The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 17, 2009
Filed:
Oct. 22, 2004
Anoop Gupta, Woodinville, WA (US);
Li-wei He, Bellevue, WA (US);
Francis C. LI, El Cerrito, CA (US);
Yong Rui, Redmond, WA (US);
Anoop Gupta, Woodinville, WA (US);
Li-Wei He, Bellevue, WA (US);
Francis C. Li, El Cerrito, CA (US);
Yong Rui, Redmond, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A program distribution system includes a plurality of set-top boxes that receive broadcast programming and segmentation data from content and information providers. The segmentation information indicates portions of programs that are to be included in skimmed or condensed versions of the received programming, and is produced using manual or automated methods. Automated methods include the use of ancillary production data to detect the most important parts of a program. A user interface allows a user to control time scale modification and skimming during playback, and also allows the user to easily browse to different points within the current program.