JP5430828B2 - System and method for generating a button map for realizing the function of a mouse remote control device in a video playback system - Google Patents

Description

Cross-reference of related applications

  This application is filed on Jul. 21, 2006, entitled “System and Method for Implementing Remote Mouse Control Functions in a Video Playback System”, US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 807,941. Insist on priority and this benefit. This patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

  The present disclosure relates generally to the implementation of remote control device functions for input / output devices in video playback systems, and more particularly, in implementing video remote control device functions with a mouse in a video playback system. The present invention relates to a system and method for generating a button map to be used.

background

  Video playback systems are well known, and there are a variety of current standards for managing formats and other attributes associated with various video playback systems. Today, the DVD (Digital Video Disc) standard is the mainstream format used for optical disc storage because it has a high storage capacity and can store high quality video and audio. As a result, media content such as movies, TV shows and music videos has become widely available in DVD format. One attractive aspect of DVD compared to other storage formats such as VHS tape (video home system) is the interactive menu provided on the DVD in addition to the movie itself. These interactive menus have become an integral part of enjoying media content such as movies or TV shows on DVD. Today, for example, in addition to watching a movie, consumers can select and view specific chapters, set audio / video options (subtitles, etc., the language of the movie being played), and produce movies Even more scenes like the “behind-the-scenes” scene can be appreciated. Some DVDs even offer “alternative endings” where consumers who do n’t like the endings of the original can actually choose their favorite endings. Since DVD players were first made available to consumers in the late 1990s, DVD players have become popular in many homes. This is due to the fact that the DVD player cost has been partially reduced and is now available to consumers. In addition, most personal desktop and laptop computers are now sold with DVD-ROM players, and DVD players are becoming increasingly popular and more portable.

  In general, if a conventional stand-alone DVD player (eg, a player that is not built into a computer system and a player that requires a separate display device such as a television), the DVD player is provided by a DVD. Will come with a remote control device that consumers use to access the functions. This remote control allows the consumer to navigate through a hierarchical interactive menu provided by a particular DVD. A typical remote control device for a DVD player has a set of up / down arrows and left / right arrows. Some remote controls have a select button in the center of the array of up / down and left / right navigation buttons. Navigation buttons allow the user to move more intuitively around the menu. For example, on a screen that allows the user to select and view a particular chapter, a series of thumbnail screenshots may be shown in a grid array of screens (eg, a 2 × 2 array). A particular thumbnail, for example, a thumbnail on the screen, at the top left, may be selected and highlighted by default. From here, the user simply highlights different thumbnails using the up / down, left / right navigation buttons until the desired thumbnail is highlighted. Then, when the user presses the selection button, the user's selection is entered. Based on this, the corresponding chapter in the movie is played.

  In a DVD player embedded in a desktop computer or laptop, the user will typically rely on a graphical user interface (GUI) instead of a remote control that moves through a series of menus in the DVD. The GUI typically emulates the same functions as a remote control device. For example, the user could further select viewing chapters, fast forward, rewind selection, audio / video options, etc. However, instead of navigating through the menu using a series of up / down, left / right selections, the user is shown on the screen using an input device such as a mouse or a touchpad on a laptop. You may click a button.

  Today, there are a variety of standards that are considered to replace the DVD standards. Two formats that are competing to become the next generation optical disc standard are the Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD (High Definition Digital Video Disc). Like these newer standards, Blu-ray Discs can be used in a variety of ways, including increased storage capacity and improved interactivity (disc content authoring, seamless menu navigation, network / internet connectivity, etc.) And offers advantages over other previous optical disc standards. The Blu-ray Disc framework provides content providers with almost unlimited functionality when generating interactive titles. The creator is completely free to design the user interface, but the user interface can be controlled by using standard navigation buttons on the remote control.

  Each time a new menu screen is called, DVD playback is interrupted. For example, if the user wants to change the language from English to French while watching a movie, the user must select an audio menu. However, this causes the movie to stop playing and the menu is displayed for the user to make a selection from the menu. Once the user makes a selection, he returns to watch the movie. Due to the ability of Blu-ray Disc to read data from a disc without interrupting the current audio / video stream, various menus can be displayed while playing a movie. Furthermore, the menu may consist of several pages. Without interrupting the movie, the user can browse through menu selections on various pages.

  Furthermore, with a DVD, a slide show that can be browsed by a user without interrupting audio cannot be executed. As a result of the Blu-ray Disc's ability to read data from the disc without interrupting the current audio / video stream, the user can play different still images (eg, snapshots of different scenes in a movie) while playing audio. You can browse through. This does not apply only to fast forward and rewind selections. That is, the user can make different selections (or selections from the screen presented as thumbnail images) as to what video to view while playing back audio. In a DVD, since a subtitle is stored in an audio / video stream, the subtitle has restrictions on the number of languages and display styles. Again, the ability to store subtitles independently on the disc is due to the ability of Blu-ray discs to read data from the disc without interrupting the current audio / video stream. Based on the provision of the disc, the user may select a different font style, size and color, or position on the screen for the subtitle. Subtitles can be animated, scrolled or faded in and out.

  Similar to the Blu-ray Disc standard, new features have been added to the HD DVD standard that provide improved interactive features compared to DVD. The HD DVD framework can also create interactive content for the disc.

  Regardless of the specific standard, newer generation video standards, such as Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD, provide a higher level of interaction and user control with the underlying video content. One area for implementing such interaction relates to the presentation and use of buttons. As is known, in interactive graphics, a menu contains one or more pages. Similarly, a page includes one or more buttons, which are defined by coordinates (eg, xy coordinates), graphic objects, and one or more associated commands. For example, in the DVD video situation, various functions such as a scene selection function are generally provided to the user. In this function, various single image graphics may be presented to the user, and the various single image graphics are extracted from each of the plurality of scenes and associated with each of the plurality of scenes. By using a remote control device for the DVD player, the user may highlight or select any of these images, and further activate the corresponding highlighted image As a result, the DVD player may be instructed to proceed directly to a predetermined scene.

  From a further technical point of view, these images as seen by the user are provided in the form of mechanisms called “buttons”. It should be noted that this should not be confused with the criteria for buttons on remote controls. As noted above, each such button has coordinates (eg, the x and y position where the button is presented on the screen), a graphic object (ie, an image presented to the user), and one or more Related commands (eg, commands that instruct the DVD player to jump or skip directly to the selected scene).

  Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary multiple page menu in a video playback system such as a DVD player. In general, a user uses a remote control device to move between various pages. When the user inserts a video disc (eg, DVD video), a main menu displaying “main menu” 104, “language” 106, and “chapter” 108 may be presented to the user on the first page 102. Good. Using the arrow keys on the remote control for the DVD player, the user may highlight an optional button in the “Language” menu 106. Once highlighted, after the user presses the select key on the remote control device, a second page 110 with the title “Language” 112 will be presented to the user. Under this title, a series of buttons may be presented for each language of the associated audio. The languages illustrated in FIG. 1 are “English” 114 and “French” 116.

  Instead, as shown in FIG. 1, when the user highlights and activates the “chapter” button 108 from the first page 102, a third page 118 is presented to the user. As shown, this third page contains “Chapter 1” with four additional buttons labeled “Scene 1” 122, “Scene 2” 124, “Main” 126 and “Next” 128. "Includes 120 titles. In addition, the user may use the arrow keys on the remote control device to move these buttons and highlight any of these buttons. Once highlighted, the user may activate a predetermined button by pressing a select key provided on the remote control device. For example, as shown in the drawing, if the user activates the “Next” button 128, the menu (presents the “Scene 3” 134 and “Scene 4” 136 image buttons to the user). Proceed to display the fourth page 132. As is known, new video standards provide these and other robust interaction features, which generally improve the user's experience with graphic media.

  However, it has been found that despite these improved features, certain problems arise. One example where the problem is known to occur is the use of a computer that displays or views the video (as opposed to a dedicated video player). In particular, problems may occur when interacting with video content using standard computer input / output devices such as a mouse instead of using a remote control provided with a dedicated video player (eg, a DVD player). Arise. It has been found that when the same video disc is running or displayed on a computer, the user may freely select a non-selectable button simply by moving the mouse over the button surface. Returning to the previously presented example, if the user moves the mouse across the “Language” button 112 on the second page 110, this results in an unintended behavior. Depending on how the underlying computer program handles this unintended operation, a variety of different unintended results can occur. For example, the button may be presented to the user in a highlighted manner. However, when the user activates a button by left-clicking the mouse, the video program may not work unless the video disc is intended to be a button that can select or activate that button from that page. unknown. As an example, the “Language” button 112 on the second page 110 is not intended to be selectable as indicated by the dotted line. Only the two buttons below this button ("English" 114 and "French" 116) are meant to be selectable. In this case, attempting to activate the “Language” 112 button may cause the computer program to crash, depending on how the underlying application selection request is handled.

  For the purpose of providing a name here, a button generally has one of four possible states. Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates the different states of the buttons in the video playback system. These states include a “disabled” state 202, a “normal” state 204, a “selected” state 206, and an “activated” state 208. Referring back to FIG. 1 for the second page 110 being displayed, if the underlying video content software is not intended for that button to be selected from that particular page, “ The “Language” 112 button is disabled (this is indicated by the dotted line around the button). The “French” button 116 is in a normal state, while the “English” button 114 is in a selected state. When the mouse pointer is overlaying the selected button, when the user clicks the left mouse key, that is, when the user presses the remote control select key for the selected button, the selected button is Since activated, the activated state 208 is entered. The activated state 208 is a temporary state, which generally causes the underlying video content or software to execute one or more commands associated with the button.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the button proceeds from the activated state 208 to one of three other possible states. Again in FIG. 1, the “Language” button 106 is selected for the first page. When the “Language” button 106 is activated, a menu is generated by an associated command in a number of possible actions, and the second page 110 is advanced. At this time, since the “Language” button 112 is not intended to be selected from the menu of this page, it enters a disabled state. Returning to FIG. 1 to provide a specific example, in the last three pages (of the four pages presented in the drawing), the top button may be a non-selectable button. Absent. That is, on the second page 110, the drawing illustrates three buttons: “Language” 112, “English” 114, and “French” 116. However, the system may be designed so that the user can select only the “English” 114 and “French” 116 buttons. In this regard, the “Language” button is a non-selectable button. Thus, when a user interacts with a video disc using a dedicated video disc player remote control device, even if the user presses the up arrow key on the remote control device after "English" 114 is highlighted, The “Language” button is neither highlighted nor selected.

  Such functionality may be implemented in part through certain properties of buttons, such as the “adjacent” property. As defined and known by certain video specifications (eg, Blu-ray Disc specifications), buttons may be defined to have adjacent buttons on the left and right, or up and down. In such a state, pressing any of the up arrow, down arrow, left arrow, or right arrow buttons on the remote control device while a given button is selected (eg, highlighted) Operate to select or highlight a button that is defined as being adjacent to the selected button in the direction selected by the remote control. However, adjacent buttons are not required to be associated with a button in any predetermined (or all) direction. Thus, returning to the drawing, only the “French” button 116 is associated with the “English” button 114 as an adjacent button. Thus, when the “English” button 114 is selected, only the down arrow key will be recognized as a valid or valid arrow key input (eg, other arrow keys are ignored). In this way, the user is not allowed to select by the remote control any button that is not intended to be selected on the current page or context that the video is presenting but is presented on the screen.

  However, it has been found that when the same video disc is being run or displayed on a computer, the user may freely select a non-selectable button by simply moving the mouse over the button surface. Returning to the previously presented example, if the user moves the mouse across the “Language” button 112, this results in unintended behavior. Depending on how the underlying computer program handles this unintended operation, a variety of different unintended results can occur. For example, the button may be presented to the user in a highlighted manner. However, when the user activates a button by left-clicking the mouse, the video program does nothing (unless the video disc is intended to be a button that can select or activate that button from that page) May not. Instead, attempting to activate such a button can cause the computer program to crash.

  When trying to use a mouse or other computer input device, another example of a problem arises when two buttons are overlaying each other. Problems may arise when playing a video disc using a computer while interfacing with an interactive video disc using an input device such as a mouse. As mentioned earlier, one problem may cause the system to produce errors or confusing results when the mouse is moved over any button that is not intended to be selected and is in a normal state. That is. Furthermore, when using the mouse to select an overlaying button, the user has no viable means for toggling between those two buttons. The reason is that the two buttons are displayed at the same position on the screen. In this regard, pressing a mouse key will select one of these currently highlighted buttons, but the mouse does not have a key that corresponds to the left or right arrow on the remote control. So the user will not be able to toggle on other buttons.

  Furthermore, another problem or problem arises in connection with the use of buttons that are too small or “transparent” buttons. Transparent buttons are sometimes used as a conventional tool to provide an action without visually presenting a button to the user when the user presses a button on the input device of the remote control. Since these buttons are not visible to the user and the exact location is not known, it is not feasible for the user to select these buttons using the mouse.

  The foregoing presented only a few examples of situations where interactive video graphics are provided that require special selection methods beyond the traditional “point and click” action of the mouse. Therefore, solutions to these and other similar problems are desired. One main aspect of embodiments of the present invention is the detection and identification of buttons that require special selection methods beyond the traditional means of selecting buttons with a mouse. Another major aspect of embodiments of the present invention is the use of a button map that identifies and stores all “numeric” buttons within a given page. A numeric button is a button that is normally selected by pressing a button with a corresponding digit associated with the button and the same key corresponding to a numeric key on the remote control. The button map contains a complete list of all buttons that are selected using the special selection methods disclosed in the various embodiments of the present invention. Buttons that are not in the button map are simply ignored. Thus, among others, there is a need to provide users with the ability to utilize interactive graphics in video content using standard computer input / output devices. Furthermore, there is a need to provide users with a means to identify and select from a group of numeric buttons within a page in a video playback system. In general, embodiments of the present invention provide a powerful or efficient solution or solution to the open issues associated with buttons in pages in an interactive video playback system.

Overview

  Briefly described, one of the many embodiments is directed to a method of generating a button map for implementing a remote control function for a standard input / output device in a video playback system. . The method is to first add the currently selected button along with the selectable button adjacent to it to the button map, and repeatedly add a new selectable button that is not in the button map to the button map, Adding all selectable buttons adjacent to the new button to the button map. Finally, the method includes selecting one of the buttons in the button map using a standard input / output device.

  Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be, or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the drawings and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, functions, and advantages are intended to be included within the scope of this detailed description and protected by the appended claims. Yes.

  Many aspects of the method of generating button maps for implementing the functions of a remote control using standard input / output devices and the underlying method can be better understood with reference to the drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily scaled, but instead emphasized in clearly illustrating the principles of the remote video editing system. Moreover, like reference numerals in the figures indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Detailed description

  Various aspects of the disclosure will be summarized and reference will now be made in detail to the description of the disclosure as illustrated in the drawings. Although the present disclosure is described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the one or more embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all alternative embodiments, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

  Embodiments of a system and method for generating a button map of numeric buttons in a video playback system are described. A button map is generally associated with a list of all selectable numeric buttons located on a given page. The list corresponds to a button that requires a special selection method using a standard input / output device such as a mouse.

  Referring now to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3A illustrates the basic operation of creating a button map within a plurality of page menus. According to an example, FIG. 3A shows two series of buttons in a page in a video playback system. The first series consists of buttons X302, Y304, Z306, and the second series consists of buttons 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318 labeled "Scene 1" to "Scene 6". It is configured. In this illustration, no numerical value is associated with any of the first series of buttons 302, 304, 306. However, the buttons 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318 for the second series of buttons are associated with numerical values from 1 to 6, respectively. In this example, the associated numerical value corresponds to a specific scene number. Generally, a remote control is used to activate a particular button by simply pressing the corresponding numeric button on the remote control. In one embodiment of the invention, the functionality of the remote control device is implemented for an input / output device such as a mouse. This embodiment allows a numeric button to be selected and activated by using a button map that includes a list of all numeric buttons. For the first series of buttons, no button map is generated because there are no numeric buttons associated with any of the buttons in the series. When creating a second series of button maps, default buttons are identified first. When a new page is presented to the user, the default button is the button in the page that automatically enters selection mode (eg, is highlighted). This may be any button in the page. For example, the default button may be the upper left button in a page presenting a 3 × 3 grid of numeric buttons. In FIG. 3A, as indicated by the solid line around the button, “Scene 3” is designated as the default button, and accordingly “Scene 3” is currently selected. This button is stored in the button map and functions as a starting point for generating the button map. Next, a first set of adjacent buttons around the default button (ie, “Scene 3”) is identified. In this case, the adjacent buttons are “Scene 1” 308 (next to the left), “Scene 4” 314 (next to the bottom), and “Scene 5” 316 (next to the right). In addition, these buttons are also added to the button map. From here, all adjacent buttons are determined for each of these adjacent buttons. It should be noted that the order in which the first set of adjacent buttons are processed determines the order in which the remaining buttons are identified and stored in the button map. However, the order in which the buttons are added to the button map is not important because all the numeric buttons in the page are eventually added to the button map. As an example, in FIG. 3A, if “Scene 4” 314 is the first button in the first set of adjacent buttons to be processed, “Scene 2” 310 is processed next. (Alternatively, “Scene 6” 318, which is to the right of “Scene 4” 314, can be processed first). Next, the button adjacent to “Scene 2” 310 is identified. In FIG. 3A, this adjacent button is “Scene 1” 308. This traversal occurs until there are no more branch buttons. Finally, the button map is complete when there are no more numeric buttons to be identified in the page.

  FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment of the present invention for creating a button map in a multiple page menu. In this case, “Scene 1” 308 is the default button, the first button in the first set of adjacent buttons around “Scene 3” 312 to be processed. As stated above, the order in which the buttons in the first set of adjacent buttons are processed will determine the order in which the numeric buttons are found. In this case, “Scene 2” 310 below “Scene 1” 308 is processed next. This is done iteratively until all buttons adjacent to that particular button have been processed. Thus, in this example, “Scene 4” 314, then “Scene 6” 318, and finally “Scene 5” 316 are processed. It is emphasized that the embodiments described above in FIGS. 3A and 3B are merely examples of possible implementations. Many changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure.

  Reference is now made to Figs. 4 and 5, which illustrate various examples of selection methods using a mouse in a video playback device. FIG. 4 illustrates selecting a numeric button in the button map by dragging the mouse. Consider that “page 0” 404 displays five buttons 406, 408, 410, 412, and 414 and the third button 410 is currently selected. Further assume that the third button 410 defines the second button 408 as the left adjacent button and defines the fourth button 412 as the right adjacent button. When the third button 410 is selected and the mouse is dragged in either the left or right direction, the corresponding adjacent button is selected. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the mouse is dragged to the right, the operation result is the presentation of “Page 1” 418. In “Page 1” 418, the fourth button 412 is currently selected. It shows that. Selection of button 3 410 or button 5 414 from this page is accomplished by a similar method of dragging to either left or right. A similar operation can be similarly realized by a drag operation in the upward or downward direction.

  FIG. 5 illustrates another example of selecting a numeric button in a button map. In this example, the button selection is realized by using a graphic arrow. In FIG. 5, a sample page 502 from the menu is shown, showing various scenes 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514 that can be selected. Once interactive content is downloaded from the server 116, the user 120 can navigate through the page 502 by using the graphic arrows 516a, 516b, 516c. In this example, “Scene 5” is currently selected. If the user wants to see “Scene 4” 510 instead, he simply clicks on the down arrow 516b to select that particular scene. Similarly, if the user 120 decides to view “Scene 5” 512, the user simply clicks on the right arrow 516c to select that particular scene. FIGS. 4 and 5 are just a few examples of interactive content generated to provide the functionality of a standard input / output device remote control.

  FIG. 6 further illustrates another example of selecting a numeric button in a button map. In this example, button selection is accomplished by using a context menu emulating a remote control device. A general page 602 is shown, and a series of numeric buttons 608, 610, 612, 616, 618 are shown. A button map containing all numeric buttons has been generated. Here, “Scene 1” to “Scene 6” are related to the numeric buttons identified and stored in the button map. The context menu 603 may be invoked by moving the mouse 604 over any location within the page 602 and clicking a button (eg, a right mouse key). The context menu presents the user with various actions to be performed on the button. In some embodiments of the invention, the context menu may emulate a remote control device, as can be seen in FIG. In this example, when some basic functions of a typical remote control device are emulated and provided to the user, the user selects a button from the context menu. The context menu 603 may include a numeric keypad 606 and an “Enter” button 605. A “Cancel” 607 button is also available to close the context menu. The user selects one of the number buttons by simply clicking on the number button and then clicking the “Enter” 605 button to activate the button. For example, to select “Scene 4” 614, the user clicks on the number button 4 606 a in the context menu 603. Similarly, to select “Scene 6” 618, the user clicks on number button 6 606 b in context menu 603. If the user calls the context menu 603 but decides not to make any selection, the user may click on the “Cancel” 607 button.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the top level functional operation of a method for generating a button map and selecting a numeric button in a video playback system. Beginning at step 710, a button map is generated to store the numeric buttons identified in the page. Next, in step 720, a default button is identified in the page. This button serves as the starting point for crossing. In step 730, all buttons adjacent to the default button are identified and stored. This includes a first set of adjacent buttons. From here, all of the adjacent buttons for each button in the first set of adjacent buttons are identified and stored (step 740). This is done iteratively until all buttons for a given branch have been identified and stored (steps 750-760). In step 770, the next adjacent button is processed from the first set of adjacent buttons around the default button. This continues until each button in the first set of adjacent buttons has been processed (step 780). At this point, the button map is complete and all the numeric buttons in the page are stored.

  FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a video playback device 802 in which the button map generator 810 is implemented. Generally speaking, a video playback device 802 may be a desktop computer, portable computer, dedicated server computer, multiprocessor computing device, cellular telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld or pen input computer, embedded appliance, etc. Any one of a wide variety of wires and / or wireless computing devices can be included. Regardless of its particular arrangement, the video playback device 802 can comprise, for example, a memory 862, a processing device 852, a number of input / output interfaces 854, a network interface device 856, and a mass storage device 864, each of these devices. Are connected to the data bus 860 in parallel. The display 858 can include, for example, a computer monitor or a plasma screen for a PC, or a liquid crystal display (LCD) on a handheld device.

  The processing device 852 is a custom or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU) or an auxiliary processor of several processors associated with the video playback device 802 (in the form of a microchip). Semiconductor-based microprocessors, macroprocessors, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), multiple appropriately configured digital logic gates, and the overall operation of the computing system individually and variously It is possible to include other well-known electrical configurations including discrete elements that adjust in combination.

  The memory 862 may be any combination of volatile memory elements (eg, random access memory (RAM such as DRAM and SRAM)) and non-volatile memory elements (eg, ROM, hard drive, tape, CD ROM, etc.). One can be included. The memory 862 is typically emulated for a native operating system 852, one or more native applications, an emulation system, or any of a variety of operating systems and / or emulated hardware platforms. Applications, emulated operating systems, etc. For example, the application may include a button map generator 810 that is used to generate and update the button map 850. In general, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the memory 862 can and will include other components that are omitted for purposes of brevity.

  The input / output interface 854 provides any number of interfaces for inputting and outputting data. For example, if video playback device 802 includes a personal computer, these components may interface with a user input device, such as a keyboard or mouse. If the video playback device 802 includes a handheld device (eg, PDA, mobile phone), these components may interface with function keys or buttons, touch-sensitive screens, styluses, and the like.

  Still referring to FIG. 8B, the mass storage device 864 may be, for example, a disk drive, flash memory, or some other of a wide variety of storage devices that can store data. In some embodiments of the present invention, the mass storage device 864 may include a database 804 that stores a button map 850 generated by the button map generator 810.

  Some embodiments of the present invention may include a network interface device 856 comprised of various components used to send and / or receive data (eg, button map 850) over a network. According to examples, network interface device 856 is a device that can communicate with both input and output, such as a modulator / demodulator (eg, modem), wireless (eg, radio frequency (RF)) transceiver, telephone interface, bridge. , Routers, network cards, etc.

It is emphasized that the embodiments described above are merely examples of possible implementations. Many changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such changes and modifications herein are within the scope of this disclosure and are intended to be protected by the following claims.
The invention described in the scope of claims at the time of filing the present application will be appended.
[1] In a method for selecting between a plurality of numeric buttons on a page in a video playback system,
Generating a button map to identify all selectable numeric buttons in each page;
Selecting one of the numeric buttons in the button map using a standard input / output device;
Generating a button map
Identifying the currently selected button and adding it to the button map;
Adding to the button map a first set of adjacent numeric buttons located near the currently selected button;
For each button in the first set of adjacent buttons, iteratively identifying adjacent buttons and adding them to the button map iteratively;
Iterate over all new buttons in the page that have not yet been added to the button map until all selectable buttons in the page have been added to the button map, and all adjacent buttons into the button map Updating the button map by adding.
[2] The method according to [1] above, wherein the standard input / output device is a mouse device.
[3] The method according to [1] above, wherein the currently selected button is automatically selected when the page is presented.
[4] The step of selecting one of the number buttons is:
Pressing a key on the mouse device while the mouse device is positioned on the currently selected first button;
Dragging the mouse device in the direction of the second button to be selected while holding down the key;
The method of [2] above, comprising: once the mouse device is positioned on the second button, releasing the key on the mouse device to select the second button.
[5] The step of selecting one of the number buttons is
Visibly distinguishing the first button in the selected state in the button map;
Dragging the mouse device in the direction of the second button to be selected;
The method according to [2] above, including stopping the movement of the mouse device when the second button is selected.
[6] The step of selecting one of the number buttons is
Visibly distinguishing a first button in a selected state of the buttons in the button map;
Rotating a wheel on the mouse device to select a second button in a direction that is correlated with the position of the second button with respect to the first button;
The method according to [2] above, including stopping the rotation of the wheel when the second button is selected.
[7] The step of selecting one of the number buttons is
Positioning the mouse device on one of the buttons in the button map;
Displaying a context menu when a key on the mouse device is pressed,
The method according to [2] above, wherein the context menu presents a user with an action that may be executed with respect to the button.
[8] The method according to [7], wherein the context menu includes a numeric keypad used to select one of the buttons in the button map.
[9] The step of selecting one of the number buttons is
Determining the properties for each button in the button map;
Overlaying a graphic display on each button,
The method of [2] above, wherein the graphical display presents to the user all available actions that can be performed on the button based on the button properties.
[10] In a method for selecting between a plurality of numeric buttons on a page in a video playback system,
Adding the currently selected button and a selectable button adjacent to it to the button map;
Adds a new selectable button that is not in the button map to the repeat button map until all selectable buttons are added to the button map, and repeats all of the selectable buttons that are adjacent to the new button Adding to the map,
Selecting one of the buttons in the button map using a standard input / output device.
[11] The method according to [10] above, wherein the standard input / output device is a mouse device.
[12] The method according to [10] above, wherein the currently selected button is automatically selected when the page is presented.
[13] The step of selecting one of the number buttons is:
Pressing a key on the mouse device while the mouse device is positioned on the currently selected first button;
Dragging the mouse device in the direction of the second button to be selected while holding down the key;
The method of [11] above, comprising: once the mouse device is positioned on the second button, releasing the key on the mouse device to select the second button.
[14] The step of selecting one of the number buttons is:
Visibly distinguishing a first button in a selected state of the buttons in the button map;
Dragging the mouse device in the direction of the second button to be selected;
The method according to [11] above, including stopping the operation of the mouse device when the second button is selected.
[15] The step of selecting one of the number buttons is:
Visibly distinguishing a first button in a selected state of the buttons in the button map;
Rotating a wheel on the mouse device to select a second button in a direction that is correlated with the position of the second button with respect to the first button;
The method according to [11] above, including stopping the rotation of the wheel when the second button is selected.
[16] The step of selecting one of the number buttons is:
Positioning the mouse device on one of the buttons in the button map;
Displaying a context menu when a key on the mouse device is pressed,
The method of [11] above, wherein the context menu presents the user with actions that may be performed on the button.
[17] The method according to [16], wherein the context menu includes a numeric keypad used to select one of the buttons in the button map.
[18] In a system for selecting between a plurality of numeric buttons on a page in a video playback system,
A button map generator that generates and updates a button map consisting of all selectable buttons on each page in the video;
A database for storing button maps;
A system comprising a standard input / output device for selecting a button from a button map.
[19] The system according to [18], wherein the standard input / output device is a mouse device.
[20] The system according to [18], wherein the selectable button is a numeric button.
[21] The button map generator adds the button that is adjacent to the currently selected button to the button map, and repeats the button that is adjacent to it with a new selectable button that is not in the button map. The system of [18] above, further configured to be added to a button map.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary multiple page menu within a video playback system. FIG. 2 illustrates different states of the buttons in the video playback system. FIG. 3A illustrates the basic operation of creating a button map in a multiple page menu. FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment of the present invention for creating a button map in a multiple page menu. FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which the function of the mouse remote control device is implemented for a video playback system. FIG. 5 illustrates another example in which the function of the mouse remote control device is implemented for a video playback system. FIG. 6 illustrates another example in which the function of the mouse remote control device is implemented for a video playback system. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a top-level functional operation of a method for creating a button map for a plurality of page menus in a video playback system. FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a video playback device 802 that causes a button map generator 810 to execute.

Claims (19)

In a method for finding a button on a page related to one or more menus presented in a video playback system,
Retrieving a plurality of buttons from the one or more menus in the video content, and the buttons are originally selected through a remote control having up, down, left, right, numbers, and selection functions. The button is not compatible with standard input / output devices other than the remote control, the button includes a selectable button and a non-selectable button;
Generating a button map to identify all selectable buttons in each page;
Receiving a selection of one of the buttons in the button map through the standard input / output device;
Generating the button map
Identifying the currently selected button and adding it to the button map;
Adding a first set of adjacent buttons close to the currently selected button to the button map;
Iteratively identifies adjacent buttons for each button in the first set of adjacent buttons until all selectable buttons in the same page are added to the button map. Adding iteratively to the button map.   The method of claim 1, wherein the standard input / output device is a mouse device.   The method of claim 1, wherein the currently selected button is automatically selected when the page is presented. Receiving a selection of one of the buttons;
Detecting movement of the mouse device over any position in the page;
Displaying a context menu when detecting a key press on the mouse device,
The method of claim 2, wherein the context menu presents actions that may be performed on the button.   The method of claim 4, wherein the context menu includes a numeric keypad used to select one of the buttons in the button map. In a method for identifying buttons on a page related to one or more menus presented within a video playback system,
Retrieving a plurality of buttons from the one or more menus in the video content, and the buttons are originally selected through a remote control having up, down, left, right, numbers, and selection functions. The button is not compatible with standard input / output devices other than the remote control, the button includes a selectable button and a non-selectable button;
Adding the currently selected button and a selectable button adjacent to it to the button map;
Repeat until all selectable buttons have been added to the button map, repeatedly adding new selectable buttons not in the button map to the button map, and selecting all that are adjacent to the new button Repeatedly adding buttons to the button map;
Receiving a selection of one of the buttons in the button map using the standard input / output device.   7. The method of claim 6, wherein the standard input / output device is a mouse device.   The method of claim 6, wherein the currently selected button is automatically selected when the page is presented. Luz Step receive a selection of one of the buttons of the button,
Detecting movement of the mouse device over any position in the page;
Displaying a context menu when detecting a key press on the mouse device,
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the context menu presents actions that may be performed on the button.   The method of claim 9, wherein the context menu includes a numeric keypad used to select one of the buttons in the button map. In a system for identifying buttons on a page related to one or more menus presented within a video playback system,
Search multiple buttons from the one or more menus in the video content,
Generate and update a button map consisting of all selectable buttons on each page in the video ,
Adds the button that is currently selected along with the button adjacent to it to the button map, and no new in the button map until all the selectable buttons in the same page are added to the button map A button map generator that repeatedly adds all selectable buttons adjacent to it to the button map, along with selectable buttons;
A database for storing the button map;
A standard input / output device for selecting a button from the button map;
The buttons were originally designed for selection through a remote control with up, down, left, right, numbers and selection functions;
The button is not compatible with standard input / output devices other than the remote control, and the button includes a selectable button and a non-selectable button.   The system of claim 11, wherein the standard input / output device is a mouse device.   The system of claim 11, wherein the selectable button is a numeric button. Wherein identifying the button that is currently selected, to add to the button map The method of claim 1, further comprising adding the number buttons on the button map.   The method of claim 1, wherein the buttons not in the button map are ignored by the standard input / output device and are not selectable by the standard input / output device. Wherein identifying the button that is currently selected, to add to the button map The method of claim 6, further comprising adding the number buttons on the button map.   7. The method of claim 6, wherein the button not in the button map is ignored by the standard input / output device and cannot be selected by the standard input / output device. Wherein said button is not a button in the map, it is ignored by the mouse device, according to claim 11, wherein it is not selected by the mouse device system.   The system of claim 11, wherein the button map generator further adds a numeric button to the button map.

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