U.S. patent application number 11/736270 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-09 for recording and reproducing apparatus, mpeg image stream recording and reproducing apparatus and medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Toshikazu KODO, Yoshiki KUNO, Yoshitaka YAGUCHI.
Application Number | 20070183757 11/736270 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 15707365 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070183757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YAGUCHI; Yoshitaka ; et
al. |
August 9, 2007 |
RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS, MPEG IMAGE STREAM RECORDING
AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND MEDIUM
Abstract
There is a PSI receipt waiting time of two seconds or so from a
start of decoding of an MPEG transport stream to actual display of
AV data. There are provided first means of recording for recording
a predetermined signal discretely including additional information
of a program; means of controlling records for having said
predetermined signal recorded by first means of recording; means of
controlling reproduction for having said predetermined signal
reproduced from said first means of recording; means of detecting
PSI for detecting program specific information (PSI) from said
predetermined signal; and means of adding PSI for adding said PSI
to said predetermined signal.
Inventors: |
YAGUCHI; Yoshitaka; (Osaka,
JP) ; KODO; Toshikazu; (Hyogo, JP) ; KUNO;
Yoshiki; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RATNERPRESTIA
P.O. BOX 980
VALLEY FORGE
PA
19482
US
|
Assignee: |
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO.,
LTD.
1006, Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma-shi
Osaka
JP
571-8501
|
Family ID: |
15707365 |
Appl. No.: |
11/736270 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11498352 |
Aug 3, 2006 |
|
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11736270 |
Apr 17, 2007 |
|
|
|
09762380 |
Feb 7, 2001 |
7224887 |
|
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PCT/JP00/03620 |
Jun 5, 2000 |
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11498352 |
Aug 3, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
386/329 ;
348/E5.002; 375/E7.024; G9B/27.012 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4325 20130101;
H04N 9/8042 20130101; H04N 21/435 20130101; G11B 27/034 20130101;
H04N 9/8205 20130101; H04N 21/235 20130101; H04N 21/4344 20130101;
H04N 21/4341 20130101; H04N 21/4345 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/112 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/26 20060101
H04N007/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 7, 1999 |
JP |
11-160076 |
Claims
1. A recording and reproducing apparatus, comprising: a detector
for detecting an I-frame position from a MPEG transport stream; a
recorder for recording the MPEG transport stream; and a reproducer
for reproducing the MPEG transport stream having the I-frame at its
head based on the I-frame position.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a controller for
managing and storing the I-frame position information.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the recorder records the
I-frame position information.
4. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1
having a random access function.
5. A medium having a program and/or data for having all or part of
the functions of all or part of the present invention described in
claim 1 executed by a computer, characterized by being processable
by a computer.
6. A recording and reproducing method, comprising steps of:
detecting an I-frame position from a MPEG transport stream;
recording the MPEG transport stream; and reproducing the MPEG
transport stream having the I-frame at its head based on the
I-frame position.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising step of managing and
storing the I-frame position information.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein recording the I-frame position
information.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/498,352, filed Aug. 3, 2006, which is a
divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/762,380, filed
Feb. 7, 2001, which is a U.S. National Phase Application of PCT
International Application PCT/JP2000/03620, filed Jun. 5, 2000, the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a recording and reproducing
apparatus, an MPEG image stream recording and reproducing apparatus
and so on.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Conventionally, a signal compression technology in
compliance with the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) standard
has been used in various fields and is applied to AV data recording
and reproducing apparatus for instance.
[0004] FIG. 10 (a) is a diagram showing an example of general
configuration of a decoder of audio/visual data (hereafter referred
to as AV data) compressed in a form of an MPEG transport stream
(hereafter referred to as MPEG-TS).
[0005] As shown in the diagram, in a stream decoder 100, a
transport decoder 110 is means of receiving input of an MPEG-TS.
Also, an AV data decoder 120 is means of receiving output from a
transport decoder 110, and a frame buffer 130 is means of accessing
an AV data decoder 120 and reproducing the AV data in a form
capable of displaying on a display unit.
[0006] Next, FIG. 10 (b) is a diagram showing a procedure for
decoding and reproducing an MPEG-TS with time as its horizontal
axis, and FIG. 11 (a) is a diagram showing a configuration of an
MPEG-TS, and FIG. 11 (b) is a diagram showing a configuration of an
image stream in an AV bit stream. Hereafter, MPEG-TS decoding and
reproducing operation by a stream decoder 100 will be described
referring to the drawings.
[0007] First, if an MPEG-TS is inputted to the transport decoder
110, the transport decoder 110 detects any PAT from the inputted
MPEG-TS as a step shown in (i) of FIG. 10 (b). Here, a PAT (Program
Association Table) is a packet comprising, in an MPEG-TS, a program
number assigned to a program recorded in the MPEG-TS and a PMT
(Program Mat Table) showing an ID of a packet for transmitting a
stream such as AV data composing the program, and PATs are
scattered in an MPEG-TS as shown in FIG. 11 (a). Moreover, PMTs
also exist as packets in an MPEG-TS.
