Autokeying method, system, and computer program product
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a plurality of automated keyers to produce a composite media production, comprising the steps of:
- (1) executing a first production command to determine the availability of the plurality of keyers;
(2) selecting an available keyer in response to step (1); and
(3) transmitting a control command that, when executed, instructs said available keyer to produce the composite media production in response to receiving a media production source and a fill source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Parallel automated keying allows multiple media productions to be keyed and outputted to a program or preview channel. An automation control system monitors and updates the operating states of a plurality of automated keyers, which support manual or automated production environments. A user interface allows a director, or other personnel, to set key attributes by selecting input sources for a background media production, a fill, and a key associated with the fill source. The operating states are monitored to select an unoccupied keyer. The three sources are selected and routed to the unoccupied keyer, which composites the sources on preview. Afterwards, the director steps or transitions the composite media production from preview to program. As a result, the director is not required to know which keyer is being used on-air to determine which keyer is available for a program channel.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a plurality of automated keyers to produce a composite media production, comprising the steps of:
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(1) executing a first production command to determine the availability of the plurality of keyers;
(2) selecting an available keyer in response to step (1); and
(3) transmitting a control command that, when executed, instructs said available keyer to produce the composite media production in response to receiving a media production source and a fill source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of controlling a plurality of production devices to produce a show, comprising the steps of:
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(1) scheduling a sequence of production events for producing a show, each production event being associated with one or more production commands, each of said one or more production commands being executable to send a control command for controlling a corresponding production device;
(2) sending a first control command to produce a media production segment upon completion of a first production event from said sequence; and
(3) sending a second control command to identify an available keyer upon completion of said first production event to key said media production. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method of compositing a media production, comprising the steps of:
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(1) accessing the media production having a key signal;
(2) monitoring a plurality of keyers to identify an available keyer;
(3) receiving a key fill associated with said key signal;
(4) detecting a key value with said key fill; and
(5) compositing a keyer layer in the media production, said keyer layer comprising said key fill and said key value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A system for controlling a plurality of production devices to produce a show, comprising:
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an automation control processor for scheduling a sequence of production events within the show, wherein each production event comprises one or more production commands, wherein each of said one or more production commands is executable to send a control command to control a corresponding production device;
a plurality of keyers, wherein state information pertaining to each of said keyers is delivered to said automation control processor; and
an input router for communicating signals from a media production source, a fill source, or a key source to a selected keyer from said plurality of keyers, wherein said selected keyer is determined from said state information.
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14. A system for keying a media production, comprising:
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an input router;
a first keying device for compositing a first keyer layer on the media production to thereby produce a composite media production, wherein said first keying device accesses the media production from said input router; and
a second keying device for compositing a second keyer layer on said composite media production, wherein said second keying device is positioned in series with said first keying device. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A system for keying a media production, comprising:
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an input router; and
a routing matrix including a plurality of keying devices, wherein each keying device is responsive to receiving a keying command that, when executed, instructs a keying device to key the media production in parallel or in series with another keying device. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having control logic embedded in said medium for causing a computer to select an available keying device from a plurality of keying devices, said control logic comprising:
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first means for causing the computer to monitor state information pertaining to the plurality of keying devices;
second means for causing the computer to detect a keying device having state information indicating that said keying device is not currently operating to produce a preview output or a program output; and
third means for causing the computer to select said keying device detected by said second means as the available keying device, in response to said second means detecting only one keying device having said state information. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification