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FILE OR DATABASE MAINTENANCE |
Information storage and information transmission media with parental control5813010
Abstract
Parental information of a video program recorded on an optical disk is always checked in a disk player. Even if a jump of laser beam tracing of an optical head erroneously occurs due to shocks or vibrations, the content of parental information assigned to the destination of optical head jumping is checked, to thereby achieve an accurate parental control of selective restriction for the video whose reproduction or presentation is restricted by the parental information.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A recording medium comprising:
a data area recording at least one prescribed data piece, the data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, and
a management area recording restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data piece, the management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a oath from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
2. The medium of claim 1, wherein the restriction information includes one or more parental levels each defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data piece.
3. The medium of claim 1, wherein the data area includes another data piece which can be reproduced or presented in place of the prescribed data being restricted by the restriction information.
4. A recording medium comprising:
a data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, and
a management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area,
wherein the data area records at least one prescribed data piece as well as first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data piece, the management area including second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a oath from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
5. The medium of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second restriction information includes one or more parental levels, each defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data piece.
6. The medium of claim 4, wherein the data area includes another data piece which can be reproduced or presented in place of the prescribed data being restricted by at least one of the first and second restriction information.
7. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces of at least one sequence unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
8. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
9. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more video title sets, each video title set includes one or more video object sets, each video object set includes one or more video objects, each video object includes one or more cells, each cell includes one or more video object units, and each video object unit includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more video data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the video object sets, the video objects, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video data pieces in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
10. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more video title sets, each video title set includes one or more video object sets, each video object set includes one or more video objects, each video object includes one or more cells, each cell includes one or more video object units, and each video object unit includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more video data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video data pieces in the data area is also recorded in the packs, and
wherein management information for managing the video object sets, the video objects, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, the management area including second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
11. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more video title sets, each video title set includes one or more video object sets, each video object set includes one or more video objects, each video object includes one or more cells, each cell includes one or more video object units, and each video object unit includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more video data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the video object sets, the video objects, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video data pieces in units of the video object unit is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
12. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data are includes one or more video title sets, each video title set includes one or more video object sets, each video object includes one or more video objects, each video object includes one or more cells, each cell includes one or more video object units and each video object unit includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more video data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video data pieces in unit of the video object unit is also recorded in the packs, and
wherein management information for managing the video object sets, the video objects, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, the management area including second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
13. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data are includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded at the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces is also recorded in the data area in unit of the packs, and
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, the management area including second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
14. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data are includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces of at least one sequence unit and of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
15. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded at the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces is also recorded in the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces of a least one sequence unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
16. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded at the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces is also recorded in the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management are, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
17. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded at the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces is also recorded in the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces of at least one sequence unit and of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
18. A recording medium comprising:
a data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, and
a management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area,
wherein the data area records at least one video/computer image data piece, and at least one audio data piece which can be reproduced when the video/computer image data piece is reproduced or presented, and
wherein the management area records restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and the audio data piece, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
19. A recording medium comprising:
a data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, and
a management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area,
wherein the data area records at least one video/computer image data piece, at least one audio data piece which can be reproduced when the video/computer image data piece is reproduced or presented, and first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and the audio data piece, the management area including second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
20. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece of at least one sequence unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
21. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data is reproduced or presented,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
22. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data are is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and the audio data piece is also recorded, and
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, the management area including second restriction having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
23. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data is reproduced or presented,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece of at least one sequence unit and of least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
24. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece is also recorded,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece of at least one sequence unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
25. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece is also recorded,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece of at least one sequence unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
26. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece is also recorded,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece of at least one sequence unit in the data area is also recorded in the management areas the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
27. A recording medium comprising:
a data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, and
a management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area,
wherein the data area records at least one main data piece, and at least one auxiliary data piece which can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented, and
wherein the management area records restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and the auxiliary data piece, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
28. A recording medium comprising:
a data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, and
a management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area,
wherein the data area records at least one main data piece, at least one auxiliary data piece which can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented, and first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and the auxiliary data piece, the management area including second restriction information, having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
29. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece of at least one sequence unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
30. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
31. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein restriction information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
32. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece of at least one sequence unit and of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a Path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
33. The medium of any of claims 18-21 and 27-32 wherein the restriction information includes one or more parental levels, each parental level defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the recorded data piece.
34. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece is also recorded,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece of at least one sequence unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area,
the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
35. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece is also recorded,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
36. The medium of any of claims 22-26, 34 and 35, wherein at least one of the first and second restriction information includes one or more parental levels, each parental level defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the recorded data piece.
37. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell include one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece is also recorded,
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece of at least one sequence unit and of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
38. A system for broadcasting or communicating information comprising:
a data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, and
a management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area,
wherein the data area records at least one prescribed data piece, and
wherein the management area records restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data piece, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established by tracing a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
39. The system of claim 38, wherein the restriction information includes one or more parental levels each defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data piece.
40. The system of claim 38, wherein the data area includes another data piece which can be reproduced or presented in place of the prescribed data being restricted by the restriction information.
41. A system for broadcasting or communicating information comprising:
a data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, the data area recording at least one prescribed data piece, and
a management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area,
wherein the management area records restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data piece, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established by tracing a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
42. The system of claim 41, wherein the restriction information includes one or more parental levels each defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data piece.
43. The system of claim 41, wherein the data area includes another data piece which can be reproduced or presented in place of the prescribed data being restricted by the restriction information.
44. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces of at least one sequence unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
45. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
46. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more video title sets, each video title set includes one or more video object sets, each video object set includes one or more video objects, each video object includes one or more cells, each cell includes one or more video object units, and each video object unit includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more video data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the video objects sets, the video objects, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video data pieces in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
47. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more video title sets, each video title set includes one or more video object sets, each video object set includes one or more video objects, each video object includes one or more cells, each cell includes one or more video object units, and each video object unit includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more video data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video data pieces in the data area is also recorded in the packs, and
wherein management information for managing the video object sets, the video objects, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
48. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more video title sets, each video title set includes one or more video object sets, each video object set includes one or more video objects, each video object includes one or more cells, each cell includes one or more video object units, and each video object unit includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more video data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the video object sets, the video objects, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video data pieces in unit of the video object unit is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
49. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more video title sets, each video title set includes one or more video object sets, each video object set includes one or more video objects, each video object includes one or more cells, each cell includes one or more video object units, and each video object unit includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more video data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video data pieces in unit of the video object unit is also recorded in the packs, and
wherein management information for managing the video object sets, the video objects, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
50. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded at the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces is also recorded in the data area in unit of the packs, and
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
51. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded in some of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces of at least one sequence unit and of at least one cell unit in the data area is recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
52. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded at the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces is also recorded in the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces of at least one cell unit in the data area is recorded in the management area, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
53. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded at the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces is also recorded in the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces of at least one cell unit in the data area is recorded in the management area, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
54. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein one or more prescribed data pieces are recorded at the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces is also recorded in the data area in unit of the packs,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data pieces of at least one sequence unit and of at least one cell unit in the data area is recorded in the management area, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
55. A system for broadcasting or communicating information comprising:
a data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, and
a management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area,
wherein the data area records at least one video/computer image data piece, and at least one audio data piece which can be reproduced when the video/computer image data piece is reproduced or presented, and
wherein the management area records restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
56. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein at least one video/computer image data piece is recorded in the data area,
wherein at least one audio data piece, which can be reproduced when the video/computer image data piece is reproduced or presented is also recorded in the data area, and
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece is also recorded in the data area,
the management area including second restriction information having a higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
57. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece of at least one sequence unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
58. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
59. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction infuriation for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece is also recorded, and
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area,
the management area including second restriction information having a higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
60. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece of at least one sequence unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
61. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction infuriation for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece is also recorded, and
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
62. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction infuriation for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece is also recorded,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
63. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a video/computer image data piece and a combination of the video/computer image data piece with an audio data piece is recorded in any of the packs, where the audio data piece can be reproduced when the video/computer image data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction infuriation for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece is also recorded,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the video/computer image data piece and audio data piece of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area, the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
64. A system for broadcasting or communicating information comprising:
a data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, and
a management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area,
wherein the data area records at least one main data piece, and at least one auxiliary data piece which can be produced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented, and
wherein the management area records restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and the auxiliary data piece, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
65. A system for broadcasting or communicating information comprising:
a data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, and
a management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area,
wherein the data area records at least one main data piece, at least one auxiliary data piece which can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented, and first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and the auxiliary data piece, the management area including second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
66. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece is also recorded, and
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area,
the management area including second restriction information having a higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
67. A recording medium having a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area,
the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
68. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data niece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece is also recorded, and
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area,
the management area including second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
69. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece of at least one sequence unit and of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area,
the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
70. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece is also recorded,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece of at least one sequence unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area,
the second restriction information including higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
71. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece is also recorded,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece of at least one sequence unit and of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area,
the second restriction information including higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
72. A system for broadcasting or communicating information including a management area and a data area,
wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure such that the data area includes one or more sequences, each sequence includes one or more programs, each program includes one or more cells, and each cell includes one or more packs,
wherein at least one of a main data piece and a combination of the main data piece with an auxiliary data piece, where the auxiliary data piece can be reproduced when the main data piece is reproduced or presented,
wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece is also recorded,
wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area is recorded in the management area, and
wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the main data piece and auxiliary data piece of at least one sequence unit and of at least one cell unit in the data area is also recorded in the management area,
the second restriction information including higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
73. The system of any of claims 55, 57, 58, 60, 64, 66, 67 and 69 wherein the restriction information includes one or more parental levels, each defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the recorded data piece.
74. The system of any of claims 56, 59, 61-63, 65, 68 and 70-72, wherein at least one of the first and second restriction information is includes one or more parental levels, each parental level defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the recorded data piece.
75. A recording apparatus for recording prescribed data in a recording medium having a management area and a data area, said apparatus comprising:
supplying means for supplying the prescribed data;
encoding means for encoding the prescribed data supplied from said supplying means;
generating means for generating first and second restriction information for restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data; and
means for recording the prescribed data encoded by said encoding means in the data area of said recording medium, and for selectively recording the first restriction information generated by said generating means in the management area of said recording medium in correspondence with the prescribed data,
where the data area of the recording medium has a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, and
where the management area includes management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area, the management area including the second restriction information having higher and lower levels, that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein at least one of the first and second restriction information includes one or more parental levels, each defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the recorded data.
77. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the data area includes another data piece which can be reproduced or presented in place of the prescribed data being restricted by at least one of the first and second restriction information.
78. A recording apparatus for recording prescribed data on a recording medium having a data area and a management area, said data area being formed of a hierarchical structure in which the data area is provided for one or more programs, each program is constituted by one or more cells, and each cell is constituted by one or more packs to which the prescribed data is recorded, and said management area being formed of management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs of the data area, said apparatus comprising:
means for supplying the prescribed data;
means for encoding the prescribed data supplied from said supplying means;
means for creating first and second restriction information for restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data of at least one sequence unit, of at least one cell unit, or of one or more pack units; and
means for recording the prescribed data encoded by said encoding means in the data area of said recording medium according to said hierarchical structure constituted by the sequences, programs, cells, and packs, for selectively recording the first restriction information in the data area of said recording medium in unit of the packs, and for selectively recording the second restriction information created by said creating means in the management area of said recording medium corresponding to at least one sequence unit and at least one cell unit,
the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
79. A recording apparatus for video data on a recording medium having a data area and a management area, said data area being formed of a hierarchical structure in which the data area is provided for a video object set, constituted by one or more video objects, each video object is constituted by one or more cells, each cell is constituted by one or more video object units, each video object unit is constituted by one or more packs to which various video data pieces are recorded, and said management area being formed of management information for managing the video object set, video objects, cells, and video object units in the data area, said apparatus comprising:
means for supplying the video data;
means for encoding the video data supplied from said supplying means;
means for creating first and second restriction information for restricting reproduction or presentation of the video data of at least one video object set, of at least one cell, of at least one video object unit, or of one or more packs; and
means for recording the video data encoded by said encoding means in the data area of said recording medium according to said hierarchical structure, for selectively recording the first restriction information in the data area of said recording medium in unit of the packs, and for selectively recording the second restriction information created by said creating means in the management area of said recording medium corresponding to at least one video object set and at least one cell unit,
the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
80. The apparatus of claim 78 or 79, wherein at least one of first and second restriction information includes one or more parental levels, each defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the recorded data.
81. The apparatus of claim 78 or 79, wherein the data area includes another data which can be reproduced or presented in place of the recorded data being restricted by at least one of the first and second restriction information.
82. A recording apparatus for recording prescribed data in a recording medium having a management area and a data area, said apparatus comprising:
supplying means for supplying the prescribed data;
encoding means for encoding the prescribed data supplied from said supplying means;
generating means for generating first and second restriction information for restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data; and
means for recording the prescribed data encoded by said encoding means in the data area of said recording medium, and for selectively recording the first restriction information generated by said generating means in the data area of said recording medium,
where the data area of said recording medium has a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, and
where the management area includes management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area, the management area including the second restriction information having higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the restriction information includes one or more parental levels, each defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data.
84. A recording method for recording prescribed data in a recording medium having a management area and a data area, the data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, the management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area, said method comprising the steps of:
supplying the prescribed data;
encoding the supplied prescribed data;
generating restriction information for restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data;
recording the encoded prescribed data to the data area of said recording medium, and
selectively recording the restriction information to the management area of said recording medium in correspondence with the recording of the prescribed data, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
85. The method of claim 84, wherein the restriction information includes one ore more parental levels, each defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the recorded data.
86. The method of claim 84, wherein the data area includes another data piece which can be reproduced or presented in place of the prescribed data being restricted by the restriction information.
87. A reproduction apparatus for reproducing recorded data from a recording medium having a data area and a management area, the data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, the management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area, said data area recording at least one prescribed data, and said management area recording restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data in the data area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information, said apparatus comprising:
means for reading the prescribed data from the data area of said recording medium and for reading the restriction information from the management area of said recording medium;
means for inhibiting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data read by said reading means when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is inhibited by the restriction information read by said reading means; and
means for converting the prescribed data read by said reading means into a reproduction output when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is not inhibited by the restriction information read by said reading means.
88. The apparatus of claim 87, wherein the restriction information includes one or more parental levels, each defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data.
89. A reproduction apparatus for reproducing prescribed data from a recording medium having a data area and a management area, wherein the data area is formed of a hierarchical structure in which the data area is provided for one or more sequences, each sequence is constituted by one or more programs, each program is constituted by one or more cells, and each cell is constituted by one or more packs, wherein the prescribed data is recorded to the data area in unit of packs, wherein first restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data of the packs is recorded to the data area, wherein management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells, and the packs in the data area are recorded to the management area, and wherein second restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data of at least one sequence unit in the data area is recorded to the management area, the second restriction information including higher and lower levels that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established based on a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information said apparatus comprising:
means for reading the prescribed data in the data area of said recording medium according to said hierarchical structure, for reading the restriction information of the data area in unit of packs, and for reading the restriction information of the management area corresponding to at least one sequence unit and at least one cell unit;
first inhibition means for, when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is inhibited by the restriction information read by said reading means corresponding to at least one sequence unit, inhibiting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data of the corresponding at least one sequence unit; and
means for converting the prescribed data read by said reading means into a reproduction output when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is not inhibited by said first inhibition means.
90. The apparatus of claim 89, further comprising:
second inhibition means for, when reproduction of the prescribed data is inhibited by the first or second restriction information read by said reading means in at least one cell unit, inhibiting reproduction of the video data of the corresponding at least one cell unit,
wherein said converting means converts the prescribed data into the reproduction output when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is not inhibited by said first and second inhibition means.
91. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data in unit of sequence is inhibited by said first inhibition means, first substitution data recorded in the data area in unit of sequence is reproduced or presented, and when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data in unit of cell is inhibited by said second inhibition means, second substitution data recorded in the data area in unit of cell is reproduced or presented.
92. The apparatus of claim 90, further comprising:
third inhibition means for, when reproduction of or presentation the prescribed data is inhibited by the first or second restriction information read by said reading means in unit of packs, inhibiting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data of the corresponding packs,
wherein said converting means converts the prescribed data into the reproduction output when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is not inhibited by said first to third inhibition means.
93. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data in unit of sequence is inhibited by said first inhibition means, first substitution data recorded in the data area in unit of sequence is reproduced or presented, when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data in unit of cell is inhibited by said second inhibition means, second substitution data recorded in the data area in unit of cell is reproduced or presented, and when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data in unit of packs is inhibited by said third inhibition means, third substitution data recorded in the data area in unit of packs is reproduced or presented.
94. The apparatus of any of claims 89, 90 and 92 wherein at least one of the first and second restriction information includes one or more parental levels, each defining a degree of restriction reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data.
95. A method for reproducing recorded data from a recording medium having a data area and a management area, the data area having a hierarchical structure including one or more sequences, each sequence including one or more programs, each program including one or more cells, and each cell including one or more packs, the management area including management information for managing the sequences, the programs, the cells and the packs in the data area, said data area recording at least one prescribed data, and said management area recording restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data in the data area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established by tracing a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information, said method comprising the steps of:
reading the prescribed data from the data area of said recording medium;
reading the restriction information from the management area of said recording medium;
inhibiting reproduction or presentation of the read prescribed data when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is inhibited by the restriction information read; and
converting the read prescribed data into a reproduction output when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is not inhibited by the restriction information read.
96. The method of claim 95, wherein the restriction information includes one or more parental levels, each defining a degree of restricting reproduction or presentation of the recorded data.
97. The method of claim 95, wherein when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is restricted by the restriction information, substitution data recorded in the data area is reproduced or presented.
98. A recording medium comprising:
a data area recording at least one prescribed data piece, the data area being formed of a hierarchical structure including a volume, the volume including at least one title set, each title set including at least one program chain, each program chain including data search information and presentation control information, and
a management area recording restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data piece, the management area including management information for managing the volume, title sets, program chains, data search information and presentation control information of the data area, the restriction information including a higher level and a lower level that constitute a hierarchical structure, parental hierarchy being established by tracing a path from the higher level restriction information to the lower level restriction information.
99. A recording medium as recited by claim 98, wherein restriction information is assigned to the title set
and the program chain of the data area.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to (1) a recording medium such an optical disk on which data of different types with different application purposes, e.g., compressed moving picture data, audio data, character data, game programs, and so on, are recorded, (2) a recording apparatus for recording data on the recording medium, (3) a recording method of recording data on the recording medium, (4) a reproduction apparatus for reproducing data from the recording medium, and (4) a reproduction method for reproducing data from the recording medium.
More specifically, the present invention relates to an improvement of a parental control in which reproduction or presentation of part of or all of data recorded on the recording medium is restricted by a provider of the data or by a user of the data.
Further, the present invention relates to a parental control for a broadcasting or communication system by which data of different types with different application purposes, e.g., compressed moving picture data, audio data, character data, game programs, and so on, are broadcasted or transmitted.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optical disk reproduction apparatuses which can cope with moving pictures have recently been developed. These apparatuses are designed to reproduce data from an optical disk on which picture data, audio data, and the like are recorded as digital data. Various types of reproduction software for, e.g., movies and karaoke systems are expected to be provided. Nationality, religion, and age restrictions are imposed on some of these pieces of software. For example, in the U.S.A, movies are classified into movies which everybody can see, movies which minors can see only with their parents, movies which minors above 13 years old can see only with their parents, R-rated movies, and X-rated movies.
Audiences are restricted depending on the contents of software, or audiences allowed to partly listen to or watch software are restricted depending on pictures in this manner. A scheme for such restriction is called "parental control." Conventionally, determination on parental control and execution of restriction on listening/watching depend only on the users of software. For this reason, it is hard to reliably execute restriction on listening/watching of software which is subjected to parental control.
As described above, according to the conventional form of listening to or watching software, a user may see a restricted picture unintentionally or intentionally as long as he/she has the software. Therefore, a method of performing reliable parental control needs to be developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and has as its object to provide a recording medium which particularly allows management and discrimination of parental levels on the reproduction side, a recording apparatus for recording data on the recording medium, a recording method therefor, a reproduction apparatus for reproducing data from the recording medium, and a reproduction method therefor.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for broadcasting or communicating data containing information pieces to be subjected to parental control, wherein the management and/or discrimination of respective parental levels respectively assigned to the information pieces can be achieved at the reproducer (or receiver) side.
To achieve the object of the present invention, a recording medium has a management area and a data area. The data area includes one or more prescribed data pieces (video data pieces, audio data pieces, character data pieces, computer data pieces of, e.g., a game, and so on). Restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data piece(s) is recorded in the management area and/or the data area.
To achieve the object of the present invention, a broadcasting or communicating system transmits information having a management area and a data area. The data area includes one or more prescribed data pieces (video data pieces, audio data pieces, character data pieces, computer data pieces of, e.g., a game, and so on). Restriction information (or parental code) for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data piece(s) is recorded in the management area and/or the data area.
To achieve the object of the present invention, a recording apparatus records information having a management area and a data area. The data area includes one or more prescribed data pieces (video data pieces, audio data pieces, character data pieces, computer data pieces of, e.g., a game, and so on). Restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data piece(s) is recorded in the management area and/or the data area.
To achieve the object of the present invention, a recording method performs recording of information on a recording medium which has a management area and a data area. According to this method, prescribed data is supplied; the supplied prescribed data is encoded; restriction information for restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is created; the encoded prescribed data is recorded on the data area of the recording medium; and the created restriction information is selectively recorded, in correspondence with the recording of the prescribed data, on the management area and/or the data area of the recording medium.
To achieve the object of the present invention, a reproduction apparatus reproduces prescribed data from a recording medium having a management area and a data area. The data area includes the prescribed data. Restriction information for selectively restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is recorded in the management area. The reproduction apparatus comprises a block for reading the prescribed data from the data area and reading the restriction information from the management area; a block for restricting reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data read by the reading block when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is restricted according to the restriction information read by the reading block; and a block for converting the prescribed data read by the reading block into a reproduction output when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is not restricted according to the restriction information read by the reading block.
To achieve the object of the present invention, a reproducing method performs reproduction of information recorded in a recording medium which has a management area and a data area. According to this method, the prescribed data is read from the data area and the restriction information is read from the management area. Reproduction or presentation of the read prescribed data is restricted when the reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is restricted according to the read restriction information. The read prescribed data is converted into a reproduction output when reproduction or presentation of the prescribed data is not restricted according to the read restriction information.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of an optical disk reproduction apparatus to explain an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the arrangement of a disk drive section in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the structure of an optical disk;
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the recording format of the optical disk;
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the volume structure of the optical disk;
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the format of a disk information file;
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining parameters for disk structure information;
FIG. 8 is a view for explaining parameters for menu structure information;
FIG. 9 is a view for explaining parameters for menu cell information;
FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the format of a video file;
FIG. 11 is a view for explaining the hierarchical structure of video data stored in a file;
FIG. 12 is a view showing one GOP constituting each cell of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the contents of cell information stored in a cell information table;
FIG. 14 is a view for explaining the contents of one piece of 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 format of a video file;
FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the format of a disk search information pack (or data search information pack);
FIG. 18 shows a format of a main picture pack (or video pack);
FIG. 19 shows another format of the main picture pack (or video pack);
FIG. 20 shows a format of an audio pack;
FIG. 21 shows another format of the audio pack;
FIG. 22 shows a format of a sub-picture pack;
FIG. 23 shows another format of the sub-picture pack;
FIG. 24 is a view showing a format of disk search information (or data search information);
FIG. 25 is a view for explaining parameters for general information in disk search information (or data search information);
FIG. 26 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a packet transfer processing section;
FIG. 27 is a flow chart for explaining packet transfer processing;
FIG. 28 is a flow chart for further explaining packet transfer processing;
FIG. 29 is a flow chart for explaining parental control processing;
FIG. 30 is a flow chart for further explaining parental control processing;
FIG. 31 is a flow chart for further explaining parental control processing;
FIG. 32 is a flow chart for further explaining parental control processing;
FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing an encoder system for creating a video file by encoding video data;
FIG. 34 is a flow chart showing encoding processing in FIG. 33;
FIG. 35 is a flow chart for creating a video data file by combining the main picture, audio, and sub-picture data encoded in accordance with the flow chart 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 flow chart for creating logical data to be recorded on a disk in the disk formatter in FIG. 36;
FIG. 38 is a flow chart 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 view for explaining the relationship between cell information and sequence information;
FIG. 41 is a view for explaining the relationship between cell information and sequence information;
FIG. 42 is a view for further explaining the relationship between cell information and sequence information;
FIG. 43 is a view for further explaining the relationship between cell information and sequence information;
FIG. 44 is a view for further explaining the relationship between cell information and sequence information;
FIG. 45 is a flow chart for explaining the process of creating cell information and sequence information;
FIG. 46 explains a hierarchical structure of video title set;
FIG. 47 shows a block diagram wherein reproduction data of an optical disk containing parental information is transmitted by means of cable or radio wave;
FIG. 48 explains the process of writing to a read/write optical disk an encoded program source with parental information and the process of reading from the read/write optical disk the program source with parental information;
FIG. 49 shows a block diagram wherein various information pieces with parental information are communicated via a computer network;
FIG. 50 shows an outline of an IC device containing parental processor which executes parental control and its related processing with respect to FIGS. 29 to 32;
FIG. 51 explains a hierarchical data structure constituted by a volume, title sets, program chains, and so on, wherein parental information is assigned only to two hierarchical levels (title set level and program chain level in this example); and
FIG. 52 explains a plurality of different parental levels which vary for countries.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An optical disk reproduction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an optical disk reproduction apparatus for reproducing data from an optical disk according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a disk drive section for driving the optical disk shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the structure of the optical disk shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 shows the recording format of the optical disk shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Various data, e.g., moving picture, audio, and sub-picture data compressed by the MPEG scheme, are recorded on optical disk 10, from which data is reproduced by the optical disk reproduction apparatus in FIG. 1, according to a data format corresponding to a system layer of MPEG2. Sub-picture data is obtained by performing run length compression of character data and simple animation data.
In the optical disk reproduction apparatus, when a user operates key operation section & display section 4, recorded data pieces (i.e., video data pieces, sub-picture data pieces, and audio data pieces) are reproduced from optical disk 10. The reproduced data pieces are then converted into audio and video signals in the apparatus. The converted signals are reproduced as pictures at monitor section 6 outside the apparatus, and as sounds at speaker sections 8 outside the apparatus. Key operation & display section 4 is used by the user to perform various instructing operations such as "playback", "stop", "fast forward playback", and "rewind playback" of optical disk 10, display of subtitles or captions (sub-pictures), cancellation of parental control (restriction on reproduction or presentation), channel selection, menu selection, and so on.
"Parental control" is performed to impose restrictions (e.g., nationality, religion, and age) on video data, audio data, text data, etc., recorded in optical disk 10. As will be described later, this parental control is executed according to parental information (ID) described in optical disk 10, with three hierarchical levels, i.e., sequence, cell, and GOP levels (or with two hierarchical levels of title set and program chain levels).
This optical disk reproduction apparatus is a system for reproducing, based on the MPEG system layer, the MPEG-compressed moving picture data, the MPEG-compressed audio data, and sub-picture data used for characters of subtitles or captions and for simple animated cartoons, from optical disk 10.
Characters or simple animated cartoons can be constituted by run-length-compressed bit-mapped images. Hereinafter, the run-length compressed data will be referred to as sub-picture data.
There are various structures for optical disk 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, there is a super high recording density type for the optical disk . This disk comprises one pair of structures 18 each having a recording layer, or reflecting layer 16, formed on transparent substrate 14. Structures 18 are bonded to each other through adhesive layer 20 such that recording layers 16 are sealed therein.
Center hole 22 is formed in the center of optical disk 10 having the above structure. The spindle of spindle motor 12 can be inserted into center hole 22. Clamping area 24 is formed around center hole 22 so as to hold optical disk 10 during its rotation.
Information recording area 25 is defined between clamping area 24 and the outer periphery of optical disk 10. Information can be recorded on recording area 25 of optical disk 10. The two-sided optical disk shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 has information recording areas 25 on its upper and lower surfaces.
An outer peripheral area of each information recording area 25 is defined as leadout area 26 on which no information is generally recorded. Similarly, an inner peripheral area of each information recording area 25, which is in contact with clamping area 24, is defined as lead-in area 27 on which no information is generally recorded. Data recording area 28 is defined between leadout area 26 and lead-in area 27.
Generally, tracks as areas on which data are to be recorded are spirally and continuously formed on recording layer 16 on information recording area 25. As shown in FIG. 4, each of these continuous tracks is divided into a plurality of logical sectors (minimum recording units) each having a predetermined storage capacity. Data is recorded on the basis of these logical sectors.
