Claims:1. A content sharing system (100), comprising:
a media player subsystem (108) communicatively coupled to a first user device (110A) and configured to provide one or more menu options for selecting one or more portions of one or more media files accessible via one or more corresponding source links over at least one communications network (112);
a concatenated link generation subsystem (102) configured to generate a concatenated link by appending one or more of a selected start time, a selected end time, a time offset, a selected sorting order, and a selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions of the one or more media files to a corresponding source link; and
wherein the media player subsystem (108) is further configured to provide one or more menu options for sharing the concatenated link over the communications network (112).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a media player subsystem (108) communicatively coupled to a second user device (110B) over the communications network and configured to receive the concatenated link;
a concatenated link parsing subsystem (104) communicatively coupled to the second user device (110B) and configured to identify one or more of the selected start time, the selected end time, the time offset, the selected sorting order, the selected sequence, and a source link corresponding to each of the selected portions from the received concatenated link;
a content scheduling subsystem (106) configured to request the selected portions of the one or more media files from one or more content servers (114) using corresponding source links based on one or more of the selected start time, the selected end time, the time offset, the selected sorting order, and the selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions identified from the concatenated link;
wherein the media player subsystem (108) is configured to receive and seamlessly output the selected portions of the one or more media files based one or more of the selected start time, the selected end time, the time offset, the selected sorting order, and the selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a user interface device (116) configured to provide the menu options for selecting the one or more portions of the one or more media files, to seamlessly output the selected portions of the one or more media files based on the selected start time, the selected end time, and the selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions, or a combination thereof.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the user interface device (116) comprises one or more of a display device, an audio input device, a visual data acquisition unit, a touch input device, a gesture input device, a tactile input device, an audio output device, a visual display unit, and a tactile output device.

5. A method for content sharing, comprising:
providing one or more menu options in a media player application associated with a first user device (110A) for selecting one or more portions of one or more media files accessible via one or more corresponding source links over at least one communications network;
receiving one or more of a selected start time, a selected end time, a time offset, a selected sorting order, and a selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions of the one or more media files and a corresponding source link from a user of the first user device (110A);
generating a concatenated link by appending one or more of a selected start time, a selected end time, a time offset, a selected sorting order, and a selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions of the one or more media files to a corresponding source link using a concatenated link generation subsystem (102) in the first user device (110A); and
sharing the concatenated link over the communications network (112).

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:
receiving the concatenated link at a second user device (110B) that is operatively coupled to the communications network (112);
identifying one or more of the selected start time, the selected end time, the time offset, the selected sorting order, the selected sequence, and a source link corresponding to each of the selected portions from the received concatenated link using a concatenated link parsing subsystem (104);
requesting the selected portions of the one or more media files from one or more content servers using corresponding source links based on one or more of the selected start time, the selected end time, the time offset, the selected sorting order, and the selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions identified from the concatenated link;
receiving the selected portions of the one or more media files from the one or more content servers; and
seamlessly outputting the selected portions of the one or more media files based one or more of the selected start time, the selected end time, the time offset, the selected sorting order, and the selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising modifying the concatenated link by removing one or more of the selected portions, adding one or more new portions of one or more media files accessible via one or more communication links, selecting one or more sub-portions of the selected portions, selecting a new sorting order for the selected portions, selecting a new sequence for the selected portions, or combinations thereof.

8. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the selected portions comprise one or more of an audio content or a video content

9. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein sharing the concatenated link over the communications network (112) comprises sharing the concatenated link from the first user device (110A) to one or more of a second user device (110B), a social media server, an online webpage, a locally stored application, and a remote application accessible over the communications network (112).

10. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein selecting the one or more portions of one or more media files comprises one or more of selecting one or more of the start time, the end time, the time offset associated with each selected portion, selecting one or more of the sorting order and the sequence of the one or more selected portions, and annotating the selected portions.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein selecting the sorting order further comprises sorting the selected portions from the one or more media files manually, based on an output duration of the selected portions, or a data size or the selected portions, a data type of the selected portions, or a marking order of the selected portions.
, Description:BACKGROUND

[0001] Embodiments of the present specification relate generally to content distribution, and more particularly to a system and method for enabling curation and distribution of digital media segments without needing to replicate the curated content.
[0002] With the advent of social media, an overwhelming amount of information is shared everyday as news, pictures, and videos. The sheer volume of information being shared makes it difficult to distinguish between useful information and hyperbole. Even when the information is useful, it may constitute a small portion of the overall shared content. For example, a user may be interested in action sequences within a movie. Having to sift through the entire movie file to identify and view all the action sequences, however, causes wasteful use of time and data.
