US 7,500,007 B2 · Method and apparatus for identifying media content presented on a media playing device

Abstract

A system and method for identifying media content presented over a media playing device. The media content, such as audio and/or video, is either available digitally or digitally sampled. The media content is sampled to generate a media sample or analytical representation of the media content. The media sample is compared to a collection of sampled (or represented) media content to identify it and to ascertain information related to the sample. This media content-related information is then displayed by the media player. The media player then presents the user specific and related actions that are based upon the information presented and allows the user to directly execute their choice of actions.

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Drawings

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method for identifying a work from media content presented on a client media player comprising:

periodically creating an analytical representation from a segment of media content on said client media player, wherein the media content is data for said work, the work being a single rendering, and the segment being a portion of said media content that is less than an entirety of the work, wherein said analytical representation is a digital fingerprint of acoustical and perceptual features of said segment;
comparing said analytical representation to a collection of analytical representations of reference sampled media content of known works to obtain content-related data of said work from said collection of analytical representations of reference sampled media content;
and
presenting said content-related data on said client media player.

1 more element

In a network having at least one client media player operatively coupled for communication with a lookup server, a system for identifying a work from media content presented on the client media player comprising:

a client engine executing within the client media player, said client engine structured and configured to periodically create an analytical representation from a segment of media content of work presented on said client media player, wherein the media content is data for said work played on said client media player, the work being a single rendering, and the segment being a portion of said media content that is less than an entirety of the work, and to communicate said analytical representation to said lookup server, wherein said analytical representation is a digital fingerprint of acoustical and perceptual features of said segment;
a collection of analytical representations of reference sampled media content containing a plurality of analytical representations of sampled media content of known works, each associated with corresponding content-specific information;
and
a server engine executing with said lookup server connected to said collection of analytical representations of sampled media content, said server engine structured and configured to receive said analytical representation of said work from said client media player and compare said received analytical representation with said plurality of analytical representations of sampled media content in said collection of analytical representations of reference sampled media content of known works to query and ascertain content information related to said received analytical representation, said server engine further structured and configured to transmit said content information to said client media player.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description7,117 words

Summary2,622 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention pertains generally to media content identification methods. More particularly, the invention is an apparatus and method for identifying media content presented on a media playing device and presenting media-content related information and/or action to the user of the media playing device.

#2. The Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings5 figures

#The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only.

#FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a media content identifying system in accordance with the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a media content identifying system having a plurality of client nodes in accordance with the invention.

Detailed description4,374 words

#Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description of the present invention is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure.

#Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the present invention is embodied in the apparatus shown FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the method outlined in FIG. 3 through FIG. 5. It will be appreciated that the apparatus may vary as to configuration and as to details of the parts, and that the method may vary as to details and the order of the acts, without departing from the basic concepts as disclosed herein. The invention is disclosed generally in terms of an apparatus and method for identification of a work on a personal computer, although numerous other uses for the invention will suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

#Referring first to FIG. 1, there is generally shown a functional block diagram of a media content identifying system 10 in accordance with the invention. The system 10 comprises a lookup server 12 and at least one client media player 14. The lookup server 12 can be any standard data processing means or computer, including a minicomputer, a microcomputer, a UNIX® machine, a mainframe machine, a personal computer (PC) such as INTEL® based processing computer or clone thereof, an APPLE® computer or clone thereof or, a SUN® workstation, or other appropriate computer. Lookup server 12 generally includes conventional computer components (not shown), such as a motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), hard disk drive, display adapter, other storage media such as diskette drive, CD-ROM, flash-ROM, tape drive, PCMCIA cards and/or other removable media, a monitor, keyboard, mouse and/or other user interface means, a modem, and/or other conventional input/output devices. Lookup server 12 also includes a Network Interface 17 for communication with other computers using an appropriate network protocol.

Facts

Application

10/955,841Filed 29 Sep 2004 · continuation

Priority

17 Feb 2000

Published

US 2005/0044189 A124 Feb 2005

Granted

3 Mar 2009

Term ended

11 Dec 2020

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 298 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification15 codes

H04N 21/26603
Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD…: for…
G06F 16/41
Of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data: indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
G06F 16/48
Of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data: retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not…
G06F 16/634
Query formulation: query by example, e.g. query by humming

Timeline

17 Feb 2000Priority claimedParent application 09/511,632
29 Sep 2004Application filedUS 10/955,841
24 Feb 2005PublishedUS 2005/0044189 A1
24 Jun 2008Assigned to Skyguard, LLCassignment of assignor's interest
3 Mar 2009GrantedUS 7,500,007 B2
31 Mar 2011Assigned to Fischer, Addisonsecurity agreement
24 Feb 2012Assigned to Fischer, Addison, Mr.security agreement
11 Dec 2020Term endedEstimated, includes 298 days of adjustment
8 Feb 2022Assigned to Audible Magic Corporationrelease of security interest
8 May 2022Assigned to Tierra Del Oro, LLCsecurity interest

Method and apparatus for identifying media content presented on a media playing device

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for identifying media content presented on a media playing device

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims17

Description7,117 words

Drawings

Classification15 codes

Life of this patent

Description7,117 words