Enhanced functionality for audio/video content playback

• US 20050025465A1
• Filed: 08/01/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Danieli, Damon V.
• Application Number:
  US10/632,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20050025465A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/243
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42646 for reading from or writing on a non-volatile solid state storage medium, e.g. DVD, CD-ROM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440272 for performing aspect ratio conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4542 Blocking scenes or portions of the received content, e.g. censoring scenes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8545 for generating interactive applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9201 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the video signal

Abstract

Enhanced functionality for audio/video content playback includes, in accordance with one aspect, receiving audio/video content for playback. Programmatic data associated with the audio/video content is also received. A set of instructions is executed to enhance the playback of the audio/video content, wherein the enhancement is based at least in part on the programmatic data.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

obtaining audio/video data from a disc;

presenting the audio/video data to a user;

obtaining a set of software instructions from the disc;

receiving an input from the user; and

executing, in response to the input, one or more instructions of the set of software instructions to determine how to enhance presentation of the audio/video data to the user by using programmatic data associated with the disc.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining the programmatic data from the disc.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining the programmatic data from a local storage device.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining the programmatic data from a remote storage device.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user input comprises a user input requesting an action be taken regarding playback of the audio/video data.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein executing the one or more instructions comprises:

identifying a temporal location of the audio/video data currently being played back;

identifying programmatic data corresponding to the identified temporal location; and

executing the one or more instructions to determine how to enhance presentation of the audio/video data currently being played back using the identified programmatic data.

7. A method comprising:

obtaining, from a source, audio/video data for presentation to a user;

obtaining, from the source, a set of instructions associated with the audio/video data;

obtaining programmatic data associated with the audio/video data; and

enhancing presentation of the audio/video data to the user based on the programmatic data processed by the set of instructions.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein obtaining the programmatic data comprises obtaining the programmatic data from the source.

9. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the source comprises a DVD.

10. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the enhancing comprises improving the quality of the video data of the audio/video data.

11. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the enhancing comprises creating an HDTV (High Definition TV) version of the video data of the audio/video data.

12. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the enhancing comprises converting the video data of the audio/video data to a different aspect ratio.

13. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the enhancing comprises incorporating popup information into the video data of the audio/video data.

14. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the enhancing comprises displaying popup information when playback of the audio/video data is paused.

15. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the enhancing comprises allowing the user to scan through important scenes of the audio/video data, wherein the important scenes are identified in the programmatic data.

16. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the enhancing comprises presenting, to the user, a summary of important scenes of the audio/video data up to a particular point in the audio/video data.

17. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the enhancing comprises allowing the user to access additional episodic content associated with the audio/video data.

18. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the enhancing comprises:

improving the quality of the video data of the audio/video data;

creating an HDTV (High Definition TV) version of the video data of the audio/video data;

converting the video data of the audio/video data to a different aspect ratio;

incorporating popup information into the video data of the audio/video data;

displaying popup information when playback of the audio/video data is paused;

allowing the user to scan through important scenes of the audio/video data, wherein the important scenes are identified in the programmatic data;

presenting, to the user, a summary of important scenes of the audio/video data up to a particular point in the audio/video data; and

allowing the user to access additional episodic content associated with the audio/video data.

19. A method comprising:

receiving audio/video content for playback;

receiving programmatic data associated with the audio/video content; and

executing a set of instructions to enhance the playback of the audio/video content, wherein the enhancement is based at least in part on the programmatic data.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the audio/video content and the set of instructions are both received from a same source.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the same source comprises a DVD.

22. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the receiving programmatic data comprises receiving the programmatic data from a local storage device.

23. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the receiving programmatic data comprises receiving the programmatic data from a remote device.

24. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the enhancement comprises improving the quality of the video data of the audio/video content.

25. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the enhancement comprises creating an HDTV (High Definition TV) version of the video data of the audio/video content.

26. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the enhancement comprises converting the video data of the audio/video content to a different aspect ratio.

27. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the enhancement comprises overlaying popup information on the video data of the audio/video content.

28. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the enhancement comprises displaying popup information when playback of the audio/video content is paused.

29. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the enhancement comprises allowing the user to scan through important scenes of the audio/video content, wherein the important scenes are identified in the programmatic data.

30. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the enhancement comprises presenting, to the user, a summary of important scenes of the audio/video content up to a particular point in the audio/video content.

31. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the enhancement comprises allowing the user to access additional episodic content associated with the audio/video content.

32. One or more computer readable media having stored thereon a plurality of instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to:

access audio/video content obtained from a DVD;

identify a current portion of the audio/video content being played back;

identify programmatic data that corresponds to both the audio/video content and the current portion being played back; and

enhance presentation of the audio/video content based at least in part on the identified programmatic data.

33. One or more computer readable media as recited in claim 32, wherein the programmatic data is also obtained from the DVD.

34. One or more computer readable media as recited in claim 32, wherein the one or more computer readable media comprises the DVD.

35. One or more computer readable media as recited in claim 32, wherein the programmatic data includes a plurality of different portions and the audio/video content includes a plurality of different portions, and wherein different portions of the programmatic data correspond to different portions of the audio/video content.

36. A computer readable media having stored thereon a data structure, comprising:

a first portion containing audio data and video data;

a second portion containing programmatic data;

a third portion containing a plurality of instructions, wherein when executed the plurality of instructions is to determine, based on which of the audio and video data are being presented, which of the programmatic data to process.

37. A computer readable media as recited in claim 36, wherein the programmatic data is processed to improve the quality of the video data.

38. A computer readable media as recited in claim 36, wherein the programmatic data is processed to create an HDTV (High Definition TV) version of the video data.

39. A computer readable media as recited in claim 36, wherein the programmatic data is processed to convert the video data to a different aspect ratio.

40. A computer readable media as recited in claim 36, wherein the programmatic data is processed to incorporate popup information into the video data.

41. A computer readable media as recited in claim 36, wherein the programmatic data is processed to display popup information when playback of the audio data and video data is paused.

42. A computer readable media as recited in claim 36, wherein the programmatic data is processed to allow the user to scan through important scenes of the audio data and video data, wherein the important scenes are identified in the programmatic data.

43. A computer readable media as recited in claim 36, wherein the programmatic data is processed to present, to the user, a summary of important scenes of the audio data and video data up to a particular point in the audio data and video data.

44. A computer readable media as recited in claim 36, wherein the programmatic data is processed to allow the user to access additional episodic content associated with the audio/video data.

45. A method comprising:

obtaining audio/video content to be presented to a user;

obtaining programmatic data associated with the audio/video content; and

executing a set of instructions that use the programmatic data to improve the quality of the video of the audio/video content.

46. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein the set of instructions, the audio/video content, and the programmatic data are all obtained from the same DVD.

47. A method comprising:

obtaining audio/video content to be presented to a user;

obtaining programmatic data associated with the audio/video content; and

executing a set of instructions that use the programmatic data to create an HDTV (High Definition TV) version of the video of the audio/video content.

48. A method as recited in claim 47, wherein the set of instructions, the audio/video content, and the programmatic data are all obtained from the same DVD.

49. A method comprising:

obtaining audio/video content to be presented to a user;

obtaining programmatic data associated with the audio/video content; and

executing a set of instructions that use the programmatic data to convert the video of the audio/video content to a different aspect ratio.

50. A method as recited in claim 49, wherein the set of instructions, the audio/video content, and the programmatic data are all obtained from the same DVD.

51. A method comprising:

obtaining audio/video content to be presented to a user;

obtaining programmatic data associated with the audio/video content; and

executing a set of instructions that use the programmatic data to incorporate popup information into the video of the audio/video content.

52. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein using the programmatic data to incorporate popup information into the video comprises using the programmatic data to overlay the popup information on the video.

53. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein the popup information includes images overlaying the video.

54. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein the popup information includes text overlaying the video.

55. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein the popup information includes a link that, when selected by the user, allows the user to purchase an item being displayed as part of the video.

56. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein the set of instructions, the audio/video content, and the programmatic data are all obtained from the same DVD.

57. A method comprising:

obtaining audio/video content to be presented to a user;

obtaining programmatic data associated with the audio/video content; and

executing a set of instructions that use the programmatic data to display popup information when playback of the audio/video content is paused.

58. A method as recited in claim 57, wherein the popup information includes images overlaying the video.

59. A method as recited in claim 57, wherein the popup information includes text overlaying the video.

60. A method as recited in claim 57, wherein the popup information includes a link that, when selected by the user, allows the user to purchase an item being displayed as part of the video.

61. A method as recited in claim 57, wherein the set of instructions, the audio/video content, and the programmatic data are all obtained from the same DVD.

62. A method comprising:

obtaining audio/video content to be presented to a user;

obtaining programmatic data associated with the audio/video content; and

executing a set of instructions that use the programmatic data to allow the user to scan through important scenes of the audio/video content.

63. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein the programmatic data includes data identifying portions of the audio/video content that are important to the plot of the audio/video content, and wherein the user is allowed to scan through the portions of the audio/video content that are important to the plot.

64. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein the programmatic data includes data identifying portions of the audio/video content that are important to a sub-plot of the audio/video content, and wherein the user is allowed to scan through the portions of the audio/video content that are important to the sub-plot.

65. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein the executing comprises executing the set of instructions that use the programmatic data to allow the user to scan through the important scenes by jumping to a next important scene of a plurality of important scenes in response to a user request.

66. A method as recited in claim 65, wherein the user request comprises activation of a scan button on a remote control.

67. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein executing comprises executing the set of instructions that use the programmatic data to allow the user to scan through the important scenes by playing back only a set of important scenes in response to a single user request.

68. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein the set of instructions, the audio/video content, and the programmatic data are all obtained from the same DVD.

69. A method comprising:

obtaining audio/video content to be presented to a user;

obtaining programmatic data associated with the audio/video content; and

executing a set of instructions that use the programmatic data to present, to the user, a summary of important scenes of the audio/video content up to a particular point in the audio/video content.

70. A method as recited in claim 69, wherein the particular point in the audio/video content comprises the point at which the user indicates playback of the audio/video content is to begin.

71. A method as recited in claim 69, further comprising:

determining a position in the audio/video content where playback of the audio/video content last stopped; and

using the position as the particular point.

72. A method as recited in claim 69, wherein the set of instructions, the audio/video content, and the programmatic data are all obtained from the same DVD.

73. A method comprising:

obtaining audio/video content to be presented to a user;

obtaining programmatic data associated with the audio/video content; and

executing a set of instructions that use the programmatic data to allow the user to access additional episodic content associated with the audio/video content.

74. A method as recited in claim 73, wherein the additional episodic content includes additional scenes of the audio/video content.

75. A method as recited in claim 73, wherein the additional episodic content comprises an additional audio track associated with the audio/video content.

76. A method as recited in claim 73, further comprising charging a fee for access to the additional episodic content.

77. A method as recited in claim 73, wherein the set of instructions, the audio/video content, and the programmatic data are all obtained from the same DVD.

78. A system comprising:

an audio/video playback module to receive audio/video content for playback; and

a programmatic data control module to receive programmatic data associated with the audio/video content and enhance the playback of the audio/video content, wherein the enhancement is based at least in part on the programmatic data.

79. A system as recited in claim 78, wherein the enhancement comprises:

improving the quality of the video data of the audio/video content;

creating an HDTV (High Definition TV) version of the video data of the audio/video content;

converting the video data of the audio/video content to a different aspect ratio;

incorporating popup information into the video data of the audio/video content;

displaying popup information when playback of the audio/video content is paused;

allowing the user to scan through important scenes of the audio/video content, wherein the important scenes are identified in the programmatic data;

presenting, to the user, a summary of important scenes of the audio/video content up to a particular point in the audio/video content; and

allowing the user to access additional episodic content associated with the audio/video content.

80. A system as recited in claim 78, wherein the programmatic data control module, the programmatic data, and the audio/video content are received from the same DVD.