Patents by Inventor Alex Holtz
Alex Holtz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20160118081Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for producing a show. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio (4:3), and that causes the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio (16:9). In another embodiment, the invention is directed to producing a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect of the invention operates by producing a first show comprising a plurality of stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the invention produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The invention is also directed to a media manager that interacts with a server. In some cases, the server is integrated with the production system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Alex HOLTZ, Robert J. SNYDER, John R. BENSON, William H. COUCH, Marcel LAROCQUE, Charles M. HOEPPNER, Keith Gregory TINGLE, Richard TODD, Maurice SMITH
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Patent number: 9123380Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for producing a show. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio (4:3), and that causes the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio (16:9). In another embodiment, the invention is directed to producing a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect of the invention operates by producing a first show comprising a plurality of stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the invention produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The invention is also directed to a media manager that interacts with a server. In some cases, the server is integrated with the production system.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2003Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.Inventors: Alex Holtz, Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, William H. Couch, Marcel LaRocque, Charles M. Hoeppner, Keith Gregory Tingle, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Publication number: 20150063787Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for producing a show. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio (4:3), and that causes the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio (16:9). In another embodiment, the invention is directed to producing a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect of the invention operates by producing a first show comprising a plurality of stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the invention produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The invention is also directed to a media manager that interacts with a server. In some cases, the server is integrated with the production system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Alex HOLTZ, Robert J. SNYDER, John R. BENSON, William H. COUCH, Marcel LAROCQUE, Charles M. HOEPPNER, Keith Gregory TINGLE, Richard TODD, Maurice SMITH
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Patent number: 8726187Abstract: A macro element template is replicated to build a macro element library. A macro element is associated with executable instructions for controlling a plurality of production devices to produce a special effect or segment of a media production. One or more automation control objects are positioned onto a control interface to build a macro element template. Build information is associated with each automation control object to assign a variable name, device type, property page field(s), and variable naming table. A replicator control interface allows a range of sources to be assigned to the macro element template, and is associated with executable instructions for building the macro element library. The macro element library includes user-defined filenames that enables a director to quickly search and select a desired macro element. Changes in production values ripple throughout the macro element library to dynamically update the macro elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, Kevin K. Morrow, Alex Holtz, William H. Couch, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Patent number: 8661366Abstract: A macro element template is replicated to build a macro element library. A macro element is associated with executable instructions for controlling a plurality of production devices to produce a special effect or segment of a media production. One or more automation control objects are positioned onto a control interface to build a macro element template. Build information is associated with each automation control object to assign a variable name, device type, property page field(s), and variable naming table. A replicator control interface allows a range of sources to be assigned to the macro element template, and is associated with executable instructions for building the macro element library. The macro element library includes user-defined filenames that enables a director to quickly search and select a desired macro element. Changes in production values ripple throughout the macro element library to dynamically update the macro elements.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, Kevin K. Morrow, Alex Holtz, William H. Couch, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Patent number: 8560951Abstract: A production system automates the control of production devices used to produce and broadcast a show. The system automation allows a video director to pre-produce, preview, and produce the live show from a single user interface. In an embodiment, a processing unit displays graphical controls for the production devices. A video director interacts with the graphical controls to thereby remotely control the production devices from one location. In an embodiment, a video director defines a set of production commands or instructions (i.e., “transition macro”). Upon execution, each production command directs the processing unit to transmit in series and/or parallel one or more control commands to one or more of the production devices. Production commands can be included to enable the show to be broadcast live or recorded for on-demand access. Live and/or on-demand productions are distributed over traditional television mediums and/or a computer network, including the Internet.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Robert J. Snyder, Alex Holtz, David E. Buehnemann, Gilberto Fres, Harrison T. Hickenlooper, III, Charles M. Hoeppner, Kevin K. Morrow, Bradley E. Neider, Loren J. Nordin, III, Todd D. Parker
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Patent number: 8006184Abstract: A video production system provides a director with-control over video production devices used in producing a show. The video production system allows the director to pre-produce a show, review the show in advance of “air time.” and then, with a touch of a button, produce the live show. The video production system includes a processing unit in communication with the video production devices. The processing unit displays controls for controlling the video production devices. The director uses a keyboard and mouse to remotely control the video production devices. The director pre-produces the show, defines a set of video production commands (hereafter “transition macro”) executed by the processing unit. By activating a control button, the director instructs the processing unit to execute the transition macro-to control one or more of the video production devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Alex Holtz, David E Buehnemann, Gilberto Fres, Harrison T Hickenlooper, III, Charles M Hoeppner, Kevin K Morrow, Bradley E Neider, Loren J Nordin, III, Todd D Parker, Robert J Snyder
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Publication number: 20110038597Abstract: A system for line production of a television show can include a newsroom computer system (NRCS 14) which includes a mark-up tool that allows a user to specify temporal metadata corresponding to temporal events contained within a content segment for repurposing content. Through the use of the mark-up tool, a journalist or web producer can use their existing NRCS, or the like, to specify the static, temporal and distribution metadata needed in the production process. Thus, in the event of a change during production, the NRCS can accurately and automatically repurpose the content using previously established temporal metadata.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: Thomas LicensingInventors: Benjamin McCallister, Alex Holtz
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Publication number: 20110023059Abstract: The insertion of an advertisement or other new content into a time slot between content segments advantageously occurs by selecting the new segment to fill its associated slot as closely as possible. Play out of a successive content segment occurs for distribution over at least one of a first set of channels and at least one second channel until the occurrence of the time slot whereupon the new content segment undergoes play out for distribution over the at least one second channel. If the new content segment has a duration longer than the time slot, the length of at least one content segment gets reduced to provide substantially seamless play out.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventors: Benjamin McCallister, Alex Holtz
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Publication number: 20110007158Abstract: Automatic tracking by a camera (16) of an object (12) such as on-air talent appearing in a television show commences by first determining whether the object lies within the camera field of view matches a reference object. If so, tracking of the object then occurs to maintain the object in fixed relationship to a pre-set location in the camera's field of view, provided the designated object has moved more than a threshold distance from the pre-set location.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Alex Holtz, Scott Raymond Matics, Lionel Oisel
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Patent number: 7835920Abstract: A director control interface is provided to extract production information from a newsroom information management system and populate a production control system. The director control interface enables the director to build a show, but mitigate errors and check for conflicts during the building process. In an embodiment, the director control interface automatically selects macro elements, which are executed on the production control system. The director can override the selection process and choose the macro elements. The director control interface monitors the newsroom information management system for rundown changes, evaluates the changes, and updates the production control system either automatically or with approval from the director. The director control interface is compatible with any type of newsroom information management system as long as it can extract the requisite information.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Robert J. Snyder, Alex Holtz, John R. Benson, William H. Couch, Marcel Larocque, Richard Todd, Charles M. Hoeppner, Keith Gregory Tingle, Kevin K. Morrow
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Publication number: 20090292991Abstract: A macro element template is replicated to build a macro element library. A macro element is associated with executable instructions for controlling a plurality of production devices to produce a special effect or segment of a media production. One or more automation control objects are positioned onto a control interface to build a macro element template. Build information is associated with each automation control object to assign a variable name, device type, property page field(s), and variable naming table. A replicator control interface allows a range of sources to be assigned to the macro element template, and is associated with executable instructions for building the macro element library. The macro element library includes user-defined filenames that enables a director to quickly search and select a desired macro element. Changes in production values ripple throughout the macro element library to dynamically update the macro elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Inventors: Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, Kevin K. Morrow, Alex Holtz, William H. Couch, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Publication number: 20090288008Abstract: A macro element template is replicated to build a macro element library. A macro element is associated with executable instructions for controlling a plurality of production devices to produce a special effect or segment of a media production. One or more automation control objects are positioned onto a control interface to build a macro element template. Build information is associated with each automation control object to assign a variable name, device type, property page field(s), and variable naming table. A replicator control interface allows a range of sources to be assigned to the macro element template, and is associated with executable instructions for building the macro element library. The macro element library includes user-defined filenames that enables a director to quickly search and select a desired macro element. Changes in production values ripple throughout the macro element library to dynamically update the macro elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, Kevin K. Morrow, Alex Holtz, William H. Couch, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Patent number: 7549128Abstract: A macro element template is replicated to build a macro element library. A macro element is associated with executable instructions for controlling a plurality of production devices to produce a special effect or segment of a media production. One or more automation control objects are positioned onto a control interface to build a macro element template. Build information is associated with each automation control object to assign a variable name, device type, property page field(s), and variable naming table. A replicator control interface allows a range of sources to be assigned to the macro element template, and is associated with executable instructions for building the macro element library. The macro element library includes user-defined filenames that enables a director to quickly search and select a desired macro element. Changes in production values ripple throughout the macro element library to dynamically update the macro elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2004Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, Kevin K. Morrow, Alex Holtz, William H. Couch, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Patent number: 7302644Abstract: An integrated, fully automated video production system that provides a video director with total control over all of the video production devices used in producing a show. Such devices include, but are not limited to, cameras, robotic pan/tilt heads, video tape players and recorders (VTRs), video servers and virtual recorders, character generators, still stores, digital video disk players (DVDs), audio mixers, digital video effects (DVE), video switchers, and teleprompting systems. The video production system provides an automation capability that allows the video director to pre-produce a show, review the show in advance of “air time,” and then, with a touch of a button, produce the live show. In one embodiment, the invention provides a video production system having a processing unit in communication with one or more of the video production devices mentioned above.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Alex Holtz, David E Buehnemann, Gilberto Fres, Harrison T Hickenlooper, III, Charles M Hoeppner, Kevin K Morrow, Bradley E Neider, Loren J Nordin, III, Todd D Parker, Robert J Snyder
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Patent number: 7024677Abstract: An integrated, fully automated video production system provides a video director with total control over all of the video production devices used to produce and broadcast a show. Such devices include, but are not limited to, cameras, robotic pan/tilt heads, video tape players and recorders (VTRs), video servers and virtual recorders, character generators, still stores, digital video disk players (DVDs), audio mixers, digital video effects (DVE), video switchers, and teleprompting systems. The video production system provides an automation capability that allows the video director to pre-produce a show, review the show in advance of “air time,” and then, with a touch of a button, produce the live show. In one embodiment, the invention provides a video production system having a processing unit in communication with one or more of the video production devices. The processing unit also records the show or elements from the show following its production.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Robert J. Snyder, Alex Holtz, David E. Buehnemann, Gilberto Fres, Harrison T. Hickenlooper, III, Charles M. Hoeppner, Kevin K. Morrow, Bradley E. Neider, Loren J. Nordin, III, Todd D. Parker
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Patent number: 6952221Abstract: A production system automates the control of production devices used to produce and broadcast a show. The system automation allows a video director to pre-produce, preview, and produce the live show from a single user interface. In an embodiment, a processing unit displays graphical controls for the production devices. A video director interacts with the graphical controls to thereby remotely control the production devices from one location. In an embodiment, a video director defines a set of production commands or instructions (i.e., “transition macro”). Upon execution, each production command directs the processing unit to transmit in series and/or parallel one or more control commands to one or more of the production devices. Production commands can be included to enable the show to be broadcast live or recorded for on-demand access. Live and/or on-demand productions are distributed over traditional television mediums and/or a computer network, including the Internet.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2000Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.Inventors: Alex Holtz, David E. Buehnemann, Gilberto Fres, Harrison T. Hickenlooper, III, Charles M. Hoeppner, Kevin K. Morrow, Bradley E. Neider, Loren J. Nordin, III, Todd D. Parker, Robert J. Snyder
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Patent number: 6909874Abstract: A tutorial system and method is provided to send online media production lessons and other data to one or more students over a computer network, such as the global Internet or an organization's intranet. A tutorial management server communicates with a plurality of student workstations, instructor workstations and integrated, fully automated media production systems. The tutorial management server includes a matriculation manager that registers and maintains system security. A curriculum manager controls the routing of lesson contents to each student. Tutorial management server also includes devices that evaluates each student's proficiency and performance and creates a study guide to assist the student in improving overall performance. A messaging manager is provided to support real time communications among the students and their instructors.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2001Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA.Inventors: Alex Holtz, William H. Couch, Robert J. Snyder
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Publication number: 20040210945Abstract: A macro element template is replicated to build a macro element library. A macro element is associated with executable instructions for controlling a plurality of production devices to produce a special effect or segment of a media production. One or more automation control objects are positioned onto a control interface to build a macro element template. Build information is associated with each automation control object to assign a variable name, device type, property page field(s), and variable naming table. A replicator control interface allows a range of sources to be assigned to the macro element template, and is associated with executable instructions for building the macro element library. The macro element library includes user-defined filenames that enables a director to quickly search and select a desired macro element. Changes in production values ripple throughout the macro element library to dynamically update the macro elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Applicant: ParkerVision, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Snyder, John R. Benson, Kevin K. Morrow, Alex Holtz, William H. Couch, Richard Todd, Maurice Smith
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Patent number: 6760916Abstract: A multimedia production and distribution system collects or assembles a media production (such as, a news program, television programming, or radio broadcast) from a variety of sources, including television stations and other media hosting facilities. The media production is categorized and indexed for retrieval and distribution across a wired or wireless network, such as the Internet, to any client, such as a personal computer, television, or personal digital assistant. A user can operate the client to display and interact with the media production, or select various options to customize the transmission or request a standard program. Alternatively, the user can establish a template to generate the media production automatically based on personal preferences. The media production is displayed on the client with various media enhancements to add value to the media production. Such enhancements include graphics, extended play segments, opinion research, and URLs.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.Inventors: Alex Holtz, William H. Couch, Gilberto Fres, Timothy Hamlett, Charles Hoeppner, Jeffrey L. Parker, William Robblee, Richard L. Sisisky, Robert Snyder, Keith G. Tingle, Richard Todd, Roger Verboncoeur