[0008] The transport decoder 110 detects any PAT and then detects
any PMT as a step shown in (ii) of FIG. 10 (b), and as the case may
be, further detects any ID called CAT (Conditional Access Table)
concurrently with detection of any PAT and PMT as a step shown in
(iii) of FIG. 10 (b). While AV data used for pay broadcasting is
scrambled so that a general viewer without a special purpose
decoder cannot view it, a CAT shows an ID of a packet for
transmitting decoding information for descrambling it, existing as
a packet in an MPEG-TS.
[0009] The program specification information such as PAT, PMT and
CAT is collectively called PSI (Program Specific Information), and
so it can be said that operation of transport decoder 110 as shown
in (i), (ii) and (iii) of FIG. 10 (b) is performing detection of
PSI.
[0010] An MPEG-TS in which PSI is detected by the transport decoder
110 is inputted as an AV bit stream to the AV data decoder 120. The
AV data decoder 120 decodes an image stream from the inputted
MPEG-TS. As shown in FIG. 11 (b), in an MPEG bit stream, an image
stream comprises the image frames of frame I, frame B and frame P,
and of these image frames, the frame that must be decoded first is
frame I. Thus, as in the steps shown in (iv) of FIG. 10 (b) and
FIG. 11 (b), the AV data decoder 120 first detects a frame I. If
the frame I is detected, with the frame I as a starting point, an
image stream is decoded from the MPEG-TS (step (v) of the same
Figure). The decoded AV data is outputted to a frame buffer.
[0011] The frame buffer receives input of AV data from an AV data
decoder, and accumulates a certain amount of it (step (vi) of FIG.
10 (b)) and then outputs it to a display apparatus such as a
display unit.
[0012] Incidentally, according to the above operation, it requires
two seconds or so from a start of decoding an MPEG transport stream
to actual display of AV data. This is caused by operation for
decoding an MPEG-TS into ordinary AV data, and the time can be
divided into two as follows. One is the time required for detecting
PSI in a transport decoder (PSI waiting time), and the other is the
time required for detecting the frame I in an AV decoder (frame I
waiting time).
[0013] The time required for detecting PSI and the time required
for detecting the frame I are felt by a user of an MPEG transport
stream reproducing apparatus as waiting time from performing
reproducing operation to actually becoming capable of viewing AV
data, which has been problematic in terms of convenience.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention was achieved in view of such a
problem, and an object is to provide an MPEG transport stream
recording and reproducing apparatus and an MPEG image stream
recording and reproducing apparatus of which convenience has been
improved by shortening the waiting time from actually performing
operation for starting reproduction to becoming capable of viewing
AV data.
[0015] One aspect of the present invention is a recording and
reproducing apparatus, characterized by comprising:
[0016] first means of recording for recording a predetermined
signal discretely including additional information of a
program;
[0017] means of controlling records for having said predetermined
signal recorded by said first means of recording;
[0018] means of controlling reproduction for having said
predetermined signal reproduced from said first means of
recording;
[0019] means of detecting additional information for detecting said
additional information of a program from said predetermined signal;
and
[0020] means of adding additional information for adding said
additional information to said predetermined signal.
[0021] Another aspect of the present invention is a recording and
reproducing apparatus, characterized by comprising:
[0022] first means of recording for recording a predetermined
signal discretely including additional information of a
program;
[0023] means of controlling records for having said predetermined
signal recorded by said first means of recording;
[0024] means of controlling reproduction for having said
predetermined signal reproduced from said first means of
recording;
[0025] means of detecting PSI or SI for detecting PSI (Program
Specific Information) or SI (Service Information) from said
predetermined signal; and
[0026] means of adding PSI or SI for adding said PSI or SI to said
predetermined signal.
[0027] Still another aspect of the present invention is an MPEG
image stream recording and reproducing apparatus, comprising:
[0028] sixth means of recording for recording an MPEG image
stream;
[0029] means of controlling records for having said MPEG image
stream recorded by said sixth means of recording;
[0030] means of controlling reproduction for having said MPEG image
stream reproduced from said sixth means of recording;
[0031] means of detecting frame I location information for
detecting a location of frame I in said MPEG image stream as frame
I location information; and
[0032] means of managing frame I location information for managing
said frame I location information,
[0033] characterized in that:
[0034] said means of controlling reproduction acquires frame I
location information from said means of managing frame I location
information and, based on it, reproduces an MPEG image stream
having frame I at its head.
