Method and apparatus for selectively playing segments of a video recording

Abstract

A video recording and playback device (10) incorporates a processor (114) for processing the video signal to detect the presence of commercial messages. Video and audio event detectors (102, 104) detect the presence of events in the signal as it is recorded. The timing relationship of the detected events is analyzed to classify the video segments between events as program material or as commercial messages. After a program is recorded, control marks are generated (132) to indicate the beginning and end of commercial groups so that they will be skipped during subsequent replay of the recorded program.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 384,468 filed Aug. 27, 1999, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 573,433 filed Dec. 15, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,210, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 304,781 filed Sep. 12, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,696,866, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 177,813 filed Jan. 4, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,093, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 002,782 filed Jan. 8, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,091, and of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 103,067 filed Aug. 6, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,630.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to the field of video recording and playback systems, and particularly to a method and apparatus for selectively omitting certain program content during playback of a reco...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a video recording and

Problems solved by technology

Such systems are claimed to be relatively effective for eliminating commercial messages, but suffer certain drawbacks.

In this regard, program material immediately following a commercial break is irretrievably lost since the VCR is held in the “pause” mode for a predetermined period of time (30 to 60 seconds or more) following each break in the television signal.

Furthermore, additional program material may be irretrievably lost if the timing circuit is falsely triggered, such as by a fade between scenes in the program.

This approach solves the problem of losing a fixed amount of program material if a VCR pause if falsely triggered, but it is still suscep

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