FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates to rendering of multimedia content and,
particularly, but not exclusively, to rendering of filtered multimedia content.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent times, remarkable improvements have been witnessed in delivery o5 f
television services to users all over the world. Emerging technologies, such as direct to home
(DTH) and Internet Protocol television (IPTV) have enhanced television viewing experience for
the users by providing varied multimedia content, such as video on demand, audio, video,
interactive gaming, and interactive learning. With advancement in technology, service providers
10 of such multimedia content nowadays provide a convenient platform, also referred to as a multiscreen
video platform, to the users for availing the multimedia content. Rendering of the
multimedia content via the multi-screen video platform facilitates the user to avail the
multimedia content using one or more user devices, for example, a smart phone, a tablet, a
laptop, and a television (TV) set.
15 SUMMARY
[0003] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to multimedia content
filtering. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter
nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0004] In one implementation, a method for multimedia content filtering is described.
20 The method comprises receiving location information indicating a current location of the user
from a user device of the user. The method further comprising filtering multimedia information
corresponding to multimedia content based on a location attribute corresponding to the current
location for obtaining filtered multimedia information, wherein the location attribute indicates a
filtering rule for filtration of the multimedia content. Further, the filtered multimedia information
25 is provided to the user device for availing filtered multimedia content, wherein the filtered
multimedia information comprises data corresponding to the filtered multimedia content.
[0005] In another implementation, a multimedia content filtering system is described.
The multimedia content filtering system comprises a subscriber management server to receive
3
location information indicating a current location of a user from a user device of the user. The
multimedia content filtering system further comprises a content management server to filter
content information corresponding to multimedia content based on a location attribute
corresponding to the current location to obtain filtered content information to be provided to the
user device for obtaining filtered multimedia content. The location attribute indicates 5 a
predetermined filtering rule for filtering the multimedia content. The multimedia content filtering
system further comprises an electronic program guide (EPG) server to filter EPG information
corresponding to multimedia content based on a location attribute corresponding to the current
location to obtain filtered EPG information to be provided to the user device for obtaining
10 filtered multimedia content.
[0006] In another implementation, a method for multimedia content filtering is described.
The method comprises, transmitting, by a user device of the user, location information
comprising a current location of the user to a multimedia content filtering system. Further,
multimedia information corresponding to the multimedia content is obtained from the
15 multimedia content filtering system by the user device. The method further comprises receiving
predetermined filtering rules corresponding to a location attribute corresponding to the current
location from the multimedia content filtering system. Further, the multimedia information is
filtered based on the predetermined filtering rules by the user device to obtain filtered
multimedia information for availing filtered multimedia content.
20 [0007] In one implementation, a user device is described. The user device includes a
processor and communication module coupled to the processor. In one implementation, the
communication module transmits location information comprising a current location of a user to
a multimedia content filtering system. The communication module further obtains multimedia
information corresponding to multimedia content from the multimedia content filtering system.
25 The communication module further receives predetermined filtering rules corresponding to a
location attribute corresponding to the current location from the multimedia content filtering
system. The user device further includes a filtering module to filter the multimedia information
based on the predetermined filtering rules to obtain filtered multimedia information for availing
filtered multimedia content.
4
[0008] In accordance with another implementation of the present subject matter, a
computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program for multimedia
content filtering is described. The method comprises, transmitting, by a user device of the user,
location information comprising a current location of the user to a multimedia content filtering
system. Further, multimedia information corresponding to the multimedia content is obtaine5 d
from the multimedia content filtering system by the user device. The method further comprises
receiving predetermined filtering rules corresponding to a location attribute corresponding to the
current location from the multimedia content filtering system. Further, the multimedia
information is filtered based on the predetermined filtering rules by the user device to obtain
10 filtered multimedia information for availing filtered multimedia content.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.
In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the
reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference
15 like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with
embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with
reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0010] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary network environment implementation for
multimedia content filtering, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;
20 [0011] Figure 2 illustrates components of a multimedia content filtering system for
filtering multimedia content, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a method for multimedia content filtering, according to an
embodiment of the present subject matter.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
25 [0013] Multi-screen video platform facilitates users to avail multimedia content, such as
audio, video, interactive gaming, shopping, television channels, and video on demand, via
different user devices, for example, smart phones, tablets, television (TV) sets, and laptops.
Upon subscribing with a service provider offering such multimedia content, a user can avail the
multimedia content through a single user profile of the user created with the service provider.
5
The user profile in general includes information, such as one or more subscription packages
availed by the user, personal details pertaining to the user, and information pertaining to the user
devices corresponding to the user through which the user may avail the services.
[0014] Generally, the service provider renders the aforementioned multimedia content to
the users over a communication network, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) based communicatio5 n
network, thereby facilitating the users to avail the multimedia content at different locations
covered by the communication network. For example, a user may avail video on demand service
offered by the service provider through a set top box connected to a TV set at his premises. In
another example, the user may avail the video on demand service through a smart phone at his
10 workplace.
[0015] Typically, the multimedia content is provided based on the user profile of the
user. For instance, a user subscribed to a sports package may be offered multimedia content rich
in sports. Similarly, a user subscribed to action movies package may be offered multimedia
content rich in action or violent movies. The user is thus offered multimedia content pertaining to
15 the subscribed packages at all times. However, in certain cases, the user may not seek to avail
certain multimedia content at specific locations. For instance, the user subscribed to the action
movies package may not seek to avail the multimedia content rich in action or violent or explicit
content when present in a public place. Furthermore, the multimedia content rich in action or
violent or explicit content may not be restricted to a specific subscription package and may be
20 broadcasted via any program on any channel. Thus, even in a case where the user may seek to
drop the action movies package at specific locations, the user may still be susceptible to
reception of such multimedia content. Further, in a case where the user may seek to avail the
multimedia content while traversing different locations during a day, addition/dropping of such
subscription packages may prove to be a cumbersome task for the user.
25 [0016] The present subject matter discloses systems and methods for multimedia content
filtering. According to an implementation of the present subject matter, multimedia information
corresponding to multimedia content may be filtered prior to being provided to a user based on a
current location of the user. In said implementation, the multimedia information is filtered based
on a location attribute corresponding to the current location. The location attribute indicates a
30 predetermined filtering rule comprising a plurality of critical terms, content rating pertaining to
6
the multimedia content, and community rating pertaining to the multimedia content. The
multimedia information, as used herein, may be understood as information pertaining to
television channels and may include information pertaining to the multimedia content aired by
the television channels.
[0017] As mentioned above, the user may register with a service provider for availing th5 e
multimedia content offered by the service provider. During registration of the user, a user profile
of the user may be created. The user profile may include personal details, for example, a home
address, of the user. In said example, a location indicated by the home address of the user may be
understood to be a default location of the user. Further, the user profile may include information
10 pertaining to one or more user devices of the user registered with the service provider through
which the user may avail multimedia content. Upon successful registration of the user, a catalog
displaying multimedia information corresponding to the multimedia content may be provided to
each of the registered user devices. As may be understood, the multimedia information may
include content information and electronic program guide (EPG) information corresponding to
15 one or more multimedia channels airing multimedia content of different genres. The catalog may
be used by the user for availing the multimedia content in future.
[0018] In an example, the user may seek to avail the multimedia content through a user
device of the user registered with the service provider. In an implementation, initially location
information indicating a current location of the user may be received by a multimedia content
20 filtering system of the service provider. The current location of the user may be determined by
the user device using known techniques of determining location of a user device and in turn the
user of the user device. For example, global positioning system (GPS), Wi-Fi positioning, and
known techniques of geolocation may be used for determining the current location of the user.
Upon receiving the location information, the multimedia content filtering system may compare
25 the current location with the default location for ascertaining whether the user is at the default
location or not. In a case where the current location is same as the default location, it may be
ascertained that the user is at the default location. In said case, the user device may be provided
the multimedia information in its entirety.
[0019] In another case, where the current location is different from the default location, it
30 may be ascertained that the user has moved out of the default location. In said case, a location
7
attribute corresponding to the current location of the user may be obtained from the user device.
In said case, the multimedia content filtering system may transmit a request to the user device for
obtaining the location attribute. As mentioned above, the location attribute indicates the
predetermined filtering rule based on which the multimedia information may be filtered.
Examples of the location attribute include, but are not limited to, private, public, social, work5 ,
and the like. As may be understood, each of the aforementioned location attributes may indicate
a predetermined filtering rule different than the predetermined filtering rules of other location
attributes. Depending upon the location attribute selected by the user and the associated
predetermined filtering rule, filtered multimedia content deemed to be appropriate for viewing at
10 the current location of the user may be provided to the user. For instance, in a case where the
obtained location attribute is the private, the multimedia information may be provided to the user
without any filtration. The user may then subsequently go through the multimedia information to
identify, select, and avail a multimedia content of interest. In another example, where the
obtained location attribute is public, the multimedia information may be filtered prior to being
15 provided to the user device. In an implementation, the multimedia information may be filtered
based on the predetermined filtering rule indicated by the location attribute. For instance, the
multimedia information may be analyzed for identifying one or more critical terms included in
the predetermined filtering rules. In an example, the content information and the EPG
information pertaining to the television channels and the programs for which one or more of the
20 critical terms are identified during the analysis may be removed from the multimedia
information. Thereafter, the filtered multimedia information may be provided to the user device.
The user may subsequently select a multimedia content of interest from the filtered multimedia
information for availing the multimedia content. In an example, the user profile may be updated
to include the current location of the user and the corresponding location attribute for future
25 purposes for rendering filtered multimedia content. For instance, in a case where the user may
seek to avail the multimedia content through a public connection at an airport, the location
attribute corresponding to the airport may be received and stored. In future, when the user may
try to avail the multimedia content when present at the airport, the current location of the user
and the corresponding location will be already available with the multimedia content filtering
30 system. The multimedia content filtering system may then provide the filtered multimedia
information and may not request for the location attribute again.
8
[0020] In another embodiment, the user device may filter the multimedia information. In
said embodiment, the user device may initially transmit a request to the multimedia content
filtering system. The request may include a user id and a device id of the user device. Based on
the request, the user device may receive the predetermined filtering rule associated with the
location attribute from the multimedia content filtering system. The user device may then filte5 r
the multimedia information in a manner as described above for obtaining filtered multimedia
information.
[0021] Thus, the present subject matter facilitates in rendering of filtered multimedia
content to the user based on the current location and a preference of the user. As a result, the
10 cumbersome task of requesting for addition or dropping of different subscription packages by the
user may be averted. Further, in accordance with the present subject matter, filtering of selective
individual multimedia content may be achieved as opposed to dropping of a subscription
package which comprises a single channel with a user may not seek to view at specific locations.
As a result, the user may still be able to avail the other channels in the subscription package.
15 Thus, overall quality of service pertaining to the multimedia content offered by the service
provider may be enhanced.
[0022] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles
of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to
devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the
20 principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Further, all
examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to
aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts
contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without
limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein
25 reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present subject matter, as well as specific
examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0023] The manner in which the systems and the methods for multimedia content
filtering shall be implemented has been explained in details with respect to the Figures 1, 2, and
3. While aspects of described systems and methods for multimedia content filtering can be
30 implemented in any number of different computing systems, transmission environments, and/or
9
configurations, the embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary
system(s).
[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a network environment 100 for multimedia content filtering.
The network environment 100 includes one or more user devices 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, …., and
102-N, communicating with each other through a communication network 104. The user device5 s
102-1, 102-2, 102-3,…, 102-N are hereinafter collectively referred to as user devices 102 and
individually referred to as user device 102. The user devices 102 may be used by users for
availing multimedia content, such as video on demand, offered by a service provider. Examples
of the user devices 102, include but are not limited to, smart phones, mobile phones, PDA,
10 tablets, hand-held devices, laptops, desktop computers, and television (TV) sets. Each of the user
devices 102 works on a communication protocol as defined by the communication network 104
to which the user devices 102 are communicatively coupled. As may be understood, the user
devices 102 may further have additional hardware components attached and/or software
components installed for availing the services rendered by the service provider. The
15 communication network 104 may be a wireless network, or a combination of wired and wireless
networks. The communication network 104 can be a collection of individual networks,
interconnected with each other and functioning as a single large network (e.g., the internet or an
intranet). Examples of such individual networks include, but are not limited to, 3rd Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and the like. Further, depending on the
20 technology, the communication network 106 may include various network entities, such as
gateways, routers; however, such details have been omitted for ease of understanding.
[0025] In an example, the service provider may render the multimedia content to the
users over a multi-screen video platform. In multi-screen video platform, a user, registered with
the service provider, may avail the multimedia content via one or more of the user devices 102
25 using a single user profile. The user devices 102, through which the user may avail the
multimedia content, are registered with the service provider and the user profile of the user may
include a device id corresponding to each of the user devices 102 and a user id or subscriber id of
the user. Further, the user profile may include information about one or more subscription
packages availed by the user. The user profile may also include personal details about the user.
30 For example, the user profile may include a home address of the user. In said example, a location
indicated by the home address of the user may be understood as a default location of the user.
10
[0026] According to an implementation of the present subject matter, the service provider
may implement a multimedia content filtering system 106 for rendering filtered multimedia
content to the users based on a location of the users. In an implementation, the multimedia
content filtering system 106 may include a subscriber management server 108, a content
management server 110, and a electronic program guide (EPG) server 1125 .
[0027] In an implementation, the subscriber management server 108 may receive
location information from the user device 102-1 of a user seeking to avail the multimedia
content. The location information indicates a current location of the user. In an example, the
current location of the user may be determined by the user device 102-1 using known techniques
10 of determining location. Upon receiving the current location, the subscriber management server
108 may compare the current location with a default location of the user. The default location
may be understood as a location indicated by a home address of the user. The home address and
the default location of the user may be specified in the user profile of the user. In a case where
the current location is same as the default location of the user or in a nearby predetermined
15 vicinity distance, the user may be rendered multimedia content without filtration. In another case,
where current location of the user is different than the default location, the subscriber
management server 108 may transmit a request to the user device 102-1 for obtaining a location
attribute pertaining to the current location. The location attribute indicates a predetermined
filtering rule for filtering the multimedia content. The predetermined filtering rule comprises a
20 plurality of critical terms, community ratings and content ratings pertaining to the multimedia
content and may be suitably defined for each of the aforementioned location attributes. For
example, in a case where the received location attribute is private, the predetermined filtering
rule may be suitably defined in a manner which may allow rendering of the multimedia content,
such as audio, video, and the like, without filtration. In another case, where the received location
25 attribute is public, multimedia content deemed to be inappropriate for viewing at public places
may be filtered out. The location attribute may be based on a user preference received from the
user by the user device 102-1. Based on the location attribute, multimedia information pertaining
to the multimedia content may be provided to the user either with or without filtration. The
multimedia information, as used herein, may be understood as information pertaining to
30 television channels and the multimedia content aired by the television channels. In an example,
the multimedia information may include content information and EPG information
11
corresponding to the television channels and other multimedia content. In an example, the
subscriber management server 108 may store the received location and the corresponding
location attribute for rendering of filtered multimedia content based on the location in future as
described earlier.
[0028] In an implementation, the multimedia content filtering system 106 may receive 5 a
request for obtaining the multimedia information from the user device 102-1. The request may
include the user id of the user and the device id through which the user may seek to avail the
multimedia content. The user id may be understood as an id associted with the user profile. The
device id may be understood as a device identity assigned to the user device 102-1 during
10 registration with the service provider. For instance, a set top box of the user may be assigned an
id, device id 0001, and a smart phone of the user may be assigned an id, device id 0002. The user
id and the device id for each of the registered user devices may be stored with the subscriber
management server 108. In another example, the user id and the device id may also be stored in
the user device 102-1. Upon receiving the request, the content management server 110 may
15 transmit a request to the subscriber management server 108 for obtaining the predetermined
filtering rule. The request may include the user id and the device id. Based on the request
comprising the user id and the device id, the subscriber management server 108 may then
transmit the predetermined filtering rule corresponding to the location attribute to the content
management server 110. The content management server 110 may then filter the content
20 information stored with the content management server 110 based on the predetermined filtering
rule for obtaining filtered content information.
[0029] Similarly, the EPG server 112 may obtain the predetermined filtering rule from
the subscriber management server 108 in a manner as described above. The EPG server 112 may
subsequently filter the EPG information stored with the EPG server 112 using the predetermined
25 filtering rule. The filtered content information and the filtered EPG information may then be
provided as the filtered multimedia information to the user device 102-1.
[0030] In another embodiment, the user device 102-1 may obtain the multimedia
information comprising the content information and the EPG information from the multimedia
content filtering system 106. In said embodiment, the user device 102-1 may further transmit a
30 request comprising the user id and the device id to the multimedia content filtering system 106.
12
The multimedia content filtering system 106 may then transmit the predetermined filtering rule
corresponding to the location attribute to the user device 102-1. Upon receiving the
predetermined filtering rule, the user device 102-1 may then filter the multimedia information
based on the predetermined filtering rule and obtain the filtered multimedia information. As may
be understood, the filtered multimedia information does not include information pertaining t5 o
multimedia content deemed to be inappropriate for viewing in public locations. Such multimedia
content may be identified based on one or more critical terms included in the predetermined
filtering rules. Further, the predetermined filtering rules may be based on additional information,
for example, content rating, community rating, and the like pertaining to the multimedia content.
10 Thus, based on the filtered multimedia information, a catalog excluding such multimedia content
may be provided to the user when present in a public location.
[0031] Figure 2 illustrates the components of the user device 102, and the multimedia
content filtering system 106, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The
multimedia content filtering system 106 comprises the subscriber management server 108, the
15 content management server 110, and the EPG server 112. In accordance with the present subject
matter, the user devices 102 and the multimedia content filtering system 106 communicate with
each other through the communication network 104 (as shown in Figure 1).
[0032] The user device 102, the subscriber management server 108, the content
management server 110, and the EPG server 112 include processors 202-1, 202-2, 202-3, and
20 202-4, respectively, collectively referred to as processor 202 hereinafter. The processor 202 may
be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital
signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices
that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the
processor(s) is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the
25 memory.
[0033] The functions of the various elements shown in the figure, including any
functional blocks labeled as “processor(s)”, may be provided through the use of dedicated
hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate
software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated
30 processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which
13
may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term “processor” should not be construed to refer
exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without
limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network processor, application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for
storing software, random access memory (RAM), non-volatile storage. Other hardware5 ,
conventional and/or custom, may also be included.
[0034] Also, the user device 102, the subscriber management server 108, the content
management server 110, and the EPG server 112 include I/O interface(s) 204-1, 204-2, 204-3,
and 204-4, respectively, collectively referred to as I/O interfaces 204. The I/O interfaces 204 may
10 include a variety of software and hardware interfaces that allow the subscriber management
server 108, the content management server 110, and the EPG server 112 to interact with the
communication network 104, and with each other. Further, the I/O interfaces 204 may enable the
subscriber management server 108, the content management server 110, and the EPG server 112
to communicate with other communication and computing devices, such as web servers and
15 external repositories. The I/O interfaces 204 may facilitate multiple communications within a
wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wire networks, for example, LAN, cable,
etc., and wireless networks, for example, WLAN, cellular, satellite-based network, etc.
