GB2362254A

GB2362254A - Identifying material

Info

Publication number: GB2362254A
Application number: GB0008420A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vince Carl Harradine; Alan Turner; Michael Williams
Original assignee: Sony United Kingdom Ltd
Current assignee: Sony Europe BV United Kingdom Branch
Priority date: 2000-04-05
Filing date: 2000-04-05
Publication date: 2001-11-14
Also published as: GB0008420D0

Abstract

A processor is provided for processing identifiers of video and/or audio material. The processor is for use with a video and/or audio material processing device. The device has a plurality of inputs for receiving respective pieces of material to be processed, the pieces having respective identifiers, and an output at which is output processed material, which is a combination of the input material. The processor is arranged to: detect the identifiers of the input material; determine the combination of the input material forming the output material; generate an identifier for the output material; and associate the identifier of the output material with the identifiers of the input material used to form the output material. There are also independent claims for the processor including a state output at which data defining the state of the device is output, and a claim to a computer program running on a processor.

Description

2362254 1-00-14 1 Identifying material The present invention relates to

processing identifiers of video and/or audio and/or data material. The present invention also relates to processing video and/or audio and/or data material which has identifiers associated with it.

It has been proposed to associate material identifiers with video and audio material. For example universally unique identifiers have been proposed to identify material to the accuracy of possibly one frame. An example of such an identifier is a UMID. Material, for example a take or clip, is preferably identified at the time it is first created. Such an identifier allows tracking and control of the material for the purposes of copyright protection, allowing the owner to bill others who use the material and many other functions in the production and distribution of video and audio material.

It is known to process (old) material in a way that effectively creates new material. For example two or more pieces of material may be combined in an editor or special effects machine to create a new piece of material.

As another example an event may be televised live with several cameras each producing material. In addition recorded material may be used for example for opening and closing credits. The final material which is broadcast or otherwise distributed to an audience is created by selecting and combining material from various one of the sources (cameras, recorders etc.) live.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processor for processing identifiers of video and/or audioand/or data material, the processor being for use with a video and/or audio and/or data material processing device, the device having plurality of inputs for receiving respective pieces of material to be processed, the pieces having respective identifiers, and an output at which is output processed material, which is a combination of the input material, and a state output at which data defining the state of the device is output; the processor being arranged to:

detect the identifiers of the input material; determine, from the state data, the combination of the input material forming the output material; generate an identifier for the output material; and associate the identifier of the output material with the identifiers of the input material used to form the output material.

1-00-14 2 Thus, the processor automatically detects identifiers in material input into a video and/or audio and /or data processing device, determines the identifiers.of the processed material output by the processing device, associates an identifier to the output processed material and associates the identifiers of the input material with the 5 identifier of the output material.

Some input material may not have an identifier. The processor preferably crenerates an identifier for such material so that it is processed in the same way as all the other material.

The identifier associated with the output material may be applied to the output material. The output identifier is stored in the database and linked to the relevant metadata in the database.

New identifiers may be generated for new sub-combinations of material which form part(s) of the final output material.

Another aspect of the invention provides a processor for processing video and/or audio material, the processor having plurality of inputs for receiving respective pieces of material to be processed, the pieces having respective identifiers, and an output at which is output processed material, which is a combination of the input material; the processor also being arranged to: detect the identifiers of the input material; determine from the state data the combination of the input material forming the output material; generate an identifier for the output material; and associate the identifier of the output material with the identifiers of the input material used to form the output material.

1-00-14 3 For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure I is a schematic block diagram of a video and/or audio signal processor coupled to a material identifier processor according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a video and audio production system; Figures 3) and 4 illustrate UMIDs; Figure 5 illustrates an example of a data structure of metadata in a database; Figures 6 to 12 illustrate an A-Box; Figures 13 to 18 illustrate a B-Box; and Figures 19 to 22 illustrate metadata.

The following description refers to the following:

Overview- which is described with reference to Figures I and 2; UMIDs which are described with reference to Figures 3 and 4; Metadata - which are described with reference to Figure 5, and also Figure 19 to 22; A Box - which is described with reference to Figures 6 to 12; and B Box - which is described with reference to Figures 13 to 18.

Overview- Fiaures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figure 1, a video and/or audio signal processor 400 has a plurality of inputs IN. For convenience of description, reference will be made in the following discussion only to video but it is to be appreciated that the principles of the invention may be applied to audio The processor may be a video switcher, a mixer, a special effects machine or any other processor. For ease of explanation, the following discussion refers to a mixer. The inputs IN of the mixer receive video material having UMIDs which are material identifiers and are described in the section UMIDs below. The mixer 400 combines material from selected ones of the inputs in known manner.

At the output OUT of the mixer, there is produced material which comprises: sequence of material selected from various ones of the inputs and sequentially 1-00-14 4 combined as by cutting and inserting; and/or material from two or more inputs which are non-sequentially combined such as one piece of material being inserted into frames of the other such as Picture-in- Picture; and/or other combinations known in the art. The processor 400 has a state data output 401. Such an output is provided on some known processors. It provides data indicating the manner in which signals are being combined and from which inputs they emanate for example.

Consider a simple example as follows. Inputs IN receive respective video inputs identified as a, b, c, d, e and f Inputs a, b, c and d emanate from live sources. Input e originates from a VTR and inputf is a feed from another production company.

Inputs a and b are combined so that b appears as a picture-in -picture in a. Inputs c and d are mixed with a dissolve at their junction so part of the result comprises both c and d.

Assume video items on inputs a to e are identified by UMIDs a to e, UMIDs a to c being embedded in the respective video signals a to e, and input f has no UMID.

The final output comprises a combination of a tof.

Rules are applied to give the final output a new UMID and to give UMIDs to sub-c ombi nations which are effectively new material. (The rules to be applied may be a matter of business policy and/or a matter to be agreed by standardisation organisations). It is desirable for many reasons to create an audit trail of the UMIDs and their relationships. The reasons include copyright protection and the payment of royalties, amongst others.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a UMID processor 403), herein referred to as a "-C-Box", is provided. The C-Box 403) creates the audit trail and applies the UMID application rules to the material processed by the video processor 400.

The C-Box 403 has inputs connected to respective inputs IN of the video processor 400. The C-Box has means which detects the UMIDs of e.g. input signals such as UMIDs a to e of inputs a to e. Inputf has no UMID so the C-Box applies a UMID f to it so that it can be processed in exactly the same way as the other inputs.

The C-Box has an emulator which receives the state data of the video processor via a connection 401 to mimic the actions thereof. The C-Box creates and applies the UMID 1-00-14 5 application rules appropriate to the combinations of material produced by the video processor. The C-Box has means which applies any new UMIDs to the processed video via a connection 402. The C-box thereby creates the audit trail.

The C-Box transfers the audit trail to a database 404/420 which may also store other metadata related by the UMIDs to the material processed by the video processor 400. Alternatively or additionally, the C-Box may insert the audit trail and optionally some metadata into the video signal, for instance into the vertical blanking interval.

Whilst the C-Box is shown as an addition to the video processor, it may be integral therewith.

Whilst Figure 1 shows the final video output is from the video processor, the final video output is preferably via the C-Box which applies the UMID to the final combination of input material.

The final combination of material broadcast to air may be allocated a Unique Programme Identifier (UPID) which universally uniquely identifies the full combination of material forming the programme.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative video and audio production system. Figure 2 illustrates the production of a programme which is broadcast to air and is formed of live material from cameras 408 and 409, recorded material from VTRs 411 and involves material processed by a Digital Multi Effects machine 415.

The programme material is assembled live from the various sources 408, 409, 411 and 415 by a router 413, a video switcher 400' which has a control Panel 414 and an audio console 400". A Monitor 416 is provided for monitoring various operations. A monitor 418 monitors, and a VTR 417 records, the programme broadcast to air. The VTR 417 may also have a B-Box 412 coupled to it and connecting it to the LAN. The B-Box may communicate to the metadata. base 404, a Tape ID of, and/or UMIDs of material on. the tape in the VTR 417 and/or other metadata. Thus the tape and its contents can be identified in the database.

The cameras have A-Boxes 4 10 and the VTRs 411 have B-Boxes 412. A C Box is associated with the video switcher4OO' and audio console 400". It has state A data inputs 40 1' and 401 "for receiving state data from the video switcher 400' and audio console 400". In this example, the final programme is fed to air from the C- 1-00-14 6 Box. The C-Box 4033 has a Control Application 403' comprising a computer 420, a feed meta database 404 and a state database 419. The feed metadata base takes the audit trail and other metadata and feeds it to a main database 420 via a communication link indicated by a dashed line 42 1.

The cameras 408 and 409 produce live video which is streamed to the router 4 13. UMIDs are embedded in the video streams. The UMIDs are produced by the A Boxes 410. The A-Boxes may also produce and/or gather metadata which is fed by, for example, a LAN to the metadata base 404 with the associated UMIDs. VTRs 411 reproduce recorded video which has UMIDs. The UMIDs are reproduced on playback and are in this example embedded in the video sent to the router 41 _3). Metadata may be recorded on the tape and also reproduced. The B-Boxes may be connected to the LAN.

The B-Boxes may transfer UMIDs of reproduced material together with any available metadata to the metadata base 404 via the LAN. If the recorded material has no UMIDs they may be applied by the B-Boxes 412.

The C box 403 detects the states of the audio console and the video switcher via the state data inputs 40 V and 401 " and emulates their states to create the audit trail of UMIDs. It also associates the final UMID and/or the UPID to the progranune sent to air. The C-Box may remove from the material all the UMIDs so the programme sent to air has no UMIDs and no UPID. In that case the final UMID and/or UPID are stored only in the metadata base 404 together with the metadata relating to the programme. If, for example, the final programme is fed to a recorder for storage and is not intended for immediate broadcast the UMIDs and UPID may be retained in the material, The C-Box 403 detects the UMIDs and transfers them to the metadata base 404. The metadata base 40' 3 contains metadata which may be as described with reference to Figures 5 and /or which may be as described with reference to Figures 19 to 22. The metadata may be accessible by users of the material. For example the metadata or preferably a selection of it may be inserted into the broadcast material as teletext inforination or the like. The metadata may be accessible to users via the LAN or by internet connection or other communication link.

1-00-14 7 Rules for applying and vgninR UMIDs and UPIDs.

The Tables 1 to 4 at the end of this description indicate some possible policies or rules for assigning UMIDs, and/or varying UMIDs by instance number I# and material number M# and label L#. In these Tables A= Audio, V= Video. In row 6 of table 3, A' and B' indicate a video material items, and NLE means Non Linear Editing. FX means 'effects'. V131 means Vertical Blanking Interval. SD means Standard Definition. HD means High Definition. As the Tables show the audit trail performed by the C-Box needs to track variants of UMIDs.

UMIDs- Figures 3 and 4 10 UMIDs A UMID is described in reference [2]. Referring to Figure 3, an extended UMID is shown. It comprises a first set of 32 bytes of basic UMID and a second set of 32 bytes of signature metadata.

The first set of 3:52 bytes is the basic UMID. The components are:

A 12-byte Universal Label to identify this as a SMPTE UMID. It defines the type of material which the UMID identifies and also defines the methods by which the globally unique Material and locally unique Instance numbers are created.

&A 1 -byte length value to define the length of the remaining part of the UMID.

&A 3-byte Instance number which is used to distinguish between different 'instances' of material with the same Material number.

A 16-byte Material number which is used to identify each clip. Each Material number is the same for related instances of the same material.

The second set of 32 bytes of the signature metadata as a set of packed metadata items used to create an extended UMID. The extended UMID comprises the basic UMID followed immediately by signature metadata which comprises:

An 8-byte time/date code identifying the time and date of the Content Unit creation.

A 12-byte value which defines the spatial co-ordinates at the time of Content Unit creation.

-50 3 groups of 4-byte codes which register the country, organisation and user codes 1-00-14 8 Each component of the basic and extended UMIDs will now be defined in turn.

The 12-byte Universal Label The first 12 bytes of the UMID provide identification of the UMID by the registered string value defined in table 1.

L_ Byte No. Description Value (hex)

Object Identifier 06h Label size OCh Designation: ISO 2Bh 4 Designation: SMPTE 34h Registry: Dictionaries 01h 6 Registry: Metadata Dictionaries 01h 7 Standard: Dictionary Number 01h 8 Version number 01h 9 Class: Identification and location Olh Sub-class: Globally Unique Identifiers 01h I I Type: UMID (Picture, Audio, Data, Group) 3 01,02,05,04h 12 Type: Number creation method YXh Table 1: Specification of the UMID Universal Label

The hex values in table 1 may be changed: the values given are examples. Also the bytes 1-12 may have designations other than those shown by way of example in the table. Referring to the Table 1. in the example shown byte 4 indicates that bytes 5-12 relate to a data format agreed by SMPTE. Byte 5 indicates that bytes 6 to 10 relate to '"dictionary" data. Byte 6 indicates that such data is "metadata" defined by bytes 7 to 10. Byte 7 indicates the part of the dictionary containing metadata defined by bytes 9 and 10. Byte 10 indicates the version of the dictionary. Byte 9 indicates the class of data and Byte 10 indicates a particular item in the class.

In the present embodiment bytes 1 to 10 have fixed preassigned values. Byte 11 is variable. Thus referring to Figure 4, and to Table 1 above, it will be noted that the bytes 1 to 10 of the label of the UMID are fixed. Therefore they may be replaced by a 1 byte 'Type' code T representing the bytes 1 to 10. The type code T is followed 1-00-14 9 by a length code L. That is followed by 2 bytes, one of which is byte I I of Table I and the other of which is byte 12 of Table 1, an instance number (3 bytes) and a material number (16 bytes). Optionally the material number may be followed by the signature metadata of the extended UMID and/or other metadata.

The UMID type (byte 11) has 4 separate values to identify each of 4 different data types as follows:

0 1 h' = UMID for Picture material 02h' = UMID for Audio material 03h' = UMID for Data material '04h' = UMID for Group material (i.e. a combination of related essence).

The last (12th) byte of the 12 byte label identifies the methods by which the material and instance numbers are created. This byte is divided into top and bottom nibbles where the top nibble defines the method of Material number creation and the bottom nibble defines the method of Instance number creation.

Length The Length is a 1-byte number with the value '13h' for basic UMIDs and '333h' for extended UMIDs.

Instance Number The Instance number is a unique 3-byte number which is created by one of several means defined by the standard. It provides the link between a particular 'instance' of a clip and externally associated metadata. Without this instance number, all material could be linked to any instance of the material and its associated metadata.

The creation of a new clip requires the creation of a new Material number together with a zero Instance number. Therefore, a non-zero Instance number indicates that the associated clip is not the source material. An Instance number is primarily used to identify associated metadata related to any particular instance of a clip.

Material Number The 16-byte Material number is a non-zero number created by one of several means identified in the standard. The number is dependent on a 6- byte registered port ID number, time and a random number generator.

Signature Metadata 1-00-14 10 Any component from the signature metadata may be null-filled where no meaningful value can be entered. Any null-filled component is wholly null- filled to clearly indicate a downstream decoder that the component is not valid.

The Time-Date Format The date-time format is 8 bytes where the first 4 bytes are a UTC (Universal Time Code) based time component. The time is defined either by an AES3 32- bit audio sample clock or SMPTE 12M depending on the essence type.

The second 4 bytes define the date based on the Modified Julian Data (MJD) as defined in SMPTE 309M. This counts up to 999,999 days after midnight on the 17th C1 November 1858 and allows dates to the year 4597.

The Spatial Co-ordinate Format The spatial co-ordinate value consists of three components defined as follows:

Altitude: 8 decimal numbers specifying up to 99,999,999 metres.

Longitude: 8 decimal numbers specifying East/West 180.00000 degrees (5 decimal places active).

Latitude: 8 decimal numbers specifying North/South 90.00000 degrees (5 decimal places active).

The Altitude value is expressed as a value in metres from the centre of the earth thus allowing altitudes below the sea level.

It should be noted that although spatial co-ordinates are static for most clips, this is not true for all cases- Material captured from a moving source such as a camera mounted on a vehicle may show changing spatial co-ordinate values.

Country Code The Country code is an abbreviated 4-byte alpha-numeric string according to the set defined in ISO 3166. Countries which are not registered can obtain a registered alpha-numeric string from the SMPTE Registration Authority.

Organisation Code The Organisation code is an abbreviated 4-byte alpha-numeric string registered C, r> with SMPTE. Organisation codes have meaning only in relation to their registered Country code so that Organisation codes can have the same value in different cl countries.

1-00-14 11 User Code The User code is a 4-byte alpha-numeric string assigned locally by each organisation and is not globally registered. User codes are defined in relation to their registered Organisation and Country codes so that User codes may have the same value in different organisations and countries.

Freelance Operators Freelance operators may use their country of domicile for the country code and use the Organisation and User codes concatenated to e.g. an 8 byte code which can be registered with SMPTE. These freelance codes may start with the '-' symbol ( ISO 8859 character number 7Eh) and followed by a registered 7 digit alphanumeric string.

Metadata -Figure 5 The following is provided, by way of example, to illustrate the possible types of metadata generated during the production of a programme, and one possible organisational approach to structuring that metadata.

Figure 5 illustrates an example structure for organising metadata. A number of tables each comprising a number of fields containing metadata are provided. The tables may be associated with each other by way of common fields within the respective tables, thereby providing a relational structure. Also, the structure may comprise a number of instances of the same table to represent multiple instances of the object that the table may represent. The fields may be formatted in a predetermined manner. The size of the fields may also be predetermined. Example sizes include "Int" which represents 2 bytes, "Long Irif' which represents 4 bytes and "Double" which represents 8 bytes. Alternatively, the size of the fields may be defined with reference to the number of characters to be held within the field such as, for example, 8, 10, 16, 32, 128, and 255 characters.

Turning to the structure in more detail, there is provided a Programme Table.

The Programme Table comprises a number of fields including Programme ID (PID), Title, Working Title, Genre ID, Synopsis, Aspect Ratio, Director ID and Picturestamp.

1-00-14 12 Associated with the Programme Table is a Genre Table, a Keywords Table, a Script Table, a People Table, a Schedule Table and a plurality of Media Object Tables. - The Genre Table comprises a number of fields including Genre ID, which is associated with the Genre ID field of the Programme Table, and Genre Description.

The Ke-vwords Table comprises a number of fields including Programme ID, which is associated with the Programme ID field of the Programme Table, Keyword ID and Keyword.

The Script Table comprises a number of fields including Script ID, Script

Name, Script Type, Document Format, Path, Creation Date, Original Author, Version, Last Modified, Modified By, PID associated with Programme ID and Notes. The People Table comprises a number of fields including Image.

The People Table is associated with a number of Individual Tables and a number of Group Tables. Each Individual Table comprises a number of fields including Image. Each Group Table comprises a number of fields including Image,

Each Individual Table is associated with either a Production Staff Table or a Cast Table.

The Production Staff Table comprises a number of fields including Production

Staff ID, Surname, Firstriame, Contract ID, Agent, Agency ID, E-mail, Address, Phone Number, Role ID, Notes, Allergies, DOB, National Insurance Number and Bank ID and Picture Stamp.

The Cast Table comprises a number of fields including Cast ID, Sumame,

Firstriame, Character Name, Contract ID, Agent, Agency ID, Equity Number, E-mail, Address, Phone Number, DOB and Bank ID and Picture Stamp. Associated with the Production Staff Table and Cast Table are a Bank Details Table and an Agency Table.

The Bank Details Table comprises a number of fields including Bank ID, which is associated with the Bank ID field of the Production Staff Table and the Bank

ID field of the Cast Table, Sort Code, Account Number and Account Name.

The Agency Table comprises a number of fields including Agency ID, which is associated with the Agency ID field of the Production Staff Table and the Agency ID field of the Cast Table, Name, Address, Phone Number, Web Site and E-mail and a

Picture Stamp. Also associated with the Production Staff Table is a Role Table.

1-00-14 13 The Role Table comprises a number of fields including Role ID, which is associated with the Role ID field of the Production Staff Table, Function and Notes and a Picture Stamp. Each Group Table is associated with an Organisation Table.

The Organisation Table comprises a number fields including Organisation ID, 5 Name, Type, Address, Contract ID, Contact Name, Contact Phone Number and Web Site and a Picture Stamp.

Each Media Object Table comprises a number of fields including Media Object ID, Name, Description, Picturestamp, PID, Format, schedule ID, script ID and Master ID. Associated with each Media Object Table is the People Table, a Master Table, a

Schedule Table, a Storyboard Table, a script table and a number of Shot Tables.

The Master Table comprises a number of fields including Master ID, which is associated with the Master ID field of the Media Object Table, Title, Basic UMID, EDL ID, Tape ID and Duration and a Picture Stamp.

The Schedule Table comprises a number of fields including Schedule ID,

Schedule Name, Document Format, Path, Creation Date, Original Author, Start Date, End Date, Version, Last Modified, Modified By and Notes and PID which is associated with the programme ID.

The contract table contains: a contract ID which is associated with the contract ID of the Production staff, cast, and organisation tables; commencement date, rate, job title, expiry date and details.

The Storyboard Table comprises a number of fields including Storyboard ID, which is associated with the Storyboard ID of the shot Table, Description, Author, Path and Media ID.

Each Shot Table comprises a number of fields including Shot ID, PID, Media

ID, Title, Location ID, Notes, Picturestamp, script ID, schedule ID, and description. Associated with each Shot Table is the People Table, the Schedule Table, script table, a Location Table and a number of Take Tables.

The Location Table comprises a number of fields including Location ID, which is associated with the Location ID field of the Shot Table, GPS, Address, Description,

Name, Cost Per Hour, Directions, Contact Name, Contact Address and Contact Phone Number and a Picture Stamp.

1-00-14 14 Each Take Table comprises a number of fields including Basic UMID, Take Number, Shot ID, Media ID, Timecode IN, Timecode OUT, Sign Metadata, Tape. ID, Camera ID, Head Hours, Videographer, IN Stamp, OUT Stamp. Lens ID, AUTOID ingest ID and Notes. Associated with each Take Table is a Tape Table, a Task Table, a 5 Camera Table, a lens table, an ingest table and a number of Take Annotation Tables.

The Ingest table contains an Ingest ID which is associated with the Ingest Id in the take table and a description.

The Tape Table comprises a number of fields including Tape ID, which is associated with the Tape ID field of the Take Table, PID, Format, Max Duration, First 10 Usage, Max Erasures, Current Erasure, ETA ( estimated time of arrival) and Last Erasure Date and a Picture Stamp.

The Task Table comprises a number of fields including Task ID, PID, Media ID, Shot ID, which are associated with the Media ID and Shot ID fields respectively of the Take Table, Title, Task Notes, Distribution List and CC List. Associated with the 15 Task Table is a Planned Shot Table.

The Planned Shot Table comprises a number of fields including Planned Shot

C ID, PID, Media ID, Shot ID, which are associated with the PID, Media IDand Shot ID respectively of the Task Table, Director, Shot Title, Location, Notes, Description,

Videographer, Due date, Programme title, media title Aspect Ratio and Fonnat.

The Camera Table comprises a number of fields including Camera ID, which is associated with the Camera ID field of the Take Table, Manufacturer, Model, Format,

Serial Number, Head Hours, Lens ID, Notes, Contact Name, Contact Address and Contact Phone Number and a Picture Stamp.

The Lens Table comprises a number of fields including Lens ID, which is associated with the Lens ID field of the Take Table, Manufacturer, Model, Serial

Number, Contact Name, Contact Address and Contact Phone Number and a Picture Stamp.

Each Take Annotation Table comprises a number of fields including Take

Annotation ID, Basic UMID, Timecode, Shutter Speed, Iris, Zoom, Gamma, Shot Marker ID, Filter Wheel, Detail and Gain. Associated with each Take Annotation Table is a Shot Marker Table.

1-00-14 15 The Shot Marker Table comprises a number of fields including Shot Marker ID, which is associated with the Shot Marker ID of the Take Annotation Table,and Description.

1-00-14 16 A Box- Fi-aures 6 to 12 Acquisition Unit Embodiments of the present invention relate to audio and/or video generation apparatus which may be for example television cameras, video cameras or camcorders.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 6 which provides a schematic block diagram of a video camera which is arranged to communicate to a personal digital assistant (PDA). A PDA is an example of a data processor which may be arranged in operation to generate metadata in accordance with I C, a user's requirements. The term personal digital assistant is known to those acquainted with the technical field of consumer electronics as a portable or hand held personal organiser or data processor which include an alpha numeric key pad and a hand writing interface.

In figure 6 a video camera 10 1 is shown to comprise a camera body 102 which is arranged to receive light from an image source falling within a field of view of an imaging arrangement 104 which may include one or more imaging lenses (not shown).

The camera also includes a view finder 106 and an operating control unit 108 from which a user can control the recording of signals representative of the images formed C, within the field of view of the camera. The camera 10 1 also includes a microphone which may be a plurality of microphones arranged to record sound in stereo. Also shown in figure 6 is a hand-held PDA 112 which has a screen 114 and an alphanumeric key pad 116 which also includes a portion to allow the user to write characters recognised by the PDA. The PDA 112 is arranged to be connected to the video camera 10 1 via an interface I I S. The interface 118 is arranged in accordance with a predetermined standard format such as, for example an RS232 or the like. The interface 118 may also be effected using infra-red signals, whereby the interface 118 is a wireless communications link. The interface 118 provides a facility for communicating information with the video camera 101. The function and purpose of the PDA 112 will be explained in more detail shortly. However in general the PDA 1-00-14 17 112 provides a facility for sending and receiving metadata generated using the PDA 112 and which can be recorded with the audio and video signals detected and captured by the video camera 1. A better understanding of the operation of the video camera 101 in combination with the PDA 112 may be gathered from figure 7 which shows a more detailed representation of the body 102 of the video camera which is shown in figure 6 and in which common parts have the same numerical designations.

In figure 7 the camera body 102 is shown to comprise a tape drive 122 having read/write heads 124 operatively associated with a magnetic recording tape 126. Also shown in figure 7 the camera body includes a metadata generation processor 128 coupled to the tape drive 122 via a connecting channel 130. Also connected to the metadata generation processor 128 is a data store 132, a clock 136 and three sensors 138, 140, 142. The interface unit 118 sends and receives data also shown in figure 7 via a wireless channel 119. Correspondingly two connecting channels for receiving and transmitting data respectively, connect the interface unit 118 to the metadata generation processor 128 via corresponding connecting channels 148 and 150. The metadata generation processor is also shown to receive via a connecting channel 151 the audio/video signals generated by the camera. The audio/video signals are also fed to the tape drive 122 to be recorded on to the tape 126.

