United States Patent 19
`Washino et al.
`
`III IIHIIII
`USOO5488433A
`11
`Patent Number:
`5,488,433
`45) Date of Patent:
`Jan. 30, 1996
`
`54 DUAL COMPRESSION FORMAT DIGITAL
`VIDEO PRODUCTION SYSTEM
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle,
`Patmore, Anderson & Citkowski
`
`75 Inventors: Kinya Washino, 80 Hamilton Ave.,
`Dunmont, N.J. 07624; Barry H.
`Schwab, West Bloomfield, Mich.
`(73) Assignee: Kinya Washino, Mahwah, N.J.
`
`21
`22
`
`(51)
`52)
`
`58)
`
`56
`
`Appl. No.: 396,574
`Filed:
`Mar. 1, 1995
`Related U.S. Application Data
`63 Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 298,104, Aug. 30, 1994,
`and Ser. No. 50,861, Apr. 21, 1993, Pat. No. 5,450,140.
`Int. Cl. ................... HO4N S/76
`U.S. Cl. ........................ 348/722; 360/14.1; 360/14.3;
`358/311
`Field of Search ..................................... 348/722, 616;
`360/13, 14.1-14.3; 358/311; 395/146; H04N 5/76
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,164,839 11/1992 Lang ...................................... 360/41
`5,218,672
`6/1993 Morgan et al. ........................ 360/141
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Panasonic NAB 95 Catalog.
`Primary Examiner-James J. Groody
`Assistant Examiner-Glenton B. Burgess
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An audio/video production system is implemented on a
`PC-based platform, preferably utilizing various forms of
`removable magnetic, optical, or magneto-optical storage
`media. Specially modified cameras or other sources provide
`digitally data-compressed audio and video program materi
`als in two formats, a first format having a higher data
`compression ratio and intended for use in off-line systems to
`develop edit decision lists, and a second format having a
`lower data-compression ratio and intended for use in on-line
`editing and to produce the final representations of the
`programs. Off-line editing decisions may thus be developed
`on a PC using removable storage media, and final represen
`tations of the programs may be produced on-line in accor
`dance with stationary-head or rotary-head digital-tape-based
`formats, such as DAT, 6-mm or 8-mm tapes. In an alternative
`embodiment, automatic and unattended editing, or extended
`program playback of more than 40 hours duration of digital
`video, is available.
`
`39 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
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`76
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`84
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`- /
`GRAPHICS
`By -- PROCESSOR
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`72
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`INTERFACE
`BUS
`COMWTAROLLE
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`AEMOVABLE
`HARDS,
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`DIGITAL
`TAPE DRIVE
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`88
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`DATABUS
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`MCR0.
`PROCESSOR
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`SER
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`INTERFACE
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`75
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`Petitioners' Exhibit 1034
`Page 0001
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`Figure 1
`
`Jan. 30, 1996
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
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`5,488,433
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`4.
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`2Q
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`12
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`16
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`Figure A.
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`76
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`GRAPHICS
`By - PROCESSOR
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`DATABUS
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`Wrict
`COMWTROLLE
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`MICRO.
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`PROCESSOR
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`HARD DISK
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`USER
`| WTERFACE
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`75
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`Petitioners' Exhibit 1034
`Page 0002
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 30, 1996
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
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`5,488,433
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`Figure 3
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`102
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`SNSSNSNNYSN
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`Figure 4
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`202
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`WIDEO
`MOM/TOR
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`204
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`COMPUTER
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`IAPF
`STORAGF
`JUKEBOX
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`Petitioners' Exhibit 1034
`Page 0003
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`

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`1.
`DUAL COMPRESSION FORMAT DIGITAL
`VIDEO PRODUCTION SYSTEM
`
`2
`requires well-trained and expensive operational and engi
`neering personnel.
`
`5,488,433
`
`REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.
`08/298,104, filed Aug. 30, 1994 and U.S. application Ser.
