U.S. patent application number 14/728761 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-21 for method for the aggregation and the transmission of multimedia data.
The applicant listed for this patent is Swisscom AG. Invention is credited to Beat Hermann, Daniel Ledermann, Denis Schlauss, Souheil Ben Yacoub.
Application Number | 20160021160 14/728761 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4358149 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160021160 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schlauss; Denis ; et
al. |
January 21, 2016 |
Method For The Aggregation And The Transmission Of Multimedia
Data
Abstract
A method for data communication is provided and may include
storing multimedia data in a first database, the multimedia data
being associated with assigned metadata stored in the first
database. The assigned metadata may be created for a plurality of
users based on at least a user profile for each of the users, which
may be based on prior viewing habits. Multimedia data may be
selected based on at least the assigned metadata to produce
user-specific multimedia data for selection by the users. The
user-specific multimedia data may be stored in a second database
and may be selected and communicated to a user terminal. An alarm
to a user interface of the user terminal may be generated, if in
producing the user-specific multimedia data from the profiled
multimedia data, it was not possible to generate the user-specific
multimedia data in conformance with the user specific hardware or
network characteristics.
Inventors: |
Schlauss; Denis;
(Ostermundigen, CH) ; Ledermann; Daniel;
(Niederscherli, CH) ; Hermann; Beat; (Bern,
CH) ; Yacoub; Souheil Ben; (Jeuss, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Swisscom AG |
Bern |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
4358149 |
Appl. No.: |
14/728761 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13859345 |
Apr 9, 2013 |
9049269 |
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14728761 |
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13451142 |
Apr 19, 2012 |
8418218 |
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13859345 |
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10415888 |
May 9, 2003 |
8230461 |
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PCT/CH00/00597 |
Nov 9, 2000 |
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13451142 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/306 20130101;
H04N 21/25891 20130101; G06F 16/22 20190101; H04L 29/06 20130101;
H04L 65/60 20130101; H04N 21/251 20130101; H04N 21/232 20130101;
G06F 16/40 20190101; H04L 69/329 20130101; H04L 67/2842
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06; G06F 17/30 20060101 G06F017/30; H04N 21/258 20060101
H04N021/258; H04N 21/232 20060101 H04N021/232; H04N 21/25 20060101
H04N021/25 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A method for selection and transmission of multimedia data, the
method comprising: storing multimedia data in a first database, the
multimedia data being associated with metadata stored in said first
database; creating assigned metadata for a plurality of users based
on at least a user profile for each of said plurality of users,
said user profile based at least in part on user prior viewing
habits; associating the assigned metadata to the multimedia data;
selecting multimedia data from the first database based on at least
the assigned metadata to produce user-specific multimedia data for
selection by said plurality of users; storing the user-specific
multimedia data in a second database; and communicating
user-specific multimedia data selected by a user from the second
database to a user terminal.
12. The method according to claim 11, comprising generating an
alarm to a user interface of the user terminal, if in said
producing the user-specific multimedia data from said selected
multimedia data it was not possible to generate the user-specific
multimedia data in conformance with one or both of: user specific
hardware characteristics and user specific network
characteristics.
13. The method according to claim 11, comprising selectively
producing user-specific multimedia data optimized for different
terminal devices based on multiple hardware profiles from the
selected multimedia data, and wherein the user profile comprises
multiple hardware profiles for different terminal devices
accessible to the user.
14. The method according to claim 11, comprising encrypting the
user-specific multimedia data that is stored in the second
database.
15. The method according to claim 11, comprising analyzing user
behavior history of accessing the user-specific multimedia data to
store reusable conditions data in the user profile and reducing a
purchase fee for the user-specific multimedia data based on the
reusable conditions data.
16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the multimedia data
is modified based on network load optimization.
17. The method according to claim 11, wherein said user profile
comprises user specific behavior data related to a use of
multimedia data.
18. The method according to claim 11, wherein metadata associated
with said assigned metadata comprises context-based keywords
relating to the multimedia data.
19. The method according to claim 11, comprising creating the
assigned metadata as a result of one or more searches for
multimedia data by a search agent at a central management unit that
stores the user profile.
20. The method according to claim 11, wherein the multimedia data
is modified based on one or both of: user specific hardware
characteristics and user specific network characteristics, and
wherein the user specific hardware characteristics and user
specific network characteristics are stored in the user
profile.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the user specific
hardware characteristics include information on a picture
resolution and a compression scheme, and said producing
user-specific multimedia data comprises converting the selected
multimedia data to user-specific multimedia data by applying the
compression scheme and the picture resolution.
