Motion video signal processing for recording or reproducing – Local trick play processing – With randomly accessible medium
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-15
2001-10-30
Nguyen, Huy (Department: 2615)
Motion video signal processing for recording or reproducing
Local trick play processing
With randomly accessible medium
C386S349000, C386S349000, C386S349000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311013
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a signal reproducing apparatus and a signal reproducing method for reproducing a dynamic image by decoding coded image data which forms the dynamic image, and more particularly to a signal reproducing apparatus and a signal reproducing method for reproducing a plurality of dynamic images which have the same attributes.
2. Related Background Art
Optical disks have a common characteristic that random access is permitted. A DVD (Digital Video Disk: DVD-VIDEO) which is one of the optical disks uses the above-mentioned characteristic so that a multi-angle function and a multi-history function are realized.
The multi-angle function is a function for reproducing an image obtained by photographing the image at a plurality of shooting angles. For example, images of one subject at a plurality of angles can be reproduced.
The DVD uses angle blocks each of which is formed by data for enabling images at a plurality of angles to selectively be reproduced. The angle block is formed by sectioning image data photographed at each angle. The DVD employs a so-called “Interleave Structure” in such a manner that the angle blocks are mixed and then recorded on a signal recording surface. Since the DVD employs the foregoing recording structure, the multi-angle function and the multi-story function are realized.
A DVD reproducing apparatus is able to reproduce, for example, a DVD of the foregoing type in such a manner that switching to an image at a required angle is permitted during the reproducing process.
The angle block fall into two categories which is an angle block (hereinafter called “SML_AG_BLK”) which can continuously, that is, seamlessly, connected to another angle when images which proceed simultaneously and other angle blocks (hereinafter called “NSML_AG_BLK”) with which the angle can be switched only seamlessly.
When a process for reproducing SML_AG_BLK is performed, the DVD reproducing apparatus is able to seamlessly switch the angle. However, several seconds are required to switch the angle. That is, the DVD reproducing apparatus cannot reproduce another angle at the instant that the angle is switched. If a user switches the image which is being reproduced to that at another required angle, the user cannot watch the image at the required angle corresponding to the moment in time at which the angle is switched. As a result, the user cannot watch the required image. When SML_AG_BLK is reproduced, switching of the angle is limited to once in several seconds. Only sub-image data composed of audio data, subtitle information and the like corresponding to the image at the angle which is reproduced is encoded.
When NSML_AG_BLK is reproduced, the DVD reproducing apparatus must temporarily interrupt the reproducing operation when the angle is attempted to be switched. Then, the angle must be switched to another angle after which the reproducing process is restarted. In the case where angles are not smoothly connected to one another, the user cannot enjoy legible images.
When NSML_AG_BLK is reproduced, another angle corresponding to the moment in time at which the angle is switched can be reproduced. Moreover, switching is generally permitted in larger number of portions as compared with SML_AG_BLK. Even if an image is switched to an image at another angle, audio data and sub-image data individual from the image at the other angle can be decoded.
When NSML_AG_BLK and NSML_AG_BLK are reproduced, the DVD reproducing apparatus cannot immediately switch the angle in the seamless manner although it is able to simply switch the angle.
If images at various angles can simultaneously be provided for a user, the user is able to always confirm the images of the various angles. Thus, missing of a required image and image illegibility can be overcome. Therefore, there arises a requirement for an apparatus which is capable of simultaneously displaying images at a plurality of angles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a signal reproducing apparatus and a signal reproducing method which enable seamless images at a plurality of angles recorded on a recording medium to simultaneously be watched or instantaneously be watched even if the angle is switched.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a signal reproducing apparatus including: decoding means for generating decoded image data at the plural angles by decoding coded image data at a certain angle among the plural angles read by reading means; decoding storage means on which decoded image data at the certain angle among the plural angles generated by the decoding means is stored; displaying storage means having storage regions on which image data to be displayed is stored and which enables division display to be performed; and control means for subjecting decoded image data stored in the decoding storage means to a contraction process, writing decoded image data, which has been subjected to the contraction process, on the storage region of the displaying storage means and reading image data to be displayed and including decoded image data written on the storage region. Since the signal reproducing apparatus has the above-mentioned structure, a plurality of decoded image data items are stored in the storage regions of the displaying storage means.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a signal reproducing apparatus including: m storage means on which coded image data read by reading means is stored; and decoding means for generating decoded image data by decoding coded image data transmitted from the m storage means. Since the signal reproducing apparatus according to the present invention has the above-mentioned elements, the signal reproducing apparatus simultaneously decodes coded image data at a plurality of angles or decodes by switching images.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a signal reproducing method including: a decoding step for generating decoded image data at the plural angles by decoding coded image data at a certain angle among the plural angles read in a reading step; a decoded image data storing step for storing decoded image data at the certain angle among the plural angles generated in the decoding step; a displaying storage step using storage regions on which image data to be displayed is stored and which enables division display to be performed; and a control step for subjecting decoded image data stored in the decoded image data storing step to a contraction process, writing decoded image data, which has been subjected to the contraction process, on the storage region which is used in the displaying storage step and reading image data to be displayed and including decoded image data written on the storage region.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a signal reproducing method including: m storing steps for storing coded image data read in a reading step; and a decoding step for generating decoded image data by decoding coded image data transmitted from the m storing steps.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments described in conjunction with the attached drawings.
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Kawamura Makoto
Shimizu Yoshinori
Frommer William S.
Frommer & Lawrence & Haug LLP
Nguyen Huy
Savit Glenn F.
Sony Corporation
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