CA2156371A1 - Method and system for inserting individualized audio segments into prerecorded video media - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and related system are disclosed which allow for a series of individualized audio segments to be recorded for subsequent, simultaneous insertion into the audio track (s) of a plurality of videotapes loaded into multiple videotape recorders (VTR's), respectively. In one embodiment, each audio segment recorded is uniquely associated with, and inserted into, an audio track of a respective prerecorded videotape such that each of the plurality of videotapes is personalized with its own unique message. A voice recording and data entry station is provided wherein each audio segment to be inserted is independently recorded, digitized, and stored on a data tape with related identifying information associated therewith. Audio segments from the digital data tape are then downloaded in groups into a production control center computer, incorporating software and interface circuitry to control the operation of the VTR' s, in order to effect the insertion of each audio message segment into respective videotapes. The production control center may further cause labels to be printed which may subsequently be affixed to particular videotapes. Such labels may identify the ultimate recipient of a particular personalized videotape and the respective videotape within the plurality of VTR's into which that recipients individualized audio segment has been inserted.

Description

2 ~ ~S3~ 1 D~S~RTPTIQN
MethQd ~n~ S~stem iQr Tn~ rtinq Indi~idualized AudiQ Seqmen~s i~to Prere~orded Video Media Field of the I~vention The field of the present invention relates generally to video media and, more particularly, to a method and system for accurately insertir,g each of a plurality of 5 individualized audio segments, respectively, into a plurality of prerecorded video media at a precise, prPr~'f 1 n~l pos~tion.
Backqround of ~he Tn~en~ion Advances in video technologies, including mass lO reproduction of prerecorded videotapes, along with the increasing popularity of videotape m~-h'n-~ for ho~e and business u8e, have made videotape an attractive alternative for dis8eminating a wide variety of information. The resulting desire to utilize video media 15 in an increasing array of applications has, in turn, helped to spawn interest in developing further video technologies, such as digital videotapee and compact disk video variants. Impending advances in these areas are also focussed, at least in part, on t~e aspect of 20 efficiencies in the mass reproduction of pre-recorded materials .
In large part, the attractiveness of videotape, and other video materials, as a medium for information dissemination results from decreasing costs attendant with 25 the above factors. ~owever, the cost savings that have been realized are mainly due to efficiencies in reproduction methods, and the ability to spread costs over higher product volumes due to the increased demand. A8 the bulk of the cost assoclated with the production oi 30 video materials ie incurred in the original creation (e.g., filming, etc. ) and preparation of a master tape _ _ _ , .. . .. _ _ _ . _ .. .. .. _ _ _ . .

~ ' 21 56371 used for reproduction of copies, it can still be cost-prohibitive to utilize video media in low-volume applications .
In particular, while it may be desirable to use 5 prerecorded video materiale, e.g., videotape, to deliver information, entert~i ~nt, meeeages, or other such matter targeted to a particular individual or small group of individuals, the costs associated with the preparation of such low-volume materials have heretofore made this 10 approach impractical. In order to alleviate this situation, there exists a need for a method and system for producing "personalized" video materials, i.e., videotapes, or the like, which are individually tailored to a person, a small group of people, an entity, or other 15 such low-volume application, but which still take advantage of reduced costs resulting from high-volume reproduction techniques and the economies of scale associated therewith.
SummarY o~ the Invention A cost-effective method and system for personalizing video materials is provided herein. A
preferred embodiment of such a method and sys~em is directed to inserting individualized audio segments, each of which may, for example, comprise a spoken message of 25 certain duration (e.g., 30 seconds) and which may be directed specifically to an entity (e.g., by name), into an audio track of reepective prerecorded videotapes at a pr~ P~; nl~l position within each tape . Each such audio segment may replace existing audio information, if 3 0 present, on the respective videotape into which it is inserted. In a further aspect of a preferred embodiment, each such prerecorded videotape is otherwise identical ( i . e ., reproductions of the same material made according to well known videotape reproduction methods) and the 35 respective individualized audio segment for each videotape --is inserted at the same predefined position on each videotape simultaneously.
In order to ef f ect the above results, a pref erred embodiment includes a method and system f or accumulating 5 each of the individualized audio segments to be inserted into respective prerecorded videotapes and a method and system for simultaneously inserting each individualized audio segment into respective prerecorded videotapes at pradefined positions therein.
In greater detail, individualized audio segments may be accumulated either by direct recording, e.g., via a microphone connected to the system, or may be supplied from a third party, e.g., on standard audiotape(s) or any other audio recording medium, to a system operator. For 15 reasons which are related, in part, to increased capacity, audio segments 80 provided, which are analog in nature, are preferably digitized prior to storage. In addition, identification (ID) data may be entered into the system f or each individualized audio segment . Such ID data may 20 serve to identify that particular audio segment, may be used to control the f low of that audio segment throughout the system, and may be used to keep track of the videotape into which that particular audio segment has been inserted. For such purposes, the ID data is stored in 25 con~unction with the audio segment irlPnt;fied thereby.
Once all of the desired audio segments for a particular application have been accumulated (or when the capacity of the particular storage medium in which the audio segments are being accumulated, e . g ., digital data 30 tape, has been reached), the insertion of audio segments into respective videotapes may commence. In a preferred embodiment, the accumulation of audio segments and their=
insertion~ into respective videotapes are performed by independent subsystems. Accordingly, during the insertion 35 stage, the recording subsystem is available to begin accumulating audio segments for a different application, _, _ . . .. .. .... _ _ .. . .. . . .

' ~ 2156371 -or to continue accumulating additional audio segments for the same application.
With respect to the insertion stage, groups of stored, digitized audio segments and their respective, associated 5 ID data are re~:rieved into memory of a production control computer, such as by downloading, e . g., from a digital data tape, a number of audio segments corresponding to the number of Video Tape Recorder (VTR) units connected to the sy~tem for person~;7~t;on of videotapes. The production 10 control computer, which serves to control the production process, associates each audio segment to be inserted with a VTR connected within the system (such as by numeric reference assigned to each VTR) and into which a videotape to be personalized is loaded. ~ VTR control card, 15 interfaced between the computer and each VTR, provides statu~ information for, and independent control of, each VTR .
In conjunction with the computer, the control card operates to determine that each VTR unit is properly 20 loaded with a videotape. Further, the control card causes each VTR unit that has a videotape loaded therein to advance that videotape to an insertion point identif ied according to known time code scheme~ familiar to the videotape f ield, and as entered by the operator . The 25 insertion point may, for egample, be reached by sign~ll;ng the VTR units to operate in fast forward mode until a point in time just prior to the insertion poi~t; at such time, each VTR unit could be signalled to revert to normal play speed in order to approach the desired time code with 30 greater assurance of accuracy. Alternatively, use of fast forward mode operation may be bypassed and, instead, each VTR unit may be signalled to advance -it~ respective videotape at normal play speed alone until reaching the desired inser~ion polnt. This latter mode of operating 35 may be particularly appropriate in circumstances whereln the location of the insertion position is early on in the videotape to be personalized.
_ _ _ _ _ _ , ... . . _ _ . , ... ... . _ _ _ _ .