[0035] The user device 102, the subscriber management server 108, the content
management server 110, and the EPG server 112 may include memory 206-1, 206-2, 206-3, and
20 206-4, respectively, collectively referred to as memory 206. The memory 206-1, 206-2, 206-3,
and 206-4 may be coupled to the processor 202-1, the processor 202-2, the processor 202-3, and
the processor 202-4, respectively. The memory 206 may include any computer-readable medium
known in the art including, for example, volatile memory (e.g., RAM), and/or non-volatile
memory (e.g., EPROM, flash memory, etc.).
25 [0036] The user device 102, the subscriber management server 108, the content
management server 110, and the EPG server 112 include modules 208-1, 208-2, 208-3, and 208-
4, and data 210-1, 210-2, 210-3, and data 210-4, respectively, collectively referred to as modules
208 and data 210, respectively. The modules 208 include routines, programs, objects,
components, data structures, and the like, which perform particular tasks or implement particular
30 abstract data types. The modules 208 further include modules that supplement applications on
14
the user device 102, the subscriber management server 108, the content management server 110,
and the EPG server 112, for example, modules of an operating system.
[0037] Further, the modules 208 can be implemented in hardware, instructions executed
by a processing unit, or by a combination thereof. The processing unit can comprise a computer,
a processor, such as the processor 202, a state machine, a logic array or any other suitabl5 e
devices capable of processing instructions. The processing unit can be a general-purpose
processor which executes instructions to cause the general-purpose processor to perform the
required tasks or, the processing unit can be dedicated to perform the required functions.
[0038] In another aspect of the present subject matter, the modules 208 may be machine10
readable instructions (software) which, when executed by a processor/processing unit, perform
any of the described functionalities. The machine-readable instructions may be stored on an
electronic memory device, hard disk, optical disk or other machine-readable storage medium or
non-transitory medium. In one implementation, the machine-readable instructions can be also be
downloaded to the storage medium via a network connection. The data 210 serves, amongst
15 other things, as a repository for storing data that may be fetched, processed, received, or
generated by one or more of the modules 208.
[0039] In an implementation, the modules 208-1 of the user device 102, include a
communication module 212, a filtering module 214, and other module(s) 216. In said
implementation, the data 210-1 of the user device 102 includes communication data 218,
20 filtering data 220, and other data 222. The other module(s) 216 may include programs or coded
instructions that supplement applications and functions, for example, programs in the operating
system of the user device 102, and the other data 222 comprise data corresponding to one or
more other module(s) 216.
[0040] Similarly, in an implementation, the modules 208-2 of the subscriber management
25 server 108 include a subscriber management module 224 and other module(s) 226. In said
implementation, the data 210-2 of the subscriber management server 108 includes subscriber
data 228 and other data 230. The other module(s) 226 may include programs or coded
instructions that supplement applications and functions, for example, programs in the operating
system of the subscriber management server 108, and the other data 230 comprise data
30 corresponding to one or more other module(s) 226.
15
[0041] In one implementation, the modules 208-3 of the content management server 110,
include a content filtering module 232 and other module(s) 234. In said implementation, the data
210-3 of the content management server 110 includes content filter data 236 and other data 238.
The other module(s) 234 may include programs or coded instructions that supplement
applications and functions, for example, programs in the operating system of the conten5 t
management server 110, and the other data 238 comprise data corresponding to one or more
other module(s) 234.
[0042] In one implementation, the modules 208-4 of the EPG server 112, include an EPG
filtering module 240 and other module(s) 242. In said implementation, the data 210-4 of the EPG
10 server 112 includes EPG data 244 and other data 246. The other module(s) 242 may include
programs or coded instructions that supplement applications and functions, for example,
programs in the operating system of the EPG server 112, and the other data 246 comprise data
corresponding to one or more other module(s) 242.
[0043] According to an implementation, the subscriber management module 224 may
15 receive location information indicating a current location of a user seeking to avail multimedia
content rendered by a service provider. For instance, the user may seek to avail the multimedia
content through the user device 102. In an example, the user may seek to avail the multimedia
content through a private internet connection. In another example, the communication module
212 may connect with the service provider for availing the multimedia content via public hotspot
20 or public Wi-Fi. In said implementation, the communication module 212 of the user device 102
may determine the current location of the user using known techniques of location determination.
For example, the communication module 212 may use techniques, such as global positioning
system (GPS) and geolocation technique, Wi-Fi positioning, for determining the current location
of the user. The communication module 212 may then transmit the location information
25 including the current location to the subscriber management module 224.
[0044] The subscriber management module 224 may then compare the current location
with a default location of the user. The default location may be understood as a location
indicated by a home address of the user included in a user profile of the user. As may be
understood, the user profile may be created during initial registration of the user with the service
30 provider for availing the multimedia content. In an example, the user profile may be created by
16
the subscriber management server 108. In another example, the user profile may be created by an
application, provided by the service provider, running on the user device 102. In another
example, the subscriber management module 224 may compare the current location with other
locations of the user associated with a user profile. In said example, the other locations indicate
the locations at which the user may have availed the multimedia content in the past. In a cas5 e
where the current location of the user is different than the default location of the user or the other
locations, the subscriber management module 224 may transmit a request to the communication
module 212 for obtaining a location attribute pertaining to the current location of the user. As
mentioned previously in Figure 1 description, the location attribute indicates a predetermined
10 filtering rule based on which multimedia information corresponding to the multimedia content
may be filtered prior to being provided to the user device 102. Upon receiving the request, user
device 102 may prompt the user to provide a selection for ascertaining the location attribute.
Upon receiving the user selection, the communication module 212 may transmit the location
attribute to the subscriber management module 224. The subscriber management module 224,
15 upon obtaining the location attribute 224, may store the location attribute and the current location
of the user in the subscriber data 228. Based on the location attribute, multimedia information
pertaining to the multimedia content may be provided to the user either with or without filtration.
The multimedia information, as used herein, may be understood as information pertaining to
television channels and the multimedia content aired by the television channels. In an example,
20 the multimedia information may include content information and EPG information
corresponding to the television channels and the multimedia content. The content information
may include details like, channel name, channel logo, metadata pertaining to programs being
aired via the television channel, and the like. The EPG information includes details, for
examples, broadcast time of the programs being aired on the television channels.
25 [0045] In one implementation, the user device 102 may seek to obtain the multimedia
information. For obtaining the multimedia information, the user device 102 may transmit a
request for obtaining the content information to the content management server 110. The request
may comprise a user id and a device id of the user device 102. Upon receiving the request, the
content filtering module 232 may obtain the predetermined filtering rule from the subscriber
30 management server 108. For instance, the content filtering module 232 may transmit a request
comprising the user id and the device id to the subscriber management server 108. The
17
subscriber management module 224 may then provide the predetermined filtering rule
corresponding to the location attribute to the content filtering module 232. The content filtering
module 232 may then store the predetermined rules in the content filter data 236. In an example,
the predetermined filtering rules may include one or more critical terms based on which the
multimedia content may be filtered. Examples of the critical words include, but are not limite5 d
to, gory, parental advice, adult, extreme action, and explicit. Further, the predetermined filtering
rules may include content rating and community rating which may be used for filtering the
multimedia content. The content filtering module 232 may then filter the content information
based on the predetermined filtering rules. For instance, the content filtering module 232 may
10 analyze the content information for identifying the critical words. While filtering, the content
filtering module 232 may remove television channels and programs for which the critical terms
are identified. In another example, the content filtering module 232 may filter the content
information based on the content and the community ratings for the television programs. As an
outcome of filtering, the content information devoid of multimedia content deemed to be
15 objectionable or unsuitable, based on the predetermined filtering rules, for viewing in a public
location is obtained. The content filtering module 232 may then store filtered content information
in the content filter data. The content filtering module 232 may then provide the filtered content
information to the communication module 212. The communication module 212 may store the
filtered content information in the communication data 218.
20 [0046] Likewise, in another implementation, the user device 102 may transmit a request
comprising the user id and the device id for obtaining the EPG information to the EPG server
112. Upon receiving the request, the EPG filtering module 240 may filter the EPG information in
a manner as described above with reference to filtering of the content information by the content
filtering module 232. Upon filtration of the EPG information, the EPG filtering module 240 may
25 store the filtered EPG information in the EPG data 244. The EPG filtering module 240 may then
transmit the filtered EPG information to the communication module 212. The communication
module 212 may store the filtered EPG information in the communication data 218. The
communication module 212 may then collate the filtered content information and the filtered
EPG information to obtain filtered multimedia information. The user may then be presented with
30 a catalog based on the filtered multimedia information devoid of the multimedia content deemed
to be objectionable or unsuitable for viewing in public places.
18
[0047] In another embodiment, the communication module 212 may receive the
multimedia information, in its entirety, i.e., without filtration, from the multimedia content
filtering system 106 in response to the request for obtaining the multimedia information. In said
implementation, in a case where the location attribute is the public location, the communication
module 212 may receive the predetermined rules from the subscriber management module 2245 .
Thereafter, the filtering module 214 may filter the multimedia information comprising the
content information and the EPG information in a manner as described above for obtaining the
filtered multimedia information. The user may then avail the multimedia content using the
catalog based on the filtered multimedia content.
10 [0048] Figure 3 illustrates a method 300 for multimedia content filtering, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The order in which the method 300 is
described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described
method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 300, or an alternative
method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method without departing from
15 the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be
implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.
[0049] The method(s) may be described in the general context of computer executable
instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects,
components, data structures, procedures, modules, functions, etc., that perform particular
20 functions or implement particular abstract data types. The method may also be practiced in a
distributed computing environment where functions are performed by remote processing devices
that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment,
computer executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage
media, including memory storage devices.
25 [0050] A person skilled in the art will readily recognize that steps of the method can be
performed by programmed computers. Herein, some embodiments are also intended to cover
program storage devices, for example, digital data storage media, which are machine or
computer readable and encode machine-executable or computer-executable programs of
instructions, wherein said instructions perform some or all of the steps of the described method.
30 The program storage devices may be, for example, digital memories, magnetic storage media,
19
such as a magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data
storage media. The embodiments are also intended to cover all the communication networks and
communication devices configured to perform said steps of the exemplary method.
[0051] At block 302, location information indicating a current location of a user seeking
to avail multimedia content is received from a user device of the user. In an implementation, th5 e
user device may determine the current location of the user using known techniques of location
determination, for example, Global Positioning System (GPS). Upon determining the location,
the location may be provided to a multimedia content filtering system. In an implementation, the
multimedia content filtering system 106 receives the location information from the user device
10 102-1.
[0052] At block 304, multimedia information corresponding to the multimedia content is
filtered based on a location attribute for obtaining filtered multimedia information. In a case
where the current location of the user is different than the default location or other previously
known locations, associated with a user profile, of the user, a request for obtaining the location
15 attribute is sent to the user device. Examples of location attribute include, but are not limited to,
private public, social, work, and the like. Based on the request, the user device may ascertain the
location attribute and transmit the same to the multimedia content filtering system. As mentioned
previously, the location attribute indicates a predetermined filtering rule based on which the
multimedia information corresponding to the multimedia content may be filtered. The
20 multimedia information may include content information and electronic program guide (EPG)
information. In an example, the multimedia content filtering system may filter the multimedia
information based on the predetermined filtering rule. The predetermined filtering rules may
include one or more critical terms which may be used for filtering the multimedia information.
Further, the predetermined filtering rules may include content ratings and community ratings for
25 programs and multimedia content aired via television channels. In an example, the multimedia
information may be filtered based on the content and community ratings. Upon filtration, the
filtered multimedia information may be obtained. As may be understood, the filtered multimedia
information may be devoid of multimedia information pertaining to multimedia content filtered
out based on the predetermined filtering rules.
20
[0053] In an embodiment, the multimedia information may be filtered by the user device.
In said embodiment, the user device may transmit a request comprising a user id of the user and
a device id of the user device to the multimedia content filtering system for obtaining the
predetermined filtering rule. The multimedia content filtering system may then transmit the
predetermined filtering rule corresponding to the location attribute to the user device. Based o5 n
the predetermined filtering rules, the user device may filter the multimedia information obtained
from the multimedia content filtering system.
[0054] At block 306, the filtered multimedia information is provided to the user device
for obtaining filtered multimedia content. In an example, the multimedia content filtering system
10 106 may provide the filtered multimedia information is provided to the user device 102-1 of the
user. The user may then avail the filtered multimedia content.
[0055] Although implementations for multimedia content filtering have been described in
a language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended
claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the
15 specific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary implementations for multimedia
content filtering.
21
I/We claim:
1. A method for rendering filtered multimedia content based on a location of a user, the
method comprising:
receiving, from a user device (102) of the user, by a multimedia content filtering
system (106), location information indicating a current location of the user5 ;
filtering, by the multimedia content filtering system (106), multimedia information
corresponding to multimedia content based on a location attribute corresponding to the
current location for obtaining filtered multimedia information, wherein the location
attribute indicates a predetermined filtering rule for filtration of the multimedia content;
10 and
transmitting the filtered multimedia information to the user device (102) for
availing filtered multimedia content, wherein the filtered multimedia information
comprises data corresponding to the filtered multimedia content.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises receiving, by
15 the multimedia content filtering system (106), a request for obtaining the multimedia
information, wherein the multimedia information comprises content information and
electronic program guide (EPG) information.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the filtering further comprises:
identifying multimedia content to be filtered from the multimedia content based on
20 the predetermined filtering rule, wherein the predetermined filtering rules comprise a
plurality of critical terms, content rating pertaining to the multimedia content, and
community rating pertaining to the multimedia content; and
removing content information and EPG information corresponding to the
multimedia content to be filtered from the multimedia information.
25 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises, obtaining, by
the multimedia content filtering system (106), the location attribute corresponding to the
current location from the user device (102).
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises determining, by
the user device (102), the location of the user.
30 6. A multimedia content filtering system (106) comprising:
22
a subscriber management server (108) to receive, from a user device (102) of a
user, location information indicating a current location of the user;
a content management server (110) to filter content information corresponding to
multimedia content based on a location attribute corresponding to the current location for
obtaining filtered content information to be provided to the user device (102) for availin5 g
filtered multimedia content, wherein the location attribute indicates a predetermined
filtering rule for filtration of the multimedia content; and
an electronic program guide (EPG) server (112) to filter EPG information
corresponding to multimedia content based on the location attribute corresponding to the
10 current location for obtaining filtered EPG information to be provided to the user device
(102) for availing filtered multimedia content, wherein the location attribute indicates
predetermined filtering rule for filtration of multimedia content.
7. The multimedia content filtering system (106) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
subscriber management server (108) further obtains the location attribute corresponding
15 to the current location from the user device (102).
8. The multimedia content filtering system (106) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the content
management server (110) further,
receives a request from the user device (102) for obtaining the content information;
obtains the predetermined filtering rule from the subscriber management server
20 (108) wherein the predetermined filtering rule comprises a plurality of critical terms,
content rating pertaining to the multimedia content, and community rating pertaining to
the multimedia content;
identifies content information pertaining to multimedia content to be filtered based
on the predetermined filtering rule;
25 removes the content information pertaining to the multimedia content to be filtered
for obtaining the filtered content information; and
provides the filtered content information to the user device (102).
9. The multimedia content filtering system (106) as claimed in claim 6 wherein the EPG
server (112) further,
30 receives a request from the user device (102) for obtaining the EPG information;
23
obtains the predetermined filtering rules from the subscriber management server
(108), wherein the predetermined filtering rules comprise a plurality of critical terms,
content rating pertaining to the multimedia content, and community rating pertaining to
the multimedia content;
identifies EPG information pertaining to multimedia content to be filtered based o5 n
the predetermined filtering rule;
removes the EPG information pertaining to the multimedia content to be filtered
for obtaining the filtered EPG information; and
provides the filtered EPG information to the user device (102).
10 10. A method for rendering filtered multimedia content based on a location of a user, the
method comprising:
transmitting, by a user device (102) of the user, location information comprising a
current location of the user to a multimedia content filtering system (106);
obtaining, by the user device (102), multimedia information corresponding to
15 multimedia content from the multimedia content filtering system (106);
receiving, by the user device (102), predetermined filtering rule, from the
multimedia content filtering system (106), based on a location attribute corresponding to
the current location for filtering the multimedia information, wherein the predetermined
filtering rule corresponds to the location attribute; and
20 filtering, by the user device (102), the multimedia information based on the
predetermined filtering rule to obtain filtered multimedia information for availing filtered
multimedia content.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method further comprises transmitting,
by the user device (102), a request to the multimedia content filtering system (106) for
25 obtaining the multimedia information, wherein the multimedia information comprises
content information and electronic program guide (EPG) information.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the filtering further comprises:
identifying multimedia content to be filtered from the multimedia content based on
the predetermined filtering rule, wherein the predetermined filtering rules comprise a
30 plurality of critical terms, content rating pertaining to the multimedia content, and
community rating pertaining to the multimedia content; and
24
removing content information and EPG information corresponding to the
multimedia content to be filtered from the multimedia information.
13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method further comprises providing, by
the user device (102), the location attribute corresponding to the current location to the
multimedia content filtering system (106)5 .
14. A user device (102) comprising:
a processor (202);
a communication module (212) coupled to the processor (202) to,
transmit location information comprising a current location of a user to a
10 multimedia content filtering system (106);
obtain multimedia information corresponding to multimedia content from the
multimedia content filtering system (106); and
receive predetermined filtering rule, from the multimedia content filtering
system (106), based on a location attribute corresponding to the current location
15 for filtering the multimedia information, wherein the predetermined filtering rule
corresponds to the location attribute; and
a filtering module (214) coupled to the processor (202) to filter the multimedia
information based on the predetermined filtering rule to obtain filtered multimedia
information for availing filtered multimedia content.
20 15. The user device (102) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the communication module (212)
further transmits a request to the multimedia content filtering system (106) for obtaining
the multimedia information, wherein the multimedia information comprises content
information and electronic program guide (EPG) information.
16. The user device (102) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the filtering module (214) further,
25 identifies multimedia content to be filtered from the multimedia content based on
the predetermined filtering rule, wherein the predetermined filtering rules comprise a
plurality of critical terms, content rating pertaining to the multimedia content, and
community rating pertaining to the multimedia content; and
remove content information and EPG information corresponding to the multimedia
30 content to be filtered from the multimedia information.
25
17. A computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program for
rendering filtered multimedia content based on a location of a user, the method
comprising:
transmitting, by a user device (102) of the user, location information comprising a
current location of the user to a multimedia content filtering system (106)5 ;
obtaining, by the user device (102), multimedia information corresponding to
multimedia content from the multimedia content filtering system (106);
receiving, by the user device (102), predetermined filtering rule, from the
multimedia content filtering system (106), based on a location attribute corresponding to
10 the current location for filtering the multimedia information, wherein the predetermined
filtering rule corresponds to the location attribute; and
filtering, by the user device (102), the multimedia information based on the
predetermined filtering rule to obtain filtered multimedia information for availing filtered
multimedia content.