US6091886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Video viewing responsive to content and time restrictions
Assignee: Nissim Corp
•
Filing: 1998-07-01
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Granted: 2000-07-18
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Expires: 2018-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and a system for a user (e.g. a parent) to restrict a time (e.g. a time of day and/or an accumulated viewing during a specified time frame), and to restrict the videos and/or versions of videos that may be viewed by a viewer (e.g. a child) and/or a plurality of individually restricted viewers. The videos and/or versions of videos being restricted with respect to, for example, at least one content category (e.g. a rating code), a level in at least one content category, and/or a level of explicitness in each of a plurality of content categories. In an embodiment, random access and buffering means are utilized to retrieve segments of a video, to buffer at least a portion of a segment of a video, and to seamlessly skip a retrieval of at least one segment of the video, thereby playing, from within the video a seamless version of the video less in length than the length of the video.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Abecassis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:31
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/442; H04N21/44213; H04N21/44222; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/45; A63F13/47; A63F13/10; A63F13/60; A63F13/63; G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/70; G06F16/73; G06F16/735; G06F16/78; G11; G11B; G11B19/00; G11B19/02; G11B19/022; G11B19/04; G11B19/12; G11B27/00; G11B27/02; G11B27/031; G11B27/034; G11B27/10; G11B27/102; G11B27/105; G11B27/34; G11B7/00; G11B7/12; G11B7/14; H04H; H04H60/00; H04H60/35; H04H60/37; H04H60/46; H04H60/48; H04H60/56; H04H60/59; H04H60/61; H04H60/65; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/234; H04N21/2343; H04N21/234318; H04N21/235; H04N21/25; H04N21/254; H04N21/2543; H04N21/258; H04N21/25866; H04N21/25891; H04N21/41; H04N21/426; H04N21/435; H04N21/45; H04N21/4508; H04N21/4532; H04N21/454; H04N21/4542; H04N21/458; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/475; H04N21/4755; H04N21/478; H04N21/60; H04N21/65; H04N21/654; H04N21/6543; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812; H04N21/83; H04N21/84; H04N21/8405; H04N21/845; H04N21/8456; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; H04N7/17336; H04N7/17345; H04N7/17354; H04N9/00; H04N9/79; H04N9/80; H04N9/82; H04N9/8205; H04N9/8227; A63F13/30; A63F13/33; A63F13/338; A63F13/90; A63F13/95; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/40; A63F2300/409; A63F2300/60; A63F2300/63; A63F2300/632; A63F2300/80; A63F2300/807; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/20; G11B2220/25; G11B2220/2537; G11B2220/2587; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/4448; H04N5/76; H04N5/84; H04N5/85
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
An apparatus comprising: time restricting means for establishing a restriction with respect to a time that video programs may be played; preferencing means for preestablishing a content preference for a level of explicitness in each of a plurality of video content categories, the preestablishing permitting the application of the content preference in a playing of a plurality of video programs; selecting means for selecting, responsive to the time restriction, segments of a video program by applying the content preference to segment information directly defining at least one segment within the video program, the defining being responsive to a level of explicitness in each of the plurality of video content categories; and playing means for playing, without requiring an alternate source of video, the selected segments as a seamless version of, from within, and less in length than the length of, the video program, the playing comprising buffering sufficient video information to enable a random accessing to seamlessly skip over at least one non-selected segment included within the video program.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
An apparatus comprising: time restricting means for establishing a restriction with respect to a time that video programs may be played; preferencing means for preestablishing a content preference for a level of explicitness in each of a plurality of video content categories, the preestablishing permitting the application of the content preference in a playing of a plurality of video programs; selecting means for selecting, responsive to the time restriction, segments of a video program by applying the content preference to segment information directly defining at least one segment within the video program, the defining being responsive to a level of explicitness in each of the plurality of video content categories; and playing means for playing, without requiring an alternate source of video, the selected segments as a seamless version of, from within, and less in length than the length of, the video program, the playing comprising buffering sufficient video information to enable a random accessing to seamlessly skip over at least one non-selected segment included within the video program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the time that video programs may be played is responsive to a time of day that video programs may be played.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of video content categories include a video content category of violence and a video content category of sex.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of video content categories include a video content category of violence and a video content category of sex; and wherein an editing of the content preference is responsive to permissions established specifically for each of the plurality of video content categories.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the time that video programs may be played is responsive to an accumulated playing time during a specified time frame for each of a plurality of viewers; wherein the plurality of video content categories include a video content category of violence and a video content category of sex; and wherein an editing of the content preference is responsive to permissions individualized for each of the plurality of viewers and established specifically for each of the plurality of video content categories.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
159 words
A method comprising the steps of: establishing a restriction with respect to a time that video programs may be played; preestablishing a content preference for a level of explicitness in each of a plurality of video content categories, the preestablishing permitting the application of the content preference in a playing of a plurality of video programs; selecting, responsive to the time restriction, segments of a video program by applying the content preference to segment information directly defining at least one segment within the video program, the defining being responsive to a level of explicitness in each of the plurality of video content categories; and playing, without requiring an alternate source of video, the selected segments as a seamless version of, from within, and less in length than the length of, the video program, the playing comprising buffering sufficient video information to enable a random accessing to seamlessly skip over at least one non-selected segment included within the video program.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
159 words
A method comprising the steps of: establishing a restriction with respect to a time that video programs may be played; preestablishing a content preference for a level of explicitness in each of a plurality of video content categories, the preestablishing permitting the application of the content preference in a playing of a plurality of video programs; selecting, responsive to the time restriction, segments of a video program by applying the content preference to segment information directly defining at least one segment within the video program, the defining being responsive to a level of explicitness in each of the plurality of video content categories; and playing, without requiring an alternate source of video, the selected segments as a seamless version of, from within, and less in length than the length of, the video program, the playing comprising buffering sufficient video information to enable a random accessing to seamlessly skip over at least one non-selected segment included within the video program.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the time that video programs may be played is responsive to an accumulated playing time during a specified time frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of video content categories include a video content category of violence and a video content category of sex.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the time that video programs may be played is responsive to an accumulated playing time during a specified time frame and a time of day that video programs may be played; wherein the plurality of video content categories include a video content category of violence and a video content category of sex; and wherein an editing of the content preference is responsive to permissions established specifically for each of the plurality of video content categories.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the time that video programs may be played is responsive to a time of day each of the plurality of viewers may play video programs; wherein the plurality of video content categories include a video content category of violence and a video content category of sex; and wherein an editing of the content preference is responsive to permissions individualized for each of the plurality of viewers and established specifically for each of the plurality of video content categories.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
225 words
An apparatus capable of playing a version of a video program from a video program source providing (1) a video program including within a set of parallel segments that provide for at least two versions of a scene, each parallel segment comprising a sequence of video frames, (2) a user interface, particular to the video program, for a user of the video program to establish a content preference, and (3) data, not prepared by the user of the video program, directly defining a plurality of segments within the video program, the apparatus comprising: time restricting means for establishing a restriction with respect to a time that video programs may be played; preferencing means for enabling the user of the video program to establish a content preference by utilizing the user interface; selecting means for selecting, for the user, segments from within the video program by applying the content preference to the data, the selected segments including only one parallel segment from the set of parallel segments; and playing means for playing, without requiring an alternate source of video, the selected segments as a seamless version of, from within, and less in length than the length of, the video program, the playing comprising buffering sufficient video information to enable a random accessing to seamlessly skip over at least one non-selected segment included within the video program.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
225 words
An apparatus capable of playing a version of a video program from a video program source providing (1) a video program including within a set of parallel segments that provide for at least two versions of a scene, each parallel segment comprising a sequence of video frames, (2) a user interface, particular to the video program, for a user of the video program to establish a content preference, and (3) data, not prepared by the user of the video program, directly defining a plurality of segments within the video program, the apparatus comprising: time restricting means for establishing a restriction with respect to a time that video programs may be played; preferencing means for enabling the user of the video program to establish a content preference by utilizing the user interface; selecting means for selecting, for the user, segments from within the video program by applying the content preference to the data, the selected segments including only one parallel segment from the set of parallel segments; and playing means for playing, without requiring an alternate source of video, the selected segments as a seamless version of, from within, and less in length than the length of, the video program, the playing comprising buffering sufficient video information to enable a random accessing to seamlessly skip over at least one non-selected segment included within the video program.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the time that video programs may be played is responsive to a time of day that video programs may be played; and wherein the selecting is responsive to a descriptor associated with at least one parallel segment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the set of parallel segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of violence; wherein another set of parallel segments, included within the video program, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of sex; and wherein the content preference is responsive to an MPAA rating.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
121 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the time that video programs may be played is responsive to a time of day that video programs may be played; wherein the set of parallel segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness in at least one of a plurality of video content categories; wherein another set of parallel segments, included within the video program, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of explicitness in another of the plurality of video content categories; and wherein the defining of the plurality of segments and the content preference are responsive to a level of explicitness in each of the plurality of video content categories.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
116 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the video program, the user interface, and the data, are obtained from a communications and downloaded to the video program source; wherein the time that video programs may be played is responsive to a time of day that video programs may be played; wherein the set of parallel segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of violence; wherein another set of parallel segments, included within the video program, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of sex; and wherein the selecting is responsive to a descriptor associated with at least one parallel segment in each set of parallel segments.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for playing a version of a video program from a video program source providing (1) a video program including within a set of parallel segments that provide for at least two versions of a scene, each parallel segment comprising a sequence of video frames, (2) a user interface, particular to the video program, for a user of the video program to establish a content preference, and (3) data, not prepared by the user of the video program, directly defining a plurality of segments within the video program, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a restriction with respect to a time that video programs may be played; enabling the user of the video program to establish a content preference by utilizing the user interface; selecting, for the user, segments from within the video program by applying the content preference to the data, the selected segments including only one parallel segment from the set of parallel segments; and playing, without requiring an alternate source of video, the selected segments as a seamless version of, from within, and less in length than the length of, the video program, the playing comprising buffering sufficient video information to enable a random accessing to seamlessly skip over at least one non-selected segment included within the video program.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for playing a version of a video program from a video program source providing (1) a video program including within a set of parallel segments that provide for at least two versions of a scene, each parallel segment comprising a sequence of video frames, (2) a user interface, particular to the video program, for a user of the video program to establish a content preference, and (3) data, not prepared by the user of the video program, directly defining a plurality of segments within the video program, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a restriction with respect to a time that video programs may be played; enabling the user of the video program to establish a content preference by utilizing the user interface; selecting, for the user, segments from within the video program by applying the content preference to the data, the selected segments including only one parallel segment from the set of parallel segments; and playing, without requiring an alternate source of video, the selected segments as a seamless version of, from within, and less in length than the length of, the video program, the playing comprising buffering sufficient video information to enable a random accessing to seamlessly skip over at least one non-selected segment included within the video program.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the time that video programs may be played is responsive to an accumulated playing time during a specified time frame; and wherein the selecting is responsive to a descriptor associated with at least one parallel segment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the set of parallel segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of violence; wherein another set of parallel segments, included within the video program, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of sex; and wherein the content preference is responsive to an MPAA rating.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
120 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the set of parallel segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of explicitness in at least one of a plurality of video content categories; wherein another set of parallel segments, included within the video program, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of explicitness in another of the plurality of video content categories; wherein the defining of the plurality of segments and the content preference are responsive to a level of explicitness in each of the plurality of video content categories; and wherein the selecting is responsive to a descriptor associated with at least one parallel segment in each set of parallel segments.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the video program, the user interface, and the data, are obtained from a communications and downloaded to the video program source; wherein the set of parallel segments provide for at least two versions of a scene with different levels of violence; wherein another set of parallel segments, included within the video program, provide for at least two versions of another scene with different levels of sex; and wherein the selecting is responsive to a descriptor associated with at least one parallel segment in each set of parallel segments.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-18 | 2004-01-17 | 2004-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-18 | 2008-01-17 | 2008-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-18 | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |