Aggregated Media Content Segmentation for Customization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Media content providers face inefficiencies and high costs due to the need to store and distribute multiple versions of media content to accommodate different ratings preferences, languages, and display formats, which complicates the distribution process.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates aggregated media content by organizing media data into segments with associated metadata, allowing media devices to assemble and display customized versions based on user parameters, reducing the need for multiple versions by using a single aggregated content file that can be modified and assembled on demand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple versions of media content are stored and distributed to accommodate different ratings preferences, languages, and display formats, then customer expectations are met, but storage costs and distribution complexity increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different ratings preferences, languages, and display formatsVSAvoidstorage resources and distribution bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The media content is divided into multiple segments, where each segment represents a discrete unit of content that can be independently selected and assembled. This segmentation allows the system to create different versions of media content by selecting specific segments, rather than storing complete duplicate versions for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single aggregated media content file serves multiple functions by containing all necessary segments to accommodate different ratings preferences, languages, and display formats. This universal file can be dynamically assembled into various versions based on customer requirements, eliminating the need for separate specialized files for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple versions of media content are created and distributed, then different customer preferences are satisfied, but distribution efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization for different customersVSAvoiddistribution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

All possible content segments are prepared and organized in advance within the aggregated media content file during the content creation phase. This preliminary organization of segments with their associated metadata enables rapid assembly of customized versions during distribution without requiring real-time content creation or modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of distributing multiple complete versions of media content, the system distributes segments that can be copied and assembled locally or remotely to create the specific version needed. This approach significantly reduces the amount of data that must be transmitted while still providing full customization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple versions of media content are stored, then various ratings preferences and languages are accommodated, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple ratings and languagesVSAvoidsystem complexity for managing multiple versions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Metadata serves as an intermediary layer between the segmented media content and the customer requirements. This metadata contains information about each segment's characteristics (rating, language, display format) and enables automated assembly of appropriate versions without requiring complex manual management of multiple content files.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages complexity by changing parameters (such as rating level, language, display format) through selective assembly of segments rather than through complex file management. Each segment is tagged with its parameters, and the desired version is created by selecting segments that match the requested parameter combination, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9516353B2Aggregating media content

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 DISH TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A method for generating a set of aggregated media content includes storing a plurality of segments of media data. The method further includes organizing the segments into a set of aggregated content including content for generating a plurality of sets of assembled content. The plurality of segments includes a first segment and a second segment. The method further includes generating a first set of metadata for the first segment specifying a first source index location of the first segment in the set of aggregated media content and a first target index location of the first segment in a first set of assembled media content, and a second set of metadata for the second segment specifying a second source index location of the second segment in the set of aggregated media content and a second target index location of the second segment in a second set of assembled media content.