Searching for transient streaming multimedia resources

Abstract

A software and/or hardware facility is described that enables searches for transient multimedia resources that are contained in real-time multimedia streams. Because real-time data streams are not archived for subsequent access, transient resources contained in the streams are preferably quickly identified, characterized in a database, and indexed so that the facility can locate transient resources that are responsive to search queries. Stream listeners are disclosed that are configured to monitor data streams and identify transient resources within the streams based on associated metadata. Various techniques are disclosed to optimize the operation of the stream listeners. In response to a search query, search results are generated by the facility that include transient multimedia resources that are accessible via a network at the time that the search query is received.

1 .- 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A system for displaying media content responsive to a search query, the system comprising:
 a first catalog storing information associated with only transient media content, the transient media content being accessible via a network when contained in an active data stream;   a second catalog storing information associated with only static media content, the static media content being accessible at any time via the network;   a memory device storing instructions; and   at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to:
 generate a first search index mapped to the first catalog and searchable to identify transient media content; 
 generate a second search index mapped to the second catalog and searchable to identify static media content; 
 receive a search query; 
 query the first search index and the second search index in order to identify transient media content and static media content that is responsive to the search query, and 
 compile the identified transient media content and static media content into a set of search results. 
   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
 generate at least one stream listener for identifying transient media content in active data streams; and   update the first catalog in response to transient media content identified by the at least one stream listener.   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
 determine a sampling rate associated with the at least one stream listener that is at least more frequent that than the length of the smallest resource in the active data streams.   
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the at least stream listener monitors the active data streams for changes in metadata. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the at east one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
 determine a lifetime of at least one of the identified pieces of transient media content, the lifetime reflective of the length of time after a search query is received that the transient media content is still accessible via the network.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
 present a graphical representation of the set of search results indicating at least transient media content having remaining time above a lifespan threshold.   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
 re-query the first search index when the lifetime of at least one of the identified pieces of transient media content has expired to identify updated transient media content responsive to the search request;   re-compile the identified transient media content and static media content into a set of updated search results; and   re-display the search results so that the updated transient media content and the static media content are presented together.   
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
 identify two or more active data streams that contain the same media content; and   monitor only one of the identified active data streams.   
     
     
         49 . A method for displaying media content responsive to a search query, the method comprising:
 identify a first catalog storing information associated with only transient media content, the transient media content being accessible via a network when contained in an active data stream;   identify a second catalog storing information associated with only static media content, the static media content being accessible at any time via the network;   generating, by one or more processors, a first search index mapped to the first catalog and searchable to identify transient media content;   generating, by the one or more processors, a second search index mapped to the second catalog and searchable to identify static media content;   receiving a search query;   querying the first search index and the second search index in order to identify transient media content and static media content that is responsive to the search query, and   compiling, by the one or more processors, the identified transient media content and static media content into a set of search results.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
 generating at least one stream listener for identifying transient media content in active data streams; and   updating the first catalog in response to transient media content identified by the at least one stream listener.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 determining a sampling rate associated with the at least one stream listener that is at least more frequent that than the length of the smallest resource in the active data streams.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the at least stream listener monitors the active data streams for changes in metadata. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
 determining a lifetime of at least one of the identified pieces of transient media content, the lifetime reflective of the length of time after a search query is received that the transient media content is still accessible via the network.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising:
 presenting a graphical representation of the set of search results indicating at least transient media content having remaining time above a lifespan threshold.   
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising:
 re-querying the first search index when the lifetime of at least one of the identified pieces of transient media content has expired to identify updated transient media content responsive to the search request;   re-compiling the identified transient media content and static media content into a set of updated search results; and   re-displaying the search results so that the updated transient media content and the static media content are presented together.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
 identifying two or more active data streams that contain the same media content; and   monitoring only one of the identified active data streams.   
     
     
         57 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
 identifying a first catalog storing information associated with only transient media content, the transient media content being accessible via a network when contained in an active data stream;   identifying a second catalog storing information associated with only static media content, the static media content being accessible at any time via the network;   generating a first search index mapped to the first catalog and searchable to identify transient media content;   generating a second search index mapped to the second catalog and searchable to identify static media content;   receiving a search query;   querying the first search index and the second search index in order to identify transient media content and static media content that is responsive to the search query, and   compiling the identified transient media content and static media content into a set of search results.   
     
     
         58 . The medium of  claim 57 , wherein the medium stores instructions for causing the at least one processor to perform further operations comprising:
 generating at least one stream listener for identifying transient media content in active data streams; and   updating the first catalog in response to transient media content identified by the at least one stream listener.   
     
     
         59 . The medium of  claim 58 , wherein the medium stores instructions for causing the at least one processor to perform further operations comprising:
 determining a sampling rate associated with the at least one stream listener that is at least more frequent that than the length of the smallest typical resource in the active data streams.   
     
     
         60 . The medium of  claim 57 , wherein the medium stores instructions for causing the at least one processor to perform further operations comprising:
 determining a lifetime of at least one of the identified pieces of transient media content, the lifetime reflective of the length of time after a search query is received that the transient media content is still accessible via the network.   
     
     
         61 . The medium of  claim 60 , wherein the medium stores instructions for causing the at least one processor to perform further operations comprising:
 re-querying the first search index when the lifetime of at least one of the identified pieces of transient media content has expired to identify updated transient media content responsive to the search request;   re-compiling the identified transient media content and static media content into a set of updated search results; and   re-displaying the search results so that the updated transient media content and the static media content are presented together.