Search system using media metadata tracks

Abstract

Real-time metadata tracks recorded to media streams allow search and analysis operations in a variety of contexts. Search queries can be performed using information in real-time metadata tracks such as closed captioning, sub-title, statistical tracks, miscellaneous data tracks. Media streams can also be augmented with additional tracks. The metadata tracks not only allow efficient searching and indexing, but also allow insertion of content specific advertising during appropriate portions of a media stream based on the content of the metadata tracks.

1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a media stream, the media stream including a video track, an audio track, and a metadata track;   analyzing the contents of the metadata track;   providing advertising to a viewer using the contents of the metadata track.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the advertising is provided by modifying the live media stream. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the advertising is embedded in the video track. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the advertising is provided by modifying the video track and the audio track. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the media stream is a Real-Time Transport (RTP) stream. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metadata track comprises closed captioning information. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metadata track comprises editorial content. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metadata track comprises viewer comments. 
   
   
       9 . A system, comprising:
 an interface operable to receive a media stream, the media stream including a video track, an audio track, and a metadata track;   a processor operable to analyze the contents of the metadata track and provide advertising to a viewer using the contents of the metadata track.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the advertising is provided by modifying the live media stream. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the advertising is embedded in the video track. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the advertising is provided by modifying the video track and the audio track. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the media stream is a Real-Time Transport (RTP) stream. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the metadata track comprises closed captioning information. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the metadata track comprises editorial content. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the metadata track comprises viewer comments. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus, comprising:
 means for receiving a media stream, the media stream including a video track, an audio track, and a metadata track;   means for analyzing the contents of the metadata track;   means for providing advertising to a user based on the contents of the metadata track.   
   
   
       18 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a media stream, the media stream including a video track, an audio track, and a metadata track;   indexing the contents of the metadata track;   receiving a search query for contents in the metadata track;   returning a portion of the media stream to the user corresponding to the search query.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the metadata track comprises closed captioning information. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the metadata track comprises editorial content. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the metadata track comprises viewer comments. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the media stream is a live media stream. 
   
   
       23 . A system, comprising:
 an interface operable to receive a media stream, the media stream including a video track, an audio track, and a metadata track;   indexing the contents of the metadata track;   receiving a search query for contents in the metadata track;   returning a portion of the media stream to the user corresponding to the search query.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the metadata track comprises closed captioning information. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the metadata track comprises editorial content. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the metadata track comprises viewer comments. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the media stream is a live media stream. 
   
   
       28 . An apparatus, comprising:
 means for receiving a live media stream, the media stream including a video track, an audio track, and a metadata track;   means for indexing the contents of the metadata track;   means for receiving a search query for contents in the metadata track;   means for returning a portion of the media stream to the user corresponding to the search query.   
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the metadata track comprises closed captioning information. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the metadata track comprises editorial content. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the metadata track comprises viewer comments.