Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for creating non-interactive, linear video from video segments in a video tree. Selectably presentable video segments are stored in a memory, with each segment representing a predefined portion of one or more paths in a traversable video tree. A linear, non-interactive video is automatically created from the selectably presentable video segments by traversing at least a portion of a first path in the video tree and, upon completion, is provided to a viewer for playback.

Abstract: Method and accompanying system for providing an in-video library. A video player presents a video stream to a user. During presentation of the video stream, the video player displays at least a portion of a library of selectable prerecorded video segments, and a selection of one or more of the prerecorded video segments from the library is received from the user. The video player further displays a video segment watch-list that includes the selected prerecorded video segments. The video player then presents the segments in the video segment watch-list as part of the video stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for seamless assembly of video/audio segments. To achieve such seamless assembly during streaming/online progressive download of media, a second segment is downloaded to a client during the presentation of a first segment. The first segment is then attached to the beginning of the second segment, where no jitter or gap results with the transition point either in the video or audio portion of the segments. Hence, the merged segments are presented as a seamless assembly of video/audio segments, where the user is “unaware” that the merged segments are the result of two separate or different segments. To effectuate such gapless assembly of segments, a gapless media file is created for encoding the video and audio segments using a gapless audio encoding scheme, such as Ogg Vorbis, where synchronized, gapless audio tags are interleaved in the video segments.

Abstract: Systems and accompanying methods are provided for real-time pixel switching in video. A video having first and second portions is provided and is presented to a user, with the first video portion being initially visible to the user and the second video portion not initially visible to the user. During presentation of the video, a user interaction with the first video portion is received, and a selected region of the second video portion is identified based thereon, where the selected region defines a subset of pixels from the second video portion. The selected region is then overlaid on the first video portion, and playback of the second video portion and the first video portion is synchronized.

Abstract: Methods and systems for seeking to a non-key frame in a compressed video. The compressed video has a plurality of frames, each with a playback timestamp. At least one of the frames is a key frame. A selection of a non-key frame is received, and a temporally proximate key frame is identified. The set of frames between the identified key frame and the selected frame is played in a reduced time interval, and the selected frame is displayed as if it were a key frame.

Abstract: A system and method for assembling segments of recorded music or video from among various versions or variations of a recording, into a new version or composition, such that a first segment of a first version of a recorded work is attached to a segment of a second segment of a second version of the recorded work, to create a new version of the recorded work.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic bookmarking in branched video are described. An application provides a video tree having a plurality of video segments, with each video segment including a predefined portion of one or more paths in the video tree, and each path being associated with a different video presentation. One of the paths in the video tree is traversed based on one or more decisions made by a user during playback of the video presentation associated with the path being traversed. A selection of a particular location in the path being traversed is received by the application, which stores a bookmark of the location for subsequent retrieval. The bookmark identifies a sequence of video segments in the video tree having been traversed to reach the location. The structure of the video tree is modified, and the bookmark is automatically updated, if necessary. At a later time, the application receives a selection of the stored bookmark and seeks to the bookmarked location.

Abstract: Methods and systems for parallel video track transitions are described. A plurality of video streams is simultaneously received, with each stream including a plurality of portions. A video comprising a first portion of a first one of the video streams is presented. Prior to completing the presentation of the first portion, a second portion of the first video stream is appended onto the video. Then, prior to completing the presentation of the second portion, a second video stream is selected based on a user interaction received with respect to the video, and a portion of the second video stream is appended onto the video.

Abstract: A system for loading videos includes an interactive video player is with a loader. A product configuration file in operation configures files for a user in creation of a custom video. External assets are configured for a design of an interactive layer of the video. The interactive video player in operation creates in real-time a custom video that includes a plurality of video segments.

Abstract: A system and method for assembling segments of recorded music or video from among various versions or variations of a recording, into a new version or composition, such that a first segment of a first version of a recorded work is attached to a segment of a second segment of a second version of the recorded work, to create a new version of the recorded work.

Abstract: Systems and methods for editing and controlling video playback using a dynamic timeline. The dynamic timeline allows a user to edit a video content structure that includes a plurality of video content paths, each video content path including a plurality of video content segments. The video content segments in a first video content path are visually represented on the dynamic timeline. A selection in the dynamic timeline is received that changes a first video content segment from the first video content path to a second video content segment in an alternative video content path in the video content structure. Subsequently, the dynamic timeline is updated to display visual representations of at least some of the video content segments in the alternative video content path.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for creating non-interactive, linear video from video segments in a video tree. Selectably presentable video segments are stored in a memory, with each segment representing a predefined portion of one or more paths in a traversable video tree. A linear, non-interactive video is automatically created from the selectably presentable video segments by traversing at least a portion of a first path in the video tree and, upon completion, is provided to a viewer for playback.

Abstract: A system for navigating and visualizing the progression of selectably presentable video content includes a progress indicator module for dynamically displaying the progression status of video content paths made up of selectably presentable video content segments. The system further includes an interactive control module for facilitating navigation along the video content paths. The progression status may be graphically represented in the form of a tree structure having linked video content segments forming the content paths. The control module may be used to navigation the video within this tree structure.

Abstract: Method and accompanying system for providing an in-video library. A video player presents a video stream to a user. During presentation of the video stream, the video player displays at least a portion of a library of selectable prerecorded video segments, and a selection of one or more of the prerecorded video segments from the library is received from the user. The video player further displays a video segment watch-list that includes the selected prerecorded video segments. The video player then presents the segments in the video segment watch-list as part of the video stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems for seeking to a non-key frame in a compressed video. The compressed video has a plurality of frames, each with a playback timestamp. At least one of the frames is a key frame. A selection of a non-key frame is received, and a temporally proximate key frame is identified. The set of frames between the identified key frame and the selected frame is played in a reduced time interval, and the selected frame is displayed as if it were a key frame.

Abstract: Systems and accompanying methods are provided for real-time pixel switching in video. A video having first and second portions is provided and is presented to a user, with the first video portion being initially visible to the user and the second video portion not initially visible to the user. During presentation of the video, a user interaction with the first video portion is received, and a selected region of the second video portion is identified based thereon, where the selected region defines a subset of pixels from the second video portion. The selected region is then overlaid on the first video portion, and playback of the second video portion and the first video portion is synchronized.

Abstract: A system for navigating and visualizing the progression of selectably presentable video content includes a progress indicator module for dynamically displaying the progression status of video content paths made up of selectably presentable video content segments. The system further includes an interactive control module for facilitating navigation along the video content paths. The progression status may be graphically represented in the form of a tree structure having linked video content segments forming the content paths. The control module may be used to navigation the video within this tree structure.

Abstract: Method and accompanying system for an unfolding video pre-roll. A primary video having a fixed play length is presented and, in temporal proximity to at least a portion of the primary video, an unfolding video having a variable play length is presented to the viewer. If an interaction is received from the viewer during the playback of the unfolding video, the play length of the unfolding video is extended by adding a seamlessly connected video segment to the unfolding video, which is continuously presented to the viewer without interruption.

Abstract: A system for multiple device interaction with selectably presentable multimedia content includes an output engine, an input engine, a manager, and a memory that stores selectably presentable multimedia content segments. Each content segment represents a predefined portion of one or more content paths. The output engine, executing on a first device, receives a subset of the content segments, assembles them into a seamless multimedia presentation that is one of the content paths, and plays the assembled multimedia presentation. The input engine, executing on a second device, receives user interactions associated with the multimedia presentation, and the manager coordinates the multimedia presentation among multiple devices based on the user interactions. A method implementing the above steps is also included.

Abstract: A system for constructing seamlessly viewable multimedia content from selectably presentable multimedia content blocks includes a block definition module for facilitating creation and modification of the content blocks. The block definition module includes a media assignment submodule for associating a synchronized audio and video segment with a content block. Also included is a block linking submodule for creating seamless connections between content blocks, whereby a transition between the connected blocks occurs substantially without interruption upon viewing the multimedia content. The block definition module further includes a layer submodule for associating an interactive layer having interactive controls with the content block.