WO2006097872A2 - Content reproduction system and method - Google Patents

Content reproduction system and method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006097872A2
WO2006097872A2 PCT/IB2006/050744 IB2006050744W WO2006097872A2 WO 2006097872 A2 WO2006097872 A2 WO 2006097872A2 IB 2006050744 W IB2006050744 W IB 2006050744W WO 2006097872 A2 WO2006097872 A2 WO 2006097872A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
motion
content
buffer
reproduction system
sensor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2006/050744
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2006097872A3 (en
Inventor
Francesco Pessolano
Mauro Barbieri
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Publication of WO2006097872A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006097872A2/en
Publication of WO2006097872A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006097872A3/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B20/00—Signal processing not specific to the method of recording or reproducing; Circuits therefor
    • G11B20/10—Digital recording or reproducing
    • G11B20/10527—Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B20/00—Signal processing not specific to the method of recording or reproducing; Circuits therefor
    • G11B20/10—Digital recording or reproducing
    • G11B20/10527—Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements
    • G11B2020/1062—Data buffering arrangements, e.g. recording or playback buffers
    • G11B2020/10675—Data buffering arrangements, e.g. recording or playback buffers aspects of buffer control
    • G11B2020/10722—Data buffering arrangements, e.g. recording or playback buffers aspects of buffer control wherein the size of the buffer is variable, e.g. by adding additional memory cells for coping with input streams that have high bit rates

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a content reproduction system comprising storage means for storing content, reproduction means for reproducing the content, and a buffer coupled between the storage means and the reproduction means.
  • the invention further relates to a method of reproducing content, comprising the steps of reading content from a storage means into a buffer and reproducing content from the buffer using a reproduction means.
  • the invention also relates to software for making a programmable device operative to perform a method of reproducing content.
  • Such content reproduction systems are sold, for example, by Philips in the form of portable CD players.
  • ESP Electronic Skip Protection
  • a drawback of this ESP buffer is the amount of power it consumes, which requires a user to recharge the portable CD player more often than without this ESP buffer.
  • the first object is realized according to the invention in that the content reproduction system further comprises a motion sensor for sensing motion and control circuitry operative to configure the buffer's size in dependence on the sensed motion.
  • a content reproduction system comprises storage means with mechanical parts, e.g. an optical disc reader
  • Sensed motion is a good indicator of whether the content reproduction system will suddenly move (e.g. receive a blow).
  • the use of a motion sensor makes it possible to switch off parts of the buffer that are not needed, thereby reducing power consumption. For example, when no motion is sensed, the probability of a sudden movement of the system is relatively low, and the buffer can therefore be reduced to a minimum.
  • a motion sensor requires less power than a relatively large ESP buffer and is relatively cheap.
  • Motion sensors can also be used in content reproduction systems to detect 'free fall' and to park the storage means if a 'free fall' condition is detected so as to protect the storage means, as described in Patent Publication WO 02/29812.
  • Motion can be sensed in various ways, the most simple and straightforward way being to detect acceleration by means of a sensing membrane.
  • the motion sensor can be used to detect whether the device is moving and accelerating, for example. From this, it is possible to estimate the velocity of the motion.
  • the motion sensor comprises an accelerometer.
  • accelerometers can detect not only fluctuating motions, but also constant motions, e.g. when the content reproduction system is being used in a moving train or car. In these situations any sudden movement is likely to be larger than if the user of the content reproduction system is walking or if the content reproduction system is stationary.
  • the sensed motion may comprise a constant motion and a fluctuating motion
  • the control circuitry may be operative to configure the buffer's size in dependence on the constant motion and the fluctuating motion.
  • the number of fluctuating motions can be used as an indicator of the probability that the device may suddenly move.
  • the velocity of the constant motion can be used as an indicator of the duration of the sudden movement if it occurs.
  • the control circuitry may combine these two indicators in order to perform a relatively accurate estimation of the required buffer size.
  • the weight assigned to each type of motion i.e. the degree of influence of each type of motion on the buffer's size or the change in buffer size, may be unequal.
  • the motion sensor may comprise an IR sensor.
  • an IR sensor performs equally well during the day and at night.
  • An IR sensor may be used, for example, to detect that the user of the system is about to pick up the system.
  • the motion sensor may comprise a CCD sensor.
  • a CCD sensor can be used to detect motion of objects in the vicinity of the content reproduction system or motion of the system with respect to these objects, even if the objects are not human or animal.
  • the system may be capable of using the CCD sensor both for sensing motion and for performing a photo camera function.
  • the control circuitry may be operative to determine a bit rate of the content and to configure the buffer's size in dependence on the sensed motion and the bit rate.
  • the bit rate may be the average or maximum bit rate, for example. The amount of content read from the buffer during a sudden movement depends on the bit rate of the content.
  • the buffer (and thus the electronic skip protection and its power consumption) is optimized for the content currently being reproduced in that the buffer's size is made dependent on the bit rate of the content.
  • the bit rate may be determined from the format (e.g. DVD mpeg2, DVB mpeg2) of the content or may be measured.
  • the second object is realized according to the invention in that the method further comprises the steps of sensing motion by means of a motion sensor and configuring the buffer's size in dependence on the sensed motion.
  • Fig.l is a block diagram of the content reproduction system of the invention.
  • Fig.2 is a flow diagram of the method of the invention.
  • the content reproduction system 1 of the invention comprises storage means 3 for storing content, reproduction means 5 for reproducing the content, a buffer 7, a motion sensor 9 for sensing motion, and control circuitry 11.
  • the buffer 7 is coupled between the storage means 3 and the reproduction means 5.
  • the control circuitry 11 is operative to configure the size of the buffer 7 in dependence on the sensed motion.
  • the size of the buffer 7 may be changed, for example as function of the measured acceleration of the system 1 or the number of accelerations of the system 1.
  • the content reproduction system 1 may be, for example, a portable audio and/or video player.
  • the storage means 3 may comprise, for example, a magnetic or optical reader.
  • the buffer 7 may comprise, for example, static RAM, dynamic RAM, or magnetic RAM.
  • the reproduction means 5 may comprise, for example, a speaker, one or more earphones, a headphone, an audio output, and/or a video output.
  • the content reproduction system 1 may comprise one device or a plurality of devices, e.g. a main body and one or more (wired or wireless) earphones or a (wired or wireless) headphone.
  • the motion sensor 9 may be integrated into the main body, into the one or more earphones, into the headphone, or into a iurther device.
  • the motion sensor 9 may comprise, for example, an IR sensor, a CCD sensor, and/or an accelerometer.
  • the control circuitry 11 may comprise a dedicated or general-purpose processor.
  • the control circuitry 11 may be capable of running software that enables the system 1 to perform the method of the invention.
  • the control circuitry 11 may be able to control the transfer of content from the storage means 3 to the buffer 7 and/or from the buffer 7 to the reproduction means 5. Alternatively, further control circuitry may be used for this purpose.
  • the control circuitry 11 may be integrated into the buffer 7, may be integrated into the motion sensor 9, or may be a separate component, for example.
  • Step 21 comprises the reading of content from a storage means into a buffer.
  • Step 23 comprises the reproduction of content from the buffer by reproduction means.
  • Step 25 comprises the sensing of motion by a motion sensor.
  • Step 27 comprises the configuring of the buffer's size in dependence on the sensed motion. Steps 21 and 23 may be performed in parallel with steps 25 and 27. However, single-processor devices may perform the steps sequentially in a fixed or varying order.
  • 'Means' as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, are meant to include any hardware (such as separate or integrated circuits or electronic elements) or software (such as programs or parts of programs) which perform in operation or are designed to perform a specified function, be it solely or in conjunction with other functions, be it in isolation or in co-operation with other elements.
  • the invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the systems claim enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware.
  • 'Software' is to be understood to mean any software product stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk, downloadable via a network, such as the Internet, or marketable in any other manner.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Television Signal Processing For Recording (AREA)
  • Signal Processing For Digital Recording And Reproducing (AREA)

Abstract

The content reproduction system of the invention comprises storage means (3) for storing content, reproduction means (5) for reproducing the content, a buffer (7) coupled between the storage means and the reproduction means, a motion sensor (9) for sensing motion, and control circuitry (11) operative to configure the buffer's (7) size in dependence on the sensed motion. The method of the invention comprises the steps of reading content from a storage means into a buffer, reproducing content from the buffer using a reproduction means, sensing motion using a motion sensor, and configuring the buffer's size in dependence on the sensed motion.

