KR20080067589A - Mobile multimedia content distribution and access - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile multimedia contents distribution and access method is provided to enable a user to access and distribute contents for a mobile electronic device which removes a complicated navigation method, so that the user can easily interact with Internet contents. A meta tag is selected from a meta tag list(610), and a multimedia contents list related to the meta tag is displayed(620). A user selects desired contents(630), and reproduces the selected multimedia contents(640). A media player which automatically reproduces all of multimedia contents related to the selected meta tag is provided. The media player sequentially reproduces the multimedia contents.

Description

MOBILE MULTIMEDIA CONTENT DISTRIBUTION AND ACCESS}

The present invention relates to a mobile communication. In particular, the present invention provides a mobile multimedia content distribution and access method that utilizes a window of meta tags for easy access to media.

Internet users can interact with or view a wide variety of information on their desktop computers. Desktop computers typically include large monitors that display information. The monitor always has a minimum display size of 15 inches, measured diagonally from the bottom left corner to the top right corner. 17 inch and 19 inch monitors are also common.

When accessing information, the user navigates through a number of menus, and the user makes several selections from the menu selections. On desktop computers, although time consuming, navigation is straightforward because of the somewhat large display.

However, if the user of the mobile electronic device wants to interact with the information, their attempt is hindered because the display screen of the mobile device is very small. For example, cellular phones have only a few inches of display area. Navigating through many menus is complicated and fails. As a result, the user of the mobile electronic device cannot enjoy the interaction with the Internet information.

Therefore, there is a need for an effective and efficient way to access and distribute content for mobile electronic devices that eliminates complex navigation methods in order to allow users to easily interact with Internet content.

In order to achieve these and other advantages and to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional methods according to the object of the present invention as used and described broadly herein, the present invention uses mobile or portable electronic devices to distribute and access multimedia content. Provide an effective and efficient way to do this.

Before a registered user connects to a content provider's server, the present invention has a screen that displays a scrollable list of meta tags. Meta tags are hyperlinks related to content about meta tag characters.

The size and color of each tag indicates the amount of content associated with the tag. If there is much content related to the meta tag, the tag font is displayed large. Also, the color of the large content meta tag is a different color from the small content meta tag. This allows the user to quickly place meta tags with large amounts of content.

The rating or location of a meta tag represents the number of popular content or views opened associated with the meta tag. The most popular or most open meta tag content is placed in the first position of the meta tag list. The second most open is placed second, and so on.

The user selects the meta tag they are interested in, and the screen displays displaying a list of available meta tags associated with the meta tag. Screenshots or thumbnails of multimedia content are displayed in a scrollable list. Additional information such as title, date of creation, upload username, number of views opened or other data related to the multimedia is displayed after each thumbnail. The multimedia content list may be classified according to any information.

The main page displaying the list of meta tags also provides a search text box to the search function that allows the user to enter a search term and search for multimedia content related to the search term. After the search, a page similar to the screen described above that displays the available multimedia content but now displays the search results is displayed. This screen displays additional information and thumbnails for each multimedia included in the search results.

The upload option is also provided on the main page allowing the user to upload the multimedia stored on their portable device. After selecting the upload option, the file browsing window is displayed and the user selects the file to be uploaded. The user selects at least one meta tag to be associated with the file, and the file is uploaded to the user's account. The uploaded file is now available to other users for viewing.

The user selects the content they want to watch, the playback screen opens automatically and plays the multimedia. The playback screen provides playback controls such as play, pause, fast forward, rewind, stop, next, previous and save. Playback control allows the user to interact with the multimedia. The progress bar shows progress, or displays how much content is shown and how much content remains. Progress bars allow users to jump to specific sections of content. The timer also displays how much time expires and how much time remains.

The playback screen also displays information related to the current multimedia. For example, the information may include a title, username, programmer, rating or ranking. The evaluation option allows the user to vote or rate the multimedia.

In addition, playing all options is displayed on the multimedia list screen. This allows the user to automatically play all the multimedia content shown in the list.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

It is to be appreciated that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, incorporated in and constitute a part of this application. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and refer to the same or like parts.

The content provider primarily sets up a multimedia content server that includes a plurality of multimedia content. The user registers with the content provider to access the multimedia. Once the user is registered, the user is recorded on the multimedia content server. In one embodiment of the present invention, users provide their username and password to complete an ongoing record.

In another embodiment, the recording in progress is automatic. In the automatic recording of the embodiment, the user easily selects to access the service, and the user's mobile electronic device negotiates with the multimedia access server to automatically obtain access. The mobile device provides information identifying an individual user, such as, for example, user identification, username, account information, password, license information, device identification, biometric information, cookie or information stored in a cookie.

Reference is made to FIG. 1, which is a diagram illustrating a main screen displaying a meta tag associated with multimedia content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

After the user has successfully connected to the content server, the main screen 100 is shown on the display of the mobile electronic device as shown in FIG. The main screen 100 includes a meta tag list section 140, a search icon 120, a search text input section 110, and an upload icon 130. The search input 110 allows text input to search for multimedia content related to the search term. By selecting the upload icon 130, the user can upload the multimedia content that has been stored on their portable device.

Meta tag list section 140 includes a meta tag list that is a hyperlink to multimedia content related to the text of the meta tag. The vertical scroll bar 150 is provided for the user to scroll through the list.

The size and color of each meta tag represents the amount of content associated with the tag. The more the content is related to the meta tag, the larger the tag font is displayed. Also, the color of the large content meta tag is different from the small content meta tag. This allows the user to quickly place meta tags with large amounts of content.

In FIG. 1, the character meta tag "Sports" is a font larger than other meta tags, for example meta tag "Food". This indicates that there is more multimedia content about meta tag "Sports" than there is content related to meta tag "Food". This allows the user to quickly locate more multimedia content.

The rank or position of a meta tag represents the number of popular content or views that are associated with the meta tag. The most popular or most opened meta tag content is placed in the first position of the meta tag list. The second most open is placed second, and so on.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the position of the meta tag represents the number of times the content is viewed. In another embodiment of the present invention, the position of the meta tag indicates the number of times the meta tag has been selected. In another embodiment of the present invention, the meta tag position of the list represents a rating or ranking by which other users rate content.

2A, which is a diagram illustrating a multimedia content list screen with thumbnails in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The user selects the meta tag they are interested in on the main screen, and the multimedia content screen 200 indicates displaying a list of available multimedia content associated with the meta tag. The selected meta tag 240 is displayed for the user's query. In Figure 2A, the selected meta tag is a car. Screenshots or thumbnails 260 of multimedia content are displayed in a scrollable list using vertical scroll bar 250 and horizontal scroll bar 260. Additional information 210 such as the title, date of creation, upload username, number of views or other data related to the multimedia is displayed after each thumbnail 260 or below each thumbnail. The list of multimedia content may be classified according to one of the categories of information. For example, the list may be sorted according to the user name who uploaded the multimedia. This allows the user to quickly locate all the multimedia provided by a particular user. In FIG. 2A, the multimedia content list is classified according to the length of the multimedia content. Since the multimedia content list is scrollable in the vertical, horizontal or two directions, the amount of displayed content or information is not really limited.

The main screen 100 of FIG. 1 displaying a list of meta tags 140 also displays a search text box 110 that allows a user to enter a search term and search for multimedia content related to the search term. 120).

See FIG. 2B, which is a diagram illustrating a search result list screen with thumbnails according to an embodiment of the present invention.

After the search is finished, a search results page 205 similar to the multimedia content list of FIG. 2A is displayed displaying the available multimedia content but now displaying the search results. This screen displays additional information 210 and thumbnail 260 for each multimedia included in the screen results. This screen is similar in function to the multimedia list screen described above. In Figure 2B, the content is classified according to the rating. The search term 245 used is displayed for the user's query.

In FIG. 1, upload option 130 is also provided on main page 100 for a user to upload multimedia stored on their portable device.

Reference is made to Fig. 4, which shows a file upload screen in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

After selecting the upload option, file browsing window 400 is displayed and the user selects a file to be uploaded from the available multimedia content 470 classified on their device. Folder name 410 is displayed and users can navigate through their file system. File information 410 is also provided. The user selects at least one meta tag to be associated with the file, and the file is uploaded to the user's account. The uploaded file will now appear in the list of multimedia content related to the meta tag related to the content or in the search results list and will be available to other users for enjoyment.

The file format of the uploaded file may be any format that can be played on the electronic device. Once the file is uploaded, the file is transcoded offline. When a user requests a multimedia file, a file format suitable for the user's electronic device is streamed to the device. This eliminates incompatibilities between the multimedia content and the user device.

Referring to FIG. 3, which is a diagram illustrating a multimedia playback window according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The user selects the content they wish to see from the list of multimedia content or the search results list, and the media playback screen 300 automatically opens and plays the multimedia 310. The playback screen 300 provides playback controls 300 such as playback, pause, fast forward, rewind, stop, next, previous and save. The storage option allows the user to store the media locally on their device.

Playback control 330 allows the user to interact with multimedia 310. Progress bar 320 displays progress or how much content is shown or how much content remains. Progress bar 320 also allows the user to jump to a specific section of content. The clock also displays how much time expires and how much time remains.

The playback screen 300 also displays information 350 related to the current multimedia. For example, the information includes title, username, programmer, rating, or ranking. Evaluation option 340 allows the user to vote or rate the multimedia. The current average rating, calculated from the total votes, is displayed.

In addition, playing all options is displayed on the multimedia list screen. This allows the user to automatically play all the multimedia content shown in the list sequentially.

In addition, a full screen option is provided for the user to view the multimedia content full screen without viewing the information related to the content.

In an embodiment of the invention, the playback screen displays a quick response code (QR code) 360. QR code 360 is the only graphical code that identifies a particular content file. QR codes may be printed on conventional media such as in magazines, advertisements or newspapers, or displayed on web pages or televisions. The user simply shoots the QR code, and the QR code software isolates the code and reads the code to identify content related to the particular QR code. The user can then immediately view the content without navigating the location of the stored media.

Additionally, in an embodiment of the present invention, when a user determines that they can share a particular content file with another user, the user can simply send a QR code to another user and they can now view the content quickly and easily. have.

Reference is made to Fig. 5, which is a flowchart illustrating a method of distributing multimedia content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The distribution method 500 is initiated by a content provider providing multimedia content to a content server in step 510. In step 520, the content provider provides a list of meta tags displayed on the home screen. Meta tags are classified according to priority, and the amount of content associated with each meta tag can be visually identified by size or color. In addition, in step 520, the main screen displays a search input option for searching and a text input section for inputting search text. Additionally, at step 520, the main screen displays an upload option to upload the content. Thereafter, in step 530, the meta tag is selected, a search option is selected, or an upload option is selected. If the meta tag is selected, a list of multimedia content associated with the selected meta tag is displayed in step 540. If a text is entered and a search option is selected, a list of multimedia content related to the search text is displayed in step 550. If the upload option is selected, the file browser displays allowing the user to upload the content to step 560, and the content is uploaded to step 570. When the user selects content from the search results or the multimedia content list, the content is displayed in the media playback window in step 580.

Reference is made to Fig. 6, which is a flowchart illustrating a method of accessing multimedia content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The access method 600 begins by selecting a meta tag from a list of meta tags at step 610. In step 620, a list of multimedia content associated with the meta tag is displayed. The user then selects the content they want to view in step 630, opens a playback window, and plays the multimedia content in step 640.

