GB2473858A

GB2473858A - Media item gathering and linking system

Info

Publication number: GB2473858A
Application number: GB0916918A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Digby Guard
Original assignee: EFORCE ONLINE Ltd
Current assignee: EFORCE ONLINE Ltd
Priority date: 2009-09-25
Filing date: 2009-09-25
Publication date: 2011-03-30
Also published as: GB0916918D0

Abstract

A media coverage system accepts first and second media input items, which can include message data from sources 10-16 by electronic or direct communication means. The gateway 18 distinguishes between media and message data items and includes a time stamp (28) and a time matching means (32) which compares the times of receipt of the media input and the message data and accepts and associates media input and a related message if the difference there between is less than a predetermined time period. Tracking information is also accepted by the gateway 18 indicating details of the nature, place, players etc of the event or activity given media coverage. The tracking data is linked to stored media material allowing media material to be tracked recalled and viewed under as many different headings of tracker designations as are possible or allowed in the system. The system can be used to generate coverage of a sports or golf event.

Description

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Media Coverage System and Method The present invention relates to a system and method for providing coverage of an event. More particularly, the present invention relates to provision of any combination of picture, video, written and audio coverage of an event.

The present invention is described hereafter in terms of an apparatus forming a system and providing a method for acquinng media coverage of a golf event. It is to be understood that the invention is applicable to any other type of news or event coverage, JO and is appkcable, to name but a few applications, to tennis, cricket, and sailing, all types of ceremonies, random events and general news coverage.

Provision of media coverage is regularly made for major golf tournaments. Large amounts of dedicated equipment are required for such media coverage. For smaller club events media coverage is problematical and is often non-existent. Small organizations often do not have the financial resources to employ media operators or to provide dedicated media gathering equipment. This is especially true of really small events, such as a single round, whole or shot. The present invention seeks to allow coverage of small events without requiring the presence dedicated media equipment nor of media operators. Further, the present invention seeks to allow even large events to receive additional and potentially extensive coverage which would otherwise simply be omitted, even for major events.

Normal media coverage requires equipment to be coupled to dedicated links. The amount of different equipments which can be coupled to provide coverage is thereby limited. The present invention seeks to overcome the problem of media coverage equipment numbers limitation.

Having gathered media material, assembly of a program for subsequent presentation is a problem. Editing and cutting is required to achieve what, to the provider, is an acceptable result. Editing and cutting results in much material being lost. Reference to missing parts becomes impossible. The present invention seeks to preserve all material from an event, so that none is lost.

The acceptability of edited program material may not be apparent to all viewers. Persons vary their interests and curiosities. Tastes may be different at different times. An edited and cut program presentation can only appeal to a limited range of material and interests. The present invention seeks to provide viewing aimed at any interest no matter how specialized.

Normal media coverage is presented for viewing at a limited number of fixed times, the present invention seeks to provide viewing possibilities at any time and with an editorial focus the suite the viewer.

According to a first aspect, the present invention consists in a media gathering system; said system comprising; means to provide a first item of media input; means to note the time of provision of the first item of media input; means to provide a second item of media input with each first item of media input; means to note the time of provision of the second item of message media input; and means to associate the second item of media input with the first item of media input if the noted time of provision of the first item of media input and the noted time of provision of the second item of media input differ by less than a pre-determined amount of time.

According to a second aspect, the present invention consists a media gathering system comprising: means to provide an item of media content; means to provide one or more items of additional data tracking data with the item of media content; means to link the one or more items of tracking data to the item of media content with which the tracking data was provided..

According to a third aspect, the present invention consists in a method for media gathering; comprising the steps of: receiving a first item of media input; noting the time of receipt of the first item of media input; receiving a second item of media input; noting the time of provision of the second item of media input; and associating the second item of media input with the first item of media input if the noted time of provision of the first item of media input and the noted time of provision of the second item of media input differ by less than a pre-deterrnined amount of time.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention consists in a media gathering method comprising the steps of: receiving an item of media content; receiving one or more items of additional data tracking data with the item of media content and linking the one or more items of tracking data to the item of media content with which the tracking data was provided.

The invention also can provide acceptance of the associated first and second items of media input and as a single item of content.

The invention further provides that the second item of media content can be an item of message information relating to the first item of media content.

The invention also can provide pre-selection of the duration of the predetermined amount of time.

The invention also can provide for provision one or more items of tracking data with the item of content; and linking the one or more items of tracking data to the item of content with which the tracking data was provided.

The invention also can provide for retrieving items of content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data; where the act of retrieval can retrieve more than one item of content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data which have the are linked to each of the one or more items of content.

The invention can further provide that an item of tracking data can be at least one of: name of an event; date of an event; name of a participant; the current score of the participant; stage of the event; location of the participant; number of the stroke of the participant; submitter's name; and GPS location of media input acquisition.

The invention can yet further provide that provision of an item of media input can comprise provision of to input from at least one of: video camera; mobile telephone capable of capturing video; stills camera; mobile telephone capable of taking still pictures; sound recorder; mobile telephone capable of receiving and recording sound; a computer device; mobile telephone keypad; computer device keyboard; voice recorder and a microphone.

The invention can even further provide for communication means, operable to receive content retrieval requests from a user, operable to retneve the requested items of content; and operable to send the requested items of content to the user.

Further aspects of the invention are made clear, and the invention more fully explained in detail, by way of an example, by the following description read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system suitable for application of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of the input gateway 18 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating one exemplary way in which the editing facility of Figure 1 can be operated.

Attention is first drawn to Figure 1, showing a block diagram of a system suitable for application of the present invention.

A plurality of media acquisition devices 10 12 14 16 are disposed around the area of the event to be covered. While only four media acquisition devices 10 12 14 16 are shown, they can be as few in number as just one, or as many in number as can be accommodated by the overall system. The media acquisition 10 12 14 16 devices need not access or provide feed to the system on a continuous basis. While continuous access and/or feed is possible, it is preferred the each media acquisition device 10 12 14 16 accesses the system only when it has a contribution to make. Intermittent access allows the system to accommodate many more media acquisition devices 10 12 14 16 than the system has entry ports. The technical advantage and improvement is thereby gained that many more media acquisition devices 10 12 14 16 may be employed within the same system. The technical advantage is also gained that feed from many more points around the area of the event than would be possible without intermittent feeds.

The media acquisition devices 10 12 14 16 can be of various kinds. A first media acquisition device 10 can be, for example, a video camera. The first media acquisition

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device 10 can acquire video images which it can download to the system. If the first media acquisition device 10 can also acquire sound, it can also download sound to system.

A second media acquisition device 12 could be, for example, a video cell phone having a capability of video recording. The second media acquisition device 12 can acquire a video recording which can be downloaded to system. If the video cell phone has the capability of recording sound, the second media acquisition device 12 can also download sound to the system. The second media acquisition device 12, being a video cell phone, will also have an alphanumeric message capability which, as will become clear in later description, represents an important element of the present invention.

A third media acquisition device 14 could be, for example, a cell phone capable of taking still photographs. The third media acquisition device 14 can acquire a still photograph or photographs which can be downloaded to system. If the cell phone capable of taking still photographs has the capability of recording sound, the third media acquisition device 14 can also download sound recording or live feed to the system. The third media acquisition device 14, being a cell phone capable of taking still photographs, will also have an alphanumeric message capability which, as will become clear in later description, represents an important element of the present invention.

A fourth media acquisition device 16 could be, for example, a computer or portable computer, linked to sound acquisition equipment andior video image acquisition equipment and/or still photographic equipment.The portable computer can take the form of a palmtop, a PDA, a notebook or even one of the increasingly sophisticated mobile telephones which can now function as powerful computers. Connection of external media acquisition equipment to a computer allows use of better quality and higher resolution equipment. Media acquisition equipment within the computer device can also be employed. The keyboard of the computer can also be used for adding description and comments which, as will become clear in later description, represents an important element of the present invention.