Description

Content reproduction system and method
The invention relates to a content reproduction system comprising storage means for storing content, reproduction means for reproducing the content, and a buffer coupled between the storage means and the reproduction means.
The invention further relates to a method of reproducing content, comprising the steps of reading content from a storage means into a buffer and reproducing content from the buffer using a reproduction means.
The invention also relates to software for making a programmable device operative to perform a method of reproducing content.
Such content reproduction systems are sold, for example, by Philips in the form of portable CD players. Some models sold by Philips, the AX33O3 for example, contain a 45-second Electronic Skip Protection (ESP) buffer to prevent the CD reader from skipping during jogging or travel. A drawback of this ESP buffer is the amount of power it consumes, which requires a user to recharge the portable CD player more often than without this ESP buffer.
It is a first object of the invention to provide a content reproduction system of the kind described in the opening paragraph which consumes less power.
It is a second object of the invention to provide a method of the kind described in the opening paragraph which reduces a content reproduction system's power consumption.
The first object is realized according to the invention in that the content reproduction system further comprises a motion sensor for sensing motion and control circuitry operative to configure the buffer's size in dependence on the sensed motion. When a content reproduction system comprises storage means with mechanical parts, e.g. an optical disc reader, a sudden movement of the system often leads to skips in the content reproduction. Sensed motion is a good indicator of whether the content reproduction system will suddenly move (e.g. receive a blow). The use of a motion sensor makes it possible to switch off parts of the buffer that are not needed, thereby reducing power consumption. For example, when no motion is sensed, the probability of a sudden movement of the system is relatively low, and the buffer can therefore be reduced to a minimum. A motion sensor requires less power than a relatively large ESP buffer and is relatively cheap. Motion sensors can also be used in content reproduction systems to detect 'free fall' and to park the storage means if a 'free fall' condition is detected so as to protect the storage means, as described in Patent Publication WO 02/29812. Motion can be sensed in various ways, the most simple and straightforward way being to detect acceleration by means of a sensing membrane. The motion sensor can be used to detect whether the device is moving and accelerating, for example. From this, it is possible to estimate the velocity of the motion.
In an embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the motion sensor comprises an accelerometer. Advantageously, accelerometers can detect not only fluctuating motions, but also constant motions, e.g. when the content reproduction system is being used in a moving train or car. In these situations any sudden movement is likely to be larger than if the user of the content reproduction system is walking or if the content reproduction system is stationary.
The sensed motion may comprise a constant motion and a fluctuating motion, and the control circuitry may be operative to configure the buffer's size in dependence on the constant motion and the fluctuating motion. The number of fluctuating motions can be used as an indicator of the probability that the device may suddenly move. The velocity of the constant motion can be used as an indicator of the duration of the sudden movement if it occurs. The control circuitry may combine these two indicators in order to perform a relatively accurate estimation of the required buffer size. The weight assigned to each type of motion, i.e. the degree of influence of each type of motion on the buffer's size or the change in buffer size, may be unequal.
The motion sensor may comprise an IR sensor. Advantageously, an IR sensor performs equally well during the day and at night. An IR sensor may be used, for example, to detect that the user of the system is about to pick up the system.
The motion sensor may comprise a CCD sensor. Advantageously, a CCD sensor can be used to detect motion of objects in the vicinity of the content reproduction system or motion of the system with respect to these objects, even if the objects are not human or animal. The system may be capable of using the CCD sensor both for sensing motion and for performing a photo camera function. The control circuitry may be operative to determine a bit rate of the content and to configure the buffer's size in dependence on the sensed motion and the bit rate. The bit rate may be the average or maximum bit rate, for example. The amount of content read from the buffer during a sudden movement depends on the bit rate of the content. The buffer (and thus the electronic skip protection and its power consumption) is optimized for the content currently being reproduced in that the buffer's size is made dependent on the bit rate of the content. The bit rate may be determined from the format (e.g. DVD mpeg2, DVB mpeg2) of the content or may be measured.
The second object is realized according to the invention in that the method further comprises the steps of sensing motion by means of a motion sensor and configuring the buffer's size in dependence on the sensed motion.
These and other aspects of the device and method of the invention will be further elucidated and described with reference to the drawing, in which:
Fig.l is a block diagram of the content reproduction system of the invention; and
Fig.2 is a flow diagram of the method of the invention.
Corresponding elements within the drawing are identified by the same reference numerals.
The content reproduction system 1 of the invention, see Fig.l, comprises storage means 3 for storing content, reproduction means 5 for reproducing the content, a buffer 7, a motion sensor 9 for sensing motion, and control circuitry 11. The buffer 7 is coupled between the storage means 3 and the reproduction means 5. The control circuitry 11 is operative to configure the size of the buffer 7 in dependence on the sensed motion. The size of the buffer 7 may be changed, for example as function of the measured acceleration of the system 1 or the number of accelerations of the system 1. The content reproduction system 1 may be, for example, a portable audio and/or video player. The storage means 3 may comprise, for example, a magnetic or optical reader. The buffer 7 may comprise, for example, static RAM, dynamic RAM, or magnetic RAM. The reproduction means 5 may comprise, for example, a speaker, one or more earphones, a headphone, an audio output, and/or a video output. The content reproduction system 1 may comprise one device or a plurality of devices, e.g. a main body and one or more (wired or wireless) earphones or a (wired or wireless) headphone. The motion sensor 9 may be integrated into the main body, into the one or more earphones, into the headphone, or into a iurther device. The motion sensor 9 may comprise, for example, an IR sensor, a CCD sensor, and/or an accelerometer. The control circuitry 11 may comprise a dedicated or general-purpose processor. The control circuitry 11 may be capable of running software that enables the system 1 to perform the method of the invention. The control circuitry 11 may be able to control the transfer of content from the storage means 3 to the buffer 7 and/or from the buffer 7 to the reproduction means 5. Alternatively, further control circuitry may be used for this purpose. The control circuitry 11 may be integrated into the buffer 7, may be integrated into the motion sensor 9, or may be a separate component, for example.
The method of reproducing content of the invention, see Fig.2, comprises four steps. Step 21 comprises the reading of content from a storage means into a buffer. Step 23 comprises the reproduction of content from the buffer by reproduction means. Step 25 comprises the sensing of motion by a motion sensor. Step 27 comprises the configuring of the buffer's size in dependence on the sensed motion. Steps 21 and 23 may be performed in parallel with steps 25 and 27. However, single-processor devices may perform the steps sequentially in a fixed or varying order.
While the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments, it will be understood that modifications thereof within the principles outlined above will be evident to those skilled in the art, and that thus the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments but is intended to encompass such modifications. The invention resides in each and every novel characteristic feature and each and every combination of characteristic features. Reference numerals in the claims do not limit their protective scope. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements other than those stated in the claims. Use of the article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.
'Means', as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, are meant to include any hardware (such as separate or integrated circuits or electronic elements) or software (such as programs or parts of programs) which perform in operation or are designed to perform a specified function, be it solely or in conjunction with other functions, be it in isolation or in co-operation with other elements. The invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the systems claim enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. 'Software' is to be understood to mean any software product stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk, downloadable via a network, such as the Internet, or marketable in any other manner.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A content reproduction system (1), comprising: storage means (3) for storing content; reproduction means (5) for reproducing the content; a buffer (7) coupled between the storage means and the reproduction means; - a motion sensor (9) for sensing motion; and control circuitry (11) operative to configure the buffer's (7) size in dependence on the sensed motion.
2. A content reproduction system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motion sensor (9) comprises an accelerometer.
3. A content reproduction system (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensed motion comprises a constant motion and a fluctuating motion, and the control circuitry (11) is operative to configure the buffer's (7) size in dependence on the constant motion and the fluctuating motion.
4. A content reproduction system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motion sensor (9) comprises an IR sensor.
5. A content reproduction system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motion sensor (9) comprises a CCD sensor.
6. A content reproduction system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control circuitry (11) is operative to determine a bit rate of the content and to configure the buffer's (7) size in dependence on the sensed motion and the bit rate.
7. A method of reproducing content, comprising the steps of: reading (21) content from a storage means into a buffer; reproducing (23) content from the buffer using a reproduction means; sensing (25) motion using a motion sensor; and configuring (27) the buffer's size in dependence on the sensed motion.
8. Software for making a programmable device operative to perform the method of claim 7.
PCT/IB2006/050744 2005-03-16 2006-03-09 Content reproduction system and method WO2006097872A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05102062 2005-03-16
EP05102062.6 2005-03-16

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WO2006097872A2 true WO2006097872A2 (en) 2006-09-21
WO2006097872A3 WO2006097872A3 (en) 2006-11-30

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Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3217681A1 (en) * 2016-03-08 2017-09-13 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Display apparatus

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EP1063842A1 (en) * 1999-04-28 2000-12-27 Sony Corporation Broadcast receiver
WO2004051645A1 (en) * 2002-12-04 2004-06-17 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Portable media player with adaptative playback buffer control

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3217681A1 (en) * 2016-03-08 2017-09-13 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Display apparatus
JP2017163287A (en) * 2016-03-08 2017-09-14 富士ゼロックス株式会社 Display device
CN107172503A (en) * 2016-03-08 2017-09-15 富士施乐株式会社 Display device
US9866786B2 (en) 2016-03-08 2018-01-09 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Display apparatus
CN107172503B (en) * 2016-03-08 2021-01-01 富士施乐株式会社 Display device

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