DVD Storage Index Tables for Random Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current DVD technology struggles to store content in non-DVD compliant formats and lacks the functionality to perform smooth special effects like fast-forward and rewind with the same granularity as digital video recorders (DVRs), due to high latency and limited access to DVD content.
Innovation Solution
The approach involves formatting digital content to comply with the MPEG standard, generating DVD subpicture graphics for navigation, and converting content to DVD-VR format, allowing for seamless storage and playback with enhanced user interaction, including smooth special effects by using index tables for random access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If content is stored on standard DVDs, then storage capacity and portability are improved, but the ability to perform smooth special effects like fast-forward and rewind deteriorates due to high latency and limited access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the DVD content into multiple chapters or sections with indexed start positions. This allows the system to jump directly to specific segments during fast-forward or rewind operations, rather than sequentially accessing data, thereby enabling smooth special effects while maintaining standard DVD storage capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If content is stored in non-DVD compliant formats, then flexibility and compatibility with various sources are improved, but compliance with DVD standards and playback compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that converts non-DVD compliant content into DVD-compliant formats during the authoring process. This mediator (conversion system) allows flexible input from various sources while ensuring the final output meets DVD standards for reliable playback compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs format conversion and compliance checking in advance during the DVD authoring process, before final playback. This preliminary action ensures that content from various sources is pre-processed to meet DVD standards, eliminating compatibility issues during actual playback while maintaining flexibility in source material selection.
3Ease of operation
If multiple reads are performed to access arbitrary positions on DVDs, then access flexibility is improved, but latency and playback performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores index information for arbitrary positions within the DVD content during the authoring process. This preliminary action creates a lookup table that allows the playback system to directly access any position with a single read operation, eliminating the need for multiple sequential reads and reducing access latency.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an approach for storing digital content onto a DVD, digital content is received from a source, such as a DirecTV link, an over the air (OTA) broadcast, over a cable television link, or any other type of communications link, including the Internet. The digital content is formatted to comply with the MPEG standard to create MPEG digital content and stored on a non-volatile storage. Text-based information is received that describes one or more attributes of the received digital content. A set of DVD subpicture graphics is generated based upon the text-based information. The set of DVD subpicture graphics may represent a structure that can be navigated by a user when the DVD is played. The MPEG digital content is retrieved from the non-volatile storage, converted to DVD format and stored on the DVD with the DVD subpicture graphics.