Parallel Content and Menu Reproduction via Slave Item Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current DVD technology requires players to stop title reproduction to display menus, leading to user disinterest and complicating menu operations, as title and menu domains cannot be reproduced simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An information record medium and apparatus that allows parallel reproduction of content and menu information, enabling menu display as a small window or semitransparent overlay during title reproduction, using play list information with item and slave item specifications to control the sequence and display of menu information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the player stops title reproduction to display a menu screen, then the menu can be displayed clearly, but the title reproduction is interrupted and user interest decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is segmented into multiple regions: a main display area for title reproduction and a superimposed menu area. This allows the menu to be displayed in a small window or overlay format while the title continues to play in the background, resolving the contradiction between clear menu display and continuous title reproduction
Solution Approach 2:
The menu screen is nested within the title reproduction display. The menu is shown as a small window or semitransparent overlay on top of the continuing title playback, enabling users to access menu options without fully interrupting the main content, thus maintaining both menu accessibility and title continuity
2Loss of time
If the player continues title reproduction while displaying a menu screen, then user interest is maintained, but the reading operation becomes complicated and immediate reproduction transition is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple play lists are prepared in advance with different reproduction sequences. The first play list contains the normal title reproduction sequence, while the second play list contains the menu display sequence. When a menu operation is detected, the system switches between pre-prepared play lists, simplifying the control logic and enabling immediate reproduction transition without complex real-time processing
Solution Approach 2:
The reproduction system dynamically switches between different play lists based on user operations. The first play list is used for normal title reproduction, and the second play list is activated when menu display is required. This dynamic switching mechanism allows the system to adapt to different user needs while maintaining simple reading operations and enabling immediate transition between reproduction modes
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple play lists are recorded in the same record area, then parallel reproduction is enabled, but the record area must be carefully managed to allow simultaneous access
Solution Approach 1:
The record area is segmented into distinct logical units: the first record area stores the first play list with normal reproduction sequence, and the second record area stores the second play list with menu display sequence. This segmentation allows the reproduction device to access different play lists independently, enabling parallel reproduction capability while maintaining clear record area management through defined boundaries and access protocols
Data Source
AI summary
A series of content information; menu information, which is to be displayed with the content information during reproduction of the content information; and play list information for defining reproduction sequence of the content information by a unit of item, which constitutes the content information and which is accessible upon reproducing, are recorded on the information record medium. The play list information includes: item information for specifying each item which constitutes the content information; and slave item information for specifying the menu information corresponding to the each item as a slave item.