The video camera 110 shown in figure 6 operates to record visual information falling within the field of view of the lens arrangement 104 onto a recording medium. The visual information is converted by the camera into video signals. In combination, the visual images are recorded as video signals with accompanying sound which is detected by the microphone 101 and arranged to be recorded as audio signals on the recording medium with the video signals. As shown in figure 6, the recording medium is a magnetic tape 126 which is arranged to record the audio and video signals onto the recording tape 126 by the read/write heads 124. The arrangement by which the video signals and the audio signals are recorded by the read/write heads 124 onto the magnetic tape 126 is not shown in figure 7 and will not be further described as this does not provide any greater illustration of the example embodiment of the present invention. However once a user has captured visual images and recorded these images using the magnetic tape 126 as with the accompanying audio signals, metadata 1-00-14 18 describing the content of the audio/video signals may be input using the PDA 112. As will be explained shortly this metadata can be information that identifies. the audio/video signals in association with a pre-planned event, such as a 'take'. As shown in figure 7 the interface unit 118 provides a facility whereby the metadata added by the user using the PDA 112 may be received within the camera body 102. Data signals may be received via the wireless channel 119 at the interface unit 118. The interface unit 118 serves to convert these signals into a form in which they can be processed by the acquisition processor 128 which receives these data signals via the connecting channels 148, 150.

Metadata is generated automatically by the metadata generation processor 128 in association with the audio/video signals which are received via the connecting channel 151. In the example embodiment illustrated in figure 7, the metadata generation processor 128 operates to generate time codes with reference to the clock n 136, and to write these time codes on to the tape 126 in a linear recording track provided for this purpose. The time codes are formed by the metadata generation processor 128 from the clock 136. Furthermore, the metadata generation processor 128 forms other metadata automatically such as a UMID, which identifies uniquely the audio/video signals. The metadata generation processor may operate in combination with the tape driver 124, to write the UMID on to the tape with the audio/video signals.

In an alternative embodiment, the UMID, as well as other metadata may be stored in the data store 1332 and communicated separately from the tape 126. In this case, a tape ID is generated by the metadata generation processor 128 and written on to the tape 126, to identify the tape 126 from other tapes.

In order to generate the UMID, and other metadata identifying the contents of the audio/video signals, the metadata generation processor 128 is arranged in operation to receive signals from other sensor 138, 140, 142, as well as the clock 136. The metadata generation processor therefore operates to co-ordinate these signals and provides the metadata generation processor with metadata such as the aperture setting C of the camera lens 104, the shutter speed and a signal received via the control unit 108 C1 to indicate that the visual images captured are a "good shot". These signals and data are generated by the sensors 138, 140, 142 and received at the metadata cleneration tn t> 1-00-14 19 processor 128. The metadata generation processor in the example embodiment is arranged to produce syntactic metadata which provides operating parameters which are used by the camera in generating the video signals. Furthermore the metadata generation processor 128 monitors the status of the camcorder 101, and in particular whether audio/video signals are being recorded by the tape drive 124. When RECORD START is detected the IN POINT time code is captured and a UMID is generated in correspondence with the IN POINT time code. Furthermore in some embodiments an extended UMID is generated, in which case the metadata generation processor is arranged to receive spatial co-ordinates which are representative of the location at which the audio/video signals are acquired. The spatial co- ordinates may be generated by a receiver which operates in accordance with the Global Positioning System (GPS). The receiver may be external to the camera, or may be embodied within the camera body 102.

When RECORD START is detected, the OUT POINT time code is captured by the metadata generation processor 128. As explained above, it is possible to generate a "good shof' marker. The "good shof' marker is generated during the recording process, and detected by the metadata generation processor. The "good shof' marker is then either stored on the tape, or within the data store 1 2, with the corresponding IN POINT and OUT POINT time codes.

As already indicated above, the PDA 112 is used to facilitate identification of the audio/video material generated by the camera. To this end, the PDA is arranged to associate this audio/video material with pre-planned events such as scenes, shots or takes. The camera and PDA shown in figures 6 and 7 form part of an integrated system for planning, acquiring, editing an audio/video production. During a planning phase, the scenes which are required in order to produce an audio/video production are identified. Furthermore for each scene a number of shots are identified which are required in order to establish the scene. Within each shot, a number of takes may be generated and from these takes a selected number may be used to form the shot for the final edit. The planning information in this form is therefore identified at a planning stage. Data representing or identifying each of the planned scenes and shots is therefore loaded into the PDA 112 along with notes which will assist the director when 1-00-14 the audio/video material is captured. An example of such data is shown in the table below.

AJV Production News story: BMW disposes of Rover Scene ID: 900015689 Outside Longbridge Shot5000000199 Longbridge BMW Sign Shot50000002OO --Workers Leaving shift Shot500000020I Workers in car park Scene ID: 900015690 BMW HQ Munich Shot50000002O2 Press conference Shot50000002033 Outside BMW building Scene ID: 900015691 Interview with minister Shot50000002O4 Interview In the first column of the table below the event which will be captured by the camera and for which audio/video material will be generated is shown. Each of the events which is defined in a hierarchy is provided with an identification number.

Correspondingly, in the second column notes are provided in order to direct or remind the director of the content of the planned shot or scene. For example, in the first row the audio/video production is identified as being a news story, reporting the disposal of Rover by BMW. In the extract of the planning information shown in the table below, there are three scenes, each of which is provided with a unique identification number. Each of these scenes are "Outside Long Bridge", "BMW HQ Munich" and "Interview with Minister". Correspondingly for each scene a number of shots are identified and these are shown below each of the scenes with a unique shot identification number.

Notes corresponding to the content of each of these shots are also entered in the second column. So, for example, for the first scene "Outside Long Bridge", three shots are identified which are "Long Bridge BMW", "Workers leaving shift" and "Workers in car park". With this information loaded onto the PDA, the director or indeed a single camera man may take the PDA out to the place where the new story is to be shot, so that the pianned audio/video material can be gathered. An illustration of the form of the PDA with the graphical user interface displaying this information is shown in 1-00-14 21 figure 8.

As indicated in figure 6, the PDA 112 is arranged to communicate data to, the camera 111. To this end the metadata generation processor 128 is arranged to communicate data with the PDA 112 via the interface 118. The interface 118 maybe for example an infra-red link 119 providing wireless communications in accordance with a known standard. The PDA and the parts of the camera associated with generating metadata which are shown in figure 7 are shown in more detail in figure 9.

In figure 9 the parts of the camera which are associated with generating metadata and communicating with the PDA 112 are shown in a separate acquisition unit 152. However it will be appreciated that the acquisition unit 152 could also be embodied within the camera 102. The acquisition unit 152 comprises the metadata generation processor 128, and the data store 132. The acquisition processor 152 also includes the clock 11336 and the sensors 138, 140, 142 although for clarity these are not shown in figure 9. Alternatively, some or all of these features which are shown in figure 7 will be embodied within the camera 102 and the signals which are required to define the metadata such as the time codes and the audio/video signals themselves may be communicated via a communications link 153 which is coupled to an interface port 154. The metadata generation processor 128 is therefore provided with access to the time codes and the audio/video material as well as other parameters used in generating the audio/video material. Signals representing the time codes end parameters as well as the audio/video signals are received from the interface port 154 via the interface channel 156. The acquisition unit 152 is also provided with a screen (not shown) which is driven by a screen driver 158. Also shown in figure 9 the acquisition unit is provided with a communications processor 160 which is coupled to the metadata generation processor 128 via a connecting channel 162. Communications is effected by the communications processor 160 via a radio frequency communications channel using the antennae 164. A pictorial representation of the acquisition unit 152 is shown in figure 10.

The PDA 112 is also shown in figure 9. The PDA 112 is correspondingly provided with an infra-red communications port 165 for communicating data to and from the acquisition unit 152 via an infra-red link 119. A data processor 166 within 1-00-14 22 the PDA 112 is arranged to communicate data to and from the infra-red port 165 via a connecting channel 166. The PDA 112 is also provided with a data store 167 and a screen driver 168 which are connected to the data processor 166.

The pictorial representation of the PDA 112 shown in figure 8 and the acquisition unit shown in figure 10 provide an illustration of an example embodiment of the present invention. A schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement and connection of the PDA 112 and the acquisition unit 152 is shown in figure 11. In the example shown in figure I I the acquisition unit 152 is mounted on the back of a camera 101 and coupled to the camera via a six pin remote connector and to a connecting channel conveying the external signal representative of the time code recorded onto the recording tape. Thus, the six pin remote connector and the time code indicated as arrow lines forrn the communications channel 153 shown in figure 9. The interface port 154 is shown in figure I I to be a VA to DN I conversion comprising an RM-P9/LTC to RS422 converter 154, RM-P9 is a camera remote control protocol, whereas LTC is Linear Time Code in the form of an analogue signal. This is arranged to conununicate with a RS422 to RS232 converter 154" via a connecting channel which forms part of the interface port 154. The converter 154" then communicates with the metadata generation processor 128 via the connecting channel 156 which operates in accordance with the RS 232 standard.

Returning to figure 9, the PDA 112 which has been loaded with the pre planned production information is arranged to communicate the current scene and shot for which audio/video material is to be generated by communicating the next shot ID number via the infra-red link 119. The pre-planned information may also have been communicated to the acquisition unit 152 and stored in the data store 132 via a separate link or via the infra-red communication link 119. However in effect the acquisition unit 152 is directed to generate metadata in association with the scene or shot ID number which is currently being taken. After receiving the information of the current shot the camera 102 is then operated to make a "take of the shot". The audio/video material of the take is recorded onto the recording tape 126 with corresponding time codes. These time codes are received along with the audio/video material via the interface port 154 at the metadata generation processor 128. The 1-00-14 23 metadata generation processor 128 having been informed of the current pre- planned shot now being taken logs the time codes for each take of the shot. The metadata generation processor therefore logs the IN and OUT time codes of each take and stores these in the data store 13 2.

The information generated and logged by the metadata generation processor 128 is shown in the table below. In the first column the scene and shot are identified with the corresponding ID numbers, and for each shot several takes are made by the camera operator which are indicated in a hierarchical fashion. Thus, having received information from the PDA 112 of the current shot, each take made by the camera operator is logged by the metadata generation processor 128 and the IN and OUT points for this take are shown in the second and third columns and stored in the data store 1-33 2. This information may also be displayed on the screen of the acquisition unit 152 as shown in figure 5. Furthermore, the metadata generation processor 128 as already explained generates the UMID for each take for the audio/video material generated during the take. The UMID for each take forms the fourth column of the table. Additionally, in some embodiments, to provide a unique identification of the tape once which the material is recorded, a tape identification is generated and associated with the metadata. The tape identification may be written on to the tape, or stored on a random access memory chip which is embodied within the video tape cassette body. This random access memory chip is known as a TELEFILE (RTM) system which provides a facility for reading the tape ID number remotely. The tape ID is written onto the magnetic tape 126 to uniquely identify this tape. In preferred embodiments the TELEFILE (RTM) system is provided with a unique number which manufactured as part of the memory and so can be used as the tape ID number. In other embodiments the TELEFILE (RTM) system provides automatically the MOUT time codes of the recorded audio/video material items.

In one embodiment the information shown in the table below is arranged to be recorded onto the magnetic tape in a separate recording channel. However, in other embodiments the metadata shown in the table is communicated separately from the tape 126 using either the communications processor 160 or the infra-red link 119. The metadata maybe received by the PDA 112 for analysis and may be further 1-00-14 24 communicated by the PDA.

Scene ID: 900015689 Tape ID: 00001 UMID:

Shot5000000199 Take 1 IN: 00:03:45:29 OUT: 00:04:21:05 060C23B340 Take 2 IN: 00:04:21:20 OUT: 00:04:28:15 060C23B340 Take 3 3 IN: 00:04:28:20 OUT: 00:05:44:05 060C23B3340 Shot5000000200 Take 1 IN: 00:05:44:10 OUT: 00:08:22:05 060C23B340 Take 2 IN: 00:08:22:10 OUT: 00:08:23:05 060C23B340 The communications processor 160 may be arranged in operation to transmit the metadata generated by the metadata generation processor 128 via a wireless communications link. The metadata maybe received via the wireless communications link by a remotely located studio which can then acquire the metadata and process this metadata ahead of the audio/video material recorded onto the magnetic tape 126. This provides an advantage in improving the rate at which the audio/video production may be generated during the post production phase in which the material is edited.

A further advantageous feature provided by embodiments of the present invention is an arrangement in which a picture stamp is generated at certain temporal positions within the recorded audio/video signals. A picture stamp is known to those skilled in the art as being a digital representation of an image and in the present example embodiment is generated from the moving video material generated by the camera. The picture stamp may be of lower quality in order to reduce an amount of data required to represent the image from the video signals. Therefore the picture stamp may be compression encoded which may result in a reduction in quality.

However a picture stamp provides a visual indication of the content of the audio/video material and therefore is a valuable item of metadata. Thus, the picture stamp may for example be generated at the IN and OUT time codes of a particular take. Thus, the picture stamps may be associated with the metadata generated by the metadata generation processor 128 and stored in the data store 132, The picture stamps are I - 1-00-14 25 therefore associated with items of metadata such as, for example, the time codes which identify the place on the tape where the image represented by the picture stamp is recorded. The picture stamps may be generated with the "Good Shot" markers. The picture stamps are generated by the metadata generation processor 128 from the audio/video signals received via the communications link 153. The metadata generation processor therefore operates to effect a data sampling and compression encoding process in order to produce the picture stamps. Once the picture stamps have been generated they can be used for several purposes. They may be stored in a data file and communicated separately from the tape 126, or they may be stored on the tape 126 in compressed form in a separate recording channel. Alternatively in preferred embodiments picture stamps may be communicated using the communications processor 160 to the remotely located studio where a producer may analysis the picture stamps. This provides the producer with an indication as to whether the audio/video material generated by the camera operator is in accordance with what is required.

In a yet further embodiment, the picture stamps are communicated to the PDA 112 and displayed on the PDA screen. This may be effected via the infra- red port 119 or the PDA may be provided with a further wireless link which can communicate with the communications processor 160. In this way a director having the hand held PDA 112 is provided with an indication of the current audio/video content generated by the camera. This provides an immediate indication of the artist and aesthetic quality of the audio/video material currently being generated. As already explained the picture stamps are compression encoded so that they may be rapidly communicated to the PDA.

A further advantage of the acquisition unit 152 shown in figure 9 is that the editing process is made more efficient by providing the editor at a remotely located studio with an indication of the content of the audio/video material in advance of receiving that material. This is because the picture stamps are communication with the metadata via a wireless link so that the editor is provided with an indication of the content of the audio/video material in advance of receiving the audio/video material itself. In this way the bandwidth of the audio/video material can remain high with a correspondingly high quality whilst the metadata and picture stamps are at a relatively 1-00-14 26 low band width providing relatively low quality information. As a result of the low band width the metadata and picture stamps may be conununicated via a wireless link on a considerably lower band width channel. This facilitates rapid communication of the metadata describing content of the audio/video material.

The picture stamps generated by the metadata generation processor 128 can be at any point during the recorded audio/video material. In one embodiment the picture stamps are generated at the IN and OUT points of each take. However in other embodiments of the present invention as an activity processor 170 is arranged to detect relative activity within the video material. This is effected by performing a process in which a histogram of the colour components of the images represented by the video signal is compiled and the rate of chan e of the colour components determined and =I 9 changes in these colour components used to indicate activity within the image.

Alternatively or in addition, motion vectors within the image are used to indicate activity. The activity processor 176 then operates to generate a signal indicative of the relative activity within the video material. The metadata generation processor 128 then operates in response to the activity signal to generate picture stamps such more picture stamps are generated for greater activity within the images represented by the video CY signals.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the activity processor 170 is arranged to receive the audio signals via the connecting channel 172 and to recognise speech within the audio signals. The activity processor 170 then generates content data representative of the content of this speech as text. The text data is then communicated to the data processor 128 which may be stored in the data store 132 or communicated with other metadata via the communications processor 160 in a similar way to that already explained for the picture stamps.

Figure 12 provides a schematic representation of a post production process in which the audio/video material is edited to produce an audio/video program. As shown in figure 12 the metadata, which may include picture stamps and/or the speech content information is communicated from the acquisition unit 152 via a separate route represented by a broken line 174, to a metadata database 176. The route 174 may be representative of a wireless communications link formed by for example UMTS, GSM 1-00-14 27 or the like.

The database 176 stores metadata to be associated with the audio/video material. The audio/video material in high quality form is recorded onto the tape 126.

Thus the tape 126 is transported back to the editing suite where it is ingested by an ingestion processor 178. The tape identification (tape ID) recorded onto the tape 126 or other metadata providing an indication of the content of the audio/video material is used to associate the metadata stored in the data store 176 with the audio/video material on the tape as indicated by the broken line 180.

As will be appreciated although the example embodiment of the present invention uses a video tape as the recording medium for storing the audio/video signals, it will be understood that alternative recording medium such as magnetic disks and random access memories may also be used.

1-00-14 28 B Box FisZures 13 to 18 B-Box Figure 133 provides a schematic representation of a post production process in which the audio/video material is edited to produce an audio/video program. As shown in figure 1-33 the metadata, which may include picture stamps and/or the speech content information is communicated from the acquisition unit 152 via aseparate route represented by a broken line 174, to a metadata database 176. The route 174 may be representative of a wireless communications link formed by for example UMTS, GSM or the like.

Thus the tape 126 is transported back to the editing suite where it is ingested by an ingestion processor 178. The tape identification (tape ID) recorded onto the tape 126 or other metadata providing an indication of the content of the audio/video material is used to associate the metadata stored in the data store 176 with the audio/video material on the tape as indicated by the broken line 180, The ingestion processor 178 is also shown in Figure 1.33 to be connected to a Z_ -)0 network formed from a conununications channel represented by a connecting line 182. The connecting line 182 represents a communications channel for communicating data to items of equipment, which form an inter- connected network. To this end, these items of equipment are provided with a network card which may operate in accordance with a known access technique such as Ethernet, RS422 and the like. Furthermore, as will be explained shortly, the communications network 182 may also provide data communications in accordance with the Serial Digital Interface (SDI) or the Serial Digital Transport Interface (SDTI).

Also shown connected to the communications network 182 is the metadata database 176, and an audio/video server 190, into which the audio/video material is ingested. Furthermore, editing terminals 184, 186 are also connected to- the 1-00-14 29 communications channel 182 along with a digital multi-effects processor 188.

The communications network 182 provides access to the audio/video material present on tapes, discs or other recording media which are loaded into the ingestion processor 178.

The metadata database 176 is arranged to receive metadata via the route 174 describing the content of the audio/video material recorded on to the recording media loaded into the ingestion processor 178.

As will be appreciated although in the example embodiment a video tape has been used as the recording medium for storing the audio/video signals, it will be understood that alternative recording media such as magnetic disks and random access memories may also be used, and that video tape is provided as an illustrative example only.

The editing terminals 184, 186 digital multi-effects processor 188 are provided with access to the audio/video material recorded on to the tapes loaded into the ingestion processor 178 and the metadata describing this audio/video material stored in the metadata database 176 via the communications network 182. The operation of the ingestion processor with 178 in combination with the metadata database 176 will now be described in more detail.

Figure 14 provides an example representation of the ingestion processor 178.

In Figure 14 the ingestion processor 178 is shown to have a jog shuttle control 200 for navigating through the audio/video material recorded on the tapes loaded into video tape recorders/reproducers forming part of the ingestion processor 178. The ingestion processor 178 also includes a display screen 202 which is arranged to display picture stamps which describe selected parts of the audio/video material. The display screen 202 also acts as a touch screen providing a user with the facility for selecting the audio/video material by touch. The ingestion processor 178 is also arranged to display all types of metadata on the screen 202 which includes script, camera type, lens types and UMIDs.

As shown in Figure 15, the ingestion processor 178 may include a plurality of video tape recorders/reproducers into which the video tapes onto which the audio/video material is recorded may be loaded in parallel. In the example shown in 1-00-14 30 figure 15, the video tape recorders 204 are connected to the ingestion processor 178 via an RS422 link and an SDI IN/OUT link. The ingestion processor 178 therefore represents a data processor which can access any of the video tape recorders 204 in order to reproduce the audio/video material from the video tapes loaded into the video tape recorders. Furthermore, the ingestion processor 178 is provided with a network card in order to access the communications network 182. As will be appreciated from Figure 15 however, the communications channel 182 is comprised of a relatively low band width data communications channel 182' and a high band width SDI channel 182" for use in streaming video data. Correspondingly, therefore the ingestion processor 178 is connected to the video tape recorders 204 via an RS422 link in order communicate requests for corresponding items of audio/video material. Having requested these items of audio/video material, the audio/video material is conu-nunicated back to the ingestion processor 178 via an SDI conununication link 206 for distribution via the SDI network. The requests may for example include the UMID which uniquely identifies the audio/video material item(s).

The operation of the ingestion processor in association with the metadata database 176 will now be explained with reference to figure 16. In figure 16 the metadata database 176 is shown to include a number of items of metadata 210 associated with a particular tape ID 212. As shown by the broken line headed arrow 214, the tape ID 212 identifies a particular video tape 216, on which the audio/video material corresponding to the metadata 210 is recorded. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 16, the tape ID 212 is written onto the video tape 218 in the linear time code area 220. However it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the tape ID could be written in other places such as the vertical blanking portion. The video tape 216 is loaded into one of the video tape recorders 204 forming part of the ingestion processor 178.

In operation one of the editing ten-ninals 184 is arranged to access the metadata database 176 via the low band width communications channel 182' the editing terminal 184 is therefore provided with access to the metadata 210 describing the content of the audio/video material recorded onto the tape 216. The metadata 210 may include such as the copyright owner "BSkyB", the resolution of the picture and the format in which 1-00-14 31 the video material is encoded, the name of the program, which is in this case "Grandstand", and information such as the date, time and audience. Metadata may further include a note of the content of the audio/video material.

Each of the items of audio/video material is associated with a UMID, which idenifies the audio/video material. As such, the editing terminal 184 can be used to identify and select ftom the metadata 210 the items of audio/video material which are required in order to produce a program. This material may be identified by the UMID associated with the material. In order to access the audio/video material to produce the program, the editing terminal 184 communicates a request for this material via the low band width communications network 182. The request includes the UMID or the UMIDs identifying the audio/video material item(s). In response to the request for audio/video material received from the editing terminal 184, the ingestion processor 178 is arranged to reproduce selectively these audio/video material items identified by the UMID or U1VIII)s from the video tape recorder into which the video cassette 216 is loaded. This audio/video material is then streamed via the SDI network 18T' back to the editing terminal 184 to be incorporated into the audio/video production being edited. The streamed audio/video material is ingested into the audio/video server 190 from where the audio/video can be stored and reproduced.

Figure 17 provides an alternative arrangement in which the metadata 210 is recorded onto a suitable recording medium with the audio/video material. For example the metadata 210 could be recorded in one of the audio tracks of the video tape 218'.

Alternatively, the recording medium may be an optical disc or magnetic disc allowing random access and providing a greater capacity for storing data. In this case the metadata 210 may be stored with the audio/video material.

In a yet further arrangement, some or all of the metadata may be recorded onto the tape 216. This may be recorded, for example, into the linear recording track of the tape 218. Some metadata related to the metadata recorded onto the tape may be conveyed separately and stored in the database 176. A further step is required in order to ingest the metadata and to this end the ingestion processor 178 is arranged to read 0 the metadata from the recording medium 218' and convey the metadata via the communications network 182' to the metadata database 176. Therefore, it will be 1-00-14 3) 2 appreciated that the metadata associated with the audio/video material to be ingested by the ingestion processor 178 may be ingested into the database 176 via a separate medium or via the recording medium on which the audio/video material is also recorded.

The metadata associated with the audio/video material may also include picture stamps which represent low quality representations of the images at various points throughout the video material. These may be presented at the touch screen 202 on the ingestion processor 178. Furthermore these picture stamps may be conveyed via the network 182' to the editing terminals 184, 186 or the effects processor 188 to provide an indication of the content of the audio/video material. The editor is therefore provided with a pictorial representation for the audio/video material and from this a selection of an audio/video material items may be made. Furthermore, the picture stamp may stored in the database 176 as part of the metadata 210. The editor may therefore retreive a selected item for the corresponding picture stamp using the UMID which is associated with the picture stamp.

In other embodiments of the invention, the recording medium may not have sufficient capacity to include picture stamps recorded with the audio/video material.

This is likely to be so if the recording medium is a video tape 216. It is particularly appropnate in this case, although not exclusively so, to generate picture stamps before or during ingestion of the audio/video material.

Returning to figure 13), in other embodiments, the ingestion processor 178 may include a pre-processing unit. The pre-processing unit embodied within the ingestion processor 178 is arranged to receive the audio/video material recorded onto the recording medium which, in the present example is a video tape 126. To this end, the pre-processing unit may be provided with a separate video recorder/reproducer or may be combined with the video tape recorder/reproducer which forrns part of the ingestion processor 178. The pre-processing unit generates picture stamps associated with the audio/video material. As explained above, the picture stamps are used to provide a pictorial representation of the content of the audio/video material items. However in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention the pre- processing unit operates to process the audio/video material and generate an activity indicator 1-00-14 33 representative of relative activity within the content of the audio/video material. This may be achieved for example using a processor which operates to generate an acti.vity signal in accordance with a histogram of colour components within the images represented by the video signal and to generate the activity signals in accordance with a rate of change of the colour histogram components. The pre-processing unit then operates to generate a picture stamp at points throughout the video material where there are periods of activity indicated by the activity signal. This is represented in Figure 18. In Figure 18a picture stamps 224 are shown to be generated along a line 226 which is representing time within the video signal. As shown in figure 18a the picture stamps 224 are generated at times along the time line 226 where the activity signal represented as arrows 228 indicates events of activity. This might be for example someone walking into and out of the field of view of the camera where there is a great deal of motion represented by the video signal. To this end, the activity signal may also be generated using motion vectors which may be, for example, the motion vectors generated in accordance with the MPEG standard.

In other embodiments of the invention, the pre-processor may generate textual information corresponding to speech present within the audio signal forming part of the audio/video material items stored on the tape 126. The textual infori- nation may be generated instead of the picture stamps or in addition to the picture stamps. In this case, text may be generated for example for the first words of sentences and/or the first activity of a speaker. This is detected from the audio signals present on the tape recording or forming part of the audio/video material. The start points where text is to be generated is represented along the time line 226 as arrows 2_330. Alternatively the text could be generated at the end of sentences or indeed at other points of interest within the speech.

At the detected start of the speech, a speech processor operates to generate a textual representation of the content of the speech. To this end, the time line 226 shown in Figure l8b is shown to include the text 232 corresponding to the content of the speech at the start of activity periods of speech.

The picture stamps and textual representation of the speech activity generated by the pre-processor is communicated via the communications channel 182 to the 1-00-14 3 4 metadata database 176 and stored. The picture stamps and text are stored in association with the UMID identifying the corresponding items of audio/video material from which the picture stamps 224 and the textual information 232 were generated.

This therefore provides a facility to an editor operating one of the editing terminals 184, 186 to analyse the content of the audio/video material before it is ingested using the ingestion processor 178. As such the video tape 126 is loaded into the ingestion C1 processor 178 and thereafter the audio/video material can be accessed via the network communications channel 182. The editor is therefore provided with an indication, very rapidly, of the content of the audio/video material and so may ingest only those parts of the material, which are relevant to the particular material items required by the editor.

This has a particular advantage in improving the efficiency with which the editor may produce an audio/video production.

