# Patent

## Title
Media content catalog service

## Abstract

Aggregating media content catalog data from a plurality of content providers. The catalog data is merged according to rules and provided to a user on a scheduled basis or on demand. In an embodiment, the merged catalog data represents an incremental update to previously delivered catalog data.

## Background
BACKGROUND
Consumers have been benefiting from additional freedom and control over the consumption of digital media content. One example is the proliferation of personal video recorder systems (PVRs) that allow consumers to record television shows for later viewing. The adoption of PVRs has furthered interest in on-demand, consumer-driven experiences with content consumption. Examples of existing systems include on-demand digital cable, internet video streaming services, and peer-to-peer distribution networks. Other existing systems include music and video stores providing consumers with content that may be purchased and subsequently viewed on personal video or audio players.
Video catalog services list the programming available through existing video services. Such video catalog services are typically developed based on the music service or video blog service associated therewith. As a result, there are certain design limitations. For instance, the existing video catalogs are derived from a music or video blog catalog which lacks support for concepts particular to the video space such as “channel” and “series”. In addition, there is no support for offline video catalog browsing. Users must be online to browse the video catalog in the existing systems. Further, there is no support for ad-sponsored free video downloads. Existing systems also typically rely on a single source for catalog content.
SUMMARY
Embodiments of the invention provide a catalog of media items to a user. In an embodiment, the invention aggregates catalog data received from a plurality of content providers. The catalog data is associated with a plurality of media items available from each of the content providers. The aggregation occurs based on rules to create a user catalog in a pre-defined catalog format for consumption by a user.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a media content download system.
FIG. 2 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating operation of a video catalog service.
FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a video catalog system.
FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating the import, interlinking, and merging of metadata from content providers.
FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating receipt of catalogs from content providers.
FIG. 6 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating metadata aggregation.
FIG. 7 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating rule-based catalog interlinking.
FIG. 8 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating a similarity analysis during rule-based catalog interlinking.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In an embodiment, the invention includes a media content catalog service such as illustrated in FIG. 1. While FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary operating environment for the media content catalog service, aspects of the invention are not limited to such an environment. The media content catalog service is operable in other operating environments such as a video game console embodiment, a streaming media system, a traditional cable television system, an audio file catalog embodiment, a pay download embodiment, an ad-sponsored free download embodiment, a subscription embodiment, and the like.
Further, although described primarily in the context of video media files, aspects of the invention may be applied to various forms of digital media, including video and multimedia files (e.g., movies, movie trailers, television shows, etc.), audio files (e.g., music tracks, news reports, audio web logs, audio books, speeches, comedy routines, etc.), media broadcasts (e.g., webcasts, podcasts, audiocasts, videocasts, video blogs, blogcasts, etc.), and images.
Aspects of the invention support both online and offline catalog browsing with a hybrid catalog request model. Alternatively or in addition to viewing the catalog online, the hybrid catalog request model enables catalog data to be downloaded by a client for offline catalog browsing, and enables catalog data to be requested on-demand.
In one embodiment, the invention interlinks, merges, aggregates, or otherwise combines catalog data from multiple content providers to create an integrated catalog with metadata from the content providers based on rules. The integrated catalog contributes to a consistent user experience. The rules are configurable and may be updated without recompiling the aggregation engine. Exemplary rules are shown in Appendix A. While the combination of the catalog data may be referred to as “interlinking” and/or “merging” in particular embodiments, aspects of the invention are operable with any process to combine the catalog data.
Referring again to FIG. 1, an exemplary block diagram illustrates a media content download system. In one embodiment, the media content download system of FIG. 1 is an Internet on-demand video service that offers a large catalog of program content that may be downloaded by users free of charge (e.g., no subscription fee), on a subscription basis, or on a pay-per-download basis. The program content and ads (e.g., content items) are always available. For example, the content items may be stored on a computing device local to the user 102 such as media service client 104, or archived on a server (e.g., such as owned by content owners 106). The content items may be organized in a hierarchy of seasons each having series with each series having episodes. Revenue is generated by dynamically associating ads with the program content at playback time. The ads are inserted into the program content at playback time, and as such, may change from viewing to viewing.
The content owners 106 or providers supply program content (e.g., video and/or audio files) with associated metadata. Exemplary video fundamentals provided by the content owners 106 are shown in Appendix B. The example in Appendix B is merely exemplary. Other embodiments of the video fundamentals (e.g., markup language files) are contemplated. This metadata also includes the locations in the video at which ads can be inserted (e.g., ad breaks), and which ads provider is responsible for running the ad campaigns. One or more ads providers or advertisers 108 sell ads against the ad breaks. The ads providers supply ad content 110. The ads providers also run an ad engine and report collection service 112 for collecting the reports of which ads have been played. Furthermore, the ads providers make available ad manifest files via an ad manifest service 114. The ad manifests may be distributed via database, stream, file, or the like. The ad manifests include information about the current ad campaigns including which ads (or groups of ads) should be associated with which types of program content. The ad manifests also specify when the advertising may be shown and on what devices/formats. The ad manifests further include the definition of tracking events for reporting on the advertising playback (e.g., a video ad was played, thus it can be billed).
Content ingestion servers 116 receive the program content supplied by the content owners 106 together with the location of the ad manifests. Content delivery networks 118 interface with the media service client 104 or other computing device associated with the user 102 to deliver the content items including program content and advertisements to the user 102.
The user 102 interfaces with the media service client 104, application, computing device, or the like that provides functionality such as browsing, searching, downloading, managing and consuming the content items. The media service client 104 downloads catalog data 142 from a catalog service 122 and allows the user 102 to browse it in search of content items. Once an item is selected for download, the corresponding ad manifest is retrieved by the media service client 104 and stored. The ad manifest for each item of program content includes the information for determining which ads should be downloaded together with the program content. The media service client 104 downloads the selected program content and associated ads. Downloading includes retrieving the program content and associated ads. Downloading may also include receiving the program content and associated ads pushed from another computing device (e.g., pushed from a server at regular intervals).
The catalog service 122 includes or has access to a memory area 130. The memory area 130 stores a plurality of interlinking rules 140. The interlinking rules 140 define the processing of input data. The processing may include interlinking, merging, or any other combination of the catalog data 142. The memory area 130 further stores the catalog data 142 from the content owners 106. The catalog data 142 is associated with a plurality of media items available from each of the content owners 106. The catalog data 142 includes metadata items describing the media items. Exemplary metadata items describe aspects of the media item such as category, genre, contributor, ratings, and roles (e.g., actors, actresses).
In one embodiment, one or more computer-readable media or other memory areas such as memory area 130 associated with the catalog service 122 have computer-executable components comprising a rules component 132, an interface component 134, an aggregation engine component 136, and a front end component 138. The rules component 132 enables configuration, by the user 102, of interlinking rules 140 for combining catalog data such as catalog data 142 from the content providers or owners 106. The interface component 134 receives, from the content owners 106, the catalog data 142 including a plurality of metadata items. Each of the plurality of metadata items includes channel metadata and group metadata. The channel metadata and group metadata describe a media item associated with the metadata item. The aggregation engine component 136 combines the catalog data 142 received by the interface component 134 at least by comparing the channel metadata and group metadata from the received catalog data 142 to identify similar media items. The front end component 138 provides the combined catalog data 142 to the user 102. In an embodiment, the rules component 132 updates the interlinking rules 140 based on input from the user 102 without recompiling the aggregation engine component 136.
In an embodiment of the invention, a computer, computing device, or other general purpose computing device is suitable for use as the catalog service 122 in the figures illustrated and described herein. The computer has one or more processors or processing units and access to a memory area such as memory area 130.
The computer typically has at least some form of computer readable media. Computer readable media, which include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media, may be any available medium that may be accessed by computer. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the modulated data signal, which has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. Wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media, such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media, are examples of communication media. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.
In operation, a computing device executes computer-executable instructions such as those illustrated in the figures to implement aspects of the invention.
Referring next to FIG. 2, an exemplary flow chart illustrates operation of a video catalog service. At 202, the catalog format is defined according to a multi-field schema or other catalog format such as described in Appendix C. The catalog format stores metadata in fields such as a virtual channels data field, a video data field, a video group data field, a video series data field, a contributor data field, a poster data field, a trailer data field, and a supplementary data field. Each provider may create a virtual channel of content. The virtual channels data field stores metadata corresponding to a video list defining one or more video elements and a contributor list defining one or more contributor elements. Each of the video elements has an identifier and a title associated therewith. Each of the contributor elements identifies a contributor to the media content. The video group concept allows grouping of similar or related media content items together (e.g., by series, actor, movies, or television award). The catalog format also includes an action type for each of the received catalogs. The action type includes one or more of the following: add, edit, and delete. Interlinking and/or merging rules are configured at 204. The interlinking rules may be configured based on input from the user or automatically adjusted as a result of previous interlinking operations (e.g., a feedback system). The flow loops until catalog data is received from the content providers at 206. The catalog data being associated with a plurality of media items available from each of the content providers. In an embodiment, receiving the catalog data includes importing and loading a data feed from each of the content providers. The content providers format their catalog data according to the multi-field schema supported by aspects of the invention. Alternatively or in addition, a tool (e.g., a web tool) receives the catalog data from the content providers as input and outputs data in conformance with the schema.
The received catalog data is aggregated or merged at 208 based on the configured interlinking and/or merging rules. In an embodiment, interlinking comprises comparing the metadata items from the catalog data to identify similar media items. Aspects of the invention are operable with a plurality of techniques for identifying similar media items, or other forms of metadata matching, including, for example, fuzzy matching techniques. Merging and aggregating the catalog data includes parsing the catalog data received from the plurality of content providers and assigning the parsed catalog data to one or more fields of the multi-field schema.
The user catalog is generated at 210 or formatted from the aggregated catalog data based on the pre-defined catalog format for consumption by the user. In an embodiment, generating the user catalog includes propagating the user catalog to a front end database for access by the network interface. The generated user catalog is provided to the user at 212, for example, by a network interface, on a scheduled basis or on demand.
Aspects of the invention further include transmitting a portion of the generated user catalog to the user. The portion of the generated user catalog may represent an incremental update to a previously transmitted user catalog. Transmission of the incremental update reduces download time and conserves bandwidth. The incremental updates reflect the changes made to the catalog since the last download. Such options may be based on user preferences or system-defined preferences. Exemplary preferences may direct, for example, the download of a full catalog if the user is operating from a personal computer or download incremental updates if the user is operating from a mobile device.
In one embodiment, one or more computer-readable media have computer-executable instructions for performing the method illustrated in FIG. 2.
Referring next to FIG. 3, an exemplary block diagram illustrates a video catalog system. In this exemplary embodiment, International Standard Audiovisual Number (ISAN) data import is supported. Metadata is interlinked and merged at the ISAN identifier level. Aspects of the invention map the IDs across the content providers.
Referring next to FIG. 4, an exemplary block diagram illustrates the import, interlinking, and merging of metadata from content providers. Data interlinking merges metadata items based on a set of business rules. One outcome of this process is to generate a mapping table with mapping between elements.
Referring next to FIG. 5, an exemplary flow chart illustrates receipt of catalogs from content providers. Referring next to FIG. 6, an exemplary flow chart illustrates metadata aggregation.
Referring next to FIG. 7, an exemplary flow chart illustrating rule-based catalog interlinking. Each rule includes one or more of the following parameters: attribute name (e.g., attribute/collection name to match), weight (e.g., weight for this rule), and a similarity threshold score (e.g., a minimum similarity score threshold for this rule to link the metadata item).
Referring next to FIG. 8, an exemplary flow chart illustrating a similarity analysis during rule-based metadata interlinking. Metadata interlinking is a multi step process. Each rule may have a different significance to a step; therefore, rules are weighted in one embodiment. To control the quality of the interlinking, each rule has a minimum similarity. If the similarity is less then the minimum, it is not considered. The summation of the weighted similarity of all rules defines the similarity of a step, which then may be compared to the step's minimum similarity to generate a match. An exemplary summation is shown below in equation (1).




