Apple patent: Media compilation generation
Apple have been assigned a patent concerning the creation of video compilations based on individual preferences.
The present disclosure is directed to a online video parsing application for parsing one or more videos and for performing one or more actions on particular portions of the videos. For example, the online video parsing application may identify portions of interest within particular videos. A “portion” of a video refers to at least a subset of content included within the video, and may be designated by a time interval. The video parsing application may process any type of video, and any type of video portion. The online video parsing application as discussed below may be implemented using any suitable combination of software, hardware, or both.
In some embodiments, the online video parsing application may create a compilation of video content. Compiling will be understood to mean concatenating, or arranging in series, videos or portions of videos thereby forming a new video. Compiling video, portions of video, or combinations thereof, may provide a technique for delivering desirable content to a user. In some approaches, compilations may be generated based on user input, may be manually assembled by a user, or both. For example, a user may specify content of interest by manually selecting portions of online videos. The user may also input keywords, preference information, any other suitable indicators, or any combination thereof to the online video parsing application for searching video content. In some approaches, the online video parsing application may generate compilation videos using, for example, information provided by the user, automated processes, or both.
The idea depends on tagging parts of online content. This could be done by their creators, third parties, or by software. Individuals could profit from being curators who discover and tag content well.
Users would be able to specify how long they want their compilation to be: from a few minutes to a continuous feed.
I’ve written before about how iTunes Radio could more than a service that plays music content, but to make a custom radio station based on the full range of content a person might find interesting. Looks like Apple will be able to do this with other forms of media.
PS
The patent refers to ‘online video’ as ‘podcast.’ As podcasts can be audio or video podcasts, I wrote this post replacing the word ‘podcast’ with ‘video’ or ‘online video.’ One trick when applying for patents is to get protection for ideas in such a way that the competition don’t think the idea applies to them.
Those who make the best compilations win!