156 results about "Digital video disc" patented technology

One aspect of the invention includes one or more security devices embedded on one of the two surfaces, or between the two surfaces, of a compact disc (CD) or digital video disc (DVD) to impede the counterfeiting of the disc. The security devices may be, for example, holograms, optically variable devices (OVD) or RFID chips. CD / DVD is an authorized (non-pirated) version of a manufacturer's product. A system embodying the invention includes a player / reader which contains means for sensing selected characteristics of the security devices embedded on or within a CD / DVD and which is programmed to ascertain that the CD / DVD is in fact a valid document. Another aspect of the invention may include encrypting apparatus for reading / sensing selected characteristics of security device(s) and for annotating the disc and / or the security device(s) with corresponding information. Still another aspect includes a player / reader which is programmed to sense selected characteristics of security device(s) and / or to read information written back onto the disc and / or on the security device and to compare the information to ascertain the validity of the disc.

There is provided a system and method for dynamically transmitting a services list to a playback device. The system comprises a display device, a playback device, and a mediator server with a mediator application. The mediator application is configured to receive, from the playback device, a service request for a services list, to send a services list for presenting on a display device in response to receiving the service request, to receive an activation request for at a third-party service listed in the services list, and to activate the third-party service in response to receiving the activation request. By programming a digital video disc such as a Blu-ray disc according to an API and using such a mediator server, a dynamically adjustable list of third-party services may be supported and used by the playback device without changing the disc application code.

A system and method for communicating secondary vending options for a vendible media product having entertainment content therein is provided. The system comprises a transaction network, and a database in communication with the transaction network, wherein the database stores a plurality of digital video disc titles and a plurality of locations and release dates corresponding to the digital video disc titles. A vending controller at a vending location receives a user request signal for a digital video disc, and determines whether the digital video disc is available in a vending inventory at the vending location. A central controller receives a first signal from the vending controller, wherein the first signal comprises a secondary vending option and a user electronic mail address. The central controller receives a second signal from the vending controller, wherein the second signal comprises an indication that the digital video disc is available in the vending inventory.

A system and method for selling a rental digital video disc is provided. A request from a user to rent the digital video disc is received. First transaction data from a user interface is received, wherein the first transaction data comprises financial information corresponding to a user financial account. An electronic mail address is received, corresponding to a specific user. The digital video disc is vended from a vending machine, and it is determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a prior transmission of an electronic mail message to the electronic mail address. Upon such a determination, an electronic mail message is transmitted to the electronic mail address, wherein the message comprises a uniform resource locator specifying an Internet website through which the rental digital video disc can be purchased. The method also comprises the step of receiving second transaction data via the Internet website.

A system and method for managing vending inventory of digital video discs is provided. A plurality of digital video discs are stored in a plurality of storage compartments, wherein each of the compartments corresponds to a type of digital video disc. An inventory descriptor is generated, wherein the descriptor identifies a set of digital video discs. The inventory descriptor is scanned, causing a conveyor to convey the set of digital video discs from the storage compartments to a vending delivery module. The set of digital video discs is secured within the vending delivery module.

A system and method for controlling an operation of at least one electronic device or appliance are provided. The system and method obviates the need of a user of a plurality of electronic devices, e.g., a television, digital video disc (DVD) player, VCR, etc, to keep track of and maintain a corresponding plurality of remote control devices. The system and method provide a user with a graphic representation of the remote control device for each electronic appliance on a display controllable by a single, easy-to-use, intuitive transmitter. The graphic representations and associated control codes for the plurality of electronic appliances are downloadable via a global computer network, e.g., the Internet. In accordance with the present disclosure, a user can access all of the functions of each of the plurality of electronic appliances with a single remote transmitter without having to manually program the transmitter for each electronic appliance.

An annular protective rim attachment designed to grip the outer peripheral edge of compact discs (CD's) and digital video discs (DVD's), consisting of a flexible, flat top rim (10), the inner periphery of which is molded to form an upper lip (12), lower lip (14), and between these lips, a gripping mouth (16) to securely hold the CD or DVD (28) inside the aperture of said ring. The underside of said ring is shaped in such a way as to create an airfoil (20) adequate to enable the airfoil ring with attached CD or DVD (28) to safely fly and exhibit controllability when tossed into the air. The airfoil ring is made of a soft, flexible non-malleable plastic material which will create a cushioning effect so as not to produce contact impact and resultant injury or damage when tossed into the air.

A versatile envelope assembly that can be printed upon either before or after the resulting envelope is assembled. The resulting envelope can be used to store a wide variety of items, including compact discs and digital video discs, and can also provide a label for labeling the items contained in the envelope. The label is specially designed to extend the life of compact discs and digital video discs when applied to these items. Furthermore, the resulting envelope can be used as a mailing envelope, a filing pocket, a ring-binder pocket, or for any other suitable use.

A system and method for using a hand held device having a display to display a readable representation of an audio track of a playing media such as, for example, a television program, a compact disc, or digital video disc. In one embodiment, the system generally includes a consumer appliance for playing the media wherein the consumer appliance is adapted to transmit a signal including data that is a representation of the audio track. In a further embodiment, the representation of the audio track can be downloaded to the hand-held device from an external source such as, for example, a Web site on the Internet.

An apparatus, a system and a method for controlling an operation of an electronic device is disclosed. The apparatus, system and method obviates the need of a user of a plurality of electronic devices, e.g., a television, digital video disc (DVD) player, VCR, etc, to keep track of and maintain a corresponding plurality of remote control devices. The apparatus, system and method provide a user with a graphic representation of the remote control device for each electronic appliance on a display controllable by a single, easy-to-use, intuitive transmitter. In addition, a memory for storing a widget is positioned within the electronic device or the apparatus. A microprocessor of the apparatus activates the widget and outputs the widget to a display. The widget and associated data is updatable and downloadable from a remote server without the need for the remote control device in which the widget is stored.

A remote control having an improved user interface. A remote control for navigating a menu system provided on a digital video disc (DVD) is disclosed. The remote control comprises memory for storing a sequence of navigation keystrokes and programming for subsequently executing the sequence, whereby material on the DVD is navigated. Remote controls having a display screen are also used to enhance the user interface. More general systems and methods related to consumer electronics are also disclosed.

A GUID as title information and a global serial number are recorded in a BCA of a digital video disc 60. A hash value of the GUID is embedded as an electronic watermark in a data area 64. When content data is reproduced from the digital video disc 60, a match of information of the two GUIDs is checked so as to prevent the digital video disc 60 from being illegally copied. A lead-in area 63 and a managing organization 20 provide disc revocation lists. With a global serial number and a disc revocation list, content data can be prevented from being reproduced from an illegally distributed disc. A film WM detector 84 detects data embedded in a movie shown in a theater so as to prevent content data from being reproduced from a disc on which the embedded data is recorded. Thus, content data can be prevented from being reproduced from an illegally distributed disc before a copyright supervisor of the content authorizes the disc to be distributed.

A method and system for building and utilizing a database containing images of transactions. As transactions are performed, a camera takes images of the transactions. These images are correlated to data that outlines the details of the transaction that includes date, time and sometimes the amount of money exchanged. The images and data are stored in a database for easy retrieval using query instructions so that a particular transaction and its corresponding image are quickly retrieved.

A synchronized music delivery system utilizes either a portable memory device including compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs) and memory sticks, or on-line or wirelessly delivered content in combination with a lighted keyboard and a sound reproducing system. A synchronized musical work, including music, lyrics and specialized coding, is recorded onto the portable memory device or is stored on a server for on-line or wireless delivery, in one embodiment by downloading the information from the Internet to the portable memory device; and in another embodiment in a stand-alone version involving pre-recording the portable memory device. The stored synchronized music in one embodiment is provided with the actual song recording, sing-along words and including letters of the alphabet to be struck on a standard alpha-numeric computer keyboard, indicia, scrollable score coding incorporating notes on a musical score and fingering or a lighted key drive, all information being synchronized with the work. In one embodiment the synchronized memory device is inserted into a suitable slot in an electronic music synthesizer having a lighted keyboard and song reproduction equipment such that a virtually unlimited number of musical works can be readily delivered in one embodiment to a CD ROM / DVD burner over the Internet, whereby not only can a karaoke-like audio-visual experience be provided, but also a synchronized lighted keyboard is provided to enable an individual not only to sing along, but to play along with the work.

A system and method for communicating secondary vending options for a vendible media product having entertainment content therein is provided. The system comprises a transaction network, and a database in communication with the transaction network, wherein the database stores a plurality of digital video disc titles and a plurality of locations and release dates corresponding to the digital video disc titles. A vending controller at a vending location receives a user request signal for a digital video disc, and determines whether the digital video disc is available in a vending inventory at the vending location. A central controller receives a first signal from the vending controller, wherein the first signal comprises a secondary vending option and a user electronic mail address. The central controller receives a second signal from the vending controller, wherein the second signal comprises an indication that the digital video disc is available in the vending inventory.

A video display system for a vehicle may comprise a housing and a screen console coupled to the housing. The screen console may have a screen and a digital video disc player operably connected to the screen, each of the screen and the digital video disc player being integrally positioned substantially within the screen console. The screen console may be pivotally coupled to the housing.

A system and / or method that enables a user to preorder electronic titles prior to release for sale or rental. One embodiment is directed toward a system (and method thereof) configured to enable a user to preorder a desired electronic title (e.g., digital versatile discs or digital video discs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs)) at a venue-specific location prior to public release. The present system and method can be used in relation to any electronic title available on any format known in the art including, but not limited to DVDs, CDs, magnetic tapes, streaming audio / video or the like. As well, the present system and method may be used in relation to any type of electronic title known in the art including but, not limited to movies, music, software, games, news, magazines, periodicals, newspapers or the like.

A method and apparatus for creating an expanded functionality digital video disc (DVD) creates an enhanced DVD with index tables for the program streams on the DVD. Index tables point to key locations in an MPEG program stream with each entry in the index table set to point to a group of pictures (GOP) header in the MPEG stream. The invention can select GOP headers at predefined intervals, semi-random intervals, or at key locations. The invention creates an index table either during storage of a program stream on a hard disk, during a scan of program material already stored on a local hard disk, or while program material is being read out of the hard disk and written to a DVD. The invention adds a new directory to the DVD structure and writes the index table(s) for the stream(s) into the directory. The new directory and its content are only recognized by invention-enabled DVD players and DVRs. Each media stream file in the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS directories has a corresponding index table file in the new directory. Alternatively, the index table files could be stored in the respective VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS directories. When an enhanced DVD created by the invention is inserted into a invention-aware DVR or DVD player, the index table files on the DVD are utilized to enable smooth special effects functionality.

A portable DVD (Digital Video Disc) player combined with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Displayer) is provided. In current application the DVD and LCD are combined in one module. In the module of the current application the screen of the LCD faces outward and the DVD loader is placed behind the LCD. An opening cleavage is developed on the upper surface of the DVD player. Just below the opening cleavage is located a DVD loader inside of the DVD module. The DVD / LCD module is mounted at the back side of a head rest of a front seat of a car with the aid of a supporting frame connecting the head rest pole and the DVD / LCD module.

A digital copyright protection method and a management device thereof for a digital video disc system relate to multimedia field. The management device is composed of an authorization management system, a replication business system and authorized playing equipment. The authorization management system is composed of a content protection authorization manager, a replication business authorization manager, a system safety data manager and a playing equipment authorization manager; the replication business system is composed of an authorization file manager, a making authorization manager and an encryption distribution manager; the playing equipment is composed of a playing authorization file manager, a legality authentication manager and a decryption playing manager. The invention adopts dual-key asymmetric encryption technique to build the digital copyright protection safety system for the digital video disc system, realizes the authorization management of the replication business system and meets the domestic tremendous HD content publishing and consumption demands; besides, the invention also has the advantages of safety, reliability and low operation cost.

A system and method are provided for providing a timed event to a user viewing recorded media content at a defined time interval. The recorded media content may be any media viewed on a time-shifted basis. For example, the recorded media may be television content recorded by a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), media content recorded on a Digital Video Disc (DVD), streaming media content providing by a network such as the Internet, or the like. In general, the timed event may be, for example, presenting audio, visual, or audio-visual content and is configured to occur periodically at a time interval such as, but not limited to, every half-hour, every hour, or once a day. Once the timed event is configured, the timed event is periodically effected at the time interval to provide an indication of time while the user is viewing recorded media content.

A list of video fingerprinting data that represents a feature of the newest video content is extracted from a digital video disc 160 or provided by a copyright supervisor authorized by a managing organization. The list of the video fingerprinting data is recorded in a non-volatile memory 181. When video content is reproduced from the digital video disc 160, a fingerprinting data calculating portion 187 extracts the feature of the video content and obtains video fingerprinting data. When the data is contained in the list, the reproduction for the video content is restricted. Thus, the reproduction for an illegal digital video disc 160 can be restricted until the copyright supervisor permits the reproduction for the digital video disc 160.

The present invention is directed towards providing a viewer an option of beginning a previously-viewed DVD or DVR from its last viewed position. A processor determines a unique identifier of the DVD or DVR and stores the unique identifier in a presentation table in either an internal hard drive or RAM. When a viewer stops the DVD or DVR, the processor records the address (e.g., a logical block address and byte offset) of the DVD or hard drive, respectively, in the presentation table. At the time the DVD or DVR is viewed again, the processor provides the option of beginning the presentation at the last viewed position.

A system and method for communicating vending information for a digital video disc is provided. A plurality of vending transaction data is received, wherein each of the plurality of data comprises a transaction timestamp and corresponds to a rental transaction for a digital video disc. The plurality of vending transaction data is stored in a memory of a vending apparatus, and is encrypted. It is determined whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since a first transmission of transaction data from the vending apparatus, and a communication request is transmitted upon such determination to a remote control center. A signal is received at the vending apparatus from a control center in response to the communications request, and a plurality of vending transaction data is transmitted to the remote control center in response to receiving the signal.

The invention provides a remote control method, a remote control device and a remote control system for home network equipment. The method comprises the following steps of: establishing connection with a plurality of pieces of electronic equipment through a network; acquiring identification codes and operating state codes of the electronic equipment; establishing and displaying an equipment list, wherein the equipment list comprises the names and operating states of the electronic equipment; selecting electronic equipment according to the equipment list; receiving a remote control instruction signal, wherein the remote control instruction signal comprises an identification code of corresponding electronic equipment; converting the remote control instruction signal into an instruction code identifiable for the corresponding electronic equipment; and transmitting the instruction code to the electronic equipment. The equipment list is established and updated in a television, so that other multimedia equipment such as a digital video disc (DVD) machine and a set-top box (STB) in a home network can be selected and controlled for corresponding operation only by performing specific remote control operation on the television through a television remote controller.

This invention is a picture frame that is capable of framing a, picture in a manner suitable for hanging on a wall or standing on a table while also packaging a compact disc, digital video disc, memory card, or alternate media. Various embodiments are described that facilitate economical manufacture of the picture while allowing an elegant display of the picture. Further, these embodiments allow the user to easily switch between pictures in the frame and remove and replace the disc. Thus, a unique picture frame is disclosed that functions both to store and to display pictures while also serving as a package or receptacle for disc shaped and other media.

The present invention discloses a method for generating a playlist, which comprises: retrieving data of every video file stored in storing means; generating a video timeline based on the data, wherein the video timeline represents the video files arranged in order; setting at least one pair of beginning and end tags on the video timeline; creating a playlist by collecting all tags in that order; and storing the playlist in the storing means. With the present invention, users could edit a play sequence of a whole digital video disc in DVD-VR format by generating a playlist in a pretty easy and convenient way.

An audio and / or video system is disclosed. The audio and / or video system includes an entertainment module adapted for connection to a docking station. The entertainment module includes output means for provding programming that is audible and visible. The entertainment module includes an antenna connected to a wireless module that wirelessly accesses wireless audio and / or video programming, a storage means for storing the wireless audio and / or video programming, and an input means for receiving a compact disc or digital video disc that stores media audio and / or video programming. The docking station may optionally include the antenna, wireless module and storage means.