JPH1069755A - Information holding/information transmitting medium adopted parental control - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the management and discrimination in a parental level by recording limit information selectively limiting whether a prescribed data of a data zone are reproduced or not into a management zone and/or data zone. SOLUTION: A parental control means that the audio-visual of an image, voice, credit title or the like recorded in an optical disk 10 is limited with a country, religion, age or the like. A read instruction is given to a disk drive 30 and file management information is read with a CPU part 50 referring to the recorded position and recorded information of each file obtained from a ROM/RAM part 52. Management information is stored into a data RAM part 56. A sequence selecting menu is reproduced and displayed on the screen utilizing the disk composing information of file management information, menu composing information and cell information with the CPU part 50. The selection of a sequence being reproduced is assigned using a key operating/displaying part 4, based on the displayed menu number by users, whereby sequence information is specified.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium such as an optical disk for recording data of different types and types, such as compressed moving picture data, audio data, character data, and game programs, and to record data on the recording medium. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a method for recording data on a recording medium, a reproducing apparatus for reproducing data from the recording medium, and a method for reproducing data from the recording medium.

In particular, the present invention relates to an improvement in parental control in which a part or all of data recorded on the recording medium is restricted from being reproduced by a provider or a user.

[0003] Further, the present invention provides compressed moving image data,
The present invention relates to a parental control method in a broadcasting / communication system for data of different types or types, such as voice data, character data, and game programs.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an optical disk reproducing apparatus for reproducing moving images, which reproduces an optical disk on which data such as video and audio data is digitally recorded, has been developed. In the future, a variety of reproduction software such as movies and karaoke will be provided. It is expected to be done. However, some of these programs are restricted by country, religion and age. For example, in the United States, a movie that anyone can watch, a movie that can be watched by minors only if accompanied by a parent, a movie that can be watched by minors 13 years or older only when accompanied by a parent, an adult R-designated movie, an adult X-designated movie Divided into

[0005] As described above, parentalism refers to limiting the audience who can view the content of the software or the audience who can partially view the video. It is not possible to reliably restrict viewing because it is only the viewer who owns the software to limit viewing.

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional software viewing mode, if the user has the corresponding software, the user may intentionally or unknowingly view the restricted video. The challenge was to develop a method for performing reliable parental control.

The present invention is intended to solve such a problem. In particular, a recording medium capable of managing and discriminating a parental level on a reproducing side, a recording apparatus for recording data on the recording medium, and recording on the recording medium It is an object to provide a method, a reproducing apparatus for reproducing data from a recording medium, and a reproducing method thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reproduction side (reception side).
The present invention is to provide a broadcasting / communication system capable of managing / determining a parental level in the system.

[0009]

A recording medium according to the present invention comprises:
Some have a management area and others have a data area. At least one predetermined data (video data, audio data, character data, computer data such as a game, and the like) is recorded in the data area, and the management area and / or the data area includes a predetermined data area of the data area. Restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce data is recorded.

[0010] Further, the broadcast / communication system of the present invention comprises:
It broadcasts or communicates information having a management area in part and a data area in another. The data area includes at least one predetermined data (video data, audio data,
Character data, computer data such as games, etc.)
In the management area and / or the data area, restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce predetermined data in the data area is recorded.

The recording apparatus of the present invention records information having a management area in part and a data area in another part on a recording medium. The data area includes at least one predetermined data (video data, audio data, character data, computer data such as a game, and the like), and the management area and / or the data area includes a predetermined data area of the data area. Restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce data is recorded.

According to the recording method of the present invention for recording predetermined data on a recording medium in which a management area is formed in a partial area and a data area is formed in another area, the predetermined data is supplied. Encoding the predetermined data, generating restriction information for restricting whether or not to reproduce the predetermined data, recording the encoded predetermined data in a data area of the recording medium, and transmitting the generated restriction information to the data area. The data is selectively recorded in a management area and / or a data area of the recording medium in accordance with predetermined data.

[0013] Also, from the recording medium in which a data area in which predetermined data is recorded and a management area containing restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the predetermined data in the data area are recorded, In the reproducing apparatus of the present invention for reproducing data, reading means for reading predetermined data of the data area and restriction information of the management area, and reproduction of the predetermined data is prohibited by the restriction information read by the reading means. A prohibition unit for prohibiting reproduction of the predetermined data read by the reading unit; and a reproduction unit reading the predetermined data if the reproduction of the predetermined data is not prohibited by the restriction information read by the reading unit. Conversion means for converting predetermined data into a reproduction output.

Further, according to the reproducing method of the present invention for reproducing predetermined data from a recording medium in which a management area is formed in a partial area and a data area is formed in another area, the predetermined data of the data area and the management area are reproduced. When the reproduction of the predetermined data is prohibited by the restriction information read by the reading means, the reproduction of the predetermined data read by the reading means is prohibited, and the reproduction of the predetermined data is performed by the reading means. When the reproduction of the predetermined data is not prohibited by the restriction information, the predetermined data read by the reading means is converted into a reproduction output.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An optical disc reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical disc reproducing apparatus for reproducing data from an optical disc according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a disc drive unit for driving the optical disc shown in FIG. And FIG.
Shows the structure of the optical disc shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
FIG. 4 shows a recording configuration of the optical disk shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

An optical disk 10 reproduced by the optical disk reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 stores various data such as MPEG-compressed moving images, audio and sub-pictures in MPEG format.
The data is recorded in a data format corresponding to the second system layer. Here, the sub-picture is data obtained by performing run-length compression of text and simple animation data.

In the optical disk reproducing apparatus, the user operates the key operation / display section 4 to reproduce recorded data, that is, video data, sub-video data, and audio data from the optical disk 10, and the audio signal and the video data are reproduced in the apparatus. Monitor unit 6 which is converted into a signal and
The audio and video are reproduced by the speaker unit 8 as video and audio. The key operation / display unit 4 is used to play, stop, fast-forward playback, rewind playback, display of subtitles (sub-video), release of parental control (restriction of playback), channel selection, menu of the optical disc 10 It is used for the user to perform various instruction operations such as selection.

Here, the parental control means control of viewing of video, audio, text (captions) and the like recorded on the optical disk 10 by country, religion, age and the like. This parental control will be described later. For example, parental information described in the optical disc 10 at three hierarchical levels of a sequence level, a cell level, and a GOP equivalent level (or at two hierarchical levels of a title set and a program chain). (ID) is executed.

This optical disc reproducing apparatus converts MPEG-compressed moving pictures and sounds and characters for subtitles or sub-picture data used for simple animation to MPP.
This is a system for reproducing from the optical disk 10 according to the EG system layer.

A character or a simple animation is composed of a bitmap image which is run-length compressed, and is hereinafter treated as a sub-picture.

As already known, the optical disk 10
Has various structures. As this optical disc, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of structures 18 in which a recording layer, that is, a light reflection layer 16 is formed on a transparent substrate 14, is prepared. There is an ultra-high recording density type which is adhered through an adhesive layer 20 so as to be sealed therein.

In the optical disc 10 having such a structure, a center hole 22 into which the spindle of the spindle motor 12 is inserted is provided at the center thereof.
A clamping area 24 is provided for holding the optical disk 10 during rotation.

From the clamping area 24 to the outer peripheral edge of the optical disk 10, an information recording area 25 in which information can be recorded on the optical disk 10 is defined. The bonded optical disc shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 has information recording areas 25 on both sides.

The outer peripheral area of each information recording area 25 is defined as a lead-out area 26 where information is not normally recorded.
In addition, the inner peripheral area in contact with the clamping area 24 is
Similarly, the lead-in area 27 where information is not normally recorded is
Stipulated. Further, the readout area 26
A data recording area 28 is defined between the data recording area 28 and the lead-in area 27.

The recording layer 16 of the information recording area 25 is usually an area where data is recorded, and tracks are continuously formed in a spiral shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the continuous track is divided into a plurality of logical sectors (minimum recording units) having a fixed storage capacity, and data is recorded based on the logical sectors.

The recording capacity of one logical sector is determined to be 2048 bytes, which is the same as the one-pack data length described later. The data recording area 28 of the information recording area 25 is an actual data recording area, and contains management data, main image (main video) data, sub-image (sub-video) data, and audio (audio) data as described later. Similarly, it is recorded as a physical state change such as a pit.

A read-only ultra-high density optical disk (Supe
r Density ROM disk) 10, a pit row is formed in advance on a transparent substrate 14 by a stamper, and a reflection layer is formed by vapor deposition or sputtering on the surface of the transparent substrate 14 on which the pit row is formed, and the reflection layer is formed as a recording layer. 14 are formed. Normally, in this read-only optical disk 10, no groove is provided as a track, and a pit row is defined as a track.

In such an optical disk reproducing apparatus for reproducing data from the optical disk 10, the optical disk 10
The optical disk 10 is searched by the light beam in the disk drive unit 30 for driving the optical disk.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical disk 10 is placed on a spindle motor 12 driven by a motor drive circuit 11, and the spindle motor 1
2, a predetermined control method (for example, zone CLV;
Zone Constant Line Velocity).

Below the optical disk 10, an optical head (optical pickup) 32 for condensing a light beam (laser beam) on the optical disk 10 is provided. The optical head 32 is mounted on a guide mechanism (not shown) so as to be movable in the radial direction of the optical disc 10 in order to search the information recording area 25, particularly the data recording area 28. The optical head 32 on this guide mechanism is
Motor 33 driven by a drive signal from
Thus, the optical disk 10 is moved in the radial direction.

The optical disc 10 holds an objective lens 34 movably along its optical axis. The objective lens 34 is moved in the optical axis direction in response to a drive signal from a focus drive circuit 36, and is always maintained in a focus state. Thereby, a minute beam spot is formed on the recording layer 16. Also, this objective lens 34
It is held so as to be finely movable along the radial direction of the optical disk 10. The objective lens 34 includes a track driving circuit 38
In response to a drive signal from the optical disk 10, the track is finely moved and constantly maintained in a tracking state, and a track on the recording layer 16 of the optical disk 10 is tracked by a light beam from the optical head 32.

In the optical head 32, the light beam reflected from the optical disk 10 is detected, and the detected detection signal is
The data is supplied from the optical head 32 to the servo processing circuit 44 via the head amplifier 40. The servo processing circuit 44 generates a focus signal, a tracking signal, and a motor control signal from the detection signal, and supplies these signals to the drive circuits 36, 38, and 11, respectively. As a result, the objective lens 34 is maintained in the focus state and the tracking state, and the spindle motor 12 is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed so that the track on the recording layer 16 is kept at a constant linear velocity by the light beam from the optical head 32 ( Zone CLV or normal C
LV).

When a control signal (access signal) is supplied from the system CPU 50 of FIG. 1 to the servo processing circuit 44, a movement signal is supplied from the servo processing circuit 44 to the drive circuit 37, and the optical head 32 The disk is moved in the radial direction, and a predetermined sector of the recording layer 16 is accessed. The reproduced data obtained by this access is amplified by the head amplifier 40 and output from the disk drive unit 30.

The reproduced data output from the disk drive unit 30 is transmitted to a system CPU unit 50 controlled by a program stored in a system ROM / RAM unit 52.
And the data RA via the system processor unit 54
It is stored in the M unit 56.

The reproduction data stored in the data RAM 56 is processed by the system processor 54 and classified into video data, audio data and sub-picture data. The classified video data, audio data and sub-picture data are respectively supplied to the video decoder 5
8, is supplied to the audio decoder section 60 and the sub-picture decoder section 62 and decoded.

The decoded video data, audio data and sub-picture data are converted by a D / A and reproduction processing circuit 64 into analog video signals, analog audio signals and analog sub-picture signals.

Then, the video signal and the sub-picture signal are
The audio signal (stereo audio signal) is supplied to a pair of speaker units 8 after being subjected to mixing processing and supplied to a monitor unit 6. As a result, an image is displayed on the monitor unit 6 and a stereo sound is reproduced from the pair of speaker units 8.

ROM of system ROM / RAM unit 52
Stores a program (software; firmware) for controlling the operation of the apparatus, and is read and executed by the system CPU unit 50 when the power is turned on.

ROM of system ROM / RAM unit 52
Also, character data for displaying on the screen that parental processing is being performed is stored.

In this ROM, a parental limit level (for example, one of five levels) is set in advance. This is the parental restriction level of the optical disk reproducing apparatus, and, for example, parental restrictions can be given by country.

The parental limit level in the ROM may be changed at the time of manufacturing by, for example, a dip switch (not shown) of the reproducing apparatus. This allows
Parental restrictions can be automatically set by country.

Since the reference level of the parental restriction level is not changed by the user from the key operation / display unit 4, the video, audio, sentence expression and the like restricted in the country or the like are automatically restricted in advance. can do.

Thus, for example, a parental level for a parent and a child can be set within a level lower than the reference level.

The RAM of the system ROM / RAM section 52 is provided with a work area for data processing.

The operation of the optical disk apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described later in more detail together with the logical format of the optical disk 10 described below.

The data recording area 28 from the lead-in area 27 to the lead-out area 26 of the optical disk 10 shown in FIG.
It has a volume structure as shown in FIG. This volume structure includes a volume management information area 70 and a file area 80 having a hierarchical structure.

The volume management information area 70 is
Logical block numbers 0 to 2 defined according to 660
3, a system area 72 and a volume management area 74 are allocated.

Although the contents of the system area 72 are not normally defined as free areas, for example, the optical disk 10
Is provided for editors who edit the data to be recorded in
A system program for realizing the drive of the optical disk device according to the editor's intention is stored as needed.

In the volume management area 74, a file 78 such as a disk information file 76 (hereinafter simply referred to as a disk information file 76), a movie file, or a music file in the file area 80 is provided.
And the like (that is, information for managing the recording positions, recording capacities, and file names of all the files).

In the file area 80, files 76 and 78 from file number 0 to file number 99 designated by logical block numbers 24 and subsequent to the logical block number 24 are arranged. , And the files 78 from file number 1 to file number 99 are allocated as movie files (that is, video files or music files).

The disc information file 76 includes a file management information area 82 and a menu video data area 84 as shown in FIG.

The file management information area 82 describes a selectable sequence recorded on the entire optical disc 10, that is, file management information for selecting a video or audio title.

In the menu video data area 84, image data of a menu screen for displaying a selection menu such as a title is stored as a menu data cell 90 in cell units.

That is, the menu video data area 8
The menu image data of No. 4 is divided into units of a required size according to the purpose, as will be described in detail later.
I menu cells 9 sequentially numbered from # 1 in the order of recording in the menu video data area 84 of 0
It is defined as 0. In this menu cell 90,
Video data, sub-video data, or audio data relating to movie or audio title selection, program selection for each title, and the like are stored.

As shown in FIG. 6, the file management information area 82 includes disc configuration information (DSINF: disc search information or data) which is information on the configuration contents of each movie file or music file recorded on the optical disc 10. Disk configuration information area 8 for storing search information)
6. Three types of menu configuration information area 87 for storing menu configuration information (MSINF: menu structure information) and menu cell information table (MCIT: menu cell information table) 88 for storing menu cell information (MCI: menu cell information) , And are arranged in this order.

The disk configuration information (DSINF) in the disk configuration information area 86 is information on the configuration contents of each movie file or music file recorded on the disk, and as shown in FIG.
(File name), FFID (file identifier), DSI
NF (the number of files), FSINF (the number of file type / title selection target sequences), FCINF (the sub-picture / audio information in the file), and TSINF (each title information).

The FFNAME is for identifying a file name, and describes the same content as the corresponding file identifier in the directory record.

The FFID describes a file identifier as information for identifying a disc information file.

The DSINF describes the number of movie files or music files existing on the optical disk 10 (the number of playback files 78 in FIG. 5).

The FSINF includes a file type (movie file, music file) of each file, a complete sequence existing in the file (or a PGC when one file is composed of one program chain PGC), and a connection type top sequence ( Alternatively, the number of the first PGC when one file is composed of a plurality of program chains PGC is described.

FCINF includes NFAST (number of audio streams), FNSPCH (number of sub-picture channels),
ACODE (audio stream type), FSPCO
It is composed of DE (sub-video channel type).

[0063] The FMAST describes the number of audio streams existing in the file.

FNSPCH describes the number of sub-picture channels existing in the file.

In FACODE, the language code (English, Japanese, etc.) of the audio stream is described continuously in the order of the audio stream number. When the audio stream type is other than the language, FFh is described.

In FSPCODE, the language code (English, German, etc.) of the sub-picture channel is described continuously in the order of the channel number, and FFh is described for other than the sub-picture type.

The parental control, the number of angles, and the number of programs of each title are described in the TSINF in order from the title number # 1 for the number of titles.

The number of titles is the sum of the complete type sequence and the connection type top sequence existing in each movie file or music file.

The title number is the sequence of file number # 1 as title # 1, continues in ascending order of the sequence numbers in file number # 1, and ends with file # 2 sequence # 1 after the end of the final sequence for title selection. Continue.

The parental control describes the parental level of the sequence.

The number of angles describes the number of angle cells of the angle blocks included in the sequence. If there is no angle block, 0 is described.

The number of programs describes the number of programs in the sequence.

The menu configuration information (MSINF) in the menu configuration information area 87 is position information of video data for a menu recorded in a file, and is shown in FIG.
As shown in the table, MOMCEL (the number of menu cells), TM
SCEL (Title menu start cell number), ADMS
CEL (audio menu start cell number), SPMS
CEL (sub video menu start cell number), PEMSCE
L (program menu start cell number), AGMSCE
It is composed of L (angle menu start cell number) parameters.

MOMCEL describes the number of menu cells recorded in this file. If there is no menu video data in this file, 00h is described.

The start cell number of the title menu cell is described in TMSCEL. If there is no title menu cell, 00h is described.

ADMSCEL describes the start cell number of the audio menu. If there is no audio menu cell with the corresponding file number, 00h is described.

SPMSCEL describes the start cell number of the sub-picture menu. If there is no sub-picture menu cell of the corresponding file number, 00h is described.

In PEMSCEL, the start cell number of the program menu is described. If there is no program menu cell with the corresponding title number, 00h is described.

AGMSCEL describes the start cell number of the angle menu. If there is no angle menu cell, 00h is described.

Menu cell information table (MCIT) 8
Reference numeral 8 denotes a table in which menu cell information (MCI) such as a position, a size, and a reproduction time necessary for reproducing each menu cell 90 is continuously described. The menu cell information table (MCIT) 88 is defined by a set of i menu cell information areas 89 in which menu cell information (MCI) is described in the order of menu cell numbers.

Each menu cell information (MCI) in the menu cell information table 88 is, as shown in FIG.
CAT (menu cell type), MCSSCR (menu cell start pack), MCSLBN (menu cell start logical block number), MCNLB (number of constituent logical blocks)
It consists of each parameter of.

MCCAT (menu cell type table)
Includes copy control information indicating whether copying is permitted or prohibited, parental control information indicating all parental levels of video data constituting a menu cell, a title menu, a program menu, an audio menu, a sub-picture menu, and an angle. Menu cell type information indicating a menu, and a language code of the menu cell are described.

The language code describes the code number of the language code table.

In the MCSSCR, the upper 32 bits of the SCR (system clock reference, system time reference value) described in the start pack of the menu cell are described.

In MCSLBN, a logical block number offset from the head of the file which is the start address of the menu cell is described.

[0086] MCNLB describes the number of logical blocks constituting a menu cell.

Here, the disk configuration information (DSINF)
The menu configuration information (MSINF) is continuously described in the file management information area 82, and the menu cell information table (MCIT) 88 is aligned with the boundary of the logical block.

Music data or movie data of one or more titles is stored in a movie file and a music file 78 corresponding to file numbers 1 to 99.

As shown in FIG. 10, the file 78 has a file structure composed of specification information on the data included in the file 78. That is, the file structure is such that the file management information area 101 in which management information (address information and playback control information, etc.) is described and the video data of the file 78 (here, video, audio, sub-video data, etc. ) Is described.

In the video data area 102, video data is divided into cells in the same manner as the menu cell 90 of the disc information file 76, and the video data is arranged as j video data cells 105.

Normally, movie data or audio data of a certain title is represented as a set of continuous sequences (continuous program chains) 106. For example, a movie story may consist of a continuous sequence 106 corresponding to “ki”, “sho”, “to” and “to”.
Is represented by

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the video data area 102 of each file 78 has the sequence 1
06 is defined. Each sequence 10
6 is represented by a plurality of video programs (chapter) 107 corresponding to various scenes of the story, and each video program 105 is composed of a plurality of video data cells 105.

In FIG. 11, a file composed of one or more sequences is displayed as a video title set VTS, and a sequence composed of one or more programs (program chain PGC) is displayed as a video object set VOBS. A program composed of one or more cells is displayed as a video object VOB. Here, each cell is composed of one or more information packs, and each information pack is composed of a pack header and one or more packets.

Each video cell 105 has disc search information (or data search information) as shown in FIG.
A plurality of groups of one image group (GOP: Group of Picture) in which a control pack 92 including a DSI, a main video pack 93, a sub-video pack 95, and an audio pack 98 are combined are configured.

The configuration of the video cell 105 is substantially the same as that of the menu cell 90, and the video data 102 (FIG.
0) includes the MPEG standard (Moving Picture Expert Group).
p) and other data compressed in accordance with compression standards, such as moving images (movies), audio (audio), and sub-pictures,
It is recorded in a data format compatible with the MPEG2 system layer.

That is, the video data 102 is the MPE
It is a program streamer defined by the G standard. Further, each of the packs 92, 93, 95, and 98 has a pack structure including a pack header 97 and a packet 99 (FIG. 11) corresponding to the pack.

The main video pack in the above moving image is MPE
According to the G standard, I picture (Intra-Pictur
e), a P picture (Predictive-Picture), and a B picture (Bidirectionally predictive-Picture).

The sub-picture unit is composed of a plurality of sub-picture packs. One still image can be obtained by this sub-picture unit, and at least one sub-picture unit can be configured in one cell.

The file management information area 101 shown in FIG.
Is a file management table (FMT).
able) 113, sequence information table (SIT: Sequ
enceInformation Table) 114, a cell information table (CIT: Cell Information Table) 115, and the like.

The video data cells in the video data area 102 are numbered consecutively from # 1 in the order of recording on the optical disk 10, and the cell number and information relating to the cell in association with the cell number are stored in a cell information table. 11
5 is described.

That is, in the cell information table 115,
Area 11 for storing j cell information (CI) in which information necessary for reproducing video data cells is described in the order of cell numbers.
7 is defined, and the cell information (CI) describes information such as the position, size, and reproduction time of the cell in the file 78.

FIG. 13 shows this cell information table 115.
2 shows the contents of the cell information (CI) stored in.
Cell information (CI) described in this cell information area 117
Describes the content such as the start position and size of the video cell obtained by dividing the video data into units according to the purpose using parameters.

That is, the cell information (CI) indicates the cell type information (CCAT) indicating the content of the video cell such as whether the video cell is a movie, a karaoke or an interactive menu, and the total playback time of the video cell. Cell reproduction information (CTIME), system time information (CSSCR) described in a cell start pack, a start position of a video cell, that is, cell start position information (CSLBN) indicating a start address, and a cell indicating a size constituting the video cell It consists of size information (CNLB) and the like.

Cell type information (CCAT) includes copy control information indicating whether copying is permitted or prohibited, parental control information indicating a parental level of video data constituting a cell,
The cell type information indicates whether the video cell is a movie, karaoke, or an interactive menu. The cell type information includes a language code when the cell type information is an interactive menu.

The sequence information table 114 includes i pieces of sequence information (S) describing the order of selecting and reproducing the cells 105 within the range designated for each sequence 106.
A set of areas 116 in which I) is stored is described. Each sequence information (SI) describes the playback order and playback control information on the playback of the video cells 105 recorded in the sequence 106.

The sequence 106 includes a complete sequence (single program chain) that is completed in one sequence, and a connection type sequence (a plurality of program chains) that is branched and connected to the next sequence for each sequence.

The connection type sequence is a head sequence of video data corresponding to a multi story. The connection-type sequence includes a connection-type head sequence that can branch off from this sequence and be connected to the next sequence (that is, a connection-type head sequence in which the story changes according to the selection method) and another connection-type sequence. A connection-type intermediate sequence that is branched from a sequence and connected to another sequence, and a connection-type termination sequence that is connected from another connection-type sequence and ends the sequence (that is, a connection-type termination sequence in which the story ends in this sequence) There is.

The sequence information numbers are defined from sequence numbers 1 to i, and the respective sequence start position information is written in the file management information table 113.

FIG. 14 shows a sequence information table 114 in the file management information area 101 shown in FIG.
2 shows the contents of one sequence information (SI) stored in the.

As shown in FIG. 14, the sequence information area 116 of FIG. 10 describes the reproduction order of video cells, sequence information, and the like. This sequence information (S
The number of I) matches the number of the sequence (or the program chain), and is assigned to the sequence information table 114 in the order of the number.

[0111] Sequence number 1 is a default playback sequence, and it is considered that the arrangement of cells constituting the sequence is desirably continuous in the specified order.

The sequence information 116 includes sequence type information (SCAT), the number of sequence configuration programs (SNPRG), and the number of program configuration cells (SNCE).
L), sequence playback time (STIME), connection sequence number information (SNSQQ), sequence number list information (SCSQN), and sequence control information (SCIN)
F).

The sequence type information (SCAT) includes copy control information indicating whether copying is permitted or prohibited; parental control information indicating the parental level of the sequence which is the maximum value of the parental level of a cell included in the sequence;
A complete type sequence that ends after reproducing one sequence, a connection type head sequence that is a head sequence of video data corresponding to a multi-story and can be branched from this sequence and connected to the next sequence, and other connection types Sequence type information indicating whether it is a connection-type intermediate sequence that is branched from a sequence and connected to another sequence, or a connection-type end sequence that is connected from another connection-type sequence and ends the sequence; and a movie. , Karaoke, and an interactive menu are described.

The number of sequence configuration programs (SNPR
G) describes the number of programs (video objects) constituting each sequence (program chain),
In the number of cells constituting a program (SNCEL), the number of cells constituting each program is described.

The sequence playback time (STIME) describes the total playback time of the sequence; the connection sequence number information (SNSQ) describes the number of sequences that can be connected to the connected type sequence after the sequence is played back; Sequence number list information (SCSQN) includes connection sequence number information (SNCS).
The numbers of the connection destination sequences for the number described in Q) are described as a list; further, the sequence control information (S
In CINF), the reproduction order of the cells constituting the sequence is described, and the cells are reproduced according to this description and the sequence is executed.

A section for selecting and reproducing one cell from a plurality of cells is described by a block as a set of cells, and the block sequence is executed by designating the block.

In the sequence, a program is defined as a playback unit combining one or more cells in a continuous playback order, and the number thereof is described. The program numbers in the sequence are assigned in ascending order from # 1.

The file management table 113 (F
MT) indicates specification information on the video file 78. The file management table 113 describes the file name and a file identifier for identifying whether or not the file can be reproduced by the optical disk reproducing apparatus loaded with the optical disk.

The file management table 113 contains the start address of the sequence information table 114 indicated by the relative distance from the head of the file 78, the file 7
Cell information table 1 indicated by relative distance from the head of 8
15, a start address of the video data 102 indicated by a relative distance from the head of the file 78, data attribute information for reproducing each data, and the like are described.

Sequence information table (SIT) 114
Describes the number (i) of the sequence information 116 and the start address of each of the sequence information 116 indicated by the relative distance from the head of the file 78.

In the cell information table (CIT) 115, the number (j) of the cell information 117 and the start address of each cell information 117 indicated by a relative distance from the head of the file 78 are described.

File management table (FMT) 113
Consists of an area where a plurality of parameters are recorded, as shown in FIG. That is, each area has a file name (F
FNAME); File identifier (FFID) as information for identifying a movie file; Size of file management table (FMT) described by the number of logical blocks (FSZFMT); Total number of sequences existing in this file (FNSQ) ); Number of cells present in this file (FNCEL); number of packs of disc search (data search) information DSI present in video data of this file (FNDSIP); number of logical blocks corresponding to the size of this file FNLB); Start address of the sequence information table 114 in this file indicated by the logical block number offset from the beginning of the file (FNLB)
SASIT); start address of cell information table 115 in this file indicated by offset logical block number from file head (FSACIT); disk search in this file indicated by offset logical block number from file start (data search) Map start address (FSADSM); Video data start address (FSADVD) in this file indicated by an offset logical block number from the beginning of the file; In the sequence information table 114 of this file described by the sequence in the order of description of the sequence information , The start address (byte number offset from the head of the sequence information table 114) and size (FSAES
I); the minimum number of cells used in each sequence existing in this file and the number of cells between the minimum number and the maximum number (FSNCIB); recorded in this file Data attribute (FV) indicating the playback mode of the video data
ATR); the number of audio streams (FNAST) indicating the number of audio data streams (data strings) recorded in this file that can be reproduced in the same time zone as this video data; Individual audio stream attributes (FAATR) corresponding to the recording order; number of sub-picture channels (FNSP) indicating the number of channels of sub-picture data recorded in this file that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the video data
CH); each sub-picture channel attribute (FSPAT) corresponding to the channel number and the recording order by the number of these channels
R); a sub-picture color palette (FSPPLT) used in all channels of the video data of the file;
Parameters such as a vendor definition (FVDEF) that defines an area that the vendor can freely use for a specific application are recorded.

In FIG. 15, when the number of audio streams is n, the following audio data attribute is # 1.
＃# n are continuously recorded in the order of stream numbers.

As described above, the number of sub-picture channels is m
In this case, the subsequent sub-video data attributes are continuously recorded in the order of channel numbers from # 1 to #m.

When the number of audio streams or the number of sub-picture channels is zero (0), no audio data attribute or sub-picture data attribute is recorded.

The video data is, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 and 16, a set of main video (video) data, audio data, sub-video data, and disc search (data search) information (DSI). Are recorded in pack units.

As shown in FIGS. 17 to 23, the pack is composed of a packet composed of a pack header and any one of main video data, sub-video data, and disc search (data search) information (DSI). Have been.

The pack length of the pack is adjusted to be 2048 bytes (one logical sector).

The pack header includes a 4-byte pack start code (000001BAh) and a 6-byte SCR
(System clock reference, system time reference value), 3-byte multiplexing rate (MUX rate; 04)
68A8h) 1 to 7 stuffing bytes (00h). The packet is composed of 2034 bytes as a reference. In this packet, a padding packet for pack length adjustment (supplementary data 00h meaningless as data is recorded in each byte unit) is provided as needed. It is supposed to be.

Each of the above packs is a DSI pack 92 composed of disc search information or data search information, a main video pack 93 composed of main video data, a sub video pack 95 composed of sub video data, and an audio pack 98.

