System and method for monitoring and controlling the production of audio and video streams

US6792469B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Mary Kathleen Callahan · Chesterfield, US
• Michael Kinstrey · Niskayuna, US
• David L. Henderson · Austin, US
• Kevin Bernard Kenny · Niskayuna, US
• Christopher R. Hammond · Schenectady, US
• Helena Goldfarb · Niskayuna, US
• Brion Daryl Sarachan · Schenectady, US
• Alexandra Schmidt · Brighton, GB
• Stephen John Angelovich · Yonkers, US
• John Espirito Santo Amaral · Westport, US
• Ralph Andrew Minerva · Thornwood, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 21, 2000
• Grant date: Sep 14, 2004
• Expiry date: Mar 21, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04N21/26258
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An Integration Controller integrates broadcast automation systems and thereby provides a single command and control center for monitoring production of the audio and video stream. An event-based schedule, or a “playlist,” specifies the segments to be played along with the necessary timing and hardware information. Each event in the schedule commands the playback or record of a video segment, generation of a special effect, transfer of a video segment from one device to another or closure of one or more video switches. Events may be launched automatically at a specified time, or manually by an operator. An Integration Controller (IC) communicates with an Event Scheduling System via a Scheduling System Interface. The Scheduling System Interface communicates with the Integration Controller via the IC server. The IC server utilizes various modules to communicate with Device Drivers, a Log Manager and one or more User Interfaces.