In an alternative embodiment, the pre-processor may be a separate unit and may be provided with a screen on which the picture stamps and/or text information are displayed, and a means such as, for example, a touch screen, to provide a facility for selecting the audio/video material items to be ingested.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the ingestion processor 178 generates metadata items such as UMIDs whilst the audio/video material is being ingested. This may required because the acquisition unit in the camera 152 is not arranged to generate UMIDs, but does generate a Unique Material Reference Number (MURN). The MURN is generated for each material item, such as a take. The MURN is arranged to be considerably shorter than a UMID and can therefore be accorrunodated within the linear time code of a video tape, which is more difficult for UMIDs because these are larger. Alternatively the MURN may be written into a TELEFILE (RTM) label of the tape. The MURN provides a unique identification of the audio/video material items present on the tape. The MURNs may be communicated separately to the database 176 as indicated by the line 174.

At the ingestion processor 178, the MURN for the material items are recovered from the tape or the TELEFILE label. For each MURN, the ingestion processor 178 operates to generate a UMID corresponding to the MURN. The UMIDs are then communicated with the MURN to the database 176, and are ingested into the database c 1-00-14 35 in association with the MURNs, which may be already present within the database 176.

1-00-14 3 6 Metadata over-view Fiaures 19 to 22 Metadata -an Overview Figures Figure 19 illustrates a small proportion of the metadata which may be produced in the creation and transmission of a programme such as horse racing; Figure 20 is a simplified schematic illustration of a layered metadata structure; Figure 21 illustrates two ways of storing metadata within a system which produces and/or distributes audio and/or video data; and Figure 22 is a basic illustration of where audio and video may be stored on video tape.

Metadata Overview.

For the purposes of this discussion, "material" is video and audio information for example a video programme recorded on a video tape. Metadata is the data and information that is created and used during the lifecycle of material production and distribution. It includes for example:-edia content identification Copyright Programme planning z:' Scripts (lighting, anchor-man, camera rD Edit decisions 0 Contracts (Cast, Commissioning, Sales, Transmission rights) Systems Layers Compression format/rate, EPG Other data and information relevant to material Manual annotations or automatic annotations of material UMIDs and other identifiers. UMIDs are described in the section 'UMIDs'.

They are unique material idntifiers which are used in embodiments of the present invention to bind the materail to the metadata.

1-00-14 37 Media includes tape, disc and other media on which information can be recorded.

Referring to Figure 19, Figure 19 illustrates a small proportion of the metadata which may be produced in the creation and transmission of a programme such as horse 5 racing.

The metadata includes data which may be produced during planning of the programme and before the making of the programme such as Identification and Ownership data and Business, Planning and Contracts data.

It also includes data produced during and after the making of the programme such as Material/Instance parameters, Edit Decisions, and technical data such as resolution and focal length, and location. By way of explanation: a material number identifies an original clip; and an Instance number identifies a version or copy of the original clip. Thus instance 0 is the original clip and instance 1 is the first copy.

The metadata also includes data created after the transmission of the programme such as the Transmission and Audience data and Catalogue data.

Figure 19 illustrates only some examples of metadata. Other examples include information required for digital video broadcast transmission such as compression type and rate. Yet other examples of metadata are given in the section Camera Metadata.

Metadata Uses Table 1 identifies an extremely simplified view of some metadata. It lists where the data is created within the production chain, and where it is used.

1-00-14 3 8 Pre- Production Sale and Transmission Archival Production Production Plan and Editorial Planning Acquiseon Content Creation Sale Packaging Delivery Payments CataJoguei Stage Commiswn and Scripting T" Research rMetadata -7i f5 "1-0 Viewng Statistics used Create (Planning) Used Used Used (Enhanced Used scripts Create (Locations) (Editsi) TV) (Search) Editorial Brief Create Used Used (plan) (edits) Tape 10 Create Create Used Used (0) (]D) Material ID (WID) Create CreateWsed Used Used Used used (10) (0) (Q) (Q) (0) CreaWUsed &eate/Used Used Used Used Used Klatenag Name (Handle) (Handle) (Handle) (Handle) (Handle) (Handle) Snootng Location Create Used Used (Navigation) -W (Search) Snooting Time Create Used Used (N. Q- (Search) gation) Good Shot Markers Create U-d - 22 (Navigation) Annotation of Content Create Used.2 Used (Edits) M (Search 2 Used (DVB-SI and Composition Create W ETA Adeo Copyngnt Create Cjeate and Used (1) Used (Errjypbon) Used Used Used (clearance) (Royalty) (Search) Peopleffloles C;eate Used Used E Used (Make Used Used Ass;gnment) (Assignment) EPG 1 ETV) (Royalty) (Search) Encode 8AV Create Used Create Create Used PardScan (Possibly) zossibly) EPG Create Used G1 Create or Used Used TX Schedde Create modify (automation) (Search) Production Create Used (Royalty) PersoNStars Create Used (Royalty) SaJej'rransrnssion Create Used Used (Check) (Value) Consumer Subscinpitions Used Used (Planning) (PPA Create CaUoque Annotation (Sparrh) Table 1. Illustration of Metadata Creation and Use Once metadata is created, stored and accessible, it may be used many times in many stages of subsequent handling of the material. Many of the items listed above may be written once and read many times at different stages in the production and distribution chain. For example a Good Shot Marker (GSM) records or identifies good shots in material, as it is acquired. By preserving the GSM markers with the material, the,., are available to be read many times within an editing session. Additionally should the material be re-purposed, or recovered from archive, the GSM's are still available to 1-00-14 39 the next user.

The script may be preserved as metadata. For example the script (Row 2) is created in the scripting stage, and used in both the creation and the content creation stages of production and in the distribution stage. The script contains both data content (the words to be spoken) and metadata. (descriptions of the scene). The script also contains descriptions of the characters who speak the words and also descriptions of scenes Thus when preserved as metadata, the script can be used both in the production of enhanced formats by supplying extra user information such as the spoken lines as well as providing navigation data to enable searching in an archival system.

Metadata Structure Figure 20 is a simplified schematic illustration of a layered metadata structure. The structure has the following layers:

Application: which is a tool within a production stage where A/V and/or Data is to be used and manipulated.

0 Syntax: which represents how a standard dictionary items used to describe the image or sound will be represented in a data syntax (or grammar).

Dictionary: defines an agreed set of terms to describe the data (i.e. a dictionary).

For example "Dog Name" instead of "Pet Name" or "Animal Name".

Data Coding: this layer adds the specific methods of data encapsulation. It may include multiple coding layers applied in a recursive manner to complete a wrapper' or'file' format.

TransferlStorage: this layer comprises the two parallel paths of streaming (file/stream transfer) and storage which allow the transfer of the material and metadata to, and/or storage of the material and metadata in, for example networked processors and storage media.

Physical: this layer represents how the data is electrically or magnetically stored or transmitted.

Some international standards or proposed standards which may be applied to the layers are set out in the following Table 2:- 1-00-14 40 Standard SMPTE SMPTE MPEG-7 AAF XML SDTI-.

Dictionaries K-LV (MXF/A CP XF) Application X Syntax X X X Dictionary X X X Data X X X X X Coding Physical X X X Table 2

Embodiments of the present invention use metadata within an audio and video production and distribution system to augment the operation of the system. Metadata is stored in the system. Figure 21 illustrates two ways of storing metadata within a system: both represent the metadata created in the example of Figure 19. In Figure 2 1 (a), all of the metadata is stored within a content server or a content tape. How to store metadata on tape is discussed later. In Figure 2 1 (b), only a reference identifier is stored with the content, and this reference matches a single copy of data held within a database.

Metadata is dynamic. For example consider the life of a piece of material:

Metadata is created at the planning stage 0 Metadata is created at the production stage 0 Editing existing material creates new composite material which is identified and described by metadata 0 Each sale of material updates the ownership and/or contract metadata 0 Each transmission, adds the new transmission date, and audience viewing figures 0 Archive catalogue updates indexes, or corrects indexes.

1-00-14 41 The dynamic nature of metadata has consequences for the two options illustrated in figure 21. Where the metadata is stored with the content (Figure 21a) whenever the metadata is changed, all copies of the material are found, and the metadata of each copy is updated. However with a single copy of metadata held within a database (Figure 21b), as the metadata is changed, the copies of content are unaffected. The UMIDs which are the unique material ID that bind the metadata to content never change.

Separating the metadata from the content by storing it in a database has a number of advantages over embedding metadata with the content. For example, it allows an increase in data storage size and the ability to search data using high-speed random access techniques.

Although the use of a database may be optimum to preserve data integrity, it may not be optimum for all practical installations. Where content is exchanged across physical sites, or where secure network connections are neither available nor economic,embedding the data with the content may be necessary.

Storage of Metadata on Tape Embodiments of the present invention allow the storage of metadata on tape for existing installations, using a format that is compatible with current VTR equipment and IT infrastructure. Embodiments of the invention also allow the storage of metadata on emerging formats eg MXF for tape or optical disk.. MXF is briefly described below.

Storage of metadata on video tape Figure 22 is a basic illustration of where audio and video are stored on video tape (analogue and digital). In this simplified illustration there a number of elements:

a video track, four audio tracks (Al to A4), a time code track, a control track and linear audio cue track.

To add metadata to existing video tape formats, the data is included in one or 1-00-14 42 more of these existing tracks. There are a number of "spaces" available (shown shaded in Figure 22), that can store data, and which have only a small impact on the storage of audio and video on the tape. These are listed below in Table 3 3.

