Abstract:
A media management, production, and delivery system and method for providing an efficient means of producing and delivering text and media are disclosed. Original text such as a news story is provided by a media source. Media relevant to the original text is edited and linked to the text. The edited and linked media and text is published to a television station, television, web site, and mobile device. Users select a news story and can read the text article while the media plays in a media player window. The original and edited versions of the text and media are stored in a media archive and available for future use. The timing of publishing media is selectable so that a media playlist can be created for broadcasting.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to media production systems. More specifically, the present invention discloses a media system that provides an efficient means of managing, producing, and delivering linked text and media and a method for utilizing the system. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    In the past news reporters had to manually search through databases containing news reports in order to obtain background information or other information they needed in order to complete their report. This was also the case with television news reporting. This method was not only time consuming but important information was often overlooked or not located. As a result, important news information went unreported or under-reported. 
         [0005]    Various newswire agencies provide news articles to publishers who in turn print or broadcast the news. However, the news is supplied in text only format which is limiting. People today are interested in receiving news in a variety of formats not only print. 
         [0006]    In order to improve the efficiency and quality of news reporting Associated Press developed a news production system named ENPS (electronic news production system). ENPS allows users to easily access news items and articles by providing a search engine for finding the news items anywhere in the system. As news items are published or broadcast over the wire the articles are included in the news archive and made available to users. 
         [0007]    When a reporter searches for information a list of search results is presented and the reporter can access articles of interest. Additionally, as new items cross the wire reporters can easily see breaking stories and view abstracts of the news story. 
         [0008]    However, while conventional news production systems are very useful for locating news items the systems are typically limited to text only files. 
         [0009]    Additionally, conventional news delivery systems only provide the news in a single format. This method is inflexible as users cannot determine which delivery method in which to receive the news. 
         [0010]    Therefore there is need for a news media production system and method that manages media in a variety of formats and delivers news to a variety of devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    To achieve these and other advantages and in order to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional method in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a media management, production, and delivery system and method for providing an efficient means of producing and delivering text and media. Original text such as a news story is provided by a media source. Media relevant to the original text is edited and linked to the text. The edited and linked media and text is published to a television station, television, web site, and mobile device. Users select a news story and can read the text article while the media plays in a media player window. The original and edited versions of the text and media are stored in a media archive and available for future use. The timing of publishing media is selectable so that a media playlist can be created for broadcasting. 
         [0012]    In the present invention media such as video clips, audio clips, music, movies, and photos are stored on the media database server. As news reports cross the wire the text is stored in a news database on the media database server and is accessible by the editing system. An editor using the editing system connects or links media relevant to the news report to the text of the report. The editing system also allows the editor to edit the media, crop pictures, and preview the media. After editing, the publishing system publishes the media in a plurality of formats. For example, the media is broadcast on television, broadcast to mobile devices such as cellular telephones, or published on a web site. The edited media is also archived on the media archive server and made available to users for future access and use. When a user accesses the media text, for example, a news article is viewed along with media associated with the news article. 
         [0013]    The present invention also provides a method for utilizing the media management, production, and delivery system. The method comprises editing original text which has been provided by a media source. Additionally, original media relevant to the text is edited and linked to the text. The linked edited media and text are then published to a variety of devices in their corresponding format. 
         [0014]    The present invention also provides a method of delivering news via a website. The news website comprises a story content list with a plurality of different sizes of images linked to media. Different sizes of images are displayed. Breaking news or top stories are highlighted by making the image larger and at the top of the story content list. Minor stories are given smaller images lower on the page. 
         [0015]    These and other objectives of the present invention will become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. 
         [0016]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a news media management, production, and delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating a news media management, production, and delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a drawing illustrating a news media management and delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are drawings illustrating a webpage layout of a news website according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0023]    Refer to  FIG. 1 , which is a drawing illustrating a news media management, production, and delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the news media management, production, and delivery system comprises a media database server  110 , a wire service  105 , an editing system  120 , a publishing system  130 , and a media archive server  140 . 
