Patents

U.S. Patent 6,002,833 ("Userdisc")
Issued: Dec. 14, 1999
Title: Disc Storing A Variable-Content-Video And A User Interface.

Abstract:
A laser readable disc comprising at least one spiral track storing a video program including within at least three segments containing respectively (1) content unique to one of at least two versions of, and playable from within, the video program, (2) content unique to another of the at least two versions, and (3) content common to the at least two versions, the laser readable disc storing a user interface particular to the video program, and storing segment information (e.g. information defining and linking segments) for playing, by means of a random accessing and buffering, and responsive to a preference with respect to, for example, at least one category of detail and/or a category of possibly objectionable content, such as motion picture rating, at least one seamless version of, and from within, the video program, and for seamlessly skipping at least one segment containing content not included in the version being played; and wherein a segment (e.g. a parallel, transitional, or overlapping segment) containing content unique to the one of the at least two versions provides, for example, for a scene at a different level of detail, explicitness, and/or violence, than that provided by a segment containing content unique to the another of the at least two versions.

Claims:

• 1. A laser readable disc comprising at least one spiral track storing a video program including within at least three segments containing respectively (1) content unique to one of at least two versions of, and playable from within, the video program, (2) content unique to another of said at least two versions, and (3) content common to said at least two versions, the laser readable disc storing a user interface particular to the video program and enabling content selection, and storing information defining and linking segments for playing, by means of a random accessing and buffering, a seamless version of, and from within, the video program, and for seamlessly skipping at least one segment containing content not included in the version being played.

• 2. The laser readable disc of claim 1 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions provides for a scene at a different level of explicitness than that provided by a segment containing content unique to the another of said at least two versions.

• 3. The laser readable disc of claim 1 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions provides for a scene at a different level of detail than that provided by a segment containing content unique to the another of said at least two versions.

• 4. The laser readable disc of claim 1 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions is parallel to a segment containing content unique to the another of said at least two versions.

• 5. The laser readable disc of claim 1 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions is a transitional segment.

• 6. The laser readable disc of claim 1 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions is responsive to a motion picture rating.

• 7. The laser readable disc of claim 1 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions provides, responsive to a motion picture rating, for a scene at a different level of explicitness than that provided by a segment containing content unique to the another of said at least two versions.

• 8. A laser readable disc comprising at least one spiral track storing a video program including within at least three segments containing respectively (1) content unique to one of at least two versions of, and playable from within, the video program, (2) content unique to another of said at least two versions, and (3) content common to said at least two versions, the laser readable disc storing a user interface particular to the video program and enabling content selection, and storing segment information for playing, by means of a random accessing and buffering, a seamless version of, and from within, the video program, and for seamlessly skipping at least one segment containing content not included in the version being played.

• 9. The laser readable disc of claim 8 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions provides for a scene at a different level of explicitness than that provided by a segment containing content unique to the another of said at least two versions.

• 10. The laser readable disc of claim 8 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions provides for a scene at a different level of detail than that provided by a segment containing content unique to the another of said at least two versions.

• 11. The laser readable disc of claim 8 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions is parallel to a segment containing content unique to the another of said at least two versions.

• 12. The laser readable disc of claim 8 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions is a transitional segment.

• 13. The laser readable disc of claim 8 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions is responsive to a motion picture rating.

• 14. The laser readable disc of claim 8 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions provides, responsive to a motion picture rating, for a scene at a different level of explicitness than that provided by a segment containing content unique to the another of said at least two versions.

• 15. A laser readable disc comprising at least one spiral track storing a video program including within at least three segments containing respectively (1) content unique to one of at least two versions of, and playable from within, the video program, (2) content unique to another of said at least two versions, and (3) content common to said at least two versions, the laser readable disc storing a user interface particular to the video program and enabling content selection, and storing information defining and linking segments for playing, by means of a random accessing and buffering, and responsive to a preference with respect to at least one motion picture rating, a seamless version of, and from within, the video program, and for seamlessly skipping at least one segment containing content not included in the version being played.

• 16. The laser readable disc of claim 15 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions provides for a scene at a different level of explicitness than that provided by a segment containing content unique to the another of said at least two versions.

• 17. The laser readable disc of claim 15 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions provides for a scene at a different level of violence than that provided by a segment containing content unique to the another of said at least two versions.

• 18. The laser readable disc of claim 15 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions is parallel to a segment containing content unique to the another of said at least two versions.

• 19. The laser readable disc of claim 15 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions is a transitional segment.

• 20. The laser readable disc of claim 15 wherein a segment containing content unique to the one of said at least two versions provides, responsive to a motion picture rating, for a scene at a different level of violence than that provided by a segment containing content unique to the another of said at least two versions.

• 21. A laser readable disc comprising:

  • at least one spiral track storing a video program including within at least three addressable video segments containing respectively, (1) content unique to one of at least two versions of, and playable from within, said video program, (2) content unique to another of said at least two versions, and (3) content common to said at least two versions;

  • a user interface particular to said video program, said user interface presenting said user with an option for selecting one of said at least two versions for playback; and

  • segment addressing information for enabling random accessing and buffering of segments during playback to seamlessly play, from within said video program, and without requiring an alternate video program source, a selected video program version, and to seamlessly skip, within the said video program, at least one segment not included in said selected video program version.