Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for controlling a video-media recording device configured for automatically identifying and selectively skipping commercial message segments of a video signal. The method can include the steps of recording the video signal on a digital recording medium in a digital format; monitoring the video signal to detect an event start and an event end corresponding to a beginning and an end of at least one commercial message; and selectively storing in a memory location digital data identifying an event start information and an event end information. At least one of the event start information and the event end information can identify the location of the one or more commercial messages. The method can also include selectively skipping in a playback mode the commercial portion of the video signal responsive to the digital data identifying the event start information and the event end information.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for identifying commercial message segments of a video signal. A set of rules is applied for determining the occurrence of commercial messages with a higher degree of accuracy as compared to conventional methods. In general, method includes the steps of monitoring a digital bit stream comprising the video signal, detecting a change in a control field of the digital bit stream, and then selectively generating a commercial event notification responsive to the detecting step. According to one aspect of the invention, a change in at least one of a video sequence header and a sequence display extension can be detected. Alternatively, or in addition to checking for a change in control field, the method can comprise the step of detecting a change in an informational parameter of the video signal exclusive of the audio-visual content.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for identifying commercial message segments of a video signal. A set of rules is applied for determining the occurrence of commercial messages with a higher degree of accuracy as compared to conventional methods. In general, method includes the steps of monitoring a digital bit stream comprising the video signal, detecting a change in a control field of the digital bit stream, and then selectively generating a commercial event notification responsive to the detecting step. According to one aspect of the invention, a change in at least one of a video sequence header and a sequence display extension can be detected. Alternatively, or in addition to checking for a change in control field, the method can comprise the step of detecting a change in an informational parameter of the video signal exclusive of the audio-visual content.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for identifying commercial message segments of a video signal. A set of rules is applied for determining the occurrence of commercial messages with a higher degree of accuracy as compared to conventional methods. In general, method includes the steps of monitoring a digital bit stream comprising the video signal, detecting a change in a control field of the digital bit stream, and then selectively generating a commercial event notification responsive to the detecting step. According to one aspect of the invention, a change in at least one of a video sequence header and a sequence display extension can be detected. Alternatively, or in addition to checking for a change in control field, the method can comprise the step of detecting a change in an informational parameter of the video signal exclusive of the audio-visual content.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for controlling a video-media recording device configured for automatically identifying and selectively skipping commercial message segments of a video signal. The method can include the steps of recording the video signal on a digital recording medium in a digital format; monitoring the video signal to detect an event start and an event end corresponding to a beginning and an end of at least one commercial message; and selectively storing in a memory location digital data identifying an event start information and an event end information. At least one of the event start information and the event end information can identify the location of the one or more commercial messages. The method can also include selectively skipping in a playback mode the commercial portion of the video signal responsive to the digital data identifying the event start information and the event end information.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for identifying commercial message segments of a video signal. A set of rules is applied for determining the occurrence of commercial messages with a higher degree of accuracy as compared to conventional methods. In general, method includes the steps of monitoring a digital bit stream comprising the video signal, detecting a change in a control field of the digital bit stream, and then selectively generating a commercial event notification responsive to the detecting step. According to one aspect of the invention, a change in at least one of a video sequence header and a sequence display extension can be detected. Alternatively, or in addition to checking for a change in control field, the method can comprise the step of detecting a change in an informational parameter of the video signal exclusive of the audio-visual content.

Abstract: The present invention is a button on a device that has the ability to detect when a finger touches or is proximate to the button, especially to cause the initiation of a particular feature/function of the device. The button includes a proximity detector that is operable to sense or detect when a user's finger is proximate or on the button. The proximity detector may take many forms. These forms may be combined to provide greater selectivity. Additionally, sensitivity of the proximity detector may be set via threshold values. Sensitivity of the proximity detector correlates to detection or sensing of a user's finger at various distances from the button. One application is as an autofocus/shutter button on a camera.