US 8,270,819 B2Granted

Performing trick play functions in a digital video recorder with efficient use of resources

AssigneeTiVo Inc.

InventorEric Vannier

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Techniques for selecting a picture of a video program for display in accordance with a selected trick play mode of a DVR are described herein. Sometimes, when desired playback speed is faster than normal, a DVR is forced to select some pictures to play and some pictures to skip. Ideally, in order to preserve “smooth” viewing quality, the next picture to be displayed should be temporally close to the currently displayed picture. Since some pictures can take longer to decode than others, accounting for picture decoding costs helps ensure that the best picture can be selected for decoding given playback speed requirements. According to one embodiment of the invention, for each picture of a plurality of pictures in a video data stream, a DVR determines a decoding cost for that picture. Based on the determined costs, the DVR selects a particular picture. The DVR outputs the selected picture for display.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method for selecting a picture of a multi-picture video program for display, the method comprising:

determining, for each picture of a plurality of pictures in a data stream that represents the program, a cost associated with decoding that picture;
determining, based at least in part on a user-specified playback rate, a target picture that is a first specified temporal distance away from a current picture in presentation order;
determining a decode cost for the target picture;
determining whether the decode cost for the target picture is below a specified threshold;
when the decode cost for the target picture is below the specified threshold, then decoding and presenting the target picture;
and
when the decode cost for the target picture is not below the specified threshold, then performing steps comprising:
determining a particular set of other pictures that are within a second specified temporal distance away from the target picture in presentation order;
selecting, from the particular set of other pictures, one or more pictures that are associated with decode costs that are below the specified threshold;
and
decoding and presenting at least one of the one or more pictures that are associated with decode costs that are below the specified threshold;
outputting the particular picture for display;
wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

10 more elements

A digital video recorder (DVR) that is configured to:

determine, for each picture of a plurality of pictures in a data stream that represents a program, a cost associated with decoding that picture;
determine, based at least in part on a user-specified playback rate, a target picture that is a first specified temporal distance away from a current picture in presentation order;
determine a decode cost for the target picture;
determine whether the decode cost for the target picture is below a specified threshold;
decode and present the target picture when the decode cost for the target picture is below the specified threshold;
and
perform at least the following steps when the decode cost for the target picture is not below the specified threshold:
determining a particular set of other pictures that are within a second specified temporal distance away from the target picture in presentation order;
selecting, from the particular set of other pictures, one or more pictures that are associated with decode costs that are below the specified threshold;
and
decoding and presenting at least one of the one or more pictures that are associated with decode costs that are below the specified threshold;
output the particular picture for display.

9 more elements

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions, which when executed by one or more processors perform steps comprising:

determining, for each picture of a plurality of pictures in a data stream that represents the program, a cost associated with decoding that picture;
determining, based at least in part on a user-specified playback rate, a target picture that is a first specified temporal distance away from a current picture in presentation order;
determining a decode cost for the target picture;
determining whether the decode cost for the target picture is below a specified threshold;
when the decode cost for the target picture is below the specified threshold, then decoding and presenting the target picture;
and
when the decode cost for the target picture is not below the specified threshold, then performing steps comprising:
determining a particular set of other pictures that are within a second specified temporal distance away from the target picture in presentation order;
selecting, from the particular set of other pictures, one or more pictures that are associated with decode costs that are below the specified threshold;
and
decoding and presenting at least one of the one or more pictures that are associated with decode costs that are below the specified threshold;
outputting the particular picture for display.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/928,828Filed 30 Oct 2007 · us provisional application
Priority: 31 Oct 2006
Published: US 2008/0107401 A18 May 2008
Granted: 18 Sep 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification27 codes

H04N 5/781
Using magnetic recording: on disks or drums
G06Q 30/02
Commerce: marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
H04H 20/28
Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast: arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
H04H 20/38
Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast: arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers,…