Interactive TV Video Metadata Linking via Client Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy video content is not interactive due to its read-only nature, and existing solutions struggle to port interactive video experiences from PC to TV environments, where user interaction is minimal, hindering the adoption of hypervideo technology.
Innovation Solution
A client-server scheme is implemented where video content and metadata are separate, with video signatures generated on the client side to link metadata to video objects, allowing metadata to be retrieved from a server, enabling interactive experiences on TVs using a remote control with a screen and pointing device, and allowing multiple users to access supplemental metadata independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If video content is made interactive with metadata linking, then user interaction capability is improved, but device complexity and distribution scheme complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates video content delivery from metadata delivery. The video server delivers only video content to the set-top box, while the metadata server delivers metadata separately. This segmentation allows legacy video content to be delivered without modification while interactive metadata is added independently, reducing distribution scheme complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The set-top box acts as an intermediary between the video server, metadata server, and user interface. It receives video content from the video server, retrieves metadata from the metadata server based on user interactions, and manages the linking between video objects and metadata. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users access different metadata simultaneously, then user experience personalization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides separate user interfaces for each user, allowing independent interaction with video content and metadata. Each user can select and access metadata independently through their own remote control interface, enabling personalized experiences without requiring complex multi-user session management on the server side.
3Ease of operation
If metadata is retrieved on-demand during video playback, then user interaction responsiveness is improved, but loss of time for metadata retrieval occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Metadata is prepared and made available on the metadata server before users need it. The system pre-loads and organizes metadata so that when a user interacts with a video object, the corresponding metadata can be retrieved quickly without significant delay to video playback.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a system and method for controlling interactive video, including a remote control device allowing the user to interact with the video. The method allows bringing the “lean-forward” hypervideo experience to a “lay-back” environment such as the TV screen. The method also allows for the creation of a single system that combines both the social aspects of the “lay-back” and the “lean-forward experience” into a new type of rich media viewing experience.