22. A system for selection and transmission of multimedia data,
said system comprising a first database, a central management unit,
a repackaging module, and a second database, wherein said system is
operable to: store multimedia data in a first database, the
multimedia data being associated with metadata stored in said first
database; create assigned metadata for a plurality of users based
on at least a user profile for each of said plurality of users,
said user profile based at least in part on user prior viewing
habits; associate the assigned metadata to the multimedia data;
select multimedia data from the first database based on at least
the assigned metadata to produce user-specific multimedia data for
selection by said plurality of users; store the user-specific
multimedia data in a second database; and communicate user-specific
multimedia data selected by a user from the second database to a
user terminal.
23. The system according to claim 22, wherein said system is
operable to generate an alarm to a user interface of the user
terminal, if in said producing the user-specific multimedia data
from said selected multimedia data it was not possible to generate
the user-specific multimedia data in conformance with one or both
of: user specific hardware characteristics and user specific
network characteristics stored in the user profile.
24. The system according to claim 22, wherein said system is
operable to selectively produce user-specific multimedia data
optimized for different terminal devices based on multiple hardware
profiles from the selected multimedia data, and wherein the user
profile comprises multiple hardware profiles for different terminal
devices accessible to the user.
25. The system according to claim 22, wherein said system is
operable to encrypt the user-specific multimedia data that is
stored on the second database.
26. The system according to claim 22, wherein said system is
operable to analyze user behavior history of accessing the
user-specific multimedia data to store reusable conditions data in
the user profile and reducing a purchase fee for the user-specific
multimedia data based on the reusable conditions data.
27. The system according to claim 22, wherein the multimedia data
is modified based on network load optimization.
28. The system according to claim 22, wherein said user profile
comprises user specific behavior data related to a use of
multimedia data.
29. The system according to claim 22, wherein metadata associated
with said assigned metadata comprises context-based keywords
relating to the multimedia data.
30. The system according to claim 22, wherein said system is
operable to create the assigned metadata as a result of one or more
searches for multimedia data by a search agent at a central
management unit that stores the user profile.
31. The system according to claim 22, wherein the multimedia data
is modified based on one or both of: user specific hardware
characteristics and user specific network characteristics, and
wherein the user specific hardware characteristics and user
specific network characteristics are stored in the user
profile.
32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the user specific
hardware characteristics include information on a picture
resolution and a compression scheme, and said producing
user-specific multimedia data comprises converting the selected
multimedia data to user-specific multimedia data by applying the
compression scheme and the picture resolution.
33. A method for selecting and transmission of multimedia data, the
method comprising: storing multimedia data in a first database, the
multimedia data being associated with metadata; creating assigned
metadata for a plurality of users based on at least a user profile
for each of said plurality of users, said user profile based at
least in part on user prior viewing habits; associating the
assigned metadata to the multimedia data; selecting multimedia data
based on at least the assigned metadata to produce user-specific
multimedia data for selection by said plurality of users; storing
the user-specific multimedia data in a second database; and
communicating user-specific multimedia data selected by a user from
the second database to a user terminal.
34. The method according to claim 33, comprising generating an
alarm to a user interface of the user terminal, if in said
producing the user-specific multimedia data from said selected
multimedia data it was not possible to generate the user-specific
multimedia data in conformance with one or both of: user specific
hardware characteristics and user specific network
characteristics.
35. The method according to claim 33, comprising selectively
producing user-specific multimedia data optimized for different
terminal devices based on multiple hardware profiles from the
selected multimedia data, and wherein the user profile comprises
multiple hardware profiles for different terminal devices
accessible to the user.
36. The method according to claim 33, comprising encrypting the
stored user-specific multimedia data.
37. The method according to claim 33, comprising analyzing user
behavior history of accessing the user-specific multimedia data to
store reusable conditions data in the user profile and reducing a
purchase fee for the user-specific multimedia data based on the
reusable conditions data.
38. The method according to claim 33, wherein the multimedia data
is modified based on network load optimization.
39. The method according to claim 33, wherein said user profile
comprises user specific behavior data related to a use of
multimedia data.
40. The method according to claim 33, wherein metadata associated
with said assigned metadata comprises context-based keywords
relating to the multimedia data.
41. The method according to claim 33, comprising creating the
assigned metadata as a result of one or more searches for
multimedia data by a search agent at a central management unit.
42. The method according to claim 33, wherein the multimedia data
is modified based on one or both of: user specific hardware
characteristics and user specific network characteristics, and
wherein the user specific hardware characteristics and user
specific network characteristics are stored in the user
profile.
43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the user specific
hardware characteristics include information on a picture
resolution and a compression scheme, and said producing
user-specific multimedia data comprises converting the selected
multimedia data to user-specific multimedia data by applying the
compression scheme and the picture resolution.
44. A system for selection and transmission of multimedia data,
said system comprising: one or more processors, wherein said one or
more processors is operable to: store multimedia data in a first
database, the multimedia data being associated with metadata;
create assigned metadata for a plurality of users based on at least
a user profile for each of said plurality of users, said user
profile based at least in part on user prior viewing habits;
associate the assigned metadata to the multimedia data; select
multimedia data based on at least the assigned metadata to produce
user-specific multimedia data for selection by said plurality of
users; store the user-specific multimedia data in a second
database; and communicate user-specific multimedia data selected by
a user to a user terminal.
45. The system according to claim 44, wherein said one or more
processors is operable to generate an alarm to a user interface of
the user terminal, if in said producing the user-specific
multimedia data from said selected multimedia data it was not
possible to generate the user-specific multimedia data in
conformance with one or both of user specific hardware
characteristics or user specific network characteristics stored in
the user profile.
46. The system according to claim 44, wherein said one or more
processors is operable to selectively produce user-specific
multimedia data optimized for different terminal devices based on
multiple hardware profiles from the selected multimedia data, and
wherein the user profile comprises multiple hardware profiles for
different terminal devices accessible to the user.
47. The system according to claim 44, wherein said one or more
processors is operable to encrypt the stored user-specific
multimedia data.
48. The system according to claim 44, wherein said one or more
processors is operable to analyze user behavior history of
accessing the user-specific multimedia data to store reusable
conditions data in the user profile and reducing a purchase fee for
the user-specific multimedia data based on the reusable conditions
data.
49. The system according to claim 44, wherein the multimedia data
is modified based on network load optimization.
50. The system according to claim 44, wherein said user profile
comprises user specific behavior data related to a use of
multimedia data.
51. The system according to claim 44, wherein metadata associated
with said assigned metadata comprises context-based keywords
relating to the multimedia data.
52. The system according to claim 44, wherein said one or more
processors comprises a central management unit, and said system is
operable to create the assigned metadata as a result of one or more
searches for multimedia data by a search agent at a central
management unit that stores the user profile.
53. The system according to claim 44, wherein the multimedia data
is modified based on one or both of: user specific hardware
characteristics and user specific network characteristics, and
wherein the user specific hardware characteristics and user
specific network characteristics are stored in the user
profile.
54. The method according to claim 53, wherein the user specific
hardware characteristics include information on a picture
resolution and a compression scheme, and said producing
user-specific multimedia data comprises converting the selected
multimedia data to user-specific multimedia data by applying the
compression scheme and the picture resolution.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for the
aggregation and the transmission of multimedia data, in which
method metadata is assigned to multimedia data, a user profile is
established utilizing user information and multimedia data is
transmitted from a central unit to a communication device of a
user. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method for
the aggregation and transmission of multimedia data to various
receiving devices of a user.
[0002] Currently worldwide, continually more computer and
communications systems are made to retrieve or transmit multimedia
data over networks, as for example a LAN (Local Area Network), a
WAN (Wide Area Network) or the Internet via for example the PSTN
(Public Switched Telephone Network) or a mobile radio network
(PLMN: Public Land Mobile Network), for example GSM network (Global
System for Mobile Communication) or UMTS network (Universal Mobile
Telephone System) etc. Particularly, multimedia data are displayed
and/or edited and/or are made available to other modified computer
systems. Multimedia data include, among others, digital data such
as text, graphics, pictures, animations, video, Quicktime and sound
recordings. MPx (MP3) or MPEGx (MPEG7) standards, as defined by the
Moving Pictures Expert Group, also belong to multimedia data. The
amount of data arising from the transmission of multimedia data is,
however, in most cases enormous. Despite the strenuous efforts from
the side of industry toward to extension of the existing network,
so far it is unable to keep pace with the growing demand for more
efficient networks and greater transmission bandwidths. The
situation has been contributed to, in recent years, by the fast
growing popularity of services such as the Internet, the demand for
multimedia "on demand", for example video films or programs/data
and network compatible multi-user games etc. Consequently, greater
numbers of users and larger amounts of data per user are the
triggers, bringing the network repeatedly to the limits of
capacity. Additionally, the costs for the use of the network are
still too high in comparison to the price of the retrieved
multimedia data. Belonging to the disadvantages for the extension
of the existing network is that such an extension is time consuming
and proportionally expensive. Attempts to carry the flood of data
over other channels, as for example broadcast systems (i.e. Digital
Audio Broadcasting DAB or Digital Video Broadcasting), over which
broadcasters send unidirectional digital audio respectively video
programs (television programs) and digital data and program
associated data (Program Associated Data, PAD) to broadcast
receivers, have up until the present not been able to really break
through. A typical example of broadcasting is the carrying of
controlled access films over broadcast systems. The characteristic
unidirectional sending of these broadcast systems has, among
others, the disadvantage that especially the broadcasting by means
of radio waves is lacking a return channel from the broadcast
receiver to the broadcast sender, respectively to its operator. As
a result of this missing return channel, the possibilities for the
settling of accounts for controlled access programs and/or data are
limited (for example to subscriptions). The settling of accounts
per subscription is, however, often not advantageous for the user
because the user is not able to spontaneously retrieve controlled
access programs and/or data for which they have not taken out a
subscription. A further disadvantage for the settling of accounts
per subscription is that the providers, respectively the operators
of the broadcast sender, obtain no direct information about which
subscribed services were also actually retrieved by the user. In
the view of the user the settling of accounts seems not to be a
fair method of accounting since they must pay for a subscription
independent of whether they have retrieved the subscribed services
or not. Especially for operators of small broadcast senders,
respectively for small providers of controlled access programs
and/or data, the expenditure for the administration of such
subscriptions and for the settling of accounts of such services is
costly. However, one of the biggest disadvantages is that only very
imprecise data is available for the providers about the behaviour
of the user. This makes it difficult for the provider to adapt
quickly to wishes or changed behaviour of the user. In summary, it
can be said that exact statistical and individual data about the
behaviour of the user and a simple inexpensive system for settling
of accounts via a reasonably priced bidirectional network
(interactivity user--multimedia provider) is important and decisive
for multimedia providers. These demands are not satisfied by the
state of the art in the required manner. The document Mohan Rakesh,
Smith John R. and Li chung-Sheng: Content Adaptation Framework:
Bringing the Internet to Information Appliances', GLOBECOM 99 shows
a system, by means of which content adapted data can be transmitted
over the Internet to a user. With that the transmitted data
quantity allows itself to be reduced to the required amount. The
European Patent document EP 0905939 A2 likewise shows a system for
reducing the amount of data to be transmitted. The data could among
others be coded and compressed for this purpose by the system. The
US patent document U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,831 reveals a system, which
adapts the data respectively translates it into the proper format
corresponding to the end device of the user and the software used
by the user. The system changes the conditions corresponding to the
end device of the user and thereby allows the user to change the
end device without problems. The international patent publication
WO 98/43177 of the prior art shows a system, which chooses,
extracts and specifically adapts dynamic data out of the database,
in which these data are transmitted to the user of the system. The
behavior of the user can thereby be captured and influence, if
necessary, the extraction behavior of the system.
[0003] It is an objective of the present invention to propose a new
and better method appropriate for the transmission of multimedia
data. Particularly, the settling of accounts for the retrieved
multimedia data and the recording of the behaviour of the user with
an acceptable price to performance ratio should be possible, the
locating and the retrieving of multimedia data be simplified for
the user and the method should not show the above cited
disadvantages of the state of the art. A further objective of the
invention is to create an active push method for the personalized
aggregation of multimedia data by the system without the user
having to be active in the process in advance.
[0004] According to the invention, these objectives are achieved,
in particular, through the elements of the characterizing part of
the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments follow
moreover from the dependent claims and from the specification.
In particular these objectives are attained through the invention
in that metadata is assigned to multimedia data, a user profile is
established utilizing user information and multimedia data
utilizing the assigned metadata and based on the user profile is
selected, in which the metadata is at least partially produced
through automatic analysis of the multimedia data based on the
content of the multimedia data, in which the user profile is
generated at least partially, dynamically, from which data of the
user profile portions are able to be modified by the user, and in
which content oriented and optimized user specific multimedia data
is produced out of the said selected multimedia data by means of a
repackaging module in consideration of the data of the user
profile, which content oriented and user specific optimised
multimedia data is transmitted from a central unit to a
communication device of the assigned user of the user profile. In
particular, the advantage of this invention is that an optimisation
of the transmission of multimedia is achieved without the existing
network having to be extended. This has the advantage that the
invention offers a more reasonably priced and faster improvement
without the user having to experience a reduction with regard to
the quality or quantity of the transmitted information. A further
advantage is the time intensive searching and compilation of the
data, in particular multimedia data, is much simplified for the
user in larger networks and the user is additionally able to
receive a dynamic preselection or summary established by the system
(i.e. the user receives for example active proposals for possible
search actions from the system) and an automation of the search
directly influenced by the user.
[0005] In an embodiment variant the metadata is at least partially,
dynamically generated, in which the dynamic generation will be made
at least partially based on user data of the user profile. One of
the advantages of this embodiment variant is that the metadata is
continuously current as is necessary for the user. Additionally,
this is achieved without unnecessary consumption of system
resources.
[0006] In an embodiment variant the user determines content
oriented and user specific optimized multimedia data and/or
references to multimedia data, which content oriented and user
specific optimized multimedia data and/or references to multimedia
data (as for example hyperlinks) are stored and made available in
the database of the content module assigned to the user. The
embodiment variant has among others the advantage that previously
generated multimedia data must not be produced new each time for
multiple uses by the user. This allows for faster access to the
desired data with economy of the computing power. In particular,
the search for multimedia data utilizing the generated metadata
utilizing the defined, user specific references to multimedia data
is enlarged.
[0007] In an embodiment variant the user manages the data that are
stored in the user assigned data store of the content module at
least partially himself. Management intends to refer to for
example, in addition to the direct access, the deleting or the
editing of storage parameters. This has among others the advantage
that the user is able to directly influence the storage of the data
in the content module.
[0008] In an embodiment variant the user specific data about
network characteristics and/or data about hardware characteristics
of the communication device of the user and/or data about user
behavior in the user profile is stored. This embodiment variant has
the same advantages as the first embodiment variant.
[0009] In a further embodiment variant the repackaging module
optimizes the selected multimedia data in view of the user specific
user data in such a way that the data are fit to the demands of the
communication device of the user and/or the communication
connection from the central unit to the said communication device.
This embodiment variant has likewise the same advantages as the
first embodiment variant.
[0010] In an embodiment variant content oriented and user specific
optimized multimedia for different communication devices of the
user stored is made available in the content module of the central
unit of the user. In particular, this is meaningful for embodiment
variants where the user is able to define several user profiles for
different communication devices. An advantage of this embodiment
variant is that the user is able therewith to manage centrally
several completely different communication devices. In that way he
is able to, for example over a comfortable interface of a computer
system, determine and manage in the central unit the multimedia
data already delivered for one of a different kind of communication
device such as a WAP and/or SMS compatible mobile radio device.
[0011] A further embodiment variant the user profile comprises
access conditions data, which stipulates the monetary value of a
credit limit definable by one of the user and/or the central unit,
to which credit limit an automatic billing of the retrieved,
content oriented and user specific optimized multimedia data takes
place. This has among others the advantage that with the recompense
for access to the content oriented and user specific optimized
multimedia data the user or the central unit is able to be freely
define, as to which kind of accounting to which payment amounts
should be made.
[0012] In a further embodiment variant the central unit records
automatic and/or dynamic data about the user behaviour and stores
them assigned to the user profile. This has for example the
advantage that statistical inquiries about user behaviour are able
to be carried out centrally and multimedia providers are able to
react quickly to changed user behaviour.
[0013] In an embodiment variant the user profile consists of fixed
reusable conditions data of the user and/or the central unit, based
upon which fixed reusable conditions data the central unit utilizes
the user profile and makes it accessible to a third party. This
embodiment variant has for example the advantage that the user can
stipulate which level of data about his user behaviour or his user
profile may be made accessible to a third party or may be used for
statistical inquiries. For example, the provider can then introduce
a bonus system for such users who allow more information about
their user behaviour to be reused. Moreover, the provider is also
able to react flexibly to the client behaviour and client
wishes.
[0014] In an embodiment variant the user determines in advance the
access request data of the user data for the purchase of content
oriented and user specific optimized multimedia data, which access
request data comprises an identification of the desired multimedia
data and/or user specific details for the transmission of the
desired multimedia data. This has among others the same advantage
as above in that the user receives faster and more efficient access
to the desired data (especially access controlled data) for
different communication devices.
