Replacement of trick mode content in a video on demand system
A technique for managing video content for a video on demand (VOD) session involves replacing trick mode content with pre-defined replacement content when a trick mode command is executed. The replacement content is displayed in a clear and intelligible manner (e.g., at normal speed) even though a trick mode command, such as fast forward, reverse, or fast reverse, has been executed. In an embodiment, the replacement content is a replacement advertisement, which may be in the form of a moving image that is displayed as normal speed or a fixed image.
1 . A method for managing video content, the method comprising:
a) providing replacement content; and
b) displaying the replacement content in response to a trick mode command.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
c) providing a content descriptor for video on demand content, and
d) inserting a replacement content object into the content descriptor to form a replacement content descriptor.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein step d) comprises removing a trick mode object from the content descriptor.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the replacement content descriptor comprises a trick mode object and a replacement content object, and
the replacement content object is played in response to a trick mode command.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the trick mode object comprises a program trick mode object or an advertisement trick mode object.
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein:
the trick mode object comprises an advertisement trick mode object, and
the replacement content object plays as a replacement advertisement at normal speed.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step b) comprises displaying the replacement content instead of a trick mode content.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step b) comprises displaying the replacement content in concert with a trick mode content.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step b) comprises superimposing the replacement content on a trick mode content.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the trick mode command comprises one of fast forward, reverse, and fast reverse.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the replacement content comprises one of a fixed image and a moving image.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the replacement content comprises a single frame.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the replacement content comprises a text message.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the replacement content comprises scrolled text.
15 . A method for managing video content, the method comprising:
a) providing a content descriptor for video on demand content;
b) inserting a replacement content object into the content descriptor to form a replacement content descriptor, wherein the replacement content object plays as a replacement content; and
c) in response to a trick mode command, playing the replacement content object.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein step c) comprises playing the replacement content object instead of playing a trick mode object.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein step c) comprises playing the replacement content object in concert with playing a trick mode object.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the content descriptor comprises a trick mode object and a replacement content object,
the trick mode object plays as a trick mode content,
the replacement content object plays as a replacement content, and
step c) comprises playing the replacement content concurrently with playing the trick mode content.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the content descriptor comprises a program trick mode object, and
step b) comprises replacing the program trick mode object with the replacement content object.
20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the content descriptor comprises an advertisement trick mode object, and
step c) comprises playing the replacement content object as a replacement advertisement.
21 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the trick mode command comprises at least one of fast forward, reverse, and fast reverse.
22 . A computer readable medium, comprising:
processor-executable instructions for managing video content, the processor-executable instructions comprising the steps of:
a) providing a content descriptor for video on demand content;
b) inserting a replacement content object into the content descriptor to form a replacement content descriptor, wherein the replacement content object plays as a replacement content; and
c) playing the replacement content object in response to a trick mode command.
23 . The computer readable medium of claim 22 , wherein step c) comprises playing the replacement content object instead of a trick mode object.
24 . The computer readable medium of claim 22 , wherein the trick mode command comprises one of fast forward, reverse, and fast reverse.
25 . A video on demand server, comprising:
a replacement content module, wherein:
the replacement content module is configured to provide a replacement content descriptor,
the replacement content descriptor comprises a replacement content object,
the replacement content object plays as replacement content, and
the video on demand server is configured to play the replacement content object in response to a trick mode command from a client.
26 . The video on demand server of claim 25 , wherein the trick mode command comprises one of fast forward, reverse, and fast reverse.