Interactive system and method for generating metadata for programming events

A programmable device for generating metadata that describes the subject matter of a video programming event, the device comprising a computer readable medium having stored therein programming instructions to perform data processing, the processing comprising:

• receiving data corresponding to the video programming event, the data including descriptive information and timing information;
• processing the received data to generate preliminary metadata describing the subject matter of the video programming event, the preliminary metadata comprising numerical goodness of fit scores associated with respective categories,
• wherein the numerical goodness of fit score associated with a category represents a degree to which the category is descriptive of the subject matter of the video programming event, and
• wherein the categories are arranged in a hierarchy comprising at least a set of top-level categories, respective sets of first level sub-categories each corresponding to and encompassed by a top level category, and respective sets of second level sub-categories each corresponding to and encompassed by a first level sub-category;
• providing the preliminary metadata to a system user;
• receiving user input specifying final metadata in response to the preliminary metadata, the final metadata comprising specified categories of the hierarchy and numerical goodness of fit scores associated with the specified categories;
• and
• storing the final metadata for transmission to receivers of the video programming event as metadata describing the subject matter of the video programming event.

A method for generating metadata that describes the subject matter of a video programming event, the method comprising:

• receiving data corresponding to the video programming event, the data including descriptive information and timing information;
• processing the received data to generate preliminary metadata describing the subject matter of the video programming event, the preliminary metadata comprising numerical goodness of fit scores associated with respective categories,
• wherein the numerical goodness of fit score associated with a category represents a degree to which the category is descriptive of the subject matter of the video programming event, and
• wherein the categories are arranged in a hierarchy comprising at least a set of top-level categories, respective sets of first level sub-categories each corresponding to and encompassed by a top level category, and respective sets of second level sub-categories each corresponding to and encompassed by a first level sub-category;
• providing the preliminary metadata to a system user;
• receiving user input approving the preliminary metadata;
• and
• storing the preliminary metadata as final metadata for transmission to receivers of the video programming event as metadata describing the subject matter of the video programming event, the final metadata comprising categories of a the hierarchy and numerical goodness of fit scores associated with those categories.

A programmable device for generating metadata that describes the subject matter of a programming event, the device comprising a computer readable medium having stored therein programming instructions to perform data processing, the processing comprising:

• receiving data corresponding to the video programming event, the data including descriptive information and timing information;
• processing the received data to generate preliminary metadata describing the subject matter of the video programming event, the preliminary metadata comprising numerical goodness of fit scores associated with respective categories,
• wherein the numerical goodness of fit score associated with a category represents a degree to which the category is descriptive of the subject matter of the video programming event, and
• wherein the categories are arranged in a hierarchy comprising at least a set of top-level categories, respective sets of first level sub-categories each corresponding to and encompassed by a top level category, and respective sets of second level sub-categories each corresponding to and encompassed by a first level sub-category;
• providing the preliminary metadata to a system user;
• receiving user input approving the preliminary metadata;
• and
• storing the preliminary metadata as final metadata for transmission to receivers of the video programming event as metadata describing the subject matter of the video programming event, the final metadata comprising categories of the hierarchy and numerical goodness of fit scores associated with those categories.