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 a segment of a media content item displayed on a display, the input associated with a first user;
generating, based on the input, media content segment metadata that identifies the segment; and
causing posting, on a webpage associated with the first 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 a second 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 second user is eligible to access content provided by a content provider of the segment; and
in response to determining that the second user is not eligible to access the content provided by the content provider of the segment, the server sends, to the media device, a notification that the second user is not eligible to access the segment.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the notification includes an offer for the second user to access the content provided by the content provider of the segment.
3. The method of claim 1 , in response to determining that the second user is eligible to access the content provided by the content provider of the segment, the server sends, to the media device, the media content segment metadata that is stored separately from the segment.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the media device retrieves the segment based on the media content segment metadata.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein:
the media content segment metadata identifies the segment by identifying at least one of a start point or an end point associated with the segment of the media content item; and
the media content segment metadata identifying at least one of the start point or the end point associated with the segment is further based on one or more of: one or more timestamps, in-band data, a fingerprint, or service information.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the start point of one of the segment is automatically identified by an input from the first user, wherein the input from the first user comprises replaying the segment from the start point.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the webpage is a social networking website and 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 a segment of a media content item displayed on a display, the input associated with a first user;
generating, based on the input, media content segment metadata that identifies the segment; and
causing posting, on a webpage associated with the first 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 a second 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 second user is eligible to access content provided by a content provider of the segment; and
in response to determining that the second user is not eligible to access the content provided by the content provider of the segment, the server sends, to the media device, a notification that the second user is not eligible to access the segment.
9. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the notification includes an offer for the second user to access the content provided by the content provider of the segment.
10. The medium of claim 8 , in response to determining that the second user is eligible to access the content provided by the content provider of the segment, the server sends, to the media device, the media content segment metadata that is stored separately from the segment.
11. The medium of claim 10 , wherein the media device retrieves the segment based on the media content segment metadata.
12. The medium of claim 10 , wherein:
the media content segment metadata identifies the segment by identifying at least one of a start point or an end point associated with the segment of the media content item; and
the media content segment metadata identifying at least one of the start point or the end point associated with the segment is further based on one or more of: one or more timestamps, in-band data, a fingerprint, or service information.
13. The medium of claim 12 , wherein the start point of one of the segment is automatically identified by an input from the first user, wherein the input from the first user comprises replaying the segment from the start point.
14. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the webpage is a social networking website and 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 a segment of a media content item displayed on a display, the input associated with a first user;
generating, by the one or more processors, based on the input, media content segment metadata that identifies the segment; and
causing posting, by the one or more processors, on a webpage associated with the first 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 a second 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 second user is eligible to access content provided by a content provider of the segment; and
in response to determining that the second user is not eligible to access the content provided by the content provider of the segment, sending, to the media device, a notification that the second user is not eligible to access the segment.
16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the notification includes an offer for the second user to access the content provided by the content provider of the segment.
17. The device of claim 15 , in response to determining that the second user is eligible to access the content provided by the content provider of the segment, sending, to the media device, the media content segment metadata that is stored separately from the segment.
18. The device of claim 17 , wherein:
the media content segment metadata identifies the segment by identifying at least one of a start point or an end point associated with the segment of the media content item; and
the media content segment metadata identifying at least one of the start point or the end point associated with the segment is further based on one or more of: one or more timestamps, in-band data, a fingerprint, or service information.
19. The device of claim 18 , wherein the start point of one of segment is automatically identified by an input from the first user, wherein the input from the first user comprises replaying the segment from the start point.
20. The device of claim 15 , wherein the webpage is a social networking website and the device is a network DVR.