Time-Based Metadata Service for Media Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional content publishers face the challenge of supporting multiple communication protocols and formats when distributing supplemental content for media playback devices, which limits compatibility and requires individual addressing of each protocol and format, preventing otherwise incompatible devices from communicating and sharing information effectively.
Innovation Solution
A service that enables devices to interface with web services independently of communication protocols, allowing for the integration of time-based metadata with media content, enabling devices to share and synchronize metadata across different platforms, including Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, and web browsers, using XML, EBIF, or JSON formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional content publishers distribute supplemental content for media playback devices, then supplemental information can be provided, but compatibility is limited and requires individual addressing of multiple protocols and formats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service layer that acts as an intermediary between content publishers and playback devices. This service receives supplemental content in a first format from publishers and automatically converts it to multiple second formats compatible with different devices, eliminating the need for publishers to directly address multiple protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The service is designed to handle multiple communication protocols and formats universally. It can receive content in various first formats and generate multiple second formats simultaneously, making the system adaptable to different device types including Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, and web browsers
2Reliability
If content publishers address multiple protocols and formats individually, then specific device requirements can be met, but otherwise incompatible devices cannot communicate and share information effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The service layer mediates communication between publishers and diverse devices. It ensures reliable content delivery by receiving from publishers and distributing to devices in their respective formats, enabling incompatible devices to communicate through the intermediary
3Ease of operation
If publishers distribute supplemental content in multiple formats, then device-specific requirements are satisfied, but the process requires individual addressing of each protocol
Solution Approach 1:
The service performs preliminary conversion of content formats before distribution. Publishers provide content in a single first format, and the service pre-converts it to multiple second formats in advance, so that when content is distributed to devices, the appropriate formats are already prepared
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple distribution operations into a single process. Instead of publishers individually addressing each device type, the service combines receiving content in one format and generating multiple output formats in a single operational flow, improving efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system and method for rendering media related content and web services. According to one or more embodiments, media content is rendered from a source. In one or more segments of the media source, at least one of an object, person or location is identified and additional information, relevant content or services about the person, object or location are displayed or made accessible while or after the media content is being rendered, on one or more devices and/or on one or more paired devices.