Modifying commercials for multi-speed playback

• US 9,032,456 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2004
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TiVo Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Pierson, Andrew, Seidel, Craig, Barton, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): DUFFIELD, JEREMY S
• Application Number:
  US10/958,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20050076359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,872 Days
• Field of Search: 725/36, 725/135, 725/32
• US Class Current: 725/89
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• 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 27/105 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: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2547 Third Party Billing, e.g. billing of advertiser
• 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 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42228 the reprogrammable keys being displayed on a display screen in order to reduce the number of keys on the remote control device itself
• 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 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• 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 21/44008 involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in the video stream arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• 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 21/44222 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 21/454 Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4663 involving probabilistic networks, e.g. Bayesian networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 : using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 : using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 : End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8153 : comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• 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 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 : on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 : using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 : with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 : in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction

Abstract

A system for modifying commercials for multi-speed playback detects when a commercial break begins in a broadcast program content stream. If the viewer selects fast-forward playback mode during the commercial break, then the system selects the appropriate alternate content to be played to the viewer. The alternate content can include images, video, and/or audio content. The system is provided configuration information by the service provider or broadcaster to identify what alternate content will be played, when it will be played and any additional processing tasks required. A service provider can charge an advertiser or content provider a fee based on viewership of the alternate content. When the system detects that the commercial break has ended, it returns the viewer back to the program material.

Claims

1. A method for playing alternate content during playing of a video segment at a receiver, comprising:

detecting, at the receiver, a beginning of the video segment during playing of a multimedia program;

receiving information, at the receiver, from a service provider, identifying a plurality of alternate contents to present while fast-forwarding, the plurality of alternate contents comprising particular alternate content and extended alternate content, the extended alternate content being an extended version of the particular alternate content;

responsive to fast-forwarding during the video segment, the receiver presenting at least one of the plurality of alternate contents, including the particular alternate content;

responsive to receiving a request to pause certain alternate content of the plurality of alternate contents, retrieving and presenting a print version of the certain alternate content that comprises one or more of product information, contact information, or a store location;

responsive to receiving particular input while presenting the particular alternate content, presenting the extended alternate content;

after presenting the extended alternate content, resuming playback of the multimedia program at the end of the video segment;

wherein the method is performed by the receiver, comprising at least one processor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the multimedia program is stored on a local storage device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the video segment is a commercial break, wherein different alternate content is selected for each specific commercial in the commercial break.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular alternate content is one of:

an video stream, an image;

or an alternate audio stream that is displayed while presenting the fast-forwarded playback of original video content from the video segment.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of alternate content further comprises a first frame of one or more commercials in the video segment.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving configuration information for determining when certain alternate content is played; and

selecting, at the receiver, which alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents to present while fast-forwarding during the video segment, the selecting step using the configuration information to select the particular alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

returning back to normal playback of the multimedia program upon detection of the end of the video segment.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting, at the receiver, which alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents to present while fast-forwarding during the video segment, the selecting step selecting the particular alternate content based on a user'"'"'s personal data and/or viewing preferences.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving alternate content sets; and

storing the alternate content sets on a local storage device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of alternate content is contained in the multimedia program, and wherein the at least some of the plurality of alternate content is extracted from the multimedia program.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the receiver reporting to the service provider how often the particular alternate content is played, wherein the service provider charges an advertiser or content provider a fee based on how often the particular alternate content is played.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the video segment comprises a tagged section and wherein detecting the beginning of the video segment comprises detecting the beginning of the tagged section.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular alternate content is stored on a remote storage device.

39. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

collecting data associated with the playing of the particular alternate content.

40. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

collecting data regarding whether commercials in the video segment were played at full speed.

41. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting playing of a portion of the video segment in slow motion;

displaying the extended alternate content in response to detecting the playing of the portion of the video segment in slow motion.

50. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the video segment is detected based on pattern recognition.

53. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting, at the receiver, which alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents to present while fast-forwarding during the video segment, the selecting step selecting the particular alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents based on a speed of the fast-forwarding.

56. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting the fast-forwarding during the video segment in response to detecting an input during the video segment requesting a fast-forward mode or detecting that the receiver entered playback of the video segment already in the fast-forward mode.

57. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

delaying the playing of the multimedia program material while the extended alternate content is played.

62. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular input indicates a request for a slow-motion or single-step playback mode.

63. The method of claim 1, wherein the extended alternate content is an extended version of the particular alternate content.

64. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the plurality of alternate contents and the multimedia program within separate data streams of an MPEG stream.

65. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the plurality of alternate contents separately from the multimedia program.