[0035] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a recording
and reproducing apparatus, comprising:
[0036] first means of recording for recording an MPEG transport
stream;
[0037] means of controlling records for having said MPEG transport
stream recorded by said first means of recording;
[0038] means of controlling reproduction for having said MPEG
transport stream reproduced from said first means of recording;
[0039] means of detecting PCR (Program Clock Reference) from said
MPEG transport stream; and
[0040] means of adding PCR for adding said PCR to said MPEG
transport stream.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG
transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 2 (a) is a diagram showing a configuration of an
MPEG-TS processed by an MPEG transport stream recording and
reproducing apparatus of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 2 (b) is a diagram showing a configuration of an image
stream processed by an MPEG image stream recording and reproducing
apparatus of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG
transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to
Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG
transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to
Embodiment 3 of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG
transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to
Embodiment 4 of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG
transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to
Embodiment 5 of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG image
stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment
6 of the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG image
stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment
7 of the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG image
stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment
8 of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 10 (a) is a diagram showing a configuration of a stream
decoder by a conventional technology;
[0052] FIG. 10 (b) is a flowchart showing how an MPEG-TS is decoded
by an AV data decoder;
[0053] FIG. 11 (a) is a diagram showing a configuration of an
MPEG-TS processed on a stream decoder;
[0054] FIG. 11 (b) is a diagram showing a configuration of an image
stream processed on a stream decoder;
[0055] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing existence of PCR in an MPEG
transport stream; and
[0056] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing existence of SI in an MPEG
transport stream.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS
[0057] 1 Means of detecting PSI or SI [0058] 2 Means of controlling
records [0059] 3 Means of recording [0060] 4 Means of controlling
reproduction [0061] 5 Means of adding PSI or SI [0062] 6 Means of
managing PSI or SI location information [0063] 10, 20, 30, 40, 50
MPEG transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus [0064] 11
Means of detecting frame I location information [0065] 12 Means of
managing frame I location information [0066] 13 Means of reading
frame I location information [0067] 60, 70, 80 Image stream
recording and reproducing apparatuses [0068] 100 Stream decoder
[0069] 110 Transport decoder [0070] 120 AV data decoder [0071] 130
Frame buffer
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0072] Hereafter, Embodiments of the present invention will be
described.
Embodiment 1
[0073] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG
transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in the diagram, in
the MPEG transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus 10,
means of detecting PSI 1 and means of controlling records 2 are
means of directly receiving input of an MPEG transport stream
(MPEG-TS). Also, means of recording 3 is means of recording an
MPEG-TS under control of means of controlling records 2, and has a
random access function such as an HDD. Means of controlling
reproduction 4 is means of reproducing an MPEG-TS recorded in means
of recording 3. In addition, means of adding PSI 5 is means of
receiving input from means of detecting PSI 1 and means of
controlling reproduction 4 and outputting an MPEG-TS to the outside
of MPEG transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus
10.
[0074] This Embodiment 1 of the present invention having the above
configuration will be described next.
[0075] First, recording operation will be described. If means of
controlling records 2 starts operation for recording an MPEG-TS, an
MPEG-TS is inputted from the outside, and then the MPEG-TS is
inputted to both means of detecting PSI 1 and means of controlling
records 2. On receipt of input of the MPEG-TS, means of controlling
records 2 records it in means of recording 3. The MPEG-TS is saved
as accumulated data in means of recording 3.
[0076] On the other hand, on receipt of input of the MPEG-TS, means
of detecting PSI 1 detects any PAT, PMT and CAT that are the
packets comprising PSI from each of the packets comprising the
MPEG-TS, and records them as PSI data. Here, the PSI data is the
packets comprising the PSI data arranged as one in predetermined
order such as a PAT first, a PMT next and a CAT at last. Moreover,
at the time of detecting the PSI data, means of detecting PSI 1
also concurrently detects values of cyclic counters held by the
PAT, PMT and CAT respectively. Here, the cyclic counters are data
to which values of 0 to 15 are given in various packets comprising
an MPEG-TS including a PAT, a PMT and a CAT, and the MPEG-TS is
reproduced by consecutively detecting these values.
[0077] Thus, in recording operation, an MPEG-TS is recorded in
means of recording 3 and PSI data is recorded in means of detecting
PSI 1 respectively.
[0078] Next, a reproducing operation will be described. Means of
controlling reproduction 4 reads an MPEG-TS recorded in means of
recording 3 and outputs it to means of adding PSI 5. Also, means of
detecting PSI 1 outputs PSI data to means of adding PSI 5.
[0079] On receipt of input of the MPEG-TS from means of controlling
reproduction 4 and the PSI data from means of detecting PSI 1
respectively, means of adding PSI 5 adds the PSI data to the head
of the MPEG-TS. At this time, means of adding PSI 5 performs
addition by processing the values of cyclic counters of the PAT,
PMT and CAT comprising the PSI data so that they keep continuity
with the values of cyclic counters of the PAT, PMT and CAT
comprising the PSI detected earlier.
[0080] The MPEG-TS of which head PSI data is added to as above is
outputted to the outside of MPEG transport stream recording and
reproducing apparatus 10.
[0081] A reproduced MPEG-TS is decoded by a conventional MPEG-TS
decoder, and at that time, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), a PAT, a PMT and
a CAT that are PSI are given in the form of PSI data to the head of
the MPEG-TS, and so the decoder processes such data first.
Therefore, the decoder does not need to perform operation for
detecting any PMT, PAT and so on so that the time therefore is
saved.
[0082] Thus, at the time of recording an MPEG-TS, an MPEG transport
stream recording and reproducing apparatus of this Embodiment 1
detects PSI included in an MPEG-TS to be recorded as PSI data in
advance and at the time of reproduction, adds it to the head of the
MPEG-TS to be reproduced so as to allow time for preparation
required for reproduction to be shortened as a whole by omitting
operation for detection of PSI by the decoder on decoding.
[0083] Moreover, while the above description was given on the
assumption that the packets of the PAT, PMT and CAT comprising PSI
are single packet respectively, there are also cases where a PAT, a
PMT and a CAT are comprised of a plurality of packets respectively.
In this case, on detecting PSI, means of detecting PSI 1 detects
values of cyclic counters of the PAT, PMT and CAT concurrently with
order of arrangement of the plurality of packets, and means of
adding PSI 5 performs addition to the MPEG-TS so that the order of
arrangement of the packets keeps continuity as with the values of
cyclic counters.
[0084] Moreover, as for a method of keeping continuity of values of
cyclic counters, it is also possible to rewrite the values of
cyclic counters of the PSI data to be added in accordance with the
values of cyclic counters of the PSI originally included in the
MPEG-TS, or to replace respective PSI originally included in the
MPEG-TS in accordance with the values of cyclic counters of the PSI
data to be added. Especially, this rewriting is implemented by
replacing every PSI included in the original MPEG-TS with said PSI
data of which values of cyclic counters are consecutively
changed.
Embodiment 2
[0085] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG
transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to
Embodiment 2. As shown in the diagram, in the MPEG transport stream
recording and reproducing apparatus 20 wherein the same numbers as
FIG. 1 indicate the same divisions, means of detecting PSI 1 is
provided on a reproduction side, and means of controlling
reproduction 4 outputs to both means of adding PSI 5 and means of
detecting PSI 1, and means of adding PSI 5 receives input from
means of controlling reproduction 4 and means of detecting PSI
1.
[0086] This Embodiment 2 having the above configuration will be
described next.
[0087] First, recording operation will be described. If means of
controlling records 2 starts operation for recording an MPEG-TS, an
MPEG-TS is inputted from the outside, and then the MPEG-TS is
inputted to means of controlling records 2. On receipt of input of
the MPEG-TS, means of controlling records 2 records it in means of
recording 3. Similarly as Embodiment 1, the MPEG-TS is saved as
accumulated data in means of recording 3.
[0088] Next, reproducing operation will be described. Means of
controlling reproduction 4 reads an MPEG-TS recorded in means of
recording 3 and outputs it to means of adding PSI 5 and means of
detecting PSI 1.
[0089] On receipt of input of the MPEG-TS, just as in Embodiment 1
to be implemented hereafter, means of detecting PSI 1 detects PSI
as PSI data together with its values of cyclic counters and outputs
them to means of adding PSI 5.
[0090] On receipt of input of the MPEG-TS from means of controlling
reproduction 4 and the PSI data from means of detecting PSI 1
respectively, means of adding PSI 5 adds the PSI data to the head
of the MPEG-TS so that continuity of the values of cyclic counters
is kept and outputs them to the outside of MPEG transport stream
recording and reproducing apparatus 10.
[0091] Thus, an MPEG transport stream recording and reproducing
apparatus of this Embodiment 2 detects PSI included in an MPEG-TS
as PSI data when reproducing the MPEG-TS and adds it to the head of
the MPEG-TS so as to allow time for preparation required for
reproduction of the MPEG-TS to be shortened as a whole by
eliminating the need to record PSI data from means of detecting
PSI.
[0092] Moreover, as in this embodiment 1, while the above
description was given on the assumption that the packets of the
PAT, PMT and CAT comprising PSI are single packet respectively,
there are also cases where a PAT, a PMT and a CAT are comprised of
a plurality of packets respectively. In this case, on detecting
PSI, means of detecting PSI 1 detects values of cyclic counters of
the PAT, PMT and CAT concurrently with order of arrangement of the
plurality of packets, and means of adding PSI 5 performs addition
to the MPEG-TS so that the order of arrangement of the packets
keeps continuity as with the values of cyclic counters.
[0093] Moreover, as for a method of keeping continuity of values of
cyclic counters, it is also possible to rewrite the values of
cyclic counters of the PSI data to be added in accordance with the
values of cyclic counters of the respective PSI originally included
in the MPEG-TS, or to replace respective PSI originally included in
the MPEG-TS in accordance with the values of cyclic counters of the
PSI data to be added.
Embodiment 3
[0094] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG
transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to
Embodiment 3. As shown in the diagram, in MPEG transport stream
recording and reproducing apparatus 30 wherein the same numbers as
FIG. 1 indicate the same divisions, means of adding PSI 5 is means
of receiving input from means of detecting PSI 1 and outputting PSI
data to means of controlling records 2.
[0095] This Embodiment 3 having the above configuration will be
described next.
