Patent Publication Number: US-2006007795-A1

Title: Interactive dvd applications

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to operating an interactive application using a DVD player and a TV.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Interactive applications, such as games and various educational applications that elicit and process user input signals are generally operated on a computer or dedicated game player. These devices usually comprise a suitable input device such as a CD player for inputting game data and algorithms from a CD, a display screen and speakers and at least one user input device such as a keyboard and/or joystick. A processor comprised in the computer or game player generates images on the screen and/or audio signals to stimulate and elicit user activation of the at least one input device and/or to respond to a user input signal from the input device. A given image or sequence of images and/or audio signals is generated responsive to a preceding user input signal or signal and game algorithms.  
      While most households, and even most relatively poor households, in the developed countries are equipped with a TV and DVD player, computers and game players are less frequently owned than TVs and DVDs.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to providing a method and apparatus, hereinafter an interaction interface unit (IU), that enables a person to operate, hereinafter also “to play”, an interactive application using a TV and DVD player.  
      An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to providing an IU that does not require modifying a DVD or a TV so that the IU can be used with the DVD and TV to play an interactive application.  
      According to an aspect of some embodiments of the invention, the IU controls the DVD player for the purpose of operating an interactive application by transmitting control signals to the DVD player via an IR channel that is normally used to control the DVD player.  
      According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, an interactive application comprises image and associated audio data, hereinafter collectively “image data” stored on an optionally multimedia DVD. Data and algorithms, hereinafter “operating data”, used for operating the interactive application are stored on a readable memory device (RMD) other than the DVD on which the image and/or audio data is stored. The readable memory device may be any of various devices known in the art such as a CD, DVD, memory stick or smart card. Optionally the RMD is also a writable memory.  
      An IU in accordance with an embodiment of the invention comprises a processor, apparatus for reading an RMD, at least one user input device such as a keyboard and/or joystick and a suitable IR light source for transmitting IR signals to a DVD. To play an interactive application using the IU, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a user inserts the application&#39;s DVD into a DVD player connected to a TV and the application&#39;s RMD into the RMD reader of the IU. The user operates the at least one input device to instruct the IU to start the interactive application. Thereafter, during play of the application, the IU processor determines which image or sequence of images and associated audio signals should be presented on the TV responsive to user input signals from the at least one input device and/or operating data on the RMD. The IU then transmits appropriate conventional DVD player IR control signals to the DVD player to control the player to present the required images on the TV.  
      In general, communication between a DVD player controller and an associated DVD player is one way communication from the controller to the player. A DVD player is not in general equipped to transmit signals to its controller. As a result, an IU, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, does not receive feedback signals responsive to control signals that it transmits to a DVD player that it controls that are suitable for monitoring performance of the DVD player.  
      However, in some embodiments of the invention, images displayed on a TV by a DVD player controlled by an IU are encoded with an optical code, such as a bar-code, that identifies the images and the IU comprises an optical reader, e.g. a bar-code reader, for reading the optical code. The optical code functions as a feedback signal responsive to which the optical reader generates signals that it transmits to the IU processor. To monitor DVD player performance, the processor determines from the signals it receives from the optical reader whether the displayed images are the correct images.  
      In some embodiments of the invention, an audio portion of the displayed images is encoded with an acoustic code, such as an ultrasound acoustic code. The IU comprises an acoustic sensor that senses the acoustic code and generates signals responsive thereto which it transmits to the processor. The processor uses the received signals to determine if the DVD player is responding properly to the IU&#39;s IR control signals.  
      There is therefore provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for playing an interactive application using a DVD player that generates images on a TV responsive to addressed image data on a DVD, the apparatus comprising: a DVD having application images encoded at addressed locations on the DVD; an interface unit comprising an IR transmitter, at least one user input device and a processor; a readable memory device (RMD), separate from the DVD, encoded with at least one algorithm for determining a DVD image address responsive to activation of the at least one input device by a user; wherein the processor determines an image address responsive to the at least one algorithm and activation of the at least one input device and controls the IR transmitter to transmit an IR signal encoding the address to the DVD player.  
      Optionally, the interface unit comprises a memory. Optionally, the interface unit stores information responsive to user activation of the at least one input device in the memory. Optionally, the interface unit transmits an address responsive to the stored user activation information.  
      In some embodiments of the invention the interface unit comprises a clock.  
      Optionally, the interface unit stores temporal information responsive to user activation of the at least one input device in the memory. Optionally, the interface unit transmits an address responsive to the stored temporal information.  
      In some embodiments of the invention the processor determines content of an image displayed on the TV responsive to an elapsed time on the clock. Optionally, the interface unit transmits an address responsive to the determined content.  
      In some embodiments of the invention, the processor determines where on the TV screen an element in an image displayed on the screen is located responsive to elapsed time on the clock. Optionally, the interface unit transmits an address responsive to the location of the element.  
      In some embodiments of the present invention, images generated on the TV by the DVD comprise optical codes that identify the images. Optionally, the interface unit comprises an optical code reader that transmits signals responsive to the sensed codes to the processor, which processes the signals to determine which image is displayed on the TV.  
      In some embodiments of the present invention, the DVD is encoded with audio data associated with images encoded on the DVD and when the DVD generates an image on the TV associated with audio data, the DVD controls the TV to generate audio signals responsive to the associated audio data. Optionally, the audio signals comprise an audio code identifying the generated image. Optionally, the interface unit comprises an acoustic sensor that transmits signals responsive to the audio code to the processor, which processes the signals to determine which image is displayed on the TV.  
      In some embodiments of the present invention, if a determined image does not correspond to an image address transmitted by the interface unit, the interface unit retransmits the address. Optionally, the interface unit comprises a display screen. Optionally, if an image displayed on the TV does not correspond to an image address transmitted by the interface unit, the interface unit generates a signal indicating that there is a malfunction that requires user intervention is required.  
      In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one input device comprises a keyboard. In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one input device comprises a joystick. In some embodiments of the present invention, the RMD comprises a DVD. In some embodiments of the present invention, the RMD comprises a CD. In some embodiments of the present invention, the RMD comprises a memory stick. In some embodiments of the present invention, the RMD comprises a smart card. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES  
      Non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to figures attached hereto, which are listed following this paragraph. In the figures, identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with a same numeral in all the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale.  
       FIG. 1  schematically shows a user preparing to play an interactive educational application using a TV, a DVD and an IU, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 2A-2E  schematically show the user shown in  FIG. 1  playing the interactive application, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 3  schematically shows the user shown in the previous figures playing an interactive application, which is a game, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       FIG. 1  schematically shows a user  20  preparing to play an interactive application using a TV  22 , a DVD player  24  and an interaction interface unit, i.e. an IU  26 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
      IU  26  comprises at least one user input device, optionally a keyboard  30  and a joystick  32 , an IR transmitter  34  for transmitting IR signals to DVD player  24 , a processor and associated memory (not shown) and optionally a display screen  36 . Optionally, IU  26  comprises a bar-code reader  38 . Data and algorithms, i.e. operating data, that define a given interactive application and are required by the processor comprised in IU  26  to run the application are optionally encoded in a suitable readable memory device, i.e. RMD. Optionally, the RMD is writable. IU  26  is equipped with apparatus for receiving and reading the RMD. An RMD may be any suitable readable memory device known in the art, such as for example a DVD, CD, memory stick or smart card. By way of example, IU  26  is assumed to be equipped to receive RMDs that are CDs and comprises a CD port  40  and reader  42 .  
      User  20  is shown inserting a DVD  50  into DVD player  24  and a CD  52  into IU  26 . DVD  50  is encoded with data encoding all images and associated audio tracks that may be required to be displayed and sounded during operation of the interactive application. During operation of the interactive application, the processor in IU  26  determines which images or series of images encoded in DVD  50  should be displayed on TV  22  responsive to operating data encoded in CD  52  and/or how user  20  operates keyboard  30  and joystick  32 .  
      By way of example, the application encoded in CD  52  and DVD  50  is assumed to be an educational application that teaches arithmetic.  FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate user  20  taking an arithmetic lesson from the application.  
      After the user starts the application, optionally by transmitting suitable instructions to IU  26  via keyboard  30 , IU  26  displays a message optionally on screen  36  prompting user  20  to log in his name. Thereafter IU transmits IR signals, indicated in  FIG. 2A  by wavy arrows  61  to DVD player  26  that are encoded with the address or addresses of an introductory sequence of images encoded on DVD  50  ( FIG. 1 ) and a command to display the image sequence. Upon receipt of the IR signals, DVD player  24  accesses the encoded addresses and displays the introductory images on TV  22 . The introductory images conclude with an image  62  shown in  FIG. 2A  that prompts the user to indicate a level of difficulty for the desired arithmetic lesson.  
      Optionally, image  62  comprises a bar code  63  peculiar to image  62  that identifies the image. Bar-code reader  38  senses bar code  63  and generates a signal responsive thereto that it transmits to the IU processor. The processor processes the received signal to determine whether image displayed on TV  22  is the correct concluding image of the introductory sequence. If bar code  63  indicates that the image is not the correct image, DVD player  24  has malfunctioned and IU  26  optionally attempts to correct the DVD player error by transmitting additional IR signals that instruct the DVD to attempt again to display the introductory images. If after transmitting the additional IR signals bar code reader  38  does not sense the correct bar code, the processor in IU  26  generates a message on display screen  36  indicating that an error, which requires user intervention, has occurred.  
      In some embodiments of the present invention, a sound track associated with each image from DVD  50  displayed on the screen of TV  22  generates an acoustic signal, such as an ultrasound signal, peculiar to the displayed image that identifies the image. IU  26  comprises an acoustic sensor, (not shown) which senses the acoustic signal and processes the sensed acoustic signal to monitor operation of DVD player  24 .  
      However, in the example shown in  FIG. 2A  the correct concluding image, image  62 , is in fact shown and IU  26  continues running the application and waits for user  20  to choose a level of difficulty. User  20  uses keyboard  30  to indicate that he would like to take the “easy lesson”.  
      In response to the choice indicated by user  20 , the processor in IU  26  transmits an IR signal  65  shown in  FIG. 2B  to DVD player  24  that encodes an address of an image on DVD  50  that comprises an appropriately easy arithmetic problem. Responsive to IR signal  65 , DVD player  24  accesses the encoded address on DVD  50  and displays the image, indicated as image  66  in  FIG. 2B , on TV  22 . Image  66  comprises an easy arithmetic problem in addition for user  20  to solve. User  20  uses keyboard  30  to key in a number, which he believes to be a correct answer to the problem shown in image  66 .  
      Unfortunately, user  20  is not very good at arithmetic and keys in an incorrect solution. Upon receiving the keyboard signals indicating the incorrect solution, in  FIG. 2C  the processor in IU  26  controls IR transmitter  34  to transmit IR signals  67  to DVD player  24  that encode an address of an image of a sad face and an associated sound track encoded on DVD. DVD player  24  accesses the image address and controls TV  22  to display the image, indicated as an image  68  and to play the associated sound track “TRY AGAIN” indicated in a bubble  69 . Following display of the try again image  68 , IU  26  controls DVD player  24  to again present image  66  ( FIG. 2B ) and awaits the response of user  20 .  
      User  20  repeatedly tries, but fails to solve the problem presented by image  66  and is repeatedly treated to displays of sad face image  68  and exhortations to try again. The processor in IU  26  keeps track of the repeated trials and failings of user  20  and in accordance with an algorithm on CD  52  determines, after a predetermined number of failed attempts, to provide user  20  with a hint. In  FIG. 2D , IU  26  transmits IR signals  71  to DVD player  24 , which instruct the DVD player to access an address that encodes a “Hint Image”  72  and display the image on TV  22 . The hint, which indicates to the user that the answer is between 8 and 12, is sufficient to enable user  20  to come up with the correct solution and key it in on keyboard  30 . Upon receiving the correct answer, IU  26  controls DVD player  24  to access and display a happy face image  73  on TV  22 .  
      User  20  is blessed with ample amounts of ambition and endurance and spends an extended period of time solving easy problems in addition, which IU  26  controls DVD player  24  to display on TV  22 . During the arithmetic teaching session, the processor in IU  26  determines and stores in the IU memory how many, if any, incorrect solutions are proffered by user  20  for each problem and how long it takes the user to determine the correct solution to the problem. The processor analyzes the accumulated performance statistics for user  20  and determines that his error rate and time to solution of a problem have decreased substantially.  
      When an exhausted user  20  finally decides to quit the lesson, IU  26  controls DVD player to display a “Congratulations You Have Improved” image on TV  20  and a “Suggestion Image” suggesting that the next lesson be carried out at a more difficult level. The processor stores the performance statistics of user  20  from the lesson and his “log in name” in the associated memory. Optionally, the processor stores the performance statistics and log in name on RMD, i.e. CD  52  ( FIG. 1 ). Optionally, the next time user  20  logs in to take an arithmetic lesson, the processor accesses the stored performance statistics associated with the user&#39;s log in name and responsive thereto controls DVD player  24  to display on TV  22  a “You Have Advanced to a Next Level” image, which is encoded in DVD  50 . The “Next Level” image is optionally followed by a “Prompt Image” suggesting that he should try the “Hard” problems.  
      The above illustrated arithmetic lesson is a simplified example of an interactive experience using an IU and more complicated, intricate and/or “dynamic” interactive applications are possible, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, after his strenuous mental workout taking arithmetic lessons, user  20  might decide he needs to relax playing a game of “Space Race” and loads an appropriate DVD into DVD player  24  and CD onto his IU  26 .  
      Upon starting the game, IU  26  controls DVD player  24  to show a movie of an interstellar environment in which, for example asteroids, comets, magnetic storms and other “space hazards” stream across the screen of TV  22 , optionally from top to bottom.  FIG. 3  schematically shows a “snapshot” of Space Race being played by user  20  in which a scene  100  comprising asteroids  102  and an oncoming comet  104  is shown on TV  22 .  
      A space racer  106  is shown against the background of the interstellar environment in scene  100 . User  20  controls speed of space racer  106  relative to the flow of space hazards (e.g. asteroids  102  and comet  104 ) streaming across the screen of TV  22  by moving joystick  32  forwards or backwards. Lateral position of the space ship on the screen is controlled by moving joystick  32  to the left or to the right.  
      Images, “position images”, of space racer  106  at different locations on the screen of TV  22  are encoded in the overlay layer of the Space Race DVD loaded in DVD player  24 . Different positions of space racer  106  on the screen of TV  22  are provided by displaying, responsive to appropriate IR command signals  107  from IU  26 , different ones of the position images of the space racer. Motion of space racer  106  relative to the apparent motion of the space racer generated by the streaming of space hazards in the interstellar environment screened on TV  22  is provided by displaying, responsive to appropriate IR signals  107 , a sequence of position images of the space ship at different locations on the screen.  
      The object of the Space Racer game is to travel a longest distance in a shortest time through the interstellar environment displayed on TV  22  while avoiding being demolished by collision with a space hazard. At any time during play, the processor in IU  26  knows the positions of all space hazards on the screen of TV  22  from operational data on the CD in the IU and elapsed time from beginning of play. The processor determines from the displayed position of space racer  106  and the locations of the space hazards if and when the space racer collides with a given space hazard. Upon occurrence of a collision, the processor stores the elapsed time to collision and a travel distance for the space racer in the memory and processes the stored data to provide a performance score for user  20 . Optionally, if space racer  106  survives a predetermined time period and/or distance without a collision user  20  is determined to be a Space Race winner.  
      In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, “comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.  
      The present invention has been described using detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the present invention that are described and embodiments of the present invention comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occur to persons of the art. The scope of the invention is limited only by the following claims.