Metadata distribution management system, apparatus, and method, and computer program therefore

• US 7,634,484 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Murata, Noriyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali; Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ahluwalia; Navneet K
• Application Number:
  US10/926,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20050080788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,937 Days
• Field of Search: 707 1- 10, 707100-1041
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A plurality of metadata relating to digital contents is presented to a user as a package. A media capsule provision server which comprises a media capsule structure information database for storing metadata relating to the digital contents, contents list structure information, a Raw data database, media capsule providing means for packaging the plurality of metadata stored in the database, media capsule distribution processing means for distributing the media capsule to a user, and a media capsule destination information database for managing the destination information is provided.

Claims

1. A metadata distribution management system being configured to include at least one metadata distribution management apparatus for managing a metadata relating to a digital content, and at least one client terminal connectable to the metadata distribution management apparatus through a communications network, wherein;

said metadata distribution management apparatus comprises;

metadata memory means for storing two or more metadata relating to the digital contents which includes at least a location information data on the digital contents, and a type information data on the digital contents;

metadata package creation means for creating a metadata package by combining at least two or more of the metadata stored in the metadata memory means;

container generation means for generating a container including the metadata package created by the metadata package creation means, the container including identification links to containers having related contents, a list of metadata that is located in the container, and a presentation image metadata list, the presentation image metadata list having a plurality of representative images for visually representing the digital content referenced with the metadata included in the container;

metadata package distribution means for distributing the container to the client terminal through the communications network;

metadata package destination information storage means for storing destination information data linking an information data identifying a user who uses the client terminal to which the container is distributed, and an information data identifying the metadata package;

a recommendation search process means for generating a search result by searching a search database including the type information data on the digital content, based on an individual profile of the user including a profile vector, and for sending the search result to the client terminal; and

a verification means for checking if the digital content referenced by the location information data is present in a content cache memory, and in case the digital content is not present, the digital content is acquired from a content provision server and stored in the content cache memory, and

said client terminal comprises;

metadata package acquisition means for acquiring the container from the metadata distribution management apparatus through the communications network;

metadata package operation processing means for acquiring the digital content with reference to the location information data included in the metadata package of the container, and performing a process suitable for the type of the digital content with reference to the type information data; and

a screen display means for extracting and displaying the plurality of representative images included in the container of the metadata package, and establishing a user-selectable link from each displayed representative image to digital content that is represented by the plurality of representative images based on the location information data.

2. The metadata distribution management system as cited in claim 1, further comprising:

an individual metadata management apparatus connectable to the client terminal and the metadata distribution management apparatus through the communications network, wherein

said individual metadata management apparatus comprises;

metadata package acquisition means for acquiring the container from the metadata distribution management apparatus through the communications network;

metadata package memory means for storing the container;

transmission means for transmitting one or more metadata included in the container to the client terminal; and

a profile extraction means for generating the individual profile of the user including the profile vector based on information identifying the user and common features of the one or more metadata associated to the user and sending the individual profile to the metadata distribution management apparatus, wherein

an information data identifying the metadata package of the container stored in the metadata package memory means and the information data identifying the user who uses the client terminal being transmitted the metadata package are linked and managed.

3. The metadata distribution management system as cited in claim 1, wherein

the container generation means includes a different metadata package for every user in the container, based on the destination information data stored in the metadata package destination information storage means.

5. The metadata distribution management system according to claim 1, wherein the screen display means is configured to display a program browsing screen upon a user clicking on one of the plurality of representative images.

4. A metadata distribution management apparatus for managing a metadata relating to a digital content comprising:

metadata memory means for storing two or more metadata relating to the digital content including at least the location information data on the digital content and the type information data on the digital content;

metadata package creation means for creating a metadata package by combining at least two or more of the metadata stored in the metadata memory means;

container generation means for generating a container including the metadata package created by the metadata package creation means, the container including identification links to containers having related contents, a list of metadata that is located in the container, and a presentation image metadata list, the presentation image metadata list having a plurality of representative images for visually representing the digital content referenced with each metadata included in the container;

metadata package distribution means for distributing the container to a connectable client terminal through a communications network;

metadata package destination information storage means for storing destination information data linking an information data identifying a user who uses the client terminal to which the container is distributed, and an information data identifying the container;

a recommendation search process means for generating a search result by searching a search database including the type information data on the digital content, based on an individual profile of the user including a profile vector, and for sending the search result to the connectable client terminal; and

a verification means for checking if the digital content referenced by the location information data is present in a content cache memory, and in case the digital content is not present, the digital content is acquired from a content provision server and stored in the content cache memory.

6. The metadata distribution management apparatus as cited in claim 4, wherein

the container generation means includes a different metadata package for every user in the container, based on the destination information data stored in the metadata package destination information storage means.

7. An individual metadata management apparatus for managing metadata relating to a digital content for each user that accesses a digital content by using the metadata, said individual metadata management apparatus comprising:

metadata package acquisition means for acquiring a container including the metadata package through a communications network from a connectable metadata distribution management apparatus through the communications network the connectable metadata distribution management apparatus including metadata memory means for storing two or more metadata relating to the digital contents which includes at least a location information data on the digital contents, and a type information data on the digital contents, metadata package creation means for creating a metadata package by combining at least two or more of the metadata stored in the metadata memory means, container generation means for generating a container including the metadata package created by the metadata package creation means, the container including identification links to containers having related contents, a list of metadata that is located in the container, and a presentation image metadata list, the presentation image metadata list having a plurality of representative images for visually representing the digital content referenced with the metadata included in the container, metadata package distribution means for distributing the container to the client terminal through the communications network, metadata package destination information storage means for storing destination information data linking an information data identifying a user who uses the client terminal to which the container is distributed, and an information data identifying the metadata package, a recommendation search process means for generating a search result by searching a search database including the type information data on the digital content, based on an individual profile of the user including a profile vector, and for sending the search result to the client terminal, and a verification means for checking if the digital content referenced by the location information data is present in a content cache memory, and in case the digital content is not present, the digital content is acquired from a content provision server and stored in the content cache memory;

metadata package memory means for storing the container;

transmission means for transmitting one or more metadata included in the container to a connectable client terminal through the communications network;

a profile extraction means for generating the individual profile of the user including the profile vector based on information identifying the user and on common features of the one or more metadata associated to the user, and sending the individual profile to the connectable metadata distribution management apparatus; and

a screen display means for extracting and displaying the plurality of representative images included in the container of the metadata package, and establishing a user-selectable link from each displayed representative image to the digital content that is represented by the plurality of representative images based on the location information data, wherein

the information data identifying the metadata package of the container is stored in the metadata package memory means and the information data identifying the user who uses the client terminal to which the metadata package is transmitted are linked and managed.

15. The individual metadata management apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the screen display means is configured to display a program browsing screen upon a user clicking on one of the plurality of representative images.

8. A client terminal configured to connect to at least one of a metadata distribution management apparatus and an individual metadata management apparatus through a communications network, the metadata distribution management apparatus including metadata memory means for storing two or more metadata relating to the digital contents which includes at least a location information data on the digital contents, and a type information data on the digital contents, metadata package creation means for creating a metadata package by combining at least two or more of the metadata stored in the metadata memory means, container generation means for generating a container including the metadata package created by the metadata package creation means, the container including identification links to containers having related contents, a list of metadata that is located in the container, and a presentation image metadata list, the presentation image metadata list having a plurality of representative images for visually representing the digital content referenced with the metadata included in the container, metadata package distribution means for distributing the container to the client terminal through the communications network, metadata package destination information storage means for storing destination information data linking an information data identifying a user who uses the client terminal to which the container is distributed, and an information data identifying the metadata package, a recommendation search process means for generating a search result by searching a search database including the type information data on the digital content, based on an individual profile of the user including a profile vector, and for sending the search result to the client terminal, and a verification means for checking if the digital content referenced by the location information data is present in a content cache memory, and in case the digital content is not present, the digital content is acquired from a content provision server and stored in the content cache memory, said client terminal comprising:

metadata package acquisition means for acquiring the metadata package from the distribution management apparatus and/or the individual metadata management apparatus through the communications network, the metadata package included in the container;

metadata package operation processing means for acquiring the digital content with reference to the location information data of the digital content included in the container of the metadata package, and performing a process suitable for the type of the digital content with reference to the type information data of the digital content;

a screen display means for extracting and displaying the plurality of representative images included in the container of the metadata package, and establishing a user-selectable link from each displayed representative image to the digital content that is represented by the plurality of representative images based on the location information data; and

a unit for receiving a search result based on the individual profile of the user including the profile vector.

16. The client terminal according to claim 8, wherein the screen display means is configured to display a program browsing screen upon a user clicking on one of the plurality of representative images.

9. A metadata distribution management method implemented by using at least one metadata distribution management apparatus for managing metadata relating to a digital content, and at least one client terminal connectable to the metadata distribution management apparatus through a communications network, said metadata distribution management method comprising:

storing two or more metadata relating to the digital content which the metadata distribution management apparatus includes at least a location information data on the digital content and a type information data on the digital content;

creating a metadata package by combining at least two or more of the stored metadata;

generating a container including the metadata package created by said step of creating, the container including identification links to containers having related contents, a list of metadata that is located in the container, and a presentation image metadata list, the presentation image metadata list having a plurality of representative images for visually representing the digital content referenced with the metadata included in the container;

distributing the container to the client terminal through the communications network;

storing a destination information data linking an information data identifying a user who uses the client terminal to which the container is distributed and an information data identifying the metadata package;

acquiring by the client terminal the container from the metadata distribution management apparatus through the communications network;

performing a process suitable for the type of the digital content with reference to the type information data, acquiring the digital content with reference to the location information data included in the container;

searching a search database including the type information data on the digital contents, based on an individual profile of the user including a profile vector to generate a search result including user preference;

sending the search result to the client terminal;

checking if the digital content referenced by the location information data is present in a content cache memory, and in case the digital content is not present, the digital content is acquired from a content provision server and stored in the content cache memory;

extracting and displaying the plurality of representative images included in the container of the metadata package; and

establishing a user-selectable link from each displayed representative image to digital content that is represented by the plurality of representative images based on the location information data.

10. The metadata distribution management method as cited in claim 9, wherein an individual metadata management apparatus is connected to the client terminal and the metadata distribution management apparatus through the communications network, the method further comprising:

acquiring the container from the metadata distribution management apparatus at the individual metadata management apparatus through the communications network;

storing the container at the individual metadata management apparatus;

transmitting one or more metadata included in the container from the individual metadata management apparatus to the client terminal;

managing an information data identifying the stored metadata package of the container and an information data identifying a user at the individual metadata management apparatus, the user using the client terminal being transmitted the metadata package by linking to each other; and

generating the individual profile of the user including the profile vector based on information identifying the user and common features of the one or more metadata associated to the user; and

sending the individual profile to the metadata distribution management apparatus.

11. The metadata distribution management method as cited in claim 9, further comprising:

generating a different metadata package for every user in the container at the metadata distribution management apparatus, based on the destination information data; and

distributing the container from the metadata distribution management apparatus to the client terminal through the communications network.

17. The metadata distribution management method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:

displaying a program browsing screen upon a user clicking on one of the plurality of representative images.

12. A metadata distribution management device configured to manage metadata relating to a digital content comprising:

metadata memory configured to store two or more metadata relating to the digital content including at least the location information data on the digital content and the type information data on the digital content;

a metadata package creator configured to create a metadata package by combining at least two or more of the metadata stored in the metadata memory;

container generator configured to generate a container including the metadata package created by the metadata package creator, the container including identification links to containers having related contents, a list of metadata that is located in the container, and a presentation image metadata list, the presentation image metadata list having a representative image for each metadata included in the container;

a metadata package distributor configured to distribute the container to a connectable client terminal through a communications network;

a metadata package destination information memory configured to store destination information data linking an information data identifying a user who uses the client terminal to which the container is distributed, and an information data identifying the metadata package;

a recommendation search processor configured to generate a search result by searching a search database including the type information data on the digital content, based on an individual profile of the user including a profile vector, and configured to send the search result to the connectable client terminal; and

a verification unit configured to check if the digital content referenced by the location information data is present in a content cache memory, and in case the digital content is not present, the digital content is acquired from a content provision server and stored in the content cache memory.

13. The metadata distribution management device as cited in claim 12, wherein

the container generator includes a different metadata package for every user in the container, based on the destination information data stored in the metadata package destination information memory.

14. An individual metadata management device configured to manage metadata relating to a digital content for each user that accesses a digital content by using the metadata, said individual metadata management device comprising:

a metadata package acquirer configured to acquire a container including the metadata package through a communications network from a connectable metadata distribution management apparatus through the communications network, the container further including identification links to containers having related contents, a list of metadata that is located in the container, and a presentation image metadata list, the presentation image metadata list having a plurality of representative images for visually representing the digital content referenced with the metadata included in the container;

metadata package memory configured to store the container and location information data on the digital content;

a transmitter configured to transmit one or more metadata included in the metadata package of the container to a connectable client terminal through the communications network;

a profile extractor configured to generate an individual profile of an user including a profile vector based on information identifying the user and on common features of the one or more metadata associated to the user, and sending the individual profile to the connectable metadata distribution management apparatus; and

a verification unit configured to check if the digital content referenced by the location information data is present in a content cache memory, and in case the digital content is not present, the digital content is acquired from a content provision server and stored in the content cache memory, wherein

an information data identifying the metadata package of the container stored in the metadata package memory and an information data identifying a user who uses the client terminal to which the container is transmitted are linked and managed.