Next, each of the packs will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 17, one pack of the DSI pack 92 is arranged immediately before the main video pack including the head data of one GOP, and includes a 14-byte pack header and a 24-byte system header. And a DSI packet comprising a 6-byte packet header and a data area capable of storing disk search (data search) information data up to 2004 bytes.

As described above, the pack header contains a 4-byte pack start code (000001BAh), 6
Byte SCR (system clock reference, system time reference reference value), 3-byte multiplex rate (MU
X rate: 0468A8h) 1 to 7 bytes of stuffing byte (00h).

The system header is composed of a 4-byte system header start code (000001BBh), a 2-byte header length, and the like.

The packet header has a 3-byte packet start code (000001h), a 1-byte stream ID, and a 2-byte PES (Packetized Elementary Strategies).
reme) It is composed of the packet length.

As shown in FIG. 18, one pack of the main video pack 93 is composed of a 14-byte pack header, a 9-byte packet header, and a main video packet including a data area capable of storing main video data up to 2025 bytes. It is composed of

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19, one pack of the main video pack 93 includes a 14-byte pack header,
It consists of a 19-byte packet header and a main video packet consisting of a data area capable of storing up to 2015 bytes of main video data. The configuration of these pack headers is the same as that of the DSI pack 92 described above.

As shown in FIG. 18, when the packet header is 9 bytes, a 3-byte packet start code (0
0000h) 1-byte stream ID, 2-byte PES (Packetized Elementary Streme) packet length, 3-byte PES-related data.

[0139] As shown in FIG.
In the case of bytes, in addition to the above 9 bytes, a 5-byte PT
S (Presentation Time Stamp; time management information of reproduction output) and 5-byte DTS (Decoding Time Stamp; time management information of decoding) are further added. This P
TS and DTS are described only in the main video packet including the I picture head data of each GOP.

As shown in FIG. 20, audio pack 9
One pack No. 5 is composed of a 14-byte pack header and an audio packet including a 14-byte packet header and a data area capable of storing audio data up to 2020 bytes (when the audio data is compressed data such as AC3). It is configured.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 21, one pack of the audio pack 95 can store a 14-byte pack header, a 14-byte packet header, a 1-byte substream ID, and audio data up to 2019 bytes. An audio packet (when the audio data is non-compressed data such as linear PCM) composed of a data area. The configuration of these pack headers is the same as that of the DSI pack 92 described above.

The packet header shown in FIG. 20 or 21 has a 3-byte packet start code (000001).
h) 1-byte stream ID, 2-byte PES
(Packetized Elementary Streme) Packet length, contents of PES of 3 bytes, PTS (Presentation T of 5 bytes)
ime Stamp; time management information of reproduction output).

As shown in FIG. 21, a code indicating a linear PCM stream is added to a substream ID assigned when audio data is linear PCM.

As shown in FIG. 22, one pack of the sub-picture pack 98 can store a pack header of 14 bytes, a packet header of 9 bytes, a sub-stream ID of 1 byte, and sub-picture data of up to 2024 bytes. And a sub-picture packet composed of a data area.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 23, one pack of the sub-picture pack 98 includes a 14-byte pack header,
It consists of a 14-byte packet header, a 1-byte sub-stream ID, and a sub-picture packet consisting of a data area capable of storing up to 2019 bytes of sub-picture data. The configuration of these pack headers is as described in the above DS
This is the same as the case of the I-pack 92.

A code indicating a sub-picture stream is added to the sub-stream ID shown in FIG. 22 or FIG.

As shown in FIG. 22, when the packet header is 9 bytes, this packet header has a 3-byte packet start code (000001h), a 1-byte stream ID, and a 2-byte PES (Packetized Elementar).
y Streme) packet length, and 3 bytes of PES data.

As shown in FIG. 23, when the packet header is 14
In the case of bytes, this packet header has a 5-byte PTS (Presentation Time Stamp;
Reproduction output time management information) is further added. This PTS is described only in the sub-picture packet including the head data of each sub-picture unit.

The SCR (System) described in each of the above packs
Clock Reference) is set to 0 for the first pack of video data for each file, and
In the ascending order in the recording order.

The disk search (data search) information DSI described in the DSI pack 92 is one GOP
Is set at the beginning of the file. As shown in FIG.
General information, playback synchronization information, DSI pack address information,
It consists of angle address information, effect information, and highlight information.

The general information is, as shown in FIG.
R, VSPTS, DLBN, CELN, and PCTL (or PTL_LVL) parameters.

The parameter DSCR is the DSI SCR
(System clock reference, system time reference value). Parameter VSPTS is a reproduction time stamp of the GOP. The parameter DLBN is DSI
Is the logical block number. Parameter CELN is a cell number. Parameter PCTL (or PTL_L
VL) is the level of parental control.

In the SCR of the DSI, the SCR described in the pack header is described. In the reproduction time stamp of the GOP, the reproduction start time of the first frame of the code display of this GOP is described. In the DSI logical block number, the address of this DSI pack is described as an offset logical block number from the head of the file. The cell number describes the cell number to which this GOP belongs. In the parental control level, a parental control level (for example, 5 to 8 levels) during the GOP playback period is described. This parental level matches the cell to which it belongs.

The reproduction synchronization information is the reproduction start time and position information of the GOP, audio data reproduced in synchronization with the video data, and the reproduction start time and position information of the sub-picture data.

The playback synchronization information includes the PTS of an MPEG I picture, the address of a pack containing the I picture, the PTS of audio, the pack address of audio, and the P of a sub-picture.
It is composed of a TS and a pack address of a sub-picture.

In the PTS of the I picture, the reproduction start time of the I picture is described as an offset PTS from the reproduction time stamp of the GOP. In the address of the pack including the I picture, the address of the video pack including the I picture is described by an offset logical block number from the DSI pack.

In the audio PTS, the PTS of the audio packet having the closest reproduction start time after the reproduction start time of the I picture is described as an offset PTS from the reproduction time stamp of the GOP.

[0158] In the audio pack address, the address of the target audio pack in the audio PTS is described as an offset PTS from the DSI pack.

In the PTS of the sub-picture, the reproduction start time and the end time of the sub-picture pack to be reproduced during the reproduction period of the GOP are GO.
It is described by an offset PTS from the reproduction time stamp of P. The pack address of the sub-picture contains the PTS of the sub-picture.
Is described by the logical block number offset from the DSI pack.

The DSI pack address information is stored in another DSI
This is position information of the pack 92.

The angle address information is position information of another angle.

In the effect information, various effect processes that occur during the GOP playback period are described.

The highlight information is the position of the selected item on the menu screen, the changed color, and the changed contrast information. This information is valid only when the cell to which it belongs is a menu cell or an interactive menu cell.

The highlight information includes a selection item start number / number of items, a position of the selection item, a color, and a contrast. In the selection item start number / number of items, the start number and the number of selection items of the selection items displayed in the sub-picture on the menu screen are described.

The positions, colors, and contrasts of the selection items include
The display rectangular area of the corresponding selection item on the menu screen and the color and contrast information to be changed when selected are described by the number of selection items in order from the start selection number.

The display rectangular area is defined by XY coordinates having the origin at the upper left of the video display.

The system processor unit 54 shown in FIG. 1 has a packet transfer processing unit 200 that determines the type of a packet and transfers the data in the packet to each decoder.

The packet transfer processing unit 200
As shown in the figure, the memory interface unit (memory I /
F section) 201, stuffing length detection section 202, pack header end address calculation section 203, pack type determination section 2
04, a packet data transfer control unit 205, and a decoder interface unit (decoder I / F unit) 206.

The memory I / F unit 201 transfers the pack data from the data RAM unit 56 to the stuffing length detection unit 202, the pack type discrimination unit 204, the packet data transfer control unit 205, and the decoder I / F unit 2 by using a data bus.
06.

The stuffing length detecting section 202 detects how many bytes the stuffing length in the pack header in the pack data supplied from the memory I / F section 201 has. It is output to the address calculation unit 203.

Pack header end address calculating section 203
Calculates the pack header end address based on the stuffing length supplied from the stuffing length detection unit 202. The calculation result is calculated based on the stuffing length.
4 and the packet data transfer control unit 205.

According to the pack header end address supplied from pack header end address calculation section 203, pack type determination section 204 is supplied next to the address in the pack data supplied from memory I / F section 201. Based on the contents of the 4-byte data, it is determined whether the data is a main video pack, an audio pack, a sub-video pack, or a DSI pack. This determination result is output to the packet data transfer control unit 205.

That is, when a 4-byte system header start code is supplied, it is determined to be a DSI pack,
A three-byte packet start code and a stream ID indicating a one-byte main video stream determine a main video pack, and a three-byte packet start code and a one-byte stream ID determine an audio pack.
A sub-picture pack is determined based on a byte packet start code and a 1-byte stream ID.

However, in the case of a private stream as the stream ID, whether the audio pack or the sub-picture pack is determined by the sub-stream ID following the packet header.

The packet data transfer control unit 205 determines the transfer destination and the packet start address according to the pack header end address supplied from the pack header end address calculation unit 203 and the pack type determination result supplied from the pack type determination unit 204. The address is determined, and the packet length in the packet header of the supplied pack data is further determined. Further, the packet data transfer control unit 205
Supplies a signal indicating the transfer destination as a transfer control signal to the decoder I / F unit 206, and changes the packet end address from the packet start address to the memory I / F unit 20.
1 is supplied.

The decoder I / F unit 206 controls the packet header supplied from the memory I / F unit 201 to the packet data transfer control unit 205 in accordance with the transfer control signal supplied from the packet data transfer control unit 205. The main video data, the audio data, or the sub video data as the packet data including the data is output to the corresponding decoder units 58, 60, and 62, and the DSI as the packet data is output to the data RAM unit 56. .

Next, referring again to FIG. 1, FIGS.
The operation of reproducing movie data from the optical disk 10 having the logical format shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, solid arrows between blocks indicate data buses, and broken arrows indicate control buses.

In the optical disk device shown in FIG. 1, when the power is turned on, the system CPU 50 reads an initial operation program from the system ROM / RAM 52 and operates the disk drive 30.

The disk drive unit 30 starts a read operation from the lead-in area 27,
Then, the volume management information is read from the volume management information area 74 of the volume management area 70 following the above.

The system CPU 50 reads the volume management information from the volume management information area 74 recorded at a predetermined position on the disk 10 set in the disk drive 30.
Is given a read instruction. With this instruction, the system CP
The U unit 50 reads the contents of the volume management information. The read management information is temporarily stored in the data RAM unit 56 via the system processor unit 54.

The system CPU 50 also receives data RA
Information such as the recording position and recording capacity of each file and other information necessary for management are extracted from the data string of the volume management information stored in the M unit 56, and the ROM / RAM for the system is extracted.
The data is transferred to a predetermined location in the unit 52 and stored.

Next, the system CPU unit 50 refers to the information on the recording position and the recording capacity of each file previously obtained from the system ROM / RAM unit 52, and reads the disk information file 76 corresponding to the file number 0. To get.

That is, the system CPU section 50 gives a read command to the disk drive section 30 by referring to the information on the recording position and the recording capacity of each file previously obtained from the system ROM / RAM section 52, The file management information of the disk information file 76 whose file number is 0 is read. The read management information is stored in the data RAM unit 56 via the system processor unit 54.

The obtained information is similarly stored in the system ROM /
The data is transferred to a predetermined location in the RAM unit 52 and stored.

The system CPU 50 reproduces a sequence (title) selection menu in the menu video data area 84 using the disc configuration information, menu configuration information, and cell information of the file management information of the disc information file 76. Display on the screen.

The user designates the selection of the sequence (title) to be reproduced by using the key operation / display unit 4 based on the selection number written on the displayed menu screen. Thereby, the file number and sequence information to which the selected sequence belongs are specified.

In this sequence selection, a case where all sequences are selected based on a menu screen, and a case where a head sequence is selected and the next sequence is selected from menu cells included in a video cell at the end of the sequence. There is.

Next, the operation from obtaining the specified video file 78 to reproducing the video data 102 will be described.

In order to obtain sequence information corresponding to the designated sequence number, the recording position and the recording capacity of each video file 78 obtained from the volume management information 74 are first used to obtain the video file to which the sequence to be reproduced belongs. The file management information 78 is read out in the same manner as the disk information file 76 and stored in the data RAM unit 56.

The system CPU unit 50 determines the video attribute, the audio stream attribute, and the like from the file management table 113 of the file management information stored in the data RAM unit 56.
The sub-picture channel attributes are acquired, and a control signal corresponding to those attributes is output to the video decoder unit 58, the audio decoder unit 60, the sub-picture decoder unit 62, and the D / A & reproduction processing unit 64.

The system CPU 50 acquires sequence information corresponding to the designated sequence number from the sequence information table 114 of the file management information area 101 stored in the data RAM 56, and
The cell information in the cell information table 115 necessary for reproducing the sequence is stored in the system ROM / RAM unit 52.
Transfer to and store.

The cell information to be reproduced first is obtained from the cell reproduction order information in the sequence information thus obtained. Based on the reproduction start address and the size of the video data in the cell information, a read command from a target address is given to the disk drive unit 30.

The disk drive unit 30 drives the optical disk 10 in accordance with the read command, reads data at a target address from the optical disk 10 and sends the data to the system processor unit 54. System processor 5
4 temporarily stores the transmitted data in the data RAM unit 56 and, as described above, the data type (main video, audio, audio, etc.) based on the header information added to the data.
Discriminating sub-pictures, disc search / data search information, etc., and transferring main picture data, audio data, and sub-picture data to the decoder units 58, 60, and 62 according to the discriminated type, and disc search (data search) information. To data R
The data is transferred to the AM unit 56.

This processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS.

That is, the system CPU 50 transfers the read command and the logical sector address of the pack to be reproduced to the disk drive 30 (step S01).

Then, the disk drive unit 30 seeks the target address (step S02).

Next, the disk drive unit 30 corrects the error of the data at the target address, and transfers the main data portion in the logical sector data to the system processor unit 54 (step S03).

The system processor unit 54 stores the read data of the logical sector in the data RAM unit 56 (step S04).

The system processor unit 54 stores data RA
The pack header is read from the head of the logical sector data stored in the M section 56, and its SCR (system time reference value) is stored (step S05).

At this time, since the head of the logical sector coincides with the head of the pack data, the data can be easily extracted.

The system processor unit 54 compares its own STC with the SCR of each of the stored packs, determines the pack corresponding to the SCR that has reached the STC, that is, the pack to be reproduced and output. Is read from the data RAM unit 56 and the packet transfer processing unit 2
In step S06, the type of data is determined, and the data is transferred to the decoder units 58, 60, and 62 or the data RAM unit 56 according to the determined type.

Each of the decoders 58, 60, and 62 decodes data according to its data format and the set encoding method, and outputs the decoded result to
/ A & Send to the reproduction processing unit 64.

After the decoding result of the video data is converted into an analog signal by the D / A & reproduction processing section 64, the analog signal is subjected to frame rate processing, aspect processing, pan scan processing, etc., according to the conditions set above. The output is applied to the monitor unit 6.

After the digital signal, which is the result of decoding the audio data, is converted to an analog signal by the D / A & reproduction processing section 64, the analog signal is converted to the D / A &
The reproduction processing section 64 performs the mixing processing under the set conditions and outputs the result to the speaker section 8.

Further, D / A & reproduction processing section 64 converts the digital signal resulting from decoding the sub-picture data into an analog signal, and outputs this analog signal to monitor section 6 (step S07).

Steps S03 to S07 are repeated until the reproduction is completed.

Next, the processing of the packet transfer processing section 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

That is, the pack data read from the data RAM unit 56 is transmitted through the memory I / F unit 201 to the
Stuffing length detection unit 202, pack type determination unit 20
4. The data is supplied to the packet data transfer control unit 205 and the decoder I / F unit 206 (step S11).

Thus, the stuffing length detector 20
In step S2, the stuffing length is detected (step S
12). Data indicating the stuffing length is output to pack header end address calculation section 203.

Pack header end address calculating section 203
Calculates the pack header end address based on the supplied stuffing length (step S13). The calculated pack header end address is stored in the pack type determining unit 2.
04 and the packet data transfer control unit 205.

[0211] The pack type determination unit 204 determines whether the main video pack, the audio pack, the sub-video pack, or the DSI pack is in accordance with the supplied pack header end address and the contents of the 4-byte data supplied next to that address. It is determined which one is (step S14). The result of this determination is supplied to the packet data transfer control unit 205.

Here, when a 4-byte system header start code is supplied, it is determined to be a DSI pack;
A three-byte packet start code and a stream ID indicating a one-byte main video stream determine the main video pack; a three-byte packet start code and a one-byte stream ID determine the audio pack; A 1-byte stream ID is used to determine a sub-picture pack.

[0213] However, when the stream ID is a private stream, whether it is an audio pack or a sub-picture pack is determined by the sub-stream ID following the packet header.

Then, the packet data transfer control unit 205
Determines the transfer destination and the packet start address according to the supplied pack type determination result and the pack header end address, and further determines the packet length in the packet header of the supplied pack data. Thereby, the packet data transfer control unit 205 supplies a signal indicating a transfer destination as a transfer control signal to the decoder I / F unit 206, and supplies a packet end address to a packet end address to the memory I / F unit 201. (Step S15).

That is, substantially effective packet data is supplied from the memory I / F unit 201 to the decoder I / F unit 206 via the data bus, and thereafter, each of the decoders 58 as transfer destinations corresponding to the type is supplied. , 60, 62 or the data RAM unit 56 (step S1).
6).

At this time, since the pack data has a fixed length, the storage state in the data RAM unit 56, that is, the start address is at a constant interval. Then, the head of the pack data in the data RAM unit 56 is always stored at the address of the same interval, and the pack data need not be managed but only the pack number.

In the process of discriminating the type of data, if the data is disc search (data search) information DSI indicating the reproduction position of video data, the disc search (data search) information is transferred to the decoder. Instead, the reproduced data is stored in the data RAM unit 56. The reproduction information is referred to by the system CPU 50 as needed, and is used for monitoring when reproducing the video data.

When the reproduction of one cell is completed, the cell information to be reproduced next is obtained from the cell reproduction order information in the sequence information, and the reproduction is continued in the same manner.

Next, with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 29 to 30, description will be given of a basic operation when the parental control target portion of the optical disk 10 on which the parental information is recorded is reproduced by the optical disk reproducing device. I do.

First, the disk configuration information (DSINF) in the disk information file is read into the data RAM unit 56 (step S21).

The parental information of all the sequences recorded on the optical disk 10 is referred to from the read disk configuration information DSINF, and the parental-restricted title is displayed on the monitor 6 (step S22). .

A key input is made by the key operation / display unit 4 by a specific user (authorized by password confirmation or the like) through the key operation / display unit 4 as to whether or not the reproduction restriction of the parental target title is made effective (step S23).

It should be noted that the parental can be released by a specific user only in the system ROM / RAM unit 5.
2 are limited to those at a lower level than the reference level recorded.

When the user cancels the parental control,
The parental release information is stored in the system ROM / RAM unit 52.
Is stored. If the user has not released the parental control (No at step S24), the sequence level (or the program chain level), the cell level, and the 1G
Which of the OP equivalent levels the parental control is desired for is input by the user via the key operation / display unit 4 (step S25).

It should be noted that the target of parental control is file level (or title set level) and sequence level (or program chain level).
It may be level.

When the reproduction restriction at the sequence level (or the program chain level) is selected in step S25, as shown in FIG. 30, each sequence information (SI) of the sequence information information table (SIT) 114 is displayed.
Is read into the data RAM unit 56, and the reproduction restriction start sequence number and the reproduction restriction end sequence number are detected (step S26).

Next, each sequence is sequentially read (step S27), and it is determined whether or not each sequence is subject to reproduction restriction (step S28).

That is, it is determined whether or not each sequence is subject to reproduction restriction based on the parental level of each sequence. If it is a reproduction restriction target, the sequence is not reproduced (step S29), a character indicating that parental control is being performed is displayed on the monitor unit 6 (step S30), and the next sequence is read (step S27). ). If the next sequence is not a parental control target (step S28)
No), if there are no other parental restrictions, reproduction is resumed (step S31 in FIG. 29).

[0229] In step S29 of FIG.
If the sequence (or program chain) to be reproduced next is a parental control target, another sequence (or program chain) that is not a parental control target is reproduced instead of that sequence (or program chain). It may be.

If the cell-level reproduction restriction is selected in step S25, the cell information table (CIT) is read into the data RAM unit 56 as shown in FIG. The restricted end cell number is detected (step S44 * in FIG. 29 or FIG. 31).
Step S32). Next, each cell is sequentially read (step S33), and it is determined whether or not each cell is subject to reproduction restriction (step S34).

That is, it is determined whether or not the cell is a reproduction restriction target based on the parental level of each cell. If so, a reproduction prohibition signal is output to each of the decoder units 58, 60, and 62, and the output of the decode signal is stopped (step S35).

Alternatively, since the cell indicates a certain scene in a certain title, if the cell is subject to the reproduction restriction, the corresponding scene is replaced with another scene (step S35).

Alternatively, if the cell is subject to reproduction restriction, switching to a separately prepared multi-angle video is performed (step S35).

Thereafter, a character indicating that the parental control is being performed is displayed on the monitor 6 (step S36).

If the cell playback restriction period has expired (No in step S34), if there is no other parental restriction, the reproduction prohibition or the video replacement is canceled (step S3).
7), the reproduction is restarted (step S31 in FIG. 29).

When the reproduction restriction at the level equivalent to 1 GOP is selected in step S25, the pack data is sequentially read into the data RAM unit 56 as shown in FIG. 32 (step S45 * in FIG. 29 or FIG. 29). 32, step S38), parental information of each GOP is read from disc search (data search) information DSI provided for each GOP (step S39). From the result, it is determined whether or not the target GOP is to be reproduced (step S40).

If the playback control is to be performed, each decoder 5
A reproduction prohibition signal is output at 8, 60, and 62, and the output of the decode signal is stopped (step S41). Further, a character indicating that parental control is being performed is displayed on the monitor unit 6 (step S42).

When the GOP playback restriction period has expired (step S40: No), if there is no other parental restriction, the reproduction prohibition or the video replacement is canceled (step S3).
7), the reproduction is restarted (step S31 in FIG. 29).

Note that steps S26 to S30 in FIG. 30 are a parental check routine at the sequence level (or program chain level). Steps S32 to S36 in FIG. 31 are a parental check routine at the cell level. Also, step S38 in FIG.
S42 is a parental check routine at the 1 GOP level.

As shown in FIG. 29, after the sequence level parental check (step S43), a cell level parental check (step S44), which is a lower layer, is performed, and the cell level parental check (step S43) is performed. After S44), a parental check (step S45) of 1 GOP level, which is the lower layer, can be performed.

As described above, steps S43, S44,
By providing a multiple parental check mechanism such as S45 (or two of them), shocks, vibrations, and the like are applied to the playback device, and even if playback skips suddenly and data for parental control is read, The parental check routine at the lower level works to stop playback.

Next, referring to FIGS. 33 to 45, the video data in the logical format shown in FIGS. 5 to 14 and the recording method on the optical disk 10 for reproducing this video data and the recording method thereof are applied. A recording system will be described.

FIG. 33 shows an encoder system for generating video files by encoding video data.

In the system shown in FIG. 33, for example, a video tape recorder (VT) is used as a source of main video data, audio data and sub-video data.
R) 211, audio tape recorder (ATR) 21
2 and a subpicture source 213 are employed.

These data sources generate main video data, audio data, and sub-video data under the control of the system controller 215. The generated data is supplied to a video encoder (VENC) 216, an audio encoder (AENC) 217, and a sub-picture encoder (SPENC) 218, respectively.

The supplied data is transmitted to encoders 216, 217, and 216 under the control of the system controller 215.
A / D-converted by 218 and encoded by respective compression methods, and encoded main video data,
Audio data and sub-picture data (Comp Video, Co
mp Audio, Comp Sub-pict)
1, 222.

The main video data, audio data and sub video data (Comp Video, CompAudio, Comp Sub-pi
ct) is output by the system controller 215 to the file formatter (FFMT) 224, and is converted into the file structure of the video data of this system as described above. Accordingly, information such as setting conditions and attributes of each data is stored in the memory 226 by the system controller 215 as a file.

Next, standard encoding processing in the system controller 215 for creating a file from video data will be described with reference to a flowchart.

First, main video data and audio data are encoded according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 34 to generate encoded main video and audio data (Comp Video, Comp Audio).

That is, when the encoding process is started, parameters required for encoding the main video data and audio data are set as shown in step S70 of FIG. Some of the set parameters are stored in the system controller 215 and used by the file formatter (FFMT) 224.

As shown in step S71, the main video data is pre-encoded by using the parameters, and the optimal code amount distribution is calculated.

As shown in step S72, the main video is encoded based on the code amount distribution obtained by the pre-encoding. At this time, the encoding of the audio data is performed at the same time.

As shown in step S73, if necessary, partial re-encoding of the main video data is executed.
The re-encoded part of the main video data is replaced.

Through this series of steps, main video data and audio data are encoded. Also,
As shown in steps S74 and S75, the sub-picture data is encoded and the encoded sub-picture data (Comp
Sub-pict) is created.

That is, parameters necessary for encoding the sub-picture data are set in the same manner. Some of the parameters set as shown in step S74 are stored in the system controller 215 and used by the file formatter (FFMT) 224. Sub-picture data is encoded based on these parameters. By this processing, the sub-picture data is encoded.

Next, the encoded main video data, audio data, and sub video data (Comp Video, Comp Video) are processed by the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Audio, Comp Sub-pict) are combined and converted into a file structure of video data as described with reference to FIG.

That is, as shown in step S76,
A cell 105 is set as a minimum unit of video data,
A cell information table (CIT) 115 is created. Next, as shown in step S77, the configuration of the cells 105 constituting the sequence 106, the main video, the sub-video and audio attributes, the parental level, and the like are set. The obtained information is used), and a cell information table (CIT) 115
File management information (FMI) is created.

Next, as shown in step S78, the encoded main video data, audio data, and sub video data (Comp Video, Comp Audio, Comp Sub-pict)
Are divided into fixed packs, and each data cell is arranged while inserting a DSI pack 92 in which a parental level is set for each GOP so that each data can be reproduced in the order of the time code.

The data cells thus obtained are formatted into the structure of a disk information file 76 and a file 78 such as a movie file as shown in FIGS. At this time, packing is performed according to the logical sector length.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 35, the sequence information is obtained by using the database of the system controller 215 in the process of step S77, or re-inputting data (such as parental level) as necessary. Is executed, and the sequence information table (S
IT) 114.

FIG. 36 shows a disk formatter system for recording files 76 and 78 formatted as described above on an optical disk.

As shown in FIG. 36, in the disk formatter system, the memory 2 in which a created information file 76 and a file 78 such as a movie file are stored.
From 30 and 232, these file data are supplied to a volume formatter (VFMT) 236.

The volume formatter (VFMT) 23
At 6, the disk volume information 74 is added in addition to the files 76 and 78 in the arrangement order shown in FIG. 5 to create logical data to be recorded on the disk 10.

The volume formatter (VFMT) 23
Data for error correction is added to the logical data created in step 6 in a disk formatter (DFMT) 238, and the logical data is converted again into physical data to be recorded on a disk.

In the modulator 240, the physical data created by the disk formatter (DFMT) 238 is converted into recording data to be actually recorded on the optical disk 10, and the modulated recording data is recorded on the disk 10 by the recorder 242. Is done.

A standard process for creating the above-described disc will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 37 shows a flowchart for creating logical data to be recorded on the disk 10. That is, as shown in step S80, parameter data such as the number of video data files, the arrangement order, and the size of each video data file are set first. Next, step S
As shown at 81, volume information is created from the set parameters and the file management information of each video data file. Thereafter, as shown in step S82, the data is arranged along the corresponding logical block number in the order of the volume information and the video data file.
The logical data to be recorded in is created.

Thereafter, a flowchart for creating physical data to be recorded on the optical disk 10 as shown in FIG. 38 is executed. That is, as shown in step S83, the logical data is divided into a certain number of bytes, and data for error correction is generated. Next, as shown in step S84, the logical data divided into a fixed number of bytes and the generated data for error correction are combined to create a physical sector. Thereafter, as shown in step S85, physical data is created by combining the physical sectors.

In this way, the modulation processing based on a certain rule is performed on the physical data generated in the flowchart of FIG. 38, and recording data is created. afterwards,
This recording data is recorded on the disk 10.

In the flowchart described with reference to FIG. 35, the encoded main video data, audio data, and sub video data (Comp Video, Comp Audio, Comp Sub-pict) are combined and converted to a video data file structure. FIG. 39 to FIG. 4 show a process of creating sequence information and a cell reproduction order in a process of creating one or more sequences (or program chains).
This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 39 and FIG.
The relationship between cell information (CI) related to sequence 106 and sequence information (SI) related to sequence 106 is shown. Note that FIGS. 39 and 40 are drawn so as to form a single drawing when they are joined at corresponding portions.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing a process of creating a sequence in the sequence information and the cell reproduction order shown in FIGS. 39 and 40.

In FIG. 39 and FIG. 40, a case is considered where a sequence (Seq-n) (or n-th program chain) is created.

Using a personal computer, a workstation or the like, a plurality of video cells obtained by dividing video data into units of a required size as shown in step S90 of FIG. Are prepared.

As shown in step S92, the size (Sna) and reproduction time (T
na), the type (Cna) indicating the contents and the corresponding language code (Lna), and information such as the parental level are acquired as cell information (Cl).

As shown in step S93, each cell information (CI) is organized as a table in the order of description, and a cell information table (CIT) is created.

From the cell information table (CIT) created in this way, as shown in step S94, the cell numbers (#n, # n +) constituting the sequence (Seq-n)
1, # n + 2) is taken out, and the number of cells constituting the sequence is determined. Further, the sequence reproduction time is obtained from the total time (Tna + Tnb + Tnc) of the constituent cells.

[0278] As shown in step S95, the cell information table (C) starts from # 1 in the reproduction order in a cell reproduction order list for determining the sequence reproduction order from the number of cells constituting the sequence.
I) The cell numbers in the description order are stored, and a cell reproduction order list is created as shown in FIGS.

[0279] Sequence information (SI) #n is composed of information such as the number of cells constituting the sequence, the sequence reproduction time, and the cell reproduction order list.

Next, the next sequence is created in the same manner as shown in step S96.

When there is no longer a sequence to be created, as shown in step S97, numbers are assigned to all sequence information (SI) from # 1 in the order described, stored in the sequence information table (SIT), and the sequence creation is completed. Is done.

Finally, the total number of sequences, the start position of the sequence information table, the start position of each sequence information,
The file is configured by storing the start position of the cell information table and the like in a predetermined location of the file management table.

