Autokeying method, system, and computer program product

• US 20030214605A1
• Filed: 05/09/2003
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Holtz, Alex, Benson, John R., Couch, William H., Snyder, Robert J., Smith, Maurice, LaRocque, Marcel
• Application Number:
  US10/434,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20030214605A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/578
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1431 using a single graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/07 providing for individual presentation of questions to a plurality of student stations
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/913 Digital audio tape [DAT] format
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/024 on tapes G11B27/028, G11B27/029 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/031 Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/032 on tapes G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/60 : Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client , e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8126 : involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/816 : involving special video data, e.g 3D video
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 : by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 : Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/222 : Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors, or control thereof H04N23/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 : Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/268 : Signal distribution or switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (1) further comprises the step of:

(a) monitoring an operating state of at least one of the plurality of keyers to determine said availability.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (1) further comprises the step of:

(a) detecting at least one of the plurality of keyers as being denoted as an unoccupied keyer.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (2) further comprises the step of:

(a) selecting said unoccupied keyer as said available keyer in response to detecting only one unoccupied keyer.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (a) further comprises the steps of:

(i) detecting a plurality of unoccupied keyers.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein step (2) further comprises the steps of:

(a) identifying one of said plurality of unoccupied keyers that has a current state of being continuously denoted as an unoccupied keyer a greater period of time than other of said plurality of unoccupied keyers; and

(b) selecting said one of said plurality of unoccupied keyers as said available keyer.

7. A method of controlling a plurality of production devices to produce a show, comprising the steps of:

(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.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:

(4) sending a third control command to deliver said media production segment to said available keyer.

9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:

(5) sending a fourth control command to access a fill source to key said media production segment.

10. A method of compositing a media production, comprising the steps of:

(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.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said key fill being at least one of a title, text, graphic, video still store, video, and matte color.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said key value being at least one of an image shape, a hue, and a brightness level.

13. A system for controlling a plurality of production devices to produce a show, comprising:

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.

14. A system for keying a media production, comprising:

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.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a switcher for receiving said composite media production, wherein said composite media production includes said first keyer layer and said second keyer layer.

16. A system for keying a media production, comprising:

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.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

a switcher for receiving the media production from said routing matrix, wherein the media production comprises a layer keyed from said routing matrix.

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:

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.

19. The computer program product according to claim 18, further comprising:

fourth means for causing the computer to execute a first-in-first-out routine to select the available keying device in response to said second means detecting two or more keying devices having said state information.

20. The computer program product according to claim 18, further comprising:

fourth means for causing the computer to execute a first-in-first-out routine to select a keying device producing a preview output in response to said second means detecting no keying device having said state information.