HK1116590B - Method and apparatus for recording and reproducing - Google Patents

Description

Recording and reproducing method and apparatus

This application is a divisional application of chinese patent application No. 200480032681.4 entitled "recording medium having a data structure for managing graphic information and recording and reproducing method and apparatus", filed as 8/19/2004.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a high-density recording medium such as a blu-ray disc read only (BD-ROM) and a method and apparatus related thereto.

Background

In general, optical discs on which large-capacity data can be recorded are widely used as optical recording media. Recently, many efforts have been made to develop a new high-density optical recording medium (HD-DVD), such as a blu-ray disc (hereinafter abbreviated BD) or the like, on which high-definition video data and high-quality audio data can be recorded and stored.

The blu-ray disc (BD), which is the next generation HD-DVD technology, is a next generation optical recording solution that allows the amount of data stored to significantly exceed that of previous DVDs. The technical specifications of the global standard for BD are being established along with other digital device standards.

Although many efforts have been made to develop an optical reproducing player adopting the BD specification, there are many difficulties in developing a perfect optical reproducing player since the BD specification has not yet been fully established.

Particularly, in order to efficiently reproduce data from the blu-ray disc (BD), menu information must be organized and provided to generate selective data reproduction through interaction with a user. However, in the current blu-ray disc (BD) standard, since the unified standard of the supplementary data, particularly, the menu information is not yet completed, many restrictions are imposed on the development of the blu-ray disc (BD) optical reproducing apparatus, which causes problems associated with reproducing the menu information and providing it to the user according to the user's request.

Disclosure of Invention

The recording medium according to the present invention includes a data structure for managing reproduction of graphic information.

In one embodiment, a recording medium stores first graphic information multiplexed with main data in a first clip file and stores second graphic information in a second clip file separate from the first clip file.

For example, the first graphic information and the second graphic information may be menu information. In one embodiment, the first menu information is always displayed and the second menu information is displayed upon request of the user.

In another embodiment, a recording medium stores first graphic information that is always displayed in association with display of main data and second graphic data that is displayed according to a user request. The first graphic information and the second graphic information may be menu information.

In another embodiment related to the above-described embodiments, the recording area stores at least one playitem and at least one subplayitem. The subplayitem includes navigation information reproducing the second graphic information and the playltem includes navigation information reproducing the first graphic information.

The present invention also provides apparatuses and methods of recording and reproducing the data structure according to the present invention.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

fig. 1 illustrates a file structure of a high-density optical disc according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a disk storage storing the file structure of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a data structure of a recording medium (e.g., BD-ROM) for managing graphic information and a method of managing menu information according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a real-time popup menu according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of managing preloaded popup menus;

6A-6C illustrate data structures for managing and identifying information according to one embodiment of the invention;

fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention;

fig. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the optical recording/reproducing device after the popup menu type identification information of each specific playback unit has been identified.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Although terms used in the present invention may be selected from currently well-known terms, terms arbitrarily selected by the patent applicant in some cases and their meanings are explained in detail in the following description. Accordingly, the present invention should be understood with the meanings of the corresponding terms selected by the applicant instead of the simple names of the terms.

First, a file structure and a recording medium format for data playback management employed in the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 illustrates a file structure of a high-density optical disc according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the file structure includes at least one BD directory BDMV under the root directory. BDMV and object files movieobject. In addition, three directories having playback management and navigation information for data recorded on a recording medium (e.g., a blu-ray disc) are recorded in the BD directory BDMV. These three directories are a PLAYLIST directory PLAYLIST, a clip information directory CLIPINF, and a STREAM directory STREAM. The three directories and files included therein are explained in detail as follows.

Video and audio STREAM files called "AV STREAMs" are recorded according to a specific format in the STREAM directory STREAM. For example, since an AV stream file is generally recorded as an MPEG2 transport packet, ". m2 ts" is used as each extension of the AV stream file (e.g., 01000.m2ts and 02000.m2 ts). In the BD specification, an AV stream is referred to as a clip stream file. With the present invention, data recorded in a disc will exist in an AV stream file format.

The clip information directory CLIPINF includes clip information files 01000.clpi and 02000.clpi, which correspond one by one to the AV stream files (. m2ts), respectively. Specifically, attribute information and timing information of the AV information stream are recorded in a corresponding clip information file (· clpi). The timing information includes information mapping a Presentation Time Stamp (PTS) of data in the AV stream file to a source packet number of a source packet in the AV stream file. This mapping is typically referred to as an entry point map. In the BD standard, AV stream files m2ts and corresponding clip information files clpi are collectively referred to as "clips". Thus, the file "01000. clpi" in the clip information directory CLIPINF has attribute information and timing information on the file "01000. m2 ts" in the stream directory, and the files "01000. clpi" and "01000. m2 ts" form one clip.

The PLAYLIST directory PLAYLIST includes PLAYLIST files (, mpls), and each PLAYLIST file (, mpls) includes at least one playitem designating a play interval of a specific clip. The playitem has navigation Information on a play start Time (In-Time) and a play end Time (Out-Time) of a particular Clip desired to be played, i.e., specified by a Clip name given In the Clip _ Information _ File field In the playitem. Mpls may be provided with subplayltem as needed, for example, when data is played out of sync with a playltem.

BDMV and object files object. Bdmv includes an index Table having main menu information and title information that a user can select.

In particular, main menu information recorded in the index table is referred to as a main menu or a top menu. In connection therewith, the following disclosure introduces a pop-up menu, which is defined as new menu information separate from the main menu. The popup menu may provide detailed menu information according to data attributes of a specific reproduction or playback unit (e.g., title, chapter, scene, etc.) and be provided within the display through a small window and overlap with a currently reproduced picture in some cases.

Accordingly, popup menu management information is provided in each title. For example, a title may be divided into chapters each represented by one of a plurality of reproduction units, and popup menu information may be associated with each reproduction unit. In addition, the popup menu information may be provided as part of a playlist file (, mpls), clip information file (, clpi), or the like. The main menu and pop-up menu will be described in more detail below in conjunction with fig. 3A and 3B.

As shown in fig. 2, the disc storage contents of the BD-ROM are organized into a file system information area, a database area, and an a/V stream area. The file system information area stores system information for managing the disc. The database area includes a general file area and a playlist and clip information area. The common file section stores common files such as an index. The PLAYLIST and clip information area store a PLAYLIST directory and a CLIPINF directory. Main data and supplementary data, such as audio/video/graphics, recorded thereon are stored in the a/V stream area in a clip file (.m 2ts) of an MPEG2 transport stream format.

Fig. 3A-3B illustrate a data structure of a recording medium (e.g., BD-ROM) for managing graphic information and a method of managing menu information according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, fig. 3A schematically shows a file structure provided by main menu information in an index table, and fig. 3B shows a data structure for managing popup menu information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Bdmv, as shown in fig. 3A, the data structure managing the main menu includes an index file index having main menu information. Bdmv includes an index table having main Menu information Menu, Title information Title #1 … … Title # n, and first playback information FirstPlayback. Information in the index table is linked one by one to information in a corresponding object file movieobject.

Therefore, the main menu information in the index table is executed by a user request "call menu", and the basic Title menu Title is included in the main menu. Accordingly, the user can select one title, which the user wishes to reproduce, from the main menu.

If the user selects Title #1, Title #1 is mapped to an object (e.g., MovieObject #1 specified by link information) contained in Title #1 in the index table, i.e., in the "Title _ ref _ to _ mobj _ id" information. In addition, a PlayList (e.g., PlayList #1) specified by a command in a corresponding object is played back.

The PlayList #1 is provided with playitems PlayItem #1 and PlayItem #2, which respectively include navigation information for reproducing Clip #1 and Clip # 2.

The First Playback information First Playback in the Index Table includes link information that is automatically loaded when a disc is loaded. Also, the playlist file and clip file linked to the first playback information by the object in object.bdmv are automatically reproduced in the same manner as discussed above with regard to Title # 1. In reproducing the corresponding title, the reproduction starts from the main menu. The main menu is limited to providing general title-based main menu information for the entire disc and to providing the main menu correctly according to the attributes of the recorded data.

Due in part to the above, when data attributes of recorded data are different and/or more subdivided, additional menu information may be provided to a user to provide convenience and provide an environment different from that of a conventional optical disc.

The additional menu information is graphic information called a popup menu. Fig. 3B illustrates a data structure for managing graphic information forming popup menu information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the popup menu is menu information provided according to the attributes of data recorded in each playback unit, whereas the main menu is general information provided to the entire disc.

The "playback unit" to which the popup menu is applied denotes a specific playback section to which the disc author applies the popup menu. For example, a title, chapter, etc. may be one "playback unit" according to its content. In addition, even a scene or the like can be regarded as one "playback unit".

A "title" (e.g., a movie) is considered to be the largest unit in a blu-ray disc (BD) content, while a "chapter" is considered to be a number of smaller playback segments in the title. Accordingly, the popup menu may be configured differently on a title and/or chapter basis. In addition, the present invention provides two kinds of popup menus. The first is called "real-time PopUp menu" or "first Type PopUp menu (Type #1PopUp menu)". The second Type is called "preloaded popup menu" or "second Type popup menu (Type #2popup menu)". These two pop-up menus will be described in more detail below. As shown in fig. 3B, the second type popup menu is used as a title menu and the first type popup menu is used as a chapter menu. In fig. 3B, the third chapter (chapter #3) does not have an associated first type popup menu and thus becomes a playback section supported by the preloaded popup menu applied to the entire title.

The popup menu may be provided with menu information according to the popup menu type. The disc author also provides various menu information matching the data attributes of the playback units with which the popup menu is associated. For example, a popup menu allowing chapters in a Title and audio language change is provided in the preloaded popup menu of Title #1, and various menu information based on the corresponding chapter data attribute may be provided in the real-time popup menu for each chapter. For example, in fig. 3B, a popup menu including a menu allowing shopping and an annotation menu including enhanced data is provided for chapter #1, and an audio language variable menu and an "external" menu receiving an input signal from the outside are provided for chapter # 2. The real-time popup menu is not provided to chapter # 3.

In addition, each popup menu is additionally provided with a menu selection for performing a main menu in the index table. If the corresponding 'main menu' in the pop-up menu is clicked, a 'call menu' command is executed to execute the main menu of the index file.

Second, the display of the pop-up menu overlaps the currently reproduced picture using a small window without changing the currently reproduced picture, as opposed to how the main menu is displayed. Also, the currently reproduced picture becomes a background picture. Background pictures may be static or paused pictures or continuously reproduced without pauses.

Third, the execution of the main menu or pop-up menu is based on a user's execution command, such as a menu execution button input via a remote controller. In the case of a popup menu, various execution commands can be implemented. For example, for a real-time popup menu, an execution icon is provided to the user that shows that the popup menu exists in the currently played-back section of the currently displayed image. The user then clicks on the corresponding icon to execute the pop-up menu. In case of preloading the popup menu, menu execution button input is implemented via a remote controller to execute the popup menu. The execution command of the PopUp menu is referred to as "PopUp _ on". As mentioned in the above description, it can be seen that each "PopUP _ on" method differs based on the type of PopUp menu, which will be described in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 5.

Summarizing the features of the newly defined popup menu, the popup menu provides menu information based on data attributes in a specific playback unit. There may be a plurality of popup menu types and the disc author selectively determines the popup menu type. Each execution command PopUp _ on of the PopUp menu is separately configured for each PopUp menu type. The playback of the background image may be suspended or maintained without switching the background image while the popup menu operation is performed while the main menu is being executed.

The menu information of the above-described configuration, particularly, the configuration of each type of popup menu and various execution methods thereof will be described below with reference to the following detailed embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 4 and 6A-6B illustrate an embodiment of managing a real-time popup menu according to the present invention. And fig. 5, 6A and 6C illustrate an embodiment of managing the preloaded popup menu according to the present invention.

The difference between the real-time popup menu and the preloaded popup menu in these embodiments will be explained first.

First, the preloaded popup menu is applied to a more global playback unit, such as a chapter group or a title. Also the content of the preloaded popup menu is more global in nature. Instead, the real-time popup menu may be applied to more specific playback units, such as chapters in a title. The content of the real-time popup menu is more directly related to the data properties of the associated playback unit.

Each application of the preloaded menu and the real-time popup menu may be executed based on a "title and chapter" hierarchy. As another example, the application may be based on a "title and logo," "chapter and logo," "playlist and playitem," "playlist and logo," "playlist and clip," or "title and display group" data structure. In the embodiments of fig. 4 and 5, the real-time popup menu is a popup menu corresponding to a smaller playback section in the "playback unit" associated with the preloaded popup menu. It will be appreciated that the real-time and preloaded popup menus according to the two embodiments of the present invention can be applied regardless of the name of the "playback unit".

Second, when configuring popup menu data, the preloaded popup menu represents graphic information provided by an individual data file that is distinguished from a file containing AV data of a corresponding playback unit. The real-time popup menu represents graphic information provided by being multiplexed with AV data of a corresponding playback unit in a file. Thus, the preloaded popup menu and the real-time popup menu are referred to as an "on-demand popup menu" and a "dynamic visual popup menu", respectively, in some cases.

Third, in order to execute the PopUp menu, selection of a specific PopUp menu button provided by an external remote controller or the like or an input panel is recognized as an execution command PopUp _ on. In contrast, the real-time PopUp menu is always provided in the playback image in the form of a specific execution icon, and the playback apparatus recognizes the user's click on the corresponding icon as the execution command PopUp _ on. Accordingly, the preloaded popup menu is referred to as a user-requested popup menu in some cases and the real-time popup menu is referred to as a always-on popup menu in some cases. The disc author sets the most effective popup menu to provide to the user based on the attributes of the recorded data. And thus a real-time popup menu, for example, chapter #3 in fig. 3B, is not provided for a specific playback unit.

Fig. 4 schematically shows the configuration and execution of a real-time popup menu. As shown, a user-recognizable icon for execution (e.g., a circular "R" icon) is provided to a party (e.g., always displayed) for each playback image. If the user clicks the corresponding icon (PopUP _ on), corresponding menu information is provided.

For example, if the real-time popup menu is the same as applied to chapter #1 of fig. 3B, the activated popup menu includes menu selections of the "shopping," "notes," and "main" menus as described above. In addition, if a specific command is established in association with menu selection, the specific command is established as information utilized in the playback of the optical disc. For example, if the main Menu is selected (this will become the "Call Menu" command), the current picture is switched to the main Menu picture.

Therefore, in a practical implementation of the real-time popup menu according to an embodiment of the present invention, the same popup menu is configured in a corresponding playback unit (e.g., chapter #1 or chapter #2 in fig. 4). It is understood that a playback unit (e.g., chapter #1) may be divided into time-based playback sections, and a real-time popup menu having different menu information may be provided for each divided section.

Fig. 5 schematically shows the configuration and execution of the preloaded popup menu. Here, if the user selects the PopUp menu execution button (PopUp _ on) using an external remote controller or the like, corresponding menu information is provided. For example, unlike a real-time popup menu that contains always-displayed portions, a preloaded popup menu is typically not displayed until a user request is received.

If the preloaded PopUp menu of fig. 5 is the same as the preloaded PopUp menu applied to Title #1 of fig. 3B, the execution command PopUp _ on of the PopUp menu activates the display of the PopUp menu consisting of a "main" menu, a "chapter" menu, and a "language" menu selection. A chapter menu is provided to allow chapters to be changed. A language menu is provided to allow the language of the audio to be changed from the current time point in any section of the title # 1. The user then selects one of the menus to call out the selected menu. In addition, if the "main" Menu (Call _ Menu) is selected, the current picture is switched to the main Menu picture as previously shown.

