Custom media search tool

• US 20050192934A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pump Audio, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pump Audio, LLC
• Inventors: Askew, Steven, Ellis, Steven
• Application Number:
  US10/403,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20050192934A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/64 Browsing; Visualisation therefor generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/683 using metadata automatically derived from the content

Abstract

A search tool allows for convenient searching by employing unconventional search terms. The terms are from descriptor files, which are preferably provided by the multimedia content supplier who is familiar with the content. A user constructs a search query by selecting terms from groups of terms in categories. The user controls the search tool to display terms from various categories. The search results are displayed, along with the unconventional search terms to provide enhanced information relating to the retrieved content. The search tool further allows for the efficient export of cue sheet information for audio tracks.

Claims

1. A method for searching for content from a content database, comprising:

providing a content database storing a plurality of content items, each content item is stored in an identified location;

providing a plurality of search term files, each search term file associated with a search term category, each search term file storing a plurality of pointers to said identified locations in said content database and a corresponding search term for each pointer;

receiving a plurality of search terms in a query;

searching for pointers in a first search term file that are associated with search terms from said query to provide a first set of pointers;

searching for pointers in at least a second search term file that are associated with search terms from said query and are also included in the first set of pointers; and

providing content identifiers for content associated with the pointers from at least said second search term file as result content.

2. The Method of claim 1, wherein the search categories and search terms are determined by the provider of the content in the content database.

3. The Method of claim 1, wherein the search categories and search terms are determined by a third party and are assigned to the content by the content provider.

4. The Method of claim 1, wherein the content is audio tracks.

5. The Method of claim 1, wherein the categories include genre, instrument, tempo, and mood.

6. The Method of claim 1, wherein the search terms are stored in a separate file for each category.

7. A method for creating a search query by employing a search tool, comprising:

(a) receiving a user selection of a search category;

(b) retrieving available search terms from a search term file associated with the category;

(c) displaying the available search terms in a user display screen;

(d) providing an interface for selecting search terms from the displayed search terms;

(e) adding the selected terms to a search query; and

(f) submitting the search query to a search engine if the user selects to submit the query or returning to step (b) if the user selects to change search categories.

8. A method for compiling search terms for a search query, comprising:

providing tabs for controlling the selection of categories;

displaying search terms of a selected category;

allowing for the selection of search terms from the displayed search terms;

providing a display box for selected terms of each category;

continuously displaying selected terms from each category in a corresponding display box; and

changing the selection category in response to selection of a category control tab.

9. A method for compiling cue sheet info, comprising:

searching for content;

reviewing content, each content associated with a unique ID;

retrieving cue sheet information from cue sheet database corresponding to the unique ID; and

exporting the cue sheet information as data.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising adding said content to a favorite folder list, and further wherein said cue sheet information is exported for content in said favorites folder list.

11. A search engine screen, comprising:

a terms display window;

search term boxes, each search term box associated with a search category;

a Search button for facilitating the submission of a search query;

a Clear Genre button for removing search terms of the genre currently associated with the terms display window; and

a Clear All button for removing search terms of any category from a constructed query.

12. A results screen in a search tool, comprising:

a track listing providing at least track title information;

detail level selectors for adjusting the level of track information detail provided in the track listing;

a Player window for replaying audio content data associated with a selected track from the track listing; and

a Track information window for displaying detailed information relating to said audio content data in said player window.