System and method for real time video production and distribution

• US 6,952,221 B1
• Filed: 01/14/2000
• Issued: 10/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Neider, Bradley E., Holtz, Alex, Fres, Gilberto, Morrow, Kevin K., Snyder, Robert J., Hoeppner, Charles M., Hickenlooper, Harrison T. III, Parker, Todd D., Buehnemann, David E., Nordin, Loren J. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Ba
• Application Number:
  US09/482,683
• Time in Patent Office: 2,090 Days
• Field of Search: 345/716, 345/719, 345/720, 345/721, 345/723, 345/726
• US Class Current: 715/723
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/038 Cross-faders therefor
• 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

Abstract

A production system automates the control of production devices used to produce and broadcast a show. The system automation allows a video director to pre-produce, preview, and produce the live show from a single user interface. In an embodiment, a processing unit displays graphical controls for the production devices. A video director interacts with the graphical controls to thereby remotely control the production devices from one location. In an embodiment, a video director defines a set of production commands or instructions (i.e., “transition macro”). Upon execution, each production command directs the processing unit to transmit in series and/or parallel one or more control commands to one or more of the production devices. Production commands can be included to enable the show to be broadcast live or recorded for on-demand access. Live and/or on-demand productions are distributed over traditional television mediums and/or a computer network, including the Internet.

Claims

1. A method of distributing a production from a source to at least one destination, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a graphical and/or pictorial representation of a set of commands, that when executed, automatically control a plurality of production devices to thereby produce a show, wherein said set of commands include at least one segment delimiter command, wherein step (a) comprises the step of executing said at least one segment delimiter command in the course of executing said set of commands, wherein execution of said at least one segment delimiter command results in identifying and categorizing a specific segment within said show and associating media related to said segment;

(b) receiving a request to distribute one or more segments of said show to the at least one destination; and

(c) distributing said one or more segments with the associated media related to said one or more segments to the at least one destination.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute an advertisement at specified intervals and durations.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to provide a hyperlink with said advertisement to enable communications with a sponsor of said advertisement.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute said one or more video segments to a first frame for display at said at least one destination and an advertisement to a second frame for display at said at least one destination.

2. A method of distributing a video stream from a source to at least one destination, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a request to distribute one or more video segments to said at least one destination, said video segments being part of a video stream that resulted from the activation of a graphical and/or pictorial representation of a first set of commands, said set of commands including at least one segment delimiter command, wherein said at least one segment delimiter command is executed during the course of executing said first set of commands, wherein execution of said at least one segment delimiter command results in identifying and categorizing a specific segment within said video stream;

(b) defining a second set of commands, that, when executed, distribute said one or more video segments to said at least one destination; and

(c) executing said second set of commands to distribute said one or more video segments to said at least one destination.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein step (c) comprises the step of executing a set of commands to distribute media related to said one or more video segments to said at least one destination.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of executing a set of commands to distribute advertisements along with said one or more video segments to said at least one destination.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein step (c) comprises the step of executing a set of commands to download said one or more video segments at said at least one destination prior to being viewed at said at least one destination.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of executing a set of commands to provide a list at said at least one destination to allow selection of said one or more video segments.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of allowing selection of a cut-in segment to permit a late breaking event to be viewed, wherein said late breaking event is not provided in said list.

8. A system for viewing a news program, comprising:

a video production system for providing a graphical and/or pictorial representation of a set of commands to automatically control a plurality of production devices to thereby produce and record a news program, wherein said news program includes a plurality of video segments, each video segment containing at least one segment delimiter for identifying and categorizing said video segment, wherein a segment delimiter command is executed during the course of executing said set of commands to tag said video segment with said at least one segment delimiter;

customizing means for allowing a viewer to select one or more of said video segments to be viewed subsequent to said recording of said news program, wherein said customizing means further includes means for allowing said viewer to select an order for viewing said selected one or more video segments;

distributing means for distributing said selected one or more video segments to said viewer.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

means for defining a set of commands that, when executed, distribute said one or more video segments to said viewer; and

means for executing said set of commands to distribute said one or more video segments to said viewer.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein segment delimiters for said one or more video segments enable said distributing means to select and distribute said one or more video segments.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

second distributing means for distributing media related to said one or more video segments.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein segment delimiters for said one or more video segments enable said second distributing means to distribute said one or more video segments.

16. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a time shifter for recording and enabling distribution of said one or more video segments at a programmable or designated time.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein said distribution means enables distribution over a computer network to said viewer.

18. A method of distributing one or more segments of a show from a source to at least one destination, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a graphical and/or pictorial representation of a first set of commands to automatically control a plurality of production devices to thereby produce a show, wherein said first set of commands include at least one segment delimiter command, wherein step (a) comprises the step of executing said at least one segment delimiter command in the course of executing said first set of commands, wherein execution of said at least one segment delimiter command results in identifying and categorizing a specific segment of the show;

(b) receiving a request to distribute one or more segments of the show to said at least one destination;

(c) defining a second set of commands that, when executed, distribute said one or more segments to said at least one destination; and

(d) executing said second set of commands to distribute said one or more segments to said at least one destination.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein step (d) includes executing commands to distribute said one or more segments over the Internet.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein step (d) includes executing commands to format said one or more segments in accordance with the Internet Protocol defined in Internet Standard 5, RFC 791.

21. A method of distributing one or more segments of a show from a source to at least one destination, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a graphical and/or pictorial representation of a first set of commands to automatically control a plurality of production devices to thereby produce a show, wherein said first set of commands include at least one segment delimiter command, wherein step (a) comprises the step of executing said at least one segment delimiter command in the course of executing said first set of commands, wherein execution of said at least one segment delimiter command results in identifying and categorizing a specific segment of the show;

(b) receiving a request to distribute one or more segments of the show to said at least one destination;

(c) defining a second set of commands that, when executed, distribute said one or more segments and media related to said one or more segments to said at least one destination; and

(d) executing said second set of commands to distribute said one or more segments and said related media to said at least one destination, wherein said related media includes media related to at least one of the content of said one or more segments, an advertisement, and a response to a search request for additional information.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute said advertisement at specified intervals and durations.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to provide a hyperlink with said advertisement to enable communications with a sponsor of said advertisement.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute said one or more segments to a first frame for display at said at least one destination and said advertisement to a second frame for display at said at least one destination.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute said one or more segments to a first frame for display at said at least one destination and said related media to a second frame for display at said at least one destination.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to synchronize display of said one or more segments and said related media, such that media related to the content of each segment is displayed at substantially the same time as the related segment.

27. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

receiving a request for information related to a segment being displayed at said at least one destination when said request is initiated at said at least one destination, wherein said distributing a response includes responding to said request.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute an advertisement related to said request or the response to said request.

29. A method of distributing one or more segments of a show from a source to at least one destination, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a graphical and/or pictorial representation of a first set of commands to automatically control a plurality of production devices to thereby produce a show, wherein said first set of commands include at least one segment delimiter command, wherein step (a) comprises the step of executing said at least one segment delimiter command in the course of executing said first set of commands, wherein execution of said at least one segment delimiter command results in identifying and categorizing a specific segment of the show;

(b) receiving a request to distribute one or more segments of the show to said at least one destination, wherein said receiving includes receiving a preferred time and order for presenting said one or more segments at said at least one destination;

(c) defining a second set of commands that, when executed, assembles said one or more segments at a play out bin to distribute at said preferred time and in said preferred order, and a third set of commands that, when executed, distribute said one or more segments and media related to said one or more segments to said at least one destination; and

(d) executing said second set of commands and said third set of commands to distribute, at said preferred time and in said preferred order, said one or more segments and said related media to said at least one destination.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute an advertisement to a display at said at least one destination, such that said advertisement is serially displayed with said one or more segments.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute an advertisement to a display at said at least one destination, such that said advertisement is displayed in parallel with said one or more segments.

32. A method of distributing one or more segments of a show from a source to at least one destination, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a graphical and/or pictorial representation of a first set of commands to automatically control a plurality of production devices to thereby produce a show, wherein said first set of commands include at least one segment delimiter command, wherein step (a) comprises the step of executing said at least one segment delimiter command in the course of executing said first set of commands, wherein execution of said at least one segment delimiter command results in identifying and categorizing a specific segment of the show;

(b) receiving a request to distribute one or more segments of the show to said at least one destination, wherein said receiving includes receiving a format specifying at least one of a content, duration, layout, and distribution start time for said one or more segments;

(c) defining a second set of commands that, when executed, assemble said one or more segments according to said format, and a third set of commands that, when executed, distribute said one or more segments and media related to said one or more segments to said at least one destination; and

(d) executing said third and second sets of commands to assemble and distribute, according to said format, said one or more segments and said related media to said at least one destination.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute a late-breaking news event for display at said at least one destination, wherein said late-breaking news event is capable of being displayed before, during, or after said one or more segments.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute a late-breaking news event related to the content of at least one of said one or more segments.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to download said one or more segments to a storage medium at said at least one destination.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to receive a request to distribute an updated version of said one or more segments prior to display of said one or more segments at said at least one destination.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute a late-breaking news event prior to display of said one or more segments at said at least one destination.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute a late-breaking news event related to the content of at least one of said one or more segments.

39. A method of distributing one or more segments of a show from a source to at least one destination, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a graphical and/or pictorial representation of a first set of commands to automatically control a plurality of production devices to thereby produce a show having a plurality of show segments, wherein said first set of commands include at least one segment delimiter command, wherein step (a) comprises the step of executing said at least one segment delimiter command in the course of executing said first set of commands, wherein execution of said at least one segment delimiter command results in identifying and categorizing a specific segment of said plurality of show segments;

(a-1) enabling display of a list of said plurality of show segments;

(b) receiving a request to distribute one or more segments from said list to said at least one destination in a designated format specifying at least one of a content, duration, layout, and time for distributing said one or more segments;

(c) defining a second set of commands that, when executed, assemble said one or more segments according to said format, and a third set of commands that, when executed, distribute said one or more segments to said at least one destination; and

(d) executing said second and third sets of commands to assemble and distribute, according to said format, said one or more segments to said at least one destination.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to retrieve a user profile to implement said format.

41. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:

allowing selection of a cut-in segment to permit a late-breaking event to be viewed.

42. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute a late-breaking event related to the content of at least one of said one or more segments.

43. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to download said one or more segments to a storage medium at said at least one destination.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising the step of:

receiving a request to distribute an updated version of said one or more segments prior to display of said one or more segments at said at least one destination.

45. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute an advertisement at specified intervals and durations.

46. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:

distributing a response to a request for information related to a segment being displayed at said at least one destination when said request is initiated at said at least one destination.

47. A method of distributing one or more segments of a show from a source to at least one destination, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a graphical and/or pictorial representation of a first set of commands to automatically control a plurality of production devices to thereby produce a show having a plurality of show segments, wherein said first set of commands include at least one segment delimiter command, wherein step (a) comprises the step of executing said at least one segment delimiter command in the course of executing said first set of commands, wherein execution of said at least one segment delimiter command results in identifying and categorizing a specific segment of said plurality of show segments;

(a-1) receiving a request to distribute one or more segments from a list of said plurality of show segments, said request indicating in a designated format specifying at least one of a content, duration, layout, and time for distributing said one or more segments;

(b) defining a second set of commands that, when executed, assemble said one or more segments according to said format, and a third set of commands that, when executed, distribute said one or more segments and media related to said one or more segments to said at least one destination, wherein said defining includes processing segment delimiters for said one or more segments to enable said assembling and distributing of said one or more segments;

(c) executing said second and third sets of commands to assemble and distribute, according to said format, said one or more segments and said related media to said at least one destination; and

(d) executing commands to track transmission of at least one of said one or more segments and said related media to enable at least one of billing and cost operations.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute an advertisement.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein step (d) comprises the step of:

executing commands to track exposure of said advertisement to enable an invoice to be prepared for distributing said advertisement.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein step (d) comprises the step of:

executing commands to track a user response to said advertisement to enable preparation of an invoice for distributing said advertisement.

51. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to distribute a response to a request for information related to a segment being displayed at said at least one destination when said request is initiated at said at least one destination.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of:

executing commands to track at least one of said request for information and said response to said request for information.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising the step of:

enabling an invoice to be prepared for at least one of said tracking a request for information and said tracking a response to said request for information.