Therefore, in practical applications of the preloaded popup menu according to embodiments of the present invention, the popup menu may be configured in a corresponding playback unit (e.g., title # 1). As mentioned in the foregoing description, the preloaded popup menu is managed as a menu file separate from the general AV data or recorded in an area different from the general AV data regardless of whether it is contained in the general AV data. Accordingly, the preloaded popup menu is preloaded in the corresponding playback unit to be used.

Therefore, both the real-time popup menu and the preloaded popup menu may be utilized in some cases of the present invention. For example, for chapter #1 and chapter #2 of fig. 3B, the preloaded popup menu provided to the general title and the real-time popup menu provided to each chapter according to the user's selection are activated. By dividing the popup menu of the present invention into two types and using a specific popup menu category, a data structure for identifying the type of popup menu in specific file information per playback unit is provided. In addition, the present invention provides a case where a popup menu is not applied to a specific playback unit, which is distinguished from another case where both types of popup menus are applied to a specific playback unit. A data structure and a recording method of identification information for identifying a popup menu type will be described in detail below.

Fig. 6A to 6C illustrate data structures of management and identification information, identifying a popup menu type according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6A illustrates an embodiment of recording popup menu identification information in a playlist file. Referring to fig. 6A, there are a "PlayList { }" in which a data structure records application information, a data structure records playitem and sub-playitem information, and a data structure records logo information in a PlayList file.

The field name of the PopUp menu type identification information of the embodiment of the present invention is "PopUp menu type" and is recorded in the playlist file. "PopUp _ menu _ type ═ 00 b" identifies that the corresponding playback unit is not supported by the PopUp menu, "PopUp _ menu _ type ═ 01b," indicating that only the real-time PopUp menu supports the corresponding playback unit. "PopUp _ menu _ type ═ 10 b" indicates that only the preloaded PopUp menu supports the corresponding playback unit. In addition, "PopUp _ menu _ type ═ 11 b" indicates that the real-time PopUp menu and the preloaded PopUp menu support the corresponding playback unit. The field "PopUp _ menu _ type" may be set for each playback unit or for a specific playback section in a playback unit. For example, the indicator "PopUp _ menu _ type" may be defined in an "AppInfoPlayList { }", "PlayItem { }" or "SubPlayItem ()" data structure. In addition, the name of the supported popup menu may be directly included in file information managing the playback unit supported by the popup menu.

Fig. 6B and 6C illustrate a data structure for managing "PopUp _ menu _ type" recorded in the file structure. Fig. 6B shows a data structure for managing real-time popup menu data and fig. 6C shows a data structure for managing preloaded popup menu data.

Referring to fig. 6B, the real-time popup menu exists in a specific playback unit, and particularly in a chapter. For example, PlayList # k manages a pair of clips (clip of chapter #1, clip of chapter #2) that are recorded as a pair of playitems PlayItem #1 and PlayItem #2 by multiplexing an AV stream and graphic information representing a real-time popup menu to an MPEG2 transport packet.

During reproduction, the control unit (an example discussed below in connection with fig. 7) of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus reads out the real-time popup menu. The real-time popup menu is multiplexed with AV data and recorded. By using a PID (packet ID) of a real-time PopUp menu packet different from that of an AV data packet, if a user's real-time PopUp menu packet execution command (PopUp _ on) is delivered, the real-time menu packet is filtered and provided as a corresponding PopUp menu. As will be understood from the description of fig. 4, the real-time menu portion is always displayed.

In the example of fig. 6B, the real-time popup menu is recorded by multiplexing at the first half of the clip. Since the menu information is displayed only after the optical recording/reproducing apparatus has read out the graphic data representing the menu, a popup menu is provided in a leading portion or guide portion of the clip.

However, in the case where the user requests the real-time popup menu to execute a command even though the optical recording playback apparatus cannot read out the entire real-time popup menu data provided in the corresponding chapter, the operation thereof may not satisfy the user's request. To prevent such a problem, a function of prohibiting execution of the popup menu for a specific section or interval (duration) is introduced. Additional menu control fields "PopUP _ menu _ ProhibitBiduction or PopUP _ menu _ waiting _ duration" and/or "PopUP _ menu _ ProhibitBind" fields may be provided, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B. "PopUP _ menu _ Prohibit _

The duration or PopUP _ menu _ waiting _ duration field specifies a specific section (e.g., a time period) of a playback unit during which execution of the PopUp menu is prohibited. The "PopUp _ menu _ Prohibit" field prohibits/permits execution of the menu item. "PopUp menu Prohibit" is set to a control command to indicate that PopUp menu execution is prohibited. (ii) a In addition, "PopUp _ menu _ Prohibit ═ No" is set to the control command to indicate that the PopUp menu execution is permitted. At least one of the "PopUP _ menu _ ProhibitDeutput or PopUP _ menu _ waiting _ duration" field and the "PopUP _ menu _ ProhibitBit" field is applied. In addition, two of these fields may be applied to ensure the reliability of this function.

Fig. 6C shows a data structure for managing preloaded popup menu data. Referring to fig. 6C, a playlist # n manages clips (clips of Title # n) in which AV streams are recorded. The playitems in PlayList # n include navigation information for reproducing the clips. A separate clip file storing graphic information representing the preloaded popup menu is also recorded. PlayList # n includes SubPlayItem having navigation information for reproducing an individual clip file of graphic information (case 1). Alternatively, PlayList #1 may record separate preloaded popup menu data in the front of a clip with an AV stream (a clip of Title # n) (case 2).

Specifically, even if the preloaded popup menu data is recorded as a separate file (case 1), in one embodiment, the preloaded popup menu data is physically recorded adjacent to the general AV data. This is advantageous for reducing the time required for playing back the general-purpose AV data after the popup menu data is preloaded.

In addition, even if the preloaded popup menu data is recorded in the front of the clip (clip of Title # n) in which the AV stream is recorded (case 2), since the preloaded popup menu data is not multiplexed with the AV stream, it is apparent that case 2 is different from the above-mentioned recording method of the real-time popup menu data in fig. 6B.

The control unit of the optical record playback apparatus (see fig. 7 for an example discussed below) first reproduces the preloaded popup menu data by SubPlayItem or PlayItem and stores the menu in the memory before playing back the clip of Title # n from the corresponding PlayList # n. The preloaded PopUp menu is provided once the PopUp menu execution command popupon submission of the user.

Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the apparatus comprises: a pickup section 11 for retrieving or recording management information having data and menu information recorded within the optical disc; a servo or driver 14 for controlling the movement of the pick-up member 11; a signal processor 13 for demodulating the reproduced signal received from the pickup part 11 into a desired signal value or modulating a signal to be recorded into a signal recorded on the optical disc; a memory 15 temporarily storing management information having menu information; and a microcomputer 16 for controlling the servo 14, the signal processor 13 and the memory 15. The integration of the above components is the playback system 20. In particular, the recording and playback system 20 performs reproduction based on the data structure described above in conjunction with fig. 1-6C.

The AV decoder 17 provides data to a user by decoding output data according to an instruction from the controller 12. The AV encoder 17 converts an input signal into a designated format (i.e., MPEG2 transport stream) according to the control of the controller 12 and provides the converted signal to the signal processor 13 of the record playback system 20 to perform a function of recording the signal to the optical disc.

Industrial applications

From the reproduced PopUp menu type identification information (PopUp menu type) recorded on the recording medium, the control unit 12 recognizes whether each specific playback unit is supported by a PopUp menu and one or more types of PopUp menus supporting the playback unit. The control unit 12 reads out PopUp menu data for each recognized type according to the previously defined method described in connection with fig. 6A-6C, and provides the user with a corresponding PopUp menu if the user's PopUp menu execution command (PopUp _ on) is submitted.

Specifically, upon receiving the PopUp menu execution command (PopUp _ on) of the user, the control unit 12 executes the PopUp menu execution command (PopUp _ on) according to the read identification information and may provide a notification message to the user in response to the PopUp menu execution command (PopUp _ on). This operation will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 8A and 8B.

Fig. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus after PopUp menu type identification information (PopUp menu type) for each specific playback unit has been recognized.

Fig. 8A illustrates a case where the preloaded PopUp menu does not exist in a specific Title # k (no Type #2PopUp), such that Chapter # n in the corresponding Title does not even have a real-time PopUp menu (PopUp _ menu _ Type 00b), and Chapter # (n +1) in the corresponding Title has a real-time PopUp menu (PopUp _ menu _ Type 01 b).

Referring to fig. 8A, when an optical disc having "PopUp _ menu _ type 00 b" and "PopUp _ menu _ type 01 b" is intended to be played back, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus identifies a PopUp menu type for each chapter from PopUp menu identification information PopUp _ menu _ type recorded in the disc in association with each chapter. Based on the type indication, the apparatus controls output of the popup menu information.

Specifically, Chapter # n has a type indicator "PopUp _ menu _ type 00 b" to indicate that neither the real-time PopUp menu nor the preloaded PopUp menu supports Chapter # n. If a preloaded-type PopUp menu execution command PopUp _ on (menu button of the remote controller) is submitted from the user during playback of Chapter # n, the device provides the user with a message informing that the PopUp menu does not exist via the display screen. The user must click on the execution icon displayed on the screen to execute the real-time popup menu. However, Chapter # n is not supported by real-time popup menus so that the execution icon itself cannot be displayed thereon.

Chapter # (n +1) has a type indicator of "PopUp menu type 01 b" to indicate that Chapter # (n +1) is not supported by a preloaded PopUp menu but is supported by a real-time PopUp menu. Also, a real-time popup menu execution icon (e.g., a circle "R") is always displayed on one side of the playback image while the corresponding section is played back. If the user clicks the corresponding execution icon, it is recognized as a real-time popup menu execution command to provide a popup menu. If the preloaded PopUp menu execution command popupon is submitted from the user, the device provides the user with a message informing that the preloaded PopUp menu does not exist through the display screen. The device also provides a notification message that causes the real-time popup menu to execute, the message requesting the user to click on a screen having the "click here! "real-time popup menu execution icon for message.

Specifically, Chapter # n or Chapter # (n +1) is not supported by the preloaded popup menu. However, the user may frequently request execution by activating a PopUp menu button (which corresponds to the execution command PopUp _ n of the preloaded PopUp menu) using a remote controller or the like as desired. Here, the above method is useful for alerting a user.

Fig. 8B exemplarily shows a case where the preloaded PopUp menu exists in a specific Title # k (Type #2PopUp exists) such that Chapter # p in the corresponding Title does not have a real-time PopUp menu (PopUp _ menu _ Type ═ 10B), and such that Chapter # (p +1) in the corresponding Title has a real-time PopUp menu and a preloaded PopUp menu (PopUp _ menu _ Type ═ 11B).

Referring to fig. 8B, when an optical disc having "PopUp _ menu _ type ═ 10B" and "PopUp _ menu _ type ═ 11B" is intended to be played back, the recording/reproducing apparatus recognizes a PopUp menu type for each chapter from PopUp menu identification information PopUp _ menu _ type of each chapter recorded in the disc. Based on the type indication, the apparatus controls output of the popup menu information.

Specifically, Chapter # p has "PopUp _ menu _ type ═ 10 b" to indicate that Chapter # p is supported only by the preloaded PopUp menu. If a preloaded type PopUp menu execution command PopUp _ on is submitted from a user during playback of a corresponding section, the preloaded PopUp menu is provided. Further, if there is a preloaded popup menu, the optical recording/reproducing playback apparatus in one embodiment may provide a recognition icon (e.g., a circle "P") at one side of the provided image, thereby informing the user that the preloaded popup menu can be supported by the currently playing section. Whereas, for Chapter # n in fig. 8A, Chapter # n is not supported by the real-time popup menu, and thus the real-time popup menu execution icon cannot be displayed thereon. Therefore, the real-time PopUp menu execution command PopUp _ on is not submitted from the user.

Chapter # (p +1) has "PopUp menu _ type ═ 11 b" to indicate that Chapter # (p +1) can be supported by preloaded PopUp menus and real-time PopUp menus. Also, the device can provide a PopUp menu corresponding to each type of the user PopUp menu execution command PopUp _ on while playing back the corresponding section. As described above, for Chapter # p, an identification icon allowing the user to identify the presence of the preloaded popup menu is provided on one side of the screen. In the case of supporting the real-time popup menu, the real-time popup menu execution icon will always be displayed on the screen.

It is therefore apparent that a separate real-time popup menu execution indicator is necessary in this alternative embodiment.

In the above embodiments, the multiplexed or real-time popup menu is interpreted as a always-on display menu. That is, the real-time popup menu portion is always displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to the real-time menu of the popup menu being always displayed. Instead, the preloaded menu may be used as a menu that is always displayed.

Similarly, in the above embodiments, the non-multiplexed or preloaded popup menu is mostly described as a menu that is not displayed until a menu request input by the user is received to be displayed. However, it is understood that a multiplexed or real-time popup menu may also serve as a user requested menu where display does not occur until a user requested menu display is received.

On the premise that one type of menu is a always-on menu and the other type of menu is a user request display menu, the type indication information indicates whether the menu is a always-on menu or a user request menu.

Furthermore, the above embodiments illustrate two menu type hierarchies; namely preloaded menus for large playback units and real-time menus for a subset of large playback units. However, it is apparent that the menu type of the present invention is not limited to such a hierarchy or to a hierarchical relationship.

While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. For example, although described in connection with a blu-ray ROM optical disk in several instances, the present invention is not limited to this standard or these optical disk standards or to optical disks. It is intended to cover all modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. A method of reproducing preloaded popup menu information in menu information including first menu information multiplexed with main data in a first clip file and second menu information in a second clip file separate from the first clip file, the second menu information being preloaded popup menu information, the method comprising:

reading a playlist including at least one subplayltem including navigation information for a clip file containing preloaded popup menu information;

preloading the preloaded popup menu information before starting reproducing the playlist;

the preloaded popup menu information is reproduced according to the subplayitem.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the preloaded popup menu information is displayed upon user request.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the preloaded popup menu information is stored in memory and is not displayed until requested by a user.

4. An apparatus for reproducing preloaded popup menu information among menu information including first menu information multiplexed with main data in a first clip file and second menu information in a second clip file separate from the first clip file, the second menu information being preloaded popup menu information, the apparatus comprising:

means for reading a playlist including at least one subplayltem including navigation information for a clip file containing preloaded popup menu information;

means for preloading preloaded popup menu information before starting reproduction of the playlist; and

means for reproducing the preloaded popup menu information according to the subplayitem.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the preloaded popup menu information is displayed upon user request.

6. A method of recording a data structure on a recording medium to manage preloaded popup menu information in menu information including first menu information multiplexed with main data in a first clip file and second menu information in a second clip file separate from the first clip file, the second menu information being preloaded popup menu information, the method comprising:

recording a second clip file storing the preloaded popup menu information on an a/V stream area of the recording medium; and

recording at least one playlist file on a database area of the recording medium, the playlist file including at least one subplayitem, the subplayitem providing navigation information for reproducing the second clip file,

wherein the second clip file is preloaded before starting reproduction of the playlist file, the preloaded popup menu information being displayed according to a user request.

7. An apparatus for recording a data structure on a recording medium to manage preloaded popup menu information in menu information including first menu information multiplexed with main data in a first clip file and second menu information in a second clip file separate from the first clip file, the second menu information being preloaded popup menu information, the apparatus comprising:

means for recording a second clip file storing the preloaded popup menu information on an A/V stream area of the recording medium, and recording the preloaded popup menu information

Means for recording at least one playlist file containing at least one subplayltem, which provides navigation information for reproducing the second clip file, on a database area of the recording medium,

wherein the second clip file is preloaded before starting reproduction of the playlist file and the preloaded popup menu information is displayed according to a user request.