Storage Device Virtual Root Directory for DVD Menu Compatibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DVD players display video content menus in an inflexible and unfriendly manner, struggling to handle numerous files and complex folder structures, and are limited by proprietary menu generation mechanisms that cannot accommodate downloaded content from portable storage devices.
Innovation Solution
A storage device generates a virtual root directory to prompt DVD players to display a customizable main menu, allowing users to select video files through a user-friendly content selection menu, where remote control commands are used to interact directly with the storage device for video file playback, bypassing the DVD player's limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If DVD players use proprietary menu generation mechanisms to display content selection menus, then the menu display can be customized according to player capabilities, but the system cannot accommodate downloaded content from portable storage devices and is limited to MPEG-2 format
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the portable storage device and the DVD player menu system. This intermediary translates the proprietary menu generation requests into standard file system operations, allowing the storage device to present content in a way that is compatible with both proprietary and standard players without requiring complex modifications to either side.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the menu generation functionality into separate components: the standard file system structure that any player can read, and the proprietary menu generation that optional advanced players can utilize. This allows the system to support portable storage devices while maintaining compatibility with both simple and advanced players.
2Quantity of substance
If DVD players handle numerous video files with complex folder structures, then more content can be organized and displayed, but the players become incapable of handling the files due to limitations in their menu generation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds an additional dimension to the file organization by implementing a virtual file system layer that maps complex folder structures into a simplified linear sequence that DVD players can handle. This allows numerous video files to be organized in complex structures on storage devices while presenting a simplified view to the player's menu system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy or representation of the complex folder structure that the DVD player can process. Instead of requiring the player to directly handle the complex original structure, a simplified mapping or index is provided that preserves the essential navigation functionality while being compatible with player limitations.
3Quantity of substance
If video files are displayed with long similar file names in the content selection menu, then all files can be listed, but the menu becomes inflexible and unfriendly to users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different parts of the menu system. The underlying file listing maintains complete information with all original file names for completeness, while the displayed menu interface applies local transformations such as truncation, ellipsis, or hierarchical grouping to improve readability and user friendliness in specific display areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic menu display that adapts to the available space and user interaction patterns. File names are displayed with varying levels of detail based on context, and the menu structure can dynamically reorganize or collapse/expand items to maintain usability while preserving access to all files.
Data Source
AI summary
Displaying storage device-generated menus for playback includes connecting a storage device to a host capable of playing back video content, and presenting to the host a root directory through which a content selection file allows selecting video files for playback through user-storage device interaction, and, optionally, one or more service files that provide various useful information that are also playable back through user-storage device interaction. This typically further includes displaying a Main Menu that represents these files and playing Main Menu items as regular video files/contents. While the content selection file is played back, a content selection menu is generated by the storage device and displayed by the host, and each content selection menu item is playable by transmitting a playback command to the storage device rather than to the host. A storage device is also provided, which uses such method.