Method and apparatus for compiling audio/video information from remote sites into a final video program

• US 6,353,699 B1
• Filed: 02/24/1995
• Issued: 03/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Barry Schwab
• Original Assignee: TS Holdings, Inc. (Assurant Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schwab, Barry H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boccio, Vincent F.
• Application Number:
  US08/393,493
• Time in Patent Office: 2,566 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.576, H04/5.91, 360/32, 386/131, 386/46, 386/109, 386/112, 386/124, 348/458, 348/459, 348/445, 348/441, 725/144-147, 725/114-117, 725/91-94
• US Class Current: 386/234
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 visually
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q

Abstract

Video images and/or audio clips are rapidly and efficiently assembled into a finished program master recording for playback, including subsequent duplication. The images and audio portions may be collected locally or from remote sites in a variety of still video, motion, or multimedia formats. To reduce bandwidth or storage requirements, proprietary or commercially available compression/decompression data algorithms preferably are utilized during transmission and accumulation. Once a complete program is available the images and/or audio portions may be replayed automatically in a predetermined sequence, thereby allowing the program master video tape or disc to be recorded and distributed in a timely manner. As an alternative, the program presentation may be played back directly to a plurality of video recorders to effect duplication. In a further alternative, the program presentation may be made available over communication links, allowing users to access the program information in blocks or by way of user-directed search.

Claims

1. A method of producing a video program, comprising the steps of:

customizing picture information by acquiring, digitizing, and data compressing the picture information from at least one remote site wherein the at least one remote site is in bidirectional communication with a master production facility;

associating the picture information at the remote site with a file name to form a picture information file;

storing the picture information file at the at least one remote site;

further customizing the picture information file by associating the file with at least one image file,

transferring the picture information file and the at least one associated image file via a remote site initiated transmission from the at least one remote site to the master production facility where the following steps are performed;

accumulating the customized picture information file and the at least one associated image file transmitted from the at least one remote site to the master production facility, determining a format sequence according to the customized picture information file received from the at least one remote site, and storing the customized picture information file received from the at least one remote site at the master production facility;

decompressing the stored customized picture information file;

scan-converting the decompressed customized picture information file into a video program including the at least one associated image file, the video program having a single, consistent format in accordance with the determined format sequence; and

distributing the video program back to the at least one remote site for further selectable customization.

2. The method of claim 1, including the step of receiving a digitized picture with superimposed textual information.

3. The method of claim 1, further including the step of receiving separate textual information associated with one or more digitized picture information files, to be displayed in conjunction with the picture information files.

4. The method of claim 1, further including the step of receiving data used to generate textural information to be output with the scan-converted picture information files in the single, desired video format.

5. The method of claim 1, further including the step of adding audio information to the program prior to distribution of the program.

6. The method of claim 1, including distributing the program in electronic form.

7. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of:

receiving audio clips in digitally compressed form, including such clips from remote sites;

compiling the audio clips on a storage medium;

decompressing the audio clips; and

recording the audio clips onto the program prior to distribution of the program.

8. A method of producing a video program, comprising the steps of:

customizing at least one picture information element by acquiring, digitizing, and data-compressing the at least one picture information element from at least one remote site wherein the remote site is in bidirectional communication with a master production facility, the at least one picture information element being a subset of the video program;

associating the at least one picture information element at the remote site with a file name to form at least one picture information element file;

further customizing the picture information file by associating the file with at least one image file,

transferring the at least one digitized, data compressed picture information element via a transmission initiated from the at least one remote site to a master production facility where the following steps are performed;

accumulating and storing the at least one picture information element file received from the at least one remote site;

decompressing the at least one picture information element file;

scan-converting the at least one decompressed picture information element file into a video program including the associated at least one image file, the video program having a single consistent format in accordance with a sequence determined at the time the at least one picture element file is stored; and

distributing the video program back to the at least one remote site for further selectable customization.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the image information is textual information, the method including the step of receiving a digitized or digital picture information element file with superimposed textual information.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the image file is a textual information file, the method further including the step of receiving separately the textual information file associated with at least one digital picture information element file, the separate textual information file being displayed at a the at least one remote site in conjunction with the at least one picture information element file.

11. The method of claim 8, further including the step of receiving data used to generate textual information to be outputted with the at least one scan-converted picture information element file in the video format.

12. The method of claim 8, further including the step of adding audio information to the program prior to distribution of the program.

13. The method of claim 8, including distributing the program in electronic form.

14. The method of claim 8, further including the steps of:

receiving audio clips in digitally compressed form, including such clips from at least one remote sites;

compiling the audio clips on a storage medium;

decompressing the audio clips; and

recording the audio clips onto the program prior to distribution of the program.