USOO8202167B2
(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,202,167 B2 Ackley et al. (45) Date of Patent: Jun. 19, 2012
(54) SYSTEMAND METHOD OF INTERACTIVE SE A ck g E. KS et al...... 463f4 VIDEO PLAYBACK 5,548,340- 44 A 8, 1996 BertramOSO 5,553,864 A * 9/1996 Sitrick ...... 463,31 (75) Inventors: Jonathan Ackley, Glendale, CA (US); 5,606,374. A 2f1997 Bertram Christopher T. Carey, Santa Clarita, 5,634,850 A 6/1997 Kitahara CA (US); Bennet S. Carr, Burbank, CA 5,699,123 A 12/1997 Ebihara et al. (US); Kathleen S. Poole, sLa Canada,s 5,708,845.5,782,692 A 7/19981/1998 WistendahlStelovsky CA (US) 5,818.439 A 10/1998 Nagasaka et al. 5,830,065 A * 1 1/1998 Sitrick ...... 463,31 (73) Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc., Burbank, CA 5,892,521 A 4/1999 Blossom (US) 5,893,084. A 4/1999 Morgan (Continued) (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS U.S.C. 154(b) by 1834 days. EP O326830 8, 1989 (21) Appl. No.: 10/860,572 (Continued) OTHER PUBLICATIONS (22) Filed: Jun. 2, 2004 Halo 54. Airforce Delta Storm Faqs
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U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2004/O133794 A1 7/2004 Kocher 2004/0175218 A1 9, 2004 Katzer E. E. 2004/0268135 A1 12/2004 Zimmer 5.975.679 A 10/1999 A. ga 2005/0019015 A1 1/2005 Ackley 5987.509 A 11, 1999 P ot 2005/0022226 A1 1/2005 Ackley 6,069,669 A 5, 2000 tes 2005/0223220 A1 10/2005 Campbell WW-1 al 2006, OO69925 A1 3/2006 Nakai 6,234,896 B1* 5/2001 Walker et al...... 463/16 2007/0033419 A1 2/2007 Kocher 6,262,746 B1 7/2001 Collins gigs 8 R 3.39: Swami FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS - - aS 6,407,779 B1 6/2002 Herz EP O982.947 3, 2000 6,493,038 B1 12/2002 Singh EP 1304876 T 2004 6,539,240 B1 3/2003 Watanabe JP 3691.54/2002 12/2002 6,561,906 B2 * 5/2003 Suzuki ...... 463/31 WO WO O1 (73525 4/2001 6,570,587 B1 5/2003 Efrat et al. WO WOO1? 65832 T 2001 6,868.449 B1 3/2005 Miyamoto WO WO O2, 17643 2, 2002 7,027,101 B1 4/2006 Sloo 7,043,726 B2 5, 2006 Scheetz OTHER PUBLICATIONS 7,051,005 B1 5, 2006 Peinado Amer Ajami. Posted: Nov. 14, 2001 AirForce Delta Storm Review 29: R: $39. Supta
39. A. ck 23. Ottt et al.1 ...... 725/1 tute of Technology college of Computing, pp. 121-127, 196 (2002). 2004, OO67048 A1 4, 2004 Seo * cited by examiner U.S. Patent Jun. 19, 2012 Sheet 1 of 17 US 8,202,167 B2
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User plays game 85
Play User Segment interaction 90 113
Skip Segment 95
Play Segment 100
Skip Segment 105
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isuO??e|n?eu6uOD US 8,202,167 B2 1. 2 SYSTEMAND METHOD OF INTERACTIVE There are at least two distinct disadvantages to such a system. VIDEO PLAYBACK First, the video does not play continuously throughout the game. Second, the video may not be imported easily from a RELATED APPLICATIONS movie. Instead, the clips must be refilmed and stored on the appropriate media. Numerous attempts have been made to This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent overlay games on the video clips in both the personal com Application No. 60/475,339, filed Jun. 2, 2003, which is puter and game console industry. incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This applica One conventional attempt for playing an interactive game tion is also related to U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. over a video is “Dragon's Lair.” Dragon's Lair used branch 10/859,885, entitled “System And Method Of Programmatic 10 ing video paths to create an arcade experience. However, this Window Control For Consumer Video Players”; U.S. Utility game was based around an analog LaserDisc, not digital patent application Ser. No. 10/859.888, entitled “System And Video. Digital video is Superior to analog in quality. Also, the Method Of Dynamic Interface Placement Based On Aspect technology used for branching analog video paths does not Ratio”; U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/859,732, translate into digital technology. entitled “System And Method Of Video Player Commerce': 15 The first game to use digital video was “Sherlock Holmes: and U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/859.887, Consulting Detective.” The budget was extremely high and entitled “Video Playback Image Processing: all of which are was filmed by experienced filmmakers with professional filed concurrently herewith on Jun. 2, 2004, and incorporated actors on real sets. Both the high cost and the requirement to by reference herein in their entirety. film separate Scenes make this technology undesirable for interactive movies. BACKGROUND The first full motion video (“FMV) game was “Night Trap' by Digital Pictures and was produced on both Laser 1. Field Disc and CD platforms. FMV is video system that can display In general, the field of the disclosure relates to digital video continuous motion. Some slow-speed CD-ROM drives and control. More specifically, the field of the disclosure relates 25 low-bandwidth networks are unable to handle the mass of new systems and methods for providing interactive game or data required for full-motion video, so video playback tends educational experiences. to jerk unevenly. Also, video is often grainy and slightly 2. General Background and State of the Art blurred. Night Trap was also one of the first interactive games Interactive multimedia provides for a user to more fully composed of footage of real actors. Digital Pictures would appreciate a subject by exploring the varied multimedia 30 later release “Sewer Shark” for the SegaCD platform. Prop resources available. Interactive multimedia includes the inte erties such as resolution and color palette were lacking in gration of text, audio, graphics, still image and moving pic video. Overall, FMV did not provide the solution to interac tures into a single, computer-controlled, multimedia product. tive movies. The desire for interactive multimedia grows along with the Other games rely heavily on a mixture of computer graph desire for increasing data storage for these programs. 