Metadata brokering server and methods

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for supplying rich multimedia metadata usable to generate, e.g., sophisticated entertainment user interfaces in the home. These methods and systems can be implemented as a server-based software application that feeds multiple, diverse clients. The server functionality could be distributed, even co-located physically with one or more clients, or centralized. The server aggregates, filters, validates, augments and links metadata from disparate sources. The server transforms the metadata into a more manageable and extensible internal format. The server communicates with client devices using a schema-independent protocol, providing metadata in the appropriate format that suites the clients needs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for processing metadata information comprising the steps of:
 capturing said metadata information from a plurality of different media sources;   creating links between said captured metadata information;   building a plurality of screen templates using at least one of said captured metadata and said links; and   distributing processed metadata including at least one of said plurality of screen templates, said links and said metadata to a plurality of different client devices.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of capturing said metadata information further comprises the steps of:
 evaluating said metadata for relevancy and accuracy to generate filtered metadata; and   selectively storing said metadata in a database based upon a result of said evaluating step.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of creating links further comprises the step of:
 selectively linking together metadata elements based upon their semantic relevance.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of distributing said processed metadata further comprises the step of:
 distributing a first set of processed metadata to a first set of client devices having a first set of capabilities and distributing a second set of processed metadata to a second set of client devices having a second set of capabilities.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of:
 generating, at both said first set of client devices and said second set of client devices, a same displayed screen view based on said first set of processed metadata and said second set of processed metadata, respectively.   
     
     
         6 . A system for processing media metadata comprising:
 a metadata server for receiving metadata from a plurality of sources and for filtering and selectively storing said metadata in a metadata database;   a processor, associated with said metadata server, for linking together metadata stored in said database and generating screen templates using said metadata to collectively generate processed metadata; and   at least one distribution server for distributing said processed metadata to a plurality of client devices.   
     
     
         7 . A method for processing metadata associated with media items comprising the steps of:
 receiving metadata from at least two sources;   processing said received metadata to generate processed metadata; and   distributing said processed metadata.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said metadata is supplemental data associated with at least one media item. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said supplemental data includes one or more of a title, description, genre, cast, DVD cover art, price, availability and rights associated with said at least one media item. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of receiving metadata further comprises the step of:
 receiving metadata from a first service provider and a second service provider, said second service provider being different than said first service provider.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of processing further comprises the step of:
 converting said received metadata from a first received format into a second predetermined format.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of processing further comprises the step of:
 filtering said received metadata to remove information elements which are not relevant for screen generation.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of processing further comprises the step of:
 validating said received metadata to correct errors.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of processing further comprises the step of:
 mapping metadata, from said at least two sources, associated with a single media item into a single set of metadata.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of processing further comprises the step of:
 synthesizing new metadata based on said received metadata.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of processing further comprises the step of:
 modifying said received metadata based on a set of rules.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of processing further comprises the step of:
 generating user interface screens using portions of said received metadata from said at least two sources.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of processing further comprises the step of:
 populating a user interface screen using portions of said received metadata from said at least two sources.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of:
 restricting usage of said received metadata for populating said user interface screen based on rights associated with said received metadata.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of:
 restricting usage of said received metadata for populating said user interface screen based on parental controls associated with said received metadata.