[0096] First, recording operation will be described. If means of
controlling records 2 starts operation for recording an MPEG-TS, an
MPEG-TS is inputted from the outside, and then the MPEG-TS is
inputted to both means of detecting PSI 1 and means of controlling
records 2.
[0097] Next, on receipt of input of the MPEG-TS, means of detecting
PSI 1 detects from each of the packets comprising it PSI together
with its values of cyclic counters and outputs it as PSI data to
means of adding PSI 5. On receipt of input of the PSI data, means
of adding PSI 5 outputs it to means of controlling records 2 and
adds the PSI data to the head of the MPEG-TS in means of
controlling records 2 so that continuity of the values of cyclic
counters is kept with the MPEG-TS inputted so far.
[0098] Means of controlling records 2 receives input of the MPEG-TS
to which PSI data inputted from means of adding PSI 6 is added.
More specifically, means of controlling records 2 records in means
of recording 3 the MPEG-TS of which head the PSI data is added
to.
[0099] Next, as for reproducing operation, as with a conventional
MPEG-TS recording and reproducing apparatus, it is performed by
reading an MPEG-TS from means of recording 3 under control of means
of controlling reproduction 4. However, the MPEG-TS recorded in
means of recording 3 has already PSI data given to its head, so no
redundant operation for detecting PSI is performed on decoding, as
in Embodiments 1 and 2.
[0100] Thus, this Embodiment 3 allows time for preparation required
for reproduction to be shortened as a whole by omitting operation
for detecting PSI by the decoder on decoding.
[0101] In addition, it also allows reduction of a burden of
processing on the apparatus on reproduction by adding PSI data in
advance at the stage of the MPEG-TS to be stored in means of
recording 3.
[0102] Moreover, as in this Embodiment 1, while the above
description was given on the assumption that the packets of the
PAT, PMT and CAT comprising PSI are single packet respectively,
there are also cases where a PAT, a PMT and a CAT are comprised of
a plurality of packets respectively. In this case, on detecting
PSI, means of detecting PSI 1 detects values of cyclic counters of
the PAT, PMT and CAT concurrently with order of arrangement of the
plurality of packets, and means of adding PSI 5 performs addition
to the MPEG-TS so that the order of arrangement of the packets
keeps continuity as with the values of cyclic counters.
[0103] Furthermore, as for a method of keeping continuity of values
of cyclic counters, it is also possible to rewrite the values of
cyclic counters of the PSI data to be added in accordance with the
values of cyclic counters of the respective PSI originally included
in the MPEG-TS, or to replace respective PSI originally included in
the MPEG-TS in accordance with the values of cyclic counters of the
PSI data to be added. Especially, this rewriting is implemented by
replacing every PSI included in the original MPEG-TS with said PSI
data of which values of cyclic counters are consecutively
changed.
Embodiment 4
[0104] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG
transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to
Embodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in the diagram, in
MPEG transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus 40
wherein the same symbols as FIG. 1 indicate the same divisions,
means of managing PSI location information 6 is means placed
between means of detecting PSI 1 and means of controlling
reproduction 4.
[0105] This Embodiment 4 having the above configuration will be
described next.
[0106] First, recording operation will be described. If means of
controlling records 2 starts operation for recording an MPEG-TS, an
MPEG-TS is inputted from the outside, and then the MPEG-TS is
inputted to both means of detecting PSI 1 and means of controlling
records 2.
[0107] Next, on receipt of input of the MPEG-TS, means of detecting
PSI 1 detects from each of the packets comprising it PSI together
with its values of cyclic counters and outputs it as PSI data to
means of controlling records 2.
[0108] On receipt of input of the MPEG-TS and the PSI data, means
of controlling records 2 stores them in means of recording 3. At
that time, means of managing PSI location information 6 accesses
means of controlling records 2 and acquires as PSI location
information a location in the means of recording where means of
controlling records 2 has recorded the PSI data.
[0109] In the above recording operation, the MPEG-TS and the PSI
data are stored in means of recording 3, and PSI location
information is stored in means of managing PSI location information
6.
[0110] Next, reproducing operation will be described. Means of
controlling reproduction 4 reads an MPEG-TS and PSI data recorded
in means of recording 3. However, at this stage, the MPEG-TS and
PSI data are outputted as uniform digital data without
distinguishing their contents.
[0111] Next, means of managing PSI location information 6 accesses
means of controlling reproduction 4 and detects a location, based
on PSI location information, where the PSI data is recorded from
digital data being processed in means of controlling reproduction
4. And then, upon detection of the location of the PSI data, means
of managing PSI location information 6 fetches the PSI data from
the location and adds it to the head of the MPEG-TS in the original
digital data so that continuity of the values of cyclic counters is
kept so as to become a transport stream in continuity with the
MPEG-TS inputted so far.
[0112] Lastly, means of controlling reproduction 4 outputs the
MPEG-TS of which head the PSI data is added to and of which data is
partly changed to the outside of MPEG transport stream recording
and reproducing apparatus 10.
[0113] Thus, at the time of reproducing the MPEG-TS, an MPEG
transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus of this
Embodiment 4 detects PSI included in an MPEG-TS as PSI data and
adds it to the head of the MPEG-TS so that it allows time for
preparation required for reproduction of the MPEG-TS to be
shortened as a whole by eliminating the need to record PSI data
from means of detecting PSI, and it also allows convenience of data
management to be improved by having the PSI data recorded in the
means of recording.
[0114] Moreover, as in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, while
the above description was given on the assumption that the packets
of the PAT, PMT and CAT comprising PSI are single packet
respectively, there are also cases where a PAT, a PMT and a CAT are
comprised of a plurality of packets respectively. In this case, on
detecting PSI, means of detecting PSI 1 detects values of cyclic
counters of the PAT, PMT and CAT concurrently with order of
arrangement of the plurality of packets, and means of managing PSI
location information 6 performs addition to the MPEG-TS so that the
order of arrangement of the packets keeps continuity as with the
values of cyclic counters.
[0115] Furthermore, as for a method of keeping continuity of values
of cyclic counters, it is also possible to rewrite the values of
cyclic counters of the PSI data to be added in accordance with the
values of cyclic counters of the respective PSI originally included
in the MPEG-TS, or to replace the respective PSI originally
included in the MPEG-TS in accordance with the values of cyclic
counters of the PSI data to be added.
Embodiment 5
[0116] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MPEG
transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to
Embodiment 5 of the present invention. As shown in the diagram, in
MPEG transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus 50
wherein the same symbols as FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 indicate the same
divisions, means of detecting PSI 1 and means of managing PSI
location information 6 are connected to create a route different
from that of an MPEG-TS between means of recording 3 and means of
controlling reproduction 4.
[0117] This Embodiment 5 having the above configuration will be
described next.
[0118] First, recording operation will be described. If means of
controlling records 2 starts operation for recording an MPEG-TS, an
MPEG-TS is inputted from the outside, and then the MPEG-TS is
inputted to means of controlling records 2. On receipt of input of
the MPEG-TS, means of controlling records 2 it sends to means of
recording 3. Operation up to this point is the same as that of a
conventional MPEG-TS recording and reproducing apparatus.
[0119] Next, means of detecting PSI 1 accesses means of recording 3
and detects from the MPEG-TS stored in the means of recording 3 PSI
together with its values of cyclic counters and writes them as PSI
data to means of recording 3, and also detects a location in the
means of recording 3 where the PSI data is stored, and then inputs
this location as PSI location information in means of managing PSI
location information 6. The means of managing PSI location
information stores the inputted PSI location information.
[0120] Next, reproducing operation will be described. Means of
controlling reproduction 4 reads an MPEG-TS recorded in means of
recording 3. On the other hand, means of managing PSI location
information 6 accesses means of reproducing 3 and detects a
location, based on PSI location information, where the PSI data is
recorded from the MPEG-TS being processed in means of controlling
reproduction 4, and then fetches the PSI data from the location and
adds it to the head of the MPEG-TS in the original digital data so
that continuity of the values of cyclic counters is kept so as to
become a transport stream in continuity with the MPEG-TS inputted
so far.
[0121] Lastly, means of controlling reproduction 4 outputs the
MPEG-TS of which head the PSI data is added to and of which data is
thus partly corrected to the outside of MPEG transport stream
recording and reproducing apparatus 10.
[0122] Thus, at the time of reproducing an MPEG-TS, an MPEG
transport stream recording and reproducing apparatus of this
Embodiment 5 detects PSI included in the MPEG-TS as PSI data and
adds it to the head of the MPEG-TS so that it allows time for
preparation required for reproduction of the MPEG-TS to be
shortened as a whole by eliminating the need to record PSI data
from means of detecting PSI, and it also allows operation for
detecting PSI to be performed separately from recording and
reproducing, that is, independently from operation of means of
controlling records 2 and means of controlling reproduction 4.
[0123] Moreover, similarly as Embodiment 4 of the present
invention, while the above description was given on the assumption
that the packets of the PAT, PMT and CAT comprising PSI are single
packet respectively, there are also cases where a PAT, a PMT and a
CAT are comprised of a plurality of packets respectively. In this
case, on detecting PSI, means of detecting PSI 1 detects values of
cyclic counters of the PAT, PMT and CAT concurrently with order of
arrangement of these plurality of packets, and means of managing
PSI location information 6 performs addition to the MPEG-TS so that
the order of arrangement of the packets keeps continuity as with
the values of cyclic counters.
[0124] Furthermore, as for a method of keeping continuity of values
of cyclic counters, it is also possible to rewrite the values of
cyclic counters of the PSI data to be added in accordance with the
values of cyclic counters of the respective PSI originally included
in the MPEG-TS, or to replace the respective PSI originally
included in the MPEG-TS in accordance with the values of cyclic
counters of the PSI data to be added.
[0125] Incidentally, while an MPEG transport stream is selected as
a subject signal of recording and reproducing in the above
Embodiments 1 to 5, a subject signal for recording and reproducing
of the present invention can be in short any predetermined signal,
not limited thereto, in which additional information of a program
is discretely included such as DSS (a format used for digital TV in
the U.S.A.).
[0126] In addition, while the above Embodiments 1 to 5 are
explained by taking an MPEG transport stream including PSI as an
example, the above Embodiments 1 to 5 are also applicable in the
case where PCR (Program Clock Reference) is handled in place of PSI
(see FIG. 12). Drawings and description of Embodiments using the
PCR are omitted since they are easily understood by replacing PSI
with PCR in the respective drawings and corresponding description
in the above Embodiments 1 to 5.
[0127] Moreover, while the above Embodiments 1 to 5 are explained
by taking an MPEG transport stream including PSI as an example, the
above Embodiments 1 to 5 are also applicable in the case where SI
(Service Information) is handled in place of PSI (see FIG. 13).
Drawings and description of Embodiments using the SI are omitted
since they are easily understood by replacing PSI with SI in the
respective drawings and corresponding description in the above
Embodiments 1 to 5.
Embodiment 6
[0128] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image
stream recording and reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment
6 of the present invention. As shown in the diagram, in MPEG image
stream recording and reproducing apparatus 60, means of detecting
frame I location information 11 and means of controlling records 2
are means of directly receiving input of an image stream. Also,
means of recording 3 is means of recording an image stream under
control of means of controlling records 2, means of controlling
reproduction 4 is means of reproducing an image stream recorded in
means of recording 3, and means of managing frame I location
information 12 is means of receiving input from means of detecting
frame I location information 11 and means of controlling records 2
and outputting an image stream to the outside of image stream
recording and reproducing apparatus 60.
[0129] This Embodiment 6 having the above configuration will be
described next.
[0130] First, recording operation will be described. If means of
controlling records 2 starts operation for recording an image
stream, an image stream is inputted from the outside, and then the
image stream is inputted to both means of detecting frame I
location information 11 and means of controlling records 2. On
receipt of input of the image stream, means of controlling records
2 records it in means of recording 3. The image stream is saved as
accumulated data in means of recording 3.
[0131] On the other hand, on receipt of input of the image stream,
means of detecting frame I location information 11 detects any
location of frame I in this image stream, and inputs it as frame I
location information in means of managing frame I location
information 12.
[0132] On receipt of input of the frame I location information from
means of detecting frame I location information 11, the means of
managing frame I location information acquires it and information
from means of controlling records 2 so as to detect where said
frame I location information is located in image data stored in
means of recording 3 and manage the storage location of the frame I
location information in this means of recording 3.
[0133] Thus, in recording operation, an image stream is recorded in
means of recording 3 and a storage location of frame I location
information on means of recording 3 is recorded in means of
managing frame I location information 12 respectively.
[0134] Next, reproducing operation will be described. Means of
controlling reproduction 4 reads an image stream recorded in means
of recording 3. Means of controlling reproduction 4 further
acquires the storage location of frame I location information
managed by means of detecting frame I location information 11 to
detect the location of frame I from the image stream inputted from
means of recording 3 and output the image stream headed with the
frame I to the outside of image stream recording and reproducing
apparatus 60.
[0135] While the reproduced image stream is decoded by a
conventional image stream decoder, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), at this
time, an image stream processed by image stream recording and
reproducing apparatus 60 is inputted with frame I at its head to
the decoder so that operation for detection of frame I by the
decoder will be omitted.
[0136] Thus, on recording an image stream, an image transport
stream recording and reproducing apparatus of this Embodiment 6
detects any frame I included in an image stream to be recorded as
frame I location information in advance, and on reproduction,
outputs the image stream headed with this frame I so as to allow
time for preparation required for reproduction to be shortened as a
whole by omitting operation for detection of frame I by the decoder
on decoding.
Embodiment 7
[0137] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image
stream recording and reproducing apparatus of Embodiment 7 of the
present invention. As shown in the diagram, in an image stream
recording and reproducing apparatus 70, the same symbols as FIG. 7
are the same divisions or the same means. Means of detecting frame
I location information 11 and means of controlling records 2 are
means of directly receiving input of an image stream, and means of
detecting frame I location information 11 is further means of
inputting to means of controlling records 2, and means of reading
frame I location information 13 is means of accessing means of
recording 3 and also inputting to means of controlling reproduction
4.
[0138] This Embodiment 7 having the above configuration will be
described next.
[0139] First, recording operation will be described. If means of
controlling records 2 starts operation for recording an image
stream, an image stream is inputted from the outside, and then the
image stream is inputted to both means of detecting frame I
location information 11 and means of controlling records 2.
[0140] Next, on receipt of input of the image stream, means of
detecting frame I location information 11 detects any location of
frame I in the image data, and inputs it as frame I location
information to means of controlling records 2.
[0141] On receipt of input of the image stream and the above frame
I location information, means of controlling records 2 records them
both in means of recording 3. The image stream and the frame I
location information are stored as accumulated data in means of
recording 3.
[0142] Next, reproducing operation will be described. Means of
controlling reproduction 4 reads the image stream recorded in means
of recording 3.
[0143] On the other hand, means of reading frame I location
information 13 also accesses means of recording 3 and acquires
frame I location information and then outputs it to means of
controlling reproduction 4.
[0144] On receipt of input of the above frame I location
information, based on it, means of controlling reproduction 4
detects any location of frame I from the image stream read from
means of recording 3, and outputs the image stream headed with the
frame I to the outside of image stream recording and reproducing
apparatus 70.
[0145] While the reproduced image stream is decoded by a
conventional image stream decoder, as in Embodiment 6, the image
stream is inputted with frame I at its head to the decoder so that
operation for detection of frame I by the decoder will be
omitted.
[0146] Thus, on recording an image stream, an image stream
recording and reproducing apparatus of this Embodiment 7 detects
any frame I included in an image stream to be recorded as frame I
location information in advance and records it in means of
recording, and then reproduces the frame I location information and
the image stream so that the image stream headed with frame I is
outputted so as to allow time for preparation required for
reproduction to be shortened as a whole by omitting operation for
detection of frame I by the decoder on decoding.
Embodiment 8
[0147] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image
stream recording and reproducing apparatus of Embodiment 8 of the
present invention. As shown in the diagram, the same symbols as
FIG. 7 are the same divisions or the same means. This Embodiment 8
having such configuration will be described next.
[0148] First, recording operation will be described. If means of
controlling records 2 starts operation for recording an image
stream, an image stream is inputted from the outside, and then the
image stream is inputted to both means of detecting frame I
location information 11 and means of controlling records 2.
[0149] On receipt of input of the image stream, means of detecting
frame I location information 11 detects any location of frame I
from this image stream as frame I location information, generates a
recording start signal including this frame I location information
and inputs it to means of controlling records 2.
[0150] On the other hand, on receipt of input of the image stream
and the recording start signal, based on the frame I location
information included in the recording start signal, means of
controlling records 2 detects any frame I from the inputted image
stream and records any image stream including and after this frame
I in means of recording 3. Also, means of controlling records 2
abandons any image stream before the above frame I and does not
record it in means of recording 3.
[0151] Thus, in recording operation, any image stream including and
after the frame I detected by means of detecting frame I location
information is stored in means of recording 3.
[0152] Next, while reproducing operation and decoding will be
performed as with a conventional image stream recording and
reproducing apparatus, as in these Embodiments 6 and 7, the image
stream is configured by frame I at its head so that operation for
detection of frame I by the decoder will be omitted.
[0153] Thus, on recording an image stream, an image stream
recording and reproducing apparatus of this Embodiment 8 detects
any frame I included in an image stream to be recorded as frame I
location information in advance and records the image stream headed
with frame I on recording so as to allow time for preparation
required for reproduction to be shortened as a whole by omitting
operation for detection of frame I by the decoder on decoding.
[0154] Moreover, while an MPEG transport stream recording and
reproducing apparatus for detecting PSI and an MPEG image stream
recording and reproducing apparatus for detecting frame I are
described as separate apparatuses respectively in the Embodiments
of the present invention, each of these Embodiments may also be
configured by having means of recording 3 in common and arbitrarily
combining the divisions and the means, and in that case, the time
required for decoding an MPEG-TS can be further shortened.
[0155] Furthermore, in the Embodiments of the present invention,
while it is described that operation of means of detecting PSI 1,
means of controlling records 2, means of controlling reproduction
4, means of adding PSI 5, means of detecting frame I location
information 11, means of managing frame I location information 12
and means of reading frame I location information 13 is implemented
by means of hardware, it may also be implemented by means of
software, that is, by using a computer and operating a program.
[0156] Also, while the Embodiments of the present invention are
described centering on an MPEG transport stream recording and
reproducing apparatus or an MPEG image stream recording and
reproducing apparatus thereof, the present invention is a medium
having a program and/or data for having all or part of the
functions of all or part of the means of the above-mentioned
present invention executed by a computer, wherein said program
and/or data readable and read by a computer perform said functions
in cooperation with said computer.
[0157] The data in this case includes data structures, data
formats, data types and so on.
[0158] A medium includes, for instance, a record medium such as
ROM, a transmission medium such as the Internet, or a transmission
medium such as light, radio wave or a sound wave.
[0159] A medium having something includes, for instance, a record
medium recording a program and/or data or a transmission medium
transmitting a program and/or data.
[0160] Processable by computer means, for instance, in the case of
a record medium such as ROM, that it is readable by a computer, and
in the case of a transmission medium, its meaning includes that a
program and/or data to be transmitted can be handled by a computer
as a result of transmission.
[0161] An information aggregate includes, for instance, software
such as a program and/or data.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0162] As it is apparent from the above description, the present
invention allows high-speed reproduction of data by omitting the
time for detecting PSI or PCR on decoding.
[0163] The present invention also allows high-speed reproduction of
data by omitting the time for detecting frame I on decoding.
* * * * *