System capable of playing a seamless version from within a motion picture

• US 8,027,568 B1
• Filed: 08/11/1998
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissim Corp.
• Original Assignee: Nissim Corp.
• Inventors: Abecassis, Max
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier; Robert
• Application Number:
  US12/657,112
• Time in Patent Office: 4,795 Days
• Field of Search: 386/353, 386/354, 386/344, 386/332, 386/334
• US Class Current: 386/353
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/63 for controlling the execution of the game in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/632 by branching, e.g. choosing one of several possible story developments at a given point in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/735 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/78 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/02 Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2587 Laser Discs; Optical disc using analog recording
• 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: G11B 7/14 specially adapted to record on, or to reproduce from, more than one track simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234318 by decomposing into objects, e.g. MPEG-4 objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 : being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; 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 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 : Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• 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 21/458 : Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• 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 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 : by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/4448 : for frame-grabbing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 : in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8227 : the additional signal being at least another television signal

Abstract

A method of selecting video segments and programs from a program database (“programbase”), such as may be constructed from a collection of news, educational programs, and motion pictures, in which available segments of programs are assigned descriptors responsive to subject matter (e.g. news), content levels (e.g. “Highlight”, “Summary”, “Condensed”, and “Detailed”), and levels of explicitness (e.g. “None”, “Implied”, “Explicit”, and “Graphic”) in each of a range of content categories (e.g. “Inclusion”, and “Violence”), according to the content of the segments of the program. The programbase being accessible by a plurality of video retrievers, and the selection of video segments and programs being responsive to the subject matter preferences and content preferences of a video retriever.

Claims

1. A system having two processors located adjacent to each other and at least one of which is utilized to process video, a random accessing device capable of reading a laser readable disc having a spiral track in each of at least two planes of one side of the disc, a broadband digital network modem, a hard disk drive, a portable electronic memory card, and at least one game controller;

the system, capable of playing an interactive video game, further comprising a control program for playing a variable content video program comprising (1) a motion picture including within at least one set of parallel video segments that provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness, and which are arranged within the motion picture responsive to a single reading unit and a buffering architecture, (2) segment information directly defining a plurality of video segments within the motion picture, (3) a user interface particular to the motion picture for enabling a user of the motion picture to establish a content preference, (4) a system control code, and (5) gaming software;

the control program, responsive to the system control code, an application of the content preference to the segment information, and by a random accessing and a buffering, enabling a playing of a seamless version of, and from within, the motion picture, the playing seamlessly skipping over at least a portion of at least one parallel video segment included within the motion picture;

whereby the playing does not require the user to create the segment information, does not require the user to interact with the motion picture, and does not require an alternative program source.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the video program is downloaded to the hard disk;

and wherein the content preference is responsive to an MPAA rating.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the video program is provided by a laser readable disc;

and wherein the content preference is responsive to an MPAA rating.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one set of parallel video segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness in a video content category relating to sex;

wherein another set of parallel video segments, included within the motion picture, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of explicitness in a video content category relating to violence; and

wherein the content preference is responsive to an MPAA rating.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one set of parallel video segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness in one of a plurality of video content categories;

wherein another set of parallel video segments, included within the motion picture, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of explicitness in another of the plurality of video content categories; and

wherein the content preference is for a level of explicitness in each of a plurality of video content categories.

6. A system having a processor utilized to process video, a random accessing device capable of reading a laser readable disc having a spiral track in each of at least two planes of one side of the disc, a broadband digital network modem, and a hard disk drive;

the system, capable of playing an interactive video game, further comprising a control program for playing a video program comprising (1) a motion picture including within at least one set of parallel video segments that provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness, and which are arranged within the motion picture responsive to a single reading unit and a buffering architecture, (2) segment information directly defining a plurality of video segments within the motion picture, and (3) a user interface particular to the motion picture for enabling a user of the motion picture to establish a content preference;

the control program, responsive to an application of the content preference to the segment information, and by a random accessing and a buffering, enabling a playing of a seamless version of, and from within, the motion picture, the playing seamlessly skipping over at least a portion of at least one parallel video segment included within the motion picture;

whereby the playing does not require the user to create the segment information, does not require the user to interact with the motion picture, and does not require an alternative program source.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the video program further comprises (4) a system control code;

and wherein the playing is responsive to the system control code.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the video program further comprises (4) a system control code;

wherein the playing is responsive to the system control code; and

wherein the content preference is responsive to a motion picture rating system.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one set of parallel video segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness in a video content category relating to sex;

wherein another set of parallel video segments, included within the motion picture, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of explicitness in a video content category relating to violence; and

wherein the content preference is responsive to a motion picture rating system.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one set of parallel video segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness in one of a plurality of video content categories;

wherein another set of parallel video segments, included within the motion picture, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of explicitness in another of the plurality of video content categories; and

wherein the content preference is for a level of explicitness in each of a plurality of video content categories.

11. A system having a processor utilized to process video, a random accessing device capable of reading a laser readable disc having a spiral track in each of at least two planes of one side of the disc, a broadband digital network modem, and a hard disk drive;

the system, capable of playing an interactive video game, further comprising a control program for Playing a video program downloaded to the hard disk;

the video program comprising (1) a motion picture including within at least one set of parallel video segments that provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness, and which are arranged within the motion picture responsive to a single reading unit and a buffering architecture, (2) segment information directly defining a plurality of video segments within the motion picture, and (3) a user interface particular to the motion picture for enabling a user of the motion picture to establish a content preference;

the control program, responsive to an application of the content preference to the segment information, and by a random accessing and a buffering, enabling a playing of a seamless version of, and from within, the motion picture, the playing seamlessly skipping over at least a portion of at least one parallel video segment included within the motion picture;

whereby the playing does not require the user to create the segment information, does not require the user to interact with the motion picture, and does not require an alternative program source.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the video program further comprises (4) a system control code;

and wherein the playing is responsive to the system control code.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the video program further comprises (4) a system control code;

wherein the playing is responsive to the system control code; and

wherein the content preference is responsive to a motion picture rating system.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one set of parallel video segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness in a video content category relating to sex;

wherein another set of parallel video segments, included within the motion picture, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of explicitness in a video content category relating to violence; and

wherein the content preference is responsive to a motion picture rating system.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one set of parallel video segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness in one of a plurality of video content categories;

wherein another set of parallel video segments, included within the motion picture, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of explicitness in another of the plurality of video content categories; and

wherein the content preference is for a level of explicitness in each of a plurality of video content categories.

16. A system having a processor utilized to process video, a random accessing device capable of reading a laser readable disc having a spiral track in each of at least two planes of one side of the disc and capable of reading/writing a laser readable/writable disc, and a broadband digital network modem;

the system further comprising a control program for playing a video program downloaded to the laser readable/writable disc;

the video program comprising (1) a motion picture including within at least one set of parallel video segments that provide for at least two versions of a scene, and which are arranged within the motion picture responsive to a single reading unit and a buffering architecture, (2) segment information directly defining a plurality of video segments within the motion picture, and (3) a user interface particular to the motion picture for enabling a user of the motion picture to establish a content preference;

the control program, responsive to an application of the content preference to the segment information, and by a random accessing and a buffering, enabling a playing of a seamless version of, and from within, the motion picture, the playing seamlessly skipping over at least a portion of at least one parallel video segment included within the motion picture;

whereby the playing does not require the user to create the segment information, does not require the user to interact with the motion picture, and does not require an alternative program source.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the video program further comprises (4) a system control code;

and wherein the playing is responsive to the system control code.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the video program further comprises (4) a system control code;

wherein the playing is responsive to the system control code; and

wherein the content preference is responsive to a motion picture rating system.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one set of parallel video segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness in a video content category relating to sex;

wherein another set of parallel video segments, included within the motion picture, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of explicitness in a video content category relating to violence; and

wherein the content preference is responsive to a motion picture rating system.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one set of parallel video segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness in one of a plurality of video content categories;

wherein another set of parallel video segments, included within the motion picture, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of explicitness in another of the plurality of video content categories; and

wherein the content preference is for a level of explicitness in each of a plurality of video content categories.