JPH09245431A - Information recording medium and recording equipment and reproducing equipment therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reproduce only a reproducible recorded information piece correctly by recognizing quickly the existence or nonexistence of limitation on reproducing equipment as to all recorded information pieces of an information recording medium by reproducing an overall limitation information piece first at the time of reproduction. SOLUTION: A system controller 100 judges first whether all titles in DVD 1 limit reproducing equipment or not, referring to title set information in a video manager 2. In the case when no limitation is set therein, it starts reproduction immediately. In the case when limitation is set for all titles in the DVD, it judges whether the present reproducing equipment is included in specified one or not and starts reproduction when the present equipment is the specified one. In the case when the limitation on the reproducing equipment is set only for some VTS 3 in the DVD 1, the system controller checks reproducing equipment limitation information selected by a user and judges whether reproduction can be executed or not.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information recording medium such as a high-density optical disc capable of recording information such as images and sounds represented by a DVD at a high density, and information recording on the information recording medium. It belongs to the technical field of a recording device and a reproducing device for reproducing information from the information recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, what is called an LD (Laser Disk) has been used as an optical disc on which information such as images and sounds is recorded.
CDs (Compact Disks) and the like have become widespread.

In these LDs and the like, image information and audio information are recorded together with time information indicating the time at which each piece of information based on the reproduction start position of each LD or the like should be reproduced. Therefore, in addition to the general normal reproduction in which the recorded information is reproduced in the recorded order, for example, C
In D, it is possible to perform reproduction such as selecting and listening to only a desired song from a plurality of recorded songs, or randomly changing the playback order and listening.

There are two possible uses for reproducing the information recorded on these recording media: business use such as movie theaters and consumer use such as reproduction in general households.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, DVD
If the standards of the disc structure and the like are the same for the optical discs such as the commercial type and the consumer type, there is a problem that the commercial type optical disc is reproduced by the consumer information reproducing apparatus.

[0006] That is, for example, in the case of a movie, for example, a consumer optical disc on which the movie is recorded is generally sold several months to several years after the road show was shown. In this case, if an optical disc for business use that records the movie during the road show is illegally distributed in the market, it will cause a great deal of damage to the producer and the entertainer of the movie.

As a solution to such a problem, the standards for the disc structure and the like may be made different for professional use and consumer use. Then, at least two types of optical discs and reproducing devices for one movie are provided. Since it becomes necessary to manufacture it, mass production becomes difficult, and it becomes difficult to reduce the prices of the optical disc and the reproducing device.

[0008] As another method, a method may be considered in which the standard of the disk structure and the like for business use and consumer use are kept the same, and the distribution channels in the market are different routes for business use and consumer use. Even in this case, it is actually difficult to eradicate the outflow of commercial movie software to the general market.

Further, as another method, there is a method of multiplexing a so-called copy guard signal on the recording signal of the optical disc. Even in this case, when a duplicate optical disc is produced by the replication method, a reproduction device for consumer use is used. Playback will be possible.

In order to solve the above problems, the applicant of the present application has proposed recording a signal for specifying an information reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the optical disk on the optical disk (special feature). (See Japanese Patent Application No. 07-088453).
In this case, the reproducing device refers to the signal before reproducing, and can reproduce the disc only when the reproducing device itself is the reproducing device specified by the signal. However, in the case of this method, it is good if the designation for business and consumer is uniformly decided for all the parts recorded on one disc, but for business and consumer on one disc It is not easy to correctly limit the reproducing device when the recording information of 1 is mixed. That is, it is impossible to use a disc in which a part of the plurality of pieces of recorded information recorded on the disc is limited to a business use and the other part is commonly used for a business use and a consumer use.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information recording medium capable of preventing a commercial recording medium from being reproduced by a consumer reproducing apparatus without changing a standard such as a disc structure and the like. To provide a recording device and a reproducing device.

[0012]

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 corresponds to a plurality of recording information pieces independent from each other in the information recording medium and the individual recording information pieces, A plurality of individual limited information pieces indicating whether or not each recorded information piece limits the reproducing device, a device specifying information piece for specifying a reproducing device capable of reproducing the plurality of recorded information pieces, and the information recording medium. And an entire limited information piece indicating whether or not all the recorded information pieces included in the information recording medium limit the reproducing apparatus, and a part of the recorded information pieces included in the information recording medium indicates the limited reproducing apparatus. To configure.

According to the information recording medium configured as described above, the individual limited information piece and the whole limited information piece indicate whether or not the recorded information piece limits the reproducing apparatus. Further, the device designation information piece designates a reproducing device capable of reproducing the information recording medium. Therefore, by referring to these, only the recorded information piece that can be reproduced by the reproducing apparatus can be correctly reproduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information recording medium according to the first aspect, the individual limited information piece and the entire limited information piece are first reproduced from the information pieces included in the information recording medium. It is configured so as to be included in the control information piece to be performed.

According to the information recording medium configured as described above, the entire limited information piece and the individual limited information piece indicating the presence / absence of the limitation of the reproducing apparatus are configured to be reproduced first, so that the information recording medium can be promptly reproduced. It is possible to judge whether or not reproduction is possible.

According to the third aspect of the invention, a plurality of recording information pieces independent from each other and the individual recording information pieces are provided, and whether or not the individual recording information pieces limit the reproducing device. A plurality of individual limited information pieces indicating whether or not all the recorded information pieces included in the information recording medium limit the reproducing device, and a part of the recorded information pieces included in the information recording medium is the reproducing device. In a reproducing device of an information recording medium having an entire limited information piece indicating whether to limit, when the entire limited information piece or the individual limited information piece limits the reproducing device, the device designation information piece is Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the own device identification information given to the reproducing device is specified; and when the own device identifying information is not specified, the information recording medium is reproduced depending on the reproducing device. Impossible And a notification means for notifying the user, if the entire limited information piece and the individual limited information piece does not limit the playback device, and if the device identification information of the self is specified, And a reproducing means for reproducing the selected piece of recorded information.

According to the reproducing apparatus configured as described above, the determining means determines whether or not the reproducing apparatus is limited based on the overall limitation information and the individual limitation information. If the playback device is limited and the playback device is not designated by the device designation information piece, the playback is impossible, and the notifying means notifies that. On the other hand, when there is no limitation on the reproducing device and when the reproducing device is specified by the device specifying information piece, the reproducing means reproduces the recording information piece selected by the user. Therefore, it is possible to correctly reproduce the recorded information depending on whether or not the reproducing device is designated.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the reproducing apparatus according to the third aspect, when the information recording medium is set in the reproducing apparatus, the determining means firstly determines the entire limitation. It is configured to refer to the information piece.

According to the reproducing apparatus configured as described above, since the discriminating means first refers to the entire limited information piece, the reproducing apparatus is limited to all the recording information pieces in the information recording medium. You can immediately know the presence or absence.
Therefore, it is possible to promptly start the reproduction or notify the user that the reproduction is impossible.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the recording device of the information recording medium, it corresponds to the first information piece creating means for creating a plurality of mutually independent recorded information pieces and the user's instruction. Then, for each of the individual recorded information pieces, second information piece creating means for creating a plurality of individual limited information pieces indicating whether or not the individual recorded information pieces limit the playback device, and a user's instruction. Corresponding to, a third information piece creating means for creating a device designation information piece for designating a reproduction device capable of reproducing the plurality of recorded information pieces, and corresponding to a user's instruction,
Creating an entire limited information piece indicating whether or not all the recorded information pieces included in the information recording medium limit the reproducing apparatus, and whether a part of the recorded information pieces included in the information recording medium limits the reproducing apparatus Forming means for forming the recorded information piece, the individual limited information piece, the device designation information piece, and the overall limited information piece on an information recording medium. Is configured to include the whole limited information piece in the control information piece reproduced first on the information recording medium.

According to the recording apparatus configured as described above, the first to fourth information piece creating means respectively create the recorded information piece, the individual limited information piece, the device designation information piece, and the entire limited information piece. To do. The forming means forms these information pieces on the information recording medium by including the whole limited information pieces in the control information piece reproduced first on the information recording medium. Therefore, at the time of reproduction, first, the entire limited information piece is reproduced, and it becomes possible to quickly know whether or not there is a limitation of the reproduction device for all the recorded information pieces of the information recording medium.

[0022]

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the embodiment described below describes an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the DVD.

In the following embodiments, an example of each constituent element in the claims shown on the left side of the following list is composed of the elements shown on the right side of the following list.

Recording information piece: title and VTS (Video
Title Set) Total limited information piece: Title set information Individual limited information piece: Reproduction device limited information Device designation information piece: Reproduction device designation information [1] Embodiment of information recording medium First, information recording to which the present invention is applied The physical and logical configuration of a DVD, which is an embodiment of a medium, and its operation will be described.

First, the recording format (physical recording format) of the video information and the audio information on the DVD.
This will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG.
The DVD 1 of the embodiment has a lead-in area LI at its innermost peripheral portion and a lead-out area LO at its outermost peripheral portion, during which video information and audio information are respectively ID (identification). Multiple VTS3s with numbers
(VTS # 1 to VTS # n) are divided and stored. Here, a VTS (Video Title Set) is a related title (having the same attributes such as the number of streams of audio and sub-pictures, specifications, and corresponding languages) that a producer (such as a movie) tries to present to the viewer. A set of two works) is grouped together, and more specifically, for example, for one same movie, multiple movies in different languages are recorded as titles, respectively, or in the same movie. Even if there is, the movie version and the special version are remembered as different titles. The video manager 2 is recorded at the beginning of the area where the VTS 3 is recorded. The information recorded as the video manager 2 is, for example, a menu indicating the name of each title, information for preventing illegal copying, an access table for accessing each title, and the like recorded on the DVD 1. Information related to the entire information and audio information is recorded.

One VTS3 is control data 11
With a plurality of VOB1 each having an ID number
It is divided into 0 and recorded. Where multiple VOBs
VOB set (VOB set
S). This VOB set is a VOB set for the actual part in order to distinguish the control data 11 which is other data forming the VTS 3 from the plurality of VOBs 10 which are the entities of the video information and the audio information. .

The control data 11 recorded at the beginning of the VTS 3 is PGCI (Program Chain) which is various information about a program chain which is a logical division of a plurality of cells (cells will be described later).
Information) is recorded. In each VOB 10, in addition to the control information, the substantial part of the video information and the audio information (the video or audio itself other than the control information) is recorded. One VOB 10 has a plurality of cells 20 each having an ID number.
It consists of. Here, one VOB 10 is configured to be completed by a plurality of cells 20, and one cell 20 does not straddle two VOBs 10.

Next, one cell 20 is composed of a plurality of VOB units (VOBU) 30 each having an ID number. Here, the VOB unit 30 is an information unit including video information, audio information, and sub-picture information (referring to sub-picture information such as subtitles in a movie).

Then, one VOB unit 30 includes a navigation pack 41, a video pack 42 as video information,
It is composed of an audio pack 43 as audio information and a sub-picture pack 44 as sub-picture information. Here, only the packet including the image data and the pack header are recorded as the video pack 42, and only the packet and the pack header including the audio data are recorded as the audio pack 43. Further, as the sub-picture pack 44, only a packet including graphic data such as characters and figures as sub-pictures and a pack header are recorded. It is specified in the standard that the DVD 1 can record 8 types of audio and 32 types of sub-image that can be recorded.

Also, the playback time corresponding to one VOB unit 30 (one navigation pack 41 and one navigation pack 4 concerned).
The reproduction time (corresponding to the data recorded between the Navi pack 41 adjacent to 1) is recorded to have a length of 0.4 seconds or more.

Further, although the navigation pack 41 is always present at the head in one VOBU, the video pack 42, the audio pack 43, and the sub-picture pack 44 do not necessarily have to be present. Is free.

Finally, the navigation pack 41 is search information (specifically, the address on the DVD 1 in which the video or audio to be displayed is recorded) for searching the video or audio to be displayed. DSI (Data Search Informatio)
n) a packet 51 and a PCI (Presentation Control Informati) which is information relating to display control when displaying the video, audio, etc. retrieved based on the DSI packet 51.
on) packet 50 and one VOB
All video data contained in U is one or more G
It is composed of an OP (Group Of Picture) 52.
It should be noted that the PCI data 50 includes, for a selection item selected by a viewer, highlight information that defines the display and operation when the item is selected. With the highlight information, for example, in an image (so-called menu screen) displaying an item that the viewer should select, a change in screen display for the selected item, a display position to be changed, and a command (selected) The instruction to be executed corresponding to the item is set. Here, to configure and display the menu screen,
The image information for forming and displaying the frame, the selection button, and the like is recorded as the sub-picture pack 44 which is the above-mentioned sub-picture information.

Further, the GOP 52 is an MPEG2 (Moving Picture Exp) which is an image compression method adopted when recording image information on the DVD 1 in the present embodiment.
ertsGroup 2) This is the smallest image unit that can be reproduced independently as defined in the standard of the system.

Here, the outline of the MPEG2 system will be described. Generally, in continuous frame images, frame images before and after one frame image are
In many cases, they are similar to each other and have a mutual relationship. MPE
The G2 method pays attention to this point, and based on a plurality of frame images transferred with several frames separated, another frame image existing between the plurality of frame images is interpolated based on a motion vector or the like of the original image. It is a method to generate in.
In this case, when recording another frame image,
By recording only the information about the difference and the motion vector from the plurality of frame images, it becomes possible to reproduce the other frame image by predicting from the plurality of frame images at the time of reproduction by referring to them. . As a result, the image can be compressed and recorded.

In the above-described recording format having the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturer can freely set and record the respective sections according to his or her intention. By performing reproduction for each of these sections based on the later-described logical structure, various reproductions rich in change are possible.

Next, a logical format (logical structure) in which information recorded by the physical divisions shown in FIG. 1 is combined will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the logical structure shown in FIG. 2 does not mean that information is actually recorded on the DVD 1 by that structure, but the data (particularly the cell 20) shown in FIG. 1 is combined in the logical structure shown in FIG. Information for reproduction (access information, time information, etc.) is recorded on the DVD 1, particularly in the control data 11.

To clarify the explanation, the lower hierarchy of FIG. 2 will be described. By selecting and combining a plurality of cells 20 from the physical structure described in FIG. The program 60 is logically constructed based on the producer's intention. The program 60 is also the minimum logical unit that can be accessed by a command by a system controller in the playback device, which will be described later. The producer can define one or more programs 60 as a minimum unit that the viewer can freely select and view.
It is called TT (Part Of Title).

Further, one program 60 is used for a plurality of cells 2
Since 0 is selected and logically configured, one cell 20 is used in a plurality of programs 60, that is, one cell 20 is reproduced in a plurality of different programs 60, that is, so-called cell 20 reuse. It is also possible to do it.

Here, regarding the number of one cell 20,
When the cell 20 is handled in the physical format shown in FIG. 1, it is treated as a cell ID number (indicated as cell ID # in FIG. 1), and in the logical format shown in FIG. 2 in PGCI described later. It is treated as a cell number in the order of description.

Next, by combining a plurality of programs 60, one PGC (Program Chain) 61 is logically constructed based on the intention of the manufacturer. The above-mentioned PGCI (Program Chain Information) is defined in units of the PGC 61, and the playback order of each program 60 when each program 60 is played back (the playback order unique to each program 60 is based on this playback order). A program number is assigned), a playback order of the cells 20 (a unique cell number is assigned to each cell 20 by this playback order),
The address which is the recording position of each cell 20 on the DVD 1, the first cell 2 to be reproduced in one program 60
The number 0, the reproduction method of each program 60, and various commands (commands that can be specified by the manufacturer for each PGC 61 or cell 20) are included. The recording position of the PGCI on the DVD 1 is in the control data 11 as described above, or in the case of PGCI relating to the menu in the video manager 2, it is in the control data (not shown) of the video manager 2. .

Further, one PGC 61 has the above-mentioned PGCI.
In addition to the above, substantive data such as images and sounds are included as a combination of the program 60 (in other words, as a combination of the cells 20).

Further, in one PGC 61, it is possible to reuse the cell 20 shown in the description of the program 60 (that is, use the same cell 20 for different PGCs 61). Regarding the cells 20 to be used, in addition to the method of reproducing the cells 20 in the order stored in the DVD 1 (reproduction of consecutively arranged cells), the cells 20 are reproduced regardless of the order stored in the DVD 1 (for example, later). The manufacturer can select the method of reproducing the recorded cells 20 first (reproduction of non-continuously arranged cells).

Next, one title 62 is logically constructed by one or a plurality of PGCs 61. This title 62
Is a unit corresponding to, for example, one movie, and is complete information that the producer wants to provide to the viewer of the DVD 1.

Then, one or more titles 62 logically configure one VTS 63. This VTS6
The titles 62 included in 3 have common attributes, and for example, a movie in a different language for one same movie corresponds to each title 62.
Information corresponding to one VTS 63 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to information included in one VTS 3 shown in FIG. That is, the logical VT shown in FIG.
All the information contained in S63 is recorded as one VTS3.

Based on the logical format described above, the producer designates the information divided in the physical structure to form a video (movie or the like) that the viewer should watch.

Since it is necessary to record the information of various layers as described above, the information having the above-mentioned recording format corresponds to the movie in addition to recording one movie like the DVD1. It is particularly suitable for an information recording medium having a large storage capacity capable of recording voices and subtitles in a plurality of languages on the same optical disc.

Next, of the image information and audio information having the above-mentioned physical structure and logical structure, in particular, the title set information, the reproduction device designation ID and the reproduction device restriction information according to the present invention will be described in detail. The above information can be recorded in the following two recording modes. (1) First Recording Mode The present invention is characterized in that title set information Its is recorded in the video manager 2. FIG. 3 shows a recording example according to the first recording mode. The title set information Its is information regarding whether or not the playback device that plays back the VTS3 recorded on the DVD 1 is limited to a specific playback device. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when the title set information Its is “00”, all VTS3s recorded on the DVD 1 do not limit the reproducing device, that is, which reproducing device is used. Also all V
This means that TS3 can be played. Also,
If the title set information Its is “11”, the DV
All the VTSs 3 recorded in D1 limit the playback device, that is, any VTS 3 cannot be played back without using a certain playback device. Further, when the title set information Its is “10”, the VTSs 3 recorded on the DVD 1 include those that limit the playback device and those that do not.
This means that some VTS3s cannot be played back without using a specific playback device, and other VTSs can be played back using any playback device. It should be noted that the VTS 3 that limits the playback device corresponds to the above-mentioned recorded information for business use and does not limit the playback device.
S3 corresponds to record information that can be shared for consumer use, business use, and consumer use.

Further, the video manager 2 further includes playback device designation information Id corresponding to each VTS 3 which is defined by the title set information Its to limit the playback device. The reproduction device designation information Id includes information for identifying the reproduction device that is permitted to reproduce the VTS 3, that is, whether it is for business use or for consumer use, or what kind of information for business use. This is a text description of information indicating the type of the playback device such as the playback device to be handled. Specifically, each playback device is assigned a playback device code for each type, and stores its own playback device code in a built-in memory or the like. The reproduction device designation information Id specifies the reproduction device code of the reproduction device permitted to reproduce the DVD 1. According to the above-mentioned title set information Its, DVD
Although it is possible to know whether or not the VTS 3 on 1 limits the playback device, what kind of playback device is actually limited cannot be known only from the title set information. Therefore, when the title set information Its specifies that the playback device is limited (“11” and “10”)
In addition, the reproduction device designation Id indicates information indicating which reproduction device is limited.

Therefore, by referring to the title set information Its and the reproduction device designation ID, whether the VTS 3 on the DVD 1 can be reproduced by all the reproduction devices or whether it cannot be reproduced unless a specific reproduction device is used. And, if it is limited to a specific playback device, it can be known specifically which playback device it is.

Further, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the reproduction device limitation information Idl is included in the control data 11 in the VTS 3. This playback device limited information Idl
Is information indicating whether or not the VTS 3 to which the control data 11 belongs limits the playback device. The above-mentioned title set information Its can reproduce all of the plurality of VTSs 3 included in the DVD 1 by any reproducing apparatus, or can reproduce only by a limited reproducing apparatus, or a reproducing apparatus that can reproduce the same. Limited VTS3
It is information indicating whether or not both VTS3 and VTS3 which are not limited are included. On the other hand, the reproduction device limited information Idl referred to here is
This is information indicating whether or not the playback device is limited not for all VTSs 3 in the DVD 1 but only for one VTS 3 to which the control data 11 belongs.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when the reproduction device limitation signal is “00”, it means that the VTS 3 does not limit the reproduction device, that is, it can be reproduced using any reproduction device. On the other hand, the playback device limited signal is "1.
In the case of "1", that VTS3 limits the playback device, that is, it cannot be played back without using a specific playback device. The playback device limited signal is "11"
In the case of, the specific playback device capable of playing back the VTS3 is determined by the playback device designation Id described above.
Can be found by referring to.

As described above, in the present invention, the video manager 2 which is the first accessed area of the DVD.
Information regarding the limitation of the reproducing device for all the recorded information included in the DVD is recorded therein. Therefore, that D
If all the recorded information in the VD (that is, VTS) is standardized for business use or consumer use, it is possible to know whether or not there is a limitation on the playback device without having to access each VTS individually. Playback may be initiated or the user may be notified that playback is not possible. It is not convenient for the user to access all VTSs over time and eventually be informed that none of the VTSs can be played back by the playback device. In this respect, according to the present invention, when the limitation of the reproducing apparatus for all the recorded information is uniformly determined, it is possible to know whether the reproduction is possible immediately after the disc is inserted, so that the usability for the user can be improved. Also, even if the VTSs are not defined uniformly, it is possible to know whether or not the VTS limits the playback device by accessing each VTS. Therefore, a commercial VTS and a consumer VT can be stored in one disc.
S can be mixed. (2) Second Recording Mode In the first recording mode, whether or not to limit the playback device for each VTS 3 is set as playback device limitation information Idl for each VT.
It is included in the control data 11 in S3. Instead of this, there is also a method of collectively including in the video manager 2 information as to whether or not the playback device is limited for each VTS 3. FIG. 4 shows an example of recording the reproduction device limited information Idl in this case. As shown in FIG. 4, in the video manager 2, related information IR about each VTS 3 is recorded, and a part of the related information IR is limited to the reproduction apparatus limited information I of each VTS 3.
dl is included. The meaning of each playback device limitation information Idl is the same as in the case of the first recording mode. When the playback device limitation signal is "00", the VTS3 does not limit the playback device and the playback device limitation signal is "11". In the case of, the VTS3
Will limit the playback device. Further, when the reproduction device limitation information Idl is “11”, which reproduction device is specifically limited is specified by the reproduction device designation Id in the video manager 2.
It is defined by.

As described above, if the reproduction device limitation information about each VTS 3 is collectively recorded in the video manager 2, the VTSs having the limitation of the reproduction device and the VTs having no limitation are provided.
VT selected by the user even when S and S are mixed
Whether or not there is a limitation on the playback device of S can be known without searching the VTS, and it is possible to promptly inform the user whether playback is possible. It should be noted that this point will be described more specifically in the item of the operation of the reproducing apparatus later. [2] Embodiment of Recording Device Next, an embodiment of a recording device for recording the control information including the above-described title set information, video information, and audio information on the DVD 1 will be described with reference to FIG. At the beginning,
The configuration and operation of the recording apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the recording apparatus S1 according to the present embodiment comprises a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) 70,
A memory 71, a signal processing unit 72, hard disk devices 73 and 74, a controller 75, a multiplexer 76,
It is composed of a modulator 77 and a mastering device 78.

Next, the operation will be described. The VTR 70 has
Recording information R which is a material such as music information and video information to be recorded on the DVD 1 is temporarily recorded. And VT
The recording information R temporarily recorded in R70 is output to the signal processing unit 72 in response to a request from the signal processing unit 72. The signal processing unit 72 A / D-converts the recording information R output from the VTR 1 and then performs compression processing by the MPEG2 method, time-multiplexes music information and video information, and outputs the compressed multiplexed signal Sr. After that, the output compressed multiplexed signal Sr is temporarily stored in the hard disk device 73.

In parallel with these, the memory 71 divides the recording information R into partial recording information Pr in advance, and is preliminarily input based on the cue sheet ST in which control information and the like regarding each partial recording information Pr is described. Further, the content information regarding the partial recording information Pr is temporarily stored and is output as the content information signal Si in response to a request from the signal processing section 72. The signal processing section 72 uses the time code Tt and the memory 7 corresponding to the recording information R output from the VTR 70.
1 based on the content information signal Si output from the first information reference signal Tt, the access information signal Sac corresponding to the partial record information Pr is generated and output, and the access information signal Sac is temporarily sent to the hard disk device 74. Memorized in. The above processing is executed for the entire record information R.

When the above processing is completed for all the recorded information R, the controller 75 causes the hard disk device 7 to operate.
3, the compressed multiple signal Sr is read out, the access information signal Sac is read out from the hard disk device 74, the additional information DA is generated based on these, and the additional information DA is stored in the hard disk device 74. The contents of the title set information, the reproduction device designation information, and the reproduction device limitation information in this embodiment are predetermined by the creator of the DVD 1 and are stored in the hard disk 74. Then, under the control of the signal processing unit 72, the information corresponding to the video manager 2 and the controller 11 is included in the additional information DA. That is, in the first recording mode, the title set information and the playback device designation information are recorded as the video manager 2, and the playback device limited information is each VT.
It is included in the additional information DA as the information recorded as the control data 11 in S3. On the other hand, in the second recording mode, the title set information, the reproduction device designation information, and the reproduction device limitation information are all included in the additional information DA as the information recorded as the video manager 2.

On the other hand, the controller 75 manages the time of each operation of the signal processing unit 72, the hard disk device 73 and the hard disk device 74, and adds the additional information D.
The additional information signal Sa corresponding to A is sent to the hard disk device 7
An information selection signal S for reading and outputting the data from No. 4 and time-multiplexing the compression multiplexed signal Sr and the additional information signal Sa
Generate and output c.

Thereafter, the compression multiplexed signal Sr and the additional information signal Sa are time-axis multiplexed by the multiplexer 76 based on the information selection signal Sc and output as the information additional compression multiplexed signal Sap. At the stage of the information-added compression multiplexed signal Sap, the information to be recorded is combined with the control signal and the video information and the audio information by the switching operation using the information selection signal Sc of the controller 75, and the physical structure shown in FIG. Format). When the sub-picture information exists, it is input to the decoding processing unit 72 by another means such as an FD device (not shown) and processed in the same manner as the video and audio information.

After that, the modulator 77 adds an error correction code (ECC) such as Reed-Solomon code and modulation such as 8-16 modulation to the outputted information-added compression multiplexed signal Sap to obtain a disc recording signal Sm. It is generated and output to the mastering device 78.

Finally, the mastering device 78 records the disc recording signal Sm on a stamper disc which is a master (cutting die) when manufacturing an optical disc.
Then, using this stamper disk, an optical disk as a replica disk that is generally commercially available is manufactured by a replication device (not shown).

As described above, title set information,
A DVD is created in which the reproduction device identification information and the reproduction device limitation signal are recorded according to the first or second recording mode. [3] Embodiment of Reproducing Device Next, an embodiment of a reproducing device for reproducing the information recorded on the DVD 1 by the recording device S1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the overall configuration and operation of the reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the reproducing apparatus S2 according to the present embodiment includes a pickup 80, a demodulation correction section 81,
Stream switches 82 and 84, track buffer 83, system buffer 85, and demultiplexer 8
6 and VBV (Video Buffer Verifier) buffer 87
, Video decoder 88, and sub-picture buffer 89
, Sub-picture decoder 90, audio buffer 92, audio decoder 93, and PCI buffer 9
4, a PCI decoder 95, and a highlight buffer 96
A highlight decoder 97, an input unit 98, a display 99, a system controller 100, a drive controller 101, a spindle motor 102,
It is composed of a slider motor 103. In addition,
The configuration shown in FIG. 6 describes only the part relating to the reproduction of images and sounds in the structure of the reproducing apparatus S2.
The servo circuit and the like for servo-controlling the pickup 80, the spindle motor 102, the slider motor 103, and the like are the same as those in the conventional art, and therefore the description and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the overall operation will be described. The pickup 80 includes a laser diode, a deflection beam splitter, an objective lens, a photodetector, and the like (not shown), irradiates the DVD 1 with the light beam B as reproduction light, and reflects the light beam B reflected from the DVD 1. Receives light, DVD1
Detection signal Sp corresponding to the information pit formed above
Is output. At this time, the light beam B is accurately applied to the information track on the DVD 1, and a method similar to that of the conventional technique is applied to an objective lens (not shown) so that the information recording surface on the DVD 1 is accurately focused. The tracking servo control and the focus servo control are performed by.

The detection signal Sp output from the pickup 80 is input to the demodulation correction unit 81, demodulation processing and error correction processing are performed to generate a demodulation signal Sdm, which is output to the stream switch 82 and the system buffer 85. .

The stream switch 82 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is input is controlled to be opened / closed by the switch signal Ssw1 from the drive controller 101, and when closed, the input demodulated signal Sdm is directly passed through and output to the track buffer 83. To do. On the other hand, when the stream switch 82 is open, the demodulated signal Sdm is not output, and unnecessary information (signal) is not input to the track buffer 83.

The track buffer 83 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is input is constituted by a FIFO (First In First Out) memory or the like, and temporarily stores the input demodulated signal Sdm, and the stream switch 84 is closed. If so, the stored demodulated signal Sdm is continuously output.
The track buffer 83 is used for each G in the MPEG2 system.
In addition to compensating for the difference in the data amount for each OP, the demodulated signal Sdm that is discontinuously input due to a track jump when reading data divided into interleaved units IU is continuously output, This is to eliminate the interruption of reproduction due to discontinuity. The processing related to the above-mentioned title information and the like is mainly performed by the system buffer 85, the system controller 100, etc., which will be described in detail later.

The stream switch 84 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is continuously input is prevented from causing various buffers in the subsequent stage to overflow or conversely become empty and the decoding process to be interrupted in the demultiplexing process in the demultiplexer 86. In addition, opening / closing is controlled by the switch signal Ssw2 from the system controller 100.

On the other hand, the system buffer 85 to which the demodulated signal Sdm is input in parallel with the track buffer 83 is DV
First detected when loading D1, DVD
The management information (video manager 2) on the entire information recorded in 1 and the control data 11 of the VTS 3 are accumulated and used as control information Sc in the system controller 10
In addition to outputting the data to 0, the DSI data for each of the navigation packs 41 is temporarily stored during the information reproduction, and is output to the system controller 100 as control information Sc.

In the demultiplexer 86 to which the demodulation signal Sdm is continuously input via the stream switch 84, the video information, the audio information, the sub-picture information and the PCI data for each navigation pack 41 are separated from the demodulation signal Sdm. ,
Video signal Sv, sub-picture signal Ssp, audio signal Sad
In addition, the VBV buffer 8 is used as the PCI signal Spc.
7, sub-picture buffer 89, audio buffer 9
2 and the PCI buffer 94. Note that the demodulated signal Sdm may include a plurality of languages as separate streams as audio information or sub-picture information. In that case, the stream selection signal Slc from the system controller 100 causes a desired language. Are selected and output to the audio buffer 92 or the sub-picture buffer 89.

The VBV buffer 87 to which the video signal Sv is input is composed of a FIFO memory or the like, temporarily stores the video signal Sv, and outputs it to the video decoder 88. The VBV buffer 87 is for compensating the variation in the data amount for each picture in the video signal Sv compressed by the MPEG2 system. And
The video signal Sv in which the variation in the data amount is compensated is input to the video decoder 88, demodulated by the MPEG2 system, and output to the mixer 91 as a demodulated video signal Svd.

On the other hand, the sub-picture buffer 89 to which the sub-picture signal Ssp is input temporarily accumulates the input sub-picture signal Ssp and outputs it to the sub-picture decoder 90.
The sub-picture buffer 89 is for outputting the sub-picture information included in the sub-picture signal Ssp in synchronization with the image information corresponding to the sub-picture information. Then, the sub-picture signal Ssp synchronized with the picture information is input to the sub-picture decoder 90, demodulated and demodulated sub-picture signal S
It is output to the mixer 91 as spd.

If the sub-picture signal Ssp includes image information for forming a frame, a selection button, etc. necessary for forming and displaying the menu screen, the high level from the system controller 100 is displayed. Based on the write control signal Sch, the display state of the selection button or the like to be displayed is changed and output.

The demodulated video signal Svd output from the video decoder 88 and the demodulated sub-picture signal Sspd output from the sub-picture decoder 90 (corresponding demodulated video signal S
Synchronized with vd. ) Is mixed by the mixer 91 and output as a final image signal Svp to be displayed to a display unit such as a CRT (Cathod Ray Tube) not shown.

Next, the audio buffer 92 to which the audio signal Sad is input is composed of a FIFO memory or the like, and temporarily stores the input audio signal Sad and outputs it to the audio decoder 93. The audio buffer 92 is for outputting the audio signal Sad in synchronization with the video signal Sv or the sub-video signal Ssp including the corresponding video information, and delays the audio signal Sad according to the output status of the corresponding video information. Let And
The audio signal Sad time-adjusted so as to be synchronized with the corresponding video information is output to the audio decoder 93, subjected to predetermined decoding, and demodulated audio signal Sad.
It is output to a speaker or the like not shown as d. When it is detected that the sound needs to be temporarily interrupted (paused) in the reproduction immediately after the access, the system controller 100 outputs the pause signal Sca to the audio decoder 93, and the audio decoder 93 concerned. The output of the demodulated audio signal Sadd is temporarily stopped.

Further, the PCI to which the PCI signal Spc is input
The buffer 94 is composed of a FIFO memory or the like, temporarily stores the input PCI signal Spc, and outputs it to the PCI decoder 95. The PCI buffer 94 synchronizes the PCI data included in the PCI signal Spc with the video information, sub-video information, etc. corresponding to the PCI data, and applies the PCI data to the video information or sub-video information. is there. Then, the PCI signal S synchronized with the corresponding video information or sub-video information by the PCI buffer 94.
The highlight information included in the PCI data is separated from the pc by the PCI decoder 95 and is output to the highlight buffer 96 as a highlight signal Shi, and at the same time, the PCI is
The portion other than the highlight information of the data is the PCI information signal S
It is output to the system controller 100 as pci.

The highlight buffer 96 to which the highlight signal Shi is input is composed of a FIFO memory or the like,
The input highlight signal Shi is temporarily stored and output to the highlight decoder 97. Highlight buffer 9
Reference numeral 6 denotes time-axis compensation for accurately changing the display state of the selection item corresponding to the highlight information in response to the sub-picture signal Ssp containing the image information for the highlight information. This is a buffer to do. Then, the highlight signal Shi subjected to the time axis compensation is decoded by the highlight decoder 97, and the information included in the highlight signal Shi is output to the system controller 100 as a demodulated highlight signal Shid. here,
Based on the demodulated highlight signal Shid, the system controller 100 outputs the above highlight control signal Sch in order to change the display state according to the highlight information.

Based on the control information Sc input from the system buffer 85, the PCI information signal Spci input from the PCI decoder 95, and the input signal Sin input from the input section 98 such as a remote controller, the system controller 100 outputs those signals. Output the switch signal Ssw2, the stream selection signal Slc, the pause signal Sca, and the highlight control signal Sch in order to perform the correct reproduction corresponding to the display signal Sdp for displaying the operation status of the reproducing device S2. It is output to a display 99 such as a liquid crystal display device.

Further, when the system controller 100 detects from the control information Sc or the like that a track jump process such as a search is necessary for seamless reproduction, it instructs the drive controller 101
The seamless control signal Scsl corresponding to the track jump processing is output.

Then, the drive controller 101, to which the seamless control signal Scsl is input, sends the drive signal S to the spindle motor 102 or the slider motor 103.
Print d. With this drive signal Sd, the spindle motor 102 or the slider motor 103 moves the pickup 2 so that the light beam B is irradiated to the recording position on the DVD 1 to be reproduced, and the rotation speed of the DVD 1 is changed to C.
LV control is performed (see the broken line arrow in FIG. 6). In parallel with this,
When the pickup 2 is moving and the demodulation correction unit 3 does not output the demodulation signal Sdm, the drive controller 101 outputs the switch signal Ssw1 based on the seamless control signal Scsl, opens the stream switch 82, and opens the demodulation signal Sdm. Starts to be output, the stream switch 82 is closed and the demodulated signal Sdm is output to the track buffer 83.

Next, the operation of the system controller 100 according to the present invention in the reproducing apparatus S2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. (1) First Reproducing Method First, the first reproducing method will be described. This first reproducing method is a reproducing method in the case where title set information and the like are recorded according to the first recording mode shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of the first reproducing method.

First, the user plays the DVD 1 on the playback device S2.
, The system controller 100 performs initial settings including settings of servo systems such as tracking servo and focus servo (step S1), and then accesses the video manager 2 to reproduce the title set information and reproduction shown in FIG. The necessary information including the device designation information is acquired (step S2). Then, the system controller 1
For 00, the acquired title set information is "00", "1"
It is determined whether it is "0" or "11" (step S3).

When the title set information is "00", all the VTSs 3 included in the DVD 1 can be played back by any playback device without limiting the playback device.
Perform normal playback operation. Specifically, one or more titles included in the DVD 1 are displayed on the CRT as a menu (step S4). When the user selects one title that the user wants to play back (step S5), the system controller 100 causes the V containing the selected title.
The TS3 is searched, and the pickup is jumped to the position of the VTS3 on the DVD 1 (step S6). Next, the control data 11 in the VTS 3 is read (step S7). And the system controller 1
00 acquires the PGCI included in the control data 11 (step S8), and according to the contents, the VTS concerned.
3 is reproduced (step S9).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the title set information is "11", the D
This means that the playback devices that can play back all VTSs 3 of VD1 are limited. Therefore, the system controller 1
00 determines whether or not the playback device in which the DVD 1 is set corresponds to the playback device designated by the playback device designation information acquired in step S2 (step S1).
0). When it corresponds (step S10: Yes),
Jump to step S4 to perform normal reproduction (step S4
Through S9). On the other hand, when the current playback device does not correspond to the playback device designated by the playback device designation information (step S10: No), the system controller 10
0 displays on the CRT that all titles recorded on the DVD 1 cannot be played back by the playback device (step S11), and the process ends (step S1).
2).

If it is determined in step S3 that the title set information is "10", the DV
For D1, VTS3 that limits the playback device and VT that does not limit it
It means that S3 and S3 are mixed. Therefore, it is necessary to individually check whether or not the title that the user desires to reproduce can be reproduced by the reproducing apparatus before reproducing. Specifically, first, the titles included in the DVD 1 are displayed on the CRT (step S13), and the user is allowed to select any of the titles (step S14). Next, the VTS containing the selected title
3 is searched, the pickup is jumped to the recording position on the DVD 1 (step S15), and the control data 11 included in the VTS 3 is read (step S15).
17). As shown in FIG. 3, the control data 11 includes playback device limitation information, so the system controller 100 refers to this and detects whether or not the VTS 3 limits the playback device (step S1).
7). When the VTS 3 does not limit the playback device, that is, when the playback device limitation information is “00”, the title can be played back by the current playback device. Therefore, the process jumps to step S8, and the VTS3
Obtain PGCI from the control data 11 in
Playback is started (step S9).

On the other hand, if the VTS 3 limits the playback device, that is, if the playback device limitation information is "11" in step S17, the system controller 100 determines that the current playback device is the playback device designation information. It is determined whether or not it is included in the designated reproducing apparatus (step S18). Then, if it is included in the designated reproduction device (step S18: Yes), the process jumps to step S8 to acquire PCGI and start reproduction (step S).
19, S20). On the other hand, in step S18, when it is not included in the designated playback devices (step S1
8: No), the system controller 100 displays on the CRT that this title cannot be played back by the playback device currently used (step S19), and ends the processing (step S20).

As described above, according to the first reproducing method,
When the DVD is set in the playback device, the system controller 100 first refers to the title set information in the video manager 2 to determine whether all the titles in the DVD 1 limit the playback device. And
If there is no limitation on the playback device, playback is started immediately. If all the titles in the DVD are limited, it is determined whether or not the playback device is included in the designated playback device, and if it is the designated playback device, playback is started. Further, when there is a limitation on the reproduction device for only a part of the VTSs 3 in the DVD 1, the reproduction device limitation information of the VTS 3 selected by the user is checked to determine whether the reproduction is possible. Thus, in the present invention, D
Since the title set information indicating the presence / absence of the limitation of the reproducing apparatus is included in the video manager which is read first when the VD is set, in the case of the DVD in which the limitation of the reproducing apparatus is uniformly determined, Since it is not necessary to search each VTS to check whether or not there is a limitation for each VTS, it is possible to start playback quickly or display that playback is impossible. Also, a VTS that does not limit the playback device and a VTS that does not limit the playback device are mixed D
Even in VD, it is possible to properly judge whether reproduction is possible and reproduce only when reproduction is possible. [2] Second Reproducing Method Next, the second reproducing method will be described. The second reproducing method relates to a reproducing method of a DVD created according to the second recording mode shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows an operation flowchart of the second reproducing method.

This second reproducing method is applied to the set DV.
Only the processing in the case where VTSs that limit the playback device and VTSs that do not limit the playback device coexist in D differs from the first playback method. That is, in FIG. 8, the process from setting the DVD to checking the title set information (steps S21 to S23), the title set information is "00".
Processing (steps S24 to S29) and processing when the title set information is “11” (steps S30 to S32) are processing in the first reproduction method shown in FIG. 7 (step S1). To S3, steps S4 to S9, and steps S10 to S12), the detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, FIG.
In the recording mode shown in (1), since the playback device limitation information for each VTS 3 is collectively recorded in the video manager 2, the system controller 100 causes the system controller 100 to execute step S22.
Not only title set information and playback device specification information,
The playback device limitation information for each VTS 3 is also acquired.

If it is determined in step S23 that the title set information is "10", the DVD1
VTS3 that limits playback devices and VTS3 that does not limit playback devices
It means that and are mixed. Therefore, the DVD
The title included in 1 is displayed on the CRT (step S
33), and prompts the user to select one of the titles (step S34). Next, of the reproduction device restriction information stored in the video manager 2, the reproduction device restriction information corresponding to the VTS 3 including the selected title is acquired (step S35), and whether the VTS 3 restricts the reproduction device. It is detected (step S36).
Here, unlike the case of the first reproduction method, the reproduction device limitation information is collectively recorded in the video manager 2 instead of in the control data 11 in each VTS 3 (see FIG. 4), and thus is selected. It is not necessary to search VTS3 and read control data 11 contained therein. When the VTS 3 does not limit the playback device, that is, when the playback device limitation information is “00”, the title can be played back by the current playback device. Therefore, the process jumps to step S28, and the VTS
PGCI is acquired from the control data 11 in 3 and reproduction is started (step S29).

On the other hand, if the VTS 3 limits the playback device, that is, if the playback device limitation information is "11" in step S36, the system controller 100 determines that the current playback device is the playback device designation information. Whether or not it is included in the designated playback device Playback device designation information Id
Is determined (step S37). If it is included in the designated playback device (step S37: Y
es), the process jumps to step S28 to acquire PCGI and start reproduction (steps S28 and S29). On the other hand, in step S37, when the title is not included in the designated playback devices (step S37: No), the system controller 100 indicates that the playback cannot be performed by the playback device currently used by the CRT. It is displayed on the top (step S38), and the process ends (step S39).

As described above, according to the second recording mode, the reproduction device limitation information corresponding to each VTS is collectively recorded in the video manager 2. Therefore, according to the second reproducing method, in the case where the inserted DVD includes the title that limits the reproducing apparatus and the title that does not limit the reproducing apparatus, even if one title is selected by the user, the VTS3 corresponding to the title is searched. Then control data 1
Whether or not reproduction is possible can be immediately known without going to read 1, and a quick response to the user's operation becomes possible.

[0091]

As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, the individual limited information piece and the whole limited information piece indicate whether or not the recorded information piece limits the reproducing device, and the device designation information piece. Specifies a reproducing device capable of reproducing the information recording medium. Therefore, by referring to these, only the recorded information piece that can be reproduced by the reproducing apparatus can be correctly reproduced.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, since the entire limited information piece and the individual limited information piece indicating the presence / absence of the limitation of the reproducing apparatus are reproduced first, the reproduction can be performed quickly. It is possible to judge whether or not it is possible.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, if the reproducing apparatus is limited and the reproducing apparatus is not designated by the apparatus designation information piece, the reproduction is impossible, and therefore the notifying means is provided. Announces that. On the other hand, when there is no limitation on the reproducing device and when the reproducing device is specified by the device specifying information piece, the reproducing means reproduces the recording information piece selected by the user. Therefore, it is possible to correctly reproduce the recorded information depending on whether or not the reproducing device is designated.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, the discrimination means first refers to the entire limited information piece,
It is possible to immediately know whether or not there is a limitation on the reproducing device for all the recorded information pieces in the information recording medium. Therefore,
It is possible to promptly start the reproduction or notify the user that the reproduction is impossible.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the forming means records the information pieces by including the whole limited information pieces in the control information pieces to be reproduced first on the information recording medium. Since it is formed on the medium, at the time of reproduction, the entire limited information piece is first reproduced, and it is possible to quickly know whether or not there is a limitation of the reproduction device for all the recorded information pieces of the information recording medium. Becomes

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a recording format of a DVD according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a logical format of a DVD according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first recording mode of title set information and the like.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second recording mode of title set information and the like.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a DVD recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a DVD reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of a first reproducing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of a second reproducing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... DVD 2 ... Video manager 3, 63 ... VTS 10 ... VOB 11 ... Control data 20 ... Cell 30 ... VOB unit 41 ... Navi pack 42 ... Video data 43 ... Audio data 44 ... Sub-picture data 60 ... Programs 61, 61A, 61B ... PGC 62 ... Title 70 ... VTR 71 ... Memory 72 ... Signal processing unit 73 ... Hard disk device 74 ... FD device 75 ... Controller 76 ... Multiplexer 77 ... Modulator 78 ... Mastering device 80 ... Pickup 81 ... Demodulation correction unit 82, 84 ... Stream switch 83 ... Track buffer 85 ... System buffer 86 ... Demultiplexer 87 ... VBV buffer 88 ... Video decoder 89 ... Sub-picture buffer 90 ... Sub-picture decoder 92 ... Audio buffer 93 ... Audio decoder 94 ... PCI buffer 95 ... PCI decoder 96 ... Highlight buffer 97 ... Highlight decoder 98 ... Input section 99 ... Display 100 ... System controller 101 ... Drive controller 102 ... Spindle motor 103 ... Slider motor S1 ... Recording device S2 ... Playback Device DK ... Optical disc ST ... Cue sheet

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Yoshiaki Moriyama 6-1, 1-1 Fujimi, Tsurugashima City, Saitama Pioneer Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kaoru Yamamoto 6-1, 1-1 Fujimi, Tsurugashima City, Saitama Prefecture Pioneer Research Institute (72) Inventor Junichi Yuichi Junko Tokorozawa, Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of recording information pieces independent from each other, and a plurality of individual limited information pieces corresponding to the individual recording information pieces and indicating whether or not the individual recording information pieces limit a reproducing apparatus. A device specifying information piece for specifying a reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the plurality of recording information pieces, whether or not all the recording information pieces included in the information recording medium limit the reproducing apparatus, and the information recording medium is An information recording medium comprising: an entire limited information piece that indicates whether or not a part of the recorded information piece that is included limits a playback device. 2. The individual limited information piece and the entire limited information piece are included in a control information piece to be reproduced first among the information pieces included in the information recording medium. Information recording medium. 3. A plurality of recording information pieces independent from each other, and a plurality of individual limited information pieces corresponding to the individual recording information pieces and indicating whether or not the individual recording information pieces limit a reproducing apparatus. An entire limited information piece indicating whether or not all the recorded information pieces included in the information recording medium limit the reproducing apparatus, and whether a part of the recorded information pieces included in the information recording medium limits the reproducing apparatus. In the reproducing device of the information recording medium having, when the whole limited information piece or the individual limited information piece limits the reproducing device, the device specifying information piece given to the reproducing device is its own device identification. A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the information is designated, and notifying the user that the information recording medium cannot be reproduced by the reproducing device when the own device identification information is not designated. Notification means, A reproducing means for reproducing the recorded information piece selected by the user when the whole limited information piece and the individual limited information piece do not limit the reproducing apparatus, and when the own apparatus identification information is designated. A reproducing apparatus having: 4. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the information recording medium is set in the reproducing apparatus, the determining means first refers to the whole limited information piece. 5. A first information piece creating means for creating a plurality of recording information pieces independent of each other, and the individual recording information pieces of the individual recording information pieces corresponding to the user's instruction. Second information piece creating means for creating a plurality of individual limited information pieces indicating whether or not to limit the reproducing apparatus, and a reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the plurality of recorded information pieces in response to a user's instruction. Third information piece creating means for creating a device specifying information piece to be specified, and whether or not all the recorded information pieces included in the information recording medium limit the reproducing device in response to a user's instruction, and Fourth information piece creating means for creating an entire limited information piece that indicates whether a part of the recorded information pieces of the information recording medium limits the playback device, the recorded information piece, the individual limited information piece, and the device An information recording medium including the designated information piece and the entire limited information piece It includes a forming means for forming, wherein the forming means, the information recording apparatus characterized by including the entire limited information piece first control information piece to be reproduced on the information recording medium.