JP2001078143A - Information recording medium, information reproducing device and information recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an information recording medium capable of contributing to realize the reproduction of a mask to be reproduced while optional data are masked by providing an area where model data of a mask image for a user are recorded, in order that reproduction information in a period when the mask is designated is masked. SOLUTION: When a video object unit VOBU 85 includes video data, GOP (based on the MPEG standard) constituted of a video pack 88, a sub-video pack 90 and an audio pack 91 are arrayed to constitute a video data stream. Then mask data are recorded in the null area of the area where sub-video data corresponding to reproduction information (main video data) during a period when the user has designated the mask are recorded. Thus, when reproduction information of the period when the mask is designated is reproduced, mask reproduction is realized by mask data which are recorded in the null area of the area where sub-video data corresponding to the reproduction information are recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information recording medium on which mask data is recorded in addition to moving image data of a movie, for example. Further, the present invention relates to an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing moving image data recorded on the information recording medium by masking the moving image data. Further, the present invention, while recording the mask data on the information recording medium, based on the moving image data and the mask data recorded on the information recording medium,
The present invention relates to an information recording / reproducing apparatus for reproducing a moving image data with a mask applied thereto.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, research and development on optical disks such as DVDs (Digital Video Disks) have been actively pursued. DVD includes DVD-ROM (Read Only Memory)
And a DVD-RAM (random access memory). Optical discs such as DVDs feature large-capacity recording,
For example, moving image data such as a movie is stored.

[0003]

However, a movie stored on an optical disc sometimes contains a video (scene) that is not desirable for education. Such an optical disc is made not to be shown to a child, or when a scene which is not desirable for education is reproduced, the parent skips and reproduces only this scene. However, in this case, the child cannot enjoy the movie alone, and the parents cannot enjoy the movie with confidence.

[0004] In addition, when only a part of an optical disk on which personal data is recorded contains data that is not desired to be seen by another person, the optical disk cannot be easily lent to another person.

An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide the following information recording medium, information reproducing apparatus, and information recording and reproducing apparatus.

(1) An information recording medium capable of contributing to the realization of mask reproduction in which arbitrary data is masked and reproduced.

(2) An information reproducing apparatus capable of realizing mask reproduction in which arbitrary data is masked and reproduced.

(3) An information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of realizing mask reproduction for reproducing data by masking arbitrary data.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems and achieve the object, an information recording medium, an information reproducing apparatus, and an information recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention are configured as follows.

(1) In the information recording medium of the present invention, the data area includes main video data, sub-video data, and audio data, the management area includes navigation data, and the navigation data includes menu data. An information recording medium having the data area and the management area, wherein, of the reproduction information reproduced based on each data recorded in the data area, reproduction during a period in which a mask is designated by a user. An area is provided in which template data of a user mask image for masking information is recorded.

(2) In the information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, the data area includes main video data, sub video data, and audio data, the management area includes navigation data, and the navigation data includes menu data. An information reproducing apparatus that reproduces an information recording medium having the data area and the management area, wherein a mask is masked by a user among reproduction information reproduced based on each data recorded in the data area. A storage unit for storing template data of a user mask image for masking reproduction information for a specified period, and a mask designated by a user based on the template data of the user mask image stored in the storage unit Mask reproduction means for reproducing the reproduction information by masking the reproduction information in the specified period.

The information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention has a data structure in which a data area includes main video data, sub-video data, and audio data, a management area includes navigation data, and the navigation data includes menu data. An information recording / reproducing apparatus that reproduces an information recording medium provided with the data area and the management area and records predetermined information on the information recording medium, wherein each data recorded in the data area is Recording means for recording template data of a user mask image for masking reproduction information in a period in which a mask is designated by a user among reproduction information reproduced based on Based on the mask image template data, playback is performed by masking the playback information for the period when the mask is specified by the user. And a mask reproducing means that.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A data structure on an information recording medium (optical disc) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] Data of a data structure as shown in FIG. 1 is recorded on the optical disk. Lead-in area 27
The area from to the lead-out area 26 is allocated as a data recording area 28. The data recording area 28 includes a volume / file management area 70 and a data area DA. In the volume / file management area 70, information on volume and file structure is recorded. The data recorded in the data area DA will be described later in detail.

The data recording area 28 is physically divided into a large number of sectors, and these physical sectors are assigned serial numbers. The logical address of the data recorded in the data recording area 28 means a logical sector number. The logical sector size here is 2048 bytes (2 Kbytes), like the effective data size of the physical sector.
There is. The logical sector numbers are assigned consecutive numbers in ascending order of the physical sector numbers. Note that unlike the logical sector, redundant information such as error correction information is added to the physical sector. For this reason, the physical sector size does not exactly match the logical sector size.

That is, the data recording area 28 has a hierarchical structure, and the volume / file management information 7
0 and a data area DA. The area included in the data recording area 28 is partitioned on the boundary between logical sectors. Here, one logical sector is 204
Eight bytes are defined, and one logical block is also defined as 2048 bytes. Therefore, one logical sector is defined as being equivalent to one logical block.

In the emboss data area of the lead-in area 27, information such as a serial number (disk ID) is recorded. The rewritable area of the lead-in area 27 and the rewritable area of the lead-out area 26 include:
A unique disk name recording area for identifying the information storage medium, a test recording area (for confirming recording and erasing conditions), and a defect management information recording area for a defect area in the data area DA are provided. Each of these areas can be recorded by a digital information recording / reproducing system.

The data area DA is provided with a data recording area in which predetermined data is recorded. In this data area DA, mixed recording of computer data, audio data and video data is possible. In this data area DA, the recording order of computer data, audio data and video data, and the size of each recording information are arbitrary. In FIG. 1, the area where computer data is recorded is described as computer data areas DA1 and DA3, and the area where audio / video data is recorded is described as audio / video data area DA3.

In the audio / video data area DA2, control information DA21, a video object DA22,
A picture object DA23 and an audio object DA24 are recorded. The control information DA21 is control information necessary for performing each process of recording (recording), reproduction, editing, and searching. The video object DA22 is recording information (moving image data) of the contents of the video data. The picture object DA23 is a still image such as a slide or a still, information for searching for a desired place in video data, and information on an editing thumbnail in the video data. The audio object DA24 is recording information of the contents of audio data.

The video manager VMG is composed of a plurality of files 74A. This file 74A contains
Information for managing the video title sets (VTS # 1 to #n) 72 (video manager information VMGI, video object set for video manager menu VMGM_)
VOBS, video manager information backup file VMGI_BUP).

Each video title set VTS72 includes:
Video data compressed according to the MPEG standard (video pack described later), audio data compressed or uncompressed according to a predetermined standard (audio pack described later),
And run-length-compressed sub-picture data (sub-picture pack described later; including bitmap data in which one pixel is defined by a plurality of bits) and information for reproducing these data (navigation pack described later; presentation control) Information PCI and data search information DSI).

The video title set VTS72 also has a plurality of files 74B, like the video manager VMG.
It is composed of The file 74B includes video title set information VTSI, a video title set menu object set VTSM_VOBS, and a video title set title video object set VT.
STT_VOBS and video title set information backup VTSI_BUP are included.

Here, the video title set VTS
The number of (VTS # 1 to #n) 72 is limited to a maximum of 99, and the number of files 74B constituting each video title set VTS 72 is determined to be a maximum of 12.
These files 74A and 74B are similarly partitioned at the boundary of the logical sector.

In the other recording area 73, information usable in the video title set VTS 72 described above or other information unrelated to the video title set can be recorded. This area 73 is not essential, and may be deleted if not used.

As will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, a video object set VTST for a video title set title
T_VOBS defines a collection of one or more video objects VOB. Each VOB defines a collection of one or more cells. A collection of one or more cells constitutes a program chain PGC.

The plurality of cells constituting the PGC can be interpreted to correspond to various scenes in a drama. This P
The contents of the GC (or the contents of the cell) are determined, for example, by the software provider that produces the content recorded on the disc.

FIG. 2 shows a hierarchical structure of information included in the video object set VTSTT_VOBS of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, each cell 84 is composed of one or more video object units (VOBU) 85. Then, each video object unit 85
Is configured as an aggregate (pack sequence) of a video pack (V pack) 88, a sub-picture pack (SP pack) 90, and an audio pack (A pack) 91, starting with a navigation pack (NV pack) 86. I have.
That is, the video object unit VOBU85
Is defined as a set of all packs recorded from one navigation pack 86 to immediately before the next navigation pack 86.

These packs are the minimum units when performing data transfer processing. The minimum unit for performing logical processing is a cell unit, and the logical processing is performed for this cell unit.

The navigation pack 86 is incorporated in the video object unit VOBU 85 so that any angle change (non-seamless reproduction and seamless reproduction) can be realized.

The above-mentioned video object unit VOBU
The playback time of video object unit VOB is 85
This corresponds to the playback time of video data composed of one or more video groups (group of pictures; GOP for short) included in U85, and the playback time is 0.4 seconds to 1.
It is set within the range of 2 seconds. One GOP is usually about 0.5 seconds in the MPEG standard, and is screen data compressed so as to reproduce about 15 images during that time.

Video object unit VOBU85
Contains video data, a GOP (conforming to the MPEG standard) composed of a video pack 88, a sub-picture pack 90 and an audio pack 91 is arranged to form a video data stream. However, irrespective of the number of GOPs, the video object unit VOBU85 is determined based on the playback time of the GOP, and the beginning of the video object unit VOBU85 is always the navigation pack 86 as shown in FIG.
Are arranged.

It should be noted that even in the case of reproduction data of only audio and / or sub-picture data, the reproduction data is constituted with the video object unit VOBU85 as one unit. For example, when the video object unit VOBU85 is composed of only the audio pack 91 with the navigation pack 86 at the head, the video object unit VO to which the audio data belongs is similar to the video object VOB83 of the video data.
The audio pack 91 to be reproduced within the reproduction time of the BU 85 is the video object unit VOBU8.
5 is stored.

As shown in FIG. 2, a video object set (VTSTT_VOBS) 82 is defined as a set of one or more video objects (VOB) 83. The video objects VOB 83 in the video object set VOBS 82 are used for the same purpose.

The menu VOBS 82 is usually composed of one VOB 83, in which a plurality of menu screen display data are stored. On the other hand, the VOBS 82 for the title set is usually composed of a plurality of VOBs 83.

Here, VOBs constituting the title set video object set VTSTT_VOBS 82
83 can be considered to correspond to video data of performances of a certain rock band, taking a concert video of the band as an example. In this case, by designating the VOB 83, for example, the third piece of the concert performance music of the band can be reproduced.

The VOB 83 constituting the menu video object set VTSM_VOBS stores menu data of all the concert performances of the band, and according to the display of the menu, a specific song,
For example, an encore performance song can be reproduced.

In a normal video program, one VOB 83 can constitute one VOBS 82. In this case, one video stream is one VO
It will be completed in B83.

On the other hand, for example, in an animation collection of a plurality of stories or an omnibus movie, one VO
A plurality of video streams (a plurality of program chains PGC) can be provided in the BS 82 corresponding to each story. In this case, each video stream is stored in the corresponding VOB 83. At that time, the audio stream and the sub-picture stream related to each video stream are also completed in each VOB 83.

The VOB 83 has an identification number (IDN # i;
i = 0 to i), and the VO
B83 can be specified. The VOB 83 includes one or a plurality of cells 84. Although a normal video stream is composed of a plurality of cells, a video stream for a menu may be composed of one cell 84 in some cases.
Each cell 84 is given an identification number (C_IDN # j) as in the case of the VOB 83.

FIG. 2 exemplifies a data string (pack string) in a pack format which is read out from the optical disk and obtained after signal demodulation / error correction in a disk drive (not shown) as described above. I have. This pack row includes a navigation pack (control pack) 8
6, a video pack 88, a sub-picture pack 90 and an audio pack 91. All of these packs are composed of data in units of 2 Kbytes.

