Patent Publication Number: US-2003231201-A1

Title: Method and device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001] The present invention relates to a method and device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) software. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel method and device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software which perform simulation of a CD-ROM software (simulation of a moving-picture branching off scenario and simulation of timing control for branching off), reproduction test of entire path within a short time period and the like, without performing a printing processing and reproduction processing to a CD-ROM, when a CD-ROM software is produced for printing it to a CD-ROM.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0002] From past, a moving-picture CD-ROM software is produced and is put to practical use which software includes moving-picture data.  
       [0003]FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart which represents a conventional procedure for producing a moving-picture CD-ROM software.  
       [0004] In this flowchart, a plan of a moving-picture CD-ROM is produced in step SP 1 . A handwritten scenario in which vague instructions are generally made, is produced in step SP 2 . Then, in step SP 3 , a processing for producing a subject matter, which processing corresponds to a scenario design, is performed. And, in step SP 4 , programming of a story is performed. The processing in step SP 3  and the processing in step SP 4  are processing steps, respectively, which processing steps are different from one another and are performed their processings in parallel to one another.  
       [0005] After the processings in step SP 3  and step SP 4  are performed, the produced subject matter (moving-picture, static-picture, sound and the like) and a program are printed on a CD in step SP 5 . In step SP 6 , contents of the CD is confirmed by reproducing the CD. Thereafter, the processing in step SP 1  is performed again when varying of the contents of the CD is required. On the other hand, a moving-picture CD-ROM software is completed by adding a CD-ROM title when varying of the contents of the CD is not required.  
       [0006] In conventional moving-picture CD-ROM software producing method, scenario designing and programming of story are separate processings from one another. Therefore, it is difficult to produce a software which suit to designer&#39;s intent. Consequently, it is highly possible that contents of a CD are varied after completion of printing of a CD.  
       [0007] Further, recognition of movement, logical verification and verification of physical limitation of a CD-ROM cannot be performed unless actual CD printing and reproduction is performed. Therefore, a required time period for producing a moving-picture CD-ROM software is lengthened and a cost for producing moving-picture CD-ROM software is increased.  
       [0008] Therefore, recognition of movement, logical verification and verification of physical limitation of a CD-ROM are necessarily performed by printing a CD and reproducing the CD thereafter. And, it is highly possible that contents of the CD should be varied based upon the recognition result and verification result. As a result, it is highly possible that the processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5 should be repeated by a large number of times. Consequently, a required time period for producing moving-picture CD-ROM software is extremely lengthened and a cost for producing moving-picture CD-ROM software is extremely increased.  
       [0009] The present invention was made in view of the above problems.  
       [0010] It is an object of the present invention to offer a method and device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software which method and device can perform simulation of a software for CD-ROM and reproducing test of entire path with a short time period, prior to printing of a CD.  
       DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION  
       [0011] A method for supporting production of scenario according to claim 1 is a method for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software which reads out and reproduces corresponding data from a database ( 1 ) based upon a software for CD-ROM which software has already been performed scenario designing and software producing, and performs editing of the software for CD-ROM responding to instruction of editing. The method produces a table in which reproducing time period and automatically generating processing in a time sequential manner for each data which is reproduced by the software for CD-ROM, are put in order following passing of time. And, when stream of scenario is analyzed and is carried out automatically, processings corresponding to contents of the table are carried out responding to occurrence of timer interrupt.  
       [0012] A device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software according to claim 2 is a device which reads out and reproduces corresponding data from a database ( 1 ) based upon a software for CD-ROM which software has already been performed scenario designing and software producing, and performs editing of the software for CD-ROM responding to instruction of editing. The device includes a table producing means for producing a table in which reproducing time period and automatically generating processing in a time sequential manner for each data which is reproduced by the software for CD-ROM are put in order following passing of time, scenario carrying out means for analyzing and automatically carrying out a stream of scenario, and a control means for carrying out processing corresponding to contents of the table is carried out responding to occurrence of timer interruption.  
       [0013] As to the method for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software according to claim 1, when the method reads out and reproduces corresponding data from the data base based upon the software for CD-ROM which software has already been performed scenario designing and software producing, and performs editing of the software for CD-ROM responding to instruction of editing, the method produces the table in which reproducing time period and automatically generating processing in a time sequential manner for each data which is reproduced by the software for CD-ROM are put in order following passing of time, then the method analyzes and automatically catties out the stream of scenario. And, the method carries out processing corresponding to contents of the table responding to occurrence of timer interruption. Therefore, simulation of software for CD-ROM, reproducing test for entire path with a short time period and the like can be carried out prior to printing of CD. A required time period until finally obtaining of moving-picture CD-ROM software which suits to designer&#39;s intents, can extremely be shortened. AS a result, a cost of moving-picture CD-ROM software is extremely decreased.  
       [0014] As to the device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software according to claim 2, when the device reads out and reproduces corresponding data from the data base based upon the software for CD-ROM which software has already been performed scenario designing and software producing, and performs editing of the software for CD-ROM responding to instruction of editing, the device produces the table by the table producing means in which table reproducing time period and automatically generating processing in a time sequential manner for each data which is reproduced by the software for CD-ROM are put in order following passing of time, then the device analyzes and automatically catties out the stream of scenario by the scenario carrying out means. And, the device carries out processing corresponding to contents of the table responding to occurrence of timer interruption by the control means. Therefore, simulation of software for CD-ROM, reproducing test for entire path with a short time period and the like can be carried out prior to printing of CD. A required time period until finally obtaining of moving-picture CD-ROM software which suits to designer&#39;s intents, can extremely be shortened. AS a result, a cost of moving-picture CD-ROM software is extremely decreased. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0015]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software according to the present invention;  
     [0016]FIG. 2 is a flowchart which explains simulation processing;  
     [0017]FIG. 3 is a flowchart which explains automatic checking processing;  
     [0018]FIG. 4 is a flowchart which explains automatically producing processing of software;  
     [0019]FIG. 5 is a flowchart which explains automatically detecting processing of data miss;  
     [0020]FIG. 6 is a flowchart which explains detecting processing of existing or non-existing of data file;  
     [0021]FIG. 7 is a flowchart which explains automatic verification processing of scenario;  
     [0022]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a sample of a time-out table;  
     [0023]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating processings corresponding to a time-out table; and  
     [0024]FIG. 10 is a flowchart which explains conventional producing procedure of moving-picture CD-ROM software. 
    
    
     BEST MODES FOR PERFORMING THE INVENTION  
     [0025] Hereinafter, referring to the attached drawings representing embodiments, we explain the present invention in detail.  
     [0026]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software according to the present invention.  
     [0027] The device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software includes a data base  1  which holds compressed images, acoustic material, scenario and the like, an editing window  2  which is a user-interface for editing compressed images, acoustic data and scenario, a simulation window  3  which is a user-interface for simulating actions of CD-ROM timing to the scenario on a computer, a simulation operation window  4  which is a user-interface for operating actions of CD-ROM on the computer, a CD-ROM disc-image-formatter  5  which is software for producing disc-image of CD-ROM on a hard disc of the computer, a CD printer  6  for writing the disc-image on write-once CD (CD which can be written only once)  14  which disc-image is produced by the CD-ROM disc-image-formatter  5 , a real-time compressing device  7  of external image and sound which device compresses, digitizes and taking in image and audio data, an automatic scenario verification device  8  which is software for automatically verifying and automatically carrying out a stream of scenario, a real-time expanding device  9  of compressed image and sound which device expands compressed image and acoustic data in real time, a system time control device  10  which is software for producing for one data, a time-out table in which reproducing time period and automatically generating processing (for example, automatic pause processing and the like) which processing are generated in a time sequential manner, are put in order following passing of time, and for time controlling simulation responding to clock interruption within the computer and contents of the time-out table, a mouse operation device (pseudo CD-ROM operating device)  11  which is an interface for realizing operation of CD-ROM controller on the computer, a reproduction window  12  which is a video window for displaying expanded image and sound on a computer monitor, and a system clock device  13  for generating inner clock of the computer. The device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software having the above arrangement may be constructed by a stand-alone computer system, or may be constructed by a computer system in which computers, data base and the like are connected by network circuits.  
     [0028] An example of the time-out table is illustrated in FIG. 8 which table is produced by the system time control device  10 .  
     [0029] The time-out table illustrated in FIG. 8 represents a case in which pause processing is carried out when 5 seconds has passed from the processing start, re-play processing is carried out when 7 seconds has passed from the processing start, pause processing is carried out when 10 seconds has passed from the processing start, re-play processing is carried out when 12 seconds has passed from the processing start, processing is finished when 15 seconds has passed from the processing start, as is illustrated in FIG. 9.  
     [0030] In a time column of this time-out table, passing times from prior processing are stored. In a processing column of this time-out table, corresponding titles of processing are stored. In an argument column of this time-out table, arguments of corresponding processing are stored. In this time-out table, an argument “To Next” is stored corresponding to the last processing “Finish”, therefore processing can be shifted to next processing after the finish processing.  
     [0031] Therefore, moving-picture and acoustic data are compressed and taken in by a unified user-interface, and the compressed and taken data can be managed by making the data and attribute information which is used for producing title as data base. Further, the taken data are made as icons so that addition of data, renewal of data and deletion of data are easily carried out by a designer. Furthermore, moving-picture and compressed acoustic data can be re-edited from the attribute data. When the computer system having the latter arrangement is employed, moving-picture and compressed acoustic data are transferred in real time on the network and are held in common. Further, data and scenario are charged in bulk and evacuated in bulk from a script file which is written by script language.  
     [0032] Furthermore, compressed moving-picture, compressed acoustic data on the hard disc and branching scenario are made their relationship to one another is determined by drag-drop operation of an icon so that software of scenario is automatically produced, therefore CD-ROM title is easily produced only by a designer without carrying out programming. Further, moving-picture software is simulated using the produced relationship. And, simulation result, branching information of scenario and timings control can be re-edited instantaneously, therefore simulation can be repeated on the computer without using a CD-ROM player.  
     [0033] Further, branching scenario can be analyzed automatically so that logical contradiction of scenario and a fact whether or not data can be stored in CD-ROM media are automatically verified based upon points of view of limitation of CD-ROM standards and physical limitation of CD-ROM media.  
     [0034] Further, moving-picture, static-picture material which are displayed on the editing window are applied icon operation so that editing of reproduction information (reproducing time period, description of action after reproduction, loop information of reproduction, description of scenario branching to other material after the reproduction, and the like) of each material can be carried out. Branching information of each material can also be edited by coupling each material by mouse operation in the editing window. Further, simulation processing which is described later, can be carried out and disc-image of CD-ROM is produced based upon the editing information. The device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software also has a function for data re-arranging for optimizing position of CD-ROM where image is located. The material data, editing information are managed by a data base which is on the hard disc of the computer system.  
     [0035]FIG. 4 is a flowchart which explains software automatically producing processing.  
     [0036] In step SP 1 , initial setting for producing CD-ROM image is carried out. In step SP 2 , data which is not set a software producing flag, is searched from the data base in a order of scenario. In step SP 3 , it is judged whether or not the data exists. When it is judged that the data exists, in step SP 4 , branching information and data are taken out from the data base. In step SP 5 , CD-ROM software is produced based upon the data base and the data. In step SP 6 , a software producing flag is set as data attribute, then processing of the step SP 2  is carried out again.  
     [0037] When it is judged in step SP 3  that no data exists, in step SP 7 , all software producing flags in the data base are cleared. In step SP 8 , CD-ROM image is produced. Then, the series of operation is finished.  
     [0038] Therefore, software is produced automatically.  
     [0039]FIG. 2 is a flowchart which explains simulation processing.  
     [0040] In step SP 1 , reproduction starting time, reproduction finishing time, auto-pause (automatic temporarily stopping) time, timer interruption time which are edited on the editing window  2 , are set in the time-out table. In step SP 2 , software for CD-ROM is reproduced. In step SP 3 , it is judged whether or not a timer interruption exists. When no timer interruption exists, in step SP 4 , it is judged whether or not a user interruption exists. When no user interruption exists, the judgment in step SP 3  is carried out again.  
     [0041] When it is judged in step SP 4  that a user interruption exists, in step SP 5 , reproduction is stopped. In step SP 8 , next data is searched from the data base  1 . In step SP 9 , it is judged whether a finishing button is operated or no data for reproduction exists. When it is judged that the finishing button is operated or no data for reproduction exists, then the series of operation is finished. On the contrary, when the finishing button is not operated and data for reproduction exists, operation in step SP 1  is carried out again.  
     [0042] When it is judged in step SP 3  that a timer interruption exists, in step SP 6 , it is judged whether or not next processing is auto-pause with referring to the time-out table. When processing is not auto-pause, in step SP 7 , it is judged whether or not next processing is reproduction finishing. When it is judged that next processing is reproduction finishing, processing in step SP 8  is carried out. On the contrary, when it is judged in step SP 6  that next processing is auto-pause, or when it is judged in step SP 7  that next processing is not reproduction finishing with referring to the time-out table judgment in step SP 3  is carried out again.  
     [0043] Therefore, the time-out table is referred at every determined timer interruption time, and reproduction is continued until processing becomes reproduction finishing. When processing becomes reproduction finishing, next data is read out from the database  1 . Initial determination of each time is carried out (a time-out table is produced), then the next data is reproduced. Further, when a user interruption exists, reproduction is stopped, and next data is read out from the data base  1 , thereafter, initial determination of each time is carried out and the next data is reproduced. As a result, reproduction of data following a software for CD-ROM is carried out.  
     [0044] That is, moving-picture material data, static-picture material data, times and branching information on the hard disc is read into simulation software in real time, then the same operation as that of CD-ROM player is simulated on the computer system by performing above-mentioned time management.  
     [0045] Further, branching within one compressed moving-picture material (fine time control such as reproducing after N seconds have passed, branching after N seconds have passed in the material) can be carried out.  
     [0046]FIG. 3 is a flowchart which explains auto-check processing.  
     [0047] In step SP 1 , reproduction starting time, reproduction finishing time, auto-pause time, virtual user interruption time (time which supposes user interruption during carrying out simulation), and timer interruption time are set in a time-out table. In step SP 2 , software for CD-ROM is reproduced. In step SP 3 , it is judged whether or not a timer interruption exists. When a timer interruption exists, in step SP 4 , it is judged whether or not next processing is auto-pause by referring to the time-out table. When the next processing is not auto-pause, in step SP 5 , it is judged whether or not next processing is reproduction finishing. When it is judged in step SP 5  that the next processing is reproduction finishing, in step SP 8 , next data is searched from the data base  1 . In step SP 9 , it is judged whether or not data which is to be reproduced, exists. When no data which is to be reproduced, exists, the series of operation is finished. On the contrary, when it is judged in step SP 9  that data which is to be reproduced, exists, processing in step SP 1  is carried out again.  
     [0048] When it is judged in step SP 5  that next processing is not reproduction finishing, in step SP 6 , it is judged whether or not virtual user interruption exists by referring to the time-out table. When virtual user interruption exists, in step SP 7 , reproduction is stopped, and processing in step SP 8  is carried out.  
     [0049] When it is judged in step SP 3  that no timer interruption exists, or when it is judged in step SP 4  that next processing is auto-pause, or when it is judged in step SP 6  that no virtual user interruption exists, processing in step SP 3  is carried out again.  
     [0050] The present invention analyzes scenario information and automatically carries out entire path (carries out auto-check processing) by arbitrarily determine delay time (interval between reproduction scenes), reproduction time and the like which determination is carried out by a user prior to carrying out simulation.  
     [0051] Therefore, the device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software judges whether next processing is auto-pause or reproduction finishing at every determined timer interruption by referring to the time-out table, and continues reproduction until reproduction finishing or occurrence of virtual user interruption. When next processing is reproduction finishing or when virtual user interruption exists, next data is read out from the data base  1 , initial determination of each time is carried out (a time-out table is produced), thereafter reproduction is carried out. As a result, reproduction of data following software for CD-ROM is automatically carried out. Further, reproduction is stopped at a timing at which virtual user interruption occurs even when next processing is not reproduction finishing, therefore a required time period for reproduction is shortened so that the device carries out reproduction test of entire path with a short time period.  
     [0052]FIG. 5 is a flowchart which explains automatically detecting processing of data miss. Flowchart of each verification processing is described hereinafter which verification processing id carried out in the above auto-check processing.  
     [0053] In step SP 1 , detection item of data miss is determined. In step SP 2 , it is judged whether or not miss for detection item exists. When it is judged that miss for detection exists, in step SP 3 , reporting of miss is carried out. In step SP 4 , it is judged whether or not all determined items are judged. When all items are judged, a series of operation is finished. On the contrary, when one or more determined items exist, judgment in step SP 2  is carried out again. When it is judged in step SP 2  that no miss for detection item exists, judgment in step SP 4  is immediately carried out.  
     [0054] Therefore, data miss is automatically detected by determining only detection items.  
     [0055]FIG. 6 is a flowchart which explains detection processing of existence/non-existence of data file which is an example of data miss.  
     [0056] In step SP 1 , it is judged whether or not data file actually exists. When it is judged that no data file exists, in step SP 2 , it is reported that no data file exists. In step SP 3 , it is judged whether or not all data are judged. When it is judged that all data are judged, the series of processing is finished. On the contrary, when it is judged that one or more data exist which are not judged, judgment in step SP 1  is carried out again. When it is judged in step SP 1  that one or more data file exist, judgment in step SP 3  is immediately carried out.  
     [0057] Therefore, existence/non-existence of data file is automatically detected.  
     [0058]FIG. 7 is a flowchart which explains automatic verification processing of scenario.  
     [0059] In step SP 1 , scenario path which is not set an automatic verification flag, is searched from the data base. In step SP 2 , it is judged whether or not scenario path exists which is not set an automatic verification flag. When it is judged that scenario path exists which is not set an automatic verification flag, in step SP 3 , scenario path is logically checked. In step SP 4 , it is judged whether or not scenario path has an error.  
     [0060] When it is judged in step SP 4  that scenario path has not an error, in step SP 5 , a log message is output. In step SP 6 , existence/non-existence of data is checked which is used in scenario. In step SP 7 , it is judged whether or not data exists. When it is judged that no data exists, in step SP 8 , an error message is output. When it is judged that data exists, in step SP 9 , a log message is output. When processing in step SP 8  or processing in step SP 9  is carried out, in step SP 10 , an automatic verification flag is set, then processing in step SP 1  is carried out again.  
     [0061] When it is judged in step SP 4  that scenario path has an error, in step SP 11 , an error message is output. In step SP 12 , a report for entire scenario is output. In step SP 13 , all automatic verification flags in the data base are reset, then the series of operation is finished. When it is judged in step SP 2  that one or more scenario path exist which are not set automatic verification flag, processing in step SP 12  is carried out.  
     [0062] Therefore, automatic verification of scenario can be performed.  
     [0063] Possibility of Industrial Utilization  
     [0064] As is apparent from the foregoing, the method and device for supporting production of moving-picture CD-ROM software carries out simulation of software for CD-ROM, reproduction test of entire path with a short time period, and the like, prior to CD printing. The method and device extremely shorten a required time period which corresponds to a time period from starting necessary processing to finishing production of moving-picture CD-ROM software which suits to intents of a designer. As a result, cost of moving-picture CD-ROM software is extremely decreased.