JP2007518288A - Construction of macro elements for automatic production control - Google Patents

Abstract

Macro element templates are duplicated to form a macro element library. Macro elements are associated with executable instructions that control multiple production devices to generate media production segments or special effects. One or more automatic control objects are placed on the control interface to constitute a macro element template. The construction information is associated with each automatic control object to assign a variable name, device type, property page field, and variable naming table. The replication control interface allows a source range to be assigned to a macro element template and is associated with executable instructions for building a macro element library. The macro element library contains file names specified by the user that allow the director to quickly search and select the desired macro elements. The change of the production value is propagated throughout the macro element library because the macro element is dynamically updated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[Background of the invention]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to media production, and more particularly to automation of a generation device during media production.

Related Art Conventionally, live or recording (live-to-tape) Picture Show (network news broadcasts, talk shows, etc.) by hand with a team of experts production, many to jointly in video production environment having a studio and control room It was work. The video production environment includes various video generation devices such as a video camera, a microphone, a video tape recorder (VTR), a video switching device, an audio mixer, a digital video effect device, a teleprompter, and a video graphic overlay device.

  In conventional production environments, video production devices are manually operated by artistic and technical staff production crews (not including performers and actors known as “talents”) under the direction of the director. The standard production crew consists of a camera operator (usually consisting of three cameras, one operator assigned to each camera), a video engineer who controls the camera control unit (CCU) of each camera, and a teleprompter. Operators, character generation operators, lighting directors that control studio lighting, technology directors that control video switchers, audio engineers that control audio mixers, tape operators that control VTRs, floor directors in the studio that send signals to talents It is composed of more than 9 staff members.

  Typically, the director coordinates the entire production crew by giving the staff verbal instructions according to a script called the director's rundown sheet. Generally, each member of the production crew carries a headset and a microphone so that they can always communicate with each other and the director via an interphone. The video produced by the crew is sent or transmitted to a master control system that distributes the video to a television set via a conventional medium. Conventional media include the appropriate range of frequency spectrum for television, satellite communications and cable transmission. The global Internet and other communication networks provide other distribution media for video production and the like.

  During a live or recorded video show, production crews must perform multiple concurrent tasks using various video generation devices. In addition, all of these tasks need to be coordinated and accurately synchronized according to extremely strict timing requirements. Coordination between production crews, directors, and talents is crucial to the success of the show. For this reason, the logistic for running shows is very difficult to plan and implement.

Until now, producer rundowns have been manually created on paper as a form of show composition. New technology makes it possible to use this process in network computers. New automation for companies such as iNEW ^™ (ie iNEWS ^™ news service available on the iNews.com website), Newsmaker, Computer, and Associated Press (AP) to manage workflow processing for newsroom processing. We have developed a system. The news automation system is a network-based service that summarizes stories from news services such as AP, Konas, and CNN services in addition to monitoring of local police stations and fire stations together with field reporters from broadcasting stations. During the news automation process, all news production components (including communication services, assignment editing, reporters, editors, producers and directors) simplify the show composition process by archiving by show name, indexing and file sharing Connected as possible. However, if the news automation source fluctuates or becomes unavailable, the director needs to be able to adjust the rundown quickly to avoid broadcast failures.

  Thus, a major problem with the current prior art production environment is that the director needs to be able to quickly allocate sources while performing the show. During live production, the production equipment can cause malfunctions, or crew members and talent can miss cues. Directors must be able to respond quickly to these dynamic events.

  The above problems are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,452,612 issued September 17, 2002 to Holtz et al., The contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. It can be solved by an automated production system. However, even in a fully automated production control environment, it is possible that equipment failure may require rapid replacement during live broadcasts. The content and order of news stories may change (eg, news breaks) and require new sources to be made available. Pre-recorded or repurposed content may need to be reconfigured to remove inappropriate layers such as previous broadcast “live” keys and unwanted images. In other words, the director needs to be able to change the generating device quickly without causing any obstacles to be recognized during live broadcasts.

Therefore, it is necessary to establish a technique for solving the above problems.
[Summary of Invention]
Production environment described in pending US patent application “System and Method for Real Time Video Production and Multicasting” (US Patent Application No. 09 / 634,735), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. As described above, a method, a system, and a computer program product are provided to solve the above problems by making a macro element library of an automatic control system available. Macro elements are procured or assigned predetermined production values so that directors can quickly select appropriate macro elements to achieve special effects or generate media production segments It is done. In addition, since changes in production values affect the entire macro element library, the director does not need to manually change each affected macro element.

  The present invention allows macro element templates to be duplicated to build a library of macro elements. The library of macro elements includes names defined by the user so that the director can quickly search and select macro elements to generate media production segments.

  In one embodiment, a control interface is provided for building macro element templates. When the automated control object is placed on the control interface, the build information is associated with the automated control object to support the replication process. The construction information has a variable name and a plurality of variable properties. The variable property has an operation rule for duplicating the macro element template. A variable property consists of a device type, a property page field, and a variable naming table for each assigned variable. The device type is the type of media production device that is controlled by the automatic control object. The property page has one or more fields that specify the various properties used to scope the variable. The variable naming table contains the name of each available source selected for range determination.

  After the macro element template is generated, the template is opened to a replication control interface that replicates the various ranges set for each variable. The replication control interface is associated with instructions that can be executed to build macro elements from the range of sources specified in the macro element template. The macro elements group includes all possible source combinations for all variables.

  In one embodiment, each macro element is built and archived in a storage location specified by the user, and an association file is created or updated with the path information and file name of the new macro element file. An association name is assigned to the macro element. The name of the association is the pending US patent application “Method, System and Computer Program for Full News Integration and Automation in a Real Time Video”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. As described in application 09 / 822,855), it is used to integrate an automated control system with an automated news system and a director's rundown seat.

  In one embodiment, the general naming convention provides a standard format for generating a path to each macro element file that is constructed during duplication, an association name, and a file name. In one embodiment, the syntax “// server / share / path / filename” is used for the path. The file name is based on the variable name from the naming table and the template file. Thus, the macro element list provides a macro element library with a naming scheme defined by the user for easy selection.

  As each macro element file is built during replication, the naming table, link information and other build information are included along with the macro element file. For example, the naming table supports a naming convention that automatically generates macro element file names. Link information allows variables to be linked so that subsequent changes to a particular source or other production value are automatically reflected in all macro element files that contain the relevant field.

  Once a macro element is constructed according to the present invention, it can be tested to ensure that the macro element functions properly with each source. In one embodiment, a standalone application is provided for building macro elements from a macro element template. The macro elements are then imported into an independent automatic control program that executes each macro element file for source testing and / or media production generation.

  In another embodiment, macro elements are built on an automatic control program and subsequently imported into a separate control interface to build a macro element template. A group of macro elements is constructed from the macro element template, after which each macro element is imported into an automatic control program for testing and automatic control.

In another embodiment, the control interface and replication control interface described above are integrated into an automatic control program to allow generation of macro element templates that are replicated to generate a group of macro elements for each template. Each macro element is tested and executed to generate a media production without having to import the macro element into another application program.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The present invention allows the duplication of a macro element template to construct a plurality of macro elements. The director can call each macro element by the file name to create a media production segment.

  The director's rundown seat consists of multiple elements for creating a show. Therefore, one element is composed of a command group for instructing production equipment to be operated by a production crew and a special effect of a show or production of a segment. An example is the voice over (VO) element. In this case, multiple commands are required to execute the director rundown line item or VO element. Specifically, commands for a video switcher, an audio mixer, a teleprompter, and a recording / reproducing device (RPD) such as a video tape recorder / player (VTR) or a video server are required. These commands are grouped to define the VO element.

In an automated production environment, one element represents a command group that automates the control of production equipment without much human interaction. An example of an automated production environment is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, the pending US patent application “System and Method for Real Time Video Production and Multicasting” (US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 634,34). 735). Automated production is described by ParkerVision, Inc., as described in US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 634,735. It can be managed and controlled by an automated control program such as the Transition Macro ^™ multimedia production control program developed by Jacksonville, Florida. That is, the automation control program includes a plurality of command groups representing macro elements or macro element groups.

  The director will therefore create a macro element consisting of all the production commands necessary to represent the elements on the show rundown. The macro element controls the specified production device, which allows introduction, package and tag segments (INTRO / PKG / TAG), voice over (VO) segments, sound on tape (SOT) segments, over It is feasible to generate special effects or show segments such as the shoulder (OTS) segment, VO / SOT combination, on-camera (ON-CAM) segment, or other types of show elements or segments.

  As used herein, “media production” includes the production of any form of media or multimedia by the methods, systems and computer program products of the present invention. Media production is not limited to: news program footage, television programming (documentary, situation comedy, drama, variety show, interview, etc.), sporting events, concerts, infomercials, movies, video rentals, or others Any of the contents are included. For example, media production may include streaming video for corporate communications and training, distance learning, or home shopping video-based “e-” or “t-” commerce. Media production also includes live or recorded audio (including radio broadcasts), graphics, animation, computer generated, text and other forms of media and multimedia.

  Therefore, media production can be live, semi-live or recorded. In the “live broadcast” embodiment of the present invention, the media production is recorded and immediately delivered to a television or the like via conventional terrestrial or other media (cable, satellite, etc.). At the same time (or substantially simultaneously), media production can be encoded for distribution over a computer network. In one embodiment, the computer network includes the Internet, and the media production is formatted into hypertext markup language (HTML) or the like for distribution over the World Wide Web. However, the present invention is not limited to the Internet. Conventional synchronization and transmission systems and methods and network delivery are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, the pending US patent application “Method, System, and Computer Program for Producing and Distributing Enhanced Media”. US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 208,810).

  The term “quasi-live” refers to live media production recorded for delayed delivery over conventional or network media. This delay time is typically on the order of a few seconds and is based on several factors. For example, live distribution may be delayed to allow the editor enough time to approve the content, or to edit the content to remove problematic subject matter.

  The term “recording” can be via a video tape recorder / player (VTR), video recorder / server, virtual recorder (VR), digital audio tape (DAT) recorder, or magnetic, optical, electronic or any other storage medium. Represents live media production stored on any type of recording and playback device (RPD), including any mechanism for storing, recording, generating or playing. Here, it should be understood that “recording” represents only one embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is equally applicable to any other type of production that uses or does not use live talent (Man, computer generated characters, animations, etc.). Therefore, the expressions “live”, “semi-live” or “recording” are used for illustration and are not limited. In addition, conventional or network distribution can be live or can be modified from previously stored media productions.

  As described above, the present invention allows a library of macro elements to be created and selected by a director. FIG. 1 shows a control interface 100 for building macro elements according to an embodiment of the present invention. Macro elements consist of a predetermined set of functions or routines for defining the elements of a director's rundown or for controlling a plurality of media production devices for producing a media production story or segment. At run time, the macro element automates control of one or more production devices, thereby enabling serial and parallel processing of media production commands that produce stories and segments.

In one embodiment, the macro elements are imported and can be executed by ParkerVision, Inc., which is executable to control an automated multimedia production system. Integrated into an automatic control program such as Transition Macro ^™ multimedia production control program developed by (Jacksonville, Florida). The Transition Macro ^™ program is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, the pending US patent application “System and Method for Real Time Video Production and Multicasting” (US Patent Application No. 09 / 634,735). It is described in. As described in the above US patent application, the Transition Macro ^™ program is an event-driven application that allows serial and parallel processing of media production commands. The pending US patent application “Method, System and Computer Program Product for Producing and Distributing Enhanced Media Downstream” (US Patent Application No. 09 / 836,239) is also a Examples are disclosed, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. As described in the above-mentioned U.S. patent application, an automated multimedia production environment has a central media production processing device that automatically or semi-automatically directs and controls the operation of various media production devices in an analog and / or digital video environment. .

  The term “media production device” includes video switcher, digital video effect (DVE) device, audio mixer, teleprompting system, video camera and robot (for pan, tilt, zoom, focus and iris control), recording and playback device ( RPD), character generation device, still store, studio lighting device, news automation device, master control / media management automatic system, commercial insertion device, compression / decompression device (codec), virtual set, and the like. The term “RPD” refers to storage, recording, generation or playback via a VTR, video recorder / server, virtual recorder (VR), digital audio tape (DAT) recorder, or any magnetic, optical, electronic or any other storage medium Including any mechanism to do. In one embodiment, the media production processor may be a satellite, terrestrial (optical fiber, copper wire, UTP, STP, coaxial, hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC), etc.), radio, microwave, free space optics, or in a studio. Receive and route live feeds (field news reports, news services, sports events, etc.) from any type of communication source, including or in addition to creating a live show .

  Referring to FIG. 1, the control interface 100 includes a horizontal timeline 117 and one or more horizontal control lines 118 (a) to 118 (n). Automatic control object group 101 can be used to position on control lines 118 (a) -118 (n) at various positions relative to timeline 117. Each automatic control object 101 is a graphical display (such as an icon) of an instruction sequence that, when executed, transmits one or more media production commands to the production device. When the automatic control object 101 is arranged on the control lines 118 (a) to 118 (n), the arranged control object 101 assumes coordinate characteristic values that coincide with the corresponding spatial coordinates on the time line 117. The spatial coordinates of the timeline 117 are defined by frame units. However, in other embodiments, the spatial coordinates are defined in seconds or other units of measurement.

  The automatic control object 101 includes a user mark 102, a general-purpose input / output (GPI / O) mark 103, a step mark 104, and an encoding mark 105. The user mark 102 will be described in detail below. GPI / O mark 103 and step mark 104 are associated with a command that pauses or stops further execution of the macro element. In one embodiment, GPI / O mark 103 and step mark 104 are associated with a rundown step command. The rundown step command instructs to start or stop execution until a timer display (not shown) on the timeline 117 is canceled or restarted by the director or other media production device. For example, the step mark 104 and the GPI / O mark 103 can be arranged on the control line 118 (a) so that a timer display (not shown) automatically designates a time to stop execution. In other words, the timer display is displayed on the timeline 117 without the supervisor having to manually stop the process or without another device (such as a teleprompting system (not shown)) sending a timer stop command. Will stop moving. If the step mark 104 is activated to stop the timer display, the timer display can be restarted manually by the supervisor or automatically by other stepping commands sent by other external devices. If the GPI / O mark 103 is used to stop the timer display, the timer display can be restarted by the GPI or GPO device sending a GPI / O signal.

  In one embodiment, step mark 104 and GPI / O mark 103 are used to place a logical break that specifies the beginning or end of an element. In other words, step mark 104 and GPI / O mark 103 are placed on control line 118 (a) to specify a segment within the media production. One or more configuration files can also be associated with the step mark 103 and the GPI / O mark 104 to link the specified segment and metadata.

The encoding mark 105 can also be placed on the control line 118 (a). In one embodiment, the encoding mark 105 is provided by ParkerVision, Inc. Generated by the Web Mark ^™ software application developed by The encoding mark 105 identifies a clear segment within the media production. When the timer display advances past the encoding mark 105, the command for the encoding mark 105 instructs the encoding system to index the beginning of a new segment. The encoding system automatically clips media productions into individual files based on the placement of the encoding marks 105. This facilitates index processing, catalog processing, and subsequent calls of the segment specified by the encoding mark 105. The encoding mark 105 allows the director to specify the name of the segment and to specify the segment type classification. The segment type classification includes large and small classification. For example, large classifications or topics are envisioned as sports, weather, headline news, traffic, health attention, elections, and the like. Examples of small classifications or categories are local sports, college basketball, NFL football, high school baseball, local weather, national weather, local politics, local community issues, local crime, editorials, national news, etc. The Classification can be extended beyond two levels to an unlimited number of levels for further segmentation and decomposition for segment type identification and ad targeting. In short, the characteristics associated with each encoded mark 105 provide a set of metadata that can be linked to a particular segment. These characteristics identify or extract segments from the archive, allowing subsequent searches.

  Another automatic control object 101 is a label object 106 that allows a director to name an element or one or more parts of an element constructed by the control interface 100. In one embodiment, the director is positioned to drag and drop the label object 106 onto any of the control lines 118 (a) -118 (n) to open a dialog box for entering a text description. Double-click the labeled object 106. The text description is displayed as a label 123 on the control lines 118 (a) -118 (n). FIG. 1 shows that the label object 106 is placed on the control line 118 (n) to display a label 123 that names the current element “VO-VTR1”.

  Transition objects 107 and 108 relate to an automatic control command for controlling the video switching device. Therefore, the transition objects 107 and 108 are positioned on any one of the control lines 118 (a) to 118 (n) so as to control one or more devices in order to realize various transition effects or special effects in media production. Is possible. Such transition effects include, but are not limited to, fade, wipe, DVE, downstream keyer (DSK) effects, and the like. DVEs include, but are not limited to, warp, dual box effect, page turn, slab effect, and sequence. DSK effects include DVE and DSK linear, chroma and luma keyer.

  FIG. 1 shows two transition objects 107 and 108 that can be used to send output to two independent composite effect banks. Each composite effect bank can be used for different video streams, composite views, camera feeds, and the like. Additional transition objects 107 and 108 can be added as desired by the system developer.

  Alternatively, transition objects 107 and 108 can be used to instruct two different video switching devices. In one embodiment, the transition object 107 allows a control command to be sent to a manual keyer that requires the user or supervisor to manually select the keyer. On the other hand, the transition object 108 makes it possible to send control commands to an automatic keyer that is automatically selected for serial and / or parallel keying. An example of an automatic keying system, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, is a “pending” US patent application “Autokeying Method, System, and Computer Program Product” (Application Number TBD, Attorney Docket No. )It is described in.

  In other embodiments, transition objects 107 and 108 represent two automatic keyers. In other embodiments, transition objects 107 and 108 represent two manual keyers. Small or large manual or automatic keyers can be associated with the control interface 100, individually or in combination, as well as the number of transition objects 107 and 108 adjusted to the control interface 100 as desired by the system developer. Is possible.

  Another automatic control object 101 is a keyer control object 109. The keyer control object 109 is configured or assigned to keyer control and is used to prepare and execute one or more keyer layers by linear, luma, chroma, or a combination thereof for preview and program output. ) To 118 (n). The keyer can be DVE upstream or downstream.

  A control line 118 for commands for controlling audio equipment, such as audio mixers, digital audio tapes (DAT), cassette devices, other audio sources (such as CDs and DATs), which are configured or assigned to audio controls. (A) to 118 (n) can be arranged. Teleprompter object 111 is configured or assigned to teleprompting control and can be placed on any of control lines 118 (a) -118 (n) for commands for controlling the teleprompting system. The character generator (CG) object 112 is configured or assigned to character generator control and can be placed on any of control lines 118 (a) -118 (n) for commands for controlling CG or still store. . The camera object 113 is configured or assigned to camera control and can be placed on any of the control lines 118 (a) -118 (n) related to commands for controlling the movement and settings of one or more cameras. VTR object 114 is configured or assigned to VTR control and can be placed on any of control lines 118 (a) -118 (n) for commands for controlling RPD that provides video with or without audio signals. It is. The GPO object 115 is configured or assigned to GPI and / or GPO control and can be placed on any of the control lines 118 (a) -118 (n) for commands for controlling the GPI and / or GPO device.

Encoding object 116 is configured or assigned to encoder control and can be placed on any of control lines 118 (a) -118 (n) for encoding commands. In one embodiment, the encoded object 116 is ParkerVision, Inc. It is generated by the WebSTATION ^™ software application developed by In operation, the encoding object 116 initializes the encoding system and starts the encoding process. A second encoding object 116 can also be arranged to end the encoding process. The encoding object 116 also allows the director to link media production with contextual or other media (including promotions, other videos, websites, etc.). Compared to the encoding mark 105, the encoding object 116 allows the encoding system to start and stop the encoding process to identify different shows, and the encoding mark 105 is a different segment to the encoding system. To instruct a part of the media stream. The metadata contained in the encoded object 116 is used to provide a catalog of available shows, and the metadata of the encoded mark 105 is used to provide a catalog of available show segments.

  A user mark object 102 is provided to accurately associate or align one or more automatic control objects 101 with a particular point in time. For example, the director places the teleprompter object 111 on one of the control lines 118 (a) to 118 (n) assigned by the teleprompter so that the spatial coordinates of the teleprompter object 111 are exactly 00:25 frames. If desired, the director first drags and drops the user mark object to the 00:25 frame mark. Thereafter, the director drags and drops the teleprompter object 111 onto the user mark object 102 on which the teleprompter object 111 is arranged. Thereafter, the teleprompter object 111 is automatically arranged so that the spatial coordinates of the teleprompter object 111 are 00:25 frames. That is, the object dragged and dropped on the user mark 111 is automatically arranged and has a coordinate characteristic value of 00:25 frame. This feature is used to provide exactly the same coordinate characteristic values for multiple objects.

As described above, the teleprompting object 111 is a teleprompting system (not shown) having a processing unit and one or more displays that present teleprompting scripts (herein referred to as “scripts”) to the talent. ). In one embodiment, the teleprompting system is available from ParkerVision, Inc. SCRIPT Viewer ^™ available from As described in pending US patent application "Method, System and Computer Program Product for Producing and Distributing Enhanced Media Downstream" (US Patent Application No. 09 / 836,239). And can be used to generate, edit and execute scripts of any length at multiple speeds with fonts.

  In one embodiment, the teleprompting system allows a director to use a text editor to insert media production commands into a script (referred to herein as “script commands”). The text editor can be a personal computer, a workstation, or the like, or can be an integrated component of the control interface 100. The script commands include a queue command, a delay command, a pause command, a rundown step command, and an extended media command. Extended media commands link and synchronize auxiliary information with script or media production. This allows additional video, HTML or other format graphics, or related topics or extended playback URLs or data to be associated with the media production. The present invention is not limited to the script commands described above. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that commands other than those listed may be inserted into the script.

  As described above, control lines 118 (a) -118 (n) can be configured for assignment. Each control line 118 (a) -118 (n) can be configured to allow automatic control of any type of media production device. In one embodiment, the device type is determined by the automatic control object 101 located on control lines 118 (a) -118 (n). Referring to FIG. 1, audio objects 110 (a) to 110 (d) are disposed on control lines 118 (c) to 118 (f), respectively. Since the audio objects 110 (a) -110 (d) allow the director to specify commands to control the audio equipment, the control lines 118 (c) -118 (f) are assigned to the assigned audio device type. Is a voice control line. In other words, control lines 118 (c) -118 (f) can be configured to define control commands for one or more audio devices.

  FIG. 1 also shows two control lines having a transition device type. Transition objects 114 (a) and 114 (b) are placed on control lines 118 (g) -118 (h), thereby assigning transition device types to control lines 118 (g) -118 (h). That is, the control interface 110 allows the supervisor to generate macro elements having the number and type of control lines required for a particular element. The control interface 110 allows the director to add new equipment and change production values without rewriting the software code for the interface.

  Each arranged automatic control object 101 has a timeline position label 119 (shown as 119 (a) to 119 (g)) and an object descriptor 120 (shown as 120 (a) to 120 (g)). Have two labels. For example, referring to the placed transition object 107 (a), the timeline position label 119 (a) is placed at the head of the transition object 107 (a) and indicates the timeline position in frame units (ie, Spatial coordinates of the timeline 117). The object descriptor 120 (a) is on the right side of the transition object 107 (a) and has an icon type (that is, DVE or transition icon) and an icon number (that is, Icon1) of the arranged object. The icon number specifies the number of objects of a certain type arranged on the control lines 118 (a) to 118 (n). As shown, the object descriptor 120 may include other fields that define the automatic control object 101. For example, the object descriptor 120 (a) includes an output field (ie, preview) and a DVE button number, both of which are described in detail below.

  As described above, the control interface 100 displays an example of the macro element specified by the “VO-VTR1” label 123. At run time, the macro element provides a command to generate a voice over segment, which causes the host to notify the video recording during the show. The director places an appropriate control object 101 on the control interface 100 and creates a macro element that can be executed to automate the generation of show elements.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a flowchart 200 shows an example of a control flow for constructing the VO-VTR macro element of FIG. The control flow of the flowchart 200 starts from step 201 and immediately proceeds to step 203. In step 203, the RPD designated as VTR1 is programmed to play the video recording. VTR object 114 (a) is placed on control line 118 (g) to provide a setting or queue period to ensure that the media production device is properly set for production. As shown in FIG. 1, the timeline coordinate value related to the VTR object 114 (a) is 00:03 frame, and the RPD related to the cue icon (that is, the VTR object 114 (a)) is VTR1. When the VTR object 114 (a) is activated, the media production processing apparatus transmits a queue command to the RPD specified as VTR1. The queue command transmitted to the VTR 1 includes a frame code or a time code related to the VTR object 114 (a). When receiving the queue command, the VTR 1 searches for a frame specified by the frame code or time code of the queue command. In this way, video recordings are automatically queued by macro elements.

  In step 206, step mark 104 (a) is placed to pause further execution of the macro element. In other words, when VTR 1 is queued to retrieve the desired video segment, the macro element stops executing until a step command is received to resume processing. In step 209, GPI / O mark 103 (a) is arranged to provide a step command to resume the macro element. In this example, the macro element is resumed by a GPI / O trigger from an external source connected to the GPI port. Alternatively, the macro element can be resumed by the teleprompting system sending a step command over the communication interface.

  In step 212, VTR object 114 (b) is arranged to start playing the video recording queued in step 203. When the VTR object 114 (b) is activated, the media production processing apparatus transmits a playback command to the VTR1. The output from the VTR 1 is linked to the video input channel of the video switching device.

  In step 215, the audio object 110 (a) is arranged to provide a microphone to the host. The microphone is designated as MIC1 and linked to the audio input channel of the video switching device.

  In step 218, transition object 107 (a) is positioned to specify a video switching device (for steps 212-215) and to define video transitions for production. Possible video transitions include fading, wiping, cutting and the like. For example, the transition can be a fade from the camera source to the video output from the VTR 1.

  For the transition object 107 (a), the video output of VTR1 is selected for the preview output. The transition object 107 (a) is placed at the 00:09 frame mark. Therefore, when the timer reads the 00:09 frame, the transition object 107 (a) is activated, and the media production processing device is a video switching device or a DVE device (designated DVE1) to generate a desired video transition. connect. In this case, it is for connecting the video output of the VTR 1 and the preview output channel. As described above, the VTR object 114 (b) allows the transition object 107 (b) to input a clean video signal via the video channel assigned from the VTR 1 until the transition object 107 (a) is activated. Placed on the macro element before a).

  In step 221, the audio object 110 (b) is arranged to fade up the audio output from the VTR 1 and at the same time fade up the host microphone. When the audio object 110 (b) is activated, the media production processing apparatus transmits an audio mixer control command to the audio mixer. This control command causes the audio mixer to fade down the audio input corresponding to the audio output VTR1.

  In step 224, the audio object 110 (c) is arranged to lower the audio output from the VTR 1 to a predetermined level. Audio object 110 (d) is placed to ungroup all audio sources. Thereafter, the control flow ends as shown in step 295.

  When the automatic control object 101 is placed on the control lines 118 (a) -118 (n), the variables can be constructed so that additional templates can be constructed from the macro elements without the need to manually re-enter repeated data. And other construction information is assigned. This can be understood with reference to FIG. 3, and the flowchart 300 in FIG. 3 represents the general operational flow of an embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, flowchart 300 shows an example of a control flow for generating a macro element template according to the present invention.

  The control flow of the flowchart 300 starts from step 301 and immediately proceeds to step 303. In step 303, the configuration file is opened to access the configuration parameters. In one embodiment, the configuration file inputs a list of automatically controlled objects 101 to control available media production devices. In one embodiment, the director can select from a list of predetermined studio systems. Each studio system has an automatic control object group 101 corresponding to a media production apparatus that can be used in the studio system. The system may include one or more of transition objects 107-108, key control objects 109, automatic keyer objects, auxiliary keyer objects, downstream keyer (DSK) objects, or auxiliary video objects, including but not limited to: Contains objects. One studio system can include two transition control objects 107 and 108, one keyer control object 109, two automatic keyers per DVE device, three auxiliary keyers, two DSK devices and eight auxiliary images . The second studio system includes two transition control objects 107 or 108, one keyer control object 109, one automatic keyer per DVE device, one auxiliary keyer, one DSK device and one auxiliary video. sell. The third studio system includes one transition control object 107 or 108, one keyer control object 109, one automatic keyer per DVE device, one auxiliary keyer, one DSK device and one auxiliary video. sell. One of the systems can be designated as the default system and the director can have an option to select another system.

  The second setting parameter that can be input by the setting file is a source label used to specify an I / O port for each media production device. The source label allows the director to select an input by a recognizable name instead of a non-descriptive number. In one embodiment, an application initialization file (referred to herein as “studio.ini”) provides a label for each video input source and machine control port. An application macro file (referred to herein as “studio.mac”) provides a DVE button label and a label for each audio input.

  The configuration file also inputs a link table indicating link relationships between various sources. In one embodiment, eight link tables are provided. These tables are: Video to Audio Table, Video to Port Table, Video to CG Port Table, Camera Preset to Audio Table, Camera Preset to Video Table, Key Fill, A two-key hall table, an audio-to-audio table, and a video-to-GPO table. The video-to-audio link table links one or more audio channels and video channels. The video to CG port table links CG control ports and video channels. The camera preset-to-audio table links one or more audio channels and camera presetter channels. The key fill-to-key hole table links the keyhole with the “fill” video channel. The audio-to-audio table links an audio channel or group of audio channels and one or more audio channels. Finally, the video-to-GPO table links video channels and GPO ports.

  In FIG. 4, an example of a video-to-audio table 400 is shown. A column 401 is a number list of video sources that can be linked to one or more audio sources. The source column 128 displays the user definition or default source name of each video source described later. A link column 403 allows the director to link the audio source and each video source. In order to link the audio sources, the director enters the source name of each linked audio source, which will be described later.

  In one embodiment, the configuration file inputs a macro element naming table. In one embodiment, five naming tables are provided: a video naming table, an audio naming table, a DVE button naming table, a camera preset naming table, and a machine device naming table. The video naming table is used to name each video source. The director can enter the name of each source, or A default value that is the source label from the ini file can be accepted. In FIG. 1, an example of the video naming table 126 is shown. Column 127 is a list of available video input numbers. The source column 128 displays a user-defined or default source name for video input. The variable name column 129 allows the director to enter a variable name for each video input. If no input is made, the source name of the input is used.

  An audio naming table is used to name each audio source. The director can enter a name for each audio source or accept the default value. This default value is studio. A sub file of the mac file, studio. Source label from an amx file.

  A DVE button naming table is used to name each DVE button. The director can enter a name or accept the default value. This default value is studio. A sub file of the mac file, studio. Source label from dvb file.

  A camera preset naming table is used to name each camera preset button. The director can enter a name or accept the default value. This default value is studio. A sub file of the mac file, studio. Source label from pre file (i.e., presetr number).

  A machine device naming table is used to name each machine control port. The director can enter a name for each machine control port or the studio. It is possible to accept a default value that is the source label (ie, port name) from the ini file.

  In step 306, the macro element file is imported. This imported file occupies from the top to the bottom of the control lines 118 (a) -118 (n) of the control interface 100. The director can either extract the macro element file from the storage medium as described above with reference to FIG. 2 or construct a new macro element. When a macro element file is imported, the timeline position and properties of each automatic control object 101 need to be locked at the time of import processing.

  In step 309, construction information for each automatic control object 101 is input. This construction information includes a variable name and a variable property. Variable names identify or link device types that are classified during replication, and variable properties include device types, naming tables, and property page fields.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the variable name of the automatic control object 101 is shown in the variable name list 124, and the variable property related to the variable name is shown in the variable property list 125. The variable property list 125 includes operation rules for duplicating the macro element template. The director defines or selects a variable property from the list related to the selected automatic control object 101. The add property button 130 can be activated to insert a variable property, and the delete property button 131 can be activated to delete a variable property.

  As described above, the variable property has a device type, a property page field, and a variable naming table for each assigned variable. The device type specifies the type of media production device controlled by the automatic control object 101. The device type is linked with the variable name. A dialog box can be opened to access the property page of the assigned variable. As described below, the property page includes one or more fields that specify various properties used to determine the range of the variable. Each variable is also assigned to a variable naming table corresponding to the variable name. When a macro element is built during replication, the variable naming table is referenced to allow variable names to be used by the macro element file name, as will be described in detail below.

  The designation of variable names and variable properties can be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated, the variable name “VTR” is given to the transition object 107 (a). This is because the object is defined to control the transition effect of the VTR source. When a variable name is input, the variable name is recorded in the variable name list 124. The device type of the variable is automatically placed in the variable property list 125 that links the variable name and its variable property. For the transition object 107 (a), the device type is DVE. Therefore, the variable property “DVE1 icon 1” is automatically arranged in the variable property list 125. A DVE button naming table is further provided for the transition object 107 (a). When the director selects a VTR variable name in the variable name list 124 using the input device, the property assigned to the variable name is displayed in the variable property list 125.

  Similarly, a variable name “MIC” as shown in the variable name list 124 is assigned to the audio object 110 (a). The device type is voice and is automatically placed in the variable property list 125.

  In addition to the device type and variable naming table, values need to be assigned to property page fields for each variable. In general, the property page field specifies a control instruction and / or an I / O channel for the media production apparatus related to each automatic control object 101. Also, the property page field depends on the type of automatic control object 101 whose range is determined. Furthermore, additional properties can be specified to link the behavior of one automatic control object 101 with other behaviors.

  Referring to FIG. 1, nine types of automatic control objects 101 are shown as suitable for range determination. These automatic control objects 101 include transition objects 107 and 108, a keyer control object 109, an audio object 110, a teleprompter object 111, a CG object 112, a camera object 113, a VTR object 114, a GPO object 115, and an encoding object 116. In other embodiments, additional automation and control objects can be included in or substituted for the objects shown in FIG. 1 and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

  For transition objects 107 and 108, a property page field is finalized to specify the output channel for the transitioned video and / or audio source. The output channel can be a preview channel, a program channel, or an auxiliary channel. For example, information used to link the outputs or actions controlled by the transition objects 107 and 108 with other automatic control objects 101 can also be input. In some embodiments, the link information comprises a video channel and one or more audio channels, a video channel and machine control port, a video channel and input from a CG device, a camera preset channel and one or more audio channels. Instructions are provided for linking channels, camera preset channels and video channels, and keyfill channels and keyhole inputs.

  In one embodiment, link information is entered into a dialog box that includes a link table or property page field, such as table 400 described with reference to FIG. In another embodiment, the device type and link information are entered into the variable property list 125. FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the variable property list 125 and the variable name list 124 including link information. The variable property list 125 includes a plurality of link properties having a variable name VTR. An add property button 130 can be activated to insert additional variable properties, and a delete property button 131 can be activated to delete variable properties.

  Link properties are shown graphically in the link column 132 of FIG. 1 and 5, the link 121 is used to link the VTR object 114 (a) and the transition object 107 (a) for linking the control of the DVE1 and the queue command of the VTR1. The link 121 also links the VTR object 114 (b) and the transition object 107 (a) that link the control of the DVE1 and the playback command of the VTR1. Link 121 also links transition object 107 (a) with audio objects 110 (b) and 110 (c) and reduces audio from VTR1 to allow audio from another source, MIC1. .

  If the voice command is assigned to a variable, the voice object 110 needs to be selected. For audio, the property page field includes an audio command field, an audio control channel field, an audio preset field, a crossfade group field, and an audio grouping field. The voice command field includes instructions for controlling the voice device. Voice commands include, but are not limited to, fade up, fade down, cross fade up and cross fade down.

  If a single channel is assigned to the audio object 110, that channel is placed in the audio control channel field. When voice is grouped from the link table, the first channel of the grouped channels is placed in the voice control channel field. Other channels are grouped together. If multiple audio channels are linked with the video channel, the first audio channel is placed in the audio control field and the other audio channels are grouped together.

  An audio preset can be input to specify the desired audio control level. Control levels include volume, balance, fading maximum and minimum levels, and fade time. Other control levels include equalizer settings, auxiliary volume control, channel groups, and the like.

  When crossfading is selected, the master group field displays the channel's master group and the subordinate group field displays the channel's subordinate group. A first group symbol (ie, group A) is entered into the master group field to crossfade all channels grouped by that symbol, and a second group symbol (ie, group B) Entered in subordinate group field to crossfade down all channels.

  Therefore, when the audio object 110 having the crossfade down command is activated, the media production processing apparatus causes the audio mixer to fade down all the audio channels that are members of the group A, and all the channels that are the members of the group B. A control command for simultaneously fading up is transmitted to the audio mixer. This can be explained with reference to FIG. As shown, the audio object 110 (a) is defined to control audio input from the MIC1. The audio object 110 (b) is defined to crossfade audio input from the VTR1. The link 122 links the audio object 110 (a) and the audio object 110 (b). The voice channel to VTR1 is designated as master group A and the voice channel to MIC1 is designated as subordinate group B. Thus, when the crossfading object 110 (b) is activated, the control command fades down the channel with VTR1 and at the same time fades up the channel with MIC1, thereby providing a voice over (VO) segment. Therefore, it is transmitted to the audio mixer.

  The audio grouping field is another property page field for the audio object 110. The variable property can be set to sum two or more variables. Voice channels of different variables are all grouped by the same group symbol. An ungroup voice object command is assigned to remove a specific voice channel from a group symbol that is crossfading down. All channels grouped into the control channel and the control channel of the audio object 110 are ungrouped from the crossfade command.

  In addition to the property page field, link information is further provided in the audio object 110. One or more links with one or more audio objects 110 can be assigned to any variable. The link to audio object command assigns a voice control channel and any grouped voice channel to the selected voice object 110. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the audio object 110 (a) is linked to the audio object 110 (b). As a result, the audio object 110 (b) is crossfaded down so that the audio from the VTR1 is lowered and the audio from the MIC1 is increased.

  In the keyer control object 109, the property page fields include background sources, keyholes and fills. In one embodiment, a link table is used to define the link relationship between keyholes and fills.

  In the CG object 112, the property page field includes the source or still store of the character generator. Other field values are provided that specify control commands such as read forward, read backward, read next buffer, and read previous buffer. CG presets can also be entered to load or buffer specific pages.

  In the camera object 113, the property page field includes a camera preset. Presets can be set for specific camera positions including pan angle, tilt angle, zoom setting, iris setting and / or focus setting. A control command for realizing the dynamic auto track can be input. The dynamic auto track view includes a zoom perspective, a frame offset setting, a sensitivity setting, and a window setting. In one embodiment, the link table allows the director to link camera presets with audio and / or video channels.

  In the VTR object 114, the property page field contains the identifier of the machine controller that is being automated. Other field values are provided that specify control commands such as cue, play, stop, fast forward, rewind, continuous play, and shuffle. In one embodiment, the link table allows the director to link the output from the machine control to the video channel.

  In GPO object 115, the property page field includes a GPO number that identifies the GPO or GPI device. In one embodiment, the link table allows the director to link the output from the GPO port to the video channel.

  Teleprompter object 111 and encode object 116 also include property page fields for specifying control commands according to the present invention, including mandatory source and / or output. Link information can also be specified to associate the objects and their variables with other automatic control objects 101. For example, the teleprompt script of the teleprompter object 111 can be linked with a channel used to synchronize the video output from the camera. This allows scripts to be used to support downstream caption processing. In another example, the program output channel associated with the transition object 107 can be linked with the input channel to the encoding system controlled by the encode object 116.

  The above variable properties have been provided by way of example. The present invention includes other properties relating to the control of the media production device.

  The present invention provides a plurality of techniques for inputting link information. As described above, link information can be entered into a dialog box or link table that includes property page fields. Link information can also be entered into the variable property list 125. In another embodiment, the link information is entered by dragging and dropping the automatic control object 101 (ie, From Object) onto another control object (ie, To Object) using an input device. The From Object to be dragged must have a variable assigned to at least one of the property page fields. If multiple variables are assigned to different property page fields, the director is prompted to select one of the variables for linking.

  The device type assigned to the From Object and To Object determines the type of information that needs to be entered to complete the linking process. If two transition objects 107 and 108 are linked, the director needs to specify an output field to complete the link. For example, if DVE1 is linked to DVE2, the director must link the output channel from DVE1 (eg, program, preview, auxiliary, etc.) to the output channel from DVE2 (eg, program, preview, auxiliary, etc.) Must be specified. This is because a command or variable property “link DVE (#) icon (#)-(output channel) and DVE (#) icon (#)-(output channel field)” shown in the variable name list 124 is displayed. It can be achieved by completing it.

  If transition objects 107 and 108 are linked to keyer control object 109, the director needs to specify the output fields of transition objects 107 and 108 and the source field of keyer control object 109. For example, a DVE1 auxiliary channel, preview, or program can be linked to a fill source, keyhole, or background from the keyer control object 109. This completes the command or variable property “link DVE (#) icon (#)-(output channel field) and key icon (#)-(source field)” shown in the variable name list 124. This is possible.

  If transition objects 107 and 108 are linked to audio object 110, the default link field is the audio control channel. The video-to-audio table associates video channels with audio channels. The link command or variable property that needs to be specified depends on the voice command or voice grouping value. For example, if the voice command is fade up or fade down, a DVE program, preview or auxiliary channel can be linked to the voice channel. This can be realized by completing the command or variable property “DVE (#) icon (#) — link output channel field) and audio icon (#)” shown in the variable name list 124. .

  If the voice command is crossfade, the DVE program, preview, or auxiliary channel can be linked with a subordinate channel or channel group. This completes the command or variable property “link DVE (#) icon (#)-(output channel field) and audio icon (#) crossfade (crossfade group))” shown in the variable name list 124. This can be realized. The field “Crossfade Group” specifies the master and subordinate channels.

  If transition objects 107 and 108 are linked to VTR object 114, the default link field is the control device. A video-to-port table associates video channels with machine control ports. For example, a DVE 1 program, preview, or auxiliary channel can be linked to a video channel assigned to the VTR object 114. This can be realized by completing the command or variable property “DVE (#) icon (#) — link output channel field) and machine icon (#)” shown in the variable name list 124. .

  If transition objects 107 and 108 are linked with CG object 112, the default link field is the CG source. The video-to-port table associates video channels with CG control ports. For example, a DVE1 program, preview, or auxiliary channel can be linked with the channel assigned to the CG object 112. This can be realized by completing the command or variable property “DVE (#) icon (#) — link output channel field) and CG icon (#)” shown in the variable name list 124. .

  When the transition objects 107 and 108 are linked to the GPO object 115, the default link field is a GPO number. The video-to-GPO table associates video channels with GPO ports. For example, a DVE 1 program, preview, or auxiliary channel can be linked to a GPO port assigned to GPO object 115. This can be realized by completing the command or variable property “DVE (#) icon (#) — link output channel field) and GPO icon (#)” shown in the variable name list 124. .

  If two audio objects 110 are linked, the default link field is the audio control channel. The audio-to-audio table associates audio channels or channels with other audio channels or channels. The director can also complete the command or variable property “link voice icon (#) and voice icon (#)” shown in variable name list 124.

  The present invention has other combinations of automatic control objects. For example, it is possible to drag and drop the VTR object 114 onto the audio object 110 to link the video input and the audio input. The camera object 113 can be dragged and dropped onto the audio object 110 to link the video input and the audio input. The VTR object 114 can be dragged and dropped on the CG object 112 to link the video input and the CG control port. Two CG objects, two VTR objects 114 or two GPO objects can be linked. As mentioned above, other combinations are also intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. Once the link is created, a graphical display is shown in the link column 132 as described above with reference to FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 3, after construction information is input for all variables, control proceeds to step 312. In step 312, the director saves the occupied control lines 118 (a) -118 (n) and construction information in a macro element template file. The director also selects a location or directory in which to store the macro element template file. Thereafter, the control flow ends as shown in step 395.

  After the macro element template is generated, the template is opened in a replication control interface that replicates the various ranges set for each variable. The replication control interface is associated with executable instructions for building various combinations of macro elements from the range of sources specified in the macro element template.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a replication control interface 600 for building macro elements according to an embodiment of the present invention. Control lines 618 (a) -618 (r) are read from top to bottom by reading variables and variable properties from the macro element template file generated for the VO-VTR1 label 123 described with reference to FIG. Occupied. As shown in FIG. 2, the step mark 104 (a) and the GPO mark 103 (a) are arranged on the control line 618 (a). The transition object 107 (a) is placed on the transition control line 618 (b). The audio objects 110 (a) to 110 (d) are arranged on the audio control line 618 (e). VTR objects 114 (a) and 114 (b) are placed on VTR control line 618 (k).

  The control lines 618 (a) to 618 (r) are the same as the control lines 118 (a) to 118 (n) described above. However, each control line 618 (a) -618 (r) is assigned to a specific device type as determined by the automatic control object 101 located to the left of the control lines 618 (a) -618 (r). . Accordingly, in one embodiment, control lines 618 (a) -618 (r) are fixed to the designated automatic control object 101. In other embodiments, the control lines 618 (a) -618 (r) are flexible and are located on the control lines 618 (a) -618 (r) as well as the control lines 118 (a) -118 (n). It is possible to have the device type changed by the automated control object 101 being changed.

  Similar to the control interface, the replication control interface 600 has a video naming table 126. However, the replication control interface 600 replaces the variable name list 124 and the variable property list 125 with the replication fields 602 (a) to 602 (c) and the source lists 603 (a) to 603 (c). Page toggle 604 allows access to additional variable replication fields (not shown).

  The timeline 117 includes a timer display 601. A timer (not shown) is integrated into the timeline 117, and when the timer display 601 travels along the timeline 117 to reach a position linked to a specific automatic control object 101, a specific automatic control. It is operable to activate the object 101. Timeline 117 is defined in seconds. However, in other embodiments, the spatial coordinates of the timeline 117 are defined by frame units or other measurement units.

  After importing the macro element template, the director can edit the template as desired. Once the template is approved, the director uses the input device to activate a duplication button (not shown) and initiate the duplication process, such as by selecting a duplication command from a drop-down menu (not shown). Thereafter, the range of the source allocated to the automatic control object 101 is determined so as to execute replication. In FIG. 7, the replication process is described with reference to a flowchart 700. Referring to FIG. 7, a flowchart 700 shows an example of a control flow for duplicating a macro element template to build a library of macro elements according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The control flow of the flowchart 700 starts from step 701 and immediately moves to step 703. In step 703, the configuration file is opened to access the configuration parameters. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration file includes a list of automatic control objects 101 that are available for the specified studio system. Referring to FIG. 6, an automatic control object 101 is displayed on the replication control interface 600 and indicates the types of media production devices that are available for the specified system.

  The configuration parameters include a list of source labels used to specify an I / O port for the media production device. In addition, a link table for specifying operation rules for associating various sources and a naming table for providing user-defined or default source labels to the media production device are provided.

  In step 706, a macro element template file is selected and opened. The timeline position and properties of each automatic control object 101 need to be locked when the file is opened.

  In step 709, variables and variable properties are read from the macro element template file. The information includes information from the variable name list 124 and the variable property list 125 described above.

  In step 712, variables and variable properties are used to occupy the control line of the replication control interface. As shown in FIG. 6, control lines 618 (a) -618 (r) display the variable properties and automatic control object 101 from the macro element template of FIG. Control lines 618 (a) -618 (r) are occupied from top to bottom based on the display order of variable replication fields 602 (a) -602 (c). When down arrows 605 (a) -605 (c) are activated for variable replication fields 602 (a) -602 (c), a downward list of variable names is displayed in control lines 618 (a) -618 (r ) Displayed on the automatic control object 101 displayed above. First, all three variable replication fields 602 (a) -602 (n) display the same list of variable names. As will be described later, the contents of the variable duplication fields 602 (a) to 602 (n) change when information is selected from the contents.

  In step 715, the supervisor selects a control variable that will be used to scope other variables. Control variables are fixed until a matrix of other variables to be scoped is completed. The control variable is selected from one of the variable names listed in the variable replication field 602 (a). The control variable is typically the first variable shown in the variable replication field 602 (a). However, other variables can be selected. For example, if the variable corresponds to the audio object 110, the audio control variable field is typically selected to be a control variable. If a control variable is selected from the variable replication field 602 (a), the control variable is deleted from the list displayed in the variable replication fields 602 (b) and 602 (c).

  In step 718, an input source or input source range is selected for the control variable. As described above, a device type (video, audio, machine, etc.) is assigned to each variable (that is, the automatic control object 101 corresponding to the variable). When a control variable is selected (at step 715), a list of available sources that match the assigned device type is shown in source range 603 (a). The source table corresponding to the automatic control object 101 for the control variable is opened in the source range 603 (a). For example, when the transition object 107 is assigned to a DVE variable, a list of video inputs is displayed in the source range 603 (a). Also, a video input or video input range will be selected for the DVE variable.

  Thus, one or more sources can be assigned to selections and variables. If multiple sources are selected, the sources can be sequential or non-sequential. For example, assume that the available video inputs for the DVE variable are inputs 1-6. A DVE variable can be a single source (such as input 1), multiple sequential sources (such as input 2, input 3 and input 4), or multiple non-sequential sources (such as input 5, input 1 and input 6). Can be assigned.

  After control variables are selected and assigned to one or more sources, at step 721, non-control variables are selected and assigned to one or more sources. If no source is selected for a non-control variable, the variable will remain inactive during replication, as will be described below. Accordingly, at step 724, the control flow determines whether additional variables are available to be sourced. Otherwise, control returns to step 721 and the process is repeated.

  Therefore, when a variable name is selected from the variable replication field 602 (b), the selected variable name is deleted from the variable replication field 602 (c). Only three variable replication fields 602 (a) to 602 (c) are displayed on the replication control interface 600, but additional fields can be added as needed. Page toggle 604 allows access to additional variable replication fields.

  After the source has been assigned to all variables that are scoped during replication, control passes to step 727. In step 727, the director enters a prefix, a suffix, or both. This information is included as part of the file name and association name of each macro element that is constructed during replication. In step 730, a storage location or directory is specified for the macro element constructed during playback.

  In step 733, replication is started to construct a macro element group from the macro element template. The macro elements group includes all possible source combinations for all variables. If a source is selected for a variable in step 718, the selected source may overlap with more than one variable. In such a case, the macro element is not built or saved for combinations having multiple variables with the same source. The combination is skipped and the duplication process continues to build macro elements.

  During duplication, each macro element is built in the specified storage location, and the association file is created or updated with this new macro element and path information. Further, a macro element file list is generated or updated according to the file name of each constructed macro element. In one embodiment, the macro element file list includes a printable list of file names and variable properties (link information, device type, etc.) for each macro element file. Thus, the macro element file list provides a macro element library for the director to select. When a label object (such as label object 123) is given, the macro element file name is inserted into the label object.

  In one embodiment, common naming conventions provide a standard format for generating file names, association names and paths for each macro element file built during replication. In one embodiment, the syntax “// server / share / path / filename” is used for the path. The file name is based on the variable property from the naming table and the template file name. The naming order of variable names is determined by the order in which the variables are arranged in the variable duplication fields 602 (a) to 602 (c). Since the user or director can select variable names in the naming table as described above, the present invention allows a macro element library to be generated and labeled with a file name defined by the user. Thus, the director can easily select suitable macro elements using site-specific or local terms without having to learn difficult terms that are not user-friendly.

For example, assume that “VO” is the template name of the macro element template generated for the voice over segment. Further, assume that the macro element has two variables in variable replication fields 602 (a) -602 (c). The first variable is linked to the machine naming table and has two sources, VTR1 and VTR2. The second variable is linked to the audio naming table and has two sources, MIC1 and MIC2. If the variable name “VTR” is placed in the first variable duplicate field 602 (a) and the variable name “MIC” is placed in the second variable duplicate field 602 (b), the macro element file name is built during duplication. The resulting four macro element files will be “VO-VTR1-MIC1”, “VO-VTR1-MIC2”, “VO-VTR2-MIC1”, and “VO-VTR2-MIC2”. The association file, association name, and macro element file list are updated with the file name and path information. The association name is a pending US patent application, “Method, System and Computer Program for Full News Integration and Automation in a Real Time Video Application,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 09 / 822,855) used to integrate a director's rundown seat with a new automated system and automated control system (such as the Transition Macro ^™ multimedia production control program described above). .

  After the macro element file is built and saved, the control flow ends as shown in step 795. The replication process itself can be described with reference to FIGS. 8a and 8b. Referring to FIGS. 8a and 8b, a flowchart 800 (shown in 800a and 800b) illustrates an example of a control flow for duplicating a macro element template to build a macro element group according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, flowchart 800 describes an example of the replication process described in step 733 above.

  The control flow of the flowchart 800 starts from step 801 and immediately proceeds to step 803. In step 803, control and non-control variables are accessed and ordered from top to bottom from the top control variable in the order.

  In step 806, the source ranges of all variables are fixed or locked except for the lowest variable. If multiple sources are assigned to a fixed variable (at step 718), the first source is selected and remains constant during replication. If one source is assigned, that source remains constant.

  For the lowest variable, the variable is designated as a duplicate variable. The variable next to the replicated variable in the ordered list is designated as the independent variable.

  In step 809, the source of the replication variable is scoped. If one source has been assigned (at step 718), that source is selected. If multiple sources are assigned, each source is selected one by one.

  In step 812, the duplicate source and the source selected for the fixed variable are used to build the macro element file. In step 815, as described above, the macro element file is saved in the storage location specified by a file name.

  In step 818, the duplicate variable is checked to determine if additional sources are available for range determination. If so, control passes to step 809 where the next source is selected. After the source range is exhausted for the duplicate variable, control passes to step 821.

  In step 821, the independent variable is checked to determine if its source range has been exhausted. If one source is assigned to the independent variable, control passes to step 824 for the first iteration. However, for subsequent iterations, control passes to step 824 only if one of the assigned sources is not utilized during replication.

  In step 824, the independent variable is incremented by 1 to select the next source in the range. Control then passes to step 809 where the replicated variable is scoped to the new source of independent variables.

  In step 827, the next higher variable of the duplicate variable is selected. In step 830, the selected variable is checked. If the selected variable is a control variable, control passes to step 839. If not, in step 833, the selected variable is checked for acceptability. If the selected variable has one source, that variable is skipped. Control returns to step 827 and the next highest variable is selected. The variable is then checked at step 830.

  However, if the selected variable is found to have multiple sources at step 833, the variable is designated as an independent variable at step 836. Thereafter, control returns to step 824.

  In step 839, it is checked whether the control variable is acceptable. If the control variable is assigned to one source, control passes to step 848.

  If the control variable has multiple sources, at step 842, the control variable is designated as an independent variable. In step 845, the independent variable is checked to determine if the source range has been exhausted. For the first iteration, control returns to step 824. However, in subsequent iterations, control passes to step 824 only if one of the assigned sources was not utilized during replication. When all sources are exhausted, control passes to step 848.

  Thus, each time a duplicate variable fills its range, the next higher variable is incremented until the source range of the next variable is exhausted. This process continues until a control variable is selected at step 830, and the entire source range of the control variable is exhausted at step 845.

  In step 848, variable properties are associated with each constructed macro element. Starting from the control variables, the naming table, link information and other constructed information are included by the macro element file. As described above, the naming table supports naming conventions for automatically generating macro element file names. The link information allows variables to be linked so that subsequent changes made to a particular source are automatically reflected in all macro elements including the changed source. When the replication process is complete, the control flow ends as shown in step 895.

  Thus, the present invention allows a library of macro element files to be built from macro element templates. The construction information relating to the macro element improves the intelligence level of the automatic multimedia production system. The link table, for example, allows the associated fields of each macro element to be tracked and monitored. The link table integrates macro elements together so that changes in property fields or production values of one macro element automatically propagate related property fields or production values of other macro elements. Thus, the director does not have to keep track of the individual properties of each macro element file to ensure that production values are updated if changes are made during production.

  For example, if a machine failure occurs with VTR1, the director can edit the construction information to exchange VTR1 for another RPD such as VTR2. The macro element will be dynamically changed to update all macro elements for VTR1 to assign VTR2 instead of VTR1. In addition to making global changes to production values, embodiments of the present invention allow a director to perform a global search to identify macro elements having specified values in specific fields.

Once a macro element is constructed according to the present invention, it can be tested to ensure that it works properly with each source. In one embodiment, macro elements composed of duplicates are tested by an automatic control program, such as the Transition Macro ^™ multimedia production control program described above. The automatic control program executes each macro element file to test the source and / or generate the media production.

  In one embodiment, a stand-alone application is provided to construct a macro element from a macro element template. The macro element is then imported into a separate automatic control program.

  In another embodiment, the macro elements are built on an automatic control program and are subsequently imported into the control interface 100 that constitutes the macro element template. A group of macro elements is composed of macro element templates, and then each macro element is imported into an automatic control program for testing and automatic control.

  In another embodiment, the present invention (e.g., control interface 100 and replication control interface 600, etc.) is an automatic control program that allows macro element templates to be replicated to generate a macro element group for each template. Integrated into Each macro element can be tested and executed to generate a media production without having to import the macro element into another application program.

  1 to 8 are conceptual diagrams that allow a simple description of the present invention. Here, it should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In such an embodiment, the various components and steps may be implemented by hardware, firmware and / or software that performs the functions of the present invention. That is, the same hardware element, firmware, or software module can execute one or more of the illustrated blocks (ie, components or steps).

  The present invention can be implemented by one or more computer systems capable of executing the functions described herein. Referring to FIG. 9, an example computer system 900 useful for implementing the present invention is shown. Various embodiments of the invention are described with reference to computer system 900. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the art how to implement the invention by using other computer systems and / or computer architectures.

  Computer system 900 has one or more processors, such as processor 904. The processor 904 is connected to a communication infrastructure 906 (communication bus, crossover bar, network, etc.). Various software embodiments are described in terms of the computer system. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the art how to implement the invention using other computer systems and / or computer architectures.

  The computer system 900 can include a display interface 902 that transfers graphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure 906 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on the display unit 930.

  The computer system 900 also includes a main memory 908, preferably random access memory (RAM), and may further include a secondary memory 910. The secondary memory 910 can also include a removable storage device 914 and / or a hard disk drive 912 representing, for example, a floppy disk drive, magnetic tape drive, optical disk drive, and the like. The removable storage device 914 reads and writes data to and from the removable storage unit 918 by a well-known method. The removable storage unit 918 represents a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, or the like that is read from or written to the removable storage device 914. As will be appreciated, the removable storage device 918 comprises a computer medium (such as a program or other instruction) and / or a storage medium usable by a computer that stores data.

  In other embodiments, secondary memory 910 may comprise other similar means that allow computer software and / or data to be loaded into computer system 900. Such means can comprise, for example, a removable storage unit 922 and an interface 920. Examples of this include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that of a video game device), a removable memory chip (such as EPROM or PROM) and an attached socket, a storage unit 922 where software and data are removable, and a computer system 900. Other removable storage units 922 and interfaces 920 that allow them to be transferred to.

  The computer system 900 can also include a communication interface 924. Communication interface 924 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 900 and external devices. Examples of the communication interface 924 include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) card), a communication port, a PCMCIA slot, and a card. Software and data transferred via the communication interface 924 are in the form of signals 928 that can be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals receivable by the communication interface 924. These signals 928 are provided to communication interface 924 via communication path 926 (ie, channel). Communication path 926 carries signal 928 and may be implemented using wires or cables, fiber optics, telephone lines, cellular telephone links, RF links, and other communication channels.

  As used herein, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” generally refer to media such as removable storage unit 918, removable storage unit 922, hard disk installed in hard disk drive 912, and signal 928. Used for These computer program products are means for providing software to the computer system 900. The present invention relates to such computer program products.

  Computer programs (or called computer control logic or computer readable program code) are stored in main memory 908 and / or secondary memory 910. The computer program can also be received via the communication interface 924. Such a program, when executed, allows the computer system 900 to implement the invention disclosed herein. In particular, the computer program can be executed by the processor 904 as it is implemented using the components of the replication control interface 600 and the control interface 100 described above, such as the steps of the methods 200, 300, 700, and 800. It makes it possible to implement the process of the invention. Accordingly, such a computer program represents a controller of computer system 900.

  In an embodiment in which the present invention is implemented using software, the software is stored in a computer program product and loaded into the computer system 900 using a removable storage device 914, hard drive 912, interface 920 or communication interface 924. Is possible. Control logic (software), when executed by processor 904, causes processor 904 to perform the functions of the present invention disclosed herein.

  In other embodiments, the present invention is implemented primarily in hardware using hardware components such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of the hardware state machine will be apparent to those skilled in the art to perform the functions disclosed herein.

  In yet another embodiment, the present invention is implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.

  The above description of specific embodiments is hereby incorporated by reference, by applying knowledge belonging to the skill in the art without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the invention. Will fully disclose the general nature of the present invention that can be easily modified and / or adapted to various applications of such specific embodiments by third parties. . Accordingly, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the scope and meaning of equivalents of the embodiments disclosed based on the teachings and guidance provided herein. The expressions or terms herein are for the purpose of explanation so that the terms or expressions herein can be combined with the knowledge of those skilled in the art and interpreted by those skilled in the art based on the teachings and guidance provided herein. Yes, not for limiting.

  While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that they are given by way of illustration, not limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 shows a control interface for building macro elements according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an operational flow for building macro elements according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an operation flow for generating a macro element template according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a video-to-audio table according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a user interface for generating a variable name list and a variable property list according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a replication control interface for constructing a group of macro elements according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows an operation flow of duplicating a macro element template for constructing and naming a macro element group according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8a shows an operational flow of duplicating a macro element template to construct a macro element group according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8b shows an operation flow for duplicating a macro element template to construct a macro element group according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary computer system useful for implementing portions of the present invention.

Claims (61)

A method for generating one or more elements of media production,
Defining a first command sequence that, during execution, transmits a control command to a group of one or more production devices having a first device type and does not identify a specific production device that receives the control command;
Defining a second command sequence that, during execution, transmits a control command to a group of one or more production devices having a second device type and does not identify a specific production device that receives the control command;
The first device type such that an output from a production device of the device group having the first device type is linked to an output from one or more production devices of the device group having the second device type; Defining a third command sequence for linking the second device type;
Executing the first, second and third instruction sequences, thereby generating a first element of the media production (4);
A method comprising: The method of claim 1, further comprising:
A method comprising the step (5) of storing the first, second and third instruction sequences in an extractable element file to regenerate the first element. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
Extracting the element file (6);
(7) executing the first, second and third instruction sequences to regenerate the first element;
A method characterized by comprising: The method of claim 1, further comprising:
Having a step (5) of defining a fourth command sequence that, when executed, transmits a control command to a group of one or more production devices having a third device type and does not identify a specific production device that receives the control command. A method characterized by. The method of claim 4, comprising:
The step (4) comprises executing the fourth instruction sequence together with the first, second and third instruction sequences, thereby generating the first element. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
A method comprising the step (6) of executing the fourth instruction sequence and thereby generating a second element of the media production. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
Storing the fourth instruction sequence in a second element file which can be extracted to generate a second element of the media production. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
Having a step (6) of defining a fifth instruction sequence that, when executed, transmits a control command to a group of one or more production devices having a fourth device type and does not identify a specific production device that receives the control command. A method characterized by. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
Executing the fifth instruction sequence together with the fourth instruction sequence, thereby generating a second element of the media production (7). 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
Storing the fifth instruction sequence in a second element file that can be extracted to execute the fifth instruction sequence and thereby generate a second element of the media production. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
Specifying (5) a first production device having the first device type;
The output from the first production device is linked to the output from one or more production devices of the device group having the second device type.
A method characterized by that. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
Designating one or more production devices of the device group having the second device type,
The output from the first production device is linked to the output from the designated one or more production devices.
A method characterized by that. To create a show, it accepts input from multiple production sources,
Enabling the generation of a first set of instructions for accepting a first input from a first channel mapped to a particular source;
Enabling the generation of a second set of instructions for accepting a second input from a second channel that is not mapped to a particular source;
(3) simultaneously executing the first and second instruction groups to generate the show element;
A method comprising: 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
Mapping the first channel to a video source that supplies video as the first input (4). 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
A method comprising the step (5) of identifying one or more audio sources supplying audio as the second input. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
A method comprising the step (6) of enabling generation of a third set of instructions for accepting audio input from a third channel that is not mapped to a specific audio source. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
A method comprising the step (5) of identifying a second video source that supplies video as the second input. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
A method comprising the step (5) of identifying a source for supplying a key signal as the second input. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
A method comprising the step (4) of specifying the device type such that a production device having a device type is selected as a particular source mapped to the first channel. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
A method comprising the step (4) of designating the device type such that a production device having a device type is identified as a specific source that is not mapped to the second channel. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
The method comprising the step (4) of identifying a plurality of consecutive sources supplying the second input. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
Identifying a plurality of non-contiguous sources supplying said second input. An automatic control system that generates one or more elements of media production,
A first control object that defines a first instruction sequence that, when executed, transmits a control command to a group of one or more production devices having a first device type;
A second control object that defines a second instruction sequence that, when executed, transmits a control command to a group of one or more production devices having a second device type;
Relationship means for linking the first control object and the second control object;
Activating means for activating the first control object or the second control object upon completion of an event;
Consisting of
The activation of the first or second control object executes the first or second instruction sequence, respectively. An automatic control system according to claim 23, wherein
The relation means comprises a link field connected to the first control object;
The link field enables linking of the first control object and the second control object;
A system characterized by that. An automatic control system according to claim 23, wherein
An output from a production device having the first device type is linked to an output from a production device having the second device type. An automatic control system according to claim 23, wherein
The relation means has a link table connected to the first control object,
The link table has a plurality of terms that allow linking output from production devices each having the first device type and output from production devices having other device types;
A system characterized by that. The automatic control system according to claim 23, further comprising:
Archiving objects that group the first and second control objects to record the first and second instruction sequences in a template file. An automatic control system according to claim 27,
The template file includes information for linking the first control object and the second control object. The automatic control system of claim 27, further comprising:
A color means for specifying a color scheme;
The automatic control system displays the first and second control objects with the same color.
A system characterized by that. The automatic control system according to claim 23, further comprising:
Import means for importing a template file to occupy the automatic control system by the first and second control objects;
The relation means operates to generate or change information for licking the first control object and the second control object;
A system characterized by that. The automatic control system according to claim 23, further comprising:
A system comprising label means for instructing the automatic control system to display at least one label of the first control object and the second control object. The automatic control system according to claim 23, further comprising:
Source means for identifying a first production device having the first device type;
The first control object transmits a control command to the first production device when activated.
A system characterized by that. The automatic control system of claim 32, further comprising:
A range determining means for specifying one or more production devices having the second device type;
The second control object sends a control command to the one or more production devices when activated.
A system characterized by that. 34. The automatic control system of claim 33, further comprising:
A system comprising label means for instructing the automatic control system to display at least one label of the first production device and the one or more second production devices. The automatic control system according to claim 23, further comprising:
The system of claim 1, wherein the first control object comprises a source type field that allows the first device type to be identified. The automatic control system according to claim 23, further comprising:
A control line for displaying the first or second control object;
The control line is assigned a device type,
The control line is configurable to allow interaction with a production device that matches the assigned device type.
A system characterized by that. An automatic control system according to claim 23, wherein
The placement of the first control object on the control line determines the assigned device type;
The assigned device type is the first device type;
A system characterized by that. The automatic control system according to claim 23, further comprising:
A system comprising a timeline for arranging the first or second control object with respect to a spatial coordinate of the timeline. An automatic control system that generates one or more elements of media production,
A first control object that defines a first instruction sequence that, when executed, transmits a control command to a group of one or more production devices having a first device type;
A second control object that defines a second instruction sequence that, when executed, transmits a control command to a group of one or more production devices having a second device type;
At least one control line configured to display the first or second control object, be assigned a device type, and allow interaction with a production device matching the assigned device type;
Activating means for activating the first or second control object upon completion of an event;
Consisting of
The activation of the first or second control object executes the first or second instruction sequence, respectively. A user interface for creating a show,
A plurality of control icons associated with one or more instructions that control device groups of one or more production devices each having a common device type;
Input means for arranging control icons of the plurality of control icons on the user interface;
A first control line for displaying a first control icon of the plurality of control icons in response to the input means;
Consisting of
One or more instructions associated with the first control icon are executable to transmit a control command to the first production device. The user interface of claim 40, further comprising:
An interface comprising source means for specifying or selecting the first production device. The user interface of claim 40, further comprising:
Having a naming means that allows a user to designate a designated subject of the first production device;
One or more instructions associated with the first control icon include executable instructions for selecting and controlling the first production device. The user interface of claim 40, further comprising:
A second control line for displaying a second control icon of the plurality of control icons in response to the input means;
One or more instructions associated with the second control icon are executable to send a control command to the second production device;
An interface characterized by that. A user interface according to claim 43, comprising:
The device type that matches the second control icon is different from the device type that matches the first control icon. 44. The user interface of claim 43, further comprising:
An interface comprising a relation means for linking the first control icon and the second control icon. A user interface according to claim 45, comprising:
The interface is characterized in that the relation means includes means for linking the output from the first production device and the output from the second production device. The user interface of claim 45, further comprising:
Source means for changing one or more instructions associated with the first control icon;
The one or more instructions, when executed, send a control command to link the output from the third production device and the output from the second production device to the third production device,
The third production device and the second production device have a common device type.
An interface characterized by that. 44. The user interface of claim 43, further comprising:
The first control icon and the second control icon are linked such that one or more commands associated with the first production device are linked with one or more commands associated with the second production device. An interface characterized by having a relational means. The user interface of claim 40, further comprising:
Have a timeline,
The input means arranges control icons with respect to the space coordinates of the timeline,
The spatial coordinates are recorded as property values of the arranged control icons.
An interface characterized by that. 50. The user interface of claim 49, further comprising:
Having a timer to traverse the timeline;
When the timer reaches a timer value that matches the recorded spatial coordinates of the arranged control icon, it activates the arranged control icon;
The arranged control icon executes one or more instructions associated with the arranged control icon in response to activation by the timer;
An interface characterized by that. 51. The user interface of claim 50, wherein
The interface is characterized in that the timeline is defined in units of frames. A user interface for creating a show,
A plurality of control icons associated with one or more instructions that control device groups of one or more production devices each having a common device type;
A control line for displaying control icons of the plurality of control icons;
Consisting of
The control line is assigned a device type,
The interface characterized in that the control line is configurable to allow interaction with a production device that matches the assigned device type. 53. A user interface according to claim 52, comprising:
The interface characterized in that the displayed control icon determines the assigned device type. A user interface for creating a show,
A plurality of control icons associated with one or more instructions that control device groups of one or more production devices each having a common device type;
Input means for arranging control icons of the plurality of control icons on the user interface;
A plurality of control lines for displaying the plurality of control icons in response to the input means;
Consisting of
An interface, wherein each control line is assigned a device type and is configurable to allow interaction with a production device that matches the assigned device type. A computer program product having a computer usable medium having embedded control logic that causes a computer to generate one or more elements of media production,
The control logic is
First means for causing the computer to define a first instruction sequence for transmitting a control command to a group of one or more production devices having a first device type at the time of execution;
Second means for causing the computer to define a second instruction sequence for transmitting a control command to a group of one or more production devices having a second device type at the time of execution;
Third means for linking the first instruction sequence and the second instruction sequence to the computer;
Fourth means for causing the computer to execute the first or second instruction sequence;
A computer program product characterized by comprising: 56. The computer program product of claim 55, wherein the control logic further comprises:
Computer program products, comprising: fifth means for grouping the first control object and the second control object into the computer for recording the first and second instruction sequences in a template file. A computer program product having a computer usable medium having embedded control logic that causes a computer to generate one or more elements of media production,
The control logic is
First means for causing the computer to define a first instruction sequence for transmitting a control command to a group of one or more production devices having a first device type at the time of execution;
Second means for causing the computer to define a second instruction sequence for transmitting a control command to a group of one or more production devices having a second device type at the time of execution;
A third means for causing the computer to display a first control object according to the first instruction sequence or a second control object according to the second instruction sequence on at least one control line;
Fourth means for causing the computer to execute the first or second instruction sequence;
Consisting of
The at least one control line is assigned a device type;
The at least one control line is configurable to allow interaction with a production device that matches the assigned device type;
Computer program products characterized by the above. A method for managing macro element files to produce one or more media productions,
Importing a macro element file from the file group (1);
Placing on the display one or more control objects associated with the macro element;
Activating a first control object of the one or more arranged control objects to access property parameters of the first control object;
(4) changing the property parameter to specify construction information for generating a media production element;
Generating (5) a macro element template file having the first control object and the modified property parameters;
A method comprising: A method of managing macro element template files to produce one or more media productions,
Placing one or more control objects on the display (1);
Activating the one or more control objects to access property parameters of the one or more control objects;
(3) changing the property parameter to specify construction information for generating a media production element;
Generating a macro element template file having the one or more control objects and the modified property parameters;
A method comprising: 60. The method of claim 59, comprising:
The method (3) further comprises the step of changing the property parameter to designate a device type of a device group of one or more production devices. 61. The method of claim 60, further comprising:
Displaying the one or more control objects on an independent control line configurable to allow interaction with a production device that matches a specified device type of the displayed control object. how to.

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