Methods and systems for processing media content

• US 20020178276A1
• Filed: 03/26/2001
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: McCartney, Jason, Toussaint, Keith M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,473,568 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/48 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually

Abstract

Methods and systems are described that greatly enhance a user'"'"'s experience when playing various media (e.g. CDs and DVDs). One or more databases, managed by a server, maintain metadata associated with various media. Through inventive mapping techniques, physical IDs that are associated with a user'"'"'s specific media are mapped to logical IDs. The logical IDs then serve as the basis for database queries that retrieve the metadata. The retrieved metadata can then be sent to a client computer and displayed for the user. In one embodiment, a set of extensible markup language (XML) schema are provided for data exchange between client and server. Additional embodiments allow users to immediately contribute to the set of understood ID mappings. Further, a Wizard is provided and can be used to assist in mapping physical IDs to logical IDs.

Claims

1. A method of processing media content comprising:

receiving a physical ID that corresponds to a specific media upon which content resides that can be experienced by a user;

mapping the physical ID to a logical ID; and

searching a database that contains metadata associated with the specific media by using the logical ID as a basis for a search query.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising returning the metadata to a client.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising formatting the metadata in a schema and returning the formatted metadata to a client.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising formatting the metadata in a XML schema and returning the formatted metadata to a client.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific media comprises a CD.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific media comprises a DVD.

7. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method of claim 1.

8. A server comprising:

one or more processors;

one or more storage devices; and

software code resident on the one or more storage devices which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processors to;

receive a physical ID that corresponds to a specific media upon which content resides that can be experienced by a user;

map the physical ID to a logical ID;

search a database that contains metadata associated with the specific media by using the logical ID as a basis for a search query;

format the metadata in a XML schema; and

return the formatted metadata to a client.

9. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive a physical ID that corresponds to a specific media upon which content resides that can be experienced by a user;

map the physical ID to a logical ID;

search a database that contains metadata associated with the specific media by using the logical ID as a basis for a search query;

format the metadata in a XML schema; and

return the formatted metadata to a client.

10. A method of processing media content comprising:

associating a physical ID with a logical ID, the physical ID corresponding to a specific media associated with content that can be experienced by a user;

using the logical ID to query one or more databases that contain metadata associated with the specific media; and

returning metadata associated with the specific media to a client.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said returning comprises returning the metadata via the Internet.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said returning comprises formatting the metadata in a schema and returning the formatted metadata to the client.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said returning comprises formatting the metadata in a XML schema and returning the formatted metadata to the client.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the specific media comprises a CD.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the specific media comprises a DVD.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the specific media comprises a file.

17. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method of claim 10.

18. A server computer programmed with instructions which, when executed by the server computer, cause it to implement the method of claim 10.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said attempting comprises causing a Wizard user interface (UI) to be presented to a user via a client computer so that information pertaining to the user'"'"'s specific media can be collected from the user.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said attempting comprises attempting to identify the specific media to ascertain whether a logical ID already exists for the specific media.

22. The method of claim 19 further comprising if said attempting is unsuccessful, enabling the user to establish a physical ID-to-logical ID mapping for their physical ID.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein said specific media comprises a CD.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein said specific media comprises a DVD.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein said specific media comprises a file.

26. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method of claim 19.

28. The server computer of claim 27, wherein the software code causes the processors to attempt to establish a logical ID for the physical ID by causing a Wizard user interface (UI) to be presented to a user via a client computer so that information pertaining to the user'"'"'s specific media can be collected from the user.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first table is a trusted table.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the first table is a trusted table and the second table is less trusted than the first table.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the second table contains user-provided physical ID-to-logical ID mappings.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the first search comprises a low cost search, and further comprising if no logical ID is found for the physical ID, searching the first table using a third search, the third search comprising a higher cost search than the first search.

34. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method of claim 29.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the specific media comprises CDs.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the specific media comprises DVDs.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising receiving information from the user, via the Wizard UI, the information pertaining to the user'"'"'s specific media.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the specific media comprises a CD, and the information collected by the Wizard UI comprises an artist'"'"'s name.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the specific media comprises a CD, and the information collected by the Wizard UI comprises a CD title.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the specific media comprises a DVD.

44. The method of claim 39 further comprising searching for specific media based on the information collected by the Wizard UI.

45. The method of claim 44 further comprising forming an association between the received physical ID and a logical ID if said searching finds media that coincides with the user'"'"'s information.

46. The method of claim 44 further comprising if said searching is unsuccessful, prompting the user to enter media-specific information so that an association can be established between the media and a logical ID.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the server is configured to format metadata in a schema and return the formatted metadata to a client.

50. The system of claim 48, wherein the server is configured to format metadata in a XML schema and return the formatted metadata to a client.

19. A method of processing media content comprising:

receiving a physical ID that corresponds to a specific media associated with content that can be experienced by a user;

attempting to map the physical ID to a logical ID;

if a logical ID is found that corresponds to the physical ID, searching a database that contains metadata associated with the specific media by using the logical ID as a basis for a search query;

if no logical ID is found that corresponds to the physical ID, attempting to establish a logical ID for the physical ID.

27. A server computer comprising:

one or more processors;

one or more storage devices; and

software code resident on the one or more storage devices which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processors to;

receive a physical ID that corresponds to a specific media upon which content resides that can be experienced by a user;

attempt to map the physical ID to a logical ID;

if a logical ID is found that corresponds to the physical ID, search a database that contains metadata associated with the specific media by using the logical ID as a basis for a search query; and

if no logical ID is found that corresponds to the physical ID, attempt to establish a logical ID for the physical ID.

29. A method of processing media content comprising:

receiving a physical ID that corresponds to a specific media upon which content resides that can be experienced by a user;

attempting to map the physical ID to a logical ID by searching a first table containing physical ID-to-logical ID mappings using a first search;

if the first search is unsuccessful, searching a second table containing physical ID-to-logical ID mappings using a second search; and

if a logical ID is found that corresponds to the physical ID, searching a database that contains metadata associated with the specific media by using the logical ID as a basis for a search query.

35. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive a physical ID that corresponds to a specific media upon which content resides that can be experienced by a user;

attempt to map the physical ID to a logical ID by searching a first table containing physical ID-to-logical ID mappings using a first search, the first search comprising a low cost search;

if the first search is unsuccessful, search a second table containing physical ID-to-logical ID mappings using a second search;

if the second search is unsuccessful, search the first table using a third search, the third search comprising a higher cost search than the first search; and

if a logical ID is found that corresponds to the physical ID, search a database that contains metadata associated with the specific media by using the logical ID as a basis for a search query.

36. A method of processing media content comprising:

providing a canonical table containing physical ID to logical ID mappings, the physical IDs being associated with specific media containing content that can be experienced by a user, the logical IDs being configured for use in database queries to locate metadata associated with specific media;

providing a table containing user-provided physical ID to logical ID mappings;

receiving a physical ID associated with a specific media;

conducing a first low cost search of the canonical table to determine whether there is a matching physical ID with a corresponding logical ID;

if the first low cost search is unsuccessful, conducing a second low cost search of the table containing the user-provided physical ID to logical ID mappings to determine whether there is a matching physical ID with a corresponding logical ID;

if the second low cost search is unsuccessful, conducing a third higher cost search of the canonical table to determine whether there is a matching physical ID with a corresponding logical ID; and

if any of the searches are successful, using the corresponding logical ID to search a database containing metadata associated with the specific media.

39. A method of processing media content comprising:

receiving a physical ID that corresponds to a specific media upon which content resides that can be experienced by a user;

attempting to map the physical ID to a logical ID, the logical ID serving as a basis for a search query of a database that contains metadata associated with the specific media;

if no logical ID is found that corresponds to the physical ID, attempting to establish a logical ID for the physical ID by causing a Wizard user interface (UI) to be presented to a user via a client computer so that information pertaining to the user'"'"'s specific media can be collected from the user.

47. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive a physical ID that corresponds to a specific media upon which content resides that can be experienced by a user;

attempt to map the physical ID to a logical ID, the logical ID serving as a basis for a search query of a database that contains metadata associated with the specific media;

if no logical ID is found that corresponds to the physical ID, attempt to establish a logical ID for the physical ID by causing a Wizard user interface (UI) to be presented to a user via a client computer so that information pertaining to the user'"'"'s specific media can be collected from the user.

48. A system for providing metadata to clients comprising:

a server configured to receive physical IDs that correspond to a specific media upon which content resides that can be experienced by a user;

one or more databases containing metadata associated with various media; and

at least one table containing physical IDs and associated logical IDs to which the physical IDs are mapped, the logical IDs being configured for use by the server in searching the one or more databases for metadata associated with specific media.

51. A system for providing metadata to clients comprising:

a canonical table comprising multiple physical IDs associated with specific media containing content that can be experienced by a user;

multiple logical IDs associated with the multiple physical IDs;

individual physical IDs being mapped to individual logical IDs; and

the logical IDs being configured for use in database queries to locate metadata associated with specific media.

52. The system of claim 51 further comprising at least one other table containing multiple physical IDs and multiple logical IDs, individual physical IDs being mapped to individual logical IDs.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the canonical table is trusted.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein the canonical table is trusted, and the at least one other table is less trusted.

55. The system of claim 52, wherein the at least one other table comprise user-provided mappings.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the XML schema comprises tags associated with one or more of:

a CD name, author, release date, genre, style, rating and label.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein the XML schema comprises at least one tag associated with a URL associated with data pertaining to the CD.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein the XML schema comprises at least one tag associated with a URL associated with data pertaining to cover art for the CD.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein the XML schema comprises at least one tag associated with a URL associated with data pertaining to a purchasing experience.

56. A method of processing media content comprising:

receiving a physical ID that corresponds to a specific CD upon which content resides that can be experienced by a user;

mapping the physical ID to a logical ID;

searching a database that contains metadata associated with the CD by using the logical ID as a basis for a search query;

formatting the metadata in a XML schema; and

returning the formatted metadata to a client.

61. A method of processing media content comprising:

receiving a physical ID that corresponds to a specific DVD upon which content resides that can be experienced by a user;

mapping the physical ID to a logical ID;

searching a database that contains metadata associated with the DVD by using the logical ID as a basis for a search query;

formatting the metadata in a XML schema; and

returning the formatted metadata to a client.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the XML schema comprises tags associated with one or more of:

a title, studio, lead performer, director, rating, and genre.

63. An XML schema comprising:

a name tag associated with a CD name;

an author tag associated with a CD author;

a track tag associated with a CD track;

at least one URL tag referencing a link to additional information pertaining to the CD; and

the schema being configured for use in sending metadata associated with a CD to client computer for display for a user.

64. The XML schema of claim 63, wherein said link comprises a purchasing link to enable a user to make purchases associated with the CD via a network.

65. The XML schema of claim 63, wherein said link comprises a cover art link to enable a user to obtain cover art associated with the CD via a network.

66. An XML schema comprising:

a title tag associated with a title of a movie embodied on a DVD; and

at least one URL tag referencing a link to additional information pertaining to the DVD.

67. The XML schema of claim 66, wherein said link comprises an art link to enable a user to obtain art associated with the DVD via a network.

68. The XML schema of claim 66, wherein said link comprises a purchase link to enable a user to make purchases associated with the DVD via a network.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the specific media comprises a CD.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein the specific media comprises a DVD.

69. A method of processing media content comprising:

generating a physical ID that corresponds to a specific media upon which content resides that can be experienced by a user on a client computer;

sending the physical ID to a server configured to return metadata associated with the specific media;

receiving, from the server, XML-formatted metadata;

parsing, with the client computer, the XML-formatted metadata; and

displaying the metadata for the user on the client computer.

72. A method of providing metadata to a client comprising:

establishing a table that contains user-provided entries that map physical IDs to logical IDs, the physical IDs corresponding to specific media upon which content resides that can be experienced by various users, the logical IDs being configured for use in querying one or more databases that contain metadata associated with the specific media, the metadata being returnable to a client;

statistically evaluating the entries to determine, for each physical ID, a most likely logical ID match; and

making the most likely logical ID match available so that it can be used to query the one or more databases.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein said making comprises providing the logical ID into a trusted table of physical ID-to-logical ID mappings.

74. A method of providing metadata to a client comprising:

providing a table containing user-provided entries that map physical IDs to logical IDs, the physical IDs corresponding to specific media upon which content resides that can be experienced by various users, the logical IDs being configured for use in querying one or more databases that contain metadata associated with the specific media, the metadata being returnable to a client;

computing, from the table, a list of physical IDs that are to be statistically evaluated;

for each listed physical ID, ascertaining the logical IDs that have been associated with it by users;

computing a distribution of logical IDs for a given physical ID, the distribution describing, for each logical ID, the number of times the physical ID has been mapped thereto;

adding to the distribution, an entry that corresponds to a current trusted logical ID mapping;

weighting the added entry; and

computing, from the distribution, a most likely physical ID to logical ID match.

75. The method of claim 74 further comprising updating a canonical table of trusted mappings with the most likely physical ID to logical ID match.

76. The method of claim 74, wherein said computing a most likely physical ID to logical ID match comprises:

computing a distribution count that sums the total number of times a physical ID has been mapped to a logical ID;

calculating, for each logical ID, a percentage as a function of the summed distribution count; and

selecting a logical ID that has a percentage that meets predefined criteria.