Patent ID: 8302132
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A system for preparing data and a plurality of video sequences to enable a viewer to scroll content in a plurality of directions including a first direction and a second direction, the content including at least one element in motion, the system comprising a plurality of operationally connected modules including: a video sequence preparation module to prepare the video sequences including a first video sequence and a second video sequence, each of the video sequences including a plurality of still images, each of the still images including at least part of the content, at least some of the still images including the at least one element, the video sequences being prepared such that playing the first video sequence and the second video sequence effects scrolling the content in the first direction and the second direction, respectively; and a switchover determination module to prepare the data including a plurality of corresponding switchover points in the video sequences for switching between the video sequences and therefore for switching the direction of scrolling by the viewer, wherein: the video sequences and the switchover points are prepared such that: even during the switching of the direction of scrolling, the content as viewed by the viewer appears to be continuous; whether the scrolling is in the first direction or the second direction, the motion of the at least one element as viewed by the viewer appears to be the same; and even when the scrolling is paused, the at least one element appears to be in motion; the switchover determination module is operative to define the switchover points according to a repetition of the motion of the at least one element; the content includes at least part of a program guide, the content including a plurality of program items, the switchover determination module being operative to define the switchover points according to a plurality of scroll latch points, the scroll latch points being where the scrolling of the content comes to rest such that a whole one of the program items is at the top of the program items as viewed by the viewer; the at least one element in motion is an animation or preview for one of the program items; and the video sequence preparation module is operative to prepare the video sequences such that some of the still images of the first video sequence are the same as some of the still images of the second video sequence, the switchover determination module being operative to define the switchover points being at, or next to, the still images common to the first video sequence and the second video sequence.