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Method and apparatus for seamless expansion of media

  • US 6,621,980 B1
  • Filed: 04/23/1999
  • Issued: 09/16/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for capturing and playing a continuous content comprising:

  • capturing at least one continuous play media stream which collectively comprise said continuous content to provide a corresponding plurality of segments of stored content, wherein each of said segments has a first terminus and a second terminus;

    wherein content in each of said segments has a temporal flow from said first terminus to said second terminus, and wherein at least one segment is associated with a plurality of links to a corresponding plurality of other of said segments;

    playing said at least one segment of stored content with said temporal flow;

    displaying to a user a visual cue corresponding to an expansion link to an expansion segment during playing of said at least one segment;

    determining whether said visual cue is selected by the user for determining prior to reaching said second terminus whether a content expansion is desired; and

    linking to said expansion segment and playing said expansion segment of stored content if said content expansion is desired and to a continuing segment of stored content and playing said continuing segment of stored content if said content expansion is not desired, where there is an additional link from said expansion segment of stored content to said continuing segment of stored content such that said continuing segment of stored content is played after said expansion segment of stored content has been played;

    wherein at least one of said continuing segments contains a landing sub-segment having a first landing sub-segment terminus and a second landing sub-segment terminus and wherein said linking of said expansion segment to said continuing segment and playing said continuing segment can proceed from a starting point of said landing sub-segment after playing said expansion segment;

    wherein said first landing sub-segment terminus of said continuing segment substantially coincides with said first terminus of said continuing sub-segment;

    wherein at least one of said expansion segments contains a contraction zone significantly preceding said second terminus;

    further comprising determining within playing said expansion segment containing said contraction zone prior to reaching said contraction zone whether a premature contraction is desired; and

    wherein playing said continuing segment follows playing said contraction zone if said premature contraction is desired.

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