Media Item Identification via Embedded Metadata Tags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Viewers face difficulties in obtaining additional information or purchasing items depicted in media content, such as products or services, displayed on a set-top box device, as existing systems lack efficient methods for identifying and interacting with these items during media consumption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating metadata tags associated with purchasable items in media content, allowing users to select and request information or purchase items using a set-top box device and identification server, which retrieves and displays relevant information or facilitates transactions through an electronic commerce server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional media content display systems are used, then media content can be displayed, but users cannot easily identify or obtain information about items depicted in the content
Solution Approach 1:
Metadata tags are embedded in the media content stream in advance, associating items depicted in the content with their identification data. This preliminary tagging enables the system to automatically identify items when users interact with the content, eliminating the need for manual search or external research.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata tags as an intermediary element that bridges the media content and item information. These tags act as a mediator between the depicted items and their identification data, allowing the set-top box to translate user selections into meaningful item identification and information retrieval.
2Loss of information
If users manually search for item information online, then they can obtain details about depicted items, but this process is time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
Item information is pre-associated with metadata tags embedded in the media content. When users select an item, the system immediately retrieves the pre-linked information without requiring external searches, significantly reducing the time needed to obtain item details.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback to users when they select an item by displaying associated information from the metadata tags. This instant feedback mechanism eliminates the delay of manual searching and allows users to quickly access item details during content consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If no item identification system is implemented, then the media player remains simple, but users cannot purchase or learn more about depicted items
Solution Approach 1:
The metadata tag system serves multiple functions: it enables item identification, information retrieval, and e-commerce transactions through a single integrated mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows the media player to gain commerce capabilities without requiring separate complex systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
Metadata tags act as a universal intermediary that enables various commerce-related functions through a common mechanism. The same tag structure supports item identification, information display, and purchase initiation, providing adaptability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, at a media device, media content from a media content server. A portion of the media content includes a first item concurrently depicted with a second item. The method includes receiving an input indicating a selection of the second item within the media content. The method includes, in response to the input, sending an identification request for information corresponding to the second item to an identification server in response to the input. The identification request includes data relating to a depiction of the second item. The method also includes receiving the information from the identification server in response to the identification request. Other embodiments are disclosed.