USOO9668O14B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Maltar et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,668,014 B2
`*May 30, 2017
`
`(54)
`
`(71)
`
`(72)
`
`SYSTEMIS AND METHODS FOR
`IDENTIFYING AND STORING A PORTION
`OF AMEDIA ASSET
`
`Applicant: Rovi Guides, Inc., San Carlos, CA
`(US)
`Paul Maltar, Los Angeles, CA (US);
`Milan Patel, Santa Clara, CA (US);
`Yong Gong, West Hills, CA (US)
`
`Inventors:
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,141,488 A 10/2000 Knudson et al.
`7.460,762 B2 12/2008 Godtland et al.
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`
`WO-9222983 A2 12, 1992
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee:
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`ROVI. GUIDES, INC., San Carlos, CA
`(US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(65)
`
`(63)
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`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Appl. No.: 15/195,530
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 28, 2016
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2016/03092.17 A1
`Oct. 20, 2016
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation of application No. 14/673,493, filed on
`Mar. 30, 2015, now Pat. No. 9,392,324.
`
`Int. C.
`HO)4N 7/173
`H04N 2L/43.3
`
`(2011.01)
`(2011.01)
`(Continued)
`
`U.S. C.
`CPC. H04N 2 1/4334 (2013.01); G06F 17/30038
`(2013.01); G06F 17/30843 (2013.01);
`(Continued)
`Field of Classification Search
`CPC ......... H04N 21/.4334; H04N 21/42203; H04N
`21/.4826; HO4N 21/47214
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Anonymous, Pafy Documentation pafly 0.3.70 documentation,
`PythonHosted.com, Feb. 17, 2015 (Feb. 17, 2015), pp. 1-3,
`XP055278978, pythonhosted.com, Retrieved from the Internet:
`URL:http://web.archive.org/web/20150217061448/http://
`pythonhosted.orglpafy retrieved on Jun. 8, 2016.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Olugbenga Idowu
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Ropes & Gray LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Systems and methods are described herein for a media
`guidance application that can cause a specific portion of a
`media asset to be stored based on a user command. For
`example, if the user requests the closing scene from a given
`movie, the media guidance application may detect the com
`mand, determine that it comprises an instruction to store a
`portion of a media asset, identify a source of the portion of
`the media asset, and cause the portion of the media asset to
`be stored. The media guidance application may also cause
`the entirety of the media asset to be stored and initiate
`playback at the start of the requested portion. This may allow
`users to store and watch portions of particular interest
`without requiring that the users seek through the entire
`media asset on their own.
`
`20 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`802.
`
`
`
`B
`
`Receive a Voice Command from a Jser
`
`Determine that the Voice Command Comprises an
`instruction to Store a Portion of a Media Asset,
`Whereir the Portior is less
`ar, the Entire Media Asset
`
`identify a Source of the Portion of the Media Asset
`
`808
`Cause the Portion of the Media Asset to be Stored
`
`1
`
`Comcast, Ex-1101
`
`

`

`US 9,668,014 B2
`Page 2
`
`(2011.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2013.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`H04N 2L/422
`H04N 2L/472
`G06F 7/30
`H04N 2L/8.549
`GIOL I5/10
`GOL 7/22
`H04N 2L/45
`H04N 2L/8352
`H04N 2L/845
`GIOL 1.5/22
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC .............. G10L 15/10 (2013.01); G10L 17/22
`(2013.01); H04N 2 1/42203 (2013.01); H04N
`21/4532 (2013.01); H04N 2 1/47214 (2013.01);
`H04N 2 1/8352 (2013.01); H04N 21/8455
`(2013.01); H04N 2 1/8456 (2013.01); H04N
`21/8549 (2013.01); G 10L 2015/223 (2013.01)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ............................................................ 725/88
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2005/0172319 A1* 8, 2005 Reichardt ............ G11B 27.105
`7.25/52
`2007/0118857 A1* 5, 2007 Chen ...................... HO4N 5,765
`725/61
`
`2007/0240072 A1
`2009,0183223 A1*
`
`10/2007 Cunningham et al.
`7/2009 Maeda ................... HO4N 5,765
`725/145
`
`5/2011 Klappert
`2011 01.07215 A1
`2011/0122255 A1* 5/2011 Haritaoglu ......... GO6K9/00711
`348,180
`2011 0131595 A1* 6, 2011 Xue .................. G06F 17,30044
`725/9
`
`2011 O246937 A1
`2012/0131628 A1*
`
`10/2011 Roberts et al.
`5/2012 Janning ............. HO4L 29,06027
`T25,114
`
`8, 2013 Odlund et al.
`2013/0227074 A1
`2013/0290845 A1 10, 2013 Rudman et al.
`2013,031 1487 A1* 11/2013 Moore ................ GO6F 17,2785
`707/749
`
`2013/0346867 A1 12/2013 Woods et al.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Anonymous, python—Extract chunks from video file-Stack Over
`flow, Jan. 11, 2012 (Jan. 11, 2012), XP055278983, StackOverflow.
`com. Retrieved from the Internet: URL:http://web.archive.org/web/
`2012011 1194526/http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8803618/
`extract-chunks-from-video-file retrieved on Jun. 8, 2016.
`International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Jun. 23.
`2016 for International Application No. PCT/US2016/024485, Filed
`Mar. 28, 2016.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2017
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 9,668,014 B2
`
`
`
`"Friday
`March 3, 2006
`FOX
`The Simpsons
`.
`7.7:30pm
`"Kamp Krusty", Repeat, (1992).
`7:00pm /
`The Simpsons
`
`-
`
`2 Fox
`NBC
`5HBO (VOD)
`Recorded
`CNN.com
`
`HBO on Demand
`Display Recorded Program listings
`Access CNN.com Video Content
`
`W
`
`Joe Millionaire
`
`7:30pm
`King of the Hill
`Wii & Grace
`
`y
`
`S
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2017
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 9,668,014 B2
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`Storage
`(e.g., RAM, ROM, -308
`Hard Disk,
`Removable Disk, etc.)
`
`i - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`3.
`User input
`interface
`
`
`
`3,
`
`416.
`Media
`Content
`
`
`
`420
`
`YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY(Communications.
`-41
`
`Network
`
`S.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`User
`
`
`
`Wireless User
`a
`Communications
`User Television ER Device (e.g., PDA,
`| Mobile Telephone,
`Equipment
`iye PC
`Potaie Video
`laptop, etc.
`Player, etc.)
`Fig. 4
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2017
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 9,668,014 B2
`
`
`
`Ford it
`
`|-506
`
`Star Wars Episode 1:
`The PartOn Meace -
`is this what you mean?
`
`-508
`
`i
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2017
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 9,668,014 B2
`
`
`
`(4) Portion of
`Vedia Asset
`
`
`
`
`
`(3)
`Redest
`C
`(5)
`Orion of
`Media ASSet
`
`N 6
`Source
`
`(3) Request
`
`
`
`Media Asset
`
`
`
`(5)
`Portion of
`Media Asset
`
`Command
`
`
`
`
`
`(2)
`Cornard
`
`os-Gre
`
`
`
`
`
`| Device 1
`
`(1) Command
`
`ser No.
`
`F.G. 7
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2017
`
`Sheet S of 10
`
`US 9,668,014 B2
`
`802
`
`Determine that the Voice Command Comprises an
`struction to Store a Portion of a Media Asset,
`Wherein the Portion is less
`an the Entire Media Asset
`
`86
`
`88s,
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2017
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 9,668,014 B2
`
`3.
`
`302-
`Receive a Voice
`Command from
`
`MYX MVYMXYY MXXYY MXXXX MYa User
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Voice
`y
`Command includes
`NInstruction to Store 1
`
`
`
`Yes
`96
`identify a Source
`of the Portion of the
`
`
`
`
`< Source identified)
`N ?
`a
`
`
`
`Taultiple
`912-S-
`N No
`3 Sources identifie
`N
`
`
`
`Store Portion of
`Media Asset
`
`
`
`Yes
`96
`Generate for Display
`a Menu Asking User
`to Select Source
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2017
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 9,668,014 B2
`
`Receive a Voice
`Command from
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Voice N.
`1004-
`1 Command includes N.
`indication of Duration of
`N s Portion Of Media ASSet 1.
`
`O08 N.
`J Store According to
`Default Settings
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Store Portion of
`Media Asset that
`Elapses Between
`Starting Position
`and Ending Position
`
`G.
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2017
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 9,668,014 B2
`
`12
`
`Receive instruction
`from User
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`includes Device )
`Nidentifier 1
`N
`
`
`
`
`
`MX XXX XXX XXX XXXYYXXX XXX XXX Determine
`
`1108
`Corresponding
`Device
`
`
`
`Store at Default
`Device
`
`1 O
`1Permission
`<to Store on Deviced
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`12
`
`
`
`Store or identified
`Device
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2017
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 9,668,014 B2
`
`1202s
`
`Access Database of Known Media
`Asset identifiers
`to
`r: Choose Known Media Asset identifier
`Compare Received Media Asset
`certifier to Known wedia
`
`Y
`S
`
`s
`
`>
`
`select Matching
`Media Asset
`identifier
`
`24
`
`Compute Similarity Metric
`
`1 Known Media N.
`NAsset identifiers 1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`YSimilarins
`1220
`28-
`inform User no
`C Metric AEve NNo
`- -
`Yes
`1.
`Select Suggested Media Asset identifier
`Provide Option to Confirm
`
`FG. 12
`
`11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 30, 2017
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 9,668,014 B2
`
`Determine that the Voice Command Comprises
`an instruction to Store a Portion of a Media
`Asset, Wherein the Portion is less Than
`the Entire Vedia Asset
`
`Determine that the Portion of the Media Asset
`has been Partially Played at an initial Source
`Corresponding to the instruction
`
`38-
`
`3.
`
`identify a Secondary Source for the
`Portion of the Media Asset
`
`Combine the Partially-played Section and the
`Retainder of the Portion of the Media ASSet
`to For the Portion of the Media Asset
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`12
`
`

`

`1.
`SYSTEMIS AND METHODS FOR
`IDENTIFYING AND STORING A PORTION
`OF AMEDIA ASSET
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 14/673,493, filed Mar. 30, 2015 (allowed), the
`contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference
`herein in their entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`In recent years, the number of ways in which users have
`been able to access, interact with, and record a plethora of
`media assets has expanded rapidly. Typically, the entirety of
`a show, movie, or other media asset is recorded at once.
`However, it is often the case that a user is only interested in
`a specific portion of a given media asset.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Accordingly, methods and systems are disclosed herein
`for a media guidance application that identifies and stores
`portions of media assets based on user commands. In
`particular, the media guidance application may receive a
`command. Such as a voice command, from a user and then
`act on the command. For example, the media guidance
`application may determine that the Voice command includes
`an instruction to store a portion of a media asset (e.g., a
`scene). The media guidance application may then find a
`Source (e.g., a video-on-demand provider) for the portion of
`the media asset and cause the portion of the media asset to
`be stored. By doing so, the media guidance application may
`facilitate the storage of the requested portion of the media
`asset without consuming unnecessary bandwidth or storage
`space. The media guidance application may also facilitate
`the later viewing of the portion of the media asset without
`requiring the user to search within the entirety of the media
`asset for the originally requested portion.
`In some aspects, a media guidance application may
`receive a command from a user (e.g., a voice command). For
`example, the media guidance application may be imple
`mented on a user device comprising a microphone through
`which a voice command may be received. The media
`guidance application may then determine (e.g., via control
`circuitry) that the command comprises an instruction to store
`a portion of a media asset, wherein the portion is less than
`the entire media asset. For example, the command may
`comprise an instruction to store at least one of a specific
`scene, clip, chapter, interview, trailer, advertisement, and
`outtake from or related to the media asset.
