[DESCRIPTION]

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING DATA, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECORDING DATA

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reproducing data received from a content provider, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for reproducing data, a recording medium, and a method and apparatus for recording data in the recording medium.

Background 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) and a High- Definition Digital Versatile Disc (HD-DVD), etc.

The BD or HD-DVD 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 or HD-DVD along with those of other digital devices.

In association with the above-mentioned situation, there has recently been developed an optical recording/reproducing apparatus based on the BD or HD-DVD international standard, but the BD international standard has not yet been completed, such that many limitations and problems occur in developing the optical recording/reproducing apparatus .

The copyright of the content provider (CP) must be legally protected from others. However, indeed, most content data of the content provider (CP) are being illegally copied by fraudulent users without permission of the content provider (CP) , and are being illegally distributed to unauthorized users.

In association with a method for reproducing an external input signal and data of a high-density recording medium, a method for protecting content data received from the content provider (CP) , and a method for reproducing content data for use in the above-mentioned content-data protecting method have not yet been established, such that many limitations and problems occur in developing an optical recording/reproducing apparatus based on the high- density recording medium.

Disclosure of Invention

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

An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a recording medium, and a method and apparatus for reproducing/recording data from/in the recording medium, such that the content provider (CP) can more effectively control a region or country at which content data is reproduced. Another object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a recording medium, and a method and apparatus for reproducing/recording data from/in the recording medium, such that the content provider (CP) can establish a specific period during which the recording/reproducing of content data is not allowed using the period information.

A further object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a recording medium, and a method and apparatus for reproducing/recording data from/in the recording medium, which can allow the content provider (CP)

to dynamically control content distribution regions, such that the content provider (CP) can adjust a control period of the content data, thereby effectively protecting content data from being exposed to fraudulent users who desire to illegally copy or distribute the content data.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

A method and apparatus for reproducing data, a recording medium, and a method and apparatus for recording data 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.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an optical recording/reproducing apparatus and peripheral devices according to the present invention. Unified usages of the optical recording/reproducing 10 and peripheral devices are shown in FIG. 1.

The optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 can record/reproduce data in/from various optical discs having different formats. If necessary, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 can record/reproduce specific data in/from only a specific optical disc such as a BD or HD-DVD, or can reproduce the data from the optical disc without recording the data in the same. It should be noted that the present invention exemplarily uses an optical-disc player capable of reproducing data from the BD or an optical-disc recorder capable of recording data in the BD in consideration of correlation between the optical disc and peripheral devices for the convenience of description.

It is well known in the art that the optical recording/reproduction device 10 is also applicable to a drive embedded in a specific device such as a computer.

The optical recording/reproducing apparatus 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 DMB (Digital

Multimedia Broadcasting) -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 optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10, and can use the downloaded data.

For the convenience of description, data recorded in the recording medium is referred to as "original data", data associated with the recording medium from among a plurality of data units stored in the storage is referred to as "additional data". Detailed descriptions of the original data and the additional data will hereinafter be described in detail. 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. For the convenience of description, although a signal recorded in the disc is referred to as original data, and other signals existing in the outside of the disc are referred to as additional data, it should be noted that the original data and the additional data are not limited to any specific data.

In other words, data associated with the original data simultaneously existing in the outside of the optical disc may act as additional data.

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

The term "Content" is indicative of content data of the title, and is equal to data received from an author of a recording medium or the content provider (CP) . According to the present invention, the content data can be classified into high-resolution video data, high- quality audio data, standard content data, and advanced content data. The standard content data is indicative of an extended version of content defined in a conventional recording medium for some new functions. The advanced

content is indicative of an extended version of video- and audio- data implemented by the standard content data, and implements higher inactivity.

In association with the above-mentioned description, the term "Title" acting as a single complete content unit is indicative of a reproduction unit interfacing with a user. Each title may be selected by a title menu, or may be indicated by a title number.

For the convenience of description, provided that a specific title from among several titles, each of which records MPEG-based high-quality moving images therein, supports a seamless multi-angle, a multi-story, a language credit, and a director cut, etc., this specific title is referred to as a movie title. If a specific title from _ among several titles including the high-quality moving images includes data composed of either "iHD" or a "Java program", this specific title is called an interactive title. In this case, the "iHD" or the Java program supports either the update of a title included in the recording medium or a network connection, such that it implements high interactivity. The movie title may correspond to the standard content data, and the interactive title may correspond to the advanced content data. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the optical

recording/reproducing apparatus 10 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 includes a pickup unit 11, a servo unit 14, a signal processor 13, a memory 15, and a microcomputer 16.

The pickup unit 11 reads original 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 memory 15 stores a variety of information required for reproducing/recording data from/in the optical disc.

The microcomputer 16 controls operations of the above-mentioned components, i.e., the pickup unit 11, the signal processor 13, the servo unit 14, and the memory 15.

In brief, the pickup unit 11, all of the servo unit 14, the signal processor 13, the memory 15, and the microcomputer 16 may also be referred to as a recording/reproducing unit. From the viewpoint of data reproduction, the above-

mentioned recording/reproducing unit reads data from the optical disc 30 or the storage 19 according to a control signal of the controller 12, and transmits the read data to the decoder 17. In other words, from the viewpoint of the data reproduction, the recording/reproducing unit acts as a data player (or reading unit) for reading data.

From the viewpoint of data record, the above- mentioned recording/reproducing unit receives the signal encoded by the AV encoder 18, and records video- or audio- data in the optical disc 30, such that it can act as a data recorder.

In association with the above-mentioned description, the term "storage" 19 is indicative of a storage unit included in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10. In more detail, the term "storage" is indicative of a component capable of allowing a user to freely store/use necessary information or data. Data having persistency may be stored in the storage 19. There are a variety of general storages, for example, a flash memory included in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10, a USB memory capable of being detachably connected to the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10, a Hard Disc Drive (HDD) memory, and a memory card.

The storage 19 may also be used as a storage unit for storing data associated with the recording medium (e.g.,

BD or HD-DVD) . Although the data associated with the recording medium may be generally downloaded from an external part, it should be noted that the above-mentioned data may be directly read from the recording medium and be stored in the storage 19 as necessary.

The above-mentioned optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 includes the controller for controlling the recording/reproducing unit. The controller 12 controls all the components of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10, controls a method for reproducing data from the recording medium by interfacing with the user, and controls a method for downloading data existing in the outside of the recording medium according to a user command.

In association with the above-mentioned description, the controller 12 and the microcomputer 12 may be separated from each other, such that they can be operated independent of each other. If necessary, the controller 12 and the microcomputer 16 may be integrated in a single control unit. The control unit may be implemented with software and/or hardware of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10.

For the convenience of description, the controller

12 and/or the microcomputer 16 may be generically referred to as the control unit, and a detailed description of the present invention including the control unit will hereinafter be described in detail.

The control unit reproduces the original data stored in the recording medium and/or the additional data downloaded in the storage upon receiving a request from the user. The AV decoder 17 finally decodes data of the recording medium and/or data of the storage 19 into output data according to a control signal of the control unit, and provides the user with the decoded result. The AV decoder 17 may be composed of several decoders according to data categories.

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 control unit 12, and transmits the converted result to the signal processor 13, such that it can record the signal in the optical disc.

The memory 15 stores a configuration parameter (e.g., audio language) of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10. The configuration parameter is not changed by a navigation command. The region coder or the country code may be the configuration parameter.

In association with the above-mentioned description, the control unit according to the present invention compares region code(s) included in the region map with the country code stored in the memory, and determines whether to reproduce data from the recording medium according to

the result of the comparison. Also, the control unit compares country code included in the region map with the country code stored in the memory, and determines whether to reproduce data from the recording medium according to the result of the comparison.

While content data is recorded in the recording medium, the control unit according to the present invention generates a region map for the content data and/or reproduction restriction period information, and controls the recording unit, such that data is recorded in the recording medium.

In association with the above-mentioned description, the present invention aims to provide a method and apparatus for preventing content data from being illegally copied/distributed, a method for reproducing content data for use in the above-mentioned method, and a recording medium for storing the content data.

The present invention largely divides the world into a few regions, and allows the content provider (CP) to establish a specific region in which content data will be reproduced, thereby protecting the content data from others .

FIG. 3 exemplarily shows a plurality of regions (e.g., 6 regions) of the world according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, each of six regions includes at

least one country, and region codes are allocated to individual regions, respectively.

The content provider (CP) and a manufacturer of the recording/reproducing apparatus determine content data and execution regions of the recording/reproducing apparatus according to the above-mentioned region categories, and store corresponding region codes in the recording medium and the recording/reproducing apparatus. In this case, the region code is indicative of a specific area in which the reproduction of the content data is allowed,

For example, if the content provider (CP) sets the content reproduction area to a first region 1 (Region 1) , the content provider (CP) provides region information including a region code (i.e., Region code 1) corresponding to the first region 1 along with the content data.

The content data can be reproduced or copied by the optical recording/reproducing apparatus including the region code "1", and cannot be reproduced by another optical recording/reproducing apparatus including other region codes other than the region code ^Xλ l".

The content provider (CP) configures content data having different reproduction capabilities (e.g., image- quality, sound quality, volume, and contents, etc.) according to individual regions, and may distribute corresponding content data to the individual regions. In

other words, the content provider (CP) may establish the content distribution policy using region codes of individual regions, and restricts the content reproduction within a dangerous region having the high possibility of illegally copying content data, thereby protecting the content data.

In association with the above-mentioned description, the present invention aims to provide a method for allowing the content provider (CP) to more conveniently manage his or her content data. In order to implement the above- mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a method for establishing a content reproduction area using a region map.

The term "region map" of the present invention is indicative of region information capable of allowing the content provider (CP) to group several regions so as to establish a greater region.

According to the region map of the present invention, the content provider (CP) can establish only one content- reproduction-allowed region for each content data, and can also establish several content-reproduction-allowed regions for each content data.

If the content provider (CP) divides the content- protection policy into three steps and desires to configure content data corresponding to each step, detailed

descriptions will hereinafter be described with reference to FIG. 3.

For the convenience of description, it is assumed that first content data to be distributed to a first region 1/ a second region 2, and a fifth region 5 is referred to as "Content 1", second content data to be distributed to a third region 3 and a sixth region 6 is referred to as "Content 2", and third content data to be distributed to a fourth region 4 is referred to as "Content 3". The above- mentioned assumption is exemplarily used for only the explanation of the present invention, and it should be noted that the above-mentioned regions may also be grouped in different ways according to the content provision policy of the content provider (CP) . If only one region can be established for only one content data, the content provider (CP) must separately configure region information for the first region 1' s reproduction, region information for the second region 2's reproduction, and region information for the fifth region 5' s reproduction in order to distribute the Content 1. If the content provider (CP) desires to distribute the above- mentioned content 1 recorded in the disc, he or she may manufacture three discs (i.e., a first disc including the region code of the region 1, a second disc including the region code of the region 2, and a third disc including the

region code of the region 5) .

However, according to the region map of the present invention, a single region map including the region code "1", the region code "2", and the region code "5" is configured for the above-mentioned Content 1, and is then distributed. In other words, in the case of using the above-mentioned region map, only one kind of disc is required for recording/distributing the Content 1 in the disc.

FIGS. 4A~4B show exemplary region maps, each of

which includes at least one reproduction-allowed region according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the content provider (CP) determines whether data reproduction is allowed at each of the divided regions, and can configure the region map by referring to the determined result.

For example, if the content provider (CP) desires to distribute the Content 1, he or she sets the value of 1 to each of the regions 1, 2, and 5, sets the value of 0 to the remaining regions other than the regions 1, 2, and 5, and completes the region map, such that the content provider (CP) may store the completed region map along with the Content 1 in the recording medium. The above-mentioned regions may be indicated by corresponding region codes. In association with the above-mentioned description,

the above-mentioned region map may include a field corresponding to a region free mode. If the content provider (CP) desires to allow the reproduction of the Content 1 at all the regions, the value of 1 may be assigned to a field corresponding to the region free mode. In other words, if the region free field is set to the value of 1, the reproduction of the Content 1 is allowed at

first to sixth regions 1—6.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for reproducing data using a region map according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 for loading the recording medium equipped with the Content 1 checks the region map stored in the recording medium at step SIlO, and determines whether the region stored in the memory 15 of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10- is indicative of a region in which the data reproduction is allowed at step S120. In more detail, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 determines whether the region code (i.e., a region code of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus) stored in the memory 15 is included in region code(s) having the value of 1 on the region map at step S120. If the region free mode of the region map is set to

the value of "1", or the region code stored in the memory 15 is any one of the region code 1, the region code 2, and the region code 5, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 reproduces the Content 1 from the recording medium at step S130.

Otherwise, if the region free mode of the region map is set to the value of "0", or the region code of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is any one of the region code 3, the region code 4, and the region code 6, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 restricts the Content 1 from being reproduced at step S140.

In this case, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 may inform the user of a warning message indicating the inconsistency between region codes associated with the recording medium at step S150.

In order to control the region restriction period of content data, the present invention provides region restriction period information indicative of a reproduction restriction period. If necessary, the content provider (CP) may desire to control the content data according to individual periods. For example, if a predetermined period of time elapses while reproducing the content data at only a specific region, the content provider (CP) may allow the content data to be reproduced at all the regions irrespective of

regions. On the contrary, if a predetermined period of time elapses- while content data is reproduced at all the regions, the content provider (CP) may desire to reproduce the content data at only the specific region. The present invention includes region restriction period information, such that it can allow the content provider (CP) to control a reproduction available time of content data for each region.

FIGS. 6A-- 6B exemplarily show region restriction-

periods according to the present invention.

FIG. 6A exemplarily shows a first case in which the region map 100 includes region restriction period information. FIG. 6B exemplarily shows a second case in which region restriction period information is provided separately from the region map 100.

The above-mentioned first case in which the region map 100 includes region restriction period information will hereinafter be described with reference to FIG. 6A.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the region map 100 includes a plurality of division regions. Each division region may include first information 100a indicating whether data reproduction is allowed or not and region restriction period information 200a indicating a specific period during which a reproduction restriction is released from a corresponding region.

The above-mentioned region restriction period information 200a may be given as restriction-release time information, or may be given as a date. Alternatively, the above-mentioned region restriction period information 200a may be indicative of a reproduction-restriction duration time calculated by a variety of components (i.e., a manufactured date of content data, an initial reproduction time of content data, and a distribution date of content data, etc . ) . For the convenience of description, a specific case in which a reproduction-restriction release date is used as the above-mentioned region restriction period information will exemplarily described in detail.

For example, the content provider (CP) may set the value of 1 to each of the region 1, the region 2, and the region 5, thereby distributing the Content 1 to the above- mentioned regions 1, 2, and 5. In this case, the Content 1 is not reproduced at other regions 3, 4, and 6.

The content provider (CP) may use reproduction- restriction release dates of the aforementioned reproduction-restricted regions as the region restriction period information 200a, such that the reproduction- restriction release dates acting as the region restriction period information 200a may be included in the region map 100.

The content provider (CP) sets a restriction-release date at the region restriction period information associated with the region free code, such that the Content 1 can be reproduced from all the regions at the above- mentioned date. Different region restriction periods may be assigned to the region 3, the region 4, and the region 6.

In association with the above-mentioned description, a default value may be set at the regions 1, 2, and 5, each of which includes the value of 1, in the region map 100. In other words, the default value is set at the region restriction period information field 200a associated with reproduction-allowed regions .

The above-mentioned second case in which region restriction period information exists separately from the region map 100 will hereinafter be described with reference to FIG. 6B.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the second case may provide not only the region map 100 including at least one reproduction-allowed region, but also region-restriction period information 200b indicating a reproduction- restriction release date of each region. For example, the content provider (CP) may provide the Content 1 via the recording medium, and at the same time may record the region map 100 and the region restriction period information 200b in the recording medium. In this case,

the region map 100 includes the region code 1, the region code 2, and the region code 5, and the region restriction period information 200b includes a data for releasing reproduction restriction of reproduction-unallowed regions. In association with the above-mentioned description, the content provider (CP) may establish a release date of each of the reproduction-unallowed regions 3, 4, and 6, or may simultaneously release the reproduction restriction of the above-mentioned regions 3, 4, and 6 using the region free code.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method for reproducing data using region map information and region restriction period information according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, if the recording medium including the Content 1 is loaded, the control unit checks the region map stored in the recording medium at step S210, and determines whether a setup region of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is included in reproduction-allowed region (s) of the region map at step S220.

For example, if the setup region of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is determined to be any one of the reproduction-allowed regions 1, 2, and 5 of the region map, the Content 1 stored in the recording medium is

reproduced at step S230. Otherwise, if the setup region of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is determined to be any one of other regions 3, 4, and 6 of the region map, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 determines the presence or absence of the region restriction period information.

If the presence of the region restriction period information is determined, the control unit determines whether a reproduction restriction period to the setup region of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 expires at step S250.

If the reproduction restriction period has expired, the Content 1 is reproduced at step S230. Otherwise, if the reproduction restriction period has not expired, the Content 1 is not reproduced at step S240. If the reproduction restriction period has not expired, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 may display a warning message indicating whether a current region is not equal to the reproduction-allowed region, or may display another warning message indicating whether the reproduction restriction period has not expired at step S260.

With the increasing development of a high-capacity recording medium, a plurality of titles can be stored in a single recording medium. Therefore, a reproduction-allowed region and/or a region restriction period are/is not

established for each recording medium, and there may arise another request capable of establishing a reproduction- allowed region and/or region restriction period for each title of single recording medium. In order to satisfy the above-mentioned request, it should be noted that the present invention may establish reproduction-allowed region (s), and/or region restriction period for each title.

FIGS. 8A~8C exemplarily show a region map including

reproduction-allowed region (s) for each title and region restriction period information according to the present

invention. In more detail, FIGS. 8α~8B show a specific

case in which the region restriction period information is included in the region map, and FIG. 8C shows another case in which the region restriction period information is provided separately from the region map.

Referring to FIG. 8A, each title of the region map may include a reproduction-allowed region and region- restriction period information indicating a date at which the reproduction restriction is released. For example, the content provider (CP) controls the title 1 to be reproduced at the region 1 using the region map, controls the title 2 to be reproduced at the region 2 using the region map, and controls the title 3 to be reproduced at the region 3 using

the region map. In addition, each title may include the region restriction period information 200a.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the content provider (CP) may control the title 1 to be reproduced at the regions 1 and 2. In other words, the content provider (CP) may establish a plurality of reproduction-allowed region for each title using the region map 100 as necessary.

Referring to FIG. 8C, the region restriction period information 200c for each title may be provided separately from the region map 100. The content provider (CP) may configure the region restriction period information 200c having different reproduction-restriction release dates for each region associated with a single title, as denoted by

"208c" in FIG. 8C. For example, provided that the title I's reproduction is allowed at the regions 1 and 2, a reproduction-restriction release date of each region 3, 4,

5, or 6 may be established.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for reproducing data using not only the region map including at least one reproduction-allowed area for each title, but also the region restriction period information for each title according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, a specific case in which the region code of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus

10 is set to "1" (i.e., the region 1 is established at the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10) will be exemplarily described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 9, the user may select one of several titles included in the recording medium via the user interface such as a menu at step S310. The control unit checks the region map 100 using the recording medium at step S320, and determines whether the selected title is allowed to be reproduced by the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 at step S330. In other words, the control unit determines whether the region code of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is included in reproduction-allowed region code(s) of the selected title at step S330. If the region code set in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus is included in the region code(s) of the selected title, the selected title is reproduced at step S340.

Referring to FIG. 8B, if the region code set in the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is determined to be "1", the title 1 and the title 2 can be reproduced at the region 1, such that the titles 1 and 2 can be reproduced by the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10.

However, if the title 3 is determined to be a title to be reproduced, the title 3 can be reproduced at only the

region 2, such that the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 can determine whether the title 3's reproduction-restriction period associated with the region 1 expires at step S360. If the title 3's reproduction-restriction period associated with the region 1 has expired, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 can reproduce the title 3 at step S340. However, if the title 3's reproduction- restriction period associated with the region 1 has not expired, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 restricts the reproduction of the title 3 at step S350. If required, the warning message may also be displayed at step S370.

In association with the present invention, each of the division regions includes at least one country. Although several countries are included in the same region, it should be noted that individual countries may request to establish different content protection policies. In order to implement the above-mentioned request, the present invention allows the content provider (CP) to control a content reproduction for each country using country information. The above-mentioned country information may be indicative of a unique country code assigned to each country. A detailed description of the above-mentioned case

in which the country information is equal to the country code will hereinafter be described in detail.

The optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 according to the present invention stores the country code in the memory 15, compares the country code included in the memory 15 with another country code stored in the recording medium, and controls the reproduction of content data according to the result of the comparison.

A specific case, in which the region 1 includes

countries 1~3, the region 2 includes countries 4~5, and

the region 3 includes countries 6~9, will be exemplarily

described.

FIGS. 10A—10E exemplarily show region maps, each of

which includes specific data indicating reproduction- allowed country information, from among several reproduction-allowed countries according to the present invention.

FIG. 1OA shows an exemplary case in which the region map 100 includes specific information indicating whether a

reproduction for individual countries (i.e., Countries 1~3

and Countries 6~8) included in the reproduction-allowed

region (i.e., Regions 1 and 3) is allowed.

FIG. 1OB shows an exemplary case in which the region map 100 further includes country restriction period

information 300a indicating that reproduction restriction of at least one reproduction-unallowed country from among

the above-mentioned countries (i.e., Countries 1~3 and

Countries 6~8) is released.

The above-mentioned country restriction period information 300a may be assigned to each country. The default value may be assigned to the reproduction-allowed country.

FIG. 1OC shows an exemplary case, in which the region map 100 includes reproduction-allowed countries

(i.e., Country 1, Country 3, and Countries β~7) from among

several countries (Countries 1~3 and Countries 6~8)

included in the reproduction-allowed region (i.e., Region 1 and Region 3) , and country restriction period information 300b of the reproduction-unallowed countries (Country 2 and

Countries 8~9) is separated from the region map 100.

FIG. 1OD shows an exemplary case, in which the region map 100, the region restriction period information 200b associated with the reproduction-unallowed regions

(Region 2 and Regions 4~6), and the country restriction

period information 300b associated with the reproduction-

unallowed countries (Country 3 and Countries 8~-~9) are

separated from each other. In this case, the region map 100 includes specific information indicating the

reproduction-allowed regions (i.e., Regions 1 and 3), and a plurality of reproduction-allowed countries (i.e., Country

1, 3, 6, and 7) from among countries (i.e., countries 1 — 3

and countries 6~8) included in the reproduction-allowed

regions.

The country restriction period information 300a or

300b of FIGS. lOA— lOD may be assigned to each country.

Country restriction period information is assigned to a country free mode, such that the country restriction period information 300a capable of simultaneously releasing the reproduction restriction of all the reproduction-unallowed countries may also be established.

FIG. 1OE shows an exemplary case, in which the region map 100 includes reproduction-unallowed countries

(i.e., Country 2 and Countries 8~9) from among countries

(i.e., Country 1~3 and Countries 6~8) included in the

reproduction-allowed regions (i.e., Region 1 and Region 3), and the region map 10 further includes the country restriction period information 300a indicating a reproduction-restriction release period of the reproduction-unallowed countries. Needless to say, it should be noted ■ that the above-mentioned country restriction period information for the reproduction- unallowed countries may not be included in the region map,

and may be configured separately from the region map.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for reproducing data using a region map equipped with reproduction-allowed country information according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, if data of the recording medium is loaded, the control unit checks the region map of the recording medium at step S410, checks a region code stored in the memory 15, and determines whether the setup region of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is included in the reproduction-allowed region (s) of the region map at step S420. If it is determined that the setup region of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is not included in the reproduction-allowed region (s) of the region map at step S420, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 determines whether the region restriction period of the setup region of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus has expired using the region restriction period information at step S430. If it is determined that the region restriction period of the setup region of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus has not expired, the reproduction of content data of the recording medium is restricted at step S490. If necessary, a warning message is displayed at step S440.

If the above-mentioned region restriction period has expired, the control unit checks the country code stored in the memory 15, and determines whether the setup country of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is included in reproduction-allowed countries of the region map at step S450.

For example, the control unit determines whether the country code stored in the memory 15 is included in the country code(s) indicating the reproduction-allowed state of the region map at step S450. If it is determined that the country code stored in the memory 15 is included in the country code(s) indicating the reproduction-allowed state of the region map at step S450, content data of the recording medium is reproduced at step S480. If it is determined that the reproduction is not allowed at the region map, the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 determines whether the country restriction period of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus has expired using the country restriction period information at step S460.

If the country restriction period of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 has expired, content data of the recording medium is reproduced at step S480. If the country restriction period of the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10 has not expired, the

reproduction of the content data of the recording medium is restricted at step S490. If necessary, the warning message is displayed at step S470.

In association with the above-mentioned description,

FIGS. 10A~-ll show the method for determining whether

content data can be reproduced for each country by referring to country information, however, it should be noted that the country information may also be used to vary the reproduction result for each country. For example, the present invention may determine whether high-definition content images or standard- definition content images will be displayed for each country of a specific reproduction-allowed region.

In association with the above-mentioned description, the country information and/or the country restriction period information may be defined for each title.

If the country information and/or the country restriction period information are/is defined for each recording medium, data reproduction of the recording medium is restricted/released at a specific country.

However, if the country information and/or the country restriction period information are/is defined for each title, the data reproduction can be controlled for each title stored in a single recording medium. FIG. 12 is a structural diagram illustrating a data

record structure of an optical disc acting as a recording medium according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 12, from the viewpoint of an inner area of the disc, the above-mentioned disc structure sequentially includes a file system information area serving as system information for managing overall files; a database area for recording an index file, an object file, a playlist file, a clip-info file, and a metadata file to reproduce a recorded AV stream (*.m2ts); and a stream area (or data area) for recording a plurality of streams composed of audio data, video data, and graphic data, or a

JAR file.

A specific area for recording file information to reproduce content data included in the data area is referred to as a management area. The file system information area and the database area correspond to the management area.

In association with the above-mentioned description, the region map, the region restriction period information, and/or the country restriction period information can be recorded in the database area.

However, the individual areas of FIG. 12 have been proposed as only an example of the present invention, and it should be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited to arrangement structures of the individual

areas of FIG. 12, and can be applicable to other examples as necessary.

Therefore, a secure area for storing content- protection information additionally exists, such that the secure area may include the region map, the region restriction period information and/or the country restriction period information.

Content data of the present invention is stored in the disc, may then be provided to the optical recording/reproducing apparatus 10, and may also be downloaded over the Internet. Also, the region map, the region restriction period information, and/or the country restriction period information may be downloaded separately from the content data. As apparent from the above description, a recording medium, and a method and apparatus for reproducing/recording data from/in the recording medium according to the present invention may designate a plurality of regions at which content data can be reproduced using the region map, thereby more effectively controlling the distribution of content data.

The present invention can allow the content provider (CP) to control a reproduction restriction period of content data using the region restriction period information, thereby dynamically managing the distributed

content data.

The present invention can restrict content data from being reproduced country for each country included in the reproduction-allowed region, and can assign different reproduction restriction periods to individual countries, such that it can assign different content protection policies to the individual countries.

The present invention can define a reproduction- allowed region, a region restriction period, and/or a country restriction period for each title, such that it can establish different protection policies according to individual titles.

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 invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Brief Description of Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments 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 an optical recording/reproducing apparatus and peripheral devices according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an optical recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 exemplarily shows a plurality of regions (e.g., 6 regions) of the world according to the present invention;

FIGS. 4A~4B show exemplary region maps, each of

which includes at least one reproduction-allowed region according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for reproducing data using a region map according to the present invention;

FIGS. 6A~6B exemplarily show region restriction

periods according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method for reproducing data using region map information and region restriction period information according to the present invention;

FIGS. 8A~8C exemplarily show a region map including

reproduction-allowed region (s) for each title and region restriction period information according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for reproducing data using not only the region map including at least one reproduction-allowed area for each title, but also the region restriction period information for each title according to the present invention;

FIGS. 10A~10E exemplarily show region maps, each of

which includes specific data indicating reproduction- allowed country information, from among several reproduction-allowed countries according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for reproducing data using a region map equipped with reproduction-allowed country information according to the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a structural diagram illustrating a data record structure of an optical disc acting as a recording medium according to the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a method for reproducing data recorded in a recording medium comprising: reading a region map in which

at least one reproduction-allowed region is defined, from the recording medium; determining whether a setup region of a reproduction apparatus is included in the reproduction- allowed region defined in the region map; and determining whether to reproduce the data recorded in the recording medium according to the determined result.

The method can comprise: if the setup region of the reproduction apparatus is included in the reproduction- allowed region, determining whether a setup country of the reproduction apparatus is included in at least one reproduction-allowed country defined in the region map.

The method can comprise: if the setup country of the reproduction apparatus is not included in the reproduction- allowed country, determining whether a country restriction period to the setup country of the reproduction apparatus is expired, and determining whether to reproduce the recorded data according to the expiration or non-expiration result .

The method can comprise: if the setup region of the reproduction apparatus is not included in the reproduction- allowed region, determining whether a region restriction period to the setup region of the reproduction apparatus is expired; and determining whether to reproduce the recorded data according to the expiration or non-expiration result. The method can comprise: if the region restriction

period is expired, determining whether a setup country of the reproduction apparatus is included in at least one reproduction-allowed country defined in the region map.

The method can comprise: if the setup country of the reproduction apparatus is not included in the reproduction- allowed country, determining whether a country restriction period to the setup country of the reproduction apparatus is expired, and determining whether to reproduce the recorded data according to the expiration or non-expiration result.

The reproduction-allowed region included in the region map can be defined for each title recorded in the recording medium.

In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is an apparatus for reproducing data recorded in a recording medium comprising: a reading unit reading data from the recording medium; and a control unit controlling the reading unit to read a region map, in which at least one reproduction-allowed region is defined, from the recording medium, determining whether a setup region of a reproduction apparatus is included in the reproduction- allowed region defined in the region map, and determining whether to reproduce the data recorded in the recording medium according to the determined result.

In a further aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a recording medium comprising: a stream area for storing data; and a database area for storing a region map in which at least one reproduction-allowed region is defined.

In a further aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a method for recording data in a recording medium comprising: generating a region map in which at least one reproduction-allowed region is defined; and recording the region map in the recording medium.

In a further aspect of the present invention, provided herein is an apparatus for recording data in a recording medium comprising: a recording unit recording data in the recording medium; and a control unit for generating a region map in which at least one reproduction- allowed region is defined, and controlling the recorder to record the region map in the recording medium.

The above-mentioned best modes are presented for describing the present invention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention is not limited in the above-mentioned best modes.

The present invention provides a recording medium, and a method and apparatus for reproducing/recording data from/in the recording medium; such that the content

provider (CP) can more effectively control a region or country at which content data is reproduced.

The content provider (CP) can establish a specific period during which the recording/reproducing of content data is not allowed using the period information.

Therefore, the present invention can allow the content provider (CP) to dynamically control content distribution regions, such that the content provider (CP) can adjust a control period of the content data. As a result, the present invention can effectively protect content data from being exposed to fraudulent users who desire to illegally copy or distribute the content data.

Industrial Applicability 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 invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.