Apparatus and method for recording and reproducing information

Abstract

When recording operation is stopped due to, for example, unexpected interruption of electric power supply in the course of the recording operation on a real time basis, a technique of repairing a moving picture and sound data recorded on a recording medium until the recording is stopped, to thereby restore management information data which enables random access and special reproduction is provided. A video/audio/management information multiplexing means is so implemented as to generate data required for generating management information data for allowing random access to the recording medium and effectuating special reproduction of the recording medium, for thereby multiplexing the data required for generating the management information data, encoded video data outputted from a video encoding means and encoded audio data outputted from an audio encoding means.

1 - 31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . An information storage apparatus for storing information, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first storage unit configured to store a moving picture or a still picture;    a second storage unit configured to store management information corresponding to said moving picture or still picture stored in said first storage unit;    a third storage unit configured to store an access status to said first storage unit and said second storage unit; and    a processing unit configured to: 
 analyze the moving picture or the still picture stored in said first storage unit based at least on information stored in said third storage unit indicative of whether the moving picture or the still picture is stored,  
 delete the management information stored in said second storage unit based at least on information in said third storage unit indicative of whether the moving picture or the still picture is edited, and  
 modify the management information in accordance with the moving picture or the still picture stored said first storage unit.  
   
   
   
       33 . An information storing apparatus set forth in  claim 32 , further comprising a fourth storage unit configured to store a backup of said management information, wherein said processing unit is further configured to: 
 repair the information stored in said first and second storage units based at least on information stored in said fourth storage unit when information indicative of whether the management information is stored exists in said third storage unit,    modify the information stored in said second storage unit based at least on the information stored in said fourth storage unit when information indicative of whether the management information is edited exists in said third storage unit, and    modify the information stored in said fourth storage unit based at least on the management information stored in said second storage unit if information indicative of whether the backup of the management information is executed exists in said third storage unit.    
   
   
       34 . An information storage apparatus set forth in  claim 32 , wherein said management information stored in said second storage unit is stored in said first storage unit after the corresponding moving picture or still picture is stored in said first storage unit.  
   
   
       35 . An information storage apparatus set forth in  claim 32 , 
 wherein the information stored in said first storage unit includes one or more units with each unit comprising a plurality of packs, and    wherein said processing unit is further configured to erase a unit including a pack containing a defect if said pack containing the defect is erased, and modify the management information to include information that said unit is erased.    
   
   
       36 . An information storage apparatus set forth in  claim 32 , wherein the information stored in said first storage unit includes a series of objects including a first unit, a second unit and a third unit, and wherein said processing unit is further configured to modify the information stored in said first storage unit or said second storage unit so that said first unit and said third unit are independent from each other if said second unit is erased.  
   
   
       37 . An information storage apparatus for storing information, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first storage unit configured to store a moving picture or a still picture;    a second storage unit configured to store management information corresponding to said moving picture or still picture stored in said first storage unit; and    a third storage unit configured to store an access status to said first storage unit and said second storage unit;    wherein said third storage unit is further configured to store information indicative of whether the moving picture or the still picture is stored, information indicative of whether the management information is stored in said second storage unit, information indicative of whether the moving picture or the still picture is edited, information indicative of whether the management information is edited, and information indicative of whether backup of the management information is executed.    
   
   
       38 . An information storage apparatus set forth in  claim 37 , wherein said third storage memory comprises nonvolatile memory.  
   
   
       39 . An information storage apparatus set forth in  claim 37 , wherein the management information stored in said second storage unit is stored in said first storage unit after the moving picture or the still picture corresponding to said management information is stored in said first storage unit.  
   
   
       40 . An information storage apparatus for storing information, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first storage unit configured to store a moving picture or a still picture;    a second storage unit configured to store management information corresponding to said moving picture or still picture stored in said first storage unit; and    a third storage unit configured to store an access status to said first storage unit and said second storage unit;    wherein said third storage unit is further configured to store, as information different from one another, information indicative of whether the moving picture or the still picture is stored, information indicative of whether the management information is stored in said second storage unit, information indicative of whether the moving picture or the still picture is edited, information indicative of whether the management information is edited, and information indicative of whether backup of the management information is executed.