`The media guidance application may then identify (e.g.,
`via control circuitry) a source of the portion of the media
`asset. For example, the media guidance application may
`search Schedule data (e.g., located at Storage circuitry) for an
`upcoming broadcast of the media asset. The Source may be
`any Suitable provider of which the media guidance applica
`tion is aware. For example, the media guidance application
`may access (e.g., via a communications network) a database
`of known media asset sources.
`The media guidance application may then cause the
`portion of the media asset to be stored (e.g., at Storage
`circuitry). For example, the media guidance application may
`retrieve (e.g., via a communications network) the portion of
`the media asset from a remote database and then store the
`
`2
`portion of the media asset at a user equipment of a user (e.g.,
`to storage circuitry). In another example, the media guidance
`application may record (e.g., to storage circuitry) the portion
`of the media asset from a broadcast of the media asset.
`In some embodiments, the media guidance application
`may determine that the command comprises an indication of
`a duration of the portion of the media asset. For example, the
`media guidance application may determine that the com
`mand includes an instruction to store the first five minutes of
`a media asset. The media guidance application may then
`determine (e.g., via control circuitry) a starting position and
`an ending position of the portion of the media asset based on
`the indication. For example, the media guidance application
`may determine that “the first five minutes' corresponds to a
`starting position of Zero minutes (i.e., the beginning of the
`media asset) and an ending position of five minutes. The
`media guidance application may then cause the portion of
`the media asset that elapses between the starting position
`and the ending position to be stored. For example, in this
`case, only the first five minutes of the media asset would be
`stored.
`In another example, the media guidance application may
`identify the portion of the media asset that the user is
`currently watching and, in the absence of an explicit dura
`tion indication, cause that portion to be stored. The media
`guidance application may identify the portion of the media
`asset in part by determining the identity of the media asset
`based on the location of the user, the time of the request, and
`the channel, provider, or other source the user was viewing
`at the time the command was issued. This process is
`discussed in greater detail below.
`In some embodiments, the media guidance application
`may detect a signal associated with the media asset. For
`example, the media guidance application may detect an
`audio signal containing audio from the media asset (e.g., via
`the same microphone used to receive a voice command).
`The media guidance application may then determine (e.g.,
`via control circuitry) a fingerprint associated with the media
`asset based on the signal. For example, the media guidance
`application may determine an acoustic fingerprint for the
`detected audio signal. The media guidance application may
`then access a database comprising a plurality of known
`fingerprints. For example, the database (e.g., located at a
`remote server and accessed via a communications network)
`may comprise a list of previously determined fingerprints for
`a plurality of media assets. The media guidance application
`may then cross-reference the fingerprint with the plurality of
`known fingerprints and determine the identity of the source
`of the portion of the media asset based on the cross
`referencing. For example, the media guidance application
`may compare the fingerprint to the list of previously deter
`mined fingerprints to find a match.
`In some embodiments, the media guidance application
`may detect a device identifier in the instruction. For
`example, the media guidance application may detect a user
`instruction to store the portion of the media asset by detect
`ing the user's statement of the phrase “my tablet.” The media
`guidance application may then determine (e.g., via control
`circuitry) which device the identifier corresponds to based
`on a user profile. For example, the media guidance appli
`cation may recognize that the term “my tablet' refers to a
`specific device associated with the user based on a user
`profile (e.g., located at storage circuitry). The media guid
`ance application may then cause the portion of the media
`asset to be stored at the device. For example, the media
`guidance application may cause the portion of the media
`
`US 9,668,014 B2
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`

`US 9,668,014 B2
`
`3
`asset to be stored on the user's tablet based on this operation,
`as opposed to another device associated with the user.
`The media guidance application may also, once the Source
`of the portion of the media asset has been identified and the
`device has been determined, generate for display (e.g., via 5
`control circuitry) a storage confirmation message. For
`example, the media guidance application may generate for
`display, on the user device at which the command was
`received, a message confirming that the portion of the media
`asset has been found and a recording will soon be on the 10
`identified device. The media guidance application may, in
`the message, identify the media asset, user, identified device,
`or any other relevant storage-related information or any
`combination thereof.
`In some embodiments, the media guidance application 15
`may determine that the portion of the media asset has been
`partially played at an initial source corresponding to the
`instruction. For example, if the media guidance application
`determines that the user has requested that a scene from a
`broadcast currently in progress be stored, the media guid- 20
`ance application may determine (e.g., via control circuitry)
`that the scene has already been partially played (i.e., that
`only a fragment of the portion of the media asset could be
`stored from the initial source). In response to this determi
`nation, the media guidance application may then identify a 25
`secondary source for the portion of the media asset. For
`example, the media guidance application may search Sched
`ule data (e.g., located at Storage circuitry) and identify a
`future broadcast of the media asset as the secondary Source
`for the portion of the media asset such that the whole of the 30
`requested portion may be stored.
`In some embodiments, the media guidance application
`may determine that the command comprises a received
`media asset identifier. For example, the media guidance
`application may detect that the user, in his or her command, 35
`requested a media asset by name. The media guidance
`application may then access (e.g., via control circuitry) a
`database comprising a plurality of known media asset iden
`tifiers. For example, the media guidance application may
`access a database stored on a remote server containing a list 40
`of known media asset identifiers (for example, names of
`available media assets).
`After accessing the database, the media guidance appli
`cation may cross-reference the received media asset identi
`fier against the plurality of known media asset identifiers. 45
`Based on this cross-referencing, the media guidance appli
`cation may then determine that the received media asset
`identifier does not match any known media asset identifier of
`the plurality or known media asset identifiers. For example,
`if the media guidance application determines that the user 50
`has requested a media asset using an erroneous or shortened
`version of its proper name, the media guidance application
`may determine (e.g., using control circuitry), that the name
`the user specified does not match any known name in the
`database.
`The media guidance application may then calculate a set
`of similarity metrics for the plurality of known media asset
`identifiers. A similarity metric, as computed by the media
`guidance application, may be numerical and correspond to a
`degree of similarity between the received media asset iden- 60
`tifier and the known media asset identifier. For example, the
`media guidance application may compute the similarity
`metric Such that it corresponds to how close the name
`received from the user is to a given media asset named in the
`database. The media guidance application may determine 65
`this closeness using a character-wise comparison, word-by
`word comparison, categorical comparison (i.e., determining
`
`55
`
`4
`if the received media asset identifier and the known media
`asset identifier belong to the same category. Such as a genre),
`or any other appropriate method of comparison. The process
`of calculating a similarity metric is discussed in greater
`detail below in connection with FIG. 12.
`The media guidance application may then determine (e.g.,
`using control circuitry) that a similarity metric of the set of
`similarity metrics exceeds a threshold similarity metric. For
`example, if the media guidance application determines that
`a similarity metric exceeds the threshold, this may signal to
`the media guidance application that at least one of the known
`media asset identifiers is a potential match. Based on this
`determination, the media guidance application may then
`select a Suggested media asset identifier and provide to the
`user an option to confirm that that suggested media asset
`identifier corresponds to the received media asset identifier.
`For example, if the media guidance application determines
`that the user requested “Star Wars 1,” the media guidance
`application may suggest “Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom
`Menace' as a potential match.
`It should be noted that the systems and/or methods
`described above may be applied to, or used in accordance
`with, other systems, methods, and/or apparatuses.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The above and other objects and advantages of the
`disclosure will be apparent upon consideration of the fol
`lowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters
`refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
`FIG. 1 shows an illustrative example of a display screen
`generated by a media guidance application in accordance
`with some embodiments of the disclosure;
`FIG. 2 shows another illustrative example of a display
`screen generated by a media guidance application in accor
`dance with some embodiments of the disclosure;
`FIG.3 is a block diagram of an illustrative user equipment
`device in accordance with some embodiments of the disclo
`Sure;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative media system
`in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;
`FIG. 5 shows an illustrative embodiment of a user device
`on which the media guidance application has been imple
`mented in accordance with some embodiments of the dis
`closure;
`FIG. 6 shows an illustrative embodiment of a system that
`may process and act upon a user command to cause a portion
`of a media asset to be stored on a user device at which the
`command was received in accordance with some embodi
`ments of the disclosure;
`FIG. 7 shows an illustrative embodiment of a system that
`may process and act upon a user command to cause a portion
`of a media asset to be stored on a second user device in
`accordance with Some embodiments of the disclosure;
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart of illustrative steps for storing a
`portion of a media asset based on a command received from
`a user in accordance with some embodiments of the disclo
`Sure;
`FIG. 9 is a flowchart of illustrative steps for storing a
`portion of a media asset when multiple sources are identified
`in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;
`FIG. 10 is a flowchart of illustrative steps for storing a
`portion of a media asset when a starting position and an
`ending position of the portion have been indicated by the
`user in accordance with some embodiments of the disclo
`Sure;
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`FIG. 11 is a flowchart of illustrative steps for storing a
`portion of a media asset at an identified device in accordance
`with some embodiments of the disclosure;
`FIG. 12 is a flowchart of illustrative steps for selecting a
`Suggested media asset identifier in response to the user
`providing a media asset identifier that does not match any
`media asset identifier known to a database in accordance
`with some embodiments of the disclosure; and
`FIG. 13 is a flowchart of illustrative steps for combining
`sections of a portion of a media asset from multiple sources
`when a user requests the storage of a portion of a media asset
`that has already been partially played in accordance with
`some embodiments of the disclosure.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`6
`may access (e.g., via a communications network) a database
`of known media asset sources.
`The media guidance application may then cause the
`portion of the media asset to be stored (e.g., at Storage
`circuitry). For example, the media guidance application may
`retrieve (e.g., via a communications network) the portion of
`the media asset from a remote database and then store the
`portion of the media asset at a user equipment of a user (e.g.,
`to storage circuitry). In another example, the media guidance
`application may record (e.g., to storage circuitry) the portion
`of the media asset from a broadcast of the media asset.
`The amount of content available to users in any given
`content delivery system can be substantial. Consequently,
`many users desire a form of media guidance through an
`interface that allows users to efficiently navigate content
`selections and easily identify content that they may desire.
`An application that provides such guidance is referred to
`herein as an interactive media guidance application or,
`Sometimes, a media guidance application or a guidance
`application.
`Interactive media guidance applications may take various
`forms depending on the content for which they provide
`guidance. One typical type of media guidance application is
`an interactive television program guide. Interactive televi
`sion program guides (sometimes referred to as electronic
`program guides) are well-known guidance applications that,
`among other things, allow users to navigate among and
`locate many types of content or media assets. Interactive
`media guidance applications may generate graphical user
`interface screens that enable a user to navigate among, locate
`and select content. As referred to herein, the terms “media
`asset' and "content should be understood to mean an
`electronically consumable user asset, Such as television
`programming, as well as pay-per-view programs, on-de
`mand programs (as in video-on-demand (VOD) systems),
`Internet content (e.g., streaming content, downloadable con
`tent, Webcasts, etc.), video clips, audio, content information,
`pictures, rotating images, documents, playlists, websites,
`articles, books, electronic books, blogs, advertisements, chat
`sessions, social media, applications, games, and/or any other
`media or multimedia and/or combination of the same. Guid
`ance applications also allow users to navigate among and
`locate content. As referred to herein, the term “multimedia'
`should be understood to mean content that utilizes at least
`two different content forms described above, for example,
`text, audio, images, video, or interactivity content forms.
`Content may be recorded, played, displayed or accessed by
`user equipment devices, but can also be part of a live
`performance.
`The media guidance application and/or any instructions
`for performing any of the embodiments discussed herein
`may be encoded on computer readable media. Computer
`readable media includes any media capable of storing data.
`The computer readable media may be transitory, including,
`but not limited to, propagating electrical or electromagnetic
`signals, or may be non-transitory including, but not limited
`to, Volatile and non-volatile computer memory or storage
`devices such as a hard disk, floppy disk, USB drive, DVD,
`CD, media cards, register memory, processor caches, Ran
`dom. Access Memory (“RAM), etc.
`With the advent of the Internet, mobile computing, and
`high-speed wireless networks, users are accessing media on
`user equipment devices on which they traditionally did not.
`As referred to herein, the phrase “user equipment device.”
`“user equipment,” “user device,” “electronic device.” “elec
`tronic equipment.” “media equipment device.’ or “media
`device' should be understood to mean any device for
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`Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media
`guidance application that identifies and stores portions of
`media assets based on user commands. In particular, the
`media guidance application may receive a command from a
`user and then act on the command. For example, the media
`guidance application may determine that the command
`includes an instruction to store a portion of a media asset
`(e.g., a clip). The media guidance application may then find
`a source (e.g., a future broadcast) for the portion of the
`media asset and cause the portion of the media asset to be
`stored. By doing so, the media guidance application may
`facilitate the later viewing of the portion of the media asset
`without requiring the user to search within the entirety of the
`media asset for the originally requested portion. For
`example, the media guidance application may cause only the
`portion of the media asset to be stored, allowing the user to
`access it at a later time. In another example, the media
`guidance application may store the entire media asset, and
`may associate a pointer with the portion of the media asset,
`Such that when the user accesses the stored media asset, the
`media guidance application causes playback to begin at the
`start of the requested portion by relying on the pointer as an
`indicator of the start of the requested portion.
`In some aspects, a media guidance application may
`receive a command from a user (e.g., a voice command). For
`example, the media guidance application may be imple
`mented on a user device comprising a microphone through
`which a voice command may be received. The media
`guidance application may then determine (e.g., via control
`circuitry) that the command comprises an instruction to store
`a portion of a media asset, wherein the portion is less than
`the entire media asset. For example, the command may
`comprise an instruction to store at least one of a specific
`scene, clip, chapter, interview, trailer, advertisement, and
`outtake from or related to the media asset. The command
`may also comprise an instruction to store a plurality of
`portions of the media asset that are related to one another.
`For example, the portions may contain a certain actor or
`55
`character, be associated with a threshold number of men
`tions or interactions on Social media, contain a certain type
`of music, be associated with a certain mood, be scheduled
`for recording by friends of the user, or any other appropriate
`criteria or any combination thereof.
`The media guidance application may then identify (e.g.,
`via control circuitry) a source of the portion of the media
`asset. For example, the media guidance application may
`search Schedule data (e.g., located at Storage circuitry) for an
`upcoming broadcast of the media asset. The Source may be
`any Suitable provider of which the media guidance applica
`tion is aware. For example, the media guidance application
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`accessing the content described above, such as a television,
`a Smart TV, a set-top box, an integrated receiver decoder
`(IRD) for handling satellite television, a digital storage
`device, a digital media receiver (DMR), a digital media
`adapter (DMA), a streaming media device, a DVD player, a
`DVD recorder, a connected DVD, a local media server, a
`BLU-RAY player, a BLU-RAY recorder, a personal com
`puter (PC), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a WebTV
`box, a personal computer television (PC/TV), a PC media
`server, a PC media center, a hand-held computer, a station
`ary telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile
`telephone, a portable video player, a portable music player,
`a portable gaming machine, a Smart phone, or any other
`television equipment, computing equipment, or wireless
`device, and/or combination of the same. In some embodi
`ments, the user equipment device may have a front facing
`screen and a rear facing screen, multiple front Screens, or
`multiple angled screens. In some embodiments, the user
`equipment device may have a front facing camera and/or a
`rear facing camera. On these user equipment devices, users
`may be able to navigate among and locate the same content
`available through a television. Consequently, media guid
`ance may be available on these devices, as well. The
`guidan