Recording medium, and method and apparatus for reproducing data from the recording medium

Abstract

A recording medium, and a method and apparatus for reproducing data from a recording medium are disclosed. The apparatus for reproducing data from a recording medium includes: a playback system which includes a memory unit equipped with network configuration information, and reproduces data downloaded over a network and data recorded in the recording medium; and a controller for receiving a command from a user, and controlling the playback system according to the received user command.

Description

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2005-0028176, filed on, Apr. 4, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/645,037, filed on Jan. 21, 2005, in the name of inventors Sung Wan PARK, entitled “MEHOD FOR CONTROLLING HIGH DENSITY OPTICAL DISC”, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a recording medium and a method and apparatus for reproducing data from the recording medium, and more particularly to a method for storing various status information in the reproducing apparatus, and reproducing the data of the recording medium using the aforementioned status information.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, there has been widely used an optical disc acting as a recording medium capable of recording a large amount of data therein. Particularly, there has recently been developed a high-density optical recording medium capable of recording/storing high-quality video data and high-quality audio data for a long period of time, for example, a Blu-ray Disc (BD).

The BD based on the next-generation recording medium technique has been considered to be the next-generation optical recording solution capable of storing much more data than a conventional DVD. In recent times, many developers have conducted intensive research into the international standard technical specification associated with the BD along with those of other digital devices.

In association with the above-mentioned situation, there has recently been developed a reproducing device (also called a player) based on the BD international standard, but the BD international standard has not yet been completed, such that many limitations and problems occur in developing the reproducing device.

Particularly, the demand for the above-mentioned reproducing device, which is capable of reproducing data of the recording medium on the condition that it is connected to a network, and reproducing data received over the network simultaneously with reproducing the data of the recording medium, is being rapidly increased.

However, the above-mentioned reproducing device has not yet been developed, such that it is unable to reproduce content provider (CP) data downloaded from an external device over a network simultaneously with reproducing data of the recording medium, such that many limitations and problems occur in developing a BD-based reproducing device employing a network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a recording medium, and a method and apparatus for reproducing data from a recording medium that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for effectively reproducing data from a recording medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for effectively reproducing data of a recording medium and downloaded data.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reproducing device (i.e., a player) for storing a variety of player status information including network configuration information.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for reproducing data from a recording medium using the player status information.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium including a program capable of controlling the reproducing device.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an apparatus for reproducing data from a recording medium comprises: a playback system which includes a memory unit equipped with network configuration information, and reproduces data downloaded over a network and data recorded in the recording medium; and a controller for receiving a command from a user, and controlling the playback system according to the received user command.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for reproducing data from a recording medium comprising the steps of: a) recognizing a network status by referring to network configuration information recorded in a memory unit; b) if the network status is determined to be a network available status, downloading data from an external part over a network; and c) simultaneously reproducing the downloaded data and data recorded in the recording medium, or selectively reproducing the downloaded data and the data recorded in the recording medium.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium comprising: a program area including a program, which determines whether a player is able to perform a network function and recognizes a network status.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE 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 embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method and apparatus for reproducing data from a recording medium according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2A˜2B are conceptual diagrams illustrating a specific status indicating whether a reproducing device appropriate for category information of a recording medium reproduces data of the recording medium according to the present invention;

FIGS. 3A˜3B are structural diagrams illustrating exemplary recording medium structures according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a syntax recorded in a recording medium according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a reproducing device (i.e., a player) according to the present invention;

FIGS. 6A˜6B are structural diagrams illustrating exemplary PSRs (Player Status Registers) contained in the reproducing device in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A˜7C are structural diagrams illustrating exemplary PSRs (Player Status Registers) contained in the reproducing device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A˜8D are structural diagrams illustrating exemplary PSRs (Player Status Registers) contained in the reproducing device in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for reproducing data received over a network according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred 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.

A recording medium, and a method and apparatus for reproducing data from the recording medium will hereinafter be described with reference to the annexed drawings.

Prior to describing the present invention, it should be noted that most terms disclosed in the present invention correspond to general terms well known in the art, but some terms have been selected by the applicant as necessary and will hereinafter be disclosed in the following description of the present invention. Therefore, it is preferable that the terms defined by the applicant be understood on the basis of their meanings in the present invention.

A recording medium for use in the present invention is indicative of all recordable mediums, for example, an optical disc, and a magnetic tape, etc., according to various recording schemes.

For the convenience of description and better understanding of the present invention, the optical disc, such as a BD or an HD-DVD, will hereinafter be exemplarily used as the above-mentioned recording medium in the present invention. It should be noted that technical ideas of the present invention can be applied to other recording mediums without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method and apparatus for reproducing data from the recording medium according to the present invention. Unified usages of the reproducing device 10 and peripheral devices are shown in FIG. 1.

The reproducing device 10 can record/reproduce data in/from various optical discs having different formats. If necessary, the reproducing device 10 can reproduce specific data from only a specific optical disc such as a BD. it should be noted that the present invention exemplarily uses a player (e.g., a BD-player or a HDDVD-player) capable of reproducing data from a high-density recording medium in consideration of correlation between the high-density recording medium and peripheral devices for the convenience of description. In association with the above-mentioned description, it is well known in the art that the reproducing device 10 is also applicable to a drive embedded in a specific device such as a computer.

The reproducing device 10 records or reproduces data in/from the optical disc 30, receives an external input signal, performs a signal process on the received signal, and transmits the signal processed result to the external display 20, such that a user can view the signal processed result on the display 20. In this case, there is no limitation in a receivable external signal. For example, representative external input signals may be determined to be a DTV (Digital multimedia broadcasting TV)-associated signal and an Internet-associated signal, etc. Specifically, the Internet is indicative of a communication network to which a user easily gains access, such that the user can download specific Internet data using the reproducing device 10, and can use the downloaded data. Also, the Internet allows the user to receive specific data in real time from a desired server, such that the user can use the received data in real time.

In association with the above-mentioned description, a person for providing content data used as an external source is generally referred to as a content provider (CP).

When original data is recorded in the optical disc 30 seated in the reproducing device 10, and additional data associated with the original data is present in other storage places (e.g., Internet), the present invention aims to reproduce the original data and the additional data at the same time.

For example, it is assumed that multiplexed AV (Audio/Video) streams are recorded as the original data recorded in the optical disc, and additional data for use in the Internet is an audio stream different from an audio stream (e.g., Korean) of the original data. In this case, some users may download a specific audio stream (e.g., English) acting as additional data from the Internet, may desire to reproduce the downloaded audio stream along with the AV stream acting as original data, or may desire to reproduce only the additional data. In order to implement the above-mentioned desires of the users, correlation between the original data and the additional data must be established, and there is needed a systemized method for managing/reproducing the above-mentioned data according to a user request.

In association with the above-mentioned description, for the convenience of description, although a signal recorded in the disc is referred to as the original data, and other signals existing outside of the disc are referred to as the additional data, it should be noted that the original data and the additional data classified according to their data acquisition methods are not limited to only specific data.

Generally, additional data may be indicative of audio data, presentation graphic (PG) data, interactive graphic (IG) data, or text subtitle, etc., but the additional data may also be indicative of a multiplexed AV stream including the above-mentioned data and video data. In other words, data associated with the original data simultaneously existing outside of the optical disc may act as additional data.

A relationship between a content program of a recording medium and a reproducing device including network equipment will hereinafter be described in detail.

FIGS. 2A˜2B are conceptual diagrams illustrating a specific status indicating whether a reproducing device appropriate for category information of a recording medium reproduces data of the recording medium according to the present invention.

For example, FIG. 2A shows an exemplary content programming type recorded in a BD-ROM or HD-DVD used as a high-density recording medium for use in network environments.

FIG. 2B shows a specific status indicating whether the reproducing device reproduces individual types of FIG. 2A according to Network Equipped Player (i.e., a player equipped with a network) status or No Network Equipped Player (i.e., a player having no network) status.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the A-type disc is indicative of a recording medium having high-quality video data without having a network function, and the B-type disc is indicative of a recording medium having a program equipped with the network function.

For example, in the case of the BD-ROM (Blu-ray Disc Read Only Format), the A-type disc is indicative of a HDMV-equipped disc which includes only high-density video data without having a network program, and the B-type disc is indicative of a disc which stores not only the HDMV including only the high-density video data but also a program capable of activating a network function. Since the B-type disc includes a network program, the reproducing device can download data from an external part by communicating (or networking) with the external part after the disc has been loaded in the reproducing device.

In association with the above-mentioned description, the Java program is used as the above-mentioned program, and the disc equipped with the Java program is referred to as a disc equipped with a BD-J Advanced Profile (i.e., a BD-J Advanced Profile-Equipped Disc).

For another example, in the case of the HD-DVD (High Definition DVD), the A-type disc is indicative of a standard VTS disc which includes only high-density video data without having a network program, and the B-type disc is indicative of a streaming disc which stores a program equipped with a network function, such that the B-type disc can allow the reproducing device to network with an external device.

Referring to FIG. 2B, status information of a player acting as the reproducing device and specific information indicating whether the player reproduces data according to disc types. In association with the above-mentioned description, the A-type disc of FIG. 2B and the B-type disc of FIG. 2B are equal to those of FIG. 2A.

Data of the A-type disc can be reproduced by both the Network Equipped Player and the No Network Equipped Player. In other words, the A-type disc reproduces only high-density data recorded in the disc without receiving data over a network, such that the player can reproduce data of the A-type disc irrespective of an activation or inactivation status of the network.

In association with the above-mentioned description, in the case of the B-type disc, the No Network Equipped Player can reproduce only the HDMV or the Standard VTS indicative of high-density video data recorded in the B-type disc. In the case of the Network Equipped Player, a reproduction status is changed according to a network access status.

For example, if the network access status is determined to be an unstable access status (i.e., a poor access status), a user may command the reproducing device to reproduce only the high-density video data recorded in the recording medium without reproducing downloaded data received over the network. If the network access status is determined to be a stable access status (i.e., a good access status), a user can command the reproducing device to reproduce not only high-density video data recorded in the recording medium, but also data downloaded from an external content provider (CP).

In order to reproduce data of the recording medium and data downloaded from the external CP, a program capable of transmitting/receiving data over a network must be recorded in the recording medium. A detailed description thereof will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS. 3A˜4.

FIGS. 3A˜3B show exemplary disc structure in which network-associated information is recorded according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3A, from the viewpoint of an inner area of the disc, the above-mentioned disc structure sequentially includes a file system information area used as system information capable of managing all files; a management area for storing disc management information; and a stream file area (also called a stream area) for storing audio data, video data, and graphic data, etc.

FIG. 3A shows an example in which a networking program is recorded in the management area. FIG. 3B shows an example in which the networking program is recorded in the stream area. For example, the above-mentioned program is a Java program, and the Java program is recorded in the disc in the form of a Java program stream. For example, the Java program is recorded in the form of a “*.jar” file.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary syntax of a Java program stream recorded in the recording medium. Referring to FIG. 4, the “If (Network Equipped Player)” area of the syntax and the “If (Network Connection==OK)” area of the syntax are indicative of parameters for recognizing a network status.

In other words, the “If (Network Equipped Player)” area is indicative of a parameter capable of recognizing the Network Equipped Player which can receive data from an external source simultaneously with transmitting data to the external source. The “If (Network Connection==OK)” area is indicative of a parameter for recognizing a network connection status indicating whether the reproducing device has no program in receiving data from the external source. Also, the “If (Network Connection==OK)” area can also be used as a parameter for recognizing a network transmission/reception speed.

The “check the network line” area of the syntax is indicative of a parameter by which a user confirm command is received from a user interface, such that the parameter enables the next process to be executed. The “do streaming and play” area of the syntax is indicative of a parameter indicating whether accommodation is executed according to stream media types. In more detail, the “do streaming and play” area is used as a parameter for either a storage size required for the device when the disc must be pre-loaded or playability information for each codec.

Particularly, the reproducing device according to the present invention can include a local storage as a fixed storage, and can use a removable storage as a mobile storage. Representative examples of the above-mentioned removable storage are a Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage and a memory stick, etc.

The reproducing device (shown in FIGS. 3˜4) for loading the disc will hereinafter be described.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a reproducing device (i.e., a player) according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the reproducing device 10 according to the present invention includes a pickup unit 11, a servo unit 14, a signal processor 13, and a microcomputer (also called a microcomputer) 16. The pickup unit 11 reads data recorded in the optical disc and management information including reproduction/management file information. The servo unit 14 controls operations of the pickup unit 11. The signal processor 13 receives a reproduction signal from the pickup unit 11, restores the received reproduction signal to a desired signal value, or modulates a signal to be recorded into another signal recorded in the optical disc, such that it transmits the restored or modulated result. The microcomputer 16 controls overall operations of the pickup unit 11, the servo unit 14, and the signal processor 13. In association with the above-mentioned description, it is well known in the art that the reproduction device 10 equipped with the pickup unit 11, the servo unit 13, the signal processor 13, and the microcomputer 16 is referred to as a recording/reproducing unit or a drive.

The reproducing device includes the local storage 15, downloads data from a content provider (CP) acting as an external source, and stores the downloaded data in the local storage 15, such that the downloaded data and data of the optical disc can be reproduced at the same time. As described above, the removable storage can also be used as the local storage.

The playback system 17 is used as a playback unit for simultaneously reproducing disc data and local storage data, downloads data from an external source over a network, and stores the downloaded data in the local storage 15. Therefore, the playback system 17 reproduces the disc data and the local storage data upon receiving a request from the user.

In association with the above-mentioned description, the playback system 17 includes at least one PSR (Player Status Register) 171 acting as a memory unit for storing a variety of network configuration information. The information stored in the PSR will be described with reference to drawings from FIG. 6A.

The AV encoder 18 converts an input signal into a specific format signal (e.g., an MPEG2 transport stream) upon receiving a control signal from the controller 12, and transmits the converted result to the signal processor 13, such that it can record a desired signal in the optical disc.

The controller 12 controls all operations of the reproducing device 10. Specifically, the controller 12 receives a user command by communicating with the user, and controls operations of the above-mentioned constituent components using the user command.

FIGS. 6A˜8D show a variety of preferred embodiments associated with various information stored in a plurality of PSRs (Player Status Registers) of the playback system 17.

FIGS. 6A˜6B are structural diagrams illustrating exemplary PSRs (Player Status Registers) contained in the reproducing device in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A shows category information of the PSRs used when data of the optical disc is reproduced by the reproducing device 10. In other words, the reproducing device 10 reproduces data of the optical disc by referring to values prescribed in individual PSRs contained in the playback system 17.

Specifically, the PSRs are classified into two kinds of PSRs (i.e., Playback Status Registers and Player Setting Registers). The Playback Status Registers correspond to registers from PSR0 to PSR12, which can store playback status parameters indicative of either a playback title number or a chapter number. The Player Setting Registers correspond to registers from PSR13 to PSR18 and registers from PSR30 to PSR31, and store player configuration parameters such as audio language preference information. Each PSR is composed of 32 bits.

In association with the above-mentioned description, the above-mentioned playback status registers (PSR0˜PSR12) are composed of various information indicative of status information of a currently-reproduced optical disc. For example, the PSR0 records an Interactive Graphics Stream Number, the PSR1 records an audio stream number, the PSR2 records a presentation graphic stream number or a text subtitle stream number, the PSR3 records an angle number, the PSR4 records a title number, the PSR5 records a chapter number, the PSR6 records a playlist ID, the PSR7 records a playitem ID, the PSR8˜PSR9 record presentation time information and navigation timer information, the PSR10 records selected button information (i.e., Button ID in Selected State), the PSR11 records a menu page ID, and the PSR12 records a user style ID of a reproduced text subtitle stream.

Specifically, the above-mentioned Playback Status Registers (PSR0˜PSR12) are determined to be predetermined initial values at an initialization step. Thereafter, the predetermined values are changed according to a user-selected playback stream and a user-selected playback method.

The above-mentioned Playback Status Registers (PSR13˜PSR18 and PSR30˜PSR31) are composed of information indicative of a playback status of the reproducing device. For example, the PSR13 records Parental level information capable of prohibiting minors from viewing an inappropriate program. The PSR15 records “Player Configuration for Audio” information associated with a playable audio format (e.g., LPCM, AC-3, and DTS decoding available or unavailable status). The PSR16˜PSR18 record audio language information, text subtitle language information, and menu language information, respectively. The PSR30 records “Player Capability for Text Subtitle” information indicating whether the text subtitle stream can be reproduced. The PSR31 records “Player Version” information indicative of a playback version of the reproducing device.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6A, the network configuration information is recorded in the PSR31 which designates a player version indicative of a playback version of the reproducing device. FIG. 6B shows the PSR31 including the player version information composed of 32 bits.

Referring to FIG. 6B, 16 bits (b0˜b15) from among 32 bits of the PSR31 are used as player version information, and the remaining 16 bits (b16˜b31) are adapted to indicate the presence or absence of the Streaming Media Playability. In this case, if 16 bits (b0˜b15) are denoted by “0000000000000000b”, the player is determined to be a HDMV player capable of reproducing only high-density video data recorded in the disc.

Specifically, the bit (b1) from among the 16 bits (b0˜b15) used as the player version is adapted to indicate the presence or absence of BD-J profile accommodation information indicating whether a Java program for network communication is accommodated. For example, if the b1 bit is set to “1”, the b1 bit of 1 indicates that the BD-J profile can be accommodated. If the b1 bit is set to “0”, the b1 bit of 0 indicates that the BD-J profile cannot be accommodated.

The bit (b2) from among the 16 bits (b0˜b15) used as the player version is adapted to determine whether a current player is a Network Equipped Player. For example, if the b2 bit is set to “1”, the b2 bit of 1 indicates a networking available state. If the b2 bit is set to “0”, the b2 bit of 0 indicates a networking unavailable state.

In the case of the 16 bits (b16˜b31) for indicating the presence or absence of the streaming media playability, if only one bit b16 has the value of 1 and the remaining bits have the value of zero, this means the presence of the streaming media playability. If all corresponding bits b16˜b31 are denoted by “0000000000000000b”, this means the absence of the streaming media playability. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that a corresponding bit stream can be defined in various ways.

FIG. 7A˜7C are structural diagrams illustrating exemplary PSRs (Player Status Registers) contained in the reproducing device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A shows category information of the PSRs used when data of the optical disc is reproduced by the reproducing device 10. Compared with the example shown in FIG. 6A, the PSR31 indicative of PSRs' player version information and the PSR32 indicative of streaming media playability in FIG. 7A are different from those of FIG. 6A. A detailed description thereof will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS. 7A ˜7C.

FIG. 7B shoes an exemplary register PSR31 (Player Version) composed of 32 bits from among all PSRs shown in FIG. 7A. 16 bits (b0˜b15) from among the 32 bits of the PSR31 are used as player version information, and the remaining 16 bits are used as a reserved area. In this case, if 16 bits (b0˜b15) used as the player version are denoted by “0000000000000000b”, the player is determined to be a HDMV player capable of reproducing only high-density video data recorded in the disc.

FIG. 7C shows an example of the PSR32 (i.e., Network Configuration and Streaming Media Playability) from among all PSRs shown in FIG. 7A. Specifically, the bit (b1) from among 32 bits of the PSR32 is adapted to indicate the presence or absence of BD-J profile accommodation information indicating whether a Java program for network communication is accommodated. For example, if the b1 bit is set to “1”, the b1 bit of 1 indicates that the BD-J profile can be accommodated. If the b1 bit is set to “0”, the b1 bit of 0 indicates that the BD-J profile cannot be accommodated. Also, the bit (b2) is adapted to determine whether a current player is a Network Equipped Player. For example, if the b2 bit is set to “1”, the b2 bit of 1 indicates a networking available player. If the b2 bit is set to “0”, the b2 bit of 0 indicates a networking unavailable player. In addition, 16 bits (b16˜b31) for indicating the presence or absence of the streaming media playability can be defined/used in the same manner as in FIG. 6B, and the remaining unused bits (b0, b3 to b15) are used as a reserved area.

FIG. 8A˜8D are structural diagrams illustrating exemplary PSRs (Player Status Registers) contained in the reproducing device in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A shows category information of the PSRs used when data of the optical disc is reproduced by the reproducing device 10. Compared with the example shown in FIG. 7A, three PSRs shown in FIG. 8A record three different items of information, respectively, differently from FIG. 7A in which a variety of information is recorded in a single PSR. A detailed description thereof will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS. 8A˜8D.

For example, the above-mentioned three PSRs may be the PSR32 (Network Configuration) indicative of “Player Configuration for Network”, the PSR33 (Local Storage Size) indicative of “Local Storage Size for Memory” for storing downloaded data, and the PSR34 (Streaming Media Capability) indicative of “Player Capability for Streaming Media) for reproducing streaming media data.

The PSR32 (Network Configuration), the PSR33 (Local Storage Size), and the PSR34 (Streaming Media Playability) will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS. 8B˜8D.

FIG. 8B shows an exemplary register PSR32 (Network Configuration) composed of 32 bits from among all PSRs shown in FIG. 8A. Specifically, the bit (b0) from among 32 bits of the PSR32 is adapted to indicate the presence or absence of BD-J profile accommodation information indicating whether a Java program for network communication is accommodated. For example, if the b0 bit is set to “1”, the b0 bit of 1 indicates that the BD-J profile can be accommodated. If the b0 bit is set to “0”, the b0 bit of 0 indicates that the BD-J profile cannot be accommodated.

Also, the bit (b1) is adapted to determine whether a current player is a Network Equipped Player. For example, if the b1 bit is set to “1”, the b1 bit of 1 indicates a networking available player. If the b1 bit is set to “0”, the b1 bit of 0 indicates a networking unavailable player.

Furthermore, the bit (b2) is adapted to indicate network connection status. If the b2 bit is set to “1”, the b2 bit of 1 indicates a good network connection status. If the b2 bit is set to “0”, the b2 bit of 0 indicates a poor network connection status.

Seven bits (b8˜b15) from among overall bits are used to indicate a Tx speed (i.e., a data transmission speed). For example, if the 7 bits (b8˜b15) are set to “1”, it is determined that the Tx speed of a transmission end is very high. If the 7 bits (b8˜b15) are set to “0”, it is determined that data cannot be transmitted to a desired destination. If only one bit b8 from among the 7 bits (b8˜b15) is set to “1”, it is determined that the Tx speed of the transmission end is not high even if the transmission end can transmit data.

16 bits (b16˜b31) from among overall bits are adapted to indicate a Rx speed (i.e., a data reception speed). For example, if the 16 bits (b16˜b31) are set to “1”, it is determined that the Rx speed of a reception end is very high. If the 16 bits (b16˜b31) are set to “0”, it is determined that the reception end cannot receive data. If only one bit b16 is set to “1”, it is determined that the reception end can receive data at a low Rx speed. In this manner, unused bits (b3˜b7) are used as a reserved area.

FIG. 8C shows the PSR33 (Local Storage Size) composed of 32 bits from among all PSRs shown in FIG. 8A. All bits (b0˜b31) of the PSR33 are adapted to indicate the size of a storage in which data transmitted to the reproducing device over a network is stored. As can be seen from FIG. 8C, the local storage is exemplarily used as the storage, but it should be noted that a removable storage can also be used as the storage. For example, if all bits (b0˜b31) of the PSR33 are set to “0”, this means that there is no storage or the storage has no storage capacity. Therefore, although data is transmitted to the reproducing device over a network, there is no temporary storage area in the reproducing device. For example, if the bit (b0) from among all bits (b0˜b31) of the PSR33 is set to “1”, the presence of a storage capable of temporarily storing a predetermined amount of data (i.e., 1 GB) is determined. If two bits (b0 and b1) from among all bits (b0˜b31) are set to “1”, the presence of a storage capable of temporarily storing other data amount of 10 GB is determined.

FIG. 8D shows the PSR34 (Streaming Media Playability) composed of 32 bits from among the PSRs shown in FIG. 8A. 16 bits (b0˜b15) from among all bits (b0˜b31) of the PSR34 are adapted to indicate the presence or absence of the streaming media playability. For example, if only one bit b0 from among the bits (b0˜b15) is set to “1” and the remaining bits are set to “0”, the presence of the streaming media playability is determined. If all bits (b0˜b15) are set to “0” so that “0000000000000000b” is created, the absence of the streaming media playability is determined. In this manner, unused bits (b16˜b31) are used as a reserved area.

The above-mentioned preferred embodiments associated with the PSRs 171 of the playback system 17 exemplarily use the PSRs used for the BD-ROM from among a variety of discs. Therefore, the application of the above-mentioned PSRs is equally applied to the HD-DVD. In this case, the above-mentioned PSRs are defined as an SPRM in the HD-DVD.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for reproducing data received over a network according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, a disc acting as a recording medium is loaded in the reproducing device. After the disc is loaded in the reproducing device, the reproducing device determines whether a current reproducing device is a Network Equipped Player at step S100. If it is determined that the reproducing device is the No Network Equipped Player at step S100, the reproducing device reproduces high-density video data recorded in the disc at step S120.

In association with the above-mentioned description, although it is determined that the reproducing device is the Network Equipped Player at step S100, if the loaded disc is determined to be a disc (e.g., the A-type disc of FIG. 2A) having no BD-J profile for a network function, the reproducing device reproduces only high-density video data recorded in the disc.

If it is determined that the reproducing device is the Network Equipped Player at step S100, it is determined that the reproducing device is connected to a network at step S110. If it is determined that the reproducing device is not connected to the network at step S110, the reproducing device reproduces high-density video data recorded in the disc at step S120.

However, if the reproducing device is connected to the network at step S110, it is determined whether a network connection status between the reproducing device and the content provider (CP) acting as an external source has a stable connection status (i.e., a good connection status) at step S130.

If it is determined that the above-mentioned network connection status is not the stable connection status at step S130, the reproducing device reproduces only the high-density video data recorded in the disc upon receiving a command from the user, or reproduces streaming media data downloaded from an external content provider (CP) simultaneously with reproducing high-density video data recorded in the disc at step S140.

However, if it is determined that the network connection status is stable at step S130, the reproducing device reproduces streaming media data downloaded from the external CP over a network simultaneously with reproducing high-density video data recorded in the disc at step S150.

As apparent from the above description, a recording medium, and a method and apparatus for reproducing data from the recording medium according to the present invention can reproduce not only data of the recording medium but also external data received over a network.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reproducing data from a recording medium comprising:

a playback system which includes a memory unit equipped with network configuration information, and reproduces data downloaded over a network and data recorded in the recording medium; and

a controller for receiving a command from a user, and controlling the playback system according to the received user command.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory unit includes at least one Player Status Register (PSR).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one PSR further includes streaming media playability information.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one PSR further includes specific information indicating whether a Java profile can be reproduced.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one PSR further includes player version information.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one PSR further includes storage size information.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the storage is indicative of a local storage.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one PSR further includes data transmission speed information of the local storage.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the storage is indicative of a removable storage.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one PSR further includes data transmission speed (i.e., Tx speed) information of the removable storage.

11. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one PSR includes data transmission speed (i.e., Tx speed) information of a player.

12. A method for reproducing data from a recording medium comprising the steps of:

a) recognizing a network status by referring to network configuration information recorded in a memory unit;

b) if the network status is determined to be a network available status, downloading data from an external part over a network; and

c) simultaneously reproducing the downloaded data and data recorded in the recording medium, or selectively reproducing the downloaded data and the data recorded in the recording medium.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the memory unit includes at least one Player Status Register (PSR).

14. A recording medium comprising:

a program area including a program, which determines whether a player is able to perform a network function and recognizes a network status.

15. The recording medium according to claim 14, wherein the recording medium is indicative of a Blu-ray Disc (BD).

16. The recording medium according to claim 14, wherein the recording medium is indicative of a HD-DVD (High Definition DVD).

17. The recording medium according to claim 14, wherein the program area is contained in a management area of the recording medium.

18. The recording medium according to claim 14, wherein the program is contained in a stream area of the recording medium.

19. The recording medium according to claim 14, wherein the program is indicative of a Java program.