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Automatically imparting an index by using various kinds of control signals

  • US 7,873,637 B2
  • Filed: 12/13/2004
  • Issued: 01/18/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An index imparting system which generates metadata based on signals in a broadcast station, the system comprising:

  • a processor;

    a memory coupled to the processor to store a database, wherein the database comprises (i) an identifier for uniquely specifying each of the control signals of various kinds of devices and (ii) an attribute information which describes the data recorded or reproduced by the device and is information relevant to each user of the various kinds of devices or each of the various kinds of devices;

    a control signal detecting section to (1) identify the device which generates a control signal based on recording or reproduction of data, the device is identified based on a type and an identifier that uniquely identifies the device , and (2) identify a time of a detection of the control signal;

    a control signal attribute information managing section to manage the identifier and corresponding attribute information of the control signal, wherein the control signal attribute information managing section includes a database searching section connected to the database which stores detailed information of attribute information and automatically imparts the detailed information obtained from the database to metadata generated at the index generating section; and

    an index generating section to automatically generate metadata following an acquisition of a type, the identifier, and the time identified at the control signal at the control signal detecting section and the corresponding attribute information at the control signal attribute information managing section; and

    a log analyzing section for;

    a) generating log data indicating start and finish times for the control signal, the start and finish times being determined based on the identified time of detection for the control signal, andb) outputting the log data to the index generating section.

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