Systems and methods for providing community spaces for media content items through streaming services

Abstract

A community space is established for each media content item. Data items are received from contributing account holders. Each data item has metadata, including an index time corresponding to a relevant time of the data item during playback of the media content item. Each data item is separate from the media content item. The data items and their associated metadata are stored in the community space in association with the media content item. A streaming request for the media content item is received from a requesting account holder. In response to the streaming request, means for streaming the media content item to the requesting account holder are established. In conjunction with streaming the media content item to the requesting account holder, at least some of the data items associated with the media content item and their associated metadata are transmitted from the community space to the requesting account holder.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on June 6, 2018, with application number "201880044895.5" and invention title "System and method for operating streaming services to provide community space for media content items". Background Technology

[0002] Video streaming has become the mainstream choice for consumers to receive media content. Examples include PlayStation. TM Some modern streaming systems for Vue services provide live TV, movies, and sports events to subscribers' electronic devices. Such streaming systems can provide live content, high-quality third-party content, and archived content. Furthermore, these streaming systems can store large amounts of video content in the cloud without recording conflicts. This invention arose in this context. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In an exemplary embodiment, a method includes establishing a community space for a media content item. The method further includes receiving one or more data items from one or more contributing account holders. Each of the one or more data items has metadata, the metadata including an index time corresponding to a relevant time of the data item during playback of the media content item. Each of the one or more data items is separate from the media content item. The method further includes storing the one or more data items and associated metadata in association with the media content item within the community space. The method further includes receiving a streaming request for the media content item from a requesting account holder. The method further includes means of streaming the media content item to the requesting account holder in response to the streaming request. The method further includes means of, in conjunction with the means of streaming the media content item to the requesting account holder, transmitting at least some of the one or more data items associated with the media content item and associated metadata from the community space to the requesting account holder.

[0004] Other aspects of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention by way of example. Attached Figure Description

[0005] Figure 1 A video streaming system for providing streaming media content to electronic devices of multiple account holders over a network is illustrated according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0006] Figure 2 A diagram illustrating an example of a community space for a given streamed media content item according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0007] Figure 3This illustrates how, during playback of a media content item, data items transmitted from the community space are directly overlaid on a given media content item, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 4 The following are examples of data items labeled to a flight helmet according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 Examples.

[0009] Figure 5 A display combining a container with media content items is shown according to some embodiments of the present invention, wherein data items from the community space are displayed within the container.

[0010] Figure 6 Some embodiments of the present invention are shown. Figure 5 The display shows that the container is switched to the closed state and provides controls for switching the container to the open state.

[0011] Figure 7 A container is shown when selecting a sorting control according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 8 A container is shown when selecting a filter control according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 9 A browser control with some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 The container is used to browse data items within it by time.

[0014] Figure 10 The illustration shows a display combining multiple containers with playback of media content items according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 11 A flowchart of a method for operating a streaming service according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0016] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known processes have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.

[0017] The following detailed description includes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings illustrate an embodiment according to an exemplary embodiment. These exemplary embodiments, also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the presented subject matter. Embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, or structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be considered limiting, and its scope is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. In this document, as is common in patent documents, the term “a(a) / (an)” is used to include one or more. In this document, unless otherwise stated, the term “or” is used to refer to a non-exclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B.”

[0018] Figure 1 A video streaming system 101 is illustrated according to some embodiments of the present invention for providing streaming media content to electronic devices 105 of multiple account holders 107 via a network 103. In some embodiments, the video streaming system 101 is implemented within a cloud computing architecture. The video streaming system 101 includes a streaming service 109 configured to receive requests for media content from the devices 105 of account holders 107 via the network 103, and further configured to stream the requested media content to the electronic devices 105 of account holders 107 via the network 103 after verifying that the account holders 107 are authorized to access and receive the media content. The electronic devices 105 can then be operated to play the streaming media content on a display 106 of the account holders 107. In some embodiments, the electronic devices 105 and the display 106 are integrated together into a single device, such as within a television system. It should be understood that network 103 represents any combination of wired and / or wireless digital data communication networks of any type, including but not limited to Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth networks, cellular networks, wired networks, satellite networks, optical communication networks, and other types of networks. Media content can be any type of audio / video content, including streaming video. In some embodiments, streaming video accessible through streaming service 109 may be one or more of movies, television programs, sports programs, stand-alone videos, and computer-generated videos (e.g., game videos).

[0019] Streaming service 109 is configured to establish and maintain secure accounts for various account holders 107, including maintaining credentials for access authorization by account holders 107, tracking account holders 107's preferences, and billing for services provided to account holders 107. Streaming service 109 is configured to expose an application programming interface (API) that can be used by software running on account holder 107's electronic device 105 to access and execute various functions of streaming service 109 publicly available, such as logging into account holder 107's account, requesting operations from streaming service 109 (e.g., streaming requested media content items), requesting information about account holder 107's account, and uploading information and / or content to streaming service 109.

[0020] Streaming service 109 establishes a data communication connection with media content item source 111, which is configured to provide requested media content items to streaming service 109. In some embodiments, media content item source 111 includes a database of media content items that can be queried to obtain specific media content items for streaming to electronic device 105 of account holder 107. In some embodiments, media content item source 111 includes multiple data storage devices and / or data storage devices for storing media content items for rapid retrieval by streaming service 109. Media content item source 111 is configured to receive media content items from multiple media content providers 113, including but not limited to internet sources, user-generated content, third-party providers, film studios, television networks, and cable networks. In some embodiments, the media content item source 111 is configured to expose an API that can be used by software running on the electronic device of the media content provider 113 to enable the uploading of media content items to the media content item source 111, to enable access to the media content items held by the media content provider 113, and to enable bidirectional communication of data associated with the media content items between the media content provider 113 and the media content item source 111.

[0021] In some embodiments, streaming service 109 is configured to provide an account login dialog box to be displayed on the electronic device 105 of account holder 107, through which account holder 107 can enter their credentials to log in to streaming service 109 and gain access to media content items available for streaming. In some embodiments, a token may be stored on the electronic device 105 of account holder 107 so that streaming service 109 can automatically verify account holder 107 when account holder 107 attempts to access streaming service 109 using electronic device 105. In some embodiments, as part of streaming service 109's verification of account holder 107, streaming service 109 may request electronic device 105 to provide its current ground location to streaming service 109, such as by sending latitude and longitude coordinates, to help ensure that electronic device 105 is being used by an actual account holder 107 who has paid for streaming service 109.

[0022] In some embodiments, once account holder 107 successfully logs into streaming service 109, streaming service 109 is configured to provide a browsable / optional menu of available services to be displayed on account holder 107's electronic device 105. In some embodiments, the menu of available services includes access to a list of media content items available for streaming. In various embodiments, media content items may be categorized and / or sorted to facilitate account holder 107's location of specific media content items. After a specific media content item is selected for streaming, streaming service 109 operates to retrieve the specific media content item from media content item source 111 and stream that specific media content item to account holder 107's electronic device 105 for viewing on account holder 107's display 106.

[0023] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the menu of available services provided by streaming service 109 may include an account holder preferences section, where the account holder can specify preferences regarding how streaming service 109 provides services to account holder 107. In some embodiments, the account holder preferences section includes optional preferences for enabling / disabling a “community space” for a streaming media content item when available. Additionally, in some embodiments, the account holder can enable / disable the community space of a streaming media content item using a controller or other input device while actively watching the streaming media content item. Typically, the community space of a given streaming media content item is a data storage area for information and / or supplementary content provided from a source separate from the given streaming media content item, where the information and / or supplementary content is time-indexed for playback of the streaming media content item.

[0024] Figure 2A diagram illustrating an example of a community space 201 for a given streaming content item according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. In some embodiments, the community space 201 is generated at the initial broadcast / screening of the media content item. In some embodiments, the community space 201 is generated prior to the initial broadcast / screening of the media content item, wherein the community space 201 is publicly available in a discoverable manner, such that a verified user of the streaming service 109 can discover and utilize the community space 201 when the corresponding media content item is expected to become available for viewing. In some embodiments, the community space 201 includes information and / or supplementary content provided to the streaming service 109 by a contributing account holder 107 during playback of the media content item. Figure 2 The example illustrates four data items 203, 205, 207, and 209 contributed by account holder 107 to community space 201 during a corresponding playback of a media content item associated with community space 201. It should be understood that community space 201 may include an unlimited number of data items from an unlimited number of data item contributors.

[0025] exist Figure 2 In the example, each data item 203, 205, 207, and 209 was assigned a data item identifier (ID) when added to community space 201. Furthermore, in Figure 2 In the example, the metadata for each data item includes an index time indicating the time of the playback period of the media content item associated with that data item. In this way, each data item 203, 205, 207, and 209 is indexed by time to the corresponding time of the playback period of the media content item. For example, data item 203 has an index time of 00:21:42, meaning that data item 203 corresponds to the time 00:21:42 of the playback period of the media content item. Furthermore, in Figure 2 In the example, the metadata for each data item includes the date and time when the data item was added to community space 201. For example, data item 203 was added to community space on October 12, 2014 at 15:32:41. Furthermore, the date and time can be based on a specified time zone.

[0026] exist Figure 2In the example, the metadata for each data item includes the identity of a contributing account holder (CAH), who is an account holder registered with the streaming service 109 to contribute (i.e., add and / or upload) data items to community space 201. In some embodiments, the identity of a CAH is generated and maintained by the streaming service 109 when the CAH registers with the streaming service 109. In some embodiments, the identity of a CAH is an identification number assigned to the CAH when the CAH registers with the streaming service 109. The streaming service 109 may receive and maintain information about each account holder, such as a public username, a valid username, billing information, and preferences for various options provided by the streaming service 109, as well as substantially any other information relating to the account holder's use of the streaming service 109. Using the identity of the CAH, the streaming service 109 can associate each data item 203, 205, 207, 209 within community space 201 with an actual registered account holder. The streaming service 109 can use this to review whether the content within the community space 201 complies with established guidelines of conduct, remove / block content that violates established guidelines of conduct, and track how account holders use the streaming service 109 to provide an improved experience for individual account holders.

[0027] exist Figure 2 In the example, the metadata for each data item also includes a specification of the data item type. In various embodiments, community space 201 can be configured to accept and include one or more types of data items, including but not limited to text (such as for text messages), images, graphics, photographs, audio recordings, video clips, music files, Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), etc. In some embodiments, the metadata for each data item may include the actual content of the data item, or a reference to the location of the actual content of the data item, such as a reference to a location in a Content Download Network (CDN) or other cloud storage service. For example, in Figure 2 In this context, data item 203 is of type "text," and for data item 203 provided by CAH, its content includes the actual text "A clean and crisp hit!!!." The content of a data item is based on its type. For example, in... Figure 2 In this context, data item 207 is of type "image," and its content is the filename of the image definition data item 207, "mytshirt.jpg." Similarly, Figure 2 In the example, data item 209 is of type "audio," and the content of data item 209 is the filename "coolsong1.mp3" of the audio definition data item 209. Furthermore, it should be understood that community space 201 can be configured to receive and include any type of data item and corresponding content that can be displayed and / or played during the streaming of media content items associated with the data item.

[0028] exist Figure 2 In the example, the metadata for each data item also includes up-vote count statistics and down-vote count statistics. In some embodiments, when each data item is displayed in conjunction with a streaming media content item for account holder 107, account holder 107 can provide input about whether they like or dislike the data item. Each like for a data item contributes to the up-vote count statistics, while each dislike for a data item results in a down-vote count statistics. A given account holder's community space 201 display preference can be set to turn the display of up-vote count statistics and down-vote count statistics for data items on / off. In some embodiments, the streaming service 109 can use the up-vote count statistics and down-vote count statistics for a given data item to perform the function of generating a CAH fan rating for that data item. In some embodiments, the metadata for each data item can include the CAH fan rating for that data item. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the CAH fan rating can be stored outside the data item's metadata along with the CAH information, but can be associated with the data item through a CAH identifier present in the data item's metadata. As discussed further below, a fan rating for a given CAH can also be generated based on information other than the up-vote count and down-vote count statistics of the data items contributed by the given CAH.

[0029] exist Figure 2 In the example, the metadata for each data item also includes the geographic location of the CAH of that data item. In various embodiments, the geographic location may be specified by one or more of the following: physical address, city, state, country, latitude / longitude coordinates, Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates, Internet Protocol (IP) address, and other information related to the geographic location of the CAH of the data item. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the metadata for each data item may include one or more group associations for the CAH of that data item. Group associations may be specified as group names or group numbers, or they may be specified as any other type of information that identifies a particular group. The group associations of the CAH of a data item, along with other metadata for the data item, can be used to filter groups of data items within community space 201 to find a given account holder 107 who is streaming media content items and simultaneously receiving content from community space 201. In some embodiments, the geographic location and group associations of the CAH may be stored outside the metadata of the data item along with the CAH information, but can be associated with the data item by a CAH identifier present in the metadata of the data item.

[0030] For example, consider a group association created for a group of friends (account holders 107) who wish to simultaneously stream a specific media content item from their respective locations. This group association can be used to filter the group of data items within the community space 201 associated with the specific media content item, such that only data items contributed by account holders 107 in the friend group will be transmitted to account holders 107 in the friend group for display in conjunction with the streaming and playback of the specific media content item. Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, filtering the content of community space 201 through the group association created for the friend group can be used to create a private communication space for the friend group while simultaneously streaming and playing back a specific media content item. Furthermore, regarding the filtering of Community Space 201 content, it should be understood that any metadata parameters (index time, date / time of addition, CAH, type, content, up vote count, down vote count, fan rating, CAH geolocation, CAH group association, etc.) or combinations thereof can be used to filter groups of data items in Community Space 201 to create a custom subset of Community Space 201 content for one or more account holders 107 when streaming and replaying media content items associated with Community Space 201.

[0031] Return to reference Figure 1 It should be understood that when a CAH adds a data item to a community space 201, the CAH transmits the digital data defining the data item to the streaming service 109, and the streaming service 109 operates to store the digital data of the data item within the community data storage device 115. In some embodiments, the community data storage device 115 includes multiple data storage devices and / or data storage devices for storing data items associated with one or more community spaces for rapid access by the streaming service 109. Additionally, it should be understood that the streaming service 109 may access other storage systems to store, maintain, and access information relating to the account holder 107 of the streaming service 109. In some embodiments, data items stored in the community data storage device 115 may be associated with their CAHs via CAH identifiers, and information regarding the CAH of a given data item within the community data storage device 115 may be accessed by the streaming service 109 from a storage system separate from the community data storage device 115, thereby avoiding the storage of redundant data in the community data storage device 115 and another storage system accessible to the streaming service 109.

[0032] It should be understood that the community space 201 for a given media content item can be used to virtualize a real-world "tea room" conversation between account holders as they stream and play back the given media content item at their respective locations. Furthermore, it should be understood that the community space 201 for a given media content item serves as an archive and dynamic communication space for supplementary content associated with the given media content item, where the supplementary content is in the form of data items within the community space 201. In other words, as account holders 107 contribute new data items in conjunction with the streaming and playback of the given media content item, the archived group of data items contributed to the community space 201 is continuously updated, regardless of when various account holders 107 stream the given media content item. Moreover, at the actual time a given media content item is streamed and played back by an account holder 107, data items added to the community space 201 in real time, based on their currently set preferences for receiving content from the community space 201, can be immediately used for transmission to the account holder 107. Therefore, regardless of when a given media content item is streamed and played back by account holder 107, the content (i.e., the group of data items) associated with the given media content item in community space 201 includes data items previously added to community space 201 during the previous streaming of the given media content item to various account holders 107 and data items currently added to community space 201 in real time. In some embodiments, data items added to community space 201 may be retained indefinitely within community space 201. Additionally, in some embodiments, data items added to community space 201 may optionally have a finite duration within community space 201, wherein the expiration of the finite duration is triggered by one or more designated users watching the data item and / or defined by a specified time period or date / time.

[0033] Furthermore, it should be understood that filtering of content in Community Space 201 can be used to customize the experience of account holder 107 regarding the time-dependent nature of data items transmitted to account holder 107 in conjunction with their current streaming and playback of a given media content item. For example, if an account holder wishes to receive only data items added to Community Space 201 during the current streaming of a given media content item, the account holder can specify filter settings to have only data items transmitted from Community Space 201 whose date / time appended value in their metadata is later than the start date / time of the current streaming of the media content item. It should be understood that this type of filtering can create a customized experience for a group of account holders 107 to simulate the initial broadcast of previously streamed media content items, which can be useful in preventing premature disclosure of information related to media content items from Community Space 201.

[0034] For example, consider a group of friends who want to simultaneously stream and replay previously watched sports events as if watching them live, and restrict content from community space 201 to only content added by members of this group during the current streaming of the sports event. In this example, streaming service 109 can be used to create an association with the friend group, and each data item added to community space 201 by a member of that friend group can have this friend group association specified in the metadata of the added data item. Each account holder 107 in the friend group can then specify that they wish to filter the content in community space 201 by: 1) the friend group association specified in the metadata of the data item, and 2) any date / time appended value specified in the metadata of the data item that is later than the start date / time of the current streaming of the sports event for this group of friends. It should be understood that, in this example, the information transmitted from the community space 201 associated with a given media content item to each member in the friend group will be limited to those data items added to the community space 201 by members of the friend group during the current streaming of the given media content item, in order to simulate the initial and private swarming experience of the community space 201 for the given media content item. However, it should also be understood that even during the current streaming of the given media content item to the friend group, the group of data items within the community space 201 associated with the given media content item will remain generic and archived (based on any limited duration specified for each data item). Therefore, even during the current streaming of the given media content item to a group of friends, the overall content of the community space 201 for the given media content item can continue to be extended by CAHs outside the friend group.

[0035] The community space 201 associated with a given media content item, provided by streaming service 109, offers gated access to an interactive environment where authorized account holders 107 of streaming service 109 can interact with each other and / or with third parties to enhance the entertainment / information experience of account holders when using streaming service 109 to stream and play back a given media content item. Furthermore, community space 201 can provide a messaging environment through which account holders 107 and / or third-party entities can communicate. Community space 201 can also provide a mechanism through which account holders 107 and / or third-party entities can provide / contribute supplementary information, which can be in virtually any type of audio / video format. It should be understood that streaming service 109 can be configured to regulate the content of community space 201 to prevent the inclusion of data items deemed offensive and / or irrelevant to the given media content item associated with community space 201. In some embodiments, streaming service 109 can be configured to set a restriction rating for each data item within the metadata of the data item based on the analysis of the data item by streaming service 109. For example, in some embodiments, the restriction rating of a given data item can be set to General (G), Parental Guidance (PG), Restricted (R), or Prohibited (X), etc. Furthermore, account holder 107 can set their preferences to filter content from community space 201 by specifying one or more restriction ratings for the data items. Additionally, in some embodiments, streaming service 109 can be configured to automatically perform analysis of the data item after receiving it from CAH to determine its restriction rating. This analysis can be rule-based and may include lexical, grammatical, and / or phonological analysis of the data item's content.

[0036] As previously described, a CAH for a data item in Community Space 201 may have a fan rating generated by streaming service 109. In various embodiments, the fan rating may be based on different characteristics and / or behaviors of the CAH and / or may be based on the responses of other account holders 107 to data items added to Community Space 201 by the CAH. For example, in some embodiments, the fan rating of a CAH may be based on the percentage of relevant media content items that the CAH has streamed. For example, if Community Space 201 is associated with a television program as one of a series of television programs, the fan rating of a CAH that adds data items to Community Space 201 associated with that television program may (at least in part) be based on the percentage of that series of television programs that the CAH has streamed (and is assumed to have watched). In some embodiments, the fan rating of a CAH may be based on multiple media content items streamed by the CAH. In some embodiments, the fan rating of a CAH may be based on multiple data items contributed by the CAH to a given Community Space 201. In some embodiments, the fan rating of a CAH may be based on multiple data items contributed by the CAH to any Community Space 201.

[0037] In some embodiments, the fan rating of a CAH can be based on the CAH's streaming habits. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the fan rating of a CAH can be based on the CAH's participation in activities offered through community space 201. For example, in some embodiments, streaming service 109 can add data items to a given community space 201, some of which may include interaction opportunities for account holder 107, such as quizzes, surveys, questions, mini-games, etc. The participation / interaction of account holder 107 with these data items can be tracked by streaming service 109 and can be used to adjust the fan rating of account holder 107. In some embodiments, the voting activity of account holder 107 regarding up / down votes on data items can be tracked by streaming service 109 and can be used to adjust the fan rating of account holder 107.

[0038] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the CAH's fan rating can be based on "tap" interactions performed by the CAH during the initial streaming of a media content item. For example, streaming service 109 can be configured to transmit special data items to account holder 107 during the initial streaming of a given media content item via community space 201 associated with the given media content item. These special data items request account holder 107 to press a button or take some other action associated with the playback of the media content item, such as when account holder 107 sees a specific object or hears a specific sound / word / phrase during the playback of the media content item. Account holder 107's engagement / response to these special data items can be tracked by streaming service 109 and can be used to adjust account holder 107's fan rating. In some embodiments, special data items can be generated and transmitted by streaming service 109 in collaboration with a third party. For example, if an advertiser has product placement in a given media content item, streaming service 109 can work with the advertiser to generate and transmit special data items via community space 201 associated with the given media content item, requesting account holder 107 to take a specific detectable action upon seeing or hearing information related to the advertiser's product placement within the media content item. In some embodiments, account holder 107's participation in this type of special data item can be used to earn real-world rewards. For example, if account holder 107 successfully interacts with special data items provided via community space 201 to indicate that account holder 107 has observed an advertiser's product within the given media content item during playback, account holder 107 can win / earn a discount on the advertiser's product, where such discounts can be delivered to account holder 107 via barcodes, QR codes, or any other unique identification mechanism in email, text messages, or other forms of communication, or securely delivered to account holder 107 via a website associated with streaming service 109, or delivered to account holder 107 via non-digital means such as physical coupons.

[0039] Generally, it should be understood that streaming service 109 can be configured to add special data items to any community space 201, where special data items can be defined to facilitate interaction between account holder 107 and community space 201 and / or to cross-promote other services and platforms in cooperation with streaming service 109. For example, in some embodiments, streaming service 109 may have a corporate / enterprise relationship with another entity and may generate data items and add them to community space 201 associated with a given media content item to cross-promote products and / or services offered by the other entity. For example, consider a scenario where streaming service 109 is PlayStation TMThis example uses a Vue service and is interested in media content items based on video games, specifically movies. In this case, the streaming service 109 (PlayStation...) TM Vue can be configured to generate special data items based on video games and add them to community spaces associated with movies, where these special data items provide or result in targeting PlayStation. TM Discounts on video games through the gaming system, or offering in-game rewards, or resulting in discounts through PlayStation. TM The game system provides in-game rewards. It should be understood that this is one of many examples of how data items within Community Space 201 can be used for cross-promotion of products and services.

[0040] For example, in streaming service 109 is PlayStation TM In the case of Vue services, data items can be generated and added to community space 201 to cross-promote PlayStation. TM Plus time, PlayStation TM Now time, PlayStation TM Discounts on items in the Store, etc. Additionally, in some embodiments, the streaming service 109 can generate special data items and add them to the community space 201 to allow account holders to unlock special / hidden features of associated media content items. For example, the streaming service 109 can add special data items to the community space 201 to overlay bonus audio / video during playback of the media content item. For instance, consider a media content item that is a football match, and the streaming service 109 generates special data items and adds them to the community space 201 associated with the football match, where the special data items provide a link (or other user-activatable mechanism) that, upon activation by account holder 107, streams a video feed with an attached camera view to account holder 107 for display in conjunction with the media content item. For example, if a major event occurs during a football match, streaming service 109 (or a partner cooperating with streaming service 109) can generate a special data item and add it to community space 201 associated with the football match. This special data item provides a link that, when activated by account holder 107, causes additional video of camera views of the two teams' sidelines during the major event to be streamed to account holder 107. This additional video can be displayed to account holder 107 in conjunction with a replay of the football match.

[0041] Return to reference Figure 1In some embodiments, the video streaming system 101 includes a dynamic data item generation module 117 configured to process data items associated with a given media content item within a community space 201 to dynamically generate new data items and add them to the community space 201 based on the content of the data items added to the community space by the CAH. The dynamic data item generation module 117 includes a machine learning module 119 configured to analyze and correlate the content of the data items added to the community space by the CAH to determine the themes and content used to generate the dynamic data items. In some embodiments, the machine learning module 119 extracts lexical, grammatical, and / or speech content from the data items within the community space 201 to identify similarities and differences between various data items. In some embodiments, the machine learning module 119 is configured to identify cues of common themes and / or topics within a subset of data items, and in doing so, generate new data items that encapsulate / summarize the identified cues of common themes and / or topics. For example, if multiple data items convey a common sentiment, the machine learning module 119 can identify that common sentiment and dynamically generate new data items that summarize that common sentiment. Then, based on the account holder 107's preference settings, dynamically generated data items can be sent to the account holder 107 instead of the number of data items transmitting shared emotions. This helps to organize the content of the community space 201 received by the account holder 107. Moreover, the dynamically generated data items can include activatable links, which, once activated by the account holder 107, result in the transmission and display of the data items on which the dynamically generated data items are based.

[0042] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the machine learning module 119 may be configured to associate identified themes and / or topic cues among subsets of data items relating to multiple features and / or relationships, in order to dynamically generate new data items representing content not yet included in the community space 201. For example, the machine learning module 119 may be configured to determine that a first subset of data items has a first common theme, and a second subset of data items has a second common theme, and that an identifiable relationship exists between the first subset and the second subset of data items. Based on this, the machine learning module 119 may then be configured to generate new data items representing a link between the first and second common themes through the identified relationship.

[0043] For example, consider the case of media content items for a football match, where community space 201 includes data items contributed by fans of each team participating in the match. Machine learning module 119 can operate to determine that a first subset of the data items has a first common theme because they are contributed by fans of the first team. Machine learning module 119 can operate to determine that a second subset of the data items has a second common theme because they are contributed by fans of the second team. Machine learning module 119 can then operate to determine that an identifiable relationship exists between the first and second subsets of the data items because fans of the first team like a particular beverage, and fans of the second team also like that particular beverage. Machine learning module 119 can then operate to dynamically generate new data items providing information about the particular beverage and add the new data items to community space 201. It should be understood that the above examples are provided for descriptive purposes and are not intended to limit the functionality of the dynamic data item generation module 117 and / or the machine learning module 119. It should be understood that the dynamic data item generation module 117 and the machine learning module 119 can be configured to process and analyze data items within the community space 201 in many different ways to generate all types of dynamic data items.

[0044] In various embodiments, a data item that combines a given media content item and is sent from the community space 201 associated with that media content item can be organized and displayed in different ways when received at the electronic device 105 of the account holder 107. Figure 3 This illustrates how, according to some embodiments of the invention, data items transmitted from community space 201 are directly overlaid on a given media content item during playback. Figure 3 In the example, from Figure 2 Data items 203 and 205 are overwritten on the media content item based on their index time 00:21:42. Specifically, in Figure 3In the example, when the playback of the media content item reaches time 00:21:42, data items 203 and 205 appear above a portion of the media content item on display 106. In some embodiments, the streaming service 109 may instruct the duration for which data items 203 and 205 are displayed. For example, the streaming service 109 may instruct data items 203 and 205 to be displayed for 5 seconds starting at time 00:21:42. In some embodiments, the account holder 107 requesting the streaming of the media content item may specify a preference for the amount of time the data item should be displayed during the playback of the media content item. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the account holder 107 may provide input signals to cause a specific data item to be either removed from or retained on display 106. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the streaming service 109 may control the position where the data item appears on display 106. And, in some embodiments, the position where the data item appears on display 106 may be specified to the streaming service 109 as a preference, such as bottom, top, left, right, etc. Additionally, in some embodiments, certain data items may be assigned / marked to specific pixel locations within the display 106. For example, Figure 4 The following is illustrated, according to some embodiments of the present invention, a data item 401 marked on a flight helmet. Figure 3 For example, in this example, data item 401 is displayed at a pixel location corresponding to the flight helmet. In this example, data item 401 is an audio type with a link "Listen to this," which, when activated, plays some audio from a stored audio content file, such as a close-up sound of something hitting the helmet. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the location of the label for a data item within an image can include a two-dimensional location within a video frame. And, in some embodiments, the location of the label for a data item within an image can include a three-dimensional location, such that the label's location is specified by a combination of parameters such as x-position, y-position, depth position, occlusion rules, etc., which may be context-dependent on the virtual reality and / or augmented reality viewing application. Additionally, in some embodiments, by using an image recognition process, data items marked on an object within a scene at an initial point can remain attached to that object as the scene progresses over time, even if the object moves within the scene.

[0045] Additionally, during playback of media content items, account holder 107 can provide input signals to streaming service 109 to turn the display of data items from community space 201 on / off. Furthermore, as previously discussed, streaming service 109 can provide filtering options to account holder 107, allowing account holder 107 to select how data items within community space 201 should be filtered before being transmitted to account holder 107. Moreover, in various embodiments, the group of data items within community space 201 can be filtered substantially by any parameter characterizing the data items and / or the source of the data items. Furthermore, in some embodiments, account holder 107 can specify how the data items are displayed, such as what information about the data items should be displayed. Figure 3 In the example, data items 203 and 205 are displayed to show CAH's public name, CAH's fan rating, the content of the data item, the up vote count, and the down vote count. Figure 4 In the example, data item 401 is displayed as showing only the public name of CAH and the content of the data item.

[0046] In some cases, account holders may not want data items to be displayed on media content items, for example, to avoid obscuring or distracting attention from the media content. Figure 5 A display combining a container 501 with media content items is illustrated according to some embodiments of the present invention, wherein data items from community space 201 are displayed within container 501. In some embodiments, the data items shown in container 501 follow the playback time of the media content items. In other words, the data item shown in container 501 at a given time is a data item from community space 201 having an index time at or near the current playback time of the media content item. Container 501 may include control 503 to enable switching between an open state and a closed state of container 501. For example, Figure 6 Some embodiments of the present invention are shown. Figure 5 The display shows that container 501 is switched to a closed state and provides a control 503 for switching container 501 to an open state. In some embodiments, account holder 107 can use a controller and / or other means that transmit relevant input signals to move and / or adjust the size of container 501 on the display. Furthermore, in some embodiments, as account holder 107 moves and / or adjusts the size of container 501, the contents of container 501 are automatically resized and positioned.

[0047] Figure 5 A sorting control 505 is also shown, which is configured to allow the account holder to specify how the data items displayed within container 501 should be sorted. Figure 7A container 501 is shown when a sorting control 505 is selected according to some embodiments of the present invention. When the sorting control 505 is selected, the container 501 adjusts to display a parameter list 509 and a corresponding sorting level field 511, through which data items can be sorted, and the account holder 107 can enter the desired sorting level in the sorting level field 511. The sorting level specifies the parameter order on which the data items are sorted. Figure 7 In this example, data items are first sorted by the date and time they were added to community space 201, and then by the fan rating of the CAH that added the data items to community space 201. Parameter list 509 is provided as an example. In other embodiments, parameter list 509 may include other parameters characterizing the data items and / or the CAHs that contributed the data items. In example parameter list 509, the contributor parameter refers to the identity of the CAH that contributed the data items to community space 201, the location parameter refers to the geographic location of the CAH that contributed the data items to community space 201, the association parameter refers to any group associations of the CAH that contributed the data items to community space 201, the type parameter refers to the type of data item (e.g., text, audio, image, graphics, music, video, picture, etc.), and the source parameter refers to the source of the data item (e.g., account holder, third party, advertiser, streaming service 109, etc.). Container 501 also provides an accept control 513, which, when activated, restores the container to display data items according to the sorting specification.

[0048] Return to reference Figure 5 The container 501 may also include a filter control 507, which is configured to allow the account holder 107 to specify how groups of data items within the community space 201 should be filtered before being transmitted to the account holder 107. Figure 8 A container 501 is shown when selecting filter control 507 according to some embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the population of data items within community space 201 can be filtered substantially by any parameter that characterizes the data item and / or contributes to the data item's CAH. Figure 8 The example illustrates date / time filter parameter 515, which allows account holder 107 to specify the date and time range for adding data items to community space 201. When set, only data items added to community space 201 within the specified date and time range will be transmitted for display in container 501. The date and time filter range can be one-sided, meaning one end of the range is not specified. Figure 8 The example also shows a contributor filter parameter 517 that allows account holder 107 to specify one or more data item contributors (i.e., CAH). When set, only data items added to community space 201 by the specified contributors will be transmitted for display in container 501.

[0049] Figure 8 The example also shows fan rating filter parameter 519, which allows account holder 107 to specify a range of fan ratings for data item contributors. When set, only data items added to community space 201 by contributors with fan ratings within the specified range will be transmitted for display in container 501. The fan rating range can be one-sided, i.e., one end of the range is not specified. Figure 8 The example also illustrates a location filter parameter 521, which allows account holder 107 to specify the geographic location of a data item provider. When set, only data items added to community space 201 by contributors with the specified geographic location will be transmitted for display in container 501. In various embodiments, the geographic location can be specified as a physical address, city, county, state, country, etc. Figure 8 The example also illustrates association filter parameter 523, which allows account holder 107 to specify one or more group associations for data item contributors. When set, only data items added to community space 201 by contributors with the specified group associations will be transmitted for display in container 501.

[0050] Figure 8 The example also illustrates a type filter parameter 525 that allows account holder 107 to specify one or more data item types. When set, only data items of at least one of the specified data item types will be transmitted for display within container 501. In various embodiments, data item types include text, audio, images, graphics, music, video, pictures, etc. Figure 8 The example also illustrates a source filter parameter 527 that allows account holder 107 to specify one or more data item sources. When set, only data items from at least one specified data item source will be transmitted for display in container 501. In various embodiments, data item sources may include account holders, third parties, advertisers, streaming services 109, etc.

[0051] Figure 8 The example also shows an upvote filter parameter 529 that allows account holder 107 to specify an upvote range for data items. When set, only data items with upvote counts within the specified range will be transmitted to be displayed in container 501. The upvote range can be one-sided, i.e., one end of the range is not specified. Similarly, Figure 8 The example also shows a downvoting filter parameter 531 that allows account holder 107 to specify a downvoting range for data items. When set, only data items with downvoting counts within the specified range will be transmitted to be displayed in container 501. The downvoting range can be one-sided, meaning one end of the range is not specified.

[0052] Figure 8The example also illustrates a rating filter parameter 533 that allows account holder 107 to specify one or more allowed ratings for a data item type. When set, only data items with at least one of the specified data item ratings will be transmitted for display within container 501. In various embodiments, data item ratings include General (G), Parental Guidance (PG), Restricted (R), or Prohibited (X), etc. Container 501 also provides an acceptance control 534 that, when activated, restores container 501 to display data items according to the filter specification. It should be understood that the sorting specification and the filter specification can be applied simultaneously to the entirety of data items within community space 201 to determine which data items will be transmitted to a given account holder 107, regardless of how the data items are displayed to account holder 107 (e.g., overlaid on media content items or within container 501).

[0053] Figure 9 A browser control 535 is shown according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 The container 501 contains a browsing control 535 for browsing data items within it by time. Figure 9 In the example, the browsing control 535 can move like a slider to scroll through data items within container 501. This feature allows the user (account holder 107) to view data items backward and forward relative to the current playback time of the media content item. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the data items shown in container 501 are configured to provide time control over the playback of media content items when the user selects one. For example, the user can use the browsing control 535 to browse forward in time among the data items in container 501 relative to the current playback time of the media content item, and can select data items to move forward in time. When a data item is selected forward in time, the playback time of the media content item is moved to the index time of the selected data item. In this way, the container and its data item content can be used to control the playback of media content items. Additionally, in some embodiments, a time control field 537 can be provided in container 501 to specify the current playback time of the media content item. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the user can directly adjust the time within the time control field 537 to cause a corresponding change in the current playback time of the media content item, and simultaneously change the data items shown in container 501 to those data items having an index time at or near the time specified within the time control field 537.

[0054] In some embodiments, multiple containers 501 may be displayed simultaneously in conjunction with the playback of media content items. Figure 10The illustration shows a display combining multiple containers 501A and 501B with playback of media content items according to some embodiments of the present invention. Each container 501A and 501B may have its own categorization settings and its own filter settings. Therefore, it should be understood that account holder 107 can set up multiple containers 501A, 501B to simultaneously display data items from community space 201 in a partitioned manner. For example, using a football match example, a user can set up container 501A to display data items associated with fans of the first team, and can set up container 501B to display data items associated with fans of the second team. In other examples, a user can set up one container to include only data items from third-party and / or advertiser sources, and can set up another container to include data items contributed from selected groups of friends. It should be understood that by using filter settings for different containers to divide groups of data items from community space 201 into different containers (e.g., 501A, 501B), the user's ability to consume more data items simultaneously can be enhanced, thereby improving the user experience.

[0055] In addition, return to reference Figure 1 In some embodiments, data items transmitted from community space 201 along with the streaming of associated media content items can be transmitted to display on device 108 of account holder 107, different from the electronic device 105 and display 106 used by account holder 107 to view the media content items. For example, account holder 107 may have an application running on device 108 that communicates with streaming service 109, where device 108 is a personal electronic device (such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer, or personal computer, or any other type of personal electronic device with a display screen). In this example, the media content item is transmitted to electronic device 105 for playback on display 106 of account holder 107, and data items from community space 201 associated with the media content item are simultaneously transmitted to the application running on device 108 of account holder 107. The application running on device 108 of account holder 107 can be configured to provide the container 501 features disclosed above. Furthermore, streaming service 109 can be configured to synchronize the playback of media content items on display 106 with the operation of container 501 on device 108. In some embodiments, device 108 receives data directly from streaming service 109 via network 103 with appropriate configuration, and transmits data directly to streaming service 109. In some embodiments, device 108 receives data from streaming service 109 via electronic device 105, and / or transmits data to streaming service 109 via electronic device 105. In some embodiments, device 108 and electronic device 105 communicate with each other using a local network such as a Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth network, or another type of local wireless and / or wired network.

[0056] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating a method for operating a streaming service (e.g., streaming service 109) according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. The method includes operation 1101 for establishing a community space for a media content item. The community space also has a corresponding designated data storage space within a community data storage system. In some embodiments, the community space for the media content item is generated at the initial streaming of the media content item. In some embodiments, the media content item is streaming video. In some embodiments, the streaming video is one or more of a movie, television program, sports program, standalone video, and computer-generated video. The method also includes operation 1103 for receiving one or more data items from one or more contributing account holders. Each of the one or more data items has metadata, including an index time corresponding to the relevant time of the data item during playback of the media content item. Furthermore, each of the one or more data items is separate from the media content item. In some embodiments, the data item includes digital data of one or more of text messages, images, graphics, photographs, audio recordings, video clips, and music files. The method also includes operation 1105 for storing one or more data items and associated metadata in association with the media content item within the community space.

[0057] The method also includes operation 1107 for receiving a streaming request for a media content item from a requesting account holder. The method also includes operation 1109 for streaming the media content item to the requesting account holder's means in response to the streaming request. The method further includes operation 1111 for, in conjunction with the means of streaming the media content item to the requesting account holder, transmitting at least some of one or more data items associated with the media content item and associated metadata from the community space to the requesting account holder's means. The method may also include operation for instructing the display of one or more data items on the requesting account holder's means based on the indexing time of the data items during playback of the media content item. In some embodiments, the display of one or more data items on the requesting account holder's means occurs simultaneously with the playback of the media content item.

[0058] The method may further include receiving additional data items from one or more contributing account holders during the means of streaming a media content item to the requesting account holder. The additional data items may have metadata, including an index time corresponding to the relevant time of the additional data items during playback of the media content item. The method may also include operations for storing the additional data items and associated metadata in association with the media content item within a community space. The method may further include means of transferring the additional data items and associated metadata from the community space to the requesting account holder in conjunction with the means of continuing to stream the media content item to the requesting account holder.

[0059] In some embodiments, the metadata for each data item includes the identity of the contributing account holder from whom the data item is received. Additionally, in some embodiments, the method may include operations for tracking the fan rating of the contributing account holder from whom the data item is received. The metadata for each data item may include the fan rating of the contributing account holder from whom the data item is received. The method may also include operations for instructing the display of one or more data items on the requesting account holder's device based on the indexing time of the data item during playback of the media content item, wherein displaying one or both of the identity of the contributing account holder from whom the data item is received and the fan rating of the contributing account holder from whom the data item is received on the requesting account holder's device is combined with the data item. In some embodiments, tracking the fan rating of the contributing account holder from whom the data item is received includes one or more of the following: tracking multiple streaming requests received from the contributing account holder; tracking multiple views of the data item received from the contributing account holder; tracking the contributing account holder's participation in one or more activities related to the community space; and tracking vote counts related to the data item received from the contributing account holder.

[0060] In some embodiments, the method includes operations for instructing the display of a container comprising the one or more data items on the device of the requesting account holder. In some embodiments, the container is configured to provide display browsing via one or more data items. In some embodiments, the display of the container on the requesting account holder's device occurs simultaneously with the playback of media content items. In some embodiments, the container is configured to provide one or more data items of user-controllable categories via one or more of the following: index time, contributing account holder, data item type, fan rating, contributing account holder's geographic location, and contributing account holder's group associations, etc. In some embodiments, the container is configured to provide text search functionality, enabling the search for a specified text string within the content of one or more data items. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the container is configured to allow a user to select any one of one or more data items. The method may further include operations for moving the current playback time of the media content item to the index time within the metadata of the currently selected data item within the container.

[0061] In some embodiments, metadata for some of the data items in one or more data items includes a specification of a pixel position within a video frame of the media content item, wherein the data item is associated with a pixel position. In some embodiments, the method may include instructing an operation to display one or more data items on a device requesting an account holder, based on the indexing time of the data item during playback of the media content item and at the pixel position associated with the data item.

[0062] In some embodiments, the method includes operations for receiving specifications of one or more data item filter parameters from a requesting account holder. The method may also include operations for filtering one or more data items stored in the community space according to the specifications of the one or more data item filter parameters to identify a set of filtered data items. Then, in conjunction with means of streaming media content items to the requesting account holder, only a set of filtered data items and associated metadata related to the media content items are transmitted from the community space to the requesting account holder. In some embodiments, the one or more data item filter parameters include one or more of the following: index time, contributing account holder, data item type, fan rating, contributing account holder's geographic location, contributing account holder's group affiliation, and data item rating, etc.

[0063] In some embodiments, the method includes operations for processing one or more data items received from one or more contributing account holders via a machine learning module to generate one or more dynamic data items based on the data items received from the one or more contributing account holders. Each of the one or more dynamic data items has metadata including an index time corresponding to the relevant time of the dynamic data item during playback of a media content item. Furthermore, each of the one or more dynamic data items has metadata including a history of the one or more data items received from the one or more contributing account holders, upon which the dynamic data item is based. The method may further include storing the one or more dynamic data items and associated metadata in association with a media content item within a community space. The method may also include means of streaming a media content item to a requesting account holder, and means of transmitting some of the one or more dynamic data items and associated metadata from the community space to the requesting account holder.

[0064] In some embodiments, the machine learning module is configured to associate multiple data items received from one or more contributing account holders into a set of related data items based on including similar content within the set of related data items. The machine learning module may also be configured to determine the theme and / or subject of the set of related data items. The machine learning module may also be configured to generate dynamic data items to convey the determined theme and / or subject of the set of related data items. In some embodiments, some of the one or more dynamic data items represent a merging of multiple data items received from one or more contributing account holders. In some embodiments, some of the one or more dynamic data items represent a new composition based on multiple data items received from one or more contributing account holders.

[0065] Although some methodological operations have been described in a specific order herein, it should be understood that other housekeeping operations may be performed between operations, or operations may be adjusted so that they occur at slightly different times, or said operations may be distributed across a system that allows processing operations to occur at various intervals associated with the processing. Embodiments of the invention can be implemented in various computer system configurations, including handheld devices, microprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframes, etc. The invention can also be practiced in distributed computing environments, where tasks are performed by remote processing devices connected via wired or wireless network links.

[0066] In light of the above embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention can employ various computer-implemented operations involving data stored in a computer system. These operations require physical manipulation of physical quantities. Any operation described herein that forms part of the present invention is a useful machine operation. The present invention also relates to means or apparatus for performing these operations. The apparatus may be specifically constructed for the desired purpose, or the apparatus may be a general-purpose computer selectively activated or configured by a computer program stored in the computer. Specifically, various general-purpose machines may be used with computer programs written in accordance with the teachings herein, or more specialized devices may be more readily constructed to perform the desired operations.

[0067] The various components used in this invention can be embodied as computer-readable code on a computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium is any data storage device capable of storing data that can subsequently be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable media include hard disk drives, network attached storage (NAS), read-only memory, random access memory, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, and other optical and non-optical data storage devices. Computer-readable media may include computer-readable tangible media distributed across a network-coupled computer system, such that computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0068] Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail for clarity, it will be apparent that certain variations and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and the invention is not limited to the details given herein, but can be modified within the scope of the described embodiments and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for operating a streaming service, comprising: Create community spaces for videos; Receive multiple data items associated with the video from at least one contributing account holder, the multiple data items being separate from the video, each of the multiple data items including metadata specifying the relevant time of the data item within the video, and the identity of the contributing account holder of the data item, wherein the metadata of a given data item among the multiple data items includes a specification of a pixel position within a video frame of the video, wherein the given data item is associated with the pixel position; The multiple data items and metadata are stored in the community space in association with the video; The machine learning module is used to associate multiple data items among the multiple data items into a set of related data items; The machine learning module is operated to determine the theme or subject of the relevant set of data items. Generate dynamic data items and associated metadata for the subject or theme of the set of related data items determined by the transmission; The dynamic data items and the associated metadata are stored in the community space in association with the video; Receive a streaming request for the video from the requesting account holder; In response to the streaming request, the video stream is transmitted to the computing device of the requesting account holder; and In conjunction with streaming the video, the dynamic data items and associated metadata are transmitted from the community space to the computing device of the requesting account holder.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the community space of the video is generated during the initial streaming of the video.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the video is one or more of a movie, a television program, a sports program, a standalone video, and a computer-generated video.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein some of the plurality of data items include digital data for one or more of text messages, images, graphics, photographs, audio recordings, video clips, and music files.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Based on the relevant time of the dynamic data item during the playback of the video, the system instructs the display of the dynamic data item on the computing device of the requesting account holder.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the display of the plurality of data items on the computing device of the requesting account holder is performed simultaneously with the playback of the video.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: During the transmission of the video stream to the computing device of the requesting account holder, additional data items are received from one or more contributing account holders. The additional data items have metadata, which includes the relevant time of the additional data items during the playback of the video. The video and associated metadata are stored in association with the video within the community space; as well as In conjunction with continuing to stream the video to the requesting account holder's computing device, the additional data items and associated metadata are transferred from the community space to the requesting account holder's computing device.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The system instructs the display of a container comprising the plurality of data items on the computing device of the requesting account holder, wherein the container is configured to provide display browsing through the plurality of data items.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the display of the container on the computing device of the requesting account holder is performed simultaneously with the playback of the video.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the container is configured to provide the plurality of data items of a user-controllable category by one or more of the following: the relevant time of the data item during video playback, the contributing account holder, the data item type, the fan rating, the geographic location of the contributing account holder, and the group association of the contributing account holder.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the container is configured to provide a text search tool to enable searching for user-specified text content among the plurality of data items.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the container is configured to allow a user to select any one of the plurality of data items, and wherein the method further comprises: The current playback time of the video is made equal to the relevant time in the metadata of the currently selected data item within the container.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Based on the relevant time during the playback of the video, and at the pixel location associated with the given data item, the system instructs the display of the given data item on the computing device of the requesting account holder.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Receive the specification of filter parameters for one or more data items from the requesting account holder; The plurality of data items stored in the community space are filtered according to the specified filter parameters for one or more data items to identify a set of filtered data items. Specifically, the filtered data items and associated metadata related to the video are transmitted to the computing device of the requesting account holder.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more data item filter parameters include one or more of the following: the relevant time of the data item during video playback, the contributing account holder, the data item type, the fan rating, the geographic location of the contributing account holder, and the group association of the contributing account holder.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the associated metadata of the dynamic data item includes the relevant time of the dynamic data item during the playback of the video, and wherein the associated metadata of the dynamic data item includes the history of the set of related data items.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein each data item in the set of related data items includes some type of similar content.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic data item is a combination of at least two data items among the plurality of data items.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic data item is a new composition based on at least two of the plurality of data items.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic data item moves in conjunction with the movement of an object within the video.

21. A method for operating a streaming service, comprising: Create community spaces for videos; Receive multiple data items associated with the video from at least one contributing account holder. The multiple data items are separate from the video. Each of the multiple data items includes metadata specifying the relevant time of the data item within the video, and the identity of the contributing account holder of the data item. The multiple data items include a tagged data item received by tagging a tagged data item to an object displayed in the scene of the video. The tagged data item has associated metadata, which includes tagging data defining the tagging data item to the object. The multiple data items and metadata are stored in the community space in association with the video; Receive a streaming request for the video from the requesting account holder; In response to the streaming request, the video stream is transmitted to the computing device of the requesting account holder; and In conjunction with streaming the video, the plurality of data items and associated metadata are transmitted from the community space to the computing device of the requesting account holder, wherein during playback of the video, the tagged data items are displayed on the computing device of the requesting account holder in conjunction with the object.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: The machine learning module is used to associate multiple data items among the multiple data items into a set of related data items; The machine learning module is operated to determine the theme or subject of the relevant set of data items. Generate dynamic data items and associated metadata for the subject or theme of the set of related data items determined by the transmission; The dynamic data items and associated metadata are stored in the community space in association with the video; and In conjunction with streaming the video, the dynamic data items and associated metadata are transmitted from the community space to the computing device of the requesting account holder.

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