigation data for controlling the playback of the PGC.
The PGCI is formed of PGC_GI, PGC_PGMAP, and C_PBIT.
In the PGC_GI (PGC General Information), the overall information on the total number of programs (PGs) in the PGC, the total number of cells, the PGC playback time, and the start addresses of various kinds of tables for the PGC is described.
The PGC_PGMAP (PGC Program Map) is a map table indicating the structure of programs in the PGC. In the map table, as shown in
Referring back to
The C_PBI (Cell Playback Information) is formed of C_CAT, C_PBTM, C_FVOBU_SA, C_FVOBU_EA, C_LVOBU_SA, and C_LVOBU_EA.
In the C_CAT, cell categories, such as the type of cell, a seamless playback flag, an STC, a discontinuity flag, an access limit flag, a still time, a cell command number, and the like, are described.
In the C_PBTM, a cell playback time is described.
In the C_FVOBU_SA, the beginning address of the beginning VOBU of the cell is described. In the C_FVOBU_EA, the end address of the beginning VOBU of the cell is described.
In the C_LVOBU_SA, the beginning address of the end VOBU of the cell is described. In the C_LVOBU_EA, the end address of the end VOBU of the cell is described.
In the VTS_VOBU_ADMAP (VTS VOBU Address Map), an address for specifying a location at which the data of the VOBU about the VTSI is recorded is described. More specifically, in the manner described below, the beginning addresses of the VOBUs (#1 to #m) belonging to the VTSI are described in ascending order of the LBN (logical block number) thereof. One sector=2048 bytes.
VOBU(VTS_VOBU_AD) #1: address 000 sector
VOBU(VTS_VOBU_AD) #2: address 100 sector
VOBU(VTS_VOBU_AD) #3: address 200 sector
VOBU(VTS_VOBU_AD) #4: address 400 sector
That is, the VTS_VOBU_AD #n (VTS VOBU #n Address) indicates the beginning address of the n-th VOBU in the VTS_VOBU_ADMAP.
The VTSI (VTS_##—0.IFO) is structured in the manner described above. If the information described therein is used, in the case of the data structure shown in, for example,
Next, a description will be given of the VTSM_VOBS (VTS_##—0.VOB) (
That is, the PGC number (PGC#), the PTT number (PTT#), the program number (PG#), the cell number (cell#), and the like are hierarchically described in such a manner as to correspond to the data structure shown in
The cell is formed of one or more VOBUs. One VOBU has a playback time length of 0.4 seconds to 1 second. As shown in
One NV_PCK (Navigation Pack) typically exists in the VOBU, and it is located at the beginning of the VOBU. The NV_PCK contains two packets of PCI (Presentation Control Information) and DSI (Data Search Information).
In the PCI, control information on playback display is stored.
The PCI is formed of PCI_GI, NSML_AGLI, HLI, and RECI.
The PCI_GI (PCI general information) is formed of NV_PCK_LBN, VOBU_CAT, VOBU_UOP_CTL, VOBU_S_PTM, VOBU_E_PTM, VOBU_SE_PTM, and C_ELTM.
The NV_PCK_LBN indicates the LBN (logical block number) of the navigation pack. The VOBU_CAT indicates the category (description of analog protection state) of the VOBU. The VOBU_UOP_CTL indicates the user operation control information on the VOBU. The VOBU_S_PTM indicates the start PTM (Presentation Time) of the VOBU. The VOBU_E_PTM indicates the end PTM of the VOBU. The VOBU_SE_PTM indicates the end PTM at the sequence end in the VOBU.
The C_ELTM indicates an elapsed time in the cell. For example, when the playback time of the VOBU of the VOBU#3 in
In an actual DVD video, for example, in the case of a movie, the playback time of one cell is several minutes to a little over 10 minutes, and the playback time of one VOBU is approximately 0.5 to 1 second.
Referring back to
The HLI (highlight information) is information for highlighting one rectangular area within a subpicture display area.
The RECI (recording information) is information for video data, all audio data, and SP data recorded in this VOBU.
The DSI (data search information) is formed of DSI_GI, SML_PBI, SML_AGLI, VOBU_SRI, and SYNCI.
The DSI_GI (DSI general information) indicates information on the DSI. The SML_PBI (seamless playback information) indicates information necessary for performing seamless playback. The SML_AGLI (seamless angle information) indicates information on a destination address when the angle is to be changed. The VOBU_SRI (VOBU search information) indicates the beginning address of the VOBU that is played back 0.5×n seconds after or before the time at which the VOBU in which the DSI is contained is started to be played back. The SYNCI (synchronization information) indicates the address information of audio data and subpicture data that are reproduced in synchronization with the video data of the VOBU in which the DSI is contained.
Next, a description will be given, with reference to the flowchart in
When the DVD 119 is loaded into the drive 118, in step S1, the application program 141 obtains, from the drive 118 into which DVD 119 is loaded, navigation information, which is information for realizing functions unique to a DVD, such as multi-angle playback, parental playback, and random shuffle playback, and for supporting special playback such as fast forwarding and fast rewinding.
In step S2, the application program 141 supplies the obtained navigation information to the HSM 113 via the storage manager 114. The migration file system 164 of the HSM 113 generates hint information on the basis of the supplied navigation information.
In step S3, the storage manager 114 generates a cache file on the basis of the generated hint information.
Next, details of processing of steps S2 and S3 will be described below. First, a description will be given below, with reference to the flowchart in
In step S11, the migration file system 164 detects the start position of the data of the content stored as a cache file in the HDD 116. In the case of this example, since data of a predetermined period of time from the beginning of each program (PG in
In step S21, the migration file system 164 reads the entry cell number of the program from the PGC_PGMAP (
For example, in the example of
From step S22 to step S24, the migration file system 164 performs the process of step S23 with respect to each cell number of the obtained entry cells, and performs processing of loop control so that processings of steps S22 to S24 are repeated a number of times equal to the cell number.
In step S23, the beginning address of the beginning VOBU of the entry cell of the program is determined.
More specifically, the migration file system 164 refers to the C_FVOBU_SA of the C_PBI corresponding to cell (entry cell) having the cell number of the entry cell in order to obtain the beginning address of the beginning VOBU of the cell on the basis of the C_PBIT of the PGCI of the VTS_PGCIT. As described above, the C_PBI defines the order in which the cells in the PGC are played back, and in the C_FVOBU_SA of the C_PBI, the beginning address of the beginning VOBU of the cell is described.
The beginning address of the VOBU obtained herein is described as a relative address in the VOBS. Furthermore, since the VOBS is divided into a maximum of 9 files, which file the specified address exists can be known by checking the size of each file.
When the processings of steps S22 to S24 are repeated a number of times equal to the cell number of the entry cell and the beginning address of the beginning VOBU of the beginning cell of each program is obtained, the process proceeds to step S12 of
For example, when the cell#1 and the cell#3 detected in step S21 are structured as shown in
In step S12, the end position of the data stored as a cache file in the HDD 116 is detected. The details of this processing are described in the flowchart of
In step S31, the migration file system 164 reads the cell number of the entry cell of the program from the PGC_PGMAP (
For example, in the example of
In steps S32 to S48, the migration file system 164 performs processing of steps S33 to S47 with respect to the cell number of each of the obtained entry cells, and performs a processing of a loop control so that processings of steps S32 to S48 are repeated a number of times equal to the cell number of the entry cell.
In step S33, the migration file system 164 sets the cell number of the predetermined entry cell obtained in step S31 to a counter CN. In step S34, the value of a counter PBTM for counting the playback time of the cell is initialized to 0.
In step S35, the migration file system 164 refers to the C_PBTM (C_PBTM[CN]) (
In the example of
In step S36, the migration file system 164 determines whether or not the value of the counter PBTM is smaller than the time T. When it is determined that the value is smaller, the process proceeds to step S37, where the migration file system 164 increments the value of the counter CN by 1, and the process returns to step S35. That is, the playback time of the cell (the cell to be played back next) having the cell number of the value of the counter CN that is incremented by 1 is added to the counter PBTM.
That is, if the total playback period of time of the cell is shorter than the specified period of time T, the C_PBTM of the next cell is referred to, the C_PBTM from the entry cell of the program is integrated, and the processing is repeated until the period of time becomes longer than the specified period of time T.
For example, when the playback time of the cell#1<the time T, the playback time (C_PBTM[2]) of the cell of the cell#2 is further added to the counter PBTM.
When it is determined in step S36 that the value of the counter PBTM is not shorter than (is longer than) the time T, that is, when the VOBU as the end position of the cache file exists in the cell in which integration was performed last, the process proceeds to step S38, where the migration file system 164 subtracts the playback time (C_PBTM[CN]) of the cell having the cell number of the current value of the counter CN from the current value of the counter PBTM.
For example, when the total playback time of the cell#1 and the cell#2 is longer than the time T, the playback time (C_PBTM[2]) of the cell#2 is subtracted from the counter PBTM, and the value of the counter PBTM becomes the playback time of the cell#1.
When the conditions in step S36 are not satisfied even if integration is performed up to the end cell of the program, the entire range of this program becomes the target of the cache file.
That is, for example, when the total playback time of the cell#1 and the cell#2 is shorter than the time T, the entire range of the program of PG#1 becomes the target of the cache file.
In the subsequent step S39, the migration file system 164 refers to the C_FVOBU_SA of the C_PBI corresponding to the cell having the cell number of the value of the counter CN in order to obtain the beginning address of the beginning VOBU of the cell. The C_PBIT defines the order in which the cells in the PGC are played back, and in the C_FVOBU_SA of the C_PBI, the beginning address of the beginning VOBU of the cell is described.
In this case, since the counter CN=2, the beginning address of the beginning VOBU of the cell#2 is obtained. When the cell#2 is structured as shown in
In step S40, on the basis of the address obtained in step S39, the migration file system 164 obtains an index number (the value of n of the VTS_VOBU_AD#n) of the C_FVOBU in the VTS_VOBU_ADMAP (
That is, the sequential position (x-th position) of the beginning VOBU of the cell in which the VOBU serving as the end position of the cache file in the VTS_VOBU_ADMAP is detected.
In this case, the sequential position of the VOBU#3 in all the VOBUs for the titles of the VTS is detected.
In step S41, the migration file system 164 initializes the counter VN to 2.
In step S42, in the cell having the value of the counter CN as the cell number, the migration file system 164 refers to the C_ELTM (
In this case, as described above with reference to
In step S43, the migration file system 164 determines whether or not the value of the counter PBTM is smaller than the time T. When the value is determined to be smaller, the process proceeds to step S44, where the elapsed time in the cell of the VOBU played back in the order indicated by the value of the counter VN is subtracted from the counter PBTM (that is, the value of the counter PBTM is returned to the original).
In this case, for example, when the value of the counter PBTM is determined to be smaller than the time T, 0.5 seconds is subtracted from the counter PBTM, and the value of the counter PBTM is returned to the playback time of the cell#1.
Thereafter, in step S45, the migration file system 164 increments the value of the counter VN by 1. The process then returns to step S42, and processings of step S42 and subsequent steps are performed. That is, the elapsed time up to the VOBU that is played back in the order indicated by the value of the counter VN incremented by 1 is added to the counter PBTM, and it is determined whether the resulting time is smaller than the time T.
In this case, for example, when the playback time of the cell#1+the elapsed time up to the VOBU#4 (i.e., the playback time of the VOBU#3)<the time T, the counter VN=3. One (1) second of the C_ELTM of the VOBU#5 that is played back thirdly in the cell of the cell#2 is added to the counter PBTM indicating the playback time of the cell#1.
When it is determined in step S43 that the value of the counter PBTM is not smaller than (is longer than) the time T, the process proceeds to step S46.
In this case, for example, when the playback time of the cell#1+the elapsed time up to the VOBU#5 (i.e., the playback time of the VOBU#3+the playback time of the VOBU#4)>the time T, the process proceeds to step S46.
In step S46, the migration file system 164 adds the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the value of the counter VN to the index number obtained in step S40. In step S47, the migration file system 164 obtains, as the end position of the cache file, the VTS_VOBU_AD #n (the beginning address of the n-th VOBU in the VTS_VOBU_ADMAP) in which the resulting value is set as a value of n.
That is, the sequential position (y-th position) of the VOBU serving as the end position of the cache file in this cell is detected.
In this case, 2, which is obtained by subtracting 1 from the counter VN=3, is sequentially added in all the VOBUs for the title of the VTS of the VOBU#3, and the beginning address of the VOBU#5 in the sequence is obtained as the end position of the cache file.
Processings of steps S32 to S48 are repeated a number of times equal to the cell number of the entry cell. When the end position of the cache file of each program is detected, the process proceeds to step S13 of
In step S13, the migration file system 164 generates hint information on the basis of the start position and the end position of data (hereinafter referred to as a “hint section”) stored as the detected cache file.
More specifically, the migration file system 164 sets, as a hint offset, the amount of data from the beginning of the data of the content up to the start position of the program, which is detected in step S11. That is, the hint offset indicates the start position of the hint section by an offset from the beginning of the data of the content. For example, the unit of the hint offset is set as the amount of data (bytes, etc.).
That is, and as previously discussed, in one embodiment the present invention utilizes the index information on the DVD itself to mark the points at which the portions of the content, i.e., the previously discussed stub data, that is determined to be recorded.
When a file structure identical to that of the DVD-Video standard shown in
As shown in
Furthermore, the migration file system 164 sets the amount of data to be reproduced at time T as a hint size. That is, the hint size indicates the amount of data of the hint section. The unit of the hint size is, for example, set as bytes.
When the hint information is generated in the manner described above, the process proceeds to step S14, where the migration file system 164 stores the generated hint information as expansion attributes of the content of the DVD 119 (
In the hint information, a value corresponding to operation from the user may be directly set. Alternatively, a value may be written by the application program 141 and also by another program such as the operating system.
Thereafter, the process ends.
Next, a description will be given, with reference to the flowchart in
In step S51, the storage manager 114 reads the expansion attributes of the content from the migration file system 164, and extracts hint information from the read expansion attributes of the content.
In step S52, the storage manager 114 computes the number of hint sections by obtaining the hint section length, which is the total amount of data of all the hint sections, among the hint information, and by dividing it by the amount of data of one hint section.
In steps S54 to S58, the storage manager 114 performs processing of steps S55 and S56 with respect to each hint section, and performs processing of loop control so that processing of steps S54 to S58 is repeated by a number of times equal to the number of hint sections.
In step S55, the storage manager 114 obtains, from the hint information, a hint offset indicating the start position of a predetermined hint section.
In step S56, the storage manager 114 obtains, from the hint information, the hint size indicating the amount of data of the hint section.
In step S57, on the basis of the obtained hint offset and hint size, the storage manager 114 sets the hint section of the program as a stub area (area to be cached) and sets an area where hint information is not set as a hole area.
When processings of steps S54 to S58 are repeated a number of times equal to the number of hint sections and when the stub area and the hole area are set with respect to each program, the process proceeds to step S59.
In step S59, the storage manager 114 allows the HSM 113 to store the data of the stub area in the cache file. The HSM 113 reads the stub area from the drive 118 into which the DVD 119 is loaded and stores the stub area in the cache file of the HDD 116. Reading the data of the content from the DVD 119 and storing it in the HDD 116 will be referred to as “reloading” as appropriate.
Next, in step S60, the storage manager 114 allows the migration file system 164 of the HSM 113 to rewrite the area information of the expansion attributes of the content in such a manner as to correspond to the result of reloading data into the cache file, and the process is then completed.
In the manner described above, the HSM process is performed (
Next, a description will be given, with reference to the flowchart in
In step S71, the file I/O manager 163 of the storage manager 114 accepts specification of a program that starts reading data. More specifically, the application program 141 accepts a selection of a program that starts playback, which corresponds to operation by the user.
The application program 141 supplies data for specifying a program that starts playback to the file I/O manager 163. As a result of obtaining the data from the application program 141, the file I/O manager 163 accepts specification of a program that starts reading data. The storage manager 114 instructs the HSM 113 to perform playback from the program.
In step S72, the storage manager 114 instructs the HSM 113 to read the data of the content from the program. The HSM 113 allows the HDD 116 to start reading data from the beginning position of the stub area corresponding to the specified program of the cache file of the HDD 116.
In step S73, the reloading process is performed.
In step S74, the storage manager 114 determines whether or not data has been read up to the end of the cache file. When it is determined that data has not been read up to the end of the cache file, the process returns to step S74, where the determination process is repeated.
When it is determined in step S74 that the data has been read up to the end of the cache file, the playback process is completed.
Next, a description will be given, with reference to the flowchart in
In step S81, the storage manager 114 instructs the HSM 113 to start reloading by specifying a predetermined position. The migration file system 164 of the HSM 113 sets the reloading start position to the beginning of the closest area located after the position of the data that is currently being read from the HDD 116 in step S72 of
In step S82, the storage server 165 of the HSM 113 starts reloading. That is, the storage server 165 allows the data at the reloading start position to be read from the drive 118 into which the DVD 119 is loaded and allows the HDD 116 to store the read data so that the read data is stored in a predetermined area of the cache file.
In step S83, the migration file system 164 determines whether or not the area has been stored. When it is determined that the area has been stored, in step S84, the reloading start position is moved to the beginning of the closest hole area located after the predetermined area. When it is determined in step S83 that the predetermined area has not been stored, the process of step S84 is skipped.
In step S85, the storage server 165 of the HSM 113 starts reloading.
In step S86, the migration file system 164 determines whether or not the reloading of the area has been completed. When it is determined that the reloading of the area has not been completed, the process returns to step S86, where the determination process is repeated.
When it is determined in step S86 that the reloading of the area has been completed, the process proceeds to step S87, where the migration file system 164 rewrites the expansion attributes so that the area that has been completely reloaded and the stub area adjacent thereto are joined together.
In step S88, the migration file system 164 determines whether or not the reloading has been completed up to the end of the cache file. When it is determined in step S88 that the reloading has been completed up to the end of the cache file, the process proceeds to step S89, where the migration file system 164 determines whether or not all the data of the content has been stored in the HDD 116.
When it is determined in step S89 that all the data of the content has not been stored, the process proceeds to step S90, where the migration file system 164 determines whether or not the mode is an auto-reloading mode. When it is determined in step S90 that the mode is an auto-reloading mode, the process proceeds to step S91, where the migration file system 164 moves the reloading start position to the beginning of the cache file. The process then returns to step S82, and the above-described processing is repeated.
When it is determined in step S88 that the reloading has not been completed up to the end of the cache file, the process proceeds to step S82, and the above-described processing is repeated.
When it is determined in step S89 that all the data of the content has been stored or when it is determined in step S90 that the mode is not an auto-reloading mode, the process is completed.
Next, a specific example of the reloading process will be described below with reference to
Each of the noted stub data was retrieved in one embodiment based on navigation information already on the DVD. For example that navigation information could be index information on the DVD or any other navigation information indicating the different program 1-program 3 on the DVD.
The conditions in this example are as described below, but the conditions are merely examples and the conditions are not limited to these.
When the program 3 is selected by the operation of the user, the application program 141 accepts the selection of the program 3. Firstly, under the control of the storage manager 114, the HSM 113 allows the HDD 116 to start reading data from the beginning position of the stub area (the area whose area number is 4) corresponding to the program 3 of the cache file of the HDD 116, thereby starting the playback of the content from the program 3.
As shown in
Stub data of 650 kilobytes in the stub area of the program 3, that is, at a position apart by 39000 kilobytes from the beginning of the content, is read from the HDD 116, and the playback from the beginning of the program 3 is instantly started.
In parallel with the above process, secondly, the storage manager 114 issues, to the HSM 113, a reloading command for requesting the HSM 113 to read the data of the hole area (area 5) located after the stub area of the program 3 from the DVD 119 to the HDD 116 and to store the data in the HDD 116. Then, thirdly, from the DVD 119 loaded into the drive 118, the data of the content corresponding to the data of the hole area (the area whose area number is 5) located after the stub area of the program 3 is read, and reloading is started so that the read data is stored in the hole area located after the stub area of the program 3, of the cache file of the HDD 116 (in such a manner as to be stored following the stub area of the program 3).
In this case, the data following the stub data of 650 kilobytes at a position apart by 39000 kilobytes from the beginning of the content (area 4 for program 3) is read from the DVD 119 loaded into the drive 118. The read data is reloaded so as to follow the stub data of 650 kilobytes at a position apart by 39000 kilobytes from the beginning of the content. Therefore, the data is sequentially stored starting from the beginning of the area whose area number is 5. In response to the storage of the data, the migration file system 164 updates the expansion attributes so that the stored portion is joined to the area whose area number is 4.
