FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
“PLAYBACK DEVICE, PLAYBACK METHOD AND
PROGRAM”
SONY CORPORATION, of 1-7-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
108-0075, Japan
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.
2
DESCRIPTION
PLAYBACK APPARATUS, PLAYBACK METHOD, AND PROGRAM
TECHNICAL FIELD
5 [0001]
The present technique relates to a playback
apparatus, a playback method, and a program. More
specifically, the present technique relates to a playback
apparatus, a playback method, and a program which
10 continuously playback predetermined video images.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
When, for example, a movie recorded in a DVD
15 (Digital Versatile Disc) is played back, playback as
illustrated in Fig. 1 is performed. Referring to Fig. 1,
playback is sometimes performed such that a video image A
jumps to a video image B, the video image B jumps to a
video image C, the video image C jumps to a video image D
20 and the video image D jumps to a video image E. For
example, one movie recorded in, for example, a DVD has a
plurality of chapters, and a jump is sometimes performed
from a predetermined chapter to another chapter.
[0003]
25 Upon such playback, the video image A has a
corresponding voice A, the video image B has a
corresponding voice B, the video image C has a
corresponding voice C, the video image D has a
corresponding voice D and the video image E has a
30 corresponding voice E. When playback as illustrated in
Fig. 1 is performed, if a jump is performed from a
3
predetermined video image to another video image, a jump
is simultaneously performed from a predetermined voice to
another voice. Thus, in case of such playback, playback
is performed with interrupted voices.
5 [0004]
Further, there is also a function called slide show
which continuously plays back recorded still images by
sequentially switching the still images. There is also a
function of playing back the images together with voices
10 when this slide show is executed. In such slide show,
the voices are used as BGM (Background music). Upon this
slide show, even when still images are switched, the
still images are played back while voices are not
switched, and therefore playback is performed with
15 uninterrupted voices.
[0005]
This slide show is applicable to video images. For
example, there is browsable slide show among standards of
a Blu-ray (trademark) (referred to as Blu-ray below) disc.
20 This browsable slide show is a standard which can
independently play back voices and video images like the
above continuous playback of still images and switch
video images while emitting sounds. According to this
browsable slide show, it is possible to browse video
25 images with BGMs.
[0006]
Upon browsable slide show, playback is performed as
illustrated in Fig. 2. Similar to Fig. 1, playback
illustrated in Fig. 2 is performed such that the video
30 image A jumps to the video image B, the video image B
jumps to the video image C, the video image C jumps to
4
the video image D and the video image D jumps to the
video image. Upon the browsable slide show, video images
and voices are independently played back, so that, as
illustrated in Fig. 2, the voice A which is irrelevant to
the video images A to E is played 5 back as a voice.
[0007]
Upon browsable slide show, video images can be
switched by a user's operation, and, when, for example, a
command to switch the video image A to the video image B
10 is given, playback is continued while a playback position
of the voice A does not jump, so that playback is
performed with the uninterrupted voice A. (See, for
example, Patent Document 1)
15 CITATION LIST
PATENT DOCUMENT
[0008]
Patent Document 1: JP 2005-317172 A
20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0009]
As described with reference to Fig. 1, a jump can
be performed at a specified time in case of a normal
25 movie instead of browsable slide show, so that it is
possible to perform loop playback of the movie. When,
for example, the video image A is repeatedly played back,
and the video image A is finished, by specifying a time
of a top of the video image A, performing a jump at the
30 time of the top of the video image A and starting playing
back the video image A again, loop playback is performed.
5
Such loop playback is used in a menu screen of a movie
when, for example, the movie is recorded in a DVD.
[0010]
However, a video image and a voice synchronize in
the normal image described with reference 5 to Fig. 1, and
therefore when a video image jumps according to a user's
operation, the voice also jumps and playback is performed
with interrupted voices.
[0011]
10 A case where loop playback of a movie is performed
using the browsable slide show described with reference
to Fig. 2 will be considered again. In Fig. 2, the video
images A to E are referred to as browsing units. The
browsing unit is a unit at which a video image is
15 switched. For example, one picture configures one
browsing unit in some cases.
[0012]
Although, when playback of the last browsing unit
is finished according to the Blu-ray standard, making a
20 setting to temporarily stop video images or move to a
next browsing unit is designated, performing loop
playback in one browsing unit is not designated. In
other words, when playback of the last browsing unit is
finished, returning to a top of the same browsing unit
25 and starting playback again are not designated.
[0013]
Such loop playback of the same browsing unit may be
controlled and realized using a program such as BD-J
(Blu-ray Disc Java (registered trademark)). However,
30 when, for example, a jump is performed to the same
browsing unit by way of a browsing unit specified jump,
6
starting playback from the top of the browsing unit is
not guaranteed. According to the Blu-ray standard, a
detailed behavior is not defined, and therefore a
behavior is likely to be different depending on an
implementing method on the player 5 side. When, for
example, a jump to the same browsing unit is commanded,
there is a player which does not make any behavior or a
player which starts playback not from the top but from
the middle and behaviors are different between players,
10 and therefore it is not possible to guarantee loop
playback as a result.
[0014]
According to still another method, it is also
possible to command a jump to the top of a browsing unit
15 by way of a time specified jump. However, according to
the Blu-ray standard, a jump may not be performed at a
right accurate time, and therefore, a jump is performed
to a neighboring browsing unit depending on a player, and
therefore, it is not possible to guarantee loop playback
20 as described above.
