US6370543B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display of media previews
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1997-04-30
•
Granted: 2002-04-09
•
Expires: 2017-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for searching for multimedia files in a distributed database and for displaying results of the search based on the context and content of the multimedia files.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric M. Hoffert
- 👤 Steve Smoot
- 👤 Karl Cremin
- 👤 Adnan Ali
- 👤 Michael Mills
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/40; G06F16/48; G06F16/70; G06F16/78; G06F16/783; G06F16/7834; G06F16/7844; G06F16/7847; G06F16/785; G06F16/786; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/951; G06F16/953; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/912; Y10S707/913; Y10S707/914; Y10S707/915; Y10S707/916; Y10S707/943; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method comprising: examining a media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality media object comprises digital video; determining a preview image size by computing an aspect ratio A and determining a target height IH of said preview image as the preview height FH less the height of any top and bottom border and determining a target width IW of said preview image as a function of said target height IH and said aspect ratio A; selecting images from said media object for display in said preview; storing said preview of the media object based on said content-based predetermined characteristics; searching a database of previews based on one or more of said content-based predetermined characteristics; and displaying the preview in response to the search.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method comprising: examining a media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality media object comprises digital video; determining a preview image size by computing an aspect ratio A and determining a target height IH of said preview image as the preview height FH less the height of any top and bottom border and determining a target width IW of said preview image as a function of said target height IH and said aspect ratio A; selecting images from said media object for display in said preview; storing said preview of the media object based on said content-based predetermined characteristics; searching a database of previews based on one or more of said content-based predetermined characteristics; and displaying the preview in response to the search.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the content-based predetermined characteristics may include video characteristics and audio characteristics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the video characteristics comprise video motion activity determined by one or more of a motion metric and a brightness metric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the motion metric comprises an estimate of the type of content found in a video file.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the video file may be characterized as containing a low, medium, or high degree of motion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the low degree of motion is indicative of a talk show.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the medium degree of motion is indicative of newscasts or commercials.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the high degree of motion is indicative of action films and sports.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the brightness metric comprises an estimate of the brightness content found in the video file.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the video file may be characterized as containing a dark, moderate or bright intensity of brightness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the motion metric and brightness metric combined, may enhance a user's ability to search a video.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the audio characteristics comprise audio amplitude activity determined by a music-speech metric.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the music-speech metric comprises an estimate of the type of content found in an audio file.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the audio file may be characterized as containing a low, moderate, or high rate of change in amplitude activity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the low rate of change in amplitude activity is indicative of music signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the moderate rate of change in amplitude activity is indicative of music and speech signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the high rate of change in amplitude activity is indicative of speech signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the audio file may be characterized as containing a continuous or discontinuous signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the continuous signal is indicative of music signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the discontinuous signal is indicative of speech signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the preview comprises a low-bandwidth presentation of said media object.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising computing the number of images for display as the preview width divided by the sum of the target width IW and any spacing between images.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting images from said media object comprises: decompressing frames of said media object at N points; analyzing each of said frames to determine if said frames meet content-based predetermined characteristics and if one or more fames of said frames do meet said predetermined characteristics, selecting the one or more frames for display; and if one or more frames of said frames do not meet said predetermined characteristics, selecting one or more substitute frames.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for storing a representation of a media object comprising: examining said media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality of content-based predetermined characteristics, wherein the media object comprises digital video; determining a preview image size by computing an aspect ratio A and determining a target height IH of said preview image as the preview height FH less the height of any top and bottom border and determining a target width IW of said preview image as a function of said target height IH and said aspect ratio A; selecting images from said media object for display in said preview; and storing said preview of the media object.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for storing a representation of a media object comprising: examining said media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality of content-based predetermined characteristics, wherein the media object comprises digital video; determining a preview image size by computing an aspect ratio A and determining a target height IH of said preview image as the preview height FH less the height of any top and bottom border and determining a target width IW of said preview image as a function of said target height IH and said aspect ratio A; selecting images from said media object for display in said preview; and storing said preview of the media object.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising searching a database of previews based on one or more of said content-based predetermined characteristics.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising displaying said preview.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising computing the number of images for display as the preview width divided by the sum of the target width IW and any spacing between images.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the selecting images from said media object comprises: decompressing frames of said media object at N points; analyzing each of said frames to determine if said frames meet content-based predetermined characteristics and if one or more frames of said frames do meet said content-based predetermined characteristics, selecting the one or more frames for display; and if one or more frames of said frames do not meet said predetermined characteristics, selecting one or more substitute frames.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
88 words
A method comprising: examining a media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality of context-based and content-based predetermined characteristics based on a proximity of lexical information, wherein the context-based and content-based predetermined characteristics may include video characteristics and audio characteristics the audio characteristics comprising amplitude activity determined by a music-speech metric; storing a preview of the media object; searching a database of previews based on one or more of said context-based and content-based predetermined characteristics; and displaying the preview in response to the search.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
88 words
