Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer protocol implementing – Computer-to-computer data streaming
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-17
2004-12-21
Wiley, David (Department: 2143)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer protocol implementing
Computer-to-computer data streaming
C709S217000, C709S229000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06834308
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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
The use of a data processing means, such as a computer or personal digital assistant (PDA), for playing media content is well known. For example, many users use their personal computer (PC) for playing audio compact disks (CD), normally with the use of a CD-ROM drive, a sound card, and speakers. Other types of media, including various formats of audio and video, are also commonly played using a PC.
With the increasing popularity of the global information network commonly known as the “Internet”, various audio and video formats have been introduced to provide live (as well as archived) media broadcasts over the Internet. These broadcasts may be viewed by users connected to the Internet with the use of a PC and the proper client application. For example, Real Networks™ provides Real Player™ (a client application) for playing streaming audio and video content (in Real™ format) which is broadcast over the Internet. Various servers (also connected to the Internet) carry out the operation of making such content available and streaming the appropriate content to users upon request. In this way, Real™ media content may be played by a user using Real Player™ on the user's PC. Like other media client applications, Real Player™ plays audio content via the user's sound card and speakers and video content via the user's video card and monitor (or other viewing device).
Internet radio broadcasts (or webcasts) are also known in the art. In general, Internet radio broadcasts are provided over the Internet by one or more server computers equipped to provide streaming audio content, much like traditional AM or FM radio broadcast. A user that would like to listen to an Internet radio broadcast would use a client application (such as Real Player™, Microsoft™ media player, or Apple QuickTime™ viewer, for example) and direct the client application to the appropriate server computer. The server computer then transmits the media content to the client application via the Internet. The client application receives the media content transmitted from the server computer and plays the content using the user's sound card and speaker.
Internet video broadcasts (another form of webcast) are carried out in a similar fashion to that of Internet radio broadcasts, except video broadcasts typically contain both audio and video content. As such, the audio component is played to the user via a sound card and speakers, while the video component is displayed using a video card and a monitor.
In many cases, media content webcasts will not provide content identifying information, such as song title, artist name or album name, as part of the media broadcast. Other information, such as where the content can be purchased in the form of a CD, DVD (digital video disk) or VHS (video home system) tape, for example, are also typically not included. The primary reason a webcast provider (station) fails to provide such content-related information is that the station does not have real-time access to accurate playlists. For example, it is common for a station disk jockey to make real-time adjustments to the playlist order and timing. Thus current radio station systems do not transmit with or attach content data with the broadcast.
In addition to webcasts, many Internet sites provide archived or prerecorded media content for download and playback on a user's PC. Examples of such content include “wav”, “mp3”, “mov”, and “midi” files, among others. Once these files have been downloaded from the Internet site to the user's PC, the user is able to play back the audio or video using an appropriate client application. Many of these media files, like webcasts, also fail to provide content identifying and other information.
Additionally, PCs often have the ability to play other forms of media content via PC sound card and speakers and/or PC video card and monitor. For example, tuner expansion cards (tuners) which may be inserted into (or interfaced with) a user's PC are presently available (some computers already include such tuners). In either case, “television” (TV) tuners allow a user of the PC to view conventional television, cable or satellite transmissions on the PC monitor and hear the audio via the PC speaker. “Radio” tuners allow a user to hear conventional (FM or AM) radio broadcast using the PC speaker. Conventional TV and radio broadcast also fail to provide rich content-related information to the user.
Other media playing devices such as televisions, radio/stereo systems, and portable audio devices also typically do not provide content-related information on demand for the user. For example, in automobiles, current car stereo systems fail to provide a system and method for identifying the music being played on the stereo. Typically a user would either rely on the disk jockey to identify the artist and song title or call the radio station to ascertain the information.
Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method which provides real-time media content-related information and context specific actions choices to users viewing and/or listening to media content over media playing devices. The present invention satisfies these needs, as well as others, and generally overcomes the deficiencies found in the background art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a system and method for identifying media content presented over a media playing device, such as a computer. The system generates a media sample or analytical representation of the media content, such as audio and/or video, played on the media player. The media sample or representation is compared to a database of sampled media content or representations to query and ascertain information related to the sample. This media content-related information is then displayed on the media player.
The invention further relates to machine readable media on which are stored embodiments of the present invention. It is contemplated that any media suitable for retrieving instructions is within the scope of the present invention. By way of example, such media may take the form of magnetic, optical, or semiconductor media. The invention also relates to data structures that contain embodiments of the present invention, and to the transmission of data structures containing embodiments of the present invention.
By way of example only, and not of limitation, the media player may comprise any data processing means or computer executing the present invention including devices carrying out the invention via an embedded system. For example, the media player may comprise cellular or mobile phones, portable media players, and fixed media players including analog broadcast receivers (such as car stereo, home stereos, televisions, for example).
In a first embodiment, the database of sampled media content resides on a “lookup server” which carries out the database query described above. In general, the lookup server is operatively coupled for communication to one or more media players (client) via the Internet as is known in the art. Under this arrangement, the media sample is first communicated from the client to the lookup server before the media sample is compared to the database. Then after the database query is carried out on the lookup server, the content-related information is transmitted to the client for presentation thereon.
According to this embodiment, the system of the present invention generally includes one or more client media players, each operatively coupled for communication to a lookup server. As noted above, the lookup server is generally connected to the client media players via an Internet connection, although any suitable network (including wired o
Ikezoye Vance E.
Schrempp James B.
Audible Magic Corporation
Nguyen Phouc
Sierra Patent Group Ltd.
Wiley David
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