Patent Document ID: 9538247
Application ID: 14966596
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A method comprising: accessing, by a provider system comprising a processing system including 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; 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, wherein the altering of the image comprises accessing an alteration setting of a plurality of alteration settings selected from a group consisting of a cycle of alteration settings, a plurality of preprogrammed alteration settings, and combinations thereof, and wherein the detecting of the restorative event within the blurred video signal further comprises identifying a next programming segment in the video signal.