WO2016134719A1 - A method of controlling media assets and a video pre-ingestion system - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of controlling media assets (MA) for video ingestion wherein the media assets (MA) comprise video assets (VA) and media asset related content (MARC) and the media assets (MA) being provided from one or more content providers (CP). The method comprises the steps of: • defining a plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) by means of a pre-ingestion module (PEVI), a plurality of said media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) each associating at least one video asset (VA) and a least one media asset related content (MARC), • the pre-ingestion module (PEVI) automatically communicating with the respective content providers (CP) and for each of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) determining a fulfillment for at least two of the associated media assets (MA) at the relevant content provider (CP), on the basis of a plurality of said fulfillments selecting and • initiating a video ingestion of one or more of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD), wherein the video ingestion being performed by means of a video ingestion module (EVI). A video pre-ingestion system comprising a pre-ingestion module (PIM) communicatively coupled to a video ingestion module (EVI) is also disclosed.

Description

A METHOD OF CONTROLLING MEDIA ASSETS AND A VIDEO PRE-INGESTION SYSTEM

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a method of controlling media assets for video ingestion wherein the media assets comprise video assets and media asset related content and the media assets being provided from one or more content providers. The invention further relates to a video pre-ingestion system comprising a pre-ingestion module communicatively coupled to a video ingestion module. Background of the invention

Video ingestion in present context forms a part of a system where an operator avails a number of end-users to see Internet or closed network as live TV or on demand. In the present context an Internet delivery platform is preferred and this makes in particular the required video ingestion a very complicated one in the sense that the video ingestion will have to involve or be able to involve complex processing of video metadata, transcoding, payment processing, etc.

This complexity is effectively forming a high barrier for operators intending to build up and maintain an Internet-based video platform serving a large number of end- users and presenting a large selection of video content from different providers. The barrier results in that the processing time is substantive for establishment and start-up of the delivery platform as well as for maintenance.

An example of such a platform is e.g. provided in US2009/0070673.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Summary of the invention

The invention provides for a method of controlling media assets for video ingestion wherein the media assets comprise video assets and media asset related content and the media assets being provided from one or more content providers. The method comprises the steps of:

• defining a plurality of media asset aggregation definitions by means of a pre- ingestion module, a plurality of said media asset aggregation definitions each associating at least one video asset and a least one media asset related content,

• the pre-ingestion module automatically communicating with the respective content providers and for each of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions determining a fulfillment for at least two of the associated media assets at the relevant content provider, on the basis of a plurality of said fulfillments selecting and

• initiating a video ingestion of one or more of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions, wherein the video ingestion being performed by means of a video ingestion module.

According to the provisions of the invention, a significantly improved video ingestion process has been obtained. One of several advantages is that the overall process from start to the end may be much faster than known video ingestion processes.

The video ingestion process in this context is typically involving that media assets must be prepared for delivery of Internet TV or on-demand video streaming to any connected device. A part of this preparation may e.g. include steps availing that the media asset to be published can be ingested. Other parts of this preparation may e.g.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) refer to whether the asset can be managed, monetized, encrypted, encoded and finally delivered to a connected device of an end-user.

The technical complication in such a process is relatively high given that the central media assets may typically involve a video asset and some related metadata. Besides that the content may need to be transcoded to fit the format(s) the ingestion is ultimately going to support, so-called digital right management (DRM) may be included in the ingestion, the media assets must be presented to an end-user via available devices, the overall maintenance and distribution of media assets must be managed carefully, etc.

In the present context, the pre-ingestion module communicates automatically with the respective content providers in order to establish whether the media assets are expected to be available, i.e. fulfilled, for ingestion and the method avails an initiation of an ingest process based on this expected availability.

The selecting and initiating of a video ingestion may thus be based on continuously updated information about media assets required by a specified media asset aggregation definition. The subsequent process may therefore continue utilizing the available computer processing power without waiting for the otherwise next-in-line ingestion.

It also has the advantageous impact that a prioritized media aggregation definition, where the media assets are not yet fulfilled, may be put on queue rather than at halt, in the sense that the continuous updating of fulfillment avails that a prioritized media aggregation definition may trigger an ingestion as soon as the fulfillment indicates that everything is ready for ingestion and that the ingestion module is ready for ingestion of the relevant and now fulfilled media assets.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) A media asset aggregation definition specifies assets or asset types to be included for video ingestion and possibly otherwise managing of movies, TV-series, recorded or live shows, concerts, sports events, etc., or other TV-programmes or other video content.

A media asset aggregation definition for, e.g. a movie may in an aspect comprise a list of assets comprising at least one specified video asset and at least one specified media asset related content, e.g. a movie description, rating, cast, subtitles, audio tracks, cover photo, trailer, etc. It is noted that the video asset may integrate one or more media asset related content, e.g. audio tracks, subtitles, etc. The assets may preferably be listed with references to their expected locations, e.g. by means of URL addresses, or content providers, e.g. by means of unique identifiers or contact points, e.g. API URL addresses. In an aspect the media asset aggregation definition for e.g. a movie may comprise an identification of the movie, as well as a list of asset types comprising at least one video asset type and at least one media asset related content type, e.g. audio track in German, subtitles in Danish, subtitles in Swedish, etc. The pre-ingestion module may preferably comprise a list of content provider locations, e.g. URL addresses, and/or contact points, e.g. API URL addresses, for inquiring about the listed media asset types. The media asset aggregation definitions may comprise references to service providers from which the different media asset types are expected, or the pre- ingestion module may inquire with various content providers to identify one or more to provide the respective media asset types for the identified, e.g. movie.

Fulfillment preferably comprises an indication of the availability of the media assets defined by the individual media aggregation definitions. The pre-ingestion module communicates with the different content providers providing the media assets designated by a relevant media asset aggregation definition, and the pre-ingestion module will on the basis of this communication establish the degree of which the

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) defined media assets are available for the subsequent ingestion. It should be noted that the degree of availability for some of the designated media assets may simply be whether it is available or not, and for some media assets may preferably be determined in a higher resolution, e.g. a degree of processing, an estimated time for completion, a number of associated files completed, etc. The representation of fulfillment may differ between media asset types, e.g. video assets and different kinds of media asset related content, and/or between different content providers. In an embodiment media asset related content consisting of a movie description may for example have its fulfillment represented by a yes/no-indication of its availability at the expected location, whereas a video asset in the same embodiment may have its fulfillment represented by an estimated number of hours before it will be available at the expected location, or for example a completion state e.g. indicated by levels of "order sent", "order acknowledged", "media asset transferred to a data source", "media asset transferred successfully to data source", "media asset validated", etc. In an embodiment one content provider may for example provide detailed estimation about when different media assets will be available, whereas at another content provider it may for example only be possible to determine whether a certain file exists or not. An indication of fulfillment for at least two media assets may in various aspects be indicated collectively, i.e. as an indication for the fulfillment for an entire media asset aggregation definition or group of media asset aggregation definitions, e.g. an entire season of a TV-series, and/or be indicated for each associated media asset individually, e.g. individually for video assets, subtitles, description, rating, etc., and/or combinations or groups thereof.

The pre-ingestion module determines the fulfillment at the relevant content provider, i.e. at the location referred to in the media asset aggregation definition or at the location indicated from the content provider by response to an inquiry or per previous agreement. For example, the media asset aggregation definition may

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) provide a URL address of an FTP server as the location to expect a certain audio track to be made available. For example, the media asset aggregation definition may provide a URL address of a content provider API, and upon inquiry for a specific media asset to that API the content provider may respond with a URL address from which the media asset may be retrieved. For example, the media asset aggregation definition may provide a URL address of a content provider API, and upon inquiry for a specific media asset type related to a specifically identified movie, the content provider may respond with a URL address of a media asset of the requested type, or possibly with a list of URL addresses of media assets of the requested type, e.g. several cover photos or subtitles in different languages. For example, the media asset aggregation definition may specify a certain video asset and the content provider may upon request respond with a state of processing or an estimated time before making available at a location pre-defined or provided upon completion. The fulfillment may in addition to availability further indicate a degree of correctness, e.g. determined by simple or complex analysis of the media assets or information about the media assets received from the content provider. In order to determine correctness of a media asset, the pre-ingestion module may for example compare a file name, a file type, a file size, file header content, etc., with expected values, or perform more advanced checks, for example determining a language of description or subtitles, determining a video, photo or audio track quality, etc.

The fulfillment at the relevant content provider may indicate availability at a data storage of the content provider, an external data storage used by the content provider, for download or streaming from the content provider or a specified service provider, for delivery by a push action from the content provider to a mail server, FTP server, web service, etc., or any other means of transferring information, preferably selected in accordance with the individual media asset types and content providers. In other words, fulfillment at a content provider is primarily related to availability and correctness. The particular location for each media asset or way to retrieve the

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) individual media assets may differ between different media assets and between different content providers, and is not necessarily a property of the content provider.

The pre-ingestion module may thus organize and perform a quality check prior to ingest in a large scale enabling a high degree of automation with a relatively low malfunctioning. It has thus been established that a pre-ingestion procedure performed according to the above mentioned provisions may reduce the number of failed ingestions significantly. At the same time, the focus on the initial part of the overall procedure may help establishing an overall efficient procedure, reducing the effective time applied in relation to media asset ingestion by a factor two or even more. The application of the relatively simple automatic quality checks may thus have a huge impact of the overall procedure.

According to a very advantageous embodiment of the invention the pre-ingestion module may be applied for the purpose of merging different ingestion or publishing platforms. This may e.g. imply that the present pre-ingestion platform communicates with more than one publication platform. The pre-ingestion platform may therefore communicate and direct an IP TV system and an OTT system with one common automatic fulfillment procedure. This is e.g. very advantageous when both addresses IP TV and OTT systems but it may also merge and "old" existing video publishing system with a new one, thereby establishing a seamless transition from one platform to another. The ingestion module ΓΜ therefore generally designates one platform or two or more of these platforms, all gathered and represented as one ingestion platform although these platforms in reality may be performed by two or more different platforms.

In an aspect of the invention, the pre-ingestion module is communicatively coupled to the video ingestion module for automatically determining an ingestion fulfillment of the ingestion performed by said video ingestion module of a media asset

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) aggregation defined by a respective of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions.

The pre-ingestion module may thus not only prepare, organize and perform a quality check (e.g. availability and/or correctness of media assets) prior to ingest, it may also communicate with the video ingestion module in order to see the ingestion through, and thereby the pre-ingestion module may enable monitoring a media asset management process from even before ingestion is started until ingestion has finally succeeded or failed.

In an aspect of the invention, the method comprises a step of providing a result of said ingestion performed by the video ingestion module of individuals or groups of media asset aggregation definition to a content delivery network. In an aspect of the invention, the method comprises a step of providing a result of said ingestion performed by the video ingestion module of individuals or groups of media asset aggregation definition for an internet streaming media service.

In an aspect of the invention, the media asset aggregation definitions associate the at least one video asset and/or the at least one media asset related content by reference.

The reference associating a media asset may e.g. be an absolute address and name by which the media asset can be retrieved, or it may be an address at which the media asset may be requested.

In an aspect of the invention, the media asset aggregation definitions associate the at least one video asset and/or the at least one media asset related content by type and an identifier related to the media asset aggregation definition.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) The identifier related to the media asset aggregation definition may e.g. be a movie title, possibly combined with a year or date, a movie or TV-series ID, etc.

In an aspect of the invention, the fulfillment for the media assets designates an availability of the media assets defined by the media asset aggregation definitions.

In an aspect of the invention, the fulfillment for the media assets designates a correctness of the media assets defined by the media asset aggregation definitions. In an aspect of the invention, the fulfillment for the media assets comprises a binary representation of fulfillment such as yes or no.

In an aspect of the invention, the fulfillment for the media assets comprises a multilevel representation of fulfillment, preferably comprising a fulfillment state or an estimated time of availability.

A fulfillment may also include further more advanced information which may assist and be applied manually or automatically in the subsequent ingestion process. The time of availability may e.g. refer to information provided by the content provider telling when the provider expects that the relevant media asset is available.

In an aspect of the invention, the fulfillment for the media assets comprises a collective fulfillment indication for the media assets associated by a media asset aggregation definition.

In an aspect of the invention, the fulfillment for the media assets comprises at least two individual fulfillment indications for individuals and/or groups of the media assets associated by a media asset aggregation definition.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) In an aspect of the invention, the fulfillment for the media assets comprises a fulfillment indication for the video asset associated by a media asset aggregation definition. In an aspect of the invention, the fulfillment for the media assets comprises a fulfillment indication for a metadata-related one or more media asset related content associated by a media asset aggregation definition.

In an aspect of the invention, the fulfillment for the media assets comprises a fulfillment indication for a rating related to one or more media asset related content associated by a media asset aggregation definition.

In an aspect of the invention, the fulfillment for the media assets is represented visually by text and/or graphics in a user interface of the pre-ingestion module.

In an aspect of the invention, the ingestion fulfillment related to a media asset aggregation performed by the ingestion module on the basis of a media asset aggregation definition is represented visually by text and/or graphics in a user interface of the pre-ingestion module.

In an aspect of the invention, the pre-ingestion module avails a user to prioritize and initiate ingestion by the video ingestion module of individuals or groups of media asset aggregation definition on the basis of media assets defined by the respective media asset aggregation definitions.

In an aspect of the invention, the pre-ingestion module communicates with the content provider by accessing a web service related to the content provider.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) The web service may preferably be a representational state transfer (REST) web service, a simple object access protocol (SOAP) or web services description language (WSDL) web service, or any other suitable responsive server interface. In an aspect of the invention, the pre-ingestion module communicates with the content provider by accessing a data storage related to the content provider.

The data storage may e.g. be accessible by having an associated web-server, FTP- server, other network or dedicated connected attached storage interfaces, or any other suitable responsive data storage. The content provider should be able to control the provision of the respective media asset at the data storage, but need not be the owner or host of the data storage.

In an aspect of the invention, the at. least two different media assets associated by a media asset aggregation definition are provided by at least two different content providers.

Different content providers may preferably be used for providing different media asset types. For example, movie ratings may be provided by one content provider, subtitles of various languages by another, and the video asset by a third content provider. The manner and degree of distribution of media assets typically differs between various producers, requiring the pre-ingestion module to be able to relate to several different media asset locations, interfaces, etc. In an aspect of the invention, the selecting and initiating of a video ingestion of one or more of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions is performed automatically.

In an aspect of the invention, the pre-ingestion module is arranged to perform said selecting and initiating of a video ingestion of one or more of said plurality of media

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) asset aggregation definitions automatically on the basis of user-defined rules for prioritizing.

In an aspect of the invention, a user interface of the pre-ingestion module is arranged to allow a user to perform said selecting and initiating of a video ingestion of one or more of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions.

In an aspect of the invention, the video ingestion involves a transfer of the video asset and the media asset related content associated by a media asset aggregation definition from data sources related to at least two different content providers.

In an aspect of the invention, said video asset comprises digital video.

Digital video may in an embodiment include integrated audio or associated audio. The video asset may be provided as a media container format or as raw video data.

In an aspect of the invention, a media asset related content comprises one or more of the data types of subtitles, ratings, digital rights management data, audio tracks, cover photos, descriptions and casts.

In an aspect of the invention, the media asset aggregation definitions are defined by means of a user interface of said pre-ingestion module.

In an aspect of the invention, the media asset aggregation definitions are defined at least partly by applying a file with media asset aggregation definition data.

An alternative to entering the data manually is to apply a file describing the individual media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD).

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) In an aspect of the invention, the communication with one or more of the content providers is a pull communication where the pre-ingestion module sends a request regarding a media asset to a content provider which replies with a representation on which the pre-ingestion module may determine a fulfillment of the media asset.

In an aspect of the invention, the communication with one or more of the content providers is a push communication where the pre-ingestion module waits for a content provider to provide a representation on which the pre-ingestion module may determine a fulfillment of the media asset.

In an aspect of the invention, the pre-ingestion module is implemented and executed on a server.

In an aspect of the invention, one or more of the content providers comprise or are related to Internet-based data sources.

Internet-based data sources may e.g. be any suitable responsive data storage, connected to a network. In an aspect of the invention, a content provider is associated to a data source wherein the communication with the pre-ingestion module is performed between the pre-ingestion module and a communication platform of the content provider.

The designation of a data source of a content provider largely refers to one or several sub data sources. The sub data sources may be clustered or distributed but are under the control of the content provider. The content provider may of course offer access to the data source to other parties, e.g. parties acquiring media assets from the content provider. Within the context of the invention, such an access is still construed to be under control of the content providers insofar the content provider has chosen to provide the access.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) In an aspect of the invention, the automatic communication with the respective communication platforms of the content providers provides different types of fulfillment representations.

The fulfillment representation from a content provider may be any kind of information suitable to facilitate the pre-ingestion module to determine a fulfillment for media assets. The fulfillment representation from a content provider may thereby for example comprise explicit indication of the availability or correctness of a specified media asset as for example a confirmation or denial, or as an explicit multilevel indication as for example a state of completion. Other types of fulfillment representations may be implicit indications of availability or correctness e.g. by providing directory listings, empty listings, error messages, file information, or partial or full copies of the respective media asset for the pre-ingestion module to analyze in order to determine a fulfillment for the media asset.

In an aspect of the invention, the different types of fulfillment entities are represented to a user of a user interface of the pre-ingestion module. In an aspect of the invention, the different types of fulfillment entities are represented to a user of a user interface of the pre-ingestion module as a homogenous visual indication of fulfillment indicating individual fulfillment from several content providers at the same time in relation to one media asset aggregation definition or media asset aggregation.

In an aspect of the invention, the automatic communication between the content providers and the pre-ingestion module is established by means of a dedicated API.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) In an aspect of the invention, the pre-ingestion module may comprise a number of available dedicated APIs enabling the pre-ingestion module to communicate automatically with content providers applying different communication formats. The dedicated API may not alone be applied for the purpose of enabling

communication with different types of content providers delivering different types of media assets, but the API may also suitably address e.g. different video asset providers providing the same type of assets but offering different communication standards/protocol s .

In an aspect of the invention, the dedicated APIs facilitate a common user interface visualizing the communication with different content providers in a uniform presentation. In an aspect of the invention, the video ingestion module is controlled by an ingestion module user interface.

A huge advantage related to an embodiment of the present invention is that the complete overall process of getting media assets from content providers to end-users may be directed by means of different applications, the pre-ingestion module and the video ingestion module, and where the pre-ingestion module may be under the efficient control of users having more business and managing skills, whereas the second part of the process, the ingestion process, may be under the control of operators having more technical skills. A really brilliant impact of this is that the pre- ingestion module, even if manageable by operators having less advanced technical skills, will make the overall job of the operators of the video ingestion module less demanding and cumbersome as many faults related to ingestion may be avoided.

It should be noted that the attention needed in relation to the video ingestion module is very relevant in a setup phase, where the fundamental ingestion is programmed.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Nevertheless, the present pre-ingestion system may function as a very efficient and user-friendly maintenance tool by means of which malfunctioning may be avoided. Moreover efficient update of the system may be obtained. In an aspect of the invention, the at least two media assets associated by a media asset aggregation definition for the determination of fulfillment include at least one video asset and one further media asset.

In an aspect of the invention, the process is implemented on communicatively coupled computers.

The process may be more or less under manual control, but in particular the fulfillment checks and the associated monitoring and registration of the fulfillment should be performed automatically. The automatic process may of course be initiated, as most automatized processes, by a manual interaction.

The invention further provides for a video pre-ingestion system comprising a pre- ingestion module communicatively coupled to a video ingestion module. The pre- ingestion module communicating with a number of specified content providers wherein the content providers are storing media assets and wherein the media assets comprises video assets and media asset related content. The pre-ingestion module comprises means for defining a plurality of media asset aggregation definitions by means of a pre-ingestion module wherein a plurality of said media asset aggregation definitions each associating at least one video asset and a least one media asset related content. The pre-ingestion module automatically communicating with the respective content providers and for each of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions determining a fulfillment for at least two of the associated media assets at the relevant content provider, on the basis of a plurality of said fulfillments selecting and initiating a video ingestion of one or more of said plurality of media asset

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) aggregation definitions, wherein the video ingestion being performed by means of the video ingestion module.

In an aspect of the invention, the video pre-ingestion system is operated according to any of the previously mentioned methods.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) The figures

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings where fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment according to the invention,

fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of monitoring and ingesting of media asset MA from a single content provider CP,

fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of monitoring and ingesting of media asset MA from multiple content providers CP,

fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of how the monitoring of the fulfillment process of a number of projects may result in the initialization and selection of a subsequent ingestion process,

fig. 5 and 6 illustrate menus of a user interface of a pre-ingestion module according to an embodiment of the invention,

fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart of process steps according to advantageous embodiment of the invention

fig.8 illustrates the aggregation of different types of fulfillment parameters, fig. 9 and 10 illustrate the principle of a rule set optionally and preferably applicable for the communication between a content provider and a pre-ingestion module and where

fig. 11 illustrates an optional process for performing fulfillment according to an embodiment of the invention.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Detailed description

Fig. 1 illustrates some principles according to an embodiment of the invention.

A data monitoring and delivery network DMDN comprises a set of content providers CP I, CP2, .. Cn, each being associated to respective data sources DS holding media assets MAI, MA2, MAn.

The media assets MAI, MA2,..., MAn, may refer to overlapping or non-overlapping media assets in the sense that the same media asset may be offered by different content providers.

In one embodiment, data sources DS are connected to the Internet I enabling an external party to access the individual data sources DS using the Internet I, however, in another embodiment, a more direct communication link is established.

Three individual content providers CP are illustrated, however, in another embodiment, the number of different content providers CP can vary.

The number of different content providers may depend e.g. on whether the individual content provider can deliver the relevant media asset. Moreover, some content providers CP may also function as an aggregation point where it may be possible to acquire different media asset types whereas other content providers will only deliver one type. An example of the first-mentioned content provider may be a content provider delivering both a video asset of a specific movie and subtitles in different languages of the movie. An example of the latter content provider CP may be a company delivering rating of a specified movie and nothing else.

The media asset MA stored in the respective data sources DS refers to a video asset or media asset related content that when combined enables an end-user the

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) possibility of viewing a video with subtitles or see the rating of this particular video among other.

The file format of a particular video asset is chosen from the individual content providers CP1, CP2, Cn, the media asset related content can hold relevant information about the video, e.g. video title, various subtitles, genre, ratings or similar descriptive information.

The data monitoring and delivery network DMDN further comprises a pre-ingestion module PEM that communicate with the content providers CP1, CP2, Cn using an Internet connection I. Further the pre-ingestion module ΡΓΜ can communicate with a ingest module ΓΜ, e.g., using an Internet connection or in the case of the ingestion module IM and the pre-ingestion module PEM being located on the same server, a more direct connection could be used.

In one embodiment, the ingestion module EVI is connected to the content providers CP, i.e. CP1, CP2, Cn by using the Internet I, however, in another embodiment, the ingestion module can communicate with content providers CP through the pre- ingestion module PEM.

Further, in another embodiment the ingest module IM can be connected to a user interface (not shown) enabling a user to monitor and/or control ingestions.

The pre-ingest module PEM is also connected to a user interface UI that enables a user to monitor and control the ingestion process. The user may e.g. also acquire knowledge of the transmission of media assets MA and may also transmit commands to e.g. ingest module EM or content providers CP. An example of the functionality can be seen on fig. 7.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Video asset may be understood as a movie or a piece of music that is available to an end-user. In various preferred embodiments, the video asset comprises, e.g. movie, trailers, audio, music, images or a combination of these. Media asset related content is generally understood as something that provides relevant data to a video asset. In the case of the video asset VA being a movie, the asset related content could e.g. be in the form of subtitles, actors in the movie, genre, production year, ratings or similar data that might have relevance for the a given video asset.

The content provider CP may be understood as a vendor that holds content that is relevant for media streaming, this may e.g. be the media asset MA described above. The individual content providers CP are not dependent of each other, but data from one can be used to define what content is relevant from the other.

A pre-ingestion module PEVI is generally understood as a system for monitoring and collecting data from said content providers CP. The pre-ingestion module PEVI may e.g. monitor and request data based on a mutual contract between at least one content provider CP and an operator. In one embodiment, the pre-ingestion module PEM can monitor the fulfillment of media asset MA. Further, the pre-ingestion module can monitor if data is ready for aggregation and thereby ready to be ingested by the ingestion module IM. Further, the pre-ingestion module PEVI can communicate with the ingestion module EVI in order to monitor the ingestion process. The pre-ingestion module PEVI can use the collected information, to visualize it to a user by a user interface UI.

An ingestion module EVI refer to a method recognized by the skilled person that processes media asset MA data that can be played by an end user via a content delivery network CDN. In one embodiment the ingestion module EVI monitors a folder wherein links and small sized metadata is stored. Data uploaded to this folder

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) either from a content provider CP or a pre-ingestion module ΡΓΜ will be processed by the ingest module IM.

In one embodiment, the ingestion module EVI consists of a set of modules that when combined perform the task of processing and ingesting the media asset MA. Each module can process the data from the folder, e.g. download, upload, decryption, digital rights management, transcoding. Further, in an embodiment, the order in which the modules process the data can be arranged by a managing module in the ingest module. After processing the data is forwarded to e.g. at least one end-user or to a content delivery network CDN. Examples of systems suitable for ingestion could be the "Kaltura Management Console","mpx Online Video Platform" or Xstreams "MediaMaker".

User interface UI may be understood as a means for enabling a user or an operator of the pre-ingestion module PIM to interact with the system. The interaction may consist of visualizing, e.g. which kinds of media asset MA that is available from a set of content providers CP, the amount of data that is ready for ingestion, data ingested by the ingestion module and the fulfillment of media asset MA. In various preferred embodiments, the user interface UI comprises, e.g. a web interface, indicators such as light emitting diodes, keyboards, computers as understood by a person skilled in the art.

In one embodiment the user interface provides the user with a possibility of associating a video asset from one source, with media asset related content form another source.

It should be noted that video ingestion in the present context is a very time consuming process and requires significant computer power.

It should also be noted that fulfillment in an advantageous embodiment of the invention is determined only partially on a complete knowledge basis in the sense

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) that fulfillment is basically only established as a measure for the expected availability and correctness of the media assets in question.

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of monitoring and ingesting of media asset MA from a single content provider CP.

A content provider CP holds a typically very large number of media assets MA. The media assets comprise video assets VA and a media asset related content MARC. The content provider CP is communicatively connected to an ingestion module EVI and communicatively connected to a pre-ingestion module PIM. The pre-ingest module PIM and the ingestion module IM is also communicatively coupled. In a variant of the invention the communication connection between the ingestion module IM and the content provider may be omitted and the ingestion module may instead be feed with the relevant media asset via the pre-ingestion module, which may either simply relay the media asset further on to the ingestion module EM or wholly or partly store the media asset while or prior transmitting the content to the ingestion module IM. The pre-ingestion module holds a set of media asset aggregated definitions MAAD, that associates a video asset VA to at least one media asset related content MARC.

In one embodiment of the invention media asset aggregated definitions MAAD are used by the pre-ingestion module PIM to communicate status request to a content provider CP that holds data defined in the media asset aggregated definitions MAAD.

The status requests are for a specific video assets VA or specific media asset related content MARC.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) The status may also be obtained passively in the sense that the status may be pushed from the content provider to the pre-ingestion module.

The status of the individual media asset aggregated definitions MAAD are represented at the pre-ingestion module as fulfillment F. The fulfillment may be represented more or less detailed in the pre-ingestion module PEVI in the sense that individual media assets of a media asset aggregated definition MAAD may be monitored and displayed. Alternatively, the pre-ingestion module may simply visualize or determine when all media assets of a specific media asset aggregated definition MAAD is fulfilled.

The fulfillment F is preferably monitored for all media asset aggregated definitions MAAD, but the fulfillment may of course also be presented convenient to a user of the pre-ingestions module in a dig-in fashion in the sense that a user of the interface may e.g. have a menu, where he may easily filter the content and get to relevant media asset aggregated definition(s) MAAD depending on whether the user wants to attend the non-fulfilled media asset aggregated definition(s) MAAD for the purpose of trying to obtained fulfillment or alternatively the user may want to select the fulfilled media asset aggregated definition(s) MAAD for the purpose of initiating a ingestion of the media assets designated by the media asset aggregated definitions MAAD.

As the fulfillment F of media assets MA increase, the fulfillment of a media asset aggregated definitions MAAD increases to a point where an ingestion process can be initiated.

In one embodiment, the initiation of the ingestion is performed by letting the pre- ingestion module transmit a signal to the ingestion module EV1 providing the module with information in regards to where a specific media asset can be downloaded e.g. by a URL address or an XML file providing further information. Based on the

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) information obtained from the pre-ingestion module PDVI the ingestion module EVI starts ingestion of media asset MA from the locations defined by the URL or XML file. In another embodiment, the pre-ingestion module forwards media asset MA information to a location on an external server monitored by the ingestion module IM. As soon at the information is forwarded, the ingestion module will register the files and start ingestion based on that location and information. The aggregated and ingested media assets MAA may then typically be

communicated to another platform for an Internet-based publishing, e.g. on a content delivery network (CDN) (not shown).

Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment similar to the embodiment illustrated in fig. 2 with multiple content providers.

In this embodiment, the media asset MA is distributed to several different content providers e.g. having a first content provider CP only providing video assets VA and a second content provider CP only providing media asset related content MARC.

The pre-ingestion module PEVI will have individual communication with each content provider CP. Based on each media asset aggregated definition MAAD the pre-ingestion module PIM sends status requests to each content provider CP holding the defined data or alternatively the status update may be pushed from the content provider to the pre-ingestion module.

The status update is continuously received and updated at the pre-ingestion module as fulfillment for each media asset aggregated definition. The update may be more or less detailed.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) The ingestion module EVI will then output media asset aggregation MAA based on each media asset aggregated definition MAAD initiated and defined, wholly or partly, by the pre-ingestion module PEVI. Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of how the monitoring of the fulfillment process of a number of projects may assist the subsequent ingestion process into making the overall ingestion process of all projects efficient.

The figure illustrates a set of projects PS1, PS2, PS3,..., PSn which each are defined as an aggregation of a video asset VA and media asset related content MARC or a video asset VA and media asset related content MARC to be aggregated. Before each project is ready to be ingested they each need to go through a set of processing steps PS1, PS2, PS3,..., PSn. In an embodiment, this process is monitored by a pre- ingestion module PIM that continuously pulls the status of the fulfillment process of the individual projects from the relevant content providers or alternatively gets the status from the content providers by pushing.

In another embodiment, the ingestion of projects can be initiated for projects that have not completed all processing steps. In this case, a user may initiate the ingestion manually.

In another embodiment, the processing steps can vary, depending on the size of the video asset and media asset related content and on the availability of the information from the content provider.

Basically, fig.4 illustrates that the overall ingestion process of a plurality of projects is made technically efficient by the application of an intermediate step of selecting and initiating the projects for ingestion. The intermediate step of selecting and initiating specified projects for ingestion may be performed manually and/or automatically. The great benefit of the present invention is thus that the projects are

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) not necessarily processed from start to end of ingestion in the originally defined sequence, but the process or a user controlling the process may choose to ignore a project or continue ingestion on projects which are regarded complete due to the fact the involved media assets of the project are fulfilled. Moreover, the continuous update of fulfillment will ensure that the specific project is not halted, but automatically being updated with status information, i.e. fulfillment, thereby automatically remaining in line for the video ingestion.

Fig. 5 illustrates a menu M of a user interface UI of a pre-ingestion module PIM according to an embodiment of the invention. The illustrated menu M may e.g. be a menu from a user interface UI as illustrated in fig. 1.

A list of projects P that refers to media asset aggregated definitions MAAD is illustrated by a list of titles. General information about each project comprises a status S indicator that informs a user of how far the general ingestion process has come. In one embodiment this status could e.g. be "Submitted", "Incomplete", "Ingest Failed", and "Ingested", however, in another embodiment, a status comprises of a process bar, a visual indicator or a similar method for indicating the process of ingestion. The status S is illustrated on the monitored fulfillment.

When the user is presented with the list of projects P, the user will be able to submit individual projects for ingestion. Further, the user can submit a larger selection of the projects for ingestion at the same time. In another embodiment, the pre-ingestion module PIM automatically starts ingesting projects based on the automatically detected fulfillment of two the individual projects.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Fig. 6 illustrates a project status menu PSM of a user interface UI of a pre-ingestion module PIM according to an embodiment of the invention. The illustrated project status menu PSM may e.g. be a menu from a user interface UI as illustrated in fig 1. In one embodiment, information about a single project is visually presented to a user by the user interface UI. The information presented in the project status menu PSM comprises general status S of the project, fulfillment status FS for video asset VA and media asset related content MARC. In one embodiment, both detailed information such as status messages SM and project details PD such as content owner CO and project identification PI is presented to the user by the user interface UI.

Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart of the process flow of an embodiment of the invention. The process flow may preferably be controlled and run by a pre-ingestion module on a physical computer system.

An initial step of "Define" establishes a set of data, e.g. a rule set, defining a plurality of projects. Each project is based on a media asset aggregation definition enabling the pre-ingestion module to communicate the content providers from where the media assets are to be provided from. The definition may be a complete definition identifying a specified video asset together with a definition of the relevant content provider. An alternative way of establishing the definition is to simply approach one or more content providers basically with a specific ID identifying the overall project, e.g. a unique ID identifying a movie such as Die Hard 8. The content providers may then at their end possess data, e.g. a contract, by means of which the content provider may deduce what is specifically requested by the pre-ingestion module.

It should be noted that the defining step is typically a step that defines a very large number projects. The definitions may be entered manually by a user or e.g. uploaded

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) from a file, e.g. an XML or CSV file. The definitions will when entered

automatically enable the pre-ingestion module to perform the subsequent "Check step" and adapt the visual user interface so the user of the pre-ingestion module user interface may oversee the complete list of projects and the associated fulfillment.

The next step "Check" is now performed automatically by the pre-ingestion module and it will now continuously receive fulfillment information relevant for the established projects. The fulfillment information may typically be pulled by the pre- ingestion module, but it may also be pushed by the relevant content providers.

It should be noted that the check step is executed continuously in relation to a larger number of projects, and that all or many of these projects are individually related to several content providers. The next step of "Determine" involves that the pre-ingestion module converts the update into a representation of fulfillment. The fulfillment is registered in relation and updated continuously for the defined projects and the fulfillment may preferably be visualized in the user interface of the pre-ingestion module. The next step of "Select and Initiate" involves either a manual process where a user of the user interface selects projects and initiate a video ingestion on the basis of the registered fulfillment. The step may also be automatic or semi-automatic in the sense that the pre-ingestion module may be configured to comprise computer executable code which automatically selects and initiates a project for ingestion if a certain predefined fulfillment has been reached. The step may also include an

automaticalpriority in relation to specific project selection and initiation.

Fig. 8 illustrates an advantageous implementation of fulfillment according to an embodiment of the invention where different content providers CP each establishes a

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) fragment fulfillment fl, f2 and fn in relation to a project defined by a media asset aggregated definition MAAD.

The fragment fulfillments fl, f2 and fn are gathered and registered as a common fulfillment at the pre-ingestion module PIM.

The fragment fulfillments fl, f2 and fn may be represented in different formats or sent differently from the different content providers CP and the pre-ingestion module may convert the differently formatted or represented fulfillments into common fulfillment F and then register the fulfillment in a uniform way applicable for automatic use and/or visualization.

Fig. 9 and 10 illustrate the principle of a rule set optionally and preferably applicable for the communication between a content provider and a pre-ingestion module.

The two illustrated communications between a content provider CP and a pre- ingestion module PIM may both refer to an individual communication of many. Thus, fig. 9 may e.g. refer to how the communication is performed between the content provider CP1 and the pre-ingestion module of fig. 1 and fig. 10 may e.g. refer to how the communication is performed between the content provider CPn and the pre-ingestion module of fig. 1. Different suitable setups may be applied for the purpose of addressing the available communication between the different content providers and the pre-ingestion module PIM.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Fig. 9 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, wherein the communication between a content provider CP and a pre-ingestion module PIM is defined by a ruleset. The ruleset is represented at the two parties as a first ruleset RSI and a second ruleset RS2 defining a foundation for the automatic communication between the two parties.

Data and messages transmitted between the two parties needs to comply with said ruleset. The parties are only allowed to transmit to parties that are defined by the ruleset, as defined by first ruleset RSI and second ruleset RS2. Further, as either party receives a message, this message is compared to the associated ruleset, thereby enabling the recipient to verify that said data is send from a party approved by the contract.

Fig. 10 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, wherein only the content provider CP holds a ruleset RSI that describes valid communication. A message is send from the pre-ingestion module PIM to the content provider CP from where the message gets validated.

In the case of a valid request e.g. the message sender is allowed to communicate to the content provider CP, the content provider CP replies according to the request. In the case of an invalid request the content provider will reply to the message sender e.g. pre-ingestion module PIM, with an error message.

Fig. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the invention, wherein requested data received at the pre-ingestion module PEVI is automatically checked for fulfillment in one or more levels.

The figure illustrates a workflow of the pre-ingestion module PIM that is initiated by a request for data; "Request". The "Request" is transmitted to the relevant content provider CP. Then, the pre- ingestion module performs a "Read" step, where the

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) information available at the content provider is read. The two initial steps may be performed in separate steps or merged into one effective step.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention two different steps may be performed. The first process, "ID Check" being the checking whether the data received matches the identity of what was actually requested. This may e.g. be a check whether the title of the received data matches the title of what has been requested. In other words, this check principally relates to whether the data presented by the content provider relates to the correct video asset; i.e. the correct project.

The other process, which is optional is the "Quality check" step, is a step directed somewhat more to the quality of the presented material. "Quality check" may in some aspect also be seen as an ID check, but the important of this optional but very advantageous step is to perform checks on whether the presented media assets are in fact correct or fits to the project. It may thus be possible to automatically perform different types on check on correctness or compliance such as whether the subtitles are delivered in the correct languages as defined by the overall rule set, e.g. as explained in relation to fig. 9 and 10. In one embodiment, the quality check could imply a comparing of the same requested data, but from two different content providers. By checking the similarity of the datasets, an indication of the quality of the data can be made.

Several different types of quality checks may be made within the scope of the invention, including format check, specific content checks, such as language, file types, country checks, etc.

As illustrated by the above, it is important to understand that fulfillment even may refer to a simple establishment of ID, i.e. whether presented media assets are related to the right project. More advanced checks may be provided and applied to the

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) degree that these checks can be made in real life or that these checks establishes information, which may be relevant for the subsequent ingestion.

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Claims

Claims

1. A method of controlling media assets (MA) for video ingestion,

the media assets (MA) comprising video assets (VA) and media asset related content

(MARC),

the media assets (MA) being provided from one or more content providers (CP), the method comprising the steps of defining a plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) by means of a pre-ingestion module (PIM), a plurality of said media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) each associating at least one video asset (VA) and a least one media asset related content (MARC), the pre-ingestion module (PIM) automatically communicating with the respective content providers (CP) and for each of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) determining a fulfillment for at least two of the associated media assets (MA) at the relevant content provider (CP), on the basis of a plurality of said fulfillments selecting and initiating a video ingestion of one or more of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD), the video ingestion being performed by means of a video ingestion module (ΓΜ).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-ingestion module (PIM) is communicatively coupled to the video ingestion module (ΓΜ) for automatically determining an ingestion fulfillment (IF) of the ingestion performed by said video ingestion module (EVI) of a media asset aggregation (MAA) defined by a respective of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD).

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3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method comprises a step of providing a result of said ingestion performed by the video ingestion module (EM) of individuals or groups of media asset aggregation definition (MAAD) to a content delivery network (CDN).

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises a step of providing a result of said ingestion performed by the video ingestion module (IM) of individual or groups of media asset aggregation definition (MAAD) for an internet streaming media service.

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) associate the at least one video asset (VA) and/or the at least one media asset related content (MARC) by reference.

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) associate the at least one video asset (VA) and/or the at least one media asset related content (MARC) by type and an identifier related to the media asset aggregation definition (MAAD).

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fulfillment for the media assets (MA) designates an availability of the media assets defined by the media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD).

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fulfillment for the media assets (MA) designates a correctness of the media assets defined by the media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD).

9. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fulfillment for the media assets (MA) comprises a binary representation of fulfillment such as yes or no.

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10. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fulfillment for the media assets (MA) comprises a multi-level, representation of fulfillment, preferably comprising a fulfillment state or an estimated time of availability.

11. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fulfillment for the media assets (MA) comprises a collective fulfillment indication for the media assets associated by a media asset aggregation definition (MAAD).

12. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fulfillment for the media assets (MA) comprises at least two individual fulfillment indications for individuals and/or groups of the media assets associated by a media asset aggregation definition (MAAD).

13. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fulfillment for the media assets (MA) comprises a fulfillment indication for the video asset (VA) associated by a media asset aggregation definition (MAAD).

14. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fulfillment for the media assets (MA) comprises a fulfillment indication for a metadata-related one or more media asset related content (MARC) associated by a media asset aggregation definition (MAAD).

15. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fulfillment for the media assets (MA) comprises a fulfillment indication for a rating related to one or more media asset related content (MARC) associated by a media asset aggregation definition (MAAD).

16. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fulfillment for the media assets (MA) is represented visually by text and/or graphics in a user interface of the pre-ingestion module.

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17. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ingestion fulfillment (IF) related to a media asset aggregation (MAA) performed by the ingestion module on the basis of a media asset aggregation definition is represented visually by text and/or graphics in a user interface of the pre-ingestion module (PIM).

18. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-ingestion module (PIM) avails a user to prioritize and initiate ingestion by the video ingestion module (ΓΜ) of individuals or groups of media asset aggregation definition (MAAD) on the basis of media assets (MA) defined by the respective media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD).

19. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-ingestion module communicates with the content provider (CP) by accessing a web service related to the content provider (CP).

20. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-ingestion module (PIM) communicates with the content provider (CP) by accessing a data storage related to the content provider (CP).

21. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two different media assets (MA) associated by a media asset aggregation definition (MAAD) are provided by at least two different content providers.

22. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the selecting and initiating of a video ingestion of one or more of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) is performed automatically.

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23. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-ingestion module is arranged to perform said selecting and initiating of a video ingestion of one or more of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) automatically on the basis of user-defined rules for prioritizing.

24. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a user interface of the pre-ingestion module (PDVI) is arranged to allow a user to perform said selecting and initiating of a video ingestion of one or more of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD).

25. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the video ingestion involves a transfer of the video asset (VA) and the media asset related content (MARC) associated by a media asset aggregation definition (MAAD) from a data sources related to at least two different content providers (CP).

26. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said video asset (VA) comprises digital video.

27. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a media asset related content (MARC) comprises one or more of the data types of subtitles, ratings, digital rights management (DRM) data, audio tracks, cover photos, descriptions and casts.

28. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) are defined by means of a user interface (UI) of said pre-ingestion module (ΡΓΜ).

29. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) are defined at least partly by applying a file with media asset aggregation definition data.

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30. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication with one or more of the content providers (CP) is a pull communication where the pre-ingestion module (PEV1) sends a request regarding a media asset (MA) to a content provider (CP) which replies with a representation on which the pre-ingestion module (ΡΓ ) may determine a fulfillment of the media asset (MA).

31. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication with one or more of the content providers (CP) is a push communication where the pre-ingestion module (PEVI) waits for a content provider (CP) to provide a representation on which the pre-ingestion module (PEVI) may determine a fulfillment of the media asset (MA).

32. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-ingestion module (ΡΠΜ) is implemented and executed on a server.

33. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the content providers (CP) comprises or is related to Internet-based data sources.

34. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a content provider is associated to a data source (DS) and wherein the communication with the pre- ingestion module (PEVI) is performed between the pre-ingestion module (PEVI) and a communication platform of the content provider (CP).

35. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the automatic communication with the respective communication platforms of the content providers (CP) provides different types of fulfillment representations.

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36. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the different types of fulfillment entities are represented to a user of a user interface (UI) of the pre- ingestion module.

37. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the different types of fulfillment entities are represented to a user of a user interface (UI) of the pre- ingestion module as a homogenous visual indication of fulfillment indicating individual fulfillment from several content providers (CP) at the same time in relation of one media asset aggregation definition (MAAD) or media asset aggregation (MAA).

38. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the automatic communication between the content providers (CP) and the pre-ingestion module (PIM) is established by means of a dedicated API (DAPI).

39. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-ingestion module (PIM) may comprise a number of available dedicated APIs (DAPI) enabling the pre-ingestion module (PIM) to communicate automatically with content providers (CP) applying different communication formats.

40. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dedicated APIs facilitate a common user interface (UI) visualizing the communication with different content providers in a uniform presentation.

41. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the video ingestion module is controlled by an ingestion module user interface (IMUI).

42. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two media assets (MA) associated by a media asset aggregation definition (MAAD) for

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) the determination of fulfillment include at least one video asset (VA) and one further media assets (MA)

43. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the process is implemented on communicatively coupled computers.

44. Video pre-ingestion system, the system comprising

-a pre-ingestion module (PIM) communicatively coupled to a video ingestion module (EVI),

-the pre-ingestion module (PIM) communicating with a number of specified content providers (CP), the content providers storing media assets (MA), the media assets comprising video assets (VA) and media asset related content (MARC), the pre-ingestion module (PIM) comprising means for defining a plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) by means of a pre-ingestion module (PIM), a plurality of said media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) each associating at least one video asset (VA) and a least one media asset related content (MARC), the pre-ingestion module (PIM) automatically communicating with the respective content providers (CP) and for each of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD) determining a fulfillment for at least two of the associated media assets (MA) at the relevant content provider (CP), on the basis of a plurality of said fulfillments selecting and initiating a video ingestion of one or more of said plurality of media asset aggregation definitions (MAAD),

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) the video ingestion being performed by means of the video ingestion module (EVl).

45. Video pre-ingestion according to claim 44, wherein the system is operated according to the method of claims 1-43.

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