Time shifting by concurrently recording and playing a data stream

This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/383,459, filed Mar. 7, 2003, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/343,870, filed Jun. 30, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,058, issued Jul. 8, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/150,577, filed Sep. 10, 1998, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/996,535, filed Dec. 23, 1997, which issued on Nov. 12, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,667.

This present invention relates to the recording and playing back of a video stream. A video stream includes any combination of audio and/or video data streams.

Video streams have typically been recorded on analog media such as a video cassette. A video cassette recorder (VCR) is used to record the video stream on the video cassette. The video stream may come via a broadcast signal, via cable, via satellite signal, or from another video playback device. Once the video stream has been recorded, the VCR is used to rewind the recording medium and play what was recorded. However, due to the nature of the analog medium, once the VCR has started recording, it is not possible to play back the portion of the video stream that has already been recorded until the recording session is terminated.

Thus, there is a need for an improved way of recording portions of a video transmission.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method of displaying and recording a video transmission includes requesting scene change time information. The scene change time information is used to identify scenes in stored video information.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method of detecting scene changes in video and audio information includes using a first technique to identify a scene change. Audio information is used to assist in identifying a scene change.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method of detecting scene changes in compressed video information includes identifying scene change information developed by the algorithm used to compress said video information. That scene change information is used to identify scene changes. The location of the scene change is marked to facilitate identifying the video frame where the scene change occurs.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for identifying whether digital or analog video information has been received includes attempting to demodulate the information using a digital technique. Based on the results of the demodulation attempt, the format of the information is determined.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method of storing and playing digital video information includes receiving a plurality of programs on a single channel. Each of said programs is stored in association with an identifier. A first program is played and then stopped. The identifier and the point when the play is stopped is stored. A second program is played.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a video record and playback system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the method of providing a time-shifted video stream in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of performing block 206 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of an apparatus for storing the video stream on a hard disk in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a method of using the storage unit as a temporary buffer in accordance with the invention;

Continue reading about Time shifting by concurrently recording and playing a data stream...
Full patent description for Time shifting by concurrently recording and playing a data stream

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims

Click on the above for other options relating to this Time shifting by concurrently recording and playing a data stream patent application.
###


How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents
1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored.
3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords.  
Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Time shifting by concurrently recording and playing a data stream or other areas of interest.
###


Previous Patent Application:
Media generation system
Next Patent Application:
Digital broadcasting recording apparatus and digital broadcasting recording method
Industry Class:
Television signal processing for dynamic recording or reproducing

###

Design/code © 2009 FreshContext LLC/Freshpatents.com. Website Terms and Conditions - Also read: About this Page
Patent data source: patents published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Information published here is for research/educational purposes only (and in conjunction with our Keyword Monitor) and is not meant to be used in place of the full USPTO patent document/images or a comprehensive patent archive search. Complete official applications are on file at the USPTO and often contain additional data/images (Freshpatents is currently text-only). FreshPatents.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO or firms/individuals or products/designs/ideas related to listed patents.

FreshPatents.com Support
Thank you for viewing the Time shifting by concurrently recording and playing a data stream patent info.
IP-related news and info


Results in 2.66739 seconds


Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories:
Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , paws