Any VTR units which, for any reason, fail to be properly controllable ~ (e.g., are not loaded, are inoperative, or otherwise do not reach the desired time code position within prescribed time limits) are e~Lcluded from that insertion stage. Furthermore, any videotapes loaded into such ~rll-d~rl VTR units may be ejected and corresponding audio segments which had been associated with such VTR units retained for insertion in a later etage (e.g., with the next group of audio segments). Once each remaining videotape is properly positioned for insertio~, the respective VTR units are placed in an audio dub mode and each audio segment to be inserted is sent, simultaneously, to the respective VTR unit with which the system has previously associated it. Accordingly, each audio= segment i8 inserted into an audio track of a respective videotape.
Upon completion of insertion, each VTR unit ejects the videotape loaded therein which has been ~personalized'~
with an individualized audio segment. A label may then be printed which identifies the audio segment (such as by printing the associated ID data therefor) and the videotape into which it has been inserted (such as by printing the numeric reference of the V~R into which that videotape was loaded) . Each label may then be attached to the respective videotape to be shipped according to prearranged agreement. The system may then download another group of audio segments from the same digital data tape if additional audio segments are ~rnt~ln~11 thereon f or insertion . The insertion process is then repeated with these additional audio segment~, and any audio segments retained based on previous exclusion of VTR
units, in the same manner as above. Such operation continues until all audio segments accumulated have been inserted into respective videotapes.
The following example is offered as an aid to better understanding of how a preferred method and system may operate to irsert individualized audio segments into _ _ _ _ _ . _ . , . , . , . _ , _ . _ , . , . , , _ _ _ _ 21 5~71 --prerecorded videotapee for a particular application. Such application may be the use of "personalized" videotapee by an automotive company as a tool for introducing an automobile to potential customers in order to foster sales. In such case, a generic videotape introducing the automobile would be created which may, for example, be similar in style to television commerclal advertisements, but would be longer in length and, thus, would include more detailed inEormation. A desired number af prerecorded videotapes (equal to the number of customers to which the company wishes to send a ~personalized~
videotape, e.g., 750) would be reproduced from the generic videotape. Each prerecorded videotape would then be "personalized" using the present method and system as provided in the following brief overview.
An operator enters identifying data for a particular individualized audio message segment (including cuetomer name and the title information for the prerecorded videotape) to be inserted into one of the prerecorded videotapes. The particular meseage for the identifying data entered is then recorded (e.g., by an announcer reading from a ecript and inserting the customer name at select locations). The recorded audio information is digitized and both the identifying data and the digiti2ed, individualized audio message segment are stored together on a data tape having digital storage capability. Such operation is repeated for additional audio messages, using different customer information in each case, until no further ~messages can be stored on the data tape being utilized (approximately 250-300 messages and related informatio~) . The data tape is then replaced with a blank data tape and the process is ( r~nt;nllPcl until all messagee have been recorded and stored (i.e., 750 messages are accumulated using 3 data tapee in the present examplel.
In order to insert the individualized audio messagee into respective videotapes, a plurality of videotape recorder units (e.g., 12) are each loaded with one of the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , . _ .

~ 21 56371 generic prerecorded videotapes. Identi~ying data and related audio message segments are then sequentially retrieved from a data tape in groups of 12 (in the present case where 12 videotape recorder units are available for 5 personalizing prerecorded videotapes). The position at which the audio me8sage segments are to be inserted within the videotapes is then entered and each videotape recorder unit is independently controlled in order to advance its respective prerecorded videotape to that position. ~ach 10 audio message segment is then transferred, simultaneously, to a respective videotape recorder unit which is independently controlled to allow the audio segment to be inserted into an a~dio track of the prerecorded videotape loaded therein. The prerecorded videotapes, which have 15 been Fersonalized, are then ejected from the respective videotape recorder units. Labels cnnti~;n;n~ the identifying data for each message segment are then printed and attached to the respective personalized videotape.
The process is then repeated with additional prerecorded 20 videotapes and groups of identifying data and related audio message segments until each individualized audio message has been inserted into a respective prerecorded videotape .
It can be seen from the above summary of a preferred 25 embodiment that the method and system herein disclosed is capable of simultaneously pers~)n~l; 7;n~ a plurality of prerecorded videotapes. A8 a rësult, a generic videotape may be prepared and reproduced in high volumes; these prerecorded videotapes may then be personalized for lower-30 volume applications in a more cost-efiective manner than prepar~ng unique videotapes for each low-volume application. Accordingly, the present methods and systems provide one or ~ore of the iollowing obj ects and advantages:
35 -- pro~ide a low cost method of preparing personalized videotapes;

-- provide such a method by which prerecorded videotapes, prepared at high volumes and taking advantage of economies of scale, may be personalized for low-volume applications;
-- provide a method and system for simultaneously 5 inserting individualized audio ~ nt~, respectively, into a plurality of videotapes;
-- provide a method and system by which individualized audio segments may be accumulated and controlled so a~ to allow for their insertion into video materials for 10 purposeY of pers~n~li71n~ said video materials;
-- provide a method and system for simultaneously controlling the operation of a plurality of videotape recorders so as to allow individualized audio segments to be inserted into an audio track, at a precise, predefined 15 position, of videotapes loaded therein;
--~ provide an effective method and system whereby one or more prerecorded videotapes may be modif ied as by replacing existing audio portions with an audio 6egment(s) tailored for that videotape (s); and, 20 -- provide ~uch a method and system which may be adapted for use with respect to a variety of video media.
Other = obj ects and advantages of the presently di~closed methods and systems will become apparent from a review of the accompanying drawings and the discussion of 25 various embodiments in the detailed description which follows .
Brief DescriPtion of the Drawinqs Figure la is a simplified block diagram depicting a voice recording/data entry subsystem according to a 30 preferred embodiment;
Figure lb is a simplified block diagram depicting a production control center subsystem according to a pref erred embodiment;
Figure 2a provides a schematic representation of an 35 exemplary circuit which may be used to interface a 21 5~371 --productior. control computer with videotape recorder unit control cards according to a pref erred embodiment;

Figures 2b and 2c provide schematic representations depicting portions of an exemplary circuit which may be 5 used to control the operation of a videotape recorder unit according to a pref erred embodiment;

Figure 2d is a simplified block diagram illuetrating interconnections between certain of the ~ nPnt,~ of Figures Ib, 2a, and 2b according to a preferred lO embodiment;

Figure 3 is a simplified block diagram depicting an alternate embodiment of a system incorporating a method for personalizing videotapes; and, Figure 4 is a representation of a strip of videotape 15 illustrating aspects of the method of ineerting an audio segment according to an alternate embodiment.

Detailed Description of t,he Prefer~ed Embodiment The personalization of videotapes according to the preeent method and system may take a wide variety of forms 20 dependent upon the application for which they are desired.

Ae an aid to better understanding of the background of the invention, and the subject matter of this disclosure, exemplary applications are described below. Such examplee are by no means exhaustive of the possible application~, 25 nor the types of applications and, accordingly, no limitation ae to the scope o~ thie discloeure or the claims appended hereto is intended from the following examples .

A primary application for personalized videotapes as 30 may be prepared in accordance with the present methode and syeteme is for the marketing of a product and/or service by a busineee. In this regard, a generlc videotape highlighting the product/service may be prepared (which may, for example, be directed to introducing a new 35 automobile and may include both audio and video information) and reproduced at high volumes, using well 21 5637~

known methods and taking advantage of economies of scale.
The resulting prerecorded videotapes may each then be personalized, using a method and system as herein disclosed, by the ineertion of an audio meseage segment at a pr,o(1~f; n~ point in the videotape . ~uch audio meseage segment may identify a particular customer, or potential customer, by name and may include a sales pitch directed to factors important to that customer (as may be determined, for example, using demographics, past experience with that customer, etc. ) .
Alternatively, such a business as above may desire to use the same or similar generic, product/service videotapes to introduce dealers, suppliers, and/or distributors to a new or existing product/service. In such a case, the audio message segments to be inserted into each videotape may comprise a message (8) directed to such entities by their business name and may include particular sales information applicable to their sales territory, etc.
Additionally, corporations may use the presently disclosed methods and systems in order to disseminate information to various business units. For example, quarterly review meetings, board meetings, etc. may be videotaped and reproduced in sufficient ~[uantity to send to business units, managers, shareholders, or other factions within the corporation. These prerecorded videotapes may then be personalized with audio message segments directed to a particular faction of the corporation and containing information specific to that 3 0 faction .
In a different setting, the disclosed systems and methods may be used to allow an individual to personalize a prerecorded videotape of their choice (e . g ., a movie title, sport video, etc., such as may be currently purchased at a retail store) to give, for example, as a gift. In such application it may be envisioned that arrangements would be made for a person to select a title -(e.g., the recipient' 8 favorite movie) and to record a personal message, in his/her own voice, directed to the recipient. Such message may then be inserted at a predefined point, e.g., during an opening credit score, or 5 may possibly be lnserted at a particular point requested by the person ordering the personalization.
Further applications are abundant and include:
training/educational videos wherein students are referred to by name in order to promote learning desire; personal 10 greeting tapes which may be created to celebrate special occasions (e . g ., videos comprising vignettes related to birthdays, anniversaries, valentines day, etc. ) which may then be mass-reproduced (much like greeting cards) and then personalized by individuals to send to a named 15 recipient; or any other videotaped material which may remain basically unchanged but for some minor information which may change over time, or due to foreseeable circumstances; thus, a portion of audio may be identif ied for occasional replacement according to the present system 2 0 and method .
With reference to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is=described as follows.
Referring to Figures la and lb, the system of the present invention for pers~ ;7;~ a videotape(s) by the 25 insertion of an individualized audio segment i8 depicted.
The system comprises a voice recording and data entry subsystem 10 (Fig. la) and a production control center subsystem 20 (Fig. lb). In a preferred embodiment, as shown, these two subsystems are independent for practical 3 o reasons related to the timing of the operations perf ormed within each subsystem. In this latter regard, and as will be better understood from further details provided hereinbelow, the production control center subsystem 20 processes audio segments in parallel by downloading groups 35 of audio segments from a data tape; the voice recording and data entry subsystem 10 may be used to record audio segments eequentially and thus takes more time to prepare a group of audio segments to be inserted into videotapes.
Accordingly, separation of tke two subsystems allows the production control center subsystem 20 equipment to be freed up for other tasks while groups of audio segments are being recorded and stored on digital data tapes.
Likewise, once a group of audio segments has been ted, they can be moved to the production control center subsystem 20 for insertion into videotapes while the voice recording and data entry subsystem 10 can continue to accumulate additional audio segments for the same, or a different, application. Aside from practical considerations, however, the two subsystems could readily be combined with only slight modifications, related to the manner in which audio segments would be accumulated and provided for insertion, to the system and the method of operation which is further described hereinbelow. The nature of such possible variations will be better understood from the Ll ;nrll~ of this description;
accordingly, it is intended that such variations, e.g., combination of subsystems, be within the scope of this disclosure, and the claims appended hereto.
With reference to Figure la, the voice recording and data entry subsystem 10 according to a preferred embodiment includes:
a microphone 30, preferably having a classic cardioid polar pattern, 50dB - 80dB output level, an output impedance of 150 Ohms, and a frequency response from 40 -16000 Hz;
a portable microphone mixer 40, capable of adjusting the input/output level of microphone signal for different announcers;
an audio filter 50, comprising a band pass filter with flat response from 50 Hz to 6.5 KHz, and a second channel with a low level line amplifier to match the input level of a powered speaker, an amplified monltor speaker 55, connected with the second channel of audio filter 50 for monitoring audio segments prior to storing in file, and having flat fre~uency response from 40 Hz - 16 KHz with a power output 5 of 20+ Watts; and, a computer 60, which may, e . g ., be an IBM compatible computer, and may be of a portable nature, comprising a 66 MHz Intel 80486DX2 CPU with an internal math coprocessor, 8 Kbyte.Internal Cache Memory, 4 MB R~M, Eight 32-bit EISA
10 slots, Advanced AMI BIOS with EISA Extension, an Analog/Digital Card (PC~ 711S), a Colorado Memory System including Jumbo 250 Drive using 250 MB Preformatted Tapes, a 340 MB Hard Drive, a standard keyboard, and a 14" VGA
Color :Monitor, and which is programmed via customized 15 software to operate in accordance with the description provided hereinbelow. The system may further include an audio tape player or other audio playback device (not shown) in order that analog audio signals may be supplied directly to the system from a prerecorded audio medium, 20 e.g., audiotape, without necessitating recording thereof by the system operator. Though particular compone~ts and related~ specifications are identified above, such are merely exemplary of those components which may be used in a system according to a preferred embodiment; accordingly, 25 no limitation of the scope herein is intended.
According to a pref erred embodiment, the functions performed or facilitated by the voice recording and data entry subsystem 10 include:
-- establishing the time duration of the audio segments 3 0 to be inserted into the videotapes;
- - receiving identif ication ( ID) data associated with each audio segment to be recorded; such ID data being used for controlling the segment routing through processing and for the contents of a label to be printed and attached to 35 the personalized videotape;
-- analog recording of the audio segments;

- - mixing and f iltering of the analog audio segments during recording for improved sound quality;
-- monitoring and editing of the analog audio segments during recording to ensure acceptability prior to 5 digitizing and storing;
-- compressing and digitizing of the analog audio s egment s; and , -- storing of digitized audio segments and associated ID
data f or subsequent recovery and insertion into 10 videotapes.
Subsystem 10 processing proceeds with an operator initiating program operation on computer 60 in a standard manner known in the art (e.g., via keystrokes, mouse, light pen, etc.) . At the outset, system parameters, such 1!~ as the number of audio segnents to be recorded and stored, the maximum time duration of each audio segment etc., may or may not be ~ Ld~ d ~1~p~on~ling on the application (s) in which the system is being implemented.
Suc~l parameters may readily be entered as required, 20 pursuant to prompting or otherwise, if not already programmed into the system.
Onc~ subsystem 10 is so initialized, the operator is prompted to enter ID data associated with the first audio segment to be recorded. Such infor~nation may include, but 25 is not limited to: any title applicable to the prerecorded video material into which the audio segment i8 to be inserted; any name and/or personal information associated with the ultimate recipient of the personalized videotape (s) into which the audio segment is to be 30 inserted; any name associated with the entity (e.g., corporation, etc. ) for whom one or more personalized videotapes are being prepared for subsequent distribution to the ultimate recipient (s); and any ~ob/order number (s) associated with all of the audio segments being recorded 35 for an entity (e.g., for all similar audio segments to be recorded onto identical prerecorded videotapes using the same time duration and insert location constraints). In 7 ~

addition, an identifying number (which may be sequential and may be system generated) may be associated with the above ID data and may correspond to each individual audio segment being recorded.
The ID data entered for each audio segment serves to identify that audio segment through processing and i9 used to control and track the flow of that audio 3egment within the system. Such ID data, along with subsequently generated information relating the particular videotape into which each particular audio segment has been inserted, may also become the contents of labels to be printed and attached to respective videotapes after the per60nalization process is completed for a group of audio segments. As the discussion hereinbelow will make clear, such operation ensures that the correlation of each audio segment to the respective videotape into which it ie inserted is m:~;n~i~;nl~l throughout the processing.
While it is desirable that ID data, as provided above, be entered in association with each audio segment recorded or otherwise ~ ted, entry of such data is not essential to the operation of the methods and systems herein disclosed In this regard, it is beneficial to have the above data associated with an audio segment to both aid in tracking of that segment and to provide the contents of a videotape label in conjunction with the audio segment being inserted into a particular videotape.
E~owever, the system could readily generate and assign a number for use in tracking and controlling the flow of an audio segment without necessitating entry of any data by an operator. Alternatively, no number or additional data need be assigned to an audio segment whatsoever; rather, the operator could be responsible for manually keeping track of segment contents and any associated videotape into which it is inserted. In either of these latter situations, labels may still be prepared, either manually or by a separate system, which contains the ID data.

With reference, again, to the preferred embodiment, upon entry of ID data for a first audio segment, the subsystem lO prepares to receive an analog audio segment via microphone 30. Accordingly, a ecreen is displayed 5 indicating the time allotted for recording of the audio segment and a prompt directing the operator to indicate (such as by keystroke, etc. ) when recording is to begin.
The analog signal received via microphone 30 may be pr~cessed via a mixer ~0 and audio filter 50 in order to 10 adjust sound levels to accommodate different announcers and to eliminate any extraneous background or other noise which may otherwise be picked up through microphone 3 0, and may negatively impact the quality of the audio segment as a result of the digitization process (as will be 15 further described hereinbelow).
The processed analog signal is received into computer 60 and may be further processed as by compacting or compressing and digitizing the signal in any manner well known to those skilled in the art. For example, in the 20 preferred embodiment, a 4:3 factor compression is utilized as such ratio provides -adequate quality for voice information without overly limiting the amount of data which may be stored. Different compression factors could readily be utilized. l~or example, a higher compression 25 factor may be used in order to obtain compact disk quality recording of audio information, however, the number of videotapes which may resultingly be personalized would be reduced accordingly unless storage capacity were aleo increased. Additionally, the quality of the stored audio 30 message segment may be varied (with attendant variation in th~ number of messages capable of being stored) by proyL ~r~ adjustments with respect to the sampling rate associated with the digitization of the audio signal (e.g., a preferred embodiment provides for sampling rates 35 between 8 kHz and 44 kHz with a rate of 16 kE~z suitable for recorded audio segments) . ' ~ ' 21 56371 The digitized audio segment is then stored, along with associated ID data previously entered (as described above), on digital data tape 65 inserted into the dlgital data tape drive unit associated with computer 60.
5 Additional audio segments may similarly be recorded by ently of ID data as prompted, and recording of audio segments in serluence. The accumulation of audio segments and associated ID data continues in this manner until all audio segments for a given application have been stored.
In the embodiment as shown in Figures la and lb, it may be the caee that the number of audio segments to be ~rrllm~ ted for a given application exceeds the number of such audio segments and associated ID data which may be stored on digital data tape 65 (which is dependent upon the length of each segment and the amount of ID data to be associated with each segtnent but may, for e~ample, be 250-300 audio segments of approximately 30 second duration).
If such situation occurs, the digital data tape 65, when full, could be removed from the voice recording and data entry subsystem computer 60 and replaced with a blank digital data tape. Audio segment accumulation could then ront; n~ while the segments on the full digital data tape 65 are being inserted into videotapes in ~ the production control center subsystem 20.
While direct recording of audio segments into the voice recordlng and data entry subsystem 10 is provided in the preferred embodiment above, other means of receiving audio segment information into the system may be envisioned and are intended to be within the scope of the 3Q disclosure herein and the claims appended hereto. For example, a customer desiring the personalization o~
videotapes may do their own recording of the audio segments to be inserted. In such case, the prerecorded audio segments may be provided to the voice recording and data entry subsystem 10 operator using any of a variety of known audio recording media (standard audio tape, diskettes, disks, etc.) . Accordlngly, the voice recording _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ . ..... . . . .

and data entry subsystem 10 could interface with a device which ie capable of playing back the audio segment information recorded onto that medium. An audio signal f rom the playback device would then be received into the 5 voice recording and data entry subsystem 10 and operated upon in a manner similar to that with respect to the received microphone signal detailed above (and which may, for example, include filtering the incoming signal and interposing ID data related to each audio segment).
Additional variations with respect to receipt of the individualized audio segments may also be envisioned and may be readily accommodated by the present method and system. For example, audio segments could be prerecorded by the customer, or other party, in a digital format and 15 could be provided to the voice recording and data entry subsystem 10 operator on digital disk (e.g., compact disc, mini disk, or like medium). If the digital format were compatible with that provided by the voice recording and data entry subsystem 10, then such segments may be 20 transferrable to digital data tape 65 without modification (except, possibly, for the interposing of associated ID
data related to each audio segment if such is not already provided on the medium utilized).
Alternatively, the digital medium provided by the 25 customer or third party may be used directly to provide audio segments (with or without identif ication data) to the production control center, without first transferring such segments to a digital data tape. For example, a digital minidisc, or other digital medium, may be prepared 30 by a customer or third party to provide the audio segments in a format w~ich may be received directly by the production control center subsystem and, thus, obviate the need for the voice recording and data entry subsystem at the site where ~ the production control subsystem is 35 located. Additionally, each audio segment so provided could be stored with header information on the mini-disk (or other medium utilized) such that it may be ~ 563~1 independently distinguished and further associated with identif ication data as provided herein .
Consistent with such possible variations as identified above, and other variations attendant with the source of audio segments, the method and system herein described may be adapted to be ~ ; hle with any of a variety of multi-media components. In this regard, the voice recording and data entry subsystem computer 60 could include a sound card to be inserted into a slot within computer 60 or a sound (multi-media) chip integrated into a board within the computer 60, either of which may be components known to those skilled in the art and readily available as a computer peripheral device. The voice recording and data entry subsystem computer 60 may then operate to process audio segment information through such sound components in real time, utilizing a known Resource Interchange File Format in order to convert the audio information received into the desired digital format for use by the production control center subsystem 20.
l~he above, and similar, variations related to the manner in which audio segment inf ormation are received into the system are readily incorporated into the present method and system in manners known to those skilled in the art. It is intended, therefore, that such variations and attendant modifications to the system are within the scope herein. : =
Resuming discussion of the preferred embodiment, the production control center subsystem 20 according to a preferr~d embodiment includes:
a computer 70, which may comprise an IBM Compatible of similar specification to that of voice recording and data entry subsystem computer 60;
an audio amplifier/filter 80, comprising a 12 channel custom audio band pass filter, a custom microprocessor unit 90, which may comprise a number of VTR control cards 95 equal to the number of VTR
units connected within the system for persoNalizing 6~71 videotapes, and which is capable of independently controlling each of the plurality of VTR units;
an interface card 75, which may be connected between the production control center computer 70 and the VTR
control cards 95 and may control the transfer of serial information into respective VTR control cards 95;
VTR units 100, which may, as in the embodiment shown, comprise twelve Sony SVO 960 VCR' s (though this number could be more or less depending only upon practical considerations related to system costs, memory constraints, physical space, application needs, etc. ) and which are connected to and independently controlled by a respective VTR control card 95;
VTR control lines 96, connected between each VTR
control card 95 and a respective one of the VTR units 100;
time code reference~lines 97, connected between each VTR unit 100 and a respective one of the VTR control cards 95;
a time code translator 110, which may be an ~orita VLT-50 VITC-to-LTC Translator, associated with each VTR
unit 100 and interconnected along respective time code reference lines 97;
a window dub inserter 120, which may be an Horita WG-50 Window Dub Inserter, connected between one of the translators 110 and a monitor 130, and may be used to verify proper time code position location during the insertion process by dubbing the time code position into the corresponding video image displayed on monitor 13 0 which comprises the video image from one of the plurality of VTR units 100 during the audio insertion process; ~~
a printer 140, which may, for example, be a Zebra 105, in communication with production control center subsystem computer 70 and capable of printing labels to be attached --to videotapes, and may also be capable of printing bar code symbols onto the labels; and, a display 150, associated with production control center computer 70. Though particular components and related specifications are identified above, such are merely exemplary of those components which may be used in a system according to a preferred embodiment; accordingly, no limitation of the scope herein is intended.
The functions performed or facilitated by the production control center subsystem 20 may include:
-- downloading stored, digitized audio segments and associated ID data from digital data tape in groups comprising a number of audio segments which corresponds to the number of ~ideotapes the system is capable of simultaneously personalizing;
-- initializing VTR' s connected within the system, correspondingly assessing the operational status of each VTR (including whether each VTR is working, whether a videotape is loaded into each VTR, etc. ), and identifying and excluding VTR units which are unable to proceed with insertion;
-- associating each audio segment in a downloaded group with a respective VTR into which a videotape is loaded for: ~.
20 insertion of an audio segment therein;
- - receiving time code inf ormation relating to the insertion point (s) to be used;
-- independently controlling each VTR connected within the system (including start/stop functions, operating speed, recording, eject, etc. );
-- locating the proper insertion point with respect to each videotape loaded into a VTR;
-- simultaneously inserting audio segments independently into respective videotapes;
-- assessing proper insertion of each audio segment into a respective videotape;
-- keeping track of the particular videotape into which each audio segment has been inserted;
-- e jecting each "personalized" videotape from its corresponding VTR upon proper completion of the insertion process; and, -- printing labels for correctly completed videotapes.

~ ~156371 With reference to Figure lb, the production control center subsystem 20 of a preferred embodiment operates as set forth below. The production control center~ computer 70 serves as an interface between the operator and the 5 production control center subsystem 20 and allows for entry of control data (~uch as time codes used for insertion point location) as well as providing the means for receiving audio segments to be .inserted into the videotapes. A digital data tape 65 is inserted into the 10 digital data tape drive slot of computer 70. In a standard fashion, system software is initiated 80 that the insertion process may begin. The production control center computer 70 downloads a number of audio segments from digital data tape 65 which may, for ~example, 15 correspond to the number of VTR units 100 connected within the system. In conjunction with the downloading of audio segments, the production control center subsystem computer 70 may associate each audio segment with a VTR unit 100 known to be connected to the production control center 20 subsystem 20. Such association may, for example, be sequential. To this end, each VTR unit 100 may have an identifying code associated therewith (e.g., a numeric reference from 1-12 in the embodiment shown) which allows the production control center subsystem computer 70 and 25 the custom microprocessor unit 90 to independently interact with each VTR unit 100 as will be further detailed hereinbelow.
Information transfer between the computer 70 and respective VTR control cards 95 is accomplished through an 30 interface card 75 which may be interposed between the computer 70 and the VTR control- cards 95 in any of a variety of ways. A preferred approach is to integrate the interface card 75 within the custom microproces~sor unit 90. Xowever, the interface card 75 may readily be 35 designed for incorporation into a slot within the production control center computer 70. Further, and as shown in Figure lb for purposes of illustration, the ~ ~ 5637~

interf ace card 75 may be designed as a separate component which may be interconnected between the computer 70 and the custom microproces~or unit 90. A purpose of the interface card 75 is to effect information exchange, e.g., 5 serially, from computer 70 to each of the VTR control cards 95. Such information exchanged may include time code information a~ ent~ered f:or each respective VTR unit 100; control information, e.g., 8i~n~l11in~ that the system is in a ready ~tate; and ~tatus information pertaining to 10 respective VTR units 100, which may then be incorporated into a display 150 associated with the production control center computer 70 as further detailed below.
Exemplary circuits which may be employed for use as an interface card 75 and VTR control cards 95, according to 15 a preferred embodiment, are illustrated in Figure 2a and Figuree 2b and 2c, respectively. In Figure 2a, an interface card 75 is shown wherein communication to and from computer 70 is accomplished along data lines 200 while comrnunication between interface card 75 and 20 respective VTR control cards 95 is via serial data lines 210 .
With reference to Figures 2b and 2c, together, there is shown an exemplary circuit which may be employed for use as a VTR control card 95 according to a preferred 25 embodiment. With respect to the embodiment shown in Figure lb, twelve (12) such VTR control card 95 circuits as provided in Figs. 2b and 2c would be incorporated into the custom microprocessor unit 90 such that each VTR
control card 95 would control the operation of a 30 respective VTR unit 100. As shown in Fig. 2b, data lines 220 are provided and are used to effect communication with the interface card 75 as described previously with respect to Figure 2a. Control of a respective VTR unit 100 connected to VTR control card 95 is accompli~hed by means 35 of control lines 230.
With reference to Figure 2d, a simplified diagram is provided which illustrates the connection~ between the ~1 5~7~
-computer 70 and the exemplary circuits of Figures 2a (interface card 75) and 2b ~VTR control card 95), according to the preferred embodiment. Reference numerals identified in Figure 2d correspond to like references previously identified with respect to Figures lb, 2a, and 2b .
As Figures 2a - 2d, and the accompanying discussion above show, VTR control cards 95, and an interface card 75 which is capable of effecting communication and exchange of information between computer 70 and each of the VTR
control cards 95 may be implemented using components which are readily available to and understood by someone who is skilled in the art. Likewise the operation of the exemplarv circuits iilustrated in Figures 2a, 2b, and 2c, in order to effect the control of a plurality of VTR units 100 such that individualized audio segments may be inserted into videotapes loaded therein, respectively, may be readily understood by one skilled in the art with reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment herein. _ ~ _ Returning to reference Figure lb, display 150, associated with production control center subsystem computer 70, may visually relate information, which may, for example, comprise status information for each VTR unit 100 and the audio segments to be inserted therein, to the production control center subsystem 20 operator. In this regard, display 150 may display representations of each VTR unit 100 which provide, via highlighting or the likeL
the operating status of each VTR unit 100. Once all of 3 0 the audio segments comprising a group to be inserted are downl ni~ and initially associated wi~h a particular VTR
unit 100, the production control center subsystem 20 then prompts for entry of time code information to be used to locate the insertion point for the audio segments within 3 5 each videotape .
While the use of time code information is a preferred means of identifying the beginning point at which audio - ~ ' 21 56371 segments will be inserted into videotapes, other means of identifying such point are feasible. For example, as diecussed below with respect to an alternate embodiment, a counter may be used. Other such means are likewise envisionea and are meant to be within the scope of this disclosure and the claims appended hereto. Additionally, points other than the beginning insertion point may be entered without departure from the 6cope herein. For example, the ending insertion point with respect to an audio segment of known length, or identif ication of a position of: known offset from the beginning insertion point, etc. may be entered and the corresponding inseEtion point ~ tl~rln; n~tl therefrom.
Resuming with discussion of the preferred embodiment, time code information may, for example, be entered according to the Vertical Interval Time Code (VITC) format known to the videotape field of art. Consistent with this f ormat, the production control center subsystem 2 0 operator would enter the hour, minute, second, and frame information related to the point at which insertion of an audio segment is to begin. The production control center subsystem computer 70 may then convert the entered VITC
time code information, according to known relations, into corresponding I,ongitudinal Time Code (~TC) format and may supply this latter information to the respective VTR
control cards 95 for use as described further below.
Upon receipt Qf time code information and an instruction from the operator to begin, the system indicates (such as by an audible signal) that it is ready.
Accordingly, prerecordea videotapes may then be loaded into respective videotape recorder units. A timer may be incorporated within production control center subsystem computer 70 which, upon initiating software operation and downloading audio segments, assesses the operational status of each VTR unit 100, via VTR control cards 95, including whether a videotape has been loaded, respectively, therein. In this regard, a timer could be set to an arbitrary time duration which will allow all VTR
units 10~ to be loaded with videotapes for insertion of an audio segment (s) (e.g., such time may be set for 20 eeconds, but may be as long as desired given production 5 consideratiQns, from the time a first loaded VTR unit is detected). The timer may be started once the loading of a f irst videotape into a videotape recorder unit is detected. From such point, the operator would then have an amount of time equal to that set for the timer in which 10 to complete the loading of videotapes into all of the videotape recorder units.
At the expiration of such time as is entered for the above timer, any VTR unit 100 which has been detected to be non-operational or not to have been loaded with a 15 videotape may be excluded from that insertion stage.
Accordingly, any audio segment (s) which may have been associated with an excluded VTR unit 100 may be retained in the memory of computer 70 for the next insertion ~tage.
The retained audio segment (s) may then be processed along 20 with other audio segments downloaded in the next insertion stage. In this latter regard, the number of audio segments downloaded may be adjusted by the number of audio segments which have been retained as a result of the above timer operation. Representations of each VTR unit 100 25 displayed on display 150 may ref~ect such status of each VTR unit 100, i.e., including whether a videotape has been loaded therein.
The VTR control cards 95 effect time code searching with respect to each VTR unit 100 as follows. A signal 30 from each VTR control card 95 1~ sent, via VTR control lines 96, to a respective VTR unit 100 which causes that unit to commence operating in fast forward mode. Each VTR
control card 95 then monitors its respective VTR unit 100 by reading the time code position of each VTR unit 100 via 35 time code reference line 97. In this latter regard, a time code translator 110 is interposed, along each time code reference line 97, between each VTR unit 100 and its ~ ' ~ 2~ ~37~

respective VTR control card 95. The~time code translators 110 each serve to translate the VITC format time code information, encoded into the videotape loaded into a respective VTR unit 100, into LTC format time code information so that comparison may be made with the previously entered time code information identifying the insertion point f or audio segments .
Time code conversion from VITC to LTC formats is employed according to the preferred embodiment since direct reading of and operation on VITC format information requires a high speed reader and microprocessor_ Conversion to LTC format allows for use of a less expensive, lower speed microprocessor. Aside from such considerations, however, the method and system herein disclosed could readily be adapted to eliminate the conversioIl to LTC format and instead operate directly upon VITC format time code information. Accordingly, such an embodiment is intended to be fully within the scope of this disclosure and the claims appended hereto As each VTR unit 100 reaches a point, e.g., 3 seconds, prior to the desired time code position for that VTR unit 100, the respective VTR controI card 95 sends a signal on control line 96 to that VTR unit 100 which causes it to revert from fast forwara to normal play speed in order to approach the desired time code position with greater assurance of precision (e.g., within 1 frame accuracy).
When each respective VTR control card 95 senses, via time code reference line 97, that its particular VTR unit 100 has reached the desired time code position, it sends a signal on the respective VTR control line 96 which causes that VTR unit 100 to remain at that position (e.g., causing the VTR to enter a pause mode).
Use of the fast forward operating mode to locate the insertion point according to a pref erred embodiment, as above detailed, may provide significant time savings with respect to the insertion process. This is particularly true in applications where the desired insertion point occurs at a later time in a lengthy videotape. However, use of fast forward mode in the above manner is not a necessary aspect of- the present method and system and such operation should not be limiting of the scope of the 5 methods and systems herein disclosed and claimed Alternatively, each VTR unit may be signalled, instead, to operate at normal play speed to locate the insertion position. Indeed, according to a further aspect oi the preferred embodiment, normal play mode, as opposed to fast 10 forward mode, would be used in applications where the insertion position occurs early on in the videotape since there may not be enough lead length on the videotape to effect fast forward searching.
Once a first VTR unit 100 has reached the desired time 15 code position, a timer associated with production control center subeystem computer 70 is then started. Such timer is set to a maximum time limit, based on an amount of time that it is expected to take for all VTR units 100 to reach the desired time code position, and during which the 20 production control center subsystem 20 will wait for all VTR units 100 to reach such point (e.g., 5 seconds) . In this manner, processing (i.e., insertion of audio segments) is not halted completely should one of the VCR
units 100 fail, or otherwise not operate at an expected 25 speed.
If the timer should expire prior to all VTR units having reached the desired time code position, the system will exclude those VTR units which were not ready from the insertion process. Excluded VTR units 100 may also be 30 identified, as by such VTR units lOO being signalled to ej ect the videotape loaded therein and/or by representation on display 150, 80 that the operator may correot any problem ( s ) which caused that VTR to be excluded. Additionally, the production control center 35 subsystem computer 70 will retain any audio segment (8) which had been associated with any of the excluded VTR
units 100 in memory and will process such audio segments ~ 21 56371 -with the next group of audio segments to be in~erted (accordingly, the number of audio segments downloaded from the digital data tape 65 during the next insertion: stage may be decreased by the number of audio segments retained 5 as a result of such operation).
When all VTR units 100 have reached the desired time code position, or, upon timeout of the aforementioned timer, the actual insertion of audio segments into respective videotapes may commence. To this end, 10 production control center subsystem computer 70 causes VTR
control cards 95 to signal each respective VTR unit 100 (other than those which may have been excluded as discussed above), via VTR control lines 96 , to operate in play/audio dub mode. In association with the commencing 15 of operation of VTR units 100, production control center subsystem computer 70 transfers each audio segment, which, by means of a digital to analog converter incorporated within the production control center subsystem computer 70, are converted to analog signals, to respective VTR
20 units 100.
The transfer of audio segments is accomplished, in parallel, via audio lines 81 which are connected to an audio input of each respective VTR unit 100 with which a particular audio segment has been assoclated. An audio 25 amplifier 80 may also be interposed between the production control center subsystem computer 70 and the VTR units 100 which receives the analog audio signals from computer 70, provides appr~priate amplification such that the level of the audio segment inserted into a videotape blends with 30 existing audio information which may be present on the videotape, and passes the amplified audio segments to respective VTR units 100 via audio lines 81 for insertion into respective videotapes.
Upon completion of transfer, and, accordingly, the 35 simultaneous insertion of audio segments into respective videotapes, each of VTR control cards 95 sends a si~nal on control lines 96 to their respective VTR units 100 which - 21 5637~

places that VTR unit 100 in stop mode. Additionally, each VTR unit 10 0 may similarly be signalled to rewind and/or to eject the personalized videotape loaded therein. In a preferred embodiment, the VTR units are not signalled to 5 rewind ~ince time spent rewinding could be used instead for insertion of additional audio segments into additional videotape~. In such ca3e, the VTR units are signalled to eject at the completion of the insertion stage and the '~personalized" videotapes therein may then be rewound off-10 line.
If additional audio segments are ready for insertion,e . g., audio segments remain on digital data tape 65 or remain in memory as a result of exclusion from a previous stage as discussed above, the above proceesing rnay be 15 repeated, as nece~sary, until all such audio segments for a given application have been inserted into videotapes.
Should an embodiment providing for multiple audio segments to be i~serted into videotapes at differing positions therein, the production control center subsystem 20 20 may instead operate, pursuant to entry of additional time code position data, to locate the new time code position and insert additional audio segments in the same manner as detailed above until all such audio segments have been inserted into the videotapes then within VTR
25 units 100.
In another aspect of a pref erred embodiment of the pre~3ent methods and sy~tems, a label containing information identifying each videotape and the audio segment in6erted therein may be printed. In this regard, 30 the ID data previously a~ociated with each audio segment, along with identifying information relating to the VTR
unit 100 which contains the videotape into which each such audio segment has been in~erted, may be printed on respective labelEi provided in printer 140 associated with 35 production control center subsystem computer 70.
Additionally, the preferred embodiment provides for the generation of a bar code symbol associated with each individualized audio segment inserted into a respective videotape. This bar code symbol may also be printed on the respective labels which may then be affixed to each videotape, e.g., in conjunction with removal of the 5 videotapes from the VTR units 100, so as to mA;ntA;n correspondence between particular audio segment8 and the respective videotapes personalized therewith. The bar code sy~bols may be used to facilitate tracking o~ the "personali2ed" videotapes throughout the r~mA;n~f~r of 10 processing and shipping.
Since tolerance differences may exist between different VTR units attendant with their operation as relates to reaching a particular time code position, a preferred embodiment of the present method and system 15 provides for each of the VTR control cards 95 to be tuned to the respective VTR unit 100 with which it is associated. Accordingly, each VTR control card 95 may adjust timing calculations to account for any such tolerance dif f erences , e . g ., in operating speeds of VTR
20 units 100, in order to ensure that each audio segment is accurately and precisely inserted at the desired time code position. Such tuning may, for example, include the incorporation of a ~+/- factor" to be added or subtracted from time code information in order to adju~t the stopping 25 position of the respective VTR unit 100 being controlled by a particular control card 95. Accordingly, each VTR
unit 100 may be calibrated in order to determine a tolerance value (with respect to actual tape position vs time code position indicated) which may be used to 30 establish the ~ factor'~ to be incorporated within the control card 95 which will control t~at VTR unit 100.
While a preferred embodiment of a method and system for personalizing a plurality of videotapes has been detailed above, many variations to parts or all of the 35 above method and system are possible without departure from the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, while the preferred embodiment above suggests the insertion of a , . .. . . . . . . ..

.

single audio segment into each of a plurality of prerecorded videotapes, at the same time code position within each videotape, and with each of the audio segments being unique from each other of the audio segments, such 5 characteristics are application dependent only and are n~t required by the method and system herein.
Thus, for example, there are no inherent limitations attendant with the present syetem and method that would prevent its use for inserting the same audio segment into 10 multiple videotapes. The method and system above could be readily adapted for such purpose, such a8 by duplicating that audio segment prior to the simultaneous ineertion process, or by maintaining that audio segment in memory throughout a desired number of simultaneoue insertions 15 (e.g., along with sequential groupings of segments to be inserted ior the same application), or in any other manner allowing for multiple operations to be performed with respect to the same audio segment.
Similarly, there are no inherent reaeons why the 20 method and system herein disclosed could not be adapted so as to provide for the insertion of multiple audio segments (or the same audio segm-ent multiple times) at differing points within each of the videotapes. While such multiple insertions could not, of course, all occur simultaneously, 25 the system could readily be adapted to make several insertion "passes" while simultaneously inserting audio segments into videotapes with respect to each separate time code position entered.
~ikewise, with respect to the time code position used 30 to identify the insertion point within the plurality of videotapes, the present system and method may readily be utilized to identify different time code positionc for each VTR (and, thus, for each videotape loaded therein) such that the audio segments (whether unique or not) may 35 be inserted at different points with respect to each videotape. Further,~ as should be obvious from the above _ _ . . . ... . _ , . , _ ,, , _ _ _ _ diecussion, there are also no reasons why the plurality of videotapes to be personalized would need to be identical.
The main impact with respect to the use of different videotapes, and/or so~e others of the system variante 5 discussed immediately above, would be of a logistic nature, i.e., increased operator awarene#s and interaction to ensure the inse~tion of the proper audio segment (s) on the proper videotape (8) would be required; accordingly, too, the overall production time may be greater due to 10 such human factors. System modifications required to realize the above variations in operation would be minimal and would b~ readily accomplished via proyL ' n~
in8truction. Furthermore, additional hardware components would not be required in order to realize~ the above-15 identified variants. E~owever, if desired, additionalWindow Dub Inserters 120 and Monitors 130 may be connected with respective time code translators 110 in order to verify proper audio insertion positions in the case where different time codes are utilized and/or different 20 videotapes are to be personalized. Alter~Latively, the single window dub inserter 120 and monitor 130, as shown in Figure lb, may be connected to multiple time code translators 110 through a switching device which may allow differert VTR units 100 to be monitored for proper audio 25 insertion position, e.g., in the case where different time codes are utilized. - -Alternative embodiments of a method and system for personalizing a plurality of videotapes by the lnsertion of an audio segment(s) are also envisioned and intended to 3 o be within the scope of this disclosure . According to one such embodiment, a different technique for locating the point at which an audio segment is to be inserted along the videotape is utilized. With reference to Figure 3, that part of the system controlling the insertion of audio 35 segments into videotapes loaded into a plurality of VrR' s is shown (i.e., the production subsystem 20) according to an alternative embodiment.
_ _ _ _ ~ _ , . . .. . .. . . . .

_ As shown, such a system 300 comprises VTR units 310, a computer 320 ;nrll~(l;ng a port controller card 330 and four 6-channel audio server cards 340, audio signal lines 345 connected between the audio server cards 340 and each VTR unit 310, a videotape shuttle controller 350 comprising VTR control cards 360 as30ciated, respectively, with each VTR unit 310, and VTR control lines 365 interconnected between each VTR control card 360 and respective VTR units 310. In operation, VTR units 310 are ~0 controlled via computer 320 in conjunction with VTR
control cards 360 associated with videotape shuttle controller 350. As expected, rewound videotapes into which audio segments are to be inserted are loaded into the VTR units 310.
With reference to Figure 4, there is shown a representation of videotape 400 including:
a pre-roll black portion 410, which may be specified to any duration, e.g., 30-40 seconds, and which precedes the actual video material comprising the subject matter of 2 0 videotape 4 0 0;
a reference mark 420, which may comprise any of a variety of recorded slrn~l l ;nr points, such as an audible tone or queue, inserted at the same location within each prerecorded videotape 400;
a video and audio presentation interval 430, wherein the sub~ ect matter comprising the prerecorded videotape 400 is provided; and, a custom audio insertion area 440, wherein a portion of the existing audio, if present, within videotape 400 3 0 may be replaced by an individualized audio segment .
According to an exemplary application of this alternate embodiment of the present method and system, reference mark 420 may comprise an audio tone of certain duration, e.g., 200 msecs, which conforms to the known Dual-Tone-Multi-Frequency (DTMF) standards as provided by the telephone industry. For example, such tone may comprise the DTMF representation of the number ~ 8 ~ .

~1 5~37~

Reference mark 420 may conveniently be placed at any known point within the pre-roll black portion glO (which is also of known duration) of videotape 400.
Insertion of audio eegments into respective videotapes is accomplished ae follow~ with reference to Figures 3 and 4. A trigger signal from computer 320 starts the VTR
units 310 into play. Accordingly, the videotapes within VTR units 310 advance within the pre-roll black portion 410 and reach the re~erence mark 420 at which point a DTMF
tone ~ may be detected, via VTR control line 365 by respective VTR control cards 360 associated with each VTR
unit 310.
Upon detection of the DTMF reference mark 420 for each VTR unit 310, a counter, not shown, aesociated with the respective VTR control card 360 is loaded with a value corresponding to the time required to advance the VTR unit 310, e.g., in fast forward mode, from reference mark 420 to the desired insertion point (identified as '~a~ in Figure 4 ) at the beginning o~ the custom audio insertion area 440. Counter operation is then commenced in con~unction with the sending of a signal to by the reepective VTR control card 360, via VTR control line 365, to its associated VTR unit 310 which places that VTR unit into f ast ~orward operating mode .
Countdown of the counter associated with VTR control card 360 causes another signal to be sent by control card 360, via control line 365, to ite respective VTR unit 310 which stops VTR operation At this time, videotape 400 is positioned at the insertion point (identified as "a~ in Figure 4) for the audio segment. The counter associated with VTR control card 360 ie then loaded with a value correeFoIrding~ to the time required to insert the respective audio segment into the corresponding videotape (e.g., based on time duration of the individualized audio segment to be inserted) . VTR unit 310 is then placed into play and audio dub mode, via control signal sent by VTR
control card 360 along control line 365, and a trigger . .. . . .. . _ _ .

2 ~ 5637 1 signal i~ sent to an Audio Insertion Unit ~AIU) associated with computer 320 which cauAes the audio ~egments to be sent, via audio signal line~ 345, from audio ~erver cards 340 .
When the counter reaches zero, VTR unit 310 is stopped, via signal from VTR control card 360 along VTR
control line 365, audio segment insertion has been completed, and the videotape 400 is positioned at the end (identified as "b" in Figure 4) of the custom audio insertion area 440. A signal may then be sent from VTR
control card 360, via control line 365, which causes VTR
unit to rewind and/or e ject the videotape loaded therein.
While operation of the VTR units in fast forward mode may effect time savings in the insertion process, such operation, as previously detailed with respect to the preferred embodiment, is not necessary to the operation according to this alternate embodiment. Accordingly, VTR
units could be advanced to the cu3tom inser~ion area 440 from the reference mark 420 at normal play speed. In such case, the aforementioned counter would be set to a "real time-~ value required for videotape 400 to traverse such distance .
Further alternative embodiments of the present method and system, directed to differing video media other than analog videotape, are enviAioned and intended to be within the scope of the disclosure herein and the claim~ appended hereto. As identified previously, other video media, including digital videocassette, recordable compact disk video, and the like, provide alternative media through which video and audio information may be diA~eminated to individuals or entities. AS with their analog videotape counterpart, these alternative media suffer from similar cost disadvantages with respect to their use in low-volume or individualized applications. The present method and sy~tem, however, may readily be adapted to these media as well in order to provide for the personalization of _ _ _ _ _ _ 37~

pluralities Qf units of such media (i.e., videoca~sette, disks, etc . ) Accordingly, in another embodiment, the mathod and system herein may be adapted for use with digital 5 videocassette recorder units (DVCR unies). According to such an embodiment, a voice recording and data entry subsystem 10 as depicted in Figure la may be utillzed to accumulate audio segments as previously detailed. A
production control center gubsystem similar to subsystem 10 20 as shown in Figure lb may be incorporated, with slight modification as indicated below, in order to insert audio segments into respective prerecorded digital videocassette A first modification to the production control center 15 subsystem results from the fact that the videocassette to be personalized comprise digital audio and video information. Accordingly, the digital to analog conversion operation required with respect to the preferred embodiment detailed above is obviated However, 20 a~ the format for the digital information incorporated into the digital videocassette may likely differ from the digitized format used for storage of audio segments, a digital to digital conversion operation may be required.
such operation would be implemented in order to convert a 25 digital bit stream, comprising audio segment information to ~e inserted, into a digital bit stream format which may be accepted by a respective DVCR unit for insertion into a prerecorded digital videocassette.
Another modification to the production contrQl center 30 subsystem 20 as shown in Figure 1 results from differences in the manner in which particular frames may be identified for purposes of locating an insertion position for individualized audio segments with respect to a digital videocassette. In this regard, it is envisioned that 35 neither the vertical interval time code nor the longitudinal time code format, as presently utilized with respect to analog videotapes, would be utilized to identify positions with re~pect to digital videocaesette recordere and corresponding videocassette. Accordingly, use of the time code translators 110 (as ehown in Figure lb) would be obviated. Alternatively, identification of 5 insertion poeition(s) in a DVCR system may be accomplished by entry, into computer 70, o~ an absolute poeition which may correspond to absolute position information incorporated into the digital bit stream associated with each prerecorded digital videocaesette.
Further, communication with reepective digital VCR
units by control cards (euch ae control cards 95 in Figure lb) would similarly be accomplished in the form of digital bit stream information formatted in accordance with specifications attendant with a particular make of digital 15 VCR. Such digital bit etream information would control the operation of re~pective digital VCR units in a manner similar to that previously described with reepect to the production control center as shown in Figure lb.
Accordingly, an insertion position would be located with 20 respect to each digital videocassette loaded into re~pective DVCR units and digital bit streame, each comprising an individualized audio segment, would be tran~ferred to respective onee of a plurality of DVCR
units connected with the eystem, and, accordingly, 25 inserted into respective digital videocassette loaded therein .
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that other modif ications and variatione are 30 possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention def ined in the appended claim~ .

Claims (34)

1. A method for personalizing a plurality of prerecorded videotapes comprising the steps of:
accumulating a plurality of individualized audio segments; and, simultaneously inserting each of said audio segments into respective prerecorded videotapes.

2. The method according to Claim 1 wherein the step of accumulating a plurality of individualized audio segments further comprises the steps of:
receiving a signal comprising at least one audio segment;
uniquely identifying each of said at least one audio segments comprising said signal; and, storing said uniquely identified audio segments.

3. The method according to Claim 2 wherein:
said signal received comprises an analog signal;
said uniquely identified audio segments are digitized prior to said storing step;
said audio segments are uniquely identified by associating unique identification data with each of said audio segments, respectively; and, said step of storing said uniquely identified audio segments further comprises the step of storing said unique identification data together with said uniquely identified audio segment with which it is associated.

4. The method according to Claim 1 wherein the step of accumulating a plurality of individualized audio segments further comprises the steps of:
receiving data uniquely identifying an individualized audio segment;
receiving an analog signal comprising said individualized audio segment;

digitizing said individualized audio segment comprising said analog signal received; and, storing said identifying data and said digitized audio segment.

5. The method according to Claim 4 wherein said analog signal is received through a microphone and further comprising the steps of:
mixing and filtering said analog signal; and, compressing said analog signal prior to said digitizing step.

6. The method according to Claim 2 wherein said identifying data and said digitized individualized audio segment are stored together digitally on a data tape.

7. The method according to Claim 2 wherein said analog signal is received from a prerecorded audio medium.

8. The method according to Claim 2 wherein each of said at least one audio segments are uniquely identified by the step of generating identification data associated therewith, respectively.

9. The method according to Claim 4 wherein said data uniquely identifying an individualized audio segment is received via a keyboard connected to a computer.

10. The method according to Claim 1 wherein the step of simultaneously inserting each of said individualized audio segments into respective prerecorded videotapes further comprises the steps of:
advancing each of said prerecorded videotapes, respectively, to a predefined position; and, dubbing each of said individualized audio segments into an audio track of said respective prerecorded videotapes.

11. The method of Claim 1 wherein the step of simultaneously inserting each of said audio segments into respective prerecorded videotapes further comprises the steps of:
associating each audio segment with one of a plurality of videotape recorders, respectively, each of said plurality of videotape recorders having identification information associated therewith and each having one of said plurality of prerecorded videotapes loaded therein;
identifying, for each of said audio segments, a position with respect to each of said plurality of prerecorded videotapes at which said audio segment is to be inserted;
independently controlling each of said plurality of videotape recorders so as to locate said identified position with respect to each of said plurality of prerecorded videotapes; and transferring each audio segment, respectively, to said videotape recorder with which it is associated while further independently controlling each of said plurality of videotape recorders to effect audio dubbing, whereby each of said audio segments is simultaneously inserted into said respective prerecorded videotapes at said identified position.

12. The method of Claim 11 further comprising the steps of:
identifying data associated with each of said audio segments, respectively;
maintaining, for each audio segment, correspondence between said audio segment, said identified data associated with said audio segment, and said identification information associated with said respective videotape recorder with which said audio segment is associated; and, printing, for each audio segment, a label comprising said associated data and said identification information associated with said respective videotape recorder with which said audio segment is associated.

13. The method of Claim 11 wherein said audio segments are inserted at a predefined position.

14. The method of Claim 13 wherein said predefined position is the same for all respective videotapes.

15. The method of Claim 11 wherein time code information, as encoded into each of said plurality of videotapes, is utilized as a basis for identifying and locating said position at which said audio segment is to be inserted.

16. The method according to Claim 15 wherein said time code information comprises vertical interval time code information.

17. The method according to Claim 15 wherein said time code information comprises longitudinal time code information.

18. The method according to Claim 11 wherein a counter is utilized as a basis for identifying and locating said position at which said audio segment is to be inserted.

19. The method according to Claim 18 wherein a reference mark is provided at a known reference position within each of said plurality of prerecorded videotapes, said counter is started upon detection of said reference mark, and said position at which said audio segment is to be inserted is located upon the counter reaching a predefined value.

20. The method according to Claim 19 wherein said known reference position at which said reference mark is provided occurs in a pre-roll black portion of each of said plurality of prerecorded videotapes and said reference mark comprises an audible tone.

21. The method according to Claim 19 wherein said counter is set to a time value which corresponds to a time required for each of said prerecorded videotapes, respectively, to reach said position at which said individualized audio segment is to be inserted from said known reference position at which said reference mark is provided.

22. A system for personalizing a plurality of prerecorded videotapes, comprising:
means for accumulating a plurality of individualized audio segments; and, means for inserting each audio segment into one of said plurality of prerecorded videotapes, respectively, at a predefined position.

23. The system of Claim 22 wherein said means for accumulating further comprises:
a microphone, said microphone providing an analog signal comprising an audio segment to be accumulated;
a mixer, said mixer receiving said analog signal from said microphone;
an audio filter disposed at the output of said mixer and providing a filtered analog audio signal; and, a computer, which receives said filtered analog audio signal from said audio filter.

24. The system of Claim 23 wherein said audio segments accumulated comprise digital signals and wherein said computer includes an analog to digital converter for converting said filtered analog audio signal to a digital signal, and said computer further includes a digital tape storage drive in which said audio segments are accumulated.

25. The system of Claim 22 wherein said means for inserting each of said audio segments further comprises:
a computer, said computer providing a plurality of analog signals, each of said analog signals comprising one of said audio segments to be inserted;
a plurality of videotape recorders, each of said videotape recorders having one of said plurality of videotapes loaded therein;
an audio filter interposed between said computer and each of said videotape recorders, said audio filter providing independent filtering of said analog signals;
and, means for controlling said plurality of videotape recorders, said means for controlling interposed between said computer and said plurality of videotape recorders, and said means for controlling providing independent control of respective videotape recorders so as to effect the insertion of said audio segments at said predefined position.

26. In a system for inserting an audio segment into prerecorded videotapes, a method of accumulating audio segments, comprising:
(a) receiving data uniquely identifying an audio segment to be received;
(b) receiving an analog signal comprising said audio segment;
(c) digitizing said analog signal;
(d) storing said data uniquely identifying said audio segment and said digitized audio segment; and, repeating steps (a) through (d) until all of said audio segments have been accumulated.

27. The method of Claim 26 wherein the step of digitizing said analog signal further comprises the steps of:
filtering said received analog signal comprising said audio segment; and, compressing said filtered analog signal.

28. A method for simultaneously inserting individualized audio segments into respective prerecorded videotapes comprising the steps of:
receiving a group of individualized audio segments;
associating each of said individualized audio segments with one of a plurality of videotape recorders, respectively;
defining a position, with respect to each of a plurality of prerecorded videotapes, at which a respective one of said individualized audio segments is to be inserted into a respective one of said prerecorded videotapes;
independently controlling each of said plurality of videotape recorders, each of said plurality of videotape recorders having a respective one of said prerecorded videotapes loaded therein, so as to locate said defined position with respect to each of said plurality of prerecorded videotapes; and transferring each of said individualized audio segments, respectively, to said videotape recorder with which it is associated, while further independently controlling each of said plurality of videotape recorders to effect audio dubbing, whereby each of said audio segments is simultaneously inserted into said respective prerecorded videotapes at said defined position.

29. The method according to Claim 28 further comprising the steps of:
keeping track of which of said plurality of videotape recorders each of said prerecorded videotapes, respectively, is loaded into and which of plurality of videotape recorders each of said individualized audio segments, respectively, is transferred to for insertion into said respective prerecorded videotape; and, printing a label for each of said prerecorded videotapes which includes information regarding the videotape recorder into which said prerecorded videotape is loaded and which of said individualized audio segments is associated therewith.

30. A method for personalizing one or more prerecorded videotapes with an audio segment, comprising the steps of:
receiving an analog signal comprising at least one audio segment;
digitizing said analog signal;
storing said digitized signal along with associated data particularly identifying each of said at least one audio segments;
retrieving at least one of said stored, digitized audio segments and said data associated therewith;
associating each of said retrieved audio segments, and said data associated therewith, with a particular one of said prerecorded videotapes into which said audio segment may be inserted;
identifying a position with respect to each of said one or more prerecorded videotapes at which a respectively different one of said at least one audio segments is to be inserted;
controlling one or more video tape recorders, each having one of said one or more prerecorded videotapes loaded therein, so as to locate said identified position with respect to each of said one or more videotapes; and, simultaneously inserting each of said audio segments, respectively, into said particular one of said one or more prerecorded videotapes with which it has been associated at said position identified with respect to each of said one or more videotapes.

31. The method of Claim 30 wherein said videotape recorders comprise digital videocassette recorders and wherein said prerecorded videotapes comprise digital videocassettes.

32. The method of Claim 30 further comprising:
maintaining, for each of said audio segments, the correspondence between said audio segment, said identification data associated therewith, and a particular one of said one or more videotapes into which said audio segment has be inserted; and, printing a label comprising said identification data associated with said audio segment inserted into said particular one of said one or more prerecorded videotapes, said label further comprising information indicating into which of said prerecorded videotapes said audio segment has been inserted.

33. A system for dubbing audio segments over existing audio information at a predefined position within a plurality of prerecorded videotapes, respectively, comprising:
means for receiving one or more analog signals, each of said analog signals comprising at least one personalized audio message segment;
means for uniquely identifying each of said audio message segments by the association of identification data therewith;
means for interposing said audio message segments and said associated identification data; and means for storing said interposed audio message segments and associated identification data.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein said means for receiving further comprises means for recording said one or more analog signals.