Ap~~aratuMs,e thod ant1 Computer Proxram
The present disclosure relates generally, but not exclusively, to an apparatus, ~ncthod and computer
program.
The "background" description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of
the disclosure. Work of the presently uamed inventors, to the extent it is described in the background
section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of
filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention.
Multimedia content such as broadcast video andlor audio or audio and video data streamed over the
Internet contains metadata that relates to the content of the multimedia data. This includes MHEG data
and links, HbbTV data links, broadcast metadata Tor example DVB-ST, network services supplied
metadata such as the YouTube genre, and content file metadata.
This metadata is used to highlight certain sectlons in EPGs and maybe provide accessib~lityi nformation ?
such as subtitles to people who are hard of hearing
However, it is an aim of the present disclosure to further enhance the user's experience of the content by
using the metadata received with the content.
According to embodiments of the disclosure there is provided, an information processing apparatus
comprising: receiver circuitry configured to receive content including metadata. storage containing a
parameter associated with the metadata; and contlol circuitry configured to: extract the received metadata;
retrieve the parameter associated with the metadata and control the information processing apparatus
based on the parameter.
The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to
limit the scope ofthe following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages,
will be best understood by reference to the followiilg detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRTPTION OF THE DRAWmGS
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a system according to embodiments of the disclosure;
Figure 2 shows an information processing apparatus according to embodiments of the disclosure;
Figures 3-1 to 3-3 show a graphical user interface for the information processing apparatus of Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows a flowchart setting parameters in the information processing apparatus of Figure 2;
Figure 5 shows a flowchart explaining a first use case;
Figure 6 shows a flowchart explaining a second use case; and
Figure 7 shows a flowchart explaining a third use case.
DESCRPTION OF THE EMBODINLENTS
Figure 1 shows a system 110 according to the present disclosure. The system 1 10 includes one or Inore
information processiilg apparatus 100. The inror~nationp rocessing apparatus 100 communicates
wirelcssly in the system using antenna 102. Within the system, a hub 105 is provided. The hub includes
hiib antenna i 03. l'lre ini~brmationp roccssing apparatus 100 may communicate with one or more otlrcr
information proccssing apparatuses 100A-100C dil-ectly in a pccr to peel- type arrangement or may
communicate with the other information proccssing apparatuses via hub 105. In other words, tlie hub 105
may act as a relay between information processing apparatus 100 and the other infornlation processing
apparatuses 100A-100C. Moreover, huh 105 may be connectcd to the Internet and may act as a
repository for information about each ofthe information processing apparatuses in the network 11 0. This
repository may be stored locally on the hub or the over the internet and on the cloud. An example of the
hub is the Sony Xpcria Agent O. Ftu~tliera, n example of informalion processing apparatus 100 is a
television with Internet of Things (TOT) functionality. The other information processing apparatuses may
include a fridge in information processing apparatus 100A. The fridge is an example of a food storage
receptacle. Other examples of food storage receptacles include a food storage cupboard, a larder or a
freezer. A further example of an information processing apparatus 1008 is a smart light. A smart light is
an IoT capable device that can be controlled over a network remotely. A tlrird example of an informatiou
processing apparatus 100C is a curtain controller which is an loT enabled device which allows the
curtains to be opened and closed using commands received remotely. The other information processing
apparatuses 100A-100C co~nmunicatew ith either the hub 105 or the information processing apparatus 7 100 directly using respective antennas 102A-102C.
Referring to Figure 2, a block diagram of information processing apparatus 100 is shown. The antenna
102 is connected to transceiver circuitry 125. The transceiver circuitry 125 contains either a transmitter
or a receiver or both a transmitter and receiver. The purpose of the transceiver circuitry 125 is to
communicate data over the system 1 10 using antenna 102. This communication nlay be done using WiFi,
Bluetooth, or the like.
The transceiver circuitry 125 is connected to controller circuitry 120. The controller circuitry 120 is a
microprocessor type device whose functions and operations are controlled by software. Of course, the
control circuitry 120 may be a Field Programmable Gate Array (FGPA), Application Specific Integrated
Circuit (ASIC) or another type of hard wired control unit.
Also connected to the control circuitry 120 is storage 130. Thc storage may bc a inagnetically readable
storage medium or a solid state storage medium. The storage medium, in this case, contains the sofrware
code which is used to control the control circu~try1 20. Additionally, the storage 130 is used to store
parameters defined either by tihe user or at manufacture in association with ~netadataic ceived by the
information processing apparatus 100. This will be explained later.
In embodiments of the disclosure, the information processing apparatus 100 is a smart television.
Therefore, a broadcast receiver 140 is provided that receives audio and/or video multimedia data. This is
broadcast data that includes metadata. The broadcast audio and/or video data may be sent using the
digital video broadcast (DVB) standard which has provision to include metadata along with the content.
The broadcast receiver 140 is connected to the control circuitry 120. The broadcast receiver 140 is
configured to provide to the control circuitry 120 the received audio andior video material and the
metadata sent in association with the multimedia data.
A display 115 is also provided in information processing apparahls 100. This display is connected to the
control circuitry 120. The display may be a touchscreen display that allows the user to interact with the
information processing apparatus 100 by touch using either their finger or a touching object.
Alternatively, the display 115 may not include a touchscreen. In this case, a user will be provided with a
different mcchanisni by which to interact with the television such as a mouse, remote comrnande~ or tlie
like.
Additioually con~~ectctod llic coiitrol circuitry 120 is one or inore scnsor 135. Tlie scnsor 135 !nay
include an accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS devicc or the like. 'I'lre function of the sensor is to measure a
physical parametel- of the informatiotr processing apparatus 100 such as tilt or rotation or geographical
position.
Figures 3-1 to 3-3 shows a setup screen tliat is used with information processing apparatus 100 to
establish user preferences. These user preferences will be stored in storage 130, in example
e~nbodimentso f the disclosure, the selup screen will be provided to the user on display 1 15 and the user
iiiteracts with the setup screen using a touchscreen type interface. Of course, the setup screen 300 may be
provided on oiie of the other illformation processing apparatuses 100A-100C and the sctti~lgstr ansferred
to information processing apparatus 100 or hub 105. An example of this would be if the information
processing apparatus 100 is a smart television and the user wishes to have the setup screen 300 displayed
on a tablet or phone wirelessly connected to the television.
The setnp screen 300 includes a user identity icon 305. This allows the information processing apparatus
100 to store preferences of several users' who may each use information processing apparatus 100. For
example, in a family scenario where a household has four people who access the inforn~ationp rocessing
apparatus 100 each person may have a specific profile linked to themselves. The user would then log in
to the information processing apparalus 100 either using a unique identifier and a password or using facial
recognition if one of the sensors within information processing apparatus 100 is a camera. Additionally,
depending upon the particular characteristics of the user, different options in the setup screen 300 may be
provided. For example, if a child of the household were to access the setup screen, thcy may have more
limited choices compared to an adult.
Returning to Figure 3-1, the user identity icon 305 may be a drop down menu whereby the user can be
changed and, with appropriate authentication such as entering a password, different options may be
provided on the user setup screen 300. In this example, user A has the ability to select parameters relating
to multimedia and lifestyle. The user may control the multimedia options usi~igm ultimedia dropdown
menu 3 10 and may control the lifestyle options using the lifestyle dropdown menu 3 15.
Referring to Figure 3-2, when a user selects multimedia dropdown menu 3 10, an audio drop down meilu
320 and a video drop down menu 325 are provided. As the audio drop down menu 320 and the video
drop down menu 325 are sub categories of the multimedia drop down menu 310, they are located adjacent
to the multimedia drop down menu 310 for easy access by the user.
Similarly, if the user selects the lifestyle drop down menu 315, a food drop down menu 330 and a
shopping drop down menu 335 are provided. Again, as the food drop down menu 330 and the shopping
drop down menu 335 are sub categories of the life style drop down menu 315, the icons are provided
adjacent the lifestyle menu 3 15.
Referring to Figure 3-3, when a user activates the audio drop down menu 320, an audio settings menu
320.4 is provided. In the example shown in Figure 3-3, settings associated with "rock" music is shown
which defines the bass, treble and volume of the information processing apparatus 100 when the
multimedia content is rock music. The user is free to select and change the bass, treble and volume
settings on the sliding scale displayed. So, in the specific example, the user increases the audio property
by sliding the bar to the right (toward the "+" sytllbol) and decreases the audio property by sliding the bar
to the left (toward the "-" symbol). Of course, although only "rock" music is shown, other types of music
are envisaged such as "classic", "jazz" or any other type of music. This allows the user to select different
musical parameters dcpending on the genre of the music.
Ifthe uscr activates the video drop down menu 325, a vidco setting lnenu 325/\ is providetl. In csample
cmbodi~nentst,h e video genre is "horror" and thc bass, treble and volume of thc audio associated wit11 tire
video can be changed using the slidc bars. Although "horror" is shown, otlrer gelit-es of video are
envisaged suclr as "action movies", "romantic movies" or the like. Moreover, although the vidco settings
325A are shown as selecting certain audio features associated with the horror movics, video settings such
as luminesce, or brightness may equally be set so that tlie video paran~eterso f the information processing
apparatus 100 can be changed depending upon the genre of the video. The genre of thc received
audiolvideolmultimedia content is provided by received metadata that is associated with the content. This
metadata may be sent with the multimedia content or separate to the content.
If the user selects the food drop down menu 330, food favourite settings 330A are displayed. These
indicate to thc user different types of cuisine such as Indiac~c uisine, Chinese cuisine or the like. The user
can then select their favourite types of food using the check box located next to the type of cuisine.
Additionally, in the food settings 330A, the user may indicate any allergies such as nuts or eggs and may
also include any preferred alternative types of food. For example, many people cannot drink cow's milk
but enjoy soy milk. Therefore, soy milk is oflen swapped for cow's milk and this alte~nativec an be
included in the food setting 330A. Of course, other allergies may be defined in this settings box and other f
alternatives may also be defined.
If the user selects the shopping drop down menu 335, clothes settings 335A are displayed. This may
indicate the user's favourite type of clothes suclr as boho style or 1920 style clothes. These may be
selected by the check box. Additionally, user information such as the waist size or neck size of a male
user or the dress size of a female user may also be selected using the clothes settings. In this case, the
user is a female user size UIC 10. The types of favourite may be selected by ihe user depending 11po11
their gender for example, for a female user, the clothes styles may include dresses whereas for a male
user, the clothes types may include fo~maslh irts. These gender specific clothing selections may be
provided to the information processing apparatus 100 automatically by the hub 115 or over the Internet or
the like.
Referring to Figure 4, a flow chart 400 showing the user set up is shown. The process starts at step 402.
Then, the display screen 300 as noted in Figure 3-1 to 3-3 is shown in step 404. The user defines the
parameters to be associated with their profile and displayed on the information processing apparatus 100 1
during this step. If no user sclected parameters are provided, it is envisaged that a del?~olste lection may
be provided. These default parameters may be defined during manufacture and may also depend on
characteristics of the user, such as age, gender or the like. After the parameters have been defined, the
process ends at step 406.
After the parameters have been defined, the system may be used with content and the associated
metadata. As noted above, the metadata may be sent with the content or may be sent separately. For
example, the metadata may be sent in the DVB video stream or may be sent separately over the Internet
or the like. The use of the system will be described in respect of Figures 5 to 7.
Referring to Figure 5, a first use case 500 is defined. The process starts step 502. The information
processing apparatus 100 receives multimedia content 504. In the example ofthe information processing
apparatus being a television as depicted in Figure 2, the multimedia content is, in embodiments, received
by the broadcast receiver 140. The multimedia content includes metadata that is associated with the
content. The metadata may be genre information which describes the genle of the received multimedia
content. For example, if tlie multimedia content is a horror movie, the broadcast genre may be "horror
tiiovie". Alternatively or additionally, the metadata may inclitde the time of day of a particular rece~ved
multimedia program. This, typically, is Electronic Program Guide infornlation and defines when in the
4
future certain programs will be broadcast. Alternatively or additionally, inctadata !nay rclate specific;illy
to the content of tlrc rnulti~nediac outent. 't'lris is sometimes referrcd lo as sernal~ticm etadata. For
example, if the multimedia content is a cookery program, the ~netadatam ay inclndc ingredient
information of the meal that is being PI-eparcdi n ilic cooltery program. Alternatively, the ~netadatam ay
be temperature settings on an oven or may include measuremeni inforn2ation of a specific recipe
ingredient. For example, if the multimedia content is a cookery program and they are baking a cake, then
specific weights of the ingredients may also be included in tlre metadaia. In this case, altel-natives which
may be used may also be included. For example, where flour is used in a recipe, the metadata may
specify that gluten free flow is an altemalive. Similarly, yoghuit may replace cream in a particular
recipe. This information may be provided in the metadata. Of course, the alternatives may be provided
by the information processing apparatus 100. As an example, tlie information processing apparatus 100
may appreciate that yoghurt is an alternative for cream. Therefore, if the metadata specifies cream, the
information processing apparatus 100 may replace cream with yoghurt automatically. This may be
auton~aticallya pplied or may be a search option provided to the user.
Other features ofthe metadata in the embodiment where the multimedia content is a cookery program
may include a spiciness rating associated with the menu being created. For example, if the recipe is Z ':
particularly spicy, this may be indicated in the metadata. Other info~mations uch as whether the recipe is
of high protein or low carbohydrate containii~gm eal may also be included as this could be useful to the
consumer.
Referring back to Figure 5, after the multimedia content has been received in step 504, the metadata is
extracted in step 506. This will be done by the broadcast receiver 140.
The broadcast receiver 140 passes the multimedia content and separately the metadata to the control
circuitry 120. The multimedia content is displayed on the display 115 and the audio is provided to
speakers (not shown). The metadata is then compared to the metadata stored in the storage 130 that is
associated with the user. In particular, if the multimedia content is a horror film, the genre information
will be provided in the metadata and this will he compared with the horror settings 325A defined by the
user. The bass, treble and volume settings will be extracted at this stage and the bass, treble and volume
ofthe information processing apparatus 100 will be set. In other words, ccrtaiii parameters of the
information processing apparatus 100 will be set depending upon the genre of the received multimedia
content. This allows the info~~natiopnro cessing apparatus 100 to be controlled based nl)on the received
metadata.
Moreover, the information processing apparatus 100 may also transmit control information to one of the
other information processing apparatus 100A-100C. This transmission of control information would be
performed using the hansceiver 125. In particular, in the event that the received multimedia content is of
a horror genre the user may define other actions to be taken by the remaining information processing
apparatus IOOA-IOOC in response to the genre being horror. Specifically, the horror settings 325A may
include other actions such as the curtains being closed or the lights being dimmed if the genre is horror.
In this case, the controller circuitry 120 will send to the other information processing apparatus lOOB a
control signal to close tlre curtains and a second control signal to the other information processing
apparatus lOOC to dim the lights.
This allows the user tlie ability lo control the other devices based upon the metadata received by the
broadcast receiver 140. This is step 508.
The process then ends ill step 510.
Referring to 17igurc 6, a flow char? reprcsenting slcp 508 of Figure 5 in inorc detail is sliow~i. In
particular, the process starts in step 602. The control circuitry 120 then cotliparcs tlie ~netadatat o tlie
stored parameters in step 604. Of course, although this step (and other steps in tlie disclosure) use the
term "compares", checking, corresponding, depending or otlier similar phrases are cnvisaged.
'The control device parameters, someti~nr~csfe rred to simply as "parameters", are extracted in step 606
and are used to either control the inforrnation processing device 100 or tlie other infor~natio~prio cessing
devices 100A-IOOC and then the process ends in step 608. A number of other use cases will now be
described to illustrate the advantages ofthe current disclosure.
If a user sets a reminder in the EPG of the information processing device 100, the user may be provided
with a set up screcn similar to that of set up screen 300 in Figure 3-1. However, in this case, the set up
screen may offer certain functions to be provided when the metadata indicates that the multimedia content
is this particularly set program. In other words, the set-up screen allows the user to define in advance for
specific programs control various parameters so that certain functions are perrormed when the program is
actually received by the information processing apparatus. For example, when the program is received,
the user may be provided with the option to set an alann clock on a smartphone or a connected alarm 1;
clock which has IoT functionality. This allows the user to be notified that a desired program is about to
start.
Other functions may also be performed. For example, when a particular program is received, the lights in
a particular room may be set to come on. hi other words, when the metadata indicates that a certain
program is contained in the multimedia content, the information processing apparatus 100 will issue
control parameters to other devices. These parameters are issued according to instructions and settings
stored within the information processing apparatus 100.
Other scenarios are envisaged such as the central heating in the house may be switched on in advance of
the received program or a coffee machine may be activated when the multimedia program is the desired
content or, indeed, the washing machine or tumble dryer or dishwasher may be paused in order to reduce
background noise.
In addition, the dynamic range of the information processing apparatus 100, or a connected external audio
amplifier may be changed depending upon the nature of the desired program. For exatnple, in the event
that the desired program is received in the early hours of the morning when other users are asleep, the
volu~nem ay be automatically reduced dramatically so as not to disturb the other residents of the house.
In the event that a user is browsing the internet using the information processing apparatus 100, the
metadata received may indicate that the infomation processing apparatus is connected to the Internet. In
this case, the information processing apparatus may indicate to the user the option of listening to ambient
music defined in the set up process explained in relation to Figure 3.
Jn the event that the user is listening to music multimedia contenf the user could indicate to the
information processing apparatus 100 that he is interested the current track or the current artist. In this
case, the metadata that is extracted from the multimedia content associated with the particular track or
artist, may control the information processing apparatus 100 to watch the video ofthat track or other
tracks from that artist on another information processing apparatus 100A-1 00C. For example, if a user's
s~nartphonec ommunicates with information processing apparatus 100, the i~~for~natpiroonc essing
apparatus 100 may send to tlie smartphone a link within a content search service such as You Tube \vhich
would allow the stnartplione to access a video ofthe artist performing the track or other videos of the
artist performing sirnilar tracks. Indeed, if the infonnation processing apparatus 100 was connected to a
dedicated ~niusics ystem. the user iildicating that hc or she lilted a particular a~lisot r track would criable
the ~nr~ssiycs tem to dow~iloada high fidelity version ofllre track or traclts associated with the artist and
play those traclts directly on the music systctn for bctter quality repl.oduction. The information
processing apparatus may be configured to turn off once the i nu sic has been transferred to the connected
~iiusics ystem.
In a Curther embodiment, nletadata may be provided along with the multimedia content (or separately to
the multiniedia content) to indicate that a particular cmergency situation has occurred. For example, in
areas of the world where earthquakes occur, the multimedia co~itenmt etadata may include an early
waruing detection such as the DVB Emergency Warning System or the United States Emergency Alert
System. In this case, the infonnation processing apparatus 100 may instruct another information
processing apparatus 100A-100C to perform certain functions. For example, the information processing
apparatus 100 may instruct a connected alarm clock to activate immediately thus waking the user and
allowing them to retreat to safety. Alter~~ativeolyr additionally, room lights may be turned on usicig
information processing apparatus 102C and the curtains may be drawn by activating information
processing apparatus 100B. In other words, if the received metadata indicates an emergency, certain
connected devices will be activated to perform certain functions in order to ensure the safety of the user.
Referring now to Figure 7, a different use case 700 is provided. In this case, the multimedia conteut is a
cooltery program on informatiou processing apparatus 100. In this case, the metadata is recipe
information relating to the cookery program. For example, the metadata may include a list of ingredients
or specific alternatives that may be used in the recipe. Of course, the alternatives may be provided by the
information processing apparatus 100. For example, ghee is sometimes replaced with cream or yoghurt.
These alternatives may be stored within the information processing apparatus 100. The metadata may
also include weights and measures ofthe certain ingredient types as well as a spice rating associated with
the spiciness of a particular recipe. Other category information such as the type of cuisine or whether the
recipe is a high protein or loaf carbohydrate recipe or even a high fat recipe is provided in the metadata.
The metadata associated with the cookery program is then compared with the food settings 330A. In the
food settings associated with a particular user, the user lnay define a certain type of cuisine as being a
favourite and so that recipe may be stored. Alternatively, the user may define that any recipe that is from
a favourite cuisine will be made by the user. In this case, the co~ltrocl ircuitry 120 extracts ingredient
metadata and the measurement metadata and send this to, in this case, the food receptacle 100A. The
food receptacle will then compare the list of ingredients provided by the conhol circuitry 120 with its
contents and determine whether the user has all the ingredients to make a particular recipe. If the user
does have all the ingredients, the user may be notified either on the display of information processing
apparatus 115 or on another. information processing apparatus. If one or more ingredients is not present
in sufficient quantity, the other information processing apparatus 100A, may order (either automatically
or via prompt to the user) the missing ingredient. This will be done automatically. Of course, the
information processing apparatus lOOA may suggest alternative ingredients that are located in the food
receptacle.
Additionally, the user may be requested to confirm whether they wish to ma1,e a particular recipe. In this
casc, as the user is watching the cookery program, they may be prompted to indicate whether they wish to
make a particular recipe. If the user does wish to make a particular recipe, the ingredient metadata and
the measurement metadata is then extracted from the multimedia content and sent to the food receptacle
1 OOA. The food receptacle IOOA checks the contents of the food receptacle to ensure that sufficient
quantities of the desired ingredients are present. If not, the missing ingredicnt(s) is ordered. Of cou~se,
the information processing apparatus l00A may suggest alternative ingredients that are located in the
food receptacle.
Indeed, the fi>od reccptaclc or tlic inforniation processing apparati~s(. nay sicnply ordcr the ingl-edie~~itfs a
user likes a particular recipe without checking thc cub-relit contents of tlie rood receptacle. This usc case is
set out in Figure 7 brierly explained below.
Referring to Figurc 7, a flow cha~rt 700 is shown. 'fhe flow c11a1-t starts at 702. The mctadata is comparcd
to the ingredients stored within the user profile 330A. In this case, alternative ingredients may be
provided lo the food reccptaclc IOOA. For example, if the user desires that cream he replaced by yoghurt,
if the ingredients provided in tlie metadata of the program states that cream should be used, the alternative
of yoghul-t is provided to the food receptacle 100A instead oftlie instructed cream.
In step 706, the user states whether they are to make the rccipe or not. This may be done by prompting
the user or {nay be done auto~naticallyif the user has selected that they will make any recipes which are a
favourite. If the user does not indicate they wish to make the recipe, the process ends at step 710.
However, if the user indicates that they w~lml ake the rccipe, the yes path is followed and the ingredients
are ordered in step 708. The ingredients may be orde~edf rom an online store 01 may be compared lo the
ingredients stored in the food receptacle l00A and {nay be re-ordered if necessary. The process then ends
at step 710. 3
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the
above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the
disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
In so far as embodiments of the disclosure have been described as beiiig implemented, at least in part, by
software-controlled data processing apparatus, it will be appreciated that a non-transitory mach~nereadable
medium carrying such software, such as an opt~cadl isk, a magnetic disk, semiconductor memoly
or the like, is also cons~deredto represent an embodiment of the present disclosure.
It will be appreciated that the above description for clarity has described embodiments with reference to
different functional units, circuitry and/or processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable
distribution of functionality between different functional units, circuitry andlor processors may be used
without detracting from the embodiments.
Described embodiments may be implemented in any suitable form including hardware, oftw ware,
finnware or any combination of these. Described embodiments may optionally be i~nplc~nenteadt l east
partly as computer software running on one or more data processors andlor digital signal processors. The
elements and components of any embodiment may be physically, functionally and logically implemented
in any suitable way. Indeed the functionality may be implemented in a single unit, in a plurality of units
or as part of other functional units. As such, the disclosed embodiinents may be implemented in a single
unit or may be physically and functionally distributed between different units, circuitry andlor processors.
Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with some embodiments, it is not
intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Additionally, although a feature may appear to
be described in connection with particular embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognize that
various features of the described embodiments may be combined in any manlier suitable to implement the
technique.
Embodiments of the disclosure can generally be defined according to the following numbered paragraphs.
1. An illformation processing apparatus comprising:
receiver circuitry configured to receive content inciading tnetadata;
storage containing a paranieter associated with the metadata; and
control circuitry configul.ed $0: extract the received mctadata; &retrieveih e parameicr associated with tlic
meladata and control the information proccssing apparatus bascd on the paranietcr.
2. An infornmtion processing apparatus comprising:
receiver circuit~yc onfigured to receive content including metadata;
5 storage containiilg a paranietcr associated with the metadata;
transcciver circuitry configured to transmit the parameter to a second informatio~i processing apparatus
and
coptrol circuitry configured to: extract the received metadata; retrieve the parameter associated with the
illetadata and transmit the parameter to the second information processing apparatus.
10 3. An information processing apparatus according to paragraph 1, wherein the content is multiiiiedia
content, the metadata including genre information relating to the multimedia content and the parameter is
an audio andlor video setting of the information processing device.
4. An information processing apparatus according to paragraph 2, wherein the content is multimedia
content associated with a cookery program, the lnetadata including ingredient information rclating to the
15 cookery program and the parameter is an ingredient.
5. An information processing apparatus according to paragraph 4, wherein the parameter is an alte~native
to the ingredient informatioil relating to the cookery program.
6. A food storage receptacle comprising memoly configured to store a database of food located in the
storage receptacle, transceiving circuitry configured to receive the parameter from the information
20 processing apparatus of paragraph 4 and control circuitry configured to compare the parameter with the
database of food, whereby the control circuitry is configured so that when a negative comparison is made,
a notification is sent, via the transceiving circuitry to the information processillg device.
7. An information processing apparatus according to paragraph 2, wherein the content is multimedia
content, the metadata inchlding time information relating to the time of broadcast of the multimedia
25 content and the parameter is a power signal switching on the second information processing apparatus at
the time of the broadcast.
8. An information proeessiilg apparatus according to paragraph 1, wherein the content is mnllimedia
content, the metadata including information relating to the creator of the multimedia content aild the
parameter retrieves other content from the creator.
30 9. An information processing apparatus comprising:
receiver circuitly configured to receive an early warning message;
storage containing a parameter associated with the early warning message;
transceiver circuitry configured to transmit the parameter to a second information processing apparatus
and
35 control circuitry configured to: retrieve the parameter associated with the early warning message acid
transmit the parameter to the second information processing apparatus.
10. An information processing method comprising:
receiving content including metadata;
storing a parameter associated with the metadata;
40 extracting the received rnetadata; and retrieving the parameter associaled with the metadata and control
the inrormation processing apparatus based on the parameter.
I 1 . An inrornlation processing mcthod comprising:
receiving contcnt including mctadata;
storing a parameter associated with the metadata;
transmitting the parameter to a second inforn~ationp rocessing apparatus
5 extracting the received tnctadata; retrieving the parameter associated with the ~netadaiaa nd transmitting
the parameter to the second information processing apparatus.
12. An infomatio~p~ro cessing method according lo paragraph 10, wherein the conient is n~ulti~nedia
content, the metadata including genre information relating to the multimedia content and ihe parameter is
an audio andlor video setting.
10 13. An information processing method according to paragraph 1 I , wherein the content is multimedia
content associated with a cookery program, the metadata including ingredient information relating to the
cookery program and the parameter is an ingredient.
14. An information processing method according to paragraph 13, wherein the parameter is an alternative
to the ingredient information relating to the cookery program. "F
15 15. A food storage method comprising storing a database of food located in a storage receptacle,
receiving the parameter 6om the information processing apparatus of paragraph 13 and comparing the
parameter with the database of food, whereby when a negative compariso~is made, a notification is sent
to the information processing device.
16. An information processing method according to paragraph I I, wherein the content is rnulti~nedia
20 content, the metadata including time information relating to the time of broadcast of the multimedia
content and the parameter is a power signal switching on the second information processing apparatus at
the time of the broadcast.
17. An information processing method according to paragraph 10, wherein the content is multimedia
content, the metadata including information relating to the creator of the multimedia content and the
25 parameter retrieves other content from the creator.
18. An information processing method comprising:
receiving an early warning message;
storing a parameter associated with the early warning message;
transmitting the parameter to a second information processing apparatus and
30 retrieving the parameter associated with the early warning message and transmitting the parameter to the
second information processing apparatus.
19. A computer program containing computer readable instructions which, when loaded onto a computer,
configure the computer to perform a method according to claim 10.
20. A computer program product configured to contain the computer program of claim 19 therein or
35 thereon.
CLAIMS
I . All information proccssing apparatus comprising:
receiver circuitry configured to receive content including meladata;
storage containing a parameter associated with the metadata;
5 transceiver circuitry configured to transmit the parameter to a second information processing apparatus
and
control circuit~yc onfigured to extract the received metadata, retrieve the parameter associated with the
metadata and transmit the paranieter to the second information processing apparatus.
2. An informatio~lp rocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is further
10 configured to control the information processing apparatus based on the parameter.
3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content is multimedia
content, the metadata including gcnre information relating to the multiniedia content and the parameter is
an audio and/or video setting of the information processing device.
4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content is multimedia content
15 associated with a cookery program, the metadata including ingredient information relating to the cookery
program and the parameter is an ingredient.
5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the parameter is an alternative to
the ingredient information relating to the cookery program.
6. A food storage receptacle comprising memory configured to store a database of food located in the
20 storage receptacle, transceiving circuitry configured to receive the parameter from the information
processing apparatns of claim 4 or 5 and control circuitry configured to compare the parameter with the
database of food, whereby the control circuitry is configured so that when a negative comparison is made,
a notification is sent, via the transceiving circuitry to the information processing device.
7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the content is multimedia content,
25 the metadata including time iiiformation relating to the time of broadcast of the multimedia content and
the parameter is a power signal switching on the second information processing apparatus at the time of
the broadcast.
8. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content is multimedia
content, the metadata including infonnation relating to the creator ofthe multimedia content and the
30 parameter retrieves other content from the creator.
9. An infonnation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extractable ~netadatac omprises
an early warning message and the storable and retrievable parameter is associated with the early warning
message.
10. An information processing method comprising:
35 receiving content including metadata;
storing a parameter associated with the metadata;
transinitting the parameter to a second infonnation processirig apparatus
extracting the received metadata; retrieving the parameter associated with the metadata and transmitting
the parameter to the second information processing apparatus.
40 1 1. An iiiformation processing method according to claim 10, the method further comprising control of
the infornlation processing apparatus based on the parameter.
12. All i~lforniatioi?p rocessing method according to claina 10, whereill the content is multirne,diac ontent
associated with a cooltery program, the metadata including ingredie11.ti nformatio~re~l ating to the coolte~y
program and the paranleter is an ingredient.
13. An information processi~~mge thod according to claim 12, wherein the parameter is an alternative to
5 the ingredient information relating to the cookery program.
14. A fond storage method comprising storing a database of food located in a storage receptacle,
receiving the parameter from the information processing apparatus of claim 12 or 13 and comparing the
parameter with the database of food, whereby when a negative comparison is made, a notification is sent
to the information processing device.
10 15. A cornputer program product containing computer readable instructions which, when loaded onto a
computer, configure the computer to perform a method according to any one claims 10 to 14.