Subcontent Tagging for Digital Video Recorder Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Viewers face inconvenience in locating specific portions of broadcast programs due to the lack of efficient tools for isolating desired content within multi-channel broadcasts, as current digital video recorders are cumbersome for navigating through undesired segments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing subcontent tagging and playback methods by inserting begin and end tags into broadcast programs to define video clip segments, allowing digital video recorders to store and play back these segments along with associated thumbnails and wrapper information, such as advertisements or summaries, upon user selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If digital video recorders use traditional rewind and fast-forward functionality to locate desired portions, then users can navigate through broadcast programs, but the operation becomes inconvenient and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The broadcast program is segmented into multiple video clip segments using begin tags and end tags. Each segment represents a discrete, identifiable portion of content (e.g., weather forecast, sports highlights). This segmentation allows users to directly access specific segments without manual navigation through entire programs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-tagging video segments during content creation or broadcasting. Begin and end tags are inserted to define segment boundaries in advance, and thumbnails are generated beforehand. When users access the DVR, pre-generated playlists with segment information are immediately available, eliminating the need for real-time navigation.
2Productivity
If users want to watch specific segments of interest in broadcast programs, then content selection is improved, but navigating through undesired portions becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The broadcast program is divided into discrete video clip segments marked by begin and end tags. Each segment can be independently identified, stored, and accessed. This allows users to jump directly to segments of interest without watching undesired content, dramatically improving content access efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified copies of segment information in the form of playlists and thumbnails. These copies contain essential metadata (begin/end timestamps, thumbnail images, segment descriptions) that allow users to quickly identify and access desired content without processing the entire original broadcast program.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple channels offer various programs, then content variety is improved, but switching between channels and locating specific content becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces playlists as an intermediary layer between the user and the complex multi-channel broadcast environment. Playlists aggregate segment information from various channels and programs into a unified, searchable interface. Users interact with the simplified playlist structure rather than directly navigating through multiple channels, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining access to diverse content.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for tagging subcontent includes creating a first begin tag for a program to be delivered over a network, wherein the first begin tag defines a beginning of a first video segment of the program. A first video frame is identified for the first video segment, the first video frame representing content of the first video segment. A second begin tag is created for the program, the second begin tag defines a beginning of a second video segment of the program. A second video frame is identified for the second video segment, the second video frame representing content of the second video segment. The first begin tag is distinct from the second begin tag, the first video frame is distinct from the second video frame, and the first video segment is distinct from the second video segment.