  
    
      
        SS
        =
        
          
            ∑
            
              n
              =
              1
            
            RC
          
          ⁢
          
            
              RS
              n
            
            *
            
              RW
              n
            
          
        
      
    
    
      
        (
        1
        )
      
    
  




where SS represents the step similarity, RS represents the rule similarity, RW represents the rule weight, and RC represents the rule count.

In one embodiment, the fuzzy matching algorithm works on two tables at a time (e.g., “source” and “destination” tables). Multiple columns of each table are considered for the fuzzy look up. Each column may have a different significance to the rule, therefore, columns are weighted. To control the quality of the interlinking, each column has a minimum similarity. If the similarity is less then the minimum, it is not considered. The summation of the weighted similarity of all columns defines the similarity of the rule. An exemplary summation is shown below in equation (2)




  
    
      
        RS
        =
        
          
            ∑
            
              n
              =
              1
            
            CC
          
          ⁢
          
            
              CS
              n
            
            *
            
              CW
              n
            
          
        
      
    
    
      
        (
        2
        )
      
    
  




wherein RS represents the rule similarity, CS represents the column similarity, CW represents the column weight, and CC represents the column count.

Data normalization is performed at the column level. In one embodiment, multiple normalization processes are defined for each column and executed in a predefined order.
In “row level interlinking,” the names, birth dates, birth places, etc. of two people may be compared. These attributes are stored in a single row because of their one-to-one relationship with the people. A result row is built from multiple source rows. In “collection level interlinking,” the peoples' works (e.g., songs they've sang, movies they have starred in, etc.) are compared. A result collection is built from multiple source collections. To perform collection level interlinking, each item of the collection is compared as with row level interlinking. Treated as a collection, the collection level similarity may be calculated and compared to a predefined minimum collection similarity. There are many ways of defining collection similarity, as shown in equations (3), (4), and (5).

CS=MC/SCC   (3)

CS=MC/DCC   (4)

CS=MC/(SCC+DCC−MC)   (5)

where SCC represents a source collection count, DCC represents a destination collection count, MC represents a match count, and CS represents a collection similarity. Alternatively or in addition to a calculated relevant number, collection similarity may also be defined as a fixed number.

In one embodiment, the collection level interlinking is performed after the row level interlinking. In an embodiment, the fuzzy matching algorithm uses a set of pre-defined working tables as the input and output at runtime.
To differentiate columns from different sources in a row merge, or to differentiate collections from different sources in a collection merge, a priority is assigned to each of column/collection. There are two types of priority: static (e.g., predefined) and dynamic (e.g., content based). A static priority is a predefined, fixed value which does not change based on the content of the data. A dynamic priority is based on the content of the data. For example, for a row merge, the priority may be based on the value of the content or the string length of the content. For a collection merge, the priority may be based on the collection item count and a maximum and/or minimum value of a column.
In an embodiment, the priorities are the same from different sources. There are multiple, different ways of handling such a conflict including selecting one of the sources, or concatenating or summing the content from the conflicting sources. When performing a row merge, selecting one of the sources includes selecting one of the source column contents as the result column content. Concatenating the content comprises concatenating the string type data from the source columns for use as the result column content. Summing the content comprises summing the numerical data in the source column content as the result column content.
When performing a collection merge, selecting one of the sources includes selecting one of the collections as the result collection. Concatenating the content comprises adding the source collections items to the result collection.
Aspects of the invention may be implemented as a class of application programming interface routines. In an embodiment, MergeWorkerBase is the base abstract class, and different types of merges are implemented as different sub classes thereof. A RowMergeWorker class implements the logic of row merge. A CollectionMergeWorker class implements the logic of collection merge.
Although described in connection with an exemplary computing system environment, embodiments of the invention are operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. The computing system environment illustrated in FIG. 1 is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of any aspect of the invention. Moreover, the computing system environment should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, PoP devices, gaming consoles, programmable consumer electronics, mobile telephones, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
The following examples further illustrate embodiments of the invention. The figures, description, and examples herein as well as elements not specifically described herein but within the scope of aspects of the invention constitute means for aggregating the metadata items from the catalog data into the merged catalog data.
The order of execution or performance of the operations in embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention.
Embodiments of the invention may be implemented with computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be organized into one or more computer-executable components or modules. Aspects of the invention may be implemented with any number and organization of such components or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific computer-executable instructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in the figures and described herein. Other embodiments of the invention may include different computer-executable instructions or components having more or less functionality than illustrated and described herein.
When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Appendix A
The following are exemplary business rules for aggregating content from multiple providers and from a single provider.
Video Aggregation Among Multiple Providers
Partner A and Partner B have Movie A in their inventory, and they both provide the cover art and metadata for the movie. Even though the movie can be purchased/downloaded from the two content providers, aspects of the invention provide a consistent experience to users for browsing the movie in the catalog described herein. For example, the cover art and its movie metadata only show up once the initial catalog browsing experience. When the user decides to purchase or download Movie A, the service presents the offers from both Partner A and Partner B and allows the user to choose from which partner to purchase.
An exemplary configuration for the business rules for aggregating the video catalog are shown below.
Interlinking the video from Partner A and Partner B

    
    
        If the ISANs are identical, the service in one embodiment of the invention considers them to be the same video
        For those videos that do not match based on the above rule, if the overall similarity score of a video pair is over 90%, the service considers them to be the same video. The overall similarity is the sum of similarity score of the individual rule. Each individual rule is calculated based on the similarity of an attribute pair * weight. Below are some sample rules:
        
            Video Title Interlinking Rule:
            
                Similarity score=Video Title Similarity Score*90% (weight) If the Similarity Score<70%, consider the similarity score=0
            
            
            Earliest available date Interlinking Rule:
            
                Similarity score=(If the month and year of the Earliest Available Date Match, then 100, otherwise 0)*10% (weight)
            
            
        
        
        For those videos that do not match based on the above rule, if the overall similarity score of a video pair is over 90%, we consider them to be the same video as well.
        
            Video Title Interlinking Rule:
            
                Similarity score=Video Title Similarity Score*50% (weight) If the Similarity Score<60%, consider, the similarity score=0
            
            
            Earliest available date Interlinking Rule:
            
                Similarity score=(If the year of the Earliest Available Date Match, then 100, otherwise 0)*20% (weight)
            
            
            Cast List Interlinking Rule
            
                Similarity score=(If top 10 cast list match, then 100, otherwise 0)*20% (weight). Top 10 cast list is sorted by cast ranking
            
            
        
        
    
    


Merging the video metadata from Partner A and Partner B to create the best metadata user experience

    
    
        For all the non-interlinked video, copy all the data to the final publication table
        For interlinked video matches,
        
            Use Partner A video cover art in the final publication table. If Partner A does not have cover art, use Partner B cover art
            Use Partner A description in the final publication table. If Partner A does not have description, use Partner B description
            Use Partner A MPAA rating in the final publication table. If Partner A does not have MPAA rating, use Partner B MPAA rating
            Use Partner B cast list in the final publication table. If Partner B does not have cast list, use Partner B cast list

Video Group Aggregation Among A Single Provider

        
        
    
    


Partner A provides two similar law-related television shows. To help the user find the desired show, the service displays all episodes for both shows. The business rules to implement these actions are based on the following pattern: the video title starts with “Law” and the video type is either a series, mini-series, limited series, or movie.







APPENDIX B





Exemplary video fundamentals data are shown below as an extensible


markup language (XML) file.















<?xml version=“1.0” encoding=“UTF-8”?>


<!--


**********************************************************


********-->


<!-- This xml defines video fundamentals.


             -->


<!-- WARNING: The ids defined in this file will be persisted.


          -->


<!--


**********************************************************


********-->


<VideoFundamentals xmlns:xsi=“http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-


instance”>


  <RoleList>


    <Role id=“1” name=“Actor” />


    <Role id=“2” name=“Director” />


    <Role id=“3” name=“Guest Star” />


    <Role id=“4” name=“Host” />


    <Role id=“5” name=“Producer” />


    <Role id=“6” name=“Writer” />


  </RoleList>


  <VideoTypeList>


    <VideoType id=“1” name=“Movie”/>


    <VideoType id=“2” name=“Limited Series”/>


    <VideoType id=“3” name=“Miniseries”/>


    <VideoType id=“4” name=“Serial”/>


    <VideoType id=“5” name=“Series”/>


    <VideoType id=“6” name=“Short Film”/>


    <VideoType id=“7” name=“Special”/>


  </VideoTypeList>


  <FlagList>


    <Flag id=“1” name=“CC” />


    <Flag id=“2” name=“Stereo” />


    <Flag id=“3” name=“Repeat” />


    <Flag id=“4” name=“New” />


    <Flag id=“5” name=“Live” />


    <Flag id=“6” name=“Tape” />


    <Flag id=“7” name=“Delayed” />


    <Flag id=“8” name=“Subtitled” />


    <Flag id=“9” name=“Premiere” />


    <Flag id=“10” name=“Season Premiere” />


    <Flag id=“11” name=“Series Premiere” />


    <Flag id=“12” name=“Finale” />


    <Flag id=“13” name=“Season Finale” />


    <Flag id=“14” name=“Series Finale” />


    <Flag id=“15” name=“Dolby” />


    <Flag id=“16” name=“Dolby Digital” />


    <Flag id=“17” name=“Joined In Progress” />


    <Flag id=“18” name=“Cable in the Classroom” />


    <Flag id=“19” name=“Secondary Audio” />


    <Flag id=“20” name=“Blackout” />


    <Flag id=“21” name=“3D” />


    <Flag id=“22” name=“DVS” />


    <Flag id=“23” name=“Mini Series” />


    <Flag id=“24” name=“Live Sports” />


    <Flag id=“25” name=“Made for TV” />


    <Flag id=“26” name=“Standard aspect ratio 4:3 (1:33:1)”


/>


    <Flag id=“27” name=“HDTV aspect ratio 16:9 (1:85:1)” />


    <Flag id=“28” name=“CinemaScope aspect ratio 2:35:1” />


    <Flag id=“29” name=“High Definition TV format. Program


that is broadcast in 1080p (1920×1080)” />


    <Flag id=“30” name=“High Definition TV format. Program


that is broadcast in 720p (1280×720) or 1080i” />


    <Flag id=“31” name=“Enhanced Definition TV format program


that is broadcast in 480p using progressive scanning at a 640×480


high pixel resolution” />


    <Flag id=“32” name=“Standard Definition TV format program


that is broadcast in 480i using interlaced scanning at a 640×480 high


pixel resolution” />


  </FlagList>


  <CategoryList>


    <Category parentId=“0” id=“0” name=“Root” />


    <Category parentId=“0” id=“1” name=“General” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“100” name=“All” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“101”


name=“Action/Adventure” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“102” name=“Comedy” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“103”


name=“Documentary/Bio” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“104” name=“Drama” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“105” name=“Educational”


/>


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“106”


name=“Family/Children” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“107” name=“Movies” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“108” name=“Music” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“109” name=“News” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“110” name=“Sci-


Fi/Fantasy” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“111” name=“Soap” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“112” name=“Sports” />


      <Category parentId=“1” id=“113” name=“Other” />


    <Category parentId=“0” id=“2” name=“Educational” />


      <Category parentId=“2” id=“200” name=“All” />


      <Category parentId=“2” id=“201” name=“Arts” />


      <Category parentId=“2” id=“202” name=“Biography” />


      <Category parentId=“2” id=“203” name=“Documentary”


/>


      <Category parentId=“2” id=“204” name=“How-to” />


      <Category parentId=“2” id=“205” name=“Science” />


      <Category parentId=“2” id=“206” name=“Other” />


    <Category parentId=“0” id=“3” name=“Kids” />


      <Category parentId=“3” id=“300” name=“All” />


      <Category parentId=“3” id=“301” name=“Adventure” />


      <Category parentId=“3” id=“302” name=“Animated” />


      <Category parentId=“3” id=“303” name=“Comedy” />


      <Category parentId=“3” id=“304” name=“Educational”


/>


      <Category parentId=“3” id=“305” name=“Special” />


      <Category parentId=“3” id=“306” name=“Other” />


    <Category parentId=“0” id=“4” name=“Lifestyle” />


      <Category parentId=“4” id=“400” name=“All” />


      <Category parentId=“4” id=“401” name=“Adults Only”


/>


      <Category parentId=“4” id=“402” name=“Collectibles”


/>


      <Category parentId=“4” id=“403” name=“Cooking” />


      <Category parentId=“4” id=“404” name=“Exercise” />


      <Category parentId=“4” id=“405” name=“Health” />


      <Category parentId=“4” id=“406” name=“Home and


Garden” />


      <Category parentId=“4” id=“407” name=“Outdoors” />


      <Category parentId=“4” id=“408” name=“Religious” />


      <Category parentId=“4” id=“409” name=“Other” />


    <Category parentId=“0” id=“5” name=“Movies” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“500” name=“All” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“501” name=“Action and


Adventure” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“502” name=“Adults Only”


/>


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“503” name=“Children” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“504” name=“Comedy” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“505” name=“Drama” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“506” name=“Fantasy” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“507” name=“Horror” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“508” name=“Musical” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“509” name=“Mystery” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“510” name=“Romance” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“511” name=“Science


Fiction” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“512” name=“Suspense” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“513” name=“Western” />


      <Category parentId=“5” id=“514” name=“Other” />


    <Category parentId=“0” id=“6” name=“News” />


      <Category parentId=“6” id=“600” name=“All” />


      <Category parentId=“6” id=“601” name=“Business” />


      <Category parentId=“6” id=“602” name=“Current


Events” />


      <Category parentId=“6” id=“603” name=“Interview” />


      <Category parentId=“6” id=“604” name=“Public


Affairs” />


      <Category parentId=“6” id=“605” name=“Sports” />


      <Category parentId=“6” id=“606” name=“Weather” />


      <Category parentId=“6” id=“607” name=“Other” />


    <Category parentId=“0” id=“7” name=“Series” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“700” name=“All” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“701”


name=“Action/Adventure” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“702” name=“Children” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“703” name=“Comedy” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“704” name=“Cooking” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“705” name=“Drama” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“706” name=“Educational”


/>


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“707” name=“Game Show” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“708” name=“How-to” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“709” name=“Music” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“710” name=“Reality” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“711” name=“Soap Opera”


/>


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“712” name=“Talk Show” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“713” name=“Travel” />


      <Category parentId=“7” id=“714” name=“Other” />


    <Category parentId=“0” id=“8” name=“Special” />


      <Category parentId=“8” id=“800” name=“All” />


      <Category parentId=“8” id=“801” name=“Awards/Event”


/>


      <Category parentId=“8” id=“802” name=“Holiday” />


      <Category parentId=“8” id=“803” name=“Music” />


      <Category parentId=“8” id=“804” name=“Religious” />


      <Category parentId=“8” id=“805” name=“Sports” />


      <Category parentId=“8” id=“806” name=“Other” />


    <Category parentId=“0” id=“9” name=“Sports” />


      <Category parentId=“9” id=“900” name=“All” />


      <Category parentId=“9” id=“901” name=“Baseball” />


      <Category parentId=“9” id=“902” name=“Basketball”


/>


      <Category parentId=“9” id=“903” name=“Boxing” />


      <Category parentId=“9” id=“904” name=“Football” />


      <Category parentId=“9” id=“905” name=“Golf” />


      <Category parentId=“9” id=“906” name=“Hockey” />


      <Category parentId=“9” id=“907” name=“Outdoor” />


      <Category parentId=“9” id=“908” name=“Racing” />


      <Category parentId=“9” id=“909” name=“Soccer” />


      <Category parentId=“9” id=“910” name=“Tennis” />


      <Category parentId=“9” id=“911” name=“Other” />


  </CategoryList>


  <RatingList>


    <RatingType id=“0” name=“Microsoft Rating”>


      <RatingValue id=“1” name=“All” description=“For


every one” />


      <RatingValue id=“2” name=“6+” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“3” name=“12+” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“4” name=“13+” description=“”/>


      <RatingValue id=“5” name=“14+” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“6” name=“15+” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“7” name=“17+” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“8” name=“18+” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“9” name=“19+” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“10” name=“R” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“11” name=“X” description=“” />


    </RatingType>


    <RatingType id=“100” name=“MPAA Rating”


    countryCode=“us”>


      <RatingValue id=“101” name=“G” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“102” name=“PG” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“103” name=“PG-13” description=“”


/>


      <RatingValue id=“104” name=“R” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“105” name=“NC-17” description=“”


/>


      <RatingValue id=“106” name=“X” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“107” name=“NR” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“108” name=“AO” description=“” />


      <Descriptor id=“10001” name=“Adult Situations”


description=“” />


      <Descriptor id=“10002” name=“Brief Nudity”


description=“” />


      <Descriptor id=“10003” name=“Graphic Language”


description=“” />


      <Descriptor id=“10004” name=“Graphic Violence”


description=“” />


      <Descriptor id=“10005” name=“Language”


description=“” />


      <Descriptor id=“10006” name=“Mild Violence”


description=“” />


      <Descriptor id=“10007” name=“Nudity” description=“”


/>


      <Descriptor id=“10008” name=“Rape” description=“”


/>


      <Descriptor id=“10009” name=“Strong Sexual Content”


description=“” />


      <Descriptor id=“10010” name=“Violence”


description=“” />


    </RatingType>


    <RatingType id=“200” name=“Star Rating”>


      <RatingValue id=“201” name=“0” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“202” name=“0H” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“203” name=“1” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“204” name=“1H” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“205” name=“2” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“206” name=“2H” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“207” name=“3” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“208” name=“3H” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“209” name=“4” description=“” />


    </RatingType>


    <RatingType id=“300” name=“US Television Rating”


countryCode=“us”>


      <RatingValue id=“301” name=“TV-G” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“302” name=“TV-14” description=“”


/>


      <RatingValue id=“303” name=“TV-MA” description=“”


/>


      <RatingValue id=“304” name=“TV-Y” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“305” name=“TV-Y7” description=“”


/>


    </RatingType>


    <RatingType id=“400” name=“UK Television Rating”


countryCode=“uk”>


      <RatingValue id=“401” name=“U” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“402” name=“UC” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“403” name=“PG” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“404” name=“12” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“405” name=“15” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“406” name=“18” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“407” name=“R18” description=“” />


    </RatingType>


    <RatingType id=“500” name=“KR Television Rating”


countryCode=“kr”>


      <RatingValue id=“501” name=“ALL” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“502” name=“SEVEN” description=“”


/>


      <RatingValue id=“503” name=“TWELVE” description=“”


/>


      <RatingValue id=“504” name=“FIFTEEN” description=“”


/>


      <RatingValue id=“505” name=“NINETEEN”


description=“” />


    </RatingType>


    <RatingType id=“600” name=“Canada Television Rating”


countryCode=“ca”>


      <RatingValue id=“601” name=“18+” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“602” name=“14+” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“603” name=“PG” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“604” name=“G” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“605” name=“C8” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“606” name=“C” description=“” />


    </RatingType>


    <RatingType id=“700” name=“DE Television Rating”


countryCode=“de”>


      <RatingValue id=“701” name=“ALL” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“702” name=“SIX” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“703” name=“TWELVE” description=“”


/>


      <RatingValue id=“704” name=“SIXTEEN” description=“”


/>


      <RatingValue id=“705” name=“ADULTS” description=“”


/>


    </RatingType>


    <RatingType id=“800” name=“FR Television Rating”


countryCode=“fr”>


      <RatingValue id=“801” name=“CAT1” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“802” name=“CAT2” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“803” name=“CAT3” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“804” name=“CAT4” description=“” />


      <RatingValue id=“805” name=“CAT5” description=“” />


    </RatingType>


  </RatingList>


</VideoFundamentals>









Appendix C
An exemplary video catalog schema is shown below.
Video Catalog Element











Element Name
Description







Video Catalog
Video catalog root element. This element has an attribute



schemaVersion and includes Contributors list, Video list, Video



Group list, Series list, Virtual channels list, Poster list, Trailer list,



Supplementary file list, and Offer list


ContributorList
Define a list of contributors available. This element has no



attribute but includes one or many Contributor element(s).



Contributor is a person who makes a contribution to the video



content. Examples are actor, actresses, writer, producer or



director. Please refer to the Contributor element for more



details


VideoList
Define a list of video available. This element has no attribute



but includes one or many Video elements. Video is unique



piece of content such as Movie, TV episode, Music Video or



User Generated Content


VideoGroupList
Define a list of Video Groups. This element has no attribute but



includes one or many Video Group elements.


SeriesList
Define a list of TV Series. This element has no attribute but



includes one or many Series elements


VChannelList
Define a list of video channels available. This element has no



attribute but includes one or many VChannel element(s).


PosterList
Define a list of movie poster image files associates with Video,



TV series, or TV season.. This element has no attribute but



includes one or many Poster Element element(s).


TrailerList
Define a list of video trailer files associates with Video, TV



series, or TV season. This element has no attribute but includes



one or many Trailer element(s).


SupplementaryFile
Define a list of supplementary files associates with Video, TV


List
series, or TV season. This element has no attribute but includes



one or many SupplementaryFile element(s).


OfferList
Define a list of offers associates with Video, TV series, or TV



season. This element has no attribute but includes one or many



Offer element(s).









Video Element

Video Element defines a unique piece of video content, such as a Movie, a TV episode, a Music Video or a User Generated Content (UGC). Every unique video content will be a unique Video element. If same content is released in different format (such as HD vs. SD or different languages), each format will be a unique “Video Instance” element. However, they will all belong to the same “Video” parent element.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







Video

TVideo
Video is unique piece of content. For





example, a Movie, a TV episode, a Music





Video or a User-Generated Content (UGC)



id
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier for the





Video. This ID should uniquely identify a





Video, and should not be changed or





recycled to assign to a different Video.



CRID
Char(200)
TV-anytime CRID for TV program.



ISAN
Min:
The ISAN (International Standard




Char(21)
Audiovisual Number) is a voluntary




Max:
numbering system for the identification of




Char(33)
audiovisual works. It provides a unique,





internationally recognized and permanent





reference number for each audiovisual





work registered in the ISAN system





For example:





1234-A678-9012-3456-7-B111-2222-8





First 16 digits + 1 checksum digit are





required in an embodiment.





The rest of 8 digits + 1 checksum digit





are optional version number



title
Char(100)
Full title for the Video



reducedTitle
Char(50)
Short title for the Video



subTitle
Char(100)
Sub title for the Video



desc
Char(4000)
Full description for the video



reducedDesc
Char(100)
Short description for the video



videoTypeID
Integer
Unique ID assigned by the service for the





Video Type.



earliestAvailable
DateTime
Date that the video content was available



Date

for viewing.





For TV episode, this is the original air date -





date when the episode is first aired.





For movie, this is the release date when





the movie is available for viewing in





theater



durationSecs
Integer
Total run time for the video in seconds



productionCompany
Char(100)
Production Studio or Network





For TV episode, it is the name of the





Network





For Movies, it is the name of the studio



licensorID
Integer
Unique ID for licensor



licensorType
Char(100)
Movie Studio, TV Studio, or distributor



copyright
Char(255)
Copyright display text. For example,





“Copyright @2004 Provider A”


VideoInstance

TVideoInstance
A collection of Video Instance for the


List

List
Video.





“Video Instance” is a different format or





version or language for a given Video.


RoleList

TVideoRole
A collection of Role for the Video.




List
Role contains the cast and character





information for the video


Category

TVideoCategory
A list of category that the video is


List

List
associated with.





For TV series or episode, for association





with the sub-category under “General”





(i.e. in the range of 100).





For Movies, for association with the sub-





category under “Movie” (i.e. in the range





of 500).





For Music Video, for association with the





category under “Music Video” (i.e. in the





range of 1100).





For Promo content, for association with





the sub-category under “General”,





“Movies” or “Music Video” (i.e. in the





range of 100, 500, or 1100)


RatingList

TRatingList
A list of rating associates with the video.





For example, MPAA or editorial rating.


FlagList

TFlagList
A list of attribute associates with the





video.


TagList

TTagList
A collection of Tag. Tag defines a list of





“keyword” associate with the video, and is





used to facilitate search.









VideoInstance Element

Video Instance is a different format or version or language of a Video (i.e. content is the same).













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







VideoInstance

TVideoDataFile
Contains information of the Video





Instance



id
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier of





the Video Instance. This ID should





uniquely identify a Video Instance,





and should not be changed or recycled





to assign to a different Video Instance.



isDRM
Boolean
Flag indicate whether the content is





DRM or not



ISANVersion
Char(11)
Optional version number of ISAN



Number

(Format in xxxx-xxxx-x)



spokenLanguage
Char(100)
Spoken language for the video


AudioFormat

TAudioFormat
Audio Format information for the





Video Instance.


VideoFormat

TVideoFormat
Video Format information for the





Video Instance.


VideoFileList

TVideoFileList
A collection of VideoFile for the





VideoInstance.





VideoFile is the physical video file for





downloading/streaming.





Generally, each VideoInstance will





have only 1 VideoFile element,





however, in cases when the file size





for a given VideoInstance is too big, it





might break into multiple small files,





result in multiple VideoFile elements


AdGroupList

TAdGroup
A collection of AdGroup element.





AdGroup is only used in Ad-sponsored





Video content.









VideoFile Element

VideoFile element contains information of the physical video file (e.g. missionimpossible.wmv) for downloading/streaming. Generally, each VideoInstance will have only one VideoFile element, however, in cases when the file size for a given videoInstance is too big (e.g. Titanic HD version), might break into multiple small files, result in multiple VideoFile element. For details on data relationship, please refer to the Video Catalog Data Relationship Diagram.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







VideoFile

TVideoDataFile
Contains information of the physical





video file to download/stream



uuid
GUID
Partner assigned unique identifier of





the physical video file



url
Char(10)
URL of the physical video file



size
Big Integer
Size (in bytes) of the physical video





file



durationSecs
Integer
Run time of the physical video file (in





secs)


Hash

THash
Hash



type
Char(100)
Hash type. By default, it's MD5



value
Char(100)
Hash value


MarkerList

TMarkerList
A collection of Marker element. Marker





is only used in Ad-sponsored Video





content.









AudioFormat Element

AudioFormat element contains audio format information for the video.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







AudioFormat

TAudioFormat
Contains audio





format info



encoding
Enum
Enum defined





by the service





for the Audio Encoding





Type.



channel
String
Mono or Stereo



samplingRate
Integer
Sampling Rate in Hz



CC
Boolean
Closed caption flag



subtitle
String
Subtitle language.





If there is no subtitle





available,





set this field to empty





string, otherwise,





set this to





language, of the subtitle



bitRate
Integer
Bit rate for the audio









VideoFormat Element

VideoFormat element contains video format information for the video.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







VideoFormat

TVideoFormat
Contains video format info



definition
Enum
Enum defined by the





service for the definition





format.



aspectRatio
Enum
Enum defined by the





service for the Aspect





Ratio.



resolutionX
Integer
Resolution-X



resolutionY
Integer
Resolution-Y



encoding
Enum
Enum defined by the





service for the Video





Encoding Type.



bitRate
Integer
Bit rate for the video



frame
Integer
Frame/sec









Series Element

Series element contains information for a TV series such as season, episode information etc.













Element

Data



Name
Attribute Name
Type
Description







Series

TSeries
TV Series data



id
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier for





the Series. This ID should uniquely





identify a Series, and should not be





changed or recycled to assign to a different





Series



title
Char(100)
Series title.



desc
Char(4000)
Full description for the Series



numberOfSeason
Integer
Total number of season for the series.



IsOrderBySeason
Boolean
Flag indicating whether the series is





order by season or not.


Season

TSeason
Season data for the TV series



id
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier for





the TV Series Season. This ID should





uniquely identify a TV Series season,





and should not be changed or recycled





to assign to a different TV Series Season



seasonNumber
Integer
Season number.



title
Char(100)
Series title for the season.



isComplete
Boolean
Flag indicating whether the season is





complete and all episodes are ready to





download



episodeFrequency
Char(100)
Frequency for new episodes. Examples





are Daily, weekly or monthly


Episode

TEpisode
TV Episode Data.



videoID
Integer
Partner assigned unique ID for the TV





Episode. This ID should maps to the





ID defined in the VideoList element





node



title
Char(100)
Episode Title



episodeNumber
Integer
Episode Number



seasonID
Integer
Partner assigned unique ID for the





Season. This ID should maps in the ID





defined in the Season element node



primeTimeFlag
Boolean
Flag indicating whether the episode is





broadcast in PrimeTime or Not









VideoGroup Element

Video Group is for grouping purposes. Below are a few scenario using Video Group for grouping

    
    
        Group Related Video/Content. For example,
        
            Action Movie III collection—use Video group to group Action Movie III and Action Movie III: Director's Cut into same bucket
        
        
        Promotion/Bundling
        
            Use Video Group to group all Action Movie movies (into single bucket) and offer special discount price for customers to download
        
        
        Group award winner content together. For example:
        
            Award Winner collection—use Video group to group all movies that won a particular award
        
        
        Group editorial recommendation together. For example:
        
            What's good to watch for 1st date—use Video group to provide TV/Movies recommendation for 1st date
            Best 10 Movies for year 2006—use Video group to provide top Movies recommendation
            Feature Video—use Video Group to define Feature Video
        
        
    
    















Element
Attribute
Data



Name
Name
Type
Description







VideoGroup

TVideoGroup
Video Group is used for grouping purposes.



id
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier for the





Video Group. This ID should uniquely identify





a Video Group, and should not be changed or





recycled to assign to a different Video Group



title
Char(100)
Video Group Title.



type
Char(100)
Type of the video group, explains why the





videos are grouped together. For example,





“Related Video”


VideoList

TVideoRef
Define a list of Video available in this video





group



VideoID
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier for the





video. This ID should maps in the ID defined





in the VideoList element node


VideoInstance

TVideoInstanceRef
Define a list of video instance available in this


List


video group



VideoInstanceID
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier for the





video instance. This ID should maps in the ID





defined in the VideoInstance element node


SeriesList

TSeriesRef
Define a list of Series available in this video





group



SeriesID
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier for the





series. This ID should maps in the ID defined





in the Series element node









Trailer Element

Trailer element enables provider to associate video trailers to a Video (movies or TV episode), a TV series, a TV Series Season, a Video group or a Video Instance.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







Trailer

TTrailer
Video Trailer Data



associateElementType
Enum
Type of element that the video trailer





is associated with. For example, a





video trailer can be associated to a TV





Series, TV season or a particular TV





Episode or movie, or a Video Instance





etc.



associateElementId
Integer
Element ID that the video trailer is





associated with. The type of ID





(whether it is a Series ID, Season ID,





Video ID or Video Instance ID) is





depended on the





associateElementType.



uuid
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier of





the video trailer file



url
Char(1024)
URL of the video trailer file



size
Big Integer
Size (in bytes) of the video trailer file



durationSecs
Integer
Run time of the video trailer file (in





secs)



ranking
Integer
Ranking of the video trailer in





ascending order, where 1 being the





first trailer for displaying on the UI


AudioFormat

TAudioFormat
Contains the Audio Format information





for the video trailer


VideoFormat

TVideoFormat
contains the Video Format information





for the video trailer









Poster Element

Poster element enables provider to associate poster image files to a Video (movies or TV episode), a TV series, a Season of a TV series, a Video group or a Video Instance.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







Poster

TPoster
Poster image Data



associateElementType
Enum
Type of element that the poster image





is associated with. A poster image can





be associated to a TV Series, TV





season or a particular TV Episode or





movie etc.



associateElementId
Integer
Element ID that the poster image is





associated with. The type of ID





(whether it is a Series ID, Season ID,





Video ID or Video Instance ID) is





depended on the





AssociateElementType.



uuid
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier of





the poster image file



url
Char(1024)
URL of the poster image file



size
Integer
Size (in bytes) of the image file


ImageFormat

TImageFormat
Image Format information for the





poster.









ImageFormat Element

ImageFormat element contains image format information for poster or supplementary image file.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







ImageFormat

TImageFormat
Contains information of





the image format info



formatType
Enum
Enum assigned by the





service for the Encoding





Type.



width
Integer
Image width (in pixels)



height
Integer
Image height (in pixels)









Offer Element

Offer element enables provider to associate offer to a Video (movies or TV episode), a TV series, a Season of a TV series, a Video group or a Video Instance.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







Offer

TOffer
Contains offer information



offerId
Integer
Unique ID will be used for requesting





fulfillment



associateElementType
Enum
Type of element that the offer is





associated with. For example, an offer





can be associated to a TV Series, TV





season or a particular TV Episode or





movie etc. For example, if the network





wants to associate an offer for HD





version of episode 3 for a particular





series during a particular Season 1, it





can be done by setting this field to





“VideoInstane”, and set the





“AssociateElementID” to the Video





Instance ID of the series season 1





episode 3.



associateElementId
Integer
Element ID that the offer is associated





with. The type of ID (whether it is a





Series ID, Season ID, Video ID or





Video Instance ID) is depended on the





AssociateElementType.



offerType
TUsage
Type of offering. Examples are





Download, Streaming or Subscription



priceRetail
Decimal
Retail price for the offer.



priceWholesale
Decimal
Wholesale price for the offer. This





price may be the wholesale price for a





Video, Video Instance, a TV Series, or





a TV Season, and it is depended on





the associateElementType specific for





the offer.



startDateTime
DateTime
GMT date time that the offer becomes





available



endDateTime
DateTime
GMT date time that the offer expires



territoryCode
Char(3)
Country code that the video is





available for download





The territoryCode is a 3-letter country





code as derived from ISO 3166



corporateCode
Char(100)
Content Provider Corporate ID


Promotion


Promotion Info



promotionDisplayText
Char(500)
Internal Use only



promotionCode
Char(25)
Internal Use only



promotionPRice
Decimal
Internal Use only



promotionStartDateTime
DateTime
Internal Use only



promotionEndDateTime
DateTime
Internal Use only


AssociateEl


This is only applicable to Season,


ChildElment


Series offer in an embodiment. It





includes a list of Video Instance





element ID that the season or series





offer is associated with.



id
integer
Video Instance Element ID that the





offer is associated with.





For example, the HD version of a





particular series Season 1 is going to





sell for wholesale price $19.99. First,





set the wholesale price to “19.99”,





then set the associateElementType to





“TVSeasonHD”, set the





“AssociateElementID” to the Season





ID of Season 1,





and then add the list of Video Instance





IDs for all HD episodes in Season 1 to





the AssociateChildElement node









SupplementaryFile Element

SupplementaryFile element enables provider to associate any supplementary files that are non-poster, non-trailer to the Video. Examples are: Screenshots for the video, licensing agreement files, attribution files etc.














Attribute




Element Name
Name
Data Type
Description







SupplementaryFile

TSupplementaryFile
SupplementaryFile element enables





provider to associate any





supplementary files that are non-





poster, non-trailer to a Video, Video





Instance, TV Series, TV Season,





Channel etc



associateElementType
Enum
Type of element that the





supplementary file is associated with.





A supplementary file can be





associated to a TV Series, TV season





or a particular TV Episode or movie





etc.



associateElementId
Integer
Element ID that the supplementary





file is associated with. The type of ID





(whether it is a Series ID, Season ID,





Video ID or Video Instance ID) is





depended on the





AssociateElementType.



uuid
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier for





the supplementary file



contentType
Enum
Enum defined by the service for the





supported content type for





supplementary file.



fileType
Enum
Enum defined by the service for the





supported file type for supplementary





file.



url
Char(1024)
URL of the supplementary file



size
Integer
Size (in bytes) of the supplementary





file



duration
Integer
For supplementary file that is in video



Secs

format, this is run time of the physical





video file.





For non-video supplementary file,





leave this blank


AudioFormat

TAudioFormat
For supplementary file that is in video





format, this element contains the





Audio Format information for the





video.





For non-video supplementary file,





leave out this element


VideoFormat

TVideoFormat
For supplementary file that is in video





format, this element contains the





Video Format information for the





video.





For non-video supplementary file,





leave out this element


ImageFormat

TImageFormt
For supplementary file that is image,





this element contains the Image





Format information.





For non-image supplementary file,





leave out this element


Hash

THash
Hash



type
Char(100)
Hash type. By default, it's MD5



value
Char(100)
Hash value









Category Element

Category contains categories/genre information for Video content. You can associate multiple categories to a Video. For example, for a Video that is “Romantic Comedy”, you can associate two Category IDs to it—“Romance” and “Comedy”.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







Category

TCategoryRef
Video category/genre. Category





is defined into 2 level. A video





can associate to first level,





second level or both.





A video can also be associated





with multiple categories.



id
Integer
Unique Category ID





assigned by the service.









Role Element

Role contains the cast and character information for the video.













Element
Attribute
Data



Name
Name
Type
Description







Role

TRole




roleID
Integer
Unique ID assigned by the service for the Role.



contributorID
Integer
Partner assigned unique ID for the contributor.





This ID should maps in the ID defined in the





Contributor element node



character
Char(50)
Name of the character



ranking
Integer
Role ranking in ascending order, where 1 being the





most important Role in the video









Flag Element

Flag contains attribute information with the video.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







Flag

TFlagRef
Attribute associates with the video.



ID
Integer
Unique ID assigned by the service





for the Video Flag.









Rating Element

Rating contains parental rating information associated with the video. Multiple ratings can be associated to a given video













Element
Attribute
Data



Name
Name
Type
Description







Rating

TRating
Rating associates with the video.



RatingValueID
Integer
Rating Value ID assigned by





the service.



RatingDescriptorID
Integer
Rating Descriptor ID





assigned by the service.









Contributor Element

Contributor contains the actor/actress/cast info.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







Contributor

TContributor
Contributor is a human being or animal who





makes contribution to the video content.





Examples are actor, actresses, writer,





producer or director.



id
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier for the





contributor. This ID should uniquely identify





a contributor, and should not be changed or





recycled to assign to a different contributor.



fName
Char(50)
First name of the contributor. If the





contributor is an animal, this is the name of the





animal



mName
Char(50)
Middle name of the contributor



IName
Char(50)
Last name of the contributor



prefix
Char(50)
Prefix for the contributor.



suffix
Char(50)
Suffix for the contributor.









VChannel Element

VChannel is the Virtual video channel, it can be a traditional network channel or a virtual channel defined by provider.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







VChannel

TVChannel
Virtual video channel. Virtual video





channel can be a traditional network





channel or a virtual channel defined by





provider



id
Integer
Partner assigned unique identifier for





the virtual video channel. This ID





should uniquely identify a video





channel, and should not be changed or





recycled to assign to a different virtual





channel.



title
Char
Full display name for the Virtual Video




(50)
channel



reducedTitle
Char
Short display name for the Virtual




(20)
Video channel



desc
Char
Full description for the Virtual Video




(4000)
channel



reducedDesc
Char
Short description for the Virtual Video




(1000)
channel


NetworkLogo

TNetworkLogo
Network Logo Data



url
Char(1024)
URL of the Network Logo image file



size
Integer
Size (in bytes) of the image file


ImageFormat

TImageFormat
Image Format information for the





video.


Video

TVideoRef
Define a list of videos available in this





channel



VideoID
Integer
Partner assigned unique ID for the





video. This ID should maps in the ID





defined in the VideoList element node









Marker Element

Marker contains position information on inserting ads. It is used in Ad-sponsored Video content.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







Marker

TMarker
Position to insert Ads



name
Char(100)
Marker name



type
Char(100)
Marker type



startMillis
Long
Start millisecond



durationMillis
Long
Duration in millisecond









Tag Element

Tag defines a list of “keyword” associated with the video, and is used to facilitate search.
















Element
Attribute





Name
Name
Data Type
Description









Tag

TTag
Tag




namespace

Tag namespace










AdGroup Element

AdGroup contains the ad information for Ad-sponsored Video content.













Element
Attribute




Name
Name
Data Type
Description







AdGroup

TAdGroup
Ad group information



id
Integer
Ad Group ID



Manifest Url
Char(1024)
Ad Group Manifest Url









Video Type












Video Type ID
Video Type
















1
Movie


2
TV Episode in a Limited Series


3
TV Episode in a Mini-Series


4
TV Episode in a Serial


5
TV Episode in a Series


6
Short Film


7
Special


8
Video Podcast


9
Movie Trailer


10
Music Video


11
Sporting Event


12
User Generated Content/Video


13
Music Video Sample Clip


14
TV Promo Sample Clip


15
Other Promo Content Clip


16
Games Trailer


17
Audio Podcast









Audio Encoding Type















Enumerated Type
Description









WMA
WMA



Dolby
Dolby



Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital



DTS
DTS (DTS Coherent Acoustics)



MP3
MP3










Definition Format Type















Enumerated Type
Description









SD
Standard Definition



HD
High-Def



XD
XD



ED
Enhanced Definition










Aspect Ratio Type















Enumerated Type
Description









 4:3
4:3 (Standard)



16:9
16:9 (High-Def)



1:37:1
1:37:1



2:39:1
2:39:1



1:37:1
1:37:1



1:85:1
1:85:1










Video Encoding Type












Enumerated Type
Description







WMV
WMV


WMV HD
WMV HD


MPEG-4ASP
MPEG-4 ASP Video (3ivx, DivC, XviD) Digital)


H.264
MPEG-4 AVC (H.264, MainConcept, Nero Digital,



QuickTime H.264, Sorenson AVC Pro codec,



Vanguard Software Solutions, x264)


MPEG-1
MPEG-1 Video


MPEG-2
MPEG-2 Video


ASF
ASF


WAX
WAX


RealVideo
RealVideo









Download Type















Enumerated Type
Description









Stream
Stream



Download
Download



Progressive DL
Progressive DL










Image Type















Enumerated Type
Description









JPG
JPEG



GIF
GIF



PNG
PNG



TIF
TIF










Associated Element Type












Enumerated Type
Description







VideoInstance
Video Instance


Video
Video


TVSeason
TV Season, includes all episodes in a season,



either in HD or SD or XD)


TVSeasonHD
TV Season, but only includes episodes that are in HD



format


TVSeasonSD
TV Season, but only includes episodes that are in



SD format


TVSeasonXD
TV Season, but only includes episodes that are in



XD format


TVSeries
TV Series, includes all episodes in a series, either in



HD or SD or XD


TVSeriesHD
TV Series,, but only includes episodes that are in HD



format


TVSeriesSD
TV Series,, but only includes episodes that are in SD



format


TVSeriesXD
TV Series,, but only includes episodes that are in XD



format


VChannel
Virtual Channel


VideoGroup
Video Group


Contributor
Contributor









Supplementary Content Type















Enumerated Type
Description









ScreenShot
Screen Shot



Attribution
Attribution



Licensing
Licensing










Supplementary File Type















Enumerated Type
Description









ImageFile
ImageFile



VideoFile
VideoFile



HTML
HTML



XML
XML










Category ID
















Main Category

SubCategory










ID
Name
ID
Name













100
General
101
All




102
Action/Adventure




103
Comedy




104
Documentary/Bio




105
Drama




106
Educational




107
Family/Children




108
Movies




109
Music




110
News




111
Sci-Fi/Fantasy




112
Soap




113
Sports




114
Other


200
Educational
201
All




202
Arts




203
Biography




204
Documentary




205
How-to




206
Science




207
Other


300
Kids
301
All




302
Adventure




303
Animated




304
Comedy




305
Educational




306
Special




307
Other


400
Lifestyle
401
All




403
Collectibles




404
Cooking




405
Exercise




406
Health




407
Home and Garden




408
Outdoors




409
Religious




410
Other


500
Movies
501
All




502
Action




504
Adventure




505
Avant-garde/Experimental




506
Business




507
Children's/Family




508
Comedy




509
Comedy Drama




510
Crime




511
Culture & Society




512
Dance




513
Drama




514
Education




515
Epic




516
Family & Personal





Relationships




517
Fantasy




518
Film, TV & Radio




519
Health & Fitness




520
Historical Film




521
History




522
Horror




523
Language & Literature




524
Leisure Arts




525
Music




526
Musical




527
Mystery




528
Nature




529
Romance




530
Science & Technology




531
Science Fiction




532
Spirituality & Philosophy




533
Sports & Recreation




534
Spy Film




535
Theater




536
Thriller




537
Travel




538
Visual Arts




539
War




540
Western


600
News
601
All




602
Business




603
Current Events




604
Interview




605
Public Affairs




606
Sports




607
Weather




608
Other


700
Series
701
All




702
Action/Adventure




703
Children




704
Comedy




705
Cooking




706
Drama




707
Educational




708
Game Show




709
How-to




710
Music




711
Reality




712
Soap Opera




713
Talk Show




714
Travel




715
Other


800
Special
801
All




802
Awards/Event




803
Holiday




804
Music




805
Religious




806
Sports




807
Other


900
Sports
901
All




902
Baseball




903
Basketball




904
Boxing




905
Football




906
Golf




907
Hockey




908
Outdoor




909
Racing




910
Soccer




911
Tennis




912
Other


1000
Clips
1001
UGC




1002
Promo Content - TV




1003
Promo Content - Movie




1004
Promo Content


1100
Music
1101
Blues



Video
1102
Jazz




1103
Latin




1104
Metal




1105
New Age




1106
Oldies




1107
Other




1108
Pop




1109
Rap & Hip-Hop




1110
Reggae




1111
Religious




1112
Rock




1113
Soul and RB




1114
Soundtracks




1115
Spoken




1116
Vocal




1117
World




1118
Children




1119
Classical




1120
Comedy




1121
Country




1122
Dance




1123
Easy Listening




1124
Electronica




1125
Folk




1126
Holiday









Role ID












Role ID
Role Name
















1
Actor


2
Director


3
Guest Star


4
Host


5
Producer


6
Writer


7
Arranger


8
Artist


9
Composer


10
Conductor


11
Contributing Artist


12
Director of Photography


13
Editor


14
Engineer


15
Ensemble/Orchestra


16
Executive Producer


17
Guest Artist


18
Hair and Make Up


19
Mixer


20
Performer


21
Post Production Effects


22
Production Designer


23
Soloist


24
Wardrobe Stylist









Flag ID












Flag ID
Video Flag Attribute







1
Premiere


2
Season Premiere


3
Series Premiere


4
Finale


5
Season Finale


6
Series Finale









Rating Type ID















Rating






Type


Rating ID
Rating Type
Rating ID

value



















100
MPAA Rating








rank



Rating
101
1
G




102
2
PG




103
3
PG-13




104
4
R




105
5
NC-17




106
6
X




107
7
NR




108
8
AO





name



Descriptor
10001
Adult Situations




10002
Brief Nudity




10003
Graphic





Language




10004
Graphic Violence




10005
Language




10006
Mild Violence




10007
Nudity




10008
Rape




10009
Strong Sexual





Content




10010
Violence


200
Star Rating





rank



Rating
201
1
 0




202
2
0H




203
3
 1




204
4
1H




205
5
 2




206
6
2H




207
7
 3




208
8
3H




209
9
 4


300
US Television



Rating



Rating
301
1
TV-G




302
2
TV-14




303
3
TV-MA




304
4
TV-Y




305
5
TV-Y7


400
UK Television



Rating



Rating
401
1
U




402
2
UC




403
3
PG




404
4
12




405
5
15




406
5
18




407
6
R18


500
KR Television



Rating



Rating
501
1
ALL




502
2
SEVEN




503
3
TWELVE




504
4
FIFTEEN




505
5
NINETEEN


600
Canada



Television



Rating



Rating
601
1
18+




602
2
14+




603
3
PG




604
4
G




605
5
C8




606
6
C


700
DE Television



Rating



Rating
701
1
ALL




702
2
SIX




703
3
TWELVE




704
4
SIXTEEN




705
5
ADULTS


800
FR Television



Rating



Rating
801
1
CAT1




802
2
CAT2




803
3
CAT3




804
4
CAT4




805
5
CAT5


900
Explicit



Language



Rating
901
1
Restrict




902
2
Clean

## Claims

1. A computerized method executable by a processor of a catalog service for providing a catalog of media files, said media files being accessible remotely by a client computer, said method comprising:
receiving a plurality of source collections from a plurality of content providers, each of said source collections comprising a plurality of media files and metadata associated therewith available from at least one corresponding content providers, wherein a subset of the media files from different content providers have similar content, and wherein a subset of the metadata from the different content providers have non-identical content;
row level interlinking the source collections based on rules stored in a memory area associated with the catalog service, said row level interlinking further comprising determining a similarity score for at least one of the stored rules and performing said row level interlinking when the similarity score is greater than a minimum similarity threshold;
collection level interlinking the row level interlinked source collection into a destination collection, said collection level interlinking comprising:
calculating a collection similarity as a function of a match count and one or more of: a source collection count of the row level interlinked source collections and a specified destination collection count of the destination collection;
selecting one of the media files of the subset of media files having similar content when the calculated collection similarity exceeds a minimum collection similarity; and
generating combined metadata mapping the interlinked source collections as a priority of each of the source collections;

generating a user catalog from the destination collection in a pre-defined catalog format for consumption by a user via the client computer, said user catalog including the selected media file and further including, associated with the selected media file, the combined metadata; and
transmitting at least a portion of the generated user catalog to the client computer.

2. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein receiving the source collections comprises importing and loading a data feed from each of the plurality of content providers.

3. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising defining the catalog format according to a multi-field schema and wherein row level interlinking includes parsing the catalog data received from the plurality of content providers and assigning the parsed catalog data to one or more fields of the multi-field schema.

4. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein the catalog format comprises an action type for catalog data received from each of the content providers, and wherein the action type comprises one or more of the following: add, edit, and delete.

5. The computerized method of claim 3, wherein the multi-field schema comprises one or more of the following: a virtual channels data field, a video data field, a video group data field, a video series data field, a contributor data field, a poster data field, a trailer data field, and a supplementary data field.

6. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured for providing a network interface for delivering the generated user catalog to the client computer.

7. The computerized method of claim 6, wherein generating the user catalog comprises propagating the user catalog to a front end database for access by the network interface.

8. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured for periodically updating the user catalog by transmitting a portion of the generated user catalog to the client computer.

9. The computerized method of claim 8, wherein transmitting the portion of the generated user catalog comprises transmitting, to the client computer, an incremental update to a previously transmitted user catalog.

10. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein one or more computer-readable storage media have computer executable instructions for performing the method recited in claim 1.

11. A system of providing a consistent user experience when viewing a catalog of metadata, said system comprising:
a memory area for storing a plurality of interlinking rules, said memory area further storing a plurality of source collections from a plurality of content providers, each of said source collections comprising metadata associated with a plurality of media files available from at least one corresponding content providers, wherein a subset of the media files from different content providers have similar content, and wherein a subset of the metadata from the different content providers have non-identical content; and
a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions for:
configuring the interlinking rules stored in the memory area according to input from a user, wherein each of the rules includes a minimum similarity threshold score for defining similarity;
row level interlinking the source collections in the memory area based on the configured rules, said row level interlinking comprising comparing the metadata from the catalog data and determining a similarity score for each of the rules, wherein the row level interlinking is performed for each of the rules when the similarity score is greater than the minimum similarity threshold;
collection level interlinking the row level interlinked source collection into a destination collection, said collection level interlinking comprising:
calculating a collection similarity as a function of a match count and one or more of: a source collection count of the row level interlinked source collections and a specified destination collection count of the destination collection;
selecting one of the media files of the subset of media files having similar content when the calculated collection similarity exceeds a minimum collection similarity; and
generating combined metadata mapping the interlinked source collections as a priority of each of the source collections;
associating the combined metadata with the selected media file; and
formatting the destination collection into a defined catalog format for delivery to the user.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to receive the source collections from the plurality of content providers and to store the received source collections in the memory area.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the metadata includes one or more of the following fields: virtual channel metadata and virtual group metadata.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the virtual channel metadata comprise a video list defining one or more video elements and a contributor list defining one or more contributor elements, wherein each of the video elements has an identifier and a title associated therewith, and wherein each of the contributor elements identifies a contributor to the media content.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising an aggregation engine executed by the processor for interlinking the media files and metadata, and wherein the processor is further configured to execute computer-executable instructions for updating the interlinking rules without recompiling the aggregation engine.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the memory area further stores a data structure representing the interlinked source collections.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the formatted destination collection delivered to the user comprises an incremental update to previously delivered destination collection.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising means for aggregating the metadata items from the source collections into the interlinked source collections.

19. One or more computer-readable storage media having computer-executable components comprising:
a rules component for enabling configuration, by a user, of rules for interlinking media files and metadata from a plurality of content providers, wherein a subset of the media files from different content providers have similar content;
an interface component for receiving, from at least one content providers, a plurality of source collections, each of said source collections comprising a plurality of media files and metadata associated therewith, said metadata including channel metadata and group metadata, said channel metadata and group metadata describing one or more media files associated with the metadata;
an aggregation engine component for row level interlinking the source collections into predefined input tables by evaluating, for each of the configured rules, a similarity score between at least the channel metadata and group metadata from each of the plurality of media files in each of the source collections to identify similar media files, said aggregation engine component row level interlinking the source collections based on each of the rules in which the similarity score is greater than a minimum similarity score threshold for the rule, said aggregation component further collection level interlinking the row level interlinked predefined input tables into a predefined output table as a destination collection as a function of a minimum collection similarity and selecting one of the subset of media files having similar content, said aggregation component further generating combined metadata mapping the interlinked metadata as a priority of each source collection; and
a front end component for providing the selected media file and, associated with the selected media file, the combined metadata as part of the destination collection to a user.

20. The computer-readable storage media of claim 19, wherein the rules component updates the interlinking rules based on input from the user without recompiling the aggregation engine component.