Patents

U.S. Patent 6,011,895 ("Keywords")
Issued: Jan. 4, 2000
Title: Keyword responsive variable content video program.

Abstract:
A retrieval of programs, segments from a program, and/or segments from a plurality of programs comprising enabling a user to establish content preferences by means of at least one keyword; retrieving from a plurality of previously produced programs each having at least one program segment whose content is defined in accordance with at least one of a plurality of keywords, and responsive to a keyword analysis of the content preferences, at least one program segment retrieved from each of at least two previously produced programs, and/or retrieving a continuous version of, and from within, a previously produced program, the continuous version skipping over at least one program segment which is defined in accordance with at least one of a plurality of keywords. Wherein the retrieving is from a remote program provider, the system and method further comprising communicating the content preferences to the remote program provider. In an embodiment, the remote program provider merges a user interface with the program segments retrieved from each of at least two previously edited programs; and a program segment, defined responsive to at least one of a plurality of keywords, is a parallel segment.

Claims:

• 1. A method of retrieving program segments comprising the steps of:

  • enabling a user to establish content preferences;

  • communicating the content preferences to a program provider having random access to a plurality of previously produced separate and distinct programs each having within at least one program segment having a plurality of video frames and whose content is defined in accordance with at least one of a plurality of keywords; and

  • receiving from said program provider a plurality of program segments that are responsive to a keyword analysis of the content preferences, said plurality of program segments including a program segment retrieved from within one previously produced program and a program segment retrieved from within another previously produced program.

• 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said program segment retrieved from within one previously produced program and said program segment retrieved from within another previously produced program are received from said program provider as an assembled program.

• 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving from said program provider comprises receiving a user interface particular to said program segment retrieved from within one previously produced program and said program segment retrieved from within another previously produced program.

• 4. A method of retrieving program segments comprising the steps of:

  • enabling a user to establish content preferences;

  • communicating the content preferences to a program provider having random access to a plurality of previously produced separate and distinct programs each having within at least one program segment having a plurality of video frames and whose content is defined in accordance with at least one of a plurality of keywords; and

  • receiving from said program provider a listing of a plurality of program segments that are responsive to a keyword analysis of the content preferences; said plurality of program segments including a program segment retrievable from within one previously produced program and a program segment retrievable from within another previously produced program.

• 5. A system capable of retrieving program segments, the system comprising:

  • a user interface for a user to establish content preferences;

  • communication means for communicating the content preferences to a program provider having random access to a plurality of previously produced separate and distinct programs each having within at least one program segment having a plurality of video frames and whose content is defined in accordance with at least one of a plurality of keywords; and

  • receiving means for receiving from said program provider a plurality of program segments that are responsive to a keyword analysis of the content preferences, said plurality of program segments including a program segment retrieved from within one previously produced program and a program segment retrieved from within another previously produced program.

• 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said program segment retrieved from within one previously produced program and said program segment retrieved from within another previously produced program are received from said program provider as an assembled program.

• 7. The system of claim 5, wherein said receiving from said program provider comprises receiving a user interface particular to said program segment retrieved from within one previously produced program and said program segment retrieved from within another previously produced program.

• 8. A system capable of retrieving program segments, the system comprising:

  • a user interface for a user to establish content preferences;

  • communication means for communicating the content preferences to a program provider having random access to a plurality of previously produced separate and distinct programs each having within at least one program segment having a plurality of video frames and whose content is defined in accordance with at least one of a plurality of keywords; and

  • receiving means for receiving from said program provider a listing of a plurality of program segments that are responsive to a keyword analysis of the content preferences; said plurality of program segments including a program segment retrievable from within one previously produced program and a program segment retrievable from within another previously produced program.

• 9. A system capable of providing program segments, the system comprising:

  • storage means for storing a plurality of previously produced separate and distinct programs each having within at least one program segment having a plurality of video frames and whose content is defined in accordance with at least one of a plurality of keywords;

  • communication means for receiving content preferences of a user;

  • random accessing means for retrieving a plurality of program segments that are responsive to a keyword analysis of said content preferences, said plurality of program segments including a program segment retrieved from within one previously produced program and a program segment retrieved from within another previously produced program; and

  • transmitting means for transmitting the retrieved plurality of program segments.

• 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said program segment retrieved from within one previously produced program and said program segment retrieved from within another previously produced program are transmitted as an assembled program.

• 11. The system of claim 9, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting a user interface particular to said program segment retrieved from within one previously produced program and said program segment retrieved from within another previously produced program.

• 12. A system capable of providing program segments, the system comprising:

  • storage and retrieving means for storing and retrieving a plurality of previously produced separate and distinct programs each having within at least one program segment having a plurality of video frames and whose content is defined in accordance with at least one of a plurality of keywords;

  • communication means for receiving content preferences of a user; and

  • transmitting means for transmitting a listing of a plurality of program segments that are responsive to a keyword analysis of the content preferences; said plurality of program segments including a program segment retrievable from within one previously produced program and a program segment retrievable from within another previously produced program.