SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING RELATED DIGITAL CONTENT

摘要

The present invention relates to an automated system and algorithm that aids in the automatic discovery and presentation of media content, in particular, music content, that is available across multiple online music services. More specifically, the disclosed embodiments utilize the meta-data associated with a given media content item (seed content) being accessed to find related or similar content, radio stations, or music streams and the like from across multiple online music services (such as iTunes, Rhapsody, Spotify, Pandora, etc.). The system then selects, arranges and presents those actions and/or media content items to a user in a blended list of actionable links. Selection can include comparing and ranking of available media content items or sources according to one or more selection criteria concerning one or more of the following attributes: cost, quality, availability and speed of access of the particular media content.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for selectively providing a user with media content items that are related to a seed content media file (the seed content), the method comprising:
providing, with a processor executing code, the seed content to the user using a networked media output device, wherein the seed content includes metadata; executing, with the processor, one or more available actions with respective media content libraries among a plurality of media content libraries; receiving, with the processor in response to executing the one or more available actions, respective lists identifying media content items that are available from the plurality of media content libraries; generating, with the processor, a blended list of media content items from the respective lists of media content items available from the plurality of media content libraries, wherein the generating step comprises, for a particular media content item that is identified as being available in at least two of the plurality of media content libraries:
selecting the particular media content item from a first media content library as an alternative to the particular media content item that is also available from a second media content library, wherein the selection is based on selection criteria concerning one or more of the following attributes: cost, quality, availability and speed of access of the particular media content;populating the blended list with a link to the selected particular media content item and one or more other media content items from the respective lists; displaying, with the processor using an associated display device, the blended list of media content items to the user.