Therefore, as the reloading process progresses, the offset position of the area in a hole state, for which the reloading process is to be performed, shifts toward the back of the content (offset becomes larger), and the size of the area becomes smaller.
Here, when the program 2 is selected as a program that starts playback, fourthly, the application program 141 jumps to the program 2. Fifthly, under the control of the storage manager 114, the HSM 113 allows the HDD 116 to start reading data from the beginning position of the stub area of the program 2 of the cache file of the HDD 116 (area 2), and thus the playback of the content is instantly started from the program 2.
When the position of the reading of the data is changed by the application program 141 in units of a program, reloading is performed starting from the beginning of the hole area closest to the position at which reading is performed among the hole areas after the position at which reading is performed. Therefore, the reloading process that is currently being performed is interrupted, and reloading is restarted from the beginning of the hole area closet to the position at which reading is now to be performed. Even if the position of the reading of the data is changed, when the position at which reloading is currently being performed is the beginning of the hole area closest to the position at which reading is performed among the hole areas after the changed position at which reading is performed, the reloading process is continued as is.
In this example, since the playback of the content is started from the program 2, sixthly, the process for reloading the data in the hole area located after the stub area of the program 3 is interrupted.
For example, data of 9750 kilobytes following the stub data of 650 kilobytes at a position apart by 39000 kilobytes from the beginning of the content is read from the DVD 119 loaded into the drive 118. The read data of 9750 kilobytes is reloaded into the hole area so that the data follows the stub data of 650 kilobytes at a position apart by 39000 kilobytes from the beginning of the content. As a result, the amount of data of the stub area at a position apart by 39000 kilobytes from the beginning of the content becomes 10400 (650+9750) kilobytes. The migration file system 164 sets, to 10400, the size of the area indicated by the area number of 4, which is contained in the area information of the expansion attributes of the file.
Seventhly, from the DVD 119 loaded into drive 118, the data of the content corresponding to the data of the hole area (area 3) located after the stub area of the program 2 is read (area 3). Reloading of the data of the content is started so that the read data is stored in the hole area located after the stub area of the program 2 (area 3), of the cache file of the HDD 116.
Eighthly, when the reloading of the hole area located after the stub area of the program 2 is completed, the area that has already been stored is skipped. Ninthly, the reloading process is continued so that the data at the position at which the reloading process was interrupted at the sixth process, that is, in the hole area located after the stub area of the program 3, is performed.
The data of 25350 kilobytes following the stub data of 650 kilobytes at a position apart by 13000 kilobytes from the beginning of the content is read from the DVD 119 loaded into the drive 118. The read data of 25350 kilobytes is reloaded into the hole area so that the data follows the stub data of 650 kilobytes at a position apart by 13000 kilobytes from the beginning of the content.
As a result, the reloading of the hole area next to the stub area in which the stub data of 650 kilobytes at a position apart by 13000 kilobytes from the beginning of the content is stored is completed. Therefore, the data from a position apart by 13000 kilobytes from the beginning of the content up to a position apart by 49400 kilobytes from the beginning of the content is stored in the cache file. As a result, the stub area having an area number of 2, the stub area having an area number of 3, and the stub area having an area number of 4, which have been adjacent to each other thus far, are joined to one stub area.
The area number of each area is re-assigned to a consecutive value starting from 0 of the beginning area. As a result, the area number of the joined stub area is set to 2, and the area number of the hole area whose area number has been 5 until the areas are joined is set to 3.
As a result of the joining of the areas, the amount of data of the stub area whose area number is 2 becomes 36400 (650+25350+10400) (at time of (11)). The migration file system 164 sets the size of the area having an area number of 2, which is contained in the area information of the expansion attributes of the file, to 364000, sets the offset with respect to the area having an area number of 3 to 494000, sets the size to 9100, and sets the flag to 0.
Reloading of the data of the hole area located after the stub area of the program 3, that is, the data of the area whose area number has become 3 as a result of the joining of the areas, is performed. When the data of the content has been reloaded up to the end of the data of the content, the area having an area number of 2 and the area having an area number of 3 are joined together.
In the auto-reloading mode, when reloading is performed up to the end of the data of the content, the remaining data from the beginning, which is not reloaded, is reloaded to the cache file, and the reloading is completed. Therefore, the position of the reloading is moved to the beginning of the cache file. Tenthly, the stored area of the beginning of the content is skipped. Eleventhly, the reloading process is continued so that reloading of the data of the hole area located after the stub area of the index 1 of the beginning of the content is performed.
As shown in
Twelfthly, when the data is stored in the cache file up to immediately before the stub area of the program 2, the data of the whole content is stored in the cache file, and therefore, the reloading is completed. In this case, all the areas are joined into one area.
Thirteenthly, the DVD 119 is unloaded from the drive 118 and is returned to the disc slot 121.
As described above, when reading of the content, in which a cache file in a stub file state is stored in the HDD 116, is requested, the data is read from the DVD 119, and the read data is stored in the cache file. Then, the data stored in the cache file is read, and the content is played back.
As described above, it is possible to reduce a wait time when any desired portion is to be read.
The data that is not stored in the cache file may be read from the DVD 119, and content may be directly played back from the data read from the DVD 119.
Furthermore, the data of the content is prefetched from the DVD 119 and is stored in the HDD 116. Therefore, the drive 118 can be released earlier when compared to the case in which the data read from the DVD 119 is directly used for playback. That is, the performance of the drive 118, such as high-speed reading of the DVD 119, can be exhibited more sufficiently, and the drive 118 can be used more efficiently.
In the foregoing, the stub data is stored in the HDD 116 for each program. Alternatively, the stub data can be stored in the HDD 116 for each PTT (chapter).
In the foregoing, a case in which support for the DVD-Video standard is provided is described as an example. In addition, in the case of various kinds of formats (for example, DVD+VR, DVD-Audio, and BD (Blue-ray Disc)) having stream data and playback control information for controlling the playback of the stream data and capable of specifying an address in the stream corresponding to a time on the basis of input time information, the present invention can be applied by only changing the address analysis portion.
The series of processes described above can be carried out not only by hardware but also by software. When the series of processes is to be carried out by software, a program constituting the software is installed from a recording medium onto a computer that is incorporated in specialized hardware or, for example, onto a general-purpose personal computer that can perform various functions by installing various programs thereon.
For the CPU 401, the cell described in “Cell Birth”, Nikkei Electronics, Nikkei Business Publications, Inc., Feb. 28, 2005, pp. 89 to 117, can be adopted.
An input/output interface 405 is also connected to the CPU 401 via the bus 404. An input section 406 including a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, etc., and an output section 407 including a display, a speaker, etc., are connected to the input/output interface 405. The CPU 401 performs various kinds of processings in response to instructions input from the input section 406. Then, the CPU 401 outputs processing results to the output section 407.
The recorder 408 connected to the input/output interface 405 corresponds to, for example, the HDD 116, and records programs to be executed by the CPU 401 and various kinds of data. The recorder 409 corresponds to, for example, the jukebox 145, and records various kinds of data and programs to be executed by the CPU 401. A communication section 410 communicates with external devices of a client or the like via a network, such as the Internet and/or a LAN.
Furthermore, a program may be obtained via the communication section 410 and may be recorded in the recorder 408 or the recorder 409.
When a removable medium, such as a magnetic disk 421, an optical disc 422, a magneto-optical disc 423, or a semiconductor memory 424, is loaded into the drive 411, the drive 411 connected to the input/output interface 405 drives the removable medium in order to obtain a program, data, and the like recorded thereon. The obtained program and data are transferred to the recorder 408 or the recorder 409 as necessary and are recorded therein.
The series of processes described above can be carried out by hardware and also by software. When the series of processes is to be carried out by software, a program constituting the software is installed from a program storage medium into a computer built into specialized hardware or into, for example, a general-purpose personal computer that can carry out various functions by installing various programs.
As shown in
In this specification, the operations describing a program stored on the program storage medium include not only processes carried out in time series in the described order but also processes carried out in parallel or individually and not necessarily in time series.
In this specification, the system designates the overall apparatus formed of a plurality of devices.
It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-356357 | Dec 2005 | JP | national |
