Title of Invention

"A MULTI-MEDIA OPTICAL DISC, APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR REPRODUCING MULTI-MEDIA OPTICAL DISC"

Abstract [SUMMARY] [AIM] to prevent malfunctions of reproducing ineffective channels by judging for each route whether channels specified by the user are effective when a plurality of reproduction routes share certain MPEG streams in which audio information and sub-picture information are interleaved with moving picture information with a plurality of channels assigned [CONSTRUCTION] At least one information layer between a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate; a system stream recording area for storing a plurality of system streams each of which includes a piece of main information and a plurality pieces of sub-information, wherein the main information is moving picture information and the plurality pieces of sub-information is at least one of audio information and sub-picture information, wherein a plurality of channels are assigned to each of the audio information and the sub-picture information; a plurality pieces of system stream reproduction control information for indicating a reproduction order of more than one system stream; and a plurality pieces of flag information for indicating effective channels of the plurality pieces of sub-picture information, wherein the plurality pieces of flag information are attached to the plurality pieces of system stream reproduction control information.
Full Text BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multimedia optical disc which stores multimedia data, and to an apparatus and a method for reproducing the multimedia optical disc, more specifically to an improvement in the reproduction of movie applications.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Currently, laser discs and video CDs (Compact Discs) are known as optical media in which audio information and moving picture information are recorded to be reproduced by dedicated apparatuses.
Laser discs are optical discs with a diameter of about 30cm storing about an hour of analog moving picture data. Laser discs have been used as media for storing movies or music video works. However, since laser discs are bulky and hard to carry or stock, other media which are more compact than the laser discs have been sought.
Video CDs have achieved the above purpose by enabling moving picture data to be recorded on CDs. The CDs have a
diameter of 12cm and at first were used to store only audio data. The video CDs adopt a digital data compression method called MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) which has a high compression rate. The resolution of video CDs is as low as 352 x240 though they are compact in size.
The above laser discs and video CDs, on the other hand, have the following limitation on the voice and sub-pictures. That is, since audio information is recorded in a channel, it is impossible to deal with a plurality of languages. Furthermore, the sub-picture data is recorded as a part of moving picture data and it is impossible to deal with a plurality of languages. Therefore, Japanese, English, French, and Germany versions of voices and subtitles for the same moving picture data, for example, cannot be recorded in the above conventional discs.
Different versions of a movie, for example, a theater version, a no-cut version, and a TV on-air version are available. Conventionally, it was possible to record all these versions in a video CD only if the movie was short enough to record in the disc. However, this was not possible for general movie films having 1-2 hours of reproduction time.
A laser disc can store monoaural audio data (analog or digital) in four channels at maximum along with about one hour of analog moving picture data. Laser discs are mainly used for storing movie applications. However, general movies are often
about two hours long and sometimes have different versions, namely, a theater version, a TV on-air version, other language versions (voices or subtitles), etc.
It is impossible for a laser disc to store all of such versions since the recording time of the analog moving picture data is limited to about one hour. Even if a laser disc stores audio data in channels along with a plurality kinds of very short moving picture data, the following problems occur:
(1) The plurality kinds of very short moving picture data overlap each other, generating a poor recording efficiency.
(2) If a plurality of subtitles are required, as many pieces of the same moving picture data as the plurality of subtitles must be created since the subtitle is inserted in the moving picture data.
(3) It is not possible for the user to change the current subtitle to another during a reproduction of moving picture data. To reproduce the desired subtitle, the user needs to reproduce a series of moving picture data including the desired subtitle from the beginning. That is, it is not possible for the user to change only the subtitle during a reproduction of moving picture data.
(4) If a plurality kinds of moving picture data have different
numbers of audio channels for different languages and if a
desired language is stored in a plurality of audio channels
with different channel numbers, the user needs to change the
audio channel number to maintain the desired language each time the user changes the moving picture data.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multimedia optical disc which may store a plurality pieces of video data, each of which is comprised of moving picture data and a plurality pieces of sub-data, such as audio data as voices and sub-picture data as subtitles, and with which the sub-data is managed easily even if different numbers of channels or different channels are assigned for the plurality pieces of video data, and to provide a disc reproduction apparatus and method for reproducing the multimedia optical disc-
The above object is achieved by a multimedia optical disc comprising: a data area for storing a plurality pieces of video data, wherein a piece of moving picture data and a plurality pieces of sub-data are interleaved in each of the plurality pieces of video data, wherein the plurality pieces of sub-data are reproduced selectively and synchronized with the piece of moving picture data, wherein the plurality pieces of sub-data are either of a plurality pieces of audio data and a plurality pieces of sub-picture data; and a management information area for storing a channel table in which a plurality of logical channel numbers are respectively related
to a plurality of physical channel numbers for each of the plurality pieces of video data, wherein the plurality of logical channel numbers are shared by a certain numbers of pieces of video data, wherein the plurality of physical channel numbers are used to physically identify the plurality pieces of sub-data.
In the above multimedia optical disc, the data area may include a plurality of small areas over which a piece of video data is recorded, wherein each of the plurality of small areas includes: a first sub-area for storing moving picture data of a certain time period; and a plurality of second sub-areas for storing different pieces of sub-data, the different pieces of sub-data being reproduced simultaneously with the moving picture data of the first sub-area.
With the above construction, the channel table defines the relation between the logical channels and the physical channels, thereby correctly relating logical channels to physical channels even if different numbers of physical channels or different physical channels are assigned to the plurality pieces of video data. Accordingly, the sub-data can be managed correctly through entire pieces of video data. It is possible with this construction to prevent a reproduction of a piece of sub-data whose physical channel is not assigned to the piece of video data. It is also possible to prevent a malfunction in which a wrong or different piece of sub-data is
reproduced when a piece of video data changes to another in reproduction.
In the above multimedia optical disc, each of the plurality of small areas may further include: a third sub-area for storing control information which includes a command specifying a piece of sub-data in the plurality of second sub-areas which should be reproduced with the moving picture data of the first sub-area, wherein the control information is effective through a period during which data of a piece of small area including the control information is reproduced.
With the above construction, a piece of sub-data can be changed dynamically to another with the use of the command during the reproduction of video data.
in the above multimedia optical disc, the control information may include a branch command which specifies a piece of video data as a branch destination, the branch command reflecting an interactive operation in a disc reproduction apparatus during a reproduction of video data.
With the above construction, the interactive operation in the disc reproduction apparatus is achieved. It is possible for the disc reproduction apparatus to maintain the reproduction the same kind of sub-data even if reproduction branches from one piece of video data to another by a user input in the interactive operation. In other words, even if a physical channel of sub-data before branching cannot be
assigned to sub-data in the branch destination video data, an appropriate physical channel is assigned to the sub-data by referring to the channel table.
In the above multimedia optical disc, the channel table may include a flag for each of the plurality of logical channel numbers, the flag indicating whether a corresponding logical channel is effective.
With the above construction having the permission flag, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in which sub-data of physical channel not intended to be reproduced is reproduced.
The above object is also achieved by a disc reproduction apparatus for reproducing a multimedia optical disc which is comprised of a video data area and a management information area, wherein the video data area stores a plurality pieces of video data, wherein a piece of moving picture data and a plurality pieces of sub-data are interleaved in each of the plurality pieces of video data, wherein the plurality pieces of sub-data are reproduced selectively and synchronized with the piece of moving picture data, wherein the management information area stores a channel table in which a plurality of logical channel numbers are respectively related to a plurality of physical channel numbers for each of the plurality pieces of video data, wherein the plurality of logical channel numbers are dealt with in the disc reproduction apparatus, wherein the plurality of physical channel numbers are used to
physically identify the plurality pieces of sub-data of the multimedia optical disc, the disc reproduction apparatus comprising: reading means for reading data from the multimedia optical disc; channel number holding means for holding a logical channel number; determining means for determining a physical channel number to be reproduced based on the channel table read by the reading means and the logical channel number held by the channel number holding means; selecting means for selecting a piece of sub-data among a plurality pieces of sub-data read by the reading means, the piece of sub-data corresponding to the physical channel number determined by the determining means; and reproducing means for reproducing a piece of moving picture data read by the reading means and the piece of sub-data selected by the selecting means.
With the above construction, the channel table defines the relation between the logical channels and the physical channels, thereby correctly relating logical channels to physical channels even if different numbers of physical channels or different physical channels are assigned to the plurality pieces of video data. Accordingly, the sub-data can be managed correctly through entire pieces of video data. It is possible with this construction to prevent a reproduction of a piece of sub-data whose physical channel is not assigned to the piece of video data. It is also possible to prevent a malfunction in which a wrong or different piece of sub-data is
reproduced when a piece of video data changes to another in reproduction.
