Abstract:
Methods, systems, and computer program products for performing differential media time calculation and display are provided. A method includes determining a time of media origination, determining a current time, and calculating a differential media time as a difference between the current time and the time of media origination. The method also includes using the differential media time to determine information update data and outputting the information update data for display.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to modification of media time information, and more particularly, to methods, systems, and computer program products for performing differential media time calculation and display. 
         [0002]    In today&#39;s fast-paced information-rich environment, many viewers are unable to watch media as it is broadcast. Viewers may rely on devices, such as digital video recorders (DVRs), that store digital media data for later viewing. A DVR may enable a viewer to watch recorded media as a time delayed version of an original broadcast. While a DVR may allow a viewer to delay watching television shows, news, sporting events, and the like, the delay may result in displaying inaccurate and misleading time-sensitive information. For example, a television show broadcast may include overlaid time-sensitive textual information, such as the word “live”, to indicate that the events depicted are being broadcast with a minimal delay. Other broadcasts may include overlaid time-sensitive textual information with warnings, such as “severe storm warning”. Further broadcasts may include requests for viewing audience interaction, such as “phone lines are now open”. Such time-sensitive information can result in viewer confusion, particularly if a viewer is unaware of the delay or has forgotten that she is viewing a delayed broadcast. 
         [0003]    Media broadcasters may delay broadcasts or rebroadcast shows and events at a later time. Delayed broadcasts and rebroadcasts are common for sporting events and highlights, popular news stories, awards shows, or general filler material in late night and early morning hours. When an original broadcast contains overlaid textual information, a delay of the broadcast may include inaccurate or misleading time-sensitive information, in a similar manner as a DVR-based delay. A delay initiated by a media broadcaster is even more likely to confuse a viewer, because the delay is out of the viewer&#39;s control. 
         [0004]    What is needed, therefore, is a way to provide differential media time calculation and display. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Exemplary embodiments include methods for performing differential media time calculation and display. A method includes determining a time of media origination, determining a current time, and calculating a differential media time as a difference between the current time and the time of media origination. The method also includes using the differential media time to determine information update data and outputting the information update data for display. 
         [0006]    Exemplary embodiments further include systems for performing differential media time calculation and display. A system includes a media processing system. The system also includes logic executed by the media processing system. The logic implements a method. The method includes determining a time of media origination, determining a current time, and calculating a differential media time as a difference between the current time and the time of media origination. The method also includes using the differential media time to determine information update data and outputting the information update data for display. 
         [0007]    Exemplary embodiments further include computer program products for performing differential media time calculation and display. A computer program product includes instructions for causing a computer to implement a method. The method includes determining a time of media origination, determining a current time, and calculating a differential media time as a difference between the current time and the time of media origination. The method also includes using the differential media time to determine information update data and outputting the information update data for display. 
         [0008]    Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the exemplary embodiments, and be protected by the accompanying claims. As a result of the summarized invention, technically a solution has been achieved in which textual overlays with time-sensitive information in media broadcasts can be modified to accurately present information at the time of display. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system upon which differential media time calculation and display may be implemented in exemplary embodiments; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart describing a process for implementing differential media time calculation and display in exemplary embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3A  is an exemplary display output before applying differential media time calculation and display in exemplary embodiments; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3B  is an exemplary display output after applying differential media time calculation and display to modify time-sensitive textual information in exemplary embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  is an exemplary display output before applying differential media time calculation and display in exemplary embodiments; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4B  is an exemplary display output after applying differential media time calculation and display to replace time-sensitive textual information in exemplary embodiments; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  is an exemplary display output before applying differential media time calculation and display in exemplary embodiments; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5B  is an exemplary display output after applying differential media time calculation and display to replace time-sensitive textual information using a transition sequence in exemplary embodiments. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    The detailed description explains the exemplary embodiments, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    Media broadcasts may occur in a variety of formats through various modes of transmission for delivering visual content to a viewer. Exemplary media broadcast formats include multiple encoding standards for analog television, digital television, and Web video. Modes of transmission may include guided and unguided transmissions using electromagnetic or optical transmissions coupled with technologies such as cable, twisted pair, fiber, antenna, satellite, cellular, and other such waveguide or wireless technologies. When a media signal is received for viewing, it may be conditioned and reformatted for display. Inevitably there is at least a minimal time delay between a broadcast and display time, even for a “live” broadcast. The time delay between the broadcast and display time further increases when a recording and replay device is included in the path. As the time delay increases between the broadcast and display time, the accuracy and effectiveness of any time-sensitive information may be diminished. 
