Method and apparatus for creating and sharing customized multimedia segments
Multimedia content segment identified by users may be shared among media devices and media device users. Media content segment metadata is generated based on one or more identified media content item segments identified in one or more media content items. The media content segment metadata may include, but is not limited to, information indicating segment start and stop times, information about the particular media content item (e.g., title, actors, original air date), and other user-provided descriptive information. A link for the media content segment metadata may be posted for display on a webpage and which enables other users to access the media content segment metadata.
1. A method comprising:
receiving, at a server, data representing input identifying one or more segments of one or more media content items displayed on a display, the input associated with a particular user;
generating, based on the input, media content segment metadata that identifies at least one of a start point or an end point associated with each segment of the one or more segments of the one or more media content items; and
causing posting, on a webpage associated with the particular user, a link selectable by a media device to cause a request for the media content segment metadata to be sent to the server, wherein, upon selection of the link on the webpage by another user by way of the media device:
the server receives the request for the media content segment metadata;
the server determines, based on the request, whether the another user is eligible to access content provided by a content provider of the one or more segments; and
in response to determining that the another user is eligible to access the content provided by the content provider of the one or more segments, the server sends the media content segment metadata that is stored separately from the one or more segments, to the media device, associated with the another user.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media device retrieves the one or more segments based on the media content segment metadata.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media content segment metadata identifying at least one of the start point or the end point associated with each segment of the one or more segments is further based on one or more of: one or more timestamps, in-band data, one or more fingerprints, or service information.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the start point of one of the one or more segments is automatically identified by a particular user input, wherein the particular user input comprises replaying the segment from the start point.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein, for at least one segment of the one or more segments, at least one of a respective start point or a respective end point associated with the at least one segment is automatically modified based at least in part on one or more detected boundaries in the one or more media content items, the one or more detected boundaries based on one or more boundary rules associated with the at least one segment and the input associated with the particular user, the one or more boundary rules associated with the media content segment metadata, wherein a boundary of the one or more detected boundaries corresponds to a commercial segment boundary as indicated in the media content segment metadata.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the webpage is a social networking website.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the server is a network DVR.
8. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions, which when executed by one or more processors cause performance of:
receiving, at a server, data representing input identifying one or more segments of one or more media content items displayed on a display, the input associated with a particular user;
generating, based on the input, media content segment metadata that identifies at least one of a start point or an end point associated with each segment of the one or more segments of the one or more media content items; and
causing posting, on a webpage associated with the particular user, a link selectable by a media device to cause a request for the media content segment metadata to be sent to the server, wherein, upon selection of the link on the webpage by another user by way of the media device:
the server receives the request for the media content segment metadata;
the server determines, based on the request, whether the another user is eligible to access content provided by a content provider of the one or more segments; and
in response to determining that the another user is eligible to access the content provided by the content provider of the one or more segments, the server sends the media content segment metadata that is stored separately from the one or more segments, to the media device, associated with the another user.
9. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the media device retrieves the one or more segments based on the media content segment metadata.
10. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the media content segment metadata identifying at least one of the start point or the end point associated with each segment of the one or more segments is further based on one or more of: one or more timestamps, in-band data, one or more fingerprints, or service information.
11. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the start point of one of the one or more segments is automatically identified by a particular user input, wherein the particular user input comprises replaying the segment from the start point.
12. The medium of claim 8 , wherein, for at least one segment of the one or more segments, at least one of a respective start point or a respective end point associated with the at least one segment is automatically modified based at least in part on one or more detected boundaries in the one or more media content items, the one or more detected boundaries based on one or more boundary rules associated with the at least one segment and the input associated with the particular user, the one or more boundary rules associated with the media content segment metadata, wherein a boundary of the one or more detected boundaries corresponds to a commercial segment boundary as indicated in the media content segment metadata.
13. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the webpage is a social networking website.
14. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the server is a network DVR.
15. A device, comprising:
one or more processors;
memory; and
one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:
receiving data representing input identifying one or more segments of one or more media content items displayed on a display, the input associated with a particular user;
generating, by the one or more processors, based on the input, media content segment metadata that identifies at least one of a start point or an end point associated with each segment of the one or more segments of the one or more media content items; and
causing posting, by the one or more processors, on a webpage associated with the particular user, a link selectable by a media device to cause a request for the media content segment metadata to be sent to the device, wherein, upon selection of the link on the webpage by another user by way of the media device, the one or more programs comprising further instructions for:
receiving the request for the media content segment metadata;
determining, by the one or more processors, based on the request, whether the another user is eligible to access content provided by a content provider of the one or more segments; and
in response to determining that the another user is eligible to access the content provided by the content provider of the one or more segments, sending the media content segment metadata that is stored separately from the one or more segments, to the media device, associated with the another user.
16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the media content segment metadata identifying at least one of the start point or the end point associated with each segment of the one or more segments is further based on one or more of: one or more timestamps, in-band data, one or more fingerprints, or service information.
17. The device of claim 15 , wherein the start point of one of the one or more segments is automatically identified by a particular user input, wherein the particular user input comprises replaying the segment from the start point.
18. The device of claim 15 , wherein, for at least one segment of the one or more segments, at least one of a respective start point or a respective end point associated with the at least one segment is automatically modified based at least in part on one or more detected boundaries in the one or more media content items, the one or more detected boundaries based on one or more boundary rules associated with the at least one segment and the input associated with the particular user, the one or more boundary rules associated with the media content segment metadata, wherein a boundary of the one or more detected boundaries corresponds to a commercial segment boundary as indicated in the media content segment metadata.
19. The device of claim 15 , wherein the webpage is a social networking website.
20. The device of claim 15 , wherein the device is a network DVR.