Patent ID: 6327109
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A method for reproducing information representative of signals recorded on a recording medium and/or information concerning the recording medium itself, said recording medium being accommodated within a recording medium cartridge that includes a memory device separate from said recording medium, wherein said information is organized according to a hierarchical structure including at least a recording medium information branch and a recorded content information branch, said recorded content information branch having at least two levels and being capable of including more than two levels, at least one of said levels including indicators of a recording medium start position and a recording medium end position for at least one program recorded on said recording medium, wherein said information is stored in said memory device in the form of a plurality of data packets, and wherein the size and format of said data packets are fixed and determined prior to the storing of said information in said memory device, each said packet having the same fixed size and format as each other packet, the method comprising the steps of:loading said recording medium cartridge into a recording and reproducing apparatus that is operatively connected to a display device;transmitting at least some of said information from said memory device included in said recording medium cartridge to said display device;displaying at least some of said transmitted information on said display device;wherein said information includes image data identifying at least one particular portion of the recorded signals which is of special interest to the user and/or is desired to be readily available for reproduction; andwherein the step of displaying includes displaying said image data in a split-screen manner.