Abstract: An image processor processes an assembly of data (DDS) that defines an elementary image and a graphics object. The assembly of data (DDS) comprises composition data (CS) that defines a given appearance of the graphics object in an output image, wherein the graphics object overlays a portion of the elementary image. The image processor comprises an occlusion analyzer (OCA) for establishing an occlusion indication (OCS) on the basis of the composition data (CS). The occlusion indication (OCS) specifies an area in the elementary image that the graphics object will occlude in the output image, but which may be de-occluded in a stereoscopic rendering of the output image. An occlusion data generator (ODG) composes an occlusion image on the basis of the occlusion indication (OCS) and the elementary image. The occlusion image represents a portion of the elementary image that corresponds with the area specified by the occlusion indication (OCS).

Abstract: A system includes a first manufacturing apparatus (510) for manufacturing a plurality of record carriers, such as DVDs, with a pre-recorded area storing the same content. A second manufacturing apparatus (520) stores an identifier in an identifier area of the record carriers. The identifier is unique for distinct groups of record carriers. Each group is associated with a distinct playlist. The playlists differ in at least a selection of content parts that can be accessed and/or a sequence in which content parts can be accessed. A reading device (530) includes means (532) for receiving a record carrier, means (536) for reading an identifier stored in the identifier area, means (537) for obtaining an associated playlist for the read identifier, and means (538) for providing access for rendering to content parts on the playlist.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the performance of the running of a stored interactive application on a de-coding apparatus is disclosed. The recorded program which is associated with the stored interactive application is run, wherein the program and interactive application are stored in a storage device. The running of the stored interactive application is controlled using a second application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method in a graphics system for creating a graphics stream allowing to form a three-dimensional graphics data, the graphics stream consisting of segments. The graphics stream is divided into at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment comprises two-dimensional graphics data and the second segment comprises a depth map for the two-dimensional graphics data. The graphics stream can be decoded by a decoder to form two data sequences to be output separately to a display device for rendering a three-dimensional subtitle or graphics image for a three-dimensional video image.

Abstract: A system (1) for producing a depth map of a video sequence comprises a client (C) and a server (S) connected by a network (N). A secondary video sequence (M*) available at the client (C) is derived from a primary video sequence (M) available at the server (S), the primary video sequence (M) having a primary depth map (D). The server comprises a transmission unit for transmitting the primary depth map (D) to the client. The client comprises an alignment unit for aligning the primary depth map (D) with the secondary video sequence (M*) so as to produce alignment information (AI), and a derivation unit for deriving the secondary depth map (D*) from the primary depth map (D) using the alignment information (AI).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the handling of a recorded data stream and associated linear application is disclosed. Linear real-time playback of the data stream and running of the linear application is commenced from a starting point thereof. On entering a non real-time playback phase, select frames from the data stream are mapped using a mapping scheme to create an interactive trick play stream. Events from the linear application are mapped into the interactive trick play stream using the disclosed mapping scheme.

Abstract: A system includes a first storage 223 for storing data associated with the same content stored in a pre-recorded area of a plurality of record carriers, such as DVDs. A second storage is used to associate data in the first storage with a code. A reading device 231 includes means 433 for receiving a record carrier including a pre-recorded area and a write once area, means 436 for reading content stored in the pre-recorded area for rendering, means 435 for reading a code stored in the write-once area, and means 434 for accessing data stored in the first storage. The system verifies whether the read code corresponds to a code associated with data in the first storage and grants the reading device access to data stored in the first storage only upon a positive verification.

Abstract: A method of providing interactivity over a set of multiple optical storage media (90, 91) is disclosed. A logical unit, such as a playitem of a playlist is provided on a storage medium (90) of the set of optical storage media (90, 91), comprising information about contents stored on at least one other storage medium (91) of said set of optical storage media. Furthermore, a corresponding optical disc reading apparatus, optical storage medium, and a computer-readable medium, are disclosed.

Abstract: A user device has a read head (22) for retrieving stored information, and a rendering unit (30) for displaying the stored information including virtual objects in an interactive user interface or a real-time information display. The stored information is arranged according to a first predefined format for rendering in a basic mode, and also according to a second predefined format for rendering in an enhanced mode. The first format has first format virtual objects to be displayed. The device has a translation unit (31) for translating a subset of the stored information representing at least one of the first format virtual objects to a new subset of information for generating a simulated virtual object in the enhanced mode.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for utilizing video content to obtain text keywords or phrases for providing content related links from network-based resources for information related to the video content topics in a video presentation includes: an extractor configured to extract video content, such as the beginning or end credits, from a video presentation, such as a television movie or program; a recognizer, configured to produce a textual representation of text in the video content; a parser, configured to parse the textual representation of the video content for topic language; and a search function using the topic language from the parser as a search criteria, wherein search function searches for WEB sites having information matching the topic language, returns URLs for Web sites found, and associates the URLs with the topic language, and an interface for providing the user the ability to view the information found for the topic language.

Abstract: A system includes a first manufacturing apparatus (510) for manufacturing a plurality of record carriers, such as DVDs, with a pre-recorded area storing the same content. A second manufacturing apparatus (520) stores an identifier in an identifier area of the record carriers. The identifier is unique for distinct groups of record carriers. Each group is associated with a distinct playlist. The playlists differ in at least a selection of content parts that can be accessed and/or a sequence in which content parts can be accessed. A reading device (530) includes means (532) for receiving a record carrier, means (536) for reading an identifier stored in the identifier area, means (537) for obtaining an associated playlist for the read identifier, and means (538) for providing access for rendering to content parts on the playlist.

Abstract: An optical storage medium (20) comprises a first data layer (21), for example a Blu-ray (BD) data layer. In addition, the optical storage medium (20) comprises a second data layer (23), for example a DVD data layer. The second data layer (23) is bonded to a substrate (25) using a third layer (27). The third layer (27) comprises an adhesive layer combined with a reactive layer A reactive agent contained in the reactive layer acts to provide a limited lifetime to the data contained in the second layer (23). The second data layer (23) (i.e. having a limited lifetime) contains access data for controlling access to at least some of the data contained on the first data layer (21). In this way, access to a BD layer can be controlled by a separate DVD layer having a limited lifetime.

Abstract: A content distribution system (300) has access control according to a predefined data access format. The system has organizations (32) for providing content data and related meta data on record carriers (34), and a rendering device (39), and applications for manipulating the content data and related meta data. An access policy for the organization is set according to the predefined data access format, and has access parameters for controlling access to resources of the rendering device and to said content data and related meta data. An organization application (35) complying with the access policy of the organization for accessing said data is executed while accessing the resources of the rendering device according to the access policy of the organization. According to the invention a user access policy is maintained that restricts, for the organization application, access to the resources of the rendering device relative to the access policy of the organization.

Abstract: A content distribution system (300) has access control according to a predefined data access format. A studio (32) provides content data and related proprietary data on a record carrier (34) to be rendered by a rendering device (39). In the system applications (35) are executed on the device for manipulating the content data and related proprietary data. An access policy is set for each studio that controls access to said content data and related proprietary data. According to the invention a cross access policy is set for a virtual entity (42), and at least part of the proprietary data (43) is made available according to the cross access policy of the virtual entity. Also a cross studio application (41) is provided that complies with the access policy of the virtual entity for accessing said data for enabling the rendering device, when rendering the record carrier, to execute the cross studio application for accessing, for the proprietary data.

Abstract: A method for recording a movie (30) is described, the method comprising the steps of: —receiving a broadcasted video stream (10; 31); —recording the received video stream on an information carrier (2RE); —receiving additional metadata (32), preferably via internet (40); —recording the received metadata (32) on the information carrier (2RE) in association with the video recording (31).

Abstract: Reproduction of digital data using a fallback mechanism is disclosed. The digital data can be reproduced in a first mode and in an at least second mode, the operability of a selected mode is monitored and in a situation of failure, a switching between the mode in which a failure is detected to a mode which is operable can be made, so that least some functionality is ensured. An apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus being operable in a first mode where the digital data is accessed in a first format, and the apparatus being operable in an at least second mode where the digital data is accessed in at least a second format. Also a system, a method, a computer readable code and a data stream are disclosed.

Abstract: Method, end user system, transmission system, computer software product and broadcasted signal for enhancing the user experience of a broadcast via an interactive playback combining a broadcasted signal with a signal comprising additional information stored locally. A broadcasted software application detects the presence in the end user system (for example a set top box or a digital television set) of a suitable media player (for example a Blu-ray Disc player) and of a desired media (for example BD-ROM) and consequently enhances the broadcast by using the content stored on the media.

Abstract: When the user views the information available on a program (in a Personal Video Recorder), the keywords that determine whether a program will be recorded are accentuated. This can be done by using the size of the text or by using colors or any other kind of varying accentuation i.e. encircled or blinking text. This makes it easy for the user to identify the keywords used in their personalized profile. Additionally the user can navigate between keywords and change the accentuation of the keywords, to indicate a rating (in multiple levels) of the keyword.

Abstract: In a processing method performed by a digital television receiver (18), a transport stream (84) is received. Data packets of the transport stream (84) associated with a selected audio/video offering are selected and sorted (90) into an audio/video component (92) and at least one supplemental component (94, 96, 98). Component identifiers (102, 104, 106, 108) are assigned (100) to the audio/video component (92) and the at least one supplemental component (94, 96, 98). The component identifiers (102, 104, 106, 108) are displayed (124) to an associated user. One or more selections of components are received (126) to include in a performance of the offering. The selected components are performed (154, 156, 158).

Abstract: A system with an improved user interface for managing a collection (201) of content items such as television programs. The system manages three types of content: recorded content items (501), content items scheduled for recording (601), and content items (701) that have not been recorded and are not scheduled for recording either. These three types are managed using separate user interface layers: a browse layer (500), a discovery layer (600), and a wish layer (700) respectively. Additionally, a watch layer (400) is provided as an entry to the system. This layer (400) allows managing of content using the concept of a personal channel (401).