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: This application discloses a system for recording medical image data for production on a portable digital recording medium such as CDs and DVDs. Aspects of this disclosure include a robotic disc burning system. The system comprises, among other components, a communication interface that can communicate with browsing terminals over a network. The communication interface is accessible by a remote user interface, such as a web browser. Additional aspects of this disclosure include an associated method for recording by a robotic disc burning system.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a storage unit that sequentially stores a plurality of frame images based on an imaging signal from an imaging sensor that images light from a subject, a moving image data generation unit that generates slow motion moving image data that is to be played at a second frame rate lower than a first frame rate that represents the number of frame images stored per unit time in the storage unit, based on the plurality of frame images stored in the storage unit during a predetermined time period, a still image data generation unit that generates at least one piece of still image data based on at least one frame image of the plurality of frame images stored in the storage unit during the predetermined time period, and a record control unit that associates the slow motion moving image data generated by the moving image data generation unit and the still image data generated by the still image data generation unit and records the slow motion moving image data and the still image data in a reco

Abstract: An operation device includes a rotational operation element, an angular velocity detection portion detecting an angular velocity of a rotational operation on the rotational operation element, and a playback speed information computation portion calculating, when the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity detection portion is in a first velocity range including an angular velocity of 0, playback speed information according to the detected angular velocity through a first functional computation and when the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity detection portion is in a second velocity range, which is a range higher than the first velocity range, playback speed information according to the detected angular velocity through a second functional computation, and outputting the calculated playback speed information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method includes receiving the audio signal having a plurality of random access units. The random access unit includes one or more frames and at least one of the frames is a random access frame. The random access frame is a frame encoded such that previous frames are not necessary to decode the random access frame. The embodiment further includes reading location information from the audio signal. The location information indicates whether random access unit size information is stored or not in the audio signal. If the random access unit size information is stored, the location information further indicates a location where the random access unit size information is stored in the audio signal. Random access unit size information is read according to the location information. The random access unit size information indicates a distance between random access frames in bytes. The random access units are decoded based on the random access size information.

Abstract: The multiplexing apparatus which does not make a user who watches a moving picture feel uncomfortable, the moving picture including: (i) a coding unit (42) for generating one or more coded streams so that no gap occurs at the connection of predetermined two access units in a process of decoding, in sequence, the two access units in all of the access units included in the coded streams; and (ii) a multiplexing unit (18) for multiplexing, with other information, the coded streams generated in the coding unit (42).

Abstract: A positioning system and a method thereof are provided. In the positioning method, a first and a second pose information of a moving device are obtained by a first positioning device and a second positioning device respectively, wherein the first pose information corresponds to the second pose information. In addition, a plurality of first candidacy pose information is generated in an error range of the first pose information. Furthermore, a plurality of second candidacy pose information is generated according to the first pose information respectively. One of the second candidacy pose information having a smallest error derived from the second pose information is selected for updating the pose information of the first positioning device and parameter information of the second positioning device. Thereby, pose information of the moving device is updated and parameter information of the second orientation devices is calibrated simultaneously.

Abstract: A video playback device including a playback section which replays a video, a setting section which sets a predetermined area within the video frames being replayed by the playback section, a detecting section which detects whether or not a predetermined subject is included within the predetermined area, a selecting section which selectively switches between a first playback speed and a second playback speed based on the timing of the detection by the detecting section, and a control section which controls the playback speed of the playback section in accordance with a result of the selection by the selecting section.

Abstract: An information storage medium which stores data structures supporting multi-angles includes clip AV streams for respective angle data of multi-angle motion picture data. As additional information for each clip AV stream, clip information is recorded on a separate storage area from that of the clip AV streams. The clip information includes jumping-point information for jumping into another angle. Each of the clip AV streams may be recorded in a contiguous recording area, or divided into smaller interleaved units that are interleaved with units of the other clip AV streams.

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: An information signal is received, which includes a main information content signal carrying the contents of the information, a CM portion signal carrying commercial messages (CM) and an information mode discriminating signal used for discriminating information modes of the main information content signal and the CM signal from each other according to the contents. A video signal is encoded per plurality of several video frames, the video signal including the main information content signal and the CM portion signal. The encoded video signal is recorded in a storage medium. The video signal is reproduced, during the recording, from the storage medium while the CM portion signal is skipped. The received main information content signal and CM portion signal are recorded in the storage medium. The information mode discriminating signal is recorded in the storage medium or another temporary storage medium.

Abstract: Specified video segments within a video stream are identified. The identified video can represent commercials or can represent portions within the program information. The user can identify these undesired portions of the video. A signature generation unit produces a signature that indicates information about the undesirable video. The signatures are stored. Current video is compared with the signatures to identify portions of the video that correspond to the specified video segments. The identified portions are handled in a different way, for example, they can be played less prominently, or skipped. The signal indicative of the video stream can be produced at a different time than the signature generation. In addition, the signature generation can use biometric techniques.

Abstract: A method of playing a compressed digital video sequence, comprising steps comprising attributing to each frame a display duration determined as a function of a playing speed set point, and at each period of a frame synchronization signal: if a display duration cumulative value is equal to or greater than a threshold value corresponding to the period of the synchronization signal, playing a previously acquired decoded frame and decreasing the cumulative value of the threshold value; and if the present cumulative value is less than the threshold value, acquiring a new decoded frame and adding the display duration attributed to the newly acquired frame to the cumulative value, until the cumulative value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, playing a last decoded frame acquired and decreasing the cumulative value of the threshold value.

Abstract: A recording medium enables special playback processing although part of the AV stream recorded therein is transformed. An AV stream, a first EP map, and a second EP map are recorded on the recording medium. In the AV stream, a part of the multiplexed stream including a first video stream and a second video stream is transformed. The first EP map indicates one or more entry points of the first video stream and the second EP map indicates one or more entry points of the second video stream. TS packets constituting I-pictures of the first video stream are indicated by every 4N-th entry point in the first EP map, and TS packets constituting I-pictures of the second video stream are indicated by the entry points whose presentation time is closest to the presentation time of any one of the every 4N-th entry point in the first EP map.

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, the method includes reading random access information from the audio signal. The random access information indicates whether or not random access operation is allowed in the audio signal. If the random access operation is allowed, the audio signal has a plurality of random access units. A random access unit includes one or more of frames and at least one of the frames is a random access frame. The random access frame is a frame encoded such that previous frames are not necessary to decode the random access frame, and the random access information further indicates a distance between random access frames in frames. The random access frame is decoded based on the random access information.

Abstract: A system for playing digital video at varying playback speeds can include a fetcher module configured to retrieve encoded pictures from a data store and an allocator module configured to selectively delete encoded pictures from an input cache. The system further can include a decoder module and an output cache module. The decoder module can decode pictures received from the input cache. The output cache module can store a plurality of decoded pictures and provide selected ones of the pictures as output. Pictures are processed within each of the modules according to a priority corresponding to each picture.

Abstract: Presenting viewers with an alternative brief version of a recorded advertisement when they choose to fast-forward through or skip (or any other trick play event) the recorded advertisement. The alternative advertisement may be displayed instead of or in conjunction with the recorded advertisement (i.e., fast-forwarding advertisement is displayed in one portion of the screen (i.e., background or portion of a split screen) and the alternative brief version is displayed in another portion). The alternative brief version of the advertisement (trick play advertisement) may be a marketing message that is a static screen presenting a logo or a portion of the recorded advertisement, or may be a condensed version of the actual advertisement. The trick play advertisements may be targeted. An alternate or entirely unrelated advertisement can also be displayed as the trick play advertisement.

Abstract: A method for recovering video data in a disk when a reading error occurs is provided. First, the disk is scanned to obtain a next writable address (NWA) of a last video chapter previously recorded into the disk. An end address of a successfully recorded video chapter is then read from a specific area of the disk and stored into a memory. Next, when a disk player/recorder is requested to read content of data according to the NWA, the disk player/recorder determines whether the content of the data is a file system. If the content of the data is not a file system, the NWA obtained by scanning the disk is replaced with the end address read from the specific area to read the file system, so as to recover the video data in the disk. Thereby, the video data in the disk can be protected.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for normal reverse playback of GOPs of a bitstream stored in a storage medium from an Xth GOP. The apparatus includes an MPEG decoder which reads a first bitstream corresponding to the Xth GOP and an (X?1)th GOP from the storage medium and which decodes pictures of the Xth GOP and reference pictures of the (X?1)th GOP using the read bitstream, a frame buffer which stores the pictures decoded by the MPEG decoder, and a display block which displays the decoded pictures stored in the frame buffer, wherein during the normal reverse playback, the apparatus displays all the decoded pictures only once, and each display time of the decoded pictures displayed only once is the same. Accordingly, the apparatus can perform a linear search even during the normal reverse playback.

Abstract: The recording medium stores a transport stream formed of packets. The packets represent one or more PES packets and are grouped into units of a fixed number of packets. A first portion of each unit corresponds to a first portion of a PES packet.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for providing digital video recorder having an expedited viewing mode. The apparatus, system and method include at least one microprocessor, at least one storage element for storing at least one audiovisual program played at a first rate pursuant to an instruction from the at least one microprocessor, and computing code resident on the at least one microprocessor which, when the expedited viewing mode is executed by the microprocessor, plays from storage at least a portion of audio and video of the at least one audiovisual program at at least one of 1.25 times the first rate, 1.5 times the first rate, and 1.75 times the first rate.

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 data multiplexing apparatus for arranging video streams and audio streams respectively into packs and multiplexing these packs to create a system stream. The apparatus includes a virtual decoding video buffer occupancy calculator virtually calculating an occupancy of a decoding video buffer temporarily storing the video streams, a virtual decoding audio buffer occupancy calculator virtually calculating an occupancy of a decoding audio buffer temporarily storing the audio streams, a virtual decoding audio buffer storing a calculation result in the virtual decoding audio buffer occupancy calculator, and a payload length setting section setting an overflow limit value for the virtual decoding audio buffer. The payload length setting section sets the overflow limit value to a value of an integral multiple of an audio frame length.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for viewing video content while dynamically switching between multiple viewing modes that present the video content at different levels of abridgment. While video content is playing in one viewing mode, input may be received to play the video content in another viewing mode. One of the viewing modes may present the video content in a more condensed form than the other viewing mode does, so that when switching from one viewing mode to another viewing mode, a more abridged or less abridged version of the video content may be presented. One of the viewing modes may be a full presentation mode that shows a complete, unabridged version of the video content, while the other of the viewing modes may play a condensed version of the video content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a playback apparatus, playback method, a storage apparatus, a storage method, a program, a storage medium, a data structure, and a method of producing a storage medium, capable of controlling non-normal playback operations. In a state in which PlayItem_random_access_flag is set to 0 for PlayItem(1) and PlayItem(3) and an Entry Mark is defined in PLayItem(2) for which PlayItem_random_access_flag is set to 1, if a user operation occurs to request a jump to the Entry Mark in PlayItem(2) when a Clip AV stream pointed to by PlayItem(1) is being played back, the playback position jumps not to the Entry Mark in PlayItem(2) but to the beginning of a Clip AV stream pointed to by PlayItem(2). The present invention is applicable to a playback apparatus and a storage apparatus.

Abstract: A video receiver system comprises a video elementary stream decoder that decodes an elementary stream and one or more trick mode processing modules that modify the elementary stream to enable a trick mode effect. The trick mode processing module(s) produce a trick mode elementary stream for input to the video elementary stream decoder module. For example, the one or more trick mode processing modules can replace plural non-key frames of the elementary stream with one or more P-type skipped frames for a fast forward effect, where the trick mode elementary stream comprises one or more entry point key frames and the one or more P-type skipped frames. The video receiver system can selectively route the elementary stream to either the video elementary stream decoder module or the one or more trick mode processing modules.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed. The information recording/reproducing apparatus includes a recording/reproducing unit that records an information item into, and reproduces an information item from, a recording medium, and a determining unit that determines, when a reproduction error occurs during reproduction of the information item by the recording/reproduction unit, whether the information item is a video data item, and prevents changing a reproduction speed of the recording/reproduction unit during reproduction if the determining unit determines that the information item is a video data item, and allows changing the reproduction speed during reproduction if the determining unit determines that the information items is not a video data item.

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: Methods and systems for a personal video recorder (PVR) software buffer management to support the software passage are disclosed. A first plurality of receive buffer descriptors may be allocated for recording at least one received packet in at least a portion of a shared memory. The received packet may be recorded in the shared memory utilizing at least one of the allocated first plurality of receive buffer descriptors. A plurality of playback buffer descriptors may be allocated for playback of the recorded received packet from the shared memory. A first portion of the received packet may be simultaneously played back from the shared memory while recording a second portion of the received packet in the shared memory. If at least one of the recorded received packet is consumed, the playback buffer descriptors corresponding to a number of the consumed received packet may be de-allocated.

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 video is summarized by determining if a video contains one or more junk frames, modifying one or more boundaries of shots of the video based at least in part on the determination of if the video contains one or more junk frames, sampling a plurality of the shots of the video into a plurality of subshots, clustering the plurality of subshots with a multiple step k-means clustering, and creating a video summary based at least in part on the clustered plurality of subshots. The video is segmented into a plurality of shots and a keyframe from each of the plurality of shots is extracted. A video summary is created based on a determined importance of the subshots in a clustered plurality of subshots and a time budget. The created video summary is rendered by displaying playback rate information for the rendered video summary, displaying a currently playing subshot marker with the rendered video summary, and displaying an indication of similar content in the rendered video summary.

Abstract: According to the present invention, provided is a disc player device (100) that automatically performs a user operation for playing a first play that is a title played before playing of a main part or display of a menu, faster than playing at a normal speed after the power is applied. A signal processing unit (15) is provided with a menu detection unit (17) to analyze structure of various data and detect a menu state, a main part detection unit (18) to detect playing state of a main part from the various data, and a user operation unit (19) to automatically perform a user operation for playing a title currently being played faster than playing at a normal speed until a menu state is detected by the menu detection unit (17) or a playing state of a main part is detected by the main part detection unit (18) when the signal processing unit (15) determines that a First Playback exists after the power is applied.

Abstract: A digital video recorder having hierarchical memories and a method for implementing the hierarchical memories are disclosed. The digital video recorder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes i) a storage unit, which includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and a hard disk drive and ii) a memory controller, which controls audio and video streams successively outputted from a demultiplexer to be moved to and stored in the volatile memory, the non-volatile memory, and the hard disk drive in the order of the volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and hard disk drive.

Abstract: An image device capable of reverse play with minimal time delay, and a method thereof. The image device includes a buffer to store a greater number of pictures than constitute a single group of pictures (GOP), and a controller to operate the buffer to store decoded pictures. Accordingly, problems such as cutoff of pictures or time delays are minimized when performing reverse play.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording/playing a moving picture in a digital broadcast receiver is disclosed, which supports a trick mode. If digital broadcasting is recorded, the digital broadcasting is converted into a video sequence having a new format and frame type, such as an I frame structure, and then recorded in a recording medium. Also, corresponding I frame is directly uploaded and played in accordance with times speed of trick play using the frame index of video data recorded after being converted into the I frame. Thus, it is possible to normally provide more elaborate moving picture trick play for every times speed.

Abstract: A method of scanning content comprises receiving an input signal indicating that content being displayed is to be scanned, sensing a duration of the received input signal, and scanning the content at a rate based at least in part on the sensed duration of the received input.

Abstract: A method and system for obfuscating segment boundary markers, such as but not limited to obfuscating boundary markers used to identify beginning and/or ending boundaries of a sequence of segments forming a programming event. The obfuscation may be achieved by embedding decoy and offset boundary markers within the sequence of segments.

Abstract: Trick modes are substantially prevented during DVR and NDVR content by obtaining an audiovisual asset that is digitally compressed in accordance with a compression technique employing at least a plurality of substantially complete frames and a plurality of substantially intermediate frames, substantially removing the plurality of substantially complete frames from a portion of the asset for which trick play is to be substantially prevented, and streaming the asset, with the plurality of substantially complete frames substantially removed from the portion thereof, to a user thereof.

Abstract: A video data reproduction apparatus includes a selecting portion that selects a notification image associated in advance with a prescribed instruction when there is input of the prescribed instruction from a user while video data is being output, a generating portion that generates data for display by superposing specific information regarding a reproduction state of the video data in association with the prescribed instruction on the selected notification image, and a combining portion that combines the data for display generated by the generating portion with the video data.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for dynamic content play list creation are described. A fastplay application provides for dynamic play list generation, using feature categorization and local storage to present a set of custom play list(s) that are tailored to a user's preference(s). The settings may be stored locally on the media player storage device such that the preference(s) can be utilized across titles.

Abstract: A recording medium capable of executing menu calls based on the particular characteristics of different versions of the same movie work when these different versions are recorded on a single recording medium. An AV clip and a dynamic scenario are recorded on a BD-ROM 100 (recording medium). The dynamic scenario is a command string showing a playback control procedure relating to video data, and has attribute information attached thereto. Attribute information is information showing a control procedure for when a user requests a menu call during AV clip playback, and includes a resume_intension_flag. The resume_intension_flag shows whether playback resumption of video data after the menu call ends is intended.

Abstract: A recording medium capable of executing menu calls based on the particular characteristics of different versions of the same movie work when these different versions are recorded on a single recording medium. An AV clip and a dynamic scenario are recorded on a BD-ROM 100 (recording medium). The dynamic scenario is a command string showing a playback control procedure relating to video data, and has attribute information attached thereto. Attribute information is information showing a control procedure for when a user requests a menu call during AV clip playback, and includes a resume_intension_flag. The resume_intension_flag shows whether playback resumption of video data after the menu call ends is intended.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of displaying a sub-picture in a DVD player, by which the sub-picture is displayed in trick play mode to provide more information to a user. The present invention includes optionally decoding video data within a DVD according to a play speed of a trick play mode and displaying the decoded video data and selectively decoding at least one of a plurality of sub-picture data within the video data that is being decoded and displaying the decoded sub-picture data during a predetermined time.

Abstract: Systems and methods to modify playout or playback include a first and second approach to respond to a trick mode request (e.g., fast forward, rewind). First, a trick mode request may be responded to by associating primary content to secondary content and playing out the secondary content on a receiving device, the secondary content not being derived from the primary content. Second, a trick mode request may be responded to by associating primary content to secondary content and playing out the secondary content on a receiving device, the secondary content being derived from the primary content but played at a normal speed for the secondary content.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for generating and embedding scene processing information in a multimedia source. Scene processing information is generated based on an analysis of audio, video and data properties of the multimedia source. The embedded scene processing information can be extracted from the multimedia source to assist in generating playback of the multimedia source as well as generating a summarized playback of the multimedia source.

Abstract: An information storage medium for storing multi angle data, and a recording method and a reproducing apparatus thereof. The information storage medium stores data for a plurality of angles of a scene in interleaved blocks. Sizes of the interleaved blocks are integral multiples of sizes of integral numbered aligned units that include packets. Angle change points are included in each of the interleaved blocks which allows a reproducing apparatus to seamlessly jump from one angle to another angle during reproduction of the multi angle data. A number of the angle points recorded on the information storage medium is computed so that a jumping distance required by the data during reproduction does not exceed a maximum jumping distance of a reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A playback apparatus includes a classified region selecting section that selects a classified region at random from among a plurality of classified regions on a recording medium, the recording medium including recorded data managed such that a plurality of pieces of unit data belong to corresponding classified regions serving as data storage logical regions generated in accordance with a predetermined classification rule; a unit data selecting section that selects a piece of unit data from among the pieces of unit data that belong to the selected classified region; a reading section that reads from the recording medium the selected piece of unit data in order to play back the selected piece of unit data; and an execution controller that controls the repeated execution of a series of selecting and reading operations including selection of a classified region, selection of a piece of unit data, and reading of the selected piece of unit data.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for displaying pictures at high speed. In one embodiment, a system includes a buffer for storing parameters associated with a predetermined number of the pictures during a video display period. The system further includes a video decoder for decoding particular ones of the predetermined number of the pictures. The predetermined ones are either reference pictures or pictures that are to be displayed at high speed. The pictures that are displayed in high speed at each display interval have a constant time-lapse between the pictures that are displayed in high speed at the next display interval.