Patents

U.S. Patent 5,664,046 ("AutoConfig")
Issued: Sep. 2, 1997
Title: Autoconfigurable Video System.

Abstract:
A video system and method comprising an automatic configuration with a viewer's video content preferences, and the automatic selection of video segments from a plurality of video segments responsive to an application of the viewer's video content preferences to a segment map of a video. The segment map defines the plurality of video segments, which may comprise at least one parallel segment. The segment map and the selected video segments are retrieved from a memory such as a laser readable memory. The retrieved video segments are transmitted as a continuous video. Additionally or alternatively, the video system retrieves from a remote video provider a version of a video selection that is responsive to the viewer's video content preferences. In one embodiment, the viewer's video content preferences and the segment map are responsive to, for example, at least one content category of possibly unsuitable content.

Claims:

• 1. A video system comprising:

  • first memory means for transporting a viewer's video content preferences;
  • reading means for reading from said first memory means said viewer's video content preferences;
  • second memory means for storing a video and a segment map defining a plurality of video segments of said video;
  • processing means for automatically selecting video segments from said plurality of video segments responsive to an application of said viewer's video content preferences to said segment map;
  • retrieving means for retrieving said segment map and the selected video segments from said second memory means; and
  • transmitting means for transmitting the retrieved video segments as a continuous video.
    
    
• 2. The video system of claim 1, wherein said second memory means comprises a transportable laser readable memory.
  
  
• 3. The video system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of video segments comprises at least one parallel segment.
  
  
• 4. The video system of claim 1, further comprising:
  
  
• video selecting means for the viewer to select a video from a remote video provider; and
• receiving means for receiving from said remote video provider the selected video and a segment map defining a plurality of video segments of said video.
  
  
• 5. The video system of claim 1, further comprising:
  
  
  • communicating means for communicating to a remote video provider said viewer's video content preferences;
  • video selecting means for the viewer to select a video from said remote video provider;
  • receiving means for receiving from said remote video provider a version of said video selection that is responsive to said viewer's video content preferences; and
  • wherein said transmitting means transmits the received version of said video selection.
  
  
• 6. The video system of claim 1, wherein said viewer's video content preferences are responsive to at least one content category of possibly unsuitable content, and wherein said segment map is responsive to said at least one content category.
  
  
• 7. The video system of claim 6, wherein said second memory means comprises a transportable laser readable memory.
  
  
• 8. The video system of claim 6, wherein said plurality of video segments comprises at least one parallel segment.
  
  
• 9. The video system of claim 6, further comprising:
  
  
  • video selecting means for the viewer to select a video from a remote video provider; and
  • receiving means for receiving from said remote video provider the selected video and a segment map defining a plurality of video segments of said video.
    

• 10. The video system of claim 6, further comprising:
  
  
  • communicating means for communicating to a remote video provider said viewer's video content preferences;
  • video selecting means for the viewer to select a video from said remote video provider;
  • receiving means for receiving from said remote video provider a version of said video selection that is responsive to said viewer's video content preferences; and
  • wherein said transmitting means transmits the received version of said video selection.
  
  
• 11. A video system comprising:
  
  
  • memory means for transporting a viewer's video content preferences;
  • reading means for reading from said memory means said viewer's video content preferences;
  • communicating means for automatically communicating to a remote video provider said viewer's video content preferences;
  • selecting means for communicating to said remote video provider a video selection of said viewer;
  • receiving means for receiving from said remote video provider a transmission that is responsive to said viewer's video content preferences and said video selection; said transmission comprising a version of a video differing in length than the length of said video; and
  • transmitting means for transmitting the received transmission.
  
  
• 12. A method of playing a video comprising the steps of:
  
  
  • providing a video system a first memory means transporting a viewer's video content preferences;
  • reading from said first memory means said viewer's video content preferences;
  • providing said video system a second memory means storing a video and a segment map defining a plurality of video segments of said video;
  • retrieving said segment map from said second memory means;
  • automatically selecting video segments from said plurality of video segments responsive to an application of said viewer's video content preferences to said segment map;
  • retrieving the selected video segments from said second memory means; and
  • transmitting the retrieved video segments as a continuous video.
  
  
• 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said viewer's video content preferences are responsive to at least one content category of possibly unsuitable content, and wherein said segment map is responsive to said at least one content category.
  
  
• 14. The method of claim 12, wherein said second memory means comprises a transportable laser readable memory.
  
  
• 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said plurality of video segments comprises at least one parallel segment.
  
  
• 16. A method of playing a video comprising the steps of:
  
  
  • providing a video system a memory means transporting a viewer's video content preferences;
  • reading from said memory means said viewer's video content preferences;
  • automatically communicating to a remote video provider said viewer's video content preferences;
  • communicating to a remote video provider a video selection of said viewer;
  • receiving from said remote video provider a transmission that is responsive to said viewer's video content preferences and said video selection, said transmission comprising a version of a video differing in length than the length of said video; and transmitting the received transmission.