[0003] Additionally, much of the content available online is neither validated nor curated by a reliable source. For example, a blog post on global warming may gain widespread exposure from a number of retweets, even though it may never been read or validated by experts. Therefore, there is a need for curated content from reliable sources. Often, there are other users within the social network who curate content and share selected media segments that may be of common interest.
[0004] For example, US patent application 20130227074 A1 describes delineating and distributing media content to a variety of devices. A particular media sequence can be identified by a user to allow a content server or fragment server to generate a media segment. In particular, the user may provide marker indicators, time frames, event triggers, etc., that indicate the media segment to be delineated to a content server. A link to the delineated media segment along with pre-roll and post-roll targeted or content-specific advertising may then be shared with a variety of other users.
[0005] Similarly, US patent 9129641 B1 describes a method and system for media selection and sharing. Received media content is stored in a buffer. A media clip is generated from the stored media content such that the media clip has a second time period that falls within a first time period of the stored media content. The media clip is enhanced with the one more effects based on user input, and subsequently, the enhanced clip is transmitted over a network for sharing with other users.
[0006] Further, patent reference WO 2015042962 A1 describes a method to enable serving media files segmented from multiple sources using switch access points defined in a switch access point (SAP) file. The SAP files define transition points in serving the media files between different media file sources. The method includes determining a media meta file or media segment files for a SAP file. The requested media meta file or media segment files are sent to the client. A request for a SAP file is then received from the client. The SAP file request is redirected to a an HTTP server in response to the SAP file indicating the next media segment file identified by the SAP file is not local.
[0007] Although, the aforementioned approaches allow for generating curated content, all of these approaches result in creation of new content that needs to be stored and replicated in remote servers, buffers, and other storage media for further sharing. Often, such curated content is of interest to a small group of people for a short period of time. For example, a user may create a media clip including all goals scored during an ongoing football match for sharing with his or her friends. Another user may create another video clip including all missed scoring opportunities during the same match, thus leading to content from the same source being replicated multiple times. Making such curated content, created by billions of users around the world, available for a small group of interested users and/or for a short period of time would result in unsustainable logistics. Moreover, most users are unaware of the legal implications of using proprietary content available online. Thus, uncontrolled replication and dissemination of online content may cause the users to suffer legal challenges for misuse of proprietary information and/or infringing intellectual property rights.
[0008] Thus, it may be desirable to develop a solution that allows a user to efficiently curate digital content from one or more sources such that the curated content may be shared with others without replication of original content. Particularly, it may be desirable to develop a system and method that allow efficient delineation, concatenation, and dissemination of delineated and/or concatenated media content without replicating the original content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0009] According to an objective of the present disclosure, a content sharing system is disclosed. The system includes a media player subsystem communicatively coupled to a first user device and configured to provide one or more menu options for selecting one or more portions of one or more media files accessible via one or more corresponding source links over at least one communications network. The system also includes a concatenated link generation subsystem configured to generate a concatenated link by appending one or more of a selected start time, a selected end time, a time offset, a selected sorting order, and a selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions of the one or more media files to a corresponding source link. The media player subsystem is configured to provide one or more menu options for sharing the concatenated link over the communications network.
[0010] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the system includes a media player subsystem communicatively coupled to a second user device over the communications network and configured to receive the concatenated link. The system also includes a concatenated link parsing subsystem communicatively coupled to the second user device and configured to identify one or more of the selected start time, the selected end time, the time offset, the selected sorting order, the selected sequence, and a source link corresponding to each of the selected portions from the received concatenated link. Additionally, the system includes a content scheduling subsystem configured to request the selected portions of the one or more media files from one or more content servers using corresponding source links based on one or more of the selected start time, the selected end time, the time offset, the selected sorting order, and the selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions identified from the concatenated link. The media player subsystem (108) is configured to receive and seamlessly output the selected portions of the one or more media files based one or more of the selected start time, the selected end time, the time offset, the selected sorting order, and the selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions.
[0011] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the system further includes a user interface device configured to provide the menu options for selecting the one or more portions of the one or more media files, to seamlessly output the selected portions of the one or more media files based on the selected start time, the selected end time, and/or the selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions.
[0012] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the user interface device (116) comprises one or more of a display device, an audio input device, a visual data acquisition unit, a touch input device, a gesture input device, a tactile input device, an audio output device, a visual display unit, and a tactile output device.
[0013] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a method for content sharing. The method includes providing one or more menu options in a media player application associated with a first user device for selecting one or more portions of one or more media files accessible via one or more corresponding source links over at least one communications network. The method further includes receiving one or more of a selected start time, a selected end time, a time offset, a selected sorting order, and a selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions of the one or more media files and a corresponding source link from a user of the first user device. The method also includes generating a concatenated link by appending one or more of a selected start time, a selected end time, a time offset, a selected sorting order, and a selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions of the one or more media files to a corresponding source link using a concatenated link generation subsystem in the first user device. The method includes sharing the concatenated link over the communications network.
[0014] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes receiving the concatenated link at a second user device that is operatively coupled to the communications network. Additionally, the method includes identifying one or more of the selected start time, the selected end time, the time offset, the selected sorting order, the selected sequence, and a source link corresponding to each of the selected portions from the received concatenated link using a concatenated link parsing subsystem. Further, the method includes requesting the selected portions of the one or more media files from one or more content servers using corresponding source links based on one or more of the selected start time, the selected end time, the time offset, the selected sorting order, and the selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions identified from the concatenated link. The method also includes receiving the selected portions of the one or more media files from the one or more content servers, and seamlessly outputting the selected portions of the one or more media files based one or more of the selected start time, the selected end time, the time offset, the selected sorting order, and the selected sequence corresponding to each of the selected portions.
[0015] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes modifying the concatenated link by removing one or more of the selected portions, adding one or more new portions of one or more media files accessible via one or more communication links, selecting one or more sub-portions of the selected portions, selecting a new sorting order for the selected portions, and/or selecting a new sequence for the selected portions.
[0001] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the selected portions comprise one or more of an audio content or a video content.
[0002] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes sharing the concatenated link from the first user device to one or more of a second user device, a social media server, an online webpage, a locally stored application, and a remote application accessible over the communications network.
[0003] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes selecting the one or more portions of one or more media files, which comprises one or more of selecting one or more of the start time, the end time, the time offset associated with each selected portion, selecting one or more of the sorting order and the sequence of the one or more selected portions, and annotating the selected portions.
[0004] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes sorting the selected portions from the one or more media files manually, based on an output duration of the selected portions, or a data size or the selected portions, a data type of the selected portions, or a marking order of the selected portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0005] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the claimed subject matter will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an embodiment of a content curation system for curating and disseminating digital media content without replication;
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart depicting an exemplary method for curating and disseminating digital media content without replication;
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart depicting an exemplary method for receiving and seamlessly playing the curated digital media content;
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical representation of an exemplary user interface of a content curation application for use with the system of FIG. 1; and
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a graphical representation of another exemplary user interface of a content curation application for use with the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The following description presents exemplary systems and methods for curating and disseminating digital media content without replication. Particularly, the embodiments described herein disclose an exemplary content curation system and method that allow efficient delineation, concatenation, and dissemination of delineated and/or concatenated media content without replicating the original media content.
[0012] For clarity, the embodiments described herein disclose use of the content curation system for curation and sharing of multimedia video content available via a communications network. However, the system may similarly be used for curating, concatenating, and sharing one or more other types of digital media content such as audio content. An exemplary framework that is suitable for practicing various implementations of the present systems and methods is discussed in detail with reference to FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary content curation system (100) configured to curate and disseminate digital media content without replication. To that end, the content curation system (100) includes a uniform resource locator (URL) generation subsystem (102), a URL parsing subsystem (104), a content scheduling subsystem (106), and a media playing subsystem (108). In certain embodiments, the URL generation subsystem (102), the URL parsing subsystem (104), the content scheduling subsystem (106), and the media playing subsystem (108) may include one or more of a processing subsystem, timing circuitry, a storage device, and/or a network device. For example, the URL generation subsystem (102), the URL parsing subsystem (104), the content scheduling subsystem (106), and the media playing subsystem (108) may be implemented using one or more general-purpose processors, specialized processors, graphical processing units, microprocessors, programming logic arrays, field programming gate arrays, and/or other suitable computing devices.
[0014] In one embodiment, one instance of the URL generation subsystem (102), URL parsing subsystem (104), content scheduling subsystem (106), and media player subsystem (108) may be co-located in a single device such as a mobile communications device of a first user (hereinafter referred to as “the user device (110A)”) as well as a second user (hereinafter referred to as “the user device (110B)”). In other embodiments, however, one or more of the URL generation subsystem (102), URL parsing subsystem (104), content scheduling subsystem (106), and media player subsystem (108) may be located in one or more remote systems. For example, the URL generation subsystem (102) and the media player subsystem (108) may be located in the user device (110A) corresponding to a first user, whereas the URL parsing subsystem (104), content scheduling subsystem (106), and another instance of the media player subsystem (108) may reside in a user device (110B) corresponding to a second user.
[0015] Alternatively, the URL generation subsystem (102), the URL parsing subsystem (104), and content scheduling subsystem (106) may reside in one or more remote servers and may be communicatively coupled to instances of the media player subsystem (108) residing in the user devices (110A) and (110B) corresponding to users who are sharing and/or receiving the curated video content. Particularly, one or more of the URL generation subsystem (102), URL parsing subsystem (104), content scheduling subsystem (106), and media player subsystem (108) in the user devices (110A) and (110B) may be communicatively coupled to each other over a wired and/or wireless communications network (112). The communications network (112), for example, may include a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a short-range wireless network, or the Internet.
[0016] In an exemplary implementation, the first user may search and access a desired video available on the World Wide Web using a search engine webpage or an application (113) residing on the user device (110A). Upon accessing the video, for example, by clicking on a URL, an image, or an embedded player, that is representative of a location of the video online on a webpage. Clicking the URL causes a webserver (not shown) hosting the webpage to request the video from a determined content streaming server (114). The content streaming server (114) divides the video into a determined number of segments and transmits the segments to the user device (110A) using one or more known communication protocols. The media player subsystem (108) decodes the received segments and renders the decoded video segments on a user interface device (116) such as a display associated with the user device (110A). In certain embodiments, the user interface device (116) may correspond to an input-output device associated with the user device (110A) that allows for audio, video and/or touch based inputs and outputs.
[0017] In certain embodiments, the media player subsystem (108) may correspond to a standalone media player residing on the user device (110A). However, in certain other embodiments, the media player subsystem (108) may be implemented as a plugin or an applet that is integrated in a webpage or pop-up window. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the media player subsystem (108) may include suitable menu and/or control options to allow the user to select one or more moments from the video for sharing over the communications network (112). Particularly, the media player subsystem (108) may provide menu and/or control options that allow the user to mark start and end locations of one or more selected moments within the same video and/or within multiple videos for subsequent sharing. Additionally, the media player subsystem (108) may allow the user to annotate, sequence, and/or sort the selected moments, for example, manually, or based on a corresponding time duration, media size, and/or media type. Certain exemplary menu and control options that may be provided by the media player subsystem (108) are depicted in FIGs. 3-4.
[0018] In one embodiment, the start and end locations, annotation, sequencing, and/or sorting information received provided by the user via the menu and control options is communicated to the URL generation subsystem (102) for sharing the selected moments with other users as a seamless video. Unlike conventional solutions that result in concatenation of the selected moments to generate a new video file that may need to be stored at a new storage location, the URL generation subsystem (102) simply generates a concatenated URL representation of the selected moments in the desired order for sharing with other users. In one example, the URL generation subsystem (102) may generate the concatenated URL based on a template presented in equation (1):

= + + st= + et= (1)

[0019] In particular, the URL generation subsystem (102) generates the concatenated URL by simply adding the sequence number, start time, and end time of the selected moments to an original URL of the video. The concatenated URL, thus generated, my then be shared with other users, for example, via one or more social media applications hosted by one or more media servers (118).
[0020] The media player subsystem (108) corresponding to the user device (110B) of the second user is configured to resolve the concatenated URL upon receipt by seeking the start time of moments selected from the original video based on their corresponding sequence number. In one embodiment, URL parsing subsystem (104) residing in the second user device (110B) may parse the received concatenated URL to identify information corresponding to the different source URls and corresponding offsets. The identified information is then communicated to the content scheduling subsystem (106) in the second user device (110B). The content scheduling subsystem (106) may be configured to use the source URLs and offset information, for example, to generate a hypertext transmission protocol request (HTTP) to request for video segments corresponding to the selected moments defined in the concatenated URL from the content streaming server (114).
[0021] The media player subsystem (108) in the user device (110B) renders the video segments received from the content streaming server (114) corresponding to the first selected moment from the defined start time until the corresponding end time. Additionally, the media player subsystem (108) queues the video segments corresponding to the start time of the other selected moments from the same or a different video file. Thus, embodiments of the content curation system (100) allow for appending multiple media segments to the URL link that allows for sequential execution of the multiple media segments potentially located on different content streaming servers without replicating any of the content. Certain exemplary methods for marking, sharing, and playing selected media segments using the content curation system (100) is described in greater detail with reference to FIGs. 2-3.
