PATENT ABSTRACT
An information processing apparatus and process for dealing with moving pictures. A storage stores still pictures corresponding to scene switchovers of the moving pictures, and time stamps of the scene switchovers. A display controller provides a display control to display, given a reference position on the screen, the still pictures in positions at distances from the reference position. Those distances reflect differences between a time stamp corresponding to the reference position and the time stamp of the scene switchovers.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 09/556,949 filed Apr. 21, 2000, and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 11-117266, filed on Apr. 23, 1999, No. 11-117267, filed on Apr. 23, 1999, and No. 11-117269, filed on Apr. 23, 1999, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a medium for information processing. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and a method for information processing involving the recording of pictures, as well as to a medium for accommodating that method. 
     Coming progressively into general use today are techniques for having video and audio signals from a TV broadcasting station received by a tuner-equipped personal computer and for converting the received video and audio signals into suitable digital data which are recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk and reproduced as needed. 
     A major problem with the conventional techniques for causing personal computers to record pictures is that it takes time to verify the contents of recorded pictures and that it is impossible to know the quantity of pictures that may still be recorded. Also it is hard to understand the user interface when a user operates it to record and/or reproduce images and hard to comprehend, in case that a moving picture is recorded, the relationship among still pictures which consist of the moving picture on the time series basis. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and provides an apparatus, a method and a medium for verifying in a quick and reliable manner the contents of recorded pictures and the quantity of pictures that may still be recorded and for allowing the user to operate the apparatus upon recording and/or reproducing pictures easily without hesitation and to comprehend, in case that a moving picture is recorded, the relationship among still pictures which consist of the moving picture on the time series basis. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for recording a first picture supplied and for reproducing a second picture recorded, the apparatus comprising: recording means for recording the first picture; reproducing means for reproducing the second picture; and display controlling means for providing display control in such a manner as to display a first screen through which to input orders for operating the recording means, and a second screen through which to input orders for operating the reproducing means. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for use with an information processing apparatus for recording a first picture supplied and for reproducing a second picture recorded, the method comprising the steps of: recording the first picture; reproducing the second picture; and providing display control in such a manner as to display a first screen through which to input orders for operating the recording step, and a second screen through which to input orders for operating the reproducing step. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medium for causing an information processing apparatus for recording a first picture supplied and for reproducing a second picture recorded to execute a program comprising the steps of: recording the first picture; reproducing the second picture; and providing display control in such a manner as to display a first screen through which to input orders for operating the recording step, and a second screen through which to input orders for operating the reproducing step. 
     Through the use of the information processing apparatus, the information processing method and the medium, a first picture is recorded and a second picture is reproduced. Further according to the invention, display control is provided in such a manner as to display a first screen through which to input recording orders and a second screen through which to input reproducing orders. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for dealing with moving pictures, comprising: storing means for storing still pictures corresponding to scene switchovers of the moving pictures, and time stamps of the scene switchovers; and display controlling means for providing display control in such a manner as to display, given a reference position on a screen, the still pictures in positions at distances from the reference position, the distances reflecting differences between a time stamp corresponding to the reference position on the one hand and the time stamps of the scene switchovers on the other hand. 
     According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an information processing method for use with an information processing apparatus for dealing with moving pictures, the method comprising the steps of: storing still pictures corresponding to scene switchovers of the moving pictures, and time stamps of the scene switchovers; and providing display control in such a manner as to display, given a reference position on a screen, the still pictures in positions at distances from the reference position, the distances reflecting differences between a time stamp corresponding to the reference position on the one hand and the time stamps of the scene switchovers on the other hand. 
     According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medium for causing an information processing apparatus for dealing with moving pictures to execute a program comprising the steps of: storing still pictures corresponding to scene switchovers of the moving pictures, and time stamps of the scene switchovers; and providing display control in such a manner as to display, given a reference position on a screen, the still pictures in positions at distances from the reference position, the distances reflecting differences between a time stamp corresponding to the reference position on the one hand and the time stamps of the scene switchovers on the other hand. 
     Through the use of the information processing apparatus, the information processing method and the medium, still pictures corresponding to scene switchovers of moving pictures are stored along with time stamps of the switchovers. Further according to the invention, display control is provided in such a manner as to display, given a reference position on a screen, the still pictures in positions at distances from the reference position, the distances reflecting differences between a time stamp corresponding to the reference position on the one hand and the time stamps of the scene switchovers on the other hand. 
     According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: recording means for recording a first moving picture; and display controlling means for providing display control in such a manner as to display a first, a second and a third display area, the first display area displaying information outlining the first moving picture recorded by the recording means, the second display area displaying information about the first moving picture selected in the first display area, the third display area displaying a quantity of a second moving picture which may be recorded by the recording means. 
     According to a eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided an information processing method for use with an information processing apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: recording a first moving picture; and providing display control in such a manner as to display a first, a second and a third display area, the first display area displaying information outlining the first moving picture recorded in the recording step, the second display area displaying information about the first moving picture selected in the first display area, the third display area displaying a quantity of a second moving picture which may be recorded in the recording step. 
     According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medium for causing an information processing apparatus to execute a program comprising the steps of: recording a first moving picture; and providing display control in such a manner as to display a first, a second and a third display area, the first display area displaying information outlining the first moving picture recorded in the recording step, the second display area displaying information about the first moving picture selected in the first display area, the third display area displaying a quantity of a second moving picture which may be recorded in the recording step. 
     Through the use of the information processing apparatus, the information processing method and the medium, a first moving picture is recorded. Further according to the invention, display control is provided in such a manner as to display a first, a second and a third display area. The first display area displays information outlining the first moving picture recorded. The second display area displays information about the first moving picture selected in the first display area. The third display area displays a quantity of a second moving picture which may still be recorded. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts or elements denoted by like reference symbols. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an image recording and playback system embodying the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the personal computer; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the image processing board; 
         FIG. 4  is an explanatory view of application programs carried out by the personal computer; 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory view showing structures of application programs executed by the personal computer, and of middleware and drivers; 
         FIG. 6  is an explanatory view outlining structures of typical AV contents; 
         FIG. 7  is an explanatory view showing structures of other AV contents; 
         FIG. 8  is an explanatory view indicating structures of other AV contents; 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory view of a screen displayed by the recording and playback program; 
         FIG. 10  is an explanatory view of another screen displayed by the recording and playback program; 
         FIGS. 11A ,  11 B and  11 C are explanatory views showing how recording time is changed by clicking on the recording time change button; 
         FIG. 12  is an explanatory view of a recording time setting window; 
         FIG. 13  is another explanatory view of the recording time setting window; 
         FIG. 14  is an explanatory view of a screen displayed by the recording and playback program; 
         FIG. 15  is an explanatory view of another screen displayed by the recording and playback program; 
         FIG. 16  is an explanatory view of another screen displayed by the recording and playback program; 
         FIG. 17  is an explanatory view of a screen displayed by the AV content editing program; 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart of steps for switching recording and playback screens; 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart of steps for determining recording time; 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart of steps constituting a detailed recording process; 
         FIG. 21  is a flowchart of steps for playback processing; 
         FIG. 22  is a flowchart of steps for displaying still pictures; 
         FIG. 23  is an explanatory view of a screen displayed by the AV content management and search program; 
         FIG. 24  is an explanatory view of another screen displayed by the AV content management and search program; 
         FIGS. 25A through 25M  are explanatory views of icons; 
         FIGS. 26A through 26M  are explanatory views of other icons; 
         FIG. 27  is an explanatory view of another screen displayed by the AV content management and search program; 
         FIG. 28  is an explanatory view of another screen displayed by the AV content management and search program; 
         FIG. 29  is a flowchart of steps in which the AV content management and search program switches displays; 
         FIG. 30  is a flowchart of steps for icon display processing; 
         FIG. 31  is a flowchart of steps for erasing an AV content with an expiration date set thereto; 
         FIG. 32  is a flowchart of steps for erasing an AV content; 
         FIG. 33  is an explanatory view for explaining operations to search for a video tape cassette or for an AV content; 
         FIG. 34  is an explanatory view of a two-dimensional code; 
         FIG. 35  is an explanatory view of a window with a function for judging the presence of a two-dimensional code stored by the AV content management and search program; 
         FIG. 36  is another explanatory view of the window with the function for judging the presence of a two-dimensional code stored by the AV content management and search program; 
         FIG. 37  is another explanatory view of the window with the function for judging the presence of a two-dimensional code stored by the AV content management and search program; 
         FIG. 38  is an explanatory view of a window with a function for seeking a two-dimensional code stored by the AV content management and search program; 
         FIG. 39  is another explanatory view of the window with the function for seeking a two-dimensional code stored by the AV content management and search program; 
         FIG. 40  is an explanatory view of a window with a function for seeking an AV content corresponding to a two-dimensional code stored by the AV content management and search program; 
         FIG. 41  is a flowchart of steps for associating an AV content with a two-dimensional code; 
         FIG. 42  is a flowchart of steps for judging the presence of a two-dimensional code associated with an AV content; 
         FIG. 43  is a flowchart of steps for seeking a two-dimensional code associated with an AV content; 
         FIG. 44  is another flowchart of steps for seeking an AV content associated with a two-dimensional code; and 
         FIGS. 45A ,  45 B and  45 C are explanatory views of storage media. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an image recording and playback system embodying the invention. A personal computer  1  accepts signals from an antenna  2  that receives radio waves from TV broadcasting stations, and records as well as reproduces images and voice (i.e., program images and voice) based on the signals. The personal computer  1  also accepts analog signals from a VCR (video cassette recorder)  3 , or digital data sent from a DVCR (digital video cassette recorder)  4  or from a DVCR  5  equipped with an image pickup function over networks  6 - 1  and  6 - 2  in compliance with IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 or like standards. The personal computer  1  then records and reproduces the images and voice represented by the received analog signals or digital data. 
     The personal computer  1  supplies the VCR  3  with analog signals (e.g., those based on the NTSC (National Television System Committee) system) denoting recorded voice and images, or feeds the DVCR  4  with digital data representing stored voice and pictures. 
     In addition, based on image data about a label on which is printed a two-dimensional code (to be described later), the label image data being sent from the DVCR  5  over the networks  6 - 1  and  6 - 2 , the personal computer  1  searches for a file associated with voice and images recorded on a video tape cassette to which the label is attached (the file contains data indicating the contents of voice and images recorded on the video tape cassette in question). Given the image data about the label bearing the printed two-dimensional code from the DVCR  5 , the personal computer  1  checks to see if desired voice and images are recorded on the video tape cassette to which is attached the label in question. 
     Furthermore, the personal computer  1  is capable of editing recorded voice and images. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the personal computer  1 . A CPU (central processing unit)  21  executes an OS (operating system) and various application programs. A ROM (read-only memory)  22  generally stores programs for use by the CPU  21  and basically fixed data included in operation parameters. A RAM (random-access memory)  23  accommodates programs being executed by the CPU  21  and variable parameters used during the program execution. These components are interconnected by a host bus  24  made of a CPU bus or a memory bus. 
     The host bus  24  is connected via a bridge  25  to an external bus  26  such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect/Interface) bus. 
     A keyboard  28  is operated by a user to enter various commands into the CPU  21 . A mouse  29  is operated also by the user to point to and select regions on a screen of a CRT (cathode ray tube)  30 . The CRT  30  displays various kinds of information in text or in image. Hard disk drives (HDD)  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  as well as a floppy disk drive (FDD)  32  drive hard disks and a floppy disk respectively under control of the CPU  21  in recording or reproducing programs and information. Speakers  33  play back selected voice. These components ranging from the keyboard  28  to the speakers  33  are connected to an interface  27  which in turn is connected to the CPU  21  through the external bus  26 , bridge  25 , and host bus  24 . In the description that follows, the HDDs  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  may simply be referred to as the HDD  31  where there is no specific need to distinguish the two drives. 
     Under control of the CPU  21 , an image processing board  34  generates desired video or audio data based on signals from the antenna  2 , on analog video or audio data from the VCR  3 , or on digital video or audio data sent from the DVCR  4  or DVCR  5  over the network  6 - 1 . The generated data are output to the HDD  31 - 1  or  31 - 2  through the external bus  26  and interface  27 . 
     The image processing board  34  accepts video or audio data retrieved from the HDD  31 - 1  or  31 - 2  via the external bus  26  and interface  27 , generates analog signals representing the accepted video or audio data, and supplies the generated signals to the VCR  3 . The image processing board  34  also generates digital data denoting the accepted video or audio data and sends the generated digital data to the DVCR  4  over the network  6 - 1 . 
     The image processing board  34  is connected to the CPU  21  via the external bus  26 , bridge  25  and host bus  24 . 
     How the image processing board  34  is constituted will now be described.  FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the image processing board  34 . A 1394 interface  51  structured as per IEEE 1394 is connected to the network  6 - 1 , receives digital video or audio data in DVCR format from the DVCR  4  or  5  in accordance with a protocol based on digital video or audio data in DVCR format, and outputs the compressed data to the DV data interface  52 . 
     A tuner  54  accepts RF (radio frequency) signals from the antenna  2  and feeds an analog selector  55  with analog video and audio signals on selected channels. The analog selector  55  selects some of the analog video or audio signals from the tuner  54 , VCR  3 , or from a D/A (digital/analog) conversion circuit  61 ; and outputs the selected signals to an A/D (analog/digital) conversion circuit  56  or to the VCR  3 . 
     The A/D conversion circuit  56  converts analog video and audio signals from the analog selector  55  into digital data (e.g., image data such as 4:1:1 data) and outputs the digital data to the digital selector  57 . The digital selector  57  accepts digital audio and video data from the DV data interface  52 , A/D conversion circuit  56 , or from an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) decoder  60 , selects some of the accepted digital data, and outputs the selected data to the DV data interface  52 , to an MPEG encoder  58  or to the D/A conversion circuit  61 . The selected data are also output to a bridge  59  which receives scene switchover position information. 
     The MPEG encoder  58  compresses digital video and audio data from the digital selector  57  into digital data IEEE 1394, and feeds the received data to a DV (digital video) data interface  52 . 
     Given digital video or audio data in DVCR format from the DV data interface  52 , the 1394 interface.  51  forwards the received data to the DVCR  4  according to the IEEE 1394 protocol. 
     The DV data interface  52  supplies a DV data compression and expansion circuit  53  with digital video or audio data in DVCR format from the 1394 interface  51 , or with digital video or audio data (uncompressed digital data such as 4:1:1 data) from a digital selector  57 ; feeds the 1394 interface  51  with digital video or audio data in DVCR format from the DV data compression and expansion circuit  53 ; and supplies the digital selector  57  with digital video or audio data (uncompressed) which have been supplied from the digital selector  57  from the DV data compression and expansion circuit  53 . 
     The DV data compression and expansion circuit  53  expands digital video or audio data in DVCR format from the DV data interface  52  into uncompressed digital video or audio data, and outputs the uncompressed data to the DV data interface  52 . The DV data compression and expansion circuit  53  also compresses uncompressed digital video or audio data from the DV data interface  52  into in MPEG format and outputs the compressed data to the bridge  59 . The MPEG encoder  58  also converts scene switchover images into still pictures and outputs the converted pictures to the bridge  59 . 
     The bridge  59  supplies the CRT  30  with digital video and audio data (uncompressed) fed from the digital selector  57  via the PCI bus  26  and interface  27  of the personal computer  1  that houses the image processing board  34 . The bridge  59  also feeds the HDD  31 - 1  or  31 - 2  or the CPU  21  with digital video or audio data in MPEG format fed from the MPEG encoder  58  through the PCI bus  26  of the personal computer  1  accommodating the image processing board  34 . Furthermore, the bridge  59  receives digital video or audio data in MPEG format from the HDD  31 - 1  or  31 - 2  of the personal computer  1  through the PCI bus  26 , and outputs the received data to the MPEG decoder  60 . 
     The MPEG decoder  60  expands digital video or audio data in MPEG format from the bridge  59  into uncompressed digital video or audio data, and outputs the uncompressed data to the digital selector  57 . 
     The D/A conversion circuit  61  converts digital video and audio data from the digital selector  57  into analog signals, and outputs the resulting signals to the analog selector  55 . 
     The processes to be carried out by the MPEG encoder  58  or MPEG decoder  60  may be taken over by suitable programs that may be executed by the CPU  21 . 
       FIG. 4  is an explanatory view of application programs arranged to be carried out by the personal computer  1 . A recording and playback program  81  causes the image processing board  34  to select analog video and audio signals on channels received by the tuner  54 , analog video and audio signals from the VCR  3 , or digital video and audio data fed from the DVCR  4  over the network  6 - 1 . The program  81  then causes the image processing board  34  to convert the selected analog signals or digital data into digital video or audio data in MPEG format, and records the converted data to the HDD  31 - 1  and/or  31 - 2  as AV (audio visual) contents composed of at least one file in a suitable format. 
     The recording and playback program  81  causes the image processing board  34  to expand AV contents of at least one file in a suitable format retrieved from the HDD  31 - 1  and/or  31 - 2  so as to generate uncompressed digital video or audio data. The program  81  further causes the CRT  30  to display images and the speakers  33  to play back sound using the generated uncompressed digital data. 
     An AV content management and search program  82  permits display of specific information such as AV contents held on the HDD  31 - 1  and/or  31 - 2  and of dates on which recordings were made. In addition, the AV content management and search program  82  orders the recording and playback program  81  to reproduce AV contents, permits selection of desired AV contents to be edited, supplies the selected contents to an AV content editing program  83 , and tells a preselected recording setting program  84  to set recording preselection. 
     Based on the AV contents held on the HDD  31 - 1  and/or  31 - 2 , the AV content editing program  83  edits desired images and voice of the selected AV contents (i.e., putting together images and voice included in the AV contents) in order to create AV contents in a format suitable for video or audio reproduction. 
     The AV contents above are devoid of digital video or audio data, as will be described later. Instead, the AV contents are constituted by information for designating the selected contents and by information for specifying the images and voice to be used. The AV contents of that structure may be reproduced by the recording and playback program  81 . 
     Based on the preselection settings, the preselected recording setting program  84  creates AV contents for executing preselected recording. The created AV contents correspond to the established settings (recording time and the recording mode that determines image quality), and the program  84  causes storage areas to be reserved beforehand on the HDD  31 - 1  and/or  31 - 2  to accommodate the contents in question. 
     A preselection monitoring program  85  remains active (i.e., resides in working memory) when the personal computer  1  is in operation (i.e., OS in operation), and carries out preselected recording as per the AV contents created by the preselected recording setting program  84  for preselected recording execution and in accordance with the time fed from an RTC (real time clock), not shown. Where necessary, the preselection monitoring program  85  changes settings of the AV contents for preselected recording execution. 
       FIG. 5  is an explanatory view showing structures of application programs to be executed by the personal computer  1 , and of middleware and drivers. The middleware activates suitable drivers in response to requests from application programs. The drivers physically operate necessary hardware resources such as the MPEG encoder  58  in the image processing board  34 . 
     A hardware interface  91  arbitrates requests for using hardware resources from the recording and playback program  81 , AV content management and search program  82 , AV content editing program  83 , preselected recording setting program  84 , or preselection monitoring program  85 . The arbitration is carried out in accordance with various priority settings so as to allow the application programs to utilize necessary hardware resources in an optimal fashion. 
     A content database  92  manages AV content attribute data, to be described later. The content database  92  furnishes the recording and playback program  81 , AV content management and search program  82 , AV content editing program  83 , preselected recording setting program  84 , or preselection monitoring program  85  with the AV content attribute data or with data for designating files that contain digital video or audio data representing AV contents. 
     A file I/O (input/output)  93  writes or reads data to or from relevant files in response to write or read requests for specific AV contents (composed of at least one file) sent through the content database  92  by the recording and playback program  81 , AV content management and research program  82 , AV content editing program  83 , preselected recording setting program  84 , or preselection monitoring program  85 . 
     An encode program  94  causes the MPEG encoder  58  in the image processing board  34  to compress image or audio data from the digital selector  57  into digital data in MPEG format. 
     A decode program  95  causes the MPEG decoder  60  in the image processing board  34  to expand digital video or audio data in MPEG format from the bridge  59 . 
     An output switchover program  96  causes the analog selector  55  and 1394 interface  51  in the image processing board  34  to select either analog signals from the image processing board  34  or digital data fed over the network  6 - 1  for output. 
     An input switchover program  97  causes the analog selector  55 , 1394 interface  51 , DV data interface  52 , and digital selector  57  in the image processing board  34  to select either analog signals or digital data to be input to the image processing board  34 . 
     A screen display program  98  causes the digital selector  57  and bridge  59  to control display of images on the CRT  30 . 
     A driver  99  is a program that activates the image processing board  34  in response to requests from the encode program  94 , decode program  95 , output switchover program  96 , input switchover program  97 , and screen display program  98 . 
     In the description that follows, all references to voice-related processing will be omitted. 
       FIG. 6  is an explanatory view outlining structures of typical AV contents. The content database  92  retained on the HDD  31 - 1  or  31 - 2  stores attributes of diverse AV contents. An AV content attribute record  102 - 1  recorded in the content database  92  includes attribute data on an AV content  101 - 1 , such as a name, ID (identification data), date of creation, date of modification, recording time, channel name, recording mode, current status, expiration date (indicated by time and date of day), safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, presence or absence of error, a two-dimensional code (e.g., Cybercode (registered trademark)), and memo. Another AV content attribute record  102 - 2  recorded in the content database  92  includes attribute data on an AV content  101 - 2 , such as a name, ID, date of creation, date of modification, recording time, channel name, recording mode, current status, expiration date, safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, presence or absence of error, and memo. 
     The data representing the recording mode stored in the AV content attribute record  102 - 1  indicate that moving picture data files  111 - 1 - 1  through  111 - 1 - 3  are set for any one of three recording modes: high image quality, standard, or video CD compatible (i.e., moving picture data complying with the MPEG1 standard). Likewise, the data denoting the current status held in the AV content attribute record  102 - 1  indicate that the AV content  101 - 1  is in any one of the following states: preselection awaited, recording underway, recording and playback underway (picture data are being recorded and reproduced at the same time), playback yet to be performed, playback underway, and playback completed. 
     An error stands for a faulty state of the AV content  101 - 1 . In case of an error, it may have happened that the personal computer  1  failed during recording and left the recording incomplete, that signal reception via the antenna  2  was poor during recording and images were not reproduced adequately with the received signals, or that part of the moving picture data file  111 - 1 - 1  has been missing. 
     The expiration date and the safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure will not be established at the same time; either of the two settings is allowed to be established, or none is set at all. 
     The data denoting the recording mode held in the AV content attribute mode  102 - 2  indicate that moving picture data files  111 - 2 - 1  through  111 - 2 - 3  are set for any one of three recording modes: high image quality, standard, or video CD compatible. Similarly, the data representing the current status held in the AV content attribute record  102 - 2  indicate that the AV content  101 - 2  is in any one of the following states: preselection awaited, recording underway, recording and playback underway, playback yet to be performed, playback underway, and playback completed. 
     The AV content  101 - 1  is made up of the moving picture data files  111 - 1 - 1  through  111 - 1 - 3  recorded on the HDD  31 - 1  or  31 - 2 , and of still picture data files  112 - 1 - 1  through  112 - 1 - 3  held on the HDD  31 - 1  or  31 - 2 . The moving picture data files  111 - 1 - 1  through  111 - 1 - 3  contain video data in MPEG format. The picture represented by the data at the beginning of the moving picture data file  111 - 1 - 2  is continued to the picture denoted by the video data at the end of the moving picture data file  111 - 1 - 1 . Likewise, the picture represented by the data at the beginning of the moving picture data file  111 - 1 - 3  is continued to the picture denoted by the video data at the end of the moving picture data file  111 - 1 - 2 . 
     The still picture data file  112 - 1 - 1  contains video data representing still pictures converted from scene switchover images of the video data held in the moving picture data file  111 - 1 - 1 , as well as data on scene switchover times (or offset positions in the moving picture data file  111 - 1 - 1 ). The still picture data file  112 - 1 - 2  contains video data representing still pictures converted from scene switchover images of the video data held in the moving picture data file  111 - 1 - 2 , as well as data on scene switchover times (or offset positions in the moving picture data file  111 - 1 - 2 ). The still picture data file  112 - 1 - 3  contains video data representing still pictures converted from scene switchover images of the video data held in the moving picture data file  111 - 1 - 3 , as well as data on scene switchover times (or offset positions in the moving picture data file  111 - 1 - 3 ). 
     The AV content  101 - 2  is composed of the moving picture data files  111 - 2 - 1  and  111 - 2 - 2 , and of still picture data files  112 - 2 - 1  and  112 - 2 - 2 . The content  101 - 2  is structured in the same manner as the AV content  101 - 1  and thus will not be described further. 
     In the description that follows, the AV contents  101 - 1  and  101 - 2  may each be referred to simply as the AV content  101  if there is no specific need to distinguish the two contents. In like manner, the AV content attribute records  102 - 1  and  102 - 2  may each be referred to simply as the AV content attribute record  102  if there is no specific need to distinguish the two records; the moving picture data files  111 - 1 - 1  through  111 - 1 - 3 ,  111 - 2 - 1  and  111 - 2 - 2  may each be referred to simply as the moving picture data file  111  if there is no specific need to distinguish the files from one another; and the still picture data files  112 - 1 - 1  through  112 - 1 - 3 ,  112 - 2 - 1  and  112 - 2 - 2  may each be referred to simply as the still picture data file  112  if there is no specific need to distinguish the files from one another. 
       FIG. 7  is an explanatory view of typical AV contents  101  that have no moving picture data files. Illustratively, suppose that images and voice corresponding to the moving picture data files  111 - 1 - 1  through  111 - 1 - 3  held in the AV content  101 - 1  are recorded onto a video tape cassette and then the moving picture data files  111 - 1 - 1  through  111 - 1 - 3  are deleted. In that case, the AV content  101 - 1  is constituted by the still picture data files  112 - 1 - 1  through  112 - 1 - 3  and includes no moving picture data files  111 . 
     Searches may be carried out through the AV contents  101  that have no moving picture data files  111  corresponding to video tape cassettes. These searches may be utilized in such a way as to know images and voices recorded on the relevant video tape cassettes. 
       FIG. 8  is an explanatory view of typical AV contents created when the AV content editing program  83  edits the AV content  101 . The AV content  121 - 1  created by the AV content editing program  83  is illustratively made of an edited data file  131 - 1  containing: ID of an AV content “a” being referenced, playback starting position of the AV content “a”, and playback ending position of the AV content “a”; ID of an AV content “b”, playback starting position of the AV content “b”, and playback ending position of the AV content “b”; ID of an AV content “c”, playback starting position of the AV content “c”, and playback ending position of the AV content “c”; and so on. 
     Likewise, the AV content  121 - 2  created by the AV content editing program  83  is illustratively composed of an edited data file  131 - 2  containing: ID of an AV content “p” being referenced, playback starting position of the AV content “p”, and playback ending position of the AV content “p”; ID of an AV content “q”, playback starting position of the AV content “q”, and playback ending position of the AV content “q”; ID of an AV content “r”, playback starting position of the AV content “r”, and playback ending position of the AV content “r”; and so on. 
     An AV content attribute record  132 - 1  corresponding to the AV content  121 - 1  created by the AV content editing program  83  accommodates attribute data on the AV content  121 - 1 , such as a name, ID, date of creation, date of modification, recording time, current status, expiration date, safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, presence or absence of error, and memo. An AV content attribute record  132 - 2  corresponding to the AV content  121 - 2  holds attribute data on the AV content  121 - 2 , such as a name, ID, date of creation, date of modification, recording time, current status, expiration date, safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, presence or absence of error, and memo. 
     The data representing the current status held in the AV content attribute record  132 - 1  indicate that the AV content  131 - 1  is in one of three states: playback yet to be performed, playback underway, or playback completed. The data denoting the current status retained in the AV content attribute record  132 - 2  indicate that the AV content  131 - 2  is also in one of three states: playback yet to be performed, playback underway, or playback completed. 
     Utilizing the AV content  121 - 1  or  121 - 2  makes it possible to edit images and voice through the use of reduced storage regions. 
     In the description that follows, the AV content  121 - 1  or  121 - 2  may each be referred to simply as the AV content  121  if there is no specific need to distinguish the two contents. Similarly, the AV content attribute record  132 - 1  or  132 - 2  may each be referred to simply as the AV content attribute record  132  if there is no specific need to distinguish the two records. 
     Below is a description of screens displayed by the recording and playback program  81  on the CRT  30  of the personal computer  1 .  FIG. 9  is an explanatory view of a screen displayed by the recording and playback program  81  on the CRT  30  of the personal computer  1  when recording operations are allowed to be performed. 
     A channel to be recorded, a recording mode and other settings are established in a recording window  141 . With recording started, the recording and playback program  81  referencing the settings in the recording window  141  enables operations of the tuner  54  or MPEG encoder  58  in the image processing board  34 , creates a relevant AV content  101  and an AV content attribute record  102 , and records the created content and record to the HDD  31 . 
     When the recording window  141  is selected and made active, a recording button  142  and a stop button  143  become active and operable. That is, when the recording window  141  is selectively activated, clicking on the recording button  142  causes the recording and playback program  81  to start recording; clicking on the stop button  143  causes the program  81  to stop recording. 
     Meanwhile, when the recording window  141  is selected and made active, a playback button  144  and a pause button  145  become inactive. Clicking on the playback button  144  or pause button  145  does not cause the recording and playback program  81  to initiate the corresponding operation. 
       FIG. 10  is an explanatory view of a screen displayed by the recording and playback program  81  on the CRT  30  of the personal computer  1  when recording is started. The recording window displays an elapsed time since the start of recording and a current time in addition to the channel being recorded and the recording mode in effect. 
     With recording started, the recording button  142  is  11 A. In that state, clicking once on the recording time change button  151  changes the recording time to 30 minutes. Thereafter, the recording time is changed to one hour, to one hour and 30 minutes, to two hours, to two hours and 30 minutes, and to three hours as the recording time change button  151  is clicked on successively. The recording time reverts to the maximum recordable time when, with the recording time set for three hours, the recording time change button  151  is clicked on. 
     Suppose that a time period of more than 30 minutes and less than an hour has elapsed since the start of recording and that the recording time is set for the maximum recordable time as shown in  FIG. 11B . In that state, clicking once on the recording time change button  151  changes the recording time to one hour. Thereafter, the recording time is changed to one hour and 30 minutes, to two hours, to two hours and 30 minutes, and to three hours as the recording time change button  151  is clicked on successively. With the recording time set for three hours, the recording time reverts to the maximum recordable time when the recording time change button  151  is clicked on. 
     Suppose now that a time period of more than one hour and 30 minutes and less than two hours has elapsed replaced on display by a recording time change button  151 . The recording time is changed every time the recording time change button  151  is clicked on. 
       FIGS. 11A ,  11 B and  11 C are explanatory views showing how the recording time is changed by clicking on the recording time change button  151 . When recording is started, the recording time is set for a maximum recordable time computed on the basis of the quantity of data that may be recorded on the HDDs  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  (i.e. available storage capacity) and of the quantity of video data per unit recording period determined by the recording mode currently in use. 
     For example, suppose that the quantity of data recordable on the HDD  31 - 1  is three gigabytes, that the quantity of data recordable on the HDD  31 - 2  is six gigabytes, and that the quantity of video data recorded per second in the standard recording mode is five megabits. Given these parameters, the maximum recordable time is calculated as follows:
 
(3 gigabytes+6 gigabytes)*(8 bits/byte)/(5 megabits/second)=14,400 seconds=4 hours
 
     Suppose that less than 30 minutes have elapsed since the start of recording and that the recording time is set for the maximum recordable time as shown in Fig. since the start of recording and that the recording time is set for the maximum recordable time as shown in  FIG. 11C . In that state, clicking once on the recording time change button  151  changes the recording time to two hours. Thereafter, the recording time is changed to two hours and 30 minutes and to three hours as the recording time change button  151  is clicked on successively. With the recording time set for three hours, the recording time reverts to the maximum recordable time when the recording time change button  151  is clicked on. 
     As described above, the user can change the recording time easily and adequately by simply clicking on the recording time change button  151 . 
     The recording time may also be set in a recording time setting window displayed by selecting a relevant menu command on the screen of the recording and playback program  81 .  FIGS. 12 and 13  are explanatory views of the recording time setting window.  FIG. 12  shows a screen on which to select a recording time since the recording start time using a pull-down menu.  FIG. 13  depicts a screen on which to select a maximum recordable time. 
     Using the recording time setting window allows the user to set a desired recording time quickly. 
     Below is a description of a screen in effect when the recording and playback program  81  reproduces the AV content  101  or  121 .  FIG. 14  is an explanatory view of the screen displayed by the recording and playback program  81  on the CRT  30  of the personal computer  1  when playback operations are allowed to be performed. 
     A playback window  161  displays the recording mode of the AV content to be reproduced and other information. When the playback window  161  is selected and made active, the stop button  143 , playback button  144  and pause button  145  become active and operable. That is, with the playback window  161  selectively activated, the recording and playback program  81  starts playback when the playback button  14  is clicked on, stops playback temporarily when the pause button  145  is clicked on, and terminates playback when the stop button  143  is clicked on. 
     Meanwhile, when the playback window  161  is selected and made active, the recording button  142  becomes inactive. Clicking on the recording button  142  does not cause the recording and playback program  81  to initiate the corresponding operation. 
     As described above, depending on the selection of either the recording window  141  or the playback window  161 , the recording and playback program  81  correspondingly enables or disables the recording button  142 , stop button  143 , playback button  144 , and pause button  145 . This allows the user to know unfailingly what can be performed at a given point in time and thus to carry out the necessary operations quickly without making mistakes. 
       FIG. 15  is an explanatory view of another screen displayed by the recording and playback program  81  on the CRT  30  of the personal computer  1  when a plurality of recordings as well as a plurality of playbacks are carried out simultaneously (e.g., where a plurality of image processing boards  34  incorporated in the personal computer  1 , where the image processing board  34  has a plurality of MPEG encoders  58  or MPEG decoders  60 , or where processes of the MPEG encoder  58  or MPEG decoder  60  are executed by the CPU  21 ). When a recording window  141  in which to designate a recording is selected, the recording button  142  and stop button  143  are activated and the playback button  144  and pause button  145  are deactivated. When a playback window  161  in which to designate a playback is selected, the playback button  144 , pause button  145  and stop button  143  are activated and the recording button  142  is deactivated. 
     As described, where a plurality of recordings are performed simultaneously, the recording and playback program  81  activates or deactivates each of the recording button  142 , stop button  143 , playback button  144 , and pause button  145  in keeping with the recording window  141  or playback window  161  being selected. The selected states of the buttons let users know which operations are currently allowed to be performed, making it possible for them to carry out the appropriate operations quickly without making mistakes. 
       FIG. 16  is an explanatory view of another screen displayed by the recording and playback program  81  on the CRT  30  of the personal computer  1  when the AV content  101 - 1  is reproduced so as to display still pictures retrieved from the still picture data files  112 - 1 - 1  through  112 - 1 - 3 . A still picture display window  171  displays still pictures read from the still picture data files  112 - 1 - 1  through  112 - 1 - 3  (i.e., scene switchover still pictures) in a predetermined thumbnail size each. The image positions in the horizontal direction of the still picture display window  171  represent the chronological sequence of the pictures reproduced or yet to be reproduced. 
     The position indicated by a current position indicator gauge  172  corresponds to the present time, i.e., the time of the picture currently reproduced. Pictures on the left-hand side of the current position indicator gauge  172  in the window correspond to the past times proportional to the distances from the current position indicated by the gauge  172  (i.e., the left-hand side pictures have been reproduced); pictures on the right-hand side of the gauge  172  correspond to the future times proportional to the distances from the current position indicated by the gauge  172  (i.e., the right-hand side pictures are yet to be reproduced). 
     The thumbnail images displayed in the still picture display window  171  are positioned so as to correspond to scene switchover points. If scene switchovers occur at short intervals, the corresponding thumbnail images appear overlapping on display. As the display of the reproduced picture progresses (i.e., as time elapses), the display location of thumbnail images moves from right to left in the window. 
     It is possible to scroll, illustratively by means of drag operations, only thumbnail images in the still picture display window  171  apart from the currently reproduced picture. It is also possible to scroll the thumbnail images by manipulating the scroll bar. In any case, the distances between the thumbnail images always reflect the elapsed times between the scene switchover points and thus remain constant. 
     The still picture display window  171  gives a display of sprocket perforations much like those of a movie film. As picture playback progresses over time, the positions of perforations shift from right to left in keeping with the thumbnail image location. The user can grasp intuitively the passage of playback time when looking at the movement of the movie film perforations in the still picture display window  171 . 
     As described, the user can quickly recognize scene switchovers within a given range thanks to the thumbnail images in the still picture display window  171 . This makes it possible to reach the desired scene in the shortest possible time. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , the still picture display window  171  may also be allowed to appear in a screen displayed by the AV content editing program  83  on the CRT  30  of the personal computer  1 . The AV content editing program  83  selects at least one AV content  101  and chooses one or a plurality of pictures over a certain time period (i.e., picture or pictures designated by a starting and an ending position), thereby creating the AV content  121  discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 8 . 
     A content selection window  181  displays the name of the AV content  101  to be edited, a date of content creation and other information. A picture playback window  182  displays the reproduced picture in synchronism with the display in the still picture display window  171 . 
     An edit start picture display window  183  displays an edit start position of a picture which is targeted for editing and included in the AV content  101  in question. An edit end picture display window  184  displays an edit end position of the edit target picture included in the AV content  101 . 
     An edit picture list display window  185  displays the name of the initial AV content  101 , a picture start position, a picture end position and other information regarding a specific picture contained in the AV content  121  edited and created by the AV content editing program  83 . 
     The still picture display window  171  of the AV content editing program  83  displays thumbnail images of still pictures contained in the still picture data file  112  in a specific AV content  101  selected for editing (i.e., the AV content  101  displayed actively in the content selection window  181 ). The positions of thumbnail images in the still picture display window  171  are the same as those in effect when the recording and playback program  81  is in operation. 
     As described above, the user can quickly recognize scene switchovers within a given range thanks to the thumbnail images in the still picture display window  171 . This makes it possible to edit speedily the AV content  121  containing desired scenes. 
     Described below with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 18  is how recording and playback screens are switched when the recording and playback program  81  is loaded into the RAM  23  and executed by the CPU  21 . In step S 11 , the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if the recording window  141  is selected on the basis of the input from the keyboard  28  or from the mouse  29 . If the recording window  141  is judged to be selected, step S 12  is reached in which the recording button  142  and stop button  143  are activated. 
     In step S 13 , the recording and playback program  81  deactivates the playback button  144  and pause button  145 . Control is then returned to step S 11  and the processing is repeated. 
     If in step S 11  the recording window  141  is not judged to be selected, then step S 14  is reached. In step S 14 , the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if the playback window  161  is selected on the basis of the input from the keyboard  28  or from the mouse  29 . If the playback window  161  is judged to be selected, then step S 15  is reached in which the recording and playback program  81  deactivates the recording button  142 . In step S 16 , the recording and playback program  81  activates the stop button  143 , playback button  144  and pause button  145 . Control is then returned to step S 11  and the processing is repeated. 
     If in step S 14  the playback window  161  is not judged to be selected, that means neither the recording window  141  nor the playback window  161  has been selected. In that case, step S 11  is reached again and the processing is continued. 
     The recording/playback screen switchover processing comes to an end when the recording and playback program  81  is terminated. 
     As described, depending on the recording window  141  or the playback window  161  being selected, the recording and playback program  81  correspondingly changes each of the recording button  142 , playback button  144  and pause button  145  in operational state. 
     Described below with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 19  is how recording time is determined when the recording and playback program  81  is loaded into the RAM  23  and executed by the CPU  21 . In step S 31 , the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if the recording button  142  is clicked on in accordance with the input from the mouse  29 . If the recording button  142  is not judged to be clicked on, then step  31  is repeated until the recording button  142  is clicked on. 
     If in step S 31  the recording button  142  is judged to be clicked on, step S 32  is reached in which the recording and playback program  81  carries out a recording process. Details of the recording process in step S 32  will be described later with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 20 . 
     In step S 33 , the recording and playback program  81  sets the recording time for a maximum recordable time based on the quantity of data recordable per unit time in the currently selected recording mode and as per the available capacities on the HDDs  31 - 1  and  31 - 2 . In step S 34 , the recording and playback program  81  replaces the recording button  142  with the recording time change button  151  on display. 
     In step S 35 , the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if the recording time change button  151  is clicked on in accordance with the input from the mouse  29 . If the recording time change button  151  is not judged to be clicked on, step S 35  is repeated until the recording time change button  151  is clicked on. 
     If the recording time change button  151  is judged to be clicked on, then step S 36  is reached. In step S 36 , a check is made to see if the current recording time is set for the maximum recordable time. If in step S 36  the current recording time is judged to be set for the maximum recordable time, then step S 37  is reached. In step S 37 , the recording and playback program  81  sets recording time with a 30-minute time increment in excess of the recording-complete time. Then step S 35  is reached again and the processing is repeated. 
     If in step S 36  the current recording time is not judged to be set for the maximum recordable time, then step S 38  is reached. In step S 38 , a check is made to see if the recording time is set for three hours. If the recording time is not judged to be set for three hours, step S 39  is reached in which the recording time is prolonged by 30 minutes. Step S 39  is followed by step S 35  and the processing is repeated. 
     If in step S 38  the recording time is judged to be set for three hours, step S 40  is reached in which the recording and playback program  81  sets the recording time for the maximum recordable time. Step S 40  is followed by step S 35  and the processing is repeated. 
     The recording time determination processing comes to an end when the recording and playback program  81  is terminated or when the recording has ended. 
     As described, simply clicking on the recording time change button  151  sets a recording time in excess of the recording-complete time. 
     The recording process of step S 32  in  FIG. 19  will now be described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 20 . In step S 61  in  FIG. 20 , the recording and playback program  81  writes to the content database  92  an attribute indicating that a specific AV content is being recorded. In step S 62 , the hardware interface  91  under orders of the recording and playback program  81  causes the MPEG encoder  58  to compress target pictures in the currently selected recording mode such as high image quality or standard. In step S 63 , under control of the recording and playback program  81 , the hardware interface  91  checks to see if scenes have been switched in the picture being recorded on the basis of the output from the MPEG encoder  58 . If scenes in the currently recorded picture are judged to be switched. then step S 64  is reached. In step S 64 , the MPEG encoder  58  is ordered to create a still picture corresponding to the recorded picture (i.e., moving picture). 
     If in step S 63  scenes in the currently recorded picture are not judged to be switched, that means there is no need to create any still picture. In that case, step S 64  is skipped and step S 65  is reached. 
     In step S 65 , the file I/O  93  under orders of the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if the moving picture data file  111  currently storing the compressed picture has exceeded a predetermined size. If the moving picture data file  11  is judged to have exceeded the predetermined size, then step S 66  is reached. In step S 66 , a check is made to see if the capacity of the HDD  31  now recording the moving picture data file  111  has been used up. 
     If in step S 66  the capacity of the HDD  31  currently recording the moving picture data file  111  is judged to have been used up, then step S 67  is reached. In step S 67 , the recording and playback program  81  selects the other HDD  31 . 
     If in step S 66  the HDD  31  now storing the moving picture data file  111  is judged to have an available capacity, that means the HDD  31  may continue recording a new moving picture data file  111 . In that case, step S 67  is skipped and step S 68  is reached. 
     In step S 68 , the file I/O  93  under control of the recording and playback program  81  creates a new moving picture data file  111  and a new still picture data file  112  on the appropriate HDD  31 , writes compressed picture data to the new moving picture data file  111 , and writes created still pictures to the new still picture data file  112 . Step S 68  is followed by step S 69 . 
     If in step S 65  the moving picture data file  111  is not judged to have exceeded the predetermined size, that means compressed picture data may continuously be recorded to the current moving picture data file  111 . In that case, step S 69  is reached. 
     In step S 69 , the file I/O  93  under orders of the recording and playback program  81  writes picture data compressed by the MPEG encoder  58  to the moving picture data file  111  on the relevant HDD  31 . In step S 70 , the recording and playback program  81  writes still pictures created by the MPEG encoder  58  along with relevant data such as scene playback times to the still picture data file  112  on the appropriate HDD  31 . 
     In step S 71 , the recording and playback program  81  determines whether or not to end the recording based on the recording time setting or on the input from the mouse  29 . If it is determined that the recording may continue, then step S 62  is reached again for continuous recording. 
     If in step S 71  it is determined that the recording should be terminated, then step S 72  is reached. In step S 72 , the recording and playback program  81  writes to the content database  92  an attribute indicating the end of recording of the AV content  101 , and the processing comes to an end. 
     In the manner described above, the recording and playback program  81 , hardware interface  91  and file I/O  93  function to record necessary pictures. The process in step S 64  for creating still pictures corresponding to the currently recorded picture (i.e., moving picture) may be carried out alternatively by the CPU  21 . 
     Described below with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 21  is how a specific AV content  101  is reproduced when the recording and playback program  81 , hardware interface  91  and file I/O  93  are loaded into the RAM  23  and executed by the CPU  21 . In step S 91 , the recording and playback program  81  reads from the content database  92  data representing a specific attribute held in the AV content attribute record  102  corresponding to the AV content  101  in question. In step S 92 , the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if the AV content  101  in question is reproducible on the basis of the content attribute retrieved in step S 91 . If the AV content  101  is judged to be reproducible, then step S 93  is reached. In step S 93 , the content database  92  is set with an attribute indicating that the AV content  101  in question is being reproduced. 
     In step S 94 , the file I/O  93  under control of the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if the moving picture data file  111  in the AV content  101  still has data yet to be reproduced. If the moving picture data file  111  in the AV content  101  is judged to have no further data to be reproduced, step S 95  is reached in which the next moving picture data file  111  is selected. Step S 95  is followed by step S 96 . 
     If in step S 94  the moving picture data file  111  in the AV content  101  is judged to have data yet to be reproduced, step S 95  is skipped and step S 96  is reached for playback of the yet-to-be reproduced data. 
     In step S 96 , the file I/O  93  under orders of the recording and playback program  81  reads data from the moving picture data file  111  in the AV content  101 . In step S 97 , the hardware interface  91  under control of the recording and playback program  81  causes the MPEG decoder  60  to expand the retrieved data from the moving picture data file  111 . In step S 98 , the hardware interface  91  under orders of the recording and playback program  81  causes the CRT  30  to display relevant images based on the data expanded in step S 97 . 
     In step S 99 , the recording and playback program  81  determines whether or not to end the playback based on the input from the mouse  29  or from other device. If it is determined that the playback may continue, step S 94  is reached again and the playback processing is repeated. 
     If it is determined in step S 99  that the playback should be terminated, then step S 100  is reached. In step S 100 , the recording and playback program  81  writes to the content database  92  an attribute indicating the end of playback of the AV content  101 , and the processing is brought to an end. 
     If in step S 92  the AV content  101  is not judged to be reproducible, then step S 101  is reached. In step S 101 , the recording and playback program  81  causes the CRT  30  to display a message indicating that the AV content  101  in question cannot be reproduced. The processing is then brought to an end. 
     In the manner described above, the recording and playback program  81 , hardware interface  91  and file I/O  93  function to reproduce the AV content  101 . 
     Described below with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 22  is how still pictures are displayed when the recording and playback program  81 , hardware interface  91  and file I/O  93  are loaded into the RAM  23  and executed by the CPU  21 . In step S 121 , the recording and playback program  81  establishes a synchronous mode in which the currently reproduced picture corresponds to the position of a thumbnail image in the still picture display window  171 . In step S 122 , the file I/O  93  under control of the recording and playback program  81  reads from the still picture data file  112  still picture data in effect within a certain time period in reference to the time of the currently reproduced picture. 
     In step S 123 , the recording and playback program  81 , in accordance with the time corresponding to the still picture data retrieved in step S 122 , computes the position of a thumbnail image display derived from the still picture data in question. In step S 124 , the recording and playback program  81  causes the hardware interface  91  to display the thumbnail image created from the still picture data in that position of the still picture display window  171  which was computed in step S 123 . 
     In step S 125 , the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if the thumbnail image in the still picture display window  171  is clicked on in accordance with the input from the mouse  29 . If the thumbnail image in the still picture display window  171  is judged to be clicked on, step S 126  is reached in which the clicked thumbnail image is made active. In step S 127 , the recording and playback program  81  establishes an asynchronous mode in which the currently reproduced picture does not correspond to any thumbnail image in the still picture display window  171 . Control is then passed on to step S 132 . 
     If in step S 125  the thumbnail image in the still picture display window  171  is not judged to be clicked on, then step S 128  is reached. In step S 128 , the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if the thumbnail image in the still picture display window  171  is dragged. If the thumbnail image in the still picture display window  171  is judged to be dragged, then step S 129  is reached. In step S 129 , the file I/O  93  under orders of the recording and playback program  81  reads from the still picture data file  112  still picture data within a specific time range in reference to the position of the dragged thumbnail image as well as to the time corresponding to that image. 
     In step S 130 , the recording and playback program  81 , in accordance with the time corresponding to the still picture data retrieved in step S 129 , computes the position of a thumbnail image display derived from the still picture data in question. In step S 131 , the recording and playback program  81  causes the hardware interface  91  to display the thumbnail image created from the still picture data in that position of the still picture display window  171  which was computed in step S 130 . Step S 131  is followed by step S 127  in which the asynchronous mode is established and the processing is continued. 
     If in step S 128  the thumbnail image in the still picture display window  171  is not judged to be dragged, then step S 132  is reached. In step S 132 , the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if the thumbnail image in the still picture display window  171  is double-clicked on the basis of the input from the mouse  29 . If the thumbnail image in the still picture display window  171  is judged to be double-clicked, then step S 133  is reached. In step S 133 , picture playback is started from the time corresponding to the double-clicked thumbnail image. In step S 134 , the recording and playback program  81  establishes the synchronous mode. Step S 134  is followed by step S 122  and the still picture display processing is repeated. 
     If in step S 132  the thumbnail image in the still picture display window  171  is not judged to be double-clicked, then step S 135  is reached. In step S 135 , the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if synchronization with the still picture display window  171  is designated on the basis of the input from the keyboard  28  or from the mouse  29 . If synchronization with the still picture display window  171  is judged to be designated, then step S 136  is reached. In step S 136 , picture playback is started from the time corresponding to the center position of the still picture display window  171 . Step S 136  is followed by step S 134  in which the synchronous mode is established and the processing is continued. 
     If in step S 135  synchronization with the still picture display window  171  is not judged to be designated, then step S 137  is reached. In step S 137 , the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if synchronization with the currently reproduced picture is designated on the basis of the input from the keyboard  28  or from the mouse  29 . If synchronization with the currently displayed picture is judged to be designated, step S 134  is reached in which the synchronous mode is established and the processing is continued. 
     If in step S 137  synchronization with the currently reproduced picture is not judged to be designated, then step S 138  is reached. In step S 138 , the recording and playback program  81  checks to see if the synchronous mode is in effect. If the synchronous mode is judged to be in effect, then step S 139  is reached. In step S 139 , a check is made to see if a predetermined playback time has elapsed. If the predetermined playback time is judged to have elapsed in step S 139 , step S 122  is reached and the still picture display processing is continued. 
     If in step S 138  the synchronous mode is not judged to be in effect (i.e., the asynchronous mode is found to be in effect) and if in step S 139  the predetermined playback time is not judged to have elapsed, then there is no need to update the still picture display. In that case, step S 125  is reached and the processing is continued. 
     In the manner described above, the recording and playback program  81 , hardware interface  91  and file I/O  93  update the still picture display based on the operations of the mouse  29  or other device as well as on the display time. This allows the user speedily to reproduce specific scene switchover pictures. 
     The still picture display processing by the AV content editing program  83  is the same as that discussed above in reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 22 . 
     The AV content management and search program  82  will now be described.  FIGS. 23 and 24  are explanatory views of screens displayed by the AV content management and search program  82  on the CRT  30  of the personal computer  1 . 
       FIG. 23  is an explanatory view of a screen displayed by the AV content management and search program  82  on the CRT  30  of the personal computer  1  when icons of specific AV contents  101  and  121  are not active. An AV content information display window  201  displays attribute data such as a name and a date of creation recorded in the AV content attribute record  102  or  132  corresponding to an active AV content  101  or  121 , as well as still pictures recorded in the still picture data file  112  corresponding to the active AV content  101 . Because none of the AV contents  101  is currently active, the AV content information display window  201  in  FIG. 23  displays no data. 
     A recording time display window  202  displays status of data recordings on the HDDs  31 - 1  and  31 - 2  (i.e., quantity of already recorded data and a recordable quantity of data), and indications of approximate recordable times in various recoding modes (recordable quantity of data on the HDDs  31 - 1  and  31 - 2 , and a recordable time period computed from the quantity of picture data that are recordable per unit time in each of the different recording modes). 
     An AV content classification display window  203  displays icons representing classifications of the AV contents  101  and  121 . When classified, the AV contents  101  and  121  are provided with their respective classification settings. An icon denoting the classification of a specific AV content  101  or  121  may be activated by operation of the mouse  29 . In the example of  FIG. 23 , an icon representing a drama is made active. 
     An AV content icon display window  204  displays icons representing the AV content  101  or  121  whose classification icon is shown active in the AV content classification display window  203 . Because the drama icon is shown active in the AV content classification display window  203  in the example of  FIG. 23 , the AV content icon display window  204  displays icons denoting “Drama: Big Mountains,” “Drama: Big Mountains 2” and “Drama: Big Mountains 3” classified as dramas in the AV content  101 . 
       FIG. 24  is an explanatory view of a screen displayed by the AV content management and search program  82  on the CRT  30  of the personal computer  1  when an icon of a specific AV content  101  or  121  is active. In the example of  FIG. 24 , the icon denoting “Drama: Big Mountains 2” in the AV content  101  is shown active in the AV content icon display window  204 . In this case, the AV content information display window  201  displays attribute data such as a name and a date of creation recorded in the AV content attribute record  102  corresponding to the active “Drama: Big Mountains 2” in the AV content  101 , as well as still pictures recorded in the still picture data file  112  corresponding to the active AV content  101 . 
     In the description that follows, indications displayed on the screen by the AV content management and search program  82  as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24  are called the icon display. 
     Below is a description of icons displayed in the AV content icon display window  204 .  FIGS. 25A through 25M  and  26 A through  26 M are explanatory views of icons that appear in the AV content icon display window  204 . The icon in  FIG. 25A  represents an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has no expiration date set thereto, has no safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, contains no error, has been reproduced before, and is being neither reproduced nor recorded at present. The icon in  FIG. 25B  denotes an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has an expiration date set thereto, contains no error, has been reproduced before, and is being neither reproduced nor recorded at present. The icon in  FIG. 25C  indicates an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, contains no error, has been reproduced before, and is being neither reproduced nor recorded at present. The icon in  FIG. 25D  represents an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111  and contains error. 
     The icon in  FIG. 25E  denotes an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has no expiration date set thereto, has no safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, contains no error, has never been reproduced, and is being neither reproduced nor recorded at present. The icon in  FIG. 25F  indicates an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has an expiration date set thereto, contains no error, has never been reproduced, and is being neither reproduced nor recorded at present. The icon in  FIG. 25G  represents an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, contains no error, has never been reproduced, and is being neither reproduced nor recorded at present. 
     The icon in  FIG. 25H  denotes an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has no expiration date set thereto, has no safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, contains no error, is being reproduced and is not recorded at present. The icon in  FIG. 25I  indicates an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has an expiration date set thereto, contains no error, is being reproduced and is not recorded at present. The icon in  FIG. 25J  represents an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, contains no error, and is being reproduced and is not recorded at present. 
     The icon in  FIG. 25K  denotes an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has no expiration date set thereto, has no safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, contains no error, is not reproduced and is being recorded at present. The icon in  FIG. 25L  indicates an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has an expiration date set thereto, contains no error, is not reproduced and is being recorded at present. The icon in  FIG. 25M  represents an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, contains no error, is not reproduced and is being recorded at present. 
     The icon in  FIG. 26A  denotes an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has no expiration date set thereto, has no safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, contains no error, and is being reproduced and recorded simultaneously. The icon in  FIG. 26B  indicates an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has an expiration date set thereto, contains no error, and is being reproduced and recorded simultaneously. The icon in  FIG. 26C  represents an AV content  101  that has a specific moving picture data file  111 , has safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, contains no error, and is being reproduced and recorded simultaneously. 
     The icon in  FIG. 26D  denotes an AV content  101  that has a moving picture data file  111  yet to be recorded, has no expiration date set thereto, contains no error, and is preselected for recording. The icon in  FIG. 26E  indicates an AV content  101  that has a moving picture data file  111  yet to be recorded, has an expiration date set thereto, contains no error, and is preselected for recording. The icon in  FIG. 26F  represents an AV content  101  that contains error and is preselected for recording. 
     The icon in  FIG. 26G  denotes an AV content  101  that has no moving picture data file  111 , has no expiration date set thereto, and contains no error. The icon in  FIG. 26H  indicates an AV content  101  that has no moving picture data file  111 , has an expiration date set thereto, and contains no error. The icon in  FIG. 26I  represents an AV content  101  that has no moving picture data file  111  and contains error. 
     The icon in  FIG. 26J  denotes an AV content  121  that has an edited data file  131 , has been reproduced before, contains no error, and is not being reproduced at present. The icon in  FIG. 26K  indicates an AV content  121  that has an edited data file  131 , has never been reproduced, contains no error, and is not being reproduced at present. The icon in  FIG. 26L  represents an AV content  121  that has an edited data file  131 , contains no error, and is being reproduced at present. The icon in  FIG. 26M  denotes an AV content  121  that has an edited data file  131  and contains error. 
     In the manner described above, the AV content management and search program  82  changes icons in the AV content icon display window  204  depending on the files or attributes making up the AV content  101  or  121 . This allows the user to know at a glance the attributes of the AV content  101  or  121  or what is contained therein. 
       FIG. 27  is an explanatory view of another screen displayed by the AV content management and search program  82  on the CRT  30  of the personal computer  1 . As with the screens in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the screen of  FIG. 27  displays the AV content information display window  201  and recording time display window  202 . The screen displayed by the AV content management and search program  82  as shown in  FIG. 27  comprises an AV content list display window  251  and does not include the AV content classification display window  203  or AV content icon display window  204 . 
     The AV content list display window  251  displays in characters such attributes as names and dates of creation of all AV contents  101  and  121  recorded on the HDDs  31 - 1  and  31 - 2 . As in the case of  FIG. 24 , clicking with the mouse  29  on any of such attributes in characters as the name or date of creation of a desired AV content  101  or  121  renders active the AV content  101  or  121  in question. This causes the attributes of the AV content  101  or  121  to appear in the AV content information display window  201 . 
     As described above, the AV content list display window  251  can display numerous AV contents  101  or  121  of diverse classifications all at once. 
     In the description that follows, the screen display in  FIG. 27  given by the AV content management and search program  82  is called the list display. 
       FIG. 28  is an explanatory view of another screen displayed by the AV content management and search program  82  on the CRT  30  of the personal computer  1 . As with the screens in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the screen in  FIG. 28  displays the AV content information display window  201  and recording time display window  202 . The screen displayed by the AV content management and search program  82  as shown in  FIG. 28  comprises an AV content calendar display window  261  and does not include the AV content classification display window  203  or AV content icon display window  204 . 
     The AV content calendar display window  261  has a display area for each of the days making up each month. With the AV content calendar display window  261  displayed, the AV content management and search program  82  displays in each day&#39;s display area a thumbnail image or images of specific still pictures contained in the still picture data file  112  of the AV content  101  whose date of creation falls on that day. If the AV content  101  is preselected for recording, the AV content management and search program  82  displays a predetermined icon  262  in the display area assigned to the day of the scheduled recording. 
     When the AV content management and search program  82  displays the AV content calendar display window  261  as described above, the user is able to know at a glance the dates of creation of a plurality of AV contents  101  as if looking at a TV program schedule. 
     In the description that follows, the screen display given by as the AV content management and search program  82  as shown in  FIG. 28  is called the calendar display. 
     Described below with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 29  is how displays are switched when the AV content management and search program  82  is loaded into the RAM  22  and executed by the CPU  21  in the personal computer  1 . In step S 201 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if the icon display is selected on the basis of the input from the keyboard  28  or from the mouse  29 . If the icon display is judged to be selected, step S 202  is reached in which the screen on the CRT  30  is switched to the icon display. Step S 202  is followed by step S 201  and the processing is repeated. 
     If in step S 201  the icon display of the AV content  101  is not judged to be selected, then step S 203  is reached. In step S 203 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if the list display is selected on the basis of the input from the keyboard  28  or from the mouse  29 . If the list display is judged to be selected, step S 204  is reached in which the screen on the CRT  30  is switched to the list display. Step S 204  is followed by step S 201  and the processing is repeated. 
     If in step S 203  the list display is not judged to be selected, then step S 205  is reached. In step S 205 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if the calendar display is selected on the basis of the input from the keyboard  28  or from the mouse  29 . If the calendar display is judged to be selected, step S 206  is reached in which the screen on the CRT  30  is switched to the calendar display. Step S 206  is followed by step S 201  and the processing is repeated. 
     If in step S 205  the calendar display is not judged to be selected, that means no display change has been designated. In that case, step S 201  is reached again and the processing is repeated. 
     As described, the AV content management and search program  82  may display information about the AV content  101  or  121  in any one of three display formats: icon display, list display, or calendar display. 
     Described below with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 30  is how icon display processing is carried out when the AV content management and search program  82  is loaded into the RAM  22  and executed by the CPU  21  in the personal computer  1 . In step S 221 , the AV content management and search program  82  reads from the content database  92  data included in the AV content attribute record  102  or  132  corresponding to the AV content  101  or  121  whose icon is to be displayed. 
     In step S 222 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see, based on the data retrieved in step S 221 , if the AV content  101  or  121  is an already recorded AV content  101 . If the AV content  101  or  121  is judged to be an already recorded AV content  101 , then step S 223  is reached. In step S 223 , a check is made to see if the AV content  101  is one which does not have a moving picture data file  111 . 
     If in step S 223  the AV content  101  is not judged to be one which does not have a moving picture data file  111  (i.e., found to be an AV content  101  that has a moving picture data file  111 ), then step S 224  is reached. In step S 224 , the AV content management and search program  82  displays the icon of the previously recorded AV content  101 . Step S 224  is followed by step S 229 . 
     If in step S 223  the AV content  101  is judged to be one which does not have a moving picture data file  111  (i.e., found to be an AV content  101  that contains the still picture data file  112  alone), then step S 225  is reached. In step S 225 , the AV content management and search program  82  displays the icon of the AV content  101  that has no moving picture data file  111 . Step S 225  is followed by step S 229 . 
     If in step S 222  the AV content  101  in question is not judged to be an already recorded AV content  101  (i.e., found to be an AV content  101  or  121  preselected for recording), then step S 226  is reached. In step S 226 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see, based on the data retrieved in step S 221 , if the AV content  101  or  121  is an AV content  101  preselected for recording. If the AV content  101  or  121  is judged to be an AV content  101  preselected for recording, step S 227  is reached in which the icon of the preselected AV content  101  for recording is displayed. Step S 227  is followed by step S 229 . 
     If in step S 226  the AV content  101  in question is not judged to be an AV content  101  preselected for recording (i.e., found to be the AV content  121 ), then step S 228  is reached. In step S 228 , the AV content management and search program  82  displays the icon representative of the AV content  121  comprising the edited data file  131 . Step S 228  is followed by step S 229 . 
     In step S 229 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see, based on the data retrieved in step S 221 , if the AV content  101  or  121  has error. If the AV content  101  or  121  is judged to have error, then step S 230  is reached. In step S 230 , an “error” indication is added to the icon, and the processing is terminated. 
     If in step S 229  the AV content  101  or  121  is not judged to have error, then step S 231  is reached. In step S 231 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see, based on the data retrieved in step S 221 , if the AV content  101  or  121  has yet to be reproduced. If the AV content  101  or  121  is judged yet to be reproduced, a “yet-to-be-reproduced” indication is added to the icon, and step S 233  is reached. If in step S 231  the AV content  101  or  121  is judged to have been reproduced before, step S 232  is skipped and step S 233  is reached. 
     In step S 233 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if the AV content  101  or  121  has an expiration date set thereto. If the AV content  101  or  122  is judged to have expiration date setting, step S 234  is reached in which an “expiration date” indication is added to the icon. If in step S 233  the AV content  101  or  121  is judged to have no expiration date setting, step S 234  is skipped and step S 235  is reached. 
     In step S 235 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if the AV content  101  or  121  has safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure. If the AV content  101  or  121  is judged to have safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, step S 236  is reached in which a “safeguard against erasure” indication is added to the icon. If in step S 235  the AV content  101  or  121  is not judged to have safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, step S 236  is skipped and step S 237  is reached. 
     In step S 237 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if the AV content  101  or  121  is being reproduced. If the AV content  101  or  121  is judged to be currently reproduced, step S 238  is reached in which a “playback” indication is added to the icon of the applicable content  101  or  121 . If in step S 237  the AV content  101  or  121  is not judged to be reproduced, step S 238  is skipped and step S 239  is reached. 
     In step S 239 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if the AV content  101  is being recorded. If the AV content  101  is judged to be currently recorded, step S 240  is reached in which a “recording” indication is added to the icon of the AV content in question, and the processing is terminated. If in step S 239  the AV content  101  is not judged to be currently recorded, step S 240  is skipped and the processing is terminated. The processes of steps S 239  and  240  are skipped if the target content is the AV content  121 . 
     As described above, the AV content management and search program  82  can display icons reflecting the attributes of the AV content  101  or  121 . 
     Described below with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 31  is how an AV content with an expiration date set thereto is erased when the preselection monitoring program  85 , hardware interface  91  and file I/O  93  are loaded into the RAM  22  and executed by the CPU  21  in the personal computer  1 . In step S 251 , the preselection monitoring program  85  reads from the content database  92  data included in the AV content attribute record  102  corresponding to a specific AV content  101 . In step S 252 , the preselection monitoring program  85  reads the present time and date of day from the RTC, not shown, via the hardware interface  91 . 
     In step S 253 , the preselection monitoring program  85  checks to see if the retrieved present time and date of day have passed the expiration date of the AV content  101 . If the present time of day is judged to have passed the expiration date of the AV content  101 , then step S 254  is reached. In step S 254 , the preselection monitoring program  85  causes the file I/O  93  to erase at least one moving picture data file  111  of the AV content  101 . In step S 255 , the preselection monitoring program  85  causes the file I/O  93  to erase at least one still picture data file  112  of the AV content  101 . In step S 256 , the preselection monitoring program  85  causes the content database  92  to erase the AV content attribute record  102  corresponding to the AV content  101 . This brings the processing to an end. 
     If in step S 253  the present time and date of day are not judged to have passed the expiration date of the AV content  101 , that means there is no need to erase the AV content  101  at present. In that case, the processing is terminated. 
     As described above, the AV content  101  whose valid period has expired is erased by the preselection monitoring program  85 . The same processing may also be carried out on the AV content  121 . 
     Described below with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 32  is how an AV content  101  is erased when the AV content management and search program  82 , hardware interface  91  and file I/O  93  are loaded into the RAM  22  and executed by the CPU  21  in the personal computer  1 . In step S 271 , the AV content management and search program  82  reads from the content database  92  data included in the AV content attribute data  102  corresponding to the AV content  101  in question. 
     In step S 272 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see, based on the data retrieved in step S 271 , if the AV content  101  has safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure as an attribute. If the AV content  101  is not judged to have safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure, step S 273  is reached in which the AV content management and search program  82  causes the file I/O  93  to erase the moving picture data file  111  of the AV content  101 . 
     In step S 274 , the AV content management and search program  82  judges whether the still picture data file  112  is to be left intact. If the still picture data file  112  is not judged suitable for being left intact, then step S 275  is reached. In step S 275 , the AV content management and search program  82  causes the file I/O  93  to erase the still picture data file  112  of the AV content  101 . In step S 276 , the AV content management and search program  82  causes the content database  92  to erase the AV content attribute record  102  corresponding to the AV content  101 . This brings the processing to an end. 
     If in step S 274  the still picture data file  112  is judged to be suitable for being left intact, the processing is terminated. 
     If in step S 272  the AV content  101  is judged to have safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure as an attribute, then step S 277  is reached. In step S 277 , the AV content management and search program  82  causes the hardware interface  91  to display on the CRT  30  a message indicating that the AV content  101  cannot be erased. The processing is then terminated. 
     As described, the AV content  101  having safeguard setting against inadvertent erasure will not be erased even if erasure of that content is designated. The AV content management and search program  82  may erase only the moving picture data file  111  of the AV content  101  in question. The same processing may also be carried out on the AV content  121 . 
     What follows is a description of how to search for a video tape cassette  301  that contains pictures corresponding to the moving picture data file  111  of a specific AV content  101 , as well as for an AV content  101  that corresponds to the pictures recorded on the video tape cassette  301 . 
       FIG. 33  is an explanatory view for explaining operations to search for the video tape cassette  301  that contains the pictures corresponding to the moving picture data file  111  of the AV content  101 , as well as for the AV content  101  that corresponds to the pictures recorded on the video tape cassette  301 . 
     On the video tape cassette  301  is pasted a label  302  bearing a printed two-dimensional code. The DVCR  5  with the image pickup function picks up an image of the label  302  which bears the printed two-dimensional code and which is pasted on the video tape cassette  301 . The picked-up image is supplied to the personal computer  1  over the network  6 . Given the image from the DVCR  5  over the network  6 , the personal computer  1  checks to see if the video tape cassette  301  contains the relevant pictures. 
     Alternatively, based on the image sent by the DVCR  5  over the network  6 , the personal computer  1  searches for the AV content  101  corresponding to the pictures recorded on the video tape cassette  301 . 
     The image of the label  302  bearing the two-dimensional code may alternatively be input in the form of an analog signal (e.g., as per the NTSC system) through the analog selector  55  of the image processing board  34 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 34 , the two-dimensional code is composed of units called blocks. The code is a rectangle 9.5 blocks by 7 blocks constituting a cell portion A and a logo portion B which are arranged one block apart. The cell portion A is made of two-dimensionally patterned rectangular and square cells forming a square 7 blocks long per side. The cell portion A carries coded identification information about the two-dimensional code associated illustratively with a specific AV content  101 . The logo portion B is made of a rectangular cell 1.5 blocks by 7 blocks carrying illustratively the user&#39;s name, for example. 
       FIGS. 35 ,  36  and  37  are explanatory views of windows displayed on the CRT  30  when a function is activated to check whether a picked-up image corresponds to a two-dimensional code stored by the AV content management and search program  82 . When the function for recognizing a two-dimensional code stored by the AV content management and search program  82  is started, the program  82  displays a window of  FIG. 35  in which an image supplied by the DVCR  5  having the image pickup function is shown together with a relevant message. 
     When the user gets the image pickup function-equipped DVCR  5  to pick up the two-dimensional code from the label  302  on the video tape cassette  301 , the window of the AV content management and search program  82  displays an image of the two-dimensional code as shown in  FIG. 36 . The AV content management and search program  82  judges whether the displayed two-dimensional code in the window is associated with a specific AV content  101  (the association is established in a manner to be described later), and gives a display in accordance with the judgment. 
     If the two-dimensional code displayed in the window is judged to correspond to the AV content  101  in question, the AV content management and search program  82  illustratively replaces broken-line circles with solid-line circles in the window, as shown in  FIG. 37 . 
     If the two-dimensional code in the window is judged to correspond to the AV content  101 , the AV content management and search program  82  may alternatively display in the window a message in characters saying that the video tape cassette  301  whose code has been picked up corresponds to the AV content  101 . 
     If the two-dimensional code in the window is not judged to correspond to the AV content  101 , the AV content management and search program  82  leaves the display unchanged in the window. Alternatively, the AV content management and search program  82  may display in the window a message in characters saying that the video tape cassette  301  whose code has been picked up does not correspond to the AV content  101 . 
       FIGS. 38 and 39  are explanatory views of windows displayed on the CRT  30  when another function is activated to search two-dimensional codes stored by the AV content management and search program  82  for a specific code. The user gets the image pickup function-equipped DVCR  5  to pick up different two-dimensional codes from labels  302  on a plurality of video tape cassettes  301 . 
     Typically, a plurality of video tape cassettes are arranged on a shelf in such a manner that their labels bearing printed two-dimensional codes can be seen by users. Suppose that the DVCR  5  having the image pickup function picks up images of a video tape cassette  301 - 1  with a label  302 - 1  bearing a printed two-dimensional code, a video tape cassette  301 - 2  with a label  302 - 2 , a video tape cassette  301 - 3  with a label  302 - 3 , a video tape cassette  301 - 4  with a label  302 - 4 , a video tape cassette  301 - 5  with a label  302 - 5 , a video tape cassette  301 - 6  with a label  302 - 6 , a video tape cassette  301 - 7  with a label  302 - 7 , a video tape cassette  301 - 8  with a label  302 - 8 , a video tape cassette  301 - 9  with a label  302 - 9 , a video tape cassette  301 - 10  with a label  302 - 10 , a video tape cassette  301 - 11  with a label  302 - 11 , and a video tape cassette  301 - 12  with a label  302 - 12 . In that case, as shown in  FIG. 38 , images of the video tape cassettes  301 - 1  through  301 - 12  are displayed in the window of the AV content management and search program  82 . 
     After the image pickup function-equipped DVCR  5  has picked up the images of the video tape cassettes  301 - 1  through  301 - 12  and sent them to the personal computer  1  over the network  6 , the AV content management and search program  82  searches the received images for a two-dimensional code corresponding to a specific AV content  101 . Illustratively, as shown in  FIG. 39 , the AV content management and search program  82  replaces broken-line circles with solid-line circles in the window while positioning the image of the detected two-dimensional code in the middle of the window. 
     In the example of  FIG. 39 , the printed two-dimensional code on the label  302 - 9  is positioned in the middle of the window. This indicates that the video tape cassette  301 - 9  corresponds to the AV content  101  in question. 
     Based on the images fed by the DVCR  5  over the network  6 , the personal computer  1  can also search for an AV content  101  corresponding to specific pictures recorded on a video tape cassette  301 . 
     When a function is activated to search for an AV content  101  corresponding to a two-dimensional code picked up by the AV content management and search program  82 , the CRT  30  displays a window shown in  FIG. 40 . After the image pickup function-equipped DVCR  5  has picked up an image of a video tape cassette  301  with a label  302  bearing a printed two-dimensional code, the AV content management and search program  82  renders active an icon or other indication of the AV content  101  corresponding to the two-dimensional code read from the label  302 . 
     When the AV content management and search program  82  displays attributes or still pictures of the AV content  101  corresponding to the activated icon, the user is able to know speedily what is recorded on the video tape cassette  301 . 
     In the manner described above, the user can recognize quickly the pictures recorded on the video tape cassette  301 . 
     Described below with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 41  is how a two-dimensional code is associated with one of predetermined AV contents  101  or  121  when the AV content management and search program  82  is loaded into the RAM  22  and executed by the CPU  21  in the personal computer  1 . In step S 301 , the AV content management and search program  82  receives over the network  6  an image of a two-dimensional code picked up by the DVCR  5  having the image pickup function. In step S 302 , the AV content management and search program  82  recognizes the two-dimensional code included in the image received in step S 301 . 
     In step S 303 , the AV content management and search program  82  writes to the content database  92  an association between the recognized two-dimensional code and one of the predetermined AV contents  101  (or one of the predetermined AV contents  121 ). This brings the processing to an end. 
     In the manner described above, the AV content management and search program  82  can set to the content database  92  an association established between a given AV content  101  (or  121 ) and a two-dimensional code. 
     Described below with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 42  is how a two-dimensional code is judged to be associated with one of predetermined AV contents  101  when the AV content management and search program  82  is loaded into the RAM  22  and executed by the CPU  21  in the personal computer  1 . In step S 321 , the AV content management and search program  82  receives over the network  6  images picked up by the DVCR  5  having the image pickup function. In step S 322 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if the received images contain an image of a two-dimensional code. If the received images are not judged to contain any image of a two-dimensional code, step S 321  is reached again. The process of step S 321  is then repeated until an image including a two-dimensional code image is received. 
     If in step S 322  the received images are judged to contain any image of a two-dimensional code, step S 323  is reached in which the AV content management and search program  82  recognizes the image of the two-dimensional code. In step S 324 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if the recognized two-dimensional code is associated with any one of the predetermined AV contents  101 . If the recognized two-dimensional code is judged to be associated with one of the predetermined AV contents  101 , then step S 325  is reached. In step S 325 , a message is displayed on the CRT  30  saying that one of the predetermined AV contents  101  is found associated with the recognized two-dimensional code. Step S 325  is followed by step S 326 . 
     If in step S 324  the recognized two-dimensional code is not judged to be associated with any of the predetermined AV contents  101 , the AV content management and search program  82  displays on the CRT  30  a message indicating the absence of association between any of the predetermined AV contents  101  and the recognized two-dimensional code. Step S 326  is then reached. 
     In step S 326 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if termination of the processing is designated on the basis of the input from the mouse  29  or other device. If termination of the processing is not judged to be designated, step S 321  is reached and the processing is repeated. 
     If in step S 326  termination of the processing is judged to be designated, the processing is brought to an end. 
     As described, the AV content management and search program  82  can speedily verify whether a video tape cassette  301  whose image has been picked up is associated with any AV content  101 . A procedure similar to that of the flowchart in  FIG. 42  may be carried out to judge whether the picked-up two-dimensional code is associated with any one of predetermined AV contents  121 . 
     Described below with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 43  is how to search for a two-dimensional code associated with any one of predetermined AV contents  101  when the AV content management and search program  82  is loaded into the RAM  22  and executed by the CPU  21  in the personal computer  1 . Steps S 341  through S 343  constitute the same processes as steps S 321  through S 323  in  FIG. 42  and thus will not be described further. 
     In step S 344 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if all two-dimensional codes have been recognized which are included in the images fed from the DVCR  5  having the image pickup function. If not all two-dimensional codes in the received image are judged to have been recognized, step S 343  is reached again and the two-dimensional code recognition process is repeated. 
     If in step S 344  all two-dimensional codes in the received images are judged to have been recognized, step S 345  is reached in which the AV content management and search program  82  selects one of the two-dimensional codes recognized in step S 343 . In step S 346 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if the selected two-dimensional code is associated with one of predetermined AV contents  101 . If any predetermined AV content  101  is judged to be associated with the selected two-dimensional code, then step S 347  is reached. In step S 347 , a display is given indicating the presence of association between the selected two-dimensional code and one of the predetermined AV contents  101 . The processing is then terminated. 
     If in step S 346  the selected two-dimensional code is not judged to be associated with any predetermined AV content  101 , step S 348  is reached in which the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if all two-dimensional codes have been selected. If not all two-dimensional codes are judged to have been selected, step S 349  is reached in which another two-dimensional code is selected. Step S 349  is followed by step S 346 . 
     If in step S 348  all two-dimensional codes are judged to have been selected, then step S 350  is reached. In step S 350 , the AV content management and search program  82  displays on the CRT  30  a message saying that the images received from the image pickup function-equipped DVCR  5  contain no two-dimensional code associated with any of the predetermined AV contents  101 . The processing is then brought to an end. 
     As described, the AV content management and search program  82  searches picked-up images containing a plurality of two-dimensional codes for a two-dimensional code associated with a specific AV content  101 . This allows the user speedily to find the video tape cassette  301  storing specific pictures. A procedure similar to that of the flowchart in  FIG. 43  may be carried out to search for a two-dimensional code associated with one of predetermined AV contents  121 . 
     Described below with reference to  FIG. 44  is how to search for an AV content  101  associated with a two-dimensional code when the AV content management and search program  82  is loaded into the RAM  22  and executed by the CPU  21  in the personal computer  1 . In step S 371 , the AV content management and search program  82  receives images containing two-dimensional codes sent from the DVCR  5  with the image pickup function over the network  6 . In step S 372 , the AV content management and search program  82  recognizes an image of a two-dimensional code. 
     In step S 373 , the AV content management and search program  82  reads from the content database  92  attribute data about a specific AV content  101 . In step S 374 , the AV content management and search program  82  judges, based on the attribute data about the AV content  101  retrieved in step S 373 , whether the AV content  101  is associated with the two-dimensional code recognized in step S 372 . If the AV content  101  is judged to be associated with the two-dimensional code, step S 375  is reached in which an icon representing the AV content  101  in question is rendered active. 
     If in step S 376  the AV content  101  is not judged to be associated with the two-dimensional code, then step S 376  is reached. In step S 376 , the AV content management and search program  82  checks to see if all AV contents  101  have been selected. If not all AV contents  101  are judged to have been selected, step S 377  is reached in which attribute data about another AV content  101  are read from the content database  92 . Step S 377  is followed by step S 374  again and the processing is repeated. 
     If in step S 376  all AV contents  101  are judged to have been selected, then step S 378  is reached. In step S 378 , the AV content management and search program  82  displays on the CRT  30  a message indicating the absence of any AV content  101  associated with the two-dimensional code. The processing is then brought to an end. 
     As described, the AV content management and search program  82  searches quickly for the AV content  101  associated with the two-dimensional code whose image has been picked up. This allows the user to know speedily what is recorded on any video tape cassette  301  that carries a label  302  bearing a printed two-dimensional code. A search for an AV content  121  associated with a picked-up two-dimensional code may also be carried out in the same manner as described above. 
     Described below with reference to  FIGS. 45A ,  45 B and  45 C are storage media that are used to install into the personal computer  1  a program for carrying out the above-described processes and to render the program executable by the personal computer  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 45A , the program may be offered to users as preinstalled on a hard disk  502  (such as one in the HDD  31 - 1  or  31 - 2  in  FIG. 2 ) or in a semiconductor memory  503  furnished as an internal storage medium of the personal computer  1 . 
     Alternatively, as depicted in  FIG. 45B , the program may be offered as package software stored temporarily or permanently on such storage media as a floppy disk  511 , a CD-ROM (compact disk-read only disk)  512 , MO (magneto-optical) disk  513 , a DVD (digital versatile disk)  514 , a magnetic disk  515 , and a semiconductor memory  516 . 
     Furthermore, as indicated in  FIG. 45C , the program may be transferred in a wireless fashion from a download site  521  to the personal computer  1  via a satellite  522  for digital satellite broadcasting; the program may also be transferred in a wired manner over a network  531  such as a local area network or the Internet to the personal computer  1 . The transferred program may be stored on an internal hard disk or in other suitable device in the personal computer  1 . 
     The media as understood in this specification refer to diverse kinds of media in their broadest sense including the storage media outlined above. 
     Also in this specification, the described steps constituting the program offered on a suitable medium include processes that may be carried out in diverse manners: on a time series basis, on a parallel basis, and/or on an individual basis. 
     In this specification, the system refers to an overall configuration of a plurality of interconnected relevant devices. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purpose only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.