JP2001043630A - Recording medium reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit the appropriate setting of a visual/auditory limit level fitting to the visual/auditory limit scene by the user's judgement. SOLUTION: When a DVD 1 is loaded and a desired title is selected, a DVD reproducing part 2 is controlled by a system control part 4A to reproduce the presentation information from a top of the desired title. During the reproduction, the reproduced position is monitored by the system control part 4A while referring the various informations for controlling the reproduction, which are preliminarily read out from the DVD 1 and stored, and when the reproduction comes near to the visual/auditory limit section in the desired title, the reproduction is temporarily stopped. In this stage, when the visual/auditory limit level is set in an operation part by the user, the reproduction of the information allowing the set level of this time among the plural presentation information having the different visual/auditory limit strength prepared for the visual/ auditory limit section is restarted by the system control part 4A.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium reproducing apparatus, in which predetermined presentation information (video, music, etc.) for reproduction is recorded. The present invention relates to a recording medium reproducing apparatus that reproduces presentation information for a plurality of recording media prepared accordingly.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art DVDs (Digital Video Discs) include one or more titles for each recording unit called a video title set.
Presentation information (information that is actually reproduced and output) such as video, music, and sub-pictures is recorded. The presentation information of one title is PGC (Progra
It is composed of one or more PGCs in units of m Chain (program chain). For example, if it is composed of five PGCs, it is reproduced in order in a simple case.

Some DVDs are provided with a function called parental lock so that the viewing of severe violent scenes, sexually stimulating scenes, etc. can be restricted to contents according to their age. Regarding the PGC group in the title, the section for which parental control is desired is set as a parental block PLB, and one PLB is set.
Is composed of a plurality of PGCs (presentation information is different for each PGC and has different contents according to the strength of the parental level), and reproduction is permitted by comparing with a parental level preset by the user. The PGC having the parental control strength is alternatively selected and reproduced.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a certain title is temporally divided into PGC # 1, PLB # 1 (PGC # 2, PG
C # 3, PGC # 4), PGC # 5, PLB # 2
(Including PGC # 6, PGC # 7, PGC # 8), PG
Assuming that reproduction is performed in the order of C # 9, the parental level set by the user is 3 between 1 and 8 (the larger the number, the greater the restriction), and the parental level of PGC # 1, PGC # 5, and PGC # 9. Level 2-8 allowed, PGC # 2 and PGC
# 6 Parental Control Level 7 and 8 Permissible, PGC # 3
And the level of parental control of PGC # 7 is acceptable for levels 4 to 6, P
The level of parental control of GC # 4 and PGC # 8 is level 2 and 3.
When it is acceptable, PGC # 1 is reproduced first, and P
In LB # 1, PGC # 4 is selectively reproduced. Furthermore, PG
After C # 5 is reproduced, PGC # 8 is selectively reproduced in PLB # 2.

[0005] The strength of the parental control of each PGC constituting a certain title of a certain video title set VTS # n is determined by video title set information (VTSI) which is reproduction control information of the certain video title set VTS # n. Parental I in Program Chain Information (PGCI)
D field information and video title set parental management information (user setting level and video management information) in video manager information (VMGI) which is playback control information in the video manager (VMG) recorded in the first part of the disc. Table indicating the relationship with the parental ID). For example, the video title set parental management information of the video title set VTS # n is as shown in FIG. 8A, and a certain P of a certain title included in the VTS # n.
When the parental ID field of the GC #j is as shown in FIG. 8B, the level of the parental level of the PGC #j is permitted at levels 2 to 5. When the user setting level is 3, for example, the parental ID (called the player parental ID) corresponding to the user setting level is bit b13 of the parental ID field from FIG. 8 (2). The parental ID field of the PGC # j is compared with the player parental ID, and the player parental ID is compared.
By comparing whether the same bit position as “1” is set in the parental ID field of PGC # j, whether the PGC has the strength of the parental level permitted to be reproduced compared with the parental level set by the user. Determine whether or not.

[0006] A parental control function can be provided for each title. In this case, the strength of parental control for each PGC is determined by the title search pointer T in the video manager information.
It is determined by the parental ID field information in the TSRP information and the video title set parental management information.

