Apparatus and method for replacing a media content item
First Claim
1. An apparatus for outputting media content items, the apparatus comprising:
- an output device arranged to output a first media content item to a user;
a timer arranged to determine a duration of said first media content item;
a selector arranged for receiving a command to replace said first media content item at a particular time while outputting said first media content item;
a time-estimating device arranged to estimate, upon receipt of said command, a remaining time necessary for outputting a remaining part of said first media content item, the remaining time being measured from substantially said particular time to an end of the duration of said first media content item; and
a search device arranged to search for at least one second media content item, wherein a duration of said at least one second item is substantially equal to said remaining time,wherein said time-estimating device is further arranged to estimate a time of searching said at least one second media content item, and to decrease said remaining time by said estimated time of searching.
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Abstract
An apparatus for outputting a media content item includes a receiver arranged to receive a first media content item, and an output device arranged to output the first item to a user. A selection device is provided for user-operably inputting a command to replace the first item at a particular moment of outputting the first item. Further, a time-estimating device is arranged to estimate, upon inputting the command, an estimated period of time necessary for outputting the remaining part of the first item. A search device is arranged to search for at least one second media content item, wherein a duration of the second item is substantially equal to the estimated period of time.
10 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for outputting media content items, the apparatus comprising:
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an output device arranged to output a first media content item to a user; a timer arranged to determine a duration of said first media content item; a selector arranged for receiving a command to replace said first media content item at a particular time while outputting said first media content item; a time-estimating device arranged to estimate, upon receipt of said command, a remaining time necessary for outputting a remaining part of said first media content item, the remaining time being measured from substantially said particular time to an end of the duration of said first media content item; and a search device arranged to search for at least one second media content item, wherein a duration of said at least one second item is substantially equal to said remaining time, wherein said time-estimating device is further arranged to estimate a time of searching said at least one second media content item, and to decrease said remaining time by said estimated time of searching. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A consumer electronics device selected from a television set, personal computer, audio player, and portable equipment for outputting media content items, the device comprising:
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output device arranged to output a first media content item to a user; a timer arranged to determine a duration of said first media content item; a selector for receiving a command to replace said first media content item at a particular time while outputting said first media content item; a time-estimating device arranged to estimate, upon receipt of said command, a remaining necessary for outputting a remaining part of said first media content item measured from substantially said particular time to an end of the duration of said first media content item; and a search device arranged to search for at least one second media content item, wherein a duration of said at least one second media content item is substantially equal to said remaining time, wherein said time-estimating device is further arranged to estimate a time of searching said at least one second media content item, and to decrease said remaining time by said estimated time of searching.
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18. A method of outputting media content items by a consumer electronics device, the method comprising the acts of:
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outputting a first media content item to a user by the consumer electronics device, receiving a command to replace said first media content item at a particular time of outputting said first item, determining a duration of said first media content item, estimating, upon receipt of said command, a remaining time necessary for outputting a remaining part of said first media content item, the remaining time being measured from substantially said particular time to an end of the duration of said first media content item, and searching for at least one second media content item, wherein a duration of said at least one second media content item is substantially equal to said remaining time, wherein the estimating act estimates a time of searching said at least one second media content item, and decreases said remaining time by said estimated time of searching.
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19. A computer program product enabling a programmable device, when executing said computer program product, to function as an apparatus for outputting media content items having durations, the apparatus comprising:
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an output device arranged to output a first media content item to a user; a timer arranged to determine a duration of outputting of said first media content item; a selector arranged for receiving a command to replace said first media content item at a particular time while outputting said first media content item; a time-estimating device arranged to estimate, upon receipt of said command, a remaining time necessary for outputting a remaining part of said first media content item, the remaining time being measured from substantially said particular time to an end of the duration of said first media content item; and a search device arranged to search for at least one second media content item, wherein a duration of said at least one second media content item is substantially equal to said remaining time, wherein said time-estimating device is further arranged to estimate a time of searching said at least one second media content item, and to decrease said remaining time by said estimated time of searching.
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Specification