The recording capacity of one logical sector and the data length of one pack (to be described later) are set to be 2,048 bytes. Data recording area 28 of information recording area 25 serves as an actual data recording area, on which management data, main image (main picture) data, sub-image (sub-picture) data, and audio data are recorded as physical state changes, e.g., pits, as will be described later.
When optical disk 10 is of a read-only type super high density optical disk (or SD-ROM), pit arrays (or pit trains) are pre-formed by a stamper in transparent substrate 14. A reflecting layer is formed, by vapor deposition or by sputtering, on the surface of transparent substrate 14 in which the pit arrays/bit trains are formed, and the reflecting layer is formed as recording layer 16. In general, in this read-only optical disk 10, no special grooves as tracks are formed, but pit arrays are set as tracks.
In the optical reproduction apparatus for reproducing data from optical disk 10, disk drive section 30 for driving optical disk 10 searches optical disk 10 with a light beam.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, optical disk 10 is placed on spindle motor 12 which is driven by motor driving circuit 11. The placed optical disk is then rotated by spindle motor 12 based on given servo control method (e.g., zone constant line velocity control, or zone CLV control).
An optical head, or optical pickup 32, which is used to focus a light beam or a laser beam is disposed below optical disk 10. Optical pickup 32 is mounted on a guide mechanism (not shown) to be movable in the radial direction of optical disk 10 so as to search information recording area 25, particularly to search data recording area 28. Optical pickup 32 on the guide mechanism is moved by feed motor 33, which is driven by a driving signal from driving circuit 37, in the radial direction of optical disk 10.
Objective lens 34 is held below optical disk 10 to be movable along the optical axis. Objective lens 34 is moved along the optical axis in response to a driving signal from focus driving circuit 36 to be always maintained in a focused state, so that a small beam spot is formed on recording layer 16. Objective lens 34 is also held to be finely moved along the radial direction of optical disk 10. Objective lens 34 is finely moved in response to a driving signal from track driving circuit 38 to be always maintained in a tracking state, so that tracks on recording layer 16 of optical disk 10 can be traced with a light beam.
Optical pickup 32 detects a light beam reflected by optical disk 10. The detection signal is supplied from optical pickup 32 to servo processing circuit 44 through head amplifier 40. 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 focus driving circuits 36, 38, and 11, respectively. With this operation, objective lens 34 is maintained in a focused state and a tracking state. In addition, spindle motor 12 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed, and tracks on recording layer 16 are searched with a light beam from optical pickup 32 at a constant line velocity (of zone CLV or of conventional CLV).
When system CPU section 50 of FIG. 1 supplies a control signal (access signal) to servo processing circuit 44, servo processing circuit 44 supplies a moving signal to driving circuit 37. Optical pickup 32 is then moved along the radial direction of optical disk 10, and a predetermined sector of recording layer 16 is accessed. As a result, reproduction data obtained by this accessing is amplified by head amplifier 40 and output from disk drive section 30.
The reproduction data output from disk drive section 30 is stored in data RAM section 56, via system CPU section 50 and system processor section 54 which are controlled by programs stored in system ROM/RAM section 52.
The reproduction data stored in data RAM section 56 is processed by system processor section 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 video decoder section 58, audio decoder section 60, and sub-picture decoder section 62, and the supplied data pieces are decoded therein.
The decoded video data, audio data, and sub-picture data are converted by D/A & reproduction processing circuit 64 into analog signals of video, audio, and sub-picture. The analog video and sub-picture signals are then subjected to mixing processing. The resultant video and sub-picture signals are supplied to monitor section 6, and the analog audio signal is supplied to speaker section 8. As a result, a picture (video) is displayed on monitor section 6, and sound is reproduced from speaker section 8.
Programs (software or firmware) for controlling the operation of this apparatus are stored in the ROM portion of system ROM/RAM section 52. These programs are automatically loaded and executed by system CPU section 50 when the system power is turned on.
In addition, in the ROM portion of system ROM/RAM section 52, character data for displaying information indicating that parental processing is being executed is also stored. Further, a reference level of parental restriction levels (e.g., one of five different levels) is preset in this ROM in advance. This level is the parental restriction level of the optical disk reproduction apparatus, and a parental restriction with respect to the nationality can be set, for example.
The parental restriction level in the ROM may be changed by an in-line package switch (or dip-type switch; not shown) or the like in the manufacturing process. After completing this change, a parental restriction of nationality can be automatically activated.
Since the above reference level is disabled to change by a user with key operation section & display section 4, a nationality restriction on video/pictures, audio/sound, writing/character-expressions, and so on can be automatically achieved. With this operation, a level for parents and children can be set within a level more moderate than the above reference level.
Incidentally, a work area for data processing is set in the RAM portion of system ROM/RAM section 52.
The operation of the optical disk apparatus in FIG. 1 will be described in detail later, together with the logic format of optical disk 10, which will be described in detail next.
Data recording area 28 extending from lead-in area 27 to leadout area 26 of optical disk 10 in FIG. 3 has a volume structure as a logic format like the one shown in FIG. 5, which complies with the ISO9660 standard. This volume structure is constituted by volume management information area 70 having a hierarchical structure and file area 80.
