Patents

U.S. Patent 5,717,814 ("Set-Top")
Issued: Feb. 10, 1998
Title: Variable-Content Video Retriever.

Abstract:
A video retrieving method/system that permits a viewer to establish video content preferences, request a video from a remote video provider, and receive a version of the requested video that is responsive to an application of the content preferences to a content map that provides for a variable arrangement of a plurality of video segments of the requested video. Alternatively, the viewer receives the requested video and a content map of the requested video, enabling the viewer to produce a version of the received video responsive to an application of the content preferences to the content map.

Claims:

• 1. A method of retrieving a video comprising the steps of:

  • establishing a viewer's content preferences;
  • receiving, from a remote video provider, a previously edited video and information defining a plurality of video segments of said video; and
  • playing, responsive to said content preferences and said information and without requiring editing by said viewer, a continuous version of said video that is different in length than the length of said video.

• 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said previously edited video includes within at least one non-sequential video segment.

• 3. A method of retrieving a video comprising the steps of:
  
  
  • establishing a viewer's content preferences;
  • receiving a previously edited video from a remote video provider;
  • retrieving information defining a plurality of video segments of said video; and
  • playing, responsive to said content preferences and said information and without requiring editing by said viewer, a continuous version of said video that is different in length than the length of said video.

• 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said previously edited video includes within at least one non-sequential video segment.

• 5. A method of retrieving a video comprising the steps of:
  
  
  • establishing a viewer's content preferences;
  • requesting a previously edited video from a remote video provider, said video having information defining a plurality of video segments;
  • providing said remote video provider said content preferences; and
  • receiving, responsive to said content preferences and said information and without requiring editing by said viewer, a continuous version of said video that is different in length than the length of said video.

• 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said previously edited video includes within at least one non-sequential video segment.

• 7. A method of retrieving a video comprising the steps of:
  
  
  • communicating a viewer's content preferences to a remote video provider;
  • requesting a previously edited video from said remote video provider, said video having information defining a plurality of video segments; and
  • receiving, responsive to said content preferences and said information and without requiring editing by said viewer, a continuous version of said video that is different in length than the length of said video.

• 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said previously edited video includes within at least one non-sequential video segment. 

• 9. A video retriever system comprising:
  
  
  • establishing means for a viewer to establish content preferences;
  • receiving means for receiving, from a remote video provider, a previously edited video and information defining a plurality of video segments of said video; and
  • playing means for playing, responsive to said content preferences and said information and without requiring editing by said viewer, a continuous version of said video that is different in length than the length of said video.

• 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said previously edited video includes within at least one non-sequential video segment.

• 11. A video retriever system comprising:
  
  
  • establishing means for a viewer to establish content preferences;
  • receiving means for receiving a previously edited video from a remote video provider;
  • retrieving means for retrieving information defining a plurality of video segments of said video; and
  • playing means for playing, responsive to said content preferences and said information and without requiring editing by said viewer, a continuous version of said video that is different in length than the length of said video.

• 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said previously edited video includes within at least one non-sequential video segment.

• 13. A video retriever system comprising:
  
  
  • communicating means for communicating a viewer's content preferences to a remote video provider;
  • requesting means for requesting a previously edited video from said remote video provider, said video having information defining a plurality of video segments; and
  • receiving means for receiving, responsive to said content preferences and said information and without requiring editing by said viewer, a continuous version of said video that is different in length than the length of said video.

• 14. The system of claim 13, wherein said previously edited video includes within at least one non-sequential video segment.