Method and system for indexing, sorting, and displaying a video database

Abstract

A method and system is provided for indexing, sorting, and displaying a video database. Hardware and software components, and a novel encoding process are used to provide a searchable video and informational database. Each encoder and the User use specially configured graphical user interfaces to access the system. In the preferred embodiment, component clips of different videotape views of a sporting event are batch encoded and synchronized. Data which remains constant for at least a part of a game is automatically reused. A MasterPlayerId assigned to each player is used to index all video clips and information relating to that player. A rating service provides ratings of individual plays or players. The present invention includes powerful search features that permit a User to search the informational and video database according to numerous predefined and customized criteria. A novel encoding scheme permit the viewing of MPEG format video clips in a form of slow motion. A dedicated console permits the User to view selected information using a first display screen while simultaneously displaying some or all of this information to at least one other person using a second display screen. The present invention also permits the User to select and save custom view sets of video clips, and to control the video display. The User can switch this camera view during play or can replay a clip from a different camera view.

1 . A computer-implemented method for indexing, sorting, and displaying a database, comprising the steps of: 
 a. creating a searchable computer database structure for storing video and informational data;    b. determining the discrete component clips of at least one video record such that each clip represents a predetermined event:    c. assigning an identification number to each clip such that all clips showing the same event have same clip identification number:    d. determining the beginning and ending/points of each clip;    e. storing to the database structure the determination of the discrete component clips, the identification number, and the beginning and ending points of steps b through d;    f. identifying at least one person appearing in at least one of the discrete component clips:    g. storing the identification information of step f to the database structure;    h. assigning a personal identification number to each person identified in step f;    i. storing the personal identification number to the database structure;    j. storing selected information about at least the identified person such that the selected information is indexed to the identified person's personal identification number;    k. using the personal identification number and the clip identification numbers to index the informational database to the component video clips; wherein, in response to input user-defined search criteria, any video clip and associated indexed information satisfying the search criteria is retrieved from the database structure for display to a user.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 identifying a plurality of video clips having the same clip identification number; and    synchronizing the beginning and ending points of the identified video clips;    wherein a display of an identified video clip can be switched in real time to a display of any other identified video clip having the same identification number.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the informational database includes any information to be indexed to any discrete component clip in at least one video record.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the information in the informational database includes audio, graphical, and textual information.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a predefined rating structure; and    using the predefined rating structure to assign a rating to any of a video record, video clip, performance of at least one person appearing in a video clip, overall performance of at least one person appearing in a plurality of video clips.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of displaying any video clip and associated indexed information retrieved from the database structure in response to the input user-defined search criteria on a dedicated console.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing at least one computer graphical user interface for performing any or all of steps a through k.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of controlling the display of the video clip at a selected frame interval to permit a slow motion display of the video clip.  
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method for indexing, sorting, and displaying a sports video database comprising the steps of: 
 performing a first encoding step to determine, name, and batch encode the discrete component clips of at least one video record of a sporting event to a database structure;    performing a second encoding step to enter play information regarding the sporting event to the database structure;    performing a third encoding step to identify all persons appearing in one or more of the batch encoded video clips and to enter the identification information to the database structure: 
 performing a fourth encoding step to evaluate and rate any of the batch encoded video clips and any of the persons appearing in one or more of the batch encoded video clips and to enter the rating to the database structure:  
 performing a fifth encoding step to update any information stored in the database structure; and  
 indexing the batch encoded video clips of the first encoding step to the information  
 stored in the database structure in the second through fifth encoding steps;  
   wherein, in response to the input of user-defined search criteria, any video clip and indexed information satisfying the search criteria is retrieved from the database structure for display to a user.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first encoding step comprises the steps of; 
 assigning an identification number to each video clip such that all video clips showing the same event have same clip identification number.    determining the beginning and ending points of each clip; and    storing the identification number, and the beginning and ending points to the database structure.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the third encoding step comprises the steps of: 
 assigning a personal identification number to each person identified in a video clip; and    storing the personal identification number to the database structure;    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fourth encoding step comprises the steps of: 
 storing selected information about at least an identified person such that the selected information is indexed to the identified person's personal identification number; and    using the identified person's personal identification number and the clip identification numbers to index the informational database to the component video clips.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of: 
 identifying a plurality of video clips having the same clip identification number; and    synchronizing the beginning and ending points of the identified video clips; wherein a display of an identified video clip can be switched in real time to a display of any other identified video clip having the same identification number.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the database structure includes information selected from the group consisting of audio, graphical, and textual information.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further including the step of displaying any video clip and associated indexed information retrieved from the database structure response to the input user-defined search criteria on a dedicated console.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of providing at least one graphical user interface for performing any or all of the encoding steps.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of controlling the display of the video clip at a selected frame interval to permit a slow motion display of the video clip.  
     
     
         18 . A computerized system for indexing, sorting, and displaying a sports video database comprising: 
 a database structure;    at least one computer for accessing the database structure and for running software applications to access and modify the database structure;    a first encoder software application for use with the at least one computer by a first encoder in determining, naming, and batch encoding the discrete component clips of at least one video record of a sporting event to the database structure;    a second software application for use with the at least one computer by a second encoder to enter play information regarding the sporting event to the database structure;    a third software application for use with the at least one computer by a third encoder to identify all persons appearing in one or more of the batch encoded video clips and to enter the identification information to the database structure;    a fourth software application for use with the at least one computer by a fourth encoder to evaluate and rate any of the batch encoded video clips and any of the persons appearing in one or more of the batch encoded video clips and to enter the rating to the database structure; a fifth software application for use with the at least one computer by a fifth encoder to update any information stored in the database structure; and    an indexing software application to index the batch encoded video clips to the information stored in the database structure by the second through fifth encoders; wherein, in response to the input of user-defined search criteria to the at least one computer, any video clip and indexed information satisfying the search criteria is retrieved from the database structure for display to a user.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein each of the first through fifth encoders and the user has a separate dedicated graphical user interface to access the computerized system.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising means for synchronizing a plurality of different video clips of the same event such that a display of an identified video clip can be switched in real time to a display of any other identified video clip.