U.S. patent application number 12/281942 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for systems and methods for rendering text onto moving image content.
This patent application is currently assigned to dotSub LLC. Invention is credited to Thor Sigvaldason.
Application Number | 20100310234 12/281942 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38475490 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100310234 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sigvaldason; Thor |
December 9, 2010 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RENDERING TEXT ONTO MOVING IMAGE
CONTENT
Abstract
A method for rendering text onto moving image content. The
method comprises receiving a request to translate dialog associated
with moving image content, transmitting an interface, transmitting
a time-stamped transcription, and receiving a translation of the
dialog.
Inventors: |
Sigvaldason; Thor;
(Washington, DC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
K&L GATES LLP
210 SIXTH AVENUE
PITTSBURGH
PA
15222-2613
US
|
Assignee: |
dotSub LLC
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
38475490 |
Appl. No.: |
12/281942 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
March 5, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US07/05662 |
371 Date: |
September 5, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11368647 |
Mar 6, 2006 |
|
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12281942 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
386/244 ;
386/E5.025 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/440218 20130101;
H04N 21/85406 20130101; H04N 21/262 20130101; H04N 21/4126
20130101; H04N 21/6582 20130101; H04N 21/4627 20130101; H04N
21/8355 20130101; H04N 21/2541 20130101; H04N 21/2355 20130101;
H04N 7/17318 20130101; H04N 21/8456 20130101; H04N 21/458 20130101;
H04N 21/4314 20130101; H04N 21/23418 20130101; H04N 21/25891
20130101; H04N 21/47211 20130101; H04N 21/25435 20130101; H04N
21/4884 20130101; H04N 21/4312 20130101; H04N 21/4888 20130101;
H04N 21/435 20130101; G11B 27/10 20130101; H04N 21/4788 20130101;
H04N 21/235 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/244 ;
386/E05.025 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/92 20060101
H04N005/92 |
Claims
1. A method for rendering text onto moving image content, the
method comprising: receiving a request to translate dialog
associated with moving image content; transmitting an interface;
transmitting a time-stamped transcription; and receiving a
translation of the dialog.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving the moving
image content; receiving a transcription of the dialog; and
receiving time-stamps associated with the transcription.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: storing the received
moving image content; and converting the received moving image
content to a digital format.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising classifying the
received moving image content.
5. The method of claim 2, further comprising: receiving a request
to transcribe the dialog; and storing the transcription.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising reclassifying the
received moving image content.
7. The method of claim 2, further comprising: receiving a request
to time-stamp the transcript; and storing the time-stamps.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising reclassifying the
received moving image content.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a request
to edit a current version of the translation; transmitting the
current version of the translation; and receiving an edited
translation.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising incorporating each
edit to a stored version of the translation.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a request
to view the moving image content with text rendered thereon;
transmitting the translation; and transmitting the moving image
content.
12. A method for rendering text onto moving image content, the
method comprising: transmitting a request to translate dialog
associated with moving image content; receiving an interface;
receiving a time-stamped transcription; and transmitting a
translation of the dialog.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: transmitting a
transcription of the dialog; and transmitting time-stamps
associated with the transcription.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: receiving the
translation; receiving the moving image content; and superimposing
text on the moving image content as the moving image content is
received.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the text is superimposed
dynamically.
16. A system for rendering text onto moving image content, the
system comprising: a provider system, comprising: a host configured
to: receive and transmit moving image content; receive and transmit
a transcription of dialog associated with the moving image content;
receive time-stamps associated with the transcription; and receive
and transmit a translation of the dialog.
17. The system of claim 16, further comprising data storage means
in communication with the host.
18. A system for rendering text onto moving image content, the
system comprising: a client system, comprising: a client module;
and a superimposing module configured to superimpose text onto
moving image content as the moving image content is received at the
client system.
19. A computer program stored on a computer-readable medium, the
program comprising instructions which when executed by a processor,
cause the processor to: transmit text associated with moving image
content; and transmit the moving image content.
20. A computer program stored on a computer-readable medium, the
program comprising instructions which when executed by a processor,
cause the processor to superimpose text onto moving image content
dynamically.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a U.S. national stage application
of PCT International Application No. PCT/US2007/05662, filed Mar.
5, 2007 and published as PCT Publication WO 2007/103357 on Sep. 13,
2007, and which claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/368,647, filed Mar. 6, 2006 and
published as U.S. Pub. No. US 2007/0211169 A1 on Sep. 13, 2007, the
disclosures all of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety
by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This application discloses an invention that is related,
generally and in various embodiments, to systems and methods for
rendering text onto moving image content.
[0003] Current processes for rendering text (e.g., subtitles, open
captions, closed captions, etc.) onto moving image content are
highly fragmented, labor intensive, and generally involve a
plurality of contributors operating offline in a piecemeal manner.
The current processes tend to be relatively inefficient and
expensive, and as a result, a relatively small amount of moving
image content having text rendered thereon is made available for
viewing.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one general respect, this application discloses a method
for rendering text onto moving image content. According to various
embodiments, the method comprises receiving a request to translate
dialog associated with moving image content, transmitting an
interface, transmitting a time-stamped transcription, and receiving
a translation of the dialog.
[0005] According to other embodiments, the method comprises
transmitting a request to translate dialog associated with moving
image content, receiving an interface, receiving a time-stamped
transcription, and transmitting a translation of the dialog.
[0006] In another general respect, this application discloses a
system for rendering text onto moving image content. According to
various embodiments, the system comprises a provider system that
comprises a host. The host is configured to receive and transmit
moving image content, receive and transmit a transcription of
dialog associated with the moving image content, receive
time-stamps associated with the transcription, and receive and
transmit a translation of the dialog.
[0007] According to other embodiments, the system comprises a
client system that comprises a client module and a superimposing
module that is configured to superimpose text onto moving image
content as the moving image content is received by the client
system.
[0008] Aspects of the disclosed invention may be implemented by a
computer system and/or by a computer program stored on a
computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may comprise
a disk, a device, and/or a propagated signal.
DRAWINGS
[0009] Various embodiments of the disclosed invention are described
herein by way of example in conjunction with the following
figures.
[0010] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate various embodiments of a method for
rendering text onto moving image content;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates various embodiments of a method for
submitting moving image content to a provider;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates various embodiments of a method for
transcribing dialog associated with moving image content;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates various embodiments of a method for
time-stamping a transcription of dialog;
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates various embodiments of a system for
rendering text onto moving image content; and,
[0015] FIGS. 6 through 14 illustrate various examples of screen
displays which include displays of information, user interfaces
and/or other tools that may be used in association with various
embodiments of methods and systems for processing moving image
content.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and
descriptions of the disclosed invention have been simplified to
illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of
the disclosed invention, while eliminating, for purposes of
clarity, other elements. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize, however, that these and other elements may be desirable.
However, because such elements are well known in the art, and
because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the
disclosed invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided
herein.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates various embodiments of a method 10 for
rendering text onto moving image content. The moving image content
may be any moving image content such as, for example, a full
feature film, a movie, a video clip, etc. In various
implementations, the method 10 may be implemented at least in part
by hardware (e.g., device, computer, computer system, equipment,
component, etc.); software (e.g., program, application, instruction
set, code, etc.); storage medium (e.g., disk, device, propagated
signal, etc.); or a combination thereof. It should be noted,
however, that the method 10 may be performed in any manner
consistent with the aspects of the disclosed invention.
[0018] The process begins at block 12, where moving image content
(e.g., a movie) is submitted to a provider. The moving image
content may be submitted to the provider by anyone in any suitable
manner. For example, the moving image content may be submitted by a
producer, a director, a distributor, etc. and may be submitted
electronically to the provider, mailed to the provider,
hand-delivered to the provider, etc. According to various
embodiments, a submitter may access a website associated with the
provider, and cause the moving image content to be submitted to an
IP address associated with the provider.
[0019] From block 12, the process advances to block 14, where the
provider receives the submitted moving image content. As the moving
image content may be submitted in any suitable manner, it follows
that the submitted moving image content may be received by the
provider in any suitable manner. According to various embodiments,
the submitted moving image content is received electronically via a
server associated with the provider. From block 14, the process
advances to block 16 or to block 18.
[0020] If the moving image content received by the provider at
block 14 is not in a digital format, the process advances from
block 14 to block 16, where the moving image content is converted
to a digital format. From block 16, the process advances to block
18, where the moving image content is stored for use as described
hereinbelow. According to various embodiments, the moving image
content may be stored as a flat file on a medium accessible by a
server associated with the provider. If the moving image content
received by the provider at block 14 is already in a digital
format, the process advances from block 14 to block 18, where the
moving image content is stored for use as described hereinbelow.
The moving image content stored at block 18 may serve as a master
version of the moving image content. The master version may be used
to create each different version of the moving image content
subsequently viewed.
[0021] From block 18, the process advances to block 20, where the
moving image content is classified by title, producer, genre, etc.
or any combination thereof. The classification information is
stored at block 22 for use as described hereinbelow. According to
various embodiments, the classification information is stored on a
medium accessible by a server associated with the provider. From
block 22, the process advances to block 24, where a time-stamped
transcription of the original dialog associated with the moving
image content is generated. Generally, the time-stamped
transcription is in the native language of the original dialog. The
process described at block 24 may be completed by the provider or
another party, and may be completely manually offline or may be
completed online. As used herein, the term "online" refers to being
connected to a remote service such as, for example, the Internet.
From block 24, the process advances to block 26, where the
time-stamped transcription is stored for use as described
hereinbelow. According to various embodiments, the time-stamped
transcription may be stored as a database file on a medium
accessible by a server associated with the provider. The
time-stamped transcription may serve as a master version for all
subsequent translations of the text associated with the moving
image content as described hereinbelow. After the time stamped
transcription is stored, the moving image content is ready for text
rendering.
[0022] From block 26, the process advances to block 28, where a
request to translate the time-stamped transcription into another
language is submitted to the provider. The request may be submitted
by anyone in any suitable manner. For example, the request may be
submitted by a professional translator, and may be submitted
electronically to the provider, telephoned to the provider, mailed
to the provider, hand-delivered to the provider, etc. According to
various embodiments, a translator may access a website associated
with the provider and cause the request to be submitted to an IP
address associated with the provider.
[0023] From block 28, the process advances to block 30, where the
request to translate is received by the provider. Responsive to the
request, an interface is transmitted at block 32 to a client system
associated with the person who made the request. From block 32, the
process advances to block 34, where the client system receives the
interface. From block 34, the process advances to block 36, where
the interface is utilized to request a copy of the master version
of the time-stamped transcription from the provider. According to
various embodiments, the request includes an indication of a
particular moving image content (e.g., by the title of the moving
image content). The provider receives the request at block 38, and
responsive thereto, transmits a copy of the master version of the
time-stamped transcription to the client system at block 40.
[0024] The client system receives the copy of the time-stamped
transcription at block 42, and coordinates the presentation of the
time-stamped transcription to the translator at block 44. From
block 44, the process advances to block 46, where the translator
selects a language other than the language of the original dialog,
then inputs text corresponding to the translation of the
time-stamped transcription into the selected language. When the
translator is finished inputting such text, the translator may
cause the textual translation to be transmitted to the provider at
block 48. As the textual translation is based on the time-stamped
transcript, the textual translation is also time-stamped to
correspond with the original dialog. The textual translation is
received by the provider at block 50, is classified as to the
appropriate language, the start and stop time for each line of
text, etc. at block 52, and is stored at block 54 for use as
described hereinbelow. The textual translation stored at block 54
represents the text associated with the moving image content.
According to various embodiments, the textual translation is stored
as a database file on a medium accessible by a server associated
with the provider. The process described from block 12 to block 54,
or any portion thereof, may be repeated sequentially or
concurrently for any number of submitters, any number of
translators, and any amount of moving image content.
[0025] From block 54, the process advances to block 56 or to block
80. If a translator wishes to edit a current version of a
translation, the process advances to block 56, where the translator
may submit a request to edit a current version of a translation.
The request may be submitted by anyone in any suitable manner. For
example, the request may be submitted by a professional translator,
and may be submitted electronically to the entity, telephoned to
the entity, mailed to the entity, hand-delivered to the entity,
etc. According to various embodiments, a translator may access a
website associated with the provider and cause the request to be
submitted to an IP address associated with the provider.
[0026] From block 56, the process advances to block 58, where the
request to edit a current version of a translation is received by
the provider. Responsive to the request, an interface is
transmitted at block 60 to a client system associated with the
person who made the request. From block 60, the process advances to
block 62, where the client system receives the interface. From
block 62, the process advances to block 64, where the interface is
utilized to request a copy of the current version of the
translation from the provider. The provider receives the request at
block 66, and responsive thereto, transmits a copy of the current
version of the translation to the client system at block 68.
[0027] The client system receives the copy of the current version
of the translation at block 70, and coordinates the presentation of
the current version of the translation to the translator at block
72. From block 72, the process advances to block 74, where the
translator inputs the text corresponding to the edits of the
translation. When the translator is finished inputting such edits,
the translator may cause the edits to be transmitted to the
provider at block 76. As the edits are based on the current version
of the translation, which is based on the time-stamped transcript,
the edits are also time-stamped to correspond with the original
dialog. The edits are received by the provider at block 78, and the
edits are incorporated to the current stored version of the
translation at block 80. The edit process described from block 56
to block 80, may be repeated sequentially or concurrently for any
number of translators, for any number of translations, for any
amount of moving image content.
[0028] Following block 80, or block 54 if a translator does not
wish to edit a current version of a translation, the process
advances to block 82, where a viewer may request to view the moving
image content with text rendered thereon in a particular language.
According to various embodiments, a viewer may access a website
associated with the provider, and cause the request to be submitted
to an IP address associated with the provider. The provider
receives the request at block 84. From block 84, the process may
advance to block 86 or block 96.
[0029] If the request received at block 84 is a request to view the
moving image content via a client system, the process advances from
block 84 to block 86, where the provider transmits the appropriate
text to the client system, then transmits the requested moving
image content at block 88 to the client system. According to
various embodiments, the text transmitted at block 86 may also
include text in any number of other languages. At block 90, the
client system receives the text, and then superimposes the
particular text on the moving image content as the moving image
content is received at block 92. Therefore, the text is rendered
onto the moving image content dynamically. The client system
coordinates the presentation of the moving image content with the
text rendered thereon to the viewer at block 94. The process
described at blocks 82-94 may be repeated sequentially or
concurrently for any number of viewers for any amount of moving
image content in any number of languages.
[0030] If the request received at block 84 is a request to view the
moving image content from a physical medium such as, for example, a
digital video disk (DVD), the process advances from block 84 to
block 96, where the provider utilizes the master version of the
moving image content and the current version of the appropriate
text to produce a physical copy of the moving image content
complete with the appropriate text. According to various
embodiments, the physical medium may include text in any number of
languages. From block 96, the process advances to block 98, where
the provider delivers or arranges for the delivery of the physical
copy to the viewer. Once the viewer receives the physical copy, the
viewer may view the physical copy in a suitable manner.
[0031] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated by one skilled in
the art that the above-described method 10 may be utilized by
multiple people to work on the same or different moving image
content, in the same or different language, at the same or
different time, separately, collectively, or any combination
thereof. The method 10 may be utilized to increase the scope of
what moving image content can be made available with text rendered
thereon and to lower the cost associated with such offerings. It
will also be appreciated that according to various embodiments,
instead of the steps of the method 10 being performed sequentially
as described hereinabove, many of the steps can be performed
concurrently.
[0032] According to various embodiments, the provider may charge a
fee to the person/entity who originally submits the moving image
content. The provider may also charge a fee to the viewer for
providing the moving image content with the text rendered thereon
in a given language. According to various embodiments, the moving
image content may be provided on a pay-per-view basis, and the
provider may share a portion of the revenues generated by the
pay-per-view with the appropriate translator or translators. For
embodiments where a physical copy of the moving image content is
provided to the viewer, the provider may share a portion of the
revenues generated by the sale of the physical copy with the
appropriate translator or translators. According to various
embodiments, the translators may charge the provider and/or the
submitter a fee for translating the dialog. According to other
embodiments, the translators may provide the translations for free
as a public service.
[0033] According to various embodiments, the submission of moving
image content, the transcription of the dialog associated with
moving image content, and the time-stamping of the transcription
may be accomplished online as described with respect to FIGS.
2-4.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates various embodiments of a method 100 for
submitting moving image content to a provider. The process begins
at block 102, where a submitter utilizes a client module residing
at a client system to electronically submit moving image content
(e.g., a movie) to a provider system. As used herein, the term
"client module" refers to any type of software application that may
be utilized to access, interact with, and view content associated
with various Internet resources. From block 102, the process
advances to block 104, where the provider system receives and
stores the submitted moving image content. The moving image content
stored at block 104 may serve as a master version of the moving
image content, and may be used to create each different version of
the moving image content subsequently viewed. From block 104, the
process advances to block 106, where the provider system converts
the stored moving image content to a digital format suitable for
interactive work, and classifies the formatted moving image content
as "not transcribed."
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates various embodiments of a method 120 for
transcribing dialog associated with moving image content. The
process begins at block 122, where a transcriber utilizes a client
module residing at a client system to submit a request to a
provider system, where the request is a request to transcribe
dialog associated with a given piece of moving image content stored
by the provider system (e.g., the moving image content stored at
block 106 of FIG. 2). From block 122, the process advances to block
124, where the provider system receives the request, and responsive
thereto, transmits the requested moving image content in a suitable
format along with an interface (e.g., HTML and Flash) to the client
system. From block 124, the process advances to block 126, where
the client system receives the moving image content and the
interface, and the transcriber utilizes the interface to
interactively play the moving image content and transcribe lines of
dialog associated therewith. From block 126, the process advances
to block 128, where the transcriber causes the transcription to be
electronically transmitted from the interface to the provider
system. From block 128, the process advances to block 130, where
the provider system receives and stores the transcription, and
reclassifies the previously stored moving image content as
"transcribed but not time-stamped."
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates various embodiments of a method 140 for
time-stamping a transcription of dialog associated with a given
piece of moving image content. The process begins at block 142,
where a time-stamper utilizes a client module residing at a client
system to submit a request to a provider system, where the request
is a request to time-stamp a stored transcription of dialog
associated with a given piece of stored moving image content.
(e.g., the transcript stored at block 130 of FIG. 3 and the moving
image content stored at block 106 of FIG. 2). From block 142, the
process advances to block 144, where the provider system receives
the request, and responsive thereto, transmits the moving image
content and the transcript along with an interface to the client
system. From block 144, the process advances to block 146, where
the client system receives the moving image content, the transcript
and the interface, and the time-stamper utilizes the interface and
its interactive elements (e.g., dialog begins button, dialog ends
button, play clock, etc.) to play the moving image content and
indicate starting and ending time-stamps for each segment of the
transcript. From block 146, the process advances to block 148,
where the time-stamper causes the time-stamps to be electronically
transmitted from the interface to the provider system. From block
148, the process advances to block 150, where the provider system
receives and stores the time-stamps, and reclassifies the
previously stored moving image content as "transcribed and
time-stamped." At this point, the dialog associated with the moving
image content is ready for subsequent translating.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates various embodiments of a system 200 for
rendering text onto moving image content. In general, one or more
elements of the system 200 may perform the method 10 described
hereinabove.
[0038] As shown, the system 200 includes a client system 210 for
presenting information to and receiving information from a user.
The client system 210 may include one or more client devices such
as, for example, a personal computer (PC) 212, a workstation 214, a
laptop computer 216, a network-enabled personal digital assistant
(PDA) 218, and a network-enabled mobile telephone 220. Other
examples of a client device include, but are not limited to a
server, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, fax machine or any
other component, machine, tool, equipment, or some combination
thereof capable of responding to and executing instructions and/or
using data.
[0039] According to various embodiments, the client system 210 may
include a client module 222, and a superimposing module 224 for
superimposing text onto the moving image content as the moving
image content is received by the client system 210. As explained
previously, the client module 222 may be utilized to access,
interact with, and view content associated with various Internet
resources. The client system 210 may also include Macromedia Flash
Player, and the superimposing module 224 may be embodied, for
example, as a Flash plug-in.
[0040] The modules 222-224 may be implemented utilizing any
suitable computer language (e.g., C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Visual
Basic, VBScript, Delphi, etc.) and may be embodied permanently or
temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or virtual
equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal capable of
delivering instructions to a device. The modules 222-224 may be
stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., disk, device, and/or
propagated signal) such that when a computer reads the medium, the
functions described herein are performed. According to various
embodiments, the modules 222-224 may be installed on separate,
distinct client devices and may be administered by different
entities. Also, different functional aspects of the modules 222-224
may be installed on separate, distinct client devices.
[0041] In various implementations, the client system 210 operates
under the command of a client controller 226. The broken lines are
intended to indicate that in some implementations, the client
controller 226, or portions thereof considered collectively, may
instruct one or more elements of the client system 210 to operate
as described. Examples of a client controller 226 include, but are
not limited to a computer program, a software application, computer
code, set of instructions, plug-in, applet, microprocessor, virtual
machine, device, or combination thereof, for independently or
collectively instructing one or more client devices to interact and
operate as programmed.
[0042] The client controller 226 may be implemented utilizing any
suitable computer language (e.g., C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Visual
Basic, VBScript, Delphi, Flash/Actionscript, etc.) and may be
embodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine,
component, physical or virtual equipment, storage medium, or
propagated signal capable of delivering instructions to a device.
The client controller 226 (e.g., software application, computer
program) may be stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., disk,
device, and/or propagated signal) such that when a computer reads
the medium, the functions described herein are performed.
[0043] In general, the client system 210 may be connected through a
network 230 having wired or wireless data pathways 232, 234 to
provider system 240. Although only one client system 210 is shown
in FIG. 2, it is understood that any number of client systems 210
may be connected to the provider system 240 via the network 230.
The network 230 may include any type of delivery system including,
but not limited to a local area network (e.g., Ethernet), a wide
area network (e.g. the Internet and/or World Wide Web), a telephone
network (e.g., analog, digital, wired, wireless, PSTN, ISDN, GSM,
GPRS, and/or xDSL), a packet-switched network, a radio network, a
television network, a cable network, a satellite network, and/or
any other wired or wireless communications network configured to
carry data. The network 230 may include elements, such as, for
example, intermediate nodes, proxy servers, routers, switches, and
adapters configured to direct and/or deliver data.
[0044] In general, the client system 210 and the provider system
240 each include hardware and/or software components for
communicating with the network 230 and with each other. The client
system 210 and provider system 240 may be structured and arranged
to communicate through the network 230 using various communication
protocols (e.g., HTTP, TCP/IP, UDP, WAP, WiFi, Bluetooth) and/or to
operate within or in concert with one or more other communications
systems.
[0045] The provider system 240 generally hosts a set of resources.
As shown, the provider system 240 includes a host 242, and may
include data storage means 244 (e.g., storage arrays, disks,
devices, etc.) in communication with the host 242. The host 242 may
be implemented by one or more servers (e.g., IBM.RTM. OS/390
operating system servers, Linux operating system-based servers,
Windows NT.TM. servers) providing one or more assets (e.g., data
storage, applications, etc.). According to various embodiments, the
host 242 may be configured to perform one or more of the following
functions: receiving and transmitting moving image content,
receiving and transmitting a transcription of dialog associated
with the moving image content, receiving time-stamps associated
with the transcription, and receiving and transmitting a
translation of the dialog. According to various embodiments, the
functionality of the host 242 may be implemented by more than one
host. For such embodiments, the various hosts are configured to
collaborate with one another to perform the method 10 described
hereinabove.
[0046] According to various embodiments, the functionality of the
host 242 may be implemented by one or more modules that comprise
the host 242. For example, according to various embodiments, a
submission module 246 may be configured to manage the process of
receiving and storing moving image content. A transcription module
248 may be configured to manage the process of transcribing
original dialogs associated with moving image content. A time-stamp
module 250 may be configured to manage the process of time-stamping
transcriptions of dialogs associated with moving image content. A
translation module 252 may be configured to manage the process of
translating time-stamped transcriptions of dialogs associated with
moving image content into different languages. A rendering module
254 may manage the process of retrieving stored moving image
content, transcriptions thereof, and time-stamped transcriptions
and translations thereof, and transmitting the moving image
content, transcripts, time-stamped transcripts, and translations.
In various embodiments, the modules 246-254 are configured to
collaborate with one another to perform the method 10 described
hereinabove.
[0047] The modules 246-254 may be implemented utilizing any
suitable computer language (e.g., C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Visual
Basic, VBScript, Delphi, etc.) and may be embodied permanently or
temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or virtual
equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal capable of
delivering instructions to a device. The modules 246-254 may be
stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., disk, device, and/or
propagated signal) such that when a computer reads the medium, the
functions described herein are performed. Although the modules
246-254 are shown in FIG. 5 as part of the host 242, according to
various embodiments, the modules 246-254 may be installed on
separate, distinct hosts and may be administered by different
entities. Also, different functional aspects of the modules 246-254
may be installed on separate, distinct hosts.
[0048] In various implementations, the provider system 240 operates
under the command of a provider controller 256. The broken lines
are intended to indicate that in some implementations, the provider
controller 256, or portions thereof considered collectively, may
instruct one or more elements of provider system 240 to operate as
described. Examples of a provider controller 256 include, but are
not limited to a computer program, a software application, computer
code, set of instructions, plug-in, microprocessor, virtual
machine, device, or combination thereof, for independently or
collectively instructing one or more computing devices to interact
and operate as programmed.
[0049] In general, the provider controller 256 may be implemented
utilizing any suitable algorithms, computing language (e.g., C,
C++, Java, JavaScript, Perl, Visual Basic, VBScript, Delphi, SQL,
PHP, etc.) and may be embodied permanently or temporarily in any
type of computer, computer system, device, machine, component,
physical or virtual equipment, storage medium, or propagated signal
capable of delivering instructions. The provider controller 256
when implemented as software or a computer program, for example,
may be stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., device, disk, or
propagated signal) such that when a computer reads the medium, the
functions described herein are performed. It will be appreciated
that, to perform one or more of the above-described functions, a
single component described herein may be replaced by multiple
components, and multiple components described herein may be
replaced by a single component.
[0050] With general reference to FIGS. 6 through 14, various
examples of screen displays, tools and/or interfaces are
illustrated that may be employed in connection with various
embodiments of the methods, systems, and media described above.
These screen displays and interfaces are included for the purpose
of illustrating examples of certain practical implementations,
operations, and functions of the invention.
[0051] With reference to FIG. 6, a "Home" page 601 can be presented
to a user upon login to the provider system 240, for example, to
allow the user to make various selections associated with
processing or accessing moving image content. For example,
selecting a "Featured" link 602 on the "Home" page 601 may present
various works of moving image content that an administrator of the
provider system 204 desires to highlight at a given time. In the
example shown in FIG. 6, one or more films 604, 606 may be
presented to the user in a "Featured Films" section of the page
601. Each film 604, 606 may have various associated data or other
characteristics such as a number of times that the film has been
viewed 604A, 606A; the number of translations initiated 604B, 606B;
the number of translations completed 604C, 606C; and/or, the time
and date 604D, 606D when the films 604, 606 were posted to the web
site.
[0052] Other options for the user that may be offered on the "Home"
page 601 include a "Most Viewed" link 608 that navigates the user
to the most frequently accessed moving image content. A "Latest"
link 610 may be included that directs the user to the most recently
posted moving image content. A "Genre" link 612 may be provided
that permits the user to search moving image content by various
predefined types of content. For example, the screen display 701
illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a list 702 of various moving image
content genre that can be selected. A "Collections" link 614 may be
included that takes the user to a screen that display various
selections moving image content grouped into predefined
collections. With reference to FIG. 8, a "Language" link 616 may be
configured to navigate the user to a page 801 that permits the user
to view moving image content by a selected language. An excerpt of
a list 802 of different languages that can be selected by the user
is shown on the "Language" page 801. Also, the user may be
permitted to make a selection 804 for a given language from among
content in original language 804A, content having complete
translations 804B, or content having partial translations 804C. A
"Country" link 618 may also be included that displays works with
moving image content on a country-by-country basis.
[0053] The screen display 901 of FIG. 9 illustrates details of a
particular film 902 that may be presented upon user selection of
the film 902. A "Choose Language" function 904 permits the user to
specify a presentation language for the film 902 that will be used
when the film is played or displayed (e.g., using subtitles). A
"Share This Film" tool 906 provides a URL address 906A and a HTML
code reference 906B that can be employed by the user to embed a
link in an e-mail, a web site, or another medium that will navigate
users from the link to the film 902 on the provider system 240, for
example.
[0054] In various embodiments, content communicated by the provider
system 240 to/from other entities, such as clients or other users,
may be formatted in accordance with RSS protocol or MPEG-4 encoding
format, for example, to be accessed or presented on a variety of
different types of access devices (e.g., laptops, personal
computers, wireless phones, "iPod" devices, "iPhone" devices, smart
phones, personal data assistants, and/or other like devices). In
addition to RSS and MPEG-4, however, any other protocol or standard
may be used which governs formatting or compressing audio and/or
visual content, such as for web streaming media, CD and DVD
distribution, telephony, videophone, broadcast communications, or
web syndication (e.g., as may be employed by news websites and web
blogs).
[0055] Referring again to FIG. 9, a "Translate This Film" tool 908
permits the user to translate the film 902 from a variety of
different languages into one or more other different languages. One
or more languages displayed by this tool 908 may include an
associated designation (e.g., a completion percentage in brackets
908A) that reflects how much of the film 902 has been translated
into the given language. In the example shown, 29% of the film 902
has been translated into Albanian. By selecting a "Translate!"
button 908B, for example, the user can direct the provider system
240 to proceed with presenting the film 902 on the site in
transcript format, or to play the film 902, in the desired target
translation language.
[0056] With regard to FIG. 10, a screen display 1001 may be
presented to the user upon making a "My Films" selection 1002. The
"My Films" page 1001 may include films that are designated as "Most
Viewed by Me" 1004; as "My Favorites" 1006; and/or as "Posted by
Me" 1008. In addition, a "Post a New Film" tool 1010 can be
selected by the user to download new moving image content to the
web site. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the user can designate
various characteristics for a new film, for example, in an "About
This Film" section 1102, such as a title 1104 for the film and a
target location or file 1106 from which the film can be downloaded.
In a "Who Can View This Film?" section 1108, the user can specify
permissions for the film by restricting or permitting viewing
access to certain predesignated users, individuals or groups. In a
"Who Can Transcribe This Film?" section 1110 and a "Who Can
Translate This Film?" section 1112, the user can likewise specify
permissions for transcribing and/or translating the new film that
will be posted.
[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, a "Transcribe Film"
function 1202 may be selected that navigates the user to a
transcription tool 1302 which can be used to generate subtitles,
for example, in a certain language when a selected film 1204 is
played. As shown, as the film 1204 plays on screen 1304, the user
may enter text in fields 1306A-1306E which can be time-stamped in
corresponding time entry fields 1308A-1308E. For example, a user
may create a transcription of a film by entering text in fields
1306A-1306E which corresponds to what the user hears while the film
plays on the screen 1304. It can be appreciated that similar
functionality can also be employed to play a film in a first
language, for example, and then enter a translation of the first
language into a second language or additional languages. The user
may also press a "Reorder by Time" button 1310 to sort text entries
in the fields 1306A-1306E according to a chronological order
defined by the time stamp information contained in fields
1308A-1308E.
[0058] In various embodiments, the provider system 240 may be
configured to retrieve video content automatically from a video
podcast (e.g., www.rocketboom.com), for example, or another source
or web site containing video content, so that the retrieved video
content can be transcribed and/or translated in accordance with the
methods and systems described herein. For example, the provider
system 240 may be configured to retrieve new episodes of a video
program automatically to make the episodes available for
transcription and to alleviate the need for users to manually
upload the video content to the system 240.
[0059] The provider system 240 may be configured to allow users to
subscribe to various types of communication feeds (e.g., RSS feeds)
from the system 240. For example, a particular user may want to
receive all German-language videos once they have been translated.
In an example shown in the screen display 1401 of FIG. 14, a
"Subscribe (RSS)" function 1402 may be accessed by the user to
subscribe the user to receive content automatically in accordance
with one or more criteria currently being viewed or accessed
through the system 240. For example, in the example illustrated by
FIG. 14, selection of the "Subscribe (RSS)" button 1402 can be
configured to subscribe the user to receive all German-language
content from the system 240 once the content has been fully
translated.
[0060] In certain embodiments, the user may be able to select from
among various criteria in a user interface to specify parameters by
which automatic delivery of content will be executed the system
240. Such criteria may include, for example and without limitation,
language of content, genre of content, country of content, degree
of translation completeness for content, when content is posted
(e.g., the criteria may include delivering newly posted content),
and/or various other criteria.
[0061] In accordance with various embodiments described above, the
provider system 240 may be configured to automatically convert
moving image content into an MPEG4 video encoding format, for
example, or other suitable encoding formats employed by various
access devices, computer systems, or content players. For example,
the provider system 240 may be configured to render subtitles onto
video frames of the content once a predetermined degree of
translation completeness is achieved (e.g., 100% complete). In
certain embodiments, the encoded video files may be communicated
from the system 240 to users in accordance with the various RSS
feed processes described herein.
[0062] In the various embodiments described above, translated
and/or transcribed moving image content can be saved, deleted,
marked as complete, rendered into a specific file format (e.g.,
"Flash" format), rendered into a particular language or languages,
exported to an access device, embedded in a web page, stored on CD,
DVD, or other storage medium, and/or otherwise formatted for
communication in a variety of ways.
[0063] While several embodiments of the invention have been
described, it should be apparent, however, that various
modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodiments may
occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some or
all of the advantages of the invention. For example, it will be
appreciated that the method 10 can be adapted to allow for an audio
translation of the original dialog to be generated in a variety of
languages, stored, for example, in an MPEG format, and transmitted
as an audio stream to be presented concurrently with the moving
image content. This audio process may be utilized in lieu of or in
addition to the text rendering process described hereinabove. This
application is therefore intended to cover all such modifications,
alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and
spirit of the disclosed invention as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *
References