Volume management information area 70 corresponds logical block numbers 0 to 23 which are specified complying with ISO9660. System area 72 and volume management area 74 are allocated to volume management information area 70.
System area 72 is generally used as an empty area in which no contents are specified, but is provided for, e.g., a user who edits data to be recorded on optical disk 10. A system program for driving the optical disk apparatus in accordance with the choice of the user is stored in system area 72, as needed.
Volume management area 74 stores volume management information (i.e., information for managing the recording positions, recording sizes/capacities, and file names of all files) for managing disk information files 76 of file area 80 (to be simply referred to as disk information file 76 hereinafter), and files 78 such as movie and music files.
Files 76 and 78 of file numbers 0 to 99 which are designated by logical block number 24 and the subsequent logical block numbers are arranged in file area 80. File 76 of file number 0 is allocated as disk information file 76, and files 78 of file numbers 1 to 99 are allocated as movie files, i.e., video files and music files.
As shown in FIG. 6, disk information file 76 is constituted by file management information area 82 and menu picture data area 84.
File management information for selecting sequences which are recorded on the entire surfaces of optical disk 10 and can be selected, i.e., the titles of video and audio data, are written in file management information area 82.
Image data for a menu screen for displaying selection menu including titles and the like is stored, as menu data cells 90, in menu picture data area 84 in units of cells. As will be described later, the menu picture data in menu picture data area 84 is divided into units each having a necessary size in accordance with a purpose.
The respective units are set as i menu data cells 90 which are consecutively numbered, starting with #1, in the order of recording on menu picture data area 84 of optical disk 10. Video data and sub-picture data, or audio data associated with selection of a movie or audio title, selection of a program corresponding to each title, and the like are stored in each menu data cell 90.
As shown in FIG. 6, file management information area 82 includes three information areas, i.e., disk structure information area 86 in which disk structure information (DSINF: disk search information, or data search information) as information about the structure contents of each movie or music file recorded on optical disk 10 is stored, menu structure information area 87 in which menu structure information (MSINF) is stored, and menu cell information table (MCIT) 88 in which menu cell information (MCI) is stored. These areas are arranged in the order named.
The disk structure information (DSINF) in disk structure information area 86 is information about the structure contents of each movie or audio file recorded on optical disk 10.
As shown in FIG. 7, this information is constituted by the following parameters: FFNAME (file name), FFID (file identifier), DSINF (number of files), FSINF (file type/number of sequences subjected to title selection), FCINF (intra-file sub-picture/audio information), and TSINF (title information).
FFNAME is used to identify a file name. As this parameter, the same contents as those of a corresponding file identifier in a directory record are written.
As FFID, a file identifier as information for identifying a disk information file is written.
As DSINF, the number of movie or music files (the number of reproduction files 78 in FIG. 5) on optical disk 10 is written.
As FSINF, the file type or category (e.g., movie or music) of each file, the number of self-terminating type sequences (or the number of program chains when one file is constituted by one PGC), and the number of connection type start sequences (or the number of leading program chains when one file is constituted by two or more PGC's) are written.
FCINF is constituted by FNAST (number of audio streams), FNSPCH (number of sub-picture channels), FACODE (number of audio streams), and FSPCODE (sub-picture channel type).
As FNAST, the number of audio streams in each file is written.
As FNSPCH, the number of sub-picture channels in each file is written.
As FACODE, the language codes (English, Japanese, and the like) of audio streams are consecutively written in the order of audio stream numbers. If an audio stream type is data other than languages, FFh is written.
As FSPCODE, the language codes (English, Japanese, and the like) of sub-picture channels are consecutively written in the order of channel numbers. If corresponding data is not a sub-picture type, FFh is written.
As TSINF, parental control data for the respective titles and the numbers of angles and programs in the titles are written in the order of title numbers, starting with #1.
The number of titles is the sum total of self-terminating type sequences and connection type start sequences in each movie or music file.
The title numbers continue in the ascending order of sequence numbers in file number #1, with title #1 corresponding to a sequence of file number #1. After the last sequence subjected to title selection, the title number follows file #2 sequence #1.
As the parental control data, the parental level of each sequence is written.
As the number of angles, the number of angle cells in an angle block contained in a sequence is written. If there is no angle block, "0" is written.
As the number of programs, the number of programs in each sequence is written.
The menu structure information (MSINF) in menu structure information area 87 is the position information of picture data for a menu which is stored in each file.
As shown in FIG. 8, the menu structure information is constituted by the following parameters: MOMCEL (number of menu cells), TMSCEL (title menu start cell number), ADMSCEL (audio menu start cell number), SPMSCEL (sub-picture menu start cell number), PEMSCEL (program menu start cell number), and AGMSCEL (angle menu start cell number).
As MOMCEL, the number of menu cells recorded on this file is written. If there is no picture data for a menu is the file, 00h is writt |
