Patents by Inventor James Westland Cain
James Westland Cain 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: 20240126803Abstract: A system is provided for configuring legacy file-based workflows to remotely and dynamically access media essence. An example system includes a filename generator that dynamically generates a filename for corresponding media content in an essence store in response to a selection by a file-based workflow application running on a media production computing device. The system includes an identity file generator that generates a respective identity file for the selected content and that includes the generated filename. Furthermore, the system includes a content API that queries an essence access database using the generated identity file to obtain metadata that indicates access information for the media content. The content API then configures the file-based workflow application to access the media content from the essence store based on an accessed track number and byte length of the respective media content accessed in response to the query of the media essence access database.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventor: James Westland CAIN
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Patent number: 11960444Abstract: A method of providing file data for a media file of a pre-determined format from a file system comprising a file record database and a data store, wherein the media file corresponds to a programme consisting of a plurality of segments, and wherein the segments included in the programme are dynamically determined. The method comprising the steps of receiving details of the programme including the duration of the programme, and determining the layout of the media file in the pre-determined format from the received details of the programme, the layout including locations for essence data within the file. A file record for the media file in the file record database is then created. In response to a request for the location of essence data within the file, a location given by determined layout of the media file is returned. Further, in response to an instruction that a segment is to be included in the programme, essence data corresponding to the contents of the segment is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: GRASS VALLEY LIMITEDInventors: Simon Darryl Rogers, James Westland Cain, Michael James Weaver
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Publication number: 20240048821Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for generating a synopsis video. A system may receive an input video of a first duration and a request to generate a synopsis video of a second duration based on the input video. The system generates a timed text transcription of the input video and divides the timed text transcription into a plurality of sentences. The system then ranks each of the plurality of sentences based on a similarity matrix and selects a subset of the plurality of sentences that includes highest ranked sentences of the plurality of sentences, with the subset having a summed time duration that is less than or equal to the second duration. The system extracts and combines respective clips from the input video that correspond to the selected subset of sentences to generate the synopsis video.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: James Westland CAIN, Drew MARTIN
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Publication number: 20240022481Abstract: A system is provided for optimizing deployment of a processing function in a media production workflow. The system includes a media production workflow generator that builds the media production workflow that includes the processing function and determines deployment criteria that includes an input dataset for the processing function and an atomic compute function for executing the processing function. Moreover, a deployment topology generator generates a topologies of the resources available in a cloud computing network and based on the determined deployment criteria, with the generated topologies indicating different configurations of resources for executing the processing function and a processor for executing the atomic compute function of the processing function.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Charles S. MEYER, James Westland CAIN
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Patent number: 11860924Abstract: A system is provided for configuring legacy file-based workflows to remotely and dynamically access media essence. An example system includes a filename generator that dynamically generates a filename for corresponding media content in an essence store in response to a selection by a file-based workflow application running on a media production computing device. The system includes an identity file generator that generates a respective identity file for the selected content and that includes the generated filename. Furthermore, the system includes a content API that queries an essence access database using the generated identity file to obtain metadata that indicates access information for the media content. The content API then configures the file-based workflow application to access the media content from the essence store based on an accessed track number and byte length of the respective media content accessed in response to the query of the media essence access database.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: GRASS VALLEY LIMITEDInventor: James Westland Cain
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Publication number: 20230385332Abstract: A media file system, apparatus, computer program product and method are provided for storing a file relationship graph and media data files. An exemplary method includes obtaining a new media file and determining the one or more portions of essence data from which the new media file is derived. The method further including generating a new materials data file for the new media file indicating the determined one or more portions of essence data. Moreover, storing the new materials data file in the media file system, and updating the file relationship graph using the new materials data file.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventor: James Westland CAIN
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Publication number: 20230385032Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating a factory layout to dynamically optimize a media content production in a real-time environment. The system includes a media production optimizer with a widget controller that provides widgets that represent work packages as micro-services that perform functions of the media content production, respectively. A user interface controller receive inputs from a user interface to dynamically update the factory layout for the media content production. The media production optimizer then recompiles underlying code to update a model of the factory layout in response to the inputs from the operator of the system, and also migrates the updated factory layout to a cloud platform that includes a plurality of media production components including the plurality of micro-services for deployment thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Ian David FLETCHER, Charles S. MEYER, Michael CRONK, James Westland CAIN
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Patent number: 11829414Abstract: A media file system, apparatus, computer program product and method for storing a media file in a media file system. An exemplary method includes obtaining a predetermined number of frames and determining a set of portions for storing the media file, each portion having an identifier that is indicative of a multiple of the predetermined number of frames. Further, for each portion of the set of portions, associating with the portion the segment of the media file containing the frame indicated by the identifier of the portion, and associating each of the remaining segments of the media file with a portion of the set of portions. Moreover, storing the media file in the media file system as the set of determined portions, each portion comprising its associated segments of the media file.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: GRASS VALLEY LIMITEDInventor: James Westland Cain
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Patent number: 11824751Abstract: A system is provided for distributing media content in a distributed network. The system includes a count sequence generator that generates a monotonic increasing count sequence, a signal processor that generates a correspondence between media content and the count sequence, such that the monotonic increasing counter sequence is configured for a media content request defined by the increasing count sequence; and a media content database configured to store the media content and corresponding count sequence. Moreover, the signal processor receives a media content request that includes media request parameters that define a portion of the media content based on the corresponding count sequence and at least one of content quality, cost of the requested media content and a delivery time for the requested media content. The signal processor also accesses the requested media content from the media content database and distributes the media content to the media processing node.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: GRASS VALLEY CANADAInventors: Charles S. Meyer, James Westland Cain
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Patent number: 11810599Abstract: A system is provided for dynamic random access rendering of media content. The system includes a rendering tool that loads a recipe having a reference to input essence and an instruction that collectively generates an output essence using the at least one input essence. The system further includes a render engine that execute the instruction and includes a file format parser configured to load the input essence from a file of media content. The render engine also includes plugin having a web server embedded therein that is communicatively coupled with a TCP port for receiving a request from a client device for the output essence. The render engine generates the output essence from the input essence in accordance with the instruction in the recipe and transmits the generated output essence to the client device for display thereon.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: GRASS VALLEY LIMITEDInventor: James Westland Cain
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Patent number: 11765039Abstract: A system is provided for optimizing deployment of a processing function in a media production workflow. The system includes a media production workflow generator that builds the media production workflow that includes the processing function and determines deployment criteria that includes an input dataset for the processing function and an atomic compute function for executing the processing function. Moreover, a deployment topology generator generates a topologies of the resources available in a cloud computing network and based on the determined deployment criteria, with the generated topologies indicating different configurations of resources for executing the processing function and a processor for executing the atomic compute function of the processing function.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: GRASS VALLEY CANADAInventors: Charles S. Meyer, James Westland Cain
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Publication number: 20230247080Abstract: A system is provided for dynamically managing a media production work package. The system includes a media production work package generator that builds a media production work package that includes media processing functions; and a processing function manager that generates function trackers that are each assigned to a respective one of the plurality of media processing functions and comprise a unique identity. Moreover, the system includes a function deployment manager that embeds the function trackers in the respective media processing functions, and deploys the media processing functions to resources available in a cloud computing network that includes both physical resources and software resources.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Charles S. MEYER, James Westland CAIN, Vincent TRUSSART, Jean-Philippe LAPOINTE, Nicolas JAGER
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Patent number: 11714858Abstract: A method of providing file data from a file system comprising a data store and a file record database. The method comprises the steps of receiving a request to open a file in the file system and determining the desired properties of the file using the syntax of the request. A file record is then created in the file record database based on the determined properties of the file, and a file handle for the file record is returned. Data constituting the requested file from data in the data store is generated based on the determined properties of the file, and in response to a request to read a portion of data from the file, a corresponding portion of the generated data is returned.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2012Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: GRASS VALLEY LIMITEDInventors: James Westland Cain, Simon Darryl Rogers, Michael James Weaver
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Patent number: 11716369Abstract: A system and method are provided for dynamic web streaming of media content without restore and batch processing. The system and method provides for a partial restore of media content, where a small sub-section of the archived media is requested by a user, for inclusion in an edit. The exemplary system and method provides a web server that offers grains for any part of an archived monolithic file to be made available just-in-time, instead of the batch processing. Because grains are available over HTTP, any part of the customer's archive is available to them instantly and dynamically with no restore process being required at all.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: GRASS VALLEY LIMITEDInventor: James Westland Cain
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Publication number: 20230205589Abstract: A system is provided for dynamically modifying media processing functions to control optimization of a media production. The system includes a media processing function library that stores media processing functions that each include a subgraph embedded therein that has pre-calculated parameters and undefined variable parameters. Media processing engines execute the plurality of media processing functions to create the media production. Moreover, the system includes a media function management controller that places the media processing functions in a job queue to be executed by one or more of the media processing engines. A resource manager receives a media production instruction from a client device to partially deploy the media processing functions in the job queue.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2022Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: James Westland CAIN, Charles S. MEYER
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Patent number: 11669308Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating a factory layout to dynamically optimize a media content production in a real-time environment. The system includes a media production optimizer with a widget controller that provides widgets that represent work packages as micro-services that perform functions of the media content production, respectively. A user interface controller receive inputs from a user interface to dynamically update the factory layout for the media content production. The media production optimizer then recompiles underlying code to update a model of the factory layout in response to the inputs from the operator of the system, and also migrates the updated factory layout to a cloud platform that includes a plurality of media production components including the plurality of micro-services for deployment thereon.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: GRASS VALLEY CANADAInventors: Ian David Fletcher, Charles S. Meyer, Michael Cronk, James Westland Cain
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Patent number: 11669563Abstract: A media file system, apparatus, computer program product and method are provided for storing a file relationship graph and media data files. An exemplary method includes obtaining a new media file and determining the one or more portions of essence data from which the new media file is derived. The method further including generating a new materials data file for the new media file indicating the determined one or more portions of essence data. Moreover, storing the new materials data file in the media file system, and updating the file relationship graph using the new materials data file.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: GRASS VALLEY LIMITEDInventor: James Westland Cain
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Publication number: 20230031033Abstract: A system that dynamically provides media essence to a client device. An I/O interface receives a media access request that defines a range of media content at a defined format, and a VFS generates an essence containing file that includes a file name and extension that identifies byte ranges for the content range and the defined format; dynamically builds the essence containing file to comprise APIs that can access at the identified byte ranges for the defined range of media content; imposes a structure on a portion of bytes contained in the essence containing file to define a processing function to be executed before delivering the essence to the client device; and opens the essence containing file to access the identified byte ranges using the APIs and causing the processing function to be executed on the accessed and identified byte ranges before delivering the essence to the client device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventor: James Westland CAIN
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Publication number: 20220408126Abstract: A system is provided for optimizing the distribution of media production resources. The system includes a grain store having a persistent file system that stores essence grains upon receipt into individual files according to a folder layout. The system also includes a grain store manager that dynamically names the individual files upon receipt of the essence grains to configure the folder layout to form a natural index that maps bytes of the essence grains to a numerical index of the essence grains, respectively, generates a descriptor for flows of files in the folder layout, generates a unique identity for a plurality of sources in the grain store, and receives a media access request from a client device application based on a media production workflow. The grain store then dynamically accesses the essence grains by identifying the unique identity of the respective group of flows and the descriptor for the format.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventor: James Westland CAIN
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Publication number: 20220337645Abstract: A media file system, apparatus, computer program product and method are provided for of streaming media file data. An exemplary method includes receiving a request for media file data for a desired time, and determining from the desired time an available segment of media file data, wherein the segment includes media file data from a start time to an end time. The method further including returning the available segment of media file, wherein the step of returning the available segment of media file data includes returning information indicative of the start time to end time covered by the media file data of the available segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventor: James Westland CAIN