35 ics and additional footage of actors. “Star Wars: Rebel DVDs and other digital media players, such as high defi Assault' and “Rebel Assault II by LucasArts Entertainment nition video players and software DVD-ROM, provide an Company utilized video recorded on a stage using profes increased amount of data storage and, thus, more avenues for sional actors. To add authenticity, original props and cos media integration. Increased storage capacity translates into tumes were borrowed from the actual film production for the the ability to hold more information on a single disc or drive. 40 video game shoot. No ships, buildings, or other sets were built In addition to increased storage capacity, this digital media for use with the actors. Instead, actors were videotaped on a can provide higher quality video and audio. blue-screen stage, a large room whose walls are all painted in Although there are many uses for high quality audio and a special shade of blue. After the footage is recorded and Video products, the entertainment industry desires higher digitized, a special-effects technician can use a computer to quality audio and video, especially in the video game indus 45 replace all the blue portions of the imagery with computer try. The video game industry desires high quality with low generated imagery of an appropriate location. The budget for pricing. In order to make a video game based on a movie, the this product was very high and required significant time to quality of the audio and video often suffered as a result of the provide the necessary computer graphics. cost. In other circumstances, a quality product was produced In another conventional attempt at an interactive movie, that was too expensive to make a profit. 50 Trilobyte’s “The 7th Guest played video clips as a reward for For many years, the entertainment industry has attempted Solving puzzles. The video was poor quality, as actors were to add video from a movie to use in a video game. The concept filmed on a blue screen stage. Without a clean key, the result was to produce games with Hollywood production values, but ing film had the appearance of blue halos around the actors. add interactivity through branching storylines and sprite Additionally, game play was not related to the sequence of the overlays. A sprite is a graphics object made up of a pattern of 55 video. pixels and defined by a computer programmer. The object can Other conventional attempts require the game to load a be manipulated and combined to produce animated games or video clip associated with an action of the user. In “The graphic screen displays. Using Such techniques, these “inter Psychic Detective” by Electronic Arts, an adventure game active movies' were once thought to be the future of the video used video branches and sprite overlays to provide user inter game industry. Personal computer and console game-makers 60 action. When the game prompts the user with options such as quickly found that film production quickly consumed the “Run Away” or “Knock on the Door, the perspective view financial resources. changes based on the user's selection. Through these selec Attempts have been made in the video game industry to tions, the game can lead the user to one of many different insert video into a video game, rather than relying on anima endings. tion or computer graphics. The video game retains a number 65 The Psychic Detective does provide for constant move of video clips in storage. Depending upon the actions of the ment throughout the game. Even through a wrong choice, the user, the video game plays the corresponding video clip. Video continues. However, the game is not playing a continu US 8,202,167 B2 3 4 ous video, but rather playing video clips sequentially based during game play; and Superimposing graphics or text onto on the user's selections. In fact, The Psychic Detective the video to create an interactive game experience. A segment requires a three CD set to provide all of the video clips and of the video stream is skipped that interrupts continuous play programming. of a game. A segment of the video stream is played based on The Psychic Detective is far from the desired product of a user interaction. The segment identifiers may be triggers. The mixture of motion picture and video games. These conven segment identifiers may be provided in an edit decision list. tional attempts to provide an interactive movie do not fully Input by a user is provided with a remote device. The remote incorporate the product of the filmmakers and game develop device comprises a keyboard, mouse, remote control, or gam ers. Interactive movies require features that are not incorpo ing controller. Associated audio is provided with the graphics rated in conventional interactive media. The media does not 10 or text. Additional graphics or text are displayed in response allow a user to “participate' in a movie. The user can neither to user input. play the role of a character or assist in an action sequence. Still another embodiment provides a system for interactive Conventional attempts have utilized both personal computers media, the system comprising a video player for playing and video playback devices such as VCRs. However, a per media; a plurality of segment identifiers within the media, Sonal computer is not an ideal video playback device and 15 wherein the video player recognizes the segment identifiers Video playback devices do not have the computing power of a and plays segments between select segment identifiers; and personal computer. an overlay for the played segments, wherein the overlay Creating original video content for a video game is a costly assists a user to interact with the played segments. A CPU for process that often does not have the production qualities of a managing the playing of segments and overlay for played Hollywood movie. Because utilizing custom video content is segments. The plurality of segment identifiers are in an edit so expensive considering the revenue generated, conventional decision list. The edit decision list is a branching edit decision attempts are not successful in creating a true interactive list, wherein the played segments correspond to user input. movie. What is desired is a move that can be altered to allow The segment identifiers may be triggers. The overlay com the user to interact with the high quality footage of the film prises graphics or text. The video player is a DVD player, high studio. 25 definition player, or personal computer. The media is a DVD, DVD-ROM, CD, CD-ROM, or media from a LAN storage, SUMMARY the internet, a server, or a hard drive. The overlay comprises audio. A system and method of interactive video playback is Another embodiment provides a method for interacting disclosed which provides interactive game experiences on 30 with media, the method comprising the steps of providing the consumer playback devices, such as a DVD or High-Defini media to a media playback device; removing portions of the tion video players. Pre-existing media is used to provide an media to allow for substantially continuous viewing of a interactive game experiences to a user. A media playback scene; and inserting graphics on the remaining portions of the device dynamically edits or compresses pre-existing media media to assist the user in interacting with the remaining from its original form to a form more conducive to interac 35 portions of the media. Portions of the media are marked to be tivity, Such as game playing. Graphics, text, or other video is removed. The remaining portions of the media are played Superimposed on the media to create an interactive experi based upon user interaction. A list of times to begin and end CCC. scene removal from the media is also provided. The interactive media player may for example be a DVD The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages player, a personal computer, a high definition or Software 40 will become apparentform a reading of the following detailed Video player. In one embodiment, the pre-existing media is a description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which illus Video Such as a television show or a movie. trate the features and advantages of the invention in conjunc For example, a DVD containing a movie may be used as the tion with references to the accompanying figures. pre-existing data for which an interactive game is created. Generally, movies contain many scenes edited together, some 45 DRAWINGS of which may be close-ups. However, in an interactive game, scenes such as close-ups are not desired. Therefore, the video The accompanying drawings, which are included to pro is edited to remove portions not desired such as slower Scenes vide a further understanding and are incorporated in and and close-ups, leaving only the action sequence as the constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments remaining video. 50 of the invention and together with the description serve to In one embodiment, the video is edited on the fly by uti explain the principles. lizing a table or list of times or triggers which define when to FIGS. 1a-1b are flow diagrams according to an embodi stop, start, or how long to cut the video. The media player ment. processor is utilized to dynamically edit the video stream, FIG. 2 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an embodi with sufficient memory to buffer the segments to allow a 55 ment. Smooth transition between segments. The system also allows FIG. 3 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an embodi for an overlay of graphics or text for game play or interactiv ment. ity. Additionally, the system is capable of video and audio FIG. 4 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an embodi mixing. ment. Another embodiment provides a method of providing an 60 FIG. 5 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an embodi interactive game through playback of video, the method com ment. prising the steps of providing a video player with a processor, FIG. 6 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an embodi the processor accepting user input, drawing graphics or text ment. on top of video playback, and controlling playback of sounds; FIG. 7 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an embodi providing media with a video stream for standard playback 65 ment. and a plurality of segment identifiers to indicate to the pro FIG. 8 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an embodi cessor which segments of the video stream are to be played ment. US 8,202,167 B2 5 6 FIG.9 is an exemplary screenshot according to an embodi The system provides an interactive video playback plat ment. form with arbitrary real-time edit decisions. Upon activation FIG 10 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an of the game or interactive program, CPU 24 searches media embodiment. 10 for triggers or segment identifiers. The segment identifiers FIG 11 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an 5 provide indications for the segments that should be played embodiment. during use of the media as a game. The played segments of a FIG. 12 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an movie may be played in sequential order, or in any varied embodiment. order. The remaining segments are filtered out by skip seg FIG. 13 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an ments 60 due to their interruptive nature of the game. For embodiment. 10 example, in an action sequence of a movie, Some scenes FIG. 14 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an comprise close-ups of a character's face. In playing a game embodiment. based on this footage, the system optionally removes the FIG. 15 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an close-up footage so that the action sequence can run continu embodiment. ously. Segment identifiers are situated at the beginning and FIG. 16 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an 15 end of the interruptive scenes. The segment identifiers may embodiment. appear in one of at least two different ways. In one embodi FIG. 17 is an exemplary Screenshot according to an ment, triggers are embedded within the code of the media. In embodiment. an alternative embodiment, the control program utilizes a listing corresponding to the timing of certain segments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In one embodiment, triggers are embedded within the media. As media 10 streams into media interface 21, CPU 24 The system and method of interactive video playback adds recognizes a starting trigger at the beginning of a segment. interactive movie functionality to video players. Referring to CPU 24 commands media co-processor to skip a segment FIG. 1, the process of providing an interactive movie is between a the starting trigger and a next trigger. Output buffer shown. Media 10 is fed into a video player 20 that may play 25 23 does not receive that segment for display. As a result, video 30 on media 10 in a conventional application. Video output buffer must have sufficient capacity to transition seg players include, but are not limited to, DVD players, high ments smoothly and maintain a continuous video. Video definition video players, and software DVD-ROM. Media player 20 plays the media after the next trigger until another includes, but is not limited to, DVDs and other high capacity starting trigger appears. storage devices. In an example of the conventional use for the 30 In an alternative embodiment for skipping segments, along video player, a DVD player can play a movie recorded on a with any data required to play the game, the CPU processes an DVD. "edit decision list” (“EDL) for interactivity. The interactive Video player 20 provides at least a few functions that differ EDL can exist embedded on the media, encoded into the from conventional video players. First, video player 20 pro Video stream itself, or loaded and/or streamed from a com vides an on-screen menu for the user. Second, video player 20 35 puter network. When in conventional movie-playing mode, recognizes capabilities in the DVD. Third, video player 20 this EDL is ignored, allowing the media to play in its original inserts an overlay. Fourth, video player 20 skips undesirable form. When the player is placed into interactive or game SCCCS. mode, the CPU causes the player to skip over portions of the A method and a system allow a user to play a game or other media that detract from the interactive experience. During interactive experience utilizing the provided media. Upon a 40 game play, the logic in the CPU examines the EDL and depression of a button on a remote control, joystick, or key determines that on reaching a certain frame of video, the board, a click on a mouse, or other activation, optionally read-head should jump ahead by a few seconds to skip over through a remote device, a user 15 commands a CPU or the next few shots of non-interactive material. Also, the EDL processor 24 of video player 20 to display a menu 40. CPU 24 can cause the video stream to jump backwards arbitrarily, then commands a media co-processor 22 which sends the 45 allowing reuse of shots to increase the duration of the game. graphics and text of menu 40 to output buffer 23 before being In one embodiment, the video player utilizes the EDL to displayed on the screen to ensure Smooth transitions and play segments of media depending upon the users interaction prevent frame drift. Menu 40 can be displayed to the user with the game. The CPU uses the interaction of the user to during the operation or playback of media 10. Alternatively, advance to another segment or replay a segment if the user this menu may be presented before or during playback of the 50 provides Successful actions within the game. For example, as media. Upon Such activation orthrough other means before or the user is playing a game. Successful hits of a target prompts during playback, the system displays an on-screen menu. 40. the CPU to skip to a more advanced level of game play. This Through a similar action, the user can select the option for requires the CPU to advance to another segment on the EDL. playing a game or other interactive program from menu. 40. However, if the user does not successfully hit the targets, the Alternatively, by depressing a button on a remote control, 55 CPU will replay certain segments listed on the EDL to pro joystick, or keyboard, clicking on amouse, or other activation vide a less challenging game for the user. Thus, the EDL may through a remote device, the system may load a game or other be either dynamic or fixed, allowing a game to vary based on interactive program without the use of a menu. In such an user performance. instance, a button on the remote device may be labeled “Start By branching the EDL, the logic in the CPU customizes the or “Game. 60 game based on how well player scores or other user interac The system has the capacity to reuse traditional, linear tivity. Referring to FIG. 1b, a user activates game play mode narrative media effectively for interactivity. Media 10 is 85. The CPU reads the EDL and commands the media co streamed into a media interface 21 of video player 20. An processor to play segment 90. Upon user interaction 115, the executable file, optionally provided in media 10, is provided CPU may play segment 90 again or skip segment 95, as from media interface 21 to CPU 24. The video stream con 65 indicated by the EDL, and play segment 100 or segment 110. tinues to media co-processor 22. In order to provide effective Upon further user interaction 115, the CPU may play segment interactivity, CPU 24 recognizes triggers 50 within media 10. 100 again or skip segment 105, as indicated by the EDL, and US 8,202,167 B2 7 8 play segment 110. The CPU may also replay segment 90 or images and Scenes, such as the one shown in FIG. 5. Showing skip to segment 110 based on user interaction or playback as this cutaway would disrupt the continuous play of the game. defined in the EDL. The EDL allows the CPU to jump from Accordingly, it is removed and the read-head seeks the next one segment to another based on user interaction or the position on the DVD to continue playing the game. sequential playback as seen in a movie. The game play continues with the user unaware of the To enable arbitrary jumps in the video stream, the video presence of removed scenes. As shown in FIG. 6, counter 630 player reads video data into memory faster than the rate of the displays the same countdown, 11 seconds, as shown in FIG. 4. video playback. This buffering system allows video to con due to the fact that only a split second has elapsed, rather than tinue playing uninterrupted even when the playback device is a few seconds required to play the cutaway of FIG. 5. The two temporarily unable to read new video data, for instance an 10 players can continue playing the game. asynchronous read-head seek on a DVD player. The read Referring to FIG. 7, the player “Mickey” shoots lasers 720 head is the tiny electromagnetic coil and metal pole used to through target 710 at spaceship 730. Spaceship 730 is part of read back the magnetic patterns on the disk. Seek is the the original video stream. movement of a read/write head to a specific data track. Referring to FIG. 8, an explosion 840 on spaceship 830 is For instance, the concept of taking a spaceship battle form 15 shown after a direct hit from the lasers. Spaceship 830 is still a science fiction film and making it interactive may seem original video content from the movie on the media. However, straight forward. The player guides a cursor around the explosion 840 is drawn by the system and overlaid on the screen, earning points for shooting the bad guys and losing screen corresponding to spaceship 830 to appear as though it points for shooting the good guys. Shooting a ship triggers an is exploding. Referring to FIG.9, explosion 940 continues to explosion animation and a sound, respectively placed over the overlay spaceship 930 as spaceship 930 appears to fly across Video and Soundtrack. In practice, the interactive designer the screen. would find that a large portion of the scene would be made up Referring to FIG. 10, a target 1010, 1020 appears for each of cut-aways, close-ups, reaction shots, and other clips that do user to play a bonus movie trailer. If the user successfully hits nor Support the interactive design. the target, a movie trailer from the media, or alternative Media co-processor 22 provides video segments as well as 25 source, will be streamed from the media onto the display. graphics and text by insert graphics 70 into the video stream Referring to FIG. 11, one player has successful hit the target during game play. Such graphics and text may include, but are 1120. The other player has missed the target 1110, thus not limited to, the score of the game, a cursor for the remote prompting “better luck next time.” device, or other graphics desirably overlaid on the video. The Referring to FIG. 12, the user who successfully hit the graphics and text provide a guide for playing the game as well 30 target has the options of “Download Now 1210 or “Later 1220. These options appear as buttons similar to the menu as a means for the user to command the CPU to provide functions discussed above. Referring to FIG. 13, "Download additional graphics or text. CPU 24 commands media co Now’ 1310 has been selected and a graphic overlay appears to processor 22 to include graphics and textina certain configu make button 1310 glow. ration Such that the user can play a game 80. Throughout the Referring to FIG. 14, button 1410 becomes alpha transpar game, dependent upon user interaction, the chosen segments 35 ent and trailer 1420 appears on the display. Trailer 1420 may to be played, and data from the executable file, media co be downloaded from the internet, streamed from the media, or processor 22 provides a graphic overlay for the segments to retrieved from a storage device. Referring to FIG. 15, trailer output buffer 23 for playback. Through the remote device, 1520 continues to maximize on the display. Referring to FIG. user 15 can play a game 80 on original movie content using 16, trailer 1620 is fully maximized on the display. Referring the overlaid graphics text, while simultaneously skipping the 40 to FIG. 17, upon completion of playback of trailer 1720, segments that interrupt the continuous linear media. trailer 1720 becomes alpha transparent and fades away. The In an exemplary embodiment, a video stream has a space user may continue to watch the movie, play the game again, ship 200, as shown in FIG. 2. By depressing a button on a play a different game, or return to the menu. game controller, a menu is activated and the option 210 for The system provides audio as well as video to the game. “Activities' appears on the screen. 45 Audio from played segments may be optionally included. Referring to FIG. 3., upon the selection of 'Activities” by Further, audio from the executable file may be included in the the user, an option 320 for “Rocket Zapper appears on the graphic overlay or in response to actions by a user. screen in addition to option 310 for “Activities.” Previously While the system and method have been described in detail chosen menu options may optionally appear on the screen. and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be Also, use of menu items does not stop or pause the video 50 apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and stream, although menu items may be selected before play modifications can be made therein without departing from the back of the media. In FIG. 3, spaceship 300 is still flying on spirit and scope thereof. Thus, it is intended that the disclo the screen. sure cover the modifications and variations provided they fall Upon choosing “Rocket Zapper, the video player switches within the spirit and the scope as described herein. to gameplay mode. The control program and processor rec 55 The invention claimed is: ognize an EDL and draws graphics and text on the screen for 1. A method for use by a video player using a medium playing the game. Referring to FIG. 4, a two player game is including a video having a plurality of segments in a sequen shown. Names of players “Donald' and “Mickey' appear in tial playback order, the video player having an interactive text boxes 405, 410. In this exemplary embodiment, targets mode and a non-interactive mode, the method comprising: 415,420 are used for the two players in order to aim and shoot 60 activating the non-interactive mode for playing the video in other spaceships 425. Shooting through targets 415,420 may the sequential playback order by: be controlled by a remote device. In the conventional playing receiving the plurality of segments of the video in the mode, spaceships 425 would fly on the screen in an identical sequential playback order by a media interface of the fashion. Video player, In this embodiment, close-ups and cutaways that appear in 65 ignoring segment identifiers; and the original video stream are filtered from the footage. displaying each of the plurality of segments of the video Responsive to the times on the EDL, the processor filters in the sequential playback order by the video player, US 8,202,167 B2 9 10 activating the interactive mode of the video player for the processor operable to ignore the segment identifiers playing a game using the video by: in the non-interactive mode of the video player, and to starting to detect the segment identifiers in response to cause a display of each of the plurality of segments of the activating of the interactive mode; the video in the sequential playback order by the determining whether a user playing the game has suc 5 Video player, cessfully hit a target in the game; in the interactive mode: identifying, based on the determining, a first segment of the processor operable to start detecting the segment the plurality of segments of the video using one or identifiers, in response to the activating of the inter more of the segment identifiers to provide a first iden active mode, and to make a determination whether a 10 user playing the game has successfully hit a target in tified segment of the video: the game; skipping a display of the first identified segment of the wherein the processor is operable to identify, based on video; the determination, a first segment of the plurality of identifying, based on the determining, a second segment segments of the video using one or more of the seg of the plurality of segments of the video using one or 15 ment identifiers to provide a first identified segment of more of the segment identifiers to provide a second the video, and skip a display of the first identified identified segment of the video; and segment of the video; displaying the second identified segment of the video. wherein the processor is operable to identify, based on 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the segment identifiers the determination, a second segment of the plurality are located in a code within the medium. of segments of the video using one or more of the 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the segment identifiers segment identifiers to provide a second identified seg are located in an edit decision list within the medium. ment of the video, and cause a display of the second 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the segment identifiers identified segment of the video. are encoded into the video. 14. The video player of claim 13, wherein the segment 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the segment identifiers 25 identifiers are encoded into the video. are loaded from a computer network. 15. The video player of claim 13, wherein the video player 6. The method of claim 1, whereinactivating the interactive is operable to load the segment identifiers from a computer mode of the video player is in response to a request by the network. USC. 16. The video player of claim 13, wherein the processor is 7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the first 30 operable to activate the interactive mode of the video player in identified segment of the video is further based on a game response to a request by the user. score of the user. 17. The video player of claim 13, wherein the processor 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the video from the identifies the first identified segment of the video further medium is a linear narrative video. based on a game score of the user. 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising: 35 18. The video player of claim 13, wherein the video is a identifying one or more segments of the plurality of seg linear narrative video. ments of the video using one or more of the segment 19. The video player of claim 13, wherein the processor is identifiers to provide one or more identified segments of operable to identify one or more segments of the plurality of the video for displaying in the interactive mode, in segments of the video using one or more of the segment response to identifying the first identified segment; 40 identifiers to provide one or more identified segments of the buffering the one or more segments of the plurality of Video for displaying in the interactive mode, in response to segments for an uninterrupted display of the video in the identifying the first identified segment; interactive mode. wherein the processor is further operable to cause a buff 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: ering of the one or more segments of the plurality of Selecting a graphic overlay from the medium in the inter 45 segments for an uninterrupted display of the video in the active mode based on an action of the user; interactive mode. displaying the graphic overlay on the second identified 20. A method for use by a video player using a medium segment of the video in the interactive mode. including a video having a plurality of segments in a sequen 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first segment of the tial playback order, the video player having an interactive plurality of segments includes one of close-up segment or 50 mode and a non-interactive mode, the method comprising: Cutaway Segment. activating the non-interactive mode for playing the video in 12. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the video the sequential playback order by: occurs after activating the interactive mode of the video receiving the plurality of segments of the video in the player. sequential playback order by a media interface of the 13. A video player operable to provide an interactive mode 55 Video player, and a non-interactive mode using a medium including a video ignoring segment identifiers; and having a plurality of segments in a sequential playback order, displaying each of the plurality of segments of the video the video player comprising: in the sequential playback order by the video player, a media interface; and activating the interactive mode of the video player for a processor operable to activate the non-interactive mode 60 playing a game using the video by: of the video player, and further operable to activate the starting to detect the segment identifiers in response to interactive mode of the video player for playing a game the activating of the interactive mode; using the video; determining a game score of a user playing the game; in the non-interactive mode: identifying, based on the determining, a first segment of the media interface operable to receive the plurality of 65 the plurality of segments of the video using one or segments of the video in the sequential playback more of the segment identifiers to provide a first iden order; tified segment of the video: US 8,202,167 B2 11 12 skipping a display of the first identified segment of the in the non-interactive mode: video; the media interface operable to receive the plurality of identifying, based on the determining, a second segment segments of the video in the sequential playback of the plurality of segments of the video using one or order; more of the segment identifiers to provide a second 5 the processor operable to ignore the segment identifiers identified segment of the video; and in the non-interactive mode of the video player, and to displaying the second identified segment of the video. cause a display of each of the plurality of segments of 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the segment identi the video in the sequential playback order by the fiers are located in a code within the medium. Video player, 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the segment identi 10 in the interactive mode: fiers are located in an edit decision list within the medium. 23. The method of claim 20, wherein the segment identi the processor operable to start detecting the segment fiers are encoded in the video. identifiers, in response to the activating of the inter 24. The method of claim 20, wherein the segment identi active mode, and to determine a game score of a user fiers are loaded from a computer network. playing the game; 25. The method of claim 20, wherein activating the inter 15 wherein the processor is operable to identify, based on active mode of the video player is in response to a request by the determination, a first segment of the plurality of the user. segments of the video using one or more of the seg 26. The method of claim 20, wherein the video from the ment identifiers to provide a first identified segment of medium is a linear narrative video. the video, and skip a display of the first identified 27. The method of claim 20 further comprising: segment of the video; identifying one or more segments of the plurality of seg wherein the processor is operable to identify, based on ments of the video using one or more of the segment the determination, a second segment of the plurality identifiers to provide one or more identified segments of of segments of the video using one or more of the the video for displaying in the interactive mode, in segment identifiers to provide a second identified seg 25 ment of the video, and cause a display of the second response to identifying the first identified segment; identified segment of the video. buffering the one or more segments of the plurality of 32. The video player of claim 31, wherein the segment segments for an uninterrupted display of the video in the identifiers are encoded into the video. interactive mode. 28. The method of claim 20 further comprising: 33. The video player of claim 31, wherein the video player Selecting a graphic overlay from the medium in the inter 30 is operable to load the segment identifiers from a computer active mode based on an action of the user, network. displaying the graphic overlay on the second identified 34. The video player of claim 31, wherein the processor is segment of the video in the interactive mode. operable to activate the interactive mode of the video player in 29. The method of claim 20, wherein the first segment of response to a request by the user. the plurality of segments includes one of a close-up segment 35 35. The video player of claim 31, wherein the video is a or cutaway segment. linear narrative video. 30. The method of claim 20, wherein receiving the video 36. The video player of claim 31, wherein the processor is occurs after activating the interactive mode of the video operable to identify one or more segments of the plurality of player. segments of the video using one or more of the segment 31. A video player operable to provide an interactive mode 40 identifiers to provide one or more identified segments of the and a non-interactive mode using a medium including a video Video for displaying in the interactive mode, in response to having a plurality of segments in a sequential playback order, identifying the first identified segment; the video player comprising: wherein the processor is further operable to cause a buff a media interface; and ering of the one or more segments of the plurality of a processor operable to activate the non-interactive mode 45 segments for an uninterrupted display of the video in the of the video player, and further operable to activate the interactive mode. interactive mode of the video player for playing a game using the video;