Method and apparatus for controlling reproduction of an audiovisual work

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for building a database of content objectionable scenes of an audiovisual work, and a method and apparatus which uses the database to control reproduction of the work. The database may be stored on a server and made available to clients which control an audiovisual reproduction apparatus through a direct dial-up or Internet connection.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application contains material which is related to U.S. application Ser. No. ______ , filed Jan. 27, 2000 and entitled “Video Review Apparatus and Method.”Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the reproduction of an audiovisual work based on program content. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART [0003] Many audiovisual works, such as movies and videos currently have a content “rating” which is used to control access to the work by minors. The movie ratings system in the United States has been determined by producers (distributors, dealers) voluntarily. According to the document “THE MOVIE BUSINESS BOOK, pp 396-406, ‘THE VOLUNTARY MOVIE RATING SYSTEM’”, the ratings are broken down into five categories of: [0004]“G ”, General Audiences—AU ages admitted; “PG ”, Parental Guidance Suggested—Some material may not be suitable for children; [0005]“PG-13”, Parents strongly cautioned—Som...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention allows viewers to control what parts of a DVD they watch. It does this by creating a database of video frames that contain objectionable content and assigning a rating level to each frame. The viewer can then select the rating level they want and the DVD player will play the video frames without the objectionable content. This feature is useful for parents who don't want their children to watch certain parts of a DVD. The database can be created by someone within the household or a server on the Internet. Overall, this invention provides viewers with more creative control over the playback of audiovisual works on DVDs."

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, in accordance with these assignments, entrance to a movie theater is restricted and selling or renting of a video tape, may likewise be restricted.

However, only small portions of the work may be the cause of a particular rating (e.g., scenes which contain violence, objectionable language, adult situations, nudity, etc.).

While this method is somewhat effective, it is well known that producers and directors of audiovisual works object to providing multiple versions of a work on a single DVD due to, e.g., the fact that it limits their creative freedom, and production costs are usually higher.

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