[0015] In a further embodiment variant, the multimedia data
comprises programs (software) and/or program associated data. This
embodiment variant has for example the advantage that the
appropriate processing and display graphics programs or software
for the content oriented and user specific optimized multimedia
data are able to be downloaded in advance to the communication
device of the user from the central unit.
[0016] In a further embodiment variant, the multimedia data
comprises hyperlinks.
[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in
the following with reference to an example. The example of the
embodiment is illustrated by FIG. 1, which shows a schematic block
diagram of the method, in which multimedia data is personalized and
user specifically optimized through a central unit.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment example according to the present
invention, in which embodiment example for the aggregation and the
transmission of multimedia data by means of a central unit 20 to a
communication unit 10 of a user multimedia data 52 is analyzed with
regard to its content and metadata 51 based on the content of the
multimedia data 52 is generated by the metadata extraction module
53, respectively is aggregated in a personalized way. According to
the present invention the receiving device 10 is bi-directionally
connected with a central unit 20 over a communication network. The
communication network comprises for example a GSM or a UMTS
network, or a satellite based mobile radio network, and/or one of
several fixed networks, for example the public switched telephone
network, the worldwide internet or a suitable LAN (local area
network) or WAN (wide area network). Particularly, it also
comprises an ISDN and an XDSL connection. Included in multimedia
data are to be understood among others digital data such as text,
graphics, pictures, cards, animation, moving pictures, video,
Quicktime, sound recordings, programs (software), program
associated data and hyperlinks or references to multimedia data.
Also belonging are for example MPx (MP3) or MPEGx (MPEG4 or 7)
standards, as they are defined by the moving picture expert group.
The multimedia data 52 are able to be stored accessibly at
different locations in different networks or locally for the
central unit 20. The last named networks could include for example
a LAN (local area network) or a WAN (wide area network), the
Internet, broadcast cable networks, PSTN, PLMN or the like. The
metadata 52 are extracted utilizing a content based indexing
technique and are able to include keywords, synonyms, references to
multimedia data (e.g. also hyperlinks), picture and/or sound
sequences etc. Such systems are known in the state of the art in
diverse variations. Examples for this are the US patent document
U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,644, which describes a three-file-indexing
technique or the U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,868, which additionally also
store synonyms as such-keywords during the indexing of the
multimedia data and the extraction of the metadata. In the present
embodiment variant, the metadata are able to be at least partially
produced dynamically (in real time) based upon user data of a user
profile 21. This has for example the advantage that the metadata is
always current and precise as useful for the user. There exists
therefore a type of feedback possibility about the user behaviour
at the communication device 10 to the metadata extraction module,
which can directly influence the extraction. It could be however
that so called agents are used particularly during the search for
certain data. The said user profile 21 is established utilizing
user information and stored in the central unit 20 assigned to the
user. The central unit 20 generates content oriented and user
specific optimized multimedia data 52 according to the user profile
21 and transmits it to the communication device 10 of the user. The
user profile 21 remains permanently stored assigned to a particular
user. The communication device 10 of the user can be for example a
PC (personal computer), TV, PDA (personal digital assistant) or a
mobile radio device (especially e.g. in combination with a
broadcast receiver). The user profile 21 can comprise information
about a user such as for example location of the communication unit
10 of the user in the network, identity of the user, user specific
network characteristics 2113, user specific hardware
characteristics 2114, data about the user behaviour 2112, etc. The
user determines and/or modifies in advance of a purchase of
multimedia data 52 at least portions of the user data 211 of the
user profile 21. Naturally, he has equally the possibility to
search and to access multimedia data through direct access, without
having search and compilation help of the central unit in the
network. The remaining data of the user profile 21 are able to be
determined automatically by the central unit 20, by authorized
third parties or likewise the user. Thus, the central unit 20 can
include for example automatic connection recognition, user
identification and/or automatic recording and analysis of the user
behaviour (time of access, frequency of access, etc.). In an
embodiment variant, these data about the user behaviour are able to
be modified anew then by the user corresponding to his wishes. The
multimedia data 51 are selected from the central unit 20 utilizing
the assigned metadata 51 and based upon the user profile 21.
Content oriented and user specific optimized multimedia data are
produced subsequently from these said selected multimedia data 52
by means of a repackaging module 30 in consideration of the user
profile 21 and in special cases the user data 211. For example, a
user is interested in stock market data (or a single portion of the
stock market data), the desired data are extracted from the general
data found on the network, are compiled and optimized corresponding
to the user profile 21 for example the user specific hardware
characteristics 2114 or the network characteristics 2113 (e.g.
compressed, sequenced, picture resolution or sound quality
reduced). In an embodiment variant, the user has the possibility to
determine access request data 2111 in the user profile 21 before
the purchase of the multimedia data 52. The access request data
2111 can consist of for example time, data, type, terms, general
descriptions (e.g. synonyms as well) and/or characteristics such as
resolution etc. of the desired multimedia data. Thus, the user
specific optimized and content oriented multimedia data are already
supplied at the point in time of the access by the user. So that
the data of the user profile for example regarding picture
resolution are determined not only by the central unit 20, but also
are able to be at least partially modified by the user (e.g. access
request data 2111), special user wishes (e.g. regarding download
times) can be given attention during the optimization. The above
named process for the selection of multimedia data and sequences of
multimedia data according to the user profile 21 or according to
direct details of the user is understood under the personalization
of multimedia data. It comprises particularly a content related
compilation of data. The optimization to for example user specific
network and/or hardware characteristics and/or user behaviour
according to the user profile 21 is understood under user specific
optimization of multimedia data. In an embodiment possibility, the
user profile 21 consists of a credit limit 2115. The credit limit
2115 is one of the user and/or the central unit 20 and/or third
party (e.g. banks, credit card companies, multimedia providers)
definable monetary value and stipulates a maximum monetary value
for the purchase of content oriented and user specific optimized
multimedia data to be paid for, to which monetary value an
automatic billing for the purchase of multimedia data is able to be
carried out by the central unit 20. Upon exceeding the credit limit
2115 a check is initiated from the central unit 20 for example to
the banking institution regarding the credit worthiness of the
user. The credit limit 2115 can also serve the user as a protection
against unforeseen costs for the purchase of multimedia data. In
particular, the user is also able to access through the billing
from third party providers access controlled multimedia data
(conditional access) to be paid for over the central unit 20. The
handling and management of the settling of accounts (billing)
and/or access key are carried out by the central unit 20. The
encryption and/or decoding of the access controlled multimedia data
is achieved by means of an access controlled module of the
repackaging module 30, in which for example distribution key and/or
session key is able to be used according to the ETSI standard.
According to the invention, the repackaging module 30 is able to be
implemented by way of hardware or software. For the billing of the
retrieved multimedia data, meaning the settling of accounts for the
purchase of the data, corresponding settling of accounts data are
generated by the central unit 20, which comprises for example
receipts for the settling of accounts (e.g. electronically signed),
similar to CDR receipts (call data records) with so called DUR
receipts (DAB/DVB usage records). The receipts for the settling of
accounts are transmitted from the central unit 20 for example to a
clearing module of a credit card company, where they are further
processed, or the central unit carries out the billing
autonomously. The content oriented and user specific optimized
multimedia data can also be provided with an electronic stamp, an
electronic signature or an electronic watermark by means of the
repackaging module 30. The electronic signature allows the content
oriented and user specific optimized multimedia data to be assigned
at any future point in time to the user, who has retrieved it from
the central unit. The misuse of cost compulsory multimedia data can
thereby be prevented. Particularly, the user profile 21 can also
comprise reusable conditions data 2116, which are determinable by
the user and/or the central unit 20 and/or authorized third parties
(as e.g. the provider of multimedia data 52). Based upon the
reusable conditions data 2116, the data of the user profile 21 are
analyzed and made accessible to third parties (which can be in any
case determined by the user or the central unit 20). The user in
this way determines the protection of the data. The statistical
analysis can be obtained generally as well as individually for the
specific user. The central unit 20 functions thereby as an
independent filter station for the data according to the reusable
conditions data 2116. In particular, the reusable conditions data
2116 in combination with the billing allow bonus systems to be
implemented based upon the reusable conditions data 2116 by means
of the central unit 21. In this manner, for example the purchase
fees for cost compulsory multimedia data can be reduced by the
provider, when the user sets the reusable conditions data 2116 so
that the provider is able to know more about the specific user
behaviour. This gives the provider many advantages. In this manner
he is able to react for example faster to changed specific user
behaviour as well as general trends and to take these into
consideration. Another application of this type of statistical
analysis of the present invention is the possibility for the system
using the said analysis to build communities or groups of users
with the same or similar interests. This allows for example an
optimized and perhaps more time and cost intensive aggregation of
multimedia data through the system. An opposite approach is, if the
system notes statistically that for example different users
searched repeatedly and/or requested objects, which were not able
to be found. If multimedia data with the desired content do not
exist, it can be deduced that apparently a new interest or a demand
for multimedia data with currently still unavailable content exists
or a demand is in the process of developing. That allows the
content provider to react quickly to new interests and create a
respective market position for himself. The content oriented and
user specific optimized multimedia data are stored in a database 41
of a content module 40 of the central unit 20 made available to the
user. In this database 41 is not only the central unit 20 utilizing
the user profile 21 able to store content oriented and user
specific optimized multimedia data and/or references to the content
oriented and user specific optimized multimedia data, but it also
allows the user to store content oriented and user specific
optimized multimedia data and/or references to the content oriented
and user specific optimized multimedia data in the database 41.
Consequently, the user receives indirectly for example via the
access request data 2111 influence over the data already in the
database 41 and directly in that he determines the said data (e.g.
for multimedia data, which he intends to use at a later point in
time). This allows the user to further optimize his time of access.
The user is able to access the content oriented and user specific
optimized data of the database 41 of the content module 40 with the
communication device at any time or the central unit 20 carries out
the download of the data to the communication device 10 at a
prearranged point in time. The determination of the already
compiled content oriented and user specific optimized multimedia
data can take place depending on user interface for example with
drag-and-drop or another selection mechanism. It can be convenient
to integrate an alarm function into the system, making the user
aware with the use of an alert, that important multimedia data
would have been compiled utilizing the profile, but this data could
not or was not able to be pushed by the system due to for example
the choice of the end device respectively the communication device
10 (meaning e.g. that the multimedia viewed as important by the
system do not comply with the technical necessities of the
communication device 10). As an additional service, it can also be
offered that upon the demands of the user the content or specific
parts (e.g. determinable by the user) of the content of the
database 41 of the content module 40 be stored on a physical
medium, such as for example CD-Rom or DVD and be delivered to the
user for example via the post.
[0019] It is important to point out, that the user has the
possibility according to the present invention to define for
himself several different user profiles 21 at the central unit 20
for different communication devices 10 and/or different network
locations etc. In so doing he can define for example a user profile
21 for a mobile radio device, a user profile 21 for a PC and one
for a PDA. Since the different user profiles 21 are each assigned
to the same user, he is also able to commonly modify and manage the
user profile from his different communication devices 10. In so
doing he can determine access request data 2111 during the day at
his employment on his PC, in order to access the multimedia data
(stock market, weather, sport, etc.) according to the predefined
access request data 2111 later on the way home with his mobile
radio device. The central unit 20 functions as a central management
element, which allows the user to manage his different end devices
and the desired multimedia data in a convenient manner. Through
this reciprocal access, a widest possible optimization with most
minimal network load and greatest user comfort is achieved. Since
the user receives a permanently, assigned, stored user profile 21
in the central unit 20, the central unit 20 also has the
possibility to take into consideration load peaks for the
performance of calculation and/or network transmission (time,
transmission channel etc.). On the other hand, it is important to
note that with the present invention an active from the system
push-situation is created by the system for the user without the
user having to be active himself, meaning the data is compiled by
the system without further user intervention utilizing his user
profile 21 and if it is the planned case independently transmitted.
This can take into consideration as with automatic device
recognition for example the time of the user behaviour for
different communication devices (end devices) by the same user etc.
It is also possible to imagine that the system is used for the
personalized creation of multimedia advertising data or to
integrate such data into multimedia data demanded by the user. It
must be pointed out that the method may not be viewed as limited in
its scope of protection in any way through the example mentioned
here.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0020] 10 Communication device [0021] 20 Central unit [0022] 21
User profile [0023] 211 data able to be determined by the user
[0024] 2111 Access request data [0025] 2112 Data based upon user
behaviour [0026] 2113 User specific data about network
characteristics [0027] 2114 User specific data about hardware
characteristics [0028] 2115 Credit limit [0029] 2116 Reusable
conditions data [0030] 30 Repackaging module [0031] 40 Content
module [0032] 41 Database [0033] 51 Metadata [0034] 52 Multimedia
data [0035] 53 Metadata extraction module
* * * * *