Abstract: The present invention relates to a cloud-based video production system and corresponding methods that deliver real time or near real time video with broadcast quality. Video from the same source is encoded into at least two separate streams, one with low latency and another with higher latency and higher quality. Corresponding frames of each stream have identical timestamps. The two streams are sent over separate signal paths. A first signal path is a real time control (RTC) path having low latency, and used to communicate the lower quality video content from video sources to a producer user interface. The second signal path provides the same video content at a higher video quality than that provided over the first signal path, but with longer latency. Commands from the user interface based on the lower latency stream can then be carried out on the higher latency stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for broadcasting/multicasting of media content over a communication network using shared bandwidth available from peer-to-peer networking. The system may include one or more servers for delivering media content over the network for one or more media content programs. The media content comprises data packets. The one or more servers may provide IP multicasting information and tracking information for the data packets to all receiving devices requesting the media content. Any receiving devices that request the media content and that one of: (a) fail to subscribe to the IP multicasting channel; or (b) fail to receive all of the data packets for the media content over the IP multicasting channel, may use the tracking information to identify other of the receiving devices that have received the data packets and to request the data packets from at least one of the identified receiving devices.

Abstract: A cloud-based video production system, methods, and apparatus are provided. Video sources are in communication with a cloud-based video production server and a remote user interface via a network. A control unit, which is located at or in communication with video production server, is in communication with the remote user interface. A buffer, corresponding to each of the video sources, is disposed between each of the video sources and the control unit to account for network delays. Commands for selecting and manipulating video content from the video sources are sent from the user interface to the control unit, each of the commands containing a command timestamp corresponding to the video timestamp of the video frame displayed on the user interface when the command is issued. The control unit executes each command at a time when the video timestamp at an output of the corresponding buffer corresponds to the command timestamp. The control unit outputs a video program in accordance with the commands.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for automatically producing a video program in accordance with a script are provided. Various media assets are recorded and/or stored in a content database, together with metadata relating to each of the media assets. Each media asset is tagged with a unique content ID, the unique content ID associating the metadata with the media asset. The media assets are then indexed. Text from a script is then analyzed using natural language processing to locate one or more relevant indexed media assets. The located one or more media assets are assembled into a video program in accordance with the script.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for remotely controlling a camera in an environment where there is a delay. A control device is provided for controlling a remotely located camera via a network. The control device comprises a monitor for viewing an image provided by the camera. A control signal is sent from the control device to the camera with a command for controlling at least one of a function, setting, or parameter of the camera. An image displayed on the monitor of the control device is modified in accordance with the command to provide an emulated image for display prior to execution of the command at the camera.

Abstract: A cloud-based video production system, methods, and apparatus are provided. Video sources are in communication with a cloud-based video production server and a remote user interface via a network. A control unit, which is located at or in communication with video production server, is in communication with the remote user interface. A buffer, corresponding to each of the video sources, is disposed between each of the video sources and the control unit to account for network delays. Commands for selecting and manipulating video content from the video sources are sent from the user interface to the control unit, each of the commands containing a command timestamp corresponding to the video timestamp of the video frame displayed on the user interface when the command is issued. The control unit executes each command at a time when the video timestamp at an output of the corresponding buffer corresponds to the command timestamp. The control unit outputs a video program in accordance with the commands.

Abstract: The present invention relates to broadcasting/multicasting of media content over a communication network using shared bandwidth available from peer-to-peer networking. The system includes a plurality of broadcast devices, a plurality of receiving devices, a plurality of databases, and a control center. The control center provides a number of services, including but not limited to channel control, ad insertion, conditional access, program guide services, and the like. Media content, which can be television, radio, and other data, is received from various content providers and converted into digital data packets, having a suitable format for transmission. Each receiving device will request the relevant packets, decode the received packets, and display or present the media content contained in the packets via an associated device. Packets may be received directly from the broadcast devices or from peers/receiving devices on the network.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for instantly posting images or video clips to social media websites during recording of video content are provided. A video capture device is provided for recording video content. A social media integration application is associated with the video capture device. The selection of a still image or video clip during recording of video content is enabled via a one-touch process. The selected still image or video clip is then processed by the social media integration application such that the still image or video clip is at least one of directly forwarded to and posted on one or more pre-selected social media websites via a network or forwarded to and posted on the one or more pre-selected social media websites via a web browser interface.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for exchange of video content are provided. A media outlet device is provided with a media outlet application, and a user device of a user is provided with an interactive media application, the interactive media application enabling communications with the media outlet device via the media outlet application. Video content is recorded and encoded on the user device. An interactive map is displayed on a user interface of the media outlet device. The interactive map shows a current location of the user device. The purchase of the video content from the user is enabled via the user interface. The purchased video content is communicated from the user device to at least one of a central server and the media outlet device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for maximizing utilization of a dynamically varying channel are provided. A transmitter comprising a video source encoder encodes and transmits data over one or more digital data channels. A forward error correction coder is associated with the video source encoder for error correction coding of one or more blocks of the data. The forward error correction coder receives the data from the video source encoder at an encoding data rate. The blocks of error correction coded data are transmitted at a predetermined transmitting rate over the one or more digital data channels to a receiving module. The encoding data rate of the data provided by the video source encoder to the forward error correction coder is modified to fully utilize available channel bandwidth of the one or more digital data channels while maintaining the predetermined transmitting rate of the error correction coded data.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for instantly posting images or video clips to social media websites during recording of video content are provided. A video capture device is provided for recording video content. A social media integration application is associated with the video capture device. The selection of a still image or video clip during recording of video content is enabled via a one-touch process. The selected still image or video clip is then processed by the social media integration application such that the still image or video clip is at least one of directly forwarded to and posted on one or more pre-selected social media websites via a network or forwarded to and posted on the one or more pre-selected social media websites via a web browser interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to broadcasting/multicasting of media content over a communication network using shared bandwidth available from peer-to-peer networking. The system of the present invention includes a plurality of broadcast devices, a plurality of receiving devices, a plurality of databases, and a control center. The control center provides a number of services, including but not limited to channel control, ad insertion, conditional access, program guide services, and the like. The broadcast device converts media content, which can be television, radio, and other data, received from various content providers, into digital data packets, having a suitable format for transmission. Each receiving device will request the relevant packets, decode the received packets, and display or present the media content contained in the packets via an associated device. Packets may be received directly from the broadcast devices or from peers (other receiving devices) on the network.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for time-based and geographic navigation of video content are provided. Video content and associated metadata information are recorded and encoded using a video capture and encoding module. The associated metadata information includes at least one of date and time information of the recording and geographic position information indicative of a recording location. The recorded video content and the associated metadata information are communicated to a remote storage and web server device. A graphical user interface enables the display of an interactive map showing a route and current location of the video capture and encoding module. The video content may be searched using at least one of the graphical user interface and the interactive map by the date and/or time information and the geographic position information. Selected video content can be streamed or downloaded to a select location for display or storage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for maximizing utilization of a dynamically varying channel are provided. A transmitter encodes and transmits data over one or more digital data channels. A forward error correction coder is associated with the transmitter for error correction coding of one or more blocks of the data. The one or more blocks of error correction coded data are transmitted at a predetermined transmitting rate over the one or more digital data channels to a receiving module. A rate control module is provided for controlling a data rate of the transmitter and the sending of the error correction coded data of the forward error correction coder based on feedback from the receiving module. The feedback may comprise a receiving data rate of received data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to broadcasting/multicasting of media content over a communication network using shared bandwidth available from peer-to-peer networking. The system of the present invention includes a plurality of broadcast devices, a plurality of receiving devices, a plurality of databases, and a control center. The control center is the central nerve of the network, and provides a number of services, including but not limited to channel control, ad insertion, conditional access, program guide services, and the like. The broadcast device converts media content, which can be television, radio, and other data, received from various content providers, into digital data packets, having a suitable format for transmission over the Internet. Each receiving device will request the relevant packets, decode the received packets, and display or present the media content contained in the packets via an associated device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for maximizing utilization of a dynamically varying channel are provided. A transmitter encodes and transmits data over one or more digital data channels. A forward error correction coder is associated with the transmitter for error correction coding of one or more blocks of the data. The one or more blocks of error correction coded data are transmitted at a predetermined transmitting rate over the one or more digital data channels to a receiving module. A rate control module is provided for controlling a data rate of the transmitter and the sending of the error correction coded data of the forward error correction coder based on feedback from the receiving module. The feedback may comprise a receiving data rate of received data.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for fingerprint-based copyright protection of real-time content. A first fingerprint is provided for content from a fingerprint ingesting device to a central server. The first fingerprint is associated with one or more business rules for the content at the central server. At least one of (a) a second fingerprint is provided for the content from a broadcast device to the central server, and (b) a third fingerprint is provided for the content from a receiving device to the central server. The first fingerprint is then compared with the at least one of the second and third fingerprints at the central server. One or more corresponding business rules may then be determined for the content based on the comparing.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for fingerprint-based copyright protection of real-time content. A first fingerprint is provided for content from a fingerprint ingesting device to a central server. The first fingerprint is associated with one or more business rules for the content at the central server. At least one of (a) a second fingerprint is provided for the content from a broadcast device to the central server, and (b) a third fingerprint is provided for the content from a receiving device to the central server. The first fingerprint is then compared with the at least one of the second and third fingerprints at the central server. One or more corresponding business rules may then be determined for the content based on the comparing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to broadcasting/multicasting of media content over a communication network using shared bandwidth available from peer-to-peer networking. The system of the present invention includes a plurality of broadcast devices, a plurality of receiving devices, a plurality of databases, and a control center. The control center is the central nerve of the network, and provides a number of services, including but not limited to channel control, ad insertion, conditional access, program guide services, and the like. The broadcast device converts media content, which can be television, radio, and other data, received from various content providers, into digital data packets, having a suitable format for transmission over the Internet. Each receiving device will request the relevant packets, decode the received packets, and display or present the media content contained in the packets via an associated device.