Patent Publication Number: US-7219135-B2

Title: System for processing information which reads address information

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This is a Continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/990,981, filed on Dec. 15, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,850,971. The disclosure of the prior application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a computer, and more particularly to a computer for a reproducing medium having a function for indicating related information of the reproducing medium. 
   Recently, various types of information reproducing media using CD (compact disc) media come into the market. The CD was generally used as a CD audio disc at first. Nowadays, the CD-ROM is popular mainly for a computer. The CD-ROM includes the photo-CD, enhanced music CD (hereinafter called CD-extra) and video-CD. Particularly, the CD-extra and photo-CD are also included in the multisession CD having a plurality of sessions. In each session, a lead-in area and a lead-out area are provided. 
   Furthermore, recently, the personal computer has been improved to have reproducing programs for reproducing not only the photo-CD and video-CD, but also have reproducing programs for the CD-Audio so as to reproduce the music CD. 
   On the other hand, the personal computer has come to be communicated with external equipments through networks for easily exchanging information each other. For example, in the Internet, a user activates a browser and input an address of a server which has desired information so as to freely access the server. 
   There is a server having a function to retrieve the address by a keyword. Therefore, even if a desired address is not known directly, if the user accesses the server having the retrieval function, the desired address can be obtained indirectly by the server. 
   For a high speed process, it is possible to activate a plurality of programs in time sharing and operate a plurality of functions in parallel. For example, a reproducing program and a browser program of a music CD are activated in parallel, and the music CD is played, while related information of the music CD such as title of the CD, name of music can be displayed on a display. 
   However, in this case, first the user must presume one of keywords of the related information such as a name of singer of the music CD to be played, and operate to activate the browser of the personal computer by the presumed keyword, thereby obtaining an address of the related information from the server having the retrieval function. Therefore, the related information is obtained by the address. Thus, a problem that a complicated operation is needed arise. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a computer for a reproducing medium where related information of the reproducing medium is automatically indicated when the reproducing medium is set in the computer. 
   According to the present invention, there is provided a computer for a reproducing medium, comprising reading means for reading identification information from a medium set in the computer for identifying the medium, means for obtaining related information about the medium in accordance with the identification information read from the medium, and control means for controlling displaying of the obtained related information on a display. 
   The computer has storing means storing addresses of the related information, and obtaining means for obtaining related information from a server which has the related information corresponding to the address, and a program for displaying obtained related information. 
   In an aspect of the invention, the related information is stored in a medium other than the set medium, and the related information stored in the other medium is read and stored in the computer. 
   The related information corresponding to the identification is obtained from a server. 
   The computer further has manual input means for correlating the obtained related information with an address and storing the correlated information. 
   The computer further comprises means for transmitting the identification information to a server so that corresponding related information is obtained. 
   Retrieving means is provided for retrieving addresses of related information corresponding to the identification information. 
   The present invention further provides a computer for a reproducing medium, comprising reading means for reading address of related information from a medium set in the computer, means for obtaining related information corresponding to the read-out address, and control means for controlling displaying of the obtained related information on a display. 
   These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a computer for a CD player according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing an operation of a controller in the computer for automatically activating a reproducing program of a CD; 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing an operation of the controller for selecting a session to be reproduced of a CD-extra; 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing another operation of the controller for deciding priority of a session to be reproduced of the CD-extra; 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing an operation of the controller for automatically calling identification information of the CD; 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing a retrieval table stored in the computer; 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram showing another retrieval table in the computer; 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an example of information on a display; 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing another operation of the controller for automatically calling identification information of the CD; and 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram showing a further retrieval table in the computer; 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a computer  1  for a CD player according to the present invention has functions for automatically activating a reproducing program of a CD  8  set in the player and automatically calling related information of the CD. 
   The computer  1  comprises a controller  2 , a reading section  7  for reading information recorded on the CD  8 , an input unit  9  for manually inputting information, and a display  10  for displaying the information. The controller  2  has control programs at least such as an automatic activation program for automatically activating a reproducing program corresponding to the type of CD, a selection information deciding program for deciding priority reproduction of a session of the CD-extra, and an automatic calling program for automatically calling the related information of the CD. The reading section  7  has a hardware such as a pickup, and a driver for driving the pickup. 
   Furthermore, a plurality of programs such as CD-Audio reproducing program  3 , photo-CD reproducing program  4  and video-CD reproducing program  5 , a RAM  6  for storing the selection information and a CD-ROM reproducing program, and a database  18  having a retrieval table  18   a  are provided in the computer  1 . 
   These elements are connected to each other through a bus-line  11 . The bus-line  11  is further connected to an external communication channel  12  which is connected to servers  13 ,  14 ,  15  and  20 . 
   Various operations of the computer  1  will be described hereinafter. 
   First, an automatic activating function of the reproducing program will be described with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 2 . Such a function is operated by the automatic activating program of the controller  2 . 
   At a step S 1 , when the CD  8  is set in the CD player, the controller  2  controls the reading section  7  to drive the CD  8  and read information (TOC information) recorded on a lead-in area of a first session (innermost session). Thus, the driver of the reading section  7  is operated to drive the pickup and motor to read the TOC information. The read information is produced. 
   At a step S 2 , the information such as control bit, address bit, minute, second, and frame number is obtained from the TOC information. The control bit is used to identify whether the first session is the one of a CD-Audio or the one of a CD-ROM. The address bit is used to identify whether the CD  8  has a single session (namely, only a first session is provided) or a multi-session such as CD-extra. 
   At a step S 3 , the value of address bit is detected, and it is determined whether the CD  8  has the single session or the multisession by the address bit. If the CD  8  has the multisession, the program goes to a step S 4 . If the CD  8  has the single session, the program goes to a step S 5 . 
   At the step S 4 , since a start time of the next session is obtained by the TOC information, a lead-in area of a second session of the CD is read by the reading section  7 . The program returns to steps S 2  and S 3 . Thereafter, steps S 4 , S 2  and S 3  are repeated until the last session is read, and the program goes to the step S 5 . 
   The type of CD  8  is determined in accordance with the information in each session as described hereinafter. 
   At the step S 5 , it is determined whether the CD  8  is the CD-Audio or the CD-ROM by the control bit in the TOC. If the CD  8  is the CD-Audio, the program goes to a step S 6 . If the CD  8  is the CD-ROM, the program goes to a step S 9 . 
   Since the type of CD-Audio includes the CD-extra, the CD-extra is discriminated from the CD-Audio. Therefore, at the step S 6 , it is determined whether the CD-Audio has the single session or the multisession by the address bit in the TOC of the first session. If the CD-Audio has the single session, the CD-Audio is identified. The program goes to a step S 7  where the CD-Audio reproducing program  3  is activated. Thus, a previously selected music (for example, first music) in the CD-audio is reproduced. 
   If the CD-Audio has the multisession at the step S 6 , the CD-extra is identified. The program goes to a step S 8  where a CD-extra reproducing program is activated, which will be described hereinafter. 
   On the other hand, when the CD-ROM is determined at the step S 5 , since the CD-ROM includes the photo-CD and the video-CD, it is necessary to discriminate the type of CD-ROM. Therefore, at the step S 9 , it is determined whether the CD-ROM has the single session or the multisession by the address bit in the same manner as the step S 6 . 
   If the CD-ROM has the multisession, the CD-ROM is supposed as the photo-CD. The photo-CD is discriminated from the CD-ROM by a directory name. The program goes to a step S 10  where the reading section  7  is operated to read a VTOC (Volume Table of Contents) in an LSN16 (physical address 00:02:16) of the last session. Since the VTOC comprises a PVD (Primary Volume Descriptor) which has a pointer for a root directory for the directory name, the VTOC is read. At a step S 12 , the directory name in the root directory is obtained. 
   If the CD-ROM has the single session at the step S 9 , the CD-ROM is supposed as the video-CD. Thus, as aforementioned, the video-CD is discriminated by the directory name. The program goes to a step S 11  where a VTOC in an LSN16 of the first session is read by the reading section  7 . At the step S 12 , the directory name in the root directory is obtained. 
   At a step S 13 , directory names in the respective root directories are retrieved. 
   If a directory name “VCD” is found out, the video-CD is identified. The program goes to a step S 14  where the video-CD reproducing program  5  is activated. 
   If a directory name “PHOTO CD” is found out, the photo-CD is identified so that the program goes to a step S 15  where the photo-CD reproducing program  4  is activated. 
   If neither “VCD” nor “PHOTO CD” is found out, the CD-ROM is identified. The program goes to a step S 16  where a reproducing program stored in the set CD-ROM is stored in the RAM  6  and the program is activated. If there are a plurality of programs to be activated, one of them is activated in accordance with selected or predetermined priority by the user. 
   Thus, the operability of the computer is further improved. 
   The operation of the CD-extra at the step  8  will be described with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 3 . 
   In order that the CD-extra can be reproduced by an ordinary CD player and the CD-extra can be used in a CD-ROM drive, an audio track of the CD-extra is provided in the first session, and a data track thereof is provided in the second session. 
   Heretofore, when the CD-ROM drive detects a multisession CD, the last session (namely, data track) is read first. Since the CD player for music can not detect the multisession CD, the first session is read first. 
   In the embodiment, since it is possible to reproduce both of the music CD and the CD-ROM, it is more convenient for the user if one of the sessions of the CD-extra can be selected as priority reproduction. Therefore, for the activation of the CD-extra (step S 8  of  FIG. 2 ), steps S 31  and S 32  are added as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , when the CD-extra is identified at the step S 6  of  FIG. 2 , selection information stored in the RAM  6  is read at a step S 31 . The selection information instructs which session should be reproduced first. If the selection information is “1”, priority reproduction of the audio session is instructed. If the selection information is “0”, priority reproduction of the data session is instructed. 
   At a step S 32 , it is determined whether the selection information is the priority reproduction of the audio session or not. If yes, the CD-audio reproducing program  3  is activated in the same manner shown at the step S 7  of  FIG. 2 . If not, the reproducing program stored in the CD-extra is stored in the RAM  6  and activated in the same manner shown at the step S 16 . 
   Thus, it is more convenient to reproduce the CD-extra. 
     FIG. 4  shows an operation of the controller  2  for deciding the selection information of  FIG. 3 . The deciding program is periodically operated. 
   At a step S 41 , it is determined whether the selection is requested or not (for example, a selection request key on the display is clicked). If not, the program is terminated. If yes, the display  10  is operated to display a selection mode at a step S 42 . 
   At a step S 43 , it is determined whether priority session is input by the user or not. If yes, the program goes to a step S 45  where the select information stored in the RAM  6  is updated based on the input. 
   If not at the step S 43 , the program goes to a step S 44  where it is determined whether the selection mode is canceled or not. If not, the program goes to the step S 43  which is repeated until the selection mode is canceled. 
   Thus, the user can select the priority reproduction of the session of the CD-extra at will. 
   Other than the CD-extra, a CD having multisession can also be used in the embodiment. 
   An automatic calling function of the related information of the CD will be described with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 5 . Such a function is operated by the automatic calling program of the controller  2 . The operation can be performed in parallel with the operation shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   As the related information of the CD, for example of the music CD, title of a music, list of songs, picture used on a jacket, words of song, home page of singer, and names of singer, writer, composer and player are stored. 
   At a step S 51 , it is determined whether the CD  8  is set or not. Namely, when the CD  8  is mounted on a disc tray of the reading section  7 , the reading section  7  produces a detecting signal which is periodically detected by the controller  2 . If yes, the program goes to a step S 52 . If not, the program is terminated. 
   At the step S 52 , identification information such as the TOC information and the type of CD is obtained. In the TOC information, information such as minute, second and frame number is used for identifying the CD. The information of the type of CD, which is described in  FIG. 2 , is used for retrieving data at a high speed. 
   At a step S 53 , data of the retrieval table  18   a  stored in the database  18  is retrieved for retrieving a keyword (for example, name of artist or title, if the CD  8  is the music CD) corresponding to the identification information. 
     FIG. 6  shows an example of the retrieval table  18   a . Here, the table is made in accordance with the type of CD, thereby reducing work-load of the retrieval. 
   Furthermore, it is not necessary to correspond one piece of identification information to one keyword. For example, the identification information  1  may correspond to a plurality of keywords  1 ,  2 , and reversely, a plurality pieces of identification information  2 ,  3  may correspond to the keyword  3 . 
   The database  18  can be made by the user by manually inputting data, or obtained by other reproducing medium (for example, a CD which stores a database). 
   Furthermore, information on keyword can be stored in the CD. For example, a CD text of character information stored in a sub code can be used as a keyword. In this case, the process at the step S 53  is omitted. 
   The server  13  has a keyword retrieving section  16  having a database larger than the database  18 . The server  13  is accessed by the identification information, thereby obtaining keywords which are stored in order corresponding to the identification information. Thus, the database shown in  FIG. 6  is made. 
   At a step S 54 , it is determined whether the keyword is obtained or not. If yes, the program goes to a step S 55 . If not, the program goes to a step S 59 . 
   At the step S 55 , an address of the keyword is retrieved. 
     FIG. 7  shows a retrieval table. As the table shown in  FIG. 6 , it is not necessary to correspond one keyword to one address. For example, the keyword  1  may correspond to a plurality of addresses  1 ,  2 , and reversely, a plurality of keywords  2 ,  3  may correspond to the address  3 . 
   As aforementioned, the database can also be made by the user by manually inputting data, or obtained by other reproducing medium. Furthermore, information on keyword can be stored in the set CD. In this case, the retrievals of keyword and address are omitted. 
   The server  15  having an address retrieving section  17  is accessed by the identification information, thereby obtaining addresses which are stored in order corresponding to the keywords. Thus, the database shown in  FIG. 7  is made. 
   AT a step S 56 , it is determined whether the corresponding address is obtained or not. If yes, the program goes to a step S 61  where the related information corresponding to the obtained address is displayed on the display  10 . 
   The address is used as an address for the home page used in the Internet. 
   The related information such as a home page is obtained by accessing the server  14  for the retrieved address through the channel  12 . 
   Furthermore, it is possible to obtain the related information of the corresponding address from a CD-ROM which stores the related information without using the network. 
   At the step S 56 , if the corresponding address is not obtained, the program goes to a step S 57  where the display  10  is operated to display a request to the user for inputting an additional keyword. 
     FIG. 8  shows an example of information for the request on the display  10 . 
   At a step S 58 , it is determined whether a data of additional keyword is input by the user or not. If yes, the program returned to the step S 55 . If a data of cancel is input, the program is terminated. 
   On the other hand, at the step S 59 , since the keyword is not obtained by the database, the server  13  having the keyword retrieving section  16  is accessed so as to transmit the identification information. The server  13  retrieves a corresponding keyword which is applied to the computer  1 . 
   At a step S 60 , it is determined whether the corresponding keyword is obtained or not. If yes, the program goes to the step S 55 . If not, the program goes to the step S 57 . 
   Thus, it is possible to automatically display the related information. 
   In the embodiment, although the address is retrieved by the database  18 , the address may be retrieved by the server  15  having the address retrieving section  17 , as aforementioned. In this case, the computer  1  transmits the keyword to the server  15  for requesting the retrieval of the address. 
   If the keyword is retrieved by the database in the computer  1  at steps S 53 , S 54 , and if the address can not be obtained, the retrieval of the address is requested to the server  15  having the address retrieving section  17  for obtaining the corresponding address. 
   Furthermore, it is possible to retrieve the keyword only by the server  13  having the keyword retrieving section  16  without using the database  18 . Alternatively, all of the keyword and the address can be retrieved by the servers  13  and  15 . In the former case, the computer  1  transmits the identification information to the server  13  for requesting the retrieval of keyword. In the latter case, the computer  1  transmits the keyword to the server  15  for requesting the retrieval of address. 
   In the embodiment, the keyword is retrieved by the identification information, and the address is retrieved by the keyword. Thus, the general retrieval functions of the servers  13  and  15  can be easily used. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , if a server  20  having a retrieving section  19  is provided for directly retrieving the address by the identification information, the address is directly retrieved without retrieving the keyword. 
     FIG. 9  shows another embodiment of the automatic calling function of  FIG. 5  in which the address is directly retrieved by the identification information. The operation may be performed in parallel with the operation shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   At a step S 91 , it is determined whether the CD  8  is set or not in the same manner as the step S 51  of  FIG. 5 . If yes, the program goes to a step S 92 . If not, the program is terminated. 
   At the step S 92 , the identification information such as the TOC information and the type of CD is obtained in the same manner as the step S 52  of  FIG. 5 . 
   At a step S 93 , data of the retrieval table  18   a  stored in the database  18  is retrieved for retrieving an address (for example, an address of the home page of the singer, if the identification information is for the music CD) corresponding to the identification information. 
     FIG. 10  shows a retrieval table. As afore-mentioned, the table is made in accordance with the type of CD, thereby reducing work-load of retrieval. Furthermore, it is not necessary to correspond one piece of identification information to one address. For example, the identification information  1  corresponds to a plurality of addresses  1 ,  2 . Reversely, a plurality pieces of identification information  2 ,  3  correspond to the address  3 . 
   As aforementioned, the database can be made by the user or obtained by other reproducing medium. It is also possible to further store the information on address in the other reproducing medium. In this case, the process at the step S 93  is omitted. 
   The server  20  is accessed by the identification information, thereby obtaining addresses which are stored in order corresponding to the identification information. Thus, the database shown in  FIG. 10  is made. 
   AT a step S 94 , it is determined whether the corresponding address is obtained or not. If yes, the program goes to a step S 99  where the related information corresponding to the obtained address is displayed on the display  10 . 
   In order to display the related information such as a home page, the browser program is activated to access the server  14  for the retrieved address through the channel  12 . The obtained information is reformed to be displayed on the display. 
   As aforementioned, it is possible to obtain the related information corresponding to the address by the CD-ROM which stores the related information. 
   If the corresponding address is not obtained at the step S 94 , the program proceeds to a step S 95  where the server  20  having the retrieving section  19  of a large database is accessed so as to transmit the identification information. The server  20  retrieves the corresponding address which is applied to the computer  1 . 
   At a step S 96 , it is determined whether the corresponding address is obtained or not. If the address is obtained, the program proceeds to the step S 99 . 
   If not, the program proceeds to a step S 97  where the display  10  is operated to display a request to the user for inputting an additional keyword or address. 
   At a step S 98 , it is determined whether a keyword or address is input by the user or not. If the keyword is input, the program is returned to the step S 93 . If the address is input, the program proceeds to the step S 99 . 
   Thus, the related information can be automatically displayed. 
   It is possible to retrieve the address only by the server  20  having the retrieving section  19  without using the database of the computer. 
   In place of the CD, other reproducing medium such as a DVD may be used. 
   In accordance with the present invention, when the CD is set on the player of the computer, the related information of the CD is automatically obtained. Consequently, it is possible to increase the operability of the computer. 
   While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.