DVD Player Stereoscopic Video Enhancement via Interleaved Data Streams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical disc players are limited in updating content and functionality, lack support for stereoscopic video, and are vulnerable to piracy, with existing solutions either requiring multiple discs or being costly to produce and distribute.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows a single optical disc to contain both standard and stereoscopic video by combining standard video data with enhancement data, enabling stereoscopic playback without firmware updates and using external storage for additional content and updates, while incorporating digital rights management for piracy resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single optical disc is used to store both standard and stereoscopic video, then distribution efficiency is improved, but the disc capacity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution efficiencyVSAvoiddisc structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds a secondary video stream (stereoscopic or alternative content) within the structure of the primary DVD video stream. The enhancement data is interleaved with main video data at the byte level, allowing one content type to be nested within the disc structure designed for another content type, thereby enabling dual functionality without requiring separate discs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal disc structure that can serve multiple purposes: standard 2D playback, stereoscopic 3D playback, and alternative content delivery. The same physical disc and player infrastructure can deliver different types of video content by activating different streams, making the distribution system multi-functional and eliminating the need for separate disc formats

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If enhancement data is interleaved with main video data, then a single disc can provide multiple content types, but data retrieval complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent delivery flexibilityVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the video data into distinct segments or streams at the byte level - main video data and enhancement data are separated into identifiable segments within the interleaved structure. This segmentation allows the player to selectively retrieve and process only the required stream based on playback mode, managing complexity through structured division rather than monolithic data handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer (the interleaving structure itself) that mediates between the simple act of storing separate content types and the complex task of managing multiple independent data streams. This intermediary structure provides a standardized format that simplifies both storage and retrieval operations compared to alternative approaches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If external storage devices are used for updates and additional content, then player functionality is extended, but device compatibility requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayer functionalityVSAvoidinterface requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the universal USB interface standard already widely supported by modern DVD players to provide enhanced functionality. By using this existing universal connection, the system can deliver updates, additional content, and stereoscopic enhancements without requiring proprietary or specialized interfaces, thus extending player capabilities while maintaining broad compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2158769B1Method and apparatus for providing additional functionality to a DVD player
Publication Date: 2014.07.30 WARNER BROS ENTERTAINMENT INC
  • EP2158769B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2158769B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2158769B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method described herein provide stereoscopic video using standard DVD video data combined with enhancement data In various embodiments, the enhancement data may be stored on the same DVD as the standard video, or provided via downloading and/or for streaming to a stereoscopic DVD player When stored on the DVD, the enhancement data is provided in various forms, including MPEG (-1 or -2) program stream level, or the MPEG elementary stream level In one embodiment, the enhancement data consists of a difference signal between left- and right-eye images taken on a pixel-by-pixel basis The present invention also pertains to an optical disc player with a standard digital port, such as a USB port, coupled to an external storage, such as a thumb drive, coupled to a standard digital port such as a USB port.