CN108604359A - Method and system for sharing media content among several users - Google Patents

Abstract

Media content sharing between users is implemented in the context of media content exchange that is themed with media content. The user may contribute (C215) by adding contributing media content that forms a contribution to the topic relative to a portion of the topic media content. The server application registers (C216) for each contribution association data representing the contribution and sends a message to the users participating in the media content exchange based on the registered association data. The association data may represent an association between the portion of the subject media content and the contributing media content. The user's contribution may be rendered (C218) on another user's device based on contribution rendering data (C217) received from the server application.

Description

Method and system for sharing media content among several users

technical field

The present disclosure relates generally to the fields of telecommunications and digital data processing, and more particularly to exchanging and/or sharing media content among several users over at least one telecommunications network.

Background technique

Known solutions for sharing media content among several users involve using an email/messaging application to send an email/message with one or more media content as attachments or hyperlinks to cloud media servers. Each receiving user may then modify one of the received media content and send a response email including the modified media content. For example, in a professional environment, different users may have to share information/discuss/make comments on different portions of a given video content. Or in a family environment, different members of the family may want to share pictorial content (about their last vacation) and send some comments on different parts of the video content. Each recipient user of the modified media content can then further modify the media content and send a further response email including the further modified media content.

Therefore, every time the receiving user wants to share the modified media content with other users, he/she has to send an email with the modified content to each other user, or upload the modified content to cloud media server. As a result, the necessary bandwidth and the amount of data that must be transmitted over the underlying telecommunications network can increase dramatically, especially when the media content includes video content. In this case, each modified media content has a similar or even larger size than the original media content.

Furthermore, this solution is inconvenient when the receiving user wants to send image-based content (ie, an image or video) as an annotation for the received image-based content. Specifically, on the one hand, software applications for combining video content are often complex and difficult for non-expert users to use, and on the other hand, in the absence of such software applications, it may be necessary to include, for example In the text message in the response email, explain the relationship between the original video content and the annotated video content separately.

Furthermore, when the media content is image-based (ie, includes at least one image), this solution cannot track the contribution of each individual user to the modifications made to the original media content. Tracking is a particular challenge because corrected image-based media content is usually sent in single-layer pixel formats (BMP, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, etc.) where graphic/image elements have been combined with the original media content, and in addition to Apart from using some specialized functions for image analysis and feature recognition, it cannot be easily separated from the original media content.

Furthermore, modification of media content is typically performed in a dedicated software application for editing media content, which is typically different from email/messaging applications. Depending on the type of media content (images, video, audio, etc.), this can be a problem for non-expert users.

Contents of the invention

In general, in one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for sharing media content among a number of users. The method comprises: sending, by a first client application executed on a first user device of an initiating user, to a server application at least one request for registering media content as an exchange of media content between several users theme; by a second client application executed on a second user equipment, allowing a contributing user to make a first contribution to said theme with respect to a first portion of the theme media content; by said second client application, contributing to said theme The server application sends at least one request, the at least one request is used to register the first associated data representing the first contribution, wherein the first associated data represents the first part of the subject media content and at least one first contribution an association between media content, said at least one first contributed media content being selected to form said first contribution; by a third client application executed on a user device of a receiving user, receiving from said server application comprising the first a contribution rendering data associated with data, and rendering said first contribution by said third client application by rendering (rendering) first combined media content, said first combined media content being rendered by said first A combination of at least a portion of the contributed media content and the first portion of the subject media content results.

In at least one embodiment, the method further includes receiving, by the second or third client application, from the server application first access data for accessing the subject media content from the user device via the remote media server. In at least one embodiment, the subject media content is media content provided by a source application executed on the first user equipment, and the first access data includes an identification of the source application and an ID for obtaining the subject media content from the source application. At least one application parameter. In at least one embodiment, the subject media content is a web page accessible via a web server, and the first access data includes a hypertext link to the web page via the web server.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a user device comprising a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the memory comprising instructions of a client application configured to communicate with a server application, the instructions comprising instructions for To send at least one request to the server application, the at least one request is used to register the media content as a theme of media content exchange between several users; allow the contributing user to make contributions to the theme with respect to the first part of the theme media content making a first contribution; sending at least one request to the server application, the at least one request being used to register first associated data representing the first contribution, wherein the first associated data represents all of the subject media content An association between the first portion and at least one first contributed media content selected to form the first contribution; receiving contribution rendering data representing a second contribution from the server application; The second contribution is rendered by rendering first combined media content resulting from a combination of at least a portion of the second contributed media content and a second portion of the subject media content.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system including a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the memory including instructions for a server application configured to communicate with at least one client application, the instructions including instructions to : media content is registered as the subject of media content exchange between several users according to the request of the first client application executed on the user equipment of the initiating user; via the second client application executed on the user equipment of the contributing user request, to register first associated data representing a first contribution to said subject with respect to a first portion of said subject media content, wherein said first associated data represents all of said subject media content an association between said first portion and at least one first contributed media content selected to form said first contribution; to a third client application executed on a user device of a receiving user , sending contribution rendering data comprising the first associated data, the contribution rendering data enabling rendering of the first contribution by the third client application, the rendering comprising rendering of the first combined media content, the first combined media content resulting from a combination of at least a portion of the first contributed media content and the first portion of the subject media content.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions including instructions of a client application configured to communicate with a server application, the instructions including instructions to: Described server application sends at least one request that media content is registered as the theme of the media content exchange between several users; Allow contributing user to make first contribution to described theme with respect to the first part of theme media content; To described server The application sends at least one request, the at least one request is used to register first association data representing the first contribution, wherein the first association data represents the first part of the subject media content and at least one first contribution an association between media content, the at least one first contributed media content being selected to form the first contribution; receiving contribution rendering data representing a second contribution from the server application; and by rendering the first combined media content, to render the second contribution, the first combined media content resulting from a combination of at least a portion of the second contributed media content and a second portion of the subject media content.

In at least one embodiment, media content exchange is implemented in a discussion group environment that includes originating users, contributing users, and receiving users. In at least one embodiment, media content exchange is implemented within the context of a media content provider's services.

In at least one embodiment, the subject media content and the first contributed media content are video content, and the first portion of the subject media content includes a set of at least one image of the subject media content.

Description of drawings

Those skilled in the art will better understand the present disclosure, and its many aspects and advantages will become more apparent, by referring to the following drawings in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a system for sharing media content according to one embodiment;

Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a user device and a computing server according to one embodiment;

2A-2G respectively illustrate a flowchart of an exemplary method according to at least one embodiment;

3A-3D are various entity relationship diagrams according to example embodiments.

Figure 4 schematically represents an example of a dependency graph illustrating an embodiment;

5A-5C illustrate some aspects of the disclosed embodiments;

6A-6I represent user interfaces according to at least one embodiment;

7A-7E represent user interfaces according to at least one embodiment.

Detailed ways

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, system and method for sharing media content among several users. Various embodiments are disclosed herein.

The sharing or exchange of media content between users can be realized in different technological ecosystems: for example in the context of messaging services, discussion groups, media content providers or social networks.

When the discussion group is implemented in the context of the messaging service, the users participating in the exchange of media content may be the users invited by the first user. When a media content exchange is implemented in the context of a media content provider's services, any user who has access to the media content provider can participate as a part of the media content exchange. When implementing media content exchange in the context of a social network, it is possible, for example, to select some or all of the users connected to a given user to define a group of users participating as part of the media content exchange.

Users participating as part of media content exchange are referred to herein as participating users. Participating users may select topics for media content exchange: users who select topical media content are referred to herein as originating users. Participating users can contribute to selected topics: users who make contributions are referred to as contributing users in this paper. A participating user who receives informational data about a topic selected by another user and/or about a contribution made by another user is referred to herein as a receiving user.

An initiating user selects media content to form a topic for media content exchange. Media content forming a theme is referred to herein as theme media content. Server applications register topics by storing topic-associated data representing them. The topic association data may represent the association between the selected topic media content and the originating user.

Data files encoding the subject media content are stored on the media server so as to be accessible to users participating as part of the exchange. The server application stores access data for accessing the subject media content from the user device via the media server. The media server may be a remote media server accessible from a user device over a network.

Based on the registered theme association data, theme reproduction data can be sent by the server application to participating users to enable theme reproduction.

One or more participating users may contribute by adding one or more media content that form a contribution to the selected topic relative to a portion of the topical media content. Media content that forms a contribution to a topic is referred to herein as contributed media content.

The server application registers, for each contribution of the user, contribution-associated data representing the contribution. Contribution association data may represent associations between portions of subject media content and contributed media content.

Data files of contributed media content are stored on media servers so that users participating in the exchange can access them. The server application stores access data for accessing contributed media content from user devices via the media server. The media server may be a remote media server accessible from a user device over a network.

Based on the contribution association data, the server application sends contribution reproduction data to one or more user devices of participating users in order to be able to reproduce the corresponding contribution. The user's contribution may then be rendered on the receiving user's device based on the contribution rendering data obtained from the server application. Contributed rendering data may include identification of portions of the subject media content that have been contributed. The identification may include at least one rendering coordinate defining a rendering point relative to at least one axis of a rendering coordinate system associated with the subject media content. Composite media content results from a combination of at least a portion of the subject media content and the contribution of the media content, the combined media content being rendered based on the received identification of the portion of the subject media content.

As a result, for each contribution, it is no longer necessary to send the modified subject media content/contributed media content from one user device to every other user device, thereby reducing (or saving) network bandwidth. The media content that forms the topic of the discussion group or a contribution to the topic may be uploaded only once on the participating user's receiving user equipment, and rendering of the user's contribution may be performed by the receiving user equipment based on the received contribution rendering data, e.g., according to The identification (or rendering coordinates) of the portion contributing to the user-specified theme media content.

In at least one embodiment, registration of a contributing user's user identifier in association with data representing a contributing user's contributions, and by registering an initiating user's user identifier in association with data representing a topic Tracking of contributions by different users. The user identifier may be displayed while rendering the user's contribution on the user device.

Selection of themes, contribution to themes, selection, rendering and editing of media content can be performed within the context of a single client application.

In addition, the subject media content can be 3D content, a web page or any content provided by the source application, thus providing new possibilities for exchanging media content between users.

Other advantages and other features of the assemblies disclosed herein will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments sets forth representative embodiments of the subject technology when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate similar structural elements.

In addition, it should be clear that the teachings herein can be embodied in a variety of forms and that any specific structure and/or function disclosed herein is representative only. In particular, those skilled in the art will appreciate that an embodiment disclosed herein may be implemented independently of any other embodiments, that several embodiments may be combined in various ways, and that one or more of different embodiments may be combined in various ways. aspect.

The present disclosure is described below with reference to functions, engines, block diagrams and flowcharts of methods, systems and computer programs according to one or more exemplary embodiments. Each of the described functions, engines, blocks of the block diagrams and flowcharts may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, or any suitable combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions, engines, blocks of the block diagrams and/or flowcharts may be implemented by computer program instructions or software codes, which may be stored or transmitted on a computer-readable medium, or loaded into A general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing equipment to create a machine such that computer program instructions or software code executed on the computer or other programmable data processing equipment create means for implementing the functions described herein.

Embodiments of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. In particular, software instructions or computer-readable program codes that implement the embodiments described herein may be stored in whole or in part temporarily or permanently in a non-transitory computer-readable storage device including one or more storage media, either locally or remotely. on the medium.

As used herein, computer storage media can be any physical media that can be read, written, or more generally accessed by a computer. Examples of computer storage media include, but are not limited to, flash drives or other flash memory devices (e.g., memory keys, memory sticks, key drives), CD-ROMs or other optical storage, DVDs, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, solid-state storage , memory chip, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, smart card, relational database management system (RDBMS), conventional database, or any other suitable medium that can be used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures readable by a computer processor. In addition, various forms of computer-readable media can be used to transmit or carry instructions to the computer, including routers, gateways, servers, or other transmission devices, whether wired (coaxial cable, optical fiber, twisted pair, DSL cable) or wireless (infrared, radio, cellular, microwave). Instructions may include code from any computer programming language, including but not limited to Assembly, C, C++, Basic, SQL, MySQL, HTML, PHP, Python, Java, Javascript, and the like.

Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates an example content sharing system 100 in which various techniques and techniques described herein may be implemented.

Content sharing system 100 includes one or more computing servers 103A- 103G and a plurality of user devices 104A- 104C that are operatively and communicatively coupled to each other via network 105 .

Network 105 may be any data transmission network, such as a wired network (coaxial cable, fiber optics, twisted pair, DSL cable, etc.) or a wireless network (radio, infrared, cellular, microwave, etc.), local area network (LAN), Internet (IAN) , a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN) such as the Internet, a public or private network, a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a telecommunications network with data transmission capabilities, a single wireless cell with a single point of connection, such as a Wifi or Bluetooth cell Wait.

Each user device 104A-104C may be implemented as a single hardware device, for example in the form of a desktop personal computer (PC), laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, or may be implemented on a and/or wireless segments) on separate interconnection hardware devices where communication links connect each other.

Each user device 104A-104C typically operates under the control of an operating system and executes or otherwise relies on various computer software applications, components, programs, objects, modules, data structures, and the like.

As shown schematically in FIG. 1B , in one or more implementations, user devices 104A- 104C include a processing unit 110, a memory 111, one or more computer storage media 112, and input/output interfaces such as, for example, USB interface, etc., other related hardware such as a network interface such as an Ethernet interface), and a media drive 113 for reading and writing to one or more computer storage media 112 .

The memory 111 of the user devices 104A-104C may be random access memory (RAM), cache memory, non-volatile memory, backup memory (eg, programmable or flash memory), read-only memory, or any combination thereof. The processing unit 110 of the user devices 104A-104C may be any suitable microprocessor, integrated circuit or central processing unit (CPU) including at least one hardware-based processor or processing core.

In one or more implementations, the one or more computer storage media 112 of the user devices 104A-104C may contain computer program instructions that, when executed by the processing unit 110, cause the user devices 104A-104C to perform the tasks described herein. One or more methods described by user equipment 104A-104C. The processing unit 110 of the user equipment 104A-104C may be configured to access the one or more computer storage media 112 for storing, reading and/or loading computer program instructions or software code which, when executed by the processor, The computer program instructions or software codes described above cause the processor to perform the steps of the methods described herein for the user equipment 104A-104C. The processing unit 110 of the user equipment 104A-104C may be configured to use the memory 111 of the user equipment 104A-104C when performing the steps of the methods described herein for the user equipment 104A-104C, for example for loading computer program instructions and for storing in Data generated during the execution of computer program instructions.

Each user device 104A-104C typically also receives several inputs and outputs for communicating information externally. For interfacing with users 101A-101C or operators, user devices 104A-104C typically include a user interface 114 that includes one or more user input/output devices, such as keyboards, pointing devices, displays, printers, and the like. Additionally, user input may be received from one or more external computers (eg, one or more user devices 104A- 104C or other computing servers 103A- 103G ), eg, through a network interface coupled to network 105 .

Returning to FIG. 1A, each computing server 103A-103G may be implemented as a single hardware device, or may be implemented on separate interconnected hardware devices connected to each other by communication links (with wired and/or wireless segments). Each computing server 103A-103G may be implemented in a cloud computing environment.

In at least one embodiment, computer server group 103A-103G includes at least three media servers 103A-103C, database server 103D, front-end server 103E, processing server 103F, and message server 103G.

Each computing server 103A-103G typically operates under the control of an operating system and executes or otherwise relies on various computer software applications, components, programs, objects, modules, data structures, and the like.

As shown schematically in FIG. 1B , in one or more implementations, computing servers 103A-103G include a processing unit 120, a memory 121, one or more computer storage media 122, and input/output interfaces such as, for example, USB interfaces, etc. device interface, network interface such as Ethernet interface) and other associated hardware and a media drive 123 for reading and writing one or more computer storage media 122.

The memory 121 of the computing servers 103A-103G may be random access memory (RAM), cache memory, non-volatile memory, backup memory (eg, programmable or flash memory), read-only memory, or any combination thereof. The processing unit 120 of the computing servers 103A-103G may be any suitable microprocessor, integrated circuit or central processing unit (CPU) including at least one hardware-based processor or processing core.

In one or more implementations, one or more computer storage media 122 of computing servers 103A-103G may contain computer instructions that, when executed by processing unit 120, cause computing servers 103A-103G to perform the computing One or more methods described by servers 103A-103G. The processing unit 120 of the computing servers 103A-103G may be configured to access the one or more computer storage media 122 for storing, reading and/or loading computer program instructions or software code which, when executed by the processor, The computer program instructions or software codes cause the processor to perform the steps of the methods described herein for the computing servers 103A-103G. The processing unit 120 of the computing server 103A-103G may be configured to use the memory 121 of the computing server 103A-103G, for example, for loading computer program instructions and for storing Data generated during the execution of computer program instructions.

Each user device 104A- 104C is operatively connected to one or more computing servers 103A- 103G through the network 105 . Each user device 104A-104C is configured to communicate with at least one of the computing servers 103A-103G via at least one communication link.

In one or more implementations, each user device 104A-104C executes computer program instructions of a client software application 106 (also referred to as "client application 106") which, when executed by a processor of the user device, The program instructions cause the processor to perform the method steps described herein for any user device 104A-104C.

In one or more embodiments, the computer program instructions of the server software application 107 (also referred to as "server application 107") are executed on at least one of the computer servers 103E-103F, when executed by one of the computer servers 103E-103F When executed by a processor of a computer, the computer program instructions cause the processor to perform the method steps described herein for one of the computer servers 103E-103F.

In one or more embodiments, server application 107 is executed by front-end server 103E, which is itself operatively connected to at least one of computer servers 103C, 103D, 103F, and/or 103G for implementing the server application 107 describes the method steps. In at least one embodiment, the processing server 103F is used as an auxiliary server of the front-end server 103E to run some time-consuming processing functions (such as media content processing functions, such as media transcoding functions, media content format decoding, and/or encoding, etc.).

Each instance of client software application 106 and server software application 107 is configured to be operatively coupled to each other to communicate in a client/server mode via at least one communication link. The communication link between client software application 106 and server software application 107 may use any suitable communication protocol. For example, an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer) based protocol such as a web service communication protocol like SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) may be used. Any other protocol, such as a proprietary protocol, may be used.

In one or more implementations, the client application 106 of the user devices 104A- 104C is operatively connected to the server application 107 for implementing implementations of the methods for sharing media content disclosed herein. Client application 106 includes computer program instructions for communicating with server application 107 via messages. In at least one implementation, the client application 106 includes computer program instructions for generating, sending to, and receiving and processing messages received from the server application 107 . The server application 107 may include computer program instructions for communicating with the client application 106 , particularly for generating and sending to the client application 106 and for receiving and processing messages received from the client application 106 .

The messages sent by the server application 107 or respectively by the client application 106 may be messages comprising data related to the exchange of media content between the several users 101A-101C, such as user-related data, media content-related data, Data related to the subject of media content exchange, messages related to contributions made by users in the context of media content exchange. The message sent by the server application 107 or the client application 106 may be any type of message: a message, a request, an information message, a message with user-generated content or computer-generated content, etc.

Each media server 103A-103C is operatively coupled to one or more media content databases 102A-102C for storing media content. Each media server 103A-103C provides an interface for receiving and processing data requests for media content stored in a media content database 102A-102C, such as for storing media content Requests in a media content database 102A-102C, and requests for retrieving, searching, and modifying media content stored in a media content database 102A-102C.

Each media server 103A-103C may be any web server application, remote server application, storage server in the cloud, or more generally configured to store and retrieve media content and handle upload requests (or download requests) from remote devices Any software application for uploading (or downloading) one or more pieces of media content. For example, media server 103A is a web server accessible from all user devices 104A-104C over the Internet, and media server 103B is a media server in a cloud computing environment that is only accessible by one of user devices 104A-104C.

In at least one embodiment, media server 103C may be implemented as a content delivery network (CDN) for storing content that must be obtained not only from front-end server 103E, but from any user device 104A-104C. When the media content must be accessible from each user device 104A-104C, the media server 103C is used to store the media content, either on one of the user devices 104A-104C or on one of the media servers 103A-103B.

In the context of the present disclosure, media content may include video content, audio content, text content, image content, graphic content or any combination thereof, such as web pages or multimedia content. The video content may be 3D content, stereoscopic 3D video content, 2D video content, a list of independently encoded images, and the like. Audio content may include monaural audio content, stereo audio content, 3D audio content, and the like. Media content can be encoded in any format including, for example, JPEG, TIFF, MPEG, WAV, DOC, HTM, OBJ, DAE, FBX, DXF, X3D, MOV ( )Wait.

Media content data may be encoded in one or more data files. For example, video content may be encoded as groups of pictures, with each picture encoded in a separate data file.

In one or more implementations, one or more rendering points on the media content are used. A rendering point on media content may be defined by a set of at least one rendering coordinate relative to a rendering coordinate system associated with the media content. In one or more implementations, the rendering point defines the user's view on the portion (segment, excerpt, or media subset) of the media content. In one or more implementations, the rendering point identifies the particular portion of the media content. This particular portion of media content may, for example, be extracted from the media content to be rendered for the user.

In one or more implementations, a rendering point defines a starting location at which rendering of the media content can begin. In one or more implementations, a rendering point identifies a portion of the media content that begins at the start location. This rendering point can be selected by the user, and the corresponding portion of the media content can be rendered.

In at least one embodiment, the start position is a time coordinate relative to the time axis of the rendering coordinate system, and the portion of the media content is a collection of at least one user view of the media content starting at this time coordinate.

In at least one embodiment, the starting position is a spatial coordinate of a one-dimensional, two-dimensional or three-dimensional coordinate system relative to the rendering coordinate system, and the portion of the media content is the region of the media content page starting from the spatial coordinate.

When the media content is "visual content" (eg, video content, image content, graphic content, text content, etc.), and specific views on the visual content may be defined. Therefore, a rendering point will also be referred to as a "view point" (or point of view) or POV in this disclosure for all types of content including video and audio content.

Different examples of rendering points are given below.

For example, a rendering point on media content that is video content may be defined by an image identifier (image number, timecode, or any other identifier), so that a portion of the media content is an image identified by the image identifier. In such examples, the associated rendering coordinate system is a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system, including a time axis defining image numbers or timecodes. Thus, the image identifier defines the starting position relative to this time axis.

For example, a rendering point on media content that is video content may be defined by two image identifiers, a portion of the media content being a first image identified by a first image identifier and a second image identified by a second image identifier sequence of images between. In such examples, the associated rendering coordinate system is a 3D coordinate system that includes a time axis defining image numbers or timecodes.

For example, a rendering point on media content that is 3D content of a scene can be defined by a time coordinate (start position, timecode, or any other identifier) and at least one camera position (e.g., the position of the camera in the three-dimensional space corresponding to the scene captured by the camera). coordinates), so the portion of the media content is the view identified by the time coordinates and the camera position. In such an example, the associated rendering coordinate system is a four-dimensional (4D) rendering coordinate system that includes a time axis defining image numbers (ie temporal positions in the video content) and a The 3D coordinate system of the position.

For example, a rendering point on media content that is text content may be defined by a one or two character identifier (character number or position in an alphanumeric sequence of coded text), the portion of the media content thus included in the first The text between the first character identified by the character identifier and the second character identified by the second character identifier. In such examples, the associated rendering coordinate system is a one-dimensional (1D) coordinate system that identifies characters in an alphanumeric sequence. The character identifier thus defines the starting position relative to the 1D coordinate system.

For example, a rendering point on media content that is audio content may be defined by a time position (timecode or time), and a portion of the media content is thus a portion of the audio content starting from that time position. In such examples, the associated rendering coordinate system is a ID coordinate system corresponding to the time axis of the audio media content.

For example, a rendering point on media content that is an image may be defined by two points in the image, the portion of the media content thus being a sub-image with the first point as the upper right corner and the second point as the lower left corner. two points. In such examples, the associated rendering coordinate system is a 2D coordinate system corresponding to the vertical and horizontal axes of the image. These points thus define the starting position relative to the 2D coordinate system. Alternatively, the subimage can be defined using a single point (eg top left/bottom right) and the subimage's width and height.

For example, a rendering point on media content that is a web page served by a web server may be defined by two points in the page or the top left/top right corners of the page area and the width and height of the page area, the portion of the media content thus is the defined page area. In such an example, the associated rendering coordinate system is a 2D coordinate system corresponding to the vertical and horizontal axes of the web page. These points thus define the starting position relative to the 2D coordinate system. Alternatively, the subimage can be defined using a single point (eg top left/bottom right) and the subimage's width and height.

For example, the media content is image content provided by a source software application such as a navigation application, the rendering point of the media content may be defined by a geographic location (e.g., a set of geographic coordinates that may be in a GPS system or other geographic positioning system), Part of the media content is thus an image or representation of a geographic area surrounding the geographic location generated by the navigation application for the geographic location. In such examples, the associated rendering coordinate system is the 2D or 3D coordinate system of the positioning system.

In one or more implementations, the client application 106 of the user devices 104A- 104C includes computer program instructions for processing media content. Those computer program instructions for processing media content may include computer program instructions for implementing a multimedia player or renderer, such as for loading at least a portion of media content into memory and rendering. For example, client application 106 includes at least some functionality of an audio and/or video player, image viewer, text reader, web page reader, 3D reader, 3D viewer, and the like.

In one or more implementations, the client application 106 of the user devices 104A- 104C includes computer program instructions for implementing a media content editor, thereby enabling a user to create and/or edit at least one media content. For example, client application 106 includes functionality of an image editor, video editor, audio content editor, text editor, graphics editor, and the like.

In at least one embodiment, the client application 106 of the user device 104A-104C includes computer program instructions for obtaining filter parameters and for applying a filter to media content based on at least one filter parameter.

In one or more implementations, the client application 106 of the user devices 104A- 104C includes computer program instructions for obtaining combining parameters and for generating combined media content from at least two media contents based on the at least one combining parameter.

In one or more embodiments, the client application 106 of the user device 104A-104C is operatively connected to one or more media servers 103A-103C and includes computer program instructions for requesting media content, for uploading one or more media content to the remote media server 103A-103C and for downloading one or more media content from the remote media server 103A-103C.

Database server 103D is operatively coupled to one or more databases 102D for storing data related to media content exchange. The database server 103D implements a database management system ( SQL, . . . ) and provide an interface for receiving and processing data requests for data stored in one of the databases 102D, such as requests for storing, retrieving, searching, modifying data stored in one of the databases 102D.

In one or more implementations, the database 102D is used to store datasets representing different entities related to the exchange of media content and the relationships between these entities. A dataset may be a data structure in a software application, an object in an object-oriented software environment, a dataset representing a relational database software entity, and the like.

In one or more implementations, database 102D is used to store several data sets about users 101A-10C and their user devices 104A-104C. Database 102D is configured to store user data sets representing user accounts of users 101A-101C and device data sets representing user devices 104A-104C used by users 101A-101C. Although FIG. 1A shows a user with only one user device, each user 101A- 101C may use one or more user devices configured with client software application 106 to communicate with server software application 107 . These data sets are used to control user access to the server application 107 and to identify the device a given user is using to access the server application 107 .

In one or more implementations, user data sets may include, for example, user identifiers, usernames, user passwords, creation times, modification times, access times, and the like. A user identifier can be a user email, an alphanumeric string, a picture, etc. A user identifier may be used to uniquely identify a user account. The user identifier may be assigned by the server application 107 . The user account may be a user account dedicated to the client application 106 and the methods of sharing content described herein, or a user account of another software application in the environment in which the client application 106 executes. In one or more implementations, a device data set may include, for example, a device identifier, device type, operating system identification, creation time, modification time, and access time.

In one or more implementations, the database 102D is used to store several data sets regarding the exchange of media content between users. These datasets can be organized and stored in different ways. These datasets are used to define relationships and/or associations between users, media content, and groups of users. These data sets are stored associatively for encoding and representing events occurring during one or more communication sessions established between users participating in one or more exchanges of media content. For example, topic association data representing topics of media content exchange is stored. For example, contribution-associated data is stored to represent contributions to media content exchanges. Subject-linked data is linked data representing a subject, and contribution-linked data is linked data representing a contribution to a subject. In at least one embodiment, these events include at least creation of user groups, definition of new topics for media content exchange, and user contributions to topics for media content exchange.

In one or more implementations, the data sets in the database 102D include user group data sets, theme data sets, rendering point data sets, media content data sets, and the like.

A user group dataset represents a user group and may include a user group identifier, creation time and/or modification time. The creation (or modification) time may correspond to the time at which the user group dataset was created (or modified), encoded in the form of a timestamp according to the universal clock.

A media content dataset represents media content and may include a media content identifier, content type, and/or creation time. The creation time may correspond to the time at which the media content dataset was created, encoded as a time stamp according to a universal clock. In addition, the media content data set may include access data specifying how to access the media content. Access data may include at least one of a media content identifier, a hypertext link (URL, Uniform Resource Locator), an account identifier, a password, or a combination thereof. The media content identifier may be a unique content identifier assigned to media content by a media server 103A-103C for requesting media content data from the media server 103A-103C (eg, for downloading media content).

The render point dataset represents the render point of the contribution (ie the part on the media content that forms the theme), and the render point dataset may include a render point identifier, at least one render coordinate, a creation time and/or a modification time. The creation (or modification) time may correspond to the time at which the rendered point dataset was created (or modified), encoded in the form of a timestamp according to the universal clock.

A topic data set represents a topic of media content exchange and may include a topic identifier, topic type, creation time and/or modification time. The creation (or modification) time may correspond to the time at which the subject data set was created (or modified), encoded in the form of a timestamp according to the universal clock.

In one or more implementations, database 102D is used to register relationships between different datasets: these relationships represent relationships or associations between entities represented by those datasets.

In one or more implementations, the functionality described herein for the client application 106 of the user device 104A- 104C is integrated into a host application. The host application can be a messaging application such as Facebook Wait. The host application can be a web application such as social networking web applications, or and other media content provider applications. The functionality of the client application 106 described herein may be implemented by a plug-in, add-on component, or one or more software components of the host application.

In at least one embodiment, the host application is configured to communicate with a message server application executing on the message server message server 103G.

In one or more implementations, the host application includes computer program instructions for implementing messaging sessions via the messaging server 103G. A messaging session can be an instant messaging session, e-mail messaging session, discussion group, or other form of messaging session, whether synchronous or asynchronous.

In at least one embodiment, the messages sent or received by the message server 103G are used to send messages related to the exchange of media content from the server application 107 to the user equipment 104A-104C and/or from the user equipment 104A-104C to the server application 107. commands, data and/or information.

For example, message server 103G may send a text message including user group identifiers of user groups or topics registered by server application 107 . Upon receipt of the text message, the client application 106 is configured to establish a communication session with the server application 107 to receive a message from the server application 107 about the user group or topic, users of the user group and/or The server application 107 registers a message of contributing media content in association with the topic.

In one or more implementations, the user interface of the client application 106 is configured to provide the user with information about the user group, and is implemented to allow the user to view information related to the user group while remaining within the context of the host application. User interface items contributed to linked topics.

2A-2G illustrate flowcharts according to one or more implementations of a method for sharing media content among several users. Although various steps in the flowcharts are presented and described sequentially, those skilled in the art will understand that some or all steps may be performed in a different order, combined or omitted, and some or all steps may be performed in parallel.

2A-2G illustrate several aspects and implementations of methods for sharing media content among several users: registration of user groups, registration of topics, registration of contributions, registration of media content, and rendering of media content. In at least one embodiment, the steps of the method described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2G are performed by the client application 106 or the server application 107 .

More specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of a method for registering groups of users. A user group may eg correspond to a discussion group or any user group defined in a messaging application.

A first user (or "originating user"), such as user 101A, wants to share media content with other users. User 101A uses his user device 104A configured with software application 106 to register for a discussion group.

In step A201, one or more users (also referred to herein as "invited users") to be invited to the discussion group are selected automatically or by the initiating user 101A. The user interface of the client application 106 may, for example, include at least one user interface item for selecting a user. For example, the user interface is used to display a list of contacts, from which one or more users can be selected by the initiating user 101A. The contact list may be a list of contacts managed by the operating system of the user device 104A, a list of contacts created by the client application 106, or created by another client application, such as a client application of the messaging server 103G A list of contacts, or a list of contacts created and managed by the front-end server 103E.

The initiating user 101A selects one or more contacts in the displayed contact list, indicating users that the initiating user 101A wants to invite to the discussion group, and the client application 106 obtains a list of at least one user to invite to the discussion group. For example, user 101B and user 101C are invited to participate in a discussion group with initiating user 101A.

In step A202, the client application 106 of the user equipment 104A sends at least one request to the server application 107 for registering the newly created discussion group GR1. In one or more implementations, the server application 107 performs the registration of the group GR1 by assigning a user group identifier to the group GR1 and by creating and recording a user group data set representing the group GR1 in the database 102D.

For example, as shown schematically in the entity relationship diagram of Figure 3A, for each user participating in the discussion group, including the initiating user 101A and the invited users 101B and 101C, it represents the user data set and user group data set of the participating users 101A-101C Stored in association in database 102D.

In step A203, the client application 106 of the user device 104A sends at least one request to the server application 107 for registering the user rights associated with the discussion group with the database 102D. User permissions may be defined automatically, eg based on default values, or defined for each invited user by the initiating user 101A. For example, different users invited to a discussion group may have different levels of permissions.

At a first permission level, invited users can participate (eg, view and render media content exchanged between users in the context of a discussion group), but cannot contribute. At the second level, invited users can contribute. At the second level, invited users can also invite users to a discussion group. By default, a more complete set of permissions may be assigned to originating user 101A. At the third level of permissions, the initiating user can, for example, make contributions, invite users to participate in a discussion group, assign permission levels to participating users, revoke permissions, reject invited users, and the like.

In one or more embodiments, the registration of user permissions is performed by the server application 107 by storing, for each user, permission level information associated with a user group dataset representing user group GR1 and a user dataset representing participating users.

Alternatively, an existing discussion group created by the host application integrating the client application 106 is used. In this alternative, the user identifier of each user belonging to an existing discussion group is provided by the client application 106 to the server application 107, so that the server application 107 associates the user group data set representing the discussion group with the user group data set representing the discussion group belonging to the discussion group. The user data sets of the different users of the group GR1 are registered in association.

FIG. 2B shows an embodiment of a method for registering a user group corresponding to users accessing a service of a media content provider. Steps B201-B203 described below may be performed multiple times, eg for each new user to be registered.

A first user (eg, user 101A) wants to access media content published or otherwise accessible in the context of a media content provider's service. For example, the service may be a service for providing media content via a website that can be accessed and viewed by a user with or without a subscription to the service.

In step B201, the server application 107 accepts a request from the client application 106 executing on the user equipment 104A to register a new user 101A for media content exchange. The server application 107 assigns a user identifier to the user 101A and registers a user data set representing the user account for the user 101A. Optionally, user 101A may specify a topic or domain of interest for which user 101A would like to receive notifications and/or share content with other users.

In step B202, the server application 107 registers the user authority of the user 101A in the database 102D. User permissions can be defined automatically based on default values, for example, or can depend on a subscription scheme. For example, at a first level of authority, a user may have access to media content available via a media content provider, but not be able to contribute to that media content. At a second level, additionally, invited users can contribute to media content available via a media content provider. In the third level of authority, additionally, the user can publish new media content through the media content provider.

In step B203, when several users share the same domain of interest or must participate in the same media content exchange, the server application 107 registers a user group including all relevant users. The server application 107 performs registration of a user group by assigning a user group identifier to the discussion group GR1, and by creating and recording a user group data set representing the user group GR1 in the database 102D. Each user data set of users belonging to a user group is further stored in association with the user group data set.

According to further registration requests that may be received at the next execution of step B201, new users may be added to the user group.

Figure 2C illustrates one embodiment of a method for sharing media content among several users. This method can be implemented before or after the registration of the user group according to that described with reference to Figures 2A and 2B. This method can eg be implemented without any registered user groups.

Referring to FIG. 2C, in step C210, an initiating user, such as user 101A, wants to share media content with other users participating in media content exchange. The client application 106 of the user devices 104A-104C establishes a communication session with the server application 107 using an appropriate communication protocol.

In one embodiment, when a client application 106 of a user device 104A-104C establishes a communication session with a server application 107, if the communication session has already been established when defining a topic, or making a contribution, or defining a user group, the client application 106 receives all messages and data that the client application 106 should receive. The messages and data to be sent to the client application 106 can be determined, for example, based on the time stamps that are stored in the database 102D for the server application 107 when registering a topic, contribution, media content, user or user group. set registration. In the following detailed description, to simplify the description of the various embodiments, it is assumed that the client application 106 of the user equipment of the participating users is currently operatively connected to the server application 107 via the network 105 to receive messages and data in a synchronous manner.

In step C211, the client application 106 of the user device 104A allows the initiating user 101A to define a topic. The client application 106 of the user device 104A obtains one or more media contents to be used as the topic TOP1 of the media content exchange. One or more media content to be used as a theme may be selected by user 101A from existing media content, or may be created by user 101A, for example as a result of a combination of existing content or newly generated content (graphics, photos, etc.) . The media content used as the subject of media content exchange will be annotated as subject media content TMC1.

In step C212, upon identifying the one or more media contents TMC1, the client application 106 sends at least one request to the server application 107 to register the one or more identified media contents TMC1 as the subject of media content exchange.

Registration of a subject is further described with reference to FIG. 2D.

In at least one embodiment, upon receiving the registration request, the server application 107 registers the topic TOP1 by storing topic association data AST1 representing the topic TOP1 and/or the topic media content TMC1 . Topic association data AST1A may include a user identifier of the originating user. A time stamp corresponding to the registration time may be stored for the subject association data AST1.

If the user group is already registered by the server application 107 for media content exchange, the topic TOP1 is registered in association with the registered user group GR1 , using an implementation of the method such as described with reference to Fig. 2A or 2B.

In at least one embodiment, the server application 107 registers the one or more identified media content such that the data files encoding the subject media content TMC1 are accessible from any of the user devices 104A-104C of the participating users 101A-101C. For example, topical media content TMC1 is uploaded and stored on a remote media server for access from a user device.

The registration of the subject media content TMC1 is further described with reference to FIG. 2G.

In step C213, after the topic TOP1 is registered, the server application 107 sends one or more messages to the client application 106 of the user devices of the users participating in the media content exchange. For example, a client application 106 of a user device of a participating user receives one or more messages. The one or more messages include theme rendering data representative of the theme and/or the theme media content, enabling rendering of the theme media content. The theme reproduction data can be generated based on the theme association data AST1 registered in step C212. For example, theme reproduction data may comprise a subset of these theme-associated data AST1. The themed rendering data may include data files encoding the themed media content and/or access data for accessing the themed media content from a user device via a remote media server. Theme reproduction data may include a user identifier of the originating user. The theme rendering data may include group identifiers of user groups registered by the server application 107 for media content exchange.

In step C214, after receiving one or more messages sent in step C213, the client application 106 of the user equipment of the participating user is configured to access the topic media content TMC1 via the remote media server (in step C212, via The remote media server, the subject media content TMC1 becomes accessible), for example downloads at least a part of the data file encoding the subject media content TMC1 by using the subject reproduction data (eg access data) sent in step C213. The client application 106 of the participating user's user equipment is configured to render part and/or all of the topical media content TMC1 on the user interface of the participating user's user equipment.

For example, at least a portion of the subject media content is rendered by the client application 106 executing on the user device 104B or 104C. In at least one embodiment, a portion of the topical media content TMC1 is selected by user 101B or user 101C for rendering. For example, a first portion of the video content forming the subject media content TMC1 will be displayed on the user interface of the user device 104B or 104C.

In at least one embodiment, before, during, or after rendering of the topical media content TMC1 , the client application 106 displays the user identifier of the initiating user and/or the user identifiers of one or more users participating in the media content exchange.

Step C214 may be repeated several times and/or may be performed after step C213 or after step C218.

In step C215, the client application 106 of the user equipment participating in the user (for example, user 101B or user 101A) allows the participating user to make an action on the topic of the media content exchange by selecting a part of the topic media content and relative to the selected part of the topic media content. contribute to the exchange of media content. The client application 106 of the user device of the contributing user 101B or 101A obtains one or more media content to be used as a contribution to the topic of the media content exchange. One or more media content to be used as a contribution may be selected from existing media content, or may be created by user 101A, eg, as a result of a combination of existing content or newly generated content (graphics, photos, etc.). Media content used as a contribution to the subject media content will be annotated as CMC11, CMC12, CMC21, etc.

In at least one embodiment, the client application 106 allows the contributing user 101B or 101A to define rendering parameters for selected portions of the topical media content TMC1 and/or contributing media content CMC11 , CMC12 . In at least one embodiment, the client application 106 allows a contributing user to define at least one logical dependency between two or more contributed media content. The client application 106 obtains rendering parameters and/or logical dependency data representing one or more logical dependencies.

Step C215 may be repeated several times and/or may be performed after step C214, or after steps C212, C216 or C218.

In step C216, once one or more contributed media content CMC11, CMC12 has been identified, the client application 106 of the user device of the contributing user 101B or 101A sends at least one request to register a contribution to said server application. In at least one embodiment, the request includes an identification relative to the portion of the contributed subject media content TMC1. In at least one embodiment, the identification includes rendering coordinates POV1 that identify the selected portion of the subject media content TMC1 .

In at least one embodiment, the request includes the rendering parameters and/or logical dependency data obtained in step C215.

In at least one embodiment, upon receiving a registration request, the server application 107 registers the contribution by storing contribution association data ASC1 representing the contribution.

In at least one embodiment, the contribution association data ASC1 represents an association between the selected portion of the topical media content TMC1 and the selected contributed media content CMC11, CMC12. Contribution associated data ASC1 may include a user identifier of a contributing user. The contribution association data ASC1 may include the rendering parameters and/or logic association data obtained in step C215.

A time stamp corresponding to the registration time may be stored for the contribution association data ASC1. In at least one embodiment, the contribution association data ASC1 is stored in association with the subject association data AST1 registered in step C212.

Registration of contributions is further described by referring to FIG. 2E.

In at least one embodiment, the server application 107 registers one or more contributed media content CMC11, CMC12 so that the data files encoding the contributed media content CMC11, CMC12 can be accessed from any user device 104A-104C of the participating users 101A-101C. . For example, the contributed media content CMC 11, CMC 12 is uploaded and stored on a remote media server for access from a user device.

Registration of contributed media content is further described with reference to FIG. 2G.

In step C217, the server application 107 sends one or more messages related to the contribution made in step C215 to the client application 106 of the user equipment of the users participating in the media content exchange. The one or more messages include contribution rendering data representing the contribution and/or enabling rendering of the contribution on the target user device. The theme reproduction data is reproduction data for reproducing a theme, and the contribution reproduction data is reproduction data for reproducing a contribution to a theme.

The contributed rendering data may include an identification of the portion of the topical media content TMC1 selected in step C215, eg rendering coordinates POV1. The contribution reproduction data may be based on or may include a subset or all of the contribution association data ASC1 registered in step C216. The contributed rendering data may comprise data files encoding the contributed media content CMC11, CMC12 and/or access data for accessing the contributed media content CMC11, CMC12 from a user device via a remote media server. Contributing rendering data may include a user identifier of a contributing user. The contributed reproduction data may include the topic identifier of the topic TOP1 registered by the server application 107 at step C212. The contributed rendering data may include rendering parameters and/or logical dependency data obtained in step C215.

Step C217 may be repeated several times and/or may be performed after step C214 or after step C216.

In step C218, the client application 106 of the user equipment of the participating user is configured to access the contributed media content CMC11, CMC12 via a remote media server through which the contributed media content CMC11, CMC12 becomes accessible in step C216, For example, by downloading coded contribution media content CMC11, CMC12 data files. The client application 106 is configured to reproduce the one or more contributions made in step 215 . In one or more embodiments, the rendering is performed as specified by the contributed rendering data received at step C217.

In at least one embodiment, rendering of the contribution is performed by rendering combined media content resulting from a combination of at least a portion of the contributing media content CMC11, CMC12 and a portion of the subject media content selected in step C215. In at least one embodiment, rendering of one or more contributions is performed according to rendering parameters and/or logical dependencies defined by the contributing user at step C215 and received at step C217. In one or more embodiments, according to the contribution rendering data received in step C217, the client application 106 is implemented, and the combination of at least a part of the contribution media content CMC11, CMC12 and a part of the theme media content is generated on the receiving user equipment.

In at least one embodiment, portions of the topical media content TMC1 and/or contributing media content CMC11 , CMC12 are selected by participating users to be rendered.

In at least one embodiment, before, during, or after rendering the contributing media content CMC11, CMC12, the client application 106 displays the contributing user's user identifier and/or the user identifiers of one or more users participating in the media content exchange.

Rendering of one or more contributions is further described with reference to FIG. 2F.

Step C218 may be repeated several times and/or performed after step C217 or after step C214 or C215.

Because the contributing media content CMC11, CMC12 is downloaded separately from the subject media content TMC1 on the user device 104A, the combined media content must be generated on the receiving user device 104A to be reproduced on the user device 104A in the form that the contributing user has made the contribution the contribution.

The main stages of the method include the definition of the theme (steps C211-212), the contribution to the theme (steps C215-C216) and the rendering of the contribution (steps C217-C218). These different stages may be performed by the same instance of the client application 106 executing on the same user device of the same user, or may be performed by different instances of the client application 106 executing on different user devices of the same user or different users . For example, when implementing the method in the context of a discussion group, the definition of the topic is performed by the first client application 106 of the first user, and the contribution to the topic is performed by the first client application 106 of the first user and/or the second client application 106 of the first user. The user's second client application 106 executes, and the contributed rendering is executed by the first (or second) user's first (or second) client application 106 or the third user's third client application 106 . For example, when implementing the method in the context of the service of a media content provider, the definition of the theme is performed by the first client application 106 of the first user, and the contribution to the theme is performed by the first client application 106 of the first user , the rendering of the contribution is performed by the first client application 106 of the first user or the second client application 106 of the second user.

Depending on the environment in which the media content is implemented (discussion group, social network, media content provider's service, etc.), the order of the implementation phases described above may be different.

Figure 2D illustrates an embodiment of a method for registering a subject. This method for registering a topic can be implemented in the context of the method for sharing media content among multiple users described with reference to FIG. 2C.

In step D224, the client application 106 of the user device 104A of the initiating user 101A obtains one or more media content to be used as the subject of the media content exchange. Such media content may be automatically identified by the client application 106 or selected by the originating user 101A. The user interface of the client application 106 may, for example, include at least one user interface item for selecting media content. For example, the user interface includes user interface items (buttons, menus, etc.) for triggering display of a user interface for searching, browsing, and/or selecting one or more media content.

Each selected media content may be media content stored locally on the user device 104A, media content stored on a remote media server 103B (such as a media server in a private cloud, a content delivery network, a dedicated network, etc.) (the media content cannot be accessed by other user devices of participating users), media content provided by a web application via web server 103A, media content provided by a source application locally executing on user device 104A (the media content can only be accessed via the source application access).

For example, client application 106 may include a web browser, browse user interface, and/or a typing area that enables a user to enter a hypertext link (e.g., URL or URI) for searching and selecting files , the hypertext link to one or more files corresponding to the selected media content.

The client application 106 obtains at least one media content for use as the subject of a media content exchange.

In at least one embodiment, registration of a theme includes registration of corresponding theme media content.

In step D225, the client application 106 of the user equipment 104A sends to the server application 107 at least one request to register the selected topical media content TMC1. In one or more embodiments, the registration of the subject media content TMC1 includes recording a media content data set representing the subject media content TMC1 in the database 102D. The recorded media content data set comprises a media content identifier assigned to the subject media content TMC1 by the server application 107 and/or access data for accessing the subject media content TMC1 from a user device via the remote media servers 103A-103C.

Fig. 2G shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for registering media content applicable to topical media content TMC1.

After the subject media content TMC1 is registered, the subject media content TMC1 is accessible by the user devices 104A-104C of the participating users, and can be downloaded or accessed by these user devices from the remote media server 103A or 103C.

In step D226, the client application 106 of the user equipment 104A sends at least one request to the server application 107 for registering the topic media content TMC1 selected in step D224 as a new topic TOP1 for media content exchange. The topic TOP1 is registered in the database 102D by the server application 107 on the server side. In one or more implementations, registration of topic TOP1 includes assigning a topic identifier to topic TOP1 and recording a topic data set representing topic TOP1 in database 102D. A timestamp corresponding to the time of registration is stored as the creation time of the subject dataset.

In one or more implementations, the topic registration includes recording topic association data AST1 in the database 102D, and the topic association data AST1 represents the association between the topic media content TMC1, the originating user 101A, the user group GR1 and the topic TOP1. Alternatively, no topic data set is used, and the registration of topic TOP1 includes recording topic association data AST1 in database 102D, which represents the association between topic media content TMC1, originating user 101A and user group GR1.

In one or more embodiments, when no user group is registered for media content exchange, the registration of the topic includes recording topic association data AST1 in the database 102D, and the topic association data AST1 represents the topic media content TMC1, the originating user 101A and Associations between topics TOP1. Alternatively, no topic data set is used, and registration of topic TOP1 includes recording in database 102D topic association data AST1 representing an association between topic media content TMC1 and originating user 101A.

For example, it is schematically represented by the entity relationship diagram in FIG. 3B , the topic data set representing the topic TOP1 and the user group data set representing the user group GR1, the content data set representing the topic media content TMC1, and the content data set representing the originating user 101A The user data set is stored associatively. Alternatively, no topic data set is used and a user group data set representing user group GR1 is stored in association with a content data set representing topical media content TMC1 and a user data set representing originating user 101A. Alternatively, the topic data set and user group data set are not used, and the content data set representing the topical media content TMC1 is stored in association with the user data set representing the originating user 101A.

Figure 2E illustrates one embodiment of a method for registering user contributions to a topic. The method for registering contributions may be implemented in the context of the method for sharing media content among multiple users described with reference to FIG. 2C.

In step E221, a part of the topical media content TMC1 is selected. The selected portion may be a portion associated with an existing contribution which has thus been selected by the contributing user or may be a newly selected portion.

The user interface of the client application 106 of the user device 104B may include at least one user interface item for navigating to the subject media content TMC1, for selecting a rendering point POV1 (or point of view) for the subject media content TMC1, or for entering Rendering coordinates identifying a rendering point POV1 relative to a rendering coordinate system associated with the topical media content TMC1 . In one or more embodiments, a corresponding rendering point POV1 is calculated for the subject media content TMC1 with respect to at least one axis of the rendering coordinate system associated with the subject media content TMC1 .

In step E222, the client application 106 of the user equipment 104B obtains one or more media contents CMC11, CMC12 to form the contribution of the contributing user 101B to the topic TOP1.

The user interface of the client application 106 of the user device 104B may, for example, comprise at least one user interface item for generating and/or selecting one or more media content CMC11, CMC12. For example, a user interface may include user interface items (buttons, menus, etc.) for triggering display of a user interface for searching and/or selecting one or more media content. For example, the user interface includes a toolbar for generating or importing contributed media content. For example, a user interface may be configured with a media content editor to enable a user to:

- drawing including rectangles, circles, or other predetermined geometric shapes or freeform shapes,

- write a text,

- Insert dynamic links, such as URLs or hashtags,

- import image/video/audio/text content,

- apply filters to image or audio content,

- generate image/video/audio/text content via camera and/or microphone, and/or

- Edit existing media content.

In at least one embodiment, the registration of contributions includes the registration of contributed media content CMC11, CMC12.

In step E223, the client application 106 of the user equipment 104B sends at least one request to the server application 107 for registering the selected/generated contributed media content CMC11, CMC12. In one or more embodiments, the registration of the contributed media content CMC11, CMC12 includes recording one or more media content data sets representing the contributed media content CMC11, CMC12 in the database 102D. The media content data set of each recording comprises the media content identifier assigned to corresponding contribution media content CMC11, CMC12 by server application 107, and/or access data, and described access data is used for from user equipment by remote media server 103A-103C. Access the corresponding theme media content CMC11, CMC12. Figure 2D illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method for registering media content suitable for contributing media content.

After registering the contributed media content CMC11, CMC12, the contributed media content CMC11, CMC12 is accessible by the user devices 104A-104C of the users participating in the media content exchange, and can be downloaded or accessed by the user devices 104A-104C from the remote media server 103A or 103C.

In step E224 the client application 106 allows the user equipment 104B to define at least one rendering parameter RP11 , RP12 for the contributed media content CMC11 , CMC12 and/or at least one rendering parameter RP1 for the topical media content TMC1 . The rendering parameters RP1 , RP11 , RP12 define how the contributing media content and/or the topical media content are rendered on the user equipment of another user, ie a recipient user participating in the same media content exchange. The rendering parameters may be combination parameters CP11, CP12, filter parameters FP1, FP11, FP12, and rendering sequence parameters RO1.

According to one or more embodiments, the combination parameters CP11, CP12 may define how the contributed media content CMC11, CMC12 is combined with the subject media content in order to form an annotation of the subject media content.

The composition parameters CP11, CP12 may be spatial composition parameters defining a position in a 2D coordinate system associated with the subject media content TMC1 in which the contributing media content CMC11, CMC12 has to be displayed. For example, the contributed media content CMC11 , CMC12 as pictures or logos may be located at different positions in the image of the subject media content TMC1 as video or image content. In this example, the spatial combination parameter is a pair of (x, y) coordinates corresponding to the horizontal and vertical positions of the contributing media content CMC11, CMC12 in the image of the subject media content TMC1.

The combination parameters CP11, CP12 may be transparency parameters defining the transparency of the image-based contributed media content relative to the image-based themed media content. In this example, the transparency parameter is a value encoded between a minimum transparency value (no transparency) and a maximum transparency value coordinate (fully transparent contributed media content).

Combination parameters CP11, CP12 may be weights that define the weight of the image-based (or audio-based) contributing media content relative to the image-based (or audio-based) subject media content, the combined media content being (pixel by pixel for image-based content) , or sample-by-sample for audio-based content) weighted sums.

The composition parameters CP11, CP12 may be temporal composition parameters defining a synchronization pattern between the topical media content TMC1 and the contributing media content CMC11, CMC12 according to which the two contents have to be composed and rendered.

For example, the contributing user 101B can predefine and select different synchronization modes: frozen mode and streaming mode.

When freezing mode is selected, when reaching the rendering point POV1 defined by the contributing user in step E221, the rendering of the theme media content will be interrupted, and when rendering the contribution media content, the rendering of the theme media content TMC1 will be consistent with the theme media content The corresponding part freezes. Freeze mode is useful, for example, when one wants to add a video contribution to a particular image of the subject video media content: while the contributed media content is displayed, a frozen image corresponding to the rendering point POV1 can be displayed.

When the streaming mode is selected, the rendering of the subject media content will continue without interruption when the rendering point POV1 defined by the contributing user in step E221 is reached. For example, when the subject media content is a video and the contributing media content is also a video, the two videos will be displayed simultaneously.

The filter parameters FP1, FP11, FP12 may define a filter (or effect) to be applied to the contributed media content (e.g. filter parameters FP11 or FP12 respectively applied to the contributed media content CMC11 or CMC12), and/or or topical media content (eg, filter parameter FP1 applied to topical media content TMC1 ). For example, a filter applied to the subject media content as an image or video may be a color enhancement filter, a contrast enhancement filter, a chroma correction filter, a sharpening filter, a smoothing filter, an anamorphic filter, and the like.

The filter parameter FP1, defined by the contributing user who contributed to the topic, is used to define the filter to be applied to the contributed part of the topic media content. The rendering of the contribution is performed on the user equipment of the receiving user according to the filtering parameters defined by the contributing user.

The rendering order parameter RO1 is used to define the order of contributing media content with respect to the rendering of the subject media content on the receiving user's user equipment. For example, the contributing user 101B can predefine and select different rendering orders RO1: time order, order based on rendering coordinates, order based on users and order based on relevance.

Time ordering allows rendering of the contributed media content in the order in which they were created according to the record timestamps stored for the associated rendering point dataset. Timestamps can be generated by universal clocks and thus relate to real-world timelines. This timeline can be said to be the timeline of media content exchange (eg, discussion threads in a discussion group environment).

The order based rendering coordinates allows rendering of the contributed media content in the order of their rendering points, according to the recorded rendering coordinates stored in the rendering point dataset. For example, when the rendering point is relative to the image number of the subject media content as the video content, the different contributing media contents may be rendered in order of image numbers. In other words, the timeline of video content is used to determine the order of contributed media content, not the timeline of discussion threads. For example, the video content may be rendered from beginning to end, and when the image number corresponding to the rendering coordinates is reached, the video content is rendered by rendering the contributing media content.

User-based ordering allows rendering of contributed media content according to contributing users. For example, in one embodiment, when the selection is user-based, all contributed media content of a first user is allowed to be rendered first, followed by all contributed media content of a second user, and so on. In one embodiment, when a user-based order is selected, all contributed media content for a given user is rendered in chronological order (ie, eg, according to their timestamps) or in a coordinate-based order (ie, according to the value of the rendering coordinates).

The dependency-based ordering allows rendering of contributed media content according to defined logical dependencies between the contributed media content. For example, by following a chain of dependencies between contributed media content, a dependency-based order allows rendering of a first registered contributed media content, then rendering of a second registered contributed media content that has a logical dependency on the first registered contributed media content, and then A third registered contributed media content having a logical dependency on the second registered contributed media content is rendered, and so on. In one embodiment, when a dependency-based order is selected, all contributing media content for a given dependency chain are ordered chronologically (i.e., according to their timestamps) or in a coordinate-based order (i.e., according to rendering coordinates). value) for rendering.

In step E225, when the user 101B of the user equipment 104B is not the first user who contributes to the media content exchange and the server application 107 has registered at least one previous contribution for this media content exchange, the client application 106 allows the user equipment 104B The user 101B of selects two registered contributed media contents, and establishes a logical correlation between the two contributed media contents CMC11, CMC12. Logical dependencies are used to define dependencies between contributed media content. This allows the contributing user 101B to indicate which media content his contribution relates to. This also allows defining logically related subsets of contributed media content. This subset of contributed media content may, for example, correspond to a subtopic of the topic TOP1 of the media content exchange.

Both steps E224 and E225 are optional steps. Therefore, step E226 may be performed after step E223, for example.

In step E226, the client application 106 of the user equipment 104B sends at least one request to the server application 107 for registering contribution association data ASC1 representing a contribution to the media content exchange. In one or more embodiments, the contribution association data ASC1 includes an identification of a contribution-related portion of the topical media content TMC1 . In at least one embodiment, the identification of the portion of the topical media content TMC1 includes rendering coordinates defining the rendering point POV1.

Optionally, the contribution associated data ASC1 further includes one or more rendering parameters RP1, RP11, RP12 specified by the contributing user 101B and obtained by the client application 106 of the user equipment 104B in step E224. Optionally, when at least one logical dependency is defined in step E225, the contribution association data ASC1 further includes logical dependency data LD1 representing the logical dependency. For example, the logical dependency data LD1 includes content identifiers of previously registered contributed media content to which the logical dependency applies.

The server application 107 registers the contribution of the user 101B on the server side, eg in the database 102D. In one or more embodiments, the registration of the contributing user 101B includes recording a rendering point dataset in the database 102D, which represents the rendering point POV1 and includes the rendering coordinates obtained in step E224. A timestamp corresponding to the registration time is stored as the creation time of the rendered point dataset. This timestamp is that of user 101B's contribution.

Optionally, when one or more combination parameters CP11, CP12 are defined in step E224, those combination parameters CP11, CP12 are also stored in association with the content data set indicating that the combination parameters CP11, CP12, respectively, must be applied. Contributed media content CMC11, CMC12 of CP12.

Optionally, when one or more filter parameters FP1, FP11, FP12 are defined in step E224, those filter parameters FP1, FP11, FP12 are also stored in association with the rendering point dataset representing the necessary Portions of the subject media content to which filter parameters FP1, FP11, FP12 are applied respectively.

Optionally, when one or more logical dependencies are defined in step E225, the logical dependency data LD1 is stored. For example, content identifiers for previously registered contributed media content are stored in association with a content dataset representing contributed media content having a logical relationship to the previously registered contributed media content.

Optionally, when several contributions have been made by different users participating in the exchange of media content, the client application 106 is configured to allow the contributing user to select a rendering order RO1 parameter to determine the order in which the different contributions are rendered on the receiving user's user device. The receiving user can use this render order parameter to render different contributions.

In one or more embodiments, the registration of the contribution of the user 101B includes recording the contribution association data ASC1 in the database 102D, and the contribution association data ASC1 represents the contribution media content CMC11, CMC12 and theme media content TMC1 identified by the rendering point POV1. Associations between parts. In one or more embodiments, the contribution association data ASC1 also includes at least some rendering parameters RP1, RP11 (combination parameters CP11, CP12 and/or filtering parameters FP1, FP11, FP12 and/or rendering order RO1 defined in step E224 ) and/or logical dependency data LD1 representing logical dependencies defined in step E225.

In at least one embodiment, the contribution association data ASC1 represents the association among the contribution media content CMC11 , CMC12 , rendering point POV1 , contribution user 101B and topic TOP1 . Or, after the theme data set is created, the contribution association data ASC1 represents the association among the contribution media content CMC11 , CMC12 , rendering point POV1 , contribution user 101B and theme media content TMC1 .

For example, as schematically represented in the entity relationship diagram of FIG. 3C , the rendering point data set representing the rendering point POV1 is stored in association with different content data sets, topic data sets, and user data sets, and the different content data sets represent contributed media. The content CMC11, CMC12 (including two contributed media contents CMC11, CMC121 and CMC11, CMC122 in this example), the topic data set represents the topic TOP1, and the user data set represents the contributing user 101B. In this schematic diagram, the contribution associated data ASC1 includes rendering parameters RP1, RP11, RP12 (ie combination parameters CP11, CP12, filter parameters FP1, FP11, FP12 and rendering order RO1).

Or, when the theme data set is not used, the rendering point data set representing the rendering point POV1 is stored in association with a different content data set, media content data set, user data set, and the different content data set represents the contributed media content CMC11 , CMC12, the media content data set represents the topic media content TMC1, and the user data set represents the contributing user 101B.

Optionally, when one or more filter parameters FP1, FP11, FP12 are defined in step E224, the rendering point data set representing the rendering point POV1 is stored in association with the filtering parameters FP1, FP11, FP12 defined in step E224.

Optionally, when one or more combination parameters CP11, CP12 are defined in step E224, it means that the content data set of contributed media content CMC11, CMC121 or CMC11, CMC122 is related to the combination parameters CP11 or CP12 defined in step E224 For joint storage, CP11 or CP12 are respectively applied to contributed media content CMC11, CMC121 or CMC11, CMC122.

Contribution associated data ASC1 can be generated and stored in various ways. The function of the contribution association data ASC1 is to encode the relationship between the contribution and the topic, so that the contribution made by the user can be reproduced based on the contribution association data ASC1, the access data of the contribution media content CMC11, CMC12, and the access data of the topic media content TMC1, in particular It is not necessary for the server application 107 to send the combined media content resulting from the combination of the contributing media content CMC11, CMC12 and the topical media content TMC1 to each user equipment of the users participating in the media content exchange. Thus, network bandwidth can be saved since the different media content can be downloaded once per user device and then combined with the topical media content TMC1 on the receiving user device as required for rendering one or several contributions. For example, when the subject media content TMC1 includes video content, the video content will only be downloaded once in different user devices of participating users, and will not be downloaded for every contribution made with respect to the video content.

Figure 2F illustrates one embodiment of a method for rendering contributions related to a topic of media content exchange. The method may be performed after registering the contribution, for example after steps C215-C216 and/or after steps E221-E226.

In step F230, the client application 106 executing on the user equipment of the users participating in the media content exchange is configured to receive contributed rendering data relating to contributions made with respect to the subject media content of the media content exchange. As described with reference to step C217 of FIG. 2C , the contributed rendering data includes an identification of the selected portion of the subject media content TMC1 that has contributed.

The client application 106 is configured to render, for each contribution, combined media content resulting from a combination of at least a portion of the contribution media content CMC11 , CMC12 and the topic media content TMC1 .

When the rendering parameters (combining parameters and/or filtering parameters, and/or rendering order) and/or logical dependency data defined in steps E224-E225 or C215 are sent to the receiving user equipment 104A, 104B or 104C, according to one or more received rendering parameters RP1 and/or rendering parameters RP11, RP12, the combination is performed by the client application 106 executed on the receiving user equipment 104A, 104B, 104C, wherein RP1 is the subject media content Defined by TMC1, RP11 and RP12 are defined by contributed media content CMC11 and CMC12.

The combination may correspond to a weighted sum of video and/or audio content, superposition of images or graphics, (spatial) juxtaposition of images or graphics, (temporal) concatenation of video or audio content, convolution of content, A thumbnail image is included in at least one image of the subject media content, etc.

In at least one embodiment, the combination is performed by generating combined media content produced by a combination of at least a portion of the contributing media content CMC11, CMC12 and a portion of the corresponding received rendering coordinates POV1 of the theme media content TMC1. In at least one embodiment, the generation of the combined themed media content is performed "on the fly," that is, in the RAM memory of the user device 104A, 104B, or 104C, by the client application 106 of the receiving user device 104A, 104B, or 104C , solely for the purpose of rendering the combined media content through the user interface of the user device. In particular, therefore, there is no need for the media content data files (including the combined media content) to be stored in a permanent manner on the user equipment.

For example, as shown in Figures 6C-6F, when the subject media content is a video or image and the contributing media content is an image or graphic, one or more pixels of the subject media content may be, in the generated combined media content, contributed Pixels of the Media Content are either replaced by a combination of pixels of the Subject Media Content and corresponding pixels of the Contributing Media Content. The combination of pixels may, for example, be calculated as a weighted sum of two pixels, the weights enabling adjustment of the transparency of the contributing media content relative to the subject media content.

When the contributing media content is audio content and the subject media content is also audio media content, the combination of the two contents may be calculated by mixing the audio samples with predefined or user-defined corresponding weights.

The client application 106 executing on the user device 101A is configured to render the combined media content resulting from the combining. Accordingly, user 101A can view and/or list the contributions of different users participating in the exchange of media content.

The revised subject media content may be generated and stored in the dynamic memory of the user device 104A, and never saved on the persistent storage medium of the user device 104A. Thus, the combined media content is generated by the client application 106 on the user device for rendering the combined media content on the user device, but the combined media content need not be permanently stored on the user device or transmitted over the network 105 .

As a result, only unmodified subject media content and unmodified contributed media content need be transmitted (eg, downloaded) to the user device. This transmission of unmodified media content only needs to be performed once, which reduces the network bandwidth required for content transmission as compared to the case where the combined media content would be sent to each user device each time a contribution is made.

In step F231, when different users participating in the media content exchange have made several contributions, the client application 106 executed on the user equipment of the user 101A is configured to allow the user to select a rendering order parameter to determine that different contributions must be rendered Order. The rendering order parameter selected by the receiving user in step F231 may be the same as or different from the rendering order RO1 defined by the contributing user in step E224 or C215.

In step F232, the client application 106 executing on the user device of user 101A is configured to generate an ordered list of contributions according to the rendering order selected in step F231. The first contribution in the list of contributions is selected as the current contribution.

In step F233, the client application 106 executed on the user equipment 101A is configured to render combined media content consisting of the topic media content TMC1 and the currently contributed contribution media content selected in the contribution list generated in step F232 combination produced.

In step F234, the client application 106 executing on the user device 101A is configured to select the next contribution in the list of contributions generated in step F232. After step F234, step F233 is performed with the newly selected contribution. Step F234 is executed until all contributions in the contribution list are rendered, or until the client application 106 receives a command to stop rendering.

Accordingly, user 101A can view and/or list contributions of different users to the exchange of media content.

Figure 4 illustrates different rendering order possibilities by representing an exemplary dependency tree between media content related to media content exchange. In this example, the media content exchange includes topical media content T1, and contributed media content M1 through M7. For each contributed media content, a timestamp, rendering coordinates, contributing user, and (optionally) a logical dependency to another contributed media content are defined. In this example, the following are continuous contributions to media content exchange:

- media M1 forms a contribution of user U1 at timestamp TS1 for rendering coordinates C1, has no logical correlation with another contributed media content, and is labeled M1(TS1, C1, U1);

- Media M2 forms a contribution of user U2 at timestamp TS2 for rendering coordinates C1, has no logical correlation with another contributed media content, and is labeled M2(TS2, C1, U2);

- Media M3 forms a contribution of user U1 at time stamp TS3 for rendering coordinate C2, without logical correlation to another contributed media content, and is labeled M3(TS3, C2, U1);

- Media M4 forms the contribution of user U2 at timestamp TS4 for rendering coordinates C1, has a logical dependency on media M1 and is labeled M4(TS4, C1, U2);

- Media M5 forms the contribution of user U3 at timestamp TS5 for rendering coordinates C2, logically related to media M2, and labeled M5(TS5, C2, U3);

- Media M6 forms the contribution of user U2 at timestamp TS6 for rendering coordinate C3, has a logical correlation with media M3 and is labeled M6(TS6, C3, U2);

- Media M7 forms the contribution of user U3 at time stamp TS7 for rendering coordinate C3, has a logical correlation with media M6 and is labeled M7(TS7, C3, U3).

When the user selects a chronological order, the contributed media content will be rendered in the following order: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7.

When the user selects an order based on rendering coordinates, the contributed media content will be rendered in the following order by using the chronological order of the contributed media content using the same rendering coordinates: M1, M2, M4, M3, M5, M6, M7.

When a user selects a user-based order, by using the same user's contributed media content and the chronological order in which users are categorized, the contributed media content will be rendered in the following order: M1, M3, M2, M4, M6, M5, M7.

When the user selects a dependency-based order, by using the contributed media content of the same dependency chain and the chronological order used to sort the dependency chain, the contributed media content will be rendered in the following order: M1, M4, M2, M5, M3, M6, M7.

Figure 2G illustrates one embodiment of a method for registering media content for a media content exchange. This method is suitable for topical media content or contributed media content. The method is applicable to media content stored locally on user equipment 104A-104C, media content stored on remote media servers 103A-103B, media content provided by web applications via web server 103A, performed locally on user equipment 104A The media content provided by the source application of the .

The source application is e.g. Apple Inc. developed software applications A source application is a software application configured to provide media content (e.g., images, 3D images, videos, geographic maps, street views, etc.) corresponding to a set of at least one input parameter (in this example, a geographic location within a location area) or software application components.

In step G240G24, the server application 107 receives at least one request for registering media content (themed media content or contributed media content) from the requesting user equipment (eg user equipment 104B).

The request includes access information about the media content to be registered. For example, the request includes a link to the media content, a local access path relative to the storage medium of the requesting user device, a universal resource locator (URL), a universal resource indicator (URI), a source application identifier, a server identifier, or can be Any other parameters or information in any form for locating and accessing media content data.

In step G241, the server application 107 stores a media content data set representing the media content in the database 102D. The recorded media content data set includes a media content identifier assigned to the media content by the server application 107 .

In step G242, the server application 107 determines whether the media content must be uploaded to the media server 103C in order to make the media content accessible from any of the user devices 104A-104C. In at least one embodiment, when the media content is not permanently accessible from any user device 104A-104C prior to registration, the media content must be uploaded to the media server 103C. For example, media content stored locally on the requesting user's device must be uploaded. For example, media content stored on a web server as temporary web content must be uploaded, or a representation of the temporary web content must be uploaded. For example, the media content provided by the source application need not be uploaded if the source application can execute on any of the user devices 104A-104C used to access the media content.

In step G243, when it is determined in step G242 that the media content needs to be uploaded, the server application 107 sends a command for uploading the media content to the media server 103C to the requesting user equipment 104B. Media content is uploaded and stored by the media server 103C. Access data corresponding to the location of the media content on the media server 103C is generated and stored in a media content data set representing the media content. Access data allows access to media content data from user equipment via the remote media server 103C.

In step G244, when it is determined in step G242C1 that the media content does not need to be uploaded, the server application 107 stores access data corresponding to the location of the media content in the media content data set representing the media content. The access data corresponds to the access information received from the requesting user device 104B. Access data may include an identification of a content source and/or parameters for accessing media content via the content source. For example, such access data includes hypertext links to web pages, universal resource locators (URLs), universal resource indicators (URIs), source application identifications, server identifications, or via a source application or alternatively via a server other than the remote media server 103C Any other parameters required by the media server to access the media content data. Where the source application provides the media content, the access data may include an identification of the source application and at least one application parameter identifying the subject media content for retrieving the subject media content from the source application. In the case of a web page provided by a web server, the access data may comprise a hypertext link to said web page via said web server.

After registering the media content, the media content can be accessed by the user devices 104A-104C of the users participating in the media content exchange, and can be downloaded or accessed by the user devices from at least one media server or source application.

Represented in three-dimensional (3D) space, Figures 5A-5C illustrate media content and their relative relationships in relation to media content exchange.

This 3D space includes three axes.

The first horizontal axis PV is the axis representing the viewpoint (or more generally the rendering point) on the subject media content. In the example shown in FIG. 5A , the PV axis represents the time axis of the theme media content, relative to the theme media content, rendering coordinates, ie time codes, can be defined.

The second horizontal axis TS is a time axis representing the discussion (ie, time in the real world). The TS axis represents, for example, timestamp values associated with subject media content and contributed media content.

The third axis CT is an axis representing contribution.

The subject of media content exchange is conventionally represented by the origin of the three-axis system.

Figure 5A corresponds to a media content exchange comprising a topic TP1 and a contribution CT1. As shown in Figure 5A:

- at time stamp 00:00, a topic TP1 has been defined by a user with user identifier ID1; this topic TP1 is eg video content; and

- At time stamp 10:18, a contribution CT1 has been defined by user with user identifier ID2 as part of topic TP1 corresponding to timecode @3:41 defining a viewpoint on topic TP1, for example corresponding to Image of topic TP1 at timecode @3:41.

As shown in Figure 5B, the contribution at timecode @3:41 can be defined by different media content and a filter (F1) applied to the subject TP1 corresponding to the viewpoint defined for this contribution part. In the example of Figure 5B, the media content includes:

- first graphic content (G1),

- second graphic content (G2),

- first text content (T1),

- the second text content (T2),

- third text content (T3),

- first video content (V1), and

- Second video content (V2).

The order of the media content shown in FIG. 5B represents the order in which the media content must be combined for rendering the combined media content from the combination of the contributing media content and the portion of the subject media content corresponding to the viewpoint. . For example in Figure 5B:

- First, apply filter F1 to the image of subject TP1 corresponding to timecode @3:41;

- a first combination is then performed by combining (for example superimposing) the graphical content G1 with the filtered image;

- then perform a second combination by combining (for example superimposing) the image resulting from the first combination with the graphic content G2;

- then perform a third combination by combining (for example superimposing) the image resulting from the second combination with the text content T1;

-then perform a fourth combination by combining (for example superimposing) the image resulting from the third combination with the text content T2;

-then perform a fifth combination by combining (for example superimposing) the image resulting from the fourth combination with the text content T3;

A sixth combination is then performed by combining (e.g. juxtaposing) the image resulting from the fifth combination with the video content V1;

- A seventh combination is then performed by combining (eg juxtaposing) the video content resulting from the sixth combination with the video content V2.

Figure 5C corresponds to a media content exchange comprising a topic TP1 and several contributions CT1 to CT7. As shown in Figure 5C:

- At time stamp 00:00, topic TP1 has been defined by the user with user identifier ID1; this topic TP1 is for example video content;

- At time stamp 10:18, a contribution CT1 has been defined by user with user identifier ID2 as part of topic TP1 corresponding to timecode @3:41 defining a viewpoint on topic TP1, for example corresponding to Image of subject TP1 at timecode @3:41; and similarly,

- At time stamp 11:05, a contribution CT2 has been defined by a user with user identifier ID2, the contribution being an image for topic TP1 corresponding to timecode @0:50;

- At time stamp 11:32, contribution CT3 has been defined by user with user identifier ID2, the contribution being an image for topic TP1 corresponding to timecode @2:34;

- At time stamp 11:51, contribution CT4 has been defined by user ID3, the contribution being an image for topic TP1 corresponding to timecode @0:50;

- At timestamp 12:58, contribution CT5 has been defined by user with user identifier ID3, the contribution being an image for topic TP1 corresponding to timecode @3:41;

- At timestamp 13:02, contribution CT6 has been defined by user with user identifier ID1, the contribution being an image for topic TP1 corresponding to timecode @2:34;

- At time stamp 13:27, a contribution CT7 has been defined by the user with user identifier ID1, the contribution being an image for topic TP1 corresponding to timecode @0:50.

6A-6I illustrate user interfaces in accordance with at least one embodiment. In the example shown in Figures 6A-6I, the subject media content is an image, and the exchange of media content is effected within the context of an instant messaging session implemented by a host application. The host application is a messaging application that incorporates the functionality described for client application 106 .

In the example of FIG. 6A, messages of an instant messaging conversation are displayed in user interface 600 on user device of user 101A. Contributions from user 101B (“User 1”) appear on the left side of user interface 600 , while contributions from user 101A (“User 2 ”) appear on the right side of user interface 600 . User 101A has just sent a text message 601 to user 101B. In the example of FIG. 6B , user 101A has received image 602 , represented by thumbnail 602 on the left side of user interface 600 . If the user 101A performs some predefined action, for example if the user 101A selects a thumbnail of the image 602, the image 602 can be used as the subject of media content exchange in the context of the current messaging session. Following this action, the user interface of Figure 6C is displayed. A first user interface element 603 (icon 603 ) is displayed for allowing user 101A to contribute to the topic. A second user interface element 604 (icon 604 ) is displayed for allowing user 101A to return to the messaging conversation. Assuming that the user 101A selects the first user interface element 603, the user interface of FIG. 6D is displayed. Three user interface elements are displayed, corresponding to different tools for generating contributions: a first icon 608 for drawing freeform shapes, a second icon 609 for recording an image or video and a third icon for writing text icon 610 . Another user interface element 607 (icon 607 ) may be displayed to allow user 101A to cancel the action and return to the user interface of FIG. 6C . Another user interface element 606 (icon 606 ) may be displayed to allow user 101A to verify the contribution and register it. Once user 101A has made a contribution, the user interface includes an image 605 that represents the contribution through combined media content consisting of image 602 and three contributed media content 605A, 605B, 605C (corresponding to text 605A, video 605B, respectively). and Freeform 605C) combination results.

Assuming user 101A verifies the contribution using user interface element 606, user interface 600 is displayed again (as shown in FIG. 6E) and includes a thumbnail image 605 representing user 101A's contribution. Topics and contributions are registered on the user device of user 101A at the request of the host application. The subject-associated data and contribution-associated data are thus registered by the server application 107 . The server application 107 sends the corresponding theme rendering data and contribution rendering data to the host application on the user device of the user 101B.

After user 101A's contribution, the messages of the instant messaging conversation are displayed in user interface 620 of the host application on user device of user 101B, as shown in Figure 6F. Contributions from user 101A (“User 2”) appear on the left side of user interface 620 , while contributions from user 101B (“User 1 ”) appear on the right side of user interface 620 . Thus, user 101A's contribution (image 605) is rendered by the host application on user device of user 101B by rendering the combined media content (image 605) corresponding to image 602 and the three contributed media content 605A, 605B, Combination of 605C.

If the user 101B performs some predetermined action, for example if the user 101B selects the thumbnail 605, the user 101B may make a further contribution to the media content exchange. After this action, the user interface of Figure 6G is displayed. The user interface of Figure 6G is similar to that of Figure 6C. A first user interface element 603 (icon 603 ) is displayed for allowing user 101B to contribute to the topic. A second user interface element 604 (icon 604 ) is displayed for allowing user 101B to return to the messaging conversation.

Assuming that the user 101A selects the first user interface element 603, the user interface of FIG. 6H is displayed. The user interface of Figure 6H is similar to that of Figure 6D. Three user interface elements are shown, corresponding to different tools for generating contributions: a first icon 608 for drawing a freeform shape, a second icon 609 for recording an image or video, and a 609 icon for writing text. The third icon 610 . Another user interface element 607 (icon 607 ) may be displayed for allowing user 101A to cancel the action and return to the user interface of FIG. 6G . Another user interface element 606 (icon 606 ) may be displayed for allowing user 101A to verify the contribution and register it. User 101A may select a rectangular portion of image 601 to contribute. By default, the entire image is selected. For example, user 101 selects the entire image and uses one of user interface items 608, 609, 610 for contributing with respect to that image. Once user 101B has made a contribution, the user interface includes a thumbnail of image 611 representing the contribution with the combined media content consisting of image 602 and two contributed media content 611A, 611B (respectively for video 611A). , text 611B) combination produces.

Assuming user 101B verifies the contribution, user interface 620 is again displayed (as shown in FIG. 6I ) and includes a thumbnail of image 611 representing user 101B's contribution. User 101B's contribution is registered on user 101B's user device at the request of the host application. The contribution association data is thus registered by the server application 107 . The server application 107 sends the corresponding contribution reproduction data to the host application running on the user equipment of the user 101A, so that the contribution of the user 101B can be reproduced on the user equipment of the user 101A.

7A-7E represent user interfaces according to at least one embodiment. In the examples shown in FIGS. 7A-7E , the subject media content is images or videos, and the media content exchange is implemented in the context of a media content provider's service implemented by a host application. The host application is, for example, a web application that communicates with the media content provider's server and incorporates the functionality described for client application 106 .

In the example of FIG. 7A, a user interface 700 of a host application for managing media content is displayed. User interface 700 includes thumbnail images each representing image-based content. For example, user interface 700 includes thumbnail image 701 representing video 701 . If the user 101A performs some predetermined action, for example if the user 101A selects a thumbnail of the video 701, the video 701 can be used as the subject of media content exchange in the context of the host application. After this action, the user interface of Figure 7B is displayed.

The user interface of Figure 7B is similar to that of Figure 6C. A first user interface element 703 (icon 703 ) is displayed for allowing user 101A to contribute to the topic. A second user interface element 704 (icon 704 ) is displayed for allowing user 101A to return to the host application.

Assuming that the user 101A selects the first user interface element 703, the user interface of FIG. 7C is displayed. Three user interface elements are shown, corresponding to different tools for generating contributions: a first icon 708 for drawing freeform shapes, a second icon 709 for recording an image or video, and a 709 icon for writing text. The third icon 710 . Another user interface element 706 (icon 706 ) may be displayed for allowing user 101A to cancel the action and return to the user interface of FIG. 7B . Another user interface element 705 (icon 705 ) may be displayed to allow the user 101A to verify the contribution, to register the contribution and to publish the contribution in the context of the media content provider's service. User 101A may select any rendered point and/or any portion of video 701 to contribute. For example, user 101 selects an image of video 701 and uses one of user interface items 708, 709, 710 for contributing with respect to that image. Once user 101A has made a contribution, the user interface includes a thumbnail image 707 representing the contribution through combined media content consisting of an image of video 701, and several pieces of contributed media content including text 707A and freeform shapes 707B. combination produced.

Assuming user 101A validates his contribution, user interface 711 is displayed as shown in Figure 7D and includes thumbnail image 707 representing user 101A's contribution. In addition to the icons 705 and 706, the user interface 711 of FIG. 7D includes several user interface elements, which respectively correspond to different media content services (for example, media content providers or media content applications) for Media content service publishing contribution. Assuming that user 101A selects one of these icons 720-724, the contribution of user 101A is provided to other users through the corresponding service. More specifically, user 101A's contribution may be rendered in a user interface of a host application implementing a selected media content service on another user's (eg, user 101B's) user device. As shown in FIG. 7E , user 101A's contribution is rendered by rendering combined media content (eg, video) resulting from a combination of at least one image of video 701 and contributed media content 707A-707B.

By recording contribution association data ASC1 representing each contribution of different users to the media content exchange, the server application 107 keeps track of those successive contributions and enables reproduction of those contributions on user equipments of other users participating in the media content exchange. In one or more implementations, the association data sent from the client application 106 to the server application 107 (e.g., contribution association data ASC1 and/or topic association data AST1 ) only includes information for accessing relevant media content (e.g., URL or Any other identification data), rather than data files representing relevant media content, thereby reducing network bandwidth between the server application 107 and the client application 106 for registering contributions to the topic.

Based on registered association data (such as contribution association data ASC1 and/or theme association data AST1), each client application 106 can be notified so that the client application 106 can access the media content defining the theme and/or contribution, and in the user device Contributions made by another user on another user device can be reproduced on the Internet without having to send the combined media content from one user device to another user device. In one or more implementations, the rendering data sent from the server application 107 to the client application 106 includes only access data for accessing the relevant media content (e.g., a URL or any other identifying data) and does not include information indicating the relevant media content. , thereby reducing the network bandwidth used for communications between the server application 107 and the client application 106 for notifying participating users of contributions to the topic. For example, the combined media content need not be sent over the telecommunications network 105 . In addition, the data files encoding the subject media content and contributing media content must only be transmitted once from the source device (e.g., one of the media servers 103A-103C) to the user's destination device 104A-104C for reproduction on the user device 104A-104C. contribute.

The chronological order of the contributions can be reproduced due to the timestamps associated with the contributions. Users who have made contributions may be known to the recipient user due to the user identifier associated with the contribution.

A viewpoint or rendering point associated with a contribution is used to link the contribution to a given portion of the subject media content. As such, different contributions can be made with respect to different portions of the subject media content.

Spatial and/or temporal relationships between topics and contributions may also be specified by the contributing user via temporal and/or spatial combination parameters and reproduced on the receiving user's device.

Logical dependencies can be used to link two or more contributions, providing an improved way of rendering consecutive contributions. Contribution chains with logical dependencies can be used to define subtopics in media content exchanges.

Several topics can be used for the same media content exchange, and the implementations described above for a single topic in the media content exchange can be used to manage those different topics.

The methods, devices and systems described herein can be applied in different environments. For example, in a professional environment, different users must share information/discuss/make comments on different parts of a given video content. For example personal use, when different members of the family want to share video content (about their last vacation) and send some comments about different parts of the video content.

Claims (15)

1. a kind of method of the sharing media content between several users, the method includes:

By the first client application executed on the first user equipment for initiating user, (C212) is sent extremely to server application A few request, the theme for media content to be registered as to the exchange of the media content between several users,

By the second client application executed in second user equipment, (C215) is allowed to contribute user relative to the theme matchmaker The first part held in vivo makes the first contribution to the theme,

By second client application, (C216) at least one request is sent to the server application, is indicated for registering The first associated data (ASC1) of first contribution, wherein first associated data (ASC1) indicates in the theme media Being associated between the first part held and at least one first contribution media content, at least one first contribution media Content is selected to form first contribution,

By the third client application executed on the user equipment for receiving user, (C217) packet is received from the server application The contribution reproduce data of first associated data is included, and

By the third client application, by rendering the first combination media content, to reproduce (C218) described first contribution, institute State the first combination media content by it is described first contribute media content at least part with described in the theme media content The combination of first part generates.

2. according to the method described in claim 1, further comprising：

By second client application, receives first from the server application and access data, described first, which accesses data, uses In via remote media server from theme media content described in user equipment access,

By the third client application, receives first from the server application and access data, described first, which accesses data, uses In via the remote media server from theme media content described in user equipment access,

By second client application, data are accessed using described first, via the remote media server, described in access Theme media content, and

By the third client application, data are accessed using described first, via the remote media server, described in access Theme media content.

3. method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

By the third client application, receives second from the server application and access data, described second, which accesses data, uses In via remote media server from contributing media content described in user equipment access, and

By the third client application, data are accessed using described second, described in remote media server access Contribute media content.

4. according to the method described in claim 1, wherein

First associated data includes the mark of the first part of the theme media content, and the mark includes at least One first rendering coordinate, described at least one first renders coordinate relative to rendering associated with the theme media content Rendering point of at least one axis identification of coordinate system for the theme media content.

5. according to the method described in claim 4, wherein

The theme media content is three-dimensional content,

The rendering coordinate system be it is four-dimensional render coordinate system, include three-dimensional system of coordinate for defining camera position and in institute The time shaft of time location defined in three-dimensional content is stated,

At least one first rendering coordinate includes camera position and time location, and

Described first part of the theme media content is to watch from the camera position and opened from the time location The group of at least one image to begin.

6. according to the method described in claim 1, wherein

First associated data (ASC1) indicates the first part of the theme media content, the first contribution media Association between content and the second user, and

First associated data (ASC1) includes the user identifier of the second user,

The method further includes being shown (C218) by first client application, the user of the second user marks Know symbol.

7. according to the method described in claim 1, further comprising：

By second client application, at least one combination parameter (CP11, CP12) is obtained,

By second client application, at least one combination parameter is sent to the server application, and

By the third client application, at least one combination parameter is received from the server application,

The wherein described combination is executed by the third client application according at least one combination parameter.

8. according to the method described in claim 1, further comprising：

By second client application, at least one filtering parameter (FP1) is obtained,

By second client application, at least one filtering parameter is sent to the server application, and

By the third client application, at least one filtering parameter is received from the server application,

Wherein, by the third client application, according at least one filtering parameter, by the theme media content The first part rendering is executed using filter.

9. according to the method described in claim 1, further comprising：

By the 4th client application executed on the user equipment of the second contribution user, (C215) described second contribution is allowed to use The second contribution is made in family relative to the second part of the theme media content to the theme,

By the 4th client application, sends (C216) to the server application and be used to register expression second contribution At least one request of second associated data, wherein second associated data indicates described the second of the theme media content Being associated between part and at least one second contribution media content, at least one second contribution media content are chosen so as to Second contribution is formed,

By the 5th client application executed on the user equipment of the second reception user, received from the server application (C217) include second associated data second contribution reproduce data, and

By the 5th client application, by rendering the second combination media content, reproduction (C218) second contribution is described Described the of at least part and the theme media content that second combination media content contributes media content by described second The combination of two parts generates.

10. according to the method described in claim 9, further comprising:

By the 5th client application, the rendering for obtaining the rendering order for defining first contribution and second contribution is suitable Order parameter, and

By the 5th client application, by rendering the first combination media content, reproduction described first is contributed, described first group Close the first part of at least part and the theme media content that media content contributes media content by described first Combination generate,

Wherein, according to the rendering order parameter, the first combination media content and the second combination media content are executed Rendering.

11. according to the method described in claim 10, further comprising:

By the 4th client application, logical interdependency data (LD1), logical interdependency data (LD1) definition are obtained At least one logical interdependency between the first contribution media content and the second contribution media content,

By the 4th client application, the logical interdependency data (LD1) are sent to the server application, and

By the 5th client application, the logical interdependency data (LD1) are received from the server application,

The wherein described rendering order parameter is the sequence based on correlation based on the logical interdependency data (LD1).

12. according to the method described in claim 1, further comprising:

By first client application, the theme media content is uploaded into the first long-range matchmaker from first user equipment Body server, and

By second client application, at least the one of the theme media content is downloaded from first remote media server Part,

By the third client application, at least the one of the theme media content is downloaded from first remote media server Part.

13. a kind of user equipment, including：

Processor,

It is operatively coupled to the memory of the processor, the memory includes the visitor for being configured to communicate with server application Family end application instruction, described instruction include instruction to:

(C212) at least one request is sent to the server application, for being registered as media content between several users The theme that media content exchanges,

Allow (C215) that user is contributed to make the first contribution to the theme relative to the first part of the theme media content,

(C216) at least one request is sent to the server application, for registering the first association for indicating first contribution Data (ASC1), wherein first associated data (ASC1) indicate the first part of the theme media content at least Association between one first contribution media content, at least one first contribution media content are selected to be formed described the One contribution；

From the server application, it includes indicating to the master to receive (C217) and contribute reproduce data, the contribution reproduce data The registration associated data of second contribution of topic, and

By render the first combination media content, come reproduce (C218) it is described second contribution, the first combination media content by At least part of second contribution media content and the combination of the second part of the theme media content generate.

14. a kind of system, including

Processor,

It is operatively coupled to the memory of the processor, the memory includes being configured to and at least one client application The instruction of the server application of communication, described instruction include instruction to

According to the request of the first client application executed on the user equipment for initiating user, media content is registered into (C212) As between several users media content exchange theme,

According to the request of the second client application executed on the user equipment of contribution user, (C216) first incidence number is registered According to (ASC1), first associated data (ASC1) indicates relative to the first part of the theme media content, to the master First contribution of topic, wherein first associated data (ASC1) indicate the first part of the theme media content with extremely Association between few one first contribution media content, at least one first contribution media content are selected to form described First contribution, and

To the third client application executed on the user equipment for receiving user, sends (C217) and contribute reproduce data, it is described It includes first associated data to contribute reproduce data, and the contribution reproduce data makes it possible to by the third client application First contribution is reproduced, the reproduction includes rendering the first combination media content, and the first combination media content is by described At least part of first contribution media content and the combination of the first part of the theme media content generate.

15. a kind of computer readable storage medium of storage computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions include Be configured to the instruction of the client application communicated with server application, described instruction include instruction to：

(C212) at least one request is sent to the server application, for being registered as media content between several users The theme that media content exchanges,

(C215) user is allowed to make the first contribution to the theme relative to the first part of the theme media content,

(C216) at least one request is sent to the server application, for registering the first association for indicating first contribution Data, wherein first associated data (ASC1) indicates the first part of the theme media content and at least one the Association between one contribution media content, at least one first contribution media content are selected to form first tribute It offers,

From the server application, it includes indicating to the master to receive (C217) and contribute reproduce data, the contribution reproduce data The registration associated data of second contribution of topic, and

By render the first combination media content, come reproduce (C218) it is described second contribution, the first combination media content by At least part of second contribution media content and the combination of the second part of the theme media content generate.