A method comprising: examining a media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality of context-based and content-based predetermined characteristics based on a proximity of lexical information, wherein the context-based and content-based predetermined characteristics may include video characteristics and audio characteristics the audio characteristics comprising amplitude activity determined by a music-speech metric; storing a preview of the media object; searching a database of previews based on one or more of said context-based and content-based predetermined characteristics; and displaying the preview in response to the search.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the lexical information may include relevant text.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the video characteristics comprise video motion activity determined by one or more of a motion metric and a brightness metric.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
76 words
A method comprising: examining a media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality of predetermined characteristics, wherein the predetermined characteristics are content-based charcteristics including video characteristics and audio characteristics, the audio characteristics comprising audio amplitude activity determined by a music-speech metric; storing a preview of the media object and searching a database of previews based on one or more of said predetermined characteristics; and displaying the preview in response to the search.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
76 words
A method comprising: examining a media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality of predetermined characteristics, wherein the predetermined characteristics are content-based charcteristics including video characteristics and audio characteristics, the audio characteristics comprising audio amplitude activity determined by a music-speech metric; storing a preview of the media object and searching a database of previews based on one or more of said predetermined characteristics; and displaying the preview in response to the search.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the music-speech metric comprises an estimate of the type of content found in an audio file.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the audio file may contain a low, moderate, or high rate of change in amplitude activity.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the audio file may contain a continuous or discontinuous signal.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
125 words
A method comprising: examining a media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality of predetermined characteristics, wherein the predetermined characteristics are content-based characteristics; determining a preview image size; selecting images from said media object for display in said preview by decompressing frames of said media object at N points and analyzing each of said frames to determine if said frames meet predetermined characteristics; if said frames do meet said predetermined characteristics, selecting said frames for display; if one of said frames do not meet said predetermined characteristics, selecting a substitute frame; storing a preview of the media object; searching a database of previews based on one or more of said predetermined characteristics; and displaying the preview in response to the search.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
125 words
A method comprising: examining a media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality of predetermined characteristics, wherein the predetermined characteristics are content-based characteristics; determining a preview image size; selecting images from said media object for display in said preview by decompressing frames of said media object at N points and analyzing each of said frames to determine if said frames meet predetermined characteristics; if said frames do meet said predetermined characteristics, selecting said frames for display; if one of said frames do not meet said predetermined characteristics, selecting a substitute frame; storing a preview of the media object; searching a database of previews based on one or more of said predetermined characteristics; and displaying the preview in response to the search.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the media object comprises a digital video, the method further comprising: computing an aspect ratio A; determining a target height IH of said preview image as the preview height FH less the height of any top and bottom border; and determining a target width IW of said preview image as a function of said target height IH and said aspect ratio A.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 37 futher comprising computing the number of images for display as the preview width divided by the sum of the target width IW and any spacing between images.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
149 words
A method comprising the steps of: a step for examining a media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality of content-based predetermined characteristics, wherein the media object comprises digital video; a step for determining a preview image size by computing an aspect ratio A and determining a target height IH of said preview image as the preview height FH less the height of any top and bottom border and determining a target width IW of said preview image as a function of said target height IH and said aspect ratio A; a step for selecting images from said media object for display in said preview; a step for storing said preview of the media object; a step for searching a database of previews based on one or more of said content-based predetermined characteristics; and a step for displaying the preview in response to the search.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
149 words
A method comprising the steps of: a step for examining a media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality of content-based predetermined characteristics, wherein the media object comprises digital video; a step for determining a preview image size by computing an aspect ratio A and determining a target height IH of said preview image as the preview height FH less the height of any top and bottom border and determining a target width IW of said preview image as a function of said target height IH and said aspect ratio A; a step for selecting images from said media object for display in said preview; a step for storing said preview of the media object; a step for searching a database of previews based on one or more of said content-based predetermined characteristics; and a step for displaying the preview in response to the search.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
146 words
A method comprising the steps of: a step for examining a media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality of predetermined characteristics, wherein the predetermined characteristics are content-based characteristics; a step for determining a preview image size; a step for selecting images from said media object for display in said preview by decompressing frames of said media object at N points and analyzing each of said frames to determine if said frames meet predetermined characteristics; if said frames do meet said predetermined characteristics, selecting said frames for display; if one of said frames do not meet said predetermined characteristics, selecting a substitute frame; a step for storing a preview of the media object; a step for searching a database of previews based on one or more of said predetermined characteristics; and a step for displaying the preview in response to the search.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
146 words
A method comprising the steps of: a step for examining a media object to locate portions of the media object having a plurality of predetermined characteristics, wherein the predetermined characteristics are content-based characteristics; a step for determining a preview image size; a step for selecting images from said media object for display in said preview by decompressing frames of said media object at N points and analyzing each of said frames to determine if said frames meet predetermined characteristics; if said frames do meet said predetermined characteristics, selecting said frames for display; if one of said frames do not meet said predetermined characteristics, selecting a substitute frame; a step for storing a preview of the media object; a step for searching a database of previews based on one or more of said predetermined characteristics; and a step for displaying the preview in response to the search.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4772941A
Cited
US5136618A
Cited
US5550863A
Cited
US5764276A
Cited
US5524193A
Cited
US5809299A
Cited
US5818978A
Cited
US5617119A
Cited
US5600775A
Cited
US5805821A
Cited
US5751771A
Cited
US5655117A
Cited
US5706290A
Cited
US5751338A
Cited
US5729471A
Cited
US5729741A
Cited
US5727141A
Cited
US5677708A
Cited
US5713021A
Cited
US5943046A
Cited
US5778190A
Cited
US5687331A
Cited
US5742816A
Cited
US5737619A
Cited
US5884056A
Cited
US5786856A
Cited
US5852435A
Cited
US5870754A
Cited
US5903892A
Cited
US5797008A
Cited
US5895477A
Cited
US6172672B1
Cited
US6081278A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-04-08 | 2005-10-08 | 2006-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-08 | 2009-10-08 | 2010-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-08 | 2013-10-08 | 2014-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |