WO2006129917A2

WO2006129917A2 - Method and apparatus for reproducing data and method for transmitting data

Info

Publication number: WO2006129917A2
Application number: PCT/KR2006/001458
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jea Yong Yoo; Young Sun Shim; Wae Yeul Kim; Sung Wan Park; Kang Soo Seo; Kun Suk Kim
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2005-04-22
Filing date: 2006-04-19
Publication date: 2006-12-07
Also published as: WO2006129917A3

Abstract

A data reproducing method and apparatus are disclosed which download data associated with a recording medium from the outside of the recording medium, and reproduce the downloaded data along with data recorded in the recording medium. The data reproducing method includes transmitting, to a content provider, information for identifying a recording medium, and a performance level of a local storage (S50), downloading data according to the identifying information and the performance level from the content provider to the local storage (S60), and reproducing the downloaded data along with data recorded in the recording medium (S70).

Description

[DESCRIPTION]

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING DATA AND METHOD FOR

TRANSMITTING DATA

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a data ^' reproducing method and apparatus for downloading data associated with a recording medium from the outside of the recording medium, and reproducing the downloaded , data along with data recorded in the recording medium. Background Art

Optical discs are widely used as an optical recording medium capable of^' 'recording a large amount^' of data therein. Particularly, high-density optical recording mediums such as a Blu-ray Disc (BD) and a high definition digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) have recently been developed which are capable of recording and storing large amounts of high-quality video data and high-quality audio data. Such a high-density optical recording medium, which is based on next-generation recording medium techniques, has been considered to be a next-generation optical recording solution capable of storing much more data than conventional DVDs. Recently, international standard technical specifications have been established in association with high-density optical recording mediums as well as digital appliances.

A reproducing apparatus (also, called a ^Xλplayer") , to which the standard of high-density optical recording mediums is applied, is also under development. However, it is practically difficult to develop a complete reproducing apparatus because there is no completely- established standard for high-density recording mediums.

In particular, there has been a requirement to download data associated with a recording medium to a local storage, in addition to data recorded on the recording medium, in order to reproduce the downloaded data along with the data recorded in the recording medium.

However, no reproducing apparatus capable of satisfying the above-mentioned requirement has been developed. For this reason, there has also been proposed no method capable of reproducing data downloaded to a local storage in association with data recorded in a recording medium, along with the data recorded in the recording medium. In this regard, there are various limitations in developing a reproducing apparatus based on high-density optical recording mediums which is capable of reproducing data downloaded to a local storage, along with data recorded in a recording medium. Disclosure of Invention An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a method for effectively simultaneously reproducing data stored in a recording medium and data stored in a local storage. Another object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a data reproducing method and apparatus capable of downloading data associated with a recording medium in accordance with a , configuration of a local storage, and reproducing the downloaded data along with data recorded in the recording medium.

A further object of the pre'sent invention devised to solve the problem lies on a data transmitting method capable of transmitting data in accordance with a configuration of a local storage. The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a data reproducing method comprising the steps of: transmitting, to a content provider, information for identifying a recording medium, and a performance level of a local storage; downloading data according to the identifying information and the performance level from the content provider to the local storage; and reproducing the downloaded data along with data recorded in the recording medium.

The transmitting step may further comprise a step of checking presence of the local storage. The transmitting step may further comprise whether to download data from the content provider.

The local storage may have at least lβMbps sustained read performance. The local storage may have at least 32Mbps sustained read performance.

The local storage may have at least 48Mbps sustained read performance.

The performance level may be stored in one of player status registers (PSRs) .

In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a data reproducing apparatus comprising: a local storage^* for storing downloaded ^* data associated with ^' a recording medium; a playback system for reproducing the downloaded data and data recorded in the recording medium; and a controller for transmitting, to a content provider, information for identifying the recording medium, and a performance level of the local storage, downloading data according to the identifying information and the performance level from the content provider to the local storage, and controlling the playback system to reproduce the downloaded data along with data recorded in the recording medium.

The controller may check whether to download the downloaded data from the content provider. The local storage may have at least lδMbps sustained read performance.

The local storage may have at least 32Mbps sustained read performance. The local storage may have at least 48Mbps sustained read performance.

The playback system may include a memory unit for storing the performance .level.^"

The memory unit may include at least one player status register (PSR) .

The player status register may store information as to a capacity of the local storage.

The player ^• status register may store information as to a type of the local storage. In a further aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a data transmitting method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a data reproducing apparatus, information for identifying a recording medium, and a performance level of a local storage; and transmitting, to the data reproducing apparatus, data according to the identifying information and the performance level. Brief Description of Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of combined use of an optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention and a peripheral appliance;

FIG. 2 is _sa schematic diagram illustrating a file structure for reproduction and management of original data recorded in an optical disc in accordance with the present invention; '

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data recording structure of the optical disc ^'according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the overall configuration of an optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating production of a virtual package using data in a local storage;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of levels of local storages read performance according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a data reproducing method using the level of the local storage in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram explaining a playback system- according to the present invention; and FIGs. 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams illustrating an^' exemplary embodiment bf the PSRs included ^' in the_ optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the following description,^' the present invention will be described in conjunction with an example in which an optical disc, in particular, a Blu-ray disc (BD) , is used as a recording medium, for the convenience of description. However, it will be appreciated that the technical idea of the present invention is applicable to other recording mediums, for example, HD-DVD, equivalently to the BD.

"Local storage" defined in the present invention is a storage equipped in an optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) . The storage means an element in which the user freely stores required information and data, to subsequently use the information and data. For local storages, which are generally used, there are a hard disk and/or a user expandable storage such as a memory stick or a secure digital (SD) card. However, the present invention is not limited to such local storages. In association with the present invention, the "local storage" is ^'also usable as means for storing data associated with a recording medium (for example, a BD) . Generally, the data stored in the local storage in^' association with the recording medium is externally- downloaded data.

As for such data, it will be appreciated that partially-allowed data directly read out from ^• the recording medium, or system data produced in association with recording and >production of the recording medium (for example, metadata) can be stored in the local storage.

For the convenience of description, in the following description, the data recorded in the recording medium will be referred to as "original data", whereas .the data stored in the local storage in association with the recording medium will be referred to as "additional data".

Also, "title" defined in the present invention means a reproduction unit interfaced with the user. Titles are linked with particular objects, respectively. Accordingly, streams recorded in a disc in association with a title are reproduced in accordance with a command or program in an object linked with the title. In particular, for the convenience of description, in the following description, among the titles including video data according to an MPEG compression scheme, titles supporting features such as seamless multi-angle and multi story, language credits, director's cuts, trilogy collections, etc. will be referred to as "High Definition Movie (HDMV) titles". Also, among the titles including video data, according to an MPEG compression scheme, titles providing a fully programmable application environment with network connectivity thereby enabling the c'ontent provider to create high interactivity will be referred to as "BD-J titles". ^'

FIG. .1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of combined use of an optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention and a peripheral appliance .

The optical recording/reproducing, apparatus 10 according to the present invention can record or reproduce data in/from various optical discs having different formats. If necessary, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 may be designed to have recording and reproducing functions only for optical discs of a particular format (for example, BD) , or to have a reproducing function alone, except for a recording function. It will be appreciated that the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 of the present invention may be a drive which can be built in a computer or the like. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 of the present invention not only _ has a function for recording and playback of an optical disc 30, but also has a function for receiving an external ^' input signal, processing the received signal, and sending the processed signal to the user in the form of a visible image through an external display 20. Altho'ugh there is no particular limitation on external input signals, representative external input signals may be "digital multimedia broadcasting-based signals, Internet-based signals, -etc. Specifically, as to Internet-based signals, desired data on the Internet can be used after being downloaded through the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 because the Internet is a medium easily accessible by any person.

In the following description, persons who provide contents as external sources will be collectively referred to as a "content provider (CP)".

"Content" defined in the present invention is the content of a title, and means data provided by the author of the associated recording medium. Hereinafter, original data and additional data will be described in detail. For example, a multiplexed AV stream of a certain title may be recorded in an optical disc as original data of the optical disc. In this case, an audio stream (for example, Korean audio stream) different from the audio stream of the original data (for example, English) may be • provided as additional data on the Internet. Some users may desire to download the audio stream (for example, English , audio ^' stream) corresponding to the additional data on the Internet, to reproduce the downloaded audio stream along with the AV stream corresponding to the original data, or to reproduce the additional data alone. To this end, it is necessary to provide a systematic ^• method capable of determining ^' the relation between the original data and the additional data, and performing management/reproduction of the original data and additional data, based on the results of the determination, at the request of the user.

As described above,, for the convenience of description, signals recorded in a disc have been referred to as "original data", and signals present outside the disc have been referred to as "additional data". However, the definition of the original data and additional data is only to classify data usable in the present invention in accordance with data acquisition methods. Accordingly, the original data and additional data should not be limited to particular data. Data of any attribute may be used as additional data as long as the data is present outside an optical disc recorded with original data, and has a relation with the original data. In order to accomplish the request of the user, the original data and _t additional data shall have file structures having a relation therebetween, respectively. Hereinafter, file structures ^' and data recording structures usable in an optical disc will be described with reference to FIGs. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 illustrates a file structure for reproduction and management of original data recorded in an optical disc in accordance with 'the present invention.

The file structure of the present- invention includes a root directory, and at least one BDMV directory BDMV present under the root directory. In the BDMV directory BDMV, there are an index file "index. bdmv" and an object file "MovieObject .bdmv" as general files (upper files) having information for securing an interactivity with the user. The file structure of the present invention also includes directories having information as to the data actually recorded in the disc, and information as to a method for reproducing the recorded data, namely, a playlist directory PLAYLIST, a clip information directory CLIPINF, a stream directory STREAM, an auxiliary directory AUXDATA, a BD-J directory BDJO, a metadata directory META, and a backup directory BACKUP. Hereinafter, the above- described directories and files included in the directories will be described in detail. The metadata directory META includes a file of data about data, namely, a metadata file. Such a metadata file may include a search file and a metadata file for a disc library. Suςh metadata files are used for efficient search and management of data during the recording and reproduction of data.

The' BD-J directory BDJO includes a BD-J object file for reproduction of a BD-J title.

The auxiliary directory AUXDATA includes an additional data file for playback of the disc. For example, the auxiliary directory AUXDATA may include a "Sound. bdmv" file for providing sound data when an interactive graphics function is executed, and an ^λΛ11111. otf" file for providing font information during the playback of the disc. The stream directory STREAM includes a plurality of files of AV streams recorded in the disc according to a particular format. Most generally, such streams are recorded in the form of MPEG-2-based transport packets. The stream directory STREAM uses ^λλ*.m2ts" as an extension name of stream files (for example, 01000.m2ts, 02000.m2ts, ...) . Particularly, a multiplexed stream of video/audio/graphic information is referred to as an ^λΛAV stream". A title is composed of at least one AV stream file. The clip information (clip-info) directory CLIPINF includes clip-info files 01000. dpi, 02000^'. clpi-, _^ ... respectively corresponding to the stream files "*.m2ts" included in the stream directory STREAM. Particularly, the clip-info files "*.clpi" include attribute information and timing information of the stream files "*.m2ts". Each clip-info file "*.clpi" and the stream file ^λλ*.m2ts" corresponding to the clip-info file "*.clpi" are

^•collectively referred^" to as a "clip". That is, a clip is ~ indicative of data including both one stream file "*.irι2ts" and one clip-info file "*.clpi" corresponding to the stream file "*.m2ts".

The playlist directory PLAYLIST includes a plurality of playlist files "*.mpls". "Playlist" means, a combination of playing intervals of clips. Each playing interval is referred to as a "playitem". Each playlist file "*.mpls" includes at least one playitem ^λPlayItem' , and at least one subplayitem ^ΛSubPlayItem' . Each of the playitems ^ΛPlayItem' and subplayitems ^ΛSubPlayItem' includes information as to the reproduction start time IN- Time and reproduction end time OUT-Time of a particular clip to be reproduced. Accordingly, a playlist may be a combination of playitems.

The backup directory BACKUP stores copy files of data in the above-described file structure, in particular, copies of files recorded with information associated with playback of the disc, for example, copy files -of the index file "index. bdmv", object files "MovieObject .bdmv" and "BD-JObject. bdmv", unit key files, all playlist files "*.mpls" in the playlist directory PLAYLIST, and all clip- info files "*.clpi" in the clip-info directory CLIPINF. The backup directory BACKUP is adapted to separately store copy files for backup purposes, taking into consideration the fact that,^' when any^' of the above-described files is damaged or lost, fatal errors may be generated in association with playback of the disc.

Meanwhile, it will be appreciated that the file structure of the present invention is not limited to the above-described names and locations. That is, .the above- described directories and files should not be understood through the names and locations thereof, but should be understood through the meaning thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates a data recording structure of the optical disc according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, recorded structures of information associated with the file structures in the disc are illustrated. Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the disc includes a file system information area recorded with system information for managing the overall file, an area (database area) recorded with the index file, object file, playlist files, clip-info files, and meta files, which are required for reproduction of recorded streams "*.m2ts", and a stream area recorded with streams each composed of audio/video/graphic data. The areas are arranged in the above-descried order when viewing from the inner periphery of the disc.

In the disc, there is an are'a for recording file information for reproduction of contents in the stream area. This area is referred to as a "management area". The file . system information area and database area are included in the management area.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the overall configuration of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 mainly includes a pickup 11, a servo 14, a signal processor 13, and a microprocessor 16. The pickup 11 reproduces original data and management data recorded in an optical disc. The management data includes reproduction management file information. The servo 14 controls operation of the pickup 11. The signal processor 13 receives a reproduced signal from the pickup 11, and restores the received reproduced signal to a desired signal value. The signal processor 13 also modulates signals, to be recorded, to corresponding signals recordable in the optical disc, respectively.

The controller 12 downloads additional data present outside the optical disc 30 in Accordance with a user command, and stores the additional data in the local storage 15. The controller 12 also produces a binding unit, using information¹ included in binding unit manifest files in the local storage 15. The controller 12 also

^'produces ^'a virtual file ^• structure (virtual package)

(hereinafter, referred to as a "virtual package") ,« using name mapping information included in the binding unit manifest file in the local storage 15, to reproduce data recorded in the recording medium, namely, the optical disc 30, and data in the local storage 15. In addition, the controller 12 reproduces original data and/or additional data, using the virtual package, at the request of the user.

The optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 further includes a playback system 17 for finally decoding output data, and providing the decoded data to the user under the control of the controller 12. The playback system 17 includes a decoder for decoding an AV signal, and a player model for analyzing an object command or application associated with playback of a particular title, and a user command input via the controller 12, and determining- a playback direction, based on the results of the analysis.

The optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 further includes an AV enςoder 18. The AV encoder 18 converts an input signal to a signal of a particular format, for example, an MPEG-2 transport stream, and sends the converted signal to the signal processor 13, to enable recording of the input signal in the optical disc 30.

FIG. 5 illustrates production of a virtual package using data in the local storage. The disc loaded in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 includes a specific file structure (for example, the structure shown in FIG. 2) recorded therein. This file structure is also called a "disc package". On the other hand, a local storage file system is present in the local storage. The local storage file system includes a binding unit, which will be bound to the loaded disc (for example, ^Λdiscl_ID' ) , and a binding unit manifest file.

The binding unit manifest file includes name mapping information. The name mapping information is information associated with the binding unit. For example, the name mapping information includes information as to a list of files constituting the binding unit, and information as to the positions and file names of the listed binding unit files in a virtual package produced when a loaded disc is bound with the listed binding unit files.

As shown in FIG. 5, the recording medium file structure 421 of th§ disc ^' (hereinafter, referred to as a "disc package") includes a root directory, and a BD directory BDMV present under the root directory. In the BD directory BDMV, there are an index file ^λIndex' , an ^■ object file ^xMovie0bject' , a playlist file ^x00000.mpls' , a clip information (clip-info) file ^Λ01000. dpi^'' , a stream file ^λQ100Q .rα2ts' , and an auxiliary data file ^Λsound.bdmv' . On the other hand, the binding unit 61 associated with the loaded disc (for example, a disc defined by ^Λorgl_ID and ^Λdisc2_ID' ) includes a specific playlist file 611 ^ΛApr2005.mpls' , and clips managed by the playlist file 611 ^λApr2005.mpls' , namely, a clip-info file 612 ^ΛApr2005.clpi' and a stream file 613 'Apr2005.m2ts' . An auxiliary data file 614 ^ΛJapanese, otf is present in a disc shared directory ^Λ Shared' , as shared data provided by the content provider.

The binding unit 61 is read out from the local storage, and is then bound with data in the recording medium, namely, the disc package 421, to generate a virtual package 51. The name mapping information according to the present invention is indicative of information associated with files contained in the binding unit. A playlist file ^λApr2005.mpls' 611 is changed (or modified) to ^'playlist file ^λ00000.mpls' 511 of the playlist directory PLAYLIST in the virtual package 51, a clip-info file ^ΛApr2005. dpi' 612 is changed to a clip-info file ,^Λ02000.clpi' 512 of the clip information directory, CLIPINF in the virtual package 51, a stream file ^λApr2005.m2ts' 613 is¹ changed to a stream file "02000.m2ts' 513 of the stream directory STREAM in the virtual package 51, and an auxiliary data file ^ΛJapanese, otf 6^'1^'4 is changed to- an auxiliary data file ^Λlllll.otf 514 of the auxiliary data directory AUXDATA in the virtual package 51.

The virtual package 51 includes the BD directory BDMV acting as a lower directory of the root directory. The BD directory BDMV includes an index file ^x Index' according to the virtual package and an object file 'MovieObject' . The playlist directory PLAYLIST of the virtual package 51 includes the playlist file ^Λ00000.mpls' 511 which is acpuired by replacing the playlist file ^Λ00000.mpls' of the disc package 421 with the playlist file ^λApr2005.mpls' 611. The clip-info directory CLIPINF of the virtual package 51 includes the clip-info file ^Λ01000.clpi/ 511 corresponding to that of the disc package

421, and the clip-info file ^x02000.clpi' 512 of binding unit which is appended to the clip-info file ^Λ01000.clpi' of the disc package 421. The stream directory STREAM of the virtual package 51 includes a stream file ^λ01000.m2ts' ^' corresponding to that^' of the disc package 421, ^■ and a stream file ^λ02000.m2ts' 513 of the binding unit which is appended to the stream file ^Λ01000.m2ts' of the disc package 421. The auxiliary data directory, AUXDATA of the virtual package 51 includes the auxiliary data file ^{1 Λ}lllll.otf 514 of the binding unit which is appended to an auxiliary data file ^λsound.bdmv' of the disc package ^• 421.

The index file ^Λ Index' and object file ^ΛMovie0bject ' , which act as upper files of the virtual package 51, may be updated in conventional index and object files ( Index. bdmv and MovieObject .bdmv) contained in the disc on the basis of ,the newly-generated playlist file 511 ^λ00000.mpls' . In particular, this update may be carried out when title change has been made based on the playlist file 511

^Λ00000.mpls' in the virtual package 51, namely, when title addition, title deletion, or change of a title playback scenario has been made.

In order to produce the above-described virtual package 51, it is necessary to read the binding unit 61 from the local storage 15. In this case, there may be a problem caused by the bit-rate of data transmitted from the local storage 15. Generally, local storages have a variety of read performances. For this reason, it is possible to efficiently bind the binding unit 61 to the disc package, as long as the local storage 15 includes data conforming to the read performance of the local storage 15. In order to solve such a problem, ^' the present invention provides a data , reproducing method in which the level of the local storage 15 is divided into several levels such that download or reproduction of data is carried out in association with an appropriate one of the levels. ^' The level^{' '}indicates the read performance of the local storage 15. FIG. β illustrates an exemplary embodiment of levels of local storages read performance according to the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. , 6, the read performance of a local storage is mainly classified into three levels. In case that a level of a local storage is level 1, the local storage has at least lβMbps sustained read performance. In case that a level of a local storage is level 1, the local storage has at least 32Mbps sustained read performance. On the other hand, in case that a level of a local storage is level 1, the local storage has at least 48Mbps sustained read performance.

Thus, data rate from the local storage is varied depending on the levels.

Accordingly, the content provider should make sure that bit-rates of transport streams in the binding unit data area on the local storage • do not exceed the guaranteed speed. In case of level 1, it is preferred that the data rate from a local storage should ^' not exceed lβMbps because the local storage supports support up to a maximum transport stream recording rate ^λmaximum TS__recording_rate' 16Mbps. Simila'rly, in case of level 2, data in a local storage and a recording medium can be efficiently reproduced when the -data rate from the local storage, does not exceed 32Mbps. Also, in case of level 3>, data in a local storage and a recording medium can be efficiently reproduced when the data rate from the local storage does not exceed 48Mbps.

Accordingly, in case that it is, desired to download data associated with a recording medium loaded in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus, it is necessary to provide the level of the local storage to the associated content provider. The controller 12 can check the level of the local storage by searching the local storage, and can transmit the checked level to the content provider via a network. The content provider can configure the data as forms of various bit-rates. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the content provider can transmit data having an appropriate bit-rate based on the transmitted level from the optical recording/reproducing appratus.

The level classification _% and bit-rates associated with read performance have been described in the embodiment of FIG. 6 for illustrative purposes. Any other method may be within the scope of the present invention, as long as the method is adapted to classify the level of a local storage, and to reproduce data downloaded according to the classified level of the local storage.

FIG'. 7 is a flow chart^' illustrating a data _^ reproducing method using the level of the local storage in accordance with the present invention.

The recording medium according to the present invention provides a function enabling an optical recording/reproducing apparatus to download data associated with the recording medium via a network, and thus, to reproduce the downloaded data along with the data recorded in the recording medium. Accordingly, in case that the optical recording/reproducing apparatus includes a local storage for downloading data associated with a recording medium, it is possible to download the associated data via a network. In accordance with the data reproducing method of the present invention, in case that a recording medium is loaded in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus, the controller 12 checks whether or not there is a local storage 15, in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus (SlO) . In case that there is no locai storage 15 in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus, only the data recorded in the recording medium is , reproduced (S20) . However, in case that the local storage 15 is present in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus, the controller 12 determines whether or not data should be downloaded, based on a command stored in the recording medium or optical recording/reproducing apparatus or a user command^' (S30) . In this connection, it may be possible to check whether or not the local storage 15 is present in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus, after determining whether or not the data associated with the loaded recording medium should be downloaded (S30) .

In case that it is unnecessary to download data, only the data recorded in the loaded recording medium is reproduced (S20) . On the other hand, in case that it is necessary to download data, the controller 12 checks the level of the local storage (S40) , and transmits the checked level to the content provider, along with information as to the loaded recording medium (S50). The content provider can variously compose the data associated with the recording medium in accordance with various levels of local storages.. Accordingly, the content provider can transmit data conforming to the level transmitted thereto to the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10. ■ Referring to FIG. 6^', it can be seen that the content provider can compose three data respectively having bit-rates of lβMbps or less, 32Mbps or less, and 48Mbps or less, and can transmit the data meeting the level transmitted thereto. For example, in case that the transmitted level is the level 1, it is preferred that the content provider transmit the data having bit-rate of lβMbps or' less to the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10. On the other hand, in case that the transmitted level is the level 3, the content provider may transmit any of the three data.

The data, which is transmitted from the content provider in association with the loaded recording medium, and is suitable for the level of the local storage, is downloaded to the local storage (S60) . The controller 12 controls the playback system 17 to reproduce the downloaded data along with the data recorded in the recording medium (S70) .

The local storage 15 of the present invention may be a storage built in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10, or may be a user expandable storage (for example, a memory stick, a secure digital (SD) card, or a user installable hard disk drive (HDD) ) . The local storage 15 equipped in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 of the present invention may have various capacities, for example, 256 MB, 1 GB, etc.

Meanwhile, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 1,0 may provide information as to the capacity of the local storage 15, in order to download data meeting the capacity of the local storage 15. The content provider can compose data having various capacities,' as the data associated with the recording medium, and can transmit the' data meeting the capacity information to the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10. The controller 12 can identify the capacity, type or level of the local storage 15 by searching the local storage 15. In this connection, information indicating the capacity, type or level of the local storage 15 can be, stored in a memory unit equipped in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention. The memory unit may include a plurality of player status registers (PSRs) . This will be described in conjunction with, for example, the playback system and PSRs. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram explaining the playback system according to the present invention.

"Playback system" means a collective reproduction processing means which is configured by programs

(software) and/or hardware provided in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus. That is, the playback system is a system which can not only play back a recording medium loaded in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus, but also can reproduce and manage data stored in the local storage associated with the recording medium (for example, after being downloaded from the outside of the recording medium) .

In particular, the playback system 17 includes a user 'event manager 171, a ^'module manager 172, an HDMV module 174, a BD-J module 175, a playback control engine 176, a presentation engine 177, and a virtual file system 40. This configuration will be described in detail, hereinafter.

As a separate reproduction processing/managing means for reproduction of HDMV titles and BD-J titles, the HDMV module 174 for HDMV titles and the BD-J module 175 for BD- J titles are constructed independently of each other. Each of the HDMV module 174 and BD-J module 175 has a control function for receiving a command or program contained in the associated object "Movie Object" or "BD-J Object", and processing the received command or program. Each of the HDMV module 174 and BD-J module 175 can separate an associated command or application from the hardware configuration of the playback system, to enable portability of the command or application. For reception and processing of the command, the HDMV module 174 includes a command processor 174a. For reception and processing of the application, the BD-J module 175 includes a Java VM 175a, and an application manager 175b.

The Java VM 175a is a virtual machine in which an application is executed. The application manager 175b includes an application management function for managing the life cycle of an application processed in the BD-J module 1751

The module manager 172 functions not only to send user commands to the HDMV module 174 and BD-J module 175, respectively, but also to control operations of the HDMV module 174 and BD-J module 175. The playback control engine 176 analyzes the playlist file information actually recorded in the disc in accordance with a playback command from the HDMV module 174 or BD-J module 175, and performs a playback function based on the results of the analysis. The presentation engine 177 decodes a particular stream managed in association with reproduction thereof by the playback control engine 176, and displays the decoded stream in a displayed picture. In particular, the playback control engine 176 includes playback control functions 176a for managing all playback operations, and player registers 176b for storing information as to the playback status and playback environment of the player. In some cases, the playback control functions 17 βa mean the playback control engine 176 itself.

The HDMV module 174 and BD-J module 175 receive user commands in independent manners, respectively. The user command processing methods of HDMV module 174 and BD-J module 175 are also independent of each other. In order to transmit a user command to one of the HDMV module 174 and BD-J module 175, a separate transmit means should be used. In accordance with the present invention, ^' this function is carried out by the user event manager 171. Accordingly, in case that the user event manager 171 receives a user command generated through a user operation (UO) controller 171a, the user event manager sends the received user command to the module manager 172 or UO controller 171a. On the other hand, in case that the user event manager 171 receives a user command generated through a key event, the user event manager sends the received user command to the Java VM 175a in the BD-J module 175.

The playback system 17 of the present invention may also include a metadata manager 173. The metadata manager 173 provides, to the user, a disc library and an enhanced search metadata application. The metadata manager 173 can perform selection of a title under the control of the user. The metadata manager 173 can also provide, to the user, recording medium and title metadata.

The module manager 172, HDMV module 174, BD-J module 175, and playback control engine 176 of the playback system according to the present invention can perform desired processing , in a software manner. Practically, the processing using software is advantageous in terms of design, as compared to processing using a hardware configuration. Of course, it is general that the presentation engine 177, decoder 19, and planes are designed using hardware. In particular, the constituent elements (for example, constituent elements designated by reference numerals 172, 174, 175, and 176), each of which performs desired processing using software, may constitute a part of the controller 12. Therefore, it should be noted that the above-described constituents and configuration of the present invention be understood on the basis of their meanings, and are not limited to their implementation methods such as hardware or software implementation .

The reproduction of the data recorded in the recording medium and the data downloaded to the local storage is carried out by the virtual file system 40. The virtual file system 40 produces a new virtual package through a binding operation for binding a binding unit to the disk package of the loaded disc, using name mapping information. The virtual file system also functions to control a mechanism accessing files of the virtual package.

In accordance with the present invention, information representing the ^'configuration of the local storage may.be stored in the player registers 176b. Each player register 176b is a kind of a memory unit for storing information as to the recording/playback status and recording/playback environment of the optical

^'recording/reproducing apparatus. The player ^'registers

176b may be classified into general purpose registers (GPRs) and player status registers (PSRs) . Each PSR stores a playback status parameter (for example, an interactive graphics stream number' or a ^Λprimary audio stream number'), or, a configuration parameter of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus (for example, a ^player capability for video' ) .

FIGs. 9A and 9B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the PSRs included in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9A, information as to the configuration of the local storage 15 included in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 may be stored in at least one of the PSRs 910. The configuration information may include .information as to the level, capacity, and type of the local storage. ^■ Referring to FIG. 9B, the level information of the local storage may be stored in certain areas (for example, b7 to bθ) in one of the PSRs, for example, the PSR32,

(hereinafter, referred^* to as "PSR32") . As described above in conjunction with FIG. 6, there may be three local storage levels. The level information stored in the PSR'32 indicates 'the performance of the local storage currently equipped in -or connected to the optical recording/reproducing apparatus. For example, in case' that the areas b7 to b0 of the PSR32 used for the level of the local storage correspond to level information "0000000b", the level information may indicate that the local storage of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 ,has a level 1. On the other hand, in the case of "0000001b", the level information may indicate that the local storage of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 has a level 2. In the case of "0000010b", the level information may indicate that the local storage of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 has a level 3. The type information of the local storage may be stored in certain areas (for example, bl5 to b8) of the

PSR32. The type information of the local storage may indicate whether the local storage is a storage built in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 or a user expandable storage. Using the type information, it is also possible to more specifically sort the storage into a memory stick, an SD card, or a user installable HDD.

The, capacity information of the local storage may be , stored in certain areas (for example, b23 to ,bl6) of the PSR32. The capacity information can indicate a bit value corresponding to each local storage capacity. For ex'ample, when there is no local storage equipped in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus, the capacity information may represent "0000000b". > For a local storage of 256 MB, the capacity information may represent "0000001b". On the other hand, for a local storage of 1 GB, the capacity information may represent "0000010b". It is also possible to store the capacity value of the local storage in the unit of Kilobyte, Megabyte, or the like, as it is, as the capacity information, using a PSR other than the PSR32.

In this connection, the PSR32 may store a flag indicating whether or not there is a local storage in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10. The flag may be stored in a certain area (for example, b31) of the PSR32. Accordingly, in case that the flag stored in the area b31 has a value of ^λ0_b' , it may indicate that there is no local storage. On the other hand, in case that the flag has a value of ^Λl_t/ , it may indicate that there is a local storage. Where the PSR32 stores the flag, it may be unnecessary to define the value of the local storage capacity information corresponding to the case in which there is no local storage.

The controller 12 can download the data with the recording medium, based on the information stored in the PSR32, and can reproduce the downloaded data. The local storage configuration information stored in the PSR32 can be supplied to the content provider via a network.

Accordingly, the content^' "provider can supply, to the optical recording./reproducing apparatus, data which is associated with the recording medium while meeting the supplied information.

Although the configuration information of the local storage has been described in the embodiment of FIGs. 9A and 9B, as being completely stored in one PSR, namely, the PSR32, the level, capacity, type, etc. of the local storage may be stored in several PSRs, respectively.

In accordance with the data reproducing method and apparatus, and data transmitting method of the present invention, it is possible to download and reproduce data which is associated with a recording medium loaded in the data reproducing apparatus while meeting the configuration of a local storage used in association with the data reproducing apparatus. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that it is possible to efficiently reproduce the data recorded in the recording medium and the downloaded data. Industrial Applicability

As apparent from the above description, in ^'accordance with the data reproducing method ,and apparatus, and data transmitting method of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently reproduce data downloaded to a local storage, and data recorded in ' a recording medium. Accordingly, there are advantages in that the content provider can compose more diverse contents, to enable the user to experience more diverse contents. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[CLAIMS]

1. A data reproducing method comprising the steps of: transmitting, to a content provider, information for identifying a recording medium, and a performance level of a local storage; downloading data according. to the identifying information and the performance level from the content provider to the local storage; and reproducing the downloaded data along with data recorded in the recording medium.

2. The data reproducing method according to claim 1: wherein the transmitting step 'further comprises a

'step of checking presence of- the local storage.

3. The data reproducing method according to claim 2 : wherein the transmitting step further comprises a step of checking whether to download data from the content provider.

4. The data reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein the local storage has at least a lβMbps sustained read performance.

5. The data reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein the local storage has at least a 32Mbps sustained read performance.

6. The data reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein the local storage has at least a 48Mbps sustained read performance.

7. The data reproducing method according to claim 1, wherein the performance level is stored in one of player status registers (PSRs).

8. A data reproducing apparatus comprising: a local storage for storing downloaded data associated with a recording medium; a playback system for reproducing the downloaded data and data recorded in the recording medium; and a controller for transmitting, to a content provider, information for identifying the recording medium, and a performance level of the local storage, downloading' 'data according to the identifying information and the performance level from the content provider to the local storage, and controlling the playback system to reproduce the downloaded data along with data recorded in the recording medium.

9. The data reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the controller checks whether to download the downloaded data from the content provider.

10. The data reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the local storage has at least a lβMbps sustained read performance.

11. The data reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the local storage has at least a 32Mbps sustained read performance.

12. The data reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, the local storage has at least a 48Mbps sustained read performance.

13. The data reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the playback system includes a memory- unit for storing the performance level.

14. The data reproducing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the memory unit includes at least one player status register (PSR) .

,

15. The data reproducing apparatus according, to claim 14, wherein the player status register stores information as to a capacity of the local storage.

16. The data reproducing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the player status register stores information as to ^'a type of the local storage.

17. A data transmitting method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a data reproducing apparatus, a information for identifying a recording medium, and performance level of a local storage; and transmitting, to the data reproducing apparatus, data according to the identifying information and the performance level.