Mobile tele-computer network for motion picture, television and TV advertising production

• US 6,466,655 B1
• Filed: 07/19/1999
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Media Networks LLC
• Original Assignee: Advanced Media Networks LLC
• Inventors: Clark, Curtis
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoosain, Allan
• Application Number:
  US09/356,542
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.13, 379/88.17, 379/102.03, 379/201.01, 379/201.03, 379/220.01, 379/221.03, 379/221.08, 379/224, 379/240, 379/101.01, 379/142.15, 379/142.16, 348/8, 348/10, 348/12, 348/414, 348/417, 348/422, 348/390, 348/722, 348/723, 348/724, 386/52, 386/55, 389/185, 389/186, 389/189
• US Class Current: 379/88.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/74 for increasing reliability, e.g. using redundant or spare channels or apparatus replacing by standby devices for amplifiers H03F1/52, H03F1/542
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A tele-computer network includes a redundant digital microwave communication system, at least one mobile vehicle, and a wireless local area network (LAN). In one embodiment, the microwave communication system transfers information using Ethernet packet switching. In another embodiment, the wireless LAN transfers information using the TCP/IP protocol. The mobile vehicle is configured to transfer information as a single nomadic transmission/reception point between the microwave communication system and the wireless LAN.

Claims

1. A telecomputer network system, comprising:

a redundant digital microwave communication system;

a wireless local area network (LAN); and

a mobile hub station configured to transfer information as a single nomadic transmission/reception point between the microwave communication system and the wireless LAN using an ethernet packet switching protocol; and

a computer, operatively connected to the mobile hub station through the LAN, for receiving and processing production administration information for transfer by the mobile hub station.

2. The telecomputer network system of claim 1, wherein the computer executes Web-based software applications to receive and process the administration information to facilitate information and database organization and communication for a plurality of production entities.

3. The telecomputer network system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of production entities are selected from the group including directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, script supervisors, art directors, assistant directors, production managers, location managers, and casting directors.

4. The telecomputer network system of claim 2, wherein the computer, using the Web-based software applications, provides a plurality of services selected from the group including E-mail, file downloading and uploading from File Transfer Protocol (FTP)-based sites and Internet Relay Chat (IRC), and video conferencing.

5. The telecomputer network system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of services include Web-phone-based voice communications and switch telephony within the LAN.

6. The telecomputer network system of claim 1, wherein the computer is a personal computer (PC) running the “

X WINDOWS”

operating system.

7. The telecomputer network system of claim 6, wherein the computer relays, in real-time, Common Gateway Interface (CGI)-based work-in-progress to a shooting location.

8. The telecomputer network system of claim 1, wherein the computer generates digital animated multimedia storyboards for displaying three-dimensional (3D) spatial renderings for conceptual fine tuning and shot planning during production.

9. The telecomputer network system of claim 8, wherein the computer receives input from a plurality of image sources, including sources selected from the group including photographic data, graphic data, Common Gateway Interface (CGI) data, still data, and full motion data.

10. The telecomputer network system of claim 1, wherein the computer processes production administration information, including information selected from the group including story boards, scripts, script changes, production schedules, budgets, maps, directions, location photos, call sheets, casting information, payroll information, accounting reports, bulletins, personnel directories, and vendor catalogues.

11. The telecomputer network system of claim 1, wherein the computer processes camera-generated time codes to link the production administration information to the Web and application servers associated with the mobile hub station.

12. A system comprising:

a communication subsystem;

a wireless local area network (LAN) that includes at least one computer; and

a mobile hub configured to transfer broadband information as a single nomadic transmission/reception point between the communication subsystem and the wireless LAN using an ethernet packet switching protocol; and

wherein the computer, operatively connected to the mobile hub station through the LAN, receives and processes production administration information for transfer by the mobile hub station.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer executes Web-based software applications to receive and process the administration information to facilitate information and database organization and communication for a plurality of production entities.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of production entities are selected from the group including directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, script supervisors, art directors, assistant directors, production managers, location managers, and casting directors.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer, using the Web-based software applications, provides a plurality of services selected from the group including E-mail, file downloading and uploading from File Transfer Protocol (FTP)-based sites and Internet Relay Chat (IRC), and video conferencing.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer relays, in real-time, Common Gateway Interface (CGI)-based work-in-progress to a shooting location.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer generates digital animated multimedia storyboards for displaying three-dimensional (3D) spatial renderings for conceptual fine tuning and shot planning during production.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer receives input from a plurality of image sources, including sources selected from the group including photographic data, graphic data, Common Gateway Interface (CGI) data, still data, and full motion data.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer processes production administration information, including information selected from the group including story boards, scripts, script changes, production schedules, budgets, maps, directions, location photos, call sheets, casting information, payroll information, accounting reports, bulletins, personnel directories, and vendor catalogues.