Multimedia playing apparatus utilizing synchronization of scenario-defined processing time points with playing of finite-time monomedia item

The multimedia playing apparatus for playing a hypermedia title formed of a base-axis object and at least one non base-axis object, said base-axis object being a finite-time monomedia object having a playing duration which extends from start to end of a playing progression of said hyper media title, said base-axis object being configured as a plurality of sequential fixed-length playing sections, said multimedia playing apparatus comprising:

• scenario data storage means for storing data of a scenario of said hypermedia title, said scenario including a plurality of sets of synchronization trigger data, each of said sets identifying a corresponding one of said non base-axis objects and specifying, for said corresponding non base-axis object, a processing time point during said playing progression at which a processing operation for starting playing of said non base-axis object or a processing operation for ending playing of said non base-axis object is to be executed, each of said processing time points being expressed as an integral number of said playing sections,
• subject matter data storage means for storing respective subject matter data of said base-axis object and each of said non base-axis objects;
• timer event generating means for periodically generating timer events;
• base-axis object display means controllable for acquiring subject matter data of said base-axis object from said subject matter data storage means and utilizing said subject matter data to play said base-axis object continuously throughout said playing progression,
• non base-axis object display means for playing said non base-axis objects;
• internal data memory means;
• processing event counter means;
• playing progression counter means for counting successive ones of said playing sections during playing of said hypermedia title;
• playing command input means, operable by a user for generating at least a “play” input command to designate that playing of said hypermedia title is to be started;
• and
• overall control and synchronization processing means for
• executing initial processing to set said apparatus in a condition of readiness for playing said hypermedia title, said initial processing comprising at least operations for acquiring said scenario data from said scenario data storage means, obtaining said sets of synchronization trigger data from said scenario data and storing said sets in sequentially numbered locations in said internal memory means,
• for setting said processing event counter means and playing progression counter means to respective predetermined initial values, and
• on completion of said initial processing, when input of said “play” input command occurs, executing operations for
• controlling said base-axis object display means to begin to acquire said base-axis object subject matter data,
• in response to occurrence of each of said timer events, obtaining respective current values of said playing sections count and processing event count, obtaining from said internal memory means a set of said synchronization trigger data having a storage location which corresponds to said processing event count value, judging whether said playing sections count value is greater than or equal to a processing time point value which is specified in said obtained set of synchronization trigger data, and, when said playing sections count value is judged to be greater than or equal to said specified processing time point value,
• executing a processing operation which is specified ins aid synchronization trigger data set, for a non base-axis object which is identified in said synchronization trigger data set, and
• incrementing said processing event counter means.