Filter Metadata Synchronization for Multimedia Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multimedia content filtering technologies in video-on-demand environments lack effective synchronization with the content, often resulting in the suppression of non-objectionable content, and there is a need for systems that can accurately filter out undesirable content while allowing access to suitable portions of multimedia presentations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for synchronizing filter metadata with multimedia content presentations, which involves selecting multimedia content, activating filters to identify and suppress objectionable content, and communicating these filters between a remote server and a client device, ensuring accurate suppression of objectionable content regardless of content location within the presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If content filtering is applied to suppress objectionable content, then the harmful factors are reduced, but the precision of content identification and suppression is insufficient, resulting in suppression of non-objectionable content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multimedia content into discrete time intervals or frames, allowing the filter to process and identify objectionable content at specific segments rather than treating the entire content as a single unit. This segmentation enables more precise identification and suppression of only the problematic portions while preserving non-objectionable content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-defining filter criteria and thresholds before content playback. The filter metadata is prepared in advance with specific identification parameters, allowing accurate recognition and suppression of objectionable content when it appears during playback without requiring real-time analysis of the entire content stream.
2Reliability
If filter metadata is synchronized with multimedia content, then the reliability of content suppression is improved, but the device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the filter metadata synchronization mechanism with the existing multimedia playback system. The filter metadata is integrated into the content delivery stream, allowing the client device to synchronize filtering operations with playback without requiring separate complex synchronization hardware or additional processing layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the client device receives filter metadata and synchronizes it with playback timing information. The system uses timing cues and synchronization signals to align filter application with specific content moments, ensuring reliable suppression while managing complexity through standardized synchronization protocols.
3Ease of operation
If content suppression is applied without accurate synchronization, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of non-objectionable content increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the filtering action to specific local portions of the multimedia content rather than applying uniform suppression throughout. The filter metadata identifies specific time intervals or segments containing objectionable content, allowing the system to suppress only those localized portions while preserving the quality and integrity of non-objectionable content elsewhere in the presentation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and apparatus for applying and synchronizing filter information with a multimedia presentation, such as a movie provided in a video-on-demand context, to suppress objectionable content. In one example, filter information, which includes an indicia of a portion of the multimedia presentation including objectionable content and a type of suppression action, is provided on either a set-top-box or a video-on-demand server. A user selects a particular video-on-demand presentation, and the selection is transmitted to the set-top-box. Additionally, whether in a video-on-demand, DVD, or other environment it may be necessary to synchronize filter with the multimedia content so that the proper objectionable content is suppressed.