JP2011008894A - Information reproducing device and information reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

An information reproducing method capable of reproducing and outputting not only information recorded on a DVD-Video disc but also disc-related information (meta information) related to information recorded on the DVD-Video disc can be provided.
An information reproducing method reads file system information from a DVD-Video disc, and acquires meta information based on at least one of size information and recording date / time information of a video title video included in the file system information. A request is generated, the meta information acquisition request is transmitted to the server, meta information corresponding to the DVD-Video disc searched based on the meta information acquisition request is received from the server, and reproduction based on the meta information is performed. Output information.
[Selection] Figure 12

Description

  The present invention relates to an information reproducing apparatus and information reproducing method for reproducing an optical disc such as a DVD-Video disc.

  In recent years, there has been a widespread service in which content management machines automatically search and present user-preferred content. For example, a technique is disclosed in which meta-information of DVD-Video viewed by a user is input for preference learning (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a technique is disclosed in which a client machine acquires information on each piece of music recorded on a CD from a CDDB server based on the TOC information of the CD (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-104312 A JP 2007-164478 A

  DVD-Video discs do not contain meta information that can be used by players. For this reason, it is difficult for a player playing a DVD-Video disc to develop a value-added service based on meta information.

  Patent Document 1 does not disclose a specific method for acquiring DVD-Video meta information. In addition, information corresponding to the TOC information disclosed in Patent Document 2 is not recorded on the DVD-Video.

  Therefore, even if the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are used, information related to the DVD-Video disc (meta information) can be provided to the user along with the reproduction of the DVD-Video disc. Can not.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing and outputting not only information recorded on a DVD-Video disc but also disc-related information (meta information) related to information recorded on the DVD-Video disc. It is to provide an information reproduction method.

  An information reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one of reading means for reading file system information from a DVD-Video disc, and size information and recording date / time information of a video title video included in the file system information. Generating means for generating a meta information acquisition request on the basis of the information, transmission means for transmitting the meta information acquisition request to a server, and meta information corresponding to the DVD-Video disc searched based on the meta information acquisition request. Receiving means for receiving from the server, and output means for outputting reproduction information based on the meta information.

  An information playback method according to an embodiment of the present invention reads file system information from a DVD-Video disc, and includes at least one of size information and recording date / time information of a video title video included in the file system information. A meta information acquisition request is generated, the meta information acquisition request is transmitted to the server, meta information corresponding to the DVD-Video disc searched based on the meta information acquisition request is received from the server, and the meta information acquisition request is transmitted. Output playback information based on the information.

  According to the present invention, an information reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing and outputting not only information recorded on a DVD-Video disc but also disc-related information (meta information) related to information recorded on the DVD-Video disc, and An information reproduction method can be provided.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an entire system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus (information reproducing | regenerating apparatus) corresponded to the client machine concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a database server. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a disc recognition process and the like when a DVD-Video disc is inserted into a client machine. It is a figure which shows the file structure (file system information) of DVD-Video. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of a 1st meta information acquisition request. It is a figure which shows an example of DVD-Video meta information managed by the database of a database server. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which matched the file system information contained in the meta information acquisition request, and meta information. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the DVD-Video meta information acquisition response transmitted to a client machine from a database server. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of a 2nd meta information acquisition request. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which matched the hash value and meta information which were contained in the 2nd meta information acquisition request. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the acquisition process of the meta information using the file system information demonstrated above. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the acquisition process of meta information using the hash value produced | generated from the file system information demonstrated above. An example of recommended DVD information acquisition processing using a hash value will be described. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of DVD rental service. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of DVD rental service.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The client machine 1 into which the DVD-Video disc can be inserted notifies the database server 2 of a meta information acquisition request via the Internet in order to acquire the meta information of the inserted disc 1001 (for example, a DVD-Video disc). The database server 2 searches the database in the database server 2 based on the meta information acquisition request notified from the client machine 1 to obtain DVD-Video meta information. The database server 2 notifies this meta information as a response to the client 1.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus (information reproducing apparatus) corresponding to the client machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording / reproducing apparatus has a DVD-RAM, DVD ± RW, DVD ± R, DVD-ROM (DVD video), CD-RW, CD-R, CD as a recording medium (or information storage medium). -Both optical disks 1001 such as ROM (music CD) and hard disks can be handled. Note that these optical disk 1001 and hard disk may be replaced (or used together) with other recording media such as a semiconductor memory.

  In the configuration of FIG. 2, when each block is roughly divided, the left side shows the main block configuration of the recording system, and the right side shows the main block configuration of the reproduction system. The recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. 2 has two types of disk drive units, a disk drive unit 1002 and a hard disk drive unit 2001. The disk drive unit 1002 rotationally drives an optical disk 1001 as a first medium that can construct a video file, and reads and writes information. The disk drive unit 1002 includes a rotation control system, a laser drive system, an optical system, and the like for the optical disk 1001. The hard disk drive unit 2001 drives a hard disk as a second medium.

  The data processor unit 1003 can supply recording data to the disk drive unit 1002 and the hard disk drive unit 2001, and can receive a reproduced signal. The data processor unit 1003 handles recording or reproduction unit data, and includes a buffer circuit, a modulation / demodulation circuit, an error correction unit, and the like.

  Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. 2 includes an encoder unit 50 constituting the recording side, a decoder unit 60 constituting the reproducing side, and a control module 30 for controlling the operation of the apparatus main body as main components. The encoder unit 50 includes a transport stream processing unit and a plurality of MPEG encoders.

  The encoder unit 50 basically includes an analog-to-digital converter for video and audio that digitizes an input analog video signal or analog audio signal, a video encoder, and an audio encoder. Furthermore, a sub-picture encoder that represents subtitles and pictures as bitmap data can be included as appropriate.

  The encoded output from the encoder unit 50 is converted into a predetermined DVD-RAM format by a formatter 51 including a buffer memory (when a digital broadcast transport stream (MPEG2-TS) is recorded as a stream, the format is not converted). This is supplied to the previous data processor unit 1003. Note that the packet elementary stream extracted from the transport stream may be recorded directly on the hard disk of the hard disk drive unit 2001 from the encoder unit 50.

  An external analog video signal and an external analog audio signal from the AV input unit 41 a can be input to the encoder unit 50 via a switch (signal selector) 53. In addition, the encoder unit 50 can selectively receive received signal (s) from the terrestrial analog tuner 41b, the terrestrial digital tuner 41c, the satellite BS / CS tuner 41d, and the satellite analog tuner 41e. .

  Here, when the encoder unit 50 includes, for example, two MPEG encoders, a program received by the terrestrial analog tuner 41b is DVD-VR recorded by the hard disk drive unit 2001, and at the same time, a program received by the satellite analog tuner 41e is recorded on the hard disk drive. DVD-VR recording is possible with the unit 2001 or the optical disc 1001. Even when the encoder unit 50 has only one MPEG encoder, the program (MPEG2-TS) received by the terrestrial digital tuner 41c is stream-recorded by the hard disk drive unit 2001 and simultaneously received by the terrestrial analog tuner 41b. It is also possible to view the program while recording the DVD-VR on the hard disk drive unit 2001 or the optical disc 1001.

  The encoder unit 50 can also supply the compressed digital video signal or digital audio signal directly to the formatter 51 when a compressed (encoded) digital video signal or digital audio signal is directly input. The encoder unit 50 can also directly supply the digital video signal and audio signal that have been converted from analog to digital to the video mixing unit 71 and the audio selector 76.

  In the MPEG video encoder included in the encoder unit 50, the digital video signal is compressed at a variable bit rate based on the MPEG2 or MPEG1 standard, and converted into a digital video signal to be recorded on a hard disk or on an optical disk. The digital audio signal is converted into a digital audio signal compressed at a fixed bit rate based on the MPEG or AC-3 standard, or an uncompressed linear PCM digital audio signal.

  When a sub-video signal is input from the AV input unit 41a (for example, a signal input from a DVD video player with an independent output terminal of a sub-video signal), or a DVD video signal having such a data structure is broadcast and is transmitted to a TV When received by the tuner unit 42, the sub-picture signal in the DVD video signal is encoded by the sub-picture encoder (run-length encoding based on the DVD standard) and becomes sub-picture bitmap data.

  The encoded digital video signal, digital audio signal, and sub-picture data are packed by the formatter 51 to become a video pack, an audio pack, and a sub-picture pack, and these are assembled into a format defined by the DVD video standard. (DVD-Video format) or a format (DVD-VR format) defined by the DVD-recording standard. The formatter 51 uses the buffer memory 52 as a work area during the above conversion process.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. 2 uses the data processor unit 1003 to store information (packs of video, audio, sub-picture data, etc.) formatted by the formatter 51 and the created management information and / or the hard disk drive unit 2001 and / or The data can be supplied to the data disk drive unit 1002 and recorded on the hard disk or the optical disk 1001. Further, information recorded on the hard disk or the optical disk 1001 can be recorded on the optical disk 1001 or the hard disk via the data processor unit 1003 and the disk drive unit 1002.

  It is also possible to perform an editing process such as deleting a part of video objects of a plurality of programs recorded on the hard disk or the optical disc 1001 or connecting objects of different programs.

  The control module 30 includes an MPU (micro processing unit) or CPU (central processing unit), a ROM in which a control program and the like are written, a RAM for providing a work area necessary for program execution, and the like.

The control module 30 is an electronic program guide from an electronic program service of terrestrial analog broadcasting (ADAMS: TV-Asahi Data and Multimedia Service in Tokyo area) or electronic guide information / electronic program guide (EPG) of terrestrial / satellite digital broadcasting. Information (including not only broadcast programs but also various information services) can be captured. The control module 30 can be connected to the external network NT via the network interface 30a. Thereby, electronic program guide information (DEPG) can be fetched from an external server.

  Further, the MPU of the control module 30 uses a RAM as a work area according to a control program (firmware) stored in the ROM, and detects a defect location, unrecorded area detection, recording information recording position setting, UDF recording, AV Perform address setting and so on. The control module 30 has an information processing unit necessary to control and control each block of the apparatus, and includes a work RAM 31, a directory detection unit 32, a VMG (total video management information) information creation unit, and a copy related unit. An information detection unit, a copy and scrambling information processing unit (RDI processing unit), a packet header processing unit, a sequence header processing unit, an aspect ratio information processing unit, and the like are provided. The control module 30 also includes a management information control unit 34 for recording and a management information control unit 33 for editing.

  Further, the control module 30 is provided with a series program reservation / recording control unit 35 and a GUI (graphic user interface) screen control unit 36. The operations of the series program reservation / recording control unit 35 and the GUI screen control unit (including an EPG processing unit and a purchase processing unit) 36 will be described later.

  Among the execution results of the MPU of the control module 30, the contents to be notified to the user are displayed on the display unit 43 of the video data recording / reproducing apparatus or are displayed on the monitor display 3001 by OSD (on-screen display).

  The control module 30 also has a key input unit 44 that provides an operation signal for operating the recording / reproducing apparatus. The key input unit 44 corresponds to, for example, operation switches provided on the main body of the recording / reproducing apparatus or a remote controller. Also, a personal computer connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus by means of wired communication, wireless communication, optical communication, infrared communication, or the like can be used for the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus in FIG. Regardless of the form, when the user operates the key input unit 44, the received or inputted video / audio signal is recorded, the recorded content or the optical disc is reproduced, or the recorded content is edited. Processing can be performed.

  Note that the timing at which the control module 30 controls the disk drive unit 1002, the hard disk drive unit 2001, the data processor unit 1003, the encoder unit 50, and / or the decoder unit 60 is the time data from the STC (system time clock) 38. Can be executed based on. Recording and playback operations are normally executed in synchronization with the time clock from the STC 38, but other processes may be executed at a timing independent of the STC 38.

  Although not shown, the decoder unit 60 separates and extracts each pack from a DVD format signal having a pack structure, a memory used when performing pack separation and other signal processing, and main video data separated by the separator. V decoder that decodes (contents of video pack), sub-picture decoder that decodes sub-picture data (sub-picture pack contents) separated by a separator, and audio data (audio pack contents) separated by a separator And an A decoder for decoding. The decoder unit 60 also includes a video processor that appropriately synthesizes the decoded sub-video with the decoded main video and outputs a menu, a highlight button, subtitles, and other sub-videos superimposed on the main video.

  The output video signal of the decoder unit 60 is input to the video mixing unit 71. In the video mixing unit 71, for example, text data is synthesized. The video mixing unit 71 is also connected to a line that directly takes in a signal from the TV tuner or the AV input unit 41a. A frame memory 72 used as a buffer is connected to the video mixing unit 71. When the output of the video mixing unit 71 is an analog output, it is output to the outside via an I / F (interface) 73, and when it is a digital output, it is output to the outside via a digital / analog converter 74.

  The output audio signal of the decoder unit 60 is analog-converted by the digital-analog converter 77 via the selector 76 and output to the outside. The selector 76 is controlled by a select signal from the control module 30. Thus, the selector 76 can directly select a signal that has passed through the encoder unit 50 when directly monitoring digital signals from the TV tuners 41b to 41e and the AV input unit 41a.

  Note that the formatter 51 of the encoder unit 50 creates each segmentation information during recording and periodically sends it to the MPU of the control module 30 (information at the time of GOP head interrupt, etc.). The segmentation information includes the number of VOBU packs, the end address of the I picture from the beginning of the VOBU, and the playback time of the VOBU.

  At the same time, information from the aspect information processing unit is sent to the MPU at the start of recording, and the MPU creates VOB stream information (STI). Here, the STI stores resolution data, aspect data, and the like, and at the time of reproduction, each decoder unit is initialized based on this information.

  In this apparatus, one video file is recorded on a DVD. In order to continue playback without interruption while accessing (seeking) data, a minimum continuous information unit (size) is determined. This unit is called CDA (Contiguous Data Area). The CDA size is a multiple of an ECC (error correction code) block (16 sectors), and the file system records in this CDA unit.

  The data processor unit 1003 receives data in VOBU units from the formatter of the encoder unit 50 and supplies data in CDA units to the disk drive unit 1002 or the hard disk drive unit 2001. Also, the MPU of the control module 30 creates management information necessary for reproducing the recorded data. When the MPU of the control module 30 recognizes a data recording end command, it sends the created management information to the data processor unit 1003. Thereby, the management information is recorded on the disc. Therefore, when encoding is performed, the MPU of the control module 30 receives information (such as segmentation information) in units of data from the encoder unit 50. The MPU of the control module 30 recognizes management information (file system) read from the optical disk and the hard disk at the start of recording, recognizes an unrecorded area of each disk, and records a recording area on the data via the data processor unit 1003. Is set to disk.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 records means (36) for performing processing for displaying electronic guide information obtained via broadcasting and / or communication lines, and broadcast programs or programs corresponding to the electronic guide information. The user preference is detected from the means (50 to 51, 1001 to 1003, 2001) for processing, and the user usage status of the electronic guide information or the distributed content title, and the information (keyword, weighting) of the detected user preference is detected. And a means (37) for performing information processing according to the content title, etc., and the user preference is detected from at least one of the following items.

a: The user has reserved recording or viewing of the broadcast program, reproduced the recorded program, or recorded the recorded program on an information recording medium (DVD-R, -RW, -RAM, etc.) (Content information of recorded programs can be obtained from broadcasting and / or the Internet),
b: Playing the content title distributed in the form of package software (DVD video, music CD, etc.) or recording this content title on an information recording medium (DVD / CD-R, -RW, etc.) (The content information of the title that is played back or recorded can be obtained from the Internet database CDDB etc.),
c: Purchased a product (DVD video, photo book, book, etc.) via the screen display of the electronic guide information (personal name, genre, product name, etc. regarding the purchased product can be found from the electronic guide information for which the purchase application was made) ,
d: Applying for rental of a product (DVD video, etc.) via the screen display of the electronic guide information.

Further, the video receiving apparatus such as a digital TV including the main part of the recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. 2 has means (36) for performing processing for displaying the electronic guide information obtained through broadcasting and / or communication lines, and broadcasting A tuner (41b to 41e) that receives the image, and a monitor (3001) that displays the video of the information processed by the means for performing the display (36) and / or the video of the broadcast received by the tuner; Means (37) for detecting user preferences from the user usage status of the electronic guide information and performing information processing according to the detected user preference information (keywords, weights, etc.). The user preference is detected from at least one item:
a: The user has reserved viewing of the broadcast program using the electronic guide information;
c: Purchased a product (DVD video, photo book, book, etc.) via the screen display of the electronic guide information (personal name, genre, product name, etc. regarding the purchased product can be found from the electronic guide information for which the purchase application was made) ,
d: Applying for rental of a product (DVD video, etc.) via the screen display of the electronic guide information.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the database server 2.

  The database server 2 includes a database storage unit such as an HDD 21 (hard disk drive), a server control unit 22, and a communication unit 23 such as a LAN controller.

  The server control unit 22 controls the operation of the entire database server, and includes a database management unit 221, a network protocol processing unit 222, and a system operation unit 223.

  The database management unit 221 manages the HDD 21. Specifically, the database management unit 221 searches the database in the HDD 21 in response to a meta information acquisition request from the client machine 1. The network protocol processing unit 222 executes protocol processing on input / output data.

  The system operation unit 223 reads the server program stored in the HDD 21 and executes various processes of the database server 2 described later.

  Specifically, in response to the meta information acquisition request from the client machine 1, the system operation unit 223 acquires a key value for database search from the meta information acquisition request in the network protocol processing unit 222. The key is passed to the database management unit 221 and the database management unit 221 searches the database. The DVD-Video meta information obtained as a search result is passed to the network protocol processing unit 222, response data is constructed based on the DVD-Video meta information, and this response data is transmitted to the client machine 1.

  Hereinafter, disc recognition processing and the like when a DVD-Video disc is inserted into the client machine 1 shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

  When the DVD-Video disc is inserted into the client machine 1, the disc drive unit 1002 acquires the media type from the DVD-Video disc (ST101).

  Next, the disk drive unit 1002 reads data from the DVD-Video disk, and determines which file system is recorded on the DVD-Video disk (ST102). After the file system is determined, the file system information is read into the memory (ST103).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a file structure (file system information) of DVD-Video.

  There is always a VIDEO_TS folder directly under the root folder, and necessary files are placed under it. VIDEO_TS.IFO is a management data file in the VideoManager area. VIDEO_TS.VOB is a video data file for the menu in the VideoManager area. VIDEO_TS.BUP has the same contents as VIDEO_TS.IFO and is a backup file.

  VTS_01_0.IFO is a management data file of the first VideoTitleSet area. VTS_01_0.VOB is a moving image data file of the menu in the first VideoTitleSet area. VTS_01_1.VOB to VTS_01_n.VOB are moving image data files having titles in the first VideoTitleSet area. Note that n takes a value up to 9.

  VTS_01_0.BUP has the same contents as VTS_01_0.IFO and is a backup file.

  The VideoTitleSet area takes a value up to 99, and the mmth VideoTitleSet file has a file name as shown in the figure.

  Note that the menu video data file may not exist.

  As a result, for example, when the media type is DVD-ROM, the file system is UDF Bridge, and there is a VIDEO_TS directory directly under the root folder, this disc can be determined as DVD-Video (ST104, YES). At this time, the client machine 1 (control module 30) generates a meta information acquisition request in order to acquire the meta information of the DVD-Video disc from the database server 2 (ST105). If it is not possible to determine that this disc is a DVD-Video (ST104, NO), the process proceeds to other disc processing (ST108).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a meta information acquisition request.

  In the identifier field, “DVDDB” is described in ASCII characters.

  In the information type field, information indicating the type of the meta information acquisition request is described. When file information is used as information for identifying a DVD, for example, 1 is described in the information type field.

  The total number of bytes field describes the number of bytes in the field after the total number of bytes field.

  In the file number field, the number of files of file information described in the field after the file number field is described.

  The file information field includes a file name field, a file size field, and a file creation time field (year, month, day, hour, minute).

  In the file information field, the file name, file size, and file creation time of a file that actually exists on the disk among the files arranged under the VIDEO_TS directory shown in FIG. 5 are described. For example, in the file information field, the file name, file size, and file creation time of the file are described in order from the top of the file shown in FIG.

  However, files with the extension BUP are not described in the meta information acquisition request (file information field) because there is a file with the corresponding extension IFO and the file size matches that file. Shall.

  As described above, in the file information field, the file name, file size, and file creation time of a file that actually exists on the disk are described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the file information field includes at least the size information of the video title video (for example, VTS_01_0.VOB) and the recording date / time information of the video title video (for example, VTS_01_0.VOB) included in the file system information shown in FIG. One piece of information may be described. If there is at least one of the size information of the video title video (for example, VTS_01_0.VOB) and the recording date / time information of the video title video (for example, VTS_01_0.VOB), the DVD-Video disc can be uniquely identified. Because.

  The client machine 1 creates the meta information acquisition request from the file system information read into the memory in advance.

  Next, the client machine 1 (network interface 30a) transmits the meta information acquisition request to the database server 2 via the Internet (ST106).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of DVD-Video meta information managed by the database of the database server 2.

  For example, the meta information of one DVD-Video disc includes a disc name, a genre name, performer information, and other information.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table in which file system information included in a meta information acquisition request is associated with meta information. The database of the database server 2 manages the table shown in FIG.

  That is, the file system information and meta information of one DVD-Video disc are associated on the database, and the database server 2 can retrieve the meta information from the file system information.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a DVD-Video meta information acquisition response transmitted from the database server 2 to the client machine 1.

  The identifier is described in ASCII characters and fixed as “DVDDB”.

  In the information type, 0x80 indicating that the information after the information type is a DVD-Video meta information acquisition response is described.

  The total number of bytes is the number of bytes in the field after the total number of bytes.

  After the total number of bytes, disc name size, disc name, genre name size, genre name, performer information size, performer information, other information size, and other information are described.

  When the database server 2 receives the meta information acquisition request from the client machine 1, as described above, the database server 2 extracts the file system information (or partial information of the file system information) from the meta information acquisition request, and the file system information (or DVD-Video meta information is acquired from the database using a part of file system information) as a search key.

  Thereafter, the database server 2 notifies the client machine 1 of the acquired DVD-Video meta information as a DVD-Video meta information acquisition response.

  Upon receiving a response from the database server 2 (ST107), the client machine 1 (network interface 30a) stores the DVD-Video meta information included in the response in a memory or the like, and stores the DVD-Video meta stored as necessary. Information is used for preference learning.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an outline of the meta information acquisition process using the file system information described above. As shown in FIG. 12, the client machine 1 acquires file system information #Y from a DVD-Video disc #Y, and acquires meta information including file system information #Y (or partial information of file system information #Y). Generate a request. The client machine 1 transmits a meta information acquisition request including file system information #Y (or partial information of the file system information #Y) to the database server 2.

  The database server 2, for example, information that associates file system information #X (or partial information of file system information #X) with DVD information #X (meta information #X), file system information #Y (or file Information associating system information #Y with partial information) and DVD information #Y (meta information #Y), file system information #Z (or partial information with file system information #Z) and DVD information #Z ( The information which matched meta information #Z) is memorize | stored. When the database server 2 receives the meta information acquisition request including the file system information #Y (or the partial information of the file system information #Y), the database server 2 includes the file system information #Y (or the partial information of the file system information #Y). Based on this, the DVD information #Y is searched. The database server 2 returns the DVD information #Y to the client machine 1.

  The DVD information #Y includes, for example, information such as the title, performer, director, and time stored in the DVD-Video disc #Y. The client machine 1 can receive the DVD information #Y and output reproduction information based on the DVD information #Y. Thereby, for example, information such as the title, performer, director, and time stored in the DVD-Video disc can be displayed on the monitor 3001.

  Also, DVD information #Y is DVD-Video disc information of the same genre as DVD-Video disc #Y, DVD-Video disc information of the same title (same series) as DVD-Video disc #Y, DVD-Video disc #Y. This information can also be provided (reproduced) by including any of the DVD-Video disc information of the same performer.

  Next, compression of the data size of the meta information acquisition request described above will be described. The meta information acquisition request includes file system information (or partial information of the file system information) constituting the DVD-Video as information for identifying the DVD-Video disc. For example, the maximum number of files in the file system information may be 1091. For this reason, the data size of the meta information acquisition request may increase.

  Accordingly, a hash value (data of a certain size) may be calculated from the file system information (or partial information of the file system information) using a hash function, and the meta information acquisition request may be configured using the hash value.

  The hash function is a function that obtains a numerical value representative of certain data when the certain data is given. Therefore, the file system information (or partial information of the file system information) is information that can uniquely identify the DVD-Video disc, and is calculated from the file system information (or partial information of the file system information). The hash value is also information that can uniquely identify the DVD-Video disc.

  MD5 and SHA-1 are well known as such hash functions. In this embodiment, for example, SHA-1 is used.

  Next, an example of acquisition of meta information based on a meta information acquisition request composed of hash values will be described. The basic operation is as described above with reference to FIG. 4, and different parts from the above description will be described.

  The client machine 1 creates the meta information acquisition request (defined as the first meta information acquisition request) shown in FIG. 6, and further, the file system information included in the meta information acquisition request from the hash function SHA-1. A hash value is generated from (or partial information of file system information). The client machine 1 creates a meta information acquisition request (defined as a second meta information acquisition request) using the generated hash value.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second meta information acquisition request.

  In the identifier field, “DVDDB” is described in ASCII characters.

  Information indicating the type of the second meta information acquisition request is described in the information type field. When a hash value generated from file information is used as information for identifying a DVD, for example, 2 is described in the information type field.

  The total number of bytes field describes the number of bytes in the field after the total number of bytes field. For example, a fixed value 20 is described in the total number of bytes field.

  In the hash value field, the calculated hash value is described.

  The client machine 1 transmits the second meta information acquisition request to the database server 2 via the Internet.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table in which hash values and meta information included in the second meta information acquisition request are associated with each other. The database of the database server 2 manages the table shown in FIG.

  That is, the hash value generated from the file system information of one DVD-Video disc and the meta information are associated on the database, and the database server 2 can search the meta information from the hash value.

  Upon receiving the second meta information acquisition request from the client machine 1, the database server 2 extracts the hash value from the second meta information acquisition request, and uses the hash value as a search key to retrieve the corresponding DVD-Video meta information from the database. get.

  Thereafter, the database server 2 notifies the client machine 1 of the acquired DVD-Video meta information as a DVD-Video meta information acquisition response.

  Upon receiving a response from the database server 2 (ST107), the client machine 1 (network interface 30a) stores the DVD-Video meta information included in the response in a memory or the like, and stores the DVD-Video meta stored as necessary. Information is used for preference learning.

  Next, reproduction output of DVD-Video meta information by the client machine 1 will be described. The client machine 1 (decoder unit 60) can output reproduction information based on DVD-Video meta information.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overview of a meta information acquisition process using a hash value generated from the file system information described above. As shown in FIG. 13, the client machine 1 acquires file system information #Y from the DVD-Video disc #Y, and from the file system information #Y (or partial information of the file system information #Y) by a hash function. A hash value #Y is generated, and a second meta information acquisition request including the hash value #Y is generated. The client machine 1 transmits a second meta information acquisition request meta information acquisition request including the hash value #Y to the database server 2.

  The database server 2, for example, has information associated with hash value #X and DVD information #X (meta information #X), hash value #Y (or partial information of file system information #Y) and DVD information #Y. Information associated with (meta information #Y), information associated with hash value #Z (or partial information of file system information #Z) and DVD information #Z (meta information #Z) Yes. When the database server 2 receives the hash value #Y, it searches for the DVD information #Y based on the hash value #Y. The database server 2 returns the DVD information #Y to the client machine 1.

  The DVD information #Y includes, for example, information such as the title, performer, director, and time stored in the DVD-Video disc #Y. The client machine 1 can receive the DVD information #Y and output reproduction information based on the DVD information #Y. Thereby, for example, information such as the title, performer, director, and time stored in the DVD-Video disc can be displayed on the monitor 3001.

  Next, an example of recommended DVD information acquisition processing using a hash value will be described with reference to FIG. The recommended DVD information is information provided from the recommended server 3 to the client machine 1. The recommendation server 3 determines the user's preference based on the user information (age, sex, etc.) transmitted by the client machine 1 and the DVD information (information on the DVD played back on the client machine 1) transmitted by the database server 2. The recommended DVD information according to the user's preference is provided. The details will be described below.

  When the user views the DVD with the client machine 1 (ST201), the client machine 1 can generate a hash value as described above. The client machine 1 transmits user information and a hash value to the recommended server 3 (ST202). The recommended server 3 transmits a hash value to the database server 2 (ST203).

  The database server 2 searches the DVD information based on the hash value as described above, and transmits the DVD information to the recommended server 3 (ST204). The recommendation server 3 receives the DVD information and searches for the recommended DVD information based on the user information and the DVD information. For example, the recommendation server 3 determines the user's preference from information such as age, sex, category included in the DVD information, performers, etc. included in the user information, and recommended DVD information according to the user's preference Search for.

  For example, the recommendation server 3 acquires statistical information of popular content according to age and sex from the outside, and updates it regularly. Thus, the DVD information retrieved from information on age: 20s, gender: male, category: SF, performer: AAA relates to DVDs of SF content popular with men and DVDs of AAA appearing content. Information.

  The recommended server 3 transmits recommended DVD information to the client machine 1 (ST205). The client machine 1 receives the recommended DVD information and outputs the recommended DVD information (ST206).

  As described above, when the user views the DVD with the client machine 1, the recommended DVD information retrieved from the DVD to be viewed can be viewed at the timing of starting viewing or after finishing viewing. It is also possible to receive a recommended DVD rental service based on the recommended DVD information provided in this way. In the following, a recommended DVD rental service using recommended DVD information searched based on other conditions will be described. However, a recommended DVD rental service using recommended DVD information searched based on the above conditions is similarly described. Can be implemented.

  Next, the DVD rental service will be described with reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B.

  When the client machine 1 reserves program viewing or program recording in response to a program viewing reservation operation or program recording reservation operation by the user (ST301), the client machine 1 sends user information and program viewing reservation information to the recommended server 3 or Program recording reservation information is transmitted (ST302).

  The recommendation server 3 searches for recommended DVD information based on user information and program viewing reservation information or program recording reservation information. For example, the recommendation server 3 searches for recommended DVD information from information such as age, sex, program viewing reservation information or program recording reservation information included in the user information, program category, performers, and the like. The recommended server 3 transmits recommended DVD information to the client machine 1 (ST303). The client machine 1 receives the recommended DVD information and outputs the recommended DVD information (ST304). That is, when the client machine 1 reserves program viewing or program recording, the user can view recommended DVD information retrieved from the viewing reservation program or recording reservation program.

  Further, in response to a recommended DVD home delivery rental application operation by the user (ST305), the client machine 1 transmits rental information necessary for the recommended DVD home delivery rental to the rental server 4 (ST306). The rental information includes a user name, a user address, a credit card number, and rental desired DVD identification information. The rental information is stored in the client machine 1.

  The rental server 4 receives the rental information (ST306), and the operator of the rental server 4 arranges the delivery of the rental request DVD based on the rental information, whereby the rental request DVD is delivered to the user (ST308). At this time, for example, the rental company pays a margin to the manufacturer of the client machine 1 (ST307). Furthermore, the rental server 4 transmits to the client machine 1 the DVD information that has been arranged for delivery and the rental time limit information associated with this DVD information.

  When the delivered rental request DVD is loaded into the client machine 1, the client machine 1 reproduces the delivered rental request DVD (ST309). At this time, the client machine 1 generates a hash value from the file system information (partial information of the file system information) of the rental request DVD, and transmits the hash value to the database server 2 (ST310).

  The database server 2 receives the hash value, searches for the DVD information from the received hash value, and transmits the DVD information to the client machine 1 (ST311). The client machine 1 can receive the DVD information and output rental term information associated with the DVD information (ST312). As a result, for example, the monitor 3001 displays “This DVD rental period is another 10 days”.

  As described above, the client machine 1 transmits the DVD-Video file system information (or partial information of the file system information) capable of uniquely identifying the DVD-Video to the database server 2, and the database server 2 2 can receive DVD-Video meta information and output reproduction information based on the meta information.

  Alternatively, the client machine 1 transmits a hash value generated from the DVD-Video file system information (or partial information of the file system information) capable of uniquely identifying the DVD-Video to the database server 2, and DVD-Video meta information can be received from the database server 2, and reproduction information based on the meta information can be output.

  That is, the client machine 1 can acquire and reproduce related information (meta information) of the DVD-Video disc from the server, not just a machine that reproduces information recorded on the DVD-Video disc.

  The module described above may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software using a CPU or the like.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, In the implementation stage, it can change variously in the range which does not deviate from the summary. In addition, the embodiments may be appropriately combined as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be obtained as an invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Client machine, 2 ... Database server, 3 ... Recommended server, 4 ... Rental server, 30 ... Control module, 30a ... Network I / F

Claims (5)

Reading means for reading file system information from a DVD-Video disc;
Generating means for generating a meta information acquisition request based on at least one of the size information and the recording date / time information of the video title video included in the file system information;
Transmitting means for transmitting the meta information acquisition request to a server;
Receiving means for receiving, from the server, meta information corresponding to the DVD-Video disc searched based on the meta information acquisition request;
Output means for outputting reproduction information based on the meta information;
An information reproducing apparatus comprising:   2. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the reproduction information including information related to a video title of the DVD-Video disc based on the meta information.   The generation unit generates a hash value from at least one of the size information and the recording date / time information included in the file system information based on a hash function, and generates the meta information acquisition request based on the hash value. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information reproducing apparatus generates the information reproducing apparatus.   The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the reproduction information including information related to a recommended DVD based on the meta information. Read file system information from DVD-Video disc,
Generating a meta information acquisition request based on at least one of the size information and recording date information of the video title video included in the file system information;
Sending the meta information acquisition request to the server;
Meta information corresponding to the DVD-Video disc searched based on the meta information acquisition request is received from the server,
Outputting reproduction information based on the meta information;
An information reproduction method characterized by the above.

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