KR20040082345A - Information storage medium storing a plurality of titles, reproducing apparatus and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An information storage medium where plural titles reproduced as moving images are recorded is provided to enable a disk manufacturer to manufacture various applicable contents by displaying plural titles as attribute information, thereby realizing an effective navigation. CONSTITUTION: At least one title is reproduced as a moving image. Attribute information is prepared so as to correspond to the titles, and includes access type information. If the corresponding titles can be retrieved by a user operation, the access type information is displayed as being 'normal', and if not, the access type information is displayed as being 'hidden'. The access type information displayed as being 'hidden' can further comprise information for informing a user whether a corresponding title number is displayed.

Description

Information storage medium storing a plurality of titles to be reproduced as a movie, a reproduction apparatus and a method thereof [Information storage medium storing a multiple of titles, reproducing apparatus and method}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the reproduction of AV data, and more particularly, to an information storage medium in which data capable of providing a navigation function such as a search and the like is recorded together with AV data, and a reproduction apparatus and method thereof.

In DVD-Video, AV data constituting a video title is currently recorded, and navigation data that allows a user to select a language or subtitle or search for a desired scene is recorded for playing the video title.

However, in reproducing AV data, there is a constant demand for reinforcing interaction with a user or reproducing more efficiently.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information storage medium, a reproducing apparatus, and a reproducing method recorded in a data structure capable of more efficiently reproducing or navigating AV data.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information storage medium, a reproducing apparatus, and a reproducing method recorded in a data structure capable of providing more various applications.

1A, 1B, and 1C show embodiments of the type of data recorded on the disc 100, which is an information storage medium according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows the relationship between the playback modes according to the disc 100 of FIG. 1A or 1B;

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the relationship between playback modes according to the disc 100 of FIG. 1C;

3A is a block diagram of a reproducing apparatus supporting both the core mode and the pull mode according to the present invention;

3B is a detailed block diagram of the playback apparatus of FIG. 3A;

4A is a reference diagram for explaining a method of reproducing core mode data recorded on the disc 100 of FIG. 1A or 1B;

4B is a reference diagram for explaining a method of reproducing core mode data and full mode data recorded on the disc 100 of FIG. 1C;

5A is a data structure diagram of title #i which is unit information constituting title information of the present invention;

5A is a data structure diagram of hidden title #i that is unit information constituting title information of the present invention.

The technical problem, at least one title to be reproduced as a video according to the present invention; And access type information provided corresponding to each of the titles, wherein the search for the corresponding title is marked as "normal" if possible by the user operation, and otherwise indicated as "hidden." Access type information, which includes information and is marked as "hidden", is achieved by an information storage medium, further comprising information indicating whether a corresponding title number is displayed.

If the access type information is bit value 0, the corresponding title is displayed. If the access type information is bit value 1, the corresponding title is not displayed.

On the other hand, according to another aspect of the present invention, the technical problem is a reader for reading at least one title and corresponding title information to be reproduced as a video from the information storage medium; A buffer for buffering the data read by the reader; And a decoder for analyzing the title information to find an entry point of a corresponding title and reproducing the title, wherein the decoder interprets the attribute information included in the title information and includes access type information included in the attribute information. Is " normal ", the user operation for the corresponding title is allowed; if " hidden ", the corresponding title number included in the attribute information is interpreted as prohibited for the user operation for the corresponding title. Is also achieved by the playback apparatus characterized by displaying the title number when a corresponding title is reproduced in accordance with information indicating whether or not is displayed.

If the access type information is bit value 0, the corresponding title is displayed. If the access type information is bit value 1, the corresponding title is not displayed.

On the other hand, according to another field of the present invention, the technical problem is a step of reading at least one title and corresponding title information to be reproduced as a video; And (b) interpreting the attribute information included in the title information, and if the access type information included in the attribute information is "normal", user operation on the corresponding title is allowed, and "hidden"; &Quot; if the user operation for the corresponding title is prohibited, and interprets the title information to find out the entry point of the corresponding title and plays the title; if the access type information is " hidden " It is also achieved by a reproduction method comprising the step of displaying the title number when the corresponding title is reproduced in accordance with information indicating whether or not the corresponding title number included in the attribute information is displayed.

If the access type information is bit value 0, the corresponding title is displayed. If the access type information is bit value 1, the corresponding title is not displayed.

The technical problem also includes a reader for reading at least one title and corresponding title information from an information storage medium; A buffer for buffering the title and title information; And a decoder for selectively decoding a title based on the title information and attribute information included in title information indicating user control of the selected decoded title, wherein the attribute information is a title number of one of the selected decoded titles. It is also achieved by the playback apparatus, further comprising title number display information indicating whether or not to display.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1A, 1B and 1C show embodiments of the disc 100, which is an information storage medium according to the present invention. The same reference numerals are assigned to data performing substantially the same function, and repeated descriptions are omitted. However, even if the same reference numerals are assigned, the functions and functions of the data may be different from each other.

Referring to FIG. 1A, two types of data are stored in the disk 100 according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 1 designates core mode data (Data for Core). The core mode data has navigation data composed of a set of navigation commands for navigating AV data and AV data recorded in a plurality of titles, as in the conventional DVD-Video. More detailed structure follows the DVD-Video standard.

Reference numeral 2 designates index information. The index information 2 is system data that allows a user to search or play back the core mode data 1 more conveniently. The index information 2 is a reproduction path of a plurality of titles implemented by the core mode data 1 according to the intention of the disc producer. Is specified. More specifically, the index information 2 has start up information and title information. The start-up information informs the entry point of the predetermined title to be played for the first time when the disc 100 is inserted into the playback apparatus and initialized. The title information has entry points and attribute information of the plurality of titles, which are referred to for reproduction of the plurality of titles recorded on the disc 100. The attribute information means information indicating whether the user can directly control whether or not the corresponding title is played. Furthermore, if the user cannot directly control whether or not the title is to be reproduced, it may further include information on whether the title number is displayed.

The mode in which the start-up information is reproduced among the index information is called a start-up mode, and the playback mode, which is reproduced like the conventional DVD-Video based on the core mode data, is called the core mode or the movie mode.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the core mode data 1 and the index information 2 are recorded in the disk 100 according to the present embodiment as in FIG. 1A. However, the index information according to the present embodiment includes menu information in addition to startup information and title information.

The core mode data has navigation data composed of a set of navigation commands for navigating AV data and AV data in which a plurality of titles are recorded, as in the conventional DVD-Video.

The start-up information informs the entry point of the predetermined title to be played for the first time when the disc 100 is inserted into the playback apparatus and initialized. The title information has entry points and attribute information of the plurality of titles, which are referred to for reproduction of the plurality of titles recorded on the disc 100. The attribute information means information indicating whether the user can directly control whether or not the corresponding title is played. This information is called title access type information. Furthermore, if the user cannot directly control whether or not the title is to be reproduced, it may further include information on whether the title number is displayed. This information is called title number display type information.

The menu information allows the user to display a list of titles that the user can select and play among a plurality of titles implemented by the AV data, and select one of them.

Referring to Fig. 1C, core mode data 1, index information 2, and full mode data 3 are recorded in the disc 100 according to the present embodiment. The full mode data 3 has program data for providing interaction with a user and browsing data for enabling internet browsing. The program data is an example of a Java application that provides various functions for interacting with a user. Browsing data includes markup documents written in markup languages such as XML, markup documents containing or linking script code such as ECMA scripts, resource files such as script files, at least one image, graphic, and sound referenced by the markup document. For example.

The full mode data 3 and the core mode data 1 can communicate using an application program interface (API).

In this embodiment, the title is composed of data of different modes. In other words, the title includes at least some of the AV data included in the core mode data 1 as well as the browsing data and the program data included in the full mode data 3. For example, when a movie is being played, a quiz screen related to a certain scene is provided, or when the movie is being played, an internet screen is connected to an Internet server to inform the user of the latest news about the actor who appeared in the movie. .

The index information (2) is system data that allows the user to more conveniently search or play back the core mode data (1) and full mode data (3). The reproduction paths of a plurality of titles implemented by the mode data 3 are specified. More specifically, the index information 2 has start-up information, title information, and menu information as described with reference to FIG. 1B. The title information has entry points of the plurality of titles and attribute information thereof, which are referred to for reproduction of the plurality of titles recorded on the disc 100. The attribute information refers to information indicating whether the user can directly control whether to play a corresponding title according to the present invention. Furthermore, if the user cannot directly control whether or not the title is to be reproduced, it may further include information on whether the title number is displayed.

As described with reference to Figs. 1A and 1B, the mode in which the start-up information (and menu information) is reproduced is called a start-up mode, and the regeneration mode based on core mode data is called a core mode. In addition, the reproduction mode based on program data is called a program mode, and the reproduction mode based on browsing data is called a browsing mode.

When the playback device plays back the disc 100 for the first time, the playback device reads the startup information and finds the data indicated by the startup information to start playback. If the start-up information instructs to reproduce the core mode data, the playback apparatus is set to operate in the core mode, and if the start-up information instructs to play the program data, the playback apparatus is set to the program mode and operates. If it is instructed to play the playback device is set to the browsing mode to operate.

1A, 1B and 1C, AV data is recorded as an AV stream file encoded according to a Moving Pictures Export Group-II (MPEG2) encoding scheme as an example. One AV stream file recorded continuously is called a clip stream file. Each clip stream file corresponds to a clip information file. The clip information file stores reproduction control information for a corresponding clip stream file, for example, mapping information for mapping a reproduction time and a recording position. The clip information file corresponding to the clip stream file is called a clip.

The playlist indicates at least some clips. In other words, the playlist may correspond to one clip, may correspond to a part of one clip, correspond to a plurality of clips, or correspond to each of a plurality of clips and / or a plurality of clips as a playback unit. May be Playlists can be played through the API as objects in browsing mode and program mode. Compared with a title, a title is a playback unit described from the user's point of view, while a playlist is a playback unit described from the player's point of view, not from the user's point of view. That is, the title corresponds to at least one play list.

Navigation data is usually stored in the form of a table of binary codes. In the present embodiment, the navigation data has instructions for branching to play a play list or to play another play list while playing a play list.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the relationship between playback modes according to the disc 100 of FIG. 1A or 1B.

Referring to Fig. 2A, when the disc 100 of Fig. 1A or 1B is loaded into the playback apparatus, the playback apparatus reads the start-up information, finds the entry point of the title to be played first, and plays the title. For example, the startup information may be implemented using a navigation command instructing to reproduce the number of the playlist to be played. When the start-up mode is complete, it switches to core mode.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the relationship between the playback modes according to the disc 100 of FIG. 1C.

Referring to FIG. 2B, when the disc 100 of FIG. 1C is loaded into the playback apparatus, the playback apparatus reads the start-up information, finds the entry point of the title to be played first, and plays the title. For example, the startup information may be implemented using a navigation command instructing to reproduce the number of the playlist to be played. When the start-up mode is complete, it switches to core mode.

In the start-up mode, the reason why the core start-up information and the full start-up information exist respectively is that the compatibility with the reproducing apparatus that can reproduce only the core mode data is taken into consideration. If the core start-up information does not exist, the reproduction device capable of reproducing only the core mode data cannot be converted to the full mode. In particular, playback is not possible at all for a disc whose start-up information specifies that the full mode data should be reproduced for the first time. In view of this, in the present embodiment, the core start information and the full start up information are provided in the start-up mode, respectively, so that the playback can be started using the core start-up information even in the playback device that can reproduce only the core mode data. .

If the data indicating that the start-up information is to be reproduced for the first time is the core mode data 1, it is set to the core mode in the start-up mode, and the full mode data 3 is set to the full mode to operate.

3A is a block diagram of a reproducing apparatus supporting both the core mode and the pull mode according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a reproducing apparatus is a device for reproducing AV data in core mode or full mode using core mode data 1 and / or full mode data 3 recorded on a disc 100. 10, a buffer 20 and a decoder 30.

The reader 10 reads necessary data from the disc 100. The buffer 20 buffers the data read by the reader 10, and the decoder 30 decodes and outputs the data buffered in the buffer 20.

FIG. 3B is a detailed block diagram of the playback device of FIG. 3A.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the buffer 20 stores a browsing data buffer 21 buffering browsing data, a program data buffer 22 buffering program data, a navigation data buffer 23 buffering navigation data, and AV data. An AV data buffer 24 for buffering and an index information buffer 25 for buffering index information are provided.

The decoder 30 decodes the browsing engine 31 for analyzing and executing the browsing data, the program engine 32 for analyzing and executing the program data, the navigation engine 33 for interpreting and executing the navigation data, and the presentation for decoding the AV data. It has a presentation engine 34. Each engine can communicate with each other through an API.

In particular, the decoder 30 includes an application manager 35 for analyzing the index information. The application manager 35 selects and plays back a title to be played first according to the entry point indicated by the start-up information in the index information, and informs the corresponding engine of the corresponding entry point as the switching between modes during playback is performed. In addition, the application manager 35 receives a user input and delivers it to the engine of the corresponding mode.

4A is a reference diagram for explaining a method of reproducing core mode data recorded on the disc 100 of FIG. 1A or 1B.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the title information includes a plurality of unit information for designating a corresponding navigation object. The unit information is implemented with title information #i or hidden title information #j. Title information #i corresponds to a title whose reproduction can be controlled by the user, and hidden title information #j corresponds to a title which is not reproduced by the user and that is reproduced only in a predetermined order by the producer. . That is, the possibility of playback control means that the title can be searched by a user operation.

In the case of the disc 100 of FIG. 1A, a specific title is selected through title search, or in the case of the disc 100 of FIG. 1B, menu information is reproduced to select one of the titles displayed by the menu. Indicates the entry point of the data to be executed or played back, i.e. the corresponding navigation object. The navigation object is implemented as an executable navigation command program. In other words, the navigation object is an upper layer of a play list that is a playback unit and has a navigation command for starting playback of a specific play list.

For example, when the user selects the first title, as title information, title # 1 specifies to execute navigation object # 1. The navigation object # 1 has a navigation command for instructing to play a predetermined play list, and as a result, the corresponding play list is reproduced as the navigation command is executed. When all the playlists according to the navigation object # 1 are played, the navigation object # 1 points to the first hidden title # 1, and the navigation object # 3 corresponding to the first hidden title # 1 is executed. The hidden title is a title which is not recognized by the user. The hidden title is a title which is not reproduced by the user directly and reproduced in a predetermined order determined by the disc producer. For example, a video for informing a copyright notice, a video for foretelling a sequel after the end of the film, and the like. Since such a moving picture is less likely to be searched and reproduced separately by a user's operation, it is set as a hidden title and reproduced only in a predetermined order determined by a navigation command.

Or, if the user selects the second title, title # 2 specifies to execute navigation object # 2. The navigation object # 2 also has a navigation command for instructing to play a predetermined play list, so that the corresponding play list is reproduced as the navigation command is executed. When all the playlists according to the navigation object # 2 are played, the navigation object # 2 points to the second hidden title # 2, and the navigation object # 6 corresponding to the second hidden title # 2 is executed.

4B is a reference diagram for describing a method of reproducing core mode data and full mode data recorded on the disc 100 of FIG. 1C.

Referring to FIG. 4B, in this embodiment, the index information has start up information, menu information, and title information. The title information is composed of a plurality of unit information for designating the corresponding object. The unit information is implemented with title information #i or hidden title information #j. Title information #i corresponds to a title whose reproduction can be controlled by the user, and hidden title information #j corresponds to a title which is not reproduced by the user and that is played only in a predetermined order by the producer. .

When the disc 100 is loaded, navigation objects according to startup information are played back. When the user calls the menu, the menu information is played back, and when the user selects one of the titles shown by the menu, the title information informs the entry point of the data to be executed or played back, that is, the corresponding object.

In this embodiment, the object is divided into a navigation object corresponding to core mode data, a browsing object corresponding to browsing data, and a program object corresponding to program data. The navigation object is implemented as a command program instructing to reproduce the corresponding core mode data, and the browsing object is a file implemented in the corresponding browsing data, preferably a markup language and a scripting language for execution, and the file name as an entry point. Has Program objects are implemented as specific program files and likewise have their file names as entry points.

One object belonging to a certain mode may be connected to and played with another object belonging to another mode. Mode conversion is not necessary when objects of the same mode are connected, but mode conversion is required when objects of different modes are connected. Mode conversion is performed through hidden title information among the title information. In other words, the title information indicates an entry point for title search and the like, and indicates an entry point for playing a predetermined title. In particular, in the present embodiment, the hidden title information is used for mode switching between core mode, browsing mode, and program mode. Notifies the entry point.

When the disc 100 of FIG. 1C is loaded, the reader 10 of the playback apparatus reads the index information 2 and delivers it to the application manager 35. The application manager 33 instructs to play first in the start-up information, or when the user calls a menu, refers to the entry point of the selected title through the menu, and delivers it to the engine that plays the corresponding object. In this embodiment, since the title for which the startup information is to be reproduced for the first time is a navigation object belonging to the core mode data, the entry point is transmitted to the navigation engine 33 (process ①). The navigation engine 33 starts the reproduction of the core mode data by transferring the navigation command included in the corresponding navigation object to the presentation engine 34. Another navigation object corresponding to Title # 1 is reproduced following the navigation object first executed in the core mode (step ②). The navigation object played back in step ② may also be played back by step ③ through title searching. Similarly, titles 2 and 3 are connected to a browsing object and a program object, respectively, and can be reproduced by a user giving a reproduction command of a corresponding title (steps ④ and ⑤).

