GB2631697A

GB2631697A - Computer-implemented methods of generating and displaying digital display packages for audiovisual entertainment presentations

Info

Publication number: GB2631697A
Application number: GB2310496.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cathleen Chadwick Grace; George Chadwick Harry
Original assignee: Interflix Media Ltd
Current assignee: Interflix Media Ltd
Priority date: 2023-07-07
Filing date: 2023-07-07
Publication date: 2025-01-15
Also published as: WO2025012617A1

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of generating and displaying digital display packages (e.g. digital cinema packages, DCPs) for an audiovisual (AV) entertainment presentation. A set of digital audiovisual files is received, and a first set of information associated with a first viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation is obtained. A first digital display package is generated from the set of digital audiovisual files using the first set of information, and displayed using audiovisual (AV) display equipment as the first viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation. A second set of information associated with a second viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation is then obtained, a second digital display package is generated from the set of digital audiovisual files using the second set of information, and displayed using the audiovisual display equipment as the second viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation. The first set of information may comprise one or more random values generated by a random number generator.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No G1323104961 RTM Date:17 January 2024 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:

DVD

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk /ipo Computer-implemented methods of generating and displaying digital display packages for audiovisual entertainment presentations

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns computer-implemented methods of generating and displaying digital display packages for audiovisual entertainment presentations. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention concerns methods of generating digital display packages for an audiovisual entertainment presentation that differ on different viewings, i.e. on different occasions on which the audiovisual entertainment presentation is displayed. The invention also concerns removable storage devices and server devices arranged for use with such methods.

Background of the Invention

Modern cinemas usually receive cinema presentations for display in the form of a Digital Cinema Package (DCP). A DCP is a collection of video and audio digital files, which are displayed (as pictures and sound) using the display equipment of the cinema. A DCP is usually provided to a cinema on a removable storage device, such as a specialised hard disk. Alternatively, DCPs can be downloaded from a remote server device over the Internet, for example. An operator of the cinema display equipment will make the DCP available to the cinema display equipment, by connected a removable storage device with the DCP or downloading the DCP from a remote server device. The operator will then arrange the cinema presentation being displayed to viewers by the cinema display equipment. However, an operator does not usually undertake more complex tasks in relation to displaying a cinema presentation, beyond obtaining and playing the DCP.

It will be appreciated that conventional cinema presentations are identical each time they are displayed, i.e. the film does not vary between viewings. However, -2 -it may be desirable to have a cinema presentation that varies between viewings. Given the formalised structure of DCPs, the methods by which they are provided to cinemas, and the involvement required by operators when arranging the display of conventional cinema presentations, known systems and methods for the display of cinema presentations are not suitable to be used to display a cinema presentation that varies between viewings.

Similar considerations arise with other systems for providing and displaying other types of audiovisual entertainment presentations, such as streaming services which stream audiovisual entertainment presentations for display on a consumer device. While it may be desirable to have an audiovisual entertainment presentation that varies between viewings, it is undesirable for an operator of the consumer device, i.e. a user of the streaming service, to have to take any steps to allow the varying audiovisual entertainment presentation to be displayed, such as manually initiating or controlling the generation of the digital display package that is displayed as the audiovisual entertainment presentation. It is desirable for the fact the audiovisual entertainment presentation varies on different viewings, or at least the technical steps required for it to be possible, to be effectively invisible to the user.

United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2424351 Al (John W Hannay & Co. Limited), published 20 September 2006, discloses a method of presenting pre- recorded audiovisual content, particularly motion picture content, wherein the pre-recorded audiovisual content comprises a plurality of individual segments, and wherein the segments are presented in a sequence, at least a part of the sequence being generated by adding segments to the sequence in accordance with randomised values and rules specifying compatibility between segments already in the sequence and segments being added to the sequence. The system can be used, for example, with a DVD, so providing a different movie each time it is played. However, while such a method and system can be used with a DVD, due to the functionality that the DVD standard requires, it is not suitable for the display of a cinema presentation, which requires the cinema presentation to be provided using a DCP. It is also not suitable for use with conventional streaming technology, as it does not have the functionality required by the DVD standard. -3 -

The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide improved computer-implemented methods of generating and displaying digital display packages for audiovisual entertainment presentations, and improved removable storage devices and server devices for use with such methods.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a computer-implemented method of generating and displaying digital display packages for an audiovisual entertainment presentation for display using audiovisual display equipment, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a set of digital audiovisual files; obtaining a first set of information associated with a first viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation; generating a first digital display package from the set of digital audiovisual files using the first set of information; displaying the first digital display package using the audiovisual display equipment as the first viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation; obtaining a second set of information associated with a second viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation; generating a second digital display package from the set of digital audiovisual files using the second set of information; displaying the second digital display package using the audiovisual display equipment as the second viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation. By using a set of digital audiovisual files to generate first and second digital display package using first and second sets of information associated with first and second viewings of the audiovisual entertainment presentation, each time the audiovisual entertainment presentation is displayed, the digital display package used can be different and so the content of the audiovisual entertainment presentation -4 -can be different. However, as for each viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation there is a conventional digital display package to display, the audiovisual entertainment presentation can be displayed in the conventional manner by the operator of the audiovisual display equipment, with no special steps being required by the operator of the audiovisual presentation equipment (e.g. a cinema operator).

It will be appreciated that the method can continue through further iterations, in each iteration displaying a further digital display package as a further display of the audiovisual entertainment presentation, the further digital display package being generated from a further obtained set of information associated with the further viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation.

The first set of information may comprise one or more random values generated by a random number generator. In this case, the set of digital audiovisual files may comprise at least one randomizable set of digital audiovisual files associated with a random value of the one or more random values, wherein each digital audiovisual file of the randomizable set of digital audiovisual files has an associated probability, and wherein the random value is used to determine if a digital audiovisual file of the randomizable set of digital audiovisual files is included in the first digital display package in accordance with the probability associated with the digital audiovisual file. The set of digital audiovisual files may comprise at least one anchor digital audiovisual file which is included in every digital display package generated from the set of digital audiovisual files.

By using one or more random values, every viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation, being generated using a different set of random values, will be randomly different. In addition, by having anchor digital audiovisual files that are included in every digital display package, elements can be included in each audiovisual entertainment presentation, for example storytelling elements that are always required regardless of which of the digital audiovisual file of the randomizable set of digital audiovisual files are included.

The first set of information may comprise information provided by intended viewers of the first viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation. The -5 -information provided by an intended viewer may be a selection associated with the content of the audiovisual entertainment presentation. The information may be provided by an intended viewer when they purchase a ticket to view the first viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation. An aggregate of information provided by the intended viewers may be used to determine if a digital audiovisual file of the randomizable set of digital audiovisual files is included in the first digital display package.

In this way, for example all potential viewers can make a selection about the content of the audiovisual entertainment presentation, and these selections can be used when generating the digital display package, so determine the content of the audiovisual entertainment presentation. For example, potential viewers could be asked what they wish to happen in a storyline of the audiovisual entertainment presentation, and the content of the audiovisual entertainment presentation could reflect that selection, for example the most popular selection of potential viewers where the aggregate of information provided by the intended viewers is used.

It will be appreciated that files from the set of digital audiovisual files may be used based on other criteria, which may or may not be criteria derived from information in the sets of information associated with different viewings. For example, the set of digital audiovisual files may comprise files associated with different regions, with the file associated with a particular region being included in a digital display package if the associated viewing is taking place in that region. The information indicating the region may be part of the set of information associated with the viewing, or may be obtained separately.

The audiovisual display equipment may be cinema display equipment, and wherein the audiovisual entertainment presentation is a cinema presentation.

The first and second digital display packages may be Digital Cinema Packages. However, any suitable format for providing the digital information required for display of an audiovisual entertainment presentation may be used. For example, the digital display packages may be in a format used for streaming video to consumer 30 devices. -6 -

The method may further comprise, subsequent to the step of displaying the first digital display package, the step of deleting the first digital display package.

The second digital display package may be generated in response to a request from an operator of the audiovisual display equipment. Alternatively, the second digital display package may be generated in response to the first viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation being completed. Alternatively, the first digital display package and the second digital display package may be generated in parallel. It will be appreciated that the successive digital display packages may be generated according to many different schemes, as long as each is generated using an obtained a set of information associated with the viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation, and is available and provided for use for that viewing.

The method may further comprise, prior to the first digital display package being generated, the steps of: receiving a removable storage device having stored on it the set of digital audiovisual files and an application arranged to generate the digital display package; connecting the removable storage device to the audiovisual display equipment.

The removable storage device may be a portable hard disk, or any other suitable storage means. The removable storage device may be received immediately prior to the first digital display package being generated, or may be received before first set of information obtained, for example.

The application may be executed by the audiovisual display equipment. In this case, the audiovisual display equipment may use the set of audiovisual files stored on removable storage media, or may transfer the set of audiovisual files to the memory of the audiovisual display equipment prior to use. The generated digital display package may be generated and/or stored on the removable storage media, or may be generated and/or stored in the memory of the audiovisual display equipment, or elsewhere. Alternatively, the removable storage media may have a processing that executes the application, and then provides generated digital display packages to the audiovisual display equipment. -7 -

Alternatively, the audiovisual display equipment may be in communication with a remote server device, and wherein remote server device is arranged to generate the digital display packages from the set of audiovisual files and send them to the audiovisual display equipment. The remote server may be a cloud server system for example. The digital display packages may be streamed to the audiovisual display equipment by the remote server device. In this way, the digital display packages can be displayed in real time. Alternatively, the digital display packages may be downloaded by the audiovisual display equipment for display once received in their entirety. The audiovisual display equipment may be a consumer device, such as a personal computer, laptop, smartphone or the like.

The removable storage device or the application stored on the remote server device may be arranged, in response to each different request for a digital display package, to provide a corresponding different digital display package generated from the set of digital audiovisual files.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a removable storage device having stored on it a set of digital audiovisual files and an application arranged to generate digital display packages, the removable storage device being arranged, when connected to audiovisual display equipment, such that the removable storage device and/or the audiovisual display equipment perform any of the methods described above.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a server device arranged to generate digital display packages from a set of audiovisual files and to send them to audiovisual display equipment, the server device being arranged, when in communication with audiovisual display equipment, such that the server device and the audiovisual display equipment perform any of the methods described above.

It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the -8 -present invention. For example, the method of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the apparatus of the invention and vice versa.

Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a cinema display system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method of generating and displaying digital cinema packages in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a set of digital audiovisual files; Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method of generating digital cinema packages in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a generated digital cinema package; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a cinema display system in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method of generating and displaying digital cinema packages in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

A method of generating and displaying digital cinema packages in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is now described, with reference to Figures 1 to 5. -9 -

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a cinema display system in accordance with the first embodiment. The cinema display system 100 comprises cinema display equipment 101, comprising a projector 103 and audio system 104, which provide video and audio display respectively in a cinema theatre. The projector 103 and audio system 104 are controlled by a control system 102, comprising a processor 102a and memory 102b.

A removable hard drive 110 is connected to the control system 110, so that the control system 110 is in communication with the removable hard drive 110 and can read data from it and write data to it. The removable hard drive 110 has stored upon it an application 110a, and a set of digital audiovisual files 110b, as described in more detail below. The removable hard drive 110 is a specialised hard drive as customarily used to provide Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) to cinemas, but in other embodiments any other suitable removable storage device may be used. The removable hard drive 110 is used to provide DCPs displayed by the cinema display equipment 101 as a cinema presentation, as now described in detail.

Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method of generating and displaying DCPs in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, performed using the cinema display system 100.

In a first step 201, the removable hard drive 110 is connected to the control system 110. The control system 110 then accesses the application 101a that is stored on the removable hard drive 110, and executes it using the processor 102a and memory 102b (step 202).

Next, the control system 110 obtains, using the application 101a, a first set of information associated with a first viewing of the cinema presentation. In the present embodiment, the control system 110 does this by using the application 101a to generate a set of random values (step 203). The set of random values is used to generate a DCP 510 as shown in Figure 5, using the set of digital audiovisual files 110b (step 204), as described in more detail below. The DCP 510 is stored on the removable hard drive 110. The DCP 510 is then displayed by the cinema display equipment 101 as the viewing of the cinema presentation (step 205), by reading the data of which the DCP 510 is comprised off the removable hard drive 110 in the conventional manner.

Once the DCP 510 has finished being displayed, it is deleted (step 206). The previous steps to generate a new DCP, and to display it, are repeated. In particular, the step 203 of generating a set of random values is repeated, in order to generate a new set of random values, i.e. a second set of information associated with a second viewing of the cinema presentation. This new set of random values is again used to generate a DCP that is displayed, and so as the new set of random values is different from the first set of random values, the DCP that is generated is different from the first DCP 510 that has been displayed and deleted.

The steps of the method are repeated as many times as necessary in order to generate DCPs for display, with on each occasion the DCP being based upon a set of random values, and so being different each time. However, no input from an operator of the cinema display equipment 101 is required, and indeed for the operator the steps required are no different to when a conventional DCP is displayed using the cinema display equipment 101, in that the cinema display equipment 101 displays a DCP for the cinema presentation that is stored upon the removable hard drive 110, without any input from the operator being required other than instructing the cinema display equipment 101 to display the DCP. While the DCP is in practice different for each viewing, as for each viewing it has been generated from the set of digital audiovisual files 110b using a new set of random values, this process of generation does not require an input from the operator.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the set of digital audiovisual files 110b. The digital audiovisual files of the set of digital audiovisual files 110b are shown from left to right in the order they would be displayed, as explained below.

The set of digital audiovisual files 110b first comprises a file 501. This is the file that would be displayed first, and is designated an "anchor" file, as it is included in every DCP generated from the set of digital audiovisual files 110b, as described in more detail below.

Next, the set of digital audiovisual files 110b comprises a randomizable set 502 of three files 502a, 502b, 502c. Each of files 502a, 502b, 502c has associated with it a probability, 50%, 30% and 20% respectively, which indicate the probability that each file is included in a DCP generated from the set of digital audiovisual files 110b. The file of the randomizable set of three files 502a, 502b, 502c that is included in a DCP generated from the set of digital audiovisual files 110b is determined using a random value from the set of random values used to generate the DCP, as described in more detail below.

Next, the set of digital audiovisual files 110b comprises another anchor file 503; then a randomizable set 504 of four files 504a, 504b, 504c, 504d with probabilities 45%, 30%, 20% and 5% respectively; and finally a randomizable set 505 of two files 505a, 505b, both with probability 50%.

Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method of generating DCPs in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, again performed using the cinema display system 100. In particular, the method corresponds to the step 204 of the method shown in Figure 2, in which the obtained set of random values is used to generate a DCP from the set of digital audiovisual files 110b. The method of Figure 4 generates the DCP 510 shown in Figure 5.

In a first step 401, the method considers the first file(s), in time order, of the set of digital audiovisual files 110b. It is then determined if the set of files is an anchor file, or a randomizable set of files (step 402). In the set of digital audiovisual files 110b the first set of files is the single anchor file 501, and so (as anchor files are to be included in all DCPs generated from the set of digital audiovisual files 110b), the anchor file 501 is included in the first position in the DCP 510 (step 403).

The method then considers the next files(s), in time order, of the set of digital audiovisual files 110b (step 410), and the method is repeated.

In the set of digital audiovisual files 110b, the next set of files is the randomizable set 502 of files 502a, 502b, 502c. In this case, a random value from the set of random values generated in step 203 of the method of Figure 2 is obtained (step 404). Each random value of the set of random values corresponds to a randomizable set of files of the set of digital audiovisual files 110b from which a file needs to be selected, so as in the present example the set of digital audiovisual files 110b comprises three randomizable sets of files 502, 504 and 505, the set of random values will comprise three corresponding random values.

The obtained random value is then used to select a file from the randomizable set of files 502 (step 405). In the present example, the random value is a randomly-chosen number between 0 and 100, specifically 63. Random values are then used to select from the randomizable set of files 502 as follows: * random value is between 0 and 50 -select file 502a * random value is between 50 and 80 -select file 502b * random value is between 80 and 100 -select file 502c As can be seen, this results in the files 502a, 502b and 502c being selected in accordance with their associated probabilities 50%, 30% and 20% respectively, with the obtained random value 63 resulting in the file 502b being select. The selected file 502b is then included in the DCP 510 (step 406).

As before, the method then considers the next files(s), in time order, of the set of digital audiovisual files 110b (step 410), and the method is repeated as many times as necessary for the DCP 510 to be completely generated. In the present example the next file(s) is the anchor file 503, so this is included in the DCP 510. The next file(s) is the randomizable set of files 504, and in the present example the corresponding obtained random value is 11, leading to file 504a being included in the DCP 510. The final files(s) is the randomizable set of files 502, with corresponding obtained random value 82, leading to file 505b included in the DCP 510.

In this way, the DCP 510 is generated from the set of digital audiovisual files 110b. However, it can be seen that when a DCP is generated from the set of digital audiovisual files 110b on a subsequent occasion, the set of random values used will be different, leading to different files from the randomizable set of files 502, 503 and 504 being selected, leading to a different DCP.

A method of generating and displaying digital cinema packages in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is now described, with reference to Figures 6 to 9.

-13 -Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a cinema display system in accordance with the second embodiment. Similarly to the first embodiment, the cinema display system 600 of the second embodiment comprises cinema display equipment 101, which comprises a projector 103 and audio system 104 controlled by a control system 102, comprising a processor 102a and memory 102b. However, rather than being connected to a removable hard drive, the cinema display equipment 101 is in communication with the Internet 650.

The cinema display system 600 further comprises a ticket booking web server 605 comprising a processor 605a and memory 605b, which is also in communication with the Internet 650. This provides a website using which viewers can purchase tickets to a viewings of a cinema presentation to be displayed by the cinema display equipment 101. It is further able to request additional information from users at the time they purchase tickets, as discussed in more detail below.

The cinema display system 600 further comprises a remote server 680, in communication storage 681 which has stored upon in a set of digital audiovisual files 800 which are shown schematically in Figure 8. The remote server 680 is also in communication with the Internet 650. Finally, there is a personal computing device 670 of a viewer of the cinema presentation which is to be displayed by the cinema display equipment 101, also in communication with the Internet 650.

Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method of generating and displaying DCPs in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, performed using the cinema display system 600.

In a first step 701, potential viewers of the cinema presentation which is to be displayed by the cinema display equipment 101 purchase ticket a particular viewing of the cinema presentation from the ticket booking web server 605. For example, the personal computing device 670 can be used by a viewer to view the website provided by the ticket booking web server 605, allowing the viewer to purchase a ticket. As part of the purchasing process, the ticket booking web server 605 obtains from each viewer a selection regarding the content of the cinema presentation (step 702). For example, the cinema presentation might be a film in which multiple characters compete in a competition, and the selection obtained from the viewer is which of the characters they wish to win the competition.

An aggregate selection is then determined from the obtained selections (step 703). For example, suppose 100 viewers bought tickets for a film in which three characters A, B and C compete in a competition, and each was asked to select between which of the three characters they wished to win the competition. Suppose 15 selected character A, 65 selected character B, and 20 selected character C. The aggregate selection would then be B. A DCP 810, as shown in Figure 9, is then generated from the set of digital audiovisual files 800 using the aggregate selection (step 704). As can be seen from Figure 8, the set of digital audiovisual files 800 first comprises an anchor file 801, which is included in the DCP 810. This anchor file 801 corresponds to the first part of the film, which is common to all viewings, and for example shows the competitors entering and beginning to compete in the competition. The set of digital audiovisual files 800 the further comprises a selectable set 802 files 802a, 802b, 803c. In contrast to the first embodiment, instead of each file having an associated probability, each file has an associated selection, namely A, B and C respectively. In the present example, as the aggregate selection is B, the file 802b associated with the selection B is included in the DCP 810. This selectable file 802b corresponds to the second part of the film, in which in particular character B is shown as winning the competition.

The generated DCP 810 is then sent to the cinema display equipment 101 (step 706). Similarly to the first embodiment, the DCP 810 is then displayed by the cinema display equipment 101 as the viewing of the cinema presentation (step 706). Once the DCP 810 has finished being displayed, it is deleted (step 707). The previous steps to generate a new DCP, and to display it as a cinema presentation, can then be repeated, but with the new DCPs being generated based upon different selections from viewers when they purchase tickets, so that different DCPs can be generated if required based on the aggregate selections of the viewers, for example with different characters winning the competition in the example above.

-15 -While the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. In particular, it will be appreciated that while the above embodiments involve the generation of Digital Cinema Packages for display in a cinema, the invention is equally applicable to other types of audiovisual entertainment presentations displayed by other types of audiovisual display equipment, for example a film or television programme streamed by a streaming service for display on a consumer device.

It will also be appreciated that, to simplify the explanation of the invention, sets of digital audiovisual files comprising only a small number of files, and generated DCPs comprising only a small number of files, have been described, whereas in practice a much larger number of audiovisual files could be used, and further with audio and video being provided by separate files.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. A computer-implemented method of generating and displaying digital display packages for an audiovisual entertainment presentation for display using audiovisual display equipment, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a set of digital audiovisual files; obtaining a first set of information associated with a first viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation; generating a first digital display package from the set of digital audiovisual files using the first set of information; displaying the first digital display package using the audiovisual display equipment as the first viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation; obtaining a second set of information associated with a second viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation; generating a second digital display package from the set of digital audiovisual files using the second set of information; displaying the second digital display package using the audiovisual display equipment as the second viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first set of information comprises one or more random values generated by a random number generator.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the set of digital audiovisual files comprises at least one randomizable set of digital audiovisual files associated with a random value of the one or more random values, wherein each digital audiovisual file of the randomizable set of digital audiovisual files has an associated probability, and wherein the random value is used to determine if a digital audiovisual file of the randomizable set of digital audiovisual files is included in the first digital display package in accordance with the probability associated with the digital audiovisual file.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the set of digital audiovisual files comprises at least one anchor digital audiovisual file which is included in every digital display package generated from the set of digital audiovisual files.
5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first set of information comprises information provided by intended viewers of the first viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation.
6. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the information provided by an intended viewer is a selection associated with the content of the audiovisual entertainment presentation.
7. A method as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the information is provided by an intended viewer when they purchase a ticket to view the first viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation.
8. A method as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein an aggregate of information provided by the intended viewers is used to determine if a digital audiovisual file of the randomizable set of digital audiovisual files is included in the first digital display package.
9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the audiovisual display equipment is cinema display equipment, and wherein the audiovisual entertainment presentation is a cinema presentation.
10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second digital display packages are Digital Cinema Packages.
11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising, subsequent to the step of displaying the first digital display package, the step of deleting the first digital display package.
12. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second digital display package is generated in response to a request from an operator of the audiovisual display equipment.
13. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second digital display package is generated in response to the first viewing of the audiovisual entertainment presentation being completed.
14. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising, prior to the first digital display package being generated, the steps of: receiving a removable storage device having stored on it the set of digital audiovisual files and an application arranged to generate the digital display package; connecting the removable storage device to the audiovisual display equipment.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the application is executed by the audiovisual display equipment.
16. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the audiovisual display equipment is in communication with a remote server device, and wherein remote server device is arranged to generate the digital display packages from the set of audiovisual files and send them to the audiovisual display equipment.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the digital display packages are streamed to the audiovisual display equipment by the remote server device.
18. A method as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the audiovisual display equipment is a consumer device.
19. A method as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the removable storage device or the application stored on the remote server device is arranged, in response to each different request for a digital display package, to provide a corresponding different digital display package generated from the set of digital audiovisual files.
20. A removable storage device having stored on it a set of digital audiovisual files and an application arranged to generate digital display packages, the removable storage device being arranged, when connected to audiovisual display equipment, such that the removable storage device and/or the audiovisual display equipment perform the methods of any of claims 1 to 15 or 19.
21. A server device arranged to generate digital display packages from a set of audiovisual files and to send them to audiovisual display equipment, the server device being arranged, when in communication with audiovisual display equipment, such that the server device and the audiovisual display equipment perform the methods of any of claims 1 to 13 or 16 to 19.