Patent Publication Number: US-2007118442-A1

Title: Method and system for a digital video disk catalog

Description:
PRIORITY  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application No. 60/724,414, filed Oct. 7, 2005 and titled Method and System for DVD Movie Update. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention generally relates to the field of Digital Video Disk (DVD) technology, and more particularly relates to the interactive playing of the DVD content stream and purchasing products.  
     SUMMARY  
      The present invention is directed to various aspects of an interactive, informative and entertaining digital shopping catalog offered on a DVD or digital data carrier (“DVD”). One embodiment of the present invention is a digital shopping catalog. The digital catalog offers an interactive DVD experience by providing a DVD containing an informative and promotional material on a variety of topics it further includes the ability to purchase the products. In a further aspect a system and method include showcasing produces or services in an interactive, informative and entertaining multi-media format stored on a DVD. References to a DVD throughout this application are intended to also refer to other forms of digital data storage or carriers including compact discs. For example, the digital catalog can present information on the latest development in the video industry and it can showcase a variety of video products. In particular, the DVD can include interviews with movie stars, critics&#39; insights, movie recommendations, movie trailers, and movie trivia games. Alternatively, the interactive digital shopping catalog can promote and provide information about products beyond DVDs such as wine, jewelry, etc.  
      The DVD can be played on a media player, such as DVD player or a DVD driver in a computer (e.g. PC). Alternatively, the content of the DVD can be provided via a web site or an electronic file. While playing the DVD, the media player displays an interactive catalog of services and products. A product or service can be ordered by placing an order over the phone, over the Internet, or by sending an e-mail. Alternatively, the products/service can be purchased in a retail store  
      The digital catalog system and method can provide a unique, viewer-guided “show” of information. A viewer may navigate through the show using innovative and interactive menus stored on the DVD. By using the menus, the viewer can adjust a variety of parameters involved in the playing of the show. For example, the viewer may change: the pace of the show, focus of the show, type and amount of the displayed information, and type and amount of interactions with the playing of the show. The control is easy and intuitive, and may be performed from a variety of interface input devices compatible with DVD players. Examples of such devices include DVD remote control, keyboard, and PDA. Alternatively, the show can be stored on a computer readable memory storage device and played on a computer. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, may be gleaned in part by a study of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:  
       FIG. 1A  is a block diagram illustrating exemplary modules of a digital data carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 1B  is a block diagram illustrating an interactive, viewer—driven system for the playing of DVD modules according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram illustrating an example process for the playing of the digital catalog according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a high level flow chart illustrating an example process for the playing of the DVD in one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating examples of DVD modules according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating an example process for the playing of one DVD module in one embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating an example process for the playing of a sequence of DVD modules in one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system that may be used in connection with various embodiments described herein. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for the interactive playing, and tracking of a media files or multi-media stream data on a multimedia display. This system further allows the purchase of products via a direct internet connection or telephone dial up.  
      In one embodiment, the files can contain, for example, movie clips, movie reviews, movie trailers, interviews with movie starts and movie trivia. The files can promote a variety of goods, such as, for example, video cassettes and DVDs. The files can also promote a variety of services, such as: video access service (e.g. “video on demand”), and video renting service (e.g. ordering rentals via an e-mail, phone, Internet (NetFlix®), etc.). However, the described system and method also apply to other products and services and the invention is not limited to movies. For instance, the files can promote a variety of products beyond the DVDs such as wine, jewelry, etc. This application also incorporates by reference U.S. application Ser. No. 11/531,134 and titled Method and System for multi-media gift card system filed on Sep. 12, 2006.  
      After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention.  
