Patent Publication Number: US-2005141856-A1

Title: Apparatus, method and program for reproducing information, and information recording medium

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates generally to an apparatus, method and program for reproducing information, and an information recording medium, and more particularly to the apparatus and method for displaying representative images that are indicative of representatives of contents of reproduction informations, (which will also be hereinafter referred to as the “thumbnail images”), permitting selection of a reproduction information based on the representative images as displayed and reproducing same, the program for such reproduction of the information, and the information recording medium in which the above-mentioned information reproduction program is recorded.  
      2. Related Art  
      There has recently been put into practical use a recorder, which is provided with both of a large capacity hard disc serving in the form of a magnetic disc and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) in the form of an optical disc, and enables a broadcast program received in the form of broadcast radio waves to be recorded.  
      The hard disc of the recorder, in which the broadcast program as received can be recorded temporarily, has a large capacity, thus enabling a plurality of broadcast programs to be stored/recorded. The broadcast program thus stored/recorded will be hereinafter referred to as the “titles”.  
      Concerning a method of selecting effectively, when reproducing one of a plurality of broadcast programs recorded in a hard disc, a broadcast program to be reproduced, there has been a method of displaying an at-a-glance visual layout of thumbnail images, which were previously set for the respective broadcast programs, (hereinafter referred to as the “original thumbnail images”), and selecting one of the thumbnail images in the at-a-glance layout, which corresponds to the broadcast program to be reproduced, thus making it possible to reproduce the broadcast program corresponding to the selected thumbnail image from the hard disc, as described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. H11-215472,  FIG. 5 , and Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2000-353375,  FIGS. 6, 9  and  12 .  
      According to the conventional method of selecting the broadcast program utilizing the at-a-glance visual layout of the thumbnail images, when one of the thumbnail images is selected from the at-a-glance visual layout of the thumbnail images, the broadcast program corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is reproduced for display in an area in which the selected thumbnail image had been displayed, while displaying the other thumbnail images. Such a structure enables a user to confirm actually the contents of the selected broadcast program, while associating the contents of the other broadcast programs based on the other thumbnail images that are indicative of representatives of these contents, thus providing the user with advantageous effects in selection of the broadcast programs.  
      In the above-mentioned conventional method of selecting the broadcast program, the other thumbnail image is selected in a state in which the broadcast program is actually reproduced for display in the area in which the corresponding thumbnail had been displayed, the reproduction for display of the broadcast program is suspended to hold the image as displayed at the time when the other thumbnail image is selected, and the other broadcast program corresponding to the other thumbnail image is reproduced for display in an area in which the other thumbnail image had been displayed.  
      However, in the above-mentioned conventional method of selecting the broadcast program utilizing the thumbnail images, the reproduction for display of the broadcast program is suspended to hold the image as displayed at the time when the other thumbnail image is selected, or selection of the thumbnail image causes a change in hierarchical level of selection. When a user makes an attempt to select the previous broadcast program after selection of the other thumbnail image, there may be a case where the user cannot grasp intuitively the contents of the previous broadcast program to select it, thus causing a problem.  
      Such a problem is caused by the fact that the reproduction for display of the broadcast program is suspended to hold the image as displayed at the time when the other thumbnail image is selected, in a manner as described above, with the result that the original thumbnail image is not displayed for the title, and the image as displayed at the time when the other thumbnail image is selected is kept appearing as the thumbnail image, thus making it difficult for the user to intuitively grasp the contents of the previous broadcast program.  
      When the plurality of thumbnail images are selected one after another, images that are displayed so as to correspond to the respective broadcast programs, but different from the respective original thumbnail images for the titles may further change, thus making it more difficult for the user to intuitively grasp the contents of the previous broadcast program.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An object of the present invention, which was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, is therefore to provide an apparatus and method for reproducing information, which permit execution of an easy and rapid selection of a broadcast program for which a thumbnail image is previously set, a program for such reproduction of the information utilizing such a selection, and an information recording medium in which the above-mentioned information reproduction program is recorded.  
      In order to attain the aforementioned object, an apparatus for reproducing information according to one of aspects of the present invention, comprisies: 
          a first display control device that displays representative images, which are previously set for respective reproduction informations, as being indicative of representatives of contents of the reproduction informations to be reproduced;     a selection device that enables a reproduction information to be reproduced of the reproduction informations to be selected based on the representative images displayed;     a second display control device that reproduces, when the reproduction information is selected through the selection device, the reproduction information as selected to display same in place of a representative image corresponding to the reproduction information as selected; and     a representative image display control device that displays again, when selection of the reproduction information is released through the selection device during reproduction/display of the reproduction information, the representative image corresponding to the reproduction information, in place of the reproduction information as displayed.        

      According to the other aspect of the present invention, the first display control device may display at-a-glance visual layout of the representative images corresponding to the respective reproduction informations; and the second display control device may display, when reproducing the reproduction information to display same, the reproduction information in an area in which the representative image corresponding to the reproduction information had been displayed.  
      According to the other aspect of the present invention, the reproduction information may include reproduction images, which are dynamic images; and the representative images may be representative static images, which are previously set as being indicative of representatives of contents of the dynamic images.  
      According to the other aspect of the present invention, each of the representative static images may be a static image, which forms a part of each of the dynamic images.  
      In order to attain the aforementioned object, a method for reproducing information according to the other aspect of the present invention comprises: 
          a first display control step for displaying representative images, which are previously set for respective reproduction informations, as being indicative of representatives of contents of the reproduction informations to be reproduced;     a selection step for enabling a reproduction information to be reproduced of the reproduction informations to be selected based on the representative images displayed;     a second display control step for reproducing, when the reproduction information is selected through the selection device, the reproduction information as selected to display same in place of a representative image corresponding to the reproduction information as selected; and     a representative image display control step for displaying again, when selection of the reproduction information is released through the selection device during reproduction/display of the reproduction information, the representative image corresponding to the reproduction information, in place of the reproduction information as displayed.        

      In order to attain the aforementioned object, an information reproduction program according to the other aspect of the present invention, causes a computer, which is included in an information reproduction apparatus, to function as: 
          a first display control device that displays representative images, which are previously set for respective reproduction informations, as being indicative of representatives of contents of the reproduction informations to be reproduced;     a selection device that enables a reproduction information to be reproduced of there production informations to be selected based on the representative images displayed;     a second display control device that reproduces, when the reproduction information is selected through the selection device, the reproduction information as selected to display same in place of a representative image corresponding to the reproduction information as selected; and     a representative image display control device that displays again, when selection of the reproduction information is released through the selection device during reproduction/display of the reproduction information, the representative image corresponding to the reproduction information, in place of the reproduction information as displayed.        

      In order to attain the aforementioned object, an information recording medium according to the other aspect of the present invention includes an information reproduction program, which is recorded therein so as to be readable through a computer, which is included in an information reproduction apparatus, and the information reproduction program causes the computer to function as: 
          a first display control device that displays representative images, which are previously set for respective reproduction informations, as being indicative of representatives of contents of the reproduction informations to be reproduced;     a selection device that enables a reproduction information to be reproduced of the reproduction informations to be selected based on the representative images displayed;     a second display control device that reproduces, when the reproduction information is selected through the selection device, the reproduction information as selected to display same in place of a representative image corresponding to the reproduction information as selected; and     a representative image display control device that displays again, when selection of the reproduction information is released through the selection device during reproduction/display of the reproduction information, the representative image corresponding to the reproduction information, in place of the reproduction information as displayed.       

    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing a selection processing according to the embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIGS. 3A-3C  are views showing an example of a thumbnail selection mode utilized in the selection processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Now, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment of the present invention describes a recorder serving as an information reproduction apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The recorder records a broadcast program in at least one of a hard disc (hereinafter referred to as the “HD”) and a DVD and reproduces such a program. The above-mentioned broadcast program will be hereinafter referred to as the “title” in the embodiment described below. More specifically, the “title” means a set of broadcast programs, which are recorded successively.  
      [I] General Structure and Operation of Recorder  
      First, a general structure and operation of the recorder will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of the recorder according to the embodiment of the present invention.  
      The recorder  100  of the embodiment of the present invention includes a HD drive  201 , a DVD drive  203 , a data recording unit  120 , a data reproducing unit  140  and a system control unit  160 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The HD drive  201  performs the reading and writing of data corresponding to the contents from and to a HD  200  serving as a recording medium in which these contents are recorded. The DVD drive  203  performs the reading and writing of data corresponding to the contents from and to a DVD  202  in which these contents are recorded. The data recording unit  120  receives image data and audio data as inputted therein, which correspond to the contents and records the image data and the audio data in the HD  200  or the DVD  202 . The data reproducing unit  140  reads the title, which has already been recorded in the HD  200  or the DVD  202 , therefrom to reproduce the respective data. The system control unit  160  controls the data recording unit  120  and the data reproducing unit  140 .  
      A first drive switching section  204 , which carries out a switching operation between an output from the DVD drive  203  and an output from the data recording unit  120 , and a HD drive interface  205  based on ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface) or the other standard are connected to the HD drive  201 . The first drive switching section  204  carries out a switching operation between an input and an output under control of a system controlling section  166  described later.  
      The HD drive  201  reads a program stream having the image data and the audio data, which are previously recorded in the HD  200  and constitute the respective title, from the HD  200  and outputs the program stream to the data reproducing unit  140  through the HD drive interface  105 . In addition, the HD drive  201  records a program stream, which has been generated by the data recording unit  120  and inputted through the HD drive interface  205  to the HD drive  201 , in the HD  200 .  
      A second drive switching section  206 , which carries out a switching operation between an output from the HD drive  201  and an output from the data recording unit  120 , and a DVD drive interface  207  based on ATAPI or the other standard are connected to the DVD drive  203 . The second drive switching section  206  carries out a switching operation between an input and an output under control of the system controlling section  166  described later, in the similar manner to the first drive switching section  204 .  
      The DVD drive  203  reads a program stream having the image data and the audio data, which are previously recorded in the DVD  202  and constitute the respective title, from the DVD  202  and outputs the program stream to the data reproducing unit  140  through the DVD drive interface  207 , in the similar manner to the HD drive  201 . In addition, the DVD drive  203  records a program stream, which has been generated by the data recording unit  120  and inputted through the DVD drive interface  207  to the HD drive  201 , in the DVD  202 .  
      Now, description will be given below of a concrete structure and operation of the data recording unit  120  of the recorder  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention.  
      The data recording unit  120  of the recorder  100  according to the embodiment includes a TV receiver section  121  for receiving broadcast waves, which are transmitted from a broadcast station, through an antenna AT; a first input switching section  122  for carrying out a switching operation between an analog image signal externally inputted through an image input terminal and an output from the TV receiver section  121 ; a second input switching section  123  for carrying out a switching operation between an analog audio signal externally inputted through an audio input terminal and the output from the TV receiver section  121 ; a first analog/digital (hereinafter referred to as “AD”) converter  124  for converting a TV image signal as received or inputted, which corresponds to the title, into a digital signal; a second AD converter  125  for converting the audio signal as received or inputted, which corresponds to the title, into a digital signal; an image signal decoder  126  for decoding the TV image signal, which has been converted into the digital signal, into an image signal; a selection section  127  for selecting the image signal and the audio signal to be encoded; an image encoder  128  for converting the image signal, which is selected by the selection section  127 , into an MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group) format; an audio encoder  129  for converting the audio signal, which is selected by the selection section  127 , into an AC (Audio Coding)- 3  format; and a multiplexer  130  for generating a program stream from the image data in the MPEG format and the audio data in the AC-3 format.  
      The TV receiver section  121  receives the broadcast waves, e.g., RF signals such as VHF or BS signals, which have been transmitted from the broadcast station, and converts the signal waves, which have been received in tune with a receiving band selected by a user, into IF (intermediate frequency) signals. In addition, the TV receiver section  121  demodulates these signals into the TV image signal and the audio signal and outputs them to the first input switching section  122 .  
      The first input switching section  122  to which the TV image signal outputted from the TV receiver section  121  and the analog image signal externally inputted through the image input terminal are inputted, switches selectively these inputted TV image signals and outputs the image signal to the first A/D converter  124 , under control of the system control unit  160 .  
      The second input switching section  123  to which the audio signal outputted from the TV receiver section  121  and the analog audio signal externally inputted through the audio input terminal are inputted, switches selectively these inputted audio signals and outputs the audio signal to the second A/D converter  125 , under control of the system control unit  160 .  
      The first A/D converter  124  to which the analog signals selected by the first input switching section  122 , i.e., the TV image signals are inputted, converts the inputted analog signals, i.e., the TV image signals into the digital signals and outputs these digital signals to the image signal decoder  126 .  
      Then, the TV image signals converted into the digital signals are inputted to the image signal decoder  126 . The image signal decoder  126  decodes the inputted TV image signals to convert them into the normal image signals, e.g., the image signals based on the NTSC (National Television System Committee) system. The image signal decoder  126  outputs the image signals after conversion to the selection section  127 .  
      The second A/D converter  125  to which the analog signals selected by the second input switching section  123 , i.e., the audio signals are inputted, converts the inputted analog signals, i.e., the audio signals into the digital signals and outputs these digital signals to the selection section  127 .  
      The image signals and the audio signals, which are outputted from the image signal decoder  126  and the second A/D converter  125 , respectively, as well as the image signals and the audio signals, which are outputted, when a so-called dubbing processing from the HD  200  to the DVD  202 , from the HD drive  201  or the DVD drive  203  and then decoded, are inputted to the selection section  127 . The selection section  127  selects any one of the image signals and the audio signals as inputted, under the control of the system control unit  160 , and outputs the selected image and audio signals to the image and audio encoders  128  and  129 , respectively.  
      Accordingly, the image signals selected by the selection section  127  are inputted to the image encoder  128 . The image encoder  128  converts the inputted image signals into the image data based on the MPEG format and outputs the image data after conversion to the multiplexer  130 .  
      On the other hand, the audio signals selected by the selection section  127  are inputted to the audio encoder  129 . The audio encoder  129  converts the inputted audio signals into the audio data based on the AC-3 format and outputs the audio data after conversion to the multiplexer  130 .  
      The image data, which are converted in the MPEG format, and the audio data, which are converted in the AC-3 format are inputted to the multiplexer  130 . The multiplexer  130  generates a program stream based on the inputted image data and audio data, and output the thus generated program stream to the first drive switching section  204  and the second drive switching section  206 .  
      Now, description will be given below of a concrete structure and operation of the data reproducing unit  140  of the recorder  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention.  
      The data reproducing unit  140  of the recorder  100  according to the embodiment includes a reproduction switching section  141 , a demultiplexer  142 , an image decoder  143  and an audio decoder  144 , a output switching section  145 , an OSD (On Screen Display)  146 , an image signal encoder  147 , a second digital/analog (hereinafter referred to as “D/A”) converter  149 , and a first D/A converter  148 . There production switching section  141  selects any one of the reproduction output from the HD  200  and the reproduction output from the DVD  202 . The demultiplexer  142  demultiplexes the audio data and the image data, which have been outputted from the HD drive  201  or the DVD drive  203 , from the program stream. The image and audio decoders  143  and  144  decode the image and audio signals demultiplexed by the demultiplexer  142 , respectively. The output switching section  145  performs a switching operation between the image and audio signals, which are outputted from the image decoder  143  and the audio decoder  144 , respectively, and the image and audio signals, which are outputted from the TV receiver section  121 . The OSD  146  generates the above-described thumbnail images, which are to be outputted to a monitor as described later. The image signal encoder  147  converts the image signals into TV signals. The second D/A converter  149  converts the image signals, which are digital signals, into the analog signals. The first D/A converter  148  converts the audio signals, which are digital signals, into the analog signals. The image signals and the audio signals, which have been converted into the analog signals, are outputted externally through the image output terminal and the audio output terminal, respectively.  
      The program stream, which has been outputted from the HD drive  201  through the HD drive interface  205 , and the program stream, which has been outputted from the DVD drive  203  through the DVD drive interface  207 , are inputted to the reproduction switching section  141 . The reproduction switching section  141  selects any one of the program streams outputted from these drives  201  and  203 , under the control of the system controlling section  166 , and outputs the selected program stream to the demultiplexer  142 .  
      The demultiplexer  142 , to which the program stream selected by the reproduction switching section  141  has been inputted, demultiplexes the image data ant the audio data from the inputted program stream, and outputs the demultiplexed image data and audio data to the image and audio decoders  143  and  144 , respectively.  
      Especially, the demultiplexer  143  demultiplexes the image data in the MPEG format and the audio data in the AC-3 format from the program stream.  
      The image data in the MPEG format demultiplexed from the program stream are inputted to the image decoder  143 . The image decoder  143  decodes the inputted image data in the MPEG format to convert them into the image signals, and outputs the thus decoded image signals, which are digital signals, to the output switching section  145 .  
      On the other hand, the audio data in the AC-3 format demultiplexed from the program stream are inputted to the audio decoder  144 . The audio decoder  144  decodes the inputted audio data in the AC-3 format to convert them into the audio signals, and outputs the thus decoded audio signals, which are digital signals, to the output switching section  145 .  
      The image signals and audio signals, which are digital signals and have been outputted from the data recording unit  120 , and the image signals and audio signals, which have been decoded by the image and audio decoders  143  and  144 , respectively, are inputted to the output switching section  145 . The output switching section  145  performs a switching operation between the decoded image and audio signals and the image and audio signals outputted from the data recording unit  120 , and outputs the image signals to the OSD  146  and the audio signals to the first D/A converter  148 .  
      In the embodiment of the present invention, the image signals outputted from the image signal decoder  126  and the audio signals outputted from the second A/D converter  125 .  
      The image signals, which have been subjected to the switching operation by the output switching section  145 , are inputted to the OSD  146 . The OSD  146  superimposes required character information on the inputted image signals and outputs the image signals on which the character information has been superimposed to the image signal encoder  147 .  
      In the embodiment of the present invention, when the above-described reproduction processing is carried out, the OSD  146  generates the thumbnail static image information, which is indicative of the representative of the contents of the title to be reproduced, and outputs the thus generated thumbnail static image information to the image signal encoder  147 , in accordance with the instructions from the system control unit  160 . The thumbnail static image information is to display the thumbnail image (i.e., the single static image of which the dynamic image included in the title is partially constituted), which has been previously designated for the respective title by a user, automatically designated for the respective title by the system control unit  160  or previously designated for the respective title in the HD  200  or DVD  202 . An address information, which is indicative of a recording position, in the title, of the static image information corresponding to the thumbnail static image information for the respective title (i.e., the recording address on the HD  200  or DVD  202 ) is previously recorded for the respective thumbnail image as designated, on the HD  200  or DVD  202 . When the thumbnail image is displayed, the OSD  146  detects the static image information, which is to be the thumbnail static image information, from the HD  200  or DVD  202 , based on the above-mentioned address information.  
      When the thumbnail image as displayed is selected, the OSD  146  according to the embodiment of the present invention displays the title, the contents of which are represented by the selected thumbnail image, in the form of actual dynamic image in an area in which the thumbnail image had been displayed. In this case, the image information for such display is read from the HD  200  or DVD  202  each time.  
      The image signal encoder  147  converts the image signals into the TV image format in order to display the image corresponding to the thumbnail static image information on an external monitor, and output the image signals after conversion in the TV format to the second D/A converter  149 .  
      The image signals, which have been converted into the TV format in the form of digital signals, are inputted to the second D/A converter  149 . The second D/A converter  149  converts the inputted digital signals, i.e., the image signals into the analog signals, and outputs externally the image signals converted into the analog signals through the image output terminal.  
      The switching operation by the output switching section  145  causes the digital audio signals to be inputted to the first D/A converter  148 . The first D/A converter  148  converts the inputted digital audio signals into the analog signals, and outputs externally the audio signals converted into the analog signals through the audio output terminal.  
      Now, description will be given below of a concrete structure and operation of the system control unit  160  of the recorder  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention, with reference to  FIG. 1 .  
      The system control unit  160  of the recorder  100  according to the embodiment includes a remote controller-light receiving section  162 , an operation section  163 , a display section  164 , a system controlling section  166 , a memory  165  and a program information setting section  300 . The remote controller-light receiving section  162  receives light beam, which is emitted from a remote controller  161  for controlling the recorder  100  from a distant point. The operation section  163  serves, as the selection device through which a user can set desired operation. The display section  164  displays information desired by the user about confirmation of his/her operation through the remote controller  161  or the operation section  163 . The system controller section  166 , which controls the system in its entirety and serves as the first display control device, the second display control device and the representative image display control device, controls, when carrying out the dubbing operation, the OSD  146  to generate the image information required for the dubbing processing (hereinafter referred to as the “dubbing information”), in order to set the dubbing information based on the information through key entry (hereinafter referred to as the “key entry information”), which is inputted to the remote controller  161  or operation section  163  and display the information on a not-shown monitor. The memory  165  stores programs required for various kinds of operations.  
      The remote controller  161  includes a plurality of keys such as various kinds of confirmation buttons and numeric keys, and a cursor-control key(s) provided in the center of the remote controller  161  to move a cursor upward, downward, rightward or leftward.  
      The remote controller-light receiving section  162  receives light beam such infrared rays emitted from the remoter controller  161 , converts the received light beam into a predetermined signal and outputs the same to the operation section  163 .  
      The operation section  163  includes a plurality of keys such as various kinds of confirmation buttons and numeric keys, and a cursor-control key(s) for moving a cursor upward, downward, rightward or leftward, in the similar manner to the remote controller  161 .  
      The operation section  163  outputs a predetermined signal, which is outputted based on the key operation or from the remote controller-light receiving section  162 , to the system controlling section  166 .  
      The display section  164 , which includes a light-emitting portion provided with a plurality of light-emitting elements such as a liquid crystal, displays information desired by a user on confirmation of operation by the remote controller  161  or the operation section  163 .  
      The program information setting section  300  automatically records a broadcast program at a programmed time in the HD  200  or DVD  202 . In addition, the program information setting section  300 , sets, when the setting is made to dub the information recorded in the HD  200  into the DVD  202 , dubbing information required for the dubbing operation based on the key entry information, which is inputted to the remote controller  161  or the operation section  163 .  
      The system controlling section  166 , which is composed basically of a central processing unit (CPU), includes input and output ports such as a key input port and an output port to the display section  164 . The system controlling section  166  has control over general functions of respective processing of reproduction/record in the HD  200  or reproduction/record in the DVD  202 .  
      Especially, the system controlling section  166  outputs the image information corresponding to the thumbnail image, which has been generated by the above-mentioned OSD  146  based on the input operation through the operation keys in the remoter controller  161  or the operation section  163 , to an external equipment through the image signal encoder  147  and the second D/A converter  149 .  
      [II] Embodiment of Thumbnail Image Display Processing  
      Now, a processing of reproducing the title accompanied with a display processing utilizing the thumbnail selection screen including the plurality of thumbnail images in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing the processing of reproducing the title according to the embodiment of the present invention and  FIGS. 3A-3C  are views showing an example of a thumbnail selection screen utilized in the display processing of the thumbnail selection screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.  
      When the reproduction processing according to the embodiment of the present invention starts as shown in  FIG. 2 , the thumbnail selection screen on a basis of which the title to be reproduced is to be selected, is generated in accordance with the above-described functions of the OSD  146  and the thus generated screen is displayed on a not-shown display (Step S 1 : the thumbnail page display).  
      The thumbnail selection screen displayed in the above-mentioned step S 1  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 3A .  
      The thumbnail selection screen “G” according to the present invention (which will be referred also to the “page”) at least includes thumbnail images SN 1  to SN 6 , an enter key “B” and page movement keys “M”. The thumbnail images SN 1  to SN 6  correspond to the respective tittles, which are to be reproduced, and namely are recorded in the HD  200  or the DVD  202 . The enter key “B” is to be used, when any one of the thumbnail images SN 1  to SN 6  is selected, to cause the selection to be confirmed, with the result that the system enters the actual reproduction mode of the title. The page movement key “M” is to be used to move from the above-mentioned thumbnail selection screen “G” to the other thumbnail selection screen “G”, which includes thumbnail images corresponding to the different titles from the thumbnail selection screen “G” as shown in  FIG. 3A .  
      Each of the thumbnail images SN 1  to SN 6  is a static image that partially constitutes the respective title, which is represented by the corresponding thumbnail image. When any one of the thumbnail images SN 1  to SN 6  is selected, the title that is represented by the selected thumbnail image SN is actually displayed in the form of dynamic image in an area in which the selected thumbnail image SN had been displayed, as described in detail later.  
      When the thumbnail selection screen “G” is displayed, a cursor “C” is automatically shitted to the uppermost left position on the displayed thumbnail selection screen “G” (Step S 1 : Display of the cursor) so as to surround the area in which the corresponding thumbnail image SN 1  is placed, as shown in  FIG. 3B , thus indicating a state in which the thumbnail image SN 1  is to be selected (Step S 1 : Initial selection of the thumbnail).  
      Then, it is judged as whether or not a predetermined period of time (of e.g. one second) has lapsed at the state in which the thumbnail image SN 1  is selected (Step S 2 ). When the above-mentioned time has lapsed (YES in Step S 2 ), the dynamic image SN 1 M is displayed in the form of the title, which is represented by the selected thumbnail image SN 1 , in the area in which the selected thumbnail image SN 1  had been displayed (Step S 6 ). The other thumbnail images SN 2  to SN 6  are displayed as they are in the thumbnail selection screen “G”.  
      In case where it is judged in Step S 2  that the above-mentioned time has not lapsed (No in Step S 2 ), it is judged as whether or not an operation of moving the cursor “C” has been carried out through the remote controller  161  or the operation section  163  (Step S 3 ). In case where the operation of moving the cursor “C” has been carried out (YES in Step S 3 ), the cursor “C” is moved to a position of any one of the other thumbnail images SN 2  to SN 6  in accordance with the above-mentioned operation (Step S 7 ), and then the system returns to the above-mentioned Step S 2  and the above-described operations are repeated.  
      In case where it is judged in Step S 3  that no operation of moving the cursor “C” has been carried out (NO in Step S 3 ), it is then judged as whether or not an operation of moving to the other page (i.e., the other thumbnail selection screen “G”) has been carried out through an operation of the page movement key “M” with the use of the remote controller  161  and the operation section  163  (Step S 4 ). When it is judged in Step S 4  that the operation of moving to the other page has been carried out (YES in Step S 4 ), the next thumbnail selection screen “G” is displayed in accordance with the operation (Step S 8 ), and then the system returns to the above-mentioned Step S 2  and the above-described operations are repeated.  
      When it is judged in Step S 4  that no operation of moving to the other page has been carried out (NO in Step S 4 ), it is then judged as whether or not an operation of exiting from the selection by the cursor in the thumbnail selection screen “G” has been carried out through the remote controller  161  or the operation section  163  (Step S 5 ). In case where it is judged that the operation of exiting from the selection by the cursor in the thumbnail selection screen “G” has been carried out (YES in Step S 5 ), the display operation utilizing the cursor as currently displayed is terminated, and then the system enters the other processing. In case where it is judged in Step S 5  that no operation of exiting from the selection by the cursor in the thumbnail selection screen “G” has been carried out (NO in Step S 5 ), and then the system returns to the above-mentioned Step S 2  and the above-described operations are repeated.  
      Then, when the dynamic image SN 1 M corresponding to the original thumbnail image SN 1  is for example displayed (Step S 6 ), it is confirmed as whether or not the title corresponding to the thumbnail image SN 1  has been reproduced completely in the above-mentioned area (Step S 10 ). In case where the reproduction has not as yet been completed (NO in Step S 10 ), it is judged as whether or not an operation of moving the cursor “C” from the area for the thumbnail image SN 1 , in which the dynamic image SN 1 M is displayed, has been carried out by operating the page movement key “M” through the remote controller  161  or the operation section  163  (Step S 11 ). When it is judged that the operation of moving the cursor “C” is carried out (YES in Step S 11 ), the display of the dynamic image SN 1 M is terminated, and then the original thumbnail image SN 1  is displayed again in the area in which the dynamic image SN 1 M had been displayed (Step S 15 ). In addition, the cursor “C” is moved to any one of positions of the other thumbnail images SN 2  to SN 6  in accordance with the operation in Step S 11  (Step S 17 ) and then the system returns to the above-mentioned Step S 2  and the above-described operations are repeated.  
      After the system returns to the above-mentioned step S 2 , the processing of Steps S 1  to S 8  is carried out. As a result, the original thumbnail image SN 1  is displayed in the area in which the dynamic image SN 1 M had been displayed, and the dynamic image SN 2 M is displayed in the form of title, which is represented by the original thumbnail image SN 2 , in the area in which the original thumbnail image SN 2  had been displayed, as shown in  FIG. 3C  (Step S 6 ).  
      On the contrary, in case where it is judged in Step S 11  that no operation of moving the cursor “C” has been carried out (NO in Step S 11 ), it is then judged as whether or not an operation of moving to the other page has been carried out through the remote controller  161  and the operation section  163  (Step S 12 ). When the operation of moving the cursor “C” to the other page has been carried out (YES in Step S 12 ), the next thumbnail selection screen “G” is displayed in accordance with the operation (Step S 16 ), and then the system returns to the above-mentioned Step S 2  and the above-described operations are repeated.  
      When it is judged in Step S 12  that no operation of moving to the other page has been carried out (NO in Step S 12 ), it is then judged as whether or not an operation of exiting from the selection by the cursor in the thumbnail selection screen “G” has been carried out through the remote controller  161  or the operation section  163  (Step S 13 ). In case where it is judged that the operation of exiting from the selection by the cursor in the thumbnail selection screen “G” has been carried out (YES in Step S 13 ), the display of the dynamic image SN 1 M is terminated, then the original thumbnail image SN 1  is displayed again in the area in which the dynamic image SN 1 M had been displayed (Step S 23 ), and then the display operation utilizing the cursor as currently displayed is terminated, and then the system enters the other processing. In case where it is judged in Step S 13  that no operation of exiting from the selection by the cursor in the thumbnail selection screen “G” has been carried out (NO in Step S 13 ), and then the system returns to the above-mentioned Step S 10  and the above-described operations based on Step S 10  and the subsequent steps are repeated.  
      In case where it is judged in the above-mentioned Step S 10  that the title (i.e., the dynamic image SN 1 M) corresponding to the thumbnail image SN 1  has been reproduced completely (YES in Step S 10 ), the original thumbnail image SN 1  is displayed in the area in which the dynamic image SN 1 M had been displayed (Step S 14 ) In addition, it is judges as whether or not an operation of moving the cursor “C” from the area for the thumbnail image SN 1 , in which the dynamic image SN 1 M is displayed, has been carried out through the remote controller  161  or the operation section  163  (Step S 18 ). When it is judged that the operation of moving the cursor “C” is carried out (YES in Step S 18 ), the cursor “C” is moved to anyone of positions of the other thumbnail images SN 2  to SN 6  in accordance with the operation in Step S 18  (Step S 21 ) and then the system returns to the above-mentioned Step S 2  and the above-described operations are repeated.  
      On the contrary, in case where it is judged in Step S 18  that no operation of moving the cursor “C” has been carried out (NO in Step S 18 ), it is then judged as whether or not an operation of moving to the other page has been carried out by operating the page movement key “M” through the remote controller  161  and the operation section  163  (Step S 19 ). When the operation of moving the cursor “C” to the other page has been carried out (YES in Step Sl 9 ), the next thumbnail selection screen “G” is displayed in accordance with the operation (Step S 22 ), and then the system returns to the above-mentioned Step S 2  and the above-described operations are repeated.  
      When it is judged in Step S 19  that no operation of moving to the other page has been carried out (NO in Step S 19 ), it is then judged as whether or not an operation of exiting from the selection by the cursor in the thumbnail selection screen “G” has been carried out through the remote controller  161  or the operation section  163  (Step S 20 ). In case where it is judged that the operation of exiting from the selection by the cursor in the thumbnail selection screen “G” has been carried out (YES in Step S 20 ), the display operation utilizing the cursor as currently displayed is terminated, and then the system enters the other processing. In case where it is judged in Step S 21  that no operation of exiting from the selection by the cursor in the thumbnail selection screen “G” has been carried out (NO in Step S 20 ), and then the system returns to the above-mentioned Step S 18  and the above-described operations are repeated.  
      According to the selection processing of the title as described above, operating the enter key “B” through the remote controller or the operation section  163 , when the cursor “C” is placed in any one of positions of the thumbnail images SN enables the title, which is represented by the thumbnail image SN as selected by the cursor “C”, to be detected from the HD  200  or the DVD  202  and reproduced for display.  
      According to the selection processing of the title utilizing the thumbnail selection screen “G” in the recorder  100  of the embodiment of the present invention, when, during reproduction/display of a certain dynamic image SN 1 M, the reproduction of the other title is selected, or a change is made in hierarchical level of selection of title (namely, the selection of the title as currently displayed is released), the original thumbnail image SN 1  is displayed again in the thumbnail selection screen “G” in place of the dynamic image SN 1 M as displayed. As a result, even when the title, which is represented by the original thumbnail image SN 1 , is selected again, it is possible for a user to recognize easily and rapidly the contents of the selected title.  
      In addition, even when any one of the thumbnail images SN displayed at an at-a-glance visual layout is selected to reproduce the corresponding dynamic image SN 1 M, the contents of the other title can be easily and rapidly recognized through the corresponding thumbnail image SN.  
      In the present invention, the title is of the dynamic image and the thumbnail image SN is a static image, thus making it possible to display the contents of the respective title through the thumbnail image SN, while selectively displaying the thumbnail image SN and the dynamic image corresponding to the title, which is selected to be reproduced.  
      The thumbnail image SN is the static image of which the dynamic image of the title is partially constituted, thus providing a further recognizable display of the contents of the title.  
      In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, when the thumbnail image SN is to be displayed, the static image is detected based on the information indicative of the recording position on the HD  200  or the DVD  202  in which the static images that may be the thumbnail image SN are recorded, and the thumbnail selection screen “G” is generated and displayed. Alternatively, all the static images included in the thumbnail selection screen “G” at the time when it is once displayed, may be detected from the HD  200  or the DVD  202  and temporarily stored in the memory  165 . In such a case, when the same thumbnail image SN is to be displayed again, it is possible to display more rapidly the thumbnail selection screen “G” including the above-mentioned thumbnail image SN.  
      In addition, the program corresponding to the flowchart as shown in  FIG. 2  may be recorded in an information recording medium such as a flexible disc, or obtained through a network such as the Internet to be recorded. Reading the program to execute it by a general-purpose computer causes the computer to function as the system controlling section  166  according to the embodiment of the present invention.  
      The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.  
      The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-417618 filed on Dec. 16, 2003 including the specification, claims, drawings and summary is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.