Method and system for image alteration

1. A method comprising:

accessing, by a provider system comprising a processor, a video signal having a plurality of images and an audio track, wherein the provider system provides the video signal to a set-top box of a subscriber via a provider network;

receiving, by the provider system, an alteration request from a device of the subscriber;

altering, by the provider system, the plurality of images of the video signal to blur the video signal based on the alteration request, thereby producing a blurred video signal, wherein the blurred video signal selectably obscures a partial portion of an image of the plurality of images responsive to the alteration request by stretching a first portion of the image of the plurality of images of the video signal, without stretching a second portion of the image; and

providing, by the provider system, the blurred video signal to the set-top box of the subscriber via the provider network for presentation by equipment of the subscriber;

detecting, by the provider system, a restorative event within the blurred video signal;

restoring, by the provider system, the video signal to obtain a restored video signal for presentation in response to the detecting of the restorative event; and

providing, by the provider system, the restored video signal to the set-top box of the subscriber via the provider network for presentation by the equipment of the subscriber,

wherein the receiving of the alteration request comprises receiving the alteration request from the subscriber through a remote control, wherein the alteration request is selectable among a partial blur request, a full blur request, and a restore image request.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising suppressing, by the provider system, the audio track of the blurred video signal responsive to receiving the alteration request, and wherein the accessing of the video signal comprises receiving the video signal over an internet protocol network.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the accessing of the video signal comprises accessing the video signal from a digital versatile disc.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the restorative event within the blurred video signal further comprises determining a location in the video signal of a next scene change.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the restorative event within the blurred video signal further comprises identifying a next programming segment in the video signal.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the next programming segment comprises a next chapter on a recording medium.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alteration request comprises instructions to blur an object in the image of the plurality of images, wherein the first portion of the image consists of an object within the image.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the altering of the image comprises:

accessing an alteration setting; and

altering the partial portion of the image of the plurality of images of the video signal to blur the video signal based on the alteration setting.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the accessing of the alteration setting comprises accessing the alteration setting from a plurality of alteration settings.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of alteration settings are selected from a group consisting of a cycle of alteration settings, a plurality of preprogrammed alteration settings, and combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing of the blurred video signal comprises presenting the blurred video signal on a display.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing of the blurred video signal comprises providing the blurred video signal to a display device, the blurred video signal capable of being presented on the display device.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a restore request from the device;

restoring the blurred video signal resulting in the restored video signal including its audio track to its original state responsive to receiving the restore request; and

providing the restored video signal for presentation.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein altering, by the system, the plurality of images of the video signal to blur features of the plurality of images, comprises blurring an object in the images of the plurality of images.

15. A media content provider system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations comprising:

accessing a video signal having a plurality of images;

receiving an alteration request from a device of a subscriber, wherein the alteration request comprises instructions for selectably blurring a partial portion of an image of the plurality of images responsive to the alteration request by stretching a first portion of the image of the plurality of images of the video signal, without stretching a second portion of the image;

altering the plurality of images of the video signal to blur the video signal based on the alteration request, thereby producing a blurred video signal;

providing the blurred video signal to a set-top box of the subscriber via the provider network for presentation by equipment of the subscriber;

detecting a restorative event within the blurred video signal; and

restoring the video signal for presentation in response to the detecting of the restorative event,

wherein the receiving of the alteration request comprises receiving the alteration request from the subscriber through a remote control, wherein the alteration request is selectable among a partial blur request, a full blur request, and a restore image request.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the detecting of the restorative event comprises determining a location of a scene change in the blurred video signal.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the detecting of the restorative event comprises identifying a next programming segment in the blurred video signal.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise accessing an alteration setting.

19. The system of claim 15 , wherein instructions for blurring some features of the plurality of images, comprise instructions for blurring an object in the images of the plurality of images.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the alteration request comprises instructions to one of blur an object in images of the plurality of images, blur the full images, or remove blur to restore the images.

21. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to facilitate performance of operations comprising:

accessing a video signal having a plurality of images;

receiving by provider equipment, an alteration request from a device of a subscriber;

altering by the provider equipment, the plurality of images of the video signal to blur the video signal based on the alteration request, thereby producing a blurred video signal, wherein the blurred video signal selectably obscures a partial portion of an image of the plurality of images responsive to the alteration request by stretching a first portion of the image of the plurality of images of the video signal, while preserving a second portion of the image;

providing the blurred video signal to equipment of the subscriber by way of a provider network, for presentation;

detecting, during presentation of the blurred video signal, a restorative event within the blurred video signal;

restoring the blurred video signal to its original state, resulting in a restored video signal, responsive to the detecting of the restorative event; and

Providing the blurred video signal to the equipment of the subscriber by way of the provider network for presentation,

wherein the receiving of the alteration request comprises receiving the alteration request from the subscriber through a remote control, wherein the alteration request is selectable among a partial blur request, a full blur request, and a restore image request.

22. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 21 , wherein accessing the video signal includes receiving the video signal over an internet protocol network.

23. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 21 , wherein the detecting of the restorative event comprises determining a location of a scene change in the blurred video signal.

24. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 21 , wherein the detecting of the restorative event comprises identifying a next programming segment in the blurred video signal.

25. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 24 , wherein the next programming segment comprises a next news story.

26. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 21 , wherein the alteration request comprises instructions to blur an object in images of the plurality of images.