[0015]
The present technique is made in light of this
situation, and independently plays back images and voices
and performs loop playback of images.
25
SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS
[0016]
A playback apparatus according to one aspect of the
present technique has a playback unit which plays back a
30 first stream and a second stream out of synchronization,
and the first stream has a first browsing unit and a
7
second browsing unit, the second browsing unit is a
browsing unit which includes part of the first browsing
unit and the playback unit plays back the second browsing
unit after playing back the first browsing unit, and
makes a transition to playback from 5 a top of the first
browsing unit after playing back the second browsing unit.
[0017]
The first stream may be a video image, and the
second stream may be a sound.
10 [0018]
The first browsing unit may be a browsing unit
which is a loop playback target, and the second browsing
unit may be a loop playback browsing unit.
[0019]
15 A still mode of a play item for playing back the
first browsing unit may be set to a mode which commands a
transition to a next play item, and the playback unit may
make a transition to playback of the first browsing unit
when detecting a transition of playback from the first
20 browsing unit to the second browsing unit.
[0020]
A still mode of a play item for playing back the
first browsing unit may be set to a mode which commands
temporary stop, and the playback unit may make a
25 transition to playback of the second browsing unit when
detecting that playback of the first browsing unit is
finished and a state of temporary stop starts, and make a
transition to playback of the first browsing unit when
detecting a transition to playback of the second browsing
30 unit.
[0021]
8
The first browsing unit may be one browsing unit of
a plurality of browsing units which is a loop playback
target, and the second browsing unit may be a loop
playback browsing unit which is commonly used by the
plurality 5 of browsing units.
[0022]
A playback method according to one aspect of the
present technique is a playback method of a playback
apparatus which has a playback unit which plays back a
10 predetermined stream, and a first stream has a first
browsing unit and a second browsing unit, the second
browsing unit is a browsing unit which includes part of
the first browsing unit and the playback method includes
the steps of, at the playback unit, playing back the
15 first stream and a second stream out of synchronization,
and playing back the second browsing unit after playing
back the first browsing unit, and making a transition to
playback from a top of the first browsing unit after
playing back the second browsing unit.
20 [0023]
A program according to the present technique is a
computer-readable program, and a first stream has a first
browsing unit and a second browsing unit, the second
browsing unit is a browsing unit which includes part of
25 the first browsing unit and the program causes a computer
which controls a playback apparatus which has a playback
unit which plays back a predetermined stream to execute
processing including the steps of, at the playback unit,
playing back the first stream and a second stream out of
30 synchronization, and playing back the second browsing
unit after playing back the first browsing unit, and
9
making a transition to playback from a top of the first
browsing unit after playing back the second browsing unit.
[0024]
With the playback apparatus, the playback method
and the program according to one aspect 5 of the present
technique, the first stream includes a first browsing
unit and a second browsing unit, and the second browsing
unit is a browsing unit which includes part of the first
browsing unit. Upon playback, the first stream and the
10 second stream are played back out of synchronization, the
second browsing unit is played back after the first
browsing unit is played back and a transition is made to
playback from the top of the first browsing unit after
the second browsing unit is played back.
15
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0025]
According to one aspect of the present technique,
it is possible to independently play back images and
20 voices and perform loop playback of images.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026]
Fig. 1 is a view for explaining a relationship
25 between skip playback of a video image and a voice.
Fig. 2 is a view for explaining a relationship
between skip playback of a video image and a voice.
Fig. 3 is a view illustrating a configuration of a
playback apparatus according to one embodiment.
30 Fig. 4 is a view for explaining a structure of a
playlist.
10
Fig. 5 is a view for explaining a structure of a
playlist.
Fig. 6 is a view for explaining a structure of clip
information.
Fig. 7 is a view for explaining a 5 structure of clip
information.
Fig. 8 is a view for explaining a configuration of
a video stream.
Fig. 9 is a view for explaining a loop playback
10 browsing unit.
Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing
upon loop playback.
Fig. 11 is a view for explaining another
configuration of a play item.
15 Fig. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing
upon loop playback.
Fig. 13 is a view for explaining another
configuration of a loop playback play item.
Fig. 14 is a view for explaining a loop playback
20 browsing unit.
Fig. 15 is a view for explaining a recording medium.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0027]
25 An embodiment of the present technique will be
described below with reference to the drawings.
[0028]
[Configuration of Playback Apparatus]
Fig. 3 is a view illustrating a configuration of a
30 playback apparatus to which the present technique is
applied according to one embodiment. A playback
11
apparatus 10 illustrated in Fig. 3 is applicable to a
blu-ray disc player or a blu-ray disc recorder.
Hereinafter, the playback apparatus 10 which plays back a
blu-ray disc will be described. The playback apparatus
10 illustrated in Fig. 3 has an operation 5 unit 21, a
control unit 22, a memory 23, a ROM 24, a video stream
buffer 25, a video image decoder 26, a voice stream
buffer 27, a voice decoder 28, a medium driving unit 29
and an image/sound output unit 30.
10 [0029]
The operation unit 21 is a unit which receives a
command from a user, and employs a configuration
including a plurality of buttons and a receiving unit
(not illustrated) which receives a signal from a remote
15 controller. The control unit 22 controls each unit in
the playback apparatus 10. The memory 23 stores stream
structure information and a control program read from a
predetermined recording medium (for example, a blu-ray
disc) driven by the medium driving unit 29. The ROM 24
20 stores a program which causes the control unit 22 to
perform control.