FIG. 46 shows a modification of FIGS. Here, the file of FIG. 11 is composed of a plurality of video object sets VOBS, and the sequence of FIG. 11 is composed of a plurality of video objects VOB.
One program is composed of a plurality of cells, and the cells of FIG. 11 are composed of various data packs (N including navigation data).
AV packs, video packs containing main video data, SP packs containing sub-video data, audio packs containing audio data, etc.), and each data pack is made up of a pack header and one or more data packets.

FIG. 47 shows data reproduced from a high-density optical disk having image information encoded according to the present invention, which is broadcast or distributed as it is, and the broadcast or cable distributed data is decoded by a user or a subscriber. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a case where The parental control based on the present invention is performed by the parental controller on the receiving side.

In FIG. 47, the optical disk player 30
0 is basically a conventional optical disk reproducing device (compact disk player or laser disk player)
It has the same configuration as. However, the optical disc player 300 can output a digital signal before decoding image information or the like (a digital signal as encoded) from the inserted optical disc OD. Since this encoded digital signal is compressed, the required transmission bandwidth may be smaller than in the case of transmitting uncompressed data.

[0286] The compressed digital signal from the optical disk player 300 is sent on-air via the modulator / transmitter 210 or sent to the communication cable.

[0287] The compressed digital signal on air or the compressed digital signal transmitted by cable is received by the receiver / demodulator 400 of the receiver or the cable subscriber.

The decoder / parental controller of the receiver 400 decodes the received and demodulated compressed digital signal. Then, according to the parental control code in the decoded data, multi-level parental control as described in the flowcharts of FIGS.
The decoded signal is output to the outside according to the control result.

FIG. 48 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus in which parental control according to the present invention is executed.

The encoder 500 shown in FIG. 48 is configured to execute the processing shown in FIGS. 29 to 32 by software or firmware.

The recording signal encoded by encoder 500 is subjected to, for example, (2, 7) RLL modulation in modulator / laser driver 702. The modulated recording signal is sent from the laser driver 702 to the high-power laser diode of the optical head 704. By the recording laser from the optical head 704, the pattern corresponding to the recording signal is changed to a magneto-optical recording disk or a phase-change optical disk OD.
Is written.

The information written on the disk OD is read by the laser pickup of the optical head 706, demodulated by the demodulator / error correction unit 708, and subjected to error correction processing as necessary. The demodulated and error-corrected signal undergoes various data processing in the audio / video data processing unit 710, and the information before recording is reproduced.

The data processing section 710 includes a parental processing section. 29 to 32 by this processing unit.
Is executed.

FIG. 49 is a block diagram illustrating a case where image information encoded according to the present invention is transmitted and received between any two computer users via a communication network (such as the Internet).

User # 1 having self-information # 1 managed by a host computer (not shown) owns personal computer 5001, and this personal computer 5001 has various input / output devices 5011 and various external storage devices 5021. It is connected. An encoder and a decoder according to the present invention are incorporated in an internal slot (not shown) of the personal computer 5001, and a modem card 5031 having a function required for communication is mounted.

Similarly, user # having another self information #N
N owns a personal computer 500N,
Various input / output devices 501N and various external storage devices 502N are connected to the personal computer 500N. In addition, the personal computer 50
An encoder and a decoder according to the present invention are incorporated in an internal slot (not shown) of 0N, and a modem card 503N having a function required for communication is mounted.

[0297] Now, a certain user # 1 enters the computer 50.
It is assumed that the user operates No. 01 to communicate with the computer 500N of another user #N via the line 600 such as the Internet. In this case, since both user # 1 and user #N have modem cards 5031 and 503N in which an encoder and a decoder are incorporated, the present invention can efficiently exchange compressed image data in a short time.

In the system shown in FIG. 49, each of the computers (5001, 500N) can perform multilevel parental control as described in the flowcharts of FIGS. 29 to 32 by software.

[0299] For example, in the electronic marketplace on the Internet, when a product for adult
By giving the product catalog (or order sheet) an appropriate level of parental control, it is possible to prevent the child from accessing the product.

FIG. 50 exemplifies a state in which the parental processing section according to the present invention has been integrated into an IC together with its peripheral circuits. That is, the parental controller according to the present invention can be integrated with necessary peripheral circuits as an IC.
C can be incorporated into various devices to carry out the present invention.

FIG. 51 shows a volume title set
In the hierarchical data structure composed of a program chain or the like, the case where parental information is assigned to only two layers (title set layer and program chain layer) is illustrated.

That is, the volume manager (VM
One or more title sets having a parental ID (parental code) are arranged under G), and one or more program chains having a parental ID (parental code) are arranged below the title set. Data search information DSI or reproduction control information PCI having no parental code is arranged.

In the example of FIG. 12, the parental information is assigned to three levels (sequence level, cell level, GO level).
(P level), and the three-layer parental control is performed according to the flows of FIGS.

On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 51, for example, parental control processing at the GOP level is deleted from the flow of FIG. 29 to perform two-layer parental control. In this case, parental control at the title set level can be performed in the same procedure as in FIG. 30, and parental control at the program chain level can be performed in the same procedure as in FIG.

FIG. 52 is a view for explaining the configuration of a plurality of parental levels which differ depending on the country.

That is, the country code (Japan, United States, France, etc.) is added to the volume manager (VMG) in FIG.
Are assigned to each country code, and a maximum of eight levels of parental restrictions (which can be appropriately changed depending on the country code) are assigned.

Each parental level is assigned a volume manager (VMG) and one or more corresponding video title sets (VTS # 1 to VTS # n).

As described above, the manner in which parental restrictions are applied is finely changed according to the country (or region), so that one disc 10 (including information to be subjected to parental restrictions)
Even if all the information is recorded, the information that can be reproduced from the disc can be changed for each country (or region).

For example, in Japan, it is assumed that an adult 18 years or older can view program sources of levels # 1 to # 6, but cannot view programs of level # 7 or higher. Even in that case, in the United States (since parental codes differ from country to country), it is possible for adults aged 20 and over to view program sources of level # 7 or higher from the same disk 10.

[0310] As described above, the sequence level, cell level, 1G
The parental information is described at the OP equivalent level, and even if a playback jump occurs unexpectedly due to, for example, impact or vibration, the parental attribute of the jump destination can be easily determined at the cell level or a 1GOP equivalent level. Therefore, reliable parental control on the reproduction side is possible.

[0311] Also, instead of prohibiting the reproduction of a restricted movie or the like for each title, a scene to be restricted for reproduction is specified in units of cells, and only that scene is partially replaced with another scene. Is also easy.

Further, if the parental control is canceled by a specific user, it is possible to view a reproduced video that is not subjected to the parental control.

In the above-described embodiment, a high-density recording type optical disk has been described as a recording medium. However, the present invention relates to a recording medium other than an optical disk, for example, a magnetic disk or other physically high-density recording. It can be applied to various storage media and the like.

Reproduction (use) by parental control
In addition to video (moving image) data or audio data, character data, still image data, computer programs (such as games), and the like can be given as restrictions.

[0315]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
In particular, the present invention provides a recording medium enabling management and discrimination of a parental level on a reproducing side, a recording apparatus for recording data on the recording medium, a recording method thereof, a reproducing apparatus for reproducing data from the recording medium, and a reproducing method thereof. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a configuration of a disk drive unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a physical structure of the optical disc.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a logical recording configuration of the optical disc.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a volume structure of the optical disc.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the configuration of a disc information file.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining parameters of disk configuration information.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining parameters of menu configuration information.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining parameters of menu cell information.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the configuration of a video file.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a hierarchical structure of image data stored in a file.

FIG. 12 shows one GO constituting the video cell shown in FIG. 11;
The figure for demonstrating P.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining contents of cell information stored in a cell information table.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining the contents of one sequence information stored in a sequence information table.

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining parameters recorded in a file management table.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining the configuration of a video file.

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the configuration of a disc search information (or data search information) pack.

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining the configuration of a main video pack.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for further explaining the configuration of a main video pack.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an audio pack.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for further explaining the configuration of the audio pack.

FIG. 22 is a view for explaining the configuration of a sub-picture pack.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for further explaining the configuration of a sub-picture pack.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a configuration example of disc search information (or data search information).

FIG. 25 is a view for explaining parameters of general information in disc search information (or data search information).

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a packet transfer processing unit.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining a packet transfer process.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for further explaining the packet transfer process.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining parental control processing.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining a part of the parental control processing.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining another part of the parental control processing.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart for explaining still another part of the parental control processing.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram illustrating an encoder system that generates video files by encoding video data.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating the encoding processing of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a flowchart for creating a video data file by combining the main video data, audio data, and sub-video data encoded in the flow of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing a disk formatter system for recording a formatted video file on an optical disk.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart for creating logical data to be recorded on a disk in the disk formatter of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a flowchart for creating physical data to be recorded on a disk from logical data.

FIG. 39 is a view for explaining the relationship between cell information and sequence information.

FIG. 40 is a diagram further explaining the relationship between cell information and sequence information.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between cell information and sequence information.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing another relationship between cell information and sequence information.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory view showing still another relationship between cell information and sequence information.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram showing still another relationship between cell information and sequence information.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart for explaining a process of creating cell information and sequence information.

FIG. 46 is an exemplary view for explaining a hierarchical structure of video / audio data in a file;

FIG. 47 is a block diagram illustrating a case where reproduction information of an optical disc including parental information is broadcast wirelessly or by wire.

FIG. 48 is an exemplary view for explaining a process in which a program source encoded with parental information is written to and read from a readable / writable optical disk;

FIG. 49 is a block diagram illustrating a case where various types of information including parental information are communicated via a computer network.

FIG. 50 is a view showing an example of an external appearance of an IC including a parental processing unit for performing the parental-related processing shown in FIGS. 29 to 32;

FIG. 51 illustrates a case where parental information is assigned to only two layers (title set layer and program chain layer) in a hierarchical data structure including a volume, a title set, and a program chain. FIG.

FIG. 52 is a view for explaining a configuration of a plurality of parental levels different for each country.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 Key operation and display unit 6 Monitor unit 8 Speaker unit 10, OD Optical disk (for example, two-sheet bonding type) 30 Disk drive unit 50 System CPU / MPU unit 52 System ROM and RAM 54 System Processor section 56 Data RAM section 58 Video decoder section 60 Audio decoder section 62 Sub-picture decoder section 64 D / A & playback processing section 200 Packet transfer processing section 212 Broadcast / transmission section 300 Disc player 400 Reception Unit (including parental processing) 500: Encoder (including parental processing) 710: Data processing unit (including parental processing)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shinichi Kikuchi 3-3-9 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Abu E Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Taira 3-3-1 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo No. 9 Inside Toshiba Abu E Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeshi Hagio 1-1-1, Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Head Office

Claims (39)

[Claims] 1. A management area in one area and a data area in another area, at least one predetermined data is recorded in the data area, and the data area is stored in the management area. Recording information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the predetermined data. 2. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the restriction information includes a plurality of levels. 3. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the restriction information includes a plurality of hierarchical levels. 4. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein data in place of predetermined data restricted by said restriction information is recorded in said data area. 5. A management area in one area and a data area in another area, at least one predetermined data is recorded in said data area, and it is determined whether said predetermined data is reproduced or not. A recording medium on which restriction information to be selectively restricted is recorded. 6. The recording medium according to claim 5, wherein the restriction information includes a plurality of levels. 7. The recording medium according to claim 5, wherein said restriction information is constituted by a plurality of hierarchical levels. 8. The recording medium according to claim 5, wherein data in place of the predetermined data restricted by the restriction information is recorded in the data area. 9. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, predetermined data is recorded in some of the packs, and in the management area, a sequence of the data area, a program, cells, management information for managing the pack, and management information of the data area. A recording medium characterized by recording restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce predetermined data in at least one sequence unit. 10. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, predetermined data is recorded in some of the packs, and in the management area, a sequence of the data area, a program, cells, management information for managing the pack, and management information of the data area. A recording medium in which restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce predetermined data in at least one cell unit is recorded. 11. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes one or more video title sets, one video title set includes a plurality of video object sets, and each video object set includes A plurality of video objects, each video object includes a plurality of cells, each cell includes a plurality of video object units, and each video object unit has a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs; Video data is recorded in the pack, management information for managing the video object set, video object, cell, video object unit and pack in the data area, and the video data in the data area are reproduced in the management area. Or Recording medium control information and is characterized in that it is recorded that selectively limit or. 12. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes one or more video title sets, one video title set includes a plurality of video object sets, and each video object set includes A plurality of video objects, each video object includes a plurality of cells, each cell includes a plurality of video object units, and each video object unit has a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs; In the pack, predetermined data and restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the predetermined data are recorded. In the management area, the video object set, video object, cell, and video of the data area are recorded. Manage object units and packs Recording medium management information which is characterized in that it is recorded. 13. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes one or more video title sets, one video title set includes a plurality of video object sets, and each video object set includes A plurality of video objects, each video object includes a plurality of cells, each cell includes a plurality of video object units, and each video object unit has a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs; Video data is recorded in the pack, management information for managing the video object set, video object, cell, video object unit and pack in the data area, and the video data in the data area are stored in the management area. Recording medium control information and is characterized in that it is recorded that selectively limiting whether to play in units of object units. 14. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes one or more video title sets, one video title set includes a plurality of video object sets, and each video object set includes A plurality of video objects, each video object includes a plurality of cells, each cell includes a plurality of video object units, and each video object unit has a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs; In the pack, predetermined data and restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the predetermined data in units of the video object unit are recorded. In the management area, the video object set of the data area is recorded. , Video objects, cells, video Recording medium, wherein the management information for managing the object unit and packs are recorded. 15. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and in the data area, predetermined data is recorded in units of a plurality of packs, and restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the predetermined data in units of a plurality of packs A recording medium, wherein management information for managing a sequence, a program, a cell, and a pack of the data area is recorded in the management area. 16. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, predetermined data is recorded in some of the packs, and in the management area, a sequence of the data area, a program, a cell, management information for managing a pack, and management information of the data area. A recording medium on which restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce predetermined data in at least one sequence unit and at least one cell unit is recorded. 17. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and in the data area, predetermined data is recorded in units of a plurality of packs, and restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the predetermined data in units of a plurality of packs Is recorded in the management area, and management information for managing a sequence, a program, a cell, and a pack of the data area, and whether to reproduce predetermined data in at least one sequence unit of the data area are selectively limited. A recording medium on which restriction information to be recorded is recorded. 18. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and in the data area, predetermined data is recorded in units of a plurality of packs, and restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the predetermined data in units of a plurality of packs Is recorded in the management area, and selectively restricts management information for managing a sequence, a program, a cell, and a pack of the data area and whether or not to reproduce predetermined data in at least one cell unit of the data area. A recording medium on which restriction information to be recorded is recorded. 19. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and in the data area, predetermined data is recorded in units of a plurality of packs, and restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the predetermined data in units of a plurality of packs Recorded in the management area, management information for managing a sequence, a program, a cell, and a pack of the data area, and whether to reproduce predetermined data of at least one sequence unit and at least one cell unit of the data area. A recording medium, on which restriction information for selectively restricting the information is recorded. 20. A management area in one area and a data area in another area. The data area includes at least one video / computer image data and the same time zone as the video / computer image data. At least one audio data that can be reproduced is recorded, and in the management area, restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce video / computer image data and audio data in the data area is recorded. Recording medium characterized by the following. 21. A management area in one area and a data area in another area, wherein the data area has at least one video / computer image data and the same time zone as the video / computer image data. A recording medium on which at least one reproducible audio data is recorded and restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce the video / computer image data and the audio data is recorded. 22. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and video / computer image data or at least audio data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the video / computer image data are recorded in some of the packs. Management information for managing sequences, programs, cells, and packs in the data area, and restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce video / computer image data and audio data in at least one sequence unit of the data area Characterized by being recorded Recording media. 23. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and video / computer image data or at least audio data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the video / computer image data are recorded in some of the packs. Management information for managing the sequence, program, cell and pack of the data area, and restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce video / computer image data and audio data in at least one cell unit of the data area Recording medium characterized by recording . 24. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Has a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and video / computer image data or at least audio data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the video / computer image data are recorded in a plurality of pack units, and the plurality of pack units Restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce video / computer image data and audio data is recorded, and management information for managing the sequence, program, cell, and pack of the data area is recorded in the management area. A recording medium characterized by being recorded. 25. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and video / computer image data or at least audio data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the video / computer image data are recorded in some of the packs. Management information for managing a sequence, a program, a cell, and a pack in the data area, and selecting whether to reproduce video / computer image data and audio data in at least one sequence unit and at least one cell unit in the data area; Restriction information to restrict Recording medium characterized in that it is recorded. 26. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Has a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and video / computer image data or at least audio data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the video / computer image data are recorded in a plurality of pack units, and the plurality of pack units Restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce video / computer image data and audio data of the data area; management information for managing a sequence, a program, a cell, and a pack of the data area; At least one sequence in the data area Recording medium which restriction information for selectively restricting whether to play the position of the video / computer image data and audio data, characterized in that it is recorded. 27. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Has a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and video / computer image data or at least audio data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the video / computer image data are recorded in a plurality of pack units, and the plurality of pack units Restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce video / computer image data and audio data of the data area; management information for managing a sequence, a program, a cell, and a pack of the data area; At least one cell unit of the data area Deo / recording medium having a computer image data and restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce the audio data is characterized in that it is recorded. 28. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Has a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and video / computer image data or at least audio data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the video / computer image data are recorded in a plurality of pack units, and the plurality of pack units Restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce video / computer image data and audio data of the data area; management information for managing a sequence, a program, a cell, and a pack of the data area; At least one sequence in the data area Position and at least one of a recording medium restriction information for selectively restricting whether to play the video / computer image data and audio data of the cell unit is characterized in that it is recorded. 29. A management area in one area and a data area in another area, wherein the data area has at least one main data and at least one main data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the main data. A recording medium, wherein sub-data is recorded, and restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce main data and sub-data in the data area is recorded in the management area. 30. A management area in one area and a data area in another area, wherein the data area has at least one main data and at least one main data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the main data. A recording medium on which sub-data is recorded and restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the main data and the sub-data is recorded. 31. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and in some of the packs, main data or at least sub data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the main data is recorded, and in the management area, a sequence of the data area , Management information for managing programs, cells, and packs, and restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce main data and sub data in at least one sequence unit of the data area. Recording medium. 32. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and in some of the packs, main data or at least sub data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the main data is recorded, and in the management area, a sequence of the data area , Management information for managing programs, cells, and packs, and restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce main data and sub data in at least one cell unit of the data area. Recording medium. 33. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and main data or at least sub data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the main data is recorded in units of a plurality of packs.
Restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the main data and the sub data in units of a plurality of packs is recorded, and management for managing the sequence, program, cell, and pack of the data area in the management area A recording medium on which information is recorded. 34. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and in some of the packs, main data or at least sub data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the main data is recorded, and in the management area, a sequence of the data area , Management information for managing programs, cells, and packs, and restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce main data and sub data in at least one sequence unit and at least one cell unit of the data area. A recording medium characterized by being recorded. 35. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and main data or at least sub data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the main data is recorded in units of a plurality of packs.
Restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the main data and the sub data in units of a plurality of packs is recorded, and management for managing the sequence, program, cell, and pack of the data area in the management area A recording medium on which information and restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce main data and sub data in at least one sequence unit of the data area are recorded. 36. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and main data or at least sub data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the main data is recorded in units of a plurality of packs.
Restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the main data and the sub data in units of a plurality of packs is recorded, and management for managing the sequence, program, cell, and pack of the data area in the management area A recording medium on which information and restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce main data and sub data in at least one cell unit of the data area are recorded. 37. A recording medium having a management area and a data area, wherein the data area includes a plurality of sequences, each sequence includes a plurality of programs, one program includes a plurality of cells, and one cell Is configured in a hierarchical structure including a plurality of packs, and main data or at least sub data that can be reproduced in the same time zone as the main data is recorded in units of a plurality of packs.
Restriction information for selectively restricting whether or not to reproduce the main data and the sub data in units of a plurality of packs is recorded, and management for managing the sequence, program, cell, and pack of the data area in the management area A recording medium on which information and restriction information for selectively restricting whether to reproduce main data and sub data in at least one sequence unit and at least one cell unit of the data area are recorded. . 38. A recording medium according to claim 20, wherein said restriction information is constituted by a plurality of levels. 39. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the restriction information includes a plurality of hierarchical levels.
38. The recording medium according to claim 37.