Closed caption tagging system

• US 8,620,144 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2011
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TiVo Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Barton, Jim, Chamberlin, David, Look, Howard, Smith, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier, Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/027,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20110135276A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: 386/248, 386/249, 386/250, 386/251, 386/239
• US Class Current: 386/249
• 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 27/28 by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording G11B27/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/322 used signal is digitally coded
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4305 Synchronising client clock from received content stream, e.g. locking decoder clock with encoder clock, extraction of the PCR packets arrangements for synchronising receiver with transmitter by comparing receiver clock with transmitter clock H04L7/0012; arrangements for synchronising receiver with transmitter wherein the receiver takes measures against momentary loss of synchronisation H04L7/0083
• 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 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44016 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for substituting a video clip
• 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 21/458 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 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4884 for displaying subtitles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• 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 21/8456 : by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• 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 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 : Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/79 : Processing of colour television signals in connection with recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 : for more than one processing mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8063 : using time division multiplex of the PCM audio and PCM video signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 : involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8233 : the additional signal being a character code signal

Abstract

A closed caption tagging system provides a mechanism for inserting tags into an audio or video television broadcast stream prior to or at the time of transmission. The tags contain command and control information that the receiver translates and acts upon. The receiver receives the broadcast stream and detects and processes the tags within the broadcast stream which is stored on a storage device that resides on the receiver. Program material from the broadcast stream is played back to the viewer from the storage device. Tags indicate the start and end points of a program segment. Program segments such as commercials are automatically replaced by the receiver with new program segments that are selected based on various criteria.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a media stream at a receiver, the media stream comprising at least a plurality of video frames and a plurality of video frame-specific tags within the media stream;

detecting a first video frame-specific tag identifying a start point of a segment within the media stream;

detecting a second video frame-specific tag identifying an end point of the segment within the media stream;

during playback of the media stream, based on the first video frame-specific tag and the second video frame-specific tag, skipping playback of at least a portion of the segment;

wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically skipping the entire segment in response to detecting the start point.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

skipping the media stream forward until the end point of the segment in response to input from a remote device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first video frame-specific tag and the second video frame-specific tag both specify a same unique identifier for the segment.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first video frame-specific tag indicates a limit to the distance from the first video frame-specific tag at which the receiver is to search for the end tag.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

recording the media stream on one or more storage devices coupled to the receiver;

wherein the playback of the media stream comprises playing the recorded media stream from the one or more storage devices.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the media stream is a live media stream, the method further comprising:

buffering the live media stream;

wherein the playback of the media stream comprises playing the live media stream from the buffer.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

during playback of the segment in the media stream, receiving input from a remote device;

responsive to the input, searching for the second video frame-specific tag associated with the segment;

resuming playback of the media stream from a frame immediately following an end frame associated with the second video frame-specific tag.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

while rewinding program material from the media stream, without showing the segment;

detecting the second video frame-specific tag at the end point of the segment;

in response to detecting the second video frame-specific tag, locating the first video frame-specific tag at the start point of the segment; and

skipping over the segment based on the first video frame-specific tag and the second video frame-specific tag.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the media stream comprises receiving the media stream via one of broadcast transmissions, satellite transmission, cable transmissions, or other terrestrial transmissions.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein video frame-specific tags are embedded in one of a closed captioning part of the media stream or a private data channel.

12. One or more non-transitory storage media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause performance of:

receiving a media stream at a receiver, the media stream comprising at least a plurality of video frames and a plurality of video frame-specific tags within the media stream;

detecting a first video frame-specific tag identifying a start point of a segment within the media stream;

detecting a second video frame-specific tag identifying an end point of the segment within the media stream;

during playback of the media stream, based on the first video frame-specific tag and the second video frame-specific tag, skipping playback of at least a portion of the segment;

wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

13. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause:

automatically skipping the entire segment in response to detecting the start point.

14. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause:

skipping the media stream forward until the end point of the segment in response to input from a remote device.

15. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 12, wherein the first video frame-specific tag and the second video frame-specific tag both specify a same unique identifier for the segment.

16. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 12, wherein the first video frame-specific tag indicates a limit to the distance from the first video frame-specific tag at which the receiver is to search for the end tag.

17. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause:

recording the media stream on one or more storage devices coupled to the receiver;

wherein the playback of the media stream comprises playing the recorded media stream from the one or more storage devices.

18. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 12, wherein the media stream is a live media stream, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause:

buffering the live media stream;

wherein the playback of the media stream comprises playing the live media stream from the buffer.

19. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause:

during playback of the segment in the media stream, receiving input from a remote device;

responsive to the input, searching for the second video frame-specific tag associated with the segment;

resuming playback of the media stream from a frame immediately following an end frame associated with the second video frame-specific tag.

20. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause:

while rewinding program material from the media stream, without showing the segment;

detecting the second video frame-specific tag at the end point of the segment;

in response to detecting the second video frame-specific tag, locating the first video frame-specific tag at the start point of the segment; and

skipping over the segment based on the first video frame-specific tag and the second video frame-specific tag.

21. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 12, wherein receiving the media stream comprises receiving the media stream via one of broadcast transmissions, satellite transmission, cable transmissions, or other terrestrial transmissions.

22. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 12, wherein video frame-specific tags are embedded in one of a closed captioning part of the media stream or a private data channel.

