Video content switching and synchronization system and method for switching between multiple video formats

Abstract

A video content type seamless switching system and method for synchronizing and displaying multiple types of video content in a single platform, such as a single video player, application, or other content player. Illustrative video content type switching may be between 2D and interactive Artificial Intelligence formats coordinated by a switching controller. The switching controller may be configured to operate with television displays and associated control components, such as cable boxes, through implementation of the video content switching methods.

Claimed is: 
     
         1 . A content switch apparatus for switching between different video content types comprising:
 a media player having two or more video players for playing different video formats including a parent video player to play parent video content in a parent format and one or more interactive child video players to play child video content in one or more child video formats, a memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute steps comprising:
 providing a parent file having a timing schedule embedded in a metafile; 
 activating a parent video player; 
 reading the parent file to obtain the timing schedule; 
 anticipating available AI interactive child video content based on the timing schedule; 
 determining amount of time into the parent file when the anticipated available AI interactive child video content should be launched based on the timing schedule to provide an anticipated launch time of the AI interactive child video content; 
 wherein the anticipated available AI interactive child video content is of a different format than the parent video content; 
 enabling a content switch button; 
 receiving input by a switch controller from the content switch button; and 
 by the switch controller, based on the input, rotating the parent video player to the child video player. 
   
     
     
         2 . The content switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein, rotating the parent video player to the AI interactive child video player further includes hiding the parent video content and launching the anticipated available AI interactive child video content. 
     
     
         3 . The content switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the media player is configured to obtain video content in the different video formats from a server, and the processor is configured to:
 stream multiple video formats simultaneously from the server and temporarily storing them at the video player. 
 
     
     
         4 . The content switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the media player is configured to have the two or more video players active at the same time and the processor is configured to:
 present video by one of the two or more video players while one or more of the other two or more video players prepares video for playback or stand ready for playback. 
 
     
     
         5 . The content switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the parent video format is in 2D linear. 
     
     
         6 . The content switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the parent video format is in 2D linear and the AI interactive child video format in is 3D. 
     
     
         7 . The content switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the processor is further configured to:
 send, by the content switch controller, a command to the media player; 
 send, by the media player, the command to an SDK; 
 provide, by the SDK, instructions to render an AI interactive child video to move according to the command; 
 navigate the AI interactive child video according to the command; 
 crop the AI interactive child video to a viewing area of the media player; and 
 send the cropped AI interactive child video as a 2D video to the media player. 
 
     
     
         8 . The content switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the AI interactive child video content is interactive video content with an AI character and the AI character is a 3D rendering of a character from the parent video content that a user can interactively communicate with. 
     
     
         9 . The content switch apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an SDK, and wherein the processor is further configured to:
 with an SDK, track data including a viewer's actions and preferences; 
 export the tracked data; and 
 take marketing action based on the tracked data. 
 
     
     
         10 . The content switch apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the processor is further configured to:
 buffer the anticipated available AI interactive child video content based on the anticipated launch time; and 
 enable the content switch button once the anticipated available AI interactive child video content is buffered. 
 
     
     
         11 . A content switch apparatus for switching between different video content types comprising:
 a media player having two or more video players for playing different video formats including a parent video player to play parent video content in a parent format and one or more child video players to play child video content in one or more child video formats, a memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute steps comprising:
 providing a parent file having a first position and a second position identified in, and associated with, the same video image; 
 providing different child video content associated with each of the two positions, wherein at least one child video content is AI interactive video content; 
 activating a parent video player; 
 detecting the child video content associated with the first position and child video content associated with the second position; 
   matching the first position child video content and the second position video child content to the parent video, wherein the first position child video content and the second position video child content are of a different format than the parent video content;
 synchronizing the parent video content with the child video content associated with each of the first and second positions; 
 enabling a content switch button for selection by a user of the first position or the second position; 
 receiving input by a switch controller from the content switch button; and 
 by the switch controller, based on the input, rotating the parent video player to the child video player to play either the first position child video content or the second position child video content as selected by the user.