Patent US6437801B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6437801B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Representing data in a scripting tool
Assignee: Intervoice LP
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Filing: 1998-12-14
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Granted: 2002-08-20
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Expires: 2018-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A tool for scheduling the delivery of media objects within varying constraints of available bandwidth. In a preferred embodiment in which the invention is enabled by software executable on a general purpose multimedia grade computer, a system designer orchestrates the playback of a series of media objects on a playback “score” analogous to a musical score. The media objects are represented on the playback score as playback icons. Responsive to the designer's manipulation of playback icons on the playback score, the present invention further creates and displays a corresponding download score, in which download icons (corresponding to playback icons on the playback score) are deployed and arranged to fill up a displayed “pipe” of available bandwidth. The topographical area of the download icons, as displayed, corresponds to the data size of the media objects. The download icons are displayed as rectangular or square-cornered polygonal shapes. As the playback score becomes more information-rich, the pipe tends to fill to capacity with download icons. Eventually, as more information is added, delivery tends towards an error condition where download can no longer keep up with demand (i.e. the pipe is full). When this happens, the invention highlights this condition to the designer. The designer must then take action to correct the error condition so that delivery of media objects is once again compatible with playback. Alternatively, in a second embodiment, the system degrades the content of media objects according to preselected sequences and conditions. The corresponding reduction in data-richness of degraded media objects causes the delivery thereof to again be compatible with playback.
Inventors
- 👤 Ellis K. Cave
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:36
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/10; G11B27/34; G11B27/02; G11B27/031; G11B27/034
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for representing data in a scripting tool, the scripting tool operating on a script calling for real time delivery of a plurality of objects, each object having a known data size, the method comprising the step of: (a) deploying icons on a score, said score having a first axis representing time orthogonal to a second axis representing bandwidth, wherein one icon is deployed for each object, each icon having a predetermined shape with a topographical area representing said known data size for its corresponding object, deployment of an icon on the score representing delivery of the corresponding object in real time to feed delivery thereof in the script, whereby the area of each icon deployed on the score provides an intuitive visual representation of the corresponding object's data size to a user working with the scripting tool.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for representing data in a scripting tool, the scripting tool operating on a script calling for real time delivery of a plurality of objects, each object having a known data size, the method comprising the step of: (a) deploying icons on a score, said score having a first axis representing time orthogonal to a second axis representing bandwidth, wherein one icon is deployed for each object, each icon having a predetermined shape with a topographical area representing said known data size for its corresponding object, deployment of an icon on the score representing delivery of the corresponding object in real time to feed delivery thereof in the script, whereby the area of each icon deployed on the score provides an intuitive visual representation of the corresponding object's data size to a user working with the scripting tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step (a) is performed robotically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step (a) is performed manually.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , in which the predetermined shape is a rectangle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising deploying icons representing static objects so that the script completes delivery of each static object not later than a predetermined percentage, up to 100%, of the preselected period of time in which the corresponding icon is deployed on the score in step (a).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 5 , in which the predetermined percentage is 50%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 5 , in which the icons representing static objects also each indicate a minimum clarity point on the score at which a predetermined percentage, up to 100%, of the corresponding object has been delivered according the current script.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising delivering the objects according to the script.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein said delivering the objects comprises playing back the objects.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 , in which said delivering the objects is executed in a separate runtime view.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 , in which the runtime view and the score are separately and independently viewable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: (b) introducing a constraint of bandwidth in which said objects must be delivered; and (c) arranging the icons on the score so that said objects are delivered within the constraint of bandwidth to keep up with demand therefor in the script.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said step (c) is performed robotically.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said step (c) is performed manually.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 12 , in which the constraint of bandwidth is a pipe formed by a space bounded between the first axis and a line drawn parallel thereto, the line further orthogonal to a point on the second axis representing the constraint of bandwidth.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: (d) changing the script; and (e) responsive to step (d), rearranging the icons on the score so that said objects are delivered within the constraint of bandwidth to keep up with demand therefor in said changed script.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said step (e) is performed robotically.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said step (e) is performed manually.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of: (f) compensating when, in step (c) or step (e), the constraint of bandwidth prohibits the delivery of objects from keeping up with the demand therefor in the script.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 19 , which step (f) includes the substep of reducing the data size of selected objects.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method or claim 20 , which said reduction in data size is accomplished by a technique selected from the group consisting of: (1) resampling, and (2) compression.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 12 , in which said arranging in step (c) includes adapting the icons according to delivery rules into adapted shapes situated within the pipe, the topographical areas enclosed by said adapted shapes held constant throughout said adapting.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 22 , in which the adapted shapes in step (c) are selected from the group consisting of: (1) square-cornered polygons; (2) shapes with trapezoidal features; and (3) shapes with curved lines.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 22 , in which the delivery rules in step (c) include at least one delivery rule selected from the group consisting of: (1) prohibiting the adapted shapes from overlapping within the pipe; (2) prohibiting the adapted shapes from overhanging outside the pipe; and (3) justifying and packing the deployment of download icons within the pipe to occupy all space therein extant from timebase zero.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising the step of: (g) alerting of an error condition when one of said delivery rules is broken.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 25 , in which step (g) is accomplished audibly.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 26 , in which said audible alert may be selectively disabled.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 25 , in which the error condition is that at least one icon, as deployed on the score, is indicating the delivery of data later than when said data is called for in the script.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 28 , in which step (g) is accomplished by visibly highlighting said at least one icon.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising the step of: (h) correcting for said error condition.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 30 , in which said error correction is accomplished by a combination of techniques, at least one of said techniques selected from the group consisting of: (1) altering the script to deliver first selected objects slower, (2) altering the script to deliver second selected objects later, and (3) altering the data size of third selected objects.