Compiling system and method for mass producing individually customized media

What is claimed is:

1. A compiling system for compiling customized information segment sequences from various information segments, comprising:

M number of destination means for receiving Z number of customized information segment sequences, wherein M and Z are at least equal to two;

N number of resource means coupled to said destination means for storing the various information segments to be transmitted to said destination means for forming said customized information segment sequences, each of said resource means stores at least one information segment which is unique to that resource means, wherein N is at least equal to one;

routing means coupled between said resource means and said destination means for enabling said destination means to access said resource means to supply the information segments to said destination means;

processing means coupled to said routing means for storing user information signals indicative of all of said customized information segment sequences to be compiled, each one of said customized information segment sequences being associated with a given sequence time period;

allocating means coupled to said processing means for allocating said resource means to said destination means on a time sharing basis according to said user information signals for enabling each one of said destination means to access the information segments stored on said resource means;

scheduling means coupled to said processing means and said allocating means for generating a schedule for the compilation of each one of said customized information segment sequences on selected ones of said destination means to enable each one of said destination means to receive the information segments from said resource means without interruption in a time ordered manner for compiling a group of customized information segment sequences during a compiling time period, the customized information segment sequence group including P number of said customized information segment sequences, wherein P is at least equal to two and is less than or equal to M number of destination means, and said compiling time period is substantially less than the combined total of individual ones of said sequence time periods for said P number of customized information segment sequences; and

server means coupled to said scheduling means for supplying the information segments to said destination means according to said schedule for compiling said group of customized information segment sequences during a first one of said compiling time periods;

said server means for subsequently supplying the information segments to said destination means according to said schedule for compiling another group of customized information segment sequences during another compiling time period; and

said server means for continuing to supply information segments to said destination means in additional groups of customized information segment sequences during additional compiling time periods until all of said customized information segment sequences have been compiled.

2. A compiling system according to claim 1, further comprising:

Y number of graphic resource means coupled to said routing means for storing graphic information segments, wherein Y is at least one; and

graphic server means responsive to said scheduling means for supplying at least one of said graphic information segments to said destination means for forming said customized information segment sequences.

3. A compiling system according to claim 2, wherein said graphic resource means is a graphic generator.

4. A compiling system according to claim 3, wherein said graphic generator is a graphic work station.

5. A compiling system according to claim 3, wherein said graphic generator produces customized graphic images for videotapes.

6. A compiling system according to claim 2, further comprising scheduling algorithm means for scheduling use of said destination means, said resource means, and said graphic resource means to facilitate the supplying of information segments and graphic information segments to one or more of said destination means for compiling said group of customized information segment sequences, wherein one or more of said customized information segment sequences of said group contain at least one graphic information segment.

7. A compiling system according to claim 1, wherein said routing means includes a routing switcher unit and a routing switcher control unit.

8. A compiling system, according to claim 1, wherein said scheduling means includes a system control client processor.

9. A method of compiling customized information segment sequences from an assortment of information segments, comprising:

using M number of destination means for receiving Z number of customized information Segment sequences, wherein M and Z are at least equal to two;

using N number of resource means coupled to said destination means for storing the assortment of information segments to be transmitted to said destination means for forming said customized information segment sequences, each of said resource means stores at least one information segment which is unique to that resource means, wherein N is at least equal to one;

storing user information signals indicative of all of said customized information segment sequences to be compiled, each of said customized information segment sequences extending over an associated sequence time period and including at least one of the information segments;

allocating said resource means to said destination means on a time sharing basis according to said user information signals for enabling each of said destination means to access the information segments stored on said resource means;

generating a schedule for the compilation of each of said customized information segment sequences on one of said destination means to enable each of said destination means to receive the information segments from said resource means without interruption in a time ordered manner for compiling a group of customized information segment sequences during a compiling time period, said group of customized information segment sequences including P number of said customized information segment sequences wherein P is at least two and is less than or equal to M, and said compiling time period is substantially less than the sum of said sequence time periods for said P number of customized information segment sequences; and

supplying the information segments to said destination means according to said schedule for compiling said group of customized information segment sequences during said compiling time period.

10. A method of compiling according to claim 9, further comprising:

using Y number of graphic resource means for storing graphic information segments, wherein Y is at least one; and

supplying at least one of said graphic information segments to said destination means for forming said customized information segment sequences according to said schedule.

11. A method of compiling customized information segment sequences according to claim 9, further comprising:

subsequently supplying the information segments to said destination means according to said schedule for compiling another group of customized information segment sequences during another compiling time period; and

continuing to subsequently supply information segments to said destination means in additional groups of customized information segment sequences during additional compiling time periods until all of said customized information segment sequences have been compiled.

12. A compiling system, comprising:

a plurality of destination means for receiving a plurality of customized information segment sequences;

a plurality of resource means coupled to said destination means for storing a plurality of information segments to be transmitted to said destination means to form said customized information segment sequences, wherein each of said resource means stores at least one information segment which is unique to that resource means;

routing means coupled between said destination means and said resource means for enabling said destination means to access said resource means to supply individual ones of said information segments stored by said resource means to said destination means in a controlled manner;

network means coupled to said routing means for controlling the supply of said information segments from said resource means to said destination means to enable said customized information segment sequences to be compiled on said destination means;

video report means coupled to said network means for generating user information signals indicative of each of said customized information segment sequences to be compiled to facilitate the allocation of said resource means to said destination means in a time sharing manner, each of said customized information segment sequences extending over an associated sequence time period and including at least one of said information segments;

scheduling means coupled to said network means for generating script information in response to said user information signals to compile each of said customized information segment sequences on one of said destination means to enable each of said destination means to receive the information segments from said resource means without interruption in a time ordered manner for compiling a group of customized information segment sequences during a compiling time period, wherein said compiling time period is substantially less than the sum of each of said sequence time periods for said group of customized information segment sequences;

said network means including server means responsive to said script information for controlling each of said resource means to supply said information segments to said destination means for compiling said group of customized information segment sequences during said compiling time period.

13. A compiling system according to claim 12, wherein said server means includes resource server means for controlling the plurality of resource means.

14. A compiling system according to claim 12, wherein said server means includes a destination device server for controlling the plurality of destination means.

15. A compiling system according to claim 12, further comprising:

a video monitor for receiving output signals from at least one of the plurality of destination means.

16. A compiling system according to claim 12, wherein said scheduling means includes off-line mode means for controlling at least an individual one of the resource means to operate in an off-line mode to permit access to one of the information segments in preparation of supplying said one information segment to a selected one of the destination means when the selected one of the destination means is available to receive said information segment according to said script information without conflict.

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TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to compiling systems and methods of mass producing individually customized media. More particularly, this invention relates to a compiling system that facilitates the mass production of individually customized media.

BACKGROUND ART

There have been many types and kinds of compiling systems used to produce recording media, such as videotape recordings. For example, reference may be made to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,941,040; 4,924,303; 4,918,516; 4,905,094; 4,863,384; 4,775,935; 4,745,549; 4,725,977; and 4,602,279.

As disclosed in the foregoing mentioned patents, various compiling systems include data base memory units with prerecorded segments and segment processors for selecting and directing individual ones of the pre-recorded segments for recording on a desired recording media such as a video recording tape via a videocassette recorder. In this manner, customer selected segments of prerecorded materials, such as a plurality of music videos, may be retrieved from the data base memory units and directed to a designated videocassette recorder for recording the selected segments on the desired recording media.

While such compiling systems may have been satisfactory for some applications, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved compiling system which is highly efficient and able to increase productivity significantly so that a high volume of individually customized recording media can be produced. Increasing volume production has been expensive when using previously known systems. In this regard, it has been necessary to increase the number of system components, such as videodisc players, graphic generators, and videocassette recorders substantially to increase volume production. Thus, even though high volume production could be achieved, such high volume production could not be accomplished without a significant increase in capital cost for the necessary additional components.

Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved compiling system, which can produce a high volume of individually customized recording media in a highly efficient manner and without requiring mass duplication of each system component.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Therefore, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved compiling system and method of using it, wherein individually customized media are mass produced in a highly efficient and cost effective manner.

Briefly, the above and further objects of the present invention are realized by providing a new and improved compiling system which can mass produce individually customized recording media, such as videotapes in a highly efficient and cost effective manner. High volume production is realized by matrixing synchronized system resources, such as videodisc players, videocassette recorders, and graphic generator units. The resources are managed using a predetermined client/server model of computing over a local area network. The audio and video resources are matrixed using a routing switcher to provide simultaneous access of all resources to all destinations. The resources are synchronized by supplying all time dependent system nodes with the same time base criteria, which in turn, is also utilized to synchronize non-time dependent resources. In this regard, by managing required audio, video and graphic events required by each system node over a given time base, resources are shared thereby allowing efficient videotape production without the necessity of mandating system resource duplication.

The compiling system includes a scheduling device, a routing device and a plurality of audio/video resource and destination devices. The audio/video devices include M number of media utilization devices, such as videocassette recorders, and N number of segment memory devices, such as videodisc players, for supplying X number of information segments. For the purpose of causing intended information segments to be presented to the appropriate media utilization device at the appropriate time, a scheduling device causes at least one of N number of segment memory devices to supply information to at least one of the M number of media utilization devices. M represents the number of individually customized media to be produced during each production run, and X represents the number of different segments that are available for selection by a customer for transferring to the customized media. The scheduling device also causes at least one of the segment memory devices to be operating in an off-line mode of operation to permit the access of another information segment in preparation for supplying such information segment to the utilization devices upon its completion.

In one form of the invention, the system employs P number of graphic units to permit graphic overlays to be transferred to the M number of individually customized media to be produced during each production run.

Thus, the system of this invention provides a new and improved compiling system which enables a high volume of customized media utilization devices, such as cable television channels, videocassette tapes, videotapes, or other such devices, to be produced in a highly efficient and cost effective manner. Each medium device contains pre-recorded information segments, such as music video segments, selected by an end user recipient. Such a customized storage media can be utilized by the end user recipient, on widely available conventional videocassette players, audio cassette players, and other such devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other objects and features of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of the embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a compiling system which is constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a data flow diagram for the compiling system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a time matrix diagram illustrating the production scheduling for a group of customized demonstration videotapes;

FIG. 4 is a time matrix diagram illustrating the production scheduling for a group of customized music videotapes;

FIG. 5 is a time matrix diagram illustrating the production scheduling for a group of customized sales presentation videotapes;

FIG. 6 is a typical matrix architecture of destination resources and source resources of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7A-J is a process for using the system of FIG. 1 to produce a script;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for a schedule program to time schedule the destination and source resources of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram for a typical server device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 10-14 are simplified flow chart examples of how the raw data of FIGS. 7A-J is processed;

FIG. 15 is a typical application label layout illustrating the placement of processed data on a label of FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is a typical application print layout illustrating the placement of processed data on a print report of FIG. 2;

FIG. 17 is a typical application videotape layout illustrating the audio/video/graphic segment placement on a videotape report of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 18 is a client/server and time code layout diagram for the compiling system of FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The detailed description that follows is organized according to the following outline:

A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF COMPILING SYSTEM FOR MASS PRODUCING INDIVIDUALLY CUSTOMIZED MEDIA.

B. DETAILED HARDWARE DESCRIPTION.

C. SYSTEM SOFTWARE

A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF COMPILING SYSTEM FOR MASS PRODUCING INDIVIDUALLY CUSTOMIZED MEDIA

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a high volume compiling system 10, which is constructed in accordance to the present invention. The system 10 allows for high volume creation of a recorded media storage device, such as a videotape 19 (FIG. 2). In this regard, the audio and video resources utilized for providing information segments to the media storage device 19 are configured via a matrix architecture 501 (FIG. 6) for high volume time synchronized production to insure optimum resource utilization during any given production operation. Such a matrix architecture 501 permits such resources to be shared, allowing different recorded media storage devices to be produced simultaneously, and thus, resulting in a low cost, high volume production system.

The high volume compiling system 10 generally includes a local area network or LAN indicated generally at 12 having a scheduling processor or system control client 13 for reconfiguring and allocating the system audio/video resources dynamically in real time on the fly. In this regard, the scheduling processor 13 generates resources scripts for time sharing the system audio/video resources. Such scripts or media processes, of which several may be running in the system at any given time, assume dedicated control of system resources that may be activated at any time and share those system resources that must be synchronized or scheduled in order to prevent simultaneous access to a commonly shared resource that may not be shared simultaneously.

System resources that generally require scheduling include a group 14 of videocassette recorders (VCR-1 to VCR-16), including a videocassette recorder 61 and a videocassette recorder 62, a group 15 of videodisc players or presentation memory devices (VDP-1 to VDP-8), such as a videodisc player 71 and a videodisc player 72, a group 16 of audio mixers (AM-1 to AM-16), such as an audio mixer 64 and an audio mixer 65 and a group 17 of graphic overlay units or servers (G-1 to G-4), such as a graphic server 74 and a graphic server 75. As will be explained hereinafter, the group 17 of graphic servers can function both as resource video devices and destination video devices.

The volume of recorded media storage devices that can be created at any one time is determined by the number of available audio/video resources scaled by the complexity of the videotape programs being created and absolutely limited by the number of videocassette recorders 14 included in the system 10. In this regard, at maximum throughput efficiency, all of the audio/video resources including the videocassette recorders 14 are actively creating videotapes. At minimum efficiency, all of the audio/video resources are activated creating but a single videotape.

From the foregoing, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, that the videotapes created by the system 10 may contain various video information segments supplied via the group 15 of videodisc players, audio information segments supplied by the group 15 of videodisc players via the group 16 of audio mixers and graphic information segments supplied via the group 17 of graphic servers.

The system 10 also includes an audio/video switching subsystem generally indicated at 40 that provides the selection of any of the audio/video resources, such as the videodisc players 71, 72, audio outputs and graphic overlay units 74, 75 to any of the audio/video destination resources, such as the videocassette recorders 61, 62 and audio mixers 64, 65.

The audio/video switching subsystem 40 includes a routing switcher 42 for routing resources in groups 15 and 17 to destination resources in groups 14, 16 and 17, as will be described hereinafter. The scheduling processor 13 communicates with the various subsystem servers to establish what specific system resources will be required for any given tape production process or script to produce a given batch of videotapes.

Those skilled in the art will further understand that the dynamic sharing of the audio/video resources 14-17 allows for the efficient creation of certain programs that need special audio/video resources only for limited periods of time. Further, the dynamic sharing of such audio/video resources 14-17 allows for dynamic reconfiguration or allocation to meet particular video program tape production needs.

In order to synchronize the operation of the various system resources 14-17, the system 10 also includes a MIDI/SMPTE time code subsystem indicated generally at 18. The time code subsystem 18 provides timing references for all processes, synchronized to the system video hardware. The time code subsystem 18 generally includes a MIDI time code generator 20, a MIDI time code distributor 22 and a group of personal computers each having a LAN interface and a MIDI interface. The group of personal computers include a VDP microprocessor or videodisc server control 24, a VCR microprocessor or videocassette recorder server control 28, graphic server microprocessors 74 and 75 in group 17, and the RS microprocessor or routing switcher server control 26. Each of the above mentioned microprocessors are 486 microprocessors such as manufactured by INTEL. Graphic servers within group 17 additionally contain Targa boards and graphic software in a server shell.

Although in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, only a selected number of server controls are indicated, those skilled in the art will understand that other servers can be added to the disclosed configuration. In this regard, such other servers may include a digital audio server to provide another source of audio instead of the videodisc players; an editing videocassette recorder server to provide insertion of information segments into videotapes; an animation server to provide animation created on demand for tapes; and a digital video server to replace various videodisc players as a source in certain instances, and to provide a temporary storage device for an animation server for example.

Considering now the local area network 12 in greater detail with reference to FIG. 1, the LAN 12 includes the above mentioned microprocessors and another group of personal computers or 486 microprocessors that assist in the high volume production of videocassette tapes. Each of the personal computers in the local area network 12 have a bidirectional LAN interface connection. The above mentioned group of microprocessors includes a file microprocessor or file server 32 for storing video report graphic and system files, a printer or print server 34 for printing print report files, a system control client 13, and a data pre-processor or compute server 36 for processing raw client data.

The local area network 12 also includes a powerful graphic generator server 38 in the form of a power graphic work station, such as a NEXT.sup.m work station or a SILICON GRAPHICS.TM. work station, for creating special two-dimensional or three-dimensional graphic information segments. The graphic generator server 38 can reproduce previously generated graphic information and can create or modify graphics using report data for inclusion in videotapes. In this regard, the graphic generator server 38 in cooperation with the group 17 graphic servers can overlay graphics over video, recall stored graphics, generate new graphics using fonts and drawing primitives, and generate effects between graphics, such as dissolves and wipes.

Considering now the operation of the compiling system 10 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, raw data 201 stored in the database memory of the data pre-processor 36 is retrieved and reassembled as processed data 203 as determined by end user requirements. The processed data 203 is then combined with a video report description 205 provided by the file server 32 to the compute server 36 that includes a report interpreter program indicated generally at 207. The compute server 36, via the report interpreter program 207, generates a video report file 209 that is supplied to the scheduling processor 13.

A video report description 205 describes how a video 19 is to be sequenced given any set of data 203. A video may include various elements such as video segments, audio segments, graphics, and other graphical elements with contents from a data set. How these elements are selected for recording a video is described by logic contained in the video report description 205. Besides selection, the logic here also describes the placement in time of audio/video segments and graphic displays as well as the sizing and placement of graphics on a screen. The logical decisions are described using variable unknowns in place of actual items of data, with the understanding that these variables will be replaced with actual items of data by an engine or program that merges the video report description 205 with a set of data 203 to produce an actual recorded video 19. This engine or program is called the report interpreter and is described below.

Anyone familiar with the art of computer programming will understand that a video report description 205 is a program and that the report interpreter 207 is a computing engine or program that executes video report descriptions 205 with data 203 as input.

The report interpreter 207 for video reports is a computing engine or program that takes as input a video report description 205 and a set of data 203. The coupling of a video report description 205 with a set of data 203 describes a recorded video 19, and the task of the report interpreter 207 is to translate this description into another description that is understood by a videotape generating device. This latter description is the output of the report interpreter 207, and it is called a video report file 209.

A video report 209 is a complete description of a customized video containing information on the resources and timing of elements required to produce a videotape. This description can be interpreted by a videotape generating device to produce an actual recorded video 19.

The scheduling processor 13 utilizes the video report file 209 and communicates with the various system servers 24, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 74 and 75, via the LAN interface to establish what specific resources will be required to produce a given videotape, such as the videotape 19. Once the resources have been allocated, the scheduling processor 13 supplies each of the servers 24, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 74 and 75 with time triggered event information. The servers in turn, such as the servers 24, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 74 and 75 cause the various resources, such as the group 14 of videocassette recorders, the group 15 videodisc players, the group 16 of audio mixers, and the group 17 of graphic servers to be to be utilized on a time sharing basis over a given time period for producing one or more of the videotapes, such as the videotape 19. More particularly, the scheduling processor 13 via the routing switcher 42 establishes the matrix architecture 501 by assigning certain ones of the audio, video, graphic resources as a group 581 of destination resources and certain other ones of the audio, video, graphic resources as a group 580 of source resources to insure time sharing usually without simultaneous access unless simultaneous access is otherwise allowed.

A label description 213 describes how a label 219 is to be printed given any set of data 203. A label 219 may include various elements such as paragraphs of text and graphics and elements with contents from a data set 203. How these elements are selected for printing a label 219 is described by logic contained in the label description 213. Besides selection, the logic here also describes the sizing and placement of these elements on a label. The logical decisions are described using variable unknowns in place of actual items of data, with the understanding that these variables will be replaced with actual items of data by an engine or program that merges the label description 213 with a set of data 203 to produce a label file 215 and thereby an actual printed label 219. This engine or program is called the report interpreter 207 and is described below.

Anyone familiar with the art of computer programming will understand that a label description 213 is a program and that the report interpreter 207 is a computing engine or program that executes label descriptions 213 with data 203 as input.

The report interpreter 207 for labels is a computing engine or program that takes as input a label description 213 and a set of data. The coupling of a label description 213 with a set of data 203 describes a printed label 219, and the task of the report interpreter 207 is to translate this description 213 into another description 215 that is understood by a printing device 217. This latter description is the output of the report interpreter 207, and it is called a label file 215, which is described below.

A label file 215 is a complete description of a customized label. This description, which is written in a language such as Adobe PostScript.TM. can be interpreted by a printer 217 to produce an actual printed label 219.

The scheduling processor 13 utilizes the label file 215 and communicates with the label printer 217 to print a label 219 for a given videotape, such as the videotape 19. In this regard, a label removing device (not shown) removes the label 219 from the label printer 217 and attaches the label 219 to the face of the tape 19 as best seen in FIG. 2.

A report description 221 describes how a report 227 is to be printed given any set of data 203. A print report 227 may include various elements such as paragraphs of text and graphics and elements with contents from a data set 203. How these elements are selected for printing in a report is described by logic contained in the print report description 221. Besides selection, the logic here also describes the sizing and placement on a page of these report elements. These logical decisions are described using variable unknowns in place of actual items of data, with the understanding that these variables will be replaced with actual items of data by an engine or program that merges the print report description 221 with a set of data 203 to produce a print report file 223 that, when executed by a printer 225 produces an actual printed report 227. This engine or program is called the report interpreter 207 and is described below.

Anyone familiar with the art of computer programming will understand that a print report description 221 is a program and that the report interpreter 207 is a computing engine or program that executes print report descriptions 221 with data 203 as input.

The report interpreter 207 for print reports is a computing engine or program that takes as input a print report description 221 and a set of data 203. The coupling of a print report description 221 with a set of data 203 describes a print report 227, and the task of the report interpreter 207 is to translate this description 221 into another description 223 that is understood by a printing device 225. This latter description 223 is the output of the report interpreter 207, and it is called a print report file 223, which is described below.