Abstract:
A method and system for creating customized programs for individual requirements from a collection of prerecorded segments, which facilitates the creation of the program based on individual information and responses to specific inquiries to create a program which meets the interests, objectives and behavioral models appropriate to the user. This invention includes the capability of allowing the manual rearrangement and sequencing of the segments and produces a program, which is compatible with standard video and multi-media players. This invention makes use of Internet connected devices to collect information and to distribute compiled programs.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to pending patent application Ser. No. 11/074,879, filed on Mar. 8, 2005, having inventorship and ownership in common, for all material contained therein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to methods and systems for the creation and assembly of customized, individualized video programs. More specifically, this invention relates to the creation and assembly of video programs using an on-line database.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     A variety of techniques for assembling video files have been proposed and are in use. Typically these techniques are either fully assembled without consideration of a specific individual user or are custom created by an individual for his or her own use or the use of a limited distribution of users. Neither of these processes provide for the creation and/or assembly of customized video programs for individuals based on the receipt of individualized information and which makes use of a web-based data base of video and user information to provide an efficient technique for the creation/assembly of video programs for many users near simultaneously.  
         [0006]     Although these referenced documents may not necessarily qualify as “prior art” to the present invention, the reader is referred to the following U.S. patent documents for general background material. Each of these documents is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for the material contained therein.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,311,155 B1 describes a method for providing multiple users with voice-to-remaining audio (VRA) adjustment capability.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,351,733 B1 describes a method and apparatus that enables the inclusion of voice and remaining audio information at different parts of the audio production process.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,408,315 B1 describes a system by which customized quality computer-based training (“CBT”) can be presented over a global network such as the Internet with low development costs, low hosting costs, inexpensive class production, and high-quality audio-visual content.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,458,060 B1 describes an exercise device that is configured to enable a user to interact with a trainer in real-time communication.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,529,584 B1 describes a navigable audio delivery system that includes an audio application and content.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,564,380 B1 describes an Internet-based video feed management system that controls, manages and administers the commercial distribution of live video feeds from on-site video cameras as well as other sources of video feeds to production companies at other locations.  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,600,898 B1 describes a method and apparatus for generating a number audio element for playing a desired number in an audio system.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,640,145 B2 describes an intelligent media device, comprising a packet data communications interface; a media communication interface for receiving video and/or video data; a digital memory for persistently storing received audio and/or video data; and an intelligent server for generating a virtual interface for controlling the media communication interface and the digital memory through said packet data communication interface and the digital memory through said packet data communications interface.  
         [0015]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,641,523 B2 describes a method and apparatus for relaxing and reducing stress in an individual.  
         [0016]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,658,062 B1 describes an information system that provides selected information to individual users.  
         [0017]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,769,028 B1 describes a method for a computer system for sharing streaming media links.  
         [0018]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,772,127 B2 describes a method and apparatus for including voice and remaining audio information at different parts of the audio production process.  
         [0019]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,778,869 B2 describes a system and method for the request, delivery and use of multimedia files for audiovisual entertainment in the home environment.  
         [0020]     U.S. Pat. No. US 6,850,252 B1 describes an intelligent electronic appliance that preferably includes a user interface, data input and/or output port, and an intelligent processor.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0021]     It is desirable to provide a method and system for creating individualized custom video programs. Furthermore, it is particularly desirable to provide such a method and system, which makes use of the Internet and an on-line database for receiving individual information and for automatically compiling customized and individualized downloadable video files and then providing the capability for downloading the compiled video program.  
         [0022]     Therefore, it is an object of one or more embodiments of this invention to provide a method and system that creates and assembles individual custom video programs from video files stored in an on-line accessible database.  
         [0023]     It is another object of one or more embodiments of this invention to provide a method and system that creates and assembles individual custom video programs that collects specific information from a user.  
         [0024]     It is another object of one or more embodiments of this invention to provide a method and system that creates and assembles individual custom video programs that creates a dynamic profile for the user.  
         [0025]     It is another object of one or more embodiments of this invention to provide a method and system that creates and assembles individual custom video programs that using a dynamic profile of a user assembles an video file (program) from pre-recorded video segments stored in an on-line database.  
         [0026]     It is another object of one or more embodiments of this invention to provide a method and system that creates and assembles individual custom video programs that provides the assembled video file to the user for download to the user&#39;s video playback device.  
         [0027]     It is another object of one or more embodiments of this invention to provide a method and system that creates and assembles individual custom video programs that provides the assembled video file in a standard format for standard video playback devices.  
         [0028]     It is another object of one or more embodiments of this invention to provide a method and system that creates and assembles individual custom video programs that provides for the receipt of updates to the user&#39;s individual profile by collecting additional, new or revised information from the user.  
         [0029]     Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of this invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of this invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Still other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description wherein there is shown and described several preferred embodiments of this invention, simply by way of illustration of modes of the invention suited to carry out this invention. As it will be realized, this invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details, steps, and specific features are capable of modification in various aspects without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the objects, drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0030]     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention. Some all, alternative embodiments are also described in the following description. In the drawings:  
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is top-level process diagram of the top-level steps of the present embodiment of this invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a detailed system diagram of the present embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
       [0033]     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of this invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0034]     This invention is a method and system for creating customized individual downloadable video files. Prior to this invention most if not all video products were essentially presented to the end-user or customer in a fully completed form, without any interaction with this user. By taking advantage of the capabilities of the Internet, this invention provides a user with the opportunity to order and receive an video program (or in some future envisioned embodiments a multi-media program) that has been assembled from constituent components to form a custom program particularly suited to the user&#39;s needs.  
         [0035]     The following is a brief example of one possible application of the use of this invention. Many people enjoy bicycling on standard or stationary bicycles for recreation and exercise. Using this invention such a bicyclist would be able to receive a customized video training coach program which would typically be downloaded from the user&#39;s personal computer to an video player. The user can then carry this video training coach program to the gym or road for a customized exercise experience. Typically, in this application, the user, using his or her own computer system and the Internet logs into a Destination Website. A series of questions are presented to the user online. For this application of the invention, the questions could be concern the user&#39;s current fitness level, distances the user is used to biking, time available for training, days the user can commit to training, short and long term goals and the like. These inquiries and gather information is presently accomplished by a processor managing a web site in communication with the Internet. Once this information has been received by the processor of this invention, which typically scores or correlates the received information, the processor accesses one or more media (multi-media or video) databases and based on the scoring of the received information collects prerecorded segments stored in the databases. These prerecorded segments are then assembled into a custom individualized program. This custom program is the provided, via a media file download, to the user&#39;s computer. The user can then transfer the custom program from his or her computer to a typically portable video or multi-media player, currently such as a computer, Personal Data Assistant (PDA) or the like. The present preferred embodiment of this invention also permits the user to create a report of the workout on his or her computer, this report can then be printed out and/or uploaded to the processor via the Destination Website to update the profile of the user created by the processor during the scoring step of the process. The prerecorded segments of this application of the invention may include such information as instruction, encouragement, historical anecdotes and the like, in other words coaching. Because this coaching program is customized to the user and because by varying the information provided to the processor the user can create a variety of individual personal and distinct programs. For example, the user can have workouts that are of different duration, intensity and difficulty. Other examples of the use of this invention to create customized individual programs would be other exercise routines such as running, weight lifting, rowing, walking or hiking and the like; entertainment programs, such as custom automatically selected programs of songs; motivational or meditational video programs; educational study programs; and the like. Future envisioned embodiments of this invention will be able to create full multi-media programs, that could be displayed and played on such devices as next generation PDA&#39;s and digital cell phones and the like.  
         [0036]      FIG. 1  shows top-level process diagram of the top-level steps of the present embodiment of this invention. The user typically begins the process by using his or her computer connected to the Internet to access the Destination Website  102 . Once access has been accomplished, the processor through the Destination Website  102  receives  101  individual information from the user. This information will typically include such information as user identification and authorization information; program type, program objectives, user personal information, content of interest and then an authorization instruction to prepare the program. This information  103  is typically stored. A user quiz  104  is provided to collect and clarify with more specific information about the user relevant to the selected program, objectives and authority. The collected user information is then compiled  105 . This compiler  105  constructs a customized program profile based on the interests, objectives and behavioral models as applied to the collected user information. This compiler  105  also maps the video (or multi-media) files available for the selected authority and individual. The video, or multi-media, segments are retrieved  106  from the video database. The acceptability of the retrieved segments is confirmed  107 . This confirmation may be done by the user in review the retrieved segments or alternatively may be done using an automated process based on the user&#39;s profile. If the segments are not confirmed, the user is redirected to input additional information  103  in the Destination Website  102 . If the retrieved segments are acceptable, a program of the retrieved segments is created and presented  108  to the user. A sequencer  109  is provided to permit the user to custom sequence the program if desired. Once presented  108  and sequenced  109 , the program is approved  110  and the transaction is processed  111  with the user&#39;s profile, account and history updated  112  to the user database. The resulting media files are processed  114  to place the program in the desired format and to prepare the program file for download. The resulting program file is downloaded  113  to the user&#39;s computer, typically over the Internet. The user can then at his or her convenience transfer the program file to the desired video (or multi-media) player.  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  shows a detailed system diagram of the present embodiment of this invention. This diagram shows the user&#39;s video player  201  in communication with the user&#39;s computer  202  for receiving downloaded custom programs. The user&#39;s computer  202  in turn is in communication with a hard copy printer  204  for creating printed reports. A mixer  203 , which may be either a hardware video mixer or a software video/multi-media processing package operating on the user&#39;s computer  202 , is also show in communication with the user&#39;s computer. The user&#39;s computer  202  is shown in electronic communication with the Internet  205 , where it  202  accesses the Destination Website  206 . It is through the facility of the Destination Website  206  that the processor  207 , executing the process of this invention, receives the customer information referred to above in the discussion of  FIG. 1 . The processor  207  in turn is in communication with one or more databases, for example: for storage of the multi-media content  208 , music, audio, video or text content  209  and user information  210 . The processor  207  is also connected to the Internet  205  to facilitate the transfer of the completed video (or multi-media) program to the user&#39;s computer  202 .  
         [0038]     It is to be understood that the above described embodiments and examples are merely illustrative of numerous and varied other embodiments and applications which may constitute applications of the principles of the invention. These example embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form, connection or choice of components, computer language or modules disclosed herein as the present preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications or variations are possible and foreseeable in light of the above teachings. These embodiments of the invention were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, without undue experimentation. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention and it is our intent that they be deemed to be within the scope of this invention, as determined by the appended claims when they are interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.