Audiovisual information management system with selective updating

Abstract

A method of using a system with at least one of audio, image, and a video comprises a plurality of frames comprising the steps of providing a usage preferences description where the usage preference description includes at least one of a browsing preferences description, a filtering preferences description, a search preferences description, and a device preferences description. The browsing preferences description relates to a user's viewing preferences. The filtering and search preferences descriptions relate to at least one of (1) content preferences of the at least one of audio, image, and video, (2) classification preferences of the at least one of audio, image, and video, (3) keyword preferences of the at least one of audio, image, and video, and (4) creation preferences of the at least one of audio, image, and video. The device preferences description relates to user's preferences regarding presentation characteristics. A usage history description is provided where the usage preference description includes at least one of a browsing history description, a filtering history description, a search history description, and a device usage history description. The browsing history description relates to a user's viewing preferences. The filtering and search history descriptions relate to at least one of (1) content usage history of the at least one of audio, image, and video, (2) classification usage history of the at least one of audio, image, and video, (3) keyword usage history of the at least one of audio, image, and video, and (4) creation usage history of the at least one of audio, image, and video. The device usage history description relates to user's preferences regarding presentation characteristics. The usage preferences description and the usage history description are used to enhance system functionality.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a system for managing audiovisual information, and in particular to a system for audiovisual information browsing, filtering, searching, archiving, and personalization. [0002] Video cassette recorders (VCRs) may record video programs in response to pressing a record button or may be programmed to record video programs based on the time of day. However, the viewer must program the VCR based on information from a television guide to identify relevant programs to record. After recording, the viewer scans through the entire video tape to select relevant portions of the program for viewing using the functionality provided by the VCR, such as fast forward and fast reverse. Unfortunately, the searching and viewing is based on a linear search, which may require significant time to locate the desired portions of the program(s) and fast forward to the desired portion of the tape. In addition, it is time consuming to program t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by providing a method of using a system with at least one of audio, image, and a video comprising a plurality of frames comprising the steps of providing a usage preferences description scheme where the usage preference description scheme includes at least one of a browsing preferences description scheme, a filtering preferences description scheme, a search preferences description scheme, and a device preferences description scheme. The browsing preferences description scheme relates to a user's viewing preferences. The filtering and search preferences description schemes relate to at least one of (1) content preferences of the at least one of audio, image, and video, (2) classification preferences of the at least one of audio, image, and video, (3) keyword preferences of the at least one of audio, image, and video, and (4) creation preferences of the at least one of audio, image, and video. The device preferences description scheme relates to user's preferences regarding presentation characteristics. A usage history description scheme is provided where the usage preference description scheme includes at least one of a browsing history description scheme, a filtering history description scheme, a search history description scheme, and a device usage history description scheme. The browsing history description scheme relates to a user's viewing preferences. The filtering and search history description schemes relate to at least one of (1) content usage history of the at least one of audio, image, and video, (2) classification usage history of the at least one of audio, image, and video, (3) keyword usage history of the at least one of audio, image, and video, and (4) creation usage history of the at least one of audio, image, and video. The device usage history description scheme relates to user's preferences regarding presentation characteristics. The usage preferences description scheme and the usage history description scheme are used to enhance system functionality.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, the searching and viewing is based on a linear search, which may require significant time to locate the desired portions of the program(s) and fast forward to the desired portion of the tape.

In addition, it is time consuming to program the VCR in light of the television guide to record desired programs.

Also, unless the viewer recognizes the programs from the television guide as desirable it is unlikely that the viewer will select such programs to be recorded.

Unfortunately, viewing the recorded programs occurs in a linear manner and may require substantial time.

Unfortunately, each different type of device has different capabilities and limitations which limit the selections of the viewer.

Further, if the operator's manual is inadvertently misplaced it may be difficult for the viewer to efficiently program the device.

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