Abstract:
A video playback device includes video and audio event detectors (102 and 104) which detect the presence of events in the video signal as it is played. When the viewer commands the device to skip past a portion of a recorded program, a processor (114) monitors the detect events to locate an event corresponding to the beginning of a next program segment. The device then returns to that location and begins normal play. Alternatively, the viewer may manually terminate the skipping process, at which time the device automatically returns to the location of the most recently detected event.