Improvements relating to Media Playback The present invention relates to
the reproduction of data, particularly multimedia data, using a personal computer (PC).
Compact Discs (CDs), particularly CD singles, on which there is usually plenty of spare available data storage capacity, frequently include extra multimedia data in the form of music videos, animations, photographs, interviews with the artists or other content. Inclusion of such content is thought to make the CD a more desirable purchase, particularly as singles sales continue to.
decline.. 15. .
Prior art CDs offering such content are referred to as enhanced CDs (ECDs) , CD-Extra, dual- or multi-session CDs. ....
Dual session refers to the fact that there are two - ..
separate data portions defined on the CD. The first session includes only audio data and is intended to be played back using a regular CD player as part of an audio system. The second session includes additional data which is intended to be read by a suitable PC, and may include executable code as well as further multimedia content, such as video, and audio files in different formats. There are various techniques for creating enhanced CDs, including the method defined in the so-called 'Bluebook' standard (for official 'CD-Extra' format), hybrid methods and ISO9660, which works to produce enhanced CDs suitable for regular PCs (not MACs) only. Multi-session CDs including more than two sessions may be provided with extra sessions being specifically provided for different PC standards, such as Macintosh.
When such an ECD is inserted into an audio player, the second session is effectively rendered invisible, and the ECD is played in the same way as a standard CD including only audio data.
When an ECD is inserted into the CD ROM drive of a suitable equipped PC, the operating system of the PC, e.g. Windows XP, detects the presence of a second session including executable code, and commences its 'Autorun' procedure, where a particular executable program is caused to activate. This executable program causes an associated video or other multimedia content stored on the ECD to be played on the PC display. The executable program may include other features, allowing the user to scan through the video clip, pause it, repeat it or stop it. Typically, once the user has completed watching the video or other content, he will be presented with an option of closing the program, which if he elects to do so, ends the
executable program.
In order to access the multimedia content again, it is generally necessary to eject the ECD and re-insert it so that the Autorun procedure can re-commence. Some users are even known to turn the PC off and then back on again to achieve this effect. If, however, the user is skilled in the use of the PC, he may be able to navigate his way to the executable code using 'Windows Explorer' or a similar program, to manually start the executable program. Most users are not generally aware of how to do this and rely on using the Autorun feature.
A problem with prior art systems such as that described above is that when an ECD is inserted into a PC, the PC is blind to the audio tracks included in the first session on the ECD, in much the same way that audio systems are blind to the data included in the second session on the ECD.
This is because the PC is pre-configured to look for only the kind of data files which are included in the second data session.
Another problem with prior art systems is that if a user is unaware of the presence of the extra, non-audio, data stored on a particular CD, he may insert the CD into his PC and expect his default audio player to execute automatically, as it would do for a regular, non-enhanced, CD. The user may them not realise how to access the audio files stored on the enhanced CD. --:e
An object of embodiments of the present invention is to allow easy access to the audio data included in an ECD or similar storage media, without requiring the user to be particularly skilled in the use of a PC.
In a first aspect the present invention provides a method for accessing multimedia data stored on a multi-session storage medium, comprising the steps of: presenting to a user, a choice of accessing data from one of the plurality of sessions; processing the data in a manner suitable to reproduce the data to the user.
Preferably, the multi-session storage medium is a Compact Disc (CD).
Preferably, the multi-session storage medium comprises a first session including audio data for playback on a suitable audio playback device, and the second session includes data suitable for reading by a Personal Computer (PC).
Preferably, the method is performed automatically upon insertion of the storage medium into a suitable conditioned apparatus.
Preferably, the suitably conditioned apparatus is a personal computer (PC) .
Preferably, an icon is provided continuously on a desktop of the PC for as long as the storage medium is inserted into the PC. :
Preferably, removal of the storage medium from the PC ë causes the desktop icon to be deleted. . '..
Preferably, the user is presented with a choice of playing audio from the first session or accessing data from a different session.
Preferably, if the user elects to play audio from the first session, an audio player application is executed and audio data from the first session is reproduced.
Preferably, the audio player application is integrated with one or more further applications included on the storage medium.
Preferably, the audio player application is operable to display certain data related to a particular audio track currently being played.
Preferably, said data is derived from a data file in the second data session.
Preferably, said data includes the title of the track.
Preferably, if the user elects to access data stored in the second data session, a suitable application, stored in the second session is launched.
Preferably, the suitable application is a video player application. Preferably, the method includes the step of offering a.
user an opportunity to select a web link which will cause data to be received from a remote web site. ..
20....
