US 6,219,837 B1 · Summary frames in video

Abstract

According to the invention, channel surfers are aided by summary frames appearing on the screen along with the regular program. These summary frames are embedded in the broadcast and appear in a small window on the screen at some point in the future as the video is broadcast. The summary frames depict key scenes from the past which aid the viewer in quickly ascertaining the current plot or theme of the video program. In an interactive television environment, a short video segment may be associated with each shot such that when the shot is selected, the past video segment is played in a larger window on the screen complete with sound. Once the segment is viewed, the video program is rejoined in progress with the viewer having a better sense of what is going on in the video. Hence, a when a channel surfer arrives at a new channel, rather than only having what is currently playing to catch the eye, summary frames are also available to catch the surfer's attention and aid in understanding the programming.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A video viewing system, comprising:

a display screen for viewing a video program in progress;
and
at least one summary frame superimposed on said display screen along with said video program in progress, said at least one summary frame comprising a past frame from said video program in progress,
wherein selecting said at least one summary frame hyperlinks the video program in progress to begin playing from said selected summary frame.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Summary frames in video

Life of this patent

Summary frames in video

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5