23. An apparatus comprising:

one or more processors;

a module configured to receive a media stream at a receiver, the media stream comprising at least a plurality of video frames and a plurality of video frame-specific tags within the media stream;

a module configured to detect a first video frame-specific tag identifying a start point of a segment within the media stream and detect a second video frame-specific tag identifying an end point of the segment within the media stream;

a module configured to, during playback of the media stream, based on the one or more particular video frame-specific tags, skip playback of at least a portion of the segment.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a module configured to automatically skip the entire segment in response to detecting the start point.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a module configured to skip the media stream forward until the end point of the segment in response to input from a remote device.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first video frame-specific tag and the second video frame-specific tag both specify a same unique identifier for the segment.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first video frame-specific tag indicates a limit to the distance from the first video frame-specific tag at which the receiver is to search for the end tag.

28. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a module configured to record the media stream on one or more storage devices coupled to the receiver;

wherein the playback of the media stream comprises playing the recorded media stream from the one or more storage devices.

29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the media stream is a live media stream, the method further comprising:

a module configured to buffer the live media stream;

wherein the playback of the media stream comprises playing the live media stream from the buffer.

30. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a module configured to, during playback of the segment in the media stream, receive input from a remote device;

a module configured to, responsive to the input, search for the second video frame-specific tag associated with the segment;

a module configured to resume playback of the media stream from a frame immediately following an frame associated with the end second video frame-specific tag.

31. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a module configured to, while rewinding program material from the media stream, without showing the segment;

detect the second video frame-specific tag at the end point of the segment;

in response to detecting the second video frame-specific tag, locate the first video frame-specific tag at the start point of the segment; and

skip over the segment based on the first video frame-specific tag and the second video frame-specific tag.

32. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein receiving the media stream comprises receiving the media stream via one of broadcast transmissions, satellite transmission, cable transmissions, or other terrestrial transmissions.

33. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein video frame-specific tags are embedded in one of a closed captioning part of the media stream or a private data channel.

34. A method comprising:

receiving a media stream at a receiver, the media stream comprising at least a plurality of video frames and a plurality of video frame-specific tags within the media stream;

detecting a particular video frame-specific tag within the media stream;

based on the particular video frame-specific tag, identifying both a start point and an end point of a segment within the media stream;

during playback of the media stream, based on the particular video frame-specific tag, skipping playback of at least a portion of the segment;

wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the particular video frame-specific tag specifies the start point and a duration for the segment.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

automatically skipping the entire segment in response to detecting the start point.

37. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

skipping the media stream forward until the end point of the segment in response to input from a remote device.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

recording the media stream on one or more storage devices coupled to the receiver;

wherein the playback of the media stream comprises playing the recorded media stream from the one or more storage devices.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the media stream is a live media stream, the method further comprising:

buffering the live media stream;

wherein the playback of the media stream comprises playing the live media stream from the buffer.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein receiving the media stream comprises receiving the media stream via one of broadcast transmissions, satellite transmission, cable transmissions, or other terrestrial transmissions.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein video frame-specific tags are embedded in one of a closed captioning part of the media stream or a private data channel.

42. One or more non-transitory storage media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause performance of:

receiving a media stream at a receiver, the media stream comprising at least a plurality of video frames and a plurality of video frame-specific tags within the media stream;

detecting a particular video frame-specific tag within the media stream;

based on the particular video frame-specific tag, identifying both a start point and an end point of a segment within the media stream;

during playback of the media stream, based on the particular video frame-specific tag, skipping playback of at least a portion of the segment.

43. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 42, wherein the particular video frame-specific tag specifies the start point and a duration for the segment.

44. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 42, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause:

automatically skipping the entire segment in response to detecting the start point.

45. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 42, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause:

skipping the media stream forward until the end point of the segment in response to input from a remote device.

46. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 42, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause:

recording the media stream on one or more storage devices coupled to the receiver;

wherein the playback of the media stream comprises playing the recorded media stream from the one or more storage devices.

47. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 42, wherein the media stream is a live media stream, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause:

buffering the live media stream;

wherein the playback of the media stream comprises playing the live media stream from the buffer.

48. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 42, wherein receiving the media stream comprises receiving the media stream via one of broadcast transmissions, satellite transmission, cable transmissions, or other terrestrial transmissions.

49. The one or more non-transitory storage media of claim 42, wherein video frame-specific tags are embedded in one of a closed captioning part of the media stream or a private data channel.

50. An apparatus comprising:

one or more processors;

a module configured to receive a media stream at a receiver, the media stream comprising at least a plurality of video frames and a plurality of video frame-specific tags within the media stream;

a module configured to detect a particular video frame-specific tag within the media stream;

a module configured to, based on the particular video frame-specific tag, identify both a start point and an end point of a segment within the media stream;

a module configured to, during playback of the media stream, based on the particular video frame-specific tag, skipping playback of at least a portion of the segment.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the particular video frame-specific tag specifies the start point and a duration for the segment.

52. The apparatus of claim 50, further comprising:

a module configured to automatically skip the entire segment in response to detecting the start point.

53. The apparatus of claim 50, further comprising:

a module configured to skip the media stream forward until the end point of the segment in response to input from a remote device.

54. The apparatus of claim 50, further comprising:

a module configured to record the media stream on one or more storage devices coupled to the receiver;

wherein the playback of the media stream comprises playing the recorded media stream from the one or more storage devices.

55. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the media stream is a live media stream, the apparatus further comprising:

a module configured to buffer the live media stream;

wherein the playback of the media stream comprises playing the live media stream from the buffer.

56. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein receiving the media stream comprises receiving the media stream via one of broadcast transmissions, satellite transmission, cable transmissions, or other terrestrial transmissions.

57. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein video frame-specific tags are embedded in one of a closed captioning part of the media stream or a private data channel.