Abstract: Systems and methods to position and play content. The system renders a first content segment to an output device at an accelerated speed for the first content segment. Next, the system receives a request to play the first content segment from the beginning of the first content segment at a normal speed for the first content segment. Next, the system automatically positions to the beginning of the first content segment based on position information that is associated with the first content segment. Finally, the system renders the first content segment to the output device from the beginning of the first content segment at a normal speed for the first content segment.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for improving performance of video decoders during rewind and fast forward operation. Video decoder performance is improved by avoiding repetitive decoding of prediction pictures. When a decoded prediction picture is stored in a frame buffer, techniques are presented for decoding multiple pictures in the rewind order which are dependent thereon, displaying the picture directly from the frame buffer, and setting one type of prediction picture as another type of prediction picture.

Abstract: In an approach, a method of spotting music for a motion picture comprises: receiving music editor (MXE) cue related data defining a plurality of cues each having a start timecode value and an end timecode value; based on the MXE data, creating and storing an MXE timecode path, a composer (CMP) timecode path, and a cue sheet timecode path; copying one or more of the MXE cue related data to CMP cues in the CMP timecode path in a CMP spotting dataset; receiving one or more changes to the CMP cues without also modifying the MXE cue related data; applying an editing lock to the CMP cues; auto-populating the CMP cues to cue sheet cues in the cue sheet timecode path; receiving one or more changes to the cue sheet cues without also modifying the CMP cues; finalizing and distributing a cue sheet based on the cue sheet cues; wherein the method is performed by one or more special-purpose computing devices.

Abstract: A method for producing an auxiliary video stream arranged for reverse trick mode playback from a video stream including a plurality of uni-directional predicted frames, the method including producing the auxiliary video stream by performing the following steps copying each uni-directional predicted frame included in the video stream into a memory, thereby producing a plurality of copied frames in the memory, replacing each one of the plurality of copied frames with one corresponding supplemental frame, thereby producing a plurality of corresponding supplemental frames, and producing a copy of the video stream arranged in reverse processing order, the producing a copy including replacing each frame which corresponds to one of the plurality of copied frames with the one corresponding supplemental frame from among the plurality of corresponding supplemental frames. Related methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: At least one trickplay source file is generated from original media content. Trickplay view files for rendering particular trickplay view rates are then generated from the trickplay source file.

Abstract: A web server presents a web page to a user. The web page dynamically presents information corresponding to a digital video recorder (DVR) associated with the user. The web server accepts input information to control the DVR. A delayed-job server accepts input from the web server and stores a job entry corresponding to the input in a message queue. The delayed-job server processes the job entry from the message queue and creates a function request representative of the web server input. An access server accepts the function request from the delayed-job server and bi-directionally communicates messages with the DVR. The access server communicates a response to the function request back to the delayed-job server. The delayed-job server communicates data from the response to the web server, wherein the web server is not blocked while waiting for the response from the delayed-job server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing smooth visual search of media encoded for adaptive bitrate streaming using trick play streams are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes requesting and buffering portions of video from at least one of the alternative streams using a playback device, decoding the buffered portions of video using a decoder on the playback device, receiving at least one user instruction directing the playback device to perform a visual search of the media, requesting and buffering portions of video from the trick play stream using the playback device, and decoding the buffered portions of the trick play stream using a decoder on the playback device.

Abstract: A digital video recorder stores digital video streams having sequences of encoded frames that are predominantly non-keyframes. The digital video recorder synthesizes keyframes for the digital video stream by decoding the frames in sequence and occasionally capturing the state of the decoder as it decodes the frames. The decoder states are stored in a state index in association with the frames. During playback at normal or accelerated speeds, the digital video recorder is capable of random accelerated access of any frame in the digital video stream. A decoder state associated with the accessed frame is retrieved from the state index and used to begin decoding at or near the accessed frame. The decoder state initializes a playback decoder to the state that enables complete decoding and rendering of the accessed frame without having to decode multiple frames previous to the accessed frame, thereby minimizing time delays in playback.

Abstract: The present invention provides a moving picture reproduction apparatus including a frequency change unit for changing a display frequency to a frequency of a moving picture when a reproduction of the moving picture starts and for changing the display frequency to a frequency prior to the start of the reproduction of the moving picture when the reproduction of the moving picture stops, and a reproduction unit for stopping the reproduction of the moving picture when the frequency change unit changes the display frequency, wherein the frequency change unit maintains the display frequency at the frequency of the moving picture in a case where the reproduction unit stops the reproduction of the moving picture in response to the change of the display frequency by the frequency change unit.

Abstract: In a video recording apparatus which records and reproduces digital TV broadcasting, an I-picture extraction processor that extracts packets containing I-pictures by analyzing a transport stream is arranged. Then, packets containing I-pictures is output, by reading predetermined amount of recorded data from an HDD in which recorded data is stored and by detecting start information and end information of the I-pictures. A stream for special reproduction is output by repeating the above-stated processes. With such arrangement, it is possible, even if data does not contain position information of I-picture, to execute special reproduction such as fast-forwarding reproduction for TV program data that is recorded as an MPEG-formatted transport stream.

Abstract: A method of seeking within a time shift buffer includes receiving a media stream from a remotely located media source over a network, and generating a time shift buffer associated with the media stream. The time shift buffer includes a number of frames with keyframes provided at a certain intervals. When a seek request associated with a desired time within the media stream is received, the system determines a nearest keyframe within the set of keyframes that is previous to and closest in time to the desired time, displays the nearest keyframe, then considers in turn each of the frames subsequent to the nearest keyframe until a desired frame corresponding to the desired time is reached displayed. The system cancels the previous examining step and determines a new nearest keyframe in the event a second seek request is received.

Abstract: A playback device judges whether a connected display device is equipped to display only interlaced video or both interlaced and progressive video. If equipped to display both interlaced and progressive video, a mode setting unit 15 sets an operation mode of the playback device to an image quality mode for interlaced signal output or a continuity mode for progressive signal output, according to a user selection received via a GUI. If continuity mode is set, the playback device decodes the video stream and performs progressive signal output.

Abstract: A plurality of video streams and STN_table are recorded in the local storage 200. Each of the plurality of video streams is a secondary video stream to be played together with a primary video stream, and includes picture data representing a child image to be displayed in Picture in Picture that is composed of a parent image and the child image. In the STN_table, entries of secondary video streams that are permitted to be played are described in the order of priority.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating playback instructions for time-warped playback of presentation layer protocol data. The method includes a protocol engine executing on a computing device recording a protocol data stream comprising a plurality of packets representing a user session. The protocol engine determines a complexity factor for a first portion of the protocol data stream and for a second portion of the protocol data stream based on content of the packets of the protocol data stream. The protocol engine determines a first playback rate for the first portion of the protocol data stream and a second playback rate for the second portion of the protocol data stream using the complexity factor of each portion of the protocol data stream, wherein the first playback rate differs from the second playback rate. The protocol engine renders the protocol data stream according to the determined playback rates.

Abstract: An information storage medium on which multi-angle data is recorded includes at least two clips in each of which video object data for an angle of the multi-angle data is recorded. The at least two clips are recorded in contiguous areas of the information storage medium.

Abstract: A plurality of video streams and STN_table are recorded in the local storage 200. Each of the plurality of video streams is a secondary video stream to be played together with a primary video stream, and includes picture data representing a child image to be displayed in Picture in Picture that is composed of a parent image and the child image. In the STN_table, entries of secondary video streams that are permitted to be played are described in the order of priority.

Abstract: Systems and methods to position and play content. The system renders a first content segment to an output device at an accelerated speed for the first content segment. Next, the system receives a request to play the first content segment from the beginning of the first content segment at a normal speed for the first content segment. Next, the system automatically positions to the beginning of the first content segment based on position information that is associated with the first content segment. Finally, the system renders the first content segment to the output device from the beginning of the first content segment at a normal speed for the first content segment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, providing a transport stream including a video stream that comprises a sequence of pictures corresponding to a video program, each of the pictures of the sequence uniquely associated with one of k successive tiers, where k is a non-negative integer number starting with a lowest tier number; and providing personal video recording assist (PVRA) information in the transport stream at a location corresponding to each of the pictures of the sequence associated with a first tier and each of the pictures of the sequence associated with a second tier different than the first tier, the PVRA information comprising an indication of a first tier number corresponding uniquely to the pictures associated with the first tier and a second tier number corresponding uniquely to the pictures associated with the second tier, the pictures corresponding to the first tier number decodable independently of the pictures corresponding to the second tier number.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a memory may receive digital video data containing a first I frame and a second I frame with a plurality of P frames located between the I frames. The I frames each include a first timestamp. A processor may determine a subset of the P frames to be played in a trick mode along with the first I frame and the second I frame based on the number of P frames included in the plurality of P frames and the desired playback speed.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a Video-on-Demand (VOD) program involves at a service provider head-end, separating VOD program data into first and second parts; transmitting the first part over a communication network to a recipient receiver for storage at a storage device as cached speculative data, where the transmitting is carried out as a data push when the communication network has available bandwidth to permit such transmitting and without regard for any order having been received for the VOD program to be sent to the receiver; receiving an order for the VOD program to be sent to the receiver; and streaming the second part to the receiver for reassembly into the VOD program at the receiver by combining the second part as it is streamed with the cached speculative data. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a digital video segment simulating motion at one speed, the frames in the segment spaced at a uniform time interval. The method further includes receiving a desired speed of motion, determining the appropriate uniform time interval corresponding to the desired speed, and generating a frame sequence simulating the motion at the desired speed, the frames in the generated sequence spaced at the determined appropriate uniform time interval. If the generated frame sequence includes a frame from the original segment, then only frames from the original segment are included in the generated frame sequence, and if the generated frame sequence includes an interpolated frame then only interpolated frames are included in the generated frame sequence.

Abstract: A record and replay apparatus comprises a transducing unit for reproducing a digital signal from a medium. A control unit controls a reproduction mode of the apparatus. A decoding is coupled to the transducing unit for decoding the digital signal and deriving therefrom a signal indicative of a specific picture type. The reproduction mode has a first period of reproduction at a normal play speed and a second period of reproduction at a speed greater than the play speed. The first and second periods alternating with the first period initiated responsive to the signal indicative of a specific picture type. In a further arrangement a first transducing unit records an MPEG signal. A control unit generates a signal, indicating an intra coded frame occurrence in the MPEG bit stream, which is recorded by a second transducing unit together with a servo reference signal.

Abstract: Trick mode playback is implemented by disengaging a frame synchronization signal, and then decoding “I” and “P” frames to two (or more) buffers. Specifically, each buffer has a pointer that is associated with a memory/origin address. The pointers are locked in place by disengaging the frame synchronization signal. Once the pointers are locked in place, the “I” frames and “P” frames are decoded to the two buffers in an alternating fashion based on a continuous swapping of the memory addresses associated with the two pointers. Because both “I” and “P” frames (as opposed to only “I” frames) are decoded and displayed, the trick mode playback appears smoother. In addition, because the frame synchronization signal was disengaged, the frames can be decoded at a rate faster than a single frame time. That is, one frame need not be completely decoded and read out before the next frame is decoded.

Abstract: A device and a method for displaying images are provided. The device includes an input unit, a frame searching unit, a thumbnail selection unit, and a video processing unit. The input unit receives a signal for moving an image playback location along a time axis by an interval from a current playback point of images being played back. The frame searching unit sets a skip section ranging from a skip start point to a skip end point, in response to the received signal. The thumbnail selection unit selects a plurality of thumbnail images existing in the skip section. The video processing unit displays the selected thumbnail images.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system encodes multiple video streams from media content, such that the video streams have staggered intra-frame intervals. When a client device requests a video stream, the video-on-demand system selects one of the multiple video streams based on the position of the intra-frames, and transmits the selected video stream to the client device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a program table that has information associated with playing a TV program and storing the program table with program data. Program packets related to the TV program are extracted from an encoded MPEG-2 transport stream (TS) and stored. A TS demultiplexer extracts the program packets related to a program desired to be stored from TS packets under control of a TS demultiplexer control unit which also extracts location information of an I-picture. A program table having information related to playing the TV program and the location information of the I-picture is generated and the program table is stored together with the TV program so that subsequent play and trick play of the stored TV program are more easily performed by referring to the program table.

Abstract: A method for traversing a multiplexed data packet stream including choosing a starting location in a multiplexed data packet stream, making a bi-directional search from the starting location to locate a nearest system stream object; and traversing the system stream as a doubly-linked list of objects. Traversing the system stream preferably includes traversing object links of the doubly-linked list of objects. The objects are further preferably cached with an LRU process. Multiple disjoint locations in the system stream can be accessed with a virtual linked list. The virtual linked list can be used to search forwardly, backwardly, or both forwardly and backwardly.