75. The method of claim 1, wherein the certain alternate content is the particular alternate content.

13. An apparatus for playing alternate content during playing of commercials, comprising:

a processor;

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to detect a beginning of a video segment during playing of a multimedia program;

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to receive information, from a service provider, identifying a plurality of alternate contents to present while fast-forwarding, the plurality of alternate contents comprising particular alternate content and extended alternate content, the extended alternate content being an extended version of the particular alternate content;

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to, responsive to fast-forwarding during the video segment, the receiver presenting at least one of the plurality of alternate contents, including the particular alternate content;

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to, responsive to receiving a request to pause certain alternate content of the plurality of alternate contents, retrieving and presenting a print version of the certain alternate content that comprises one or more of product information, contact information, or a store location;

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to, responsive to receiving particular input while presenting the particular alternate content, present the extended alternate content;

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to, after presenting the extended alternate content, resume playback of the multimedia program at the end of the video segment.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the multimedia program is stored on a local storage device.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the video segment is a commercial break, wherein different alternate content is selected for each specific commercial in the commercial break.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the particular alternate content is one of:

an video stream, an image;

or an alternate audio stream that is displayed while presenting the fast-forwarded playback of original video content from the video segment.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plurality of alternate content further comprises a first frame of one or more commercials in the video segment.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to return back to normal playback of the multimedia program upon detection of the end of the video segment.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to, select which alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents to present while fast-forwarding during the video segment, the selecting step selecting the particular alternate content based on a user'"'"'s personal data and/or viewing preferences.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to, receive alternate content sets; and

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to store the alternate content sets on a local storage device.

21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least some of the plurality of alternate content is contained in the multimedia program, and wherein the at least some of the plurality of alternate content is extracted from the multimedia program.

22. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to report to the service provider how often the particular alternate content is played, wherein the service provider charges an advertiser or content provider a fee based on how often the particular alternate content is played.

23. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the video segment comprises a tagged section and wherein detecting the beginning of the video segment comprises detecting the beginning of the tagged section.

42. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the particular alternate content is stored on a remote storage device.

43. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to collect data associated with the playing of the particular alternate content.

44. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to collect data regarding whether commercials in the video segment were played at full speed.

45. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to detect playing of a portion of the video segment in slow motion;

logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to display the extended alternate content in response to detecting the playing of the portion of the video segment in slow motion.

51. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the video segment is detected based on pattern recognition.

54. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to select which alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents to present while fast-forwarding during the video segment, the selecting step selecting the particular alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents based on a speed of the fast-forwarding.

58. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to detect the fast-forwarding during the video segment in response to detecting an input during the video segment requesting a fast-forward mode or detecting that the receiver entered playback of the video segment already in the fast-forward mode.

59. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to delay the playing of the multimedia program material while the extended alternate content is played.

66. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

comprising logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to receive configuration information for determining when certain alternate content is played; and

comprising logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to select, at the receiver, which alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents to present while fast-forwarding during the video segment, the selecting step using the configuration information to select the particular alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents.

67. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the particular input indicates a request for a slow-motion or single-step playback mode.

68. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the extended alternate content is an extended version of the particular alternate content.

69. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to receive the plurality of alternate contents and the multimedia program within separate data streams of an MPEG stream.

70. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising logic, implemented at least partially by hardware, configured to receive the plurality of alternate contents separately from the multimedia program.

76. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the certain alternate content is the particular alternate content.

24. A non-transitory program storage medium readable by a computing device, storing instructions executable by the computing device to perform method steps comprising:

detecting a beginning of a video segment during playing of a multimedia program;

receiving information, from a service provider, identifying a plurality of alternate contents to present while fast-forwarding, the plurality of alternate contents comprising particular alternate content and extended alternate content, the extended alternate content being an extended version of the particular alternate content;

responsive to fast-forwarding during the video segment, the receiver presenting at least one of the plurality of alternate contents, including the particular alternate content;

responsive to receiving a request to pause certain alternate content of the plurality of alternate contents, retrieving and presenting a print version of the certain alternate content that comprises one or more of product information, contact information, or a store location;

responsive to receiving particular input while presenting the particular alternate content, presenting the extended alternate content;

after presenting the extended alternate content, resuming playback of the multimedia program at the end of the video segment.

25. The program storage medium of claim 24, wherein the multimedia program is stored on a local storage device.

26. The program storage medium of claim 24, wherein the video segment is a commercial break, wherein different alternate content is selected for each specific commercial in the commercial break.

27. The program storage medium of claim 24, wherein the particular alternate content is one of:

an video stream, an image;

or an alternate audio stream that is displayed while presenting the fast-forwarded playback of original video content from the video segment.

28. The program storage medium of claim 24, wherein the plurality of alternate content further comprises a first frame of one or more commercials in the video segment.

29. The program storage medium of claim 24, the method steps further comprising:

receiving configuration information for determining when certain alternate content is played; and

selecting which alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents to present while fast-forwarding during the video segment, the selecting step using the configuration information to select the particular alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents.

30. The program storage medium of claim 24, the method steps further comprising:

returning back to normal playback of the multimedia program upon detection of the end of the video segment.

31. The program storage medium of claim 24, the method steps further comprising selecting which alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents to present while fast-forwarding during the video segment, the selecting step selecting the particular alternate content based on a user'"'"'s personal data and/or viewing preferences.

32. The program storage medium of claim 24, the method steps further comprising:

receiving alternate content sets; and

storing the alternate content sets on a local storage device.

33. The program storage medium of claim 24, wherein at least some of the plurality of alternate content is contained in the multimedia program, and wherein the at least some of the plurality of alternate content is extracted from the multimedia program.

34. The program storage medium of claim 24, the method steps further comprising the receiver reporting to the service provider how often the particular alternate content is played, wherein the service provider charges an advertiser or content provider a fee based on how often the particular alternate content is played.

35. The program storage medium of claim 24, wherein the video segment comprises a tagged section and wherein detecting the beginning of the video segment comprises detecting the beginning of the tagged section.

46. The program storage medium of claim 24, wherein the particular alternate content is stored on a remote storage device.

47. The program storage medium of claim 24, the method steps further comprising:

collecting data associated with the playing of the particular alternate content.

48. The program storage medium of claim 24, the method steps further comprising:

collecting data regarding whether commercials in the video segment were played at full speed.

49. The program storage medium of claim 24, the method steps further comprising:

detecting playing of a portion of the video segment in slow motion;

displaying the extended alternate content in response to detecting the playing of the portion of the video segment in slow motion.

52. The program storage medium as recited in claim 24, wherein the video segment is detected based on pattern recognition.

55. The program storage medium of claim 24, the method steps further comprising selecting, at the receiver, which alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents to present while fast-forwarding during the video segment, the selecting step selecting the particular alternate content from the plurality of alternate contents based on a speed of the fast-forwarding.

60. The program storage medium of claim 24, the method steps further comprising:

detecting the fast-forwarding during the video segment in response to detecting an input during the video segment requesting a fast-forward mode or detecting that the receiver entered playback of the video segment already in the fast-forward mode.

61. The program storage medium of claim 24, the method steps further comprising:

delaying the playing of the multimedia program material while the extended alternate content is played.

71. The program storage medium of claim 24, wherein the particular input indicates a request for a slow-motion or single-step playback mode.

72. The program storage medium of claim 24, wherein the extended alternate content is an extended version of the particular alternate content.

73. The program storage medium of claim 24, further comprising receiving the plurality of alternate contents and the multimedia program within separate data streams of an MPEG stream.

74. The program storage medium of claim 24, further comprising receiving the plurality of alternate contents separately from the multimedia program.

77. The program storage medium of claim 24, wherein the certain alternate content is the particular alternate content.

36. A method for determining a fee for playing alternate content on a media device during a broadcast or recorded program, comprising:

detecting, at the media device, a beginning of a commercial break during playing of a multimedia program, the commercial break comprising a particular sequence of one or more commercials;

receiving information, at the media device, from a service provider, identifying a plurality of alternate commercials to present while fast-forwarding, the plurality of alternate commercials comprising a particular alternate commercial and an extended alternate commercial, the extended alternate commercial being an extended version of the particular alternate commercial;

responsive to fast-forwarding during the commercial break, selecting, at the media device, at least the particular alternate commercial from the plurality of alternate commercials to present while fast-forwarding during the commercial break;

further responsive to fast-forwarding during the video segment, the media device presenting at least one of the plurality of alternate commercials, including the particular alternate commercial;

responsive to receiving a request to pause a certain alternate commercial of the plurality of alternate commercials, retrieving and presenting a print version of the certain alternate commercial that comprises one or more of product information, contact information, or a store location;

responsive to receiving particular input while presenting the particular alternate commercial, presenting the extended alternate commercial;

reporting, from the media device, to the service provider, that the extended alternate commercial was played;

based on the reporting, the service provider charging an advertiser, content provider, or broadcaster a fee for playing the extended alternate commercial.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the selecting step selects the particular alternate commercial based on a user'"'"'s personal data and/or viewing preferences, and wherein the charging step charges the advertiser, content provider, or broadcaster a fee for targeting the extended alternate commercial to specific users.