The above disc reproduction apparatus may further comprise: table retaining means for retaining a channel table read by the reading means; and table updating means for updating the table retaining means each time the reading means reads a new channel table, wherein the determining means reads, from the channel table retained by the table retaining means, a physical channel number corresponding to the logical channel number held by the channel number holding means each time the table updating means updates the table retaining means, wherein the selecting means selects a piece of sub-data which corresponds to the physical channel number read by the determining means.
In the above disc reproduction apparatus, the channel table may include a flag for each of the plurality of logical channel numbers, the flag indicating whether a corresponding logical channel is effective, wherein the disc reproduction apparatus further comprises: receiving means for receiving a sub-data switch instruction input by a user, wherein the determining means further includes: table searching means for, when the receiving means receives the sub-data switch instruction, searching the channel table retained by the table retaining means to detect a logical channel number having a flag indicating that a corresponding logical channel is
effective, wherein the determining means reads the logical channel number detected by the table searching means and also reads a physical channel number which corresponds to the detected logical channel number, wherein the channel number holding means holds the logical channel number read by the determining means, wherein the selecting means selects the piece of sub-data which corresponds to the physical channel number read by the determining means.
With the above construction, the interactive operation in the disc reproduction apparatus is achieved. It is possible for the disc reproduction apparatus to maintain the reproduction the same kind of sub-data even if reproduction branches from one piece of video data to another by a user input in the interactive operation. In other words, even if a physical channel of sub-data before branching cannot be assigned to sub-data in the branch destination video data, an appropriate physical channel is assigned to the sub-data by referring to the channel table.
In the above disc reproduction apparatus, the piece of small area of the multimedia optical disc may store control information which includes a command specifying a piece of sub-data in the plurality of second sub-areas which should be reproduced with the moving picture data, wherein the control information is effective through a period during which data of a piece of small area including the control information is
reproduced, wherein the receiving means further receives an instruction which instructs whether to execute the command, wherein the determining means, when the receiving means receives an instruction to execute a command, reads the logical channel number specified by the command received by the receiving means and also reads a physical channel number which corresponds to the read logical channel number, wherein the selecting means selects the piece of sub-data which corresponds to the physical channel number read by the determining means. With the above construction, a piece of sub-data can be changed dynamically to a desired piece during the reproduction of video data.
present invention therefore provides a multimedia optical disc comprising:
a data area for storing a plurality pieces of video data, wherein a piece of moving picture data and a plurality pieces of sub-data are interleaved in each of the plurality pieces of video data, wherein the plurality pieces of sub-data are reproduced selectively and synchronized with the piece of moving picture data, wherein the plurality pieces of sub-data are either of a plurality pieces of audio data and a plurality pieces of sub-picture data; and
a management information area for storing a channel table in which a plurality of logical channel numbers are respectively related to a plurality of physical channel numbers for each of the plurality pieces of video data, wherein the plurality of logical channel numbers are shared by a certain numbers of pieces of video data, wherein the plurality of physical channel numbers are used to physically identify the plurality pieces of sub-data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:
Fig.l shows an appearance, a cross-section, an enlarged circled part, and pit shapes of the DVD of the embodiment;
Fig.2 shows the data structure of the DVD;
Fig.3 shows the construction of the Video Title Set;
Fig.4A and Fig.4B show the construction of the VOB;
Fig.5 shows the data format of the video pack;
Fig.6 shows the data format of the audio pack;
Fig.7 shows the data format of the sub-picture pack;
Fig.8 shows the data format of the management pack;
Fig.9 shows menu images by sub-picture data;
Fig.10 shows a hierarchical representation of the construction of the management pack;
Fig.11 shows the construction of the button color information and the button information;
Fig.12 shows button commands specified by the button information, the button commands corresponding to the buttons;
Fig.l3A and Fig.l3B show the construction of the Video Title Set management information;
Fig.14 shows PGCs;
Fig.15 shows examples of the audio CH tables and SPCH tables;
Fig.16 shows the appearances of the reproduction system of the embodiment;
Fig.17 shows the operation panel on remote controller 91;
Fig.18 is a block diagram showing the construction of the disc reproduction apparatus;
Fig.19 is a block diagram showing the construction of the system decoder;
Fig.20A is a block diagram showing the construction of the system controlling unit;
Fig.20B shows a part of the register set;
Fig.21 is a block diagram showing the construction of the sub-picture decoder;
Fig.22 is a flowchart showing the reproduction control by the system controlling unit;
Fig.23 is a detailed flowchart of step 128 in the flowchart of Fig.22;
Fig.24 is a detailed flowchart of a reproduction of a VOB in Fig.23;
Fig.25 is a detailed flowchart of the highlight process in Fig.24;
Fig.26 is a detailed flowchart of the process of handling the button state change in Fig.25;
Fig.27 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the audio channel determining unit;
Fig.28 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the sub-picture channel determining unit;
Fig.29A shows the used for the title menu;
Fig.29B shows the PGC information used for the title menu ;
Fog.30 shows an operation in which the reproduction of a movie is stopped temporarily to call the title menu then resumed;
Fig.31 shows PGCs for English conversation materials;
Fig.32 shows the PGC information of the PGCs for English
conversation materials; and
Fig.33 is a flowchart showing the procedure of producing the optical disc used in the embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the present embodiment, a multimedia optical disc called DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) is used. The following is the physical construction of the DVD.
Fig.l shows an appearance, a cross-section, an enlarged circled part, and pit shapes of the DVD of the present embodiment.
The DVD of the drawing has the same diameter as CDs: about 12cm.
In the cross-section of the drawing, starting from the bottom, DVD 107 is formed of a first transparent substrate 108 with the thickness of about 0.6mm, an information layer 109, a bonding layer 110, a second transparent substrate 111, and, if necessary, a print layer 112 on which a label is printed. Bonding layer 110, being formed between information layer 109 and transparent substrate 111, bonds these layers. A reflective membrane such as metal foil is attached to a surface of information layer 109 where it is in contact with first transparent substrate 108. Print layer 112 is not indispensable to DVD 107 and can be omitted, if not necessary,
to expose transparent substrate 111.
The lower surface of DVD 107 in Fig.l is called read-out surface A on which light beam 113 is shown for reproducing information; the upper surface is called rear surface B on which printing layer 112 is formed..
Indented and protruding pits are formed, with high density, in the reflective membrane attached to a surface of information layer 109 where it is in contact with first transparent substrate 108. Information is recorded by changing the length and distance of the pits. That is, the indented and protruding pits of first transparent substrate 108 is printed onto information layer 109. The length of a pit ranges, as shown in the drawing, from 0.4um to 2.13um. A whole series of pits form a spiral track with a radial distance of 0.74um between the pit lines. The surface recording density of DVD 107 is higher than that of CDs with shorter pit length and narrower track pitch, the track pitch being the pitch of the spiral track.
Read-out surface A is a flat surface. Second transparent substrate 111 is a reinforcer with flat surfaces on both sides, being about 0.6mm thick and made of the same material as first transparent substrate 108.
Information is retrieved by letting an optical head (not shown in the drawings) shine light beam 113 onto read-out surface A to focus and form an image on information layer 109
as optical spot 114. When light beam 113 is shone onto a pit, an optical interference is generated due to the difference of phase between the pit and the surroundings and the reflection rate reduces; when light beam 113 is shone onto an area other than the pits, such an optical interference is not generated and the reflection rate does not reduce. Such changes in the reflection rate are used for reproducing the retrieved information. The light spot 114 on a DVD has a diameter of around 1/1.6 times the diameter of a light spot on a conventional CD due to an increase in the numerical aperture (NA) of the objective lens and a reduction in the wavelength X of the light beam. DVD 107 of the physical construction described above can store about 4.7GB of information on one side, which is almost eight times the storage capacity of a conventional CD.
Now, the data structure of DVD 107 is described.
Fig.2 shows the data structure of DVD 107. As shown in this drawing, DVD 107 includes, in a direction from the center of the disc to the circumference, a lead-in area, a volume area, and a lead-out area on a spiral track.
The lead-in area stores operation stabilization data which is used when the disc reproduction apparatus starts reading data from DVD 107.
The lead-out area informs the data reproduction
apparatus of the end of the recorded information.
The volume area stores a various kinds of data which make up an application. The volume area is comprised of a large number of logical blocks (also referred to as sectors) arrayed as a one-dimensional array on the spiral track. The logical blocks, each having 2KB, are identified by their serial numbers (block numbers) which are sector addresses. The size of a logical block is the minimum unit in data reading by the disc reproduction apparatus.
The volume area is divided into a volume management area and a file area.
The volume management area, having as many logical blocks starting from the first logical block as are required to manage the whole disc, restores information which, for example, conforms to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 1334 6 and is used to show the relation between a plurality of file names and addresses of groups of logical blocks.
The file area stores at least a Video Title Set and a Video Manager. In the present embodiment, the Video Title Set and the Video Manager are each treated as a file for the sake of conveniences. However, in reality, each of them is comprised of a series of files recorded on the track. This is because the file capacity may increase so greatly that the disc reproduction apparatus may have a difficulty in dealing with
such files in case that, for example, the disc includes a movie.
The Video Title Set stores a plurality of Video Objects (VOBs) and information for controlling the reproduction of the VOBs. The VOB includes moving pictures, audio data, and still pictures for a part of an application in the disc such as an interactive movie. One Video Title Set may be divided into some parts. Suppose the Video Title Set is divided into three versions of a movie: a theater version, a no-cut version, and a TV on-air version. Movies sometimes have different versions for reasons of performance or ethical problems. Therefore, it has been desired that the plurality of versions of a movie are included in one disc. The present embodiment achieves this by combining a plurality of VOBs for each version. For this, the Video Title Set may include VOBs commonly used by the versions and VOBs unique to respective versions. Recording of a plurality of Video Title Sets (movies, interactive movies, etc.) in a disc is achieved for the first time by DVDs thanks to the large storage capacity of about 4.7GB.
The Video Manager manages the whole Video Title Sets in the disc. The Video Manager stores a VOB set (a plurality of VOBs) and information for managing the plurality of VOBs. The construction is the same as that of the Video Title Set, but the purpose is different. That is, the Video Manager manages the whole Video Title Sets in the disc. For this purpose, the
Video Manager includes VOBs for a system menu. The system menu is reproduced when the disc reproduction apparatus with the disc loaded is turned on. The system menu can also be called and reproduced temporarily during a reproduction of a title. The system menu is used so that the user can select a video title set or set/change channels for audio and sub-picture data. Construction of Video Title Set ... (1)>
Fig.3 shows the construction of the Video Title Set.
The Video Title Set includes a plurality of VOBs and the Video Title Set management information that manages the reproduction order of the VOBs.
Each VOB includes at least a VOBU (VOB Unit). Each VOBU is comprised of a piece of moving picture (video) data which is recorded in GOP (Group Of Picture) unit with a certain time period, a plurality pieces of audio data, a plurality pieces of sub-picture data, and a management pack. The plurality pieces of audio data and the plurality pieces of sub-picture data correspond to respective channels of kinds of audio data and sub-picture data. The kinds of audio data and sub-picture data are selectively reproduced by the disc reproduction apparatus.
"audio A, " "audio B, " and "audio C" shown in the drawing, for example, may include different languages, such as English and Japanese, or voices of a male and a female.
"SP A" and "SP B" shown in the drawing are still pictures displayed on the same screen with moving pictures and, for example, may be used as subtitles of different languages. The sub-picture data can also be used as menus, which is more important usage of the sub-picture data. That is, the sub-picture data can be used as a menu picture of an interactive application or a system menu.
The management pack, having 2KB, stores information for managing the VOBUs. The management pack includes Highlight Information which controls displaying of buttons in menu pictures and operations in menus. The Highlight Information, with menu pictures of sub-picture data, achieves the interactive operations in units of VOBUs.
Fig.4A shows the construction of the VOB. The drawing shows a VOB and the materials interleaved in the VOB. The elementary streams (l)-(6) of the drawing are materials which are interleaved in the VOB.
Elementary stream (1) is moving picture data having been compressed under MPEG2. Elementary stream (1) is interleaved in each VOBU in units of GOPs. Here, a GOP represents a piece of compressed moving picture data of about 0.5 seconds and includes at leans an I-picture. A VOBU includes a GOP of moving picture data.
Elementary streams (2)-(4) are audio data corresponding
to the moving picture data and are also called audio channels A-C respectively. Each audio channel is divided into a plurality of parts which each, having almost the same time period as one GOP, are included in corresponding VOBUs.
Elementary streams (5)-(6) are sub-picture data corresponding to the moving picture data and are also called sub-picture channels A-B respectively. Each sub-picture channel is divided into a plurality of parts which each, having almost the same time period as one GOP, are included in corresponding VOBUs.
Fig.4B shows some VOBs which respectively have channels for audio data and sub-picture data.
VOB #1 of the drawing includes three kinds of voices, four kinds of subtitles, and one kind of moving picture. In the drawing:
moving picture data: video 1001, video 1002, ...
English voice: audio A1001, audio A1002, ...
Japanese voice: audio B1001, audio B1002, ...
French voice: audio C1001, audio C1002, ...
English subtitle: SP A1001, SP A1002, ...
English subtitle (for people with hardness of hearing): SP B1001, SP B1002, . . .
Japanese subtitle: SP C1001, SP C1002, ...
Japanese subtitle (for people with hardness of hearing): SP D1001, SP D1002, . . .
VOB #1 is a part of a TV-on-air version and provides three languages for the voice and two languages for the subtitle. The subtitles for people with hardness of hearing provide descriptions of sounds, such as "somebody is knocking on the door" or "clatter of storm against the window-pane."
Similarly, VOB #2 is a part of a no-cut version and provides English for the voice and subtitle. VOB #2 may be a portion unique to the no-cut version.
VOB #3 provides English and Japanese voices and subtitles as well as one kind of moving picture. VOB #3 may be a part of a theater version, the part having been cut and not included in the TV-on-air version.
VOB #4 provides the same number of kinds of audio data and sub-picture data as VOB #1.
Each part of the drawing indicated as "video 1001," "audio A1001," "audio B1001" and the like includes a plurality of 2KB packs. "video 1001" is, for example, also recognized as a set of packs which make up one GOP. The reason each of such parts is divided into packs is that the size (2KB) of the pack is the same as that of the logical block (sector) which is a minimum unit when data is read from the disc by the disc reproduction apparatus.
The description below is the data format of the packs which are included in the moving picture data, audio data, and

sub-picture data of VOBUs.
Each of the packs shown in Figs. 5-8 includes a pack header, a packet header, and a data field and is 2KB in size. The packet header and the data field make up a packet which is called a PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) packet. The pack header and the packet header are stipulated in MPEG2 and are not explained here.
One of the characteristics of the present embodiment is the use of special packet stipulated in MPEG2 which are called private packet. It is possible to define the private packet according to the purpose. In the present embodiment, private packet 1 is defined as the audio data or sub-picture data; private packet 2 is defined as the management pack.
Fig.5 shows the data format of the packs that make up the moving picture data such as "video 1" of Fig.4A (hereinafter such packs are called video packs). The video pack is comprised of a pack header, a packet header, and a data field. The data field stores moving picture data. As shown in the drawing, a stream ID, which is a part of the packet header, is set to "1110 0000." This indicates that the pack is the video pack.
Fig.6 shows the data format of the packs that make up the audio data such as "audio A-1" of Fig.4A (hereinafter such packs are called audio packs) . The audio pack is comprised of a pack header, a packet header, and a data field. The data

field stores audio data. As shown in the drawing, the stream ID is set to "1011 1101." This indicates that the pack is private packet 1. Furthermore, the higher five bits of a sub-stream ID, which is a part of the data field, indicate a coding type of the audio data and the lower three bits indicate a channel. This means audio data can be recorded in the disc in eight channels at the maximum. In the present embodiment, the eight audio channels indicated by the lower three bits of the sub-stream ID are respectively called audio physical channels 0-7.
Fig. 7 shows the data format of the packs that, make up the sub-picture data such as "SP A-l" of Fig.4A (hereinafter such packs are called sub-picture packs). The sub-picture pack is comprised of a pack header, a packet header, and a data field. The data field stores sub-picture data (image data). The stream ID is set to "1011 1101," indicating that the pack is private packet 1. Furthermore, the higher three bits of the sub-stream ID indicate the data is the sub-picture data; the lower five bits indicate a channel. This means sub-picture data can be recorded in the disc in 32 channels at the maximum. In the present embodiment, the 32 sub-picture channels indicated by the lower five bits of the sub-stream ID are respectively called sub-picture physical channels 0-31 or SP physical channels 0-31. The above names, namely the audio physical channel and the sub-picture physical channel, are used


to differentiate them from the audio logical channel and the sub-picture logical channel respectively. The physical channels and the logical channels are mapped by the disc reproduction apparatus with one-to-one relation.
Fig.8 shows the data format of the management pack of Fig.4A. The management pack is comprised of a pack header, a system header, a PCI (Presentation Control Information) packet, and a DSI (Data Search Information) packet. The PCI packet is comprised of a packet header and a data field. The DSI packet is comprised of a packet header and a data field. The stream IDs of the packet headers of the PCI packet and the DSI packet are both set to "1011 1111," indicating that the pack is private packet 2. The sub-stream ID of the data field of the PCI packet is set to "0000 0000," indicating that the packet is the PCI packet; the sub-stream ID of the data field of the DSI packet is set to "0000 0001," indicating that the packet is the DSI packet.
The DSI packet stores information for managing the synchronization of the moving picture data with the audio data and information for achieving special reproductions such as forward and rewinding. These kinds of information include a return destination address which is the starting position of the VOBU that includes the first portion of the sub-picture data of a menu when the sub-picture data of the menu is recorded over a plurality of VOBUs. The return destination

address is used to resume a reproduction of an application which has been stopped since the user pressed the MENU key of the remote controller and the video manager jumped to the system menu to change the audio and sub-picture streams.
The PCI packet stores Highlight Information for achieving interactive operations with the user. The Highlight Information is control information for responding to the user operation when the menu is reproduced by the sub-picture data of the VOBU in which the Highlight Information is also included. Here, the user operation indicates an action by the user of pressing the CURSOR key, ten keys, ENTER key or the like of the remote controller to input an instruction to the disc reproduction apparatus.
Now, the Highlight Information is described in detail with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows the system menu and some images of the title menu. Menu image M101 of the system menu displays three options (0 MOVIE A, 1 MOVIE B, and 2 GAME). The Highlight Information corresponding to menu image 101 includes control information which specifies the number of buttons, the selection color and determination color for each button, the commands to be executed when the buttons are determined, and the like. Other menu images, M102-M108 have the same construction as menu image M101.
Fig.10 shows a hierarchical representation of the

construction of the management pack. As also shown in Fig.8, the management pack includes the PCI packet and the DSI packet. The PCI packet includes the Highlight Information. Construction of Highlight Information>
As shown in Fig.10, the Highlight Information of the PCI pack is comprised of highlight general information, button color information, and button information. The highlight general information is general information on highlight displays, where the highlight display indicates that a button in a menu image is displayed in a manner of differentiating the button from the other buttons if the button is in a selection state or a determination state. Such a menu display reflects the user operation. Construction of Highlight General Information>
The highlight general information, as shown in the drawing, includes a highlight state, a highlight start time, a highlight end time, a button selection end time, total number of buttons, and a compulsory selection button number.
The highlight state indicates whether the video display period of about 0.5 seconds, namely the VOBU of the present PCI packet, includes any buttons, and also indicates, if includes any buttons, whether the buttons are the same as those of the preceding PCI packet.
The highlight state represents, for example, the following.

00: no button is included
01: new buttons are included
10: the buttons are the same as those of the preceding PCI packet.
11: the buttons are the same as those of the preceding PCI packet except the highlight command.
The highlight start time, the highlight end time, and the button selection end time respectively indicate the start time and end time of the highlight display and a deadline time for selecting a button. These times are calculated by regarding the start of the reproduction of the present VOB as the starting point. The disc reproduction apparatus calculates the system time as the standard clock for the whole reproduction operations by regarding the start of the reproduction of the present VOB as the starting point. With such times, the disc reproduction apparatus synchronizes the display of a menu image with the corresponding highlight display.
The total number of buttons indicates the number of buttons currently used, among 36 buttons available. The buttons have serial numbers.
The compulsory selection button number specifies a button which is displayed as an initial selection button when the highlight display starts. The compulsory selection button number "63" indicates that a button is specified for the

initial selection button by a button number which is stored in a storage in the disc reproduction apparatus. Construction of Button Color Information>
Fig.11 shows the construction of the button color information and the button information.
The button color information is comprised of button color information 1, button color information 2, and button color information 3. That is, the button color information provides three kinds of button colors. Any of the three colors is assigned to each individual button. Although 3 6 buttons can be used at the maximum, different colors corresponding to the buttons are not provided in the present embodiment since it is considered as ineffective.
Each of button color information 1, button color information 2, and button color information 3 is comprised of selection color information and determination color information. The selection color information specifies a selection color which is given to a button specified by pressing the arrow keys or the like; the determination color is given to a button selected and determined by the user. Construction of Button Information>
As shown in Fig.11, the button information is comprised of 1-36 pieces of button information, button information 1-36.
Each piece of the button information is comprised of button position information, adjacent button information, and

a button command.
The button position information is comprised of a button color number for specifying any of button color information 1-3 and a coordinate area (highlight area) for indicating the position of the button on the menu image.
The adjacent button information specifies an adjacent button of the present button, in a direction upward/downward/leftward/rightward. This allows the user to move from one button to another by pressing the arrow keys or the like.
The button command specifies a command which is executed when the present button is determined. The command is an instruction for controlling the reproduction by the disc reproduction apparatus.

Documents:

866-del-1997-abstract.pdf

866-del-1997-claims.pdf

866-del-1997-complete-spacification(granted).pdf

866-DEL-1997-Correspondence-Others-(31-12-2008).pdf

866-del-1997-correspondence-others.pdf

866-del-1997-correspondence-po.pdf

866-del-1997-description (complete).pdf

866-DEL-1997-Drawings.pdf

866-DEL-1997-Form-1-(31-12-2008).pdf

866-del-1997-form-1.pdf

866-del-1997-form-13-(31-12-2008).pdf

866-del-1997-form-13.pdf

866-del-1997-form-19.pdf

866-DEL-1997-Form-2-(31-12-2008).pdf

866-del-1997-form-2.pdf

866-del-1997-form-3.pdf

866-del-1997-form-4.pdf

866-del-1997-form-6.pdf

866-DEL-1997-GPA-(31-12-2008).pdf

866-DEL-1997-Others-Document-(31-12-2008).pdf

866-del-1997-pa.pdf

866-del-1997-petition-137.pdf

866-del-1997-petition-138.pdf


Patent Number 227524
Indian Patent Application Number 866/DEL/1997
PG Journal Number 05/2009
Publication Date 30-Jan-2009
Grant Date 12-Jan-2009
Date of Filing 04-Apr-1997
Name of Patentee MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LIMITED
Applicant Address 1006, OAZA KADOMA, KADOMA-SHI, OSAKA-FU 571, JAPAN.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 KAZUHIKO YAMAUCHI 19-1-407, ISHIZUMINAMI-MACHI, NEYAGAWA-SHI OSAKA-FU 572, JAPAN.
2 SHINICHI SAEKI 3163, FUKE, MISAKI-CHO, SENNAN-GUN, OSAKA-FU 599-03, JAPAN
3 KATSUHIKO MIWA 4-40-444, NONAKAMINAMI 1-CHOME, YODOGAWA-KU, OSAKA-SHI, OSAKA-FU 532, JAPAN
4 MASAYUKI KOZUKA 19-1-1207, ISHIZUMINAMI-MACHI, NEYAGAWA-SHI, OSAKA-FU 572, JAPAN
5 KAZUHIRO TSUGA 9-33 TSUTSUJIGAOKA, HANAYASHIKI, TAKARAZUKA-SHI, HYOGO-KEN 665, JAPAN
6 KAORU MURASE 105, PUREJIERUKURIHARA, 367, MEYASU, IKARUGA-CHO, IKOMA GUN, NARA-KEN 636-01 JAPAN
PCT International Classification Number H04N 5/85
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 8-83686 1996-04-05 Japan