Patent Publication Number: US-2003229547-A1

Title: Video storage medium having read-only and writeable portions

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/105,086, filed Mar. 21, 2002, having Attorney Docket No. 8285/505 (T00388), which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] The present invention relates to methods of providing multiple versions of video content.  
       [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0005] The cinema industry currently generates several versions of film content based on different target audiences. Thus, if a digital video disk (DVD) is used as a storage device for the content, several DVDs are generated, where each DVD has stored thereon a single version of the film. This process complicates manufacturing and delivery processes associated with the DVDs.  
       [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,972 to Tsuga discloses storing a full length movie complete with different versions for different languages and for different ratings systems on a single disk which can be used worldwide. Based on a country identifier and a parental level stored in a playback device, one of the versions is enabled for viewing. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0007] The present invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, other features are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
     [0008]FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method to provide multiple rating selection on stored video content;  
     [0009]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system to provide multiple rating selection on stored video content;  
     [0010]FIG. 3 shows a representation of a file structure stored by a storage medium such as a DVD;  
     [0011]FIG. 4 shows a simplified diagram of a DVD in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
     [0012]FIG. 5 is a magnified depiction of an embodiment of a storage medium having a read-only portion and a read-writeable portion on a single substrate. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0013] Embodiments of the present invention beneficially use a single disk or an alternative digital medium having a read-only region and a read-writeable region. Stored on the read-only region are different versions of a motion picture, including several differently-rated scenes. At a point of sale or rent, one of the different versions is either selected by a customer or based on a customer&#39;s age. A code or play list is burned or otherwise written to the read-writeable region of the disk to enable the customer to play back only the specified version. The read-writeable region, which may be either once-writeable or re-writeable. By mass producing the same disk for all versions of the motion picture, the cost of manufacturing video content is reduced, the cost of storing the disks in stores is reduced, and video content delivery is improved. By enabling one version at the point of sale or rent, viewers are inhibited from viewing undesired content after the disk is removed from the store.  
     [0014] Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to FIG. 1, which is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method to provide multiple rating selection on stored video content, and FIG. 2, which is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system to provide the multiple rating selection.  
     [0015] As indicated by block  10  in FIG. 1, the method comprises providing, at a retail store  12 , storage media each having a read-only portion and a read-writeable portion. Stored on the read-only portion of a storage medium is content for a plurality of different versions of a motion picture. Each storage medium preferably comprises an optical disk such as a DVD. Alternatively, a storage medium may have a non-disk form factor, and/or a non-optical storage medium (e.g. an electronic medium or a magnetic medium). The “motion picture” should be broadly construed as being inclusive of films, movies, pre-recorded television programs, music videos, other videos, and video game content. The different versions of the motion picture may comprise versions having different ratings (e.g. G, PG, PG-13, R or NC-17), or different languages.  
     [0016] The retail store  12  may comprise a video rental store and/or a store at which videos are purchased. For purposes of illustration and example, consider the retail store  12  having storage media  14 ,  16  and  20  each having stored, on its read-only portion, content  22  for a plurality of different versions of a first motion picture. The storage medium  14  is provided within a container  24 , the storage medium  16  is provided within a container  26 , and the storage medium  20  is provided within a container  30 . Each of the containers  24 ,  26  and  30  may comprises a DVD container. At least one of the storage medium and the container graphically and/or textually indicates a title of the first motion picture.  
     [0017] Also consider the retail store  12  having a storage medium  32  having stored, on its read-only portion, content  34  for a plurality of different versions of a second motion picture. The storage medium  32  is provided within a container  36 , such as a DVD container. At least one of the storage medium  32  and the container  36  graphically and/or textually indicates a title of the second motion picture.  
     [0018] Also consider the retail store  12  having storage media  40  and  42  each having stored, on its read-only portion, content  44  for a plurality of different versions of a third motion picture. The storage medium  40  is provided within a container  46 , and the storage medium  42  is provided within a container  50 , such as DVD containers. At least one of the storage medium and the container graphically and/or textually indicates a title of the third motion picture.  
     [0019] The various storage media  14 ,  16 ,  20 ,  32 ,  40  and  42  may be arranged on shelves or bins in the retail store  12 . Customers, such as customers  52  and  54 , browse the video offerings in the retail store  12 . For purposes of illustration and example, consider the customer  52  wishing to view the first motion picture. As indicated by block  55 , the customer  52  selects the storage medium  14  having the pre-stored content  22  for different versions of the first motion picture. The customer  52  takes the storage medium  14  within its container  24  to a transaction terminal  56  to conduct a transaction. The transaction may comprise either a purchase of the storage medium  14  or a rental of the storage medium  14 . The transaction terminal  56  may comprise either a self-service terminal operable by customers, or a terminal operated by personnel of the retail store  12 . Examples of the transaction terminal  56  include, but are not limited to, a point-of-sale terminal and a general purpose computer.  
     [0020] As indicated by block  60 , the method comprises providing a version selection input  62 . The version selection input  62  is received by an input device  64  of the transaction terminal  56 . Examples of the input device  64  include, but are not limited to, a voice input device, a keyboard, a key pad, a touch screen, and a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball. The version selection input  62  may be provided by either the customer or retail store personnel.  
     [0021] The version selection input  62  indicates one of the different possible versions of the first motion picture. For example, the version selection input  62  may indicate that a PG-13 version of the first motion picture is desired, where the different possible versions also include an R-rated version. In general, the version selection input  62  may indicate an audience rating or a language.  
     [0022] As indicated by block  66 , the method comprises storing version-selection data to a read-writeable portion of the storage medium  14 . Preferably, the read-writeable portion is rewriteable, although in alternative embodiments the read-writeable portion is once-writeable.  
     [0023] Preferably, the version-selection data comprises a play list  70  which is written to the read-writeable portion of the storage medium  14 . The play list  70  is written to the read-writeable portion of the storage medium  14  by a play list writer  72  responsive to the input device  64 . Preferably, the play list writer comprises an optical data writer-such as a DVD writer which writes the play list  70 . Alternatively, the play list writer may comprise an electronic data writer or a magnetic data writer if either an electronic storage medium or a magnetic storage medium is used. Each storage medium  14 ,  16 ,  20 ,  32 ,  40  and  42  has a read-writable portion to permit a play list to be written thereto at the retail store  12 .  
     [0024] The transaction terminal  56  may have access to stored play lists for each different version of each of the motion pictures offered at the retail store  12 . The transaction terminal  56  retrieves one of the play lists based on the selected motion picture and the selected version, and writes the play list to the read-writeable portion of the storage medium.  
     [0025] As indicated by block  74 , the method comprises performing a transaction between the retail store  12  and the customer  52 . The transaction may comprise either a purchase or a rental of the storage medium  14  by the customer  52 . In return for monetary compensation, the customer  52  is permitted to remove the storage medium  14  from the retail store  12 . The transaction may be facilitated using the transaction terminal  56 . In cases where a purchase is made, having the read-writeable portion be once-writeable is beneficial to mitigate overwriting of the play list. In cases where a rental is made, having the read-writeable portion be re-writeable is beneficial to permit a different play list to be written to the same medium but for a subsequent customer.  
     [0026] As indicated by block  76 , the method comprises playback of a first motion picture stored by the storage medium at a customer premise. For example, the customer  52  may have a video player  80 , such as a DVD player, and a display  82 , such as a television or a monitor, at his/her customer premise  84  (e.g. his/her home). The customer  52  plays back the selected version of the first motion picture stored by the storage medium  14  using the video player  80 , and views the selected version using the display  82 . In particular, the video player  80  plays back the selected version by reading the play list or alternative version-selection data from the read-writeable portion of the storage medium  14  and the selected content from the read-only portion of the storage medium  14 .  
     [0027] Optionally, the method further comprises returning the storage medium to the retail store  12  after the motion picture has been viewed, as indicated by block  86 . For example, the customer  52  returns the storage medium  14  to the retail store  12  if the storage medium  14  has been rented. As indicated by block  90 , the returned storage medium may be provided at the retail store  12  for a subsequent transaction.  
     [0028] The above acts are repeated for other customers, such as the customer  54 , or for the same customer  52  at other times. In one example, the customer  54  may select the storage medium  14  which was returned by the customer  52 . The customer  54  may desire a version of the first motion picture (e.g. the R-rated version) which differs from the version selected by the customer  52  (e.g. the PG-13 version). Based on a version selection input received by the input device  64 , the play list writer  72  writes version-selection data to the read-writeable portion (which is rewriteable in this case) of the storage medium  14 . The version-selection data comprises a play list which differs from the play list  72 . The play list may overwrite or otherwise disable the play list  72  selected by the customer  52 .  
     [0029] In another example, the customer  54  may select the storage medium  16  in order to view the first motion picture. Based on a version selection input indicating the R-rated version, the play list writer  72  writes version-selection data such as a play list to the read-writeable portion of the storage medium  16 .  
     [0030] In a further example, the customer  54  may select the storage medium  32  in order to view the second motion picture. Based on a version selection input received by the input device  64 , the play list writer  72  writes version-selection data such as a play list to the read-writeable portion of the storage medium  32 .  
     [0031] In all of the three examples, a transaction (e.g. either a purchase or a rental) is performed between the customer  54  and the retail store  12 . In return for monetary compensation, the customer  54  is permitted to remove the storage medium from the retail store  12 , and playback the selected version of the selected motion picture at his/her customer premise.  
     [0032]FIG. 3 shows a representation of a file structure stored by a storage medium such as a DVD. The storage medium comprises many content files  100 , which include video and audio objects, stored on a read-only portion  101 . Examples of the content files  100  include, but are not limited to, MPEG-2 video content, MP2, AC3 or PCM audio content, and options menu content (e.g. trailers). For purposes of illustration and example, three ratings choices A/B/C are considered. Thus, the content files  100  comprise files associated with rating A content, files associated with rating B content, and files associated with rating C content.  
     [0033] The storage medium further comprises a read-writeable portion  102 . The storage medium with the content files  100  on the read-only portion  101  and either a blank or a default play list on the read-writeable portion  102  is mass produced for delivery to retail stores.  
     [0034] Consider that a customer selects the storage medium at a retail store, and wishes to view the rating A content. At the retail store, the play list writer writes a play list file  103  to the read-writeable portion  102  of the storage medium. The play list file  103  defines those of the content files  100  which are to be played, and an order in which they are to be played. The play list file  103  shows pointers PF i  to those actual content files F i  in the selected version. Thus, the selected content having rating A, indicated by reference number  104 , is permitted to be played back by the customer.  
     [0035] DVD-formatted disks are composed of three major files types: Video Transport Stream files containing Video Objects (VOB), Navigational Information files (IFO), and Backup and Secondary Navigational Information. FIG. 4 shows a simplified diagram of a DVD  106  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The DVD  106  has a read-only portion having stored thereon video content in the form of VOB files  108  for all ratings. For example, three separate sets of rated scenes (e.g. A/B/C in the previous figure) are represented by the three outer tracks shown on the DVD  106 . The retail store writes a play list, in the form of one or more IFO files  110 , to a read-writeable portion of the DVD  106  to select one of ratings. The IFO file  110 , which would be the first file read by a DVD player, is shown on the inner track of the DVD  106 .  
     [0036]FIG. 5 is a magnified depiction of an embodiment of a storage medium  120  having a read-only portion  122  and a read-writeable portion  124  on a single substrate. As described herein, the read-only portion  122  is to house multiple versions of content and the read-writeable portion  124  is to enable a play list or an alternative version selection code to be written thereto.  
     [0037] The storage medium  120  has the form of an optical disk with a plurality of tracks located in accordance with a standard format. The optical disk is readable by a standard optical disk reader, such as a DVD reader and/or a CD reader.  
     [0038] Most of the tracks of the storage medium  120  are within to the read-only portion  122 . Preferably, no more than one track is in the read-writeable portion  124 . In some embodiments, the read-writeable portion  124  consists of a single track. In other embodiments, the read-writeable portion  124  consists of part of a single track. Examples of the form of the read-writeable portion  124  include, but are not limited to: less than or equal to half of the single track (i.e. less than or equal to a 180-degree arc of the single track); less than or equal to a quarter of the single track (i.e. less than or equal to a 90-degree arc of the single track); and less than or equal to an eighth of the single track (i.e. less than or equal to a 45-degree arc of the single track). Excluding the read-writeable part of the single track, a remainder of the single track is part of the read-only portion  122 .  
     [0039] The amount of track space dedicated as being read-writeable may be dependent upon the maximum play list size which may be written thereto. For example, a first movie may have a first maximum play list size that differs from a second maximum play list size of a second movie. In this example, the amount of read-writeable track space for a first medium having the first movie may be greater than the amount of read-writeable track space for a second medium having the second movie. Alternatively, the amount of read-writeable track space can be standardized for all movies, i.e. the amount of read-writeable track space for a first medium having the first movie would be equal to the amount of read-writeable track space for a second medium having the second movie. As another alternative, some types of content, such as games, may have more read-writeable track space than other types of content, such as movies.  
     [0040] The read-writeable track may be located at either an inner-most track  126  as depicted, an outer-most track  130  or an interior track  132 . The location of the read-writeable track may be selected with consideration to ease of manufacturing the storage medium  120 , ease of writing data to the read-writeable portion  124 , ease of reading data written to the read-writeable portion  124 , and/or whether the storage medium  120  is single-sided or two-sided. For single-sided DVD disks, information is generally read from the inside track out. For double-sided disks, information can be read from the outside track in, to give the read head less distance to move when going from the end of the first side to the beginning of the second side. Standard manufacturing processes can be used to deposit the read-writeable portion  124  to an otherwise read-only medium.  
     [0041] Although current technology allows various types of video content to be included in a medium such as a disk, it is not customary to dynamically and exclusively choose a full-featured film of a particular rating. This disclosure describes a method that allows the selection of a subset of video/audio content for the user or buyer. Thus, only one disk needs to be created, and various versions of the content can be dynamically programmed for viewing. Primary applications include films and video games that can be generated for different age groups and for which an exclusive version can be selected from a superset of video content. This method is applicable to any video/audio content storage delivery that uses a play list and related content files.  
     [0042] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed inventions may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than the preferred forms specifically set out and described herein.  
     [0043] Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.