Reference is made to FIG. 7, which is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching for multimedia content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The search method 700 is initiated by a user entering a search character and selecting a search in step 710. In step 720, a search result list related to the search text is displayed. The user selects content from the list at step 730. In step 740, a media player is provided and plays the selected multimedia content.

Reference is made to Fig. 8, which is a flowchart illustrating a method of uploading multimedia content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The upload method 800 begins by selecting an upload option icon in step 810 and displaying a file browser in step 820. After selecting a file for upload in step 830 and entering meta tags or meta tags to be associated with the file in step 840, the selected file is uploaded to the user's account in step 850. The file is then made available to other users and displayed in a list of content related to the meta tag or meta tags or a list related to the search results.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the method is further simplified and includes a single meta tag selection. When a meta tag is selected on the main screen, the media playback window is automatically displayed and all the content related to the selected meta tag is played sequentially. This allows the user to automatically view a lot of content. The user can easily skip to the next content file or skip to the previous content file if they wish.

For example, if the user selects the meta tag "basketball", the playback window will start playing all the content related to the meta tag "basketball". If the user does not like the first file, they can skip to the next file. In this way, the user quickly locates the content they are interested in. The media will continue to play the content until the user wants to stop.

In the embodiment of the present invention, all the media of the multimedia content list or the search result may be continuously played in a random order.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the meta tag displayed on the main screen is a channel similar to the television channel. In this way, the content associated with the meta tag is grouped according to the style or format of the particular channel of interest grouped by the actual content of the multimedia. For example, a channel may have a lifestyle format that includes programs for cooking, music, art, interior design, and fashion. In other embodiments, the meta tag will be different for each program. However, in this embodiment, a wide range of changes in content can be enjoyed by the user simply by selecting a particular channel. Channels can be created by individual users similar to playlists. As a result, users can set up their own private broadcasting network.

Mobile electronic devices include cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, notebook computers or portable multimedia players. Protocols for accessing content include 3G, 3.5G, wi-fi, wi-fly, wi-max or other wireless or wired protocols. Multimedia content includes music, movies, videos, animations or games.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. The present invention may cover modifications and variations of this invention, provided they come within the scope and equivalents of the invention in the foregoing description.

1 illustrates a main screen display meta tag associated with a multimedia content according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2A illustrates a multimedia content list screen with thumbnails in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

2B illustrates a search result list screen with thumbnails in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

3 illustrates a multimedia player window according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 illustrates a file upload screen in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of distributing multimedia content according to an embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of accessing multimedia content according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching for multimedia content according to an embodiment of the present invention; And

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of uploading multimedia content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (10)

A method of distributing and accessing multimedia content by a portable electronic device, the method comprising: Providing meta tag list hyperlinked multimedia content associated with each meta tag; And Providing a media player for automatically playing all multimedia content associated with the selected meta tag. The method of claim 1, And the media player sequentially plays the multimedia content. The method of claim 1, And the media player plays the multimedia content in a random order. The method of claim 1, Wherein the meta tag is displayed in a list sorted according to the number of open views. The method of claim 1, And the size of the meta tag indicates the amount of content associated with the meta tag. The method of claim 1, And wherein the color of the meta tag indicates the amount of content associated with the meta tag. The method of claim 1, And the media player comprises player control, progress bar, content information, current rating, rating function, or a combination thereof. The method of claim 1, And wherein said media player further comprises a unique and quick response code identifying said particular multimedia file. A method of distributing and accessing multimedia content by a portable electronic device, the method comprising: Providing a list of meta tag hyperlinked multimedia content related to one of the meta tags; Providing a list of multimedia content associated with the selected meta tag; And Providing a media player for playing the multimedia content selected from the list of multimedia content. The method of claim 9, Providing a search option having a text input section for entering a search term; Providing a list of multimedia content search results related to the search term; And Providing the media player for playing the multimedia content selected from the search result list.

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