The navigation pack 86 includes a pack header 110, a reproduction control information / presentation control information (PCI) packet 116, and data search information (DS).
I) The packet 117 is included. PCI packet 11
6 includes control data used at the time of non-seamless angle switching, and the DSI packet 117 includes control data used at the time of seamless angle switching.

Here, the angle switching means changing an angle (camera angle) at which a subject image is viewed. In the example of a rock concert video, in the same music performance scene (same event), a scene captured mainly by a vocalist, a scene captured mainly by a guitarist,
This means that you can see scenes from various angles, such as scenes captured mainly by drummers.

The case where the angle is switched (or the angle is changed) is selected when the angle can be selected according to the preference of the viewer, or when the same scene is automatically changed in the flow of the story while changing the angle. (If the software creator / provider configured the story in that way; or if the user of the DVD video recorder described below made such editing).

When selecting an angle,
There are the following: That is, in the case of non-seamless playback in which the angle changes back to the beginning of the same scene and discontinuous in time (for example, the scene at the moment when the boxer puts the counter punch, the camera angle changes to another angle and the counter starts to be launched again. In the case of seamless playback in which the angle changes in the scene that follows the scene, and in the case of continuous seamless playback (for example, when the boxer enters the counter and the punch enters, the camera angle changes to another angle and the counter is eaten) When the opponent's flying scene is played continuously in time)
There is.

The video pack 88 includes a pack header 881
And a video packet 882. The sub-picture pack 90 includes a pack header 901 and a sub-picture packet 902. The audio pack 91 includes a pack header 911 and an audio packet 912.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an optical disk apparatus for recording digital video data on the optical disk described above (recording at a variable recording rate) and reproducing digital video data recorded on the optical disk will be described. .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an optical disk device (DVD video recorder). This figure 3
The optical disk device shown in FIG. 1 is an example of the information reproducing apparatus and the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention.

A main microprocessor unit (hereinafter referred to as a main MPU unit) 401 integrally manages the entire optical disk device.

The disk drive unit 402 has a main MP
The rotation of the optical disc 10 is controlled by a command from the U unit 401,
It includes a function of reading data from the optical disk 10 and a function of writing data to the optical disk 10. The rotation control of the optical disk 10 is performed through a servo device of the disk motor. Writing of data to the optical disk 10 and reading of data from the optical disk 10 are realized through a pickup device using optical means for handling a laser beam.

During the recording operation, the data processing unit 403
The recording data from the encoding unit 404 is
In order to record the data on the disk drive unit 402, an error correction code is added to data in units of 16 sectors, and a modulation signal is generated to generate a recording signal. A storage unit (for example, an SRAM) 405 is connected to the data processing unit 403, and the storage unit 405 is used for temporarily storing print data for several minutes or more by high-speed access. During the reproducing operation, the data processing unit 403 receives the reproduced signal from the disk drive unit 402, performs demodulation, performs error correction processing, and outputs the demodulated signal to the decoder unit 4.
Send to 06.

An external input is given to the encoding unit 404. An audio video (AV) input unit 407 can supply an audio signal and a video signal, and a tuner unit 408 can also supply an audio signal and a video signal. From the tuner unit 408, character information and closed caption data may be present as information on the vertical blanking period.
These data can also be input to the encoding unit 404.

The audio signal and the video signal are converted into an analog / digital (A / D)
01 is given. The digitized video signal is input to the video encoding unit 202, and the audio signal is input to the audio encoding unit 203.
The character information and closed caption data are input to the sub-picture (SP) encoding unit 204. The encoded video data, audio data, and sub-picture data are input to the formatter unit 205, and are packetized and packed for recording. At this time, the buffer memory 206 is used for temporary storage.

The above-mentioned encoding units 202, 203, 20
Reference numeral 4 refers to a system time clock serving as a reference for the time of the entire file, and determines a presentation time stamp (PTS) and a decoded time stamp (DTS) of each packet according to the value. The system time clock is the system time clock (ST
C) Generated by the unit 409. Formatter unit 20
5 is to add necessary information during playback.
For each predetermined unit of video (GOP) (for example, the playback time is set to 0.
The alignment processing of the pack may be performed in about 5 to 1.2 seconds, and a navigation pack (NV pack) (which can be used as management information) may be added to the head of the GOP. At the end of data recording, the data processing unit 403
The address of the NV pack before and after each NV pack is recorded in the data area for fast-forward and reverse-feed of data in the pack, and other management information necessary for the management area is recorded.

The decoding unit 406 has a data processing unit 403
Receives a pack sequence which is the reproduction data from. This pack row is provided to the separation unit 301. The separation unit 301 determines each pack, and outputs the video packet to the video decoding unit 3.
02, the sub-picture packet is sent to the sub-picture (SP) decoding unit 3
03, the audio packet is transferred to the audio decoding unit 3
04 respectively.

Also, the NV pack is always ready for the main MP.
The data is sequentially stored in the internal memory 301a of the separation unit 301 so that the U unit 401 can access it.

When each packet is transferred from the separation unit 301 to the corresponding decoder unit, the PTS or DTS is sent to the system time clock unit 409 at a specified specific timing and loaded, and the reference time of the entire apparatus is Set. For example, if the main MPU 401
The PTS in the pack is loaded into the system time clock unit 409, or the video decoder unit 302 automatically sets the DTS or PTS of the video data in the system clock unit 409.

After this setting, each decoding unit compares the PTS in the packet with the system clock, and performs decoding and reproduction processing while maintaining a synchronized state.

The video data decoded by the video decoding unit 302 and the sub-picture data decoded by the sub-picture decoding unit 303 are input to the video processing unit 305 and synthesized.

The output of the video processing unit 305 is NTSC
The data is converted into NTSC (PAL) by the (PAL) encoding unit 306 and supplied to the display unit 308.

The output of the audio decoder processing unit 304 is corrected by a sound correction unit 307, converted by a digital / analog (D / A) conversion unit 309, and supplied to an audio output unit 310.

The digital video signal output from the video processing unit 305 is a data system defined by the CCIR656 standard, and has a sampling frequency of 13.5 MHz and is Y: C.
Since the ratio of r: Cb is 4: 2: 2 and the synchronization pattern is further included in the video data, there is an advantage that an image can be transmitted using only 8 bits of data and a reference clock of 27 MHz.

The main MPU 401 has a playback PLAY
A key input unit 410 including a key, a recording REC key, a mask setting key, and the like, a display unit 411, a memory 412 storing mask data, and the like are connected.

The main MPU section 401 is provided with a mask processing section 401a. This mask processing unit 401a
Is responsible for masking data to be masked (main video and sub video). That is, the mask processing unit 401a and the decoding unit 406 realize mask reproduction described later.

The point of the present invention is that when an optical disk having the data structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is reproduced, an arbitrary scene specified by the user can be masked and reproduced. Hereinafter, this point will be specifically described.

First, an optical disk having the data structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is set in the optical disk device shown in FIG. 3, and when the PLAY key of the key input unit 410 is pressed,
The reproduction of the optical disk is started. For example, it is assumed that the mask setting key of the key input unit 410 is pressed during the reproduction of the data included in the video object set VOBS82. At this time, the video object set VOBS 82 corresponding to a period in which the mask setting key is kept pressed
Is set for the data (reproduction information) included in. Specifically, when a movie that changes from scene A to scene B to scene C is being played, scene B
If the mask key is kept pressed while is playing,
For video data corresponding to scene B (data included in video object set VOBS82),
The mask will be set. When the data in which the mask is set is reproduced, the masked information is reproduced in the place where the mask is set. In the case of the above-described movie, when the scene B is reproduced, a masked video is reproduced. As a result, the movie can be enjoyed without showing a child or the like an unfavorable scene for education.

Next, the storage destination of the template data (mask data) of the mask image for the mask data will be described. As described above, the mask data is data for masking the reproduction information in a period in which the mask is designated by the user.

First, as a storage destination of the mask data, FIG.
The memory 412 of the optical disk device shown in FIG. When mask data is stored in the optical disk device, the optical disk may be a ROM disk or a RAM disk. That is, when the mask data is stored on the optical disk device side, the mask can be reproduced even if the mask data is not recorded on the optical disk side (even if the mask data cannot be recorded). The mask data stored in the memory 412 of the optical disk device is recorded according to the data format of the sub-picture data. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a new function for creating a mask image in the optical disk device, and the mask image can be created in a short time. As another method, mask data stored in the memory 412 of the optical disk device may be recorded according to a data format of an on-screen display (OSD). This makes it possible to perform mask reproduction not only on the main video but also on the sub video.

Next, an optical disk is considered as a storage destination of the mask data. When the mask data is simply stored in a predetermined area of the optical disk (for example, an area where control information such as DA21 shown in FIG.
The disk may be an OM disk or a RAM disk. Also, the mask data to be stored on the optical disk is recorded according to the data format of the sub-picture data.
This eliminates the need to provide a new function for creating a mask image in the optical disc device,
A mask image can be created in a short time.

When the optical disk is a RAM disk, the following mask data storage destinations are conceivable.
The mask data is recorded at a position where data corresponding to the reproduction information (reproduction time) during the period in which the mask is specified by the user is recorded. Specifically, the mask data is recorded in a free area of the area where the sub-video data corresponding to the reproduction information (main video data) in the period in which the mask is specified by the user is recorded. Thus, when the reproduction information (main video data) during the period in which the mask is designated is reproduced, the mask reproduction is performed by the mask data recorded in the free area of the area where the sub-video data corresponding to the reproduction information is recorded. Is achieved. As another method, mask data is recorded together with time information corresponding to reproduction information in a period in which a mask is specified by a user. Here, the mask data to be recorded is in a certain area on the disk (DA2 shown in FIG. 1).
The mask data prepared (recorded) in advance may be recorded in an area where control information such as No. 1 is recorded, or the mask data prepared (stored) in memory 412 of the information recording / reproducing apparatus may be recorded. You may make it.
The mask data recorded in a certain area of the disk is read by a decoding unit. The mask data recorded in the memory 412 is read by the main MPU unit 401. The read mask data is stored in the encoding unit 40.
4 is recorded on the RAM disk. Thus, when the reproduction information of the period in which the mask is designated is reproduced, the mask data is called from the time information corresponding to the reproduction information, and the reproduction of the mask is realized.

A plurality of mask reproduction positions can be set for one disk. This allows a plurality of users to set masks at desired positions on one disk.

Next, a typical mask reproduction will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining a process of reproducing a mask from a ROM disc on the assumption that mask data is recorded in a memory of the optical disc apparatus.

It is assumed that mask data is recorded in advance in the memory 412 of the optical disk device in the OSD data format. First, the disc is started, and the reproduction of the disc is started.

Here, normal reproduction and mask reproduction can be selected, and normal reproduction is selected (ST1, ST2).
If no mask is set (ST7, NO), normal playback is continued (ST6) until the playback end time comes (ST4, NO).

When normal reproduction is selected (ST1, NO), and a mask is set (ST7, Y
ES), by pressing a mask setting key provided in the key input unit 410, a mask reproduction position (mask reproduction time) is set (ST8), and the set mask reproduction position (mask reproduction time) is recorded in the memory 412. (ST9).

If mask reproduction is selected (ST1, YES) and a mask reproduction position (mask reproduction time) is not set (ST2, NO), ST7
The process proceeds to the subsequent mask setting process.

When the mask reproduction is selected (ST1, YES) and the mask reproduction part (mask reproduction time) is set (ST2, YES), the mask reproduction part where the mask reproduction is set is set. When (mask reproduction time) is reached, mask data of the OSD data format recorded in the memory 412 in advance is decoded, and mask reproduction is performed (ST5). After the mask reproduction position (mask reproduction time) for which the mask reproduction is set (ST3, NO), normal reproduction is continued until the reproduction end time (ST4, NO) (ST6).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining a process of reproducing a mask from the RAM disk, assuming that the mask data is recorded in the data format of the sub-picture on the RAM disk.

It is assumed that mask data is recorded in a predetermined area of the optical disk in advance in a sub-video data format. First, the disc is started, and the reproduction of the disc is started.

Here, the user-defined parental flag is turned off (ST11). The user-defined parental flag will be briefly described. If the user-defined parental flag is off, the user does not decode the mask data recorded in ST19 described later. Conversely, if the user-defined parental flag is on, the mask data recorded in ST19 is decoded.

Here, normal reproduction and mask reproduction can be selected, and normal reproduction is selected (ST1).
(2, NO), when no mask is set (ST17, N
O) Normal reproduction is continued until the reproduction end time (ST15, NO) (ST16).

When normal reproduction is selected (ST12, NO), and a mask is set (ST1).
7, YES), by pressing a mask setting key provided in key input section 410, a mask reproduction position (mask reproduction time) is set (ST18), and a sub-record corresponding to the set mask reproduction position (mask reproduction time) is set. In the free space of the video,
The mask data previously recorded on the disk is recorded (ST19).

If mask reproduction is selected (ST12, YES) and a mask reproduction position (mask reproduction time) is not set (ST13, NO), ST
The process proceeds to the mask setting process 17 and thereafter.

If mask reproduction is selected (ST12, YES) and a mask reproduction position (mask reproduction time) is set (ST13, YES), the user-defined parental flag is turned on (ST13, YES). ST14). When the user-defined parental flag is turned on to reach a mask playback position (mask playback time) for which mask playback is set, mask data recorded in a free area of the sub-picture corresponding to the mask playback location Is decoded, and mask reproduction is executed. After the mask reproduction point (mask reproduction time) for which the mask reproduction is set, until the reproduction end time (ST15,
NO), normal reproduction is continued (ST16).

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
User-defined parental (mask) set by multiple users
Will be described with reference to ID.

When a plurality of users share one disk, each user can set a user-defined parental. At this time, the user-defined parental set by each user can be controlled by the ID. That is, the ID allows the user to set or change the user-defined parental set by each user. Conversely, if the ID is not known, the setting of the user-defined parental of another person cannot be changed without permission.

First, the disk is started, and the reproduction of the disk is started. The user-defined parental flags corresponding to all IDs are turned off (ST21). The user who reproduces his / her own ID. The input of this ID is performed by operating the key input unit 410. If the user-defined parental is set to ID (ST
23, YES), the user-defined parental flag corresponding to this ID is turned on (ST24). Thereafter, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, until the reproduction end time is reached (ST
25, NO) Although it is described that the normal reproduction is continued (ST26), basically, the processing after ST12 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is thereafter performed.

The present invention is capable of the following embodiments other than the above-described embodiments.

For example, when the main image and the sub-image are masked by the user-defined parental function (mask reproduction), the reproduction is performed by masking only a part of the screen instead of masking the entire screen. Mask reproduction is also possible. Also, when masking the main image and sub-image,
By changing the contrast of the mask image in units of time, fine-grained mask reproduction such as feed-in / fade-out is also possible.

[0092]

According to the present invention, the following information recording medium:
An information reproducing apparatus and an information recording / reproducing apparatus can be provided.

(1) An information recording medium capable of contributing to the realization of mask reproduction by masking and reproducing arbitrary data (main video and sub-video), particularly data deemed unfavorable for education.

(2) An information reproducing apparatus capable of realizing mask reproduction in which arbitrary data (main video and sub-video), particularly data considered to be undesirable for education, is masked and reproduced.

(3) An information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of realizing mask reproduction in which arbitrary data (main video and sub-video), in particular, data deemed undesirable for education, is masked and reproduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a data structure on an information recording medium (optical disc) according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data structure on an information recording medium (optical disc) according to an example of the present invention, following FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an optical disk device (information reproducing device, information recording / reproducing device) according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing mask reproduction of a ROM disk on the assumption that mask data is recorded in a memory of the optical disk device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a process of performing mask reproduction on a RAM disk, assuming that mask data is recorded in a sub-video data format on the RAM disk.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a user-defined parental (mask) set by a plurality of users by using an ID.

[Explanation of symbols]

 401: Main microprocessor unit (MPU unit) 401a: Mask processing unit 402: Disk drive unit 403 ... Data processing unit 404 ... Encoding unit 405 ... Storage unit 406 ... Decoding unit 407 ... AV input unit 408 ... Tuner unit 410 ... Key input Unit 411: Display unit 412: Memory

Continuation of the front page F term (reference) 5C053 FA13 FA24 FA25 GB11 HA40 JA01 KA01 KA24 5D044 AB05 AB07 BC04 CC04 DE17 FG18 5D110 AA19 BB06 DA02 DA03 DA19 DB02 EA08

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A data area includes main video data, sub-video data, and audio data, a management area includes navigation data, and the navigation data has a data structure including menu data. An information recording medium having a management area, wherein a user mask for masking reproduction information during a period designated by a user among reproduction information reproduced based on each data recorded in the data area. An information recording medium comprising an area in which image template data is recorded. 2. The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the template data of the user mask image is recorded according to a data format of the sub-picture data. 3. The user mask image template data is recorded at a location where data corresponding to reproduction information during a period in which a mask is designated by a user is recorded. Information recording medium. 4. The user mask image template data is recorded in a free area of an area where sub-picture data corresponding to reproduction information in a period in which a mask is designated by a user is recorded. Item 2. An information recording medium according to Item 1. 5. The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein template data of the user mask image is recorded together with time information corresponding to reproduction information in a period in which a mask is designated by a user. 6. The data area includes main video data, sub-video data, and audio data, the management area includes navigation data, the navigation data includes menu data, and each data recorded in the data area includes The reproduction information reproduced based on the data structure has a data structure including template data of a user mask image for masking the reproduction information for a period designated by the user, and includes the data area and the management area. An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing an information recording medium, comprising: mask reproducing means for masking and reproducing reproduction information for a period designated by a user based on template data of a user mask image. Characteristic information reproducing device. 7. A data area includes main video data, sub-video data, and audio data, a management area includes navigation data, and the navigation data has a data structure including menu data. An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing an information recording medium having a management area, wherein, among the reproduction information reproduced based on each data recorded in the data area, the reproduction information for a period in which a mask is designated by a user is masked. Means for storing model data of a user mask image for performing the masking process, and based on the model data of the user mask image stored in the storage means, masks reproduction information for a period in which a mask is designated by a user. An information reproducing apparatus, comprising: a mask reproducing unit that reproduces the information by using a mask. 8. The information reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said storage means stores template data of said user mask image in accordance with a data format of said sub-picture data. 9. An information reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said storage means stores the template data of the user mask image in accordance with an on-screen display data format. 10. A data area includes main video data, sub-video data, and audio data, a management area includes navigation data, and the navigation data has a data structure including menu data. While playing the information recording medium with the management area,
An information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording predetermined information on said information recording medium, comprising: a reproduction information reproduced in accordance with each data recorded in said data area; Recording means for recording template data of a user mask image for masking information; reproduction information for a period in which a mask is specified by a user based on template data of the user mask image recorded by the recording means An information recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: mask reproducing means for reproducing a mask by masking. 11. A system according to claim 1, further comprising means for recording model data of said user mask image at a location where data corresponding to reproduction information during a period in which a mask is designated by a user is recorded. An information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 10. And means for recording template data of the user mask image in a free area of an area where sub-picture data corresponding to reproduction information in a period in which a mask is designated by a user is recorded. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein 13. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising means for recording template data of said user mask image together with time information corresponding to reproduction information during a period in which a mask is designated by a user. Information recording and playback device.