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 31 , in which said altering the data size of the third selected objects causes corresponding end-of-delivery boundary adjustment on the score.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for representing data in a scripting tool, the scripting tool operable on a script calling for real time delivery of a plurality of objects, each object having a known data size, the system comprising: means for deploying icons on a score, said score having a first axis representing time orthogonal to a second axis representing bandwidth, wherein one icon is deployed for each object, each icon having a predetermined shape with a topographical area representing said known data size for its corresponding object, deployment of an icon on the score representing delivery of the corresponding object in real time to feed delivery thereof in the script.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for representing data in a scripting tool, the scripting tool operable on a script calling for real time delivery of a plurality of objects, each object having a known data size, the system comprising: means for deploying icons on a score, said score having a first axis representing time orthogonal to a second axis representing bandwidth, wherein one icon is deployed for each object, each icon having a predetermined shape with a topographical area representing said known data size for its corresponding object, deployment of an icon on the score representing delivery of the corresponding object in real time to feed delivery thereof in the script.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said means for deploying is means for robotically deploying.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 33 further comprising means for delivering the objects according to the script.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 33 , further comprising: means for introducing a constraint of bandwidth in which said objects must be delivered; and means for arranging the icons on the score so that said objects are delivered within the constraint of bandwidth to keep up with demand therefor in the script.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein said means for arranging is means for robotically arranging.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 36 , further comprising: means for changing the script; and means, in response to said means for changing, for rearranging the icons on the score so that said objects are delivered within the constraint of bandwidth to keep up with demand therefor in said changed script.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 38 , wherein said means for rearranging is means for robotically rearranging.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 38 , further comprising: means for compensating when the constraint of bandwidth prohibits the delivery of objects from keeping up with the demand therefor in the script.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 36 , in which said means for arranging includes means for adapting the icons according to delivery rules into adapted shapes situated within the pipe, the topographical areas enclosed by said adapted shapes held constant throughout said adapting.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 41 , further comprising: means for alerting of an error condition when one of said delivery rules is broken.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 42 , in which the error condition is that at least one icon, as deployed on the score, indicates the delivery of data later than when said data is called for in the script.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 42 , further comprising: means for correcting for said error condition.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
136 words
A computer program product including computer readable logic recorded thereon for representing data in a scripting tool, the scripting tool operable on a script calling for real time delivery of a plurality of objects, each object having a known data size, the computer program product comprising: a computer-readable storage medium; and a computer program stored on the computer-readable storage medium, the computer program comprising: means for deploying icons on a score, said score having a first axis representing time orthogonal to a second axis representing bandwidth, wherein one icon is deployed for each object, each icon having a predetermined shape with a topographical area representing said known data size for its corresponding object, deployment of an icon on the score representing delivery of the corresponding object in real time to feed delivery thereof in the script.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
136 words
A computer program product including computer readable logic recorded thereon for representing data in a scripting tool, the scripting tool operable on a script calling for real time delivery of a plurality of objects, each object having a known data size, the computer program product comprising: a computer-readable storage medium; and a computer program stored on the computer-readable storage medium, the computer program comprising: means for deploying icons on a score, said score having a first axis representing time orthogonal to a second axis representing bandwidth, wherein one icon is deployed for each object, each icon having a predetermined shape with a topographical area representing said known data size for its corresponding object, deployment of an icon on the score representing delivery of the corresponding object in real time to feed delivery thereof in the script.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer program product of claim 45 wherein said means for deploying is means for robotically deploying.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer program product of claim 45 , further comprising means for deploying icons representing static objects so that the script completes delivery of each static object not later than a predetermined percentage, up to 100%, of the preselected period of time in which the corresponding icon is deployed on the score.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer program product of claim 47 , in which the predetermined percentage is 50%.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer program product of claim 47 , in which the icons representing static objects also each indicate a minimum clarity point on the score at which a predetermined percentage, up to 100%, of the corresponding object has been delivered according the current script.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer program product of claim 45 further comprising means for delivering the objects according to the script.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product of claim 50 , wherein said means for delivering the objects comprises means for playing back the object.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer program product of claim 50 , in which said means for delivering the objects is executed in a separate runtime view.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer program product of claim 52 , in which the runtime view and the score are separately and independently viewable.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
53 words
The computer program product of claim 45 , further comprising: means for introducing a constraint of bandwidth in which said objects must be delivered; and means for arranging the icons on the score so that said objects are delivered within the constraint of bandwidth to keep up with demand therefor in the script.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer program product of claim 54 , wherein said means for arranging is means for robotically arranging.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer program product of claim 54 , further comprising: means for changing the script; and means, responsive to said means for changing, for rearranging the icons on the score so that said objects are delivered within the constraint of bandwidth to keep up with demand therefor in said changed script.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer program product of claim 56 wherein said means for rearranging is means for robotically rearranging.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer program product of claim 56 , further comprising: means for compensating when the constraint of bandwidth prohibits the delivery of objects from keeping up with the demand therefor in the script.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer program product of claim 58 , in which said means for compensating includes means for reducing the data size of selected objects.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer program product of claim 54 , in which said means for arranging includes means for adapting the icons according to delivery rules into adapted shapes situated within the pipe, the topographical areas enclosed by said adapted shapes held constant throughout said adapting.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product of claim 60 , further comprising: means for alerting of an error condition when one of said delivery rules is broken.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer program product of claim 61 , further comprising: means for correcting for said error condition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5307456A
Cited
US5680619A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-19 | 2006-02-18 | 2006-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-18 | 2010-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-19 | 2014-02-18 | 2014-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |