AU2007200917A1 - A Content Selection and Delivery System and Method - Google Patents

Description

1 A Content Selection and Delivery System and Method Field of the invention [001] This invention relates to a content selection and delivery method and arrangement.

[002] The invention will be described in terms of the delivery of multimedia files but can be used for the selection and delivery of various forms of information.

[003] In this specification, "library" means a collection of files which are associated by one or more characteristics, the files being accessible to a user whether or not the files are held on a single storage means.

(-i Background of the invention S [004] There are a number of applications in which a user needs to access information from a number of files. This invention will be described in relation to a system and method adapted to enable a user to select and access a number of multimedia files in a convenient form.

The system and method described in the embodiments of the invention relates to an arrangement to enable a user to access multimedia clips such as video advertisements produced by one or more directors or others whose vocation may require individual video segments compiled into a show reel or presentation format.

[005] Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

Summary of the invention [006] The invention provides a method of selecting files from a library, the method including the steps of: providing a plurality of files including selectable characteristics; presenting a selection screen on a user terminal to a user enabling the user to use one or more selectable characteristics to select one or more files forming a first selection group; displaying a representation of the content of each selected file to the user; enabling the user to choose one or more of the displayed files to form a chosen file group; and combining the chosen file group into a presentation format.

[007] The first selection group can be a video segment selection group.

[008] The representation can include a compressed version of the content of the file.

1 Jj 2 [009] The method can include the step of enabling the user to arrange the order of files for incorporation into the presentation format.

[010] The method can include adding one or more descriptor files to the compilation of chosen files.

[011] The descriptor file can relate to one or more of the initial selection characteristics.

[012] The method can include sending a message to the user when the chosen file group has been collated into the presentation format.

[013] The message can include an access code to enable the user to access the files in collated presentation format.

[014] The user terminal can be connected to access the library via communication network.

[015] The method can include transmitting a compressed version of the selected files to the user terminal.

[016] The files can be transmitted using HTTP or progressive download where small files size ensures fast download times.

[017] The invention also provides a method of distributing one or more multimedia files in a library to a remote user connected via a communication network, the method including the steps of: providing one or more associated selection criteria associated with each selectable multimedia file in the library; presenting a selection window to the user; enabling the user to select one or more of the multimedia files in the library using one or more selection criteria; collating a list of pointers corresponding to the selected files; transmitting an access address to the user; presenting the selected files to the user when the user uses the accesses address.

[018] The files can be formatted into a presentation format for presentation to the user.

[019] The pointers can be used to select the files.

[020] The list can be compressed.

V 0 3 [021] The list can be used to compile a reel.

[022] The method can include the step of transmitting an access address to the user.

[023] The method can include the step of enabling the user to access the reel when the user uses the access address.

[024] The method can include the step of recording the complied files in a recording medium.

[025] The recording medium can be DVD.

[026] The method can include the step of storing the compilation in memory.

[027] The invention also provides a system for enabling a user to access files from a library, the system including: a library of files, each file including one or more selection characteristics; a processor adapted to select files from the library in response to commands from a user terminal; one or more user terminals, each terminal including a display, and being adapted to enable a user to select one or more files from the library; wherein the processor is adapted to compile a consolidated output file from the separate files selected by the user.

[028] The user terminal can be connectable to the library via a communication network.

[029] The processor can be adapted to send access information to the user terminal to enable the user to access the consolidated file.

[030] A system for enabling a user to access files from a library, the system including: a library of files, each file including one or more selection characteristics; a processor adapted to select files from the library in response to commands from the user terminal; a user terminal including a display, the user terminal being adapted to enable a user to select one or more files from the library; [031] The user terminal can be adapted to display a representation of the content of the selected files.

V I Vj 4 [032] The invention also provides a method of operating a multimedia library including the steps of: obtaining a licence from one or more owners of multimedia works to incorporate the works in the library; making the works available over a system or by using the method as herein described; providing customer access to the library; enabling customers to select one or more works, compiling the works selected by a customer in to a reel; providing the customer with access to the reel.

Brief description of the drawings [033] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [034] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system suitable for implementation of an embodiment of the invention.

[035] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an arrangement suitable for implementation of an embodiment of the invention.

[036] Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the process of selection of a number of files according to an embodiment of the invention.

[037] Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the processing of a number of files according to an embodiment of the invention.

[038] Figure 5 is a representation of a first screen adapted for use with an embodiment of the invention.

[039] Figure 6 is a representation of a second screen adapted for use with an embodiment of the invention.

[040] Figure 7 is a representation of a further screen adapted for use with an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments [041] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which individually or in combination illustrate embodiments of the invention.

[042] The embodiment of the invention used to exemplify the inventive concept is that of a system in which a user accesses the television commercials (TVCs) of one or more TVC sjVD, directors from a library of such TVCs and makes a selection of a number of such TVCs. The system then compiles them and makes them available for the user using an access code. The process can be carried out via a communication network such as the internet.

[043] With reference to Figure 1, a system suitable for the implementation of the invention is shown. A library of multimedia files is stored on a first database illustrated as computer 102. The computer 102 includes a processor and an accessible memory storing the files. A terminal 104 is connected to the computer 102. The computer can be adapted to be connected to one or more communication networks. In Figure 1, the computer 102 is shown as connected to a landline or cable network 106 via line 105, and to a wireless network 122 via antenna 103. The computer 102 includes the required modems and transceivers, but these are not shown in the figure. The communication networks 106 and 122 can also be interconnected as illustrated at 130. The library can be accessible through a web site address.

[044] A user can connect to the library via either communication network by using an appropriate terminal. The user terminal can have a pre-installed application adapted to interact with the library web site, or an applet can be downloaded when a user accesses the library web site and requests the applet.

[045] Instead of using an external communication network, the user can access the library firom a terminal connected to the computer 102 via a LAN (not shown), intranet, or wireless LAN (not shown).

[046] The computer 102 can also connect to a messaging service such as an email service provider 112 or SMS service capable of sending messages to the user.

[047] Communication between the user and the library service can be provided by any suitable communication means adapted to the terminal which the user uses. Thus the user can use an xDSL terminal 108, a wireless connected PC 120, or a mobile phone 126. Preferably the wireless connections are broadband connections such as 3G.

[048] In Figure 1, a first user terminal 108 connects to the library through network 106 via an xDSL line 109. The user terminal 108 includes a screen and keyboard, and can also use a GUI arrangement such as a mouse or other pointing device. In a preferred embodiment, the network can use the TCP/IP communication protocol.

[049] The same user could also be in communication with the library computer via mobile phone 126, so that the computer can send a message notifying the user that the presentation data has been compiled via email to terminal 108 or via SMS or email to mobile %IV I n 6 phone 126. Similarly, a user can be in communication with the library computer via wireless terminal 120. The mobile phone can be a broadband phone such as a 3G phone with video capability to permit the user to preview TVCs during the selection process, for example as a FLASH video or 3Gp video.

[050] Figure 2 shows detail of the computer 102 of Figure 1. The computer includes a processor 202, a memory 204, and a video/flash processor 206 interconnected by bus 208. In addition one or more communication interfaces 220 are provided.

[051] The communication interface serves to connect the computer to the communication network 222.

[052] The user terminal is represented as screen 210. Screen 210 has a number of windows, pull down menus, and function buttons to enable the user to request files and to guide the user through the process of selecting and organizing the required files. The screen layout can change during the file selection process.

[053] The process of file selection is described with reference to Figure 3 and the screen depictions of Figures 5 to 7.

[054] When the user accesses the input screen shown in Figure 5, the "Step 1" flag is activated to indicate to the user where to commence the process. The user selects the primary selection criterion from the drop down menu 502 below the "Step 1" flag, as shown at step 302.

In this embodiment, the selection criterion is the name of the director of the television commercial (TVC). Alternative selection criteria can be made available, and more than one level of selection can be used. For example, the criteria may include a particular genre or style.

[055] When a selection is made [502], the TVCs of the content author's vision are listed in area 506, as shown at step 304 of Figure 3 and the "Step 2" 504 flag of the display of Figure can be activated, eg, by flashing or other visual indication to direct the user to the next step, the selection of the TVCs to be viewed from the TVCs listed in window 506.

[056] When the user clicks on a TVC author's content in the list [506], step 306 in Figure 3, a preview of the TVC is displayed in the window 508, step 308. The display of the preview assists the user to decide whether or not to add the TVC author's content to the selection list.

[057] As the user decides to add a TVC to the selection list, the user uses the "Add to list" button in the control button area 512 to add a pointer to the selected TVC to the list in the window 510, step 310 of Figure 3. The chosen TVC is added to the user's list in window 510, 'V ISjI 7 step 312. If the user does not wish to include the currently selected TVC, the user can simply select another TVC video segment from the list in window 506, returning to step 306 of Figure 3.

[058] Other control buttons permit the user to rearrange the sequence of the selected TVC pointers, to remove TVCs from the list, and to submit the selected list of files to the library computer for compilation.

[059] The user can be prompted to check that all the required TVCs have been selected, step 314. If the user wishes to add more TVCs to the list in window 510, the user again clicks on the required TVC in the list in window 506, again returning to step 306 of Figure 3.

[060] The user can then organize the TVCs into the desired sequence at steps 316, 318 of Figure 3.

[061] When the user is satisfied that the required TVCs have been included in the list at 506 and that they are in the required sequence, the user can press the "Submit" button [512], step 320 of Figure 3.

[062] After the user has submitted the list, the screen shown in Figure 6 is displayed.

This screen permits the user to select the format(s) in which the TVCs are to be compiled using the format selection boxes shown at 606. Multiple output formats can be selected for one reel.

When a selection box is chosen, a brief explanation of the selected format is displayed in window 602 to assist the user in making the correct choice of format. For example, the explanation may indicate the types of application software with which the selected format is compatible, relative file sizes and other information useful in assisting the user to select the appropriate format for the user's purpose.

[063] The user is also required to enter one or more contact "addresses" which can be email addresses or other suitable communication addresses.

[064] When the user has selected the format(s), the user then clicks the "Submit" button on the screen of Figure 6. This initiates execution of a server side script. The variables chosen by the user during their reel creation session (Director Selector front-end) are passed to this script.

The server side script creates a text file (who's name can be based on the clients email address before the symbol, and the date and time the script was run). The variables passed to the server side script are individually extracted and placed into the text file in a set order (for easy extraction). The text file is saved in a watch folder. Some of the variables held in the text file include: S Date and time When the server side script was run V I V 8 STVC's Selected a list of the TVCs selected separated by a comma Email email address of user Formats requested list of output formats selected separated by a comma _Director's name holds the directors name [065] The user's request is sent to the processor 102.

[066] At the beginning and end of the reel an id board is inserted, presenting the directors name. Once the selected TVCs are compiled into a reel it is saved out as a QuickTime reference movie, basically pointers to the original files used in the reel, so that the resulting file size is small between 20 to 100 kb. This file is saved in a processing folder. It is this file that is CI passed to the compression algorithm.

[067] The reel is then made into the chosen format, for example, using a Unix command line called from the Apple Script. Once a format is created an email is composed and sent to the user giving them a direct link to the movie file and also a web (HTML) page with an embedded link to the file. All details are also passed to a database for billing and usage information.

[068] The process carried out by the processor 102 in compiling a "reel" of the TVCs chosen by the user will be described with the aid of the flow diagram of Figure 4.

[069] The processor 102 continually polls an input "bin" (watch folder) at step 402 of Figure 4 to determine when a request for a reel is received.

[070] After the user submits the selection, the processor analyses the request to verify that it is in the correct format and contains the requisite information, step 404. For example, an Apple Script continuously watches this folder for new text files and when one appears extracts the information inside. The director's name is used to find the correct folder and the selected TVCs in the text file are used to create a master video using, for example, QuickTime or other suitable multimedia application, for the users reel.

[071] The processor then translates the text message into instruction variables, step 406.

[072] The processor then creates a file name variable (currentFileName), eg, using the part of the email address before the symbol together with current date and time, step 408.

[073] The processor then checks to see ifa file with the same filename is on the web server, step 410. In the case where there is a duplicate file name, the existing HTML file is deleted, step 414.

[074] If there is no existing duplicate file name, or when the existing duplicate has been deleted, the processor copies the new HTML file from a beds folder to the web server for access by the user at step 416. The file is renamed to currentFileName.html.

[075] At step 418, the director's name variable is used to find the folder of that director's TVCs, and a director's movieboard, for example in the form of a Quicktime (QT) movie, is opened.

[076] At step 420, the director's QT id board movie is copied to the clipboard, a new movie is created, and the clipboard contents are pasted to the new movie. This is saved with the file name currentFileName.mov, as a reference movie.

[077] At step 422, the selected movie count is retrieved from the TVC variables. Then, the first movie listed is opened with QT, selected and the movie is copied to the clipboard and pasted at the end of the new QT movie created at step 420.

[078] This operation is repeated until all the selected movies have been incorporated into the new reference movie via the loop of steps 426, 428, 424.

[079] When all the selected movies have been added to the new movie, the director's id board is opened, copied to clipboard and added to the end of the new movie, at step 430. Thus the director's credits appear at the beginning and end of the new movie.

[080] A watermark can than be added to the whole reference movie, this can include, for example, the current production company's logo, or other reference information. This can assist in identifying the source of the reference movie and/or the owner of the work.

[081] At step 432, the duration of the new movie is extracted and incorporated with the variables.

[082] At step 434, the format count, the number of formats chosen by the user, is obtained.

[083] At step 436, the reel is converted to the first export format.

[084] At step 438, the size of the file in the new export format is calculated, the HTML page is updated with the new video file information, and a message is sent to the user with a link to the HTML page together with a direct link to the new video file.

[085] The cost of the current file is then added to a billing database.

[086] Steps 436 to 442 are repeated until a movie has been created for each format requested by the user.

[087] The system can also produce a stored version of the consolidated file which can be recorded in solid state memory or other recording medium such as OVD to be provided by the user.

[088] The system can be used to provide a service to potential advertisers and TVC directors. Thus a director can be a contributor to a TVC library and an advertiser can be a subscriber to the library of TVCs. The advertisers can be either permanent subscribers or casual users. The users can be billed for the content which they derive from the library. There can also be a contractual agreement between the directors and the library which grants the library a licence to use the directors works for the purpose of the library. The directors gain the benefit of having their works readily accessible to potential customers.

[089] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the method can be implemented using an HTML session holding the information needed to create a reel. This information is available for use with a web based application such as a servlet or applet to create the required presentation formats using, for example, quicktime or a combination of command line utilities.

[090] A further embodiment of the invention uses a computer program or other nonhuman interaction to create a reel based on externally gathered information, for example, the information can be obtained from a database of websites visited by a web surfer or video viewer.

The output can be used as a dynamically created ad break for internet TV and distributed via HTTP web server or the output could be hinted for use by a streaming server.

[091] "User" can include an individual, a group of individuals or a computer application or program or computer process.

[092] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of"consisting only of'. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

[093] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[094] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and 11 S examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (19)

1. A method of selecting files from a library, the method including the steps of: providing a plurality of files including selectable characteristics; presenting a selection screen on a user terminal to a user enabling the user to use one or more selectable characteristics to select one or more files forming a first selection group; displaying a representation of the content of each selected file to the user; enabling the user to choose one or more of the displayed files to form a chosen file group; and combining the chosen file group into a presentation format.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the representation includes a compressed version of the content of the file.

3. A method as claimed in claim I or claim 2, including the step or enabling the user to arrange the order of files for incorporation into the presentation format.

4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including the step of adding one or more descriptor files to the compilation of chosen files. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the descriptor file relates to one or more of the initial selection characteristics.

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including sending a message to the user when the chosen file group has been compiled into the presentation format.

7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the message includes access information to enable the user to access the files in a complied presentation format.

8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user terminal is connected to access the library via communication network.

9. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including the step of transmitting a compressed version of the or each selected file to the user terminal by data streaming. A method of distributing one or more multimedia files in a library to a remote user connected via a communication network, the method including the steps of: %IV IUJ 13 providing one or more associated selection criteria associated with each selectable multimedia file in the library; presenting a selection window to the user; enabling the user to select one or more of the multimedia files in the library using one or more selection criteria; collating a list of pointers corresponding to the selected files; transmitting an access address to the user; presenting the selected files to the user when the user uses the accesses address.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pointers can be used to select the files.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10, or claim 11, including the step of transmitting an access address to the user.

13. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including the step of recording the complied files in a recording medium.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the recording medium is DVD. A method as claimed in claim 13, including the step of storing the compilation in memory.

16. A system for enabling a user to access files from a library, the system including: a library of files, each file including one or more selection characteristics; a processor adapted to select files from the library in response to commands from a user terminal; one or more user terminals, each terminal including a display, and being adapted to enable a user to select one or more files from the library; wherein the processor is adapted to compile a consolidated file from the separate files selected by the user.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the user terminal is connectable to the library via a communication network.

18. A system as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the processor is adapted to send access information to the user terminal to enable the user to access the consolidated file. Vlv I 14

19. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the user terminal is adapted to display a 0 representation of the content of the selected files. A method of operating a multimedia library including the steps of: obtaining a licence from one or more owners of multimedia works to incorporate the works in the library; making the works available over a system and/or by using the method as herein described; providing customer access to the library; enabling customers to select one or more works, combining the works selected by a customer in to a reel; providing the customer with access to the reel.

21. A method of selecting files from a library substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A system of selecting files from a library substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings

23. A method of operating a multimedia library substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 1st day of March 2007 Mark Pigani by his patent attorneys HALFORD CO