[0022] FIGs. 2-3 illustrate flow diagrams (200) and (300) illustrating exemplary methods for seamlessly sharing selected digital content with other users without replicating the selected content, and receiving and seamlessly playing the selected digital content, respectively. Embodiments of the exemplary methods may be described in a general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, functions, and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.
[0023] Embodiments of the exemplary methods may also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where optimization functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a wired and/or wireless communication network. In the distributed computing environment, the computer executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage devices.
[0024] Further, in FIGs. 2-3, the exemplary methods are illustrated as a collection of blocks in logical flow charts, which represent operations that may be implemented in hardware, software, or combinations thereof. The various operations are depicted in the blocks to illustrate the functions that are performed in the exemplary methods. In the context of software, the blocks represent computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processing subsystems, perform the recited operations. The order in which steps of the exemplary methods are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described blocks may be combined in any order to implement the exemplary methods disclosed herein, or an equivalent alternative method. Additionally, certain blocks may be deleted from the exemplary methods or augmented by additional blocks with added functionality without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.
[0025] For clarity, the present embodiments are described with reference to sharing of video content using components of the content curation system (100) depicted in FIG. 1. However, certain other embodiments of the present methods may be similarly used for sharing selected content corresponding to various other data types such as audio content, and the like that may be outputted using a media player.
[0026] At step 202, a first user may request for desired media content available at one or more locations on the World Wide Web via one or more source URLs. In one embodiment, the first user may search and access the desired content, for example an animation video of a cartoon superhero, using a search engine webpage or an application (113A) residing on the first user device (110A). Clicking the URLs causes a webserver to request media content corresponding to the animation video from one or more content streaming servers (114). Upon receiving the request, the content streaming servers (114) transmits the requested video content to the first user device (110A) in segments using one or more known communications protocols.
[0027] At step 204, the first user device (110A) receives the video content from the content streaming servers (114) by way of a plurality of media segments. The media player subsystem (108) decodes the received segments and renders the decoded video segments on the user interface device (116) such as a display associated with the user device (110A). The first user may be interested in sharing moments from the animation video where the cartoon superhero executes his signature moves.
[0028] Accordingly, at step 206, one or more portions of the media content may be selected by the first user. Particularly, the first user may demarcate media segments that depict the signature moves at different points in the animation video. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the media player subsystem (108) may include suitable menu and/or control options to allow the user to select one or more desired moments from the video for sharing over the communications network (112). FIG. 4, for example, illustrates a graphical representation 400 of the selected portions of the animation video. As depicted in FIG. 4, the selected portions of the video may correspond to portion A with a start position 0.00 seconds to 2.31 seconds, portion B with a start position at 2.31 seconds and end point at 4.28 seconds, and portion C with a start position at 4.28 seconds and end point at 6.29 seconds.
[0029] With returning reference to FIG. 2, the media player subsystem (108) may provide menu and/or control options that allow the user to mark start and end locations of one or more selected moments within the same video or even within multiple videos for subsequent sharing. Additionally, as previously noted, the media player subsystem (108) may allow the user to annotate, sequence, and/or sort the selected moments, for example, manually, or based on a corresponding time duration, media size, and/or media type.
[0030] FIG. 5 depicts a graphical representation 500 depicting certain exemplary menu options that may be provided by the media player subsystem (108) to the user to annotate, sequence, and/or sort the selected moments. In one embodiment, the menu options may be provided on a graphical user interface (GUI) available on a display of the user device (110A). For example, the menu may include selectable options 502 that allow the user, for example, to start marking, stop marking, and sharing the selected moments as a single video. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the user may use the sort menu items 504, 506, and 508 to sort the selected moments from the same video or from multiple videos manually or by time. Similarly, the GUI may also provide options to allow a user to select a desired sequence of the selected moments from the same or multiple videos. In particular, the GUI may allow the user to sort and/or sequence the selected movements irrespective of their order of marking or occurrence in the original video. Thus, a segment that occurs earlier in the original video may be sorted after a segment that occurs later in the original video. Moreover, segments from the same video may not necessarily be grouped together. In fact, segments from different videos may be interspersed with each other as per a sequence assigned by the user.
[0031] Although, FIG. 5 depicts only a few options and controls, the GUI may include a greater or fewer number of content curation options. Alternatively, the user interface device (116) associated with the user device (110A) may also allow for audio, gesture, and/or touch-based user input for marking, annotating, sequencing, and/or sorting the selected moments. Accordingly, the user interface device (116), for example, may include a display device, an audio input device, a visual data acquisition unit, a touch input device, a gesture input device, a tactile input device, an audio output device, a visual display unit, and a tactile output device.
[0032] With returning reference to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, source URLs, the start and end locations, annotation, sequencing, and/or sorting information corresponding to the selected portions provided by the user via the menu and control options is communicated to the URL generation subsystem (102). Subsequently, at step 208, the URL generation subsystem (102) generates a concatenated URL from the source URLs based on start and end locations and a time offset determined for the start of the selected portions. In one embodiment, the URL generation subsystem (102) generates the concatenated URL by simply adding the sequence number, start time, and end time of the selected moments to an original URL of the video. When selecting media segments from multiple video files, the URL generation subsystem (102) may generate the concatenated URL, for example, using the template presented in equation (2):

= + + st= + et= + + + st= + et= (2)

[0033] Particularly, the URL generation subsystem (102) generates the concatenated URL for sharing the selected moments with other users as a file that may be seamlessly played in any desired order. Selection of the desired order is described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 5.
[0034] At step 210, the concatenated URL may be shared over the communications network (112). In one embodiment, the media player subsystem (108) may be configured to provide menu or control options to allow the user to directly share the concatenated URL with other users via social media applications stored on the user device (110A). Additionally, the media player subsystem (108) may be configured to provide menu or control options to allow the user to upload and/or embed the concatenated URL on a webpage with or without annotations.
[0035] Further, the FIG. 3 illustrates the flowchart 300 depicting an exemplary method for receiving and seamlessly playing the selected digital content using the concatenated URL. At step 302, a second user may receive the concatenated URL over the communications network using known communications protocols. In one embodiment, the second user may receive the concatenated URL via email, an instant message, as a social media post, or as a link embedded on a webpage.
[0036] At step 304, the media player subsystem (108) may be configured to parse the concatenated URL to identify one or more source URLs, start time, end time, time and/or position offsets, and user-selected sequence corresponding to the selected portions of the media content. The identified information is then communicated to the content scheduling subsystem (106) in the second user device (110B). Subsequently, at step 306, the content scheduling subsystem (106) may be configured to use the source URLs, start time, end time, offsets, and/or sequence information to request for media segments corresponding to the selected moments defined in the concatenated URL from one or more of the content streaming servers (114).
[0037] Further, at step 308, the media player subsystem (108) in the user device (110B) receives the media segments corresponding to the selected portions of the media content and schedules the selected portions for playing on the user device (110B) based on the identified start time, end time, offsets, and/or sequence information. Particularly, at step 310, the media player subsystem (108) is configured to seamlessly play received media segments as a single video based on the identified start time, end time, offsets, and/or sequence information. In one embodiment, the media player subsystem (108) is configured to render the video segments corresponding to the first selected moment from the defined start time until the corresponding end time. Depending upon the memory and media processing capability of user device, the media player subsystem (108) queues the video segments corresponding to the start time of the other selected moments from the same or a different video file.
[0038] In certain embodiments, the media player subsystem (108) may allow the second user to modify the received URL to generate a new set of selected portions from the received media segments. In particular, the media player subsystem (108) may allow the second user to select sub-portions of the received media segments by marking the start and end times, sorting the marked segments, and/or sequencing the received media segments into a desired order. The media player subsystem (108) may also allow the second user to add one or more new portions from selected video files, or remove one or more selected portions from the concatenated URL to create a modified concatenated URL that can be further shared over a communications network without needing to change or create any new content.
[0039] Embodiments of the present systems and methods, thus, allows for selection of multiple media segments that can be shared by generating a concatenated URL link that allows for sequential execution of the multiple media segments potentially located on different content streaming servers without replicating any of the content. The present systems and methods also allow for a user to modify a received concatenated URL to generate a new set of selected portions from the received media segments and/or any other media segments available online. Therefore, use of the present systems and methods significantly expands the ability to curate and share existing content over a communications network without replication. The present system and methods, thus, allow for optimal usage of data and network storage, while preventing misuse of proprietary information and/or infringement of intellectual property rights.
[0040] Although specific features of various embodiments of the present systems and methods may be shown in and/or described with respect to one drawing and not in others, this is for convenience only. It is to be understood that the described features, structures, and/or characteristics, and any subset thereof, may be combined and/or used interchangeably in any suitable manner in the various embodiments.
[0041] While only certain features of the present systems and methods have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.