Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-14
2001-06-12
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000, C386S349000, C386S349000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246402
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reproduction control data generating apparatus for generating control data (navigation commands) used for the control of the processing for reproduction of a moving picture recorded on a digital video disc (DVD) etc. and video data of a still picture (sub-picture) such as a menu which is recorded on the DVD together with the moving picture and used for the selection of the program to be reproduced and relates to a method of the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A new recording medium referred to as a “digital video disc” (DVD) and a DVD recording and/or reproducing apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a “DVD player”) for recording audio data and video data or one of the same (“audio and/or video data”) and reproducing the recorded audio and/or video data by using a DVD are now being put into practical use.
A DVD player can record and reproduce the audio and/or video data in special reproduction modes (“special modes”) in addition to the same methods as conventional video tape recorders (“VTR apparatuses”) (normal reproduction mode), for example, a method of selecting, reproducing, and displaying one of a plurality of series of audio and/or video data obtained by shooting the same object from a number of angles in accordance with the operation of the user (multi-angle reproduction mode), a method of selecting and reproducing one series of audio and/or video data of a main story of a movie in which a plurality of stories are recorded or a sub-story accompanied with the main story in accordance with the operation of the user (multi-story reproduction mode), and a method of selecting and reproducing from series of audio and/or video data prepared in advance to enable the user to select how a story plays out at every branching point of the story in a dialog format in accordance with the operation of the user (inter-active story reproduction mode).
In order to realize these special reproduction modes, it is necessary to program the order, timing, etc. of reproduction of the audio and/or video data using control commands referred to as navigation commands at the editing stage. Further, it is also necessary to prepare the still pictures (sub-pictures) used for displaying the menu screen, for use by the user for the selection etc. of the audio and/or video data, superimposed on the moving picture (main picture).
There are, however, many types of navigation commands, i.e., about 1,400 at the present point of time. It is very difficult for a general editor, who will not necessarily be skilled in programming work, to learn the meanings of all navigation commands and use them to their fullest extent.
Further, the meanings and number of icons displayed in each sub-picture must be changed in accordance with the nature of the operation, and the icons must be arranged in a manner easy for the user to see. Accordingly, when there are a large number of sub-pictures required in a special reproduction mode, a great deal of time and trouble are taken for the preparation of the sub-pictures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was made in consideration with these disadvantages and has as an object thereof to provide a reproduction control data generating apparatus enabling a general editor who is not skilled in programming work to easily program the order, timing, etc. of the reproduction of audio and/or video data by navigation commands for use in a special reproduction mode of a DVD player and to provide a method of the same.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a reproduction control data generating apparatus enabling easy preparation of the sub-pictures used in the special reproduction modes of a DVD player and to provide a method of the same.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reproduction control data generating apparatus capable of greatly reducing the trouble and time required for the preparation of a large number of sub-pictures with different display contents and to provide a method of the same.
To attain the above objects, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reproduction control data generating apparatus for generating reproduction control data containing control commands indicating a method of reproduction of audio and/or video data and menu screen data indicating a menu screen used for designation of a control command at the time of reproduction of the audio and/or video data comprising an input operation screen displaying means for displaying an input operation screen used for the operation of input of a control command and the menu screen data, a control command generating means for generating a control command in accordance with an operation with respect to the displayed input operation screen, a menu screen data generating means for generating menu screen data in accordance with an operation with respect to the displayed input operation screen, and a reproduction control data generating means for generating reproduction control data based on the generated control command and the menu screen data.
Preferably, the input operation screen displaying means displays control element command input graphics indicating control element commands comprising a control command on the input operation screen, and the reproduction control data generating means generates a control element command in accordance with an operation with respect to the control element command input graphics.
Preferably, the menu screen contains operation buttons corresponding to the control element commands, and the reproduction control data generating means lists the operation buttons and the control element commands at predetermined positions of the reproduction control data in correspondence in accordance with an operation with respect to the control element command input graphics.
Preferably, a control command contains at least, as the control element commands, pre-command data to be executed first at the time of execution of the control command in accordance with an operation with respect to an operation button of the menu screen, a button command to be executed in accordance with an operation with respect to an operation button of the menu screen, and post-command data to be executed last at the time of execution of the control command.
Preferably, the input operation screen displaying means displays menu screen element data input graphics indicating the menu screen element data comprising the menu screen data on the input operation screen, and the reproduction control data generating means generates the menu screen element data in accordance with an operation with respect to the menu screen element data input graphics.
Preferably, the menu screen contains operation buttons corresponding to the menu screen element data, and the reproduction control data generating means lists the operation buttons and the menu screen element data at predetermined positions of the reproduction control data in correspondence in accordance with an operation with respect to the menu screen element data input graphics.
Preferably, the menu screen data contains at least, as the menu screen element data, pixel data of a still picture of the menu screen, button position data indicating the position of each of the operation buttons and a relative positional relationship, and operation button color data indicating a color where an operation with respect to an operation button is not carried out, a color where an operation with respect to an operation button is carried out, and a color where a control command corresponding to an operation button is executed.
The reproduction control data generating apparatus according to the present invention is used when reproducing for example audio and/or video data such as a movie on a DVD capable of carrying out special reproduction, for example, audio and/or video data edited so that a user can select any reproduction start position, any language of audio output, and any camera angle by carrying out an operation o
Nakagawa Ayato
Sasaki Masao
Setogawa Toshiaki
Bayerl Raymond J.
Frommer William S.
Frommer Lawrence & Haug LLP.
Simon Darren M.
Sony Corporation
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