WO2005088968A1 - Procede et appareil permettant de distribuer des donnees video - Google Patents

Procede et appareil permettant de distribuer des donnees video Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005088968A1
WO2005088968A1 PCT/GB2005/000866 GB2005000866W WO2005088968A1 WO 2005088968 A1 WO2005088968 A1 WO 2005088968A1 GB 2005000866 W GB2005000866 W GB 2005000866W WO 2005088968 A1 WO2005088968 A1 WO 2005088968A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
video data
programme
classes
elements
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2005/000866
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Trevor John Burke
Original Assignee
Trevor Burke Technology Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB0405340.1A external-priority patent/GB0405340D0/en
Priority claimed from US10/873,749 external-priority patent/US7882436B2/en
Application filed by Trevor Burke Technology Limited filed Critical Trevor Burke Technology Limited
Priority to EP05717935A priority Critical patent/EP1723792A1/fr
Publication of WO2005088968A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005088968A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/85—Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
    • H04N21/854—Content authoring
    • H04N21/8549—Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H04N21/25866—Management of end-user data
    • H04N21/25891—Management of end-user data being end-user preferences
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/414—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
    • H04N21/41407—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
    • H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/433—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
    • H04N21/4331—Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/475—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
    • H04N21/4755—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
    • H04N21/654—Transmission by server directed to the client
    • H04N21/6547—Transmission by server directed to the client comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
    • H04N21/658—Transmission by the client directed to the server
    • H04N21/6581—Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
    • H04N21/658—Transmission by the client directed to the server
    • H04N21/6582—Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/8146—Monomedia components thereof involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
    • H04N21/8153—Monomedia components thereof involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/835—Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates
    • H04N21/8352—Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/84—Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/845—Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
    • H04N21/8456—Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/47217—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for distributing video data.
  • the invention also relates to a method and apparatus for receiving video data, a method and apparatus for presenting video data, and a method and apparatus for generating video data.
  • Video data is currently distributed in a variety of different ways.
  • video data is transmitted in the form of broadcast television programmes which are received by a user and displayed using a television receiver, i recent times, such television programmes have been distributed by means of satellite transmissions and cable lines, in addition to more traditional " radio frequency transmissions.
  • storage media such as video cassettes and Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs)
  • US 6,647,535 (Xerox Corporation) describes a system for creating a storyboard from video data.
  • the storyboard comprises a plurality of still images which are representative or key frames taken from the video data.
  • the selected still images can fnfimhe--displaye.d_to a. user hyjneans. of an Internet, -ehpage, .and a ussr .can select one of the still, images to cause a video clip associated with that image to be downloaded and displayed.
  • the present invention provides a method and apparatus for distributing video data.
  • the method comprises defining a plurality of programme elements, each programme element comprising a video clip taken from said video data.
  • Each programme element is allocated to one of a predetermined plurality of classes, each class having an associated icon.
  • Data representing a plurality of icons is transmitted to a receiver, each icon representing a respective one of said plurality of programme elements and representing a class to which a respective one of said plurality of programme elements has been allocated.
  • User selection data indicative of a user selection of at least one icon is received, and video data associated with the or each programme element associated with the user selection data to the receiver.
  • the invention also provides a method for receiving video data comprising a plurality of programme elements.
  • Each programme element comprises a video clip taken from said video data, and each programme element is allocated to one of a predetermined plurality of classes, each class having an associated icon.
  • the method comprises receiving data representing a plurality of icons, each icon representing a respective one of said plurality of programme elements and representing a class to which a respective one of said plurality of programme elements is allocated.
  • a user selection is received and user selection data representing said selection is transmitted. Data associated with the or each programme element associated with the user selection data is received.
  • distributed video data can be represented by a series of icons arranged in temporal order of the associated programme elements in the video data.
  • icons associated with predetermined classes provides a method of presenting a user with a structured and easily recognised summary of a video clip, with each icon being easily identifiable.
  • At least some of said plurality of classes may represent a type of event, a programme element may be allocated to one of the plurality of classes on the basis of an event to which the video clip relates.
  • At least some of said plurality of classes may represent a subjective assessment of the value of programme elements and a programme element may be allocated to one of the plurality of classes on the basis of a subjective assessment of value. For example a subject of assessment value may be measured on a scale extending from a low value to a high value.
  • the icons may be arranged in an order corresponding to a temporal order of the programme elements represented by the icons.
  • distributed programme is used herein to mean a video clip which is made available to a user, for example by broadcasting or on a data carrier such as a video tape or DVD and which is described in a schedule (in the case of broadcast material) or on packaging (in the case of. a data carrier) to enable a user to access the clip.
  • a plurality of programme elements may be defined within a single distributed programme.
  • the plurality of icons, preferably arranged in temporal order may then collectively represent said distributed programme.
  • Transmitting data associated with the or each programme element associated with the user selection data to the receiver may comprise transmitting the or each programme element to the receiver.
  • At least one of said programme elements may comprise a plurality sub-elements, each sub-element may be allocated to one of a predetermined plurality of sub-classes, and the method may further comprise transmitting a further plurality of icons to the receiver in response to selection of an icon associated with the said at least one programme element, each further icon representing a class to which a respective one of said plurality of sub-elements is allocated.
  • Selection data indicative of a user selection of at least one icon corresponding to one of said sub-elements is received, and data associated with the or each sub-element associated with said selection data is transmitted to the receiver.
  • Transmitting data may comprise transmitting data from a server to a remote client. Data representing icons may be transmitted from the server to the remote client.
  • the method may comprise transmitting a plurality of classification codes, each classification code being associated with an icon, and retrieving icons associated with said plurality of classification codes from a memory at the remote client.
  • a data carrier carrying computer readable instructions for carrying out the method set out above is also provided, as is an apparatus for carrying out the described method. .
  • the present invention also provides a method of presenting video data.
  • This method comprises displaying a plurality of first identifiers collectively representing a stream of video data.
  • the video data comprises a plurality of programme elements, each of which has been allocated to one of a predetermined plurality of classes and each of said programme elements is represented by a respective one of said plurality of first identifiers.
  • First user selection data is received indicating a wish to condense the video data and said first user selection data comprises data indicative of user preferences.
  • the video data is condensed in accordance with the first user selection data, to produce condensed video data.
  • the condensed video data comprises a subset of the plurality of programme elements selected on the basis of the first user selection data.
  • a plurality of second identifiers is displayed.
  • the plurality of second identifiers collectively represent the condensed stream of video data.
  • Each of said subset of programme elements is represented by a respective one of said plurality of second identi-fier*
  • presenting video data in this way provides a convenient mechanism for a user to extract only content of interest from video data, thereby avoiding the need to view content of little -or no interest.
  • condensed video data can be generated by removing video data associated with a specified event type, or alternatively removing all video data except that associated with the specified event type.
  • the method of the invention is also useful for extracting highlights from video data.
  • video data is allocated to classes at least partially on the basis of a subjective value judgement such as interest level
  • a user can specify that only content of a relatively high interest level is to be viewed. This can be useful where it is desired to view highlights of video data in a shorter time than that occupied by the entire video data.
  • the method may further comprise displaying a viewing duration associated with the video data and . displaying a viewing duration associated with the condensed video data. ' .
  • Each of the predetermined plurality of- classes may have an icon, hi such embodiments ' of the invention the first identifiers may take the form of a sequence of icons representing the class to which each of the plurality of programme elements in the video data have been allocated. Similarly, the second identifiers may comprise a sequence of icons representing the class to which respective programme elements of the subset of programme elements have been allocated.
  • the method may further comprise receiving data representing the plurality of icons from a transmitter, receiving second user selection data indicative of a user selection of at least one icon,, and receiving video data associated with the or each programme element associated with the icon selection indicated by the second user selection data from the transmitter.
  • the data representing the plurality of icons may further comprise data indicating the viewing duration of the video data associated with each programme element.
  • At least one of the sequence of icons and the subset of icons may be presented to the user simultaneously with the video data.
  • the invention also provides a method of generating video data.
  • the method comprises storing video data as a plurality of programme elements, each programme element being allocated to one of a predetermined plurality of classes.
  • First input data indicating classes of said predetermined plurality of classes which are of interest to a user is received.
  • Second input data indicating an approximate desired viewing duration is also ' received.
  • Programme elements are retrieved from said stored programme elements in accordance with said first input data, to generate video data having a viewing duration substantially equal to the desired viewing duration.
  • the first input data may further indicate a degree of interest in each of the said interested classes.
  • the generated video data may comprise. programme elements indicated in said first input data as being of relatively high interest. That is, programme elements indicated of being of relatively high interest may be included in preference to programme elements indicated as being of relatively low interest.
  • Generating video data in this manner allows relatively long duration viewing data to be condensed so as to be viewable within a time available.
  • the condensing may be carried out to include events having a relatively high interest level.
  • a user may specify an ordered list of preferences, indicating a range of desirability of various video data, and video data of relatively high desirability may be included, in preference to video data of lower desirability.
  • At least some of said . predetermined plurality of classes may be at . least partially defined by a subjective value assessment measured on a scale extending from a low value to a high value.
  • An identifier identifying the generated video data may be presented.
  • the identifier may comprise a sequence of icons representing the classes to which each received programme element has been allocated.
  • a viewing duration for the generated video data may be displayed.
  • the invention further provides a method of condensing video data, the video data comprising a plurality of programme elements, each of which has been allocated to one of a predetermined plurality of classes, at least some of said predetermined plurality of classes being at least partially defined by a subjective value assessment measured on a scale extending from a. high value to a low value, the method comprising, receiving first user input data indicating a wish to condense the video data, said first user input data comprising data specifying a subjective value, condensing said video data in accordance with said first user selection data, to produce condensed video data, said condensed video data comprising a subset of said plurality of programme elements having a subjective value not less than the specified subjective value.
  • a first identifier identifying the stream of video data may be displayed.
  • the condensed video data may be displayed.
  • a second identifier identifying said condensed video data may be displayed before said condensed video data is displayed.
  • the method may further comprise displaying a viewing duration associated with the video data, and displaying a viewing duration associated with a condensed video data.
  • the invention further provides a method of generating video data, comprising storing video data as a plurality of programme elements, each programme element being -ail ⁇ e-at-ed- to- one- -e-f -a--pr-edeteiTOined -pktr-ah-t-y -of classes- -at- least- some- ⁇ f said- predetermined plurality of classes being at least partially defined by a subjective value assessment measured on a scale extending from a low value to a high value, receiving first input data comprising data indicating classes of said predetermined plurality of classes which are of interest to a user, receiving second input data indicating an approximate desired viewing duration, retrieving programme elements from said stored programme elements in accordance with said first input data, to generate video data having a viewing duration substantially equal to the desired viewing duration, wherein programme elements allocated to classes having
  • the invention allows video data to be condensed to generate video data having a particular approximate duration such that programme elements of relatively high interest are included in preference to programme elements having a relatively low interest. . . • •
  • Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a computer network suitable for implementing an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a flow chart showing a video classification and distribution process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of video data classified using the process of Figure
  • Figure 4 is an illustration of icons representing the classification illustrated in Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 is a flow chart showing a video receiving and displaying process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, which is suitable for using with the classification and distribution process of Figure 2;
  • Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a class hierarchy which can be used for classification in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is an illustration of icons representing a hierarchical classification in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 8 is an illustration of icons representing a soccer match
  • Figure 9 is an illustration showing a subset of the icons of Figure 8.
  • Figure 10 is an illustration of a display screen which can be used in embodiments of the present invention. ⁇
  • a video server 1 connected to the Internet 2.
  • Two workstations 3, 4, a laptop computer 5 and a mobile telephone 6 are also provided with means for connection to the Internet 2.
  • the workstations ' 3, 4 and the laptop computer 5 can be connected to the Internet 2 via a modem and telephone line (not shown), or alternatively via a connection to a local area network (LAN) which is itself connected to the Internet 2.
  • the mobile telephone 6 can be connected to the Internet 2 either by means of a dialup connection using the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or alternatively the mobile telephone 6 can be a third generation mobiie -elephene- with- Internet- access- eapafeirl-it-y .
  • WAP Wireless Application Protocol
  • each- of the user devices 3-,- 4-,- 5, 6 can be connected to the Internet 2 in any one of a number of ways which will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • a user using the mobile telephone 6 can use web browser software installed on the mobile telephone to access a web page defined in the HTML language provided by the video server 1.
  • the web page suitably includes options allowing the user of the mobile telephone 6 to view video data stored on the video server 1 using suitable video player software installed on the mobile telephone 6.
  • the video data stored on the video server X has, in accordance with an embodiment of the inventiori, been classified as is now described.
  • Figure 2 is a flow chart of a classification process for video data which may be carried out by a user of the video server 1.
  • A user processes video data at step SI, and a plurality of programme elements within the video data are defined at step S2, and classified at step S3.
  • ' Programme elements will typically relate to discrete events within the video data.
  • the news programme extends from a time to to a time t . Seven discrete programme elements are defined within the news programme 7. A first programme element 8 starts at time to (that is the beginning of the news programme 7), continues until time ti and relates to a kidnap story. A second programme element 9 extends from time ti and continues until time t 2 . This programme element relates to a news item describing a US presidential visit. A third programme element 10 begins at the end of the second programme element 9, (that is at time t 2 ), continues until time t 3 and relates to a prime ministerial scandal.
  • a fourth programme element 11 relates to a jail break, and extends from time ' ' t 3 to time t .
  • a fifth programme element 12 extends from time t 4 to time t 5 and relates to university tuition fees.
  • a sixth programme element 13 relates to financial news, and extends between time t and time t 6 .
  • a seventh programme element 14 relates to weather news and extends from time t 6 to the end of the news programme 7, that is to time t .
  • each programme element is allocated to one of a predetermined plurality of classes. Li this example these classes relate to content type, and more particularly to the nature of the news story represented by each programme element.
  • Classification can suitably be carried out by an operator viewing the video data within a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI providing a plurality of icons which can be selected to effect classification.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the user selects a type of programme to be classified (in this case news) and is presented with a plurality of icons which represent programme elements expected to occur within a news programme.
  • the video data is viewed by the operator, and as each new programme element begins, an icon representing the content of that programme element is selected (thus steps S2 and S3 of Figure 2 could be carried out concurrently).
  • Preferred embodiments of the GUI provide, an operator with functionality to offset delays in selecting an appropriate icon, as compared with the true " start of a programme element.
  • US Patent Application No. 10/435,178, filed on 9 Ma 2003 describes a suitable GUI, and this' document is herein incorporated by reference.
  • Figure 4 shows a sequence of icons which represent the programme elements making up the news programme 7.
  • a first icon 15 represents the kidnap story programme element 8
  • a second icon 16 represents the US presidential visit programme element 9
  • a third icon 17 represents the prime ministerial scandal programme element 10
  • a fourth icon 18 represents the jail break programme element 11.
  • a fifth icon 19 represents the university tuition " fees programme element 12
  • a sixth icon 20 represents the financial news programme element 13
  • -It- ean-be- seen from Figure 4 that the sequence of icons provides an easily understandable summary of the content of the video data. Furthermore, over time a user will become readily familiar with the various icons which are used, and will therefore almost instantly know the content type of the associated video data.
  • the video server 1 is ready to accept a request from a user via the Internet for the classified video data. Such a request is received at step S4.
