JP3090128U - Optical disk drive - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an optical disk device capable of restricting viewing of a DVD using a region function and reducing the manufacturing cost of the device main body. An optical disc device includes an IC inserted into a main body.
Based on the region code stored in the card 11, the viewing restriction of the DVD by the region function is controlled.
Accordingly, the apparatus main body may have the same configuration irrespective of the region where the apparatus is sold, so that the manufacturing cost of the apparatus main body can be suppressed. Further, since the age of the viewer is calculated from the date of birth corresponding to the identification code stored in the IC card 11 and the parental function is controlled, even in an environment where the optical disc apparatus 1 is used by a plurality of users. , The parental function can work properly.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

 The present invention relates to an optical disk device for reproducing a video recorded on an optical disk such as a DVD set in the main body of the device, and more particularly to an optical disk device for restricting the reproduction of a video whose viewing is restricted.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optical disk device for reproducing a video recorded on a DVD has been widely used. DVDs are provided with a parental function that restricts viewers of recorded videos by age. The parental function is a function that restricts the reproduction of a DVD according to the age of the viewer. When a person under the age of 15 views the video, it is highly likely that the video will have a bad influence on the growth. This is a function to restrict playback of designated videos) and videos for adults whose viewing is prohibited for persons under the age of 18.

[0003] In the DVD, information for restricting the age of the viewer (hereinafter referred to as age restriction information), for example, viewing prohibition under 15 years old, viewing prohibition under 18 years old is recorded. This age restriction information can be recorded for each scene of the video recorded on the DVD. In addition, the optical disk device for playing back the DVD has an age setting function for setting the age of the viewer. The optical disc device determines whether the age of the viewer set in the main body is the age at which the viewing of the video recorded on the DVD is restricted, and restricts the reproduction of the video recorded on the DVD.

Meanwhile, in an optical disk device used at home or the like, since a parent or child is a viewer who watches a video recorded on a DVD set in a main body, a parental function is required. It is necessary to set the age according to the viewer in order to operate the camera effectively, and there has been proposed an optical disc device in which the age of the viewer can be set for each viewer with respect to the main body of the device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Heisei (Hei) Heisei). 11-150707, JP-A-2000-354231, etc.).

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

 However, DVD viewing restrictions are restricted not only by the parental function described above but also by region (country). The viewing restriction by the region is a restriction called a region function. The region function is a function that can be used to restrict viewing depending on the religion, etc., even if the video for which viewing needs to be restricted depending on the region, for example, the video recorded on the DVD has no problem in A, In this case, the video that has a problem to watch or the video recorded on the DVD is a movie that has been released in Country C, but is unreleased and will be released soon in Country D, Is a function for restricting the reproduction of the DVD on which is recorded.

In a conventional optical disk device, a region code for identifying a country in which the device main body is used, that is, a country in which the device main body is sold, is stored in a memory (ROM) built in the main body. Also, the DVD records the region code of the country in which the recorded video is permitted to be viewed. The optical disk device determines whether or not the DVD set in the device main body can be reproduced by using the region code recorded on the DVD and the region code set in the device main body when reproducing the DVD. Was.

As described above, in the conventional optical disk device, in order to restrict the viewing of the DVD by the region function, it is necessary to change the country code stored in the memory according to the country in which the device body is sold. For this reason, the optical disk device has to be manufactured in each country where the main body is sold, and there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical disk device capable of restricting viewing of a DVD by a region function and reducing the manufacturing cost of the device main body.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The optical disc device of the present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.

(1) An optical disc device provided with a control means for judging whether or not the optical disc set in the apparatus main body can be reproduced based on viewing restriction information recorded on the optical disc set in the apparatus main body. Medium information reading means for reading medium information including area information indicating a use area of the apparatus main body stored in a card-shaped storage medium inserted in the apparatus main body. Using the above-mentioned area information read from the storage medium, it is determined whether or not the optical disk can be reproduced based on the result of the determination as to whether or not the area is permitted to be reproduced from the optical disk set in the main body.

In this configuration, area information indicating an area where the apparatus body is used is stored in a card-shaped storage medium, for example, an IC card or a magnetic card inserted into the apparatus body, and is stored in the storage medium. Judgment is made as to whether or not the optical disc set in the main unit can be played back using the area information.

Accordingly, the apparatus main body may have the same configuration irrespective of the region (country) in which the apparatus is sold, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

(2) There is provided storage means for storing the identification code of the storage medium included in the medium information and the date of birth of the owner in association with each other, and the control means is set in the apparatus main body. Whether playback of the optical disk set in the main unit of the apparatus is possible is determined based on whether the age calculated from the date of birth of the owner of the storage medium is the age permitted to view the optical disk set in the main unit. I do.

In this configuration, the storage unit stores the identification code of the storage medium and the date of birth of the owner of the storage medium in association with each other. Therefore, if the identification code of the storage medium used when using the apparatus main body is associated with the date of birth of the owner of the storage medium and registered in the apparatus main body, the storage medium is thereafter stored in the apparatus main body. Just by inserting it, parental control by parental function can be performed properly.

(3) When the date of birth of the owner is not stored in the storage means with respect to the identification code of the storage medium inserted in the main body of the apparatus, When a date is requested and a date of birth is input in response to the request, the identification code of the storage medium inserted into the apparatus body is associated with the input date of birth of the owner. It is stored in the storage means.

With this configuration, when the storage medium is inserted into the main body for the first time, a request is made to input the date of birth of a viewer, ie, the owner of the storage medium, and the identification code and the identification code of the storage medium are requested. The input date of birth is stored in the storage unit in association with the date of birth. Therefore, the operability in registering the date of birth of the viewer in the apparatus main body can be improved.

(4) When the storage medium is not inserted into the apparatus main body, the control unit prohibits the reproduction of the optical disc set in the apparatus main body.

In this configuration, when the storage medium is not inserted in the apparatus main body, the reproduction of the optical disk set in the main body is prohibited, so that the viewing restriction by the region function and the parental function can be properly performed. Can be done.

[0019]

[Embodiment of the invention]

 Hereinafter, an optical disk device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an optical disk device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The optical disc device 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 2 for controlling the operation of the main body, a reading unit 3 for reading data recorded on the DVD 10, and processing and reproducing data (RF signal) read by the reading unit 3. A reproduction unit 4 for generating and outputting signals (image signals and audio signals), an operation unit 5 for performing input operations on the apparatus main body, and an IC card 11 set in the apparatus main body (a card referred to in the present invention) And a medium processing unit 6 for processing a shaped storage medium).

The reading section 3 has a spindle motor for rotating the DVD 10 set in the main body, and a pickup head for irradiating the DVD 10 rotated by the spindle motor with laser light and detecting the reflected light. The reading unit 3 controls the rotation speed of the spindle motor, focuses the laser light emitted from the pickup head on the recording surface of the DVD 10, and irradiates the laser light emitted from the pickup head. It has a servo control unit that performs tracking control for adjusting the position to the center of the track of the DVD 10. The above-described rotation speed control, focus control, and tracking control in the servo control unit are well-known, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

The reproducing unit 4 generates and outputs a reproduced signal (reproduced image signal and reproduced audio signal) obtained by processing the RF signal read from the DVD 10 by the reading unit 3. The reproduction signal output from the reproduction unit 4 is input to a display device such as a television receiver (not shown), and the display device displays an image and outputs sound.

The operation unit 5 has a plurality of input keys such as a reproduction key and a reception unit for receiving a control code transmitted from a remote controller (not shown) by infrared rays or electromagnetic waves. Further, a display unit for displaying the state of the main body, during reproduction, and the like is also provided.

The medium processing unit 6 accepts the insertion of the IC card 11 and reads out card information (corresponding to the medium information in the present invention) stored in the IC card 11. Further, the medium processing section 6 has a function of detecting whether or not the IC card 11 is inserted. The IC card 11 stores, as card information, an identification code for identifying the IC card 11, and a region code (see FIG. 2). The region code is a code for identifying a country in which the optical disc apparatus 1 is used, that is, a country in which a user who uses the apparatus main body resides, and corresponds to the regional information referred to in the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 2 is provided with a flash memory 2 a for storing the identification code of the IC card 11 and the date of birth of the owner of the IC card 11 in association with each other. I have. Further, the control unit 2 has a calendar function for measuring the current date and time.

The optical disc device 1 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of IC cards 11 as accessories. The IC card 11 has recorded therein a region code for identifying a country where the apparatus main body is sold (in most cases, a country where the user of the apparatus main body resides). The region codes stored in the plurality of IC cards 11 as accessories are all the same. However, the identification code is different for each IC card 11.

Hereinafter, a reproduction operation of the DVD 10 in the optical disc device 1 of the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reproducing operation of the optical disk device of this embodiment. The playback operation is started when a playback key provided on the operation unit 5 is pressed or when the operation unit 5 receives a control code transmitted from the remote controller and instructing to start playback. The optical disk device 1 determines whether or not the DVD 10 is set in the main body (s1), and if not set, waits for the DVD 10 to be set in the main body.

On the other hand, when determining that the DVD 10 is set in the main body, the optical disk device 1 determines whether or not the IC card 11 is inserted in the medium processing unit 6 (s 2), and if the IC card 11 is not inserted. For example, it waits for the IC card 11 to be inserted into the main body. At this time, the optical disk device displays a message indicating that the IC card 11 is not inserted into the main body on a display unit provided in the operation unit 5 to urge the viewer to insert the IC card 11 into the main body. .

When the IC card 11 is inserted into the main body, the optical disk device 1 reads the identification code and the region code stored in the IC card 11 (s3). The optical disk device 1 determines whether the identification code read in s3 is registered in the flash memory 2a (s4). To be registered means that information in which the date of birth is associated with the corresponding identification number is stored in the flash memory 2a.

If it is determined in s4 that the user is not registered, the viewer (the operator at this time) is requested to input the date of birth (s6). At this time, a message requesting the input of the date of birth is displayed on the display unit provided in the operation unit 5. The viewer inputs the date of birth into the device body in response to this request. When the date of birth is input (s6), the optical disc device 1 associates the identification code read from the IC card 11 in s3 with the date of birth input this time and stores the identification code in the flash memory 2a. Is performed (s7).

Here, an effective use method of the optical disc device 1 of this embodiment will be described. First, each viewer who uses the optical disc apparatus 1 owns one IC card 11. Each viewer inserts his or her IC card 11 into the main body when using the optical disc device 1. When the optical disk device 1 is used at home, it is preferable that the parents perform the registration processing of s7 in advance for the IC card 11 owned by the child. This is because by correctly registering the child's date of birth in the optical disk device 1, the parental function can be properly operated when the child uses the optical disk device 1.

The optical disk device 1 reads the region code recorded on the DVD 10 set in the main body (s 8). As described above, depending on the region, a video whose viewing must be restricted may be recorded on a DVD. The DVD 10 stores a region code of a country where there is no problem even if the video recorded on the DVD 10 is viewed. When reading the region code from the DVD 10 in s8, the optical disc device 1 determines whether to restrict viewing of the video recorded on the DVD 10 based on the region code read from the IC card 11 in s3. Is determined) (s9).

When the optical disc device 1 determines that the area is the viewing restricted area in s9, it outputs a region error and ends the processing (s12). At this time, for example, a message “This DVD cannot be reproduced (region error)” is displayed on the display unit provided in the operation unit 5.

On the other hand, if it is determined in s9 that the area is not the viewing restricted area, the age of the viewer is calculated from the date of birth corresponding to the identification number of the IC card 11 inserted in the main body (s10) and set in the main body. The reproduction process of the DVD 10 that has been started is started (s11). In s11, based on the age restriction information recorded on the DVD 10 and the age of the viewer calculated in s10, processing such as skipping a video having a parental error or replacing it with another video and reproducing it. Is performed.

As described above, in the optical disk device 1 of this embodiment, since the region code is stored in the IC card 11 that is detachable from the device main body, the device having the same configuration regardless of the region where the device main body is sold. Can be sold. Specifically, the region code to be stored in the IC card 11 may be changed according to the region where the product is sold. Also, since the region code is stored in the IC card in this way, for example, for a user who has used the optical disk device 1 in country A, when the user moves to country B due to transfer or the like, the region code in country B is changed to the country code. By simply purchasing the stored IC card, the optical disk device 1 used in Country A can be used, so that there is no need to replace the optical disk device 1. Therefore, the burden on the user is reduced.