1-00-14 43 Approx Capacity Impact SX, Area Description on Editablity Digital

D1 MX, HD-CAM2 AN Betacam Servers Vertical The non- None Insert 4000 200 72 K 12 blanking visible or with approx Kbytes/ Bytes/Se Kbytes/Sec Interval video small Video Bytes/See Sec c (VBI) lines (teletext stored like) above the real image An audio Use one Loss Insert pertrack pertrack pertrack pertrack Track (or more) of an without 96 96 96 96 KBytes audio audio effecting KBytes KBytes KBytes per Sec tracks to track A1V per Sec per Sec per Sec store data Time- Use the None Insert 200 200 200 200 code user user-bits without Bytes/Se Bytes/Se Bytes/Se Bytes/Sec bits area of the effecting c c c time-code A/V Other None ? N/a N/a 500- N/a 2000 Byte/Sec Horizontal Suitable for N/a N/a N/a N/a N/a N/a Blanking networking Only Most preferably UMIDs are stored on the tape. UMIDs can be accommodated 1-00-14 44 on existing tape. For example the user bits can store UMIDs to 0,2 second resolution. However the UMIDs may be stored elsewhere and other identifiers stored on the tape as described in the section 'Tape IDs'.

Storage of metadata on emerging tape/optical disk File Formats Newly proposed removable-media (tape and optical disk) and fixed media (hard-disk) products are able to interchange computer files. In the standardisation process of the formats for such interchangeable files, the needs of Audio/Video content Z:1 and metadata are addressed.

The MXF (media exchange format) is designed for exchange of final material, play-out and long-term storage. The format provides fouressential parts to the file:- The identification of media and encoding format Complex metadata description

0 Streaming A/V content, with streaming synchronised metadata if necessary 0 Indexing (allowing cue to time-codes).

Benefits The systematic use of metadata within the content creation industry according to embodiments of the present invention provides many benefits including:- Increase productivity, allowing a higher proportion of resource on the creation activity Decrease material transaction costs Increase the value of content Increase the quality of programmes.

1-00-14 45 Modifications.

Although the foregoing description describes the embodiments of the invention in relation to video material, the invention may be applied to audio material 5 and/or to data material.

* The foregoing description assumes that UMIDs are generated by the cameras and A-Boxes and are present in the tapes reproduced by the VTRs. However, UMIDs are long (e.g. '32 or 64 bytes). The tapes may not have UMIDs and the cameras may not produce UMIDs. Instead the cameras may produce shorter identifiers and such shorter identifiers may be recorded on the tapes. The B-Boxes of the VTRs may be used to generate UMIDs from the shorter identifiers and from Tape IDs. The A-boxes may generate UMIDs from the shot identifiers.

Tables I to 4 follow.

Single Input Transactions Configm-ation V-,11-i,,ttions Policy Comments 1 Callicorder new B 2 VTR -> YFR A/V only 11m 13 Full or partial copy A/V1UM11) new 111 3 Camera ---> VTR A/V only create B B BoxNTR assigned + Illic. A/V + UMID(stream) new 13-1 OS origirial UM11) storedas metadata 4 Camera --> Switcher A/V only create B B/C Box assigned + Illic, + mixer A/V + UMID(stream) new WhOS original UMID passedas metadata New B = new basic (32 byte UMID) i.e. new material #, instance 11 = 0 +OS = original Signature (32 byte UMID extension) New M11 = new material number New 111 new instance 11LImber New L change to byte 11/12 of UMID label Single Input (Processing) Transactions TAk 2 -06 Con figu ratio n Variations Policy Comments VT11 -Y Pi-oc--->(Streatii) - Digital DA original B In most cases UMIDs embedded in VB1 Digitally transparent or 0 Router should pass straight through lossless TX Line RF Link (Digital uncompressed) Lossless compression Digital delay 6 VTR --> Proc -> VTR Digital DA. new 111 B Box assigned assuming original Digitally transparent or Router UMID is available. Proc delay must be lossless TX Line compensated.

RF, Link (Digital uncompressed) Lossless compression 7 VIR --> Proc -> VI'R Noise reducer new 111 B Box assigned assuming original Non-transparent fixed Colour correct/proc amp UMID is available. Proe delay must be process (no editorial or Standards convertor compensated.

creative process) Letter box format conv.

Lossy compression CODEC 8 YFR -> Proc -> VTR Colour grading New BI-OS Keyer is basically 2 input though text or Non-transParent and the Format pan & scan logos may not have UMIDs subject of editorial or DS Keyer creative process Multiple Input Transactions 'To, b 1 c Colil-igxii--.ltioii varkitions Policy Comments CD 1 Single machine V/0 Existing V origivial B Needs space I'Or at least 2 UMIDs - not illsci-t/ovci,(ltlb/lil'IX Existing A onginal 13 skiltable for time-Code usel. bits New A new 2 2 Machine edit new Ifi tiscr option to assign new B for assellible (assemble) cuts only, edit sess1011 audio follow 2 NIicliiiic edit -igliitl 13 3 a (, 11 ill c ed Existing V 01 WWO', A or V iiit"scrt Existing A 01 New A/V new B 4 3 Machine edit new B liser options to assign cuts only, assemble &- (a) new W/ for edit session or insert A/V (b) Pass original W/ with new 111 3 machille edit new 11 liser options to assign etits & Fx' assemble & (a) new MY for edit sessioll or insert A/V (b) Pass original MY with new 111 6 iN Roll NLE new B user options to assign cuts & effects, assemble (a) new W/ for edit session or insert A/V (h) Pass original W/ with new 111 Conform to air requires UMID & history.to be rendered at the same tirric as FX Multiple Output Transactions 4 Configuration Variations Policy Comments C:5 1 Dual VTR outputs I,? -1.

& SD 4:3 same M# 11D 16:9 different 1# 2 Live Presentation Vision,Fx same UPID# Radio TX different M11 Auditorium 3 4 41, f 1-00-14 50

Claims

A processor for processing identifiers of video and/or audio material, the processor being for use with a video and/or audio material processing device, the device having plurality of inputs for receiving respective pieces of material to be processed, the pieces having respective identifiers, and an output at which is output processed material, which is a combination of the input material, and a state output at which data defining the state of the device is output; the processor being arranged to: detect the identifiers of the input material; determine from the state data the combination of the input material forming the output material; generate an identifier for the output material; and associate the identifier of the output material with the identifiers of the input material used to form the output material.
2. A processor according to claim 1, in combination with a database processor for storing the associated identifiers and relating the identifiers.
A processor according to claim 1 or 2, in combination with a material recorder for recording the output material on a recording medium.
4. A processor according to claim 3), wherein the processor is operable to associate the identifier of the output material and the identifiers of the input material used to form the output material with the recording medium on which the output material is recorded.
5. A processor according to claim 4, wherein at least the identifier of the output material is recorded on the medium.
6. A processor according to any preceding claim, having means for deriving the identifiers from the input material.
7. A processor according to any one of claims in combination with the video and/or audio material processing device.
8. A processor for processing video and/or audio material, the processor having plurality of inputs for receiving respective pieces of material to be processed, the pieces having respective identifiers, and an 1-00-14 51 output at which is output processed material, which is a combination of the input material; the processor also being arranged to: detect the identifiers of the input material; determine from the state data the combination of the input material forming the output material; generate an identifier for the output material; and associate the identifier of the output material with the identifiers of the input material used to form the output material.
9. A processor for processing identifiers of video and/or audio material, the processor being for use with a video and/or audio material processing device, the device having plurality of inputs for receiving respective pieces of material to be processed, the pieces having respective identifiers, and an output at which is output processed material, which is a combination of the input material, the processor being arranged to: determine the combination material forming the output material; determine the identifiers of the material; generate an identifier for the output material; and associate the identifier of the output material with the identifiers of the material used to form the output material.
10. A processor for processing video and/or audio material, the having plurality of inputs for receiving respective pieces of material to be processed, the pieces having respective identifiers, and an output at which is output processed material, which is a combination of the input material, the processor being arranged to also determine the combination material forming the output material; determine the identifiers of the material; generate an identifier for the output material; and associate the identifier of the output material with the identifiers of the material used to form the output material.
11. A method of processing identifiers of video and/or audio material, the material being processed by a video and/or audio material processing device, the device having plurality of inputs for receiving respective pieces of material to be processed, the pieces having respective identifiers, and an output at which is output processed material, which is a combination of the input material, and a state output at which data defining the state of the device is output; 1-00-14 52 the method comprising the steps of: detecting the identifiers of the input material; determine from the state data the combination of the input material forming the output material; generating an identifier for the output material; and associating the identifier of the output material with the identifiers of the input material used to form the output material.
12. A method of processing identifiers of video and/or audio material, the material being processed by a video and/or audio material processing device, the device having plurality of inputs for receiving respective pieces of material to be processed, the pieces having respective identifiers, and an output at which is output processed material, which is a combination of the input material, the method comprising the steps of. determining the combination material forming the output material; determine the identifiers of the material; generating an identifier for the output material; and associating the identifier of the output material with the identifiers of the material used to form the output material.

A computer program product arranged to carry out the method of claim I I or 12 when run on a programmable processor.