Meanwhile, the navigation object corresponding to the title # 1 is connected to the browsing object through the hidden title # 1. In other words, the conversion between modes is configured to be performed with reference to the hidden title # 1. In this case, the navigation engine 33 passes the control right to the application manager 35 (process 6). The application manager 35 instructs the browsing engine 31 to play the browsing object specified by the hidden title # 1. As such, hidden titles, unlike regular titles, do not allow direct access by a user. By performing the mode conversion with reference to the hidden title, one title can be composed of data of various modes, and the user can play the title without being aware of the mode conversion.

5A is a data structure diagram of title #i which is unit information constituting title information of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 5A, title #i has access type information as attribute information. It also informs the entry point of the corresponding title. The access type information is information indicating whether or not the user can directly control the playback. Title #i indicates "normal" as the access type information because the user can directly access the title.

5A is a data structure diagram of hidden title #i that is unit information constituting title information of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the hidden title #i also has access type information as attribute information. It also informs the entry point of the corresponding title. The access type information is information indicating whether the user can directly control the playback, and since the hidden title #i is not directly accessible by the user, the hidden type #i indicates "hidden" as the access type information. Further, the access type information further includes a case where the title number is "hidden" and the case where the title number is not displayed to the user. In other words, the case where the title number is assigned or not is displayed separately.

For example, the access type information is displayed in binary form, and if "1" is 1-bit information, it indicates that the title is used only as a bridge point for converting between modes as a hidden title. It can also be used.

The table is summarized in Table 1 and Table 2 below. Table 1 shows a case in which only one title access type information is provided as one bit as attribute information, and Table 2 further includes title display information. Here, the attribute information may mean index table information.

Title access type meaning 0 Title search is possible by user One Title search is not possible by the user

Title access type meaning 00 Title search is possible by user, title number indication 01 Title search is possible by user, no title number is displayed 10 Title search not possible by user, title number display 11 Title search not possible by user, title number not displayed

Referring to Table 2, the first bit of the title access type is a bit indicating whether the title can be directly searched by a user operation or a title that can be searched only by a navigation command. The second bit is therefore a bit indicating whether or not the title number is displayed to the user.

The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable storage medium. Computer-readable storage media includes all types of storage devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable storage media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, which may also be implemented in the form of carrier waves (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include. The computer readable storage medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

As described above, according to the present invention, a disc producer can produce content that can be applied to a wider variety of applications by displaying, as attribute information, whether or not a plurality of titles are hidden titles. In other words, it is possible to distinguish between titles that are directly accessible to the user and titles that are not directly accessible to the user, and to produce content suitable for the intention of the creator, thereby providing various applications to the user.

Claims (7)

At least one title that is played as a video; And Attribute information including access type information provided corresponding to each of the titles, wherein the search for a corresponding title is marked as "normal" if possible by a user operation; otherwise, marked as "hidden." Including; The access type information displayed as "hidden" further includes information indicating whether a corresponding title number is displayed. The method of claim 1, And a corresponding title is displayed when the access type information is a bit value 0, and a corresponding title is not displayed when the access type information is a bit value 1. A reader for reading at least one title and corresponding title information reproduced as a moving picture from an information storage medium; A buffer for buffering the data read by the reader; And A decoder which interprets the title information to find an entry point of a corresponding title and reproduces the title; The decoder By analyzing the attribute information included in the title information, if the access type information included in the attribute information is " normal ", the user operation for the corresponding title is allowed, and if the " hidden " A playback device characterized by displaying the title number when the corresponding title is played in accordance with information for interpreting that the user operation on the title is prohibited and indicating whether or not the corresponding title number included in the attribute information is displayed. . The method of claim 3, And the corresponding title is displayed when the access type information is bit value 0, and the corresponding title is not displayed when the access type information is bit value 1. (a) reading at least one title and corresponding title information reproduced as a moving picture; And (b) parsing the attribute information included in the title information, and if the access type information included in the attribute information is " normal ", user operation for the corresponding title is allowed, and " hidden " If the user operation for the corresponding title is prohibited, and interprets the title information to find out the entry point of the corresponding title and plays the title. If the access type information is "hidden", the attribute And displaying the title number when the corresponding title is reproduced according to the information indicating whether the corresponding title number included in the information is displayed. The method of claim 5, And the corresponding title is displayed when the access type information is bit value 0, and the corresponding title is not displayed when the access type information is bit value 1. A reader for reading at least one title and corresponding title information from the information storage medium; A buffer for buffering the title and title information; And A decoder for selectively decoding a title based on the title information and attribute information included in title information indicating user control of the selected decoded title, And the attribute information further includes title number display information indicating whether to display one title number of the selected decoded titles.