System and method for automated network search and companion display of result relating to audio-video metadata

Number: 10587833
Published: 2020-03-10
Filed: 2009-09-16
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Mendeloff; Todd Allen, Bartley; William Joseph, Kwan; Brian, Jessen; David, Acosta; Evan
CPC: H04N21/4667; H04N21/4722; H04N21/84; G06F16/7867; G06F16/78; G06F16/738; H04N21/25891; G06F16/7844; H04N21/426; H04N21/4755
Verdict: Set aside content metadata search/companion display, business
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods which allow consumers of audio-visual content (such as movies and television programs) to obtain dynamic additional content about programs and movies being watched, and customize that additional content to their personal preferences and behaviors.

Background

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION(1) Field of the Invention(2) This application relates to automated content searching in computer networks. More particularly, this application relates to a system and method of presenting additional information about audio-visual content to a viewer.(3) Description of the Related Technology(4) Traditionally, television and movie viewing were relatively linear, “live” experiences in which television was broadcast over the air, and movies were presented to the general public in movie theaters at scheduled times. In order to watch a television program episode a viewer was required to tune in at a specific time to a specific channel. Similarly, in order to see a movie, a person would go to a movie theater to watch the movie at its scheduled time.(5) Over the years, advances in technology have provided the public with more control over the timing of the viewing experience. For example, video cassette recording (VCR) technology allowed for movies to be distributed on tape for customers to play at their convenience using video cassette players. Video cassette recorders also allowed for the recording of television for later viewing. More recently, it has become common for movies and videos to be digitally encoded and distributed via DVD and other types of electronic media such as digital video recorders (DVRs). Because DVDs often are capable of storing large amounts of data beyond the television or movie content, content distributors began to accompany the

Claims

1. An audio-visual entertainment system for use in conjunction with a display, the audio-visual entertainment system comprising: a processor configured to: obtain an audio-visual content having a plurality of video frames; identify, after obtaining, the audio-visual content; request a dataprint associated with the identified audio-visual content from a dataprint server over a network, wherein the dataprint includes a plurality of video frame numbers each corresponding to a different video frame of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content, wherein first video frame numbers of the plurality of video frame numbers of the dataprint are associated with one or more of first cast members and first scene locations in one or more first video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content, and second video frame numbers of the plurality of video frame numbers of the dataprint are associated with one or more of second cast members and second scene locations in one or more second video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content; obtain, in response to the request for the dataprint, the dataprint associated with the identified audio-visual content from the dataprint server over the network; start playing the audio-visual content on the display; while playing the audio-visual content on the display, access the dataprint to generate first queries based on the first one or more of the cast members and the first scene locations associated with the first video frame numbers while the one or more first video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content are being currently played on the display; send the first queries over the network; receive first data over the network in response to the first queries, wherein the first data relates to the one or more of the first cast members and the first scene locations associated with the first video frame numbers; display the first data while playing the one or more first video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content on the display; while playing the audio-visual content on the display, access the dataprint to generate second queries based on the second one or more of the cast members and the second scene locations associated with the second video frame numbers while the one or more second video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content are being currently played on the display; send the second queries over the network; receive second data over the network in response to the second queries, wherein the second data relates to the one or more of the second cast members and the second scene locations associated with the second video frame numbers; and display the second data while playing the one or more second video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content on the display. 17. A method for use by an audio-visual entertainment system in conjunction with a display, the method comprising: obtaining an audio-visual content having a plurality of video frames; identifying, after the obtaining, the audio-visual content; requesting a dataprint associated with the identified audio-visual content from a dataprint server over a network, wherein the dataprint includes a plurality of video frame numbers each corresponding to a different video frame of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content, wherein first video frame numbers of the plurality of video frame numbers of the dataprint are associated with one or more of first cast members and first scene locations in one or more first video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content, and second video frame numbers of the plurality of video frame numbers of the dataprint are associated with one or more of second cast members and second scene locations in one or more second video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content; obtaining, in response to the requesting of the dataprint the dataprint associated with the identified audio-visual content from the dataprint server over the network; starting to play the audio-visual content on the display; while playing the audio-visual content on the display, accessing the dataprint to generate first queries based on the first one or more of the cast members and the first scene locations associated with the first video frame numbers while the one or more first video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content are being currently played on the display; sending the first queries over the network; receiving first data over the network in response to the first queries, wherein the first data relates to the one or more of the first cast members and the first scene locations associated with the first video frame numbers; and displaying the first data while playing the one or more first video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content on the display; while playing the audio-visual content on the display, accessing the dataprint to generate second queries based on the second one or more of the cast members and the second scene locations associated with the second video frame numbers while the one or more second video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content are being currently played on the display; sending the second queries over the network; receiving second data over the network in response to the second queries, wherein the second data relates to the one or more of the second cast members and the second scene locations associated with the second video frame numbers; and displaying the second data while playing the one or more second video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content on the display. 37. An audio-visual entertainment system for use in conjunction with a display, the audio-visual entertainment system comprising: a processor configured to: obtain an audio-visual content having a plurality of video frames; identify, after obtaining, the audio-visual content; request a dataprint associated with the identified audio-visual content from a dataprint server over a network, wherein the dataprint includes a plurality of video frame numbers each corresponding to a different video frame of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content, wherein first video frame numbers of the plurality of video frame numbers of the dataprint are associated with one or more of first cast members and first scene locations in one or more first video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content; obtain, in response to the request for the dataprint, the dataprint associated with the identified audio-visual content from the dataprint server over the network; start playing the audio-visual content on the display; while playing the audio-visual content on the display, access the dataprint to generate one or more first queries based on the first one or more of the cast members or the first scene locations associated with the first video frame numbers while the one or more first video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content are being currently played on the display; send the first queries over the network; receive first data over the network in response to the one or more first queries, wherein the first data relates to the generated one of the one or more of the first cast members or the first scene locations associated with the first video frame numbers; and display the first data while playing the one or more first video frames of the plurality of video frames of the audio-visual content on the display.