United States Patent (19)
`Abecassis
`
`US006038367A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`6,038,367
`*Mar. 14, 2000
`
`54 PLAYING AVIDEO RESPONSIVE TO A
`COMPARISON OF TWO SETS OF CONTENT
`PREFERENCES
`
`76 Inventor: Max Abecassis, 19020 NE. 20 Ave.,
`Miami, Fla. 33179
`
`*
`
`Notice:
`
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`5,172,111 12/1992 Olivo, Jr..
`5,335,079 8/1994 Yuen et al..
`5.434,678 7/1995 Abecassis.
`5,442,390 8/1995 Hooper et al. .............................. 348/7
`5,598.276
`1/1997 Cookson et al..
`5,630,006 5/1997 Hirayama et al..
`5,636,200 6/1997 Taira et al..
`5,664.046 9/1997 Abecassis.
`5,717.814 2/1998 Abecassis.
`
`21 Appl. No.: 09/253,321
`22 Filed:
`Feb. 19, 1999
`Related U.S. Application Data
`62 Division of application No. 08/303,158, Sep. 8, 1994, which
`is a division of application No. 08/427,250, Apr. 24, 1995,
`Pat No. 5,610,653, and a division of application No. 08/303,
`St. SE, s".) Nels, disig,
`aCaO TNO
`9IU, Sep. 19,
`, Fal. No. 5,090,
`3. and a division of arish No. 08/307,325, Sep. 16,
`1994, Pat. No. 5,717.814, and a division of application No.
`08/432,507, May 1, 1995, Pat. No. 5,724,472, and a con-
`tinuation-in-part of application No. 07/832,335, Feb. 7,
`1992, Pat. No. 5,230,169, and a continuation-in-part of
`application No. 08/002.998, Jan. 11, 1993, Pat. No. 5,434,
`678, which is a division of application No. 08/305,455, Sep.
`N EAE", an dysig's Fiat
`division of application No. 08/418.652 Apr 10, 1965, Pat.
`No. 5,664.046.
`51) Int. Cl." ................................ H04N 5/91. H04N 700
`52 U.S. Cl
`386146; 386/83
`386/94, 1, 4,360/32.348/6 7 1213.
`s us 455742, H04N 5'91 7700
`s
`s
`
`58) Field of search - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 38646. 83, 52
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,949,187 8/1990 Cohen.
`
`Primary Examiner Robert Chevalier
`57
`ABSTRACT
`A method of, and a System capable of, playing a video, the
`method comprising the Steps of, and the system comprising
`retrieving, processing, random accessing, and buffering
`device for retrieving a first Set of content preferences and a
`Second Set of content preferences, each including a level of
`- - -
`explicitness in each of a plurality of content categories;
`comparing the first Set of content preferences with the
`Second Set of content preferences and adopting a least
`licit level i
`h
`eXplicit level in each content category, retrieVing Segment
`information defining, responsive to at least a level of explic
`itness in at least one of a plurality of content categories, at
`least one Segment of a video, and playing, responsive to the
`comparing and the adopting, responsive to the segment
`information, and the random accessing and buffering device,
`a seamless version of, from Within, and less in length than
`the length of, the video. Alternatively or additionally, the
`communicating device for, requesting the Video from a
`remote video provider, providing the remote Video provider
`a Set of content preferences that is responsive to the com
`paring and the adopting, and receiving from the remote
`video provider the seamless version of the video.
`
`method comprises the Step of, and the System comprises
`
`20 Claims, 27 Drawing Sheets
`
`PROGRAM
`SETUP
`
`
`
`pOGRAM
`PEFERENCE
`Structure
`
`CATEGORY
`PREFERENCE
`MATC
`
`D
`PWGES
`
`
`
`EXT
`MESSAGE
`77
`
`EDT
`PRWILIGES
`
`EDT
`PREFERENCE
`Structure
`
`ADECUATE
`PREFERENCE
`STRUCTURE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
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`Page 1
`
`AMAZON EX. 1024
`Amazon v. CustomPlay
`US Patent No. 9,124,950
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 27
`
`6,038,367
`
`Segment Category Descriptive Structure
`11 O
`12
`
`130 Violence
`135 Bloodshed
`150 Monsters
`170 Nudity
`175 sex
`
`|
`||
`|
`|
`
`2 ||
`||
`1
`2
`2
`||
`||
`1
`i
`2
`||
`||
`1
`2
`||
`||
`1
`2
`2 ||
`||
`1
`FIG. A
`
`||
`3
`3
`||
`3
`||
`3
`||
`3
`3
`3 ||
`3
`119
`
`4
`4.