[0030]
The video stream buffer 25 temporarily stores a
video stream read from a recording medium driven by the
25 medium driving unit 29, and supplies the video stream to
the video image decoder 26. The video image decoder 26
decodes the video stream supplied from the video stream
buffer 25 by a predetermined method, and supplies the
video stream to the image/sound output unit 30.
30 Similarly, the voice stream is read from the recording
medium driven by the medium driving unit 20, is
12
temporarily stored in the voice stream buffer 27, is
decoded by the voice decoder 28 and is supplied to the
image/sound output unit 30.
[0031]
The image/sound output unit 5 30 supplies video
images and voices to an external device which is not
illustrated such as a television receiver. As described
above, the medium driving unit 29 drives a predetermined
recording medium, and reads, for example, a video stream,
10 a voice stream, stream structure information and a
control program from the recording medium. In addition,
although a voice will be described, a sound or music
other than a human voice is also included.
[0032]
15 [File Structure]
Files handled by the playback apparatus 10 will be
described with reference to Fig. 4. A playlist #0
includes a play item #0, a play item #1, a play item #2,
a play item #3, a subpath #0 and a subpath #1. The
20 playlist #0 is a collection of sections which the user
desires to playback and sets among clips. A clip file is
a movie or voice stream, and, for example, a MPEG2 or AVC
movie or a linear PCM or Dolby digital (trademark) voice
is multiplexed in a MPEG2-TS format.
25 [0033]
In the following description, a configuration
related to browsable slide show will be described. Upon
browsable slide show, video images and voices are
independently played back. A clip file of a video image
30 which is independently played back is the clip file #0,
and clip files of a voice are the clip files #1 and the
13
clip files #2.
[0034]
In clip information, information of a clip file
such as a format is written. Information of the clip
file #0 is written in clip information 5 #0, information of
the clip file #1 is written in clip information #1 and
information of the clip file #2 is written in clip
information #2.
[0035]
10 In case of browsable slide show, video and voice
clip files are separated as described above. Further, a
clip of a video image is referred to from a play item of
a playlist. As described below with reference to Fig. 5,
a configuration is employed where a video image is
15 switched when a play item which the user wants to play
back is selected, and a configuration is employed where a
clip of a voice is referred to from sub play items of
subpaths of a playlist. Further, a configuration is also
employed where a voice is switched when a voice stream
20 which the user wants to play back is selected.
[0036]
In an example illustrated in Fig. 4, a structure in
which three video images of a still image, a loop movie
and a still image can be switched, and a voice is also
25 switched in the last still image is adopted. The
structure of this playlist #0 is illustrated in Fig. 5.
[0037]
In each play item of the play items #0 to #3,
information such as a start time, an end time, a
30 reference clip, a still mode, a sound stream and a
subpath is described. The start time indicates a
14
playback start time of a clip of each play item, and the
end time indicates a playback end time of the clip of
each play item.
[0038]
The reference clip represents information 5 of a clip
which each play item refers to. The still mode
represents whether or not to transition to playback of a
next play item or make temporary stop when playback of
each play item is finished. When this still mode is set
10 to "still", temporary stop is performed and, when the
still mode is set to "no", a transition to playback of a
next play item is made.
[0039]
The start time of the play item #0 is "AAA", the
15 end time is "BBB" and the reference clip is "0". Hence,
referring to the clip information #0, the clip file #0 is
played back from the time "AAA" to the time "BBB".
Further, the still mode is set to "still", and therefore
playback is temporarily stopped at a point of time of the
20 time "BBB". Furthermore, the sound stream of the play
item #0 is a sound stream #0 and a subpath is "0", and
then the subpath #0 is referred to and a sound stream is
played back.
[0040]
25 Similarly, the start time of the play item #1 is
"BBB", the end time is "CCC" and the reference clip is
"0". Hence, referring to the clip information #0, the
clip file #0 is played back from the time "BBB" to the
time "CCC". Further, the still mode is set to "no", and
30 then a transition to playback of the next play item "2"
is made at the point of time of the time "CCC".
15
Furthermore, the sound stream of the play item #0 is the
sound stream #0 and the subpath is "0", and then the
subpath #0 is referred to and a sound stream is played
back.
5 [0041]
Similarly, the start time of the play item #2 is
"CCC", the end time is "DDD" and the reference clip is
"0". Hence, referring to the clip information #0, the
clip file #0 is played back from the time "CCC" to the
10 time "DDD". Further, the still mode is set to "still",
and therefore playback is temporarily stopped at a point
of time of the time "DDD". Furthermore, the sound stream
of the play item #0 is the sound stream #0 and the
subpath is "0", and then the subpath #0 is referred to
15 and a sound stream is played back.
[0042]
Similarly, the start time of the play item #3 is
"DDD", the end time is "EEE" and the reference clip is
"0". Hence, referring to the clip information #0, the
20 clip file #0 is played back from the time "DDD" to the
time "EEE". Further, the still mode is set to "still",
and therefore playback is temporarily stopped at a point
of time of the time "EEE". Furthermore, the sound stream
of the play item #0 is the sound stream #0 and a subpath
25 is "0", and then the subpath #0 is referred to and a
sound stream is played back, or the sound stream is a
sound stream #1 and a subpath is "1", and then a subpath
#1 is referred to and a sound stream is played back. The
play item #3 is an item from which the sound stream #0 or
30 the sound stream #1 can be selected.
[0043]
16
If "#0" is selected as a sound stream of the play
item #3, even when any play item of the play items #0 to
#3 is played back, the sound stream #0 is played back as
the sound stream. Hence, even when playback of the play
items #0 to #3 of a video image is sequentially 5 switched,
the sound stream is played back without being interrupted.
[0044]
Although details will be described below, the play
item #2 is a play item which is provided to perform loop
10 playback of the play item #1. When this play item #1 is
played back and this playback is finished, the still mode
is set to "no", and then a transition to playback of the
play item #2 is made. Further, when playback of the play
item #2 is finished, a return to playback of the play
15 item #1 is made. Thus, the play item #1 is repeatedly
played back.
[0045]
In the subpath #0 included in the playlist #0, that
a sub play item is "a sub play item #0" is described.
20 Further, that a start time of a clip referred to in this
subpath #0 is "FFF", and an end time is "III" is
described. Furthermore, that a reference clip referred
to in this subpath #0 is "1" is described.
[0046]
25 Similarly, in the subpath #1 included in the
playlist #1, that a sub play item is "a sub play item #1"
is described. Further, that a start time of a clip
referred to in this subpath #1 is "JJJ", and an end time
is "MMM" is described. Furthermore, that a reference
30 clip referred to in this subpath #1 is "2" is described.
[0047]
17
Fig. 6 illustrates a configuration of the clip
information #0. In the clip information #0, information
of "a main path of browsable slide show" is described as
an application type (a type of an application). Further,
information of "XXX" is described as a 5 video format. In
the information of "XXX", information such as MPEG or AVC
is described. Further, in the clip information #0,
information of feature points is also described.
[0048]
10 Referring to Fig. 6, as information of these
feature points, information indicating that playback is
started from a clip position "a" at the time "AAA",
playback is started from a clip position "b" at the time
"BBB", playback is started from a clip position "c" at
15 the time "CCC", and playback is started from a clip
position "d" at the time "DDD" is written. In the clip
file #0, video images obtained when playback based on the
feature points described in the clip information #0 is
performed are illustrated.
20 [0049]
The clip file #0 includes four browsing units
corresponding to the play items #0 to #3. The clip
positions "a" and "b" are a browsing unit corresponding
to the play item #0, the clip positions "b" and "c" are a
25 browsing unit corresponding to the play item #1, the clip
positions "c" and "d" are a browsing unit corresponding
to the play item #2, and clip positions "d" and "e" are a
browsing unit corresponding to the play item #3.
Although playback of these browsing units will be
30 described below with reference to Fig. 8, the clip
information #1 and the clip information #2 will be
18
described first.
[0050]
Fig. 7 is a view illustrating a configuration of
the clip information #1 and the clip information #2. The
clip information #1 and the clip information 5 #2 employ
basically the same configuration as that of the clip file
#0. In the clip information #1, information of "a
subpath of browsable slide show" is described as an
application type (a type of an application). Further,
10 information of "YYY" is described as an audio format. In
the information of "YYY", information such as linear PCM
is described. Further, in the clip information #1,
information of feature points is also described.
[0051]
15 Referring to Fig. 7, as information of these
feature points, information indicating that playback is
started from a clip position "f" at the time "FFF",
playback is started from a clip position "g" at the time
"GGG", and playback is started from a clip position "h"
20 at the time "HHH" is written. In the clip file #1, a
voice obtained when playback based on the feature points
described in the clip information #1 is performed is
illustrated as a pseudo waveform.
[0052]
25 Similarly, in the clip information #2, information
of "a subpath of browsable slide show" is described as an
application type (a type of an application). Further,
information of "YYY" and information of the feature
points are also described as an audio format.
30 [0053]
Referring to Fig. 7, as information of these
19
feature points, information indicating that playback is
started from a clip position "j" at the time "JJJ",
playback is started from a clip position "k" at the time
"KKK", and playback is started from a clip position "l"
at the time "LLL" is written. In the 5 clip file #2, a
voice obtained when playback based on the feature points
described in the clip information #2 is performed is
illustrated as a pseudo waveform.
[0054]
10 In addition, the numbers and configurations of the
above playlists, play items, clip information and clip
files are exemplary, and are by no means limited thereto.
Further, the information described in these is exemplary
and other pieces of information are also described.
15 [0055]
[Configuration of Video Stream]
A configuration of a video stream will be described
with reference to Fig. 8. The video stream illustrated
in Fig. 8 is the clip file #0 in Fig. 6. The browsing
20 unit #0 is a browsing unit managed by the play item #0
(Fig. 5), and is played back in the section a-b. The
browsing unit #1 is a browsing unit managed by the play
item #1 (Fig. 5), and is played back in the section b-c.
The browsing unit #2 is a browsing unit managed by the
25 play item #2 (Fig. 5), and is played back in the section
c-d. Further, the browsing unit #3 is a browsing unit
managed by the play item #3 (Fig. 5), and is played back
in the section d-e.
[0056]
30 Referring to the play item #1 (Fig. 5) which
manages the browsing unit #1, the still mode of the play
20
item #1 is set to "no". Hence, when playback of the
browsing unit #1 is finished at the point of item c, a
transition to playback of the browsing unit #2 is made.
Further, the browsing unit #2 is played back between the
point of time c and the point of time 5 d. When playback
of the browsing unit #2 is finished at the point of time
d and processing described below is executed, a
transition to playback from the top (the point of time b)
of the browsing unit #1 is made and the browsing unit #1
10 is played back again.
[0057]
The browsing unit #1 and the browsing unit #2 are
repeatedly played back, so that loop playback of the
browsing unit #1 and the browsing unit #2 is realized.
15 The browsing unit #2 is a copy of a last frame of the
browsing unit #1. The browsing unit may be a copy of a
plurality of frames. The browsing unit #2 is played back
after the browsing unit #1 is played back, so that,
although the last frame is displayed twice, the frames
20 are played back like one movie to the user.
[0058]
Further, a plurality of frames positioned at last
portions of the browsing unit #1 may be clipped and a
plurality of clipped frames may be used as the browsing
25 unit #2. By so doing, when playback from the browsing
unit #1 to the browsing unit #2 is continuously performed,
these units are played back like one movie.
[0059]
Referring to Fig. 9, when the browsing unit #1
30 includes frames 101 to 104, the same frame as the frame
104 which is the last frame of the browsing unit #1 is a
21
frame 105 of the browsing unit #2. Hence, when the
browsing unit #1 and the browsing unit #2 are
continuously played back, the frame 104 and the frame 105
of the same image are continuously played back.
Subsequently, playback is returned to the 5 frame 101 again,
and then subsequent frames are played back. In this case,
loop playback of a movie including the frames 101 to 105
is performed.
[0060]
10 To the user side, one movie including the frames
101 to 105 seems to be repeatedly played back. However,
the movie actually includes two browsing units of the
browsing unit #1 and the browsing unit #2.
[0061]
15 Thus, upon loop playback of the browsing unit #1,
by providing the browsing unit #2 including a copy of the
last one frame of the browsing unit #1 and providing the
play item #2 for managing the browsing unit #2, it is
possible to perform loop playback of the browsing unit #1.
20 [0062]
Thus, a stream related to a video image includes
the browsing unit #1 and the browsing unit #2. Further,
in this case, the browsing unit #2 is a browsing unit
which includes part of the browsing unit #1 (for example,
25 the last one frame). Furthermore, the browsing unit #2
is played back after the browsing unit #1 is played back,
a transition to playback from the top of the browsing
unit #1 is made after the browsing unit #2 is played back,
so that loop playback of the browsing unit #1 is realized.
30 [0063]
Still further, a stream related to a video image
22
including the browsing unit #1 and the browsing unit #2
is played back out of synchronization with a sound stream.
Consequently, even when the stream related to the video
image is switched, the sound stream can be continuously
played back without being switched and 5 a video image can
be switched while a sound is not interrupted.
[0064]
To enable this, when the browsing unit #1 is a
browsing unit which is a loop playback target, the
10 browsing unit #2 is prepared as a loop playback browsing
unit for performing loop playback of the browsing unit #1.
[0065]
Processing which is executed where there are the
play item #1, the play item #2, the browsing unit #1 and
15 the browsing unit #2 and executes loop playback of the
browsing unit #1 will be described with reference to the
flowchart in Fig. 10. Processing according to the
flowchart illustrated in Fig. 10 is described as a BD-J
(Blu-ray Disc Java (registered trademark)) program, and
20 is recorded in a recording medium such as a blu-ray disc
driven by the medium driving unit 29 (Fig. 3). Further,
the medium driving unit 29 drives this disc, the program
is read and stored in the memory 23 and the control unit
22 executes processing based on this stored program to
25 start this program.
[0066]
In step S101, a play item for playing back a movie
is played back. In this case, playback of the play item
#1 (Fig. 5) is started, and playback from the top of the
30 browsing unit #1 is started. A start time of the play
item #1 is "BBB", and a clip position of the time "BBB"
23
is read as "b" from information of the feature points of
the clip information #0. Further, playback from the clip
position "b" of the clip file #0 is started.
[0067]
In this case, the play item #1 is 5 played back, and
then the subpath #0 is referred to for the sound stream.
Further, a reference clip described in the subpath #0 is
"1", and therefore the clip information #1 is referred to
and the clip file #1 is played back. Thus, separate clip
10 files of the video image and the voice are independently
played back and are provided to the user.
[0068]
In step S102, a stand-by mode is maintained until a
move to a loop playback play item is made. That is, in
15 this case, playback of the play item #1 is continued
until a move to the play item #2 is made. The still mode
of the play item #1 is set to "no", the end time is "CCC"
and a clip position at the time "CCC" is "c".
[0069]
20 Hence, when playback proceeds to the position "c"
of the clip file #0, a move to the play item #2 is made.
When a move from the play item #1 to the play item #2 is
detected, processing moves to step S103. The BD-J
program is configured to be able to perform this
25 detection.
[0070]
In step S103, a move to a play item for playing
back a movie is made. The play item for playing back the
movie is the play item #1, and a move from the play item
30 #2 to the play item #1 is made. When the move to the
play item #1 is made, playback from the clip position "b"
24
of the clip file #0 is started as described above. That
is, playback from the top of the play item #1 is started
again.
