Abstract: Streaming compressed digital hypervideo received upon a digital communications network is decoded (decompressed) and played in a client-computer-based "video on web VCR" software system. Scene changes, if not previously marked upstream, are automatically detected, and typically twenty-one past scenes are displayed as thumbnail images. Hyperlinks within the main video scene, and/or any thumbnail image, show as hotspots, with text annotations typically appearing upon a cursor "mouse over". All hyperlinks--as are provided and inserted by, inter alia, the upstream network service provider (the "ISP")--may be, and preferably are, full-custom dynamically-resolved to each subscriber/user/viewer ("SUV") upon volitional "click throughs" by the SUV, including retrospectively on past hypervideo scenes as appear within the thumbnail images.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 1, 1998
Date of Patent:
November 28, 2000
Assignee:
Mediastra, Inc.
Inventors:
P. Venkat Rangan, Vijnan Shastri, Arya Ashwani, Parag Arole