FIG. 9 shows a conventional DV with a parental lock function.
2 shows a configuration of a D player. Reference numeral 1 denotes one video manager and one or more video title sets recorded therein. Each video title set contains presentation information of one or more titles together with various playback control information such as video title set information. Some titles are DVDs with parental control, 2
Reference numeral denotes a DVD reproducing unit, which detects a recording signal of the DVD 1 under the control of a system control unit described later, performs processing such as creation of an RF signal, 8-16 demodulation, and error / detection correction to demodulate a data stream. Furthermore, after separating into an MPEG2 video stream, an audio stream, and a sub-picture stream, each of them is decoded,
The digital video signal obtained by decoding the two video streams and the digital video signal obtained by decoding the sub-picture stream are combined, and then D / A converted and output as an analog video signal V. A conversion is performed and an analog audio signal A is output. Also, DV
The D playback unit 2 also has a function of reading position information from the DVD 1, reading various playback control information such as a video manager, and outputting the information to the system control unit. Reference numeral 3 denotes an operation unit for performing operations such as selection of a desired title and setting of a parental level, and 4 denotes a system control unit having a microcomputer structure for controlling overall reproduction of the player in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 3. A built-in memory 5 for storing reproduction control information and the like is provided.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a system control unit 4 for reproducing a title including a parental control section.
And FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the reproducing operation. When the user performs a setting operation of a desired viewing restriction level, for example, 4 on the operation unit 3, the system control unit 4 registers the setting level in the built-in memory 5 (steps S10 and S11 in FIG. 10). When the DVD 1 is loaded, the DVD playback unit 2 is controlled to read the video manager information in the video manager and store it in the built-in memory 5 (steps S12 and S13). When the user performs, for example, a selection operation of a desired title (partly including a parental block) on the operation unit 3, the system control unit 4 registers as TT # i (steps S14 and S14).
15). The configuration of the PGC group of the title TT # i is shown in FIG.
Assume that it is as shown in (2). After step S15, first, a video title set including the title TT # i is checked from the information of the title search pointer TT SRP in the video manager information and set as VTS # n (step S1).
6) Referring to the parental management information for the video title set VTS # n in the video manager information, the viewing restriction level set by the user is set to the video title set VTS.
The ID is converted into a player parental ID for #n and stored in the built-in memory 5 (step S17). Here, parental management information for video title set VTS # n is shown in FIG.
If it is as shown in (1), the player parental I
D becomes as shown in FIG.

Then, the parental ID field of the title TT # i in the information of the title search pointer in the video manager information is compared with the player parental ID, and the same bit position as the player parental ID is set in the TT #.
By comparing whether the parental ID field of i is "1" or not, it is determined whether or not the title has a parental level that is permitted to be reproduced in comparison with the parental level set by the user (step S18). ). If it is not permitted, the reproduction is not started (NO in step S18). Here, if it is permitted (YE in step S18)
S) Then, the DVD playback unit 2 is controlled by referring to the video title set start position information in the information of the title search pointer, and the video title set VTS # of the DVD 1 is
After the start position of n is searched, the video title set information of the VTS # n is read and stored in the built-in memory 5 (step S19).

The program chain number of the title TT # i is set to j = 1 (step S3 in FIG. 11).
0), referring to the program chain information of the video title set information of VTS # n, it is checked whether or not the program chain PGC # j = PGC # 1 exists in the title TT # i (step S31). Since it is YES, subsequently, it is determined whether or not a parental block (a viewing restriction section in the title) is formed by referring to the program chain information of the video title set information of VTS # n (step S32). If not configured here, subsequently, the parental ID field of PGC # 1 in the same program chain information is compared with the player parental ID,
PGC # 1 is the same bit position as the player parental ID
By comparing whether the parental ID field is “1” in the parental ID field, it is determined whether or not the PGC is of a strength of the parental level permitted to be reproduced in comparison with the parental level set by the user (step S33). . Normally, PGCs other than parental blocks have parental control levels of levels 2 to 8 and can be reproduced.
Referring to the program chain information of C # 1, DV
The D playback unit 2 is controlled to play back the presentation information of PGC # 1 (step S34). As a result, the DVD playback unit 2 stores the first PG of the user-desired title.
AV output is performed for C # 1.

During playback, the system control unit 4 controls the DV.
The current reading position information is input from the D playback unit 2 and the VT
With reference to the program chain information of the video title set information of S # n, it is checked whether reading has been completed up to the end of PGC # 1 (step S35).
The following program chain PGC # for the same title
2 (steps S36 and S3).
1) If it exists, it is determined whether or not a parental block (a viewing restriction section in the title) is further configured (step S32). Here, assuming that a parental block is configured as shown by PLB # 1 in FIG.
With reference to the program chain information of the video title set information of S # n, the parental ID field of each PGC constituting the same parental block as PGC # 2 is compared with the player parental ID, and the player parental ID is compared.
By determining a PGC having a parental ID field in which the same bit as “1” is set to “1”, a PGC having a parental strength that permits reproduction compared to the parental level is searched for (steps S37 to S41, S39 to S41).

Specifically, first, the number of PGCs constituting the parental block is registered as a (step S3).
7) After setting b for determining the order to 0 (step S38), PGC # (j +
By comparing the parental ID field of b) with the player parental ID and comparing whether the same bit position as the player parental ID is “1” in the parental ID field of PGC # (j + b), Is compared with the set parental control level, it is determined whether or not the PGC has a parental control level that allows reproduction (step S39).
If NO, on the condition that b has not yet reached (a-1) (step S40), b is incremented (step S41), and the flow returns to step S38 to make a similar determination.

Here, as shown in FIG. 12 (2), if the parental block PLB # 1 is composed of PGC # 2 to PGC # 4, and if PGC # 3 is applicable,
Referring to the program chain information of PGC # 3,
The DVD playback unit 2 is controlled to play back from the beginning of the presentation information of PGC # 3. The DVD playback unit 2 seamlessly outputs AV for PGC # 3 following PGC # 1.

During playback, the system control unit 4
The current reading position information is input from the D playback unit 2 and the VT
With reference to the program chain information of the video title set information of S # n, it is checked whether reading has been completed up to the end of PGC # 3 (step S43).
It is determined that j ← (j + a), and the process returns to step S31 to check whether the next PGC # 5 of the current parental block exists. If there is, it is determined whether or not a parental block (viewing restriction section in the title) is further configured (step S32). If not configured, the parental ID field of PGC # 5 in the program chain information is compared with the player parental ID, and the same bit position as the player parental ID is set to "1" in the parental ID field of PGC # 5. Is compared with the parental level set by the user to determine whether or not the PGC is of a level of parental control permitted to be reproduced (step S33). PGCs other than parental blocks usually have a parental control level of levels 2 to 8.
In order to enable playback, the DVD playback unit 2 refers to the program chain information of the PGC # 5 of the title TT # i and the like.
, And playback is performed from the beginning of the presentation information of PGC # 5. The DVD playback unit 2 seamlessly outputs AV for PGC # 5 following PGC # 3.

During playback, the system control unit 4
Read position information is input from the D playback unit 2 and VTS # n
It is checked whether reading has been completed up to the end of PGC # 5 with reference to the program chain information of the video title set information (step S35). If YES, it is checked whether the next program chain PGC # 6 exists for the same title. (Steps S36 and S31) If it exists, it is determined whether or not a parental block (viewing restriction section in the title) is further configured (step S3).
2). Here, assuming that a parental block is configured like PLB # 2 in FIG. 12 (2), the parental block of each PGC in the same parental block is referred to with reference to the program chain information of the video title set information of VTS # n.
By comparing the D field with the player parental ID and determining the PGC having the parental ID field in which the same bit as the player parental ID is "1", the reproduction is performed in comparison with the user set parental level. A search is made for a PGC having a permitted viewing restriction strength (step S37).
To S41). Here, as shown in FIG. 12 (2), the parental block PLB # 2 is composed of PGC # 6 to PGC # 8, and if PGC # 7 is applicable, PG
Referring to the program chain information of C # 7, the DV
The D playback unit 2 is controlled to play back from the beginning of the presentation information of PGC # 7 (step S42). D
The VD playback unit 2 performs seamless PGC following PGC # 5.
The AV output for # 7 is performed.

During playback, the system control unit 4
Read position information is input from the D playback unit 2 and VTS # n
It is checked whether reading has been completed up to the end of PGC # 7 by referring to the program chain information of the video title set information (step S43). If YES, it is checked whether the next PGC # 9 of the current parental block exists. (Steps S44 and S31). If there is, it is determined whether or not a parental block (viewing restriction section in the title) is further configured (step S32). If not configured, then PG in the program chain information
By comparing the parental ID field of C # 9 with the player parental ID and comparing whether the same bit position as the player parental ID is “1” in the parental ID field of PGC # 9, It is determined whether or not the PGC is of a strength of the parental level permitted for reproduction by comparison with the set parental level (step S33). PGCs other than parental blocks usually have a parental control level of levels 2 to 8 and can be played back.
The DVD playback unit 2 is controlled with reference to the program chain information of the PGC # 9 of the title TT #i, and the PGC #
The reproduction is started from the beginning of the presentation information of No. 9 (step S34). The DVD playback unit 2 seamlessly outputs AV for PGC # 9 following PGC # 7.

During playback, the system control unit 4 controls the DV.
The playback position information is input from the D playback unit 2, and it is checked whether reading has been completed up to the end of PGC # 9 by referring to the program chain information of the video title set information of VTS # n (step S35). It is checked whether the next PGC # 10 of the parental block exists (steps S36 and S31). Here, when there is no title TT # i, the reproduction control of the title TT # i ends (step 45), and the process returns to step S14 in FIG. As described above, when the user selects the desired title TT # i after setting the parental level to 3 in advance, the system control unit 4 sets the parental level in which the title TT # i is partially a parental control section. When a block is included, PGCs other than the viewing restriction section are all reproduced, and in the parental block, the PGC permitted to be viewed and compared with the set level is reproduced.
, The content suitable for the age of the user is automatically reproduced. When an eject operation is performed on the operation unit 3, the system control unit 4 controls a loading unit (not shown) to eject the DVD 1 to the outside (steps S20 and S21 in FIG. 10).

[0018]

However, the user cannot know which scene is the restricted viewing section before the reproduction of the DVD 1 and cannot know which scene is the restricted viewing section even after the reproduction. Can not. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to appropriately set a parental level appropriate for a scene for which parental control is applied by its own judgment. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium reproducing apparatus that can appropriately set a parental level appropriate for a scene to which parental control is applied by its own judgment. I do.

[0019]

In the recording medium reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, presentation information for reproduction is recorded.
A reproducing unit that reproduces the presentation information for a recording medium in which a plurality of pieces of presentation information are prepared according to the strength of the parental level; a setting unit that sets the parental level by the user; The playback position is monitored, and when approaching the viewing restriction section, the playback means is controlled, the reproduction is temporarily interrupted, and the reproduction is resumed automatically or in response to the user's release operation. And control means for restarting the reproduction of the presentation information permitted to be reproduced at the set level set by the user. This allows
When the playback restriction section is reached during playback, playback is temporarily interrupted, so the user can accurately determine what scene is the viewing restriction section and what viewing restriction level is appropriate for watching. By setting the parental control level later and reproducing it again, the user can view at a level appropriate for viewing the scene in the parental control section. In the recording medium reproducing device according to the second aspect of the present invention, presentation information for reproduction is recorded, and for some viewing restriction sections, a plurality of presentation information are prepared according to the strength of the viewing restriction. Playback means for playing back presentation information for a recording medium, setting means for setting a viewing restriction level by a user, and monitoring of a playback position in the playback means. , Temporarily suspends playback, waits for a new parental control level to be set by the setting unit, and when set, controls the playback unit,
And control means for restarting the reproduction of the presentation information permitted to be reproduced at the current set level in the viewing restriction section. This allows
When the playback restriction section is reached during playback, playback is temporarily interrupted, so the user can accurately determine what scene is the viewing restriction section and what viewing restriction level is appropriate for watching. If the viewing restriction level is subsequently set again, the user can immediately view the viewing restriction section at a level suitable for viewing the scene of the viewing restriction section. In the recording medium reproducing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the control means approaches the parental level section, and when controlling the reproducing means to temporarily suspend the reproduction, information indicating that the parental level section is approached. Information for prompting the setting of the viewing restriction level is output from a predetermined output unit. This allows
When the viewing restriction section is reached during the reproduction and the reproduction is temporarily interrupted, the information prompting the setting of the viewing restriction level is output from the predetermined output means, so that the user cannot stop the reproduction temporarily. , Can perform appropriate operations.

[0020]

Next, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a DVD player with a parental lock function according to the present invention, and the same components as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Reference numeral 1 denotes one video manager and one or more video title sets recorded therein. Each video title set contains presentation information of one or more titles together with various playback control information such as video title set information. Some titles are DVDs for which parental control has been applied, and 2 is a DVD playback unit.
VD1 recording signal is detected, RF signal is created, 8-16
The data stream is demodulated by performing processes such as demodulation, error / detection and correction, and further separated into an MPEG2 video stream, an audio stream, and a sub-picture stream.
After decoding each, the digital video signal obtained by decoding the MPEG2 video stream and the digital video signal obtained by decoding the sub-picture stream are combined, further D / A converted, output as an analog video signal V, and the audio stream is decoded. The digital audio signal is D / A converted and output as an analog audio signal A. The DVD reproducing unit 2 is a DV player.
It also has a function of reading position information from D1, reading various kinds of reproduction control information including video manager information, and outputting it to the system control unit. 3A is an operation unit for performing operations such as selection of a desired title and setting of a parental level, 6 is a display unit, and 4A is a system control of a microcomputer configuration which controls the overall reproduction control of the player according to the operation on the operation unit 3A. And a built-in memory 5 for storing various reproduction control information and the like.

The system control unit 4A controls the DVD reproducing unit 2 to temporarily stop the reproduction (pause, resume stop, etc.) when the parental control section reaches the parental control section during the reproduction, and sets the parental control level on the display unit 6. When the user performs a setting operation of the viewing restriction level, the user is allowed to reproduce at the current setting level among a plurality of pieces of presentation information having different viewing restriction strengths constituting the viewing restriction section. The selected presentation information is restarted.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are flowcharts showing a reproduction control process of the system control unit 4A when reproducing a title including a parental control section, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a reproduction operation. When the user performs a setting operation of a desired parental control level, for example, 4 on the operation unit 3A, the system control unit 4A registers the setting level in the built-in memory 5 (steps S10 and S11 in FIG. 2). When the DVD 1 is loaded, the DVD playback unit 2 is controlled to read the video manager information in the video manager and store it in the built-in memory 5 (steps S12 and S13). When the user performs an operation of selecting, for example, a desired title (partly including a parental block) on the operation unit 3A, the system control unit 4A registers as TT # i (step S14,
S15). Here, it is assumed that the configuration of the PGC group of the title TT # i is as shown in FIG. After step S15,
First, the video title set including the title TT # i is checked from the information of the title search pointer in the video manager information and set as VTS # n (step S16), and the parental management information for VTS # n in the video manager information is referred to. The parental control level set by the user to the player parental ID for the video title set VTS # n.
And stored in the internal memory 5 (step S1).
7). If the parental management information for VTS # n is as shown in FIG. 8A, the player parental ID is (01000000000000000) from the MSB side.
00).

Then, the title search pointer TT in the video manager information The title TT in the information of the SRP
The parental ID field of #i is compared with the player parental ID, and the user sets by comparing whether the same bit position as the player parental ID is "1" in the parental ID field of TT # i. It is determined whether or not the title has the strength of the parental level permitted to be reproduced by comparing with the parental level (step S18). If it is not permitted, the reproduction is not started (N in step S18).
O). Here, it is assumed that it is permitted (step S
18), and then refers to the video title set start position information in the information of the title search pointer and returns to D
After controlling the VD playback unit 2 to search the start position of the video title set VTS # n of the DVD1,
The video title set information of #n is read and stored in the built-in memory 5 (step S19).

Then, j = 1 indicating the number of the program chain of the title TT # i is set (step S3 in FIG. 3).
0), referring to the program chain information of the video title set information of VTS # n, it is checked whether or not the program chain PGC # j = PGC # 1 exists in the title TT # i (step S31). Since it is YES, subsequently, it is determined whether or not a parental block (a viewing restriction section in the title) is formed by referring to the program chain information of the video title set information of VTS # n (step S32). As shown in FIG. 5, since it is not configured here,
Subsequently, the parental ID field of PGC # 1 in the same program chain information is compared with the player parental ID, and the same bit position as the player parental ID is set to P.
By comparing whether the parental ID field of GC # 1 is “1”, the PGC of the strength of the parental level permitted to be reproduced compared with the parental level set by the user
It is determined whether or not this is the case (step S33). PGCs other than parental blocks usually have parental control levels 2 to 8
It is allowed and can be reproduced, so the title TT #
The DVD playback unit 2 is controlled by referring to the program chain information of the PGC # 1 of i, and the presentation information of the PGC # 1 is played (step S34). As a result, the DVD playback unit 2 performs AV output for the first PGC # 1 of the title desired by the user.

During playback, the system control unit 4
The current reading position information is input from the D playback unit 2 and the VT
With reference to the program chain information of the video title set information of S # n, it is checked whether reading has been completed up to the end of PGC # 1 (step S35).
The following program chain PGC # for the same title
2 (steps S36 and S3).
1) If it exists, it is determined whether or not a parental block (a viewing restriction section in the title) is further configured (step S32). Here, assuming that a parental block is configured like PLB # 1 in FIG. 5, the DVD playback unit 2 is controlled to pause or resume in a pause or resume stop state, and the display unit 6 displays “viewing restricted section. Please set an appropriate parental level "and wait for the user to change the parental level (steps S50 and S51 in FIG. 4).

The user can grasp what kind of scene this viewing-restricted section is based on the last reproduced content of PGC # 1 of the title TT # i, and can determine an appropriate viewing-restricted level for himself / herself. Then, when a setting operation of a new parental control level, for example, 6 is performed on the operation unit 3A, the system control unit 4A registers the parental management information for the video title set VTS # n in the video manager information after registering it in the built-in memory 5. Referring to FIG. 8 (2)), the parental level set by the user is set to the video title set VT.
The ID is converted into a player parental ID for S # n and stored in the built-in memory 5 (steps S52 to S54). The player parental ID is (1000000000000) from the MSB side.
000000). Then, step S in FIG.
Proceeding to 37, the parental ID of each PGC constituting the same parental block as PGC # 2 with reference to the program chain information of the video title set information of VTS # n
By comparing the field with the player parental ID and determining the PGC having the parental ID field in which the same bit as the player parental ID is “1”, the PGC is compared with the parental level newly set by the user. Search for a PGC whose viewing limit is allowed to be reproduced (step S
38-S41, S39-S41).

Specifically, first, the number of PGCs constituting the parental block is registered as a (step S3).
7) After setting b for determining the order to 0 (step S38), PGC # (j +
By comparing the parental ID field of b) with the player parental ID and comparing whether the same bit position as the player parental ID is “1” in the parental ID field of PGC # (j + b), Is compared with the set parental control level, it is determined whether or not the PGC has a parental control level that allows reproduction (step S39).
If NO, on the condition that b has not yet reached (a-1) (step S40), b is incremented (step S41), and the flow returns to step S38 to make a similar determination.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the parental block PLB # 1 is composed of PGC # 2 to PGC # 4, and if PGC # 2 is applicable, PGC # 2
The DVD playback unit 2 is controlled with reference to the program chain information of the PGC # 2 to restart the playback from the beginning of the presentation information of the PGC # 2. DVD playback unit 2 is PGC #
Subsequent to 1, the AV output for PGC # 2 is seamlessly performed.

During playback, the system control unit 4A
The current reading position information is input from the VD playback unit 2 and
Referring to the program chain information of the video title set information of TS # 2, it is checked whether reading has been completed up to the end of PGC # 2 (step S43). If YES, j ← (j + a) is set, and the flow returns to step S31 to return to this time. Check if the next PGC # 5 of the parental block exists. If there is, it is determined whether or not a parental block (viewing restriction section in the title) is further configured (step S32). As shown in FIG. 5, since the parental block is not configured, the parental ID field of PGC # 5 in the program chain information is compared with the player parental ID, and the same bit position as the player parental ID is set to the PGC #. By comparing whether the parental ID field is “1” in the parental ID field of No. 5 or not, it is determined whether or not the PGC is a PGC of a parental control level permitted to be reproduced in comparison with the parental control level set by the user (step S3).
3). PGCs other than parental blocks usually have a parental level of 2 to 8 permissible and can be reproduced. Therefore, the PGC # 5 of the title TT # i is referenced by referring to the program chain information of the PGC # 5. Controls the playback unit 2,
Playback is performed from the beginning of the presentation information of PGC # 5. The DVD playback unit 2 seamlessly outputs AV for PGC # 5 following PGC # 2.

During reproduction, the system control unit 7
The playback position information is input from the D playback unit 2, and it is checked whether reading has been completed up to the end of PGC # 5 by referring to the program chain information of the video title set information of VTS # n (step S35). It is checked whether the next program chain PGC # 6 exists for the title (steps S36 and S31), and if it exists, it is determined whether or not a parental block (viewing restriction section in the title) is further formed (step S32). .
Here, assuming that the parental block shown by PLB # 2 in FIG. 5 is configured, the DVD playback unit 2 is controlled to pause or resume in a pause or resume stop state, and the display unit 6 displays “A parental block. Please set a proper parental level "and wait for the user to change the parental level (FIG. 4
Steps S50 and S51).

The user can know what kind of scene the current viewing-restricted section is in from the last reproduced content of PGC # 5 of the title TT # i, and can determine an appropriate viewing-restricted level for himself / herself. If it's the same as last time,
An instruction operation without change is performed on the operation unit 3A. Then, the system control unit 4A determines that the operation of canceling the reproduction suspension has been performed (YES in step S55), and proceeds to step S37 and subsequent steps in FIG. If the user has not performed any operation on the operation unit 3A for a certain period of time, the process proceeds to step S37 to automatically cancel the reproduction pause state (YES in step S56). Here, referring to the program chain information of the video title set information of VTS # n, P
Each PGC constituting the same parental block as GC # 6
Parental ID field and player parental ID
PGC having a parental ID field in which the same bit as the player parental ID becomes "1"
Is determined, the PGC of the strength of the parental level permitted to be reproduced compared to the parental level set last time by the user.
(Steps S38 to S41, S39 to S41).

Specifically, first, the number of PGCs constituting the parental block is registered as a (step S3).
7) After setting b for determining the order to 0 (step S38), PGC # (j +
By comparing the parental ID field of b) with the player parental ID and comparing whether the same bit position as the player parental ID is “1” in the parental ID field of PGC # (j + b), Is compared with the set parental control level, it is determined whether or not the PGC has a parental control level that allows reproduction (step S39).
If NO, on the condition that b has not yet reached (a-1) (step S40), b is incremented (step S41), and the flow returns to step S38 to make a similar determination.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, parental block PLB # 2 is composed of PGC # 6 to PGC # 8, and if PGC # 6 is applicable, PGC #
The DVD playback unit 2 is controlled with reference to the program chain information of the PGC # 6, and the reproduction is restarted from the beginning of the presentation information of the PGC # 6. DVD playback unit 2 is PGC
Following # 5, AV output for PGC # 6 is seamlessly performed.

During playback, the system control unit 4A
The current reading position information is input from the VD playback unit 2 and
It is checked whether reading has been completed up to the end of PGC # 6 by referring to the program chain information of the video title set information of TS # n (step S43). If YES, j ← (j + a) is set, and the flow returns to step S31 to return to this time. It checks whether the next PGC # 9 of the parental block exists. If there is, it is determined whether or not a parental block (viewing restriction section in the title) is further configured (step S32). Since it is not configured as shown in FIG.
Subsequently, the parental ID field of PGC # 9 in the program chain information is compared with the player parental ID, and the same bit position as the player parental ID is determined by the PGC.
By comparing whether the parental ID field of # 9 is "1" or not, it is determined whether or not the PGC has a parental control strength that allows reproduction by comparing with the parental control level set by the user (step). S33). The PGCs other than the parental block usually have a parental level of 2 to 8 permissible and can be reproduced. Therefore, referring to the program chain information of the PGC # 9 of the title TT # i,
The DVD playback unit 2 is controlled to play back from the beginning of the presentation information of PGC # 9. The DVD playback unit 2 seamlessly outputs AV for PGC # 9 following PGC # 6.

During playback, the system control unit 7 controls the DV
The current reading position information is input from the D playback unit 2 and the VT
With reference to the program chain information of the video title set information of S # n, it is checked whether reading has been completed up to the end of PGC # 9 (step S43).
It is checked whether the next PGC # 10 of the parental block exists (steps S44 and S31). Since there is no title, the reproduction control of the title TT # i ends (step 45), and the process returns to step S14 in FIG.

According to this embodiment, when the system control section 4A approaches the parental control section during the reproduction of the DVD 1, the system control section 4A controls the DVD reproducing section 2 to temporarily suspend the reproduction and displays the parental control section on the display section 6. Is displayed, and information urging the user to set a parental level is displayed. As a result, the user knows that the viewing restriction section has been reached, and since the user can know what kind of scene the viewing restriction section is based on the immediately preceding reproduction content, the user can correctly determine the viewing restriction level appropriate for himself. Therefore, when the user performs a setting operation of a new viewing restriction level, the system control unit 4A allows reproduction at the current setting level among a plurality of pieces of presentation information that constitute different viewing restriction levels and have different viewing restriction strengths. Selected presentation information and resume playback. As a result, the user can preview the contents of the viewing restriction level appropriate for the user in the viewing restriction section. In addition, when playback is temporarily interrupted due to approaching the parental control section, information indicating that the user has entered the parental control section is displayed on the display unit 6, so that the user can understand the reason for the temporary suspension and cannot be confused. Appropriate operation can be performed according to the information prompting the level setting operation. In addition, when the viewing restriction section is reached and the reproduction is temporarily interrupted, and when the previously set viewing restriction level is sufficient, an instruction operation without change (meaning a temporary suspension release operation) is immediately performed by the operation unit 3A. In addition, among presentation information of different contents of viewing restrictions constituting the viewing restriction section, reproduction is performed by presentation information of viewing restriction strength permitted to be reproduced in comparison with the viewing restriction level previously set by the user. Will resume, so
User effort is reduced. Furthermore, when playback is temporarily interrupted due to approaching the parental control section, when the parental control level set last time can be kept, or when a certain time elapses without performing an instruction operation without change, parental control constituting the parental control section is performed. In the presentation information having different contents, the reproduction is resumed by the presentation information of the viewing restriction strength that is allowed to be compared with the viewing restriction level set by the user last time, so that the operation of the user is troublesome. Can be omitted.

It should be noted that FIG. 4 is changed as shown in FIG. 6, steps S52 to S54 in FIG. 4 are omitted, and step S51 is changed to the display of "viewing restricted section" as in step S51 '. After that, the process may proceed to step S55. In this case, at the time of the first reproduction of the desired title, it is grasped what kind of scene the viewing restriction section is, and later, in step S10, the user himself / herself is changed to a viewing restriction level suitable for watching the viewing restriction section. Then, when the desired title is reproduced again, the user can view the content in a manner appropriate for viewing the scene in the viewing restriction section. Also, the display unit 6 is used to execute step S in FIG.
Instead of displaying the information of step S51 'of FIG. 4 or step S51' of FIG.
1 or a video signal for displaying the information in step S51 'of FIG. 6 and combining the video signal with the video signal output of the DVD reproducing unit 2 so that the reproduced image of the DVD 1 is displayed on the screen for displaying the reproduced image. Is also good. Further, in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the DVD has been described as an example.
The present invention is not limited to this
The same applies to other types of recording media as long as they have a parental lock function.

[0038]

According to the present invention, when the viewing restriction section is reached during the reproduction, the reproduction is temporarily interrupted, so that the user can determine what scene is the viewing restriction section and what viewing It is possible to accurately determine whether it is appropriate to watch at the restriction level, and to view the content in a manner appropriate for viewing the scene in the viewing restriction section.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a DVD player with a parental lock function according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a reproduction control process of a system control unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a reproduction control process of a system control unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reproduction control process of a system control unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a reproducing operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a modification of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a reproducing operation using a parental lock function.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of parental management information for video title set and information of a parental ID field in program chain information.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a conventional DVD player with a parental lock function.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a reproduction control process of a system control unit in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a reproduction control process of a system control unit in FIG. 9;

12 is an explanatory diagram of a reproducing operation in the player of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 DVD 2 DVD playback unit 3A operation unit 4A system control unit 5 built-in memory 6 display unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] A presentation information for reproduction is recorded, and for a part of a parental control section, the presentation information is applied to a recording medium prepared in plural in accordance with the strength of parental control. A setting means for setting a preview limit level by the user; and monitoring a reproduction position of the reproduction means, and when approaching a viewing restriction section, controlling the reproduction means to temporarily perform reproduction. Control means for suspending the reproduction, restarting the reproduction automatically or in response to the user's release operation, and resuming the reproduction of the presentation information permitted to be reproduced at the set level set in advance by the user in the viewing restriction section. A recording medium reproducing device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. Presentation information for reproduction is recorded. For a part of the viewing restriction section, the presentation information is applied to a plurality of recording media prepared according to the strength of the viewing restriction. A setting means for setting a parental level by the user; and monitoring a reproduction position of the reproducing means, and when approaching a parental control section, controlling the reproducing means to temporarily perform reproduction. The setting is interrupted and the setting unit waits for the new parental control level to be set, and when it is set, the reproducing unit is controlled, and the reproduction of the presentation information permitted to be reproduced at the current setting level in the parental control section is resumed. Control means for causing the recording medium to be reproduced. 3. The control means, when the viewing restriction section is approached, and when the reproduction means is controlled and the reproduction is temporarily interrupted, information indicating that the viewing restriction section is approaching or information prompting the setting of the viewing restriction level. 3. The recording medium reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output is performed from a predetermined output unit.