Abstract:
A method of taking messages for a DVD player is provided. The DVD player includes input device, memory, a DVD play module, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module. Firstly, recording the message in the memory of the DVD layer. Thereafter, waiting for a predetermined event. Finally, outputting and displaying the message. The DVD player records and outputs messages according to the DVD player in order to take messages in the present invention.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application Ser. No. 92130685, filed Nov. 3, 2003. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention generally relates to a DVD player, and more particularly to a DVD player having message-taking feature and method thereof. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   As technology proceeds, Digital Video Disc (i.e. DVD) gradually substitutes conventional audio/video apparatus, such as Video Home System (VHS) player and Video Compact Disc (VCD) player, as DVD is progressively popular in each family. However, DVD player is known for playing multimedia formats, such as movies, music, and images. 
   In additional, as modern life gets substantially busy, message-taking feature is more and more desired. Moreover, a plain message-taking feature does not fulfill modern and fashionable needs. Providing extra diversity is added to message-taking function, it is as well one of the methods to add DVD player&#39;s value. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a message-taking feature for a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player and method thereof. Current hardware of a DVD player is utilized, yet a further voice and character message taking method is provided, so that a DVD player is more broadly used, and additional DVD player value is obtained. 
   The present invention provides a message-taking method for a DVD player. Firstly, message recording, where a message includes voice and characters, wherein message taken time and message party are also concerned. Thereafter, pausing for a predetermined event to occur, where the predetermined event can be DVD being started by user&#39;s operation, or DVD being automatically started by predetermined timer. Thereafter, DVD player displays a message that is taken, where the message includes message taken time and message party. Moreover, if an access password is required, the message will not be displayed until a password is examined correctly. Lastly, the message is outputted, that is, a voice message is played, and a character message is displayed, whereas disc is played according to the content of message or an operation of the DVD player is corresponded. 
   From another aspect, the present invention provides a DVD player having message-taking feature, including input device, a memory, an audio frequency ADC (analog-digital converter), and a DVD play module. The input device is for inputting signals and user&#39;s operations, the memory is for storing messages, the audio frequency ADC is for converting a audio frequency analog signal to a digital signal, and the DVD play module is for playing a DVD disc. Wherein the DVD player receives messages via the input device; if the message includes a voice message, the audio frequency ADC converts an analog audio frequency signal to a digital signal, and stores which in the memory. When a predetermined event occurs, the DVD player displays a message is taken, and output the message thereby. 
   Accordingly, the DVD player stores voice and characters that are recorded in the messages, and further displays the message, so that message-taking feature is achieved. Therefore DVD applies to a broader field, and its value is added. 
   The above is a brief description of some deficiencies in the prior art and advantages of the present invention. Other features, advantages and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, accompanying drawings and appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method for taking messages in a DVD player according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a DVD player having message-taking feature according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , it is a block diagram of a flowchart diagram illustrating a message-taking method for a DVD player according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a DVD player having message-taking feature according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  herein. Firstly, a user&#39;s message is taken down in voice and/or character fashion, and also taken down the time and the party (S 102 ). Afterwards, pausing for a predetermined event to occur (S 104 ), where the predetermined event refers to receiving an operation upon user via DVD remote control, or upon panel  214  operation, so that DVD player  200  is started, or the DVD  200  is started automatically when a predetermined time period is up. After the DVD player  200  is started, the message is displayed in a form of message time and party on TV  260  (S 106 ). For different message parties possess different codes, a password has to be examined correct (S 108 ) for retrieving the message. If the password is incorrect, the step is halted at S 108  till the password is input correctly for proceeding to S 110 . Lastly, outputting the message (S 110 ), i.e. playing voice via the speaker  270  or displaying characters via the TV  260 . 
   In the foregoing preferred embodiment, when a user starts the DVD player  200  with the remote control  240  or via DVD panel  214  operation, or if a message is found displayed on the TV  260  after a period of time. The user examines whether the message is belonged to oneself, temptempand input a password to retrieve the messages that is left for whom. After the password is examined, the DVD player  200  outputs the voice and characters of the message, and is displayed via TV  260 , and played via TV speaker  270 . Thereafter, a disc is further triggered according to the message, or other corresponding operation of the DVD player  200 , for example, playing the disc for the user after password is authenticated. 
   In the foregoing preferred embodiment, at least one set of user-defined keys is built-in for accessing personal database via DVD remote control  240  for management of the personal database, manually operation, and automatic and self-timer deleting messages. After the message is displayed, DVD player  200  is switched to standby mode or shutdown automatically. Wherein a built-in timing device in the DVD player  200  is a clock or a timer, which records the time that message is taken, whereas if the built-in timing device in the DVD player is a timer, the corresponding time interval between messages is recorded. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , it is illustrating a functional block diagram for a DVD player having message-taking feature according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 2 , the DVD player  200  having message-taking feature in this present invention includes an input device  210 , memory  220 , audio frequency ADC  280  and DVD play module  230 . The foregoing input device  210  is for message input and user instruction input, and the memory  220  is for storing the message. Whereas the DVD play module  230  is for playing DVD discs, and the audio frequency ADC  280  is for converting audio frequency analog signal to digital signal. Wherein the DVD player  200  receives the message via the input device  210 , when a voice message is obtained, the audio frequency analog signal is converted to a digital signal via the audio frequency ADC  280 , and record which in the memory  220 . When a predetermined event occurs, the DVD player  200  outputs the message, and displays which via TV  260  as well as plays via speaker  270 . 
   In the foregoing preferred embodiment, the input device  210  further includes a microphone  210 , a DVD panel  214 , and a remote input receiver  212 . The microphone  216  is for receiving voice analog signal. The DVD panel  214  is for character input. The remote input receiver  212  is for receiving data from remote  240 . 
   In the foregoing preferred embodiment, a user&#39;s voice is input via the microphone  216 , characters are input via DVD panel  214  or remote control  240 . When the DVD player  200  receives the message from the input device  240 , wherein if the message includes voice, the audio frequency analog signal is firstly converted to a digital signal via the audio frequency ADC  280  firstly, and then is stored in the memory  220 . Where the memory can be one of a built-in DRAM (dynamic random access memory) of the DVD player  200 , a flash memory, and a serial EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory); or a flash-EPROM used by program code, and other DVD external memory  250 . 
   The above description provides a full and complete description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications, alternate construction, and equivalent may be made by those skilled in the art without changing the scope or spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the following claims.