Distributed content analysis network
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorScott Anthony White
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A distributed content analysis network uses the processing capabilities of customer-premises equipment as subordinate nodes for analyzing multimedia programs. A master node selects a program and identifies subordinate nodes that are available for analysis, which may include both nodes tuned to the program and idle nodes. The master node divides the program into segments for analysis and instructs each subordinate node to analyze a segment. The subordinate nodes then provide analysis results back to the master node, which may build a metadata profile for the program based on the analysis.
Claims31
A master node in a distributed content analysis network, the master node comprising:
- a memory device, the memory device programmed with instructions to:
- identify a program in a content stream provided to a plurality of subordinate nodes;
- assign analysis tasks to the subordinate nodes, each analysis task including instructions to analyze a portion of the program;
- receive results of the analysis tasks from the subordinate nodes;
- and
- generate a metadata profile of the program based, at least in part, on the analysis results.
A subordinate node for use in a distributed content analysis network, the subordinate node comprising:
- a processor configured to execute software instructions;
- a multimedia content interface communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to receive a multimedia content stream and provide the multimedia content stream in a format suitable for use by the processor;
- a network interface configured to communicatively couple the processor to a network;
- a stream analyzer configured to analyze a portion of the content stream;
- and
- a storage medium communicatively coupled to the processor and containing executable software instructions for the processor that when executed instruct the processor to:
- receive a directive from the master node, the directive instructing the processor to analyze a portion of the multimedia content stream;
- isolate the portion from the content stream;
- provide the isolated portion to the stream analyzer;
- direct the stream analyzer to analyze the isolated portion;
- receive analysis results from the stream analyzer, wherein the analysis results indicate a property of the content stream;
- and
- provide the analysis results back to the master node.
A method of analyzing a content stream, the method comprising the steps of:
- enabling a master node to be placed in communication with a plurality of subordinate nodes;
- and enabling the master node to:
- identify discrete portions of a multimedia content stream for analysis;
- distribute analysis tasks to the subordinate nodes, each analysis task including directives to analyze a discrete portion of the multimedia content stream;
- receive analysis results from the subordinate nodes, wherein the analysis results indicate a property of the content stream;
- and
- consolidate the analysis results into a metadata profile for association with the multimedia content stream.
A computer storage medium in a master node, the storage medium including software instructions that, when executed, instruct the master node to:
- parse a content stream into discrete segments;
- locate a plurality of available subordinate nodes;
- assign analysis tasks to the subordinate nodes based on the discrete segments;
- receive results of the analysis tasks from the subordinate nodes;
- and
- consolidate the results from the discrete segments into a unified metadata profile for association with the content stream.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.