Abstract:
A system and method is provided for displaying multimedia information used in suspending mode according to preset timing in a calendar. In one form, a real-time clock is used to generate a real-time clock signal so as to make the multimedia player being synchronous with the real world. A memory device is used to store encoded multimedia information while a calendar is still included therein for saving timing information set by the manufacturer and user. A data-accessing module is used to access corresponding multimedia information from the memory device according to a comparison result by comparing the timing information provided by the rear-time clock with the calendar. A decoder decodes the aforesaid multimedia before delivering to a display system.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a multimedia player, more particularly to a multimedia player having the function of varying displayed contents in the suspending mode.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Production of the multimedia player, such as a VCD or DVD player, brings a new fashion in the drawing room of human dwelling, which is generally known as home theater nowadays. In the past, people quench their thirst of enjoying the play or movie only at the movie house or at the theater, where tall screen with high performance audio-and-video systems are employed. Nowadays, home entertainment is enhanced by deployment of different multimedia players which include audio-and-video system with high performance.  
         [0003]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a prior art multimedia player that includes a data-accessing module  2 , a decoder  4 , a transmission interface  5 , a display system  6  and a memory device  8 . The multimedia player is provided with a disk-receiving compartment to receive an optical disk  9  for displaying. When the multimedia player is powered on, the data-accessing module  2  fetches the multimedia information encoded in the disk  9  upon detecting the presence of the optical disk within the disk-receiving compartment, and transmits the encoded multimedia information to the decoder  4 . After being decoded by the decoder  4 , the decoded multimedia information is transmitted via the transmission interface  5  so as to be displayed over the display system  6 . On the other hand, upon detecting absence of the optical disk  9  within the disk-receiving compartment, the multiplayer will enter a suspend mode and the data-accessing module  2  will fetch the encoded multimedia information stored within the memory device  8 . After being decoded, the multimedia information is displayed over the display system  6  during the suspending mode. The aforesaid multimedia information may be an advertisement or music or combination of both.  
         [0004]      FIG. 2  shows the steps of displaying a multimedia information by the prior art multimedia player during the suspending mode. Step  10 , the multimedia player is connected to a power source so as to be switched on. Step  12 , the data-accessing module  2  detects presence of the optical disk  9  in the disk-receiving compartment. Step  120 , confirmation is done to display the disk  9 . Step  14 , the multimedia information encoded within the disk  9  is displayed, accordingly. Step  121 , when detecting absence of the disk  9  within the disk-receiving compartment  20 , the data-accessing module  2  is disposed in a state to make a preparation. Step  16 , the data-accessing module  2  fetches the preset information from the memory device  8 . In step  18 , the preset information is displayed over the display system  6  after being decoded i.e. after the multimedia player is powered on or prior to pressing the “play” button for starting an actual information (such as a movie). Listening to or watching the same preset information over and over again during the suspending mode is monotonous and subsequently brings discomfort to the audience. The waiting time before the main theme to be displayed over the display system  6  is generally known as suspending mode.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia player having the function of varying displayed contents in the suspending mode so as to overcome the aforesaid disadvantage.  
         [0006]     In one aspect of the present invention, a multimedia player for displaying a multimedia information during a suspending mode is proposed and includes: a memory device for storing a plurality of encoded multimedia information, the memory device including a calendar for saving timing information; a data-accessing module for accessing a corresponding multimedia information from the memory device according to a comparison result by comparing the timing information with the calendar; a display system; and a transmission interface for transmitting the corresponding multimedia information so as to be displayed over the display system.  
         [0007]     In a second aspect of the present invention, a method for varying displayed contents of a multimedia player during a suspending mode is proposed and includes the steps: comparing a real-time signal generated by a real-time clock module to a timing information with a calendar so as to result in a comparison result; accessing a multimedia information according to the comparison result; and displaying the multimedia information.  
         [0008]     In a third aspect of the invention, a data-accessing system for a multimedia player is proposed. The multimedia player has the function of varying display contents in the suspending mode. The data-accessing system includes: a memory device for storing a plurality of encoded multimedia information, the memory device including a calendar for saving timing information; and a data-accessing module for accessing a corresponding multimedia information from the memory device according to a comparison result by comparing the timing information with the calendar. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the components of a prior art multimedia player;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the steps for displaying multimedia information by the prior art multimedia player;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the components of a multimedia player according to the present invention; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the steps for displaying multimedia information during a suspending mode by the multimedia player of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0014]     The present invention provides a system for arranging a multimedia player to display a desired multimedia information (such as image or video/audio data) used in suspending mode according to preset timing in a calendar, i.e. prior to starting the main movie by the user. According to the present invention the user or the manufacturer can input a plurality of encoded multimedia information in advance into the multimedia player. The multimedia player can be preset in such a manner that the desired multimedia information (set by the user or the manufacturer) can be displayed at preset day and time during the suspending mode.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of a multimedia player (such as a DVD player) according to the present invention that includes a data-accessing module  22 , a decoder  24 , a transmission interface  25 , a display system  26  (a TV set or an audio instrument), a real-time clock module  28 , a memory device  30  and a user&#39;s interface  32 . The real-time clock module  28  includes an oscillator and a timing circuit for generating real-time clock signal so as to make the multimedia player of the present invention being synchronous with the real world. The memory device  30  is used for storing a plurality of encoded multimedia information, which includes the multimedia information  303  preset by the manufacturer, and the multimedia information  302  inputted or programmed by the user via the optical disk  20  (such as CD, VCD, DVD), and a calendar  301  (for storing the timing information set by the user). Under this condition, the user can set up via the user&#39;s interface  32  (such as a remote control or a press button on the display panel of the DVD player) desired multimedia information to be displayed during the suspend mode. For example, the user can set up the multimedia player to display a start-up image with snowy background with a Christmas song on the 25th of December at a predetermined time. Alternatively, the user can input his or her date of birth and/or wedding into the multimedia player in such a manner to display a birthday song or a wedding rhythm in remembrance of his or her particular day for celebration. Such type of displaying the desired multimedia information rather than the multimedia information preset by the manufacturer during the suspend mode (the waiting time) is well known. Additionally, any person having ordinary skills in the art knows how to establish an environment that receives multimedia information inputted or programmed by users for the use during the suspend mode. For example, a specific button on a remote control may be configured to activate the mechanism that accepts multimedia information from the user for setting the displayed contents used in the suspend mode. A graphic user interface may be shown on the display system  26  to guide the user for settings. Thereafter, the user may select the displayed contents used for the suspend mode from a source. For example, he/she may select an image file or a video from the currently loaded optical disk or CF type (I or II) card. Associated timing for displaying the inputted displayed contents is then assigned via the shown user interface after the user decides his/her displayed contents. Finally, the multimedia player of the present invention may preview the displayed contents to the user according to his/her settings. After the user presses a button on the remote control for setting termination confirmation (the same button for actuating the aforementioned setup procedure may be used if possible), all settings including the displayed content and associated timing information may be stored into the memory device  30  and become a portion of the multimedia information  302  (the displayed contents used in the suspend mode) and calendar  301  (the assigned timing regarding the playback of the displayed contents). Please note that the aforementioned setting procedure may be varied as requirements or applications, but all similar modifications or variations within the spirits of the embodiment should be included in the scopes of the appended claims.  
         [0016]     Note that during the setup operation of the start-up image and the desired multimedia information, he can select the information representing only the background view (only the snowy landscape) of the display panel set by the manufacturer while deleting the information representing the date and time (the Christmas or wedding celebration song). He can either select an entire specific multimedia information setup by himself so long as he does not depart from various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation of the present invention.  
         [0017]     The data-accessing module  22  fetches the desired multimedia information from the memory device  30  according to a comparison result by comparing the timing information with the calendar  301 . An important aspect to note is that the program codes that serves as a reference for conducting the comparing operation can be stored within (or outside) the data-accessing module  22  so long as the comparison result can be sent thereinto for further execution. The decoder  24  is capable of decoding the multimedia information fetched by the data-accessing module  22  and the decoded multimedia information is later delivered to the display system  26  (such as a TV set) via the transmission interface  25  for displaying. The memory device  30  can be selected from a group including an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory) and a Flash memory. However, for those skilled in the art, other memory device in accordance with the required task of the user can replace the EEPROM or the Flash Memory.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates the steps for displaying the desired multimedia information by the multimedia player of the present invention during the suspending mode according to preset time in a calendar. Step  40 , the multimedia player is plugged into a power source so as to switch on the same. Step  42 , the data-accessing module  22  checks the existence of the disk  20  within the multimedia player. Step  420 , upon detecting presence of the disk  20 , the user still needs to make a confirmation to display or not the multimedia information encoded within the disk  20 . In step  44 , the multimedia information will be displayed accordingly if the user confirms the signal. Step  421 , in the event, the data-accessing module  22  cannot locate the existence of the disk  20  or the user does not choose the disk  20  despite of existence of the latter, the data-accessing module  22  fetches the clock signal  421  generated by the real-time clock module  28 . Step  46 , the clock signal is compared with the timing information of the calendar  301  to obtain a comparison result. Step  48 , the data-accessing module  22  accesses the desired multimedia information from the memory device  30  according to the comparison result. In step  50 , the desired multimedia information is displayed over the display system  26  after being decoded by the decoder  24 , thereby completing the display action of the desired multimedia information at the preset day and time. In the event, the clock signal generated by the real-time clock module  28  matches the timing information with the calendar  301 , the data-accessing module  22  will fetch the desired information set by the user from the memory device  30 . The fetched multimedia information is then displayed over the display system  26  after being decoded by the decoder  50 , thereby completing the display action of the multimedia information under the suspend mode.  
         [0019]     Please note that the disclosed multimedia player according to the invention may show any kind of multimedia information for user&#39;s selections in Step  48 . For example, one segment or a scene of specific multimedia information stored in the memory  30  may be shown over the display system  26  for user&#39;s selection. However, the multimedia information shown for user&#39;s selection may be all multimedia information currently stored in the memory  30 , the parts which excludes the multimedia information inputted from the user (such as the multimedia information regarding Christmas or his/her wedding day), or all multimedia information stored in the memory device  30 . Any ordinary person having skills in the art may modify the embodiment as different requirements or applications, but all similar modification or variations within the spirit of the embodiments should be included in the scopes of the appended claims.  
         [0020]     In contrast to the prior art multimedia player, since the start-up image and the multimedia information to be displayed during the suspending mode can be varied according the user requirement, monotonous and discomfort feeling during waiting the start-up of the main information (such as movie) can be avoided.  
         [0021]     While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.