Patent US6353699B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6353699B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for compiling audio/video information from remote sites into a final video program
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1995-02-24
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Granted: 2002-03-05
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Expires: 2015-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Video images and/or audio clips are rapidly and efficiently assembled into a finished program master recording for playback, including subsequent duplication. The images and audio portions may be collected locally or from remote sites in a variety of still video, motion, or multimedia formats. To reduce bandwidth or storage requirements, proprietary or commercially available compression/decompression data algorithms preferably are utilized during transmission and accumulation. Once a complete program is available the images and/or audio portions may be replayed automatically in a predetermined sequence, thereby allowing the program master video tape or disc to be recorded and distributed in a timely manner. As an alternative, the program presentation may be played back directly to a plurality of video recorders to effect duplication. In a further alternative, the program presentation may be made available over communication links, allowing users to access the program information in blocks or by way of user-directed search.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry H. Schwab
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:29
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04N7/147; G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/22; G07C9/25; G07C9/253; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A method of producing a video program, comprising the steps of: customizing picture information by acquiring, digitizing, and data compressing the picture information from at least one remote site wherein the at least one remote site is in bidirectional communication with a master production facility; associating the picture information at the remote site with a file name to form a picture information file; storing the picture information file at the at least one remote site; further customizing the picture information file by associating the file with at least one image file, transferring the picture information file and the at least one associated image file via a remote site initiated transmission from the at least one remote site to the master production facility where the following steps are performed; accumulating the customized picture information file and the at least one associated image file transmitted from the at least one remote site to the master production facility, determining a format sequence according to the customized picture information file received from the at least one remote site, and storing the customized picture information file received from the at least one remote site at the master production facility; decompressing the stored customized picture information file; scan-converting the decompressed customized picture information file into a video program including the at least one associated image file, the video program having a single, consistent format in accordance with the determined format sequence; and distributing the video program back to the at least one remote site for further selectable customization.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
252 words
A method of producing a video program, comprising the steps of: customizing picture information by acquiring, digitizing, and data compressing the picture information from at least one remote site wherein the at least one remote site is in bidirectional communication with a master production facility; associating the picture information at the remote site with a file name to form a picture information file; storing the picture information file at the at least one remote site; further customizing the picture information file by associating the file with at least one image file, transferring the picture information file and the at least one associated image file via a remote site initiated transmission from the at least one remote site to the master production facility where the following steps are performed; accumulating the customized picture information file and the at least one associated image file transmitted from the at least one remote site to the master production facility, determining a format sequence according to the customized picture information file received from the at least one remote site, and storing the customized picture information file received from the at least one remote site at the master production facility; decompressing the stored customized picture information file; scan-converting the decompressed customized picture information file into a video program including the at least one associated image file, the video program having a single, consistent format in accordance with the determined format sequence; and distributing the video program back to the at least one remote site for further selectable customization.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , including the step of receiving a digitized picture with superimposed textual information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of receiving separate textual information associated with one or more digitized picture information files, to be displayed in conjunction with the picture information files.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of receiving data used to generate textural information to be output with the scan-converted picture information files in the single, desired video format.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the step of adding audio information to the program prior to distribution of the program.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , including distributing the program in electronic form.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the steps of: receiving audio clips in digitally compressed form, including such clips from remote sites; compiling the audio clips on a storage medium; decompressing the audio clips; and recording the audio clips onto the program prior to distribution of the program.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of producing a video program, comprising the steps of: customizing at least one picture information element by acquiring, digitizing, and data-compressing the at least one picture information element from at least one remote site wherein the remote site is in bidirectional communication with a master production facility, the at least one picture information element being a subset of the video program; associating the at least one picture information element at the remote site with a file name to form at least one picture information element file; further customizing the picture information file by associating the file with at least one image file, transferring the at least one digitized, data compressed picture information element via a transmission initiated from the at least one remote site to a master production facility where the following steps are performed; accumulating and storing the at least one picture information element file received from the at least one remote site; decompressing the at least one picture information element file; scan-converting the at least one decompressed picture information element file into a video program including the associated at least one image file, the video program having a single consistent format in accordance with a sequence determined at the time the at least one picture element file is stored; and distributing the video program back to the at least one remote site for further selectable customization.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of producing a video program, comprising the steps of: customizing at least one picture information element by acquiring, digitizing, and data-compressing the at least one picture information element from at least one remote site wherein the remote site is in bidirectional communication with a master production facility, the at least one picture information element being a subset of the video program; associating the at least one picture information element at the remote site with a file name to form at least one picture information element file; further customizing the picture information file by associating the file with at least one image file, transferring the at least one digitized, data compressed picture information element via a transmission initiated from the at least one remote site to a master production facility where the following steps are performed; accumulating and storing the at least one picture information element file received from the at least one remote site; decompressing the at least one picture information element file; scan-converting the at least one decompressed picture information element file into a video program including the associated at least one image file, the video program having a single consistent format in accordance with a sequence determined at the time the at least one picture element file is stored; and distributing the video program back to the at least one remote site for further selectable customization.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the image information is textual information, the method including the step of receiving a digitized or digital picture information element file with superimposed textual information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the image file is a textual information file, the method further including the step of receiving separately the textual information file associated with at least one digital picture information element file, the separate textual information file being displayed at a the at least one remote site in conjunction with the at least one picture information element file.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 8 , further including the step of receiving data used to generate textual information to be outputted with the at least one scan-converted picture information element file in the video format.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 , further including the step of adding audio information to the program prior to distribution of the program.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 , including distributing the program in electronic form.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 8 , further including the steps of: receiving audio clips in digitally compressed form, including such clips from at least one remote sites; compiling the audio clips on a storage medium; decompressing the audio clips; and recording the audio clips onto the program prior to distribution of the program.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-03-04 | 2005-09-03 | 2006-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-04 | 2009-09-03 | 2010-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-04 | 2013-09-03 | 2014-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |