U.S. patent application number 11/324856 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-25 for video playing responsive to usage restriction.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nissim Corp.. Invention is credited to Max Abecassis.
Application Number | 20060110136 11/324856 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36462733 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060110136 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abecassis; Max |
May 25, 2006 |
Video playing responsive to usage restriction
Abstract
This invention relates to an automated control system and method
that furnishes viewers with individualized automated editing and
retrieval capabilities over the contents and length of a variable
content video program in order to produce a transparently
continuous and complete show. The system capabilities include an
automated flexible control system design that enables an operator
to selectively apply different editing criteria to the variety of
subject matters that may be contained within the program. The
system controls also include an automated capability for
efficiently previewing program scenes of pre-identified categories
and classes of subject matter and a capability for determining
their inclusion in the program seen by the viewer. Finally, the
control system provide a keyword/menu segment/program retrieval
facility from an existing program and program database, and a
requesting capability for programs to be produced according to
viewer-specified requirements.
Inventors: |
Abecassis; Max; (Boca Raton,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Max Abecassis
18457 Long Lake Drive
Boca Raton
FL
33496
US
|
Assignee: |
Nissim Corp.
|
Family ID: |
36462733 |
Appl. No.: |
11/324856 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09478825 |
Jan 6, 2000 |
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11324856 |
Jan 4, 2006 |
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07832335 |
Feb 7, 1992 |
6208805 |
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09478825 |
Jan 6, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
386/261 ;
348/E5.102; 348/E5.105; 348/E7.061; 348/E7.071; 348/E7.073;
375/E7.005; 375/E7.024; 386/E9.04; 707/E17.028; G9B/19.001;
G9B/19.002; G9B/19.005; G9B/19.017; G9B/27.012; G9B/27.019;
G9B/27.051; G9B/7.136 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/234318 20130101;
H04N 21/4532 20130101; H04N 21/8456 20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101;
H04N 21/4542 20130101; G11B 19/022 20130101; G11B 19/02 20130101;
G11B 19/04 20130101; G11B 19/12 20130101; H04N 21/4753 20130101;
H04H 60/46 20130101; H04N 7/163 20130101; H04N 7/17318 20130101;
H04N 5/44543 20130101; H04N 5/85 20130101; G11B 27/034 20130101;
H04N 7/17336 20130101; G11B 27/34 20130101; H04N 21/4755 20130101;
G11B 2220/20 20130101; H04N 21/435 20130101; H04H 20/10 20130101;
H04N 21/454 20130101; G11B 27/105 20130101; H04N 5/4448 20130101;
H04N 9/8227 20130101; H04N 21/4135 20130101; G11B 7/14 20130101;
H04N 5/44513 20130101; H04N 21/8405 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/095 ;
386/094 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/91 20060101
H04N005/91 |
Claims
1-42. (canceled)
43. A method of playing a video comprising the steps of:
establishing a viewer identification and password; establishing an
usage restriction with respect to an accumulated usage during a
specified time frame; and playing a video responsive to the viewer
identification and password and to the usage restriction, whereby a
playing of the video is prevented when the viewer identification
and password are not found acceptable, or when the accumulated
usage during a specified time frame for the identified viewer is
restricted.
44. A method of playing a video comprising the steps of:
establishing an usage restriction with respect to an accumulated
usage during a specified time frame; and playing a video responsive
to the usage restriction, whereby a playing of the video is
prevented when the accumulated usage during a specified time frame
is restricted.
45. A system capable of playing a video comprising: control means
for establishing a viewer identification and password; and for
establishing an usage restriction with respect to an accumulated
usage during a specified time frame; and processing means for
playing a video responsive to the viewer identification and
password and to the usage restriction, whereby a playing of the
video is prevented when the viewer identification and password are
not found acceptable, or when the accumulated usage during a
specified time frame for the identified viewer is restricted.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to an automated control system and
method that furnishes viewers with individualized automated editing
and retrieval capabilities over the contents and length of a
variable content video program in order to produce a transparently
continuous and complete show. The system capabilities include an
automated flexible control system design that enables an operator
to selectively apply different editing criteria to the variety of
subject matters that may be contained within the program. The
system controls also include an automated capability for
efficiently previewing program scenes of pre-identified categories
and classes of subject matter and a capability for determining
their inclusion in the program seen by the viewer.
[0003] Finally, the control system provide a keyword/menu
segment/program retrieval facility from an existing program and
program database, and a requesting capability for programs to be
produced according to viewer-specified requirements.
[0004] 2. Background of the Prior Art
[0005] Artistic expression in films often surrender to the
requirements of marketing and other forms of censorship, both
subtle and obvious. Individual viewers once they elect to view a
program, subject themselves to the results of this censorship or
lack thereof.
[0006] One form of industry censorship is content rating which is a
label attributed to each film by the Motion Picture Association of
America ("MPAA"). The label serves as a broad generalized guide for
the public as to the overall level of "objectionable" content, as
the MPAA defines various types of content that may be included in a
movie. In the MPAA published booklet "The Voluntary Movie Rating
System", the MPAA spells out the purpose of the rating system: "if
you are 17 or over, or if you have no children, the rating system
has no meaning for you. Ratings are meant for parents, no one
else." Accordingly, the rating system used by the MPAA has adopted
a generalized structure that has inherent limitations since it
admittedly has ignored the varying sensibilities and tastes among
different adults e.g. non-parents, young adults, or senior
citizens. The rating system is thus inadequate for a large portion
of the viewing public. Nonetheless, any reviews that may have been
obtained, the public must elect the option of viewing the film or
not. Having decided to do so, the viewer, must accept the content
of the film in its entirety.
[0007] User content requirements may also include the knowledge
level required to view the program, its level of detail and
complexity such as would be the case in educational programs. In
programs that include a number of segments such as is generally the
case with news programs, there is no choice provided to the user as
to the viewing of only the user specified program segments.
Similarly, while the viewer has the option to truncate the length
of a program by either terminating viewing the program, or if
recorded to fast-forward certain scenes, there is no option of
receiving a program at a user specified length.
[0008] Presently, all form of viewer editing, such as permitted by
the use of a VCR, requires the interactive participation of the
viewer and some knowledge as to the location of the scene in
question.
[0009] Many methods and systems found in the prior art do not
incorporated current basic technology and methods to produce an
automatic viewer editing capability that produces a transparently
complete program.
[0010] For example, the patent to Von Kohorn, U.S. Pat. No.
4,520,404, discloses a remote recording and editing system. In
particular, the invention discloses an editing system whose
functions include the activation or deactivation of a television
receiver and a recording apparatus by the transmission of control
or editing command signals, generated from a central station where
an operator monitors a broadcast transmission. The receiver and
recorders in a viewer's home are provided with inhibiting circuitry
that respond to the transmitted control signals from the central
station to prevent the re-broadcast or recording of unwanted
material in the home.
[0011] The patent to Chard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,964, discloses a
television controller that utilizes coding for identifying and
automatically deleting undesirable sound and visual events
broadcast with a program. The content signals associated with Chard
also teaches that undesirable events are graded to permit editing
according to personal taste.
[0012] Also, the patent to Olivo, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,796,
discloses a screening device capable of automatically disabling the
TY or video receiving device in response to the receiver's
recognition of a non-interfering material content signal
co-transmitted with the program signals.
[0013] However, Von Kohorn, Chard, and Olivo, have various
drawbacks. The material content signal may only be applied to
portions of a program signal, in order to edit out only the
objectionable parts of a program. Thus by disabling the replay of
segments of the program material, these methods ignore the fact
that dead segments would result from the edited out segments. Also,
while Chard suggests setting grading levels independently for sound
(four levels) and vision (four levels), it does not teach providing
grading levels for a variety of subject matters. Additionally,
while Olivo, illustrates incorporating the rating structure
provided by the MPAA for the programs, and suggesting that
different material content signals can distinguish between
different forms of subject matter, it does not teach using a number
of different ratings for each class of subject matter. In this
regard, Voael's disclosure of three broad classifications
(advertisement, non-program material, restricted) does not enhance
Olivo. The above teachings therefore together show a method whose
rating structure is based on the MPAA rating system applied to
different subject matters. However, as previously discussed, the
MPAA rating system was designed and intended as an overall program
guide for parents. The MPAA rating system does not by, deliberate
design, address segment specific subject matter information that is
required to provide adults with a highly discriminatory control
over the content of segments contained within the selected
program.
[0014] The patent to Vogel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,160, addresses the
above deficiency by providing a facility for displaying alternative
material during the dead segments. The alternative material
selected during censorship periods can originate from a remote
source, for example, another television broadcast, or locally, for
example, from a video disk or tape player. The local source may
also simply be a black signal generator which essentially
reproduces the same drawback noted above. An alternate source to a
dead segment may also be provided by the system disclosed in Boyd
et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,727. Boyd teaches a method for forming
a substantially continuous composite video signal by combining a
video segment received from a video signal with a video segment
produced from digital data.
[0015] The patent to Lindstrom, U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,068, discloses
an optical laser disc based broadcasting method and system wherein
promotional segments of a program are played from the same source
recordings as the program itself. Lindstrom discloses utilizing at
least two disc players in timed synchronization to generate a
transparently continuous video signal.
[0016] The patent to Kiesel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,044, discloses a
plurality of video tape recorders that similarly provide for
continuous replay without the need for creating a master tape.
[0017] Neither Lindstrom nor Kiesel however teach a single player
that can provide transparently continuous video signals, nor do
these references suggest utilizing a control system that provides a
variety of different and complete edited versions of the same
program obtained from the same single source recording.
[0018] Neither Boyd nor Vogel, however, provide a system that
creates, from a single source, a viewer-edited transparently
continuous and harmonious program that replaces a dead segment with
other parts of the same program.
[0019] Generally, to the extent that the above patents act to
censor a video program they direct themselves to providing viewer
control over the form of the expression. This is in contrast to
those patents, that provide viewers the means to participate, and
thereby affect, the program's story lines or plot. An example of
the latter type of patent is Best, U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,026. Which
discloses a video entertainment system where human viewers conduct
simulated voice conversations with screen actors or cartoon
characters in a branching story game shown on a television screen.
Best is further characterized by the interactive nature of viewer
participation, since at frequent points in the game the system
presents the viewer with two or more alternatives. Is the
interactive participation of the viewer that sustains the logical
progression of the game. As many games are directed at children,
and are educational in nature, or contain primitive subject matter,
they have not dealt with issues raised by the more complex adult
forms of expression inherent in contemporary films. Games have
provided setup editing capabilities (selection of: level of
difficulty, character, weapons, etc.), not censoring editing
capabilities.
[0020] The present art thus fails to suggest combining interactive
and set up capabilities, automated editing capabilities, and
directing capabilities to provide the user with control over a
program's story line, content, and form of expression.
[0021] The patent to Freeman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,072, discloses a
method for expanding interactive CATV displayable choices for a
given channel capacity. The preferred embodiment of the invention
includes a program segment stacking method and a subscriber profile
utilized to transmit one of a plurality of the stacked program
segments. The subscriber's selection profile disclosed therein is
demographic in character and can be changed from the head end of
the transmission, and not editorial and controlled by the viewer.
Further, the method of Freeman teaches that the stacked segments
beginning at any one moment of time to be of equal duration to
restore the transmission to the common prerecorded television
message. This structure, which serves Freeman's objectives of
tailoring advertising to the demographics of the viewer, is
inferior to a variable length stacking structure that would provide
far superior tailoring of the program content.
[0022] The patent to Bohn, U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,638, shows a market
research system for substituting stored television programs for
regularly scheduled, broadcast television programs having a
particular identification code wherein the substitute television
programs may be transmitted via telephone lines to the households
of cooperating panelists for storage. The operational difference
between Freeman and Bohn is the method of transmitting the
alternate advertising segment to the viewer. In Freeman different
advertising segments are contemporaneously transmitted during the
broadcast of the program, while in Bohn differing advertising
segments are transmitted prior to the broadcast of the program.
Bohn teaches the use of a laser disc to store the substitute
television advertising. Based on the identification code contained
in the broadcast program a controller may substitute the
broadcasted advertisement.
[0023] The patent to Skutta, U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,924, discloses a
method for the remote-controlled replacement of a TV advertising
spot by another advertising spot for a new product to be
tested.
[0024] The teachings of the above references would not furnish a
system that provides each viewer with automated non-previewed
control over the program content from a single program source by a
single device that generates a transparently seamless program
matching the viewers pre-established content requirements. Among
the additional elements and enhancements required by such a system
would be producing and providing coherent parallel and overlapping
program segments. Some of these parallel segments differ only in
the form of expression (i.e. explicitness) of a given scene.
[0025] The patent to Hashimoto, U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,549, discloses
a method of generating an individualized listing of programs that
meet an individual viewers stated program preferences. This is
accomplished on the basis of a generalized survey of a viewers
program classification preferences and viewer response to the list
selected.
[0026] The patent to Hallenbeck, U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,211, relates
to television (TV) program schedule guides and in particular to a
method and apparatus for efficiently transmitting, receiving and
storing television program schedule information. In Hallenbeck,
schedule information is retained that meets predetermined selection
criteria to minimize storage and processing requirements.
[0027] The above patents do not suggest viewer direct selection of
a program from a variety of programs by means of a database
architecture that would permit keyword and interactive menu
searches.
[0028] The patent to Monslow, U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,078, teaches a
television broadcast system using land lines for the real time
transmission of a viewer chosen program. The patent to Way, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,891,694, is entitled "Fiber optic cable television
distribution system". The patent to Walter, U.S. Pat. No.
4,506,387, discloses a programming on demand fiber optic based
system. These patents together with the references cited therein
teach a variety of land line and fiber optic transmission of
programs with varying degrees of viewer capabilities in the
selection of programs. While these do not teach transmission of a
variable content program, said works are, incorporated by reference
herein to establish that such a transmission is possible and to
assist the reader interested in obtaining a more detailed
disclosure of the hardware of such systems than is necessary to
provide here.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] In view of the foregoing shortcomings of the prior art, it
is evident that there exists a need for a system that furnishes
viewers with individualized automated non-previewed control over a
program's content in a single program source, and broadcast on a
viewing device, by a transmitting device that generates a
transparently seamless video program matching the viewers
preestablished content requirements.
[0030] It is also an object of the present invention to include the
capabilities for automatically selecting among parallel and
overlapping segments to provide a video program that is highly
responsive to viewer control over its content. A further object of
the invention is to provide content control that includes any of
the following: the program's form of expression, subject matter,
element development, expertise level, detail level, and program
length.
[0031] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a TV
control system where the control is exercised automatically, by
means of a preestablished content preference structure and keyword
subject listing, individualized for each viewer and subject to
password control by a system administrator. This first form of
control is applied universally to each selected program content
map. Each map contains detailed information as to the location and
program characteristics, such as categories and subject matter, of
the various segments of the program. The second form of control may
be established interactively and individually with each selected
program prior to initiating viewing.
[0032] It is also an object of the present invention to provide the
capability for efficiently previewing selected scenes in order to
indicate their inclusion for viewing. Inclusion/exclusion control
is automatically accomplished by modification of the program
content map as may be required for example by a parent editing a
children's program. Additionally, the viewer accessible copy of the
program's content map may be modified contemporaneously with the
viewing of the program, generating a variety of any one of the
following preselected automated system responses: updating the copy
of the program's content map, skipping to the next logical segment,
or any combination of the two. The skipping to the next logical
segment feature may be accessed independently without affecting the
content map.
[0033] It is also an object of the present invention to provide
automated capabilities to efficiently view only a specified class,
category, or subject matter included in segments within the
selected program or programs.
[0034] It is also an object of the invention, to provide
information as to the viewer preference structure and the program
content map to which it was applied to assist in determining viewer
preferences.
[0035] It is also an object of the present invention to provide
viewers the means of accessing available programs, segments from a
program, and or segments from a plurality of programs by the use of
keyword or a classification tree structure as would be required by
a user accessing a very large program or segment database.
[0036] It is also an object of the present invention to provide the
means for a viewer to detail the subject matter, story line, and or
general content of a desired program so that producers of programs
may elect to produce and provide said program.
[0037] Briefly these and other objects of the invention are
accomplished by a system comprising: program production, editing,
and recording techniques, assignment to segments of a program the
appropriate descriptors and creating a map of those segments and
their descriptors, a structure to record the viewer's content
preferences, the means by which the user content preference
structure is matched to the programs's content map to produce the
desired program, means of accessing and retrieving programs, and
means of indicating program preferences.
[0038] With these and other features, advantages and objects of
this invention, the invention is shown in the detailed description
of the invention and in the accompanying drawings and appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] FIG. 1A is a video segment rating chart for subject matter
as per the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 1B is video segment rating chart for elements as per
the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 1C is a video segment rating chart for inclusion as per
the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram representing the steps of
producing a variable content program of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 3 is a set of diagrams and rating chart of three
versions of a video segment, each a variation of the other as per
the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 4 is a sample viewer scene selection screen of a
program's content rating as per the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the video disk player as
per the present invention; and
[0046] FIG. 6 is a flow chart summarizing the process of a laser
videodisc playing as per the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] As used herein segments refers to a sequence of frames. The
segment or frame sequence may form a single image, a shot, a scene,
or a sequence of scenes. Any number of segments that may comprise a
program may be logically organized by means of the programs segment
map. Program refers herein to any image displayed on any device
including but not limited to televisions, CRT, film screens; and
transmitted to the device by any number of means including but not
limited to broadcast, cable, telephone, fiber optic network, tape,
videodisc, magnetic media, memory devices, chips and modules.
[0048] Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like parts
are designated by like reference numerals, throughout, FIG. 1A
illustrates an example of the generalized rating structure 100
utilized to review the contents of each segment contained in a
given program. The structure of chart 100 includes a number of
categories 102 that might apply to most films. The generalized
rating scale 104 mirrors the rating system utilized by the Motion
Picture Association of America (General Audiences, Parental
Guidance Suggested, Parents Strongly cautioned, Restricted, No
Children Under 17 Admitted, G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17 respectively),
but provides a more descriptive rating scale for the group, as
shown. Each number in the matrix 106 in the chart 100 represents
the particular scene rating choices for a specific scene or
segment. A more individualized rating scale for each of the
categories is also available as will be described below with
respect to FIG. 1C.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 1B, the contents of a segment may be
further represented by chart 200 in order to analyze the
development of a number of elements 202 such as character,
location, and time, as well as the degree of detail 204 and the
level of expertise 206 that may be appropriate for a program. These
elements are provided at a variety of levels and are rated
accordingly. FIG. 1B for example indicates that the program's
character element development may range from none to extensive.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 1C, a separate category 300 provides
criteria for condensed versions of the program. In this chart, the
segments may be classified according to the level of
inclusion/exclusion that the user may desire 302. The ratings
indicates if the segment is required for a highlight, summary,
condensed, or detailed versions 304 of the program. In a similar
manner, an individualized tailored and descriptive rating scale may
be provided for any one category or group of categories.
[0051] In a preferred embodiment, each segment is analyzed as to
subject matter and assigned the necessary keyword to provide
effective keyword retrieval and additional user viewing control
capabilities. This will be of significant value in retrieving video
segments from a program database ("programbase"), such as may be
constructed from a collection of news or educational programs,
where each program comprises a number of segments each a whole in
itself.
[0052] Keyword indexing of the segments provides the capability for
inhibiting the viewing of undesirable subject matter, or assisting
in the retrieval of desirable subject matter, where the rating
structure may not adequately cover a specified category or subject
matter. For example, a viewer may not desire viewing scenes of a
flag burning. Key word control would inhibit the segments
containing that scene or scenes from being viewed by that
particular viewer. Alternatively, a key word search would permit a
system user to efficiently retrieve all flag burning segments that
may be included in the programbase.
[0053] FIGS. 1A, 1B, IC are examples of an overall framework for
segment analysis, the actual structure and complexity utilized may
be highly tailored, as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 1C, by
the producer of a program to reflect the specific content of a
program without being limited by the structures which may be found
to be commonly utilized in other works. Each program producer is
offered the flexibility within the overall architecture of this
rating system to determine and include only those categories that
may be relevant to a particular program, and to add categories as
the producer requires. Similarly, the producer is offered some
flexibility in determining the labelling of the rating scale.
[0054] Meeting the objectives of being able to provide both a
standardized set of rating structures that will permit the
automatic application of a viewers preestablished preference
structure on a variety of programs, and provide the producer of the
program the flexibility described above, are accomplished by
assigning unique classification codes to each set of preestablished
standardized categories and by reserving a range of classification
codes that will be recognized by the system as requiring
interactive input by the viewer. In the example of FIGS. 1A, 1B,
1C, codes ending in 9, codes with a tens digit being a 9, and or
codes from 900 to 999 ("producer code") are reserved as independent
of the standard categories shown.
[0055] Producer codes would signal the system to elicit the viewer
preference. Similarly, as the rating scale is relative in
structure, different descriptions for any category rating scale
might be utilized without affecting the applicability of a
preestablished viewer preference structure for that category. In
instances where the rating scale is not accommodated by the
standardized structure supplied, the producer need only assign a
producer code and build whatever scale he may deem desirable, from
a simple "Yes/No" to a sophisticated three dimensional
representation.
[0056] Additionally, commands may be issued by the program to
inhibit the application of a preestablished viewer preference
structure and require the viewer to address the program's segment
rating structure regardless of the category codes utilized.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment of the
present invention a view of the method for mapping the scenes 400
is provided. Each scene or fragment of a scene on a video script is
reviewed 430 according to a producer-selected segment rating
structure, as indicated in FIGS. 1A-1C above. The screenwriter now
has the freedom to expand the scenes to cover a wider rating range
without the concern for the limitations inherent in the present
art. Without the artificial limitations that a program fit a
specified time frame, the screenwriter may additionally expand
scenes to provide whatever level of detail or development they may
desire. Additionally, the screenwriter may elect to provide any
number of scene options and or transitions to each of the scenes
identified 340.
[0058] Most scenes can be constructed by means of transition
segments to provide for content at varying points of the grading
scale and or the avoidance of a particular segment and yet retain
harmony with the preceding and following segments. It should be
noted that any given idea or scene may be expressed in a variety of
forms, whether implied as in the closing of a bedroom door, to the
graphic treatment as might be found in an "X" rated film. Both of
these versions may be provided as parallel segments in a program,
challenging the artist to create greater variety in the form of
expression permitting the viewer to decide for themselves the level
of censorship that they may desire.
[0059] A successful filming of this architecture 450 is a function
of the skill of the director(s), actors, animators, etc. that may
be required to provide for parallel and transition segments with
the required transparent harmony.
[0060] Existing program editing requires producing a unique linear
sequence of segments. The editing of the present invention 460
requires a parallel non-sequential logical arrangements of
segments. It should be emphasized that the art of program editing
under the present invention transfers censorship and time
constrained editing decision making from the producer to the
viewer.
[0061] The beginning frame and end frame in each of the relevant
segments is identified, the segment content is assigned a
descriptor as per the category and rating structure, and logical
entry and exit references are assigned 470. Any given segment may
be assigned a variety of category codes and keywords ("category
codes"), and the segment assigned a category code may be congruent
in one or more frames with a segment assigned a different category
code. Where necessary, a video segment may be associated with more
than one audio segment and corresponding separate voice and video
category codes may be provided. The complexity of the arrangement
is only limited by the requirements, desires, skill, intelligence,
hardware, and software available to the program editor.
[0062] The resulting segment information is mapped and the required
user interface produced 480 to permit the viewer, by selecting the
desired rating level in each of the categories, to view a unique
continuous sequence of segments consistent with the designated
viewer preference structure.
[0063] Programs which have been already produced would not offer
the same parallel and transition segments, and other opportunities,
available to programs produced under this system. A program may,
however, nonetheless be mapped to provide an editing-out capability
to produce, if not entirely transparently, a continuous
program.
[0064] To further explain the methods of the present invention, and
referring to FIG. 3, and consistent with definitions established at
the outset, illustrated is a program consisting of five scenes 501,
each scene of the program may comprise any number of segments 502,
each segment may include any number of frames 503. In this example,
scene three includes four segments, segment 3b begins at frame 4112
and ends at frame 6026. The next segment, 3c, begins at frame 6027.
Brakes between set of frames serve to illustrate the beginning and
ends of a segment and not to indicate a non-continuous
transmission.
[0065] Segment 3b of scene three 511, which might generate an "R"
rating for an entire program, includes frames depicting explicit
bloodshed. In this example the rating of the segment is indicated
by the numeral 3 in the appropriate cell 521 of that segments
rating chart.
[0066] To provide for the option of editing-out the explicit
bloodshed, the program content map includes an additional segment
definition beginning at frame 4112 and ending at frame 5205. The
end of this segment 512 is linked to a new transitional segment 513
beginning at frame 35205 and ending at 35350, the end of which is
linked to frame 6027. In this fashion, frames are omitted and added
to provide a continuous transparent edited version of segment 3b.
This frame sequence is associated with the corresponding segment
content rating to indicate the absence of bloodshed 522. In all
other respects the segments 512/513 is equivalent to the original
segment 511. For programs produced prior to the present invention,
the
editing-out would work in a like manner except that the
transitional segment 513 would not be available to make the
continuous transmission from frame 5206 to 6027 transparent.
[0067] To provide for the option to include a graphic level of
bloodshed, the program content map includes an additional segment
definition. In this case, only 66 frames of the "original" segment
511 are deleted to accommodate the graphic bloodshed included in
segment 516 beginning at frame 35351 and ending at frame 38975.
This frame sequence (514 to 516 to 515) is associated with the
appropriate segment content rating 523.
[0068] In this manner, parallel and transitional segments provide a
rating selection mix ranging from a segment excluding bloodshed 522
to a segment including graphic bloodshed 523, as well as the
segment including explicit bloodshed. As a result, the particular
scene of which these segments are a part may be viewed at any of
the three rating levels.
[0069] A scene may include subject matter of more than one
category. In such cases overlapping segments and transitional
segments may be provided to permit viewing of one subject matter at
one rating level and viewing of another subject matter at another
level. For example, barroom brawl of the first westerns were
violent but devoid of bloodshed. A current "R" program may result
from the contents of twenty or more segments, which would generate
forty to sixty additional parallel and transitional segments.
[0070] FIG. 4 illustrates a program's content rating chart. This
chart merges each of the segment's content ratings of the program
for each category. For example, the category bloodshed indicates
options to omit the viewing of bloodshed in the program or include
explicit or graphic segments 541. Depicted by bold boxes is the
viewer selected level for each category 542. The viewer in this
case has elected to omit bloodshed in his/her viewing of the
program. Each of the viewer's selections may modify or
automatically add to the viewer preference structure that is
internally saved by the system and applied to other programs that
include the same category codes.
[0071] The software routines that elicit viewer preference may be
as conceptually simple as that illustrated in FIG. 4. A screen
display of the program's categories and the optional rating levels
and the appropriate viewer selection requests 543. The viewer
indicates the category and desired viewing level by depressing a
numeric key on the player's remote control unit 544. Indicated on
the screen is the function in this context of the control unit
command keys. In this illustration, depressing the "Pause" key 545
will cause the display of context sensitive "Help" screens. Context
sensitive functions and label of the keys of the control unit
enhances the level of communication of the limited number of
control keys.
[0072] In simplified terms, any segments with a rating higher
(abstract) than the viewer-selected rating for a given category
would not be included in the program produced for the viewer. The
segment selected for viewing (a rating level equal to or next
lowest rating) provides the next segment beginning frame
information. This will skip over parallel segments of a lower
rating than the viewed segment.
[0073] As indicated at the outset, the architecture of the system
is intended to be hardware independent. That is, a variety of
hardware, firmware, and software architectures are possible in the
implementation of the present invention. An example of such an
implementation of an aspect of the present invention relies on the
use of existing laser video disk random access technology to
provide the basic apparatus to transmit video information from a
single video disk source to a television. The technology supporting
a video disk implementation is well established in the art, in fact
the hardware required and its operation mirrors that extensively
disclosed in the patent to Best (cited previously) and by reference
incorporated herein. Therefore, reviewed here and illustrated in
FIG. 5 are only those elements of particular interest to the
present invention.
[0074] Referring now to FIG. 5, the video disk player of the
present invention enhances existing readily available video disk
player unit 601 and random access technology 602 by including video
buffers 612 of sufficient size to permit random positioning of the
head (measured in microseconds) to retrieve subsequent frame
information from the videodisc without altering the transmission of
the required frames per second to provide a transparently
continuous video signal transmission to the monitor.
[0075] In addition, the video disk player includes a number of
computing elements readily available in personal computers to add
data retrieval and processing capability. These capabilities permit
the control programs to manage the logical retrieval of data and
video information. The control program 621, installed in firmware
or memory, utilizes micro processor 603 and resident memory 604 to
manage the random disk head controller 602 in the retrieval of data
631 and video information 611.
[0076] Upon a "play" command, the control program causes the
retrieval 631 of the program specific routines 632, and program
content map 633 from the video/data disk. The disk contains the map
of the program segments, any user interface routines particular to
the program, and player control codes, in a format similar to that
required by the actual program contained therein. Where the player
and the disk include write capabilities, whether in a format
similar to the program information or supplementary, as is for
example provided by the magnetic architecture disclosed in the
patent to Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,151 incorporated herein by
reference, the control program 621 may store in the disk the viewer
content preference structure 651 as it relates to the video program
contained therein. The control program's storage of user specific
information on a video disk is conceptually similar to the storage
of user information in game cartridges.
[0077] The control program 621, enhanced by the program routines
632, causes the retrieval of the viewer preference structure 651
from either the disk, the player's resident memory 604, fixed
storage subsystem 652 (e.g. hard disk drive), removable storage
subsystem 653 (e.g. micro floppy disk), or by means of the viewer
control interface 654. The latter described in more detail in
connection with FIG. 6.
[0078] Where the player contains a fixed storage subsystem 652 or
removable storage subsystem 653, as indicated above, user
information associated with a program may be stored therein, such
that upon replay of a program, the player software would read the
program's identifier, search the storage for a corresponding viewer
preference structure, and upon viewer confirmation, would apply the
stored viewer preference structure to the program content map.
[0079] The control program 621 generates a segment table 622 based
on the integration of the video program's content map 633 and the
viewers preference structure. The segment table provides the
segment scheduler 623 the data to cause the ordered retrieval of
only the video segment consistent with the viewer preferences. The
video segments are then transmitted in a transparently continuous
manner 615 through the monitor interface 616 to the monitor
617.
[0080] Depending on memory and processing capacity of the video
disk player, retrieval of data from the appropriate sectors of the
video disk, memory, or drives need not be completed prior to
initiating transmission of segments of the video program.
Specifically the program's content table may be logically segmented
to permit concurrent processing and segment table generation with
video transmission.
[0081] The video disk player's control interface 654 includes
communications to the buttons and keys located on the cabinet of
the disk player and to the associated control devices. The existing
keys provided in these devices are augmented by the following keys
or functions, as previously disclosed in FIG. 4,: segment skipping
control, preference structure control, segment mapping control, and
system menu control.
[0082] The viewer control interface 654, in addition to supporting
infrared remote control units 655, may support a keyboard 656. The
keyboard, as in a personal computer implementation, facilitates
system setup, keyword retrieval, and other system functions
requiring the entry of alpha characters. A keyboard connector used
to connect a standard AT keyboard or any dedicated keyboard may be
supplied, or an infrared based keyboard may be implemented instead
or in addition. The viewer control interface may also support voice
recognition 657. Existing technology can accommodate the few
commands, such as play, stop, mute, sound, skip, required to
control the basic operation of the video disk player.
[0083] In a fiber optic implementation, as will be described below,
the video disk player/computer is transformed into an intelligent
video retriever/transmitter ("VRT") by adding a two way fiber optic
communication interface 691. In a such an implementation, the data
retrieval 631 and the video retrieval 611 will be from a source
external to the video disk player.
[0084] The above described player and disk architecture permits a
viewer to interactively modify or create their unique program
segment map. For example, a consumer may keyword code the subject
matter of the consumer produced video segments (home videos). The
keyword code permits the computer assisted retrieval of the
selected segments and creation of user defined content maps and
indexes. A user-defined index would span the consumer's personal
library of such videos, facilitating greater utilization.
[0085] Referring now to the flow chart of FIG. 6, the steps 700
comprising the method for operating a video disk ("disk") on a
laser video disk player ("player") of the present invention, are
detailed. The more enhanced version of the laser video disk player
of the present invention includes commonly found personal computer
elements such as a computer chip, memory, fixed and removable
storage, video buffers, firmware, and software to permit the player
to behave as a program-specific personal computer. For simplicity
these elements and their capabilities are commonly identified
herein as the "processor".
[0086] Beginning at step 701, the viewer inserts into the player of
the present invention the desired disk. Upon selection of the play
function 702, the player's processor will issue a command to read
the viewer control setup of the player to ascertain if viewer
control is enabled 703. If enabled, the player's handshaking
routines will request viewer identification and, if required a
corresponding password 704. If the viewer identification and
password are not found acceptable 705, the appropriate error
message is transmitted to the television 706, and the player is
returned to a state prior to the viewer play request 702.
[0087] If the viewer identification and password are found
acceptable 705, the processor checks for other restrictions to a
user access 707. These additional restrictions include: time of day
restrictions for the user, accumulated usage during specified time
frames. If restrictions are enabled that prevent usage 707, the
appropriate error message is transmitted to the television 709, and
the player is returned to a state prior to the viewer play request
702. The user-permission capability enables a parent to have
complete control over the use of the player.
[0088] If viewer control is not enabled 703, or if enabled,
verification of the user 705 and verification of restrictions
permit usage 707, the processor instructs the player to read from
the disk program identification data 711. Based on the program
identification data, which in addition to including a unique
identification code may also contain qualitative and classification
program information, the processor will then search to see if an
existing viewer preference table for the identified viewer is
available at step 712. Otherwise at step 713, the player reads the
program category listing structure supplied from the video disk and
determines if a viewer preference is established for each of the
program categories. Once viewer preference structure exist, the
processor verifies set up status for editing privileges 714, so
that the viewer has editing privileges for the class of programs to
which the present program belongs and the categories included
therein, and editing is to be exercised upon the play request. The
processor may simply transmit to the television a viewer request to
indicate if the existing preference structure is to be edited 715.
If at step 714 edit privileges are not available for the viewer,
the processor will initiate normal play routines 721. If the viewer
indicates that no editing privileges are to be exercised 715, than
the processor will initiate normal play routines 721 as well;
otherwise, editing of the viewer preference structure occurs at
step 718. The edited viewer preference structure is interactively
verified 719 until an adequate category preference match as
required by the program is established or the viewer selects to
exit. Exiting at 719 returns the player to a state prior to the
viewer play request 702.
[0089] If a viewer preference structure for the login viewer for
the program is not available 712 or at least one of the categories
of the program is not contained in the viewer preference structure
713, then the processor will verify if edit privileges are
available for the viewer for the class of programs and the
categories 716. If no edit privileges are available, then the
processor transmits an error message 717 to the television and
returns the player to a state prior to the viewer play request 702.
If edit privileges are available, then editing of the viewer
preference structure is available at step 718.
[0090] Editing the viewer preference structure at 718 is supervised
by the processor to insure that viewer modifications are consistent
with the permissions established for that viewer. Individual viewer
permissions may be established broadly for any one or more classes
of programs or categories, or specifically for any category.
[0091] Once editing of the preference structure, as required by the
program category listing, is found complete at step 719 the
processor initiates play routines 721. These include reading the
program segment map 722 from the disk and applying the existing
viewer preference structure 723 to determine the segments to be
played and their sequence 724. Upon which the processor issues the
sequence of player commands to operate the transfer of the video
information from the disk to the television 725.
[0092] It should be noted that once a basic viewer preference
structure and keyword control has been read into the player's
memory, and the player viewer control is properly set up, a
subsequent playing of any disk conforming to the basic category
structure, need only involve inserting the disk into the player and
depressing the play button, whereupon the player will automatically
initiate playing of the video program without the necessity of any
further viewer interaction. If viewer control is enabled, a viewer
identification and or password entry would be the only other
additional step required.
[0093] While an embodiment of the present invention has been
explained in terms of a laser video disk player physically
accessible by the viewer, variations of this embodiment of the
present invention are also possible. For example, the video player
need not be physically located near the television set. The patents
to Fenwick et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,244 and to Eggers et al. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,920,432, by reference incorporated herein, disclose
remote video distribution systems such as may be found in a hotel,
wherein the viewer is provided remote controlled access to the
video resources. Fiber optic communications would easily permit a
greater distance between the player and the television.
[0094] The embodiment of the present invention also need not be
limited by laser video disk technology. The program, the program
content map, and user routines may be provided to the viewer in any
of a variety of existing and evolving technologies. These
technologies include hard formats such as tape, laser disk,
magnetic disk, combination laser one side magnetic underside disk,
memory chips and modules (e.g. RAM, DRAM, high capacity flash
memory, bubble memory); and soft formats, such as an, analog or
digital cable transmissions, fiber optic transmission, phone and
satellite communications.
[0095] Additionally, the entire program including all the parallel,
overlapping, and transitional segments, and the program content map
need not be transmitted to the viewer. The program may be provided
to the viewer in the form that results from the execution of the
viewer content preference structure, i.e only those segments
comprising a continuous logical program that are consistent with
the viewer preference structure is transmitted in real-time or a
non real-time format.
[0096] In a fiber optic based broadband integrated services digital
network ("B-ISDN") implementation of the present invention, as
previously outlined, the video program is delivered to the viewer
via a fiber optic network.
[0097] An internal or external modem connects the video player with
the required fiber optic linkages and communication software. The
capacity, and speed of the player's storage, the size and speed of
the player's memory and processor, and the capabilities of the
modem device or integrated service digital network retriever
transmitter ("ISRT") or video retriever transmitter ("VRT") are
dependent on the architecture implemented by the program provider.
Preferably, where the entire program is downloaded together with
the required program content map and user interface, the storage
capacity and transfer rates included in the VRT will be
significant.
[0098] This requirement may be reduced by applying the viewer
preference structure to the program and transmitting, in total or
in groups, only those segments to be viewed. Alternatively, where
the viewer remains on-line with the program provider during the
transmission of the program and utilizes the hardware capabilities
of the service provider, a VRT; including only a communication unit
without local storage, processing, or memory, would be
adequate.
[0099] It is within these VRT implementations that the various
advantages and capabilities of the present invention are realized.
The versatility and usefulness is derived from its two way fiber
optic digital linkage to the B-ISDN. In a preferred embodiment of
the present invention within a VRT architecture, the viewer or,
more appropriately, the user's control of the VRT is either through
an infrared control keypad, wired or infrared alphanumeric control
keyboard, voice control, or system controls directly on the VRT
unit. The VRT will be linked to the user designated digital
receiver monitor and to the B-ISDN by means of fiber optic based
communication devices. The VRT, monitor and keyboard will provide
the functional equivalent of a graphical workstation.
[0100] In operation, the VRT normally provides a variety of
communication and background services (e.g. videophone, video fax,
security, appliance management) to the user and therefore is ready
to respond to an active user request. The user control's the VRT's
functions by means of one of the control devices listed above,
causing the VRT to provide power to the receiver if necessary, and
transmitting an appropriate menu, entry screens, or services to the
receiver as previously described. The configuration of the
handshaking is provided in a flexible and user configureable
manner.
[0101] The following four examples describe how a user retrieves
video programs:
[0102] In a first example, a user accesses, by means of the VRT, a
program provider of his choice. The user has a variety of ways to
retrieve programs including: i) specifying the program's title or
code obtained from a reference guide, ii) listing in alphabetical
order by title, subject matter, actors, etc. in any combination,
iii) tree structure of the program classifications, and iv) keyword
searching and retrieval (similar to the Automated Patent Search
implementation) enhanced by the program/segments descriptors. Once
the program is selected, the user remains on-line utilizing the
hardware of the program provider or a more local service center
which obtains the program from the program provider. The off-site
hardware services will respond to the VRT commands in a manner
similar to that detailed previously for the player implementation
of the present invention.
[0103] In a second example, a user will access a program provider
and select a program, as indicated in the example above. Instead of
remaining on-line, however, the user requests downloading the
selected program. In addition to the program video, the program
includes a map of the program segments, any user interface routines
particular to the program, and VRT control codes, in a format
consistent to that required by the VRT storage capabilities.
Utilization of the program will then be analogous to those steps
detailed previously for the player implementation of the present
invention.
[0104] In a third example, a user wishing to retrieve a summary,
analysis, and background regarding a particular news event, will
use one of the control devices to order the automatic linkage with
the B-ISDN service center. The user then enters his/her request,
and a keyword analysis of the request will then result in an
on-line linkage through the service center to a database containing
information on the programbases for the subject matter desired. In
this example, a news source remotely located will download a
listing of the various sources of summary, analysis, background
information, the corresponding segment descriptors where available
and necessary, and the overall lengths and costs, if any, of each
segment. The user may at his/her leisure produce a request for a
video program for his own viewing. In this example, a program
comprising a 10 min summary from a news source, a 5 min analysis
from another service, a 10 min analysis from a private source, a 30
minute lecture from a university, and copies of a relevant data
from the Library of Congress are available.
[0105] Once the user finalizes the program segment choices, the
request is transmitted to the service center wherein the various
providers (libraries) which may be located anywhere in the world
are electronically requested to transmit the respective
segments/programs, program content maps, and any user routines.
These are logically assembled and merged by the service center and
retransmitted to the user together with any billing information.
The transmission and retransmission of the programs might be on a
non real-time compressed digitized device.
[0106] The event duration for our example may be 15 minutes of
connect time, 2 minutes of transmission time (for the 55 minute
"program"). The costs for the service may be less than a
conventional movie, total cost could be approximately $6.00 with a
partial rebate for the user selection to activate the five minutes
of targeted "commercials" that are included. The particular billing
methods and apparatus required are currently implemented in other
on-line data retrieval services.
[0107] Since the VRT is both a retriever and a transmitter, the
above "program" might be condensed by the user into a 10 minute
summary and a 2 minute personal message and transmitted to another
user, incurring connect time and redistribution charges of about
$2.00.
[0108] In a fourth example, a user may construct a content
preference structure of any desired detail, including, for example,
a variety of keywords to describe the program's subject matter, the
story line, possible endings, and approximate program playing time.
The user will transmit this information by means of the VRT to a
program provider. The user will further indicate the program's
delivery by requirement (minutes, overnight, days), and whether the
request is for a single program or a series of programs and their
frequency.
[0109] The program provider will analyze the user request, search
the programbase for a program matching the user's requirements. If
the program is found, then program information and billing, if any,
are transmitted to the user for approval and subsequent program
transmission to the user. If the program is not found, the user's
request is forwarded to an appropriate program producer for
possible production. The "custom" programs generally follow a
preestablished per-transmitted viewable minute fee structure based
on the subject matter and nature of the program. Although other
schemes are possible, production will depend on an expected or
actual critical mass of viewers and any sponsorship both public and
private that may be associated with the program. The systems
communication architecture facilitates the communication and
marketing required to obtain the necessary viewers and sponsorship
for production.
[0110] The variety of uses of such an architecture might include:
i) science fiction enthusiast causing video production of a
particular story, i.e a 21st century version of "Romeo and Juliet";
ii) the desirability and structure of a sequel determined by the
consensus of viewers; iii) updating of news stories no longer
deemed "current"; iv) Continued appraisal of developments in a
specified field or subject area, i.e. significant events which
might affect the price of a specified commodity; v) review of a
political candidates positions; and vi) product purchasing and
utilization information.
[0111] It is clearly the intent of the VRT implementation of the
present invention to permit user(s) to efficiently obtain a
transparently continuous program to be viewed at the time of their
choosing, over which they exercise complete control as to the
subject matter, form of expression, and other elements comprising
the program.
[0112] In terms of product and services advertising, and
commercials in general, the applicant recognizes that commercials
have made possible the growth and development of freely broadcast
programming. The variety of viewer supported programming such as
PBS, rented video programs, and premium cable channels have
struggled to maintain quality programming and remain generally free
of commercials by direct viewer payments and contributions. It is
intended that the methods of the present invention, that are
applied to programming in general, and to commercials in
particular, lead to commercials (informationals) of greater value
to the viewer and not necessarily to merely censor or exclude
commercials.
[0113] As alluded to earlier, a viewer may not object to, and in
fact may request, the inclusion of commercials, which are
informational in nature, presented in a manner consistent with
their taste level, for a product or service in which they may have
an interest; especially if the acceptance for viewing of such a
commercial will additionally reduce the cost of other programming
obtained by the viewers. In this context, the subsidizing of a
program's cost to the viewer by commercials, is more closely
matched to the viewers interest in the subject of the commercial,
and to the potential purchase by the viewer of that product or
service.
[0114] Where the inclusion of commercials is consistent with the
viewer-established preference structure and is accepted by the
viewer as a condition of value received by the viewer, the
transmission of the commercial to the television is promoted by
providing special segment codes that would inhibit the player or
VRT functions (e.g. viewer preference structure, skip function)
from interfering with that transmission.
[0115] While a presently preferred form of the present invention
has been set forth in summary form here and above, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited thereby. In
particular, the steps of the inventive process are interchangeable,
may be interchanged and are equivalent. It is to be understood that
the specific details shown are merely illustrative and that the
invention may be carried out in other ways without departing from
the true spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *