Assessing digital content across a communications network

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a method of providing an on-line assessment of digital content, such as video clips ( 10 ), across a network, such as the internet. In general terms the steps involved in this embodiment of the methodology include: 1. presenting a stimulant video clip ( 10 ); 2. Providing means for rating the video clip in real time, in this example a rating bar ( 12 ) and slider ( 14 ) driven by a computer peripheral device (not shown); 3. collecting rating data relevant to the viewed video clip such as ( 10 ).

We claim: 
     
         1 . An on-line method of assessing digital content across a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:
 presenting digital content at a node of the network;   providing means for real-time rating of the digital content as it is viewed at the network node;   collecting rating data from multiple viewers relevant to the viewed digital content, time-stamping the collected rating data from each of the multiple viewers at the network node to coincide with and thus be synchronised within the digital content.   
     
     
         2 . An on-line method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of presenting digital content involves presenting two or more video clips relevant to a specified topic at a computer connected to the Internet. 
     
     
         3 . An on-line method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of presenting digital content involves presenting a single video clip only. 
     
     
         4 . An on-line method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing means for real-time rating of the digital content involves the provision of an external peripheral device associated with the computer and operable to allow viewer rating of each of the video clips in real time and at no charge. 
     
     
         5 . An on-line method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the peripheral device includes a keyboard, touchpad, keypad, touchscreen, phone, camera or a mouse. 
     
     
         6 . An on-line method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the step of collecting rating data involves collating rating data for each of the video clips to provide an aggregated or combined rating curve for comparison. 
     
     
         7 . An on-line method as defined in  claim 6  also comprising the step of comparing all or part of the aggregated or combined rating curves for the video clips relevant to the specified topic. 
     
     
         8 . An on-line method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the collected rating data is made available at a charge. 
     
     
         9 . An on-line method as defined in  claim 6 , also comprising the step of reviewing part of the video clip by moving to a specific rating time or period on the rating curve. 
     
     
         10 . An on-line method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of presenting the digital content involves presenting the content in a hierarchy depending on the status of the contributor. 
     
     
         11 . An on-line method as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the status of the contributor is determined by the level of subscription of the contributor. 
     
     
         12 . An on-line method as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the status changes depending on rating data collected for the contributor. 
     
     
         13 . A method of broadcasting digital content across a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:
 collecting two or more digital content files relevant to a specified topic;   electronically presenting at least two of the content files alongside one another at a node of the network;   providing means for reviewing at least one of the presented content files at the network node;   providing means for real-time rating of the digital content as it is viewed at the network node;   time-stamping the collected rating data at the network node to coincide with and thus be synchronised within the digital content.   
     
     
         14 . A method of broadcasting digital content as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the step of collecting two or more digital content files involves selecting stimulant video clip and at least one response video clip from a catalogue of video clips relevant to the specified topic. 
     
     
         15 . A method of broadcasting digital content as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the step of electronically presenting involves displaying the selected stimulant and response video clips at a computer connected to the Internet. 
     
     
         16 . A method of broadcasting digital content as defined in  claim 14 , also comprising the step of soliciting and presenting the response video clips. 
     
     
         17 . A method of broadcasting digital content as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the step of providing means for real-time rating of the digital content involves the provision of an external peripheral device associated with the computer and operable to allow viewer rating of each of the video clips in real time and at no charge. 
     
     
         18 . A method of broadcasting digital content as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the peripheral device includes a keyboard, touchpad, touchscreen, or mouse.