Information Processing Device Format Conversion Data Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data copying systems, such as managed copying (MC), face issues when copying data from Blu-ray Discs (BDs) to different media formats, like mobile terminals, as they often result in data omission due to format incompatibilities, leading to reproduction errors.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device that reads data from a first medium, acquires copy permission, and uses a copy control management file to access additional data from a server, converting it to match the format of a second medium, ensuring complete data transfer without omissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data is copied from Blu-ray Disc to another medium in a different format, then copying capability is improved, but data completeness deteriorates due to format incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecopying capabilityVSAvoiddata completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that stores additional data (such as codec information, metadata, and format conversion data) that is not present on the original Blu-ray Disc. When copying data to a different format, the system automatically retrieves this additional data from the server to ensure complete and accurate format conversion, preventing data loss while enabling versatile copying capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If copy permission is required from management server, then copyright protection is improved, but copying process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecopyright protectionVSAvoidcopying process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the copyright management function and the additional data provision function into a single integrated server system. The management server not only verifies copy permissions but also automatically provides the necessary additional data for format conversion. This merging reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate data retrieval processes while maintaining strong copyright protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional data is acquired from server for format conversion, then data compatibility is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata compatibilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a mechanism where additional data (codec information, metadata, format specifications) is pre-stored on the server before any copying operation occurs. When a format conversion is needed, the system simply retrieves this pre-prepared data rather than generating or processing it in real-time, significantly reducing the processing time while ensuring full data compatibility across different formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3096321B1Information processing device, information recording medium, information processing system, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2020.02.05 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3096321B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3096321B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3096321B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A situation where some data is missing is to be prevented in a process of recording data on a second medium in a different format from the data recording format of a first medium. An information processing device that reads the data recorded on the first medium, and performs a process of recording data on the second medium receives copy permission information from a management server, and acquires, from a data providing server, additional data that cannot be acquired directly from the first medium. The information processing device reads a copy control management file recorded on the first medium, and accesses and acquires the additional data by using access information recorded in the copy control management file. The information processing device then uses data containing the acquired additional data as the data to be recorded on the second medium.