Further, since the age of the viewer can be accurately determined by the IC card 11 inserted into the main body, the parental function can be properly performed even in an environment where the optical disc apparatus 1 is used by a plurality of users. It can work and prevent children from viewing poorly growing images.

Further, since the reproduction operation is prohibited unless an IC card is inserted in the apparatus main body, the restriction on the viewing of the DVD 10 by the region function and the parental function can be properly performed.

In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the IC card 11 is used as a storage medium to be inserted into the optical disk device 1, but other media such as a magnetic card may be used.

[0040]

[Effect of the invention]

 As described above, according to the present invention, since the storage medium inserted into the device main body stores the region information indicating the region where the device main body is used, the device main body may have the same configuration regardless of the region where the device is sold. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus main body can be reduced. Also, even if the user moves to another country due to overseas transfer, etc., the user only needs to prepare a storage medium that stores the region code of the destination country, and move the previously used device body. Can be used in the destination country, reducing the burden.

Further, even in an environment where the optical disk device is used by a plurality of users, the parental function can be properly operated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical disc device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating data stored in an IC card set in an optical disc device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating viewer registration data stored in an optical disc device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the optical disc device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-optical disk device 2-control unit 6-media processing unit 10-DVD 11-IC card

Claims (5)

[Utility model registration claims] 1. An optical disc device comprising a control means for judging whether or not the optical disc set in the apparatus main body can be reproduced based on viewing restriction information recorded on the optical disc set in the apparatus main body. Medium information reading means for reading area information indicating the area of use of the apparatus main body and the medium information including the identification code of the storage medium stored in the card-shaped storage medium described above; Storage means for storing the date of birth of the person in association with the date of birth, wherein the control means is an optical disk set in the main body using the local information read from the storage medium inserted in the main body of the apparatus Whether the area is authorized for reproduction and the age calculated from the date of birth of the owner of the storage medium inserted in the main unit Is determined to be an age at which viewing of the optical disk set in the main body is permitted, and whether or not the optical disk can be reproduced is determined based on the results of these determinations. When the date of birth of the owner is not stored in the storage means for the identification code of the medium, the input of the date of birth of the owner is requested, and the date of birth is input in response to the request. When the identification code of the storage medium inserted into the apparatus body and the input date of birth of the owner are stored in the storage unit in association with each other, and when the storage medium is not inserted into the apparatus body, An optical disk device for inhibiting reproduction of the optical disk set in the device body. 2. An optical disc apparatus comprising a control means for judging whether or not the optical disc set in the apparatus main body can be reproduced based on viewing restriction information recorded on the optical disc set in the apparatus main body. Medium information reading means for reading medium information including area information indicating the use area of the apparatus main body stored in the card-shaped storage medium described above, wherein the control means includes the storage medium inserted in the apparatus main body. An optical disc device for judging whether or not the optical disc can be reproduced based on a result of judging whether or not the optical disc set in the main body is in an area where reproduction of the optical disc is permitted using the area information read from the optical disc. 3. A storage means for storing an identification code of a storage medium included in the medium information and a date of birth of an owner in association with each other, wherein the control means is set in an apparatus main body. Based on whether or not the age calculated from the date of birth of the owner of the storage medium is the age at which viewing of the optical disc set in the main body is permitted, it is determined whether the optical disc set in the apparatus main body can be reproduced. The optical disk device according to claim 2. 4. When the date of birth of the owner is not stored in the storage means with respect to the identification code of the storage medium inserted in the main body of the apparatus, the controller births the date of birth of the owner. Is input, and when the date of birth is input in response to the request, the identification code of the storage medium inserted in the apparatus body is associated with the input date of birth of the owner, and the storage is performed. 4. The optical disk device according to claim 3, wherein said optical disk device is stored in said means. 5. The optical disk device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit prohibits reproduction of the optical disk set in the device main body when the storage medium is not inserted in the device main body. .