The invention is not limited to such devices. The invention covers any device capable of providing media feed, deliverable to a system. The feed can be of any kind, the options including, but not being limited to: Internet connection; IP or other protocol network connection, radio and cell phone connection, direct connection such as USB port connection, network cable connection, firewire connection and TV cable connection, Through time, other such devices may be created which have a similar capability. The invention also includes such other devices. For example, voice recognition may make it possible to provide written comments by use of the voice alone. Comments may be audibly provided, a capability that already exists to turn written comments into the spoken word. Voice recording could be used in place of applied written comments, if the submitter prefers. Devices can be envisaged for acquinng holographic or three dimensional images, which are also covered by the invention. The sole requirement for the invention is that media material and comments are both available.

The media acquisition devices 10 12 14 16 can download their input to the system in various ways.

A preferred method is by email. A cell phone or computer device can directly email the system to provide their media input and/or comments. The nature of an email is very transient allowing many different media acquisition devices 10 12 14 16 to be coupled, at different times, to a limited number of data entry ports in the system.

If the facility where the event is taking place does not permit use of cell phones or email links, or if lack of signal coverage makes communication difficult or impossible, stored material can be delivered to the system on a later occasion when communication once gain is possible.

Another method is via the Internet. In a first internet method, a computer device, using wireless connection, can, if required, provide continuous feed to the system as a direct Internet download. A wirelessly connected LAN or WAN network could be similarly employed.

A second Internet method is to use a computer at a later time. Recorded material is downloaded into a computer and is sent by Internet at a convenient later time. For example, if a facility does not permit use of internet capable cell phones, or

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communication with the system proves impossible from that location, the material can be delivered by Internet, or any other possible communication method, at a later time.

The invention is not restricted to such method of communication. The invention covers any means present or future means of delivering media data and/or messages to the system.

The media acquisition devices 10 12 14 16 deliver their input to an input gateway 18.

The input gateway 18 is at a point remote from the media acquisition devices 10 12 14 and receives input there from.

Attention is briefly drawn to Figure 2, which shows a schematic block diagram of the input gateway 18.

The gateway 18 provides means to receive items of media input, which can be message input, and, as will later bane explained, tracking information input into the system.

The input gateway 18 has a plurality of input ports 20 capable of receiving input from the media acquisition devices 10 12 14 16 via various communication means. One or more input ports 20 can be connected to the Internet under one or more IP addresses or site names to receive internet traffic. Another one or more input ports 20 can be connected to receive emails at one or more email addresses. Still other one or more input ports 20 can be can receive text messages. One or more input ports 20 can also be connected to wireless or direct WANs or LANs to receive input from the media acquisition devices 10 121416.

The input gateway also comprises a message type analyzer 22. The message type analyzer 22 is connected to receive input from the input ports 20 and is operable to detect the nature of an incoming input from the media acquisition devices 10 12 14 16.

The present embodiment of the invention takes the position that media input is divided into first and second items of input. First items of media input are provided as video or audio recordings or live feed. Second items of media input, in this case, are provided as text data, intended to describe the nature of an item of video or audio media input, The message type analyzer 22 detects whether the input is a descriptive alphanumeric

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message. If it is, the input is placed in a message store 24. If the input is sound, a still photograph or video message, the message type analyzer places the input into a media content store 26.

The first and second items of media input can also each be of any type. The second items of media input can be of any of the types available for presentation as first items of media input. The first and second items of media input can be distinguished from on another by provision of an identity indicator flag, or by the order of their being presented to the system. The message type analyzer 22 can detect the identity indication flags, the order of presentation, or both.

The input gateway 18 also comprises a date stamp clock 28 which keeps accurate time of the day and adds time data to each item stored in the message store 24 and the media content store 26 indicating when each stored entry was received by the input gateway 18.

The input gateway 18 also comprises a time limit memory 30. Each received message in the message store 24 must be received within a predetermined time to be automatically associated received media content in the media content store 26.

In a first option, the time limit can be selectable, and each received media content in the media content store 26 can contain time limit information stating the maximum time to wait for a message to be sent regarding the received media content in the media content store 26. If a message is received regarding a particular received media content in the media content store 26 before elapse of the time limit, the message in the message store 24 is automatically associated with the received media content in the media content store 26 by a time matching means 32 and the message and received media content are output to the next stage in the system.

In a second option, the time limit is fixed. The time limit memory 30 can be omitted, or loaded with the fixed time limit, and time matching means 32 can either ignore the time limit memory 30 and work to the fixed time limit or can use the fixed term stored in the time limit memory 30.

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If the time limit is exceed, in either option the submitter must resubmit his material and provide a fresh message within the time limit. Anther option would be for the submitter to examine the contents of the message store 24 and of the media content store and create a manual association which is the passed to the next stage of the system.

As a further option, a message can be submitted before submission of media content, or vice versa, so that the difference in time of receipt either way is used to perform time of receipt testing.

The invention also permits first and second items of media input simultaneously to be presented to the system and to be recognized for association as, for example, when a mobile telephone provides a message, video recording and audio recording or live feed in one action.

A variation of the present invention permits any type of media item to be provided as the first and second media item inputs. By associating a first and second item of media input, and then by providing a third item of media input within the allotted time, the variant on the present invention permits three or more items of media input to be associated to become a single item of media content.

Each message contains one or more tracking indications to what was the nature of the associated media input gathered so that different trails of media input can be followed.

For example, in the case of a golf match, tracking indication can be made of one or all of: the hole where the input was gathered; the fairway where the input was gathered; the tee where the input was gathered; the time of day when the input was gathered; the identity of one or more players; who was making the shot; how many shots had been made by that individual; the score card; who submitted the media input and any other data. This list is not exhaustive. In other events and circumstances, the tracking indications will be suitably adjusted to different aspects of the event or what is happening. In a tennis tournament, for example, the tracking indications can relate (non-exhaustively) to one or all of: place of play: time of day; court of play; date; nature of event (women, men, singles, doubles); where in the tournament the submission takes place (quarter finals, semi finals, finals etc); who is playing; the score at that time; and so on.

The submitted media content can also contain relevant data. The location could be determined and automatically applied by a GPS device incorporate or associated with the submitting device and the time of day also automatically applied by clock in or associated with the sending device. The system can then work out details such as where the shot was taken, in the case of golf, what freeway, tee, green etc and what course.

The described arrangement allows device independence. The messages can be supplied by a separate device, such as a mobile phone or computer keypad or keyboard, from the device supplying the media input, which can be a separate device such a camera or camcorder. The coverage of the event also can have two or more independent devices contributing their input. In one option, the input from two or more media content devices such as cameras or camcorders can be submitted with a single message.

Attention is briefly drawn back to Figure 1.

From the gateway 18, the associated messages and media files are passed to and stored within an editing facility 34.

At the editing facility the content is vetted and sorted.

Attention is next drawn to Figure 3, a flow chart illustrating one exemplary way in which the editing facility can be operated.

From a start 36 a first operation 38 receives the next associated media data file and message file from the gateway 18.

A second operation 40 performs automatic content vetting. This is to avoid inappropriate material being submitted to the system. Such a system is open to abuse and care must be taken. One form of automatic vetting is to check the location and date where each media submission was created to ensure that the submission conforms to an event which is to be covered. If the location or date is wrong, the media submission and associated message is discarded. Another form of automatic vetting is to scan the message for profane or otherwise unwanted language. If such language is present, the offending words can be blanked or the message and/or the media submission can be discarded. Another form of automatic vetting is to scan the media submission for the presence of potential pornographic or other undesirable images. Video scanning operations already exists to achieve this. Media submissions which display potential inappropriate images are discarded along with their associated messages.

After automatic vetting, a first test 42 checks to see whether the event covered should be edited, or whether all submissions which have passed automatic vetting are to be allowed.

If the event covered is to be edited, a third operation 44 sends the media submission and associated message for editing. Editing can involve such activities of as removal of uninteresting portions, excision or copying of otherwise significant portions for provision of a different message and tracking indicators. Editing can also involve re-framing and other technical improvements applied to the media submission.

Editing continues until a second test 46 detects that editing is complete. If it is complete, the second test 46 passes control and the edited files on to a fourth operation 48.

If the event is not to be edited, the first test passes control directly to fourth operation 48.

The fourth operation 48 collects all of the tracking indications from the message file and from the media submission file (where they are present). It may be that the event covered has been pre-ordained to have a predetermined set of tracking designations. In that instance, the tracking indicators that conform to the pre-ordained set of tracking designations are collected and all others discarded. The tacking indications can be tested for approximation, misspelling, etc and, if they have the possibility to fall under a tracking designation, they can be included. As another possibility, the tracking designations may not have been pre-ordained, and each tracking indication is accepted as a tracking designation. The fourth operation 48 hands on control to a fifth operation 50.

In a first option, the fifth operation 50 stores each message and media submission as an entry under a particular tracking designation. Thus, if a particular tracking designation is requested for viewing, the material is instantly available. In second and better option, using less memory and allowing great versatility of viewing selection, the fifth operation stores the location of each media submission and associated message as a single entry in a record for each tracking designation. The viewer has the ability to select from the tracking designations to compose a broad or a specialized viewing selection.

Let us say, that for a golf event, the viewer wishes to view a particular player on consecutive days when he was at particular green. The viewer merely has to select the players name, the green designation and the dates in order to achieve his selection. To make a broader selection, where the viewer wishes to see several players in the same situation, the viewer merely needs make an addition entry of the other players names.

The viewer can even compare performances between different events by specifying two or more events so that both can be viewed, If the viewer has previously submitted material for analysis and advice by a club professional, the viewer can view his own performances over time to judge any improvement.

The second option of the fifth operation 50 thus allows the media to be linked to and event, to any portion or feature of an event and to previous or other past events. The second option of the fifth operation 50 also allows viewing of any selectable combination through combination and exclusion of the tracking designations.

The fifth operation 50 passes control to a sixth operation 52. If the first option of the fifth operation 50 was used, the sixth operation 52 informs the next portion of the system, a communications facility 54, of the stored locations of the tracking designation content files. If the second option of the fifth operation 50 was used, the sixth operation 52 informs the communications facility 54 of the storage locations of each associated media submission and message, and also transfers a copy of each tracking designation file where the storage location of each media submission and associated message falling within that designation is stored as a single entry in. This will allow the communications facility 54 rapidly to assemble a requested viewing program using minimum memory storage space within itself. The communications facility 36 merely has to access the specifically required media submissions messages from the editing facility 34, minimizing time and data movement.

The sixth operation 52 passes control back to the first operation 38, ready for the next associated message and media submission files.

Attention is next redrawn to Figure 1 The gateway 18 provides input to communication facility 54. In turn the communication facility provides output ports 56 58 60. As non exhaustive examples, the communications facility 54 can comprise an internet port 56 capable of co-operation with a computer device 56', a mobile telephone port 58 capable of sustaining communication with mobile telephones 58', and a network feed port 60 capable of communicating with other networks 60'.These examples do not impose a limitation upon the invention, the invention allowing communication with any other type of device capable of receiving input from the system.

The devices 56' 58' 60' call up the communication facility 54 at random times. The communication facility 54 preferably comprises a server capable responding to plural simultaneous enquires. Alternatively, the communication facility 54 can comprise one or more websites or mobile telephone websites which can be accessed for service.

In use, a port 56 58 60 receives a request from a newly coupled device requesting communication 56' 58' 60'. In the case of mobile phones 58' or other low bandwidth low capacity devices computer devices 56', the particular style of the device is established to learn its capabilities. The device 56' 58' 60' presents a selection screen to the user with which the user chooses the user's desired viewing. The material having been selected by the user, the port 56 58 60 co-operates with the communications facility 54 to retrieve the selection from the editing facility 34, as earlier described.

Not all of the selection may be of a type or format suitable for direct provision to the device 56' 58' 60'. The communications facility 54 again co-operates with the port 38 40 42 to convert any unsuitable material for the particular device 56' 58' 60' into a form suitable for provision thereto. As an alternative option, converted suitable formats can be pre-stored either in the editing facility 34 or in the communication facility 54 to enable rapid presentation. This alternative option has the disadvantage of increased memory storage and the advantage of providing greater access speed.

The communications facility 54 also can comprise a television portal 62 capable giving input to a television facility 62'. The television facility 62' can be terrestrial, satellite or cable. The television facility can provide a predetermined program at predetermined times, and/or can provide a view on demand where a predetermined program is provided at a time convenient for the viewer, and/or can provide an interactive selection, where a selection of tracking designations, as described above, can be made as a selection of viewing material. The television facility 62' can provide, for example, a private television network such as is provided by some prominent soccer clubs to their fans.

Attention is once again drawn to Figure 1.

A controller 64 supervises and sets parameters for the overall system. The controller 64 can be, for example, in a golf clubhouse, a tennis clubhouse, or anywhere convenient to the system and to the purpose the system serves. The controller 64 and sets the behavior of the entire system. The controller 64 can be itself accessed and controlled by a computer which, for example, can respond to a graphical interface or can, if desired, accessed remotely. The controller 64 sends information to and receives information from the system, including some or all of the gateway 18, the editing facility 34 and the communication facility 54.

A first function of the controller 64 is to recognize club members or individuals entitled to access the services or submit material. The controller 64 maintains and keeps a list of members and grades of membership. The identification of individuals and their entitlements can be done using stored membership dates, disciplinary records, pass words matches, IP addresses and so on. The controller 64 can recognize various grade of access permission, ranging from "no identification required" through "club member" to, for example, "special membership entitling greater rights". The communication facility 54 and the gateway 18 each communicate access details to the controller to determine

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what is allowed and the controller 64 communicates permission or interdiction in response.

Another function of the controller 64 is to set the dates, times and places for which event coverage is desired, who may submit material, and the nature of material accepted. The controller 64 can also restrict non-event submissions to club members.

Anther function of the controller can be to set the allowed tracking designations. The controller can set the permitted tracking designations allowed in material selection for tO viewing. Tracking designations can vary depending upon the nature of the submission. A general submission by a club member might show course and clubhouse event, allowing for different tracking designations to be used. For some material, perhaps o tracking designation is required. The system is very flexible.

One individual who is enjoys "special membership entitling greater rights" is the club professional. When the professional accesses the system, he is presented with enquiries concerning how individual players can improve their game. An enquirer could simply ask a question such as "what club for a tee shot on the third hole at such and such a course" The professional can then post a reply in response. The enquirer can provide the professional with picture or video material showing the individual, for example, playing a shot and asking what the individual is doing wrong or could do better. The professional can then provide replies in the form of messages and/or picture, acoustic or video material in response to the individual's enquiry. More than one professional can be used, in which case each professional will have such enhanced access. There can be different grades of professional help, in which case the controller 64 will supervise access of an enquirer according to their grade of bought service and membership status.

The controller 64 can also be used to post lists of events and attraction on the club's intranet or Internet website. Club website access could be provided through the communication facility 54.

The invention has been described with reference in particular to golf. It is to be appreciated that the invention is applicable to any game or organization and its actMties and requirements in whole or in part, including training.

It is also to be appreciated that the embodiments shown are only by way of example, and the invention can be implemented in many other ways and with many different subdivisions of function from those shown.

One way that the invention can be implemented, in whole or in part, is by some or all of the susceptible elements being implemented using one or more data processors made to work according to pre-programmed computer instructions.

Claims

Claims: 1. A media gathering system; said system comprising: means to provide a first item of media input; means to note the time of provision of the first item of media input; means to provide a second item of media input with each first item of media input; means to note the time of provision of the second item of message media input; and means to associate the second item of media input with the first item of media input if the noted time of provision of the first item of media input and the noted time of provision of the second item of media input differ by less than a pie-determined amount of time.
2. A system, according to Claim 1, comprising means to accept the associated first item of media input and the second item of media input as a single item of content.
3. A system, according to any of the preceding ctaims, comprising: means to pre-select the duration of the predetermined amount of time.
4. A system, according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising; means to provide one or more items of tracking data with the item of content; and means to link the one or more items of tracking data to the item of content with which the tracking data was provided.
5. A system according to claim 4, comprising: retrieval means, operable to retrieve items of content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data; where the retrieval means is operable to retrieve more than one item of content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data which have the are linked to each of the one or more items of content.
6. A system, according to claim 4 or to claim 5, wherein an item of tracking data is at least one of: name of an event; date of an event; name of a participant; the current score of the participant; stage of the event; location of the participant; number of the stroke of the participant; submitter's name; and GPS location of media input acquisition.
7. A system, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means to provide a first item of media input and a second item of media input comprises means to accept input from at least one of: video camera; mobile telephone capable of capturing video; stills camera; mobile telephone capable of taking still pictures; sound recorder; mobile telephone capable of receiving and recording sound; a computer device; mobile telephone keypad; computer device keyboard; voice recorder; and a microphone.
8. A system, according to Claim 2, or according to any of claims 3 to 7 when dependent upon Claim 2, comprising communication means, operable to receive content retrieval requests from a user, operable to retrieve the requested items of content; and operable to send the requested items of content to the user.
9. A system, substantially as described and claimed in Claimsl to 8, with reference to the appended drawings.
10. A media gathering system comprising: means to provide an item of media content; means to provide one or more items of additional data tracking data with the item of media content; means to link the one or more items of tracking data to the item of media content with which the tracking data was provided.
11. A system, according to claim 10, comprising: retrieval means, operable to retrieve items of media content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data; where the retrieval means is operable to retrieve more than one item of media content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data which have the are linked to each of the one or more items of media content.
12. A system, according to Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the item of media content comprises a first item of media input and a second item of media input, the system comprising: means to note the time of provision of the first item of media input; means to provide an item of message information with each item of media input; means to note the time of provision of the second item of media input; and means to associate the first item of media input with the second item of media input if the noted time of provision of the first item of media input and the noted time of provision of the second item of media input differ by less than a pre-determined amount of time.
13. A system, according to Claim 12, comprising means to accept the associated first and second items of media input as a single item of media content.
14. A system, according to any one of Claims 10 to 13, comprising: retrieval means, operable to retrieve items of content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data; where the retrieval means is operable to retrieve more than one item of content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data which have the are linked to each of the one or more items of content.
15. A system, according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein an item of tracking data is at least one of: name of an event; date of an event; name of a participant; the current score of the participant; stage of the event; location of the participant; number of the stroke of the participant; submifters name; and GPS location of media input acquisition.
16. A system, according to any of Claims 12 to 15, wherein the means to provide an item of media input comprises means to accept input from at least one of: video camera; mobile telephone capable of capturing video; stills camera; mobile telephone capable of taking still pictures; sound recorder; mobile telephone capable of receiving and recording sound; a computer device; mobile telephone keypad; computer device keyboard; voice recorder; and a microphone.
17. A system, according to Claim 14, or according to any of claims 15 orl6 when dependent upon Claim 15, comprising communication means, operable to receive content retrieval requests from a user, operable to retrieve the requested items of content; and operable to send the requested items of content to the user.
18. A system, substantially as described and claimed in ClaimslO to 17, with reference to the appended drawings.
19. A method for media gathering; comprising the steps of: receiving a first item of media input; noting the time of receipt of the first item of media input; receiving a second item of media input; noting the time of provision of the second item of media input; and associating the second item of media input with the first item of media input if the noted time of provision of the first item of media input and the noted time of provision of the second item of media input differ by less than a pre-determined amount of time.
20. A method, according to Claim 19, including the step of accepting the associated first and second items of media input as a single item of content.
21. A method, according to any of claims 19 or 20, including the step of pre-selecting the duration of the predetermined amount of time.
22. A method, according to any one of claims 19 to 21, including the steps of: receiving one or more items of tracking data with the item of content; and linking the one or more items of tracking data to the item of content with which the tracking data was provided.
23. A method according to claim 22, including the step of retrieving items of content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data; the step of retrieval including retrieving more than one item of content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data which have the are linked to each of the one or more items of content.
24. A method, according to claim 22 or 23, wherein an item of tracking data is at least one of: name of an event; date of an event; name of a participant; the current score of the participant; stage of the event; location of the participant; number of the stroke of the participant; submitter's name; and GPS location of media input acquisition.
25. A method, according to any of the claims 19 to 24, wherein the step of receiving an item of media input comprises accepting input from at least one of: video camera; mobile telephone capable of capturing video; stills camera; mobile telephone capable of taking still pictures; sound recorder; mobile telephone capable of receiving and recording sound; a computer device a mobile telephone keypad; computer device keyboard; voice recorder; and a microphone.
26. A method, according to Claim 22, or according to any of claims 25 to 25 when dependent upon Claim 22, including the steps of: receiving content retrieval requests from a user; retrieving the requested items of content; and sending the requested items of content to the user.
27. A method, substantially as described and claimed in claims 19 to 26 with reference to the appended drawings.
28. A media gathering method comprising the steps of: receiving an item of media content; receiving one or more items of additional data tracking data with the item of media content; and linking the one or more items of tracking data to the item of media content with which the tracking data was provided.
29. A method, according to claim 28, comprising the step of: retrieving items of media content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data; the act of retrieval includes retrieving more than one item of media content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data which have the are linked to each of the one or more items of media content.
30. A method, according to Claim 28 or Claim 29 wherein the item of media content comprises a first item of media input and a second item of media input,, the method including the steps of: noting time of receipt of the first item of media input; receiving a second item of media input noting the time of receipt of the second item of media input; and associating the first item of media input with the second item of media input if the noted time of receipt of the second item of media input and the noted time of receipt of the first item of media input differ by less than a pre-determined amount of time.
31. A method, according to Claim 30, including the step of accepting the associated first and second items of media input as a single item of content.
32. A method, according to any one of Claims 28 to 31, including the step of retrieving items of content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data; where the step of retrieval includes retrieving more than one item of content in response to presentation of one or more items of tracking data which have the are linked to each of the one or more items of content.
33. A method, according to any of claims 28 to 32, wherein an item of tracking data is at least one of: name of an event; date of an event; name of a participant; the current score of the participant; stage of the event; location of the participant; number of the stroke of the participant; submifters name; and GPS location of media input acquisition.
34. A method, according to any of Claims 28 to 33, wherein receiving an item of S media input includes receiving input from at least one of: video camera; mobile telephone capable of captunng video; stills camera; mobile telephone capable of taking still pictures; sound recorder; mobile telephone capable of receiving and recording sound; a computer device; mobile telephone keypad; computer device keyboard; voice recorder; and microphone.
35. A method, according to Claim 32, or according to any of claims 33 or 34 when dependent upon Claim 32, including the steps: of receiving content retneval requests from a user; retrieving the requested items of content; and sending the requested items of content to the user.
36. A method, substantially as described and claimed in Claim 28 to 35, with reference to the appended drawings.