On-site media and communications trailer

• US 6,497,442 B1
• Filed: 04/04/2001
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael K. Wacker
• Original Assignee: Michael K. Wacker
• Inventors: Wacker, Michael K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORROW, JASON S
• Application Number:
  US09/825,502
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 296/24.1, 296/181, 296/26.13
• US Class Current: 296/24.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/14 the object being a workshop for servicing, for maintenance, or for carrying workmen during work lifting devices for movable platforms or cabins for workmen B66F11/04

Abstract

A media or recorded event editing, screening, and communications trailer provides portable means by which editing, screening, and communications equipment can be brought on-site or otherwise to provide greater efficiency and less delay in processing film or other media. A large trailer such as that used in tractor/trailer rigs provides the basis for a combined facility incorporating a projection room, a screening area, several editing consoles, a refreshment area, an equipment area, a foyer, and an editing area. Slideouts provide increased interior volume space for greater working comfort yet are sturdy and stable both in their deployed and collapsed conditions. A communications facility incorporated into the trailer provides local and/or global communications networking and access as well as audio, video, and/or audio/video signal communication capacity.

Claims

1. A self-contained portable and transportable facility for editing and screening audio-visual and related media on location having capacity for communications, the facility comprising:

a shell, said shell providing an enclosed space for editing and screening activities;

an editing facility housed within said shell, said editing facility providing editing capability capable of editing audio-visual media and the like;

a screening facility housed within said shell, said screening facility providing screening capability capable of screening audio-visual media edited by said editing facility; and

a communications facility housed within said shell, said communications facility providing communications capability capable of providing communications between first and second communications devices;

whereby

editing and screening of audio-visual media and the like can be performed on location in conjunction with the generation and recording of such audio-visual media to enhance and optimize the realization of audio-visual media production in a more timely fashion and communications can be facilitated between persons or devices.

2. A self-contained portable and transportable facility for editing and screening audio-visual and related media on location having capacity for communications as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second communications devices are selected from the group consisting of:

cellular telephones, walkie talkies, radios, televisions, cameras, microphones, video equipment, and sound equipment.

3. A self-contained portable and transportable facility for editing and screening audio-visual and related media on location having capacity for communications as set forth in claim 1, wherein said communications facility further comprises:

a satellite antenna for communication with a satellite.

4. A self-contained portable and transportable facility for editing and screening audio-visual and related media on location having capacity for communications as set forth in claim 1, wherein said communications facility further comprises signal manipulation equipment selected from the group consisting of:

recording equipment for recording signals communicated by said first communications device;

editing equipment for editing signals communicated by said first communications device; and

communications equipment for communicating signals communicated by said first communications device.

5. A self-contained portable and transportable facility for editing and screening audio-visual and related media on location having capacity for communications as set forth in claim 4, wherein said signals communicated by said first communications device are selected from the group consisting of:

control signals;

audio signals; and

video signals.

6. A self-contained portable and transportable facility for editing and screening audio-visual and related media on location having capacity for communications as set forth in claim 1, wherein said communications facility further comprises:

a repeater, said repeater re-transmitting signals received by said repeater.

7. A self-contained portable and transportable facility for editing and screening audio-visual and related media on location having capacity for communications as set forth in claim 1, wherein said communications facility further comprises:

fiber optics facilities for signal communication by fiber optics.

8. A self-contained portable and transportable facility for editing and screening audio-visual and related media on location having capacity for communications as set forth in claim 1, wherein said communications facility further comprises:

an antenna, said antenna being capable of being a remote antenna spaced apart from said communications facility, said antenna in communication with said communications facility;

whereby

said antenna may be placed in an advantageous position for providing communications.

9. A self-contained portable and transportable facility for editing and screening audio-visual and related media on location having capacity for communications as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

an information signal processing facility housed within said shell, said information signal processing facility coupled to said editing facility and said communications facility;

whereby

signals representing recorded media can be edited by and stored upon said information signal processing facility, commands for such editing and storage initiated from said editing facility, said recorded media signals capable of transception by said communications facility.

10. A self-contained portable and transportable facility for editing and screening audio-visual and related media on location having capacity for communications, the facility comprising:

a shell, said shell providing an enclosed space for editing and screening activities;

an editing facility housed within said shell, said editing facility providing editing capability capable of editing audio-visual media and the like;

a screening facility housed within said shell, said screening facility providing screening capability capable of screening audio-visual media edited by said editing facility; and

a communications facility housed within said shell, said communications facility in communication with said editing and said screening facilities and providing communications capability capable of providing communications between first and second communications devices;

said first and second communications devices are selected from the group consisting of;

cellular telephones, walkie talkies, radios, televisions, cameras, microphones, video equipment, and sound equipment;

a satellite antenna, said satellite antenna in communication with said communications facility, said satellite antenna for communication with a satellite;

said communications facility further having signal manipulation equipment selected from the group consisting of;

recording equipment for recording signals communicated by said first communications device, editing equipment for editing signals communicated by said first communications device, and communications equipment for communicating signals communicated by said first communications device;

said signals communicated by said first communications device selected from the group consisting of;

control signals, audio signals, and video signals;

a repeater, said repeater coupled to said communications facility and re-transmitting signals received by said repeater;

an information signal processing facility housed within said shell, said information signal processing facility coupled to said editing facility and said communications facility so that signals representing recorded media can be edited by and stored upon said information signal processing facility, commands for such editing and storage initiated from said editing facility, said recorded media signals capable of transception by said communications facility;

fiber optics facilities coupled to said communications facility for signal communication by fiber optics; and

an antenna, said antenna coupled to said communications facility and being capable of being a remote antenna spaced apart from said communications facility, said antenna in communication with said communications facility, so that said antenna may be placed in an advantageous position for providing communications with said communications facility;

whereby

editing and screening of audio-visual media and the like can be performed on location in conjunction with the generation and recording of such audio-visual media to enhance and optimize the realization of audio-visual media production in a more timely fashion and communications can be facilitated between persons or devices.

11. A media trailer for editing and screening audio-visual and related media on location, the media trailer comprising:

a trailer shell, said trailer shell providing an enclosed space for editing and screening activities;

an editing facility housed within said trailer shell, said editing facility providing editing capability capable of editing audio-visual media and the like, said editing facility including a KEM station and an information signal processing facility for processing, editing, and storing signals representing recorded media;

a screening facility housed within said trailer shell, said screening facility providing screening capability capable of screening audio-visual media edited by said editing facility;

a projection facility housed within said trailer shell, said projection facility transmitting audio and/or visual works into said screening facility, said projection facility separate from said screening facility to reduce noise in said screening facility, said projection facility remotely controllable from said screening facility;

a first slideout, said first slideout slidably engaging said trailer shell, said first slideout expanding enclosed space within the media trailer when said first slideout is extended from said trailer shell, said first slideout generally conforming to an exterior of said trailer shell when said first slideout is withdrawn into said trailer shell, said first slideout extending from and retracting into said screening facility, said first slideout including a commissary or refreshment area, said commissary area generally adjacent to a first part of said editing facility;

a second slideout, said second slideout slidably engaging said trailer shell on a side of said trailer shell opposite that of said first slideout, said second slideout expanding enclosed space within the media trailer when said second slideout is extended from said trailer shell, said second slideout generally conforming to an exterior of said trailer shell when said second slideout is withdrawn into said trailer shell, a second part of said editing facility on a first side of said slideout and a third part of said editing facility on a second side of said slideout, said information signal processing facility positioned between said second and third editing facility parts, second slideout defining a passageway between said screening facility and a rear portion of the media trailer when said second slideout is extended;

a communications facility housed within said shell, said communications facility in communication with said editing and said screening facilities and providing communications capability capable of providing communications between first and second communications devices, said communications facility also providing communications between said information signal processing facility and a receiver of information signals used by said information signal processing facility;

said first and second communications devices selected from the group consisting of;

cellular telephones, walkie talkies, radios, televisions, cameras, microphones, video equipment, and sound equipment;

a satellite antenna, said satellite antenna in communication with said communications facility, said satellite antenna for communication with a satellite;

said communications facility further having signal manipulation equipment selected from the group consisting of;

recording equipment for recording signals communicated by said first communications device, editing equipment for editing signals communicated by said first communications device, and transmitting equipment for transmitting signals communicated by said first communications device;

said signals communicated by said first communications device selected from the group consisting of;

control signals, audio signals, and video signals;

a repeater, said repeater coupled to said communications facility and re-transmitting signals received by said repeater;

an information signal processing facility housed within said shell, said information signal processing facility coupled to said editing facility and said communications facility so that signals representing recorded media can be edited by and stored upon said information signal processing facility, commands for such editing and storage initiated from said editing facility, said recorded media signals capable of transception by said communications facility;

fiber optics facilities coupled to said communications facility for signal communication by fiber optics; and

an antenna, said antenna coupled to said communications facility and being capable of being a remote antenna spaced apart from said communications facility, said antenna in communication with said communications facility, so that said antenna may be placed in an advantageous position for providing communications with said communications facility;

whereby

editing, screening, and communications capability are made available in a transportable form that can generally be moved into close proximity to locations where audio, visual, and/or audio-visual media are recorded, making production of such media more contemporaneous with the recording thereof.