Reproducing apparatus, reproducing method, program, program storage medium, data delivery system, data structure, and manufacturing method of recording medium

The reproducing apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising:

• a data acquisition mechanism configured to acquire the second data group from outside the reproduction apparatus;
• a recording control mechanism configured to control the recording of the second data group acquired by the data acquisition mechanism onto the second recording medium;
• and
• a reading mechanism configured to read the first data group from the first recording medium loaded on the reproduction apparatus,
• wherein the recording control mechanism controls the recording of the second data group acquired by the data acquisition mechanism onto the second recording medium built in the reproducing apparatus or loaded on the reproducing apparatus, in accordance with the recording medium path information contained in the manifest file, and
• wherein the first data group is read from the first recording medium loaded on the reproducing apparatus by the reading mechanism, or is read from the first recording medium loaded on the reproducing apparatus by the reading mechanism, recorded on the second recording medium in an area thereof different from the area having recorded the second recording group, and then read from the second recording medium.

The reproducing apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising:

• a data recording management mechanism configured to manage the recording or deletion of the second data group on the second recording medium;
• and
• an operation input acquisition mechanism configured to acquire an operation input from a user,
• wherein the data recording management mechanism deletes at least part of data contained in the second data group recorded on the second recording medium in response to the operation input by the user and acquired by the operation input acquisition mechanism, and
• wherein the virtual file system generating mechanism re-generates the virtual file system based on the manifest file if the data recording management mechanism deletes at least part of the data contained in the second data group.

The reproducing apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising:

• a communication mechanism configured to exchange information with a predetermined information processing apparatus via a network;
• and
• an information display control mechanism configured to control the displaying of information assisting the user in operation,
• wherein the data recording management mechanism transmits, to the predetermined information processing apparatus via the communication mechanism, information indicating the status of the virtual file system generated by the virtual file system generating mechanism when the operation input acquisition mechanism has acquired a command to delete the data contained in the second data group recorded on the second recording medium,
• wherein the communication mechanism receives, from the predetermined information processing apparatus, a list of deletable data out of the data contained in the second data group recorded on the second recording medium;
• wherein the information display control mechanism controls the displaying of the list of deletable data received by the communication mechanism;
• and
• wherein the data recording management mechanism deletes at least part of the data contained in the second data group recorded on the second recording medium, in response to the operation input of the user who has referenced the list of deletable data acquired by the operation input acquisition mechanism and displayed under the control of the information display control mechanism.

The reproducing apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising a communication mechanism configured to exchange information with a predetermined information processing apparatus via a network,

• wherein the virtual file system generating mechanism determines whether a malfunction is to be caused in the virtual file system in response to the deletion of the at least part of data contained in the first data group recorded on the second recording medium,
• wherein the virtual file system generating mechanism extracts data required to fix the malfunction if the virtual file system generating mechanism determines that the malfunction is to be caused in response to the deletion, and requests the predetermined information processing apparatus via the communication mechanism to transmit data required to fix the malfunction,
• wherein the communication mechanism receives the data required to fix the malfunction from the predetermined information processing apparatus, and
• wherein the data recording management mechanism controls the recording of the data, required to fix the malfunction and received by the communication mechanism, onto the second recording mechanism.

A reproducing method of a reproducing apparatus for reproducing an audio-visual stream file using a first data group recorded on a first recording medium and a second data group recorded on a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, the reproducing method comprising steps of:

• acquiring a manifest file, the manifest file containing recording medium path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group on the second recording medium, and virtual file system path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a virtual file system;
• generating the virtual file system by mapping at least part of the second data group to the first data group in accordance with the virtual file system path information, said mapping including a conversion of file name, the first data group being managed in a directory structure containing an audio-visual stream directory managing the audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file;
• and
• reproducing the audio-visual stream file managed in the audio-visual stream directory of the virtual file system, in accordance with the recording medium path information and the reproduction control file managed in the reproduction control file directory of the virtual file system.

A program storage medium having computer readable instructions that when executed by a processor perform steps comprising:

• controlling the acquisition of a manifest file, the manifest file containing recording medium path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group on the second recording medium, and virtual file system path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a virtual file system;
• generating the virtual file system by mapping at least part of the second data group to the first data group in accordance with the virtual file system path information, said mapping including a conversion of file name, the first data group being managed in a directory structure containing an audio-visual stream directory managing the audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file;
• and
• reproducing the audio-visual stream file managed in the audio-visual stream directory of the virtual file system, in accordance with the recording medium path information and the reproduction control file managed in the reproduction control file directory of the virtual file system.

A data structure of a manifest file as management information for linking and reproducing a first data group recorded on a first recording medium and a second data group recorded on a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, the manifest file comprising:

• recording medium path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a file system of the second recording medium recording the second data group, and
• virtual file system path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a virtual file system;
• the manifest file being acquired by a reproducing apparatus, the reproducing apparatus generating the virtual file system by mapping at least part of the second data group to the first data group in accordance with the virtual file system path information, said mapping including a conversion of file name, the first data group being managed in a directory structure containing an audio-visual stream directory managing the audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file, and
• reproducing the audio-visual stream file managed in the audio-visual stream directory of the virtual file system, in accordance with the recording medium path information and the reproduction control file managed in the reproduction control file directory of the virtual file system.

A data structure of management data for linking and reproducing a first data group recorded on a first recording medium and a second data group recorded on a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, the management data comprising:

• a manifest file containing recording medium path information indicating a path of a file in a file system of the second recording medium having recorded the second data group, and virtual file system path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a virtual file system;
• and
• a play list file, different from the manifest file, managing as a reproduction control file the linking and reproduction of the first data group and the second data group in accordance with the path in the virtual file system,
• the manifest file and the play list file being acquired and used by a reproducing apparatus, the reproducing apparatus generating the virtual file system by mapping at least part of the second data group to the first data group in accordance with the virtual file system path information, said mapping including a conversion of file name, the first data group being managed in a directory structure containing an audio-visual stream directory managing the audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing the reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file, and
• reproducing the audio-visual stream file managed in the audio-visual stream directory of the virtual file system, in accordance with the recording medium path information and the reproduction control file managed in the reproduction control file directory of the virtual file system.

A method of manufacturing a recording medium recording a manifest file to be supplied to a reproducing apparatus to link and reproduce a first data group recorded on a first recording medium and a second data group recorded on a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, the manifest file including:

• recording medium path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a file system of the second recording medium recording the second data group, and
• virtual file system path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a virtual file system, the virtual file system containing an audio-visual stream directory managing an audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file;
• the reproducing apparatus having acquired the manifest file generating the virtual file system by mapping at least part of the second data group to the first data group in accordance with the virtual file system path information, said mapping including a conversion of file name, the first data group being managed in a directory structure containing an audio-visual stream directory managing the audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file, and
• reproducing the audio-visual stream file managed in the audio-visual stream directory of the virtual file system, in accordance with the recording medium path information and the reproduction control file managed in the reproduction control file directory of the virtual file system, the method comprising steps of:
• generating data having the data structure containing the manifest file for use in the reproducing apparatus;
• and
• recording the generated data onto the recording medium.

A data delivery system comprising:

• a data delivery apparatus for delivering, to a reproducing apparatus, data required to reproduce an audio-visual stream file using a first data group and a second data group;
• and
• the reproducing apparatus for reproducing the audio-visual stream file using the first data group and the second data group,
• the data delivery apparatus including a delivery mechanism configured to deliver a manifest file, the manifest file being supplied to the reproducing apparatus in order to reproduce the audio-visual stream file using the first data group and the second data group recorded on a second recording medium different from a first recording medium, the manifest file containing recording medium path information indicating a path in the second recording medium having stored the second data group, and virtual file system path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a virtual file system, the virtual file system containing an audio-visual stream directory managing the audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file, and
• the reproducing apparatus including:
• an acquisition mechanism configured to acquire the manifest file;
• a virtual file system generating mechanism configured to generate the virtual file system by mapping at least part of the second data group to the first data group in accordance with the virtual file system path information, said mapping including a conversion of file name, the first data group being managed in a directory structure containing an audio-visual stream directory managing the audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file;
• and
• a reproduction control mechanism configured to reproduce the audio-visual stream file managed in the audio-visual stream directory of the virtual file system, in accordance with the recording medium path information and the reproduction control file managed in the reproduction control file directory of the virtual file system.

A transmitter apparatus that transmits a manifest file to be supplied to a reproducing apparatus to link and reproduce a first data group recorded on a first recording medium and a second data group recorded on a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, the manifest file including:

• recording medium path information indicating a path of a file in the second recording medium having recorded the second data group;
• and
• virtual file system path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a virtual file system, the virtual file system being used to link and reproduce the first data group and the second data group, and containing an audio-visual stream directory managing an audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file,
• the reproducing apparatus having acquired the manifest file generating the virtual file system by mapping at least part of the second data group to the first data group in accordance with the virtual file system path information, said mapping including a conversion of file name, the first data group being managed in a directory structure containing the audio-visual stream directory and the reproduction control file directory, and
• reproducing the audio-visual stream file managed in the audio-visual stream directory of the virtual file system, in accordance with the recording medium path information and the reproduction control file managed in the reproduction control file directory of the virtual file system.

A transmitting method of a transmitter apparatus for transmitting a manifest file to be supplied to a reproducing apparatus to link and reproduce a first data group recorded on a first recording medium and a second data group recorded on a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, the manifest file including:

• recording medium path information indicating a path of a file in the second recording medium having recorded the second data group;
• and
• virtual file system path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a virtual file system, the virtual file system being used to link and reproduce the first data group and the second data group, and containing an audio-visual stream directory managing an audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file,
• the reproducing apparatus having acquired the manifest file generating the virtual file system by mapping at least part of the second data group to the first data group in accordance with the virtual file system path information, said mapping including a conversion of file name, the first data group being managed in a directory structure containing an audio-visual stream directory managing the audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file;
• and
• reproducing the audio-visual stream file managed in the audio-visual stream directory of the virtual file system, in accordance with the recording medium path information and the reproduction control file managed in the reproduction control file directory of the virtual file system,
• the transmitting method comprising a step of transmitting the manifest file.

A receiver apparatus configured to receive a manifest file as information used to link and reproduce a first data group recorded on a first recording medium and a second data group recorded on a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, the manifest file including:

• recording medium path information indicating a path of a file in the second recording medium having recorded the second data group;
• and
• virtual file system path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a virtual file system, the virtual file system containing an audio-visual stream directory managing an audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file,
• the receiver apparatus having acquired the manifest file generating the virtual file system by mapping at least part of the second data group to the first data group in accordance with the virtual file system path information, said mapping including a conversion of file name, the first data group being managed in a directory structure containing the audio-visual stream directory managing the audio-visual stream file and the reproduction control file directory managing the reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file and
• reproducing the audio-visual stream file managed in the audio-visual stream directory of the virtual file system, in accordance with the recording medium path information and the reproduction control file managed in the reproduction control file directory of the virtual file system.

A receiving method of a receiver apparatus for receiving a manifest file as information used to link and reproduce a first data group recorded on a first recording medium and a second data group recorded on a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, the manifest file including:

• recording medium path information indicating a path of a file in the second recording medium having recorded the second data group;
• and
• virtual file system path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a virtual file system, the virtual file system containing an audio-visual stream directory managing an audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file,
• the receiver apparatus having acquired the manifest file generating the virtual file system by mapping at least part of the second data group to the first data group in accordance with the virtual file system path information, said mapping including a conversion of file name, the first data group being managed in a directory structure containing an audio-visual stream directory managing the audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file, and
• reproducing the audio-visual stream file managed in the audio-visual stream directory of the virtual file system, in accordance with the recording medium path information and the reproduction control file managed in the reproduction control file directory of the virtual file system,
• the method comprising a step of receiving the manifest file.

A recording medium having stored data containing a manifest file to be supplied to a reproducing apparatus to link and reproduce a first data group recorded on a first recording medium and a second data group recorded on a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, the manifest file including:

• recording medium path information indicating a path of a file system in the second recording medium having recorded the second data group;
• and
• virtual file system path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a virtual file system, the virtual file system containing an audio-visual stream directory managing an audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file,
• the reproducing apparatus having acquired the manifest file generating the virtual file system by mapping at least part of the second data group to the first data group in accordance with the virtual file system path information, said mapping including a conversion of file name, the first data group being managed in a directory structure
• containing an audio-visual stream directory managing the audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file, and
• reproducing the audio-visual stream file managed in the audio-visual stream directory of the virtual file system, in accordance with the recording medium path information and the reproduction control file managed in the reproduction control file directory of the virtual file system.

A reproducing apparatus for reproducing an audio-visual stream file using a first data group recorded on a first recording medium and a second data group recorded on a second recording medium different from the first recording medium, the reproducing apparatus comprising:

• means for acquiring a manifest file, the manifest file containing recording medium path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group on the second recording medium, and virtual file system path information indicating a path of a file contained in the second data group in a virtual file system;
• means for generating the virtual file system by mapping at least part of the second data group to the first data group in accordance with the virtual file system path information, said mapping including a conversion of file name, the first data group being managed in a directory structure containing an audio-visual stream directory managing the audio-visual stream file and a reproduction control file directory managing a reproduction control file as information for reproducing the audio-visual stream file;
• and
• means for reproducing the audio-visual stream file managed in the audio-visual stream directory of the virtual file system, in accordance with the recording medium path information and the reproduction control file managed in the reproduction control file directory of the virtual file system.