US5333091A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling a videotape player to automatically scan past recorded commercial messages
Assignee: SRT Inc
•
Filing: 1993-01-08
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Granted: 1994-07-26
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Expires: 2013-01-08
Abstract
Abstract An automatic editing device is coupled between a conventional VCR and a conventional television monitor/receiver. During recording of a television signal, data is accumulated with respect to the time of occurrence and duration of detectable events, such as blank frames, in the television signal, and such data is stored in the device. At a time subsequent to the recording process, the stored data is analyzed to classify the content of the television signal between the detectable events. The recording is made on a tape which has timing reference data permanently encoded thereon. During playback, the stored data for each event is compared to the timing reference data read from the tape and the VCR is automatically commanded into a fast scan mode when the tape reaches the beginning time of a portion of the video signal that has been classified for elimination during playback. The VCR is then automatically commanded to return to the normal "play" mode when the tape reaches the ending time of that portion of the video signal. Since all of the television signal is recorded on the tape, any or all of the signal may be viewed, even if portions of it have been misclassified.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry Iggulden
- 👤 Alan McFarland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:15
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H60/00; H04H60/56; H04H60/59; G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/02; G11B15/023; G11B15/05; G11B15/087; G11B15/18; G11B15/1808; G11B15/1875; G11B27/00; G11B27/002; G11B27/02; G11B27/022; G11B27/028; G11B27/10; G11B27/102; G11B27/107; G11B27/11; G11B27/19; G11B27/24; G11B27/28; G11B27/30; G11B27/3027; G11B27/3036; G11B27/3054; G11B27/32; G11B27/322; G11B27/323; G11B27/324; G11B27/327; G11B27/328; H04N; H04N19/00; H04N19/10; H04N19/134; H04N19/142; H04N19/169; H04N19/179; H04N19/85; H04N19/87; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; H04N5/775; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/20; G11B2220/40; G11B2220/41; G11B2220/45; G11B2220/455; G11B2220/60; G11B2220/65; G11B2220/90; G11B2220/91; G11B27/024; H04N5/7755; H04N5/78; H04N5/782; H04N5/7824; H04N5/7826; H04N5/78263; H04N5/91; H04N5/92; H04N5/9201; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S358/00; Y10S358/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of automatically editing a videotape comprising the steps of: (a) recording a video signal on a videotape; (b) monitoring the video signal as it is recorded to detect event markers therein; (c) storing data representative of a time of occurrence of each event marker; (d) analyzing the data to classify the video signal between event markers as one of a first and second type; (e) storing a time-based map of the video signal containing a plurality of entries, each of said plurality of entries comprising an event time and classification information for the video signal associated with said event time; (f) playing the videotape to reproduce the video signal recorded thereon; (g) retrieving the stored time-based map of the video signal; (h) determining a time value for the videotape being played; (i) comparing the time value for the videotape being played with the event time of a next entry in the time-based map to detect coincidence therebetween; (j) playing the videotape following said coincidence at a fast rate if the classification information of said next entry in the time-based map corresponds to the second type; and (k) repeating steps (g)-(j) for each entry in the time-based map.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of automatically editing a videotape comprising the steps of: (a) recording a video signal on a videotape; (b) monitoring the video signal as it is recorded to detect event markers therein; (c) storing data representative of a time of occurrence of each event marker; (d) analyzing the data to classify the video signal between event markers as one of a first and second type; (e) storing a time-based map of the video signal containing a plurality of entries, each of said plurality of entries comprising an event time and classification information for the video signal associated with said event time; (f) playing the videotape to reproduce the video signal recorded thereon; (g) retrieving the stored time-based map of the video signal; (h) determining a time value for the videotape being played; (i) comparing the time value for the videotape being played with the event time of a next entry in the time-based map to detect coincidence therebetween; (j) playing the videotape following said coincidence at a fast rate if the classification information of said next entry in the time-based map corresponds to the second type; and (k) repeating steps (g)-(j) for each entry in the time-based map.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the event markers comprise blank frames.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of analyzing data comprises analyzing the spacing and duration of event markers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of analyzing data is performed subsequent to recording an entire video program on the videotape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of decoding tape identification indicia on the videotape to obtain tape identification data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first type of video signal contains program material and the second type of video signal contains commercial material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
247 words