         [0020]    A common approach to include time-sensitive information in media broadcasts is through the use of textual overlays. Textual overlays may appear on a region of a display as static or dynamic information on top of the underlying media. For example, a textual overlay may include words or phrases such as “live”, “severe storm warning”, or “phone lines are now open”. When the time delay between the broadcast and display time is several days, a weather-related warning may no longer be in effect, and thus result in the display of misleading information. When a broadcast includes a request for viewer interaction, such as a call-in request, any time delay that extends the display time beyond the end of the broadcast may render the request for viewer interaction moot. Using methods for differential media time calculation and display, textual overlays with time-sensitive information in media broadcasts may be modified to accurately present information at the time of display. 
         [0021]    Referring flow to  FIG. 1 , a system  100  upon which differential media time calculation and display may be implemented is depicted. The system  100  of  FIG. 1  includes a media processing system (MPS)  102 , a media interpreter  106 , a display adapter  108 , and a display device  110 . The MPS  102  includes a processor  116 , a memory system  118 , a storage device  120 , a clock  122 , compare logic  124 , and information update logic  126 . The display device  110  may be any type of program viewing device, such as a television, personal computer, etc. All or a portion of the elements described above with respect to the MPS  102  may be implemented via a client-side device, e.g., a television, using a set top box, personal recording device, and/or other similar elements. In alternative exemplary embodiments, all or a portion of these elements of the MPS  102  may be implemented over a network to various end user devices (e.g., the display device  110 ). In this embodiment, a service provider entity or content provider may implement the MPS  102 . In further embodiments, the functionality of the elements of the MPS  102  may be shared between an end user and network entities. 
         [0022]    In exemplary embodiments, the MPS  102  receives media data  114 . The media data  114  may be in any format, broadcast through various modes of transmission for delivering visual content to a viewer (e.g., a viewer of the display device  110 ). For example, the media data  114  could represent an analog television signal broadcast through the air. In other embodiments, the media data  114  could represent a digital television signal broadcast through a coaxial cable or satellite collection. In further embodiments, the media data  114  could be a moving picture experts group (MPEG) encoded signal broadcast through an Internet connection. The media data  114  may represent a single channel isolated or extracted from multiple channels of information (e.g., media flow) streamed or otherwise transmitted over a network to an end user device (e.g., the display device  110 ) for display. The media data  114  may consist of metadata elements that describe the signals comprising the media data  114 . For example, metadata elements may include data fields that describe the type of content of the media data  114 , such as programming content, textual overlays, media formatting data, and other information. The metadata elements may be implemented, e.g., using current coding standards such as MPEG 7, which uses XML to store metadata for multimedia content formats. 
         [0023]    The media data  114  may be recorded to, and retrieved from, the storage device  120  of the MPS  102  as controlled by the processor  116 . The MPS  102  identifies the nature of the transmission signals of the media data  114  via, e.g., the metadata received in the media data  114 . The metadata may be embedded in the media data  114 . 
         [0024]    The processor  116  may control the various resources of the MPS  102  including the movement of data to, from, and within the MPS  102 . Although only one processor  116  is shown in the MPS  102  of  FIG. 1 , there may be multiple processors in communication with each other through a network or bus architecture. Furthermore, the processor  116  may include a combination of programmable logic devices and integrated circuits. The memory system  118  may include cache memory, program memory, and/or data memory. The processor  116  may utilize the memory system  118  for storing short-term buffer data, program variable data, or program code. The storage device  120  may be used for long-term storage, such as storing recordings of the media data  114 . The clock  122  may provide a current time. The current time provided by the clock  122  may be in a format to support both a time of day and a calendar date determination. 
         [0025]    The media data  114  may include a data structure or a framework that includes a media time of origination via, e.g., metadata elements embedded in the media data  114 . In exemplary embodiments, the media time of origination refers to a time that serves as a reference point by which future events may be measured as described further herein. The media time of origination for the media data  114  may be established by the broadcaster of the media flow  112 , upon receipt of the media flow  112 , or upon storage of the media data  114  to the storage device  120 . 
         [0026]    The media time of origination may be inserted as metadata into the media data  114  (e.g., by the broadcaster at the time of broadcast, by an end user upon receiving the media data  114  or upon storing the media data  114 , etc.). The insertion of the media time of origination may be implemented, e.g., using current coding standards such as MPEG 7, which uses XML to store metadata for multimedia content formats. 
         [0027]    The compare logic  124  may be used to determine a differential media time as the difference between the current time provided by the clock  122  and the media time of origination of the media data  114 . The differential media time may be compared to a programmable threshold value to determine whether the information update logic  126  should be invoked. In exemplary embodiments, the programmable threshold value may be assigned by a user of the MPS  102 , programmed as part of the manufacturing process for the MPS  102 , or updated in the field provided by the programmable logic. For example, a viewer may enter a threshold value via, e.g., a user interface provided on display device  110  that indicates the conditions (e.g., if time differential exceeds 15 minutes) under which the viewer would like an updated text message to be provided (e.g., as a textual overlay within a program or media display). When the compare logic  124  determines that the differential media time exceeds the programmable threshold value, the information update logic  126  may analyze and update time-sensitive information. 
         [0028]    The information update logic  126  may use the differential media time in combination with preexisting message data to produce information update data  128 . The information update logic  126  may also use information in the media data  114  to determine an appropriate message. Message text may be retrieved from the storage device  120  or extracted from the media data  114 . For example, if the differential media time is two days, the value of “2 days” may be inserted between two parts of message text, where the first part is “(as of” and the second part is “ago)”, resulting in the information update data  128  equal to “(as of 2 days ago)”. The information update logic  126  may combine the message text and the differential media time in the information update data  128 . In exemplary embodiments, the message text and the differential media time may be included as separate fields of the information update data  128  for interpretation by the media interpreter  106 . In exemplary embodiments, information update data  128  includes messages provided to a viewer that contain updated textual overlays for a corresponding media element. It will be understood that the information update data  128  may be instantiated and presented with the media data  114  in response to varying conditions. For example, if the information update data  128  is processed and prepared at a server-side location (e.g., broadcaster network), then the media data that includes the information update data  128  may be parsed at the client-side device (e.g., media device  110 ) based upon criteria established at the client-side device. As a result, suppose that a user at the media device  110  enters a threshold value such that the information update data  128  may or may not be instantiated at the media device  110  based upon whether the threshold criteria set by the user has been met or via other suitable filtering mechanism. Thus, the media time calculations and display activities may be implemented using tunable parameters that determine how, where, and when information update data  128  may be instantiated. In this manner, one media device  110  at a first household may receive different information update data  128  than a media device at a second neighboring household. 
         [0029]    In further exemplary embodiments, the media data  114  may include a transition sequence. The transition sequence may include a pre-transition time message, a transition time, and a post-transition time message. For example, a pre-transition time message may be “phone lines are now open”; a transition time may be “Sep. 21, 2006, 10 P.M. E.S.T.”; and a post-transition time message may be “phone lines are now closed”. When the media data  114  includes a transition sequence, the compare logic  124  may compare the current time with the transition time as a trigger to invoke the information update logic  126 . The information update data  128  may include the pre-transition time message when the current time is earlier than the transition time, and the post-transition time message may be included when the current time is later than the transition time. 
         [0030]    The media interpreter  106  may receive the media data  114  and the information update data  128 . When there is no information update data  128  generated by the MPS  102 , the media interpreter  106  may only receive the media data  114 . The media interpreter  106  converts all input data, such as the media data  114  and the information update data  128 , into display data  130 . The display data  130  reflects the media data  114  with, e.g., an updated textual overlay. The display adapter  108  receives the display data  130  and converts the information into signals compatible with the display device  110 . For example, if the media data  114  and the information update data  128  are in an MPEG format, the media interpreter  106  may combine the inputs to produce the display data  130  in a composite video format. Continuing with the example, the display adapter  108  may then convert the display data  130  to a national television system committee (NTSC) format if the display device  110  is a traditional analog cathode ray tube (CRT). The display device  110  may be any type of display device capable of producing viewable images, including: a CRT, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, or a projection display. 
         [0031]    Although the MPS  102 , the media interpreter  106 , the display adapter  108 , and the display device  110  are depicted as separate elements of the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , it will be understood by one skilled in the art that each element may be combined into various subgroups or a single integrated system. Furthermore, each element of the system  100 , including the sub-components of the MPS  102  may be distributed in any combination between a broadcaster of the media flow  112  and a viewer of the display device  110 . For example, the MPS  102  and the media interpreter  106  may be local to the broadcaster, while the display adapter  108  and the display device  110  may be local to the viewer. In further exemplary embodiments, the display adapter  108  may be integrated with the display device  110 . 
         [0032]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a process for performing differential media time calculation and display will now be described in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The media data  114  may be extracted from the media flow  112  or may be retrieved from the data storage device  120 . At step  205 , the MPS  102  determines a time of media origination for the media data  114 . The time of media origination may be extracted from the media data  114 . At step  210 , the MPS  102  determines the current time through accessing the clock  122 . At step  215 , the MPS  102  calculates the differential media time as the difference between the current time and the time of media origination via the compare logic  124 . At step  220 , the MPS  102  uses the differential media time to determine the contents of the information update data  128  via the information update logic  128 . The MPS  102  may extract a transition sequence from the media data  114  to determine the contents of the information update data  128 . The information update data  128  may combine a message with the differential media time to create, modify, or replace time-sensitive information in the media data  114 . At step  225 , the information update data  128  is output to the display device  110  as part of the display data  130 . The display data  130  may be generated by the media interpreter  106  through appending, inserting, replacing, or otherwise modifying a predetermined portion of the media data  114  with the information update data  128 . 
         [0033]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , exemplary images visible to a viewer of the display device  110  are depicted before and after applying differential media time calculation and display in accordance with exemplary embodiments. In both  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the display device  110  is depicted with an image  310  as produced by the media interpreter  106  and the display adapter  108  from the media data  114 .  FIG. 3A  also includes time-sensitive textual information  315 , which is part of the media data  114 . In exemplary embodiments, the time-sensitive textual information  315  is “Severe Storm Warning”, indicating that a weather alert is in effect. The combined image  310  and time-sensitive textual information  315  in  FIG. 3A  do not include any information updates from the MPS  102 . The MPS  102  may determine that the difference between the current time and the time of media origination for the media data  114  associated with the image  310  exceeds a programmable threshold value, triggering the creation of the information update data  128 . The media interpreter  106  combines the information update data  128  with the media data  114  to produce the display data  130 , depicted in  FIG. 3B  as the image  310  and the updated message text  320 . In this example, the image  310  remains unchanged, but the time-sensitive textual information  315  has been modified as the updated message text  320  by adding “(as of 2 days ago)”. 
         [0034]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , further exemplary images visible to a viewer of the display device  110  are depicted before and after applying differential media time calculation and display in accordance with exemplary embodiments. In both FIGs.  4 A and  4 B, the display device  110  is depicted with an image  310  as produced by the media interpreter  106  and the display adapter  108  from the media data  114 .  FIG. 4A  also includes time-sensitive textual information  415 , which is part of the media data  114 . In exemplary embodiments, the time-sensitive textual information  415  is “Live”, indicating that a minimal time delay exists between the broadcast and display of the media data  114 . The combined image  310  and time-sensitive textual information  415  in  FIG. 4A  do not include any information updates from the MPS  102 . The MPS  102  may determine that the difference between the current time and the time of media origination for the media data  114  associated with the image  310  exceeds a programmable threshold value, triggering the creation of the information update data  128 . The media interpreter  106  combines the information update data  128  with the media data  114  to produce the display data  130 , depicted in  FIG. 4B  as the image  310  and the updated message text  420 . In this example, the image  310  remains unchanged, but the time-sensitive textual information  415  has been replaced as updated message text  420  indicating the time of media origination as a date in the message, “Originally broadcast on Oct. 1, 2006.” 
         [0035]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , further exemplary images visible to a viewer of the display device  110  are depicted before and after applying differential media time calculation and display in accordance with exemplary embodiments. In both  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the display device  110  is depicted with an image  310  as produced by the media interpreter  106  and the display adapter  108  from the media data  114 .  FIG. 5A  also includes time-sensitive textual information  515 , which is an example of a pre-transition time message in a transition sequence in the media data  114 . In exemplary embodiments, the time-sensitive textual information  515  is a pre-transition time message, “Phone lines are now open”; indicating that the current time has not exceeded the transition time as extracted from a transition sequence in the media data  114 . The MPS  102  may determine that the current time has exceeded the transition time as extracted from a transition sequence in the media data  114 , triggering the creation of the information update data  128  with a post-transition time message. The post-transition time message may be extracted from a transition sequence in the media data  114 . The media interpreter  106  combines the information update data  128  with the media data  114  to produce the display data  130 , depicted in  FIG. 5B  as the image  310  and the updated message text  520 . In this example, the image  310  remains unchanged, but the time-sensitive textual information  515  has been replaced as updated message text  520  indicating that the pre-transition time message is no longer valid through the message, “Phone lines are now closed.” 
         [0036]    Although in the examples depicted in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  4 A,  4 B,  5 A, and  5 B, the updated message text  320 ,  420 , and  520  modified or replaced the time-sensitive textual information  315 ,  415 , and  515  respectively in the lower region of the display device  110 , this should not be construed as limiting in scope. Any visible region of the display device  110  may be replaced or modified in accordance with exemplary embodiments. 
         [0037]    As described above, the exemplary embodiments can be in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The exemplary embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into an executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the exemplary embodiments. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits. 
         [0038]    While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.