Patent Application
20060215522
The invention relates to a method of disc identification, and in particular, to an identification system for a DVD player capable of reading additional information and evaluating characteristics of digital versatile discs (DVDs) or compact discs (CDs).
Current DVD players are capable of identifying a DVD by reading a label, a table of contents and the serial number therein. DVDs typically comprise information label, table of contents and serial numbers; however, some DVDs do not. In this case, only through playing the DVD can the content therein be identified. In addition to format compatibility issues, DVD identification may fail due to data loss caused by disc damage. Conventionally, ejection of a DVD results in loss of playback parameters, including the point where disc play has stopped, customized language and view angle selections. Thus, when the same DVD is inserted again, the settings must be reconfigured, which may be considered inconvenient. Thus an enhanced disc identification system is desirable.
An embodiment of the invention provides an identification method for a DVD player. The identification method comprises the following steps. First, file information from a digital versatile disc (DVD) is read, and a characteristic value is generated from the file information. Thereafter, whether the characteristic value exists in a database, is verified, and a corresponding disc profile indicating further functionality is obtained if the characteristic value exists in the database. If no additional characteristic value exists in the database, the characteristic value, and the corresponding disc profile are added to the database. When ejecting the DVD, the corresponding disc profile in the database is updated.
Another embodiment of the invention provides a database storing DVD identification information for use in a DVD device. The database comprises a characteristic column for storing a characteristic value as a primary index, and a data column for storing a disc profile comprising customized information of a DVD. The disc profile comprises a stop point for indicating addresses where last play stopped, a text column for adding descriptions of files on the DVD, an address book for keeping favorite movie segments, and a configuration file for customizing subtitles and languages.
A further embodiment of the invention provides a DVD player capable of identifying a DVD. The DVD player comprises a DVD reader for reading file information from a DVD, an identification processor for verifying whether the DVD is logged in a usage history and a database for storing at least a characteristic value and a disc profile corresponding to the DVD.
The following detailed description, given byway of example and not intended to limit the invention solely to the embodiments described herein, will best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
a and
A detailed description of an embodiment of the invention is provided in the following.
File contents vary from disc to disc, on this basis, individual characteristics may be generated accordingly to implement a disc identification mechanism. For example, a unique number can be generated by evaluating information of file contents, file name and file size of the first ten files in a disc, thus individual discs can be distinguished thereby. In addition, a database comprising tables associating the unique number with information about the disc can be established. When a disc is inserted, conventional disc identification takes place, which often fails, and a more robust identification and management system is activated to ensure the identification succeeds and further functionality is enabled.
After the characteristic value 106 is generated, the database 104 determines whether associated records of characteristic value 106 exist, indicating that the DVD 101 has previously been played in the DVD player 110. If the record exists, a corresponding disc profile 107 can be obtained from database 104, and further functionality can be enabled. Otherwise, if the DVD 101 is new to the DVD player 110, a new data slot 103 is created in the database 104, and corresponding new information of characteristic value 106 and disc profile 107 are generated and stored thereto. When the identification engine 109 receives an eject command, the DVD 101 is ejected, and the characteristic value 106 and disc profile 107 are kept in the corresponding data slot 103 of database 104.
In an embodiment of the invention, the database 104 comprises a plurality of data slot 103, each comprising a data pair, characteristic value 106 and disc profile 107. The characteristic value 106 is taken as a unique index of each disc, and the disc profile 107 comprises additional information for enhanced functionality, such as last stop point, file comments, favorite sections, preferred language settings and the like. The capacity of database 104 determines number of data slot 103, and the database 104 can be a storage device, or memory with a processor.
The sequence of disc identification is shown in
a and
The above described embodiments of the invention provide a flexible disc identification system preventing disc compatibility problems, and the additional database expand functionality to enhance convenience.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.
