Scene changing in video playback devices including device-generated transitions

• US 20050191041A1
• Filed: 12/14/2004
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TP-Link USA Corporation (TP-Link Technologies Co Limited)
• Original Assignee: MX Entertainment, Inc.
• Inventors: Tohara, Tomonari, Braun, Jeffrey, Lutjens, Ole, Vella, Zane, Rice, Joe
• Granted Patent: US 8,238,721 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/243
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8227 the additional signal being at least another television signal

Abstract

A video playback device automatically generates transition indications when a user selects a new video stream while a current video stream is playing. Transitions can be any visual and/or audio indication including a wipe, fade, title overlay, graphics overlay, etc. Predetermined default transitions are associated with different transition types or a user can create and associate transitions to be used. Different types of transitions include a scene change, angle change, exit to a control menu, etc.

Claims

1. A method for generating a visual transition in a video playback device, the method comprising

using the video playback device to play back a current video stream;

accepting a signal from a user input device to select a new video stream; and

using the video playback device to generate a visual transition to indicate the start of playback of the new video stream.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transition overlaps the playback of the current video stream.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transition overlaps the playback of the new video stream.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transition includes audio.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the transition includes one or more of a wipe, fade, lap dissolve, title overlay, graphics overlay.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising predetermining one or more types of transitions in association with one or more types of user selections.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising accepting a user input to associate a type of transition with a type of user selection.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a video stream is obtained from an optical medium.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the video playback device includes a DVD player.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the video playback device includes a CD player.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein a video stream is obtained from a magnetic medium.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the magnetic medium includes a hard disk.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein a video stream is obtained at least in part from a cable network.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein a video stream is obtained at least in part from a satellite network.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein a video stream is obtained at least in part from the Internet.

16. An apparatus for providing fast scene switching, the apparatus comprising

a video playback device for playing back a current video stream;

a user input device coupled to the video playback device;

a detector for determining when a user has made a selection for playback of a new video stream; and

a transition generator responsive to a signal from the detector for generating a visual transition to indicate the start of playback of the new video stream.

17. A method for generating a visual transition in a video playback device, the method comprising

using the video playback device to play back a current video stream;

detecting a transition indicator in the current video stream; and

using the video playback device to generate a visual transition.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the transition indicator is generated at a time of authoring a DVD.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

changing a transition indicator associated with the particular transition to produce a changed transition upon playback.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein changing a transition indicator is performed in response to receiving a signal from a user input device.