Data-Processing Device and Method for Informing a User About a Category of a Media Content Item
The invention relates to a method of informing a user about a category ( 152 ) of a media content item. The method comprises the steps of: identifying the category of the media content item, and enabling a user to obtain an audible signal ( 156 ) having an audio parameter ( 153 ) in accordance with the category of the media content item. The invention further relates to a device, which is capable of functioning in accordance with the method. The invention also relates to audio data comprising an audible signal informing a user about a category of a media content item, a database comprising a plurality of the audio data, and a computer program product. In a recommender system, the audible signal may be reproduced by the recommender system when a user interaction with the recommender system relates to the media content item of a particular genre. The invention may be used in the EPG user interface.
1 . A method of informing a user about a category ( 152 ) of a media content item, the method comprising the steps of:
( 610 ) identifying the category of the media content item, and
( 650 ) enabling a user to obtain an audible signal ( 156 ) having an audio parameter ( 153 ) in accordance with the category of the media content item.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
a step ( 620 b ) of obtaining at least one audio sample of media content having the audio parameter associated with the category,
a step ( 650 ) of composing the audible signal from the at least one audio sample.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the at least one audio sample is articulated by a particular character ( 153 a ).
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
a step ( 630 b ) of obtaining at least one audio sample of media content articulated by a particular character ( 153 a ) associated with the category.
5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
a step ( 630 d ) of modifying the at least one audio sample on the basis of the audio parameter so as to obtain the audible signal.
6 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising a step of determining the audio parameter by analyzing the at least one audio sample articulated by the particular character.
7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the at least one audio sample is obtained from the media content item.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step ( 640 c ) of synthesizing the audible signal, using the audio parameter.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a particular text ( 158 a ) is articulated in the audible signal.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the category is a class of video content or audio content in accordance with a genre classification.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the media content item is associated with more than one category, and the audible signal is obtained in accordance with a dominant one of the categories of the media content item.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the media content item is recommended to the user by recommender means, using the audible signal.
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the particular text is
a TV program summary obtained from EPG data, or
a category name of the media content item obtained from EPG data.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said method enables the user to input the audio parameter in relation to the category of the media content item, using user input means.
15 . A data-processing device for informing a user about a category ( 152 ) of a media content item, the device comprising a data processor ( 150 ) configured to
identify the category of the media content item, and
enable the user to obtain an audible signal ( 156 ) having an audio parameter ( 153 ) in accordance with the category of the media content item.
16 . Audio data comprising an audible signal ( 156 ) informing a user about a category ( 152 ) of a media content item when said audible signal is presented to the user, the audible signal having an audio parameter ( 153 ) in accordance with the category of the media content item.
17 . A computer program product enabling a programmable device when executing said computer program product to function as the device as claimed in claim 15 .
18 . A database comprising a plurality of the audio data as claimed in claim 16 , wherein a respective one of audio data has the audio parameter associated with a respective category of media content.