How to Search Through Long Videos Using a Compressed Visual Timeline
A method for searching large collections of video or image data by condensing them into a single, scrollable visual strip that triggers automated searches as you move a slider.
Original patent title: “Linearized search of visual media”
A method for searching large collections of video or image data by condensing them into a single, scrollable visual strip that triggers automated searches as you move a slider. Granted to Zorroa Corp in 2019 with 22 claims and 1 forward citation.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a way to visualize long sequences of images or video frames by compressing each frame into a single line of pixels. These lines are placed side-by-side to create a 'slitscan graphic' that acts as a visual map of the entire content. When a user moves a slider along this map, the system displays a thumbnail of the actual video frame at that point and automatically runs a search query associated with that specific segment of the video. For example, if you are scrubbing through a long video of a meeting, the system could automatically pull up relevant documents or notes linked to the specific topic being discussed at that moment in the video.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover standard video scrubbing interfaces that lack the automated query-execution feature.
- Does not cover search methods that rely solely on metadata or text tags without the slit-compressed visual representation.
- Does not cover systems that do not group the compressed images into segments for query association.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in using a 'slit-compressed' visual summary as both a navigation tool and a trigger for automated, context-aware database queries, effectively bridging the gap between visual browsing and text-based search.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Digital video asset management platforms
Legal discovery software for video evidence
Automated video indexing and archiving tools
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Managing massive archives of video is a major challenge for industries like media production, legal discovery, and security. By turning hours of footage into a single, searchable visual strip, this technology makes it possible to quickly navigate and find relevant information without watching every second of a video file.
Filed
August 9, 2016
Granted
June 4, 2019
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Zorroa Corp, the original assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, focuses on visual search and media intelligence platforms. The technology is relevant to any company building large-scale video indexing services, such as those providing automated transcription or object recognition for enterprise video libraries.
Market impact
This patent provides a framework for more efficient video analysis, which is increasingly critical as the volume of stored video data grows. It helps enable 'searchable video' products that allow users to treat video files like text documents, potentially reducing the time required for manual review in professional media workflows.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to visualize long sequences of images or video frames by compressing each frame into a single line of pixels. These lines are placed side-by-side to create a 'slitscan graphic' that acts as a visual map of the entire content. When a user moves a slider along this map, the system displays a thumbnail of the actual video frame at that point and automatically runs a search query associated with that specific segment of the video. For example, if you are scrubbing through a long video of a meeting, the system could automatically pull up relevant documents or notes linked to the specific topic being discussed at that moment in the video.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in using a 'slit-compressed' visual summary as both a navigation tool and a trigger for automated, context-aware database queries, effectively bridging the gap between visual browsing and text-based search.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover standard video scrubbing interfaces that lack the automated query-execution feature.
- Does not cover search methods that rely solely on metadata or text tags without the slit-compressed visual representation.
- Does not cover systems that do not group the compressed images into segments for query association.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$78K – $250K
Midpoint $156K · 10.2 yr remaining · industry ×1.6
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
22 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Buhler, J. J., & Wexler, D. E. (2019). How to Search Through Long Videos Using a Compressed Visual Timeline (U.S. Patent No. 10,311,112). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10311112/github-acquisition-integration
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How to Search Through Long Videos Using a Compressed Visual Timeline cover?
A method for searching large collections of video or image data by condensing them into a single, scrollable visual strip that triggers automated searches as you move a slider.
Who owns patent US 10311112?
Zorroa Corp owns this patent, granted in 2019.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on June 4, 2039, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 10311112 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Managing massive archives of video is a major challenge for industries like media production, legal discovery, and security. By turning hours of footage into a single, searchable visual strip, this technology makes it possible to quickly navigate and find relevant information without watching every second of a video file.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover standard video scrubbing interfaces that lack the automated query-execution feature.
Patent monitoring