KR100618429B1 - Method and apparatus for managing parental level of optical disc - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for managing a parental level of an optical disc, wherein the user can set a parental level for a data stream recorded on a rewritable optical disc or a write once optical disc. It is possible to record and manage the parental level as navigation information for the optical disc. In addition, the present invention allows a user to more conveniently set or change a parental level for a data stream recorded on an optical disc, and refer to a parental level recorded and managed on an optical disc to set a data stream of an adult program for children or adolescents. Effectively prevent unauthorized viewing and playback. In the present invention, it is possible to confirm whether the parental grade code, the supplemental parental grade code, or the parental code has been generated using the parental management information provided in advance by the user. You can check whether the code has been changed illegally.

Optical disc, parental level, OSD menu, parental management information, parental code

Description

Method and apparatus for managing parental level of optical discs {Method and apparatus for managing parental level of optical disc}             

1 shows a configuration of an optical disc apparatus for managing a parallel level of an optical disc according to the present invention.

2 illustrates a process of setting a parallel level of an optical disc according to the present invention,

3 illustrates an embodiment in which the parental management information according to the present invention is recorded in a real time recording video manager of a video recording method;

4 illustrates an embodiment in which the parental management information according to the present invention is recorded in a stream recording method of a real time recording stream manager;

5 illustrates a process of changing a parallel level of an optical disk according to the present invention,

6 illustrates an embodiment of an information management control method for managing a parallel level of an optical disc according to the present invention.

※ Explanation of code for main part of drawing

10: optical disc 11: optical pickup

12: VDR system 13: encoder

14: decoder 15: OSD generator

16: micom 17: memory
120: recording processor 121: playback processor

The present invention relates to recording and managing data, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for managing the parallel level of an optical disc.

In general, an optical disc capable of recording and storing a large amount of digital data, for example, an optical disc of a CD (Compact Disc) series has a recording capacity of about 650 MBytes, and an optical disc of a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) series A recording capacity of about 4.7 GBytes, and an optical disc of the Blu-ray Disc (BD) series, which is being recently developed and promoted, has a recording capacity of about 23 GBytes or more. In a general optical disc device such as a disc player, a digital data stream recorded on a read-only optical disc can be read and played.

Further, the user can record desired video audio data on a rewritable optical disc or a write once optical disc through an optical disc apparatus such as a disc recorder. In the optical disk apparatus, high-definition and high-definition video and audio data to be reproduced can be viewed through a screen or an external screen connected to the outside, such as a television.

On the other hand, when the user records the data stream of the adult program on the optical disc by using an optical disc device such as a disc recorder, in order to prevent children or adolescents from playing and watching the data stream of the adult program recorded on the optical disc without permission. However, it is necessary to record and manage parallel level information. However, for example, in the DVD-Video Recording Format or the DVD-Stream Recording Format, a specific parental level management method has not yet been provided.

In the BD recording system, after setting a prohibition flag for each program or title, the program or title can be played only when the user inputs a preset password. Although a regeneration control scheme has been discussed, a specific parental level management scheme has not yet been prepared.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for managing the parental level of an optical disk.

Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for managing a parallel level of an optical disc capable of recording and managing the parallel level as appropriate navigation information on the optical disc.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a method for managing a parallel level of an optical disc, which allows a user to selectively specify or change a parallel code for a data stream recorded on an optical disc such as a rewritable optical disc or a write once optical disc. And providing a device.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for managing a parental level of an optical disc, which enables to check a parental grade and generate a new parental grade based on the check result.

Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for managing a parallel level of an optical disc, which can generate and record information indicating the generation of a modified parallel grade code.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to generate and record information for indicating the generation of a new parental grade code, at least any of the information indicating the generation of the new parental grade code and the new parental grade code A method and apparatus for managing a parallel level of an optical disc capable of displaying a message including information corresponding to one.

In the method for managing a parental level of an optical disc according to the present invention for achieving the above object, a first parental code for controlling parental viewing is detected as a parental code corresponding to a video signal, and the first panel When the run code is not detected, a second parent code is generated as the parent code, and information indicating the generation of the second parent code is generated, and the second parent code and the information generated as described above are generated. Record it.

Further, the recording medium according to the present invention is adapted to store a first memory area configured to store a video signal, a parallel code configured to control parental viewing to a video program in the video signal and to be updated by a command. And a third memory area configured to store state information indicating an update of the parental code.

In addition, the apparatus for managing a parallel level of an optical disc according to the present invention includes a detector for detecting a first parallel code as a parallel code corresponding to a video signal, and the first parallel code together with the video signal. And a parental code generator that generates a second parental code as the parental code when not provided.

Further, the optical disc player according to the present invention is adapted to store a first memory area configured to store a video signal, a parallel code configured to control parental viewing to a video program in the video signal and to be updated by a command. A second memory region configured to be configured, and detecting a first parallel code as a parallel code corresponding to a video signal and generating a second parallel code as the parallel code when the first parallel code is not detected. It is configured to include a controller.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a method and apparatus for managing a parallel level of an optical disc according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a configuration of an optical disc apparatus for managing a parental level according to the present invention. For example, an optical disc device such as a disc recorder includes an optical pickup 11, a video disc recorder (VDR) system 12, an encoder 13, a decoder 14, and an on screen display generator 15. , The microcomputer 16, the memory 17, and the like.

Meanwhile, the VDR system 12 may include a recording processor 120 and a playback processor 121 for recording data, and the encoder 13 may input audio and video signals from the outside. Is converted into digital data suitable for recording, and the decoder 14 converts reproduced audio and video data into analog audio and video signals that can be accommodated by an external peripheral device such as a television or a speaker. ) Stores OSD graphic images corresponding to various user selection menus.

In addition, the microcomputer 16 controls the operation of the recording processor 120 of the VDR system to perform the data recording operation, when the data recording operation is terminated or the user request, the memory 17 to the memory 17 Among the stored OSD graphic images, the OSD graphic image corresponding to the user setting menu is read. The microcomputer 16 outputs the read OSD graphic image to the OSD generation unit 15, controls the operation of the OSD generation unit 15, and controls the operation of the OSD graphic image of the user setting menu. Is displayed on the screen of an external peripheral device such as a television via the VDR system 12.

The operation of the optical disk device will now be described. According to the control of the microcomputer 16, as shown in FIG. 2, various user setting menus such as Video, Audio, Subtitle, Playback Control, etc. are set. Menu) items are displayed on the screen (OS 10).

In addition, when the user selects a playback control menu item from the OSD graphic image, the microcomputer 16 controls the operation of the OSD generation unit 15 to control a password and a country code ( This will display an OSD graphic image on the screen, including country code, parental level control, etc. (Step 11).

In the microcomputer 16, when the user selects and selects the parental level control menu item, the microcomputer 16 controls the operation of the OSD generator 15 so that the user can select and designate any one parental level. An OSD graphic image containing the level selection items of the item is displayed on the screen (Step 12).

In the microcomputer 16, when the user designates an arbitrary one level selection item, a guide for confirming whether to set the specified parental level as parental management information for controlling the reproduction of the data stream of the program or title is given. It will display the OS graphic image of the message (Step 13).

The user may set the designated parental level as the parental management information for the data stream of the corresponding program or title. When the user sets the parental management information, the microcomputer 16 stores the code value of the designated parental level as navigation information suitable for the optical disk.

In the embodiment of the present invention, for example, when the type of the optical disc is a rewritable DVD (DVD-RW) to which a Video Recording method is applied, as shown in FIG. In the RTR_VMG: Real Time Recording Video Manager, a parental manager information table (PTL_MAIT) is newly defined and additionally recorded. In the parental manager information table PTL_MAIT, the parental management information PTL_MAI corresponding to the code value of the parental level designated by the user is recorded and managed.

The parental management information search pointer (PTL_MAI_SRP) for recording the parental management information (PTL_MAI) is recorded and managed, and general management information such as the number of the parental management information items is recorded in the parental manager. It is recorded and managed as information table information (PTL_MAITI: PTL_MAIT Information).

Meanwhile, in another embodiment of the present invention, for example, when the type of the optical disc is a rewritable DVD (DVD-RW) to which a stream recording method is applied, as shown in FIG. 4, real time recording In the stream manager (RTR_SMG: Real Time Recording Stream Manager), a parental manager information table (PTL_MAIT) is newly defined and additionally recorded. In the parental manager information table PTL_MAIT, the parental management information PTL_MAI corresponding to the code value of the parental level designated by the user is recorded and managed.

The parental management information search pointer (PTL_MAI_SRP) for recording the parental management information (PTL_MAI) is recorded and managed, and general management information such as the number of the parental management information items is recorded in the parental manager. Recording management is performed as information table information (PTL_MAITI).

Therefore, when the user requests playback of any one program or title while the optical disc on which the parental management information is recorded and managed by the above process is seated on the optical disc device such as a disc player or a disc recorder, the optical disc device With reference to the parental management information recorded in the parental manager information table (PTL_MAIT), a parental lock operation may be performed to prevent children or adolescents from unauthorized playing the data stream of the adult program. Will be.

For example, if the parental level for any program requested to be played by the user is set to the parental level corresponding to an adult program, the user will be prompted to enter the password and the program will be executed only if the password is valid. If it is not valid, a message indicating that the reproduction is impossible is output.

Meanwhile, the parental management information recorded and managed through the above process may be changed to another level at the request of the user. 5 shows a process of changing the parallel level of an optical disc according to the present invention. The method of FIG. 5 can be applied to the optical disk device of FIG. 1 and is described together with the optical disk device of FIG. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the microcomputer 16 controls the operation of the playback processor 121 of the VDR system and, if there is a user's request while performing a data reproducing operation, moves from the memory 17. The OSD graphic image corresponding to the user setting menu is read.

The microcomputer 16 outputs the read OSD graphic image to the OSD generation unit 15, controls the operation of the OSD generation unit 15, and controls the operation of the OSD graphic image of the user setting menu. Is displayed on the screen of an external peripheral device such as a television via the VDR system 12.

As shown in FIG. 5, an OSD graphic image including various user setting menu items such as video, audio, subtitle, and playback control is displayed on the screen according to the operation control of the microcomputer 16 (Step). 20). In addition, when the user selects and specifies a playback control menu item through the OSD graphic image, the microcomputer 16 controls an operation of the OSD generation unit 15 to control a password, a country code, and a parental control. An OSD graphic image, including level controls, is displayed on the screen (Step 21).

In addition, when the user selects and selects the parental level control menu item, the microcomputer 16 operates and controls the OSD generating unit 15 so that the user can change and specify any one parental level. An OSD graphic image including a plurality of level selection items is displayed on the screen. In this case, the already set parental level may be displayed in the OSD graphic image by being divided into a highlight or an arbitrary color (Step 22).

When the user designates any one level selection item, the microcomputer 16 confirms whether to change the designated parental level as parental management information for controlling the reproduction of the data stream of the program or title. To display the graphic image of the OS message (Step 23).

Subsequently, when the user changes the designated parental level to the parental management information, the microcomputer 16 converts the code value of the changed parental level into navigation information suitable for the optical disc, for example, a real time recording video manager. It is updated and stored as the parental management information (PTL_MAI) in the (RTR_VMG) or the real-time recording stream manager (RTR_SMG).

Therefore, when the user requests playback of any one program or title while the optical disc on which the parental management information is changed and recorded through the above process is seated on the optical disc device such as a disc player or a disc recorder, the optical disc device may With reference to the parental management information updated and recorded in the parental manager information table (PTL_MAIT), a parental locking operation can be performed to prevent children or teenagers from unauthorized playing the data stream of the adult program. do.

For example, if the parental level corresponding to any one program requested to be played by the user is set to the parental level corresponding to an adult program, the user is required to enter a password so that the program only if the password is valid. If it is not valid, it will output a message informing you that it cannot be played.

On the other hand, the OSD image for setting and changing the parental level may be automatically displayed before the data recording operation or before the data reproducing operation, and the parental level setting operation may include valid information (eg, valid information). It can be limited to be implemented only when a password) is entered.

In addition, since the parental level is slightly different for each country, the parental level values corresponding to the country code designated by the user are displayed so that the parental level setting operation for the corresponding country is performed.

However, when the parental management information is updated and recorded in the parental manager information table or the like, it may be inconvenient for the optical disk device. The optical disc apparatus may also use a method (for example, password comparison) for authenticating input information for releasing a prohibition flag. In addition, there may be no specific code corresponding to the parental lock code.

Also, whether the input video signal includes a parental grade code or a supplemental parental grade code, or the parental code is generated using the parental management information provided by the user in advance. There is no suggestion to confirm that the Thus, unless a current rating code is identified in a Setup Menu or the like that certifies an authenticated user, an authenticated user, such as an adult, may also be assigned a preset rating code (eg, provided by the user or provided by the manufacturer). Run-time lock code) may be unknowingly or unverifiable.

6 illustrates an embodiment of an information management control method for managing a parallel level of an optical disc according to the present invention. The method of FIG. 6 may be applied to the optical disk device of FIG. 1 and is described together with the optical disk device of FIG. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 6, a recording medium on which a plurality of pieces of information are stored may be seated in the optical disc device. Program, etc. The operation of the optical disc apparatus with respect to a program (for example, a recording medium) will now be described.

When the source data is provided (for example, when a recording medium is selected), one of a plurality of titles or programs is selected and reproduced. The selected title goes through a process of checking whether a first parental grade code for controlling a parental view is included. The first parent grade code may be information received from a video signal input from an external source or may be associated with a video signal input from an external source. The first parent grade code may be information corresponding to the video signal or may be provided together with the video signal. Then, the first parental grade code is preset and stored in the recording area of the memory or the recording medium.

If the parental level code is not included in the provided source data, a process of setting a parental code or level may be performed by the user. For example, the second parental grade code may be generated as a default value such as an adult grade by a predetermined command based on the first parental grade code detection result. Alternatively, the second parental grade code may be generated with a value set by a user based on the detection result. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the second parental grade code may be generated and added to information even after the first parental grade code is detected.

Through the above-described process, the parental code such as PC # 1, PC # 2, ..., PC #n can be set for a plurality of titles before playback or recording by the optical disk device. Thus, reproduction or recording of the program content can be controlled by changing parental control level or parental management level information such as a password for access.

In addition, information for indicating generation of the second parental grade code may also be generated. Advantageously, the generated information (eg, Final Changed Data of the Parental Code) is sufficient to manage and monitor authorized and unauthorized use, modification or access. It can also refer to a history or a time interval. Thus, using the generated information, tracking of the parental code, such as changed, added, or the like, can be automatically performed.

The generated information (eg, Final_C_D # 1, Final_C_D # 1, .., Final_C_D #n) indicating generation of the second parental grade code may be maintained by the optical disk device. In other words, it is preferable that the generated information is recorded with respect to the information indicating the generation of the second parental grade code and the second parental grade code. For example, the generated information may be stored in the recording medium itself or in the memory of the device.

The information indicating the generation of the second parental grade code and the second parental grade code may be recorded either alone or together with the optical disc apparatus or the recording medium. For example, a first storage area is provided for recording a video signal, and a second storage area is a parental code (e.g., the second parental grade code and / or the first for controlling parental viewing). Second parent grade code), and a third storage area may be provided for recording information for indicating update of the parental grade code or the like. Preferably, the parental grade code can be updated by a command. In addition, data stored in the third storage area may be displayed in the same process as data in the second storage area.

The generated information may be time information such as a time stamp in which the second parallel grade code is generated. Alternatively, the generated information may indicate an authentication user or an authentication device.

Preferably, the generated information is provided by being displayed on the screen for a predetermined time before or while the video program is played. The generated information may be displayed through a message including information corresponding to at least one of information indicating the generation of the second parent grade code and the second parent grade code. In addition, the generated information may be provided through the OSD graphic image at the request of the user.

As described above, the parallel grade code may be generated in a video program unit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the parental grade code may be generated in units of devices that play the video program or in units of identifiable sources (eg, video sources).

Preferred embodiments of the present invention described above have been disclosed for the purpose of illustration, and those skilled in the art will improve, change, and substitute various other embodiments within the technical spirit and the technical scope of the present invention disclosed in the appended claims below. Or addition may be possible.

The method and apparatus for managing a parental level of an optical disk according to the present invention constituted and configured as described above enables the user to more conveniently set or change a parental level for a data stream recorded on an optical disk, and also manages recording on an optical disk. By referring to the parental level, the data stream of the adult program can be effectively prevented from being played by children or teenagers without permission. In addition, the method and apparatus for managing a parental level of an optical disc according to the present invention enables an authenticated user to check warning or status information related to access or modification of a parental grade code set by a user.

Claims (31)

Detecting a first parental code for controlling the parental viewing as a parental code corresponding to the video signal; When the first parental code is not detected, generating a second parental code as the parental code; Generating information indicating generation of the second parallel code; And And recording the generated second parallel code and the information. The method of claim 1, And wherein the first parallel code is received together with the video data received from an external source and associated with the video data. The method of claim 1, And the first parallel code is recorded in a recordable medium or a memory of an optical disc player. The method of claim 1, And said second parent code is generated with a default value based on the detection result. The method of claim 4, wherein And wherein the basic value corresponds to one of a source of the video signal, a channel, an actor, or a title of the video signal. The method of claim 1, And the second parallel code is generated at a value set by a user based on the detection result. The method of claim 1, And the first and second parallel codes are generated in units of a video program, a recording medium, or an optical disc player for playing the video program. The method of claim 7, wherein And a plurality of video programs included in the optical disc. The method of claim 7, wherein And a single parallel code level in the optical disc player. The method of claim 1, And the information is time information indicating when the second parallel code was generated. The method of claim 1, It further comprises the step of displaying a message containing the information, Wherein the information is at least one of a level of the second parent code, text indicating the generation of the second parent code, and time information indicating when the second parent code was generated. How to manage your parental level. The method of claim 11, Displaying the message, And displaying the message for a predetermined time before the video program is played, and displaying the message until the user responds with an appropriate operation. delete The method of claim 1, And the recording is carried out in at least one of a memory of the optical disc player or a removable recording medium. delete delete A first memory region configured to store a video signal; A second memory region configured to store a parental code, the parental code being configured to control parental viewing to a video program within the video signal and to be updated by a command; And And a third memory area configured to store state information indicating an update of the parallel code. The method of claim 17, The parental code may be one of a first parental code received with the video program and a second second parental code if the first parental code is not included in the video program. Characterized in that the recording medium. The method of claim 18, And the second parent code is generated with at least one of a default value and a value set by a user. The method of claim 18, And the status information is time information, last change data, or warning when the parental information is generated. The method of claim 17, And the status information is time stamp information when the parental information is updated. The method of claim 17, And said parental information is updated by at least one of being reset by a user, accessed by a user, authenticated by a user, or operated by a password. The method of claim 22, And the status information is a record of recording intervals for a predetermined time period or a predetermined number of times that the user has accessed the recording medium. The method of claim 17, And the memory areas are provided in at least one of a memory provided to an optical disc player or a removable recording medium. A detector for detecting the first parallel code as a parallel code corresponding to the video signal; And An apparatus for managing a parallel level of an optical disc comprising a parallel code generator for generating a second parallel code as the parallel code when the first parallel code is not provided as the parallel code together with a video signal. . The method of claim 25, And the second parallel code is generated as one of a default value and a value set by a user. The method of claim 25, Controller; Memory; OSD generating unit; And And an optical pickup for recording and reading data on an attached recording medium. A first memory region configured to store a video signal; A second memory area configured to store a parallel code, the parental code being configured to control a parental viewing to a video program in the video signal and to be updated by a command; And And a controller configured to detect a first parental code as a parental code corresponding to a video signal, and generate a second parental code as the parental code when the first parental code is not detected. Optical disc player. The method of claim 28, And a third memory area configured to store state information indicating the update of the parallel code. The method of claim 29, And said first memory area is on a mounted recording medium. The method of claim 17, A video signal is stored in the first memory area, and the parental code for controlling parental viewing is stored in a second memory area, wherein the parental code is configured to be updated by a command. And a state information indicating an update of the parallel code is stored in a memory area.

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