Metadata Analysis for Automatic Related Program Recording
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for recording television programs fail to efficiently identify and record related programs, such as episodes of a series, as they lack simultaneous identification and recording capabilities, relying on manual selection and metadata monitoring for scheduling.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a media content module, a recording device, and a main related programs module that analyzes metadata to identify related programs, allowing for automatic recording and playback of episodes within a series, using a remote server to operate the recording device and provide a user interface for selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual selection and metadata monitoring are used for recording scheduling, then recording capability is provided, but identification efficiency and automation level are low
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically identifying related programs through metadata analysis without requiring manual user intervention. The electronic program guide autonomously monitors incoming metadata, identifies related programs based on predefined criteria, and schedules recording automatically, allowing the system to serve itself rather than relying on continuous user input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-identifying and pre-scheduling related programs for recording before they are broadcast. The electronic program guide analyzes metadata in advance, clusters related programs, and creates recording schedules proactively, so that when the programs are actually broadcast, the recording process is already initiated without requiring real-time user decisions.
2Productivity
If simultaneous identification and recording capabilities are added, then recording efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic program guide performs multiple functions simultaneously: it displays program information to users, monitors incoming metadata for related programs, identifies and clusters related programs based on metadata analysis, and schedules recording operations. By making the EPG a multi-functional universal system rather than separate dedicated devices, the patent achieves simultaneous identification and recording capabilities while avoiding the need for additional independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the identification function and recording function into a single integrated system. The electronic program guide combines metadata monitoring, program clustering, and recording scheduling into one unified process flow, where identification and recording operations are coordinated through a single system architecture rather than requiring separate identification and recording subsystems.
3Measurement precision
If metadata analysis for program clustering is performed, then related program identification accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the metadata analysis process into distinct operational phases: initial metadata retrieval from incoming program data, extraction of relevant clustering criteria from metadata, comparison of metadata attributes across programs, and final clustering decision-making. By dividing the complex metadata analysis into segmented steps, the system achieves accurate program relationship identification while managing processing complexity through structured phase-based handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A system a method and a module for recording programs comprising media content data, transmitted by a media content provider via communication channels, where each program is associated with metadata containing details relating to the program. The method comprises: identifying related programs; online recording of programs of at least one predefined communication channel, that were identified as related programs, according to predefined recording rules, using a recording device and enabling at least one viewer to select and view recorded programs, using a video-audio display unit. The identification of related programs is carried out by analyzing the metadata associated with each transmitted program identifying at least one relation of at least one relation type between at least some of the programs. The identified related programs are associated with programs groups, each group representing the relation relating all programs in the group and the relation type associated therewith.