`No. 08/050,861, filed Apr. 21, 1993, now patented, U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,450,140.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates generally to video recording sys
`tems associated with the editing of program materials, and,
`more particularly, to a system that takes advantage of a
`PC-based platform for performing non-linear editing func
`tions.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Traditional video editing systems are generally divided
`into two categories: linear and non-linear. Linear editing
`systems are generally integrated with tape-based program
`storage, while non-linear editing systems are associated
`more closely with disk-based storage media, wherein ran
`dom-access storage more easily may be implemented. The
`25
`typical linear editing system is implemented with one of the
`many "broadcast quality' videotape recording formats. The
`choices for analog recorders include, among others, 1"
`C-format, Betacam, Betacam-SP, %" U-matic, U-matic-SP,
`S-VHS, and Hi-8. The choices for digital recorders include,
`among others, D-1, D-2, D-3, D-5, DCT, and Digital Beta
`cam. Each of these recording formats is incompatible with
`any otherformat, and all require sophisticated system facili
`ties, including synchronization systems, edit controllers,
`audio and video switchers and processors, digital video
`effects (DYE) systems, character generators, and other
`equipment. This, in turn, requires extensive physical plant
`facilities for electric power, air conditioning and air filtra
`tion, storage space, and maintenance equipment. Further
`more, large operational and maintenance staffs are required
`to keep the equipment in good working order. However,
`recording duration capacity for these types of videotape
`recorders ranges up to three hours or more, making them
`uniquely valuable for many applications, such as program
`distribution, archival storage, and as master program sources
`for mass duplication of videos for the home video market.
`In contrast, non-linear systems are based on optical discs,
`or alternatively, on magnetic or magneto-optical disks.
`Because of the relatively high cost of these storage media
`when long-duration recording periods are required, such
`systems are relegated to use as off-line editing systems
`applied to the preparation of edit decision lists (EDLs) for
`use in edit suites incorporating linear editing systems. How
`ever, the rapid random-access features and editing ease are
`valuable for short programs.
`As currently implemented by many manufacturers (such
`as AVID and videoCube), PC-based hard disk storage is very
`expensive. If equipped with 10 GB of storage capacity, the
`system, in practice, is utilized in a two-step process. First,
`the original unedited programmaterial is digitized at a high
`data-compression ratio to provide representative pictures for
`use in an off-line editing environment, whereby the operator
`may develop an EDL. This EDL then is used to perform the
`required editing, using program materials that have been
`digitized and stored at much lower data-compression ratios.
`Because these two digitizing steps must be performed in real
`time, this is an expensive, time-consuming process which
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is an object of the invention to integrate the most
`valuable features of linear and non-linear editing system
`approaches.
`It is another object of the invention to provide capabilities
`for automatic unattended editing from edit decision lists
`developed on an off-line editing system.
`It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
`PC-based digital video recorder for applications such as
`broadcast television playback, video duplication source
`master playback, or other related applications.
`A further object of the invention is to provide extended
`playback of 40 hours or more of digital video programming,
`for cable television or other uses.
`The present invention achieves these and other objectives
`by providing a PC-based audio/video production system
`which addresses the problem of providing inexpensive alter
`natives to the large, expensive edit suites currently in
`common use. Digital program source materials, produced by
`specially modified cameras or other sources, provide data
`compressed audio and video program materials in two
`formats having matched edit-time-code identification. A first
`format having a higher data-compression ratio and intended
`for use in an off-line editing system is used to develop an edit
`decision list, and a second format having a lower data
`compression ratio is used in an on-line editing system for the
`production of a final representation of the program. As such,
`off-line editing decisions may be developed on a PC, includ
`ing a portable PC, using removable storage media, and final
`representations of the programs may be implemented on a
`stationary-head or rotary-head digital-tape-based format,
`such as DAT, 6-mm or 8-mm.
`By employing one of several new, small, inexpensive
`storage media such as PCMCIA-based disk drives, and by
`utilizing data-compression technology, the off-line editing
`capabilities are achieved in an economical system, with the
`digital-tape-based formats providing broadcast-quality
`required even for demanding applications. Recording dura
`tion capacity for these media is 60 to 120 minutes or longer
`for conventional NTSC or PAL video formats, and a natural
`extension to HDTV formats (with comparable program
`duration capacity) is achieved as commercial availability of
`storage media having higher recording densities becomes
`economically practical. Where compatibility to film mate
`rials is desirable, operation of the various system compo
`nents at 24 frames-per-second is implemented.
`A method of producing a final video program according to
`the invention therefore includes the steps of providing
`program source materials in first and second digital formats,
`the first format being characterized in having a higher data
`compression ratio than the second; recording the materials in
`the first and second formats, respectively, onto first and
`second removable storage media along with correlated edit
`time-code information in each case; interfacing the first
`storage medium to an off-line video editing system to
`develop an edit decision list; interfacing the second storage
`medium to an on-line video editing system; transferring the
`edit decision list developed in conjunction with the off-line
`video editing system to the on-line video editing system; and
`editing the materials in the second formal on the second
`storage medium, in accordance with the edit decision list, to
`produce a final video program.
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1034
`Page 0004
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`

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`5,488,433
`
`3
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a portable dual-format
`digital video recorder optionally implemented as part of a
`camcorder system;
`FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a dual-format
`digital video recorder;
`FIG. 3 is an oblique representation of an off-line digital
`video editing system implemented with a PC-based edit
`controller having provisions for accepting removable stor
`age media; and
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an on-line digital video
`editing system implemented with a PC-based edit controller
`having provisions for accepting removable storage media.
`
`4
`When the newer 50 GB or 80 GB tapes become available,
`these tapes will be capable of storing either four hours of
`programming in NTSC or PAL format, or two hours in an
`HDTV format, making them practical for use in those
`applications currently allocated to linear editing equipment,
`as described above. Alternatively, using the currently avail
`able MPEG-2 data compression with a ratio of 20:1, a 20 GB
`tape will accommodate four hours of NTSC or PAL record
`ing (or one hour of HDTV); an 80 GB tape will accommo
`date 16 hours of NTSC or PAL recording (or four hours for
`HDTV). Where compatibility to film materials is desirable,
`operation of the various system components at 24 frames
`per-second is implemented.
`FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of a storage-device-based
`digital recorder according to the invention, either employed
`in a video camera, or implemented separately in editing and
`production facilities. As shown, a removable hard disk drive
`70 and a digital tape drive 88 are interfaced through an
`interface bus controller 72. Such a system achieves data
`transfer rates of 10 MB/sec, and higher rates on these or
`other data storage devices, such as high-capacity removable
`memory modules, is anticipated. In practice, alternative
`methods of storage such as optical or magneto-optical drives
`could be utilized, preferably based on various interface bus
`standards such as SCSI-2 or PCMCIA. In all cases, however,
`in order to ensure compatibility with downstream editing
`facilities, both of the removable media for drives 70 and 88
`should be recorded with identical or at least correlated
`edit-time-code information, so that edit lists developed from
`one storage medium will produce the same results when
`applied to the program material recorded simultaneously on
`the other storage medium.
`Microprocessor 74, through user interface provisions 75
`(such as keyboards, touch-screens, etc.) controls the 64-bit
`or wider data bus 80, which integrates the various compo
`nents. Currently available microprocessors include the
`Alpha 21064 by Digital Equipment Corporation, and the
`MIPS R4400 by MIPS Technologies, Inc. Future implemen
`tations might rely on the already announced P6 by Intel
`Corp. or the PowerPC 620. An alternative architecture may
`be implemented using multiple processors working in par
`allel to increase the effective frame rate. The PCI data bus,
`for example, is capable of sustained data transfer rates of
`100 MB/sec. A ROM 76 is used for fixed program storage.
`The RAM 78 preferably has the capacity to function as a
`buffer, representing 25 seconds or more of live NTSC video
`in 4:2:2 format, to enable “hot-swapping” of removable
`media without interruption of the input video signal during
`recording or alternatively the output video signal during
`playback. Graphics processor 82 represents dedicated hard
`ware which performs the various manipulations required to
`process input video signals 84 and to output the video
`signals 86. Although shown as YIR-Y/B-Y format, either the
`inputs or outputs, or both, may be configured in alternative
`formats, such as RGB, YIQ, YUV or other commonly used
`alternatives.
`While a software-based implementation of the data com
`pression is possible, a hardware-based implementation is
`preferred, with the system employing, for the tape-based
`drives, a data-compression ratio of 5:1 for conventional
`signals (NTSC/PAL) and a 10:1 data-compression ratio for
`HDTV signals. For the hard-disk drive, a data-compression
`ratio of 50:1 is preferably utilized. Examples of the many
`available options for this data compression function include
`the currently available Apple QuickTime system, fractal
`compression, MPEG-1 (for off-line applications) and
`Motion-JPEG (for on-line applications). In many applica
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`FIG. 1 shows a portable dual-format digital video
`recorder according to the invention, optionally implemented
`as part of a camcorder system. A lens 2 and viewfinder 4 are
`mounted on the body of a camera frame. The usual optical
`splitter, CCD sensors and driver circuitry, and digital signal
`processing circuitry are located at 6, with optional battery
`pack capability being shown at 10. The various analog and
`digital output signals and any input audio, video, or control
`signals, all shown generally at 16, are interfaced through
`appropriate connectors disposed on the rear-panel 12 and
`sub-panel 14. Provisions are included as shown for the input
`of analog audio signals, and for the output of both analog
`and digital audio signals. Preferably fiber-optic cabling is
`employed as a signal-carrying medium.
`The internal video recording facilities are comprised of
`two parts. First, a lower data-compression-ratio digital
`audio/video signal is recorded on a stationary-head or
`rotary-head digital data tape recorder (such as quarter-inch
`cartridge, half-inch cartridge, DAT, 6-mm or 8-mm) in the
`removable-tape transport 18, intended for utilization in an
`off-line video editing system, described herein below.
`Simultaneously, a second digital audio/video signal having
`a higher data-compression ratio is recorded on a removable
`storage media unit 20. This removable storage medium is
`intended for utilization in an off-line video editing system,
`also described herein below. In practice, this removable
`storage medium may be implemented by any of several well
`known technologies, such as magnetic or magneto-optical
`disks, optical discs, or semiconductor memory modules. The
`two signal recording media implemented in the two parts of
`the internal video recording facilities may record the audio
`and video signals in separated form, or alternatively may be
`implemented by any of several well-known systems for
`interleaved audio/video data, such as the audio/video inter
`leave. ("AVI') system of Microsoft Corporation, the
`“M-Power' technique offered by Hewlett-Packard, or other
`systems.
`Examples of removable storage media include PCMCIA
`based removable disk drives (currently available with
`capacities of 420 MBytes, and soon to be available with
`capacities as high as 1 GByte) and 8-mm. tape cassettes
`(currently available with capacity of 20 GB, and soon to be
`available with capacities as high as 80 GB). At a data
`compression ratio of 50:1, 420 MBytes will store approxi
`mately 75 minutes of program material (in NTSC format
`using an image dimension in pixels of 320x240 for off-line
`editing), and at a data-compression ratio of 5:1, 20 GB also
`will store approximately 60 minutes of program material.
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`Petitioners' Exhibit 1034
`Page 0005
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`5,488.433
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`tions, MPEG-2 data compression will be suitable for on-line
`editing. Audio signals may be included within the data
`stream, as proposed in the several systems for digital tele
`vision transmission already under evaluation by the Federal
`Communications Commission, or by one of the methods
`available for integrating audio and video signals used in
`multi-media recording schemes, such as the Microsoft
`". AVI' Audio/Video Interleave) file format. As an alterna
`tive, an independent system for recording audio signals may
`be implemented, either by employing separate digital
`recording provisions controlled by the same system and
`electronics, or by implementing completely separate equip
`ment external to the camera system described above.
`FIG. 3 shows an off-line digital video editing system,
`implemented with a PC-based edit controller having provi
`sions for accepting materials in the form of removable
`storage media. The controller 102 is preferably of conven
`tional design, but operates at least at the level of current Intel
`Pentium or high-level "486' processors. The unit is
`equipped with a color display, and preferably includes a PCI
`internal bus structure, and provisions for interfacing with a
`removable PCMCIA storage card 104. In one embodiment
`this card 104 is implemented with magnetic or magneto
`optical disks, or with an optical disc unit. Alternatively, a
`stand-alone external data storage unit (not shown) could be
`interfaced through the PCMCIA facilities, or by way of an
`SCSI-type interface.
`As an optional feature, a PCMCIA expansion adapter 106
`may be provided, so that a plurality of PCMCIA cards or
`PCMCIA devices 108 may be accessed conveniently
`through a single PCMCIA slot on the PC, as shown. This
`expansion adapter is provided with internal selection and
`multiplexing circuitry, so that each plug-in card or device
`may be accessed independently and without interference
`with any other card or device in he expansion adapter. The
`selection may be performed by employing techniques well
`35
`known in the art, such as the addressing schemes utilized for
`SCSI or GPIB data busses. Since a single 420 MByte
`PCMCIA card module is capable of holding 75 minutes of
`programming material with image dimensions in pixels of
`320x240, 4:2:2 sampling and a 50:1 data compression ratio,
`an expansion adapter equipped with ten PCMCIA slots and
`plug-in cards is capable of providing ten hours of original
`program material, and this programming capacity is capable
`of being further expanded with other types of PCMCIA
`compatible devices. As a further option, a custom-designed
`45
`PC could be provided with multiple PCMCIA slots to accept
`a plurality of storage devices without the need for an
`external expansion adapter.
`In operation, the off-line digital video editing system PC
`is used to edit and combine the materials stored on various
`50
`data-storage devices, producing an edit decision list which
`then may be utilized by an on-line editing system. The
`availability of multiple storage devices enables the operator
`to rehearse and then confirm "A/B-roll' edits with only two
`storage devices, and "A/B/C-roll" edits with three storage
`devices. When equipped with expansion provisions or addi
`tional SCSI-bus devices, the system is capable of controlling
`the various storage devices so as to produce highly compli
`cated sequences in a convenient and timely manner. While
`the lower-quality (higher data-compression ratio) program
`materials are utilized only for determining the edit points
`(edit decision list) for the program, the off-line editing
`system described herein below is capable of producing the
`final edited version of the program with high-quality results
`in accordance with the preferred embodiment.
`The versatility of the system may be further enhanced if
`planning for the program is begun by providing script and
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`6
`staging information to the computer in advance of editing, or
`even in advance of filming or taping the original production.
`The script may be provided as a simple text file, or as a
`formatted word processor file, such as used in “WordPer
`fect” or “Word for Windows'. As an alternative, the file may
`be of a custom format, as is commonly used by professional
`scriptwriters. This script and staging information is then
`reformatted to include specific commands, such as when to
`switch camera coverage to a particular actor, or the choice
`of a particular camera angle. Further details may now be
`included, such as the ability to identify close-up camera
`coverage, or points at which specific visual special effects
`(such as split-screen views or chroma-keyed backgrounds)
`or sound effects are to be incorporated. The modified script
`file is then used to guide the operator of the off-line editing
`system in making edit decisions to match the program
`materials to the script, to make any modifications to the
`script that are necessitated by the circumstances of the
`taping, or to take advantage of any unforeseen artistic
`opportunities presented by the actual taped materials.
`In addition, it is common practice in broadcast-television
`news studios to use remotely controlled cameras to telecast
`the live programs. These cameras are mounted on motorized
`bases which are capable of moving the cameras to any
`desired position on the stage, within the physical limits
`imposed by the stage itself (such as the length of the camera
`cables or the clearance available for cameras to move
`relative to each other on the stage). The zoom-lenses, pan-tilt
`mounts, and camera electronic control settings are manipu
`lated through the camera remote-control facilities, which
`may include either separate electronic control panels or
`alternatively computer interfaces with appropriate control
`software, such as the unit described by washino, U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,325,202. By coupling the software script materials to
`instructions for control of the camera movements, the capa
`bilities of all of these systems may be optimized. The
`modified scriptfile must be prepared before the actual taping
`occurs, however, and should include the physical layout of
`the sets and props for each scene.
`The staging information described herein above, is iden
`tified by special camera-remote-control software, and the
`camera control operator is provided with a graphical inter
`face which depicts the layout of the set and the "blocked'
`positions of the actors and props for a given scene. This
`system preferably also includes a user interface (such as a
`touch-screen or a mouse) to enable the camera control
`operator to program the cameras to be in the correct location,
`and to have the correct Zoom-lens and pan-tilt positions, to
`capture the scene as desired, as described in co-pending
`application U.S. Ser. No. 08/050,861. At this time, the
`operator optionally may add information to control auto
`mated lighting systems, which are well-known in the are of
`the film, video, and stage production. This enhanced version
`of the modified script file is then used to direct camera
`actions during the actual taping of the scenes, and is further
`modified as part of the off-line editing process as the EDL is
`developed, as described above, in accordance with the
`invention.
`An on-line digital video editing system is depicted in
`block-diagram form in FIG. 4. The functional operation of
`the editing system follows that of the digital video editing
`system disclosed in FIG. 2, or in an alternative embodiment,
`may be implemented in a more sophisticated form, as
`described in our co-pending application "Multi-Format
`Audio/Video Production System," U.S. application Ser. No.
`08/298,104 filed Aug. 30, 1994. This system is implemented
`with a PC-based edit controller 206 having separate provi
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1034
`Page 0006
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`

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`7
`sions for accepting removable storage media. In the pre
`ferred embodiment, the digital video tapes recorded by the
`system of FIG. 2 are installed in a tape-storage "jukebox”
`208 for easy access during editing. Such tape cassette
`handling devices are well-known in the art of computer data
`storage, and are generally utilized for data back-up appli
`cations or for archival storage.
`The edits incorporated into the edit decision list are
`utilized to sequence the various digital tapes so as to
`assemble a recording of the desired program materials into
`a final finished product, which is then recorded on the
`videotape recorder 202. This video recorder may be imple
`mented as any of the commonly used choices for analog
`recorders, including, among others, 1" C-format, Betacam,
`Betacam-SP, U-matic-SP, and Hi-8. If implemented as a
`digital recorder, the available choices include, among others,
`D-1, D-2, D-3, D-5, DCT, and Digital Betacam. Further
`more, the final format could be another digital data tape such
`as the type used for program source material or any other
`removable storage media. Since the time-code identification
`numbers on the removable media of the off-line system
`correlate with those utilized in the on-line system, no
`conversion or adaptation of the edit decision list is needed.
`The video monitor 204 is used to manipulate the windows
`based edit system control software, and to view the program
`materials as the edit process proceeds. This process will be
`essentially automatic, as all of the necessary decisions
`already have been made in the off-line editing process as
`described above. In addition, this is an appropriate time for
`adding digital video effects to the program or to implement
`any special effects included in the program script.
`The invention may be used for other applications limited
`to record/playback, without implementing the full range of
`editing features. For example, in applications such as master
`playback for video duplication, the program master nape
`must be played, rewound to the beginning, and then
`restarted, on a repeating cycle. In facilities employing a
`conventional video tape recorder, this represents a great deal
`of physical stress on the program master tape, thereby
`requiring a large number of copies of this master tape when
`many production runs are required to complete an order. In
`addition, some production time is lost due to the rewinding
`process itself. In a disk-based application of the system
`disclosed herein, there is no significant deterioration of the
`master program even in repeated usage, and it is possible to
`begin playing a program at any point desired, with essen
`tially no delay due no cueing the program media to the
`physical location containing that part of the recorded pro
`gram. In order to provide the necessary recording time
`duration, additional hard-disk drives would be added to
`achieve the required playback duration. Based on an
`MPEG-2 data-compression ratio of 20:1 (with a 4:2:2
`recording system for NTSC signals), two hours of digital
`video would require approximately 8 GB of disk storage
`capacity. Disk-drives offering capacity of 9 GB are currently
`available, and until removable media achieve comparable
`levels, a program would accordingly be loaded into internal
`or external disk-storage units from the required number of
`removable media units.
`The invention may also be employed as a playback unit
`for cable television usage or other extended-playing time
`applications. By adding as many "juke-box' units as desired,
`it is a simple matter to extend the playback time capability
`of the system, with each "juke-box” providing approxi
`mately 40 hours of digital video playback. By fully utilizing
`the RAM-based audio/video buffering capabilities discussed
`with reference to FIG. 2, it is possible to supply digital video
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`8
`playback on a continuous basis by changing the tape storage
`cassettes or cartridges "on-the-fly” while video playback
`proceeds. If provided with computer-readable identification
`codes on each cassette or cartridge, the computer is able to
`locate the "juke-box” and the particular physical storage slot
`containing programmaterials that previously have be sched
`uled for playback. Identification and library management
`systems of this type are well-known in the art, and are in
`common usage implemented as "cart-machines' employed
`for playback of commercial advertisements or other program
`materials at broadcast stations. In addition, playback at any
`frame rate or television system standard would be available,
`in accordance with our co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.
`08/298,104 filed Aug. 30, 1994.
`The versatility of the Digital Video Production System
`may be enhanced further, if planning for the program is
`begun by providing script and staging information to the
`computer in advance of editing, or even in advance of
`filming or taping the original production. Computer software
`having access to the script materials will enable the operator
`to match the scenes to the recorded video materials quickly,
`thereby speeding the editing process. In addition, it is
`common practice in broadcast-television news studios to use
`remotely-controlled cameras to telecast the live programs.
`By coupling the software script materials to instructions for
`control of the camera movements, the capabilities of all of
`these systems will be optimized.
`Having thus described the system, we claim:
`1. A digital audio/video production system adapted for use
`with an on-line video editing facility, the production system
`comprising:
`a digital video recorder capable of simultaneously record
`ing information representative of the same program
`source material, including correlated edit-time-code
`information, onto first and second removable storage
`media in first and second formats, respectively, the
`information in the first format being data-compressed
`relative to the information in the second format;
`a programmed personal computer configured to receive
`the first removable storage medium, enabling an opera
`torto edit the information representative of the program
`source material in the first formatin off-line fashion so
`as to develop an edit decision list; and
`means to transfer the edit decision list to an on-line video
`editing facility, the on-line editing facility being further
`configured to receive the second removable storage
`medium, whereby an operator of the on-line facility
`may edit the program source material in the second
`format using the edit decision list to create a final video
`production.
`2. The digital video production system of claim 1, wherein
`the information in the second format is non-compressed.
`3. The digital video production system of claim 1, wherein
`the digital video recorder forms part of a camcorder.
`4. The digital video production system of claim 1, wherein
`the first removable medium is a magnetic hard disk.
`5. The digital video production system o