US6084581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of creating individually customized videos
Assignee: Custom Communications Inc
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Filing: 1997-05-06
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Granted: 2000-07-04
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Expires: 2017-05-06
Abstract
Abstract A system for simultaneously creating a plurality of individually customized video product from a plurality of video segments uses a central computer and one or more workstations to control the operation of a video file server and video recorders connected thereto. The video file server is adapted to simultaneously output the same or different stored video segments on a plurality of video output channels. Each channel is connected to a respective video recorder. An operator at the workstation enters selection choices into a workstation. The central computer uses the selection choices to select and order a subset of video segments prestored on the video file server. Each selected video segment is directly related to a selection choice. Under control of the central computer, the selected and ordered subset of video segments are output from the video file server to a designated video recorder to make the customized video product. The central computer simultaneously controls the state of the video recorders in coordination with the video file server.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory W. Hunt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/02; G11B27/031; G11B27/034; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/21; H04N21/222; H04N21/2223; H04N21/25; H04N21/258; H04N21/25866; H04N21/25883; H04N21/266; H04N21/2668; H04N21/40; H04N21/47; H04N21/475; H04N21/80; H04N21/83; H04N21/845; H04N21/8456; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/40; G11B2220/45; G11B2220/90; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of simultaneously creating a plurality of individually customized video products from a plurality of video segments prestored on a video file server, the video file server adapted to simultaneously output the same or different stored video segments on a plurality of video output channels, the channels being connected to a plurality of respective video recorders which receive video segments therefrom and make a recording of the received segments on a portable storage medium inserted therein, the recorded portable storage medium being an individually customized video product, the method comprising the steps of: (a) prompting a user on a computer workstation display to enter into the workstation information, including selection choices; (b) communicating the entered information, including the selection choices, to a central computer, the central computer being in communication with the video file server and the plurality of video recorders; (c) using the central computer to select and order a subset of video segments stored on the video file server corresponding to the entered selection choices, each selected video segment being directly related to the entered information; and (d) using the central computer to control the video file server to output the selected and ordered subset to one or more of the video recorders for recording thereon, while simultaneously using the central computer to control the state of the video recorders in coordination with the video file server.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of simultaneously creating a plurality of individually customized video products from a plurality of video segments prestored on a video file server, the video file server adapted to simultaneously output the same or different stored video segments on a plurality of video output channels, the channels being connected to a plurality of respective video recorders which receive video segments therefrom and make a recording of the received segments on a portable storage medium inserted therein, the recorded portable storage medium being an individually customized video product, the method comprising the steps of: (a) prompting a user on a computer workstation display to enter into the workstation information, including selection choices; (b) communicating the entered information, including the selection choices, to a central computer, the central computer being in communication with the video file server and the plurality of video recorders; (c) using the central computer to select and order a subset of video segments stored on the video file server corresponding to the entered selection choices, each selected video segment being directly related to the entered information; and (d) using the central computer to control the video file server to output the selected and ordered subset to one or more of the video recorders for recording thereon, while simultaneously using the central computer to control the state of the video recorders in coordination with the video file server.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the selection choices include a medical procedure, and at least one of the video segments stored on the video file server corresponds to the procedure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the selection choices include a doctor who performs the procedure and a hospital which performs the procedure, at least one of the video segments being a presentation by the doctor, and at least one of the video segments provides general orientation information about the hospital.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein step (a) includes prompting the user on the computer workstation display to enter into the workstation demographic data about a patient undergoing the procedure, the method further comprising: (e) generating a mailing label from the demographic data for shipping the video product.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the selection choices include a doctor who performs the procedure and a hospital which performs the procedure, wherein step (a) further comprises prompting the user on the computer workstation display to enter into the workstation demographic data about a patient undergoing the procedure, the method further comprising: (e) generating a patient questionnaire from the information and demographic data for delivery with the video product.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the selection choices include a doctor who performs the procedure and a hospital which performs the procedure, wherein step (a) further comprises prompting the user on the computer workstation display to enter into the workstation demographic data about a patient undergoing the procedure, the method further comprising: (e) generating a letter to, or printed material for, the patient from the information and demographic data for delivery with the video product.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (d) includes starting the video recorder in a record mode, and stopping the video recorder after all selected segments are completed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein step (d) further includes, after stopping the video recorder, controlling the video recorder to rewind the portable storage medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the selection choices include test questions which were answered incorrectly, and at least some of the video segments stored on the video file server correspond to individual test questions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the selection choices include video segments regarding generalized test-taking and preparation information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: (e) generating a label for the video product from the information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the portable storage medium is a videotape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising, before step (d), prompting the user on the computer workstation display to select on the workstation at least one of a plurality of video recorders, step (d) further including outputting the selected and ordered subset of video segments to the at least one selected video recorder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising, before step (d), calculating from the selected segments the total running time of the video product and displaying the total running time on the workstation display to allow the user to select a portable storage medium of an appropriate length for insertion into the video recorder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (d) includes sending control commands to the video recorder while outputting the selected and ordered video segments.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of video segments are stored on the video file server in random access digital media, wherein step (d) is performed in a continuous manner with substantially no time delay between adjacent video segments.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the selection choices include real property criteria, and at least some of the video segments stored on the video file server correspond to individual properties.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the workstation communicates information to the video file server through a local area network (LAN) configuration, and in step (d), the video segments are output to the video recorder using a communication link separate from the LAN configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the one or more video recorders are video tape recorders or DVD recorders.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the workstation is remotely located with respect to the video file server and is in communication with the central computer and the video file server through Internet or Intranet-type communication links.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of simultaneously creating a plurality of individually customized video products from a plurality of video segments prestored on a video file server, the video file server adapted to simultaneously output the same or different stored video segments on a plurality of video output channels in response to information received from a central computer, the channels being connected to a plurality of respective video recorders which receive video segments therefrom and make a recording of the received segments on a portable storage medium inserted therein, the recorded portable storage medium being an individually customized video product, the method comprising the steps of: (a) sending information signals from the central computer to the video file server via a first communication path to cause the video file server to output selected video segments on a particular video output channel, the selected video segments being received by one of the plurality of video recorders; and (b) simultaneously sending signals from the central computer to the plurality of video recorders via a second communication path to control the state of the video recorders in coordination with the video file server, wherein the first and second communication paths are separate from each other.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
199 words
A method of simultaneously creating a plurality of individually customized video products from a plurality of video segments prestored on a video file server, the video file server adapted to simultaneously output the same or different stored video segments on a plurality of video output channels in response to information received from a central computer, the channels being connected to a plurality of respective video recorders which receive video segments therefrom and make a recording of the received segments on a portable storage medium inserted therein, the recorded portable storage medium being an individually customized video product, the method comprising the steps of: (a) sending information signals from the central computer to the video file server via a first communication path to cause the video file server to output selected video segments on a particular video output channel, the selected video segments being received by one of the plurality of video recorders; and (b) simultaneously sending signals from the central computer to the plurality of video recorders via a second communication path to control the state of the video recorders in coordination with the video file server, wherein the first and second communication paths are separate from each other.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of simultaneously creating a plurality of individually customized video products from a plurality of video segments prestored on a video file server, the video file server adapted to simultaneously output the same or different stored video segments on a plurality of video output channels in response to information received from a central computer, the channels being connected to a plurality of respective video recorders which receive video segments therefrom and make a recording of the received segments on a portable storage medium inserted therein, the recorded portable storage medium being an individually customized video product, the method comprising the steps of: (a) a plurality of computer workstations for inputting information, the workstations being connected to the central computer via a first communication path; (b) sending the information to the central computer, the central computer using the information to select video segments; (c) sending video segment selection signals from the central computer to the video file server to cause the video file server to output selected video segments on a particular video output channel, the selected video segments being received by one of the plurality of video recorders; and (d) simultaneously sending signals from the central computer to the plurality of video recorders via a second communication path to control the state of the video recorders in coordination with the video file server, wherein the first and second communication paths are separate from each other.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of simultaneously creating a plurality of individually customized video products from a plurality of video segments prestored on a video file server, the video file server adapted to simultaneously output the same or different stored video segments on a plurality of video output channels in response to information received from a central computer, the channels being connected to a plurality of respective video recorders which receive video segments therefrom and make a recording of the received segments on a portable storage medium inserted therein, the recorded portable storage medium being an individually customized video product, the method comprising the steps of: (a) a plurality of computer workstations for inputting information, the workstations being connected to the central computer via a first communication path; (b) sending the information to the central computer, the central computer using the information to select video segments; (c) sending video segment selection signals from the central computer to the video file server to cause the video file server to output selected video segments on a particular video output channel, the selected video segments being received by one of the plurality of video recorders; and (d) simultaneously sending signals from the central computer to the plurality of video recorders via a second communication path to control the state of the video recorders in coordination with the video file server, wherein the first and second communication paths are separate from each other.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the first communication path is a local area network (LAN) configuration, and the second communication path is a communication link separate from the LAN configuration.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-04 | 2004-01-03 | 2004-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-04 | 2008-01-03 | 2008-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-04 | 2012-01-03 | 2012-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |