# US 8,543,920 B2 · Method and device for composing a menu

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- Number: US 8,543,920 B2
- Document ID: US8543920B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/693,819
- Filed: 2012-12-04
- Published: 2013-04-18
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2003-11-12
- Assignees: Thomson Licensing
- Applicants: Thomson Licensing
- Inventors: Carsten Herpel; Dirk Gandolph; Jobst Hörentrup; Ralf Ostermann; Hartmut Peters
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8543920B2

## CPC

- G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
- G06F 3/04817: using icons (graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34)
- G06F 3/0484: for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
- G06F 3/04842: Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements (G06F3/0482 takes precedence)
- G06F 3/04847: Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
- G06F 9/451: Execution arrangements for user interfaces
- G11B 19/025: {'Virtual' control panels, e.g. Graphical User Interface [GUI]}
- G11B 27/105: {of operating discs}
- G11B 27/329: {on a disc [VTOC]}
- G11B 27/34: Indicating arrangements {(indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D)}
- H04N 21/42646: {for reading from or writing on a non-volatile solid state storage medium, e.g. DVD, CD-ROM}
- H04N 21/431: Generation of visual interfaces {for content selection or interaction}; Content or additional data rendering
- H04N 21/4312: {involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations}
- H04N 21/4334: {Recording operations (recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27)}
- H04N 21/4722: for requesting additional data associated with the content
- G11B 2220/2562: DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R)
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

Multimedia content of exchangeable storage media, such as optical discs, may be extended by bonus content that is downloaded via Internet connection and stored on a local storage device. An improved method for integration of different menu items relating to on-disc content and downloaded content provides flexibility and a simple, low cost solution. The method for integration of downloaded bonus content into a menu comprises defining one or more placeholders within a menu, determining a storage location or naming convention for bonus content, declaring for each placeholder an attribute providing a unique association to a specific type of bonus content, providing a button image, detecting presence of bonus content data, replacing the associated placeholder by the associated button image and enabling an associated action to be taken when said button is selected.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for automatically composing an electronic audio-visual menu for selection of playback of audio-visual data, wherein a first portion of audio-visual data and a first portion of menu data is retrieved from a first storage medium being an exchangeable pre-recorded medium and wherein a second portion of audio-visual data and a second portion of menu data are obtained from a second data source, wherein said second portion of menu data has at least one first attribute associated and wherein said second portion of menu data contains navigation chaining information, the method comprising the steps of
logically connecting the second portion of menu data obtained from the second data source to a file system of the first portion of audio-visual data and the first portion of menu data retrieved from the first storage medium;
generating an initial menu from the first portion of menu data, wherein the first portion of menu data comprises audio-visual data, the initial menu containing one or more visible, selectable buttons and at least one invisible placeholder that cannot be selected, wherein the placeholder has at least one second attribute associated with said placeholder;
extracting said first attribute associated with the second portion of menu data;
comparing said extracted first attribute with said second attribute associated with the placeholder; and
based on said comparison, if both attributes match, replacing the placeholder with a visible and selectable button defined by the second portion of menu data,
wherein the second data source is different from said first storage medium and wherein said second portion of audio-visual data comprises no menu data, and said second portion of menu data comprises audio-visual menu data, and wherein said navigation chaining information defines a button to be selected next upon a user input of one of “UP”, “DOWN”, “LEFT” and “RIGHT” keys on a remote control.

### Claim 2

An electronic exchangeable storage medium containing audio-visual presentation data and related menu data that comprises,
a default menu data portion suitable for generating a visible default menu, the default menu data portion comprising audio-visual menu data;
a data portion specifying a placeholder, the data portion indicating that the placeholder may not be used to generate a visible menu item; and
an attribute associated with the placeholder and specifying a location on another storage medium where to retrieve a second portion of menu data by which the placeholder may be replaced for generating a visible menu button when data from the another storage medium are logically connected to a file system of the audio-visual presentation data and related menu data from the electronic exchangeable storage medium, wherein the second portion of menu data contains a second attribute, the placeholders attribute is compared with said second attribute and if both attributes match, the placeholder is replaced with a visible and selectable button defined by the second portion of menu data; and
wherein the second portion of menu data further comprises navigation chaining information that defines for at least one button of at least one of the placeholder replacement, the default menu and a previously replaced second placeholder a navigation behavior responsive to user input of at least one of “UP”, “DOWN”, “LEFT” and “RIGHT” buttons.