`4
`4
`4
`4
`4
`4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`|
`
`Segment Element Descriptive Structure -120
`ive
`
`11
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`
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`
`
`12
`
`220 Location
`230 Time
`340 Detail
`122
`420 Expertise
`123
`
`|
`|
`|
`
`||
`2
`||
`1
`2
`2
`2
`2 ||
`||
`1
`2
`2
`||
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`1
`2
`FIG. 1B
`
`||
`3
`3
`3
`3
`||
`3
`3
`3 ||
`3
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`;
`4
`4 |
`4
`4
`4
`
`
`
`Segment inclusion Descriptive Structure -30
`Code Description
`Highlight summary condensed Detailed
`131610 inclusion
`
`FIG. C
`
`Segment Generalized Descriptive Structure
`G.
`PG PG-13
`R
`NC-17 N140
`Symbols MPAA Trademark
`14
`F.G. 1D
`
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 27
`
`6,038,367
`
`
`
`REVIEW
`scREENLAY 230
`CONTENT
`
`ADD CONTENT
`diffidNSANS 240
`TRANSiTIONS
`
`FILM
`SCREENPLAY 250
`AS EXPANDED
`
`MULT OPTION
`65NEN'260
`EDITING
`
`CONTENT
`CODNG
`
`270
`
`CONTENT
`MAPPING 280
`
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 27
`
`6,038,367
`
`Conventional program
`301
`SCeneS-- 302
`
`segments-303
`
`- - III UIL frames-304
`
`6026 6027
`
`4 112 3'
`
`FG. 3A
`
`135 Bloodshed
`
`None Implied Explicit Graphic
`3
`39
`
`4112,5205 35205,435350 6027
`code Description None implied ExplicitGraphic
`FIG. 3B
`135 Bloodshed
`1 - ||
`|
`|
`329
`
`4f12 Y. 3535 g
`331
`333
`FIG. 3C
`135 Bloodshed
`
`38.975 5175
`332
`
`6O26 6O27
`
`4
`339
`
`Content-on-demand videON - corror or 34
`II,
`II
`33 332
`322 333
`N-1
`342
`3.
`4112-5109 - - 2 - -35351-38975
`FIG. 3D 5175-6026
`
`Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 27
`
`6,038,367
`
`NONLINEAR EDITOR - CONTENTOO1
`-
`Edit New Bin
`Codes Map Link Utilities Print
`File
`Segments -
`-
`-
`
`35
`ve
`Help
`-
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
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`
`
`Graphie 4112 F. St 6027
`361
`41.12 C 6027
`23S
`52
`
`V
`N
`
`impled 4112
`
`SO27
`
`
`
`353
`
`362
`
`363
`
`ty
`Sex
`Violence
`
`
`
`
`
`SEGMENTS
`4112-50935351-38975575-6026
`4112-6026
`412-5205.5908-6026
`T.4112-5205135205-35350
`
`
`
`CODE NEXT
`135-4 6027
`353 227
`135-2 6027-st
`35-
`6027
`
`354
`
`TT
`
`FIG. 3E
`
`Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet S of 27
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`6,038,367
`
`361
`
`362
`
`364 37
`
`2-wa-wyv-wi-ra-raril-372
`
`"raw 1373
`
`-is---------'
`
`
`
`re-as-Fair ---
`(UDIO9.--at-a-w-s.spect --
`
`384
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`Page 6
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 6 of 27
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`6,038,367
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`
`
`Content Selection SCreen
`code Description
`None
`implied
`Explicit
`110 Profanity \
`3
`130 Violence \
`1
`2
`3
`402 N135 Bloodshed N
`3
`150 Monsters
`2
`3
`170 Nudity
`3
`2
`175 sex
`2
`3
`
`Graphic
`4
`4
`4
`
`||
`
`||
`
`1
`
`||
`
`404
`
`Please enter the level for this category:
`EXIT
`HELP
`PREV
`NEXT
`
`Page 7
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 7 of 27
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`6,038,367
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`
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`43 415
`
`FIG. 4B
`
`Content-On-Demand
`
`423
`
`Technology News
`
`III
`
`44
`
`
`
`21 4
`
`1. Database program for library
`of digitized programming announced. escoe
`Software patents could turn information Highlig
`highway into toll road
`erode
`interactive E.g.: networ
`2
`Detailed
`Success exceeds expectations,
`
`1.
