Geographically diverse closed captioned news text database

• US 20020015106A1
• Filed: 07/18/2001
• Published: 02/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medialink Worldwide, Inc. (Synaptic Digital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Medialink Worldwide, Inc. (Synaptic Digital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Taylor, Joe Dulin Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 6,710,812 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/465
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/313 Selection or weighting of terms for indexing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3334 Selection or weighting of terms from queries, including natural language queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/7844 using original textual content or text extracted from visual content or transcript of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/972 Access to data in other repository systems, e.g. legacy data or dynamic Web page generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0885 for the transmission of subtitles

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, a system for the aggregation and selective retrieval of television word content from closed captioned text stream, including: tuner apparatus to receive one or more television signals; decoder apparatus operatively connected to the tuner apparatus to decode closed captioned text stream in the one or more television signals and to write the closed captioned text stream to a file according to preprogrammed parameters; and central server apparatus operatively connected to the decoder apparatus to store the file and make the file available to a user of the system.

A method for compiling and searching the word content of multiple television news programs uses closed captioning text encoded in the television signal. A remotely located server, using a closed captioning decoder, extracts a closed captioned text stream from a television signal and writes the text stream to a file according to parameters pre-programmed by the system administrator. A completed text file moves, via the Internet, from the remote central server to a central server. At the central server, the text file encounters a series of pre-index processes designed to impose consistency across all sources. Text files are parsed into smaller files by story or segment. The resulting multiple files are indexed by content and origination information. An interface for submitting search parameters is provided through a World Wide Web site. The site provides web pages to allow search parameters to be specified by a user. The results of a search are web pages displaying sentences and their citations that meet the specified search parameters. Associated with each cited sentence is an option allowing the user to view the full text of the newscast story or segment from which the cited sentence is derived. The web site also provides a feature called Auto Alert that allows the user to pre-specify search parameters for ongoing, automatic submission to the index server each time a new text file is received. The results of Auto Alert are e-mailed to the user, either instantly or according to a userdefined schedule.

Claims

1. A system for the aggregation and selective retrieval of television word content from closed captioned text streams, comprising:

(a) tuner means to receive one or more television signals;

(b) decoder means operatively connected to said tuner means to decode closed captioned text streams in said one or more television signals and to write said decoded closed captioned text streams to a file;

(c) closed caption text collection and transmission means from one or more local clients and/or servers to one or more remote central server means;

(d) closed caption text file management and user interface means; and

(e) central server means operatively connected to said decoder means to store said file and make said file available to a user of said system.

2. A system, as defined in claim 1, further comprising conditioning assurance means operatively connected to said central server means to impose format consistency on said file.

3. A system, as defined in claim 1, further comprising parsing means operatively connected to said central server means to parse said closed captioned text stream into its unique story parts.

4. A system, as defined in claim 1, further comprising indexing means for indexing words in said decoded closed captioned text streams written in the file.

5. A system, as defined in claim 1, wherein said central server means causes said file to be made available to said user of said system via electronic communication or messaging means.

6. A system, as defined in claim 1, wherein said decoded closed captioned text streams are written to the file according to preprogrammed parameters.

7. A system, as defined in claim 6, wherein said preprogrammed parameters are furnished by said user of said system via electronic communication means.

8. A system, as defined in claim 6, wherein said decoded closed captioned text streams are indexed, and delivered to said user automatically according to preprogrammed parameters via electronic communication means.

10. A method, as defined in claim 8, further comprising imposing format conditioning on said file.

11. A method, as defined in claim 8, further comprising parsing said closed captioned text stream into its unique story parts.

12. A method, as defined in claim 8, further comprising indexing words in said decoded closed captioned text streams written in the file.

13. A method, as defined in claim 8, further comprising making said file available to said user of said method via electronic communication means.

14. A method, as defined in claim 8, wherein said decoded closed captioned text streams are written to the file according to preprogrammed parameters.

15. A method, as defined in claim 8, wherein said decoded closed captioned text streams are delivered to said user according to preprogrammed parameters.

16. A method, as defined in claim 13, further comprising said user of said method furnishing said preprogrammed parameters via electronic communication means.

18. A method, as defined in claim 15, further comprising the steps of searching the stored text information flies to find news items according to preprogrammed parameters.

9. A method for aggregation and selective retrieval of television word content from closed captioned text streams, comprising:

(a) receiving one or more television signals;

(b) decoding closed captioned text streams in said one or more television signals and to writing said decoded closed captioned text streams to a file;

(c) collecting and transmitting said decoded closed captioned text streams from one or more local clients and/or servers to one or more remote central servers;

(d) managing closed captioned text streams with a graphical user interface

(e) storing closed captioned text streams on a remote central server making said file available to a user of said system.

17. A method of gathering news information, comprising the steps of extracting closed captioned text from television signals broadcast by each of a plurality of television stations to form text information files;

and storing the text information files on a storage medium.

19. A method for ongoing automatic searching of decoded closed caption text streams which comprise:

1. preparing user defined search parameters

2. submitting for search all user defined search parameters to the text index each time the text index is updated with new information and

3. delivery of the search results of such a search process parameters to unattended users via electronic messaging means.

20. A method for the maintenance, protection and organization of decoded closed caption text streams.