Method and apparatus for the aggregation and selective retrieval of television closed caption word content originating from multiple geographic locations

摘要

A method for compiling and searching the word content of multiple television news programs uses closed captioning text encoded in the television signal. A remotely located server, using a closed captioning decoder, extracts a closed captioned text stream from a television signal and writes the text stream to a file according to parameters pre-programmed by the system administrator. A completed text file moves, via the Internet, from the remote central server to a central server. At the central server, the text file encounters a series of pre-index processes designed to impose consistency across all sources. Text files are parsed into smaller files by story or segment. The resulting multiple files are indexed by content and origination information. An interface for submitting search parameters is provided through a World Wide Web site. The site provides web pages to allow search parameters to be specified by a user. The results of a search are web pages displaying sentences and their citations that meet the specified search parameters. Associated with each cited sentence is an option allowing the user to view the full text of the newscast story or segment from which the cited sentence is derived. The web site also provides a feature called Auto Alert that allows the user to pre-specify search parameters for ongoing, automatic submission to the index server each time a new text file is received. The results of Auto Alert are e-mailed to the user, either instantly or according to a user-defined schedule.