`
`
`
`Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 8 of 27
`
`6,038,367
`
`445 444 436 435
`
`Viewer Access
`
`SELECT
`
`VIEWER CONTEN
`
`EXIT
`
`HELP
`
`433
`
`
`
`Content Preferences
`
`SELECT
`
`SEL)
`Chan+
`
`452
`
`EXIT
`
`9
`
`HELP
`
`o
`
`NONE IMPLIED EXPLCIT GRAPHIC
`
`O) 2 304 )
`
`NONE IMPLIED EXPLICT GRAPHIC
`
`4
`3
`2
`NONE IMPLIED EXPLICT GRAPHIC
`203 4
`
`453
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`Page 9
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 14, 2000
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`Sheet 9 of 27
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`6,038,367
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`
`
`46
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`464 463
`
`SELEC
`
`SEL
`
`BROADCAST CATEGORY
`
`5
`
`6
`
`EXT
`
`9
`
`HELP
`
`o
`
`462
`
`Shopping
`
`FIG. 4F
`
`
`
`Program Selection
`SELECT
`
`SEL.
`Chan+ 1.
`
`Blade Runner
`
`472
`
`Chan
`
`Gl
`
`FIG. 4G
`
`HELP
`
`o
`
`CONTENT EXIT
`
`9
`plug
`
`473
`
`PROMO
`
`Page 10
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 10 of 27
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`6,038,367
`
`u)
`
`go
`'S
`2.
`O
`2.
`d
`Cld
`O
`E
`3
`55 is
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`9.
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`3
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`502 506507508 511 512
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`provider
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`
`509
`power
`Supply
`
`503
`fixed
`storage
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`rentle
`storage
`
`513
`video
`Cpu
`514
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`
`US6
`
`505
`compact
`Storage
`
`
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`S.
`interface
`
`villata
`syster Sus Stol
`2
`2
`display
`programs disc module
`
`In
`
`543
`542
`54
`voice
`remote keyboard
`recognition
`Control
`Viewer ACCeSS
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Page 11
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
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`Sheet 11 of 27
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`6,038,367
`
`
`
`
`
`642
`CD 30 frames per second
`D 60 frames per second 641
`643
`D 120 frames per second
`FIG. 6A
`
`353-D
`
`read stream-N-651
`
`transmission stream -N-652
`
`F.G. 6B
`
`Page 12
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 12 of 27
`Sheet 12 Of 27
`
`6,038,367
`6,038,367
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`
`
`(C)=e)
` =D)
`7NZ
`
`68
`
`
`
`Page 13
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`Page 13
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
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`Sheet 13 of 27
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`6,038,367
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`PROGRAM
`SELECTION
`
`O1
`
`PLAY
`FUNCTION
`
`O2
`
`VIEWER
`CONTROL
`ENABLED
`
`OBTAIN ID
`AND/OR
`PASSWORD
`
`NVALID D
`AND/OR
`PASSWORD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ID/PASSWORD
`ACCEPTED
`
`RESTRICTED
`USE
`
`709
`
`OTHER
`RESTRICTIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`Page 14
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 14 of 27
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`6,038,367
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROGRAM
`SETUP
`
`PROGRAM
`PREFERENCE
`STRUCTURE
`
`CATEGORY
`PREFERENCE
`MATCH
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EDT
`PRIVILIGES
`
`EXIT
`MESSAGE
`717
`
`EDIT
`PRIVILIGES
`
`
`
`EDT
`PREFERENCE
`STRUCTURE
`
`EDT
`PREFERENCE
`STRUCTURE
`
`ADEOUATE
`PREFERENCE
`STRUCTURE
`
`FIG. 7B
`
`Page 15
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
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`Sheet 15 of 27
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`6,038,367
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`PLAY
`ROUTINES
`
`21
`
`READ
`SEGMENT
`MAP
`
`22
`
`APPLY
`PREFERENCE 723
`STRUCTURE
`
`SEGMENT
`SECUENCE 724
`
`TRANSMIT
`
`sESN's 725
`
`FIG. 7C
`
`Page 16
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 14, 2000
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`Sheet 16 of 27
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`6,038,367
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`CREATE
`PREFERENCE
`STRUCTURE
`
`UPDATE
`PREFERENCE
`STRUCTURE
`
`812
`
`READ
`SEGMENT
`MAP
`
`82
`
`CATEGORY
`PREFERENCE
`MATCH
`
`PREPARE
`SEGMENT
`TABLE/LIST
`
`3.
