# US 12,114,046 B2 · Systems and methods for modifying fast-forward speeds based on the user's reaction time when detecting points of interest in content > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,114,046 B2 - Document ID: US12114046B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/219,220 - Filed: 2023-07-07 - Published: 2023-11-09 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-29 - Assignees: Rovi Guides, Inc. - Applicants: Rovi Guides, Inc. - Inventors: Gyanveer Singh; William Thomas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12114046B2 ## CPC - H04N 21/47217: {for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks (specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312)} - G08B 13/19665: {Details related to the storage of video surveillance data (television signal recording H04N5/76)} - H04N 5/783: Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate - H04N 5/91: Television signal processing therefor - H04N 9/8205: {involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal} - H04N 21/2387: Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play - H04N 21/4325: {by playing back content from the storage medium (reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79)} - H04N 21/4532: {involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences (monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18)} - H04N 21/4667: {Processing of monitored end-user data, e.g. trend analysis based on the log file of viewer selections} - H04N 21/4821: {using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract Systems and methods are described for modifying a fast-forwarding speed based on a reaction time of a user when a frame of interest is detected. A media guidance application may receive a command from a user to fast-forward through a media asset and may execute a fast-forwarding operation through frames of the media asset. The media guidance application may detect that the fast-forwarding operation is approaching a frame of interest to the viewer. The media guidance application may reduce the fast-forwarding speed to a second speed slower than the first speed, where the second speed is determined based on an estimated reaction time of the user. The media guidance application may receive a command to resume playback from the user while the fast-forwarding operation is occurring at the second speed and may play back the media asset at a default playback speed from a point corresponding to a moment when the command was received. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: generating, during a fast-forward operation, an overlay for display wherein the overlay displays a plurality of frames from the media asset, wherein the plurality of frames are displayed one at a time and change according to a first frequency threshold; detecting that the fast-forwarding operation is approaching a frame of interest; in response to detecting that the fast-forwarding operation is approaching the frame of interest, displaying the plurality of frames according to a second frequency threshold; detecting an input to resume playback; and in response to detecting the input to resume playback, displaying the media asset at a default playback speed from a point corresponding to when the input to resume playback was detected. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein generating an overlay for display comprises selecting the plurality of frames from a plurality of upcoming frames. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein selecting the plurality of frames comprises: identifying the plurality of upcoming frames; retrieving, from a profile, a plurality of preferences; and selecting the plurality of frames from the plurality of upcoming frames using the plurality of preferences. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein selecting the plurality of frames from the plurality of upcoming frames using the plurality of preferences comprises: determining a plurality of characteristics of the plurality of upcoming frames; and comparing the plurality of characteristics of the plurality of frames with the plurality of preferences. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of characteristics is determined using metadata associated with the plurality of upcoming frames. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of characteristics includes a title, a genre, or an actor/actress. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of preferences comprises a favorite genre or a favorite actress of a user associated with the profile. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the fast-forwarding operation from a first speed to a second speed slower than the first speed in response to detecting that the fast-forwarding operation is approaching the frame of interest. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the second speed is determined by: retrieving, from a profile associated with a user, a plurality of reaction times; calculating, from the reaction times, an estimated reaction time of the user; and in response to calculating the estimated reaction time of the user, calculating the second speed from the estimated reaction time of the user. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of reaction times are associated with a current age of the user. ### Claim 11 An apparatus comprising: control circuitry; and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the control circuitry, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: generate, during a fast-forward operation, an overlay for display wherein the overlay displays a plurality of frames from the media asset, wherein the plurality of frames are displayed one at a time and change according to a first frequency threshold; detect that the fast-forwarding operation is approaching a frame of interest; in response to detecting that the fast-forwarding operation is approaching the frame of interest, display the plurality of frames according to a second frequency threshold; detect an input to resume playback; and in response to detecting the input to resume playback, display the media asset at a default playback speed from a point corresponding to when the input to resume playback was detected. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused, when generating an overlay for display, to select the plurality of frames from a plurality of upcoming frames. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is further caused, when selecting the plurality of frames, to: identify the plurality of upcoming frames; retrieve, from a profile, a plurality of preferences; and select the plurality of frames from the plurality of upcoming frames using the plurality of preferences. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the plurality of preferences comprises a favorite genre or a favorite actress of a user associated with the profile. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is further caused, when selecting the plurality of frames from the plurality of upcoming frames using the plurality of preferences, to: determine a plurality of characteristics of the plurality of upcoming frames; and compare the plurality of characteristics of the plurality of frames with the plurality of preferences. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plurality of characteristics includes a title, a genre, or an actor/actress. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to reduce the fast-forwarding operation from a first speed to a second speed slower than the first speed in response to detecting that the fast-forwarding operation is approaching the frame of interest. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: retrieve, from a profile associated with a user, a plurality of reaction times; calculate from the reaction times, an estimated reaction time of the user; and in response to calculating the estimated reaction time of the user, calculate the second speed from the estimated reaction time of the user. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plurality of reaction times are associated with a current age of the user.