Reproducing apparatus

Abstract

In a reproduction apparatus ( 100 A), an information signal generation unit (Pa) generates a first information signal (Sav) from a recording medium ( 11 ). An information signal input unit ( 1, 8 a ) inputs a second information signal (Stv) which is provided from an external information source via a requested channel. When switching between the information signals, a control unit ( 8 a ) stores the current state of reproduction, so that reproduction will be restarted from the stored state when switching back to the original information signal.

1 . A reproduction apparatus for, in accordance with a user selection, selectively switching for reproduction between first information which is read from an internal recording medium and second information which is distributed from an externally-provided information source on a plurality of channels, comprising: 
 information signal generation means for reading the first information from the recording medium to generate a first information signal,    information signal input means for specifying a requested channel to the information source, and inputting a second information signal in response to the second information provided on the specified channel,    selection signal generation means for generating a selection signal representing a user selection in accordance with a user manipulation,    information signal selection means for selecting either one of the first and second information signals in response to the selection signal,    information reproduction means for reproducing information from the first or second information signal selected by the information signal selection means, and    information reproduction control means for controlling how to start reproduction of the first and second information when the information signals are switched for reproduction based on the selection signal,    wherein the information reproduction control means comprises: 
 readout position storage means for storing a readout position of the first information on the recording medium,  
 channel storage means for storing a requested channel as specified to the information source by the information signal input means,  
 first control means for, if the first information is selected by the selection signal, causing the channel storage means to store the requested channel as currently specified to the information source by the information signal input means, and controlling the information signal generation means to read the first information from the readout position stored in the readout position storage means, and  
 second control means for, if the second information is selected by the selection signal, causing the readout position storage means to store a position at which the information signal generation means is currently reading out the first information, and controlling the information signal input means to specify the requested channel stored in the channel storage means to the information source.  
   
     
     
         2 . The reproduction apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the information reproduction control means further comprises third control means for stopping the information signal generation means if the second information is selected by the selection signal.  
     
     
         3 . The reproduction apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the information reproduction control means further comprises fourth control means for reactivating the stopped information signal generation means if the first information is again selected by the selection signal.  
     
     
         4 . The reproduction apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the channel storage means stores an initially-set channel, and 
 if the second information is selected by the selection signal for a first time, the second control means specifies the initially-set channel to the information source.    
     
     
         5 . The reproduction apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the recording medium is an optical disk, and the information signal generation means comprises: 
 disk data reading means for reading data from recording surface of the optical disk, and    AV decoder means for converting the read data into a video/audio signal to generate the first information signal,    wherein the stopping and restarting of activation of the disk data reading means is controlled by the third control means and the fourth control means.    
     
     
         6 . The reproduction apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the information signal generation means further comprises screen saver output means for displaying a still image, and 
 the information reproduction control means comprises fifth control means for, if pausing of reproduction of the first information is selected by the selection signal, stopping the disk data reading means and causing the screen saver output means to output a screen saver video signal instead of the first information signal.    
     
     
         7 . The reproduction apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the information signal generation means comprises: 
 data structure determination means for determining from the read data whether the data recorded on the optical disk is of a single sequential structure or a multi-sequential structure, and    data structure storage means for storing a result of the determination,    wherein the information reproduction control means further comprises: 
 sixth control means for, if a multi-sequential structure is determined, prohibiting the first control means from controlling the information signal generation means to read the first information from a readout position stored in the readout position storage means.  
   
     
     
         8 . The reproduction apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising driving power source means for supplying driving power to the information signal generation means, wherein the third control means comprises power supply stoppage means for controlling the driving power source means to stop supplying driving power.  
     
     
         9 . The generation apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 timer means for measuring a predetermined period of time since the second information is selected by the selection signal, and    power supply stoppage delaying means for delaying the operation of the power supply stoppage means until the predetermined period of time elapses.    
     
     
         10 . The reproduction apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the driving power source means comprises: 
 driving power generation means for generating the driving power from main power which is supplied from externally-provided main power source means, and    a main power supply switch for coupling the driving power generation means to the main power source means so as to supply main power, wherein    the third control means comprises main power supply stoppage means for controlling the main power supply switch to stop supplying the main power.    
     
     
         11 . The generation apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 timer means for measuring a predetermined period of time since the second information is selected by the selection signal, and    main power supply stoppage delaying means for delaying the operation of the main power supply stoppage means until the predetermined period of time elapses.    
     
     
         12 . The reproduction apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the information signal generation means further comprises: 
 screen saver output means for displaying a still image,    data structure determination means for determining from the read data whether the data data recorded on the optical disk is of a single sequential structure or a multi-sequential structure, and    data structure storage means for storing a result of the determination,    wherein the information reproduction control means further comprises: 
 fifth control means for, if pausing of reproduction of the first information is selected by the selection signal, stopping the disk data reading means and causing the screen saver output means to output a screen saver video signal instead of the first information signal, and  
 sixth control means for, if a multi-sequential structure is determined, prohibiting the first control means from controlling the information signal generation means to read the first information from a readout position stored in the readout position storage means.  
   
     
     
         13 . The reproduction apparatus according to  claim 12 , further comprising driving power source means for supplying driving power to the information signal generation means, wherein the third control means comprises power supply stoppage means for controlling the driving power source means to stop supplying driving power.  
     
     
         14 . The generation apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 timer means for measuring a predetermined period of time since the second information is selected by the selection signal, and    power supply stoppage delaying means for delaying the operation of the power supply stoppage means until the predetermined period of time elapses.    
     
     
         15 . The reproduction apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the driving power source means comprises: 
 driving power generation means for generating the driving power from main power which is supplied from externally-provided main power source means, and    a main power supply switch for coupling the driving power generation means to the main power source means so as to supply main power, wherein    the third control means comprises main power supply stoppage means for controlling the main power supply switch to stop supplying the main power.    
     
     
         16 . The generation apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 timer means for measuring a predetermined period of time since the second information is selected by the selection signal, and    main power supply stoppage delaying means for delaying the operation of the main power supply stoppage means until the predetermined period of time elapses.