Audiovisual presentation with interactive seamless branching and/or telescopic advertising

• US 7,890,648 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MONKEYmedia, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MONKEYmedia, Inc.
• Inventors: Gould, Eric Justin, Strickland, Rachel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meky, Moustafa M
• Application Number:
  US11/978,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20080092049A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 709200-202, 709/231, 709/232, 709/236, 382254-256, 345156-158
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/44 Decoders specially adapted therefor, e.g. video decoders which are asymmetric with respect to the encoder
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• 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 21/44016 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for substituting a video clip
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8455 involving pointers to the content, e.g. pointers to the I-frames of the video stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8541 involving branching, e.g. to different story endings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• 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 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/87 Regeneration of colour television signals H04N9/80 takes precedence

Abstract

One aspect of the invention is a method for playing a stored content providing a plurality of segments which collectively contains the stored content, each segment has using first terminus and a second terminus with the content having a temporal flow from the first terminus to the second terminus. At least one segment is associated with a plurality of links to other segments. The method includes playing at least one segment with the temporal flow, determining whether a content expansion is desired prior to reaching the second terminus. If the content expansion is desired, then linking to an expansion segment and playing the expansion segment. If the content expansion is not desired, then linking to a continuing segment and playing the continuing segment. The method includes an additional link from the expansion segment to the continuing segment such that the continuing segment is played after the expansion segment has been played. Other aspects of the invention include other methods for playing stored content, for capturing and playing content, capturing segment and linkage descriptions, storage devices of the segment content, storage mechanisms referencing the continuous media content by segments and linkages and apparatus for capturing and playing continuous media content.

Claims

1. An audio and/or video presentation method:

a. generating an audio and/or video signal comprised of;

i. at least a first and second segment;

ii. an expansion link from the at least first segment to an expansion;

b. receiving user input;

c. determining whether the expansion is elected by the user; and

d. inserting the expansion between the first and second segments in the audio and/or video signal if the expansion is elected.

2. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein presentation content is fetched from a disk.

3. The presentation method of claim 2 wherein expansion content is received through a computer network.

4. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein presentation content is transmitted via wireless broadcast over the airwaves.

5. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein presentation content is transmitted via satellite.

6. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein presentation content is transmitted via cable.

7. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein presentation content is transmitted over a computer network.

8. The presentation method of claim 7 wherein the computer network is the Internet.

9. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein the generated signal includes a cue to invite the user to elect the insertion of the expansion.

10. The presentation method of claim 9 wherein the cue is integrated with, or is part of, the first segment or an overlay.

11. The presentation method of claim 9 where the cue is audio, visual and/or tactile.

12. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein the expansion contains one or more interactive elements allowing for user input.

13. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein the expansion comprises of or contains an advertisement.

14. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein the expansion comprises of audio, video, still images and/or text.

15. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein the expansion fully or partially obscures the main content during expansion.

16. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein the signal is generated by one or more of the following:

a television receiver, a set top box, a video recorder/player, a disk player, a general purpose computer and/or another content player and/or player controller.

17. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein the second segment proceeds automatically when the expansion finishes.

18. The presentation method of claim 1 where the audio and/or video signal further comprises of a transition from the first segment to the expansion and/or from the expansion to the second segment.

19. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein after the expansion is inserted a short portion of the first segment is repeated before the second segment.

20. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein after the expansion is inserted a short portion of the second segment is skipped.

21. The presentation method of claim 1 wherein after the expansion is inserted no portion of the first segment is repeated and no portion of the second segment is skipped.

22. An audio and/or video presentation method:

a. playing a first segment;

b. providing an expansion option from the first segment to an expansion;

c. receiving user input;

d. determining whether the expansion option is elected by the user;

e. interrupting play of the first segment and executing the expansion if the expansion option is elected by the user; and

f. playing a continuing segment of the first segment.

23. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein presentation content is fetched from a disk.

24. The presentation method of claim 23 wherein expansion content is received through a computer network.

25. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein presentation content is transmitted via wireless broadcast over the airwaves.

26. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein presentation content is transmitted via satellite.

27. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein presentation content is transmitted via cable.

28. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein presentation content is transmitted over a computer network.

29. The presentation method of claim 28 wherein the computer network is the Internet.

30. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein the generated signal includes a cue to invite the user to elect the insertion of the expansion.

31. The presentation method of claim 30 wherein the cue is integrated with, or is part of, the first segment or an overlay.

32. The presentation method of claim 30 where the cue is audio, visual and/or tactile.

33. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein the expansion contains one or more interactive elements allowing for user input.

34. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein the expansion comprises of or contains an advertisement.

35. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein the expansion comprises of audio, video, still images and/or text.

36. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein the expansion fully or partially obscures the main content during expansion.

37. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein a television receiver, a set top box, a video recorder/player, a disk player, a general purpose computer and/or another content player and/or player controller play the segments and execute the expansion if the expansion option is elected by the user.

38. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein the playing of the continuing segment proceeds automatically when the expansion finishes.

39. The presentation method of claim 22 further comprising playing a transition from the first segment to the expansion and/or from the expansion to the continuing segment.

40. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein the continuing segment begins shortly before the interruption point caused by election of the expansion option.

41. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein the continuing segment begins shortly after the interruption point caused by election of the expansion option.

42. The presentation method of claim 22 wherein the continuing segment begins at the interruption point caused by election of the expansion option.

43. An audio and/or video presentation method:

a. fetching a first segment;

b. generating a signal to display the first segment;

c. receiving user input;

d. determining whether an expansion is elected by the user;

e. fetching the expansion if the expansion is elected by the user;

f. generating a signal to display the expansion if the expansion is elected by the user;

g. fetching a continuing segment; and

h. generating a signal to display the continuing segment.

44. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein presentation content is fetched from a disk.

45. The presentation method of claim 44 wherein expansion content is received through a computer network.

46. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein presentation content is transmitted via wireless broadcast over the airwaves.

47. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein presentation content is transmitted via satellite.

48. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein presentation content is transmitted via cable.

49. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein presentation content is transmitted over a computer network.

50. The presentation method of claim 49 wherein the computer network is the Internet.

51. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein the generated signal includes a cue to invite the user to elect the insertion of the expansion.

52. The presentation method of claim 51 wherein the cue is integrated with, or is part of, the first segment or an overlay.

53. The presentation method of claim 51 where the cue is audio, visual and/or tactile.

54. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein the expansion contains one or more interactive elements allowing for user input.

55. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein the expansion comprises of or contains an advertisement.

56. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein the expansion comprises of audio, video, still images and/or text.

57. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein the expansion fully or partially obscures the main content during expansion.

58. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein the signal is generated by one or more of the following:

a television receiver, a set top box, a video recorder/player, a disk player, a general purpose computer and/or another content player and/or player controller.

59. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein the generating of the signal to display the continuing segment proceeds automatically when the expansion finishes.

60. The presentation method of claim 43 further generating a signal to display a transition from the first segment to the expansion and/or from the expansion to the continuing segment.

61. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein after generating the expansion signal, regenerating a short portion of the first segment signal before generating the continuing segment signal.

62. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein after generating the expansion signal, skipping a short portion of the continuing segment when generating the continuing segment signal.

63. The presentation method of claim 43 wherein after generating the expansion signal, generating the continuing segment signal without regenerating any portion of the first segment and without skipping any portion of the continuing segment.

64. An audio and/or video presentation capable of allowing an audio and/or video player to:

a. generate an audio and/or video signal comprised of;

i. at least a first and second segment;

ii. an expansion link from the at least first segment to an expansion;

b. receive user input;

c. determine whether the expansion is elected by the user; and

d. insert the expansion between the first and second segments in the audio and/or video signal if the expansion is elected.

65. The presentation of claim 64 wherein presentation content is capable of being fetched from a disk.

66. The presentation of claim 65 wherein expansion content is capable of being received through a computer network.

67. The presentation of claim 64 wherein, presentation content is capable of being transmitted via wireless broadcast over the airwaves.

68. The presentation of claim 64 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via satellite.

69. The presentation of claim 64 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via cable.

70. The presentation of claim 64 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted over a computer network.

71. The presentation of claim 70 wherein the computer network is capable of being the Internet.

72. The presentation of claim 64 wherein the generated signal is capable of including a cue to invite the user to elect the insertion of the expansion.

73. The presentation of claim 72 wherein the cue is capable of being integrated with, or is capable of being part of, the first segment or an overlay.

74. The presentation of claim 72 where the cue is capable of being audio, visual and/or tactile.

75. The presentation of claim 64 wherein the expansion is capable of containing one or more interactive elements allowing for user input.

76. The presentation of claim 64 wherein the expansion is capable of comprising of or containing an advertisement.

77. The presentation of claim 64 wherein the expansion is capable of comprising of audio, video, still images and/or text.

78. The presentation of claim 64 wherein the expansion is capable of fully or partially obscuring the main content during expansion.

79. The presentation of claim 64 wherein the audio and/or video player is capable of being a television receiver, a set top box, a video recorder/player, a disk player, a general purpose computer and/or another content player and/or player controller.

80. The presentation of claim 64 wherein the second segment is capable of proceeding automatically when the expansion finishes.

81. The presentation of claim 64 where the audio and/or video signal is further capable of further comprising of a transition from the first segment to the expansion and/or from the expansion to the second segment.

82. The presentation of claim 64 wherein after the expansion is inserted a short portion of the first segment is capable of being repeated before the second segment.

83. The presentation of claim 64 wherein after the expansion is inserted a short portion of the second segment is capable of being skipped.

84. The presentation of claim 64 wherein after the expansion is inserted no portion of the first segment is capable of being repeated and no portion of the second segment is capable of being skipped.

85. An audio and/or video presentation capable of allowing an audio and/or video player to:

a. play a first segment;

b. provide an expansion option from the first segment to an expansion;

c. receive user input;

d. determine whether the expansion option is elected by the user;

e. interrupt play of the first segment and execute the expansion if the expansion option is elected by the user; and

f. play a continuing segment of the first segment.

86. The presentation method of claim 85 wherein presentation content is capable of being fetched from a disk.

87. The presentation of claim 86 wherein the expansion content is capable of being received through a computer network.

88. The presentation of claim 85 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via wireless broadcast over the airwaves.

89. The presentation of claim 85 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via satellite.

90. The presentation of claim 85 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via cable.

91. The presentation of claim 85 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted over a computer network.

92. The presentation of claim 91 wherein the computer network is capable of being the Internet.

93. The presentation of claim 85 wherein the generated signal is capable of including a cue to invite the user to elect the insertion of the expansion.

94. The presentation of claim 93 wherein the cue is capable of being integrated with, or is capable of being part of, the first segment or an overlay.

95. The presentation of claim 93 where the cue is capable of being audio, visual and/or tactile.

96. The presentation of claim 85 wherein the expansion is capable of containing one or more interactive elements allowing for user input.

97. The presentation of claim 85 wherein the expansion is capable of comprising of or containing an advertisement.

98. The presentation of claim 85 wherein the expansion is capable of comprising of audio, video, still images and/or text.

99. The presentation of claim 85 wherein the expansion is capable of fully or partially obscuring the main content during expansion.

100. The presentation of claim 85 wherein:

a television receiver, a set top box, a video recorder/player, a disk player, a general purpose computer and/or another content player and/or player controller is/are capable of being allowed to play the segments and execute the expansion if the expansion option is elected by the user.

101. The presentation of claim 85 further capable of allowing the audio and/or video player to play the continuing segment automatically when the expansion finishes.

102. The presentation of claim 85 further capable of allowing the audio and/or video player to play a transition from the first segment to the expansion and/or from the expansion to the continuing segment.

103. The presentation of claim 85 wherein the continuing segment is capable of beginning shortly before the interruption point caused by election of the expansion option.

104. The presentation of claim 85 wherein the continuing segment is capable of beginning shortly after the interruption point caused by election of the expansion option.

105. The presentation of claim 85 wherein the continuing segment is capable of beginning at the interruption point caused by election of the expansion option.

106. An audio and/or video presentation capable of allowing an audio and/or video player to:

a. fetch a first segment;

b. generate a signal to display the first segment;

c. receive user input;

d. determine whether an expansion is elected by the user;

e. fetch the expansion if the expansion is elected by the user;

f. generate a signal to display the expansion if the expansion is elected by the user;

g. fetch a continuing segment; and

h. generate a signal to display the continuing segment.

107. The presentation of claim 106 wherein presentation content is capable of being fetched from a disk.

108. The presentation of claim 107 wherein the expansion content is capable of being received through a computer network.

109. The presentation of claim 106 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via wireless broadcast over the airwaves.

110. The presentation of claim 106 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via satellite.

111. The presentation of claim 106 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via cable.

112. The presentation of claim 106 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted over a computer network.

113. The presentation of claim 112 wherein the computer network is capable of being the Internet.

114. The presentation of claim 106 wherein the generated signal is capable of including a cue to invite the user to elect the insertion of the expansion.

115. The presentation of claim 114 wherein the cue is capable of being integrated with, or is capable of being part of, the first segment or an overlay.

116. The presentation of claim 114 where the cue is capable of being audio, visual and/or tactile.

117. The presentation of claim 106 wherein the expansion is capable of containing one or more interactive elements allowing for user input.

118. The presentation of claim 106 wherein the expansion is capable of comprising of or containing an advertisement.

119. The presentation of claim 106 wherein the expansion is capable of comprising of audio, video, still images and/or text.

120. The presentation of claim 106 wherein the expansion is capable of fully or partially obscuring the main content during expansion.

121. The presentation of claim 106 wherein the signal is capable of being allowed to be generated by one or more of the following:

a television receiver, a set top box, a video recorder/player, a disk player, a general purpose computer and/or another content player and/or player controller.

122. The presentation of claim 106 further capable of allowing the audio and/or video player to generate the signal to display the continuing segment automatically when the expansion finishes.

123. The presentation of claim 106 further capable of allowing the audio and/or video player to generate a signal to display a transition from the first segment to the expansion and/or from the expansion to the continuing segment.

124. The presentation of claim 106 wherein after allowing the generation of the expansion signal, further capable of allowing the audio and/or video player to regenerate a short portion of the first segment signal before generating the continuing segment signal.

125. The presentation of claim 106 wherein after allowing the generation of the expansion signal, further capable of allowing the audio and/or video player to skip a short portion of the continuing segment when generating the continuing segment signal.

126. The presentation of claim 106 wherein after allowing the generation of the expansion signal, further capable of allowing the audio and/or video player to generate the continuing segment signal without regenerating any portion of the first segment and without skipping any portion of the continuing segment.

127. An audio and/or video presentation player capable of:

a. generating an audio and/or video signal comprised of;

i. at least a first and second segment;

ii. an expansion link from the at least first segment to an expansion;

b. receiving user input;

c. determining whether the expansion is elected by the user; and

d. inserting the expansion between the first and second segments in the audio and/or video signal if the expansion is elected whereby no portion of the first segment is repeated and no portion of the second segment is skipped.

128. The presentation player of claim 127 wherein presentation content is capable of being fetched from a disk.

129. The presentation player of claim 128 wherein expansion content is capable of being received through a computer network.

130. The presentation player of claim 127 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via wireless broadcast over the airwaves.

131. The presentation player of claim 127 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via satellite.

132. The presentation player of claim 127 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via cable.

133. The presentation player of claim 127 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted over a computer network.

134. The presentation player of claim 133 wherein the computer network is capable of being the Internet.

135. The presentation player of claim 127 wherein the generated signal is capable of including a cue to invite the user to elect the insertion of the expansion.

136. The presentation player of claim 135 wherein the cue is capable of being integrated with, or is capable of being part of, the first segment or an overlay.

137. The presentation player of claim 135 where the cue is capable of being audio, visual and/or tactile.

138. The presentation player of claim 127 wherein the expansion is capable of containing one or more interactive elements allowing for user input.

139. The presentation player of claim 127 wherein the expansion is capable of comprising of or containing an advertisement.

140. The presentation player of claim 127 wherein the expansion is capable of comprising of audio, video, still images and/or text.

141. The presentation player of claim 127 wherein the expansion is capable of fully or partially obscuring the main content during expansion.

142. The presentation player of claim 127 wherein the player is also capable of being or being a part of or including:

a television receiver, a set top box, a video recorder/player, a disk player, a general purpose computer and/or another content player and/or player controller.

143. The presentation player of claim 127 wherein the second segment is capable of proceeding automatically when the expansion finishes.

144. The presentation player of claim 127 where the audio and/or video signal is further capable of further comprising of a transition from the first segment to the expansion and/or from the expansion to the second segment.

145. An audio and/or video presentation player capable of:

a. playing a first segment;

b. providing an expansion option from the first segment to an expansion;

c. receiving user input;

d. determining whether the expansion option is elected by the user;

e. interrupting play of the first segment and executing the expansion if the expansion option is elected by the user; and

f. playing a continuing segment of the first segment from where play was interrupted by election of the expansion option.

146. The presentation player of claim 145 wherein presentation content is capable of being fetched from a disk.

147. The presentation player of claim 146 wherein expansion content is capable of being received through a computer network.

148. The presentation player of claim 145 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via wireless broadcast over the airwaves.

149. The presentation player of claim 145 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via satellite.

150. The presentation player of claim 145 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via cable.

151. The presentation player of claim 145 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted over a computer network.

152. The presentation player of claim 151 wherein the computer network is capable of being the Internet.

153. The presentation player of claim 145 wherein the generated signal is capable of including a cue to invite the user to elect the insertion of the expansion.

154. The presentation player of claim 153 wherein the cue is capable of being integrated with, or is capable of being part of, the first segment or an overlay.

155. The presentation player of claim 153 where the cue is capable of being audio, visual and/or tactile.

156. The presentation player of claim 145 wherein the expansion is capable of containing one or more interactive elements allowing for user input.

157. The presentation player of claim 145 wherein the expansion is capable of comprising of or containing an advertisement.

158. The presentation player of claim 145 wherein the expansion is capable of comprising of audio, video, still images and/or text.

159. The presentation player of claim 145 wherein the expansion is capable of fully or partially obscuring the main content during expansion.

160. The presentation player of claim 145 wherein the player is also capable of being or being a part of or including:

a television receiver, a set top box, a video recorder/player, a disk player, a general purpose computer and/or another content player and/or player controller.

161. The presentation player of claim 145 wherein the playing of the continuing segment is capable of proceeding automatically when the expansion finishes.

162. The presentation player of claim 145 further capable of playing a transition from the first segment to the expansion and/or from the expansion to the continuing segment.

163. An audio and/or video presentation player capable of:

a. fetching a first segment;

b. generating a signal to display the first segment;

c. receiving user input;

d. determining whether an expansion is elected by the user;

e. fetching the expansion if the expansion is elected by the user;

f. generating a signal to display the expansion if the expansion is elected by the user;

g. fetching a continuing segment; and

h. generating a signal to display the continuing segment without regenerating any portion of the first segment and without skipping any portion of the continuing segment.

164. The presentation player of claim 163 wherein presentation content is capable of being fetched from a disk.

165. The presentation player of claim 163 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via wireless broadcast over the airwaves.

166. The presentation player of claim 163 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via satellite.

167. The presentation player of claim 163 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted via cable.

168. The presentation player of claim 163 wherein presentation content is capable of being transmitted over a computer network.

169. The presentation player of claim 168 wherein the computer network is capable of being the Internet.

170. The presentation player of claim 164 wherein expansion content is capable of being received through a computer network.

171. The presentation player of claim 163 wherein the generated signal is capable of including a cue to invite the user to elect the insertion of the expansion.

172. The presentation player of claim 171 wherein the cue is capable of being integrated with, or is capable of being part of, the first segment or an overlay.

173. The presentation player of claim 171 where the cue is capable of being audio, visual and/or tactile.

174. The presentation player of claim 163 wherein the expansion is capable of containing one or more interactive elements allowing for user input.

175. The presentation player of claim 163 wherein the expansion is capable of comprising of or containing an advertisement.

176. The presentation player of claim 163 wherein the expansion is capable of comprising of audio, video,

177. The presentation player of claim 163 wherein the expansion is capable of fully or partially obscuring the main content during expansion.

178. The presentation player of claim 163 wherein the player is also capable of being or being a part of or including:

a television receiver, a set top box, a video recorder/player, a disk player, a general purpose computer and/or another content player and/or player controller.

179. The presentation player of claim 163 wherein the generating of the signal to display the continuing segment is capable of proceeding automatically when the expansion finishes.

180. The presentation player of claim 163 further capable of generating a signal to display a transition from the first segment to the expansion and/or from the expansion to the continuing segment.