An automated videotape playback system comprising: (a) a videotape player having a play mode and a fast scan mode and further having mode control means for selecting one of the play and fast scan modes as a function of a mode selection signal; (b) a videotape for play on the videotape player; (c) a data memory for storing data representative of a time of occurrence of a plurality of event markers in a video signal recorded on the videotape; (d) a control unit coupled to the data memory and the videotape player for receiving the video signal played from the videotape, said control unit including: (i) means for analyzing the data stored in the data memory to classify the video signal between event markers as one of a first and second type; (ii) means for storing a time-based map of the video signal containing a plurality of entries, each of said plurality of entries comprising an event time and classification information for the video signal associated with said event time; (iii) means for determining a time value for the videotape being played; (iv) means for comparing the time value for the videotape being played with the time of occurrence of a next entry in the time-based map to detect coincidence therebetween; (v) means for transmitting the mode selection signal upon detection of said coincidence to select the fast scan mode if the classification information of said next entry in the time-based map corresponds to the second type.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
247 words
An automated videotape playback system comprising: (a) a videotape player having a play mode and a fast scan mode and further having mode control means for selecting one of the play and fast scan modes as a function of a mode selection signal; (b) a videotape for play on the videotape player; (c) a data memory for storing data representative of a time of occurrence of a plurality of event markers in a video signal recorded on the videotape; (d) a control unit coupled to the data memory and the videotape player for receiving the video signal played from the videotape, said control unit including: (i) means for analyzing the data stored in the data memory to classify the video signal between event markers as one of a first and second type; (ii) means for storing a time-based map of the video signal containing a plurality of entries, each of said plurality of entries comprising an event time and classification information for the video signal associated with said event time; (iii) means for determining a time value for the videotape being played; (iv) means for comparing the time value for the videotape being played with the time of occurrence of a next entry in the time-based map to detect coincidence therebetween; (v) means for transmitting the mode selection signal upon detection of said coincidence to select the fast scan mode if the classification information of said next entry in the time-based map corresponds to the second type.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of recording a video program comprising the steps of: (a) recording a video signal containing the video program on a recording medium; (b) monitoring the video signal as it is recorded to detect events therein; (c) storing data representative of a time of occurrence of each detected event; (d) analyzing the data, after the video program has been recorded, to classify intervals of the video signal as being one of a first type for normal playback and a second type to be scanned past during playback; and (e) storing a time-based map identifying intervals of the video signal to be scanned past during playback.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of recording a video program comprising the steps of: (a) recording a video signal containing the video program on a recording medium; (b) monitoring the video signal as it is recorded to detect events therein; (c) storing data representative of a time of occurrence of each detected event; (d) analyzing the data, after the video program has been recorded, to classify intervals of the video signal as being one of a first type for normal playback and a second type to be scanned past during playback; and (e) storing a time-based map identifying intervals of the video signal to be scanned past during playback.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of automatically scanning past portions of a recorded video program comprising the steps of: (a) recording a video signal containing the video program on a recording medium; (b) monitoring the video signal as it is recorded to detect events therein; (c) storing data representative of a time of occurrence of each detected event; (d) analyzing the data, after the video program has been recorded, to classify intervals of the video signal as being one of a first type for normal playback and a second type to be scanned past during playback; (e) storing a time-based map identifying intervals of the video signal to be scanned past during playback; (f) playing the recording medium to reproduce the video signal recorded thereon; (g) retrieving the stored time-based map; (h) determining a current time value for a portion of the video signal being played; (i) identifying a portion of the video signal being played as corresponding to a next interval of the video signal to be scanned past during playback; (j) rapidly advancing playback of the recording medium through said next interval of the video signal to be scanned past.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of automatically scanning past portions of a recorded video program comprising the steps of: (a) recording a video signal containing the video program on a recording medium; (b) monitoring the video signal as it is recorded to detect events therein; (c) storing data representative of a time of occurrence of each detected event; (d) analyzing the data, after the video program has been recorded, to classify intervals of the video signal as being one of a first type for normal playback and a second type to be scanned past during playback; (e) storing a time-based map identifying intervals of the video signal to be scanned past during playback; (f) playing the recording medium to reproduce the video signal recorded thereon; (g) retrieving the stored time-based map; (h) determining a current time value for a portion of the video signal being played; (i) identifying a portion of the video signal being played as corresponding to a next interval of the video signal to be scanned past during playback; (j) rapidly advancing playback of the recording medium through said next interval of the video signal to be scanned past.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-25 | 1998-01-24 | 1998-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-25 | 2002-01-24 | 2002-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-25 | 2006-01-24 | 2006-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |