Media Guidance App Plot Segment Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media guidance systems fail to effectively compare and alert users to differences between various media versions of a story, such as between a movie and an e-book, as they lack the capability to analyze and compare plot segments across different media formats.
Innovation Solution
A media guidance application that identifies and compares sequences of plot segments across different media versions by using metadata to determine unique identifiers and generate alerts when differences are detected, enhancing user engagement by providing summaries of these differences during consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing media guidance systems are used to manage media content, then basic media guidance functions are provided, but the systems cannot compare and alert users to differences between different media versions of a story
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media content into discrete plot segments that can be individually identified and compared across different media versions. Each plot segment is treated as a separate unit with unique identifiers, allowing the system to compare specific narrative elements rather than analyzing entire media files, thus enabling version comparison without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary layer between the media content and the comparison function. This metadata contains plot segment identifiers and narrative structure information that enables comparison without requiring direct analysis of the media files themselves, resolving the contradiction by adding comparison capability through a specialized data layer rather than complexifying the core media guidance system
2Measurement precision
If metadata is used to identify plot segments, then comparison between media versions becomes possible, but the process requires determining sequence and conclusion points of plot segments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-identifying and tagging plot segments with unique identifiers and conclusion markers during metadata generation. This advance preparation allows the comparison process to simply match identified segments rather than performing complex real-time analysis, achieving precise plot segment identification while keeping the actual comparison operation relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where metadata from one media version informs the analysis of another version. By comparing plot segment sequences and identifying where segments conclude in one version but not another, the system achieves precise identification of narrative differences through iterative metadata comparison rather than complex direct content analysis
3Loss of information
If the system alerts users to all differences between media versions, then user engagement is enhanced, but information overload may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing difference information selectively at relevant locations in the media consumption experience. Rather than presenting all differences at once, the system alerts users to plot segment differences contextually - such as when a particular plot segment is encountered during media playback - ensuring information is delivered when most useful and avoiding overwhelming users with comprehensive lists of all differences
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for alerting users to differences between first and second media versions of a story are provided. Given a first version of the media asset, a first sequence of plot segments in the first version that collectively represent a story arc may be identified. A second version of the media asset may be processed to identify a second sequence of plot segments that collectively represent the story arc. The first sequence and second sequence of plot segments may be compared to identify a set of plot segments representing a difference between the sequences. In response to detecting that a user consuming the first version of the media asset has reached a given plot segment that represents a resolution to the story, a summary of the set of plot segments representing the difference between the first and second sequences may be generated for display.