Patent Application
20070294723
The features of the system, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The embodiments herein, can be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the embodiments of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the method, system, and other embodiments will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present method and system are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments of the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the embodiment herein.
The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “processor” can be defined as any number of suitable processors, controllers, units, or the like that carry out a pre-programmed or programmed set of instructions.
The terms “program,” “software application,” and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A program, computer program, or software application may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system.
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for quoting a segment of a media and inserting the segment into a podcast. Quoting a segment can be defined as identifying a portion of media within a podcast and extracting the portion from the media. A quoted segment can be inserted into the podcast in accordance with a specification. A quoted segment is a portion of media extracted from a podcast. The portion of media can be data from an audio, video, or text file. The specification identifies a source of the media, a start time of the quoted segment in the media, an end time of the quoted segment in the media or a length of the quoted segment. The specification can be a text document of file identifying attributes of the quoted segment. For example, the specification can be in XML format for identifying attributes and values. The quoted segment is an extracted portion of a podcast which can correspond to a voice clip, a media clip, an audio clip, a video clip, or a text segment. The specification can also identify an insertion point for inserting the quoted segment into the podcast. For example, a user of a mobile device can quote a segment of media and insert the segment into a podcast. The user can quote a segment by specifying start or stop times on the mobile device. The user can then specify an insertion point of the quoted segment into the podcast.
In one arrangement, the media can be downloaded from a source such as a server which provides access to audio, video, or text data. In another arrangement, the address of the source can be identified, and referenced in the specification. The specification can be stored as metadata in the second podcast. Podcasters can feed the quoted segment into the podcast in accordance with the specification. For example, the specification can describe the source of the quoted segment and how to retrieve the quoted segment from the source during a delivery of the podcast. The method can include tracking a time during the delivery of the podcast, comparing the time with a list of the quote insertion times, and inserting the quoted segment when the time corresponds to a quote insertion time. This allows one or more quoted segments to be included in the podcast.
Referring to
The mobile device 160 can also connect to the Internet 120 over a WLAN. Wireless Local Access Networks (WLANs) provide wireless access to the mobile communication environment 100 within a local geographical area. WLANs can also complement loading on a cellular system, so as to increase capacity. WLANs are typically composed of a cluster of Access Points (APs) 104 also known as base stations. The mobile communication device 160 can communicate with other WLAN stations such as the laptop 170 within the base station area 150. In typical WLAN implementations, the physical layer uses a variety of technologies such as 802.11b or 802.11g WLAN technologies. The physical layer may use infrared, frequency hopping spread spectrum in the 2.4 GHz Band, or direct sequence spread spectrum in the 2.4 GHz Band. The mobile device 160 can send and receive data to the server 130 or other remote servers on the mobile communication environment 100.
The mobile device 160 can be a cell-phone, a personal digital assistant, a portable music player, or any other suitable communication device. The mobile phone 160 and the laptop 170 can be equipped with a transmitter and receiver for communicating with the AP 140 according to the appropriate wireless communication standard. In one embodiment of the present invention, the wireless station 160 is equipped with an IEEE 802.11 compliant wireless medium access control (MAC) chipset for communicating with the AP 140. IEEE 802.11 specifies a wireless local area network (WLAN) standard developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) committee. The standard does not generally specify technology or implementation but provides specifications for the physical (PHY) layer and Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The standard allows for manufacturers of WLAN radio equipment to build interoperable network equipment.
The mobile device 160 can send and receive media to and from other devices within the mobile communication environment 100 over the WLAN connection or the RF connection. In one example, the mobile device 160 can connect to the server 130 for receiving one or more podcasts. The mobile device 160 can transmit and receive data packets containing audio, text, or video from the server 130 through a podcast website hosted on the server 130. The server 130 can send media to the mobile devices 160 for downloading a podcast. Alternatively, the mobile device 160 can communicate with the laptop 170 over a peer-to-peer network for receiving and transmitting podcasts. The term “podcast” can mean both the content and the method of delivery.
Referring to
Referring to
One aspect of the invention is directed towards quoting a segment of a podcast. The podcast can be saved with a specification as a quoted segment and later retrieved for insertion in a second podcast. The specification can include instructional information for inserting one or more quoted segments in the podcast 306. For example, the specification can include a list of quote insertion times which the mobile device 160 can scan for identifying one or more quote insertion times. Understandably, the selector 217 and the media display 210 work in conjunction to provide a visual context and a quoting means for extracting a segment of media and thereafter inserting the quoted segment into the podcast 306. The selector 217 allows a user can scan to a certain point within a podcast and mark a start time 311 or an end time 322, to capture a quoted segment. Understandably, embodiments of the invention are not limited to the arrangement of components, nor the function of the components shown in
The media between the start time 311 and the end time 322 is the quoted segment 399. The timer 312 provides a progress function which allows a user to identify a time line of the quoted segment. The user can begin capture at the start time 311 by depressing the quote button 314, end capture at the end time 322 by depressing the end quote button 316, and save the quote segment by depressing the save/insert quote button 318. The saved quoted segment 399 can be retrieved at a later time for insertion into a second podcast. The components, such as the quote buttons 314-316 in the selector 217 can be integrated into a single button or software feature. For example, a navigation pad can be used to consolidate the button functions and allow a user to scan ahead or back in the podcast to quote a segment. The navigation pad can be employed for other uses, such as switching between podcasts, or selectively activating one or more podcasts in the media display 210.
A second aspect of the invention is directed to inserting a quoted segment into a second podcast. For example, a user can download a podcast from a server, and upon viewing the podcast, pause the podcast at a point of insertion. The user can then insert a quote segment from another podcast or media source. For example, the user can enter the address of a media source providing the quoted segment, and insert the quoted segment at the insertion point in the podcast. The quoted segment may correspond to a quoted segment the user captured or a quoted segment another user previously captured and uploaded to a server. The user can enter in a Universal Resource Indicator (URI), a hyper transfer text protocol (HTTP) address, or an Internet Protocol (IP) address into the address bar 302 to receive one or more quote segments. The quoted segments may be from audio files, video files, or text clips that are not part of a podcast. That is, embodiments of the invention are not limited to capturing quoted segments from only podcasts. Other media sources can be identified for extracting quoted segments and inserting quoted segments.
Other means for receiving quotes segments over the Internet are herein contemplated, and are not limited to the address scheme provided. For example, the mobile device 160 can receive media from one or more podcasters through communication ports or interfaces. A podcaster may be a server 130 that hosts media on one or more websites. The server 130 can send media to the mobile device 160 for presenting the podcast. In one aspect, the podcaster (e.g. information provider such as the server 130) chooses which files to offer in a feed to the mobile device 160. A feed is a buffer which can hold data, such as audio, video, or text data, and which includes mechanisms for inserting, updating, and moving the data along the buffer. For example, data can be placed on a feed for providing data to a media consumer. Data can also be linked into the feed via reference or hyperlink. The server can establish broadcast times, such as daily news times, for podcasting the media. The user can then select which media to receive among available feed channels provided by the podcaster. For example, the user may elect to receive only a few episodes of a podcast from one or many episodes pushed by the server 130. The user can “channel” in to certain episodes of a broadcast. The server 130 may send one or more blogs for podcast which can be downloaded by the mobile device 160. The blogs may be transmitted to the mobile device in an audio, text, or video format.
In another aspect, the server 130 may stream one or more blogs for podcast. The blogs may be transmitted to the mobile device in a streaming media format which can include audio, text, or video. That is, a podcast can be downloaded from the webserver and played immediately on the mobile or fixed device without being stored. Some mobile phones will use this method to avoid the need to store content locally in the phone. Streaming media is continuous media that is provided to the mobile device 160 and is consumed while it is being delivered. That is, the media is presented as it is received, and the media is not saved. In one aspect, streaming media can be provided through an open communication connection from the server 130 to the mobile device. The communication path stays open and packets of data are streamed over the connection and consumed by the mobile device during rendering of the media. For example, the mobile device 160 can open a socket connection to the server 130 for receiving streaming media and present the data as it is received. Streaming is notably different from opening a connection, downloading a media file, storing the media file, closing the connection, opening the media file, and then playing the media file. Accordingly, it is also different, for similar reasons, from publishing a blog to a website which retains content, or data. That is the, blog can be edited since it is stored and not consumed.
It should be noted that podcasts are in general downloaded and locally stored prior to playback. Streaming media is an alternate form of media delivery herein contemplated and not limited by this invention. Accordingly, quoting a podcast that is streamed requires a form of quoting that takes into account the consuming nature of streaming media. Briefly, quoting a streaming podcast involves capturing a segment of streamed media during a presentation of the podcast. The segment can be captured by download or reference. For example, the media can be downloaded and saved locally. Or, an address to the media can be saved as a reference, and the media can be streamed from the address when needed. Referring to
At step 401, the method 400 can start. The method 400 can start in a state wherein a user is playing a first podcast for selecting a portion to insert into a second podcast. For example, referring to
In one arrangement, the second podcast is composed. For example, the user may compose the second podcast by extracting media from the first podcast 306 or other podcasts and inserting the media into the second podcast. Understandably, the interface 220 allows the user to alternate between different podcasts, extract media from the different podcasts, and insert the media into various podcasts. The interface 220 provides a compositional environment for media development and podcast quoting. For example, a user can be playing the second podcast while referring back to the first podcast to capture one or more quoted segments. That is, the user can pause the second podcast, switch to the first podcast, capture a quoted segment from the first podcast, switch back to the second podcast, and insert the quoted segment in the second podcast. The first and second podcasts may be locally stored on the mobile device, or they may be streamed. It should be noted that the terminology for “first” podcast is the podcast from which the quoted segment is captured, and the “second” podcast is the podcast to which the quoted segment is inserted.
In another example, a user can use the mobile device for voice dictation and insert quoted segments from one or more media sources or podcasts into the dictation. The mobile device 160 can capture the voice and append the quoted segment to the voice. The quoted segment can be included in the dictation directly, or a reference link to the quoted segment can be included at a corresponding location of the insertion point. The mobile device can quote the segment into the dictation for composing the second podcast. In one arrangement, a specification of the quoted segment can be included as meta data within the second podcast that links in the quoted segment from one or more media sources.
At step 410, a segment of the first podcast can be quoted to produce a quoted segment. For example, referring to
Upon capturing the quoted segment 399, the user can identify one or more insertion points for the quoted segment 399 in the second podcast. Again, the user is not required to capture the quoted segment. For example, the user can download the quoted segment from a server. During insertion, the user can scan to a position in the second podcast and identify an insertion point 333. Notably, the insertion point 333 is shown within the first podcast only for principles of illustration. That is, the quoted segment may not be inserted in the same podcast from which it was captured. The quoted segment can be inserted into other podcasts. For example, the interface 220 can present the second podcast (not shown) and the user can select the insertion point 333 in the second podcast. The user can select the insertion point 333 by hitting the insert quote button 318. Understandably, the search and select methods employed for selecting the quoted segment 399 and inserting the quoted segment are not limited to the selector 217. The functions can be combined in a navigation pad and various means for performing the search and select are herein contemplated, which can include switching between podcasts.
At step 420, the specification can be created. The insertion point 333, the media source 302 of the quoted segment, the start time 311 and end time 322 of the quoted segment, can be included in the specification. A byte length of the quoted segment can also be included in the specification. Notably, the specification provides time and location information for feeding the quoted segment 399 during a delivery of the second podcast. Briefly referring to
Briefly referring to
At step 430, the quoted segment can be inserted into the second podcast in accordance with the specification. Notably, the specification 500 describes how a quoted segment from a first podcast can be inserted into a second podcast. In one aspect, the specification 500 provides this information which can be included as metadata in a second podcast. In practice, a podcaster client (e.g. mobile device) can retrieve the specification 500 from the metadata and feed the quoted segment in the second podcast in accordance with the specification 500. The specification can be included as part of the download of the second podcast, such as metadata. Alternatively, the specification can be downloaded with the second podcast as a separate file. Note, the method step 430 can be a standalone step, apart from steps 410 to 420. That is, the step of inserting the quoted segment 430 can occur at a later time, upon a download of the second podcast. For example, the user can select a quoted segment from a first podcast and specify an insertion point in a second podcast. Information in regards to the quoted segment can be stored in the specification and included as meta data in the second podcast. The quoted segment can be inserted during a delivery of the second podcast which may occur at a later date. Notably, the specification 500 describes how the quoted segment is inserted during a delivery of the second podcast.
During a delivery of the second podcast, or subsequently after the podcast is received and stored, the podcast client (mobile device) can check for any quote segment insertion times listed in the specification 500, or metadata. Upon identifying a quote insertion time, the mobile device can download the quoted segment in accordance with the specification 500. For example, at step 431 of
In the event the interface 220 is unable to decompress or retrieve the media for the quoted segment, the interface 220 can specify a quote segment duration of zero. The interface 220 can interpret a quote segment duration of zero as an indication that the quote segment is unavailable, or missing. Accordingly, the interface 220 can play a brief tone or message to indicate that a quote segment should be played, though is missing. In one aspect, the interface 220 can provide information to the user such as the IP address for allowing the user to investigate the source of the quoted segment. At step 444 the method can end.
In another arrangement, the mobile device 160 can extract and play back quoted segments saved in the quote insertion list. For example, the list of quote insertion times can be presented on the display 210 (See
Where applicable, the present embodiments of the invention can be realized in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein are suitable. A typical combination of hardware and software can be a mobile communications device with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, can control the mobile communications device such that it carries out the methods described herein. Portions of the present method and system may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein and which when loaded in a computer system, is able to carry out these methods.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the embodiments of the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present embodiments of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
