Method for processing connection request for a disk player

Abstract

A method and apparatus for connecting a media player to a content server are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes determining whether a connection to a content server is required; searching control information to identity whether the connection to the content server is permitted, the control information including connection limitation information associated with a connectable content server, the connection limitation information including address of the connectable content server; and controlling the connection to the content server in response to the connection limitation information.

1 . A method for connecting a media player to a content server, comprising: 
 determining whether a connection to a content server is required;    searching control information to identity whether the connection to the content server is permitted, the control information including connection limitation information associated with a connectable content server, the connection limitation information including address of the connectable content server; and    controlling the connection to the content server in response to the connection limitation information.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlling step includes steps of establishing the connection to the content server by using the address if the connection limitation information includes the requested content server, and not permitting the connection to the content server if the connection limitation information does not include the requested content server.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 checking if an enhanced storage medium is a playback status; and    establishing the connection to the content server by using the address if the enhanced storage medium is not playback status and if the connection to the content server is permitted, while not permitting the connection to the content server if the enhanced storage medium is the playback status or if the connection to the content server is not permitted.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connection limitation information is stored in a start-up file that is read prior to playback of a main data recorded on an enhanced storage medium, and wherein the start-up file comprises information associated with additional contents to be loaded before the main data of the enhanced storage medium is reproduced, further comprising: 
 storing files of additional contents associated with at least one application prior to the playback of the main data recorded in the enhanced storage medium.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connection limitation information comprises a list of content servers to which the media player may or may not connect, wherein the controlling step controls the connection to the content server depending on the list of content servers.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connection limitation information comprises at least one content server ID to which the media player may or may not connect to retrieve additional contents associated with a main data recorded on the enhanced storage medium, wherein the controlling step controls the connection to the content server depending on the content server ID.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the connection limitation information comprises at least one entry associated with loading information that controls access to information available on the at least one content server, wherein the controlling step controls the connection to the content server depending on the entry.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the loading information comprises at least a condition for loading information available on the at least one content server.  
   
   
       9 . A method for processing a connection request of an enhanced storage media player, comprising: 
 determining a current operating mode and connection condition, in response to a connection request for connecting the player to a content server, the connection condition being determined depending on a connection limitation information stored in an enhanced storage medium or a data storage different from the enhanced storage medium, the connection limitation information being associated with a connectable content server and including address of the connectable content server; and    controlling the connection to the content server, based on the current operating mode and the connection condition.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the controlling step establishes the connection by using the address if the current operating mode is not an enhanced playback mode and if the connection limitation information provides permission for the content server to be contacted.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the controlling step does not establishes the connection if the current operating mode is an enhanced playback mode or if the connection limitation information doest not provide permission for the content server to be contacted  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the connection limitation information is included in a start-up file residing on the enhanced storage medium, the start-up file being required to establish a system environment, further comprising: 
 reading the start-up file from the enhanced storage medium prior to reproducing a main data recorded on the enhanced storage medium.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the start-up file comprises information associated with additional contents to be loaded before the main data recorded in the enhanced storage medium is reproduced, further comprising: 
 storing files of additional contents associated with at least one application prior to the playback of the main data recorded in the enhanced storage medium.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the information comprises a system environment information, further comprising: 
 setting a system environment of the media player required by the system environment information.    
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for connecting a media player to a content server, comprising: 
 a network manager adapted to connect to a content server; and    a controller, coupled to the network manager, for determining whether a connection to a content server is required, searching control information to identity whether the connection to the content server is permitted, the control information including connection limitation information associated with a connectable content server, the connection limitation information including address of the connectable content server, and controlling the connection to the content server through the network manager in response to the connection limitation information.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the controller establishes the connection to the content server by using the address if the connection limitation information includes the requested content server, while not permit the connection to the content server if the connection limitation information does not include the requested content server.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the controller further checks if an enhanced storage medium is a playback status, and establishes the connection to the content server by using the address through the network manager if the enhanced storage medium is not playback status and if the connection to the content server is permitted, while not permit the connection to the content server if the enhanced storage medium is the playback status or if the connection to the content server is not permitted.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the connection limitation information is included in a start-up file that is read prior to playback of a main data recorded on the enhanced storage medium, and the start-up file comprises information associated with additional contents to be loaded before the main data of the enhanced storage medium is reproduced, further comprising: 
 a data storage for storing files of additional contents associated with at least one application prior to the playback of the main data recorded in the enhanced storage medium.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the connection limitation information comprises a list of content servers to which the media player may or may not connect, wherein the controller controls the connection to the content server depending on the list of content servers.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the connection limitation information comprises at least one content server ID to which the media player may or may not connect to retrieve additional contents associated with a main data recorded on the enhanced storage medium, wherein the controller controls the connection to the content server depending on the content server ID.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the connection limitation information comprises at least one entry associated with loading information that controls access to information available on the at least one content server, wherein the controller controls the connection to the content server depending on the entry.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the loading information comprises at least a condition for loading information available on the at least one content server.