`
`UPDATE
`SEGMENT
`
`TABLE
`
`SAVE
`SEGMENT
`TABLE
`
`Page 17
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 14, 2000
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`Sheet 17 of 27
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`6,038,367
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`E"
`
`N971
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`
`$
`
`95
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`N-904
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`911
`
`924
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`Page 18
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 14, 2000
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`Sheet 18 of 27
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`6,038,367
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`USER
`COMMAND
`
`ACKNOWLEDGE
`USER
`COMMAND
`
`
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`
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`1004
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`ACCESS
`PERMITTED
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`NO MESSAGE
`1003
`REAEL ROO5
`
`ROUTINES
`
`LINKAGE TO
`
`PROVIDER
`SEEN 1012
`
`MULT-STAGE
`RETRIEVAL
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`SELECTION
`
`TRANSFER
`VDEO
`SELECTION
`
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`
`C. RETRIEVE
`
`O30
`
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`TRANSFER
`SEF 1031
`PREFERENCES
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`VIDEO &
`VIDEO MAP
`1034
`
`PREFERENCES
`APPLY
`WDEMA 1032PREFERENCES
`APPLIED
`TO VIDEO MAP
`O35
`
`PROVIDE
`CUSTOMZED
`VIDEO
`
`1039
`
`F.G. 10A
`
`Page 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 14, 2000
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`Sheet 19 of 27
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`6,038,367
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`
`
`1057
`
`1059
`1060
`
`MENU
`
`HELP
`
`1050
`© RAVIT
`TV
`AUX OO 1051
`VA
`1052
`1 ABC2 DEF3
`OOO
`GH4 JKL5 MNO6
`as two 1053
`
`PRS7 TUV8 WXY9
`
`OOO
`SELECTION
`
`REWIND
`
`SPEED
`
`FF
`
`REPLAY SKIP FRAME PLAY
`5 dood
`PAUSE MARK
`EDITING
`
`STOP MUTE
`
`VOLUME
`
`1058
`
`FIG. 1 OB
`
`Page 20
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`1070
`
`TV
`
`RAVIT
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`AUX DO
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`TIME 10:30AM 04-20-92
`RMDR 1:50PM 04-20-92
`
`DAD MOM TEEN CHILD
`in
`iv
`MENU HELP SELECTION
`VA 2 CVA
`1 ABC2 DEF3
`OOO
`GH4 JKL5 MNO6
`OOO
`PRS7 TUV8 WXY9
`
`O71
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`O72
`
`37 AM FM UP DWN SET
`PREV NEXT DEL DIAL
`
`as & S S A.
`tim iv
`v
`
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`
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`
`REWIND
`
`SPEED
`
`FF
`
`REPLAY SKIP FRAME PLAY
`5d lood
`PAUSE MARK
`EDITING
`cy.
`3
`VOLUME
`STOP MUTE
`O OVA
`
`FIG. 10C
`
`Page 21
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 14, 2000
`Mar. 14, 2000
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`Sheet 21 of 27
`Sheet 21 of 27
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`6,038,367
`6,038,367
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`eeny(-?eet1093 1092 1091
`1081
`1093 1092 1091
`O94
`
`
`
`1095
`
`
`
`1094
`
`FIG. 10D
`
`Page 22
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`Page 22
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`Mar. 14, 2000
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`Sheet 22 of 27
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`6,038,367
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`
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`
`
`
`
`TARGET
`SELECTION
`ENABLED
`
`
`
`
`
`1100
`
`YES
`
`PAUSE
`VIDEO
`TRANSMISSION
`
`1101
`
`MAGE
`PREDEFINED
`NO
`1102
`
`YES
`
`DISPLAY
`TARGET
`OPTIONS
`
`DISPLAY
`TARGET
`POINTER
`
`1103
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`1104
`
`PROCESS
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`TARGET
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`NO
`1107
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`ESN 108
`
`DEFINITION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ZOOMING
`ENABLED
`
`NO
`S 1110
`YE
`
`TARGET
`CENTERING
`
`
`
`NO
`1111
`YES
`
`DISPLAY
`WINDOW
`FRAME
`
`1112
`
`ANALYSE
`FRAME
`POSITONING
`
`1113
`
`REPOSITION 1114
`FRAME
`
`PROCESS
`ZOOM
`DATA
`
`1115
`
`wiß5w 1116
`
`FIG. 11A
`
`Page 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 23 of 27
`
`6,038,367
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CUSTOMIZE
`VIDEO
`
`
`
`CUSTOMZED
`VIDEO
`TRANSMITTED
`
`NON-CUSTOMIZED
`VIDEO
`TRANSMITTED
`1132
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VIDEO
`ASSOCATED
`WITH CREDIT
`
`VIDEO
`ASSOCATED
`WITH DEBIT
`
`
`
`
`
`VIDEO
`DEBTED
`
`42
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VIDEO
`VIEWING
`VERIFICATION
`
`RECUEST 1152
`VIEWER
`RESPONSE
`
`VIDEO
`WEWING
`NO
`VERIFIED
`YES 1153
`CNYE
`TRANSMISSION
`154
`
`ADDITIONAL
`VERIFICATION
`
`N=N-1
`
`1155
`NO
`7s 156
`VIDEO
`VIEWING
`NOT CREDITED
`116
`
`1157
`
`DISCONTINUE
`TRANSMISSION
`
`-N
`VIDEO
`VIEWING
`CREDITED 1160
`
`1162
`
`PURCHASE C. 1172
`
`CAPTURE 8,
`PROCESS
`
`
`
`
`
`PROVIDE
`ACCOUNTING
`
`1180
`
`ESCROW
`
`1173
`
`NO
`
`CEND)
`
`FIG. 11B
`
`Page 24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 24 of 27
`
`6,038,367
`
`1203
`
`1201
`
`1202
`
`1204
`
`
`
`Thank you for viewing our advertisement.
`Your account has been Credited with 30 minutes.
`Computer Co.
`
`1211
`
`Please select options or exit.
`1212
`
`FIG. 12B
`
`Page 25
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 25 of 27
`
`6,038,367
`
`RECOGNIZE
`SST 1250
`PURCHASE
`
`CAPTURE
`FCSE 1251
`INFORMATION
`
`CAPTURE 1252
`DELIVERY
`BY DATE
`
`
`
`
`
`PURCHASE
`CONFIRMATION
`ACCEPTED
`
`PURCHASE
`CONFIRMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`DEFAULT
`DEPOSIT
`METHOD
`
`
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE
`PIN
`1261
`
`
`
`SELECT
`DEPOSIT
`METHOD
`1272
`
`1273
`
`DEBIT
`BUYER'S
`ACCOUNT
`CREDIT SW 1274
`
`ACCOUNT
`
`PROVIDE
`conFEMAtion 1275
`TO SELLER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DELIVERY
`BY DATE
`UPDATED
`
`UPDATE DELIVERY BY DATE N1281
`CREDIT MERCHANT ACCOUNTN1282
`HOLD CREDIT TO MERCHANTN1283
`
`CONFLC
`RESOLUTION 1285
`PROCEDURES
`
`FIG. 12C
`
`DELIVERY BY
`DATE - 30
`
`NO
`
`CREDT
`MERCHANTS
`ACCOUNT
`
`
`
`CEND)
`
`Page 26
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 26 of 27
`
`6,038,367
`
`-
`VIDEO
`TRANSMISSION 1301
`
`COMMUNICATION
`RECEIVED
`
`1302
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INTENDED
`RECIPIENT
`IDENTIFIED
`
`INTENDED
`RECIPIENT
`DETERMINED
`
`ROUTE TO
`APPROPRIATE
`DEVICE
`O
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`SIGNAL
`
`131 O
`
`ROUTE TO
`DEFAULT
`DEVICE
`1306
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`ACCEPTED 1.O
`
`MESSAGE
`
`2.1311 (ANGUE)
`
`
`
`ReREAL
`PAUSED
`1323
`
`VIDEO SERVER
`TRANSMISSION
`
`VIDEO SERVER
`TRANSMISSION
`PAUSED
`
`VIDEO
`TRANSISSION324
`PAUSED
`
`COMMUNICATION
`TRANSMISSION 1331
`
`CONTACT
`MANAGEMENT
`
`PROVIDE
`FOR
`
`1342
`
`PAUSE EXCEEDS
`TIME LIMIT
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATION
`COMPLETED
`
`NO
`1358
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATION
`COMPLETED
`
`YES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROPORTIONATE
`REPLAY
`
`NO
`
`
`
`IDENTIFY
`PRIOR
`POINT
`
`1362
`
`1364
`
`obio
`PORTION OF
`SEGMENT
`
`
`
`REPLAY
`FRAMES
`1365
`
`CONTINUE
`FR6EASED 1369
`PONT
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Page 27
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 14, 2000
`
`Sheet 27 of 27
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`6,038,367
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`1411
`
`1413
`1412
`
`1421
`
`1422
`
`1429
`
`1451
`
`1452
`
`1441
`
`VDOPHON COMMUNICATION FROM UNN
`
`FIG. 14A
`
`1410
`
`
`
`1461
`
`1440
`
`M
`NEXT WEEK H
`D
`
`1472 1473 1471
`
`1474
`FIG. 14B
`
`Page 28
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`

`

`1
`PLAYING AVIDEO RESPONSIVE TO A
`COMPARISON OF TWO SETS OF CONTENT
`PREFERENCES
`
`This application is a division of Ser. No. 08/303,158 filed
`Sep. 8, 1994 which is a division of Ser. No. 08/427,250 filed
`Apr. 24, 1995 U.S. Pat. No. 5,610,653 and a division of Ser.
`No. 08/303159 filed Sep. 8, 1994 U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,918.
`The 158 application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent
`application of Ser. No. 07/832,335 filed Feb. 7, 1992 and
`now U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,169 and is a division of Ser. No.
`08/307,910 filed Sep.19, 1994 U.S. Pat. No. 5,696,869 and
`a division of Ser. No. 08/307,325 filed Sep. 16, 1994 U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,717,814 and division of Ser. No. 08/432507 filed
`May 1, 1995 U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,472 and the 158 applica
`tion is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 08/002,998 filed Jan. 11, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No.
`5.434,678 which is a division of Ser. No. 08/305,455 filed
`Sep. 13, 1994 U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,945 and division of Ser.
`No. 08/420,586 filed Apr. 12, 1995 U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,849
`and a division of Ser. No. 08/418,652 filed Apr. 10, 1995
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,664.046.
`A portion of the disclosure of this patent document,
`including each of the drawings, contains material which is
`Subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no
`objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the
`patent disclosures, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark
`Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all
`copyright rights whatsoever.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`Detailed herein are Systems and methods of automatically
`customizing a viewer-Selected Video responsive to the appli
`cation of the viewer's Video content preferences to a Seg
`ment map of the Video.
`In the delivery of a viewer-selected video advertisement,
`a version of the advertisement is transmitted that is respon
`sive to the viewer's preferences for a level of detail and
`explicitness in a range of content categories. The Viewer is
`compensated for the viewing of the Video advertisement.
`In instances where the viewing of the Video is interrupted
`by a communication, delivery of the Video is automatically
`placed on hold (paused) in response to the viewer accepting
`the communication. Upon completion of the
`communication, the delivery of the Video is automatically
`restarted at the point placed on hold, at Some pre-defined
`amount of time prior to the placing on hold of the Video, or
`at a Suitable prior point in the Video.
`2. Background of the Invention
`AS the delivery of Video programs moves from a broad
`cast architecture to a pointcast architecture, the digital
`Superhighway promises the delivery of a variety of interac
`tive Video Services, including interactive Video games and
`information Services.
`However, with respect to non-interactive entertainment
`programming, Such as motion pictures, Video programming
`concepts remain largely rooted in the primitive traditional
`linear architectures of celluloid films. Proposed movies-on
`demand Services, while utilizing a pointcast architecture,
`largely reflect the broadcast tradition in terms of the video
`provided.
`Traditionally, the Strategy of Video advertisement has
`been to utilize programming interruptions to deliver adver
`tisement which a viewer Seldom has a desire to receive.
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`2
`Advertising concepts have yet to Suggest the realization of
`the potential that Video Server based pointcast delivery
`systems offer in terms of the delivery of a viewer requested
`automatically customized Video advertisement, and com
`pensating the viewer for the apparent viewing of the adver
`tisement.
`Similarly, the delivery of communication and Video Ser
`vices have traditionally been Separate and distinct, the prior
`art as yet to address the issues relating to the integration of
`the viewing of a Video program with the receipt of a
`communication.
`The patents to Von Kohorn, U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,404;
`Chard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,964; Kiesel, U.S. Pat. No.
`4,729,044; Olivo Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,796; Vogel, U.S.
`Pat. No. 4,930,158; Vogel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,160; Boyd et
`al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,727; and Palmer, U.S. Pat. No.
`5,195,135; the teachings of which are incorporated by
`reference herein, detail a variety of Video editing Systems.
`However, none of these references describe a System in
`which the contents of a Video program are automatically
`customized in response to a viewer's Video content prefer
`CCCS.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In View of the foregoing shortcomings of the prior art, it
`is evident that the opportunity presents itself for a new class
`of video services that fully realize the potential of the
`random access capabilities of Video Servers and the pointcast
`architecture of Video-on-demand Services.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the Systems and methods
`herein disclosed to deliver to a viewer an automatically
`customized version of a single edition of the Viewer-Selected
`video responsive to the viewer's content preferences for the
`level of detail and explicitness in a range of content catego
`CS.
`It is also an object to compensate the viewer for the
`Viewing of a viewer Selected Video advertisement.
`It is also an object to integrate the delivery of Video and
`communication Services.
`Briefly these and other objects are accomplished by video
`production and editing Systems and methods that assign
`Segments of a Video appropriate content descriptors. A
`Segment's definition comprises a descriptor that provides
`Specific and detailed information as to each Segment's
`Subject matter, level of detail, and form of expression. A
`Segment's definition further comprises a first and last frame
`identifier, and beginning frame identifier of the next logical
`Segments. The Segments definitions are organized into a
`Video map.
`Thus a variable content video comprises not only Video
`and audio information, but also a Video Segment map that
`identifies the location and content of each of the video's
`Segments as well as their potential order.
`A content-on-demand Video is a variable content Video
`further distinguished from its linear Video predecessors in
`that it also comprises parallel and transitional Segments that
`enhance the Seamless continuity among non-Sequential Seg
`ments and provide a greater range of levels of detail and
`explicitness.
`Random access and pointcast technologies are enhanced
`to provide each viewer the opportunity to preestablish both
`any number of general content preferences, and Video/event
`Specific content preferences, identifying the viewers pref
`erences in each of a number of content categories.
`The playing of a content-on-demand Video does not
`require that the viewer preview the contents of the Segments
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`

`3
`of the video or that the viewer have knowledge of the
`contents of Segments of the Video. The viewing of a content
`on-demand Video does not require viewer intervention dur
`ing the Viewing of the Video. A video System as per the
`present invention automatically customizes, responsive to a
`Viewer's Video content preferences, a Video Selected by a
`Viewer, and transmits the customized version of the Video as
`a continuous Video.
`Once a video server or Video CD has learned a viewer's
`content preferences it will thereafter automatically apply
`those content preferences to the Video map of any content
`on-demand Video the viewer has selected. By applying a
`Viewer's Video content preferences as they relate to the
`Video Segment map of the Selected Video, the random acceSS
`device gains the information to automatically exclude Seg
`ments of the Video containing material which the viewer
`does not wish to view, and to transmit as a logical SeamleSS
`and continuous Video, only those Sequential or non
`Sequential Segments of the Video whose content and form of
`expression are consistent with the viewer's Video content
`preferences. The resulting version of a Video that is provided
`each viewer automatically provides Scenes of the Video at
`the desired level of explicitness and detail that the viewer
`desires.
`If a viewer prefers, for example, not to view bloodshed in
`a motion picture, the Video content preferences would indi
`cate this preference. Thus, regardless of the Source of the
`Video, the category of the Video, the particular video Selec
`tion method utilized, or the particular video Selected, the
`Video System of the present invention will automatically
`omit transmitting any Segment that included bloodshed.
`In contrast to interactive motion pictures, and full motion
`Video games, in a content-on-demand Video it is primarily
`the form of expression that is the object of alternate frame
`Sequences, rather than the Story-line. In a content-on
`demand Video, each of the Significant Scenes and actions can
`be implicitly expressed, as found for example in a “PG”
`rated film, explicitly expressed, as found for example in an
`“R” rated film, and graphically expressed, as found for
`example in an “NC-17 rated film.
`Traditionally, each edition of a film or program, Such as a
`theatrical release, director's cut, European version, has been
`Separately packaged as a unique linear Sequence of frames.
`A content-on-demand Video combines in a single nonlinear
`package all the Segments of each of the potential versions of
`a program.
`In a conventional Video-on-demand System, every viewer
`that Selects a given program is provided the same version of
`that program. In a content-on-demand System each viewer is
`automatically provided a customized version of that pro
`gram. In a Video-on-demand System, if 1,000 viewers Select
`the same program, each Viewer will be provided exactly the
`Same program. In a content-on-demand System, if the same
`1,000 viewers Select the same program, each viewer could
`be provided a unique version of that program.
`Where a single Video contains Segments in at least twenty
`different content categories (e.g. bloodshed, violence,
`nudity, etc.) and can be edited at four levels of explicitness
`(e.g. none, implied, explicit, and graphic), a content-on
`demand System can automatically extract over one trillion
`unique versions from that Single video.
`In a content-on-demand Video the artist and producer are
`challenged to create greater variety in the form of expres
`Sion. Utilizing parallel, transitional, and overlapping
`Segments, a content-on-demand Video provides viewing at
`that level of expression, content, detail, and length, that is
`consistent with a variety of viewer preferences.
`
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`4
`Content-on-demand encourages and challenges directors
`to exercise fully their creativity, without abdicating to the
`limitations imposed by the film rating Systems, narrowly
`defined marketing objectives, and artificial time constraints.
`At the same time, content-on-demand is Superior to any
`technology in automatically ensuring that viewers are not
`exposed to material they would have preferred not to view,
`and ensuring that children are not exposed to unsuitable
`Viewing material. Freedom of expression need not be incom
`patible with freedom from expression.
`Censoring technology, Such as the “violence chip' that
`would Scramble reception of the incoming picture, making
`it possible, for example, for parents to block reception of
`entire programs “deemed violent is inferior in every respect
`to the content-on-demand architecture disclosed herein. The
`Violence chip and Similar technologies result from a broad
`cast and linear film architecture rather than a pointcast and
`variable content architecture. Broadcast technologies are
`conceptually obsolete in the pointcast era of Video-on
`demand technology.
`Content-on-demand permits a parent or viewer to deter
`mine what is objectionable. Only objectionable Segments are
`excluded and replaced with Suitable parallel segments. The
`resulting video retains a Seamless continuity.
`While content-on-demand nonlinear architecture shares
`elements with interactive programming and facilitates the
`inclusion of the Sophisticated interactive capabilities dis
`closed herein, content-on-demand, however, is uniquely
`distinguished from interactive programming by its “autoac
`tive' design. Content-on-demand's autoactivity provides
`Viewers precisely what they want, in the form that they want
`it, at the time they want it, without requiring that viewers
`interact with the video.
`Content-on-demand abandons the concept of a Video as a
`prepackaged viewing unit, and adopts the concept of a Video
`as an assortment of individually Selectable Segments and
`Scenes. Content-on-demand Videos are in combination a
`powerful and rich “videobase' that makes possible a variety
`of innovative video Services that educate, instruct, inform,
`and entertain.
`The content-on-demand architecture applies as well to
`movies, news, Sports, educational programming, and to
`advertisements. The advertisement embodiments of the
`teachings of content-on-demand results in advertisements,
`commercials, and informationals of greater value to the
`Viewer and to the Sponsor.
`Specifically, with request to advertisements, the thesis is
`herein advanced that a viewer will request a specific adver
`tisement which is informational in nature, presented in a
`manner consistent with the viewer's taste level, for a product
`or service for which the viewer has an interest. The viewing
`of the viewer requested advertisement may also be advan
`tageously associated with a compensation to the viewer for
`the Viewing of the advertisement.
`The compensation for the viewing of the advertisement
`may take the form of a credit that subsidizes the costs of
`other video services the viewer obtains. The subsidizing of
`a Video's cost to the viewer by advertisements, 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.
`Content-on-demand Video Services enhancements further
`provide for the automatic integration of the Video and
`communication Services delivered to a viewer. Specifically,
`during the Viewing of a Video, when a phone call, audio or
`audio/video, is received, the delivery of the Video is auto
`
`Page 30
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`

`S
`matically placed on hold (paused) in response to the viewer
`accepting the call. Upon completion of the call, the delivery
`of the Video is automatically restarted at the point placed on
`hold, at Some pre-defined amount of time prior to the placing
`on hold of the video, or at a suitable prior point in the video.
`Where the video being delivered is a content-on-demand
`Video, the Video map identifies the beginning point of the
`Segment in which the pause occurred, thus automatically
`identifying a Suitable prior point in the Video to restart the
`delivery of the Video. By automatically replaying the Seg
`ment in which the pause occurred, the viewer may re-engage
`the video without the loss of continuity.
`Other integration features provide the display of informa
`tion relating to the incoming call (data and image) on a
`window, without necessarily pausing the transmission of the
`Video. On a pause of the Video, the picture may be replaced
`with a blank Screen, neutral image, or informational data.
`Where the communication is a Video call, the Screen image
`is replaced with that of the incoming call.
`Where contact management Software is available, the
`Viewer is provided the opportunity to make Such notations
`with respect to the call as may be required prior to the
`continuation of the delivery of the video.
`These and other features, advantages, and objects of the
`present inventions, are apparent in the context of the detailed
`description of the inventions, accompanying drawings, and
`appended claims, that follows.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, are illustrations of segment
`descriptive Structures,
`FIG. 2 is a flow chart Summarizing the Steps of producing
`a content-on-demand Video;
`FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, are diagrams of three versions of
`a Video Segment and corresponding content codes,
`FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating the resulting Sequential
`and non-Sequential random-like arrangement of Video Seg
`ments in a content-on-demand Video;
`FIG. 3E is an illustration of a video editing screen in a
`nonlinear editing System;
`FIG. 3F is an illustration of the utilization of foreground
`and background audio to provide audio during a Video
`pause,
`FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, are examples of a viewer content
`preference Selection Screen;
`FIGS. 4D, 4E, 4-F and 4G, is an example of a set of viewer
`Screens utilized in the retrieval of a Video;
`FIG. 5 is a Schematic diagram of a Video receiver trans
`mitter comprising communications and random acceSS capa
`bilities;
`FIG. 6A is a schematic detail of a video disc player's
`multiple reading units architecture;
`FIG. 6B is a diagram representation of a Video reading
`Stream and transmission Stream;
`FIGS. 6C and 6D illustrate the rotation of a laser about its
`axis to retrieve data from different locations of a Surface;
`FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, are flow charts detailing the steps
`of playing a content-on-demand Video;
`FIG. 8 is a flow chart detailing the steps of previewing
`flagged Segments,
`FIG. 9 is a diagram of a video and commu