Patent Publication Number: US-7212875-B2

Title: Semiconductor memory card, apparatus for recording data onto the semiconductor memory card, and apparatus for reproducing data of the semiconductor memory card

Description:
This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/644,756, filed Aug. 21, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,010,372, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/580,818, filed May 26, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,773. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   (1) Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory card for recording digital data representing audio data or image data, an apparatus for recording data onto the semiconductor memory card, and an apparatus for reproducing data stored on the semiconductor memory card. 
   (2) Description of the Prior Art 
   A typical rewritable recording medium for recording digital data that has come into wide use is an MD (Mini Disc). Portable MD recording/reproducing apparatuses that can record audio information from music CDs have also become prevalent. 
   Typical MDs have approximately 140 MB of storage capacity and can record approximately 74 minutes of music by recording compressed digital audio data. MDs can also record up to approximately 1,700 characters of information for showing tune titles, a disc title and the like, as well as audio information. The recorded character information often includes a mixture of hankaku katakana (Japanese alphabet) characters, alphabets, numerals, and signs. It should be noted here that katakana characters that are used for computers are classified into hankaku katakana and zenkaku katakana characters. The hankaku katakana characters are represented by 1-byte character codes and displayed with a half width of zenkaku katakana. The zenkaku katakana characters are represented by 2-byte character codes. MD recording/reproducing apparatuses that can record hiragana (Japanese alphabet) characters and kanji characters (Chinese characters) have recently become commercially available. 
   However, the above-described conventional techniques have a problem in that MD reproducing apparatuses (of the types that do not have Chinese character fonts), which can display only hankaku katakana characters, alphabets, numerals, and signs, cannot properly display hiragana and Chinese characters that are recorded on recording mediums. With such apparatuses, users cannot recognize tune titles and the like. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor memory card which enables a recording/reproducing apparatus to display character information in the semiconductor memory card properly whether the recording/reproducing apparatus can display only hankaku katakana characters and alphanumerics or can display further hiragana and Chinese characters. 
   The stated object is fulfilled by a semiconductor memory card for storing audio information with corresponding text information and type information, wherein the type information indicates a type of the text information, and wherein the type is classified into at least (a), (b), and (c) in which the text information respectively includes (a) a 1-byte character code sequence, (b) a 2-byte character code sequence, and (c) a 1-byte character code sequence and a 2-byte character code sequence. 
   The stated object is also fulfilled by a recording apparatus for recording audio information onto a semiconductor memory card which can be inserted into and/or removed from the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus comprises a first recording device operable to record the audio information onto the semiconductor memory card, and a second recording device operable to record text information and type information both corresponding to the audio information onto the semiconductor memory card. The type information indicates a type of the text information, and the type is classified into at least (a), (b), and (c) in which the text information respectively includes (a) a 1-byte character code sequence, (b) a 2-byte character code sequence, and (c) a 1-byte character code sequence and a 2-byte character code sequence. 
   The stated object is also fulfilled by a reproducing apparatus for reading out audio information from a semiconductor memory card which can be inserted into and/or removed from the reproducing apparatus, and for reproducing the read-out audio information. The reproducing apparatus comprises a read-out device operable to read out the audio information, text information, and type information from the semiconductor memory card, wherein the type information indicates a type of the text information, and wherein the type is classified into at least (a), (b), and (c) in which the text information respectively includes (a) a 1-byte character code sequence, (b) a 2-byte character code sequence, and (c) a 1-byte character code sequence and a 2-byte character code sequence. The reproducing apparatus also comprises a reproducing device operable to reproduce the read-out audio information, and a control device operable to control a display unit so as to display either a 1-byte character code sequence or a 2-byte character code sequence in accordance with the read-out type information. 
   With the above-described construction, the semiconductor memory card can record the text information properly when the type of the text information is (a), (b), or (c). Therefore, the text information which is recorded on the semiconductor memory card is properly displayed by a recording/reproducing apparatus by referring to the type, information when the recording/reproducing apparatus supports (1) a 1-byte character code sequence, (2) a 2-byte character code sequence, or (3) both a 1-byte character code sequence and a 2-byte character code sequence. 
   In the above-described semiconductor memory card, the type information may include a first attribute and a second attribute, where the first attribute shows whether the text information includes a 1-byte character code sequence, and the second attribute shows whether the text information includes a 2-byte character code sequence. The first attribute, the second attribute, and a combination of the two attributes respectively indicate the types (a), (b), and (c). 
   With the above-described construction, the reproducing apparatus can easily determine the type of the text information out of the types including (a) to (c) by referring to the first attribute, the second attribute, and a combination of the first attribute and the second attribute which is read out from the semiconductor memory card. 
   In the above-described semiconductor memory card, the text information may be stored in a text storage area, which is a part of the semiconductor memory card, consecutively from the start of the text storage area. The type information is a first terminated code and a second terminated code which are included in the text information. The first terminated code is stored at the start of the text storage area when the text information that is stored in the text storage area does not include a 1-byte character code sequence, and the first terminated code is stored in the text storage area at the end of a 1-byte character code sequence when the text information that is stored in the text storage area includes the 1-byte character code sequence. The second terminated code is stored in the text storage area at a position immediately after the first terminated code when the text information that is stored in the text storage area does not include a 2 byte character code sequence, and the second terminated code is stored in the text storage area at the end of a 2-byte character code sequence when the text information that is stored in the text storage area includes the 2-byte character code sequence, and combinations of what is stored at the start of the text storage area, a storage position of the first terminated code, and a storage position of the second terminated code indicate the types (a), (b), and (c). 
   With the above-described construction, the reproducing apparatus can easily determine the type of the text information out of the types including (a) to (c) from the combinations of what is stored at the start of the text storage area, a storage position of the first terminated code, and a storage position of the second terminated code. 
   In the above-described semiconductor memory card, the 1-byte character code sequence may include pairs of a 1-byte tag and a plurality of 1-byte character codes, where the 1-byte tag indicates a name of an item, and the plurality of 1-byte character codes indicate a content of the item. The 2-byte character code sequence includes pairs of a 2-byte tag and a plurality of 2-byte character codes, where the 2-byte tag indicates a name of an item, and the plurality of 2-byte character codes indicate a content of the item. 
   With the above-described construction, each of the 1-byte character code sequence and the 2-byte character code sequence includes pairs of a tag and a character code sequence, where the tag indicates a type of an item, and the character code sequence indicates a content of the item. As a result, the area for storing the character information is used with efficiency. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of the semiconductor memory card, the recording apparatus, and the reproducing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows the appearance of the semiconductor memory card (media card  1 ); 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the construction of the media card  1 ; 
       FIG. 4  shows the application layer of the media card  1 ; 
       FIG. 5  shows the construction of the storage area in the media card  1 ; 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  show examples of the constructions of directories and files in the protected area and the user data area in the media card  1 ; 
       FIG. 7  shows the relationships between the default play list, track manager, and AOBs (audio objects); 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing a detailed data structure of the track manager; 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  show specific examples of a text  1  attribute and a text  2  attribute; 
       FIG. 10  shows the storage area for character information; 
       FIG. 11  shows tags indicating types of items; 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing the construction of a reproducing apparatus; 
       FIG. 13  shows an example of characters which are displayed on the LCD unit while the audio information is being reproduced, where the LCD unit is attached to a portable reproducing apparatus and is approximately as large as 24 hankaku characters×2 rows; 
       FIG. 14  shows an example of a play list which is displayed on the LCD unit attached to a portable reproducing apparatus; 
       FIG. 15  shows an example of characters which are displayed on the LCD unit while the audio information is being reproduced, where the LCD unit is attached to a car-mounted type reproducing apparatus and is approximately as large as 48 hankaku characters.×.4 rows; 
       FIG. 16  shows an example of characters which are displayed on a display unit while audio information is reproduced, where the display unit is as large as 12 2-byte characters.×.2 rows; 
       FIG. 17  shows an example of a displayed play list; 
       FIG. 18  shows an example of characters which are displayed on a display unit while audio information is reproduced, where the display unit is as large as 24 2-byte characters×4 rows; 
       FIG. 19  is a flowchart showing the display process that is performed by the reproducing apparatus  3 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a flowchart showing the display process that is performed by the reproducing apparatus  3 ; 
       FIG. 21  shows a determination logic which is used to determine a character information type from a combination of the text  1  attribute and the text  2  attribute; 
       FIG. 22  shows a determination logic which is used to determine a display type based on the specification of either a 1-byte or 2 byte by the user and the determined character information type; 
       FIGS. 23A to 23D  show storage positions of the first and second terminated codes; 
       FIG. 24  is a flowchart showing the process of judging the character information type based on the storage positions of the first and second terminated codes; and 
       FIG. 25  is a block diagram showing the construction of the recording/reproducing apparatus  2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The following is a description of the present invention through specific embodiments thereof by way of referring to the drawings. 
     FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of the semiconductor memory card (hereinafter, referred to as a media card), the recording apparatus, and the reproducing apparatus of the present invention. 
   In  FIG. 1 , the media card  1  can be inserted into and/or removed from a recording/reproducing apparatus  2 , reproducing apparatuses  3  to  5 , and a recording/reproducing apparatus  6 . The media card  1  can record a plurality of pieces of audio information and a plurality of pieces of character information. Note that each piece of audio information is a music tune, a section of a novel, an English conversation lesson or the like. Each piece of character information respectively corresponds to a piece of audio information and includes a first data and a second data. The first data of the character information is composed of a sequence of 1-byte character codes which represent attributes including the name of the piece of audio information. The second data of the character information is composed of a sequence of 2-byte character codes representing the same attributes as the first data. The first data includes 1-byte character codes which each represent an alphanumeric character, a hankaku katakana character or the like. The second data includes 2-byte character codes which each represent a hiragana character, a Chinese character, a character sequence of other languages or the like. With this arrangement, character information is displayed on the following two types of apparatuses: an apparatus that can only display 1-byte character codes; and an apparatus that can also display 2-byte character codes in addition to 1-byte character codes. 
   The recording/reproducing apparatus  2 , being a personal computer, records/reproduces data that is stored on the media card  1  which is inserted into a slot of the recording/reproducing apparatus  2 . For example, the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  obtains audio or character information which is distributed by a music provider  7  via a telephone line or the Internet, generates audio information based on music CDs, generates character information in accordance with user operations, writes audio or character information to the media card  1  that is inserted into the slot, reads out audio or character information from the media card  1 , or reproduces or edits the read-out information. 
   The reproducing apparatus  3  is a portable reproducing apparatus having a slot into which the media card  1  can be inserted. The reproducing apparatuses  4  and  5  are respectively a tabletop apparatus and a car-mounted apparatus which read out audio information from the media card  1  so as to reproduce the read-out audio information and display the read-out character information. Each of the reproducing apparatuses  3  to  5  reads out and displays the first data when the apparatus contains a ROM which prestores fonts for 1-byte character codes, and reads out and displays the second data when the apparatus contains a ROM which prestores fonts for 2-byte character codes. 
   The recording/reproducing apparatus  6  is a portable apparatus having a function of recording audio and character information, in addition to the function of the reproducing apparatus  3 . 
   The music provider  7  distributes audio and character information via telephone lines or the Internet. 
   Semiconductor Memory Card 
     FIG. 2  shows the appearance of the media card  1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the media card  1  is 2.1 mm-thick, 24 mm-wide, and 32 mm-deep (in length), contains a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory, and includes terminals which are electrically connected to a reproducing apparatus or a recording apparatus when the media card  1  is inserted into such an apparatus. 
   The media card  1  will be described in terms of a physical layer, a file system layer, and an application layer that is shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Physical Layer 
     FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the construction of the media card  1 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the media card  1  contains a control IC  302 , a flash memory  303 , and a ROM  304 . 
   The control IC  302  writes/reads audio information or character information to/from the flash memory  303  or reads such information from the ROM  304  in accordance with the write command or the read command which is input through the terminals from a recording apparatus or a reproducing apparatus. In doing so, when the command specifies encryption, the control IC  302  encrypts the audio information when writing it, and decrypts the audio information when reading it. As understood from this, the media card  1  can also prevent the unlawful copying of data which needs to be protected by copyright by storing the data after encrypting the data. 
   The flash memory  303  has a sector construction. Each sector stores 512-byte digital data. For example, when the media card  1  is 64 MB-type, the storage capacity of the media card  1  is 67,188,854 (=64*1024*1024) bytes, and the number of sectors is 131,072 (=67,188,854/512). When a certain number of alternate sectors are allocated beforehand in expectation of the occurrence of defect sectors, the effective storage capacity of the media card  1  excluding the alternate sectors is 65,536,000 bytes, and the number of sectors is 128,000, for example. 
   The ROM  304  stores data that is unique to the media card  1 , and an external apparatus can only read the data from the ROM  304  but cannot write data to the ROM  304 . 
   Record Area in Physical Layer 
     FIG. 5  shows the construction of the storage area in the media card  1 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the storage area in the media card  1  is divided into a system area, a protected area, and a user data area. Of these areas, the system area belongs to the ROM  304 , and the protected area and the user data area belong to the flash memory  303 . The system area and the protected area are used for copyright protection. 
   The system area is a read-only area for storing information which is unique to the media card  1  such as a medium ID, a maker name, etc. 
   The protected area stores a key which, while the media card  1  is inserted into a recording apparatus or a reproducing apparatus, is written or read by the apparatus only when a mutual authentication with the apparatus has completed affirmatively. The key is required for the encryption and decryption of the audio information and is generated from the medium ID, a random number or the like. 
   The user data area stores audio information and character information which can be written or read regardless of whether the mutual authentication has completed affirmatively or not. The data which need to be protected by copyright is encrypted and then stored in user data area. 
   File System Layer 
   The file system of the media card  1  is a FAT (File Allocation Table) file system (ISO/IEC 9293), and the file system type is either a FAT  12  (12-bit FAT) or FAT  16  (16-bit FAT). The protected area and the user data area of the media card  1  are formatted as FAT file systems. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the file system of the protected area and the user data area is composed of a partition boot sector, a file allocation table, a root directory entry, and a data area. 
   The partition boot sector stores data which is read when the file system is activated. 
   The file allocation table is either a FAT  12  file system for the 12-bit FAT or a FAT  16  file system for the 16-bit FAT, where the FAT construction conforms to the ISO/IEC 9293 standard. 
   The root directory entry is information showing files that exist under the root directory. The root directory entry includes, for example: file names of the files that exist under the root directory; file attributes; file update of year/month/day/time; and the cluster numbers of the clusters that store the first parts of the files. 
   The data area stores a variety of files. The data area in the user data area stores audio information files. The data area in the protected area stores key files when the audio information has been encrypted. 
   Application Layer 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the application layer is divided into presentation data and navigation data. 
   The presentation data is composed of a plurality of pieces of audio information, or a plurality of audio objects (hereinafter referred to as AOBs). Note that the AOBs are compressed audio data which are generated by compressing audio digital data. The AOBs conform to MPEG2-AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), for example. MPEG2-AAC is detailed in “ISO/IEC 13818-7:1997(E) Information technology—Generic coding of moving pictures and associated audio information—Part7 Advanced Audio Coding (AAC)” and will not be described here. In the present embodiment, it is defined that one AOB corresponds to a fixed time period (approximately 8.5 minutes) for the sake of reproduction management. One piece of audio information includes either one AOB or a plurality of AOBs depending on the length of reproduction.  FIG. 6A  shows an example of the construction of the user data area. In this example, AOBs are stored with file names “AOB001.SA1” to “AOB008.SA1” in a “SD_AUDIO” directory under the Root directory. In this example, eight AOBs are recorded in the user data area. However, the number of AOBs is not limited to eight and up to 999 AOBs can be recorded in the user data area. As shown in  FIG. 6B , an encrypted AOB is stored in the protected area with a file name of, for example, “AOBSA1.KEY” as key information. 
   The navigation data includes two kinds of management data called a Playlist Manager and a track manager. 
   The play list manager includes one or more play lists which specify a reproduction order of a plurality of pieces of audio information. The play list is either: a default play list which specifies a reproduction order of all pieces of audio information that are recorded in the media card  1 ; or a play list which specifies an arbitrary reproduction order that is generated in accordance with user operations. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the play list manager is stored in the user data area with a file name of, for example, “SD_AUDIO.PLM”. 
   The track manager is information which is used for managing audio information (i.e., AOBs). The track manager includes, for example, audio attribute information (bit rate, sampling frequency, the number of channels, etc.) of each AOB, and character information that is related to the audio information. As used herein, the term “track” indicates one piece of audio information. More specifically, the track manager is a group of pieces of track information which each correspond to the AOBs that are stored in the user data area. 
   When a track is composed of an AOB, the track information corresponding to the AOB includes, character information corresponding to the track, and information of the AOB. 
   When a track is composed of a plurality of AOBs, a piece of track information corresponding to the first AOB includes character information corresponding to the track, and information of the first AOB. The other pieces of track information include information of the second and subsequent AOBs, respectively. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the track manager is stored in the user data area with a file name of, for example, “SD_AUDIO.TKM”. 
     FIG. 7  shows the relationships between a default play list (represented as DPLI in  FIG. 7 ), the track manager (represented as TKMG in  FIG. 7 ), and AOBs. In  FIG. 7 , AOB001.SA1, AOB002.SA1, AOB003.SA1, and AOB008.SA1 respectively constitute tracks which are Songs A, B, C, and E, respectively, and the four AOBs AOB004.SA1 to AOB007.SA1 constitute a track which is Song D. 
   The track manager includes a plurality of pieces of track information (represented as TKIs in  FIG. 7 ) which correspond to the AOBs AOB001.SA1 to AOB008.SA1 on a one-to-one basis. Each piece of track information includes: a serial number (hereinafter referred to as a track information number) that is uniquely assigned to the piece of track information which is in the semiconductor memory card; a link pointer which indicates the next piece of track information when the AOB corresponding to the piece of track information is one of a plurality of AOBs constituting the track; and character information which is composed of the first and second data as described earlier. In  FIG. 7 , the track manager includes track information TKI# 1  to TKI# 8  corresponding to AOB001.SA1 to AOB008.SA1, respectively. Of these AOBs, AOB004.SA1 to AOB007.SA1, which constitute a track, are related to each other by the link pointers. 
   The default play list specifies a reproduction order of the tracks (Songs A, B, C, D and E in  FIG. 7 ) by arranged track search pointers which respectively correspond to the plurality of pieces of track information. Each track search pointer includes a track information number that is uniquely assigned to a piece of track information, thus indicating the piece of track information by the track information number. 
   In  FIG. 7 , the default play list is composed of eight track search pointers # 1  to # 8  which are arranged in the order of track information numbers # 1  to # 8 . Accordingly, the default play list specifies a reproduction order of Songs A, B, C, D, and E in this order since TKIs # 1  to # 8  which are respectively included in the track search pointers # 1  to # 8  are arranged in this order. 
   Note that the track search pointers # 5  to # 7  among # 4  to # 7  corresponding to Song D may not include the track information numbers since track information # 4  to # 7  are related to each other by the link pointers. 
   Note also that although not shown in the drawings, the data structure of the play list which specifies an arbitrary reproduction order which is generated in accordance with user operations is the same as that of the default play list. Since each play list is composed of a plurality of track search pointers which each include only a track information number, editing the play list, including the addition and deletion of the track search pointers, is easy. 
   Details of Track Manager 
     FIG. 8  shows a detailed data structure of the track manager. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the track manager (represented as SD AUDIO.TKM in  FIG. 6 ) is composed of a plurality of pieces of track information # 1  to #n (t 1  to tn). The track information # 1  to #n is also referred to as TKI # 1  to TKI #n. 
   Each piece of track information has the same data structure. Here, track information # 2  t 2  will be used for explaining the data structure of the track information. The track information # 2  t 2  has a fixed length of 1,024 bytes in the present embodiment, and is composed of track general information (also referred to as TKGI) t 21  of 256 bytes, character information (TKTXTI_DA) t 22  of 256 bytes, and a track time search table (TKTMSRT) t 23  of 512 bytes. The reason why the track information # 2  t 2  has a fixed length of 1,024 bytes is that each piece of track information is stored in two sectors, and the time search table in the track information is stored in one sector of the two sectors. With this construction, the track information is read or written by accessing a set of two consecutive sectors, where the sector is the minimum unit of access. This increases the speed of accessing the track information. 
   The track general information t 21  includes track information identifier (TKI_ID) t 211 , track information number (TKIN) t 212 , link pointer (TKI_LNK_PTR) t 213 , block attribute (TKI_BLK_ATR) t 214 , text  1  attribute (TKI_TI 1 _ATR) t 215 , and text  2  attribute (TKI_TI 2 _ATR) t 216 . 
   The track information identifier t 211  is common to all of the pieces of track information and is an identifier of the track information. 
   The track information number t 212  is a serial number which is uniquely assigned to the track information, as described earlier. A track information number is one of values 1 to 999. 
   The link pointer t 213  indicates the next piece of track information (by the track information number) when the AOB corresponding to the piece of track information containing the link pointer is one of a plurality of AOBs constituting the track, as described earlier. Otherwise, the link pointer t 213  has invalid data (e.g., 0). 
   The block attribute t 214  indicates that (i) the track is composed of one AOB and the current track information corresponds to the only AOB constituting the track, or (ii) the current track information is the head, midpoint, or end of the track when the track is composed of a plurality of AOBS. For example, when the block attribute has a value of “000(binary)”, the value indicates that the current track information corresponds to the AOB that is the only AOB constituting the track. When the block attribute has a value of “001”, the value indicates that the current track information corresponds to the head AOB when the track is composed of a plurality of AOBs. When the block attribute has value of “010”, the value indicates that the current track information corresponds to the midpoint AOB. Further, when the block attribute has a value of “011”, the value indicates that the current track information corresponds to the end AOB. 
   The text  1  attribute t 215  indicates the type of the first data, or a 1-byte character code sequence that can be recorded in the character information t 22 .  FIG. 9A  shows specific examples of the text  1  attribute t 215 . In  FIG. 9A , a value “00h(hex)” of the text  1  attribute t 215  indicates that a 1-byte character code sequence is not recorded in the character information t 22 . Values “01h” to “03h” of the text  1  attribute respectively indicate that 1-byte character code sequences conforming to IS0646, JISX0201, and IS08859-1 are recorded in the character information t 22 . Here, IS0646 defines ASCII codes for alphanumerics and signs, JISX0201 defines hankaku katakana in addition to ASCII codes, and IS08859-1 defines Latin alphabets in addition to ASCII codes. 
   The text  2  attribute t 216  indicates the type of the second data, or a 2-byte character code sequence that can be recorded in the character information t 22 .  FIG. 9B  shows specific examples of the text  2  attribute t 216 . In  FIG. 9B , a value “00h(hex)” of the text  2  attribute t 216  indicates that a 2-byte character code sequence is not recorded in the character information t 22 . A value “81h” indicates that a 2-byte character code sequence conforming to “Music Shift JIS KANJI” (Recording Industry Association of Japan) is recorded in the character information t 22 . The character information t 22  is composed of the first data and the second data. 
   The track time search table is used for fast forward reproduction and fast rewinding reproduction, and stores addresses of AOBs which are reproduced at intervals of approximately two seconds. 
   Details of Character Information 
     FIG. 10  shows the storage area for the character information (TKTXTI_DA) t 22  that is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   The storage area for storing the character information (TKTXTI_DA) t 22  is a half of a sector (512 bytes) and has a fixed size of 256 bytes, where the other half is used for storing the track general information t 21 . As shown in the upper portion of  FIG. 10 , the character information (TKTXTI_DA) is composed of the first data t 221 , the second data t 222 , and a free area t 223 . The free area t 223  is generated when the total size of the first data t 221  and the second data t 222 , both being variable-length, does not reach 256 bytes. 
   As shown in the lower portion of  FIG. 10 , the first data t 221  is composed of flags and 1-byte character code sequences which are arranged alternately. The flags are called tags and indicate the types of items. The 1-byte character code sequences indicate the contents of the items. A terminated code “00h” is attached to the end of the first data. A terminated code “0000h” is attached to the end of the second data. 
     FIG. 11  shows the types of the tags. 
   As shown in  FIG. 11 , the tags for the first data are 1-byte. For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the tag indicating the title is “01h”, the tag indicating the artist is “02h”, the tag indicating the album title is “03h”, the tag indicating the lyricist is “04h”, the tag indicating the composer is “05h”, the tag indicating the arranger is “06h”, the tag indicating the producer is “07h”, the tag indicating the record company is “08h”, the tag indicating the artist&#39;s message is “09h”, the tag indicating the user&#39;s comment is “0Ah”, the tag indicating the provider&#39;s comment is “0Bh”, the tag indicating the date (year, month, and day) is “0Ch”, the tag indicating the genre is “0Dh”, the tag indicating the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is “0Eh”, the tag indicating the free item (an item the user can set) 1 is “0Fh”, the tag indicating the free item 2 is “10h”, the tag indicating the free item 3 is “11h”, the tag indicating the free item 4 is “12h”, the tag indicating the free item 5 is “13h”, and the tag indicating the free item 6 is “14h”. 
   The tags for the second data are 2-byte codes which are made by attaching “00” to the beginning portion of each tag for the first data. 
   As understood from above description, the character information (TKTXTI_DA) t 22  includes the first data and the second data, where both the first data and second data represent the same contents. As a result, reproducing apparatuses which can reproduce only 1-byte character codes display hankaku character code sequences which are 1-byte character codes as being represented by the first data, and reproducing apparatuses which can also reproduce 2-byte character codes display 2-byte character codes including alphanumerics, hiragana, and Chinese characters as being represented by the second data. 
   Construction of Reproducing Apparatus 
     FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing the construction of the reproducing apparatus  3  shown in  FIG. 1 . The reproducing apparatus  3  includes a font ROM  120 , a microcomputer  121 , a memory  122 , a LCD unit  124 , an operation unit  125 , a card interface unit  128 , a descramble unit  129 , a decoder  130 , and a D/A converter  131 . 
   The font ROM  120  is classified into three types, where one of the three types is selected depending on the type of the reproducing apparatus. The first type font ROM  120  stores only the font data corresponding to 1-byte character codes. The second type font ROM  120  stores only the font data corresponding to 2 byte character codes. The third type font ROM  120  stores the font data corresponding to both of the 1-byte and 2-byte character codes. The font data corresponding to 1-byte character codes conforms to at least one of IS0646, JISX0201, and IS08859-1. The font data corresponding to 2-byte character codes conforms to, for example, “Music Shift JIS KANJI”. 
   The microcomputer  121  contains a ROM or a RAM, and controls all operations of the reproducing apparatus, such as reproducing audio information and displaying character information on the LCD unit  124  by executing a program which is stored in the ROM. The program for displaying character information operates differently depending on the type of the font ROM  120 . That is to say, the microcomputer  121  reads the first data (a 1-byte character code sequence) out of the character information and controls the displaying of the read data on the LCD unit  124  based on the font data when the ROM  120  is the first type. The microcomputer  121  reads the second data (a 2-byte character code sequence) out of the character information and controls the displaying of the read data on the LCD unit  124  when the ROM  120  is the second type. Further, the microcomputer  121  reads selectively the first data or the second data based on user settings, for example, when the ROM  120  is the third type. 
   The memory  122  is a work memory for temporarily storing the audio information, character information, etc. that is read out from the media card  1  when the audio information is reproduced. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the memory  122  includes a DPLI resident area, a PLI storage area, a TKI storage area, a file key storage area, and a buffer area. The DPLI resident area stores the default play list as resident data. The PLI storage area stores a currently used play list. The TKI storage area stores currently used track information. The file key storage area stores an encryption key which is used to decrypt the encryption of currently reproduced audio information (AOB). The buffer area is used as a work area or a buffer. 
   The LCD unit  124  is a liquid crystal display panel for displaying character information or the like. Note that when the reproducing apparatus is a portable type, the LCD unit  124  is as large as displaying a row of 12 zenkaku characters or two rows of 12 hankaku characters. Alternatively, when the reproducing apparatus is a car-mounted type, the LCD unit  124  is as large as displaying several rows of 24 zenkaku characters or as large as 320×240 pixels or 640×480 pixels. 
   The operation unit  125  includes a reproduction key, a stop key, a pause key, a fast forward key, a fast rewinding key, and a volume key, and the operation unit  125  receives user operations. 
   The card interface unit  128  is a slot into/from which the media card  1  is inserted/removed, and includes a group of terminals which are electrically connected to the terminals of the inserted media card  1 . 
   The descramble unit  129  is a descrambler for decrypting audio information by using the encryption key which is stored in the file key storage area of the memory  122 . That is to say, for reproduction, the descramble unit  129  receives encrypted audio information from the media card  1  and decrypts (descrambles) the received audio information. Here, for reproduction, the encryption key is read from the protected area in the media card  1  when the mutual authentication between the media card  1  and the reproducing apparatus  3  has been completed affirmatively. 
   The decoder  130  receives descrambled audio information from the descramble unit  129  or receives non-encrypted audio information from the media card  1  via the memory  122 , and decodes the received audio information into digital audio data. 
   The D/A converter  131  converts digital audio information into analog audio signals. 
   Operation of Reproducing Apparatus 
   The operation of the above-constructed reproducing apparatus  3  will be described for each case where the font ROM  120  is (1) the first type, (2) the second type, or (3) the third type. It is presumed here that the media card  1  currently stores the audio information from Songs A to E as shown in  FIG. 7 , the default play list, and the track manager. 
   (1) First Type Font ROM 
   The microcomputer  121  reads the default play list from the media card  1  and stores the read default play list in the DPLI resident area of the memory  122  immediately after the reproducing apparatus  3  is powered on. When the reproducing apparatus  3  further receives a reproduction instruction that is input by the user, the microcomputer  121  reads track information # 1  from the media card  1  in accordance with track search pointer # 1  which is placed first in the default play list, and stores the read track information # 1  in the TKI storage area in the memory  122 . The microcomputer  121  transfers the AOB (AOB001.SA1) corresponding to track information # 1  (TKI# 1 ) to the descramble unit  129  or the decoder  130  via the memory  122 , one by one. The transferred audio information is converted to an analog audio signal by passing through the descramble unit  129  (only when the audio information has been encrypted), the decoder  130 , and the D/A converter  131  in sequence. 
   As the audio information starts being transferred, the microcomputer  121  reads the character information ranging from the start to the terminated code (00h) of the 1-byte character code from the track information that is stored in the memory  122 , reads the font data corresponding to the 1-byte character code from the font ROM  120 , and sequentially supplies the font data to the LCD unit  124  so that the characters are displayed on the LCD unit  124  to be scrolled horizontally, for example. 
     FIG. 13  shows a specific example of characters which are displayed on the LCD unit  124  while the audio information is being reproduced, where the LCD unit  124  is attached to a portable reproducing apparatus and is approximately as large as 24 hankaku characters×2 rows. Note that the number of characters changes depending on the type of the character font (e.g., a proportional font, or a monospaced font). 
   In  FIG. 13 , the reproduction elapse time of the currently reproduced track is displayed on the upper portion of the display screen, and the title, the artist, and the album title which are contained in the 1-byte character code sequence are repeatedly displayed on the lower portion, where the characters are scrolled horizontally. A mark is uniquely attached to each of the title, the artist, and the album title (★, ⋆, and ♦, respectively), and a delimiter mark ( ) is also attached to each of them. 
     FIG. 14  shows a specific example of a play list which is displayed on the LCD unit  124  that is attached to a portable reproducing apparatus. In  FIG. 14 , a character sequence of “playlist” is displayed on the upper portion of the display screen to show that the play list is being displayed. On the lower portion of the screen, the titles which are contained in the 1-byte character code sequence are repeatedly displayed, where the characters are scrolled horizontally. A mark (★) which is unique to the titles and the delimiter mark ( ) are also attached to each of the titles. 
   The above-described marks are displayed with the following construction. A table showing the correspondence between the items shown in  FIG. 11  and the marks on a one-to-one basis is stored in a memory which is contained by the microcomputer  121 . The microcomputer  121  controls the displays that are shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14  by referring to the table. 
     FIG. 15  shows a specific example of characters which are displayed on the LCD unit  124  while the audio information is being reproduced, where the LCD unit  124  is attached to a car-mounted type reproducing apparatus and is approximately as large as 48 hankaku characters×4 rows. In  FIG. 15 , in the fourth row from top, the items that are contained in the 1-byte character code corresponding to the audio information currently being reproduced are repeatedly displayed, where the characters are scrolled horizontally. A mark which is unique to each of the items (★, ⋆, ◯, ⊚, ▪, □, Δ, ∇, and #) and the delimiter mark ( ) are also attached to each of the items. 
   (2) Second Type Font ROM 
   The operation of reproducing audio information is the same as the first type and will not be described here. 
   At the same time the microcomputer  121  starts transferring the audio information, the microcomputer  121  reads the character information ranging from the start to the terminated code (0000h) of the 2-byte character code from the track information that is stored in the memory  122  by skipping the start to the terminated code (00h) of the 1-byte character code, reads the font data corresponding to the 2-byte character code from the font ROM  120 , and sequentially supplies the font data to the LCD unit  124  so that the characters are displayed on the LCD unit  124  to be scrolled horizontally, for example. 
     FIG. 16  shows a specific example of characters which are displayed on the LCD unit  124  while the audio information is being reproduced, where the LCD unit  124  is attached to a portable reproducing apparatus and is as large as 12 zenkaku characters×2 rows. 
   In  FIG. 17 , the reproduction elapse time of the currently reproduced track is displayed on the upper portion of the display screen, and the title, the artist, and the album title which are contained in the 2-byte character code are repeatedly displayed on the lower portion, where the characters are scrolled horizontally. A mark is uniquely attached to each of the title, the artist, and the album title (★, ⋆, and ♦, respectively), and a delimiter mark ( ) is also attached to each of them. 
     FIG. 17  shows a specific example of a play list which is displayed on the LCD unit  124  that is attached to a portable reproducing apparatus. In  FIG. 17 , a character sequence “PLAY LIST” is displayed on the upper portion of the display screen to show that the play list is being displayed. On the lower portion of the screen, the titles which are contained in the 2-byte character code sequence are repeatedly displayed, where the characters are scrolled horizontally. A mark (★) which is unique to the titles and the delimiter mark ( ) are also attached to each of the titles. 
   The above-described marks are displayed with the following construction. A table showing the correspondence between the items shown in  FIG. 11  and the marks on a one-to-one basis is stored in a memory which is contained by the microcomputer  121 . The microcomputer  121  controls the displays that are shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17  by referring to the table. 
     FIG. 18  shows a specific example of characters which are displayed on the LCD unit  124  while the audio information is being reproduced, where the LCD unit  124  is attached to a car-mounted type reproducing apparatus and is as large as 24 zenkaku characters×4 rows. 
   In  FIG. 18 , in the fourth row from top, the items which are contained in the 2-byte character code corresponding to the audio information currently reproduced are repeatedly displayed, where the characters are scrolled horizontally. A mark which is unique to each of the items (★, ⋆, ◯, ⊚, ▪, □, Δ, ∇, and #) and the delimiter mark ( ) are also attached to each of the items. 
   (3) Third Type Font ROM 
   When the font ROM is the third type, the user selects either the 1-byte character display or the 2-byte character display beforehand, and the microcomputer  121  stores the flag indicating the selected character display. The microcomputer  121  operates the same as the first type when the flag indicates the 1 byte character display, and operates the same as the second type when the flag indicates the 2-byte character display. 
   Detailed Display Process 
     FIGS. 19 and 20  are flowcharts showing the display process that is performed by the reproducing apparatus  3 . In  FIGS. 19 and 20 , it is supposed that the reproducing apparatus  3  contains a third type font ROM, and that the reproducing apparatus  3  performs a display process so as to achieve the display examples that are shown in  FIGS. 15 and 18 . 
   In  FIG. 19 , the microcomputer  121  in the reproducing apparatus  3  determines the type of the character information (TKTXTI_DA) (step  101 ). There are four types as follows. Type (a): the character information contains a 1-byte character code sequence and does not contain a 2-byte character code sequence. Type (b): the character information contains a 2-byte character code sequence and does not contain a 1-byte character code sequence. Type (c): the character information contains both a 1-byte character code sequence and a 2-byte character code sequence. Type (d): the character information contains neither a 1-byte character code sequence nor a 2-byte character code sequence. 
   More specifically, the microcomputer  121  reads out the text  1  attribute (TKI_TI 1 _ATR) and the text  2  attribute (TKI_TI 2 _ATR) shown in  FIG. 8 , and detects the type of the character information (TKTXTI_DA) from the combination of the contents of these attributes in accordance with the determination logic shown in  FIG. 21 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 21 , the microcomputer  121  judges the character information as: (1) type (a) when the text  1  attribute is not “00h” and the text  2  attribute is “00h”; (2) type (b) when the text  1  attribute is “00h” and the text  2  attribute is not “00h”; (3) type (c) when the text  1  attribute is not “00h” and the text  2  attribute is not “00h”; and (4) type (d) when the text  1  attribute is “00h” and the text  2  attribute is “00h”. 
   The microcomputer  121  determines whether characters should be displayed or not. When the microcomputer  121  determines that characters should be displayed, the microcomputer  121  determines which characters should be displayed, (i.e., 1-byte or 2-byte) (step  101 ). This decision is made based on the specification of either a 1-byte and 2-byte by the user and the determined type of the character information, and in accordance with the display type determination logic shown in  FIG. 22 . That is to say, as shown in  FIG. 22 , the microcomputer  121  determines: (1) to display 1-byte characters when the user specifies 1-byte characters and when the character information is type (a) or (c); (2) not to display characters (no display) when the user specifies 1-byte characters and when the character information is type (b) or (d); (3) to display 2-byte characters when the user specifies 2-byte characters and when the character information is type (b) or (c); and (4) not to display (no display) characters when the user specifies 2-byte characters and when the character information is type (a) or (d). 
   The microcomputer  121  ends the display process upon determining that characters are not to be displayed (step  102 ). The microcomputer  121  sets variable L to 1 upon determining that 1-byte characters are to be displayed, and sets variable L to 2 upon determining that 2-byte characters are to be displayed (steps  103  to  105 ). Note that the variable L shows an amount of data to be read out from the character information per one read-out. Note also that when the microcomputer  121  determines that characters are not to be displayed, the microcomputer  121  may end the display process after displaying “NO TITLE”, for example. 
   The microcomputer  121  specifies tags (TAG_Xi:i=1,2, . . . n) indicating the items to be displayed, in accordance with the kind of the characters, namely depending on whether they are 1 byte or 2-byte characters (step  106 ). The microcomputer  121  also sets the variable ADRS indicating a read-out address to the start address of the storage area which stores the character information (TKTXTI_DA) (step  106 ). More specifically, when L=1, the microcomputer  121  specifies tags 01h, 02h, . . . 14h (TAG_Xi:i=1h, 2h, . . . 14h) indicating the items shown in  FIG. 15 . On the other hand, when L=2, the microcomputer  121  specifies tags 0001h, 0002h, . . . 0014h (TAG_Xi:i=1h, 2h, . . . 14h) indicating the items shown in  FIG. 18 . 
   The microcomputer  121  generates display data in the work area in loop  1  (steps  108  to  118 ) as follows. 
   The microcomputer  121  reads out L bytes of data from a location to which the read-out address ADRS points, and updates the read-out address (ADRS=ADRS+L) (step  109 ). The microcomputer  121  then checks whether the read-out L bytes of data match any terminated code (step  110 ). The microcomputer  121  then checks whether the read-out L bytes of data match the tag TAG_Xi (step  112 ). By repeating this process, it is judged whether the tag TAG_Xi is stored in the character information storage area. When the tag TAG_Xi is stored, the storage address is detected. When the read-out L bytes of data match any terminated code, the microcomputer  121  sets the read-out address ADRS to the start address again since the tag TAG_Xi and the item corresponding to the tag are not recorded (step  111 ). The next tag TAG_Xi is then processed. 
   When the read-out L bytes of data match the tag TAG_Xi, it means that an item corresponding to the tag TAG_Xi is recorded. As a result, the microcomputer  121  stores a mark corresponding to the item into the work area (step  113 ). For example, mark ★ representing “title” corresponds to the tag 01h or 0001h. 
   The microcomputer  121  repeats reading out L bytes of data, updating the read-out address ADRS (step  114 ), and storing the read-out L bytes of data into the work area (step  116 ) until the other kind of tag or any terminated code is read out (step  115 ). Through the above-described steps, an item corresponding to the tag TAG_Xi that has matched the read-out L bytes of data is stored in the work area. 
   The microcomputer  121  then stores a delimiter mark ( ) into the work area (step  117 ). With this step, display data which is related to one tag TAG_Xi has been stored in the work area. After this, the microcomputer  121  repeats the steps  109  to  117  for each value of the tag TAG_Xi. 
   After the above-described process in loop  1  ends, the microprocessor  121  instructs the LCD unit  124  to display the display data that is stored in the work area, scrolling the data on the screen (step  119 ).  FIGS. 15 and 18  show examples of screens which is displayed by the LCD unit  124  when L=1 and L=2, respectively. 
   Note that in step  100 , the microcomputer  121  may determine the type of the character information (TKTXTI_DA) based on the storage positions of the first terminated code “00h” and the second terminated code “0000h”. The storage positions are classified into four patterns as shown in  FIGS. 23A to 23D .  FIG. 24  is a flowchart showing this kind of type judgement process. In  FIG. 24 , the microcomputer  121  searches the storage positions of the first and second terminated codes (step  121 ), and sets the addresses indicating the storage positions to ADR_T 1  and ADR_T 2 , respectively (step  122 ). The microcomputer  121  checks whether ADR_T 1  matches the start address of the character information storage area (step  123 ). The microcomputer  121  then checks whether ADR_T 1  and ADR_T 2  are adjacent (steps  124 ,  127 ), and determines the type of the character information (TKTXTI_DA), which is one of the types (a) to (d) (steps  125  to  130 ). 
   In  FIGS. 19 and 20 , it is supposed that the reproducing apparatus  3  contains a third type font ROM. For the reproducing apparatus  3  containing a first type font ROM, the flowcharts shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20  may be used by modifying the flowcharts as follows: when the judgement result in step  103  is L=2, control goes to the end of the process, in the same way as when the judgement result is “no display”. For the reproducing apparatus  3  containing a second type font ROM, the flowcharts shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20  may be used by modifying the flowcharts as follows: when the judgement result in step  103  is L=1, control goes to the end of the process, in the same way as when the judgement result is “no display”. 
   In the display type determination logic shown in  FIG. 22 , the microcomputer  121  determines not to display (no display) characters when the user specifies 2-byte characters and when the character information is type (a) or (d). However, when the character information is type (a) in the same condition, 1-byte characters may be displayed. In the determination logic shown in  FIG. 22 , the microcomputer  121  determines not to display (no display) characters when the user specifies 1-byte characters and when the character information is type (b) or (d). However, when the character information is type (b) in the same condition, 2 byte characters may be displayed. These variations are, of course, based on the premise that the font ROM prestores a font for the specified character type. 
   Construction of the Recording/Reproducing Apparatus 
     FIG. 25  is a block diagram showing the construction of the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  of  FIG. 1 . The recording/reproducing apparatus  2  includes a communication interface unit  132 , a memory  133 , a hard disk  134 , a display  135 , a keyboard  136 , a mouse  137 , a CPU  138 , a card interface unit  139 , a scramble unit  140 , an encoding/decoding unit  141 , an A/D converter  142 , and a D/A converter  143 . 
   The hardware construction including the communication interface unit  132 , memory  133 , hard disk  134 , display  135 , keyboard  136 , mouse  137 , and CPU  138  is the same as that of typical personal computers, and will not be described here, but the construction will be described centering on the units as they are related to the media card  1 . 
   In  FIG. 25 , the communication interface unit  132  is a communication circuit such as a modem or a TA and is connected to the music provider  7  via a telephone line or the Internet. 
   The memory  133  stores various programs such as a program for downloading audio information and character information from the music provider  7 , a program for writing/reading audio information and character information to/from the media card  1 , a program for reproducing the audio information which has been inserted into the memory  133 , and a program for generating or editing audio information and character information. 
   The hard disk  134  stores audio information, character information, and various programs as files, where the audio information and the character information to be stored are downloaded from the music provider  7  or are newly generated. 
   The CPU  138  executes various programs which are stored in the memory  133  and controls the downloading of audio information and character information from the music provider  7 , the recording of audio information and character information onto the media card  1 , the reproduction of audio information and character information that are included in the media card  1 , and the generating and editing of audio information and character information. 
   The card interface unit  139  is achieved by, for example, a card slot in which a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) is inserted, where the media card  1  is inserted into and/or removed from the card slot. 
   The scramble unit  140  is composed of a scrambler and a descrambler for encrypting and decrypting audio information by using an encryption key. That is to say, the scramble unit  140 , for reproduction, receives encrypted audio information from the media card  1  or the hard disk  134 , and descrambles the received audio information. The scramble unit  140  also receives non-encrypted audio information from the hard disk  134  or the encoding/decoding unit  141 , and scrambles the received audio information. Here, for reproduction, the encryption key is read from the protected area in the media card  1  when the mutual authentication between the media card  1  and the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  has been completed affirmatively. For recording, the encryption key is downloaded from the music provider together with the audio information, and the encryption key is written to the protected area in the media card  1  when the above-described mutual authentication has completed affirmatively. 
   The encoding/decoding unit  141  is composed of an encoder and a decoder for compressing and decompressing audio information. That is to say, the encoding/decoding unit  141 , for reproduction, receives non-encrypted audio information from the media card  1 , the scramble unit  140 , or the hard disk  134 , decodes (decompresses) the received audio information, and outputs audio signals via the D/A converter  143 . For generating new audio information, the encoding/decoding unit  141  receives non-compressed digital audio data (such as PCM data) from the A/D converter  142  or the hard disk  134 , and encodes (compresses) the audio data. 
   The operation of the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  as constructed in the above-described manner will be described. 
   It is presumed herein that the music provider  7  is a dealer who distributes contents containing audio information and character information to clients via what is called a WWW server (World Wide Web) that is provided on the Internet. 
   The recording/reproducing apparatus  2  downloads data as follows. The recording/reproducing apparatus  2  receives a group of distributed AOBs from the WWW server of the music provider  7  (or a distribution service) in a certain distribution format which is defined by the music provider (the distribution service), and stores the received AOBs into the user data area in the media card  1  after converting the AOBs by the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  to another data format, for example, as shown in  FIG. 6A . When the group of AOBs are encrypted, the recording/reproducing apparatus further downloads a key and stores the downloaded key into the protected area after converting the key by the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  to a data format, for example, as shown in  FIG. 6B . 
   When downloading a group of AOBs when the music provider  7  provides the character information, the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  also downloads and stores the character information in the user data area as the character information (TKTXTI_DA) in the track information corresponding to the AOBs. 
   When the music provider  7  does not provide the character information, the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  generates and edits the character information in accordance with instructions which are input by the user, and stores the character information in the user data area. 
   As one example, the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  may display a character information generation/editing window on the screen, where the window includes an input box for each tag to receive character inputs from the user. Since the storage area for storing the character information (TKTXTI_DA) has a fixed length (256 bytes), the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  generates and edits the character information by taking care not to exceed the fixed length, and stores the character information in the storage area. 
   When generating and editing the character information, the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  may determine the type of tag (1-byte or 2-byte) and either the first data or the second data in accordance with the type of the character codes that are input by the user (1-byte character codes or 2-byte character codes). 
   The reproduction operation of the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  is the same as that of the reproducing apparatus  3  and will not be described here. 
   As understood from the above description, the media card  1  of the present embodiment stores character information by showing a correspondence with audio information, where the character information includes: the first data composed of a 1-byte character code sequence; and the second data composed of a 2-byte character code sequence. With this construction, it is possible for reproducing apparatuses to properly display character information whether the reproducing apparatuses have fonts for 1 byte character codes or fonts for 2-byte character codes. 
   The area for recording character information is used efficiently due to the construction in which each of the first and second data is composed of tags and character code sequences which are arranged alternately, where the tags indicate the types of items and the character code sequences indicating the contents of the items. 
   It is easy to add, delete, or edit character information in accordance with the addition, deletion, or editing of audio information due to the construction in which a storage area with a size (256 bytes) which is less than the size of one sector is allocated to each piece of character information corresponding to a piece of audio information. 
   In the above-described embodiment, the media card  1  is inserted into the card slot of the recording/reproducing apparatus  2 . However, the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  may be connected, through cables such as a so-called USB (Universal Serial Bus), to the reproducing apparatus  3  into which the media card  1  has been inserted so that the recording/reproducing apparatus  2  can write data to the media card  1 . 
   The 2-byte character code sequences may include 3-byte character codes although it depends on the types of the character code. 
   In the above-described embodiment, simple marks are used as shown in  FIGS. 13 to 18  for the sake of convenience. However, icons may be used instead. 
   The microcomputer  121  of the reproducing apparatus may identify the (a) to (c) as shown below by judging from the correlation between the starting position of character information in the storage area, the storage position of the terminated code “00h” of the first data, and the storage position of the terminated code “0000h” of the second data, and allow the display unit to display the character code sequence that is indicated by the judgement result: (a) the text information includes a 1-byte character code sequence; (b) the text information includes a 2-byte character code sequence; and (c) the text information includes a 1-byte character code sequence and a 2-byte character code sequence. 
   The present invention has been fully described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being included therein.