  • Classification data representing a class to which each programme element within a requested programme is transmitted to a user at step S5, via the Internet 2.
  • This data takes the form of a plurality of codes, one for each programme element, each code indicating the class to which the respective programme element has been allocated, together with a unique identifier of that programme element.
  • the video server 1 then awaits a response from the user at step S6. ⁇ •
  • Figure 7 shows processing carried out by a user device such as the mobile telephone 6 upon receipt of classification data transmitted at step S5 of Figure 2.
  • the classification data is received and stored within the user device, hi the described embodiment of the invention each user device stores the plurality of icons used to represent programme element classification. These icons are suitably transmitted to the user device when no other network activity is taking place and stored.
  • the user device processes the classification data received at step S7 and corresponding icons are retrieved from storage at step S8.
  • the sequence of icons illustrated in Figure 4 will be generated, and these are displayed to the user at step S9 via a suitable display device, which will typically be a monitor in the case of the workstations 3, 4, or a built in screen in the case of the laptop computer 5 and the mobile telephone 6.
  • a user reviews the sequence of icons and selects one of the icons. This selection can suitably be made by moving a cursor visible on the display device using an input device such as a mouse to cause selection of one of the icons.
  • the icons can be displayed on a touch sensitive screen, and selection -ea&b -e-f-feeted -simply b-y-t uGh-ing-the screen ⁇ either with-a-fin-geiv or wit a-prov-ided- • touch pen.
  • any appropriate input device can be used.
  • User input is received at step S10 and user selection data indicative of this input is generated at step Sl l.
  • This data can suitably simply comprise the unique identifier of the programme element represented by the selected icon, and is transmitted to the video server 1 at step S12. The user device then enters a loop at step S13 until appropriate video data is received from the video
  • step S6 on receipt of the user selection data, the loop of step S6 exits, and the received data is processed at step S14.
  • This processing comprises locating video data identified by the unique programme element identifier contained within the user selection data.
  • the located video data is transmitted to the appropriate user device at step SI 5.
  • the video data is transmitted as one or more video data files in any convenient file format such as MPEG, RealPlayer or QuickTime, for example.
  • receipt of video data causes the loop of step S13 to exit, and the user device can then display the video at step S16 using appropriate video player software.
  • This software can either be a stand alone application, or alternatively can be included within the web browser software used to display the.
  • icons for user selection, or included in a web page using, for example, a JavaTM Applet are well known in the art, and are not described in further detail here.
  • - Figure -6- illustrates- a hierarsh of classes which- can be use , fer multi-layer classification, hi the following description the term "channel" is used to refer to a group of video data items (referred to as programmes) containing programme elements which are provided by a common source.
  • the hierarchy of Figure 6 has a top level channels class 22 which represents the root of the classification hierarchy.
  • the channels class 22 has five sub-classes which represent channels offering various different content types.
  • a first sub-class 23 is used to represent news channels
  • a second sub class 24 is used to represent entertainment channels
  • a third sub-class 25 is used to represent music channels
  • a fourth sub-class 26 is used to represent travel channels
  • a fifth sub-class 27 is used to represent health channels.
  • the News class 23 has sub-classes representing various news channels.
  • a sub-class 28 is used to represent a BBC news channel
  • a sub-class 29 is used to represent a Sky news channel
  • a sub-class 30 is used to represent a CNN news channel.
  • Each of the sub-classes 28, 29, 30 in turn has sub-classes which represent programmes provided by that channel.
  • Figure 6 illustrates three subclasses of the subclass 29 used to ' represent the Sky news channel, namely a breaking news class 31, a six o'clock news class 32 and a travel news class 33.
  • Four sub-classes are illustrated: a political news class 34, a home affairs class 35, an international news class 36 and a weather class 37. Some of these classes have one or more sub-classes.
  • the political news class 34 has a prime ministerial news class 38 as a sub-class.
  • the home affairs class 35 has a crime class 39 and an education class 40 as sub-classes.
  • the crime class 39 in turn has a prisons class 41 as a sub-class.
  • the international news class 36 has a US news class 42 and an international finance class 43 as sub-classes.
  • the US news class 42 in turn as a class 44 representing news concerning the US president.
  • the hierarchy of Figure 6 includes a number of paths indicated in broken lines. This is simply to indicate that further classes are provided at that level of the hierarchy, but these are not described in further detail here.
  • this classification can allow video data to be classified using classes at different hierarchical levels (e.g. the education class 40 represented by the icon 19 is at a higher hierarchical level than the prisons class 41 represented by the icon 18).
  • FIG. 4 A single sequence of icons ( Figure 4) has been described, in which a user selects . specific video data, and is provided with a sequence of icons representing programme elements which make up that video data.
  • An alternative embodiment of the invention using the hierarchy of Figure 6 is now described with reference to Figure 7.
  • a user is initially provided with a sequence of icons 45 which represent different channel types.
  • An icon 46 represents news channels
  • an icon 47 represents entertainment channels
  • an icon 48 represents music channels
  • an icon 49 represents travel channels
  • an icon 50 represents health channels. It can be seen that these icons correspond to similarly named classes in Figure 6.
  • a user can make a selection so as to be presented with details of appropriate channels.
  • a user selects the news icon 46.
  • This selection is communicated to the video server 1, and in return a further sequence of data is transferred to the user device, for display to the user.
  • This sequence of data is represented by a sequence of icons 51.
  • the sequence of icons 51 comprises a BBC news icon 52, a Sky news icon 53, and a CNN news icon 54.
  • a user selection is made and transmitted to the video server 1, data is received from the video server 1, and a further sequence of icons 55 is displayed, representing programmes provided by the selected channel.
  • video data can be divided into programme elements, and each element can be classified on the basis of a subjective value judgment such as an interest level.
  • a programme can then be represented by means of, for example, a sequence of icons, each icon representing an associated interest level by means of a number of stars ranging from zero to five.
  • a user can then simply select one or more icons representing relatively interesting programme elements to cause these to be downloaded in the manner described above.
  • icons representing interest level as opposed to content classification may be particularly suitable for programmes which do not have discrete content based events, but rather contain only a single content type.
  • Some embodiments of the invention use content based classification as described above, in combination. with interest level indicators as described above.
  • Embodiments of the invention can be used to allow a user to condense a stream of video data such that it can be viewed within a time which a user has available.
  • Figure 8 illustrates part of a sequence of icons which represent a soccer match. Only part of the sequence of icons representing an entire soccer match is illustrated in Figure 8, with omitted icons being denoted by ellipsis. It can be seen that the soccer match is represented by a start game icon 59, a dribble icon 60, a defensive action icon 61, an offside icon 62, a free kick icon 63, a further dribble icon 64, and a goal icon 65. Icons representing the remainder of the first half of the soccer match are then omitted.
  • Half time is indicated by a half time icon 66, and half time analysis is indicated by an analysis icon 67. Events making up the majority of the second half are denoted by ellipsis, and a final goal icon 68 denotes the end of the match.
  • each icon is presented together with an interest level indicator, denoted by a number of stars below each icon, ranging from one to five.
  • the stream of icons of Figure 8 can be downloaded from the video server to a user's device in advance of the video data itself. A user can then select one or more icons in order to obtain the video content associated with the selected icons.
  • the user may additionally be provided with a viewing duration indicative of the time taken to display the video data represented by all icons. This can be achieved by incorporating with data for each icon a time parameter indicating the viewing duration of the video data represented by that icon.
  • the time for the entire soccer match, together with half time may be of the order of 110 minutes, and this time may be displayed to the user. It may be however, that a user does ⁇ not wish to expend that length of time watching an entire soccer match. Therefore, using the icon data downloaded to the user's device, it is possible to specify preferred content, and condense the video data in accordance with the preferred content.
  • the embodiment of the present invention as described above allows a user to download icons which provide an indication of the viewing duration of the associated video data, and then to make a further specification so as to obtain a subset of icons representing a subset of video data and an indication of the (shorter) time that would be required to watch the video data represented by the subset of icons. It will be appreciated, that this embodiment of the invention need not necessarily be used in connection with a subjective value assessment as described above, but instead the sequence of icons illustrated in Figure 8 could be displayed to a user, the display time would then be determined to be unacceptable, and a user could then specify that only goal events for example, were desired.
  • a subset of sequence of icons representing all goal events would then be displayed to the user together with the associated viewing duration, and the user could then proceed to watch only the goal video data in the manner described above.
  • the user may specify that it is desired to view only the actual match, not pre-match and half-time discussions and interviews, and the video data could then be condensed to remove, for example, the half-time and analysis programme elements respectively represented by the icons 66, 61 in Figure 8.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a display screen 69 having a first area 70 in which video data is displayed and a second area 71 in which the stream of icons illustrated in - Figure. -8-is-displayed.
  • The-duration-of-the video-data-is-indicat-ed-i an-ar-ea- 72- ⁇ f-the- display screen.
  • Video data is displayed in the area 70, and the icon representative of the data currently being displayed is highlighted in the area 71. In the illustration of Figure 10, the icon 60 is highlighted.
  • the user may skip backwards and forward within the video data by selecting appropriate icons in the area 71.
  • an appropriate selection can be made from, for example, a menu so as to reduce the sequence of icons in the area 71 to, for example, that illustrated in Figure 9, in the manner described above.
  • the ability of the invention to condense video data is not restricted to video data represented using icons.
  • a user may be presented with a textual identifier identifying video data together with an estimated viewing duration for the video data.
  • the user can then input data indicative of a wish to condense the video data, this data additionally ' specifying preferred programme content.
  • the condensed data is then presented directly to the user, whilst in other embodiments, the condensed data is represented to the user by a further identifier, allowing a user to further condense the data prior to viewing,
  • a user establishes a profile indicative of programme content of interest.
  • the profile may specify a plurality of classes of data in which a user is interested, together indications of degree of interest in each specified class.
  • This user profile can then be used to condense video data as described above.
  • a user may be presented with an identifier or icon sequence representing video data, and then request that the video data is condensed based upon the established profile by, for example, including only classes included within the profile having an interest level above a predetermined threshold.
  • a user presents details of a desired viewing duration.
  • the video data is then condensed to provide video data having a duration as close as possible to the desired viewing duration.
  • a- .user .profile can be used in the -manner described above,- or alternatively a user can input data indicating how condensing should be carried out.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé permettant de distribuer des données vidéo et consistant à définir une pluralité d'éléments de programme, chaque élément de programme comprenant un clip vidéo pris parmi ces données vidéo. Chaque élément de programme est attribué à une classe appartenant à une pluralité prédéterminée de classes, chaque classe comprenant une icône associée. Les données représentant une pluralité d'icônes est transmise à un récepteur, chaque icône représentant une classe à laquelle est attribuée un élément respectif appartenant à ladite pluralité d'éléments de programme. Des données de sélection par l'utilisateur représentatives d'une sélection par un utilisateur d'au moins une icône sont reçues et les données associées à chaque élément de programme associées aux données de sélection par l'utilisateur sont transmises au récepteur. L'invention concerne également une méthode qui permet de générer des données vidéo et une méthode qui permet de présenter des données vidéo.
PCT/GB2005/000866 2004-03-10 2005-03-07 Procede et appareil permettant de distribuer des donnees video WO2005088968A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05717935A EP1723792A1 (fr) 2004-03-10 2005-03-07 Procede et appareil permettant de distribuer des donnees video

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0405340.1 2004-03-10
GBGB0405340.1A GB0405340D0 (en) 2004-03-10 2004-03-10 Distribution of video data
GB0408124.6 2004-04-13
GBGB0408124.6A GB0408124D0 (en) 2004-03-10 2004-04-13 Distribution of video data
US10/873,749 US7882436B2 (en) 2004-03-10 2004-06-22 Distribution of video data
US10/873,749 2004-06-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005088968A1 true WO2005088968A1 (fr) 2005-09-22

Family

ID=34962919

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2005/000866 WO2005088968A1 (fr) 2004-03-10 2005-03-07 Procede et appareil permettant de distribuer des donnees video

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1723792A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2005088968A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0705036A2 (fr) * 1994-09-29 1996-04-03 Sony Corporation Système de diffusion d'information de programme, méthode d'affichage d'information de programme, et dispositif de réception
US20020056095A1 (en) * 2000-04-25 2002-05-09 Yusuke Uehara Digital video contents browsing apparatus and method
EP1289292A2 (fr) * 1997-07-12 2003-03-05 Trevor Burke Technology Limited Génération de programme
US6647535B1 (en) * 1999-03-18 2003-11-11 Xerox Corporation Methods and systems for real-time storyboarding with a web page and graphical user interface for automatic video parsing and browsing
US20050039177A1 (en) * 1997-07-12 2005-02-17 Trevor Burke Technology Limited Method and apparatus for programme generation and presentation

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100296967B1 (ko) * 1999-01-30 2001-09-26 구자홍 멀티미디어 스트림의 다단계 요약 세그먼트 정보 스킴 구성 방법 및 구성된 다단계 요약 세그먼트 정보 스킴으로 부터 요약 스트림 발생 방법과 이러한 방법에 의해 제공되는 다단계 요약 스트림의 브라우징/녹화/편집 장치

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0705036A2 (fr) * 1994-09-29 1996-04-03 Sony Corporation Système de diffusion d'information de programme, méthode d'affichage d'information de programme, et dispositif de réception
EP1289292A2 (fr) * 1997-07-12 2003-03-05 Trevor Burke Technology Limited Génération de programme
US20050039177A1 (en) * 1997-07-12 2005-02-17 Trevor Burke Technology Limited Method and apparatus for programme generation and presentation
US6647535B1 (en) * 1999-03-18 2003-11-11 Xerox Corporation Methods and systems for real-time storyboarding with a web page and graphical user interface for automatic video parsing and browsing
US20020056095A1 (en) * 2000-04-25 2002-05-09 Yusuke Uehara Digital video contents browsing apparatus and method

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP1723792A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1723792A1 (fr) 2006-11-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7882436B2 (en) Distribution of video data
AU765648B2 (en) Program guide system with targeted advertising
US10244280B2 (en) Adaptable programming guide for networked devices
US7293275B1 (en) Enhanced video content information associated with video programs
JP3898335B2 (ja) クエリベースの電子式プログラム・ガイド
US7150031B1 (en) System and method for reminders of upcoming rentable media offerings
WO2001001689A1 (fr) Procede et systeme pour un affichage interactif associe a une video a la demande dans une application de television interactive
WO2005119425A2 (fr) Procedes et dispositifs d'organisation de metadonnees de video a la demande (vod)
EP1537730A2 (fr) Systeme et procede fournissant des informations de deroulant en temps reel
JP2003530783A (ja) 媒体ガイダンスインターフェイスを有する双方向媒体ガイド
GB2340635A (en) Electronic programme guide with hierarchic storage of queries
EP1830571B1 (fr) Distribution de donées video
WO2005088968A1 (fr) Procede et appareil permettant de distribuer des donnees video
US20050022240A1 (en) Information navigation apparatus
WO2002001871A1 (fr) Procede et systeme de melange de chaines
AU2013204430A1 (en) Program Guide System with Targeted Advertising
AU2012227157A1 (en) Program Guide System with Targeted Advertising

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SM SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BW GH GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DPEN Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed from 20040101)
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: DE

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2005717935

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2005717935

Country of ref document: EP