Method and system for conveying video messages

• US 20040133647A1
• Filed: 12/18/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Paris, Cecile, Chung, Charles, Yap, Sue-Ken, Milosavljevic, Maria, Ozkan, Nadine, Brook, John Charles, Simpson-Young, William
• Application Number:
  US10/738,029
• Publication Number:
  US 20040133647A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A method and system (100) for conveying a video message is disclosed. Video data comprising at least image data and associated audio data is captured and a video message structure (401) is created. A link is established between the structure (401) and the video data to create a structured video message. The structured video message is characterized by a video message structure (401) that provides an originator (103), of the message, enhanced manipulation capabilities for the video data by manipulating the structure (401). The structured video message can be conveyed to a recipient for viewing and/or for providing the recipient substantially the same enhanced manipulation capabilities.

Claims

1. A method of conveying a video message comprising the steps of:

(i) capturing video data comprising at least image data and associated audio data;

(ii) creating a video message structure;

(iii) establishing a link between said structure and the video data to create a structured video message, said structured video message being characterized by a video message structure that provides an originator, of the message, enhanced manipulation capabilities for the video data by manipulating said structure; and

(iv) conveying the structured video message to a recipient for viewing and/or for providing said recipient substantially the same enhanced manipulation capabilities.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein said video message structure is a hierarchical structure having a plurality of nodes.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein establishing a link between said structure and the video data includes associating at least one node with at least one segment of video data to provide at least one linked node.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein establishing a link includes associating with each linked node a start time position and end time position of the video segment.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein establishing a link includes associating a start time position and an end image data of the segment of video data with said node.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein linking between said structure and said video data is performed during capture of the video data.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the enhanced manipulation capabilities includes one or more capabilities selected from a set consisting of:

Video message planning;

Video message capturing;

Video message labeling;

Video message navigating;

Video message editing; and

Video message annotating.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (ii) includes the further sub-steps of:

providing a message template; and

executing said message template to generate said video message structure having a plurality of nodes, each said node being capable of representing a segment of video data of said video message.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of the message template.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said instantiation of the message template provides a customized video message structure according to predetermined user preferences.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said customized message template can be saved as a new message template including the user preferences.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein during execution said message template provides guidance to a user generating the video message structure

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the template prompts a user for user input information.

14. A method according to claim 8, wherein the message template further sets attributes for the video message.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the attributes include any one or more selected from a set consisting of:

a tone of the video message,

an intent of the video message;

duration of the video message or part thereof.

16. A method according to claim 8, wherein conveying said structured video message includes transmitting over a network said structured video message.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said structured video message includes said video data and said message template.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein transmitting said message template includes transmitting a reference address location for obtaining the message template.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein transmitting said video data and said message template includes transmitting a reference address location for obtaining the video data and message template respectively.

20. A method according to claim 2, including the further step of editing said structured video message.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein said editing includes the further sub-steps of:

storing said video message in a memory;

displaying said video message structure; and

manipulating said nodes to place said video message in a desired format, wherein at least one node represents a segment of said video message.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein additional nodes representing further captured video are added to said video message.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein any unwanted nodes are deleted from said structure so that only wanted information in retained.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein a segment of said video message that is represented by a deleted node is retained in said memory.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein said video message structure allows said originator to include at least one of a plurality of standard items in said video message.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein said standard items include at least standard greetings, a business address and a company profile.

27. A method according to claim 2, wherein each node is labelled by a textual string.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said textual string relates to the content of said video segment.

29. A method according to claim 27, wherein said textual string is able to be edited.

30. A method according to claim 1, wherein said originator or a recipient of said video message can pause and restart said video message when viewing said video message.

31. A method according to claim 1, wherein said video message structure indicates a current position within said video message when viewed.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein said current position is indicated by a karaoke-style ball displayed within said video message structure.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein said current position is indicated by highlighting current text within said video message structure.

34. A method according to claim 32, wherein said current position is indicated by displaying corresponding text of any video sequence at the base of a display upon which said video message is being viewed.

35. An apparatus for conveying a video message, said apparatus comprising:

capturing means for capturing video data comprising at least image data and associated audio data;

processing means for creating a video message structure and establishing a link between said structure and the video data to create a structured video message, said structured video message being characterized by a video message structure that provides an originator, of the message, enhanced manipulation capabilities for the video data by manipulating said structure; and

means for conveying the structured video message to a recipient for viewing and/or for providing said recipient substantially the same enhanced manipulation capabilities.

36. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said video message structure is a hierarchical structure having a plurality of nodes.

37. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein establishing a link between said structure and the video data includes associating at least one node with at least one segment of video data to provide at least one linked node.

38. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein establishing a link includes associating with each linked node a start time position and end time position of the video segment.

39. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein establishing a link includes associating a start time position and an end image data of the segment of video data with said node.

40. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein linking between said structure and said video data is performed during capture of the video data.

41. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the enhanced manipulation capabilities includes one or more capabilities selected from a set consisting of:

Video message planning;

Video message capturing;

Video message labeling;

Video message navigating;

Video message editing; and

Video message annotating.

42. An apparatus according to claim 35, said apparatus further comprising:

means for providing a message template; and

means for executing said message template to generate said video message structure having a plurality of nodes, each said node being capable of representing to a segment of video data of said video message.

43. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of the message template.

44. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said instantiation of the message template provides a customized video message structure according to predetermined user preferences.

45. An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said customized message template can be saved as a new message template including the user preferences.

46. An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein during execution said message template provides guidance to a user generating the video message structure

47. An apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the template prompts a user for user input information.

48. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the message template further sets attributes for the video message.

49. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the attributes include any one or more selected from a set consisting of:

a tone of the video message,

an intent of the video message;

duration of the video message or part thereof.

50. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein conveying said structured video message includes transmitting over a network said structured video message.

51. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said structured video message includes said video data and said message template.

52. An apparatus according to claim 51, wherein transmitting said message template includes transmitting a reference address location for obtaining the message template.

53. An apparatus according to claim 51, wherein transmitting said video data and said message template includes transmitting a reference address location for obtaining the video data and message template respectively.

54. An apparatus according to claim 36, said apparatus further comprising editing means for editing said structured video message.

55. An apparatus according to claim 54, said editing means comprising:

storage means for storing said video message in a memory;

display for displaying said video message structure; and

processor for manipulating said nodes to place said video message in a desired format, wherein at least one node represents a segment of said video message.

56. An apparatus according to claim 54, wherein additional nodes representing further captured video are added to said video message.

57. An apparatus according to claim 56, wherein any unwanted nodes are deleted from said structure so that only wanted information in retained.

58. An apparatus according to claim 57, wherein a segment of said video message that is represented by a deleted node is retained in said memory.

59. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said video message structure allows said originator to include at least one of a plurality of standard items in said video message.

60. An apparatus according to claim 59, wherein said standard items include at least standard greetings, a business address and a company profile.

61. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein each node is labelled by a textual string.

62. An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said textual string relates to the content of said video segment.

63. An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said textual string is able to be edited.

64. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said originator or a recipient of said video message can pause and restart said video message when viewing said video message.

65. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said video message structure indicates a current position within said video message when viewed.

66. An apparatus according to claim 65, wherein said current position is indicated by a karaoke-style ball displayed within said video message structure.

67. An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein said current position is indicated by highlighting current text within said video message structure.

68. An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein said current position is indicated by displaying corresponding text of any video sequence at the base of a display upon which said video message is being viewed.

69. A computer readable memory medium for storing a program for apparatus which processes data, said processing comprising a method of conveying a video message, said program comprising:

code for capturing video data comprising at least image data and associated audio data;

code for creating a video message structure;

code for establishing a link between said structure and the video data to create a structured video message, said structured video message being characterized by a video message structure that provides an originator, of the message, enhanced manipulation capabilities for the video data by manipulating said structure; and

code for conveying the structured video message to a recipient for viewing and/or for providing said recipient substantially the same enhanced manipulation capabilities.

70. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 69, wherein said video message structure is a hierarchical structure having a plurality of nodes.

71. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 70, wherein said code for establishing a link between said structure and the video data includes code for associating at least one node with at least one segment of video data to provide at least one linked node.

72. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 71, wherein said code for establishing a link includes code for associating with each linked node a start time position and end time position of the video segment.

73. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 71, wherein said code for establishing a link includes code for associating a start time position and an end image data of the segment of video data with said node.

74. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 69, wherein linking between said structure and said video data is performed during capture of the video data.

75. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 69, wherein the enhanced manipulation capabilities includes one or more capabilities selected from a set consisting of:

Video message planning;

Video message capturing;

Video message labeling;

Video message navigating;

Video message editing; and

Video message annotating.

76. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 69, wherein wherein code for creating a video message structure further includes:

code for providing a message template; and

code for executing said message template to generate said video message structure having a plurality of nodes, each said node being capable of representing to a segment of video data of said video message.

77. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 76, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of the message template.

78. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 77, wherein said instantiation of the message template provides a customized video message structure according to predetermined user preferences.

79. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 78, wherein said customized message template can be saved as a new message template including the user preferences.

80. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 78, wherein during execution said message template provides guidance to a user generating the video message structure

81. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 80, wherein the template prompts a user for user input information.

82. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 76, wherein the message template further sets attributes for the video message.

83. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 82, wherein the attributes include any one or more selected from a set consisting of:

a tone of the video message,

an intent of the video message;

duration of the video message or part thereof.

84. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 76, wherein conveying said structured video message includes transmitting over a network said structured video message.

85. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 84, wherein said structured video message includes said video data and said message template.

86. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein transmitting said message template includes transmitting a reference address location for obtaining the message template.

87. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein code for transmitting said video data and said message template further includes code for transmitting a reference address location for obtaining the video data and message template respectively.

88. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 70, further including code for editing said structured video message.

89. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 88, wherein said code for editing further includes:

code for storing said video message in a memory;

code for displaying said video message structure; and

code for manipulating said nodes to place said video message in a desired format, wherein at least one node represents a segment of said video message.

90. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 88, wherein additional nodes representing further captured video are added to said video message.

91. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 90, wherein any unwanted nodes are deleted from said structure so that only wanted information in retained.

92. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 91, wherein a segment of said video message that is represented by a deleted node is retained in said memory.

93. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 69, wherein said video message structure allows said originator to include at least one of a plurality of standard items in said video message.

94. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 93, wherein said standard items include at least standard greetings, a business address and a company profile.

95. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 70, wherein each node is labelled by a textual string.

96. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 95, wherein said textual string relates to the content of said video segment.

97. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 95, wherein said textual string is able to be edited.

98. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 69, wherein said originator or a recipient of said video message can pause and restart said video message when viewing said video message.

99. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 69, wherein said video message structure indicates a current position within said video message when viewed.

100. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 99, wherein said current position is indicated by a karaoke-style ball displayed within said video message structure.

101. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 100, wherein said current position is indicated by highlighting current text within said video message structure.

102. The computer readable memory medium according to claim 100, wherein said current position is indicated by displaying corresponding text of any video sequence at the base of a display upon which said video message is being viewed.

103. A method of creating a video message comprising the steps of;

providing a video message structure including at least one node;

providing video data, said video data comprising at least image data and associated audio data;

associating at least one node of the video message structure with at least one segment of the video data to provide an associated structure; and

utilizing the associated structure to provided enhanced manipulation capabilities of the video data to create a structured video message.

104. A method according to claim 103, wherein the enhanced manipulation capabilities includes one or more capabilities selected from a set consisting of:

Video message planning;

Video message capturing;

Video message labeling;

Video message navigating;

Video message editing; and

Video message annotating.

105. A method according to claim 103, wherein the video message structure is represented by a hierarchical tree structure having a plurality of nodes.

106. A method according to claim 105, wherein each node is labelled by a textual string.

107. A method according to claim 103, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

108. A method of creating a video message comprising the steps of;

creating a video message structure including at least one node;

capturing video data, said video data comprising at least image data and audio data;

linking at least one node of the video message structure with at least one segment of the video data to provide an associated structure;

storing the video data and the video message structure; and

utilizing the associated structure to provide enhanced manipulation capabilities of the video data to create a structured video message.

109. A method according to claim 108, wherein the enhanced manipulation capabilities includes one or more capabilities selected from a set consisting of:

Video message planning;

Video message capturing;

Video message labeling;

Video message navigating;

Video message editing; and

Video message annotating.

110. A method according to claim 108, wherein linking includes associating with each linked node a start time position and end time position of the video segment.

111. A method according to claim 108, wherein the video message structure is represented by a hierarchical tree structure having a plurality of nodes.

112. A method according to claim 111, wherein each node is labelled by a textual string.

113. A method according to claim 108, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

114. An apparatus for creating a video message comprising;

means for creating a video message structure including at least one node;

means for capturing video data, said video data comprising at least image data and audio data;

means for linking at least one node of the video message structure with at least one segment of the video data to provide an associated structure;

means for storing the video data and the video message structure; and

means for utilizing the associated structure to provide enhanced manipulation capabilities of the video data to create a structured video message.

115. An apparatus according to claim 114, wherein the apparatus further includes a video play back device and video display for viewing the video message.

116. An apparatus according any one of claim 114, wherein the enhanced manipulation capabilities includes one or more capabilities selected from a set consisting of:

Video message planning;

Video message capturing;

Video message labeling;

Video message navigating;

Video message editing; and

Video message annotating.

117. An apparatus according to any one of claims 114, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

118. An apparatus for creating a video message comprising;

a video camera and capture manager for capturing video data, said video data comprising at least image data and audio data;

a message structure editor for creating a video message structure and for associating the video message structure with at least one segment of the video data to provide an associated structure;

a storage device for storing said video data and the video message structure; and

manipulation means for using the associated structure to provide enhanced manipulation capabilities of the video data to create a structured video message.

119. An apparatus according to claim 118, wherein the manipulation means includes the message structure editor configured to provide one of a plurality of edit modes and a user input/output interface.

120. An apparatus according to claim 118, wherein the apparatus further includes a video play back device and video display for viewing the video message.

121. An apparatus according to claim 118, wherein the enhanced manipulation capabilities includes one or more capabilities selected from a set consisting of:

Video message planning;

Video message capturing;

Video message labeling;

Video message navigating;

Video message editing; and

Video message annotating.

122. An apparatus according to claim 118, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

123. A computer readable memory medium for storing a program for apparatus which processes data, said processing comprising a method of creating a video message said program comprising:

code for creating a video message structure including at least one node;

code for capturing video data, said video data comprising at least image data and audio data;

code for linking at least one node of the video message structure with at least one segment of the video data to provide an associated structure;

code for storing the video data and the video message structure; and

code for utilizing the associated structure to provided enhanced manipulation capabilities of the video data to create a structured video message.

124. A computer readable medium according to claim 123, wherein the enhanced manipulation capabilities includes one or more capabilities selected from a set consisting of:

Video message planning;

Video message capturing;

Video message labeling;

Video message navigating;

Video message editing; and

Video message annotating.

125. A computer readable medium according to claim 123, wherein the computer readable medium includes any one or more media selected from a set consisting of:

Compact Disk-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM);

Hard Disk;

Floppy Disk;

One or More Servers on a Computer Network; and

Flash Memory Card(s).

126. A method of conveying a video message comprising the steps of:

providing video data comprising at least image data and associated audio data;

providing a video message structure;

establishing a link between said structure and the video data to provide a structured video message, said structured video message being characterized by a video message structure that provides an originator, of the message, enhanced manipulation capabilities for the video data by manipulating said structure; and

conveying the structured video message to a recipient for viewing and/or for providing said recipient substantially the same enhanced manipulation capabilities.

127. A method according to claim 126, wherein said video message structure is a hierarchical structure having a plurality of nodes.

128. A method according to claim 127, wherein establishing a link between said structure and the video data includes associating at least one node with at least one segment of video data.

129. A method according to claim 128, wherein at least one node is labelled with a semantic label describing the topic of an associated video segment.

130. A method according to claim 126, wherein the enhanced manipulation capabilities includes one or more capabilities selected from a set consisting of:

Video message labeling;

Video message navigating;

Video message editing; and

Video message annotating.

131. A method according to claim 126, wherein conveying said structured video message includes conveying the video data and separately the associated video message structure.

132. A method according to claim 127, wherein conveying said structured video message includes conveying the video data and a reference address for locating the associated video message structure.

133. A method according to claim 128, wherein conveying includes transmitting over a network said structured video message.

134. A method of conveying a video message over a network, wherein said video message includes at least a video image and an associated audio message, said method including the steps of:

capturing said video message on a first apparatus;

processing said captured video message to provide a structured video message, wherein said structure video message is represented as a structure to allow originator labelling, navigation, editing and annotation capabilities; and

transmitting over said network the structured video message to at least one second apparatus;

receiving said structured video message at the at least one second apparatus;

processing and viewing said received structured video message by a recipient in accordance with said structure.

135. A method according to claim 134, wherein said structure further allows the recipient labelling, navigation, editing and annotation capabilities.

136. A method according to claim 134, wherein said structure includes a plurality of nodes arranged in a hierarchical manner.

137. A method according to claim 136, wherein said structure includes at least one node (linked) associated with a segment of the video message.

138. A method according to claim 137, wherein at least one node is labelled with a semantic label relating to the segment of the video message.

139. A method according to claim 134, wherein said structure allows the originator to include at least one of a plurality of standard items in said structured video message.

140. A method according to claims 139, wherein said standard items are selected from a set consisting of:

standard greetings;

a business address;

a company profile;

a uniform resource locator (URL);

date, time;

originator signature.

141. A method according to claim 134, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

142. A system for conveying a video message, wherein said video message includes at least a video image and an associated audio message, said system including:

at least one first apparatus including;

capturing means for capturing said video message;

processing means for processing the captured video message to provide a structured video message, wherein said structured video message is represented as a structure that allows originator labelling, navigation, editing and annotation capabilities; and

means for transmitting the structured video message to at least one second apparatus;

said second apparatus including;

means for receiving said structured video message;

means for processing and viewing by a recipient said received structured video message in accordance with said structure.

143. A system according to claim 142, wherein said structure further allows the recipient labelling, navigation, editing and annotation capabilities.

144. A system according to claim 142, wherein said structure includes a plurality of nodes arranged in a hierarchical manner.

145. A system according to claim 144, wherein said structure includes at least one node (linked) associated with a segment of the video message.

146. A system according to claim 145, wherein at least one node is labelled with a semantic label relating to the segment of the video message.

147. A system according to claim 142, wherein said structure allows the originator to include at least one of a plurality of standard items in said structured video message.

148. A system according to claims 147, wherein said standard items are selected from a set consisting of:

standard greetings;

a business address;

a company profile;

a uniform resource locator (URL);

date, time;

originator signature.

149. A system according to claim 143, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

150. A computer readable medium for storing a program for apparatus which processes data, said processing comprising a method of conveying a video message over a network, wherein said video message includes at least a video image and an associated audio message, said program comprising:

code for capturing said video message on a first apparatus;

means for processing said captured video message to provide a structured video message, wherein said structured video message is represented as a structure to allow originator labelling, navigation, editing and annotation capabilities; and

code for transmitting the structured video message to at least one second apparatus;

code for receiving said structured video message at the at least one second apparatus;

code for processing and viewing, by a recipient, said received structured video message in accordance with said structure.

151. A computer readable medium according to claim 150, wherein said structure further allows the recipient labelling, navigation, editing and annotation capabilities.

152. A computer readable medium according to claim 150, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

153. A method of creating a structured video message comprising the steps of;

providing a video message structure;

capturing video data in accordance with said video message structure to produce a structured video message.

154. A method according to claim 153, wherein said video message structure includes at least one node and said capturing of the video data further includes linking at least one node of the video message structure with a segment of the video data.

155. A method according to claim 154, wherein linking a node with a segment of the video data includes associating a start time position and an end image data of the segment of video data with said node.

156. A method according to claim 154, wherein linking between nodes and video data segments is performed during capture of the video data.

157. A method according to claim 153, wherein said video data includes image data and associated audio data.

158. A method according to claim 153, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

159. An apparatus for creating a structured video message comprising;

means for providing a video message structure;

means for capturing video data in accordance with said video message structure to produce a structured video message.

160. An apparatus according to claim 159, wherein said video message structure includes at least one node and said means for capturing video data further includes means for linking at least one node of the video message structure with a segment of the video data.

167. An apparatus according to claim 159, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

161. An apparatus for capturing a video message comprising;

a video camera unit for capturing video data;

a capture manager responsive to capture commands for controlling the video camera unit and receiving the captured video data;

a user input interface for generating user commands;

a message structure editor responsive to said user commands for providing a video message structure, generating said capture commands and for associating the video message structure with at least one segment of the captured video data to provide a structured video message.

162. An apparatus according to claim 161, wherein said capture manager provides timing position information for the captured video data and the message structure editor uses said timing position information to associate the video message structure to the segment of the captured video data.

163. An apparatus according to claim 162, wherein said video message structure includes at least node and said timing position information is associated with the node(s) of the structure.

164. An apparatus according to claim 161, wherein the apparatus further includes a first storage area for storing said captured video data and a second storage area for storing the associated video message structure.

165. An apparatus according to claim 161, wherein the apparatus further includes a user output interface and a video playback unit for viewing at least part of the structured video message.

166. An apparatus according to claim 165, wherein the message structure editor further generated playback commands said video playback unit is responsive to playback commands.

168. A computer readable medium for storing a program for apparatus which processes data, said processing comprising a method of creating a structured video message, said program comprising:

code which is responsive to capture commands for capturing video data;

code for generating user commands;

code which is responsive to said user commands for providing a video message structure, generating said capture commands and for associating the video message structure with at least one segment of the captured video data to provide a structured video message.

169. A computer readable medium according to claim 168, wherein said code for capturing video data further provides timing position information for the captured video data and said means for providing a video message structure uses said timing position information to associate the video message structure to the segment of the captured video data.

170. A method of editing a video message wherein said video message is represented as a video message structure including a plurality of nodes, said method including the steps of:

storing said video message in a memory;

displaying said video message structure; and

manipulating said nodes to place said video message in a desired format, wherein at least one node represents a segment of said video message.

171. A method according to claim 170, wherein additional nodes representing further captured video are added to said video message.

172. A method according to claim 170, wherein unwanted nodes are deleted from said video message structure so that only wanted information in retained.

173. A method according to claim 172, wherein a segment of said video message that is represented by a deleted node is retained in said memory.

174. A method according to claim 170, wherein said video message structures allows said originator to include at least one of a plurality of standard items in said video message.

175. A method according to claim 174, wherein said standard items include at least standard greetings, a business address and a company profile.

176. A method according to claim 170, wherein each node is labelled.

177. A method according to claim 176, wherein said label relates to the content of said video segment.

178. A method according to claim 176, wherein said label is able to be edited.

179. A method according to claim 170, wherein navigation of said video message allows said originator or a recipient of said video message to pause and restart said video message.

180. A method according to claim 170, wherein navigation of said video message allows said originator or a recipient of said video message to cue to a position in said video message.

181. A method according to claim 170, wherein said video message structure indicates a current position within said video message when played.

182. A method according to claim 181, wherein said current position is indicated by a karaoke-style ball displayed within said video message structure.

183. A method according to claim 181, wherein said current position is indicated by highlighting current text within said video message structure.

184. A method according to claim 181, wherein said current position is indicated by displaying corresponding text of any video sequence at the base of a display upon which said video message is being viewed.

185. A method according to claim 170, wherein said video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

186. An apparatus for editing a video message wherein said video message is represented as a video message structure including a plurality of nodes, said apparatus including:

means for storing said video message in a memory;

means for displaying said video message structure; and

means for manipulating said nodes to place said video message in a desired format, wherein at least one node represents a segment of said video message.

187. An apparatus according to claim 186, wherein additional nodes representing further captured video are added to said video message.

188. An apparatus according to claim 186, wherein said video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

189. A computer readable medium for storing a program for apparatus which processes data, said processing comprising a method of editing a video message wherein said video message is represented as a video message structure including a plurality of nodes, said program comprising:

code for storing said video message in a memory;

code for displaying said video message structure; and

code for manipulating said nodes to place said video message in a desired format, wherein at least one node represents a segment of said video message.

190. A computer readable medium according to claim 189, wherein additional nodes representing further captured video are added to said video message.

191. A computer readable medium according to claim 189, wherein unwanted nodes are deleted from said template structure so that only wanted information in retained.

192. A computer readable medium according to claim 191, wherein a segment of said video message that is represented by a deleted node is retained in said memory.

193. A computer readable medium according to claim 189, wherein said video message structures allows said originator to include at least one of a plurality of standard items in said video message.

194. A computer readable medium according to claim 193, wherein said standard items include at least standard greetings, a business address and a company profile.

195. An apparatus according to claim 189, wherein each node is labelled.

196. A computer readable medium according to claim 195, wherein said label relates to the content of said video segment.

197. A computer readable medium according to claim 195, wherein said label is able to be edited.

198. A computer readable medium according to claim 189, wherein navigation of said video message allows said originator or a recipient of said video message to pause and restart said video message.

199. A computer readable medium according to claim 189, wherein navigation of said video message allows said originator or a recipient of said video message to cue to a position in said video message.

200. A computer readable medium according to claim 189, wherein said video message structure indicates a current position within said video message when played.

201. A computer readable medium according to claim 200, wherein said current position is indicated by a karaoke-style ball displayed within said video message structure.

202. A computer readable medium according to claim 200, wherein said current position is indicated by highlighting current text within said video message structure.

203. A computer readable medium according to claim 200, wherein said current position is indicated by displaying corresponding text of any video sequence at the base of a display upon which said video message is being viewed.

204. A computer readable medium according to claim 189, wherein said video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

205. A method of generating a video message structure for a video message, said video message including video data comprising image data and associated audio data, the method including the steps of;

providing a message template; and

executing said message template to generate a video message structure having a plurality of nodes, each said node being capable of representing a segment of video data of said video message.

206. A method according to claim 205, wherein said video message structure is an instantiation of the message template.

207. A method according to claim 205, wherein during execution said message template provides guidance to a user generating the video message structure

208. A method according to claim 205, wherein the template prompts a user for user input information.

209. A method according to claim 205, wherein the template provides a linking between at least one of said nodes and the a segment of video data.

210. A method according to claim 205, wherein the template further sets attributes for the video message.

211. A method according to claim 210, wherein the attributes include any one or more selected from a set consisting of:

a tone of the video message,

an intent of the video message; and

duration of the video message or part thereof.

212. An apparatus for generating a video message structure for a video message, said video message includes video data comprising image data and associated audio data, the apparatus comprising;

means for providing a message template; and

means for executing said message template to generate a video message structure having a plurality of nodes, each said node being capable of representing a segment of video data of said video message.

213. An apparatus according to claim 212, wherein said video message structure is an instantiation of the message template.

214. An apparatus according to claim 212, wherein said apparatus further includes guidance means for providing guidance to a user generating the video message structure during execution of said message template.

215. An apparatus according to claim 214, wherein the guidance means includes input means for inputting user input information in response to template prompts to a user.

216. A computer readable medium for storing a program for apparatus which processes data, said processing comprising a method of generating a video message structure for a video message, said video message including video data comprising image data and associated audio data, said program comprising:

code for providing a message template; and

code for executing said message template to generate a video message structure having a plurality of nodes, each said node being capable of representing a segment of video data of said video message.

217. A computer readable medium according to claim 216, wherein said product further includes guidance means for providing guidance to a user generating the video message structure during execution of said message template.

218. A computer readable medium according to claim 217, wherein the guidance means includes input means for inputting user input information in response to template prompts to a user.

219. A computer program product according to claim 216, wherein said structured video message is an instantiation of a video message template.

220. A method of conveying a video message including the steps of:

capturing video data on a first apparatus, wherein said video data includes at least image data and associated audio data;

processing said captured video data to provide a video message, wherein said video message includes said captured video data and a first video message structure being a first instantiation of a message template;

transmitting said video data and said message template to at least one second apparatus;

receiving the video data and the message template at the second apparatus;

processing said video data to provide a corresponding video message, wherein said corresponding video message includes said video data and a second video message structure being a second instantiation of said message template; and

viewing said corresponding video message.

221. A method according to claim 220, wherein transmitting said message template includes transmitting a reference address location for obtaining the message template.

222. A method according to claim 220, wherein transmitting said video data and said message template includes transmitting a reference address location for obtaining the video data and message template respectively.

223. A method according to claim 220, wherein the first video message structure and the second video message structure are substantially identical.

224. A method according to claim 220, wherein instantiation of the message template provides a customized video message structure according to predetermined user preferences.

225. A method according to claim 226, wherein said customized video message structure can be saved as a new video message structure including the user preferences.

226. A method according to claim 220, wherein the message template prompts a user to provides the user preferences.

227. A method according to claim 220, wherein transmitting includes downloading data to be transmitted onto a removable storage medium and conveying said removable medium to an intended recipient.

228. A system for conveying a video message including:

at least one first apparatus including;

capturing means for capturing video, wherein said video data includes at least image data and associated audio data;

processing means for processing said captured video data to provide a video message, wherein said video message includes said captured video data and a first video message structure, said first structure being a first instantiation of a message template;

means for transmitting the structured video message to at least one second apparatus;

said second apparatus including;

means for receiving the video data and the message template at the second apparatus;

means for processing said video data to provide a corresponding video message, wherein said corresponding video message includes said video data and a second video message structure being a second instantiation of said message template; and

means for viewing said corresponding video message.

229. A system according to claim 228, wherein transmitting said message template includes transmitting a reference address location for obtaining the message template.

230. A system according to claim 228, wherein transmitting said video data and said message template includes transmitting a reference address location for obtaining the video data and message template respectively.

231. A system according to claim 228, wherein the first video message structure and the second video message structure are substantially identical.

232. A system according to claim 228, wherein instantiation of the message template provides a customised video message structure according to predetermined user preferences.

233. A system according to claim 228, wherein said customised video message structure can be saved as a new message structure including the user preferences.

234. A computer readable medium for storing a program for apparatus which processes data, said processing comprising a method of conveying a video message, said video message including video data comprising image data and associated audio data, said program comprising:

code for capturing video data on a first apparatus, wherein said video data includes at least image data and associated audio data;

code for processing said captured video data to provide a video message, wherein said video message includes said captured video data and a first video message structure being a first instantiation of a message template;

code for transmitting said video data and said message template to at least one second apparatus;

code for receiving the video data and the message template at the second apparatus;

code for processing said video data to provide a corresponding video message, wherein said corresponding video message includes said video data and a second video message structure being a second instantiation of said message template; and

code for viewing said corresponding video message.

235. A computer readable medium according to claim 234, wherein transmitting said message template includes transmitting a reference address location for obtaining the message template.

236. A computer readable medium according to claim 234, wherein transmitting said video data and said message template includes transmitting a reference address location for obtaining the video data and message template respectively.