Audio Asset Storage System for Video Program Metadata

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional interactive television systems lack a convenient method for retrieving information about audio assets embedded within video programs, making it difficult for users to identify or purchase music or other audio content while watching videos.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for managing and identifying video-embedded audio content using an interactive media guidance application, which includes a data store for audio asset information and a processor to receive requests, store indications, and provide audio asset information to user equipment, allowing users to access details such as title, artist, and album art, and enabling features like audio asset identification and purchase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional interactive television systems are used, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to retrieve and manage audio asset information embedded in video programs is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio asset information retrievalVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds audio asset information within video program data structures, creating a nested information architecture where audio metadata is contained within the broader video program context. This allows audio asset retrieval without requiring a completely separate system, thus improving information access while minimizing additional system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an audio asset information storage system that acts as an intermediary between video programs and user equipment. This mediator stores and manages audio asset metadata, enabling efficient retrieval without directly complicating the core video delivery infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If audio asset information is stored and retrieved through a dedicated system, then user convenience for identifying and purchasing audio content improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio asset identification convenienceVSAvoiddata store and processor configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the audio asset information storage system to serve multiple functions: storing audio metadata, retrieving information upon request, monitoring user equipment data stores, and providing supplemental information. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into one unified solution, improving ease of operation while controlling overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically monitors user equipment data stores and identifies audio asset information that is not stored locally, then provides this information automatically. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual system configuration and complex user interactions, improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If remote data store monitoring is implemented to synchronize audio asset information, then information completeness across user equipment improves, but system complexity and communication overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio asset information availabilityVSAvoidremote monitoring mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system proactively monitors user equipment data stores and identifies missing audio asset information before users request it. By performing this check in advance and automatically providing supplemental information, the system ensures information completeness without requiring complex real-time synchronization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8918428B2Systems and methods for audio asset storage and management
Publication Date: 2014.12.23 ADEIA GUIDES INC
  • US8918428B2 patent drawing
  • US8918428B2 patent drawing
  • US8918428B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for providing audio asset information using an audio asset information storage system are provided. The storage system includes a data store containing video program information associated with a video program that embeds the known audio asset. The storage system receives a number of requests to identify the known audio asset and stores an indication of each request within the data store. The storage system provides at least a portion of audio asset information associated with the known audio asset to user equipment.