Method and apparatus for random-access sequencing of audio/visual information
First Claim
1. Apparatus for random-access sequencing of audio/visual information accessible initially to the apparatus in the form of plural commercials that are available from a source in a non-random access condition, comprising:
- a receiver for acquiring from such source such plural commercials;
converter/player sub-apparatus, operatively connected to the receiver, for converting such commercials to a converted, random-access condition, and for playing such converted commercials;
a library, operatively connected to the sub-apparatus for storing the converted commercials;
a switcher structure, operatively connected to the sub-apparatus and to a desired destination for directing played, converted commercials toward the latter; and
a controller, in communication with the library, the sub-apparatus, and the switcher structure, for controlling the operations of the same, and including a sequencer for regulating the random-access sequence in which converted commercials are played and sent to the destination;
a dubbing device operatively connected to the receiver and sequencer, and being operable to receive, convert and store additional commercials for regulated random-access sequencing by the sequencer; and
wherein the sequencer is in communication with a control-parameter inputter that provides it with plural playlists showing commercial sequences for specified dates, and an accounting device that receives and records information from the sequencer relative to each sequenced, converted commercial.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus is described for random-access sequencing of audio/visual information that is accessible initially to the apparatus in the form of plural program events available from a source, such as videotape, in a non-random access condition. The apparatus includes a receiver for acquiring the plural program events, and converter/player sub-apparatus for converting such events to a converted, random-access condition, and for playing such converted events. A library such as a optical-magneto disk(s) (OMD'"'"'s) is, operatively connected to the sub-apparatus for storing the converted events, and switcher structure is, operatively connected to the sub-apparatus and to a desired destination for directing played, converted events toward the latter. The apparatus also includes a controller which further includes a sequencer for regulating the random-access sequence in which converted events are played and sent to the destination. The invention also includes a dubbing device that is constructed as a stand-alone unit or as an internal unit that is part of the apparatus of the invention. In another embodiment, the sequencer also includes playlist-evaluator structure for establishing an output list from plural playlists and verifying that output-list events are in the library. In another embodiment, the sequencer includes problem-event-transfer structure for identifying output-list events that present a time-to-transmit problem, and for dubbing such events with the dubbing device. A method for such random-access sequencing is also described.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. Apparatus for random-access sequencing of audio/visual information accessible initially to the apparatus in the form of plural commercials that are available from a source in a non-random access condition, comprising:
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a receiver for acquiring from such source such plural commercials;
converter/player sub-apparatus, operatively connected to the receiver, for converting such commercials to a converted, random-access condition, and for playing such converted commercials;
a library, operatively connected to the sub-apparatus for storing the converted commercials;
a switcher structure, operatively connected to the sub-apparatus and to a desired destination for directing played, converted commercials toward the latter; and
a controller, in communication with the library, the sub-apparatus, and the switcher structure, for controlling the operations of the same, and including a sequencer for regulating the random-access sequence in which converted commercials are played and sent to the destination;
a dubbing device operatively connected to the receiver and sequencer, and being operable to receive, convert and store additional commercials for regulated random-access sequencing by the sequencer; and
wherein the sequencer is in communication with a control-parameter inputter that provides it with plural playlists showing commercial sequences for specified dates, and an accounting device that receives and records information from the sequencer relative to each sequenced, converted commercial. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for random-access sequencing of audio/visual information accessible initially to apparatus in the form of plural commercials that are available from a source in a non-random access condition, comprising:
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acquiring from such source such plural commercials;
converting such commercials to a converted, random-access condition, and playing such converted commercials;
storing the converted commercials;
directing played, converted commercials toward a desired destination;
controlling the operations of the apparatus, and regulating the random-access sequence in which converted commercials are played and sent to the desired destination;
dubbing by receiving, converting and storing additional commercials for the regulated step; and
providing the apparatus with plural playlists showing commercial sequences for specified dates, and receiving and recording information from the apparatus relative to each sequenced, converted commercial. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification