Time-Based Metadata Segmentation for Digital Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital media management systems are inefficient in processing, storing, displaying, and retrieving digital media due to inadequate use of metadata, leading to human error, time-consuming manual screenings, and potential oversights in meeting promotional campaign constraints.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented system and interface that enables users to create, manage, and analyze digital media segments using time-based or time-correlated metadata, allowing for efficient categorization, visualization, and manipulation of metadata across multiple hierarchical levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual categorization and screening of digital media is performed, then human discretion and judgment can be applied to select appropriate clips, but human error, oversights, and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of constraint complianceVSAvoidmanual processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the digital media asset to automatically generate and organize its own metadata segments based on time-based characteristics. The asset serves itself by automatically categorizing content into segments (e.g., identifying profanity, mature material, product placements) without requiring manual human intervention, thus eliminating human error while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical human screening process with an automated computer-based system that uses time-based metadata to categorize and filter digital media segments. This substitution eliminates human discretion and judgment with algorithm-based automated classification, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining or improving accuracy through consistent application of constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple constraints are applied simultaneously during manual screening, then comprehensive compliance can be achieved, but the likelihood of mistakes and oversights increases due to divided attention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance with multiple constraintsVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the digital media asset into multiple time-based metadata segments, each representing different characteristics or constraints (e.g., profanity segments, mature material segments, product placement segments). This segmentation allows each constraint to be independently tracked and managed, making it easier to apply multiple constraints simultaneously without overwhelming the operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a time-based dimension to metadata organization, creating hierarchical levels of metadata that extend from the entire digital media asset down to specific time segments. This dimensional approach allows constraints to be applied and verified across different time granularities, simplifying the management of multiple simultaneous constraints through structured temporal organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If time-based metadata is implemented at multiple hierarchical levels, then precise selection and analysis of digital media segments is enabled, but system complexity and investment requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of segment selectionVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements nested hierarchical levels of metadata, where metadata segments are nested within larger metadata structures that represent different scopes (e.g., scene-level metadata nested within episode-level metadata nested within series-level metadata). This nesting enables precise segment selection at any hierarchical level while reusing the same time-based metadata structure, reducing overall system complexity through pattern repetition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Productivity

If automated systems are used to process digital media, then processing speed and consistency improve, but flexibility in handling complex constraints may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing throughputVSAvoidhandling of complex constraints
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses time-based parameters as the foundation for metadata organization, allowing flexible adjustment of temporal parameters (start times, end times, duration) to accommodate different constraint scenarios. This parameter-based approach enables the automated system to adapt to complex constraints by modifying time-related metadata attributes without changing the underlying system architecture, maintaining both productivity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12210718B2Time-based metadata management system for digital media
Publication Date: 2025.01.28 ADEIA MEDIA SOLUTIONS INC
  • US12210718B2 patent drawing
  • US12210718B2 patent drawing
  • US12210718B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Managing metadata associated with a digital media asset includes selecting the digital media asset, displaying the digital media asset in a filmstrip format that presents one or more scenes from the digital media asset along a timeline, wherein each scene corresponds with an underlying point in time along the timeline, and wherein the digital media asset has a start time and an end time that define the timeline, displaying at least one track in timeline alignment with the film strip format wherein the at least one track corresponds with a type of metadata associated with the digital media asset, and displaying on the at least one track, one or more segments, wherein each segment has a start point and an end point along the timeline and wherein each respective segment represents a span of time in which the type of metadata occurs within the digital media asset.