Patent ID: 7191462
Filing Date: 2007-03-13
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of transmitting a video stream of images over a computer network from a first location to a second location in a first digitally compressed formal and then retransmitting, based on one or more actions of a user at the second location, at least a portion of the video stream of images in a higher quality second digitally compressed format, the method comprising the steps of: a) generating a plurality of images at a video source device at the first location; b) transferring the plurality of images from the video source device to a transmitting device in an original video format as a steam of video images; c) saving the plurality of images from the video source device on the transmitting device as a first saved stream of video images; d) converting the stream of video images from the original video format to the first digitally compressed format as each image is received from the video source device at the transmitting device, e) transmitting the video stream of images in the first digitally compressed format over the computer network from the transmitting device to a receiving device at the second location; f) saving the video stream of images in the first digitally compressed format on the receiving device at the second location as a second saved stream of video images; g) decompressing the video stream of images in the first digitally compressed format at the receiving device; h) displaying the decompressed video stream of images on a display device to the user at the second location as the video stream of images in the first digitally compressed format is being received at the second location; i) marking a portion of the displayed stream of video images at the second location based on one or more actions of the user; j) returning a request over the computer network from the receiving device to the transmitting device for an enhanced version of the marked portion of the video stream of images; k) processing, at the transmitting device, the request for an enhanced version of the marked portion of the video stream of images to determine a subset of images from the saved stream of video images; l) converting at least the subset of images to the enhanced second digitally compressed format, m) transmitting the subset of images in the enhanced second digitally compressed format, corresponding to the marked portion of the video stream of images, over a computer network from the transmitting device to the receiving device at the second location; n) saving the subset of images in the second digitally compressed format on the receiving device at the second location; o) decompressing the subset of images in the second digitally compressed format at the receiving device; and p) displaying the decompressed subset of images in an enhanced decompressed quality on the display device to the user at the second location while the video stream of images in the first digitally compressed format continues to be received at the second location; wherein the first location is distinct and remote from the second location, whereby the user at second location views a low quality version of the stream of video images while they are being transmitted, a portion of the displayed video is marked, the marked portion is retransmitted and displayed in higher quality, and the user views the retransmitted portion in higher quality while transmission of the low quality stream of video images continues.