       FIG. 1A  is a block diagram illustrating exemplary modules of a digital data carrier which is a digital catalog  120  (“DVD”). A digital catalog  120  includes flow control data  122 , modules  124  and sub-modules  126 . The flow control data  124  contains information needed to initialize the reading of other modules from the DVD  120 . The modules  124  and sub-modules  126  can contain menus, files, tracking information and purchasing information. A menu is a stream of data that allows for the input from the user, for example, the interactive playing of the modules  124  and sub-modules  126  from the DVD  120  on a multimedia display. Examples of menus can include initial menus and secondary menus. A file is a stream of data that can be non-interactively played on the multimedia display.  
       FIG. 1B  provides a block diagram illustrating an interactive, viewer driven system for the playing of the digital catalog according to an embodiment of the present invention. The diagram illustrates the media player  130  accessing the digital catalog 120  and displaying the content of the digital catalog  120  on a display screen  150 . Examples of the media players  130  can include a DVD player and computer DVD driver, whereas examples of the display screens  150  can include a television monitor or computer monitor with speakers.  
      The media player  130  can access the flow control data  122 , depicted in  FIG. 1A . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the media player  130  reads the flow control data  122  from the DVD  120  to play menus on the display screen  150 . The media player  130  can also communicate with a user interface device  160  which collects inputs from a user  170 . The user interface device  160  and the media player  130  provide the user  170  with interactive capabilities, such as, for example, the ability to display menus, select a subsequent menu from the current menu, select a file from a menu, play a file, stop/pause/resume the playing of a file, return to a previous menu, and play a default sequence of files. Examples of the user interface device  160  can include a remote control device, a computer keyboard, and personal digital assistant system (“PDA”).  
      The interface device  160  passes inputs from the user  170  to the media player  130 . After the media player  130  accesses an introductory menu from the flow control data  122  (described in  FIG. 1A ), the display screen  150  displays the introductory menu. Then, the interface device  160  reads user inputs and passes them to the media player  130 . After that, the media player  130  reads the user inputs and guides the user  170  accordingly, to either a default sequence of DVD files, or to a particular DVD file.  
      The media player  130  can also communicate with a “point of purchase” system  110  via a network connection such as the Internet. The media player  130  displays the information from the point of purchase system  110  on the display screen  150 . The point of purchase system  110  contains the information helping the user  170  to purchase a product or service. Examples of the point of purchase systems  110  can include a website or a cable television video on demand ordering system. Examples of the products and services can include purchasing (or renting) of movies, music and games, or purchasing of wine, jewelry, etc.  
      The interactive catalog can also provide the user  170  with a telephone number  190  for a customer service system  195  which can be implemented as a call center using live operators or Voice Response Units (VRU), also known as Interactive Voice Response (IVR) or a combination of the two. The customer service system can also be a web server coupled to a network including the internet. The customer service system allows the customer to remotely purchase (purchasing without traveling to a store) the products in the catalogue using the account identifier. Alternatively, the catalog may provide a list of retail stores where the user  170  can purchase the products using the account identifier. Moreover, the catalog may provide the user  170  with information about a website from which the user  170  can order the products, or cable television site from which the user  370  can order, e.g., video on demand.  
      The media player  130  connected to a PC, or a media player which is Internet enabled, can access a web site over the Internet, initialize the Internet browser and pass information and pages between the web site and the PC. From the Internet browser, the user  170  can purchase products or services (remotely purchase). Using the Internet, the user  170  can input payment information, for example, a credit card number or gift card number, to pay for the products and services.  
       FIG. 2  provides a functional block diagram illustrating major functional blocks involved in the playing of the digital catalog by the system depicted in  FIG. 1B . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the media player  130  can contain several modules, including a flow control module  221 , a playing module  222 , a user interface module  224 , a tracking module  226  and a purchasing module  229 . When the digital catalog  120  is loaded into the media player  130 , the media player  130  accesses the flow control data  122  from the digital catalog  120 . Then, the flow control data  122  originates the flow control module  221  of the media player  130 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the media player  130  communicates with the display screen  150 , which contains a display module  212 . The flow control module  221  selects the files and/or data to be played from either digital catalog  120  or the point of purchase system  110 . Then, the play module  221  accesses those files (either from the DVD  120  or the point of purchase system  1   10 ), and passes the files to the display module  212 , which displays them on the display screen  150 .  
      The media player  130  uses the flow control module  221  to select modules and sub-modules of the DVD  120  for playing. To select a next module or sub-module, the media player  130  can utilize a sequence of selections already made by a viewer, a selection made by the viewer at the given moment, and/or a default sequence of modules and sub-modules stored on the DVD  120 .  
      To facilitate communication between the media player  130  and the user, the flow control module  221  communicates with the user interface module  224  of the media player  130 . The user interface  224  receives user inputs collected by a user selection module  232  of the interface device  160 . The flow control module  221  uses the user inputs to facilitate the navigation through the contents of the DVD  120  (or the point of purchase data).  
      The flow control module  221  of the media player  130  parses the user input and determines whether to retrieve a new file or menu from the DVD  120  (or from the point of purchase system  110 ), or to continue playing an already retrieved file. The flow control module  221  can also establish the sequence in which the files are played if the user provides no input.  
      Moreover, the flow control module  221  can communicate with the purchasing module  229  to access the information from the point of purchase system  110 . As described in  FIG. 1B , the point of purchase system  110  can be a website or a cable television “video on demand” ordering system. After the purchasing module  229  retrieves the information from the point of purchase system  110 , the playing module  222  sends the information to the display module  212 , which in turn, displays it on the display screen  150 . Then, the user selection module  232  of the interface device  160 , collects user inputs, and passes them to the user interface module  224 . Subsequently, the flow control module  221  receives the user inputs and selects successive files for display.  
      One embodiment includes the tracking module  226 . The tracking module  226  creates and maintains a tracking record of the sequence of DVD modules which are played by the media player  130 , and creates a tracking record of user inputs. The flow control module  221  can use the tracking record created by the tracking module  226  when determining what file to play next.  
      When the media player is equipped with a network connection, the user may select to purchase a product promoted by the DVD  12  via the interface device  160 . The flow control module  121  can invoke a browser using the data stored in the purchasing module  129 . From the web browser, the user can access a customer service system  195 , such as a website, and order a product or service. In one embodiment he content of the website the user is directed to is specific to the content of the DVD. For example, if the DVD is promoting a collection of classic movies available on DVD, the website is configured to allow easy purchasing of those promoted movies and would not present a larger or different collection of products. However, the website can allow the user to move to a different site with a different range of products.  
      To complete the transaction and pay for the product, the user can utilize a credit card or gift card. Alternatively, the user can contact the customer service system  395  by telephone  390 . The phone contact instruction can be displayed by the flow control module  521 . Using the phone, the user can purchase the product/service the same way as if he/she were using the customer service website. The user can also order the products using email.  
       FIG. 3  is a high level flow chart illustrating a sequence of steps or processes performed by the functional blocks involved in the playing of the DVD in one embodiment of the present invention. In a first step  340 , the media player accesses the content of the DVD. Accessing of the DVD begins with the reading of the flow control data from the DVD ( FIG. 1A ). In a next step  344 , the media player initializes the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ). Then, the flow control module initializes the playing module  222  ( FIG. 2 ). In the step  352 , the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ) selects an introductory menu to be played. Then, at the same step  352 , the playing module  222  ( FIG. 2 ) retrieves the introductory menu from the DVD and the displaying module  212  ( FIG. 2 ) displays the menu on the display screen. The introductory menu can contain a list of options available to the user. At the step  354 , the user can either make a selection from the menu (e.g., via the user interface  160  ( FIG. 2 )), or make no selection.  
      If the user makes no selection, then, at a step  356 , the media player plays a default module. As it was described in  FIG. 2 , the flow control module of the media player selects the next module based on the default sequence of modules (tracking record) stored on the DVD. However, the default sequence can vary according to the past selections (inputs) from the user and previously played modules (i.e. according to the tracking record of played modules). Once the playing of the default module is complete, at the step  354 , the flow control module checks again whether there is new user input. The flow control module can also continuously monitor for user input to allow a user to stop playing a module and return to the menu.  
      If the user makes a valid selection from the displayed introductory menu, then, at the step  354 , the flow control module of the media player parses the user input, and determines whether the input is a valid purchase request, or whether the user input correlates to another module. If the user input is the purchase request, then, in a step  359 , the flow control module invokes the purchasing module  229  ( FIG. 2 ). If the user selected a module from the DVD, then, in a step  358 , the flow control module ( FIG. 2 ) accesses the selected module from the DVD. Then, in the same step  358 , the playing module  222  ( FIG. 2 ) retrieves the module from the DVD and sends it to the display module  212  ( FIG. 2 ), which subsequently displays it the display screen.  
      Once the playing of the default module, identified module, or purchase information is complete, at the step  354 , the flow control module checks again whether there is new user input. In one embodiment, the user can select from a menu  352  ( FIG. 3 ) the playing of just one module (or sub-module), or the playing of a sequence of modules (or sub-modules). If the user requests the playing of just one module, the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ) selects only one file (or menu) for playing. For example, the playing of just one module is when the user requests from a menu the playing of just one movie clip, or just one subsequent menu. On the other hand, the playing of a sequence of modules is when the user requests from a menu the playing of a sequence of clips. In this case, the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ) selects no other menu until the playing of the sequence of modules is complete.  
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating examples of DVD modules according to an embodiment of the present invention. The play modules steps  356  and  358  ( FIG. 3 ) can initialize the playing of a variety of modules and sub-modules stored on the DVD. The modules and sub-modules can contain menus and files, as it was described in  FIG. 1A . In one embodiment, the modules and sub-modules can contain the following menus and files: new DVD releases  400 , critics&#39; round-table  410 , movie advisor  420 , trivia game  430 , or other promotional or informational topics  440 . The user can request the playing of any of these modules and/or their sub-modules by making a selection from an appropriate menu via the interface  160  ( FIG. 2 ). Alternatively, the user can be directed to these modules from appropriate default sequences, selected by the flow control module ( FIG. 2 ).  
      In one embodiment of the present invention, the user can select from a menu the playing of just one module (or sub-module), or the playing of a sequence of modules (or sub-modules). If the user selection module  224  ( FIG. 2 ) identifies a user request for the playing of just one module, the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ) selects only one file (or menu) for playing. For example, the playing of just one module is when the user requests from a menu the playing of just one movie clip, or just one subsequent menu. On the other hand, the playing of a sequence of modules is when the user requests from a menu the playing of a sequence of clips. In this case, the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ) selects no other menu until the playing of the sequence of modules is complete.  
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating the details of the steps  356 / 358  of  FIG. 3  performed by the functional blocks involved in the playing of one DVD module in one embodiment of the present invention. In a first step  500 , the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ) of the media player displays a menu, which contains selection options available to the user. The user can either make a selection from the menu or can let the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ) select which DVD module will be played next (default).  
      If the user makes no selection, then, in a step  520 , the media player plays a default module or sub-module. In the step  520 , the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ) of the media player selects the next DVD module based on a default sequence of modules stored on the DVD, or, if there is a tacking record of user selections, the flow control module can read the tracking record in a sub-step  560  and use that information in determining the default module or sub-module. While performing the step  520 , the tracking module  226  ( FIG. 2 ) updates the tracking record in a sub-step  540 . Then, the playing module  222  ( FIG. 2 ) of the media player plays the identified module or sub-module. Once the playing of the default module is complete, the flow control module of the media player proceeds to a step  550 , and plays a secondary menu, which will be described below.  
      If the user makes a valid selection from the introductory menu, in a step  530 , the media player plays the selected module or sub-module from the DVD. While performing the step  530 , the tracking module  226  ( FIG. 2 ) reads the tracking record in the sub-step  560  and updates the tacking record in the sub-step  540 . Then, the playing module  222  ( FIG. 2 ) of the media player plays the selected module or sub-module. Once the playing of the selected module (or sub-module) is complete, the flow control module of the media player proceeds to a step  550  to select a secondary menu. Once the flow control module selects the secondary menu, the playing module  222  ( FIG. 2 ) of the media player plays it on the display screen. Then, the user can either make a selection from the secondary menu or can let the flow control module select which DVD module will be played next.  
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating the details of steps  356 / 358  of  FIG. 3  involved in the playing of a sequence of DVD modules in one embodiment of the present invention. In a first step  600 , the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ) of the media player displays a menu, which contains selection options available to the user. The user can either make a selection from the menu or can let the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ) select which sequence of D)VD modules will be played next.  
      If the user makes no selection, then, in a step  620 , the media player plays one of “N” default sequences of modules or sub-modules. In the step  620 , the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ) of the media player selects the next sequence of DVD modules based on a default sequence of modules stored on the DVD, or, if there is a tracking record of user selections, the flow control module can read the tracking record in a sub-step  660  and use that information in determining the default sequence of modules or sub-modules. While performing the step  620 , the tracking module  226  ( FIG. 2 ) updates the tracking record in a sub-step  640 . Then, the playing module  222  ( FIG. 2 ) of the media player plays the identified sequence of modules or sub-modules. Once the playing of the default sequence of modules (or sub-modules) is complete, the flow control module of the media player proceeds to a step  650 , and plays a secondary menu, which will be described below.  
      If the user makes a valid selection from the introductory menu, in a step  630 , the media player plays the selected sequence of modules or sub-modules from the DVD. The valid selection has to indicate one of the “N” sequences of modules or sub-modules. While performing the step  630 , the tracking module  226  ( FIG. 2 ) reads the tracking record in the sub-step  660  and updates the tracking record in the sub-step  640 . Then, the playing module  222  ( FIG. 2 ) of the media player plays the selected sequence of modules or sub-modules. Once the playing of the selected sequence of modules (or sub-modules) is complete, the flow control module of the media player proceeds to a step  650  to select one of “N” secondary menus. Once the flow control module  221  ( FIG. 2 ) selects the secondary menu, the playing module  222  ( FIG. 2 ) of the media player plays it on the display screen. Then, the user can either make a selection from the secondary menu or can let the flow control module select which sequence of DVD modules will be played next.  
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system that may be used in connection with various embodiments described herein. In this description, the term “computer readable medium” is used to refer to any media used to provide computer executable code (e.g., software and computer programs) to the computer system  750 . Examples of these media include main memory  756 , secondary memory  758  (including hard disk drive  760 , removable storage medium  764 , and external storage medium  772 ), and any peripheral device communicatively coupled with communication interface  774  (including a network information server or other network device). These computer readable mediums are means for providing executable code, programming instructions, and software to the computer system  750 .  
      In an embodiment that is implemented using software, the software may be stored on a computer readable medium and loaded into computer system  750  by way of removable storage drive  762 , interface  770 , or communication interface  774 . In such an embodiment, the software is loaded into the computer system  750  in the form of electrical communication signals  778 . The software, when executed by the processor  752 , preferably causes the processor  752  to perform the inventive features and functions previously described herein.  
      Various embodiments may also be implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, components such as application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), or field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”). Implementation of a hardware state machine capable of performing the functions described herein will also be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art. Various embodiments may also be implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.  
      Furthermore, those of sill will further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can often be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate his interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled persons can implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the invention. In addition, the grouping of functions within a module, block, circuit or step is for ease of description. Specific functions or steps can be moved from one module, block or circuit without departing from the invention.  
      Block described in the  FIGS. 1-6  can be implemented as modules as described above. Therefore, every term “block” in the  FIGS. 1-6  and their descriptions can be replaced with the term “module.” 
      The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.  
      While the particular system and method herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above described objects of this invention, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.