JPH10283155A - Computer readable record medium recording menu control data, and menu control method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily operate menu images consisting of plural pages. SOLUTION: Three types of operation buttons such as plural chapter designating buttons 1a to 1f, menu switching buttons 2a and 2b and menu page switching buttons 3a and 3b are arranged on a menu image. The buttons 1a to 1f, 2a and 2b are vertically arranged in one row in the horizontally central part on the menu image. The buttons 3a and 3b are arranged at left and right sides of the button 2b. As for the buttons 1a to 1f, 2a and 2b, operation buttons that become objects to be selected next are the buttons 1a and 1b when a remote controller performs an operation that horizontally shifts an operation button which becomes an object to be selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for displaying a menu consisting of a plurality of pages used when reproducing information from a recording medium such as a digital video disk (hereinafter referred to as a DVD). The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium recording menu control data, and a menu control method and apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a DV which is an optical disk capable of recording digitized video data and audio data has been developed.
D and DVD players, which are devices that perform at least the reproduction of data from DVDs and the recording of data on DVDs, have been put to practical use.

In the DVD format (standard), MP
A still picture format called a sub-picture, which can be displayed over a moving image, is defined separately from a normal moving image portion encoded by the EG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 standard. In the DVD, subtitles and menu screens for movies are realized by the sub-pictures.

In the DVD format, DVD
Navigation commands (Navigation Command) to control the playback method on the player
There is a unique programming language called. The program described by the navigation command is recorded on the DVD together with the video data and audio data, and the DVD player reproduces the video data and the audio data according to the program described by the navigation command.

For example, in a DVD, a plurality of audio channels can be multiplexed and recorded. A program using a navigation command specifies, for example, which one of a plurality of audio channels to select, and a chapter (Chapter). ) To a specific cue point (in the case of a movie, the beginning of a highlight scene or a break in a story; a point that represents a break in a song like a track on a CD (compact disc)) It is used when jumping directly to start playback. Note that this example is the simplest program of the navigation command, but more complicated operation is also conceivable.

For example, at the end of playback of a chapter,
A still image (sub-picture) that asks a question to the viewer appears, and in response to the viewer's answer to the question, an interactive (interactive type) method that determines a chapter to jump to and start playing next. Works (software) are also made possible by programs using navigation commands. In this example, a work called multi-story / multi-ending (A, B
And the like, and the result of the selection determines the next scene.

[0007] In the case of an interactive work such as the multi-story / multi-ending as described above, an interactive question and response screen which can be operated by the viewer itself is naturally required. Such a screen is composed of a still image in view of its nature, and the sub-picture described above is used at that time.

In a DVD player, usually, the viewer
Do not use the operation buttons on the VD player itself or the operation buttons on the remote control device for direct interactive operation, but indirectly select the operation buttons that appear on the screen using the cursor keys on the remote control device. Will realize an interactive operation. As a result, various interactive software can be provided without being restricted by the functions of the buttons specific to the hardware of the DVD player.

[0009] Among the still screens for performing such interactive operations, elements common to DVDs are:
The basic one is defined as a DVD system menu. The DVD system menu is called by the viewer himself / herself operating a menu button specified in a format that must be attached to the remote control device of the DVD player when the DVD is reproduced by the DVD player. Screen. This DVD system menu includes operation buttons displayed on the screen, and the viewer uses the cursor keys (keys specified in a format that must be attached to the remote control device of the DVD player) by cursor keys. By making a selection, it is possible to specify various reproduction patterns.

In the DVD format, various DVDs are used.
The system menu is defined, and here, FIG.
An example of a chapter menu screen is shown in FIG. The chapter menu is a menu in which operation buttons enabling direct jump to each chapter are arranged on the screen.

On the chapter menu screen shown in FIG. 11, three kinds of operation buttons of six chapter designation buttons 301, two menu switching buttons 302, and two menu page switching buttons 303 are arranged. I have. The six chapter designation buttons 301 are vertically arranged at the left position on the screen and three vertically at the right position on the screen. The two menu switching buttons 302 are arranged horizontally below the chapter designation button 301. The two menu page switching buttons 303 include a previous page button 303a for instructing to return to the previous page, and a next page button 303b for instructing to shift to the next page. The previous page button 303b is located at a lower right position below the menu switching button 302.

When creating (authoring) such a menu, a DVD corresponding to each operation button is required.
In addition to creating pixel data in accordance with the format of the sub-picture in, it is necessary to perform programming by a navigation command to be attached to each operation button for each operation button.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation using a menu screen as shown in FIG. 11, for example. In this figure, a DVD player 311 and this DVD
A monitor 312 for displaying an image reproduced by the player 311 and a remote control device 313 for operating the DVD player 311 are shown. The remote control device 313 includes an up cursor key 3 for moving an operation button to be selected up, down, left, and right.
21, a down cursor key 322, a left cursor key 323, a right cursor key 324, and a menu decision key 325 for completing the operation of the selected operation button.

[0014]

Here, consider the case of operating the menu shown in FIG. 11 using the system shown in FIG. Generally, some operation buttons are arranged on the menu screen displayed on the monitor 312, and the user operates the remote control device 31.
By pressing the 3 cursor keys 321 to 324, one of the operation buttons is selected, and the menu determination key 325 is pressed to complete the operation of the selected operation button. At this time, in the DVD format, the color of the selected button is changed or the border is expressed as a means for indicating which button is selected on the screen. The expression is hereinafter referred to as highlight. FIG. 13 shows an example of a menu screen in which a certain operation button is highlighted. In this figure, the upper left button 301a of the six chapter designation buttons 301
Is highlighted.

In the case of the menu screen as shown in FIG. 13, to move to the menu screen of the next page, from the position of the highlighted button 301a, press the down cursor key 322 four times and further press the right cursor key. 324 to 1
Press twice to reach the next page button 303b. If the number of pages on the menu screen is small, it may be within the allowable range even if five operations are required to send a page as described above. However, in a DVD on which a movie or the like is actually recorded, the number of chapters is 60. Normally, the number of operation buttons arranged per page is 6 to 8 for easy viewing, so the average number of pages on the menu screen is about 8 to 10 pages. I will. Therefore,
If the menu screen is as shown in FIG.
The cursor key must be operated several tens of times before reaching the last page, which is not a very acceptable range.

Note that, depending on the format of the DVD, a highlight initial value indicating which operation button is to be highlighted when a page on the menu screen is reproduced is allowed to be programmed in any button. Therefore, the next page button 303b can be set as the initial position of the highlight on all pages. In this way, the pages can be turned one after another just by pressing the menu determination key 325, but in order to return to the previous page, the cursor position must also be operated to move the highlighted position. However, there is a problem that an operation for moving to the next page is different from an operation for returning to the previous page.

[0017] For this reason, in a DVD which is usually released, the number of chapters displayed on the chapter menu is intentionally reduced while the number of chapters is 60 or more.
As a result, some methods have been adopted to reduce the number of pages on the menu screen. However, it is needless to say that the menu function cannot be sufficiently performed when such a method is employed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a computer-readable recording medium for recording menu control data capable of easily operating a menu screen of a plurality of pages. And a menu control method and apparatus.

[0019]

A computer-readable recording medium for recording menu control data according to the present invention comprises a plurality of pages, and each page includes a plurality of operation buttons for giving a predetermined instruction. A computer-readable recording medium recording menu control data for displaying a menu screen having a plurality of selectable operation buttons including a page turning operation button for performing page turning, and a menu control. The data for use is defined by position information indicating the position of each operation button on the menu screen of each page and each operation button, and is used when an operation for moving an operation button to be selected is up, down, left, or right Has a data structure including adjacent information for designating an operation button to be selected next, and the position information is On the menu screen, each operation button is displayed such that a plurality of instruction operation buttons are vertically arranged in a line, and a page feed operation button is arranged on the left and right sides of the plurality of instruction operation buttons. The adjacency information for each instruction operation button has the data structure set as described above, and when the operation for moving the operation button to be selected in the left and right direction is performed, the operation to be selected next is performed. It has a data structure set to indicate a page-turn operation button as a button.

The menu control method according to the present invention comprises a plurality of pages, each of which includes a plurality of instruction operation buttons for performing a predetermined instruction and a page advance operation button for performing a page advance. A menu control method for displaying a menu screen having a plurality of possible operation buttons, wherein a plurality of instruction operation buttons are vertically arranged in a line on a menu screen of each page, and a page feed operation button is provided. Are displayed on the left and right sides of the plurality of instruction operation buttons, and the selected operation button is displayed as a selection target distinguished from other operation buttons, and any one of the operation buttons is displayed. When the operation button to move the selected operation button in the left and right direction is performed while the operation button for instruction is selected, the next page The operation button for Ri is intended to be displayed for selection.

The menu control device according to the present invention comprises a plurality of pages, each of which includes a plurality of instruction operation buttons for performing a predetermined instruction and a page operation button for performing a page operation. A menu control device for displaying a menu screen having a plurality of possible operation buttons, wherein a plurality of instruction operation buttons are vertically arranged in a line on a menu screen of each page, and a page feed operation button is provided. The operation button display means for displaying each operation button, and the selected operation button, so that is arranged on the left and right sides of the plurality of instruction operation buttons,
When an operation to move the operation button to be selected in the left-right direction is performed while one of the instruction operation buttons is selected and displayed as a selection object that is distinguished from other operation buttons. Has selection target display means for displaying the next page operation button as a selection target.

In the computer-readable recording medium for recording menu control data according to the present invention, a plurality of instruction operation buttons are vertically arranged on a menu screen of each page according to position information in the menu control data. Each operation button is displayed so that the page operation buttons are arranged on the left and right sides of the plurality of instruction operation buttons, and adjacent information about each instruction operation button in the menu control data is arranged. Then, when the operation button to move the selection target operation button in the left and right direction is performed while each instruction operation button is selected, then the page feed operation button is set as the selection target You.

According to the menu control method of the present invention, on the menu screen of each page, a plurality of instruction operation buttons are vertically arranged in a line, and the page feed operation buttons are arranged on the left and right sides of the plurality of instruction operation buttons. Each operation button is displayed so as to be arranged on the other side, and further, the selected operation button is displayed as a selection target distinguished from other operation buttons, and one of the instruction operation buttons is selected. When the operation for moving the operation button to be selected in the left and right direction is performed in the state of being turned on, the next page operation button is displayed as the selection object.

In the menu control device according to the present invention, the operation button display means arranges a plurality of instruction operation buttons vertically in a line on the menu screen of each page, and the page feed operation buttons comprise a plurality of instruction operation buttons. Each operation button is displayed so as to be arranged on the left and right sides of the operation button, and the selected operation button is displayed by the selection target display means as a selection target distinguished from other operation buttons, When an operation button for selecting one of the operation buttons is selected and an operation button to move the operation button to the left or right is performed, the next page operation button is displayed as the selection button. Is done.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a computer-readable recording medium that records menu control data, a menu control method, and a menu control device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to examples applied to a DVD and a DVD player. Therefore, DV
D corresponds to a computer-readable recording medium recording the menu control data according to the present embodiment,
A menu control method for displaying a menu screen used when reproducing information recorded on a DVD by a VD player corresponds to the menu control method according to the present embodiment. Corresponding to the menu control device.

First, sub-pictures required to display a menu screen on a DVD will be described. As already explained, in the DVD format,
In addition to a normal moving image portion encoded by the MPEG2 standard, a still image format called a sub-picture which can be displayed over a moving image is defined. Here, of the sub-picture format in the DVD format, a portion related to the present embodiment will be extracted and briefly described.

In a sub picture of a DVD, as shown in FIG. 9, one screen is composed of 478 (vertical) × 720 (horizontal).
Pixels (pixels (p
pixel) 202 is defined as a set of unique 2-bit pixel data 202 assigned to each of the pixels 201). A unique color is assigned to each value of the 2-bit pixel data, so that a total of four colors can be expressed by the pixel data. In practice,
An arbitrary combination of four colors is selected from a color palette of 16 colors and used as four types of colors assigned to each pixel of the sub-picture.

Further, in the sub-picture, the ratio when overlapping with the moving image portion serving as the background can be set. For example, if the ratio of the sub-picture is 0% and the moving image is set to 100%, the sub-picture becomes transparent and invisible, and 50%: 50%
Would be a translucent sub-picture, 100%: 0%
If so, the video part of the background is completely hidden.

In order to specify which of the selected four colors corresponds to the value of the 2-bit pixel data, and at what ratio the sub-picture and the moving image portion to be the background are superimposed, It is determined by a table separately prepared for each pixel data.

Here, as an example, referring to FIG.
Consider a case where “crossed letters with a border” are represented by sub-pictures on a DVD. First, the number of colors required to represent the "crossed letters" is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the color of the background 211,
There are a total of three colors, the color of the cross 212 and the color of the border 213. Next, it is assumed that the size of the “crossed characters” is 9 × 9 pixels here. Now, pixel data “00” is assigned to the color of the background 211,
Pixel data "11" is allocated to the color of the cross 212,
Assuming that pixel data “10” is assigned to the color of the border 213, an aggregate of 9 × 9 pixel data as shown in FIG. 10B is determined. This kind of work is 720x
By performing the process for all the pixels 478, a sub-picture of one DVD can be obtained.

Using such a sub-picture, for example, character pixel data is placed only in the area near the lower side in all the area of 720 × 478 pixels, and the part above it is all the background 211 If the definition and the mixing ratio of the pixel of the background 211 to the moving image are set to 0%, characters can be seen only in the lower part, and the other transparent sub-pictures are formed. In DVDs, subtitles for movies and the like are expressed using such devices.

Next, the menu screen of the DVD will be described. As already described, in the DVD format, among the still screens for performing an interactive operation, the elements common to DVDs and the basic ones are D-screens.
It is defined as a VD system menu. This DV
The D system menu is called by the viewer himself / herself operating a menu button specified in a format that must be attached to the remote control device of the DVD player when the DVD player reproduces the DVD. The screen allows a viewer to specify various playback patterns by selecting operation buttons displayed on the screen with cursor keys always attached to the remote control device of the DVD player. . In the DVD format, the following are defined as DVD system menus.

[0033] 1. Title Menu (Title Menu) In the case where audio / video data of a plurality of titles (for one episode of a movie or animation) is recorded on a DVD, a title menu (Title Menu) allows the viewer to select audio / video data of any title. It is a menu screen used for designating whether to reproduce.

[0034] 2. Chapter Menu (Chapter Menu) The audio / video data of one title (one movie, one album for a music video (video clip), usually called a work) is included in the title.
There is a unique break inside the movie (such as a scene break for a movie, a break between songs for a video clip, etc., where the record company creator wants to find the beginning of the work). Called chapter. The chapter menu is a menu screen in which operation buttons for starting playback directly from each chapter are arranged on the screen.

[0035] 3. Audio Menu (Audio Menu) An audio menu is provided when video data of each title and a plurality of audio channels recorded on a DVD are attached (for example, video data of a movie is added to the original language audio (original audio)). This is a menu screen used to select which language sound is to be listened to when a voice-over sound of a plurality of languages is added. In this audio menu, operation buttons to which names of selectable languages are assigned are independently arranged on the screen for each audio channel.

4. Subtitle menu (Sub Ti
(tel Menu; subtitle menu) The subtitle is a term of a movie or a television broadcast, and means a so-called “subtitle supermarket”. When the title recorded on the DVD has one or more types of subtitle superimposed on it, the subtitle menu indicates which of the plurality of types of subtitle superimposition is to be displayed and whether or not to display the subtitle superimposition. It is a menu screen used for selection. In this subtitle menu,
Operation buttons with names indicating selectable subtitle supermarkets are independently arranged on the screen for each type of subtitle supermarket.

[0037] 5. Angle Menu (Angle Menu) Angle is a function specific to the DVD format. For example, when recording a soccer match, a plurality of cameras are usually used, and these cameras simultaneously shoot the match in parallel from different camera angles. In other words, for example, video data of a soccer match may be obtained from a camera that pulls the entire match in long, captured from a camera following the attacking player up, or a defensive side. And those obtained from cameras that have their players up. In this way, when multiplexing a plurality of video data obtained by shooting an object in parallel at a plurality of camera angles at the same time and recording the multiplexed data on a DVD, and reproducing the data on a DVD player, the viewer can select any camera angle. A function called an angle in DVDs allows the user to select whether or not to reproduce video data obtained by shooting in the DVD. In the angle menu, operation buttons on which names of selectable angles and the like are written are independently arranged on the screen for each angle.

[0038] 6. Root Menu Up to here, a total of 5 specified in the DVD format
Although the types of menus have been described, the remote control device of the DVD player is not always provided with five buttons for displaying each of the five types of menus. The DVD format only requires the remote control device to have two buttons, one for calling a title menu and one for calling other menus. Therefore, if the title to be played is
When any one or more of the chapter menu, the audio menu, the subtitle menu, and the angle menu are required, a special menu screen used for calling those menus is required. The root menu is used when one or more of the chapter menu, the audio menu, the subtitle menu, and the angle menu are required, and the names of the chapter menu, the audio menu, the subtitle menu, and the angle menu are respectively added. 5 is a menu screen on which operation buttons are arranged.

When creating (authoring) each menu as described above, it is necessary not only to create pixel data according to the format of the sub-picture on the DVD corresponding to each operation button, but also to accompany each operation button. It is necessary to perform programming by a navigation command for each operation button. As described above, the navigation command is a unique programming language prepared in a DVD format for controlling a reproduction method on a DVD player. The program described by the navigation command is recorded on a DVD together with video data and audio data,
The VD player reproduces video data and audio data according to a program described by the navigation command.

Next, a data structure for composing the above-described menu will be described with reference to FIG. The above six types of menu, title menu, chapter menu, audio menu, subtitle menu,
Angle menu and root menu, respectively,
A program chain corresponding to the menu control data in the present invention (in the figure, PGC (Program Ch)
ain). ) Is implemented by a data structure named 20). In the program chain 20, one program chain 20 corresponds to one menu regardless of the number of pages constituting each menu. That is, if there are six types of menus, program chain 2
That is, there are six zeros.

Hereinafter, the description of FIG. 3 will be simplified. In order to implement one menu, it is necessary to describe all of the data structures described below. Note that these data structures are actually more subdivided, but here,
The structure is simplified by focusing only on the parts necessary for the description of the present embodiment.

The program chain 20 is a framework for representing one menu as a whole, and includes all data necessary for realizing one menu, and is a unit for reproducing menus and titles on a DVD player. The program chain 20 includes a pre-command (PR in the figure).
It is described as E CMD (Pre Command). ) 21
And an access unit (ACCESS UNI in the figure)
Recorded as T. ) 22 and highlight information data (in the figure,
HLI (Highlight Information)
n). ) 23 and a post command (in the figure, PO
It is referred to as ST CMD (Post Command). )
24.

The pre-command 21 describes a navigation command to be executed first when reproduction of one menu screen (program chain) starts. Here, mainly, a command for initializing parameters necessary for executing a button command described later is described.

The access unit 22 is an area in which pixel data and color information for displaying a menu screen are stored. Sub-picture pixel data 25 and button color data (described as BTN COLOR in the figure) 2 which will be described later.
6 is included.

The highlight information data 23 is an area for storing information relating to the selection of an operation button on the menu screen, and includes highlight color data (Highlig in the figure).
htCOLOR. ) 27 and button information data (denoted as BTN INFO in the figure) 28.
The highlight color data 27 is color information for changing (highlighting) the color of the selected operation button when one of the operation buttons on the menu screen is selected to indicate that the operation button is selected. And color information for changing the color of the operation button when the function assigned to the selected operation button is executed. The button information data 28 includes the relative positional relationship of each operation button in the menu screen and the operation for moving the operation button to be selected in the menu screen up, down, left and right by the cursor key of the remote control device of the DVD player. And the adjacent information between the operation buttons required to indicate the next operation button to be selected when is performed.

Post command (in the figure, POST CM)
D (Post Command). 24)
When the execution of one menu ends (that is, when the reproduction of one program chain 20 ends), the navigation command executed last is described. Here, a jump instruction for jumping to a branch destination determined by a parameter obtained as an execution result of a button command described later is mainly described.

The sub-picture pixel data 25 stores sub-picture pixel data for displaying a menu screen. When the menu screen includes a plurality of pages, the sub-picture pixel data 25 is provided for a plurality of pages.

The button color data 26 includes color information when pixel data of a sub-picture for displaying a menu screen is not selected (when highlight processing is not performed) and when the operation button is highlighted. Data indicating a color palette to which color information is referred is stored.

The highlight color data 27 stores color information for highlighting each operation button on the menu screen, and this color information is selected color data (FIG. 8) indicating the highlight color when the operation button is selected. Then, SELECT COLO
R) 29 and action color data indicating the highlight color of the operation button when the function assigned to the selected operation button is executed (ACTION COLO in the figure)
Described as R. ) 30. In addition, each color data 2
Reference numerals 9 and 30 denote pointers to data indicating a color palette in the button color data 26, and actual color data is not stored here.

The button information data 28 is button position data (shown as BTN POSITION in the figure) 3 representing the relative positional relationship of each operation button on the menu screen.
1 and to designate the next operation button to be selected when an operation for moving the operation button to be selected on the menu screen up, down, left and right is performed by the cursor key of the remote control device of the DVD player. Button data (in the figure, referred to as ADJ BTN) 32, which is information necessary for adjacent operation buttons, and a button command (in the figure, BTN in the figure) consisting of a navigation command for executing a function assigned to the operation button.
Notated as CMD. ) 33. The button information data 28 plays a central role as a portion for describing the function logic of each operation button on the menu screen.

The selection color data 29 stores a pointer to a color palette of a highlight color when the operation button is selected.

The action color data 30 stores a pointer to the color palette of the highlight color of the operation button when the function assigned to the selected operation button is executed.

The button position data 31 represents the relative position of each operation button on the menu screen by the coordinates of a pixel. Specifically, since the logical display area of each operation button is defined as a rectangle, the button position data 31
Contains the data of the upper left and lower right coordinates of the area. The button position data 31 further includes a pointer to a color palette of color information when each operation button is not selected. It should be noted that, in one menu screen, regardless of the number of operation buttons, one color is selected when not selected. The button position data 31 further includes an automatic execution flag (AUTO ACTION FLA) as automatic execution information indicating whether or not to automatically execute a function assigned to each operation button when each operation button is selected.
G).

The adjacent button data 32 includes the next selection target when an operation for moving the operation button to be selected on the menu screen is moved up, down, left, or right by the cursor key of the remote control device of the DVD player. Neighbor information between operation buttons necessary for designating an operation button to be operated is stored.

The button commands 33 are navigation commands for executing the functions assigned to the operation buttons, and directly define the functions assigned to the respective operation buttons.

In the DVD format, the sub-picture pixel data 25 to the button command 33 are collectively referred to as a program (denoted as PG in the figure) 34. The program 34 exists for the number of pages of the existing menu screen. The program chain 20 is named after a plurality of the programs 34 are connected.

Next, a computer-readable recording medium for recording menu control data, a menu control method, and a menu control device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

As described above, the DVD, which is a computer-readable recording medium on which the menu control data according to the present embodiment is recorded, is used when reproducing information from the DVD and includes a plurality of pages. A page for displaying a menu screen having a plurality of selectable operation buttons including a plurality of instruction operation buttons for performing a predetermined instruction regarding reproduction and a page turning operation button for performing page turning; A program chain 20 as menu control data is stored.

As described above, the program chain 20 includes button position data 31 as position information indicating the position of each operation button on the menu screen of each page,
Adjacency button data that is defined for each operation button and that is used as adjacent information to indicate the next operation button to be selected when an operation to move the operation button to be selected up, down, left, or right is performed 32 and the like. Also,
The button position data 31 includes an automatic execution flag as automatic execution information indicating whether or not a function assigned to each operation button is automatically executed when each operation button is selected.

In this embodiment, the button position data 31
On the menu screen of each page, a plurality of instruction operation buttons are vertically arranged in a line, and a page feed operation button is arranged on the left and right sides of the plurality of instruction operation buttons. It has a data structure set to display the operation buttons, and the adjacent button data 32 for each instruction operation button is used when an operation for moving the operation button to be selected in the left and right direction is performed. Next, it has a data structure set so as to indicate a page-turn operation button as an operation button to be selected. Further, the automatic execution flag for the page feed operation button is a data set to automatically execute the function assigned to the page feed operation button, that is, the page feed function when selected. It has a structure.

The features of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the specific example shown in FIG. FIG. 1 shows an example of a menu screen according to the present embodiment.
On this menu screen, three types of operation buttons, a chapter designation button 1, a menu switching button 2, and a menu page switching button 3, are arranged. The chapter designating button 1 has six chapter designating buttons 1a to 1f arranged vertically in a line at the center in the left-right direction on the menu screen. The menu switching button 2 includes a button 2a arranged below the chapter designation button 1f for instructing to return to the root menu, and a displayed menu arranged below the button 2a. And a button 2b for giving an instruction to cancel the operation. The menu page switching button 3 has a previous page button 3a for instructing return to the previous page, and a next page button 3b for instructing transition to the next page.

Buttons 1a to 1f and buttons 2a and 2b
Corresponds to the instruction operation buttons in the present invention, and these are arranged vertically in a line at the center in the left-right direction on the menu screen. Buttons 3a and 3b are
These correspond to the page-turning operation buttons in the present invention, and these are buttons 1a at the lower position in the menu screen.
To 1f and the left and right sides of the buttons 2a and 2b, more precisely, the button 3a is arranged on the left side of the button 2b, and the button 3b is arranged on the right side of the button 2b. Such an arrangement of the operation buttons is realized by the button position data 31 in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows an adjacency relationship between the operation buttons shown in FIG. Arrows in the figure indicate the adjacent relation. The adjacent relationship is defined by the adjacent button data 32 in FIG. 3 for the four directions of up, down, left, and right for each operation button. In the buttons 1a to 1f and the buttons 2a and 2b vertically arranged in a line at the center in the left-right direction on the menu screen, the up-down direction is related to the vertically adjacent buttons. That is, these buttons 1a to 1f
As for the buttons 2a and 2b, in principle, when an operation for moving the operation button to be selected upward is performed, the next operation button to be selected becomes the operation button adjacent to the upper direction. When an operation for moving the operation button to be selected in the downward direction is performed, the operation button to be selected next is the operation button adjacent to the operation button in the downward direction. However, regarding the bottom button 2b, when an operation for moving the operation button to be selected is performed in the downward direction, the next operation button to be selected becomes the top button 1a, Conversely, for the top button 1a, when an operation for moving the operation button to be selected is performed in the upward direction, the next operation button to be selected is the bottom button 2b. They are related to each other. The selected operation button is
Highlight processing is performed based on the highlight color data 27 in FIG.

The buttons 1a to 1 arranged vertically in a line at the center of the menu screen in the left-right direction.
As for f and the buttons 2a and 2b, the left direction is all related to the previous page button 3a as shown by reference numeral 5 in the figure, and the right direction is as shown by reference numeral 6 in the figure. All are related to the next page button 3b. Accordingly, regarding these buttons 1a to 1f and the buttons 2a and 2b, when an operation for moving the operation button to be selected is moved leftward, the next operation button to be selected is the previous page button. When the operation button 1a is operated to move the operation button to be selected rightward, the next operation button to be selected is the next page button 1b. In this case as well, the selected operation button is the highlight color data 27 in FIG.
Is highlighted based on the

The first page has a previous page button 3
a does not exist, the operation buttons arranged vertically in a line on the first page are next selected when the operation for moving the operation button to be selected is performed in the left direction. The operation buttons are associated with each other so as to return to the operation buttons themselves at the starting points. Similarly, the next page button 3
Since “b” does not exist, the operation buttons arranged vertically in a row on the last page are selected next when the operation for moving the operation button to be selected is performed in the right direction. The operation buttons are related so as to return to the operation buttons themselves at the starting points.

Further, among the operation buttons, the automatic execution flag for only the previous page button 3a and the next page button 3b indicates the function assigned to the operation button when it is selected, that is, the function of page feed. Is set to run automatically.

The button command 33 for the previous page button 3a includes a program 3 corresponding to the previous page.
4 and a command for highlighting the top operation button on the previous page. Similarly, in the button command 33 for the next page button 3b, a reproduction instruction command for the program 34 corresponding to the next page and a command for highlighting the top operation button on the next page are written.

Each menu page (each program 3
4) For each operation button, among the identification numbers ID1 to IDn assigned to the operation buttons from the first, ID1 is located at the top of the operation buttons arranged vertically in a line in each menu page. It is set to be an operation button. This is because, in the DVD player, the initial highlight position at the start of menu reproduction is determined to be the operation button of ID1, so that the highlight position in the initial reproduction state is set after the page is turned. In order to unify the highlight position.

Next, an operation using the menu screen in the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, for example, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a DVD player 11
A monitor 12 for displaying an image reproduced by the DVD player 11 and a remote control device 13 for operating the DVD player 11 are shown. The remote control device 13 includes an up cursor key 15, a down cursor key 16, a left cursor key 17 and a right cursor key 18 for moving the selected operation button up, down, left and right, and an operation for completing the operation of the selected operation button. And a menu decision key 19.

When the DVD having the data structure of the program chain 20 as described above is reproduced by the DVD player 11, the viewer first presses a menu button or the like (not shown) provided on the remote control device of the DVD player. By operating, a desired menu screen is displayed on the monitor 12. For example, when the menu screen as shown in FIG. 1 is displayed, the operation button 1a at the top is initially highlighted. In this state, when the viewer continues to press only the up cursor key 15 or the down cursor key 16 of the remote control device 13, the operation buttons 1a to 1 arranged vertically in a line
f, 2a, and 2b can be sequentially selected in a loop. When the viewer presses the menu determination key 19 in a state where any one of the operation buttons 1a to 1f, 2a, and 2b is selected (highlighted state), the function assigned to the selected operation button (For example, starting reproduction from a predetermined chapter) is executed.

When one of the operation buttons 1a to 1f, 2a, and 2b vertically arranged in a line is selected (highlighted), the viewer operates the remote control device 13. When the left cursor key 17 is pressed, the previous page button 3a is selected and highlighted, and further automatically returns to the previous page, and the topmost operation button among the operation buttons arranged vertically in the previous page is arranged. The button is selected and highlighted.

Similarly, when one of the operation buttons 1a to 1f, 2a, and 2b arranged vertically in a line is selected (highlighted), the viewer operates the remote control device 13 When the right cursor key 18 is pressed, the next page button 3b is selected and highlighted, and the screen automatically shifts to the next page. In the next page, the top of the operation buttons arranged vertically in a line Is selected and highlighted.

Therefore, the viewer can use the left cursor key 17 or the right cursor key 1 of the remote control device 13.
By simply pressing 8, the page of the menu screen can be turned, and the menu screen of a plurality of pages can be easily operated.

Next, an example of the configuration of a DVD player as a menu control device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The DVD player shown in FIG. 1 includes a motor 41 for rotating the DVD 40, a pickup 42 arranged to face the DVD 40 rotated by the motor 41 and detecting information recorded on the DVD 40, A demodulator 43 for demodulating and outputting the output signal of the second 42;
a, 44b and a movable contact 44c.
And a switch 44 connected to the output terminal of the demodulator 43. The pickup 42 irradiates the DVD 40 with light and detects return light, and
Is to optically read out information recorded in the information. The pickup 42 moves the light irradiation position on the DVD 40 in the radial direction of the DVD 40, and
And a driving device for controlling the information readout position in the device.

The DVD player further has an input terminal connected to the fixed contact 44a of the switch 44, and outputs the output signal of the demodulator 43, which is input via the switch 44, to the navigation pack for controlling the reproduction method in the DVD player. (Navigation Pack) (In the figure, NAV
Indicated as I. ) 61 and presentation data (Presentation Da) which is information to be provided to the viewer.
ta) 62 and a demultiplexer (1) 45 for separation
And the signal from the fixed contact 44b of the switch 44 and the navigation pack 61 from the demultiplexer (1) 45, the motor 41 and the pickup 42.
And a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 46 as a computer in the present invention that controls the switch 44. The CPU 46 is a ROM storing a program.
(Read only memory) and RA as work area
M (random access memory), and the operation described later is performed by executing a program stored in the ROM using the RAM as a work area.

The DVD player further converts the presentation data 62 from the demultiplexer (1) 45 into
An encoded sub-picture signal (denoted by SP in the figure) 63, an encoded video signal (denoted by V in the figure) 64 and encoded audio data (depicted in the figure)
Indicated as A. ) 65 and demultiplexer (2)
47, a sub-picture decoder 48 for decoding (decoding) the sub-picture signal 63 from the demultiplexer (2) 47, a video decoder 49 for decoding the video signal 64 from the demultiplexer (2) 47, and a demultiplexer ( 2) An audio decoder 50 for decoding an audio signal 65 from 47 and outputting it as an audio output signal 66, and a display memory 51 for temporarily storing a decoded sub-picture signal from the sub-picture decoder 48 to form a sub-picture , A display memory 52 for temporarily storing the decoded video signal from the video decoder 49 to form a moving image portion, and an adder 53 for adding the respective output signals of the displays 51 and 52 to output a video output signal 67. And

The CPU 46 has an information data storage area 71 for storing information data (Information Data) in the RAM.
And navigation control data (Navigation Control) included in the navigation pack 61.
Data) is stored in the navigation control data storage area 72. The information data storage area 71 includes a general control data storage area 71a that stores general control data (General Control Data),
Entry search information (Entry Se
rch Information) is stored in the entry search information storage area 71b. Information data is input via the switch 44. Further, the CPU 46
Highlight display control (Highlight) for controlling the highlight in the sub-picture
A Display Control signal 68 is sent to the display memory 51.

Although not shown, the DVD player further includes
There is a receiving device that receives a signal from the remote control device, processes the signal, converts the signal into a signal corresponding to a key operation of the remote control device, and provides the signal to the CPU 46.

Next, the operation of the DVD player shown in FIG. 5 will be described. First, the operation of reading information data by a DVD player will be described. In this case, the CPU 46 switches the switch 44 to the fixed contact 44b side, moves the pickup 42 and the motor 41 by servo control, reads general control data and entry search information from the DVD 40, and The data is stored in the data storage area 71a and the entry search information storage area 71b. In the general control data, static information necessary for reproduction, such as the aspect ratio of video and the type and number of audio codings, is written. The entry search information is a table in which multiplexed data of each page of the menu and multiplexed data of each title are written in a table on the address of the address on the DVD 40 where the multiplexed data is written. Using this entry search information, the DVD player can start playback by moving the pickup 42 to the specified address of an arbitrary menu or title.

Next, the operation of reproducing a menu by the DVD player will be described. In this case, the CPU 46
The switch 44 is switched to the fixed contact 44a side, the start address of the menu is known from the entry search information, and the pickup 42 and the motor 41 are moved so that the information of the menu can be read, and a reproduction signal is obtained from the pickup 42. The reproduction signal is returned to a normal digital signal by the demodulator 43, and the reproduction stream 6
It becomes 0. When the reproduction stream 60 is schematically enlarged, it appears that the navigation pack (NAVI), the video signal (V), the audio signal (A), and the sub-picture signal (SP) are sequentially multiplexed and arranged.

Next, the reproduction stream 60 output from the demodulator 43 is output by the demultiplexer (1) 45.
The navigation pack 61 and the presentation data 62 are separated. The navigation pack 61, which is one of the separated data, is stored in the navigation control data storage area 72 of the CPU 46. Since the navigation pack 61 includes the highlight information data 23 shown in FIG. 3, a command for reproducing the menu (the adjacent button data 32 and the button command 33 in FIG. 3) is also issued at this stage by the CPU 46. Will be stored.

Presentation data 6 which is the other data separated by the demultiplexer (1) 45
2 are further separated into a sub-picture signal 63, a video signal 64 and an audio signal 65 by a demultiplexer (2) 47, and the decoders 48 to
By 50, the decoded sub-picture signal, video signal and audio signal are returned. The sub-picture signal output from the sub-picture decoder 48 and the video signal output from the video decoder 49 are temporarily stored in the display memories 51 and 52, respectively, and then added by the adder 53 to obtain the video output signal 67. Is output as The display memory 51 includes a CPU 4
Highlight display control signal 68 from 6
Is given. For example, when moving the highlight in response to the operation of the cursor key of the remote control device on the menu screen, the CPU 46 uses the highlight display control signal 68 to directly change the highlight in the display memory 51. By rewriting the data at the corresponding location, the visual effect of moving the highlight color is obtained.

Next, the operation of reproducing a menu by the DVD player will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Note that this flowchart is the same as the CP in FIG.
The U46 reads the navigation control data (navigation pack) and directly rewrites the data in the location corresponding to the highlight in the display memory 51 by using the highlight display control signal 68, thereby visually moving the highlight color. This shows how the effect is obtained, or the start address of the menu of the next page is known from the entry search information, and the pickup 42 and the motor 41 are moved to that point to obtain a reproduction signal of a new menu page.

In the operation shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the viewer instructs the DVD player to reproduce a predetermined menu using the remote control device (step S10).
1) Start with. The CPU 46 of the DVD player
When the reproduction of the predetermined menu is instructed, the predetermined menu is displayed on the monitor. At this time, in the displayed menu, the button with the ID No. 1 (the top operation button among the operation buttons arranged vertically in a line) is highlighted (step S102). Next, the CPU 46 determines whether or not any key has been pressed on the remote control device (step S103). If the key has not been pressed (N), step S103 is repeated. When any key is pressed (Y), the CPU 46 determines whether or not the cursor key is pressed, and when it is determined that the cursor key is pressed, determines which of the up, down, left and right cursor keys is pressed. (Step S104).

When the cursor key is pressed (step S
104; Y), if the left cursor key is pressed, the CPU 46 determines whether or not the current page is the first page (step S105). In the case of the first page (Y), since there is no previous page button, the process returns to step S103 so as to return to the operation button itself at the starting point. If it is not the first page (step S105; N), C
The PU 46 moves the highlight to the previous page button (step S106), executes the button command of the previous page button (step S107), reproduces the menu of the previous page (step S108), and stores the ID1 of the previous page.
Move the highlight to the number button (step S10
9), and return to step S102.

When the cursor key is pressed (step S
104; Y), if the right cursor key is pressed, the CPU 46 determines whether or not the current page is the last page (step S110). In the case of the last page (Y), since there is no next page button, the process returns to step S103 so as to return to the operation button itself at the starting point. If it is not the first page (step S110; N), the CPU 46
Moves the highlight to the next page button (step S
111), the button command of the next page button is executed (step S112), the menu of the next page is reproduced (step S113), and the highlight is moved to the ID No. 1 button on the next page (step S114). It returns to S102.

When the cursor key is pressed (step S
104; Y), if the up cursor key or the down cursor key is pressed, the CPU 46 moves only the highlight according to the adjacent button data (step S).
115), and return to step S103.

If the cursor key has not been pressed (step S104; N), the CPU 46 determines whether or not the menu end key has been pressed (step S116).
If the menu end key is pressed (Y), the CPU 4
6 ends the operation related to menu display. If the menu end key is not pressed (N), the CPU 46
Determines whether the menu determination key has been pressed (step S117). If the menu determination key has not been pressed (N), the process returns to step S103. When the menu determination key is pressed (step S117; Y),
The CPU 46 executes the button command of the highlighted button (step S118), and ends the operation related to menu display.

As described above, according to the computer-readable recording medium recording the menu control data, the menu control method, and the menu control device according to the present embodiment, a plurality of instructions are displayed on the menu screen of each page. Each operation button is displayed so that the operation buttons are arranged vertically in a row, and the page operation buttons are arranged on the left and right sides of a plurality of instruction operation buttons. When the operation button for selecting is operated and the operation button to be selected is moved in the left and right direction while the operation button for instruction is selected, the operation button for page turning is displayed next as the selection object. Therefore, a menu screen of a plurality of pages used when reproducing information from a recording medium (DVD) can be easily operated.

Further, in the present embodiment, the function assigned to the page turning operation button, that is, the page turning function, is automatically executed when the page turning operation button is selected. Since the setting is performed, the number of key operations required for page turning can be further reduced.

In the above embodiment, for example, the case where the left cursor key 17 and the right cursor key 18 in the remote control device 13 shown in FIG. 4 are used only for page turning has been described. The keys 17 and 18 can be used for purposes other than page turning. For example, the left cursor key 17 and the right cursor key 18 may be used for selecting an item on a one-page menu screen as shown in FIG. 8A. In the menu screen of the example shown in FIG. 8A, six selectable items 81, a button 82 for instructing to return to the root menu, and a button for instructing to cancel the displayed menu are displayed. Button 83. Each of the six selectable items 81 represents a type of still image that can be displayed. FIG.
In the example shown in (a), six items 81 are divided into upper and lower rows, and three items 81 are arranged in the horizontal direction for each row.
Therefore, when moving the selection target item 81 in the horizontal direction, the left cursor key 17 and the right cursor key 18
Is used. When one of the six items 81 is selected and executed, a still image 84 corresponding to the selected item 81 is displayed, for example, as shown in FIG. 8B. In the example shown in FIG. 8B, together with the still image 84, a button 85 for instructing to return to the root menu and a button 86 for instructing to cancel the displayed menu are also displayed. It has become.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the computer-readable recording medium on which the menu control data according to the present invention is recorded is not limited to the DVD described in the above embodiment. Alternatively, another type of recording medium may be used. Similarly, the menu control method and apparatus according to the present invention are not limited to the case where a menu screen used when reproducing information recorded on a DVD by a DVD player is also displayed, but may be recorded on another type of recording medium. The present invention can be applied to a case where a menu screen used for reproducing reproduced information or the like is displayed, and further, without using menu control data recorded on a removable recording medium such as a DVD, The present invention can also be applied to a case where a menu screen is displayed using menu control data stored in a storage device.

[0093]

As described above, a computer-readable recording medium recording the menu control data according to claim 1 or 2, the menu control method according to claim 3 or 4, or the menu control method according to claim 5 or 6. According to the menu control device, on the menu screen of each page,
A plurality of instruction operation buttons are arranged vertically in a line,
Each operation button is displayed so that the page operation button is arranged on the left and right sides of the plurality of instruction operation buttons, and in a state where any one of the operation buttons is selected, When an operation to move the operation button to be selected in the left and right direction is performed, the next page operation button is displayed as the selection object, so that the menu screen of multiple pages can be easily displayed. The effect that operation becomes possible is produced.

A computer-readable recording medium recording the menu control data according to claim 2.
According to the menu control method described above or the menu control device described in claim 6, when the operation button for page turning is selected, the function assigned to the operation button for page turning is automatically executed. Therefore, there is an effect that the number of operations required for page turning can be further reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an adjacency relationship between operation buttons shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure for composing a menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation using a menu screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a DVD player according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of reproducing a menu by a DVD player according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of reproducing a menu by a DVD player according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining that the left cursor key and the right cursor key of the remote control device of the DVD player according to the embodiment of the present invention can be used for purposes other than page turning;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for describing a sub-picture in a DVD.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for describing a sub-picture in a DVD.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a chapter menu screen on a DVD.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for describing an operation using a menu screen in a DVD player.

FIG. 13: DVD with operation buttons highlighted
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu screen in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... button for chapter specification, 2 ... button for menu switching, 3 ... button for menu page switching, 11 ... D
VD player, 12 monitor, 13 remote control device, 46 CPU

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of selectable operation buttons including a plurality of pages, each of which includes a plurality of instruction operation buttons for performing a predetermined instruction and a page advance operation button for performing a page advance. A computer-readable recording medium recorded with menu control data for displaying a menu screen having the following, wherein the menu control data includes position information indicating the position of each operation button on the menu screen of each page. A data structure including, for each operation button, adjacent information for designating the next operation button to be selected when an operation to move the operation button to be selected is performed up, down, left and right The position information, on the menu screen of each page,
A plurality of instruction operation buttons are arranged vertically in a line,
It has a data structure set to display each operation button so that the page-turn operation buttons are arranged on the left and right sides of the plurality of instruction operation buttons, and the adjacency for each instruction operation button The information has a data structure set to indicate the operation button for page turning as the next operation button to be selected when an operation for moving the operation button to be selected in the left and right direction is performed. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon menu control data. 2. The menu control data is further defined for each operation button, and indicates whether or not to automatically execute a function assigned to each operation button when the function is selected. A data structure including execution information, wherein the automatic execution information for the page-turn operation button automatically executes a function assigned to the page-turn operation button when selected as a selection target. 2. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the computer-readable recording medium has a data structure set as follows. 3. A plurality of selectable operation buttons including a plurality of pages, each of which includes a plurality of instruction operation buttons for giving a predetermined instruction and a page feed operation button for page feed. A menu control method for displaying a menu screen having: a plurality of instruction operation buttons are vertically arranged in a line on a menu screen of each page, and a page feed operation button is provided by a plurality of instruction operations. Each operation button is displayed so as to be arranged on the left and right sides of the button, the selected operation button is displayed as a selection target distinguished from other operation buttons, and one of the instruction operation buttons is When an operation for moving the operation button to be selected in the left-right direction is performed in a selected state, the operation button for page turning is next selected. Menu control method and displaying as elephants. 4. The menu according to claim 3, wherein when the operation button for page advance is selected, a function assigned to the operation button for page advance is automatically executed. Control method. 5. A plurality of selectable operation buttons including a plurality of pages, each page including a plurality of instruction operation buttons for performing a predetermined instruction and a page feed operation button for performing page feed. A menu control device for displaying a menu screen having: a plurality of instruction operation buttons arranged vertically in a line on a menu screen of each page, and a page feed operation button provided by a plurality of instruction operations. The operation button display means for displaying each operation button so as to be arranged on the left and right sides of the button, and the selected operation button is displayed as a selection target distinguished from other operation buttons, and any one of the operation buttons is displayed. When an operation for moving the operation button to be selected is performed in the left-right direction while the instruction operation button is selected, the page Menu control apparatus characterized by comprising a selection displaying means for displaying a selection manipulation buttons Ri. 6. An automatic execution means for automatically executing a function assigned to the page-turning operation button when the page-turning operation button is selected. The menu control device according to claim 5.