[0071]
Thus, while playback based on the 5 play item #1 is
performed, processing in step S102 is performed and, when
a move to the play item #2 is detected, processing in
step S103 is performed. When processing in step S102 and
step S103 is repeated, the play item #1 is repeatedly
10 played back, and the movie to be played back based on the
play item #1 is repeatedly played back.
[0072]
Thus, when the still mode of the play item #1 for
playing back the browsing unit #1 is set to a mode which
15 commands a transition to a next play item, if a
transition of playback from the browsing unit #1 to the
browsing unit #2 is detected, a transition to playback of
the browsing unit #1 is made, so that loop playback of
the browsing unit #1 is realized.
20 [0073]
Thus, loop playback of a predetermined movie is
performed.
[0074]
[Still Mode is set to Still]
25 Although the still mode of the play item #1 is set
to "no" in the above embodiment, even when the still mode
is set to "still", loop playback can be played back.
Next, a case where the still mode is set to "still" will
be described. Fig. 11 illustrates the play item #1 and
30 the play item #2. Except that the still mode of the play
item #1 is described as "still", the same content as that
25
of the play item #1 illustrated in Fig. 5 is described.
Further, the play item #2 illustrated in Fig. 11 has the
same content as that of the play item #2 illustrated in
Fig. 5.
5 [0075]
When loop playback of the play item #1 is performed
based on these play item #1 and play item #2, processing
based on processing according to the flowchart
illustrated in Fig. 12 is performed. Similar to the
10 processing according to the flowchart illustrated in Fig.
10, processing according to the flowchart illustrated in
Fig. 12 is also described as a BD-J program, and is
recorded in a recording medium such as a blu-ray disc
driven by the medium driving unit 29 (Fig. 3).
15 [0076]
In step S131, a play item for playing back a movie
is played back. In this case, the play item #1
illustrated in Fig. 11 is played back. The processing in
this step S131 is performed in the same way as the
20 processing in step S101 according to the flowchart
illustrated in Fig. 10.
[0077]
In step S132, a stand-by state is maintained until
playback of the play item for playing back the movie is
25 finished. That is, in this case, until playback of the
play item #1 is finished, playback processing of the play
item #1 is maintained. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the
still mode of the play item #1 is set to "still", the end
time is "CCC" and a clip position at the time "CCC" is
30 "c".
[0078]
26
Hence, when playback proceeds to the position "c"
of the clip file #0, playback is temporarily stopped.
When such playback of the play item #1 is finished, and a
state of temporary stop starts and is detected, and
processing moves to step S133. The 5 BD-J program is
configured to be able to perform this detection. When it
is detected that playback of the play item #1 is finished
and processing moves to step S133, a move to the loop
playback play item is made. In this case, the loop
10 playback play item is the play item #2, and a move to the
play item #2 is made.
[0079]
When the move to the loop playback play item is
detected, processing moves to step S134. The BD-J
15 program is configured to be able to perform this
detection. In step S134, a move to a play item for
playing back a movie is made. The play item for playing
back the movie is the play item #1, and a move from the
play item #2 to the play item #1 is made. When the move
20 to the play item #1 is made, playback from the clip
position "b" of the clip file #0 is started as described
above. That is, playback from the top of the play item
#1 is started again.
[0080]
25 Thus, when the still mode of the play item #1 for
playing back the browsing unit #1 is set to a mode which
commands temporary stop, that playback based on the play
item #1 is finished is detected and a move to the play
item #2 is detected, so that the play item #1 and the
30 play item #2 are repeatedly played back. Thus, loop
playback of a predetermined movie is performed.
27
[0081]
[Loop Playback Using Common Play Item]
A case has been described with the above embodiment
where a play item (play item #1) whose loop playback
needs to be performed and a loop playback 5 play item (play
item #2) have a one-to-one relationship. Next, a case
will be described as an example where there is one loop
playback play item for a plurality of play items whose
loop playback needs to be performed.
10 [0082]
Fig. 13 is a view illustrating a configuration of a
playlist when there is a plurality of play items which
are loop playback targets and one loop playback play item.
The play item #0 illustrated in Fig. 13 includes a play
15 item #11, a play item #12, a play item #13,  a play
item #m and a play item #n. The play item #11 to #m are
play items of a movie which are loop playback targets.
The play item #n is a loop playback play item and is, for
example, a play item for playing back a black still image.
20 [0083]
A configuration of a video stream upon playback of
the playlist #0 will be described with reference to Fig.
14. In Fig. 14, the browsing unit #11 is a browsing unit
managed by the play item #11, the browsing unit 12 is a
25 browsing unit managed by the play item #12, , and the
browsing unit #m is a browsing unit managed by the play
item #m.
[0084]
Referring to Fig. 14, when the browsing unit #11 is
30 a loop playback target, the movie of the browsing unit
#11 is played back and, when playback of the movie is
28
finished, a transition to playback of the browsing unit
#n is made. The browsing unit #n is a black still image,
and a black screen is temporarily provided to the user.
The browsing unit #n is played back and playback is
returned to the top of the browsing unit 5 #11, so that the
movie of the browsing unit #11 is provided to the user
again.
[0085]
Similarly, when the browsing unit #12 is a loop
10 playback target, the movie of the browsing unit #12 is
played back and, when playback of the movie is finished,
a transition to playback of the browsing unit #n is made.
Also in this case, the browsing unit #n is a black still
image, and a black screen is temporarily provided to the
15 user. The browsing unit #n is played back and playback
is returned to the top of the browsing unit #12, so that
the movie of the browsing unit #12 is provided to the
user again.
[0086]
20 Similarly, when the browsing unit #m is a loop
playback target, the movie of the browsing unit #m is
played back and, when playback of the movie is finished,
a transition to playback of the browsing unit #n is made.
Also in this case, the browsing unit #n is a black still
25 image, and a black screen is temporarily provided to the
user. The browsing unit #n is played back and playback
is returned to the top of the browsing unit #m, so that
the movie of the browsing unit #m is provided to the user
again.
30 [0087]
Thus, when the browsing units #11 to #m are a
29
plurality of browsing units which is a loop playback
target, and one of the browsing units is a loop playback
target, the browsing unit #n is a loop playback browsing
unit which is commonly used by a plurality of browsing
5 units.
[0088]
Thus, playback is performed such that playback
transitions from a loop playback browsing unit to the
browsing unit #n and a jump is performed from the
10 browsing unit #n to the top of the original browsing unit.
By so doing, one loop playback browsing unit can be
shared by a plurality of browsing units. Sharing the
browsing unit is effective when, for example, the number
of play items which can be included in the play list #0
15 (Fig. 13) is limited.
[0089]
That is, when play items of a movie which are loop
playback targets and loop playback play items are
prepared on a one-on-one basis, the number of play items
20 is great, the number of play items exceeds a limitation
value and the play items are not likely to be included in
one play list #0. However, by sharing a loop playback
play item, the number of loop playback play items can be
reduced, so that it is possible to include more play
25 items of a movie which are loop playback targets in the
play list #0.
[0090]
Thus, also when the common loop playback play item
#m is provided, processing related to loop playback is
30 performed based on the flowchart illustrated in Fig. 10
or Fig. 12 and therefore will not be described.
30
[0091]
Thus, it is possible to repeatedly playback a movie
while independently playing back a movie and voices, and
continue playback while the voices are not interrupted.
When, for example, a movie is recorded 5 in a recording
medium, there is a screen to select and playback a
chapter, and it is possible to repeatedly display a movie
of the selected chapter in the background in this screen
while outputting a BGM (voice).
10 [0092]
Further, this is also applicable even when a
shopping application is realized using a recording medium
such as a Blu-ray disc. For example, when a movie of a
product is repeatedly played back while emitting a BGM,
15 it is possible to switch a movie of a product according
to a user's operation. Moreover, the BGM continues as is,
so that it is possible to prevent the user from losing an
interest in the product due to an interruption of the BGM.
[0093]
20 [Recording Medium]
The above series of processing can be executed by
hardware or can be executed by software. When a series
of processing is executed by software, the program which
configures this software is installed in a computer.
25 Meanwhile, the computer includes a computer which is
embedded in dedicated hardware or a general-purpose
personal computer which can execute various functions by
installing various programs.
[0094]
30 Fig. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a
configuration example of hardware of the computer which
31
executes the above series of processing by a program. In
the computer, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001, a ROM
(Read Only Memory) 1002 and a RAM (Random Access Memory)
1003 are connected with each other through a bus 1004.
The bus 1004 is further connected with 5 an input/output
interface 1005. The input/output interface 1005 is
connected with an input unit 1006, an output unit 1007, a
memory unit 1008, a communication unit 1009 and a drive
1010.
10 [0095]
The input unit 1006 includes a keyboard, a mouse
and a microphone. The output unit 1007 includes a
display and a speaker. The memory unit 1008 is a hard
disk or a non-volatile memory. The communication unit
15 1009 is a network interface. The drive 1010 drives a
removable medium 1011 such as a magnetic disk, an optical
disk, a magnet-optical disk or a semiconductor memory.
[0096]
In the computer configured as described above, for
20 example, the CPU 1001 loads the program stored in the
memory unit 1008, to the RAM 1003 through the
input/output interface 1005 and the bus 1004 to perform
the above series of processing.
[0097]
25 For example, the program to be executed by the
computer (CPU 1001) can be recorded in the removable
medium 1011 such as a package medium and provided.
Further, the program can be provided through a wired or
wireless transmission medium such as a local area network,
30 the Internet or digital satellite broadcasting.
[0098]
32
In the computer, the program can be installed in
the memory unit 1008 through the input/output interface
1005 by attaching the removable medium 1011 to the drive
1010. Further, the program can be received at the
communication unit 1009 through the 5 wired or wireless
transmission medium and installed in the memory unit 1008.
In addition, the program can be installed in advance in
the ROM 1002 or the memory unit 1008.
[0099]
10 In addition, the program to be executed by the
computer may be a program which executes processing in
time series in order described in this description or may
be a program which executes processing in parallel or at
a necessary timing such as a time when the program is
15 invoked.
[0100]
Further, in this description, a system refers to an
entire apparatus which is formed with a plurality of
apparatuses.
20 [0101]
In addition, the embodiment of the present
technique is not limited to the above embodiment, and can
be variously changed in a range which does not deviate
from the scope of the present technique.
25 [0102]
In addition, the present technique can also employ
the following configuration.
[0103]
(1)
30 A playback apparatus has
a playback unit which plays back a first stream and
33
a second stream out of synchronization, and
the first stream has a first browsing unit and a
second browsing unit,
the second browsing unit is a browsing unit which
includes part of the first 5 browsing unit and
the playback unit plays back the second browsing
unit after playing back the first browsing unit, and
makes a transition to playback from a top of the first
browsing unit after playing back the second browsing unit.
10 (2)
In the playback apparatus described in (1), the
first stream is a video image, and the second stream is a
sound.
(3)
15 In the playback apparatus described in (1) or (2),
the first browsing unit is a browsing unit which is
a loop playback target, and
the second browsing unit is a loop playback
browsing unit.
20 (4)
In the playback apparatus described in any of (1)
to (3),
a still mode of a play item for playing back the
first browsing unit is set to a mode which commands a
25 transition to a next play item, and
the playback unit makes a transition to playback of
the first browsing unit when detecting a transition of
playback from the first browsing unit to the second
browsing unit.
30 (5)
In the playback apparatus described in any of (1)
34
to (3),
a still mode of a play item for playing back the
first browsing unit is set to a mode which commands
temporary stop, and
the playback unit makes a transition 5 to playback of
the second browsing unit when detecting that playback of
the first browsing unit is finished and a state of
temporary stop starts, and makes a transition to playback
of the first browsing unit when detecting a transition to
10 playback of the second browsing unit.
(6)
In the playback apparatus described in any of (1)
to (5),
the first browsing unit is one browsing unit of a
15 plurality of browsing units which is a loop playback
target, and
the second browsing unit is a loop playback
browsing unit which is commonly used by the plurality of
browsing units.
20 (7)
With a playback method of a playback apparatus
which has a playback unit which plays back a
predetermined stream,
a first stream has a first browsing unit and a
25 second browsing unit,
the second browsing unit is a browsing unit which
includes part of the first browsing unit, and
the method includes the steps of, at the playback
unit,
30 playing back the first stream and a second stream
out of synchronization; and
35
playing back the second browsing unit after playing
back the first browsing unit, and making a transition to
playback from a top of the first browsing unit after
playing back the second browsing unit.
5 (8)
With a computer-readable program,
a first stream has a first browsing unit and a
second browsing unit,
the second browsing unit is a browsing unit which
10 includes part of the first browsing unit, and
the program causes a computer which controls a
playback apparatus which has a playback unit which plays
back a predetermined stream to execute processing
including the steps of, at the playback unit,
15 playing back the first stream and a second stream
out of synchronization and
playing back the second browsing unit after playing
back the first browsing unit, and making a transition to
playback from a top of the first browsing unit after
20 playing back the second browsing unit.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0104]
10 Playback apparatus, 21 Operation unit, 22
25 Control unit, 23 Memory, 24 ROM, 25 Video stream buffer,
26 Video image decoder, 27 Voice stream buffer, 28 Voice
decoder, 29 Medium driving unit, 30 Image/sound output
unit
36
We CLAIM
1. A playback apparatus comprising:
a playback unit which plays back a first stream and
a second stream out of synchronization, 5 wherein:
the first stream comprises a first browsing unit
and a second browsing unit;
the second browsing unit is a browsing unit which
includes part of the first browsing unit; and
10 the playback unit plays back the second browsing
unit after playing back the first browsing unit, and
makes a transition to playback from a top of the first
browsing unit after playing back the second browsing unit.
15 2. The playback apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein: the first stream is a video image; and the
second stream is a sound.
3. The playback apparatus according to claim 1,
20 wherein:
the first browsing unit is a browsing unit which is
a loop playback target; and
the second browsing unit is a loop playback
browsing unit.
25
4. The playback apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein:
a still mode of a play item for playing back the
first browsing unit is set to a mode which commands a
30 transition to a next play item; and
the playback unit makes a transition to playback of
37
the first browsing unit when detecting a transition of
playback from the first browsing unit to the second
browsing unit.
5. The playback apparatus according 5 to claim 1,
wherein:
a still mode of a play item for playing back the
first browsing unit is set to a mode which commands
temporary stop; and
10 the playback unit makes a transition to playback of
the second browsing unit when detecting that playback of
the first browsing unit is finished and a state of
temporary stop starts, and makes a transition to playback
of the first browsing unit when detecting a transition to
15 playback of the second browsing unit.
6. The playback apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein:
the first browsing unit is one browsing unit of a
20 plurality of browsing units which is a loop playback
target; and
the second browsing unit is a loop playback
browsing unit which is commonly used by the plurality of
browsing units.
25
7. A playback method of a playback apparatus which
comprises a playback unit which plays back a
predetermined stream, wherein:
a first stream comprises a first browsing unit and
30 a second browsing unit;
the second browsing unit is a browsing unit which
38
includes part of the first browsing unit; and
the playback method comprises the steps of, at the
playback unit,
playing back the first stream and a second stream
out of synchronization; 5 and
playing back the second browsing unit after playing
back the first browsing unit, and making a transition to
playback from a top of the first browsing unit after
playing back the second browsing unit.
10
8. A computer-readable program, wherein:
a first stream comprises a first browsing unit and
a second browsing unit;
the second browsing unit is a browsing unit which
15 includes part of the first browsing unit; and
the program causes a computer which controls a
playback apparatus which comprises a playback unit which
plays back a predetermined stream to execute processing
comprising the steps of, at the playback unit,
20 playing back the first stream and a second stream
out of synchronization; and
playing back the second browsing unit after playing
back the first browsing unit, and making a transition to
playback from a top of the first browsing unit after
25 playing back the second browsing unit.