Media Processor Automatic Content Switching for Unsuitable Scenes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Viewers face challenges in managing unsuitable content during live broadcasts, as they cannot accurately determine when inappropriate scenes end, leading to disruptions in the viewing experience for both parents and children.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates metadata for media content to identify unsuitable scenes, allowing for automatic switching to alternative content on a different broadcast channel, ensuring continuous viewing of suitable material after the unsuitable scene has ended.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a parent switches to another television program when an unsuitable scene is presented, then the harmful content is avoided, but the parent loses track of when the unsuitable scene ends and must switch back, causing loss of storyline understanding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure to unsuitable contentVSAvoidstoryline understanding

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback to the parent by detecting when the unsuitable scene has ended and automatically switching back to the original television program, ensuring the parent does not miss any important storyline developments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic monitoring and switching operations without requiring continuous parental intervention, using content analysis to autonomously determine when to switch away from and return to the original program

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual monitoring of television content is performed, then unsuitable scenes can be detected, but the parent cannot accurately determine when the unsuitable scene ends, leading to viewing disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunsuitable scene detectionVSAvoidviewing experience continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors content, detects unsuitable scenes, and manages switching operations without requiring parental action, making the process effortless while maintaining viewing continuity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual monitoring and decision-making process is replaced with an automated electronic system that uses content analysis and metadata to detect unsuitable scenes and control program switching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automatic switching to alternative content is implemented, then viewing continuity is maintained, but the system complexity increases due to metadata generation and content management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing continuityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Metadata identifying unsuitable scenes is generated and associated with content in advance, allowing the system to quickly detect and respond to inappropriate content without complex real-time analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a content management system that acts as an intermediary between the broadcast signal and the viewer, handling the complexity of content analysis and switching decisions centrally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11375277B1Methods, systems, and devices for enhancing viewing experience based on media content processing and delivery

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, generating metadata associated with a second portion of the first media content, and providing the first media content and the metadata to a media processor that presents the first portion of the first media content. The media processor identifies a media content type associated with the second portion of the first media content according to the metadata. Additional embodiments can include providing the second media content to the media processor. The media processor terminates presentation of the first media content prior to presentation of the second portion of the first media content and presents the second media content during a broadcast of the second portion of the first media content. Further, the media processor terminates presentation of the second media content, and presents the third portion of the first media content from the first broadcast channel. Other embodiments are disclosed.