         [0025]    Media such as video clips, audio clips, music, movies, and photos are stored on the media database server  110 . As news reports cross the wire the text is stored in a news database on the media database server  110  and is accessible by the editing system  120 . An editor using the editing system  120  connects or links media relevant to the news report to the text of the report. The editing system  120  also allows the editor to edit the media, crop pictures, and preview the media. After editing, the publishing system  130  publishes the media in a plurality of formats. For example, the media is broadcast on television  150 , broadcast to mobile devices  170  such as cellular telephones, or published on a web site  160 . The edited media is also archived on the media archive server  140  and made available to users for future access and use. 
         [0026]    When a user accesses the media text, for example, a news article is viewed along with media associated with the news article. For example, a text news article about a war also includes on the ground video footage relevant to the text news article. 
         [0027]    Refer to  FIG. 2 , which is a drawing illustrating a news media management, production, and delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the news media management, production, and delivery system  200  comprises an A source  205 , a B source  206 , a C source  207 , and a D source  208  which provide media and text data. The A source  205  provides a live video stream, for example from a television channel. The live video stream is recorded and stored on a shared editing storage server  230 . The B source  206  and the C source  207  provide media such as video clips, movies, audio, music, photos, and text. The B source  206  and C source  207  are websites where users upload media which is then stored on a storage server  209 . The D source  208  comprises a cooperative media source, for example, a news wire service such as Reuters or the Associated Press. 
         [0029]    An editor or editors  220 ,  221 ,  222  select the media or text material and convert the files. The media is automatically converted when selected. Preliminary manuscript revising and sorting is performed and the media or text is edited. The editors  220 ,  221 ,  222  also select a layout, for example, a web page layout or style for the media and text to be displayed in. The edited or modified material is then submitted and stored on the shared editing storage server  230 . The shared editing storage server stores text, pictures, video clips, audio clips, music, and movies. 
         [0030]    An assistant editor  210  removes advertisements or commercials from the media or text and combines each segment of a program. The assistant editor  210  also sorts the media according to a manuscript or text and delivers the edited media to the editor  220 . 
         [0031]    When text only material is provided by a source, for example, a wire service, the editor  220 ,  221 ,  222  or assistant editor  210  select the text and search a media database for media relevant to the text or article. The relevant media is linked to text so that they can be utilized together. 
         [0032]    A publisher  240  reviews material which the editors  220 ,  221 ,  222  have edited and submitted to the shared editing storage server  230 . The publisher  240  also reviews the layout of the media or text. If acceptable, the publisher  240  publishes the media to a television station  250  for broadcast, to a website or websites  260 , and to a mobile device or service  270 . In this way the media is enjoyed by television viewers, Internet users, and mobile device users. 
         [0033]    Edited and published material is stored on a service storage server  245  and is available for use or sale. Users or subscribers can use or purchase the media or material stored on the service storage server  245 . The media is stored in a variety of formats so that users of different devices can access the media according to their needs. 
         [0034]    The edited and original media or material is automatically stored in a database or archive on a near line storage server  246 . The archive is searchable so that the material can be used in the future. 
         [0035]    In an embodiment of the present invention the editors  220 ,  221 ,  222  are the same person. In another embodiment they are different people. 
         [0036]    Refer to  FIG. 3 , which is a drawing illustrating a news media management and delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0037]    In order to efficiently manage and deliver the edited material the present invention provides a media management screen  300 . In this screen  300  or window an editor or publisher searches for media using a search term box  310  or a date search box  311  or menu. After the date, date interval, or search term have been selected and the search button  312  is clicked, a results list is provided comprising a list of media associated with the date or search term. 
         [0038]    An editor or publisher selects the media to publish by selecting a select box  325  next to a thumbnail  326  of the media. The title and text abstract of the media is displayed in a title area  327  and abstract area  328  respectively. The abstract is a summary of the contents of the media or an abstract of text associated with the media. The file name  329 , media duration  330 , creation date  331 , and size  332  are also displayed. As well, the type of service is displayed in a service box  333 . 
         [0039]    A media preview window  350  with player controls  351  are provided to allow the media to be previewed before publishing. 
         [0040]    The media management screen  300  also provides a publish destination input box  335  for inputting or selecting a location or locations where the media is to be broadcast or published to and a publish go button  336  to execute the publishing. For example, a television station, Internet website, and a mobile service can be selected and the media in the correct format is published or broadcast to each one. 
         [0041]    The publishing or broadcast order is determined or changed by dragging a media clip into a new location ahead of or after another piece of media on the media management screen  300 . Additionally, a publishing timeline allows users to create a media playlist for scheduled broadcast. 
         [0042]    Refer to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , which are drawings illustrating a webpage layout of a news website according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0043]    In embodiments of the present invention the media is published to a news website. Prior to publishing the media, an editor or publisher selects the layout for the webpage. 
         [0044]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the webpage comprises a story content list with a plurality of different sizes of images linked to media. In  FIG. 4A  the different sizes of images are shown as content  1   420  being the largest sized image, content  2 - 4   430  as smaller images and content  5 - 10   440  as the smallest images. In this way, breaking news or top stories are highlighted by making the image larger and at the top of the story content list. Minor stories are given smaller images lower on the page. 
         [0045]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4A  ten items are shown. In other embodiments of the present invention the story list is scrollable and a large number of images for content are available. 
         [0046]    The webpage also comprises a menu  410  for navigating to different categories of news, for example, regional, national, local, international, sports, and entertainment. Each main category comprises multiple subcategories to narrow the category, for example, under the main category Sports, subcategories Baseball, Football, and Baseball are provided. 
         [0047]    Each image is linked to a specific media file and when clicked a thumbnail  460  and text abstract  465  or text article of the media associated with the image is displayed. A user can read the abstract  465  or the complete text of the news article as the media is displayed or played in a media player window  470 . The media is controlled by media player controls  475  located next to the media player window  470 . 
         [0048]    Options are also provided to change the media player window&#39;s size. For example, the media player window can be set to full screen to increase enjoyment. 
         [0049]    In an embodiment of the present invention the media player window is detachable from the main window. In this way, the media can be viewed on top of other applications while the user performs other tasks. For example, the media is enjoyed while the user is working on a text document. 
         [0050]    In another embodiment of the present invention the browser is minimized so that only the media player window is visible. 
         [0051]    In another embodiment of the present invention when a user selects media the media window is displayed and the text article scrolls in the media player window or next to the media player window. 
         [0052]    In another embodiment of the present invention an advertising window is provided along with the media player window. In this way users can enjoy the media without interruption from advertising while advertisers can have marketing opportunity. Users can view advertising if they wish and aren&#39;t annoyed by advertising interruptions. 
         [0053]    When the editor or publisher determines where on the page layout the news story will appear, the correct image size will be published to the website and the webpage is updated. In this way, the website content and layout is easily managed. For example, the publisher can easily change the layout to move a news story up or down the story content list. 
         [0054]    Templates are provided for page layouts to increase efficiency. An editor simply selects a template and where to display the stories in the layout. Since all pictures are cropped for all sizes the layout is very flexible. For example, all levels in the story content list can have different layouts. 
         [0055]    The present invention provides integrated text, pictures, video, and audio so that users can utilize the news service in various formats thereby ensuring an improved user experience. 
         [0056]    In an embodiment of the present invention the news is streamed to users as a webcast or Internet television. A user can switch between categories of news and the media is streamed to the user similar to television. In this way, the user does not need to continually select news items and can simply enjoy a continuous stream of news media. Additionally, a user can select breaking news or top news media and the media will stream similar to a television news broadcast. 
         [0057]    In an embodiment of the present invention, users or media sources can provide media content in various formats. The original media is transcoded to a high resolution version for archive and television, a low resolution for editing, a web resolution for Internet use, and a mobile device resolution. The editor uses the low resolution version during editing and the edit decision list EDL is used to edit the high resolution version. 
         [0058]    In an embodiment of the present invention a scrolling banner or ticker-tape style window is provided in which the latest news stories are displayed. 
         [0059]    In an embodiment of the present invention a plurality of media is associated or linked to a news item. For example, when a user selects a news item a stream of media is played one after the other. 
         [0060]    In an embodiment of the present invention the text associated with the media is sent to a television station and displayed on a teleprompter for the announcer to read while the media is played. 
         [0061]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the invention and its equivalent.