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a computer configured to operate according to the method of the first aspect.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a computer program comprising instructions arranged to carry out the method according to the first aspect.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a data carrier including a computer program comprising instructions arranged to carry out the method according to the first aspect.
Preferably, the data carrier is a CD.
Preferably, the CD is encoded according to the CD-Extra
specification.
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to understand how the same may be brought into effect, the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a typical launcher application according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows an audio player according to an embodiment of the invention; .' : Figures 3a and 3b show schematic representations of.
operating methodologies according to the prior art and an embodiment of the invention respectively; and 20.' Figure 4 shows a sample view of a desktop incorporating a temporary icon according to an embodiment of the invention.
An embodiment of the present invention includes an enhanced CD, also known as CD-Extra, which includes two discrete data sessions. Included in the first session is the audio data which is intended to be played on conventional audio apparatus. Included in the second session is data intended to be interpreted by a PC. This much is known from the prior art. However, whereas in the prior art, upon inserting the CD into a PC, the Autorun function would cause the second session data to be accessed exclusively, embodiments of the invention cause an application to be executed which operates to present a user with a choice of either accessing the data in the second session, which would, in the prior art have run automatically or, playback the audio data included in the first session, which would, in the prior art, have been invisible to the PC.
The new application which is executed upon insertion into a PC's CD ROM drive is included in the second session data area of the CD ROM, and as such, no extra software is required to be installed on the user's PC. This means that any PC user can simply access all the data (both multimedia and plain audio) stored on an enhanced CD according to embodiments of the invention. Any applications stored in the second data session are arranged to run in temporary memory in the PC: no permanent installation is required.
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In practice, when a CD according to an embodiment of the invention is inserted in to an appropriate drive of the PC, the user is presented with a new application, hereafter called the launcher application which is made to automatically commence upon being detected by the PC's operating system. Figure 1 shows a typical screen which may be displayed to the user at this point.
The application window 10 offers the user a number of options at this point. The normal control buttons 16 for minimising and quitting the application are also included in the application window. He may elect to play a music video which is included in the second session of the ECD.
This can be done by clicking button 12 using the PC's mouse in the usual way. By selecting this option, the launcher application then calls a further application which extracts the video data, which may also include audio data, from the second session data recorded on the CD.
If the user elects to play the audio tracks included in the first session data, he can do this by clicking button 14. If this option is selected, the launcher application may execute an audio reproduction application already installed on the PC, such as Windows Media Player or Real Player. However, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the launcher application executes an enhanced audio player, the executable code for which is included in the second session data on the enhanced CD.
e -. . Since record companies are concerned about users copying audio tracks which are subject to copyright control, the audio data which is provided in the first data session may be 'locked' such that it can only be played back on regular audio playback equipment, and not on a PC.
In such circumstances, an application according to the invention would not be able to access the audio data in the first session as it is prohibited from doing so. In order to circumvent this problem, in cases where the audio tracks in the first session are locked, copies of the audio tracks are stored in the second data session in a format allowing Digital Rights Management (DRM) techniques to be used to protect these copies themselves from being copied further. In this way, when a user elects to listen to the audio tracks, the actual data is sourced from the protected copies which are stored in the second data session. However, if the CD is played in a regular CD player, the data from the first session is used to reproduce the audio.
Figures 3a and 3b illustrate the process according to the prior art and an embodiment of the invention respectively.
Figure 3a shows a schematic representation of the prior art. Upon insertion of an Enhanced CD or CD Extra disc into a suitable drive of a PC, the Autorun program 100 causes a program 110 to be executed which functions to display the video and/or other multimedia content stored in the second data session 210 on the CD 200. . ë:e The Autorun program is triggered by the presence of a particularly named and/or configured program in the second data session 210 of the CD 200. The program 110 is typically pre-installed video playback software on the PC.
and may be an MPEG player such as Windows Media Player or. . a Quicktime player. In any event, the only data accessible to the player 110 is data in the second data session 210.
Also present on the CD 200 is one or more audio tracks, stored in the first data session 220. In the prior art system shown in Figure 3a, these tracks are 'invisible' to the PC, and only the second data session 210 is used. A skilled user may be able to locate and play the tracks using a suitable navigation application and/or player application, although this is not possible using by using prior art programs for accessing data stored in the second data session.
In contrast, an embodiment of the invention, which is shown at Figure 3b operates to allow the user access to both the first and data sessions according to his needs.
When an enhanced CD 200' according to an embodiment of the invention is inserted into a suitable drive of a PC, the Autorun function 100 acts, as in the prior art, to cause another program to run. In embodiments of the invention, unlike the prior art systems, a launcher application 120 is executed. The launcher application will then appear on the PC screen as previously discussed in relation to Figure 1. The launcher application 110 then offers the user the option of viewing the video content of the second data session 210' using viewer 110 or, listening to the audio content of the first data session 220 using player 130. ..... - -
Enhanced CD 200' differs from ECD 200 of the prior art in the data content stored in the second data session. The regulations and standards governing its production are identical, and a CD according to an embodiment of the invention is backwards compatible i.e. will work with
prior art PCs and audio systems.
In a preferred embodiment, player 130 is a custom player included in the executable code in the second data session 210'. This player has features which provide extra features over those which would be present if a prior art player is used, such as one that is pre-installed in the PC.
Figure 2 shows a typical screen shot of a player according to an embodiment of the present invention. The application window 10 remains in a broadly similar configuration to the launcher application, although, it could have an entirely different appearance as required. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the application is 'skinnable' meaning that a user can choose one of many different looks for the application. The application may be pre-configured with a particular appearance, and the user may select a different look from a suitable menu.
Further 'skins' may be downloaded from suitable web-sites, allowing a user to customise the appearance of the player on their PC.
Index window 20 occupies a central position in the application window 10 and features a list of the audio tracks included in the first data session 220. In this embodiment, the tracks appear labelled with the titles of the respective audio track. This extra data, which would
not be present if a prior art player were used, is
included in a data file in the second data session 210'.
Also shown in application window 10 is a photograph or other image 22 depicting the cover art of the particular CD package. Other images, e.g. of the artist, may be displayed here, and again, these are sourced from a data file in the second data session 210'.
If the user wishes to switch to watching a video which is stored in the second data session 210', he can simply click button 24, which will then launch application 110 and locate the video data in the second data session 210' Also provided in the audio player shown in Figure 2 are the control buttons normally associated with such players, including a volume control 26 and playback controls 28, which include, PLAY, PAUSE, STOP, SKIP (FORWARD and BACK) and SCAN (FORWARD AND BACK). These can be activated by the user in the normal way using a mouse.
Pull down menu 30 allows a user to access another disc stored in another drive of the PC and use the audio player to play music stored on that disc, without quitting the application.
A further feature of an audio player according to an embodiment of the invention is the provision of a clickable link 32 to a website. In this way, a distributor Of enhanced music CDs can provided updated information which is easily accessible by using only the enhanced CD itself. In this way, record labels and others can provide a way for consumers to interact and enter competitions, send feedback or messages to the label/artist and keep abreast of the latest news concerning their favourite artists.
A feature of embodiments of the present invention is their ease of use. With prior art enhanced CDs, once inserted into the PC, once the video has been watched and the user has quit the application 110, the easiest way for a user with little knowledge of PCs to re-start the application is to eject the CD and re-insert it so that the Autorun function can operate again. This, however, is a tedious operation. Skilled users may realise that they may be able to navigate to the application 110 using Windows Explorer or a similar program, and re-start the application manually, but again, this is a tedious way to achieve the desired result. i
In order to provide a simple and easy-to-access way of re- starting launcher application 120, a desktop icon is provided, only for the time that the CD-ROM is present in a drive of the PC. In prior art PC systems, desktop icons are only provided for applications which are permanently installed on a hard drive or other non-volatile memory of a PC. Since the applications required to play an enhanced CD according to embodiments of the invention are included on the CD 200' itself, there is no need to install any applications onto the PC as they are configured to run from the PC's temporary memory.
The Autorun program, which is executed in temporary memory when a CD according to an embodiment of the invention is inserted to the PC, is operable to place a desktop icon at a convenient location on the user's desktop, for as long as the CD is in situ. This program periodically checks to ensure that the CD is still in the drive. As soon as the CD is ejected, the desktop icon is removed, making no permanent impact on the user's PC system. This prevents the problem of a proliferation of desktop shortcuts and icons which can occur if many different applications are installed.
Figure 4 shows a typical desktop 300, as may appear using a Windows-style operating system. The desktop 300 includes an icon 310 which is conveniently located so that the user may re-start the launcher application 120 at any time by simply double-clicking the icon 310.
Although described as separate applications, the launcher application 120, video player 110 and audio player 130 may be implemented as one or more single executable item. An advantage of this is that there is no need to permanently install any application on the hard drive of the PC.
Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All of the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract and.* ..
drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features.'..
and/or steps are mutually exclusive. ale.
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Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features
disclosed in this specification (including any
accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.