Abstract:
A system comprising a network control room accessible by at least one control room operator via input-output equipment, for generating at least one audiovisual data stream for reception by at least one internet enabled viewing device over a network.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 61/439,867, filed on May 5, 2011, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to generating live and on demand video content and, more particularly, to generating and providing distributed, or network-based, video content to viewers over the Internet. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Traditionally television has been broadcast over the airwaves. With the digital revolution and developments such as fiber optic cable, television may now be streamed to users down fibers such as phone lines, or from satellites. These technologies enable more data to be received than that available via traditional aerials. Consequently, and special interest groups may now have dedicated content transmitted to them. A dedicated group may be characterized by a common specific and narrow geographic location, allowing local community television, or may be characterized by a common interest, and may be widely separated geographically. 
         [0004]    Community Access (or Antenna) Television (CATV or “cable”) were early examples of communities serviced by modern dedicated transmissions, that were not previously serviced by radio frequency (RF) broadcasting of television signals. Although CATV was based on analog technology and used a broad spectrum of analog channels (broadband), it nevertheless successfully demonstrated the economic efficacy of network television distribution. Eventually cable operators converted their systems to hybrid-fiber coax (HFC) technology that combined digital and analog distribution technologies, thereby enabling them to greatly expand the range and quality of services they offered. Geostationary satellites with digital broadband broadcast capabilities were placed in orbit, primarily over the lucrative markets of North America and Europe. 
         [0005]    Nevertheless, in spite of the myriad of channels offered by the cable and satellite television operators, there are two significant deficiencies associates with the strategies employed by both satellite and cable television: (i) the scheduling is determined by the broadcasters and not by the recipients, and (ii) the content is generally aimed at maximizing ratings, and consequently does not provide a solution for niche fields of interest. Each of these deficiencies is a consequence of television subscription, which typically offers limited audio visual content via select channels, thereby enabling the network operators to control viewer access to content, deciding what content to provide, based on their perception of what is of interest to most viewers. Specialist content that may be of interest to smaller group of viewers is rarely broadcast. By exercising control over what is broadcast, network operators gain control over both users and content providers. However, with the digital era of television distribution, the ability to micro-target advertising to specific locations has become possible, allowing the same time slot to be used for transmitting different advertisements to different audiences. 
         [0006]    Whereas in the past, a broadcast television station was given a metro-regional charter and advertising by the stations was seen throughout the reception area of that station, as television signal distribution became more digital and more cable or wire oriented, it became possible to sectionalize the audience to a much greater extent, up to the level of the individual television set. The impact has been positive on both advertisers and broadcasters alike. The number of advertisers interested in advertising within a given 30 seconds of television broadcasting has grown, while the advertisements themselves are more targeted, resulting in improved impact. 
         [0007]    New TV sets often have direct connection to the Internet, which may be either wired or wireless. Such TV sets are often referred to as Connected TV. Connected TVs, manufactured by companies such as Sony and Samsung have already achieved market presence and other vendors are expected to follow. 
         [0008]    For TV viewers without Connected TV, the same functionality may be provided by a set top box that connects on one side to the Internet and to the TV on the other side. Examples of Set top boxes of this type include Apple TV, Boxee and Google TV based the Logitech Revue. Logitech revue provides as an option to add an HD camera for home video content streaming. A special segment of the set top boxes are the game consoles such as PS3, Wii and Xbox 360. In addition to the Connected TV and the Set top box, computers, iPads and other devices with Internet connectivity and video display capability may receive audiovisual stream of video as well. In addition computers, tablets and cellular phones are also connected to the internet with an ability to display stream of video content. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A first aspect of the invention is directed to providing a system comprising a network control room accessible by a control room operator via input-output equipment, for generating audiovisual data streams for reception by internet enabled viewing devices over a network. 
         [0010]    Typically the network is an internet. 
         [0011]    In the various embodiments, the network control room is either supported at a single location or is distributed over a plurality of data centers. 
         [0012]    In the various embodiments, functional components are coupled by data links (channels) selected from the group comprising fiber-optic lines, copper lines, coaxial cables, radio channels, cellular channels, satellite channels and RF links. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the network control room is able to access data from at least one video content archive. 
         [0014]    Most preferably, the video content archive is configured to provide data selected from the group comprising audio visual data, display information and supplementary information. 
         [0015]    Typically, the system further comprises at least one video camera selected from the group comprising studio cameras, home cameras, field cameras. 
         [0016]    Typically, audiovisual, audio and visual data is provided in at least one format selected from the group comprising streamed data and data files. 
         [0017]    Generally, audiovisual, audio and visual data is provided either compressed or uncompressed. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the network control room is in data communication with and able to access commercial content from a commercial content archive. 
         [0019]    Typically, the system further comprises a television (TV) studio. 
         [0020]    Typically, the TV studio comprises at least some of the group comprising a media processing unit, a prompter, a monitor, speakers, earphones, and lighting. 
         [0021]    Optionally, the media processing unit is in data communication with at least one of the group comprising studio cameras and microphones. 
         [0022]    Typically, the media processing unit comprises a communication module in data communication with one or more video encoders, audio encoders, video decoders, audio decoders and controllers. 
         [0023]    Typically, the network control room comprises at least one communication module coupled via video and audio codecs to video and audio mixers, at least one controller, recorder, encoder, distributer, graphic effect generators, local content storage modules, and character generators. 
         [0024]    Preferably the system further comprises at least one operator&#39;s control room coupled via a data link to the network control room, said operator&#39;s control room for enabling an operator to control the system, via at least one operator input output device coupled to a control unit. 
         [0025]    It will be appreciated that the word ‘room’ is used here rather loosely, and relates to a virtual location, not a physical room. 
         [0026]    Optionally, the operator&#39;s control room may be distributed between multiple locations, which may be real or virtual, and operated by one or several operators. 
         [0027]    Preferably the operator&#39;s control room further comprises at least one of the group comprising headphones, camera, display, audio codec, video codec, data module, and communication module. 
         [0028]    Typically, the at least one operator input output device is selected from the group comprising keyboards, computer mice, touch screens, displays, cameras with gestures, 3d devices and light indicators. 
         [0029]    A second aspect of the invention is directed to providing a TV studio controlled over a network from a network control room, the TV studio comprising at least some of the group comprising a media processing unit, prompters, monitors, speakers, earphones, and lighting. 
         [0030]    Typically, the media processing unit is in data communication with at least one of the group comprising studio cameras and microphones. 
         [0031]    A third aspect of the invention is directed to providing an operator&#39;s control room coupled via a data link to a network control room, said operator&#39;s control room for enabling an operator to control the network control room, via at least one operator input output device coupled to at least one control unit. 
         [0032]    Typically, the operator&#39;s control room further comprises at least one of the group comprising headphones, cameras, displays, audio codecs, video codecs, data modules and communication modules. 
         [0033]    The term link, communication channel, data link and connection are used interchangeably to imply a data communication channel that may be fixed or created on the fly over a network, and may be wired or wireless. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. 
           [0035]    With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention; the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings: 
           [0036]      FIG. 1  is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary network-based video production system in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIG. 2  is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary studio in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3  is a schematic functional block diagram showing a media processing unit of the studio, showing the communication module and surrounding equipment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the network control room used in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 5  is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating the operator&#39;s control room functions, and 
           [0041]      FIG. 6  is an example of a display combined from multiple video sources. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0042]    The present invention is directed to providing network-based video content to internet connected devices such as television, tablets, computers and cellular phones, for example. 
         [0043]    Software for providing network-based video and audio (voice) signals over television provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to an operator that essentially serves as a TV director or TV producer. Subsequently, in response to input through the GUI, the software is able to identify a plurality of remote video content providers and to provide a video stream that combines signals from one or more of the remote video content providers over the network to the television. The software may be communicably coupled with a central or distributed repository that stores information associated with a plurality of remote video content providers. Software associated with the repository may query the repository in response to a request from the operator. The remote video content may include live events and/or stored events. 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system  100  in accordance with one embodiment is shown. The system  100  includes a network control room  500  and allows the identifying, providing and otherwise managing network-based audiovisual programming. The system  100  generates video streams that are viewable on televisions and other internet connected devices  400 . For example, the system  100  may be able to access a TV studio  200  to receive audio visual streams over data link  610  as generated by one or more TV cameras  210 , either located in the studio  200  or outside  210  the studio  200 . The audio visual data streaming over the link  610  may be provided in a compressed or in an uncompressed form. The link  610  may be a wire-line channel such as a fiber optic or copper cable, or the like, or may be provided as a wireless channel, such as a satellite channel, a cellular or other RF signal. In general, data links used by the system  100  may be dedicated channels or non dedicated ones, such as used on public networks, for example. 
         [0045]    In addition, system  100  may access a field camera  130 . The field camera  130  will be connected via a data link  640 , which may be a fiber-optic line, a copper line, a radio channel, a cellular or satellite channel, for transmitting an audiovisual stream thereby. The audiovisual stream from the field camera  130  may be provided in compressed or uncompressed form. 
         [0046]    Furthermore, system  100  may optionally include one or more home cameras  120 . For transmitting an audiovisual stream, the home camera  120  may be connected via a connection or link  620 , which may be a fiber optic line, copper line, radio channel, cellular or satellite channel. The audiovisual stream from the field camera  130  may be provided in compressed or uncompressed form. 
         [0047]    System  100  may additionally be configured to access one or more video content archives  180 . The video content archive  180  is accessible over a connection (i.e. Data link)  630  for transmitting audio visual data and additional data such as display information, supplementary information and the like, relating to the audiovisual data. Audiovisual data may be provided as a ca stream or as a file, and may be compressed or uncompressed. If more than one video content archive  180  is provided, they may be located in one geographic location or at multiple locations, belonging to the same or to different owning domains. 
         [0048]    Furthermore, in some embodiments, system  100  may access one or more commercial content archives  150  via a connection  680  for transmitting audio visual data and additional data that relates to the audiovisual data. Again, it will be appreciated that audiovisual data may be provided as a stream or as a file, and may be compressed or uncompressed. Where more than one commercial content archives  150  are provided, they may be located in one geographic location or at multiple locations belonging to the same or different owning domains. 
         [0049]    System  100  includes a network control room  500 . The network control room  500  is a generally provided as a software application that may be supported by a single server or data center, or, in distributed form, on a plurality of data centers that may be located at one or in a plurality of geographic areas across the globe. All audio, visual or audiovisual data received through any connection  610 ,  620 ,  630 ,  640 ,  661  and  680 , are transmitted to the network control room  500 . A function of the network control room  500  is to generate audiovisual streams that are distributed via links  650  of the network to viewing devices  400  and via a data link  661  to an operator&#39;s control room  300 . 
         [0050]    The viewing device  400  may be any type of internet browser, including a TV with direct connection to the internet, a set top box that is connected to the TV and to the internet  600  or a computer, tablet or a cellular phone connected to the internet. The various viewing devices  400  may access the internet  600  over a wire and/or over a wireless link  650 . It will be appreciated that although only one is depicted, typically, several viewing devices  400  are provided. Link  650  may carry one audiovisual format or multiple audiovisual formats, depending on the specific characteristics of viewing device  400 . 
         [0051]    All cameras ( 210 ,  120 ,  130 ) transmit a data stream that may include audio, video and meta data. 
         [0052]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a generalized functional description of a TV studio  200  is now provided. Associated with the TV studio  200  are one or more studio cameras  210 . The studio cameras  210  transmit video signals over a link  112 . The cameras  210  may be manually operated and/or may have automatic pan-tilt-zoom capability (PTZ). PTZ control may be manually provided locally, or over the network by a remote operator. The video signal from the studio camera  210  may be provided in any or several video formats, such as PAL, NTSC, SECAM and digitally HD in various resolutions and frame rates. The TV studio  200  may also have one or more microphones  215  associated therewith for transmitting an audio signal over an appropriate data link  114 . It will be appreciated that as with the video signals provided by the camera  210  and the various audio signals may also have different characteristics. It will further be appreciated that the links  112 ,  114  may be dedicated or general purpose data links, may, in general, be cordless or hard wired, analog or digital, and may use a wide variety of technologies, including, inter alia RF, IR, coax, electro-optic, or copper wire. 
         [0053]    A media processing unit  240  for processing the video and the audio signals is provided. A detailed description of the media processing unit  240  is provided herein below with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0054]    Optionally, one or more monitors  220  are configured for receiving video signals  611  from the media processing unit  240 . The source of the video signals  611  may be the cameras  210  of the TV studio (which themselves, may be deployed internally or externally to the studio, or video received from the internet  600  via a connection  610  which also provides a control signal from the network control room  500 , concerning what to display. 
         [0055]    Optionally, a headphone or speakers  260  are configured to receive audio signals  612  from the media processing unit  240 . Audio is receivable via connection  610  from the network. 
         [0056]    Furthermore, the TV studio  200  may be provided with a prompter  250 , for receiving text signals  613  from the media processing unit  240  or from outside the TV studio  200  via connection  610 . 
         [0057]    One or more lights  230  may be provided. Such lights  230  may receive control signals  614  from the media processing unit  240 . Control of the lighting may be received from the network control room  500  via connection  610 . 
         [0058]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , the media processing unit  240  within the TV studio  200  is now described in more detail. The media processing unit  240  receives video signals over link  112  from the cameras  210 , using a video encoder  241  to encode the signals. In some embodiments, the video encoder  241  passes the video signals through link  113  to the communication module  243  without first compressing them. 
         [0059]    The media processing unit  240  may receive audio signals via link  114  from the microphone  215  and may use an audio encoder  242  to encode the signal. The audio encoder  242  may pass audio signals received through link  114  via output of the audio encoder  242  through link  115  to the communication module  243 . In some embodiments, the audio encoder  242  does not compress the data outputted. 
         [0060]    The communication module  243  may be configured for receiving video and audio signals via incoming links  113 ,  115  and for packing them for transmission over the communication channel  610 . Packetization may be accomplished using any appropriate standard protocol, or a proprietary one. The communication module  243  may also receive incoming packetized signals through the communication channel  610 . The signals received may contain compressed and/or uncompressed video, audio, data and/or control signals. The communication module  243  unpacks the signals received and then, if it is compressed, the video signal  116  is then decompressed by the video decoder  246 . 
         [0061]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , the signals may be sent to the monitor  220  over connection  611 . Audio signals sent via link  117  may be decoded by the audio decoder  245  and transmitted via connection  612  to the headphones/speakers  260 . Data signals may be transmitted to the prompter  250  via connection  613 . 
         [0062]    Control signals may be sent via link  118  to the controller  247  for controlling the encoders (e.g. Encoder  242 ), decoders (e.g. Decoder  246 ), cameras (e.g. Camera  210 ) and lights (e.g. Light  230 ) or any other devices that require controlling. 
         [0063]    Although an embodiment with one studio is described, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, there may be several studios in the system. 
         [0064]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the main elements of the network control room  500  in a generalized embodiment. An incoming connection  610  from the studio  200  enters the communication module  590  which separates incoming signals into video signals that are directed to the video decoder part of the video codec  510  and audio signals that are directed to the audio decoder part of the audio codec  520 . The video decoder part decompresses the video signal if is compressed and simply passes it along if it is not compressed Likewise, the audio decoder part decompresses the audio signal if is compressed and passes it along if it is not compressed. 
         [0065]    One or several communication modules  590  may be provided. Similarly, one or more video codec  510  and one or more audio codecs  520  may be provided. 
         [0066]    The connection  620  from the home camera  120  enters the communication module  590  which separates the incoming data and the video signals are directed to the video decoder of the video codec  510  and the audio signal to the audio decoder of the audio codec  520 . The video decoder decompresses the video signal if is compressed and simply passes it along if it is not compressed. The audio decoder decompresses the audio signal if is compressed and simply passes it along if it is not compressed. 
         [0067]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the connection  630  from the video content archive  180  enters the communication module  590  that separates the video signal to the video decoder of the video codec  510  and the audio signal to the audio decoder of the audio codec  520  if it is provided as a data stream. The video decoder decompresses the video signal if is compressed and passes it through if it is not compressed. The audio decoder decompresses the audio signal if is compressed and passes it through if it is not compressed. If the content received over connection  630  is a file it is stored in the local content storage memory  555 . 
         [0068]    The connection  640  from the field camera  130  enters the communication module  590  that separates the video signal to the video decoder of the video codec  510  and the audio signal to the audio decoder of the audio codec  520 . The video decoder decompresses the video signal if is compressed and passes it through unchanged if it is not compressed. The audio decoder decompresses the audio signal if is compressed and passes it through if it is uncompressed. 
         [0069]    The uncompressed video passing through links  664  from video sources and the uncompressed audio data from links  663  from all audio decoders are fed to the video mixer  540  and audio mixer  530  respectively. 
         [0070]    The audio mixer  540  receives additional audio signals from the operator&#39;s control room  300  after it was extracted from the connection  661  by the communication module  591  and the decoder in the audio codec  520 . The audio mixer  540  receives additional audio signals from the local content database  555  through connection  678 . 
         [0071]    The audio mixer  540  sums the audio signals from the various sources and generates one or more audio signals that are essentially mixes of some or all of the audio inputs. Mixed audio signals are fed back to the audio encoder of all or some of the audio codec  520  modules. One of the outputs of the audio mixer  540  is fed to the audio encoder part of encoder  570 . 
         [0072]    The video mixer  540  may receive additional video signals from the control room operator  300  after extraction from connection  661  by the communication module  591  and decoder in video codec  510  through connection  677 , and from the character generator  550  via connection  667 , from the graphic effect module  560  via connection  668  and from the local content database  555  via connection  669 . The video mixer  540  may generate one or more pictures that are constructed from all or part of the video inputs. It will be appreciated that the layout and location of the video sources and other control parameters are part of the control signals received from the control module  592 . Mixed video signals may be fed back to the video encoders of some or all of the video codec  510  modules. One of the outputs of the video mixer  540  may be fed to the video encoder part of encoder  570 . 
         [0073]    Encoder  570  may generate one or more audio/video signals which optionally include different resolutions, frame rates and other parameters. These signals may be fed over connection  676  to the distribution module  580  or distributer, which, based on control signals received from the control module  592 , may stream audio/video signals over connections  660  to viewing devices  400 . Connections  660  may provide one or multiple data streams. 
         [0074]    The local content database  555  enables non linear video to be mixed or displayed with the live, linear video signals received from the other modules. The local content database  555  may contain various types of video including, for example, pre-recorded events, commercial advertisements and computer animated video. 
         [0075]    The recorder  556  may record any event within the network control room  500  including audio, video, data and control from any of the modules in the network control room  500 . 
         [0076]    The control module  592  may receive control messages from the operator&#39;s control room  300  through connection  661  to the communication module  591  that extract the control messages. Control module  592  may control all modules and elements in the network control room  500 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 5  is a generalized functional block diagram illustrating the modules of the operator&#39;s control room  300 . As will be appreciated, in specific embodiments, there may be one or more operator&#39;s control rooms  300 , located in one or multiple locations. Each operator&#39;s control room  300  may contain various modules, including communication modules  310 , data module  340 , control modules  350 , one or more cameras  380  coupled via video codecs  330  which are also connected to one or more displays  370 , and which also receive data over link  314  from the data module  340 , headphones  360  coupled via audio codec  320 . The control module  350  may be coupled via link  315  to one or more operator input/output devices  390 , for interaction from an operator  301 . 
         [0078]    Through connection  661 , the communication module  310  may transmit voice, video data and control to the network control room  500 . The communication module  310  may separate the received signal to audio signal that is sent to the audio decoder part of the audio codec  320 , to the video signal that is sent to the video decoder part of the video codec  330  and to the data module  340 . The communication module  310  may combine audio signals that may be received from the audio encoder part of the audio codec  320 , with video signals that may be received by the video encoder part of the video codec  330 , and with data that may be received from the data module  340  and/or from the control module  350 . 
         [0079]    The audio encoder may compress audio signals received over link  311  from the microphones or headphones  360  and the audio decoder  310  may decompress audio signals received via link  316  from the communication module  310  and may sends them to the speakers or earphones  360  via link  311 . 
         [0080]    The video encoder of video codec  330  may compress video signals  312  received from the camera  380  and the video decoder  320  may decompress video signals  317  received from the communication module  310  and send them to the one or more displays  370  via connection  313 . 
         [0081]    Data extracted from the communication module  310  may be sent via signal communication link  318  to the data module  340 . Data generated by the data module  340  may be sent to the communication module  310  using the same communication link  318 . It will be appreciated that data received via channel  314  may be displayed on one or more displays  370 . 
         [0082]    Control signals generated by the control module  350  may be sent to the communication module  310  via link  319 . Such control signals may be generated responsive to inputs received from the operator&#39;s input/output devices  390  via communication link  315 . 
         [0083]    Input/output devices  390  may include a variety of hardware elements such as keyboards, computer mice, touch screens, displays, cameras with gestures, 3D devices, light indicators, etc. 
         [0084]    A human operator  301  may use the input/output devices  390  to operate the whole operator&#39;s control room  300 , deciding what will be displayed, what will be heard and providing instructions and control thereby to all the units in the studio, to the home cameras  120 , the field cameras  130  and other elements of the system  100 . 
         [0085]    It will be appreciated that more than one operator  301  may each be responsible for different parts of the control. 
         [0086]    Via the operator&#39;s control room  300 , one or more operators  301  may be able to insert commercials into the data stream in real time. The operators  301  may alternatively signal the location and time for insertion of the commercial. 
         [0087]      FIG. 6  is an example of one combination of display elements or compound display that an operator  301  could build from the various video sources available. The full display  80  may be divided into a plurality of panes to simultaneously show images captured by camera A in one section  82 , images from camera B in a different section  81 , and images from camera C  88  on top of a background  83 . A logo  84 , video commercial  85 , characters  87  and graphics  86  may be added using the appropriate components and from the appropriate databases as described hereinabove with reference to  FIG. 5 . Other cameras, logos, graphic elements commercials and character sections may be provided and each of the displays may include these elements in different sizes and locations as decided by the operators. 
         [0088]    It will be appreciated that the Figures and above description describe a generalized system, which may be embodied in a number of ways. The data links shown may be hard wired or wireless. 
         [0089]    In the claims, the word “comprise”, and variations thereof such as “comprises”, “comprising” and the like indicate that the components listed are included, but not generally to the exclusion of other components.