Review speed adjustment marker

• US 7,849,487 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Vosseller, Shannon B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pendleton; Brian T
• Assistant Examiner(s): IDOWU, OLUGBENGA O
• Application Number:
  US10/160,988
• Time in Patent Office: 3,112 Days
• Field of Search: 725/88, 725/102
• US Class Current: 725/88
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/026 by using processor, e.g. microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/06 by sensing auxiliary features on record carriers or containers, e.g. to stop machine near the end of a tape
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/087 by sensing recorded signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/61 wherein solid state memory is used for storing A/V content
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/65 wherein solid state memory is used for storing indexing information or metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/005 Reproducing at a different information rate from the information rate of recording for television signals H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23418 involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics television picture signal circuitry for scene change detection H04N5/147; filtering for image enhancement G06T5/00; methods or arrangements for recognising scenes G06V20/00; arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2387 Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
• 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 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 : Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate

Abstract

A digital video playback architecture utilizes review speed adjustment markers to enable viewer recognition of an event in a video program during fast advance of the video, either in a fast-forward advance mode or a rewind advance mode. A review speed adjustment marker gives the viewer time to recognize, or otherwise ascertain, an event in the video and stop the fast advance to review the video content, or other information, associated with the review speed adjustment marker at a normal playback speed.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

rendering video images generated from video content at a fast advancing rendered speed, wherein the fast advancing rendered speed is greater than a normal playback speed;

recognizing a review speed adjustment marker in the video content;

obtaining information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker;

slowing the fast advance of the rendered video images at the review speed adjustment marker to a designated review speed for a defined time duration, wherein;

the review speed is defined by the obtained information of the review speed adjustment marker and the review speed is less than the fast advancing rendered speed and is different than the normal playback speed; and

the defined time duration is viewer defined via a viewer preference;

receiving a viewer request to review the rendered video images corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker during the defined time duration;

obtaining additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker upon receiving the viewer request to review the rendered video images corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker, wherein obtaining the additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker includes downloading the additional information from a content provider;

jumping to a beginning of the review speed adjustment marker; and

rendering the additional information at the normal playback speed.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising resuming the fast advance after the review speed adjustment marker.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein obtaining the additional information includes obtaining audio information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein obtaining the additional information includes obtaining text information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein obtaining the additional information includes obtaining still image information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein recognizing the review speed adjustment marker includes recognizing an index point in the video content as the review speed adjustment marker.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising enabling the recognizing of the review speed adjustment marker when receiving a viewer request to enable review speed adjustment marker recognition.

8. A method, comprising:

rendering video images in a fast advance mode at a fast advancing rendered speed greater than a normal playback speed, the video images generated from video content;

recognizing a review speed adjustment marker in the video content if the fast advancing rendered speed is greater than a predetermined speed;

obtaining information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker, wherein obtaining the information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker includes downloading the information from a content provider;

slowing the fast advance of the generated video images at the review speed adjustment marker to a designated review speed for a defined duration, wherein;

the review speed is defined by obtained information from the review speed adjustment marker and the review speed is less than the fast advancing rendered speed and is different than the normal playback speed; and

the defined time duration is viewer defined via a viewer preference;

rendering the information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker, wherein the information comprises data delivered via an auxiliary data channel separate from a data channel that delivered the video images;

receiving a viewer request to review rendered video images corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker during the defined time duration;

obtaining additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker upon the viewer request to review the rendered video images corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker;

jumping to a beginning of the review speed adjustment marker; and

rendering the additional information at the normal playback speed.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein rendering the video images includes rendering the video images in a fast-forward advance mode.

10. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein rendering the video images includes rendering the video images in a rewind advance mode.

11. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein obtaining the information includes obtaining additional video information.

12. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein obtaining the information includes obtaining audio information.

13. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein obtaining the information includes obtaining text information.

14. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein obtaining the information includes obtaining still image information.

15. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising

jumping to a beginning of the information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker to render the information at the normal playback speed.

16. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising

jumping to a beginning of the video images corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker to render the video images at a viewer designated speed, wherein the viewer designated speed is less than the fast advancing rendered speed and is different than the normal playback speed.

17. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising enabling the recognizing of the review speed adjustment marker when receiving a viewer request to enable review speed adjustment marker recognition.

18. A client device, comprising:

a video processor coupled to receive video content and configured to generate video images from the video content;

a content processing module configured to;

communicate the video images to a display device to fast advance the video images at a fast advancing rendered speed, wherein the fast advancing rendered speed is greater than a normal playback speed;

recognize a review speed adjustment marker in the video content if the fast advancing rendered speed is greater than a predetermined speed;

obtain information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker;

communicate the information to the display device; and

slow the fast advance of the video images at the review speed adjustment marker to a designated review speed for a defined time duration, wherein;

the review speed is defined by information in the review speed adjustment marker and the review speed is less than the fast advancing rendered speed and is different than the normal playback speed; and

the defined time duration is viewer defined via a viewer preference;

receive a viewer request to review the video images corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker during the defined time duration;

obtain additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker upon receiving the viewer requests to review the video images corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker, wherein obtaining the additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker includes downloading the additional information from a content provider;

communicate the additional information to the display device for playback at the normal playback speed;

jump to a beginning of the review speed adjustment marker to render the video images at the normal playback speed; and

render the additional information at the normal playback speed.

19. A client device as recited in claim 18, wherein the content processing module is further configured to speed-up the fast advance after the time duration.

20. A client device as recited in claim 18, wherein the content processing module is configured to obtain video information as the additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker.

21. A client device as recited in claim 18, wherein the content processing module is configured to obtain audio information as the additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker.

22. A client device as recited in claim 18, wherein the content processing module is configured to obtain text information as the additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker.

23. A client device as recited in claim 18, wherein the content processing module is configured to obtain still image information as the additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker.

24. A digital video recording system comprising the client device as recited in claim 18.

25. A client device, comprising:

a content processor coupled to receive content and configured to;

communicate the content to a rendering device to render the content in a fast advance mode at a fast advancing rendered speed, wherein the fast advancing rendered speed is greater than a normal playback speed;

recognize a review speed adjustment marker in the content if the fast advancing rendered speed is greater than a predetermined speed;

obtain information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker;

slow the fast advance of the rendered content at the review speed adjustment marker to a designated review speed for a defined time duration, wherein;

the review speed is defined by information in the review speed adjustment marker and the review speed is less than the fast advancing rendered speed and is different than the normal playback speed; and

the defined time duration is viewer defined via a viewer preference

receive a viewer request to review the video images corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker during the defined time duration;

obtain additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker upon receiving the viewer request to review the video images corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker, wherein obtaining the additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker includes downloading the additional information from a content provider;

communicate the additional information to the display device for playback at the normal playback speed;

jump to a beginning of the review speed adjustment marker; and

render the additional information at the normal playback speed.

26. A digital video recording system comprising the client device as recited in claim 25.

27. A computing system comprising the client device as recited in claim 25.

28. A system comprising:

a processor; and

one or more computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, direct a client device to;

communicate video content to a display device to render video images in a fast advance mode at a fast advancing rendered speed, wherein fast advancing rendered speed is greater than a normal playback speed;

recognize a review speed adjustment marker in the video content if the fast advancing rendered speed is greater than a predetermined speed;

obtain information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker, wherein obtaining the information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker includes downloading the information from a content provider;

communicate the information to the display device;

slow the fast advance of the video content at the review speed adjustment marker to a designated review speed for a defined time duration, wherein;

the review speed is defined by information obtained from the review speed adjustment marker and the review speed is less than the fast advancing rendered speed and is different than the normal playback speed; and

the defined time duration is viewer defined via a viewer preference;

receive a viewer request to review the video images corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker during the defined time duration;

obtain additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker upon receiving the viewer request to review the video images corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker, wherein obtaining the additional information corresponding to the review speed adjustment marker includes downloading the additional information from a content provider;

communicate the additional information to the display device for playback at the normal playback speed;

jump to a beginning of the review speed adjustment marker; and

render the additional information at the normal playback speed.