Motion picture editing and distribution

Abstract

Motion picture distribution is performed by converting the motion pictures into digital video signals, combining the video signals with code elements or icons positioned in the active picture area of images formed by the video signals and sent via satellite to theaters or other receiving locations. The video signals are stored at the receiving locations and displayed repetitively to audiences by means of a projection television system. The coded areas in the pictures are used to transmit motion picture identification, theater authorization and other information which can be used to control the distribution and display of the motion pictures. Reports regarding playing of the motion picture are transmitted from each display site to the offices of the remote distributor. Motion pictures are edited by converting the film into video signals, inserting coded areas into the active picture areas of the video signals to provide time codes, edge codes and related information useful for editing. Preferably, edge codes are represented by coded areas recorded on the motion picture film itself, either prior either to or during filming of the motion picture.

1 . A system for distribution of motion pictures to a plurality of receiving locations, said system comprising 
 transmitting equipment for transmitting motion pictures in electronic signal form from a first location,    at least one receiver associated with each of a plurality of receiving locations,    storage means associated with each of said receiving locations for storing the electronic signals received by said receiver and representing said motion pictures, and    display means associated with each of said receiving locations for displaying visible motion pictures based upon said electronic signals,    said electronic signals including data signals representing data-bearing areas or icons located in the image areas of individual frames of said motion pictures.    
     
     
         2 . A system as in  claim 1  including detecting means associated with each of said receiving locations for detecting the data signals in said data-bearing icons, and for indicating the detection of said data signals.  
     
     
         3 . A system as in  claim 1  including sending means associated with each of said receiving locations for sending to a remote location information signals representing information taken from said detecting means.  
     
     
         4 . A system as in  claim 3  in which said information signals identify a motion picture played and the receiving location at which it was played.  
     
     
         5 . A system as in  claim 1  in which said transmitting equipment includes an uplink facility, a satellite for receiving signals from said uplink facility and sending them to said receiving locations.  
     
     
         6 . A system as in  claim 1  in which said display means is a projection television display.  
     
     
         7 . A system as in  claim 1  in which said icons are located in a margin of each frame of said motion picture.  
     
     
         8 . A system as in  claim 1  in which said transmitting equipment includes means for encoding said icons information identifying the motion picture being transmitted, and each receiving location authorized to receive the motion picture, and for encrypting said signals before transmission.  
     
     
         9 . A system in as  claim 3  in which said information includes a member of the group consisting of: the identity of the motion picture played and the receiving location at which it was played; the number of times the motion picture has been played; when the motion picture was played; box office receipts for the playing of the motion picture; concession receipts during playing of the motion picture; a unique code to identify the information transmitted as to the motion picture from which it came, said remote location being a destination authorized to receive commercial information from said receiving locations.  
     
     
         10 . A method of distributing motion pictures to receiving locations; said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) sending from a first station electronic signals representing motion pictures with electronic information-bearing areas in the image-bearing portions of said motion pictures;    (b) receiving said electronic signals at each of a plurality of receiving locations remote from said first station;    (c) storing the signals receiving in storage means associated with each of said receiving locations;    (d) displaying at each of said receiving locations motion pictures corresponding to said signals, and reading the information from said information-bearing areas or icons.    
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 10  including the step of transmitting the information read from said icons to a further location remote from said receiving locations, and utilizing said information at said further location.  
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 11  in which said information includes the identity of the motion picture played and the identity of the receiving location at which the picture is displayed.  
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 10  in which said information includes the identity of the motion picture in which said areas are located, and the identity of each receiving location authorized to receive said signals.  
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 13  in which the sending step comprises uplinking said electronic signals to a satellite and broadcasting said signals to said receiving locations from said satellite, including encrypting said signals before sending them, and enabling decryption means at those receiving locations authorized to receive said signals to decrypt said signals.  
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 10  in which the sending step comprises encrypting and uplinking said signals to a satellite, and said receiving step includes broadcasting said signals from said satellite to a receiving antenna at each of said receiving locations.  
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 10  in which said displaying step includes sending said signals to a projection TV system with a screen for displaying said motion pictures.  
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 10  in which said signals are digital, said sending step including the step of compressing and encrypting said signals and uplinking them to a satellite.  
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 13  in which said information is selected from the group consisting of the number of times and the dates each location is authorized to display the motion picture; stop and start signals for the storage means at the receiving location; information as to when to erase a motion picture from storage; local insertion location information for previews and/or local advertising; identification of the previews selected for display at each receiving location; and a code number to uniquely identify reports of plays and other commercial activities at the receiving location.  
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 11  in which the information transmitted to said further location includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of; the identity of the motion picture played and the receiving location at which it was played; the number of times the motion picture has been played; when the motion picture was played; box office receipts for the playing of the motion picture; concession receipts during playing of the motion picture; and a unique code to identify the information transmitted as to the motion picture from which it came.  
     
     
         20 . A method of editing a motion picture, said method comprising the steps of 
 (a) converting motion picture film footage into video signals,    (b) locating signals representing editing information-bearing areas or icons within the active picture signals of said video signals,    (c) utilizing the information from said information-bearing areas in editing said video signals to create an edited video motion picture.    
     
     
         21 . A method as in  claim 20  in which said locating step includes recording edge number images representing edge numbers on said motion picture film adjacent image frames of said film, reading said edge numbers and converting them to electronic signals, and storing said signals at predetermined locations within said active picture signals.  
     
     
         22 . A method as in  claim 20  including the step of reading the information in said icons and displaying the information for use in editing.  
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 20  in which said information-bearing areas bear information selected from the group consisting of edge numbers; time codes scene numbers; and take numbers.  
     
     
         24 . A method as in  claim 20  in which said information-bearing signals take the form of icons positioned adjacent the edges of video pictures made from said video.  
     
     
         25 . A method of editing a motion picture, said method comprising the steps of 
 (a) converting motion picture film footage into video signals,    (b) locating signals forming visible information-bearing icons within the ones of said video signals form an active picture, said icons bearing information useful in editing said video signals, and    (c) utilizing said information-bearing icons in editing said video signals to create an edited motion picture in video signal form.    
     
     
         26 . A method as in  claim 25  in which said information is selected from the group consisting of: edge numbers for said film; scene numbers; take numbers; and camera numbers.  
     
     
         27 . A method as in  claim 25  in which the step of locating icons includes the step of applying edge number icons to said film outside of the image-bearing areas of said film, reading said icons and creating corresponding icon signals, and inserting said icon signals into said video signals.  
     
     
         28 . A method as in  claim 25  including the step of deleting said icons after editing is complete.  
     
     
         29 . A method as in  claim 25  including the step selected from the group consisting of: storing said signals in digital form in a digital storage unit; converting said video signals into motion picture film; and recording said signals on video recording tape.  
     
     
         30 . Apparatus for editing motion pictures, said apparatus comprising means for converting film to video signals, means for inserting further signals forming information-bearing zones or icons in the video signals produced by said telecine, said zones being positioned so as not to interfere with the editing of said signals but being within the active picture-forming area of said signals, and editing equipment for using the information in said zones for the editing of said signals.  
     
     
         31 . Apparatus as in  claim 30  in which said information-bearing zones are visible icons made up of individual code elements, the information represented by said code elements being selected from the group consisting of: edge codes; time codes; scene numbers; take numbers; production notes and other information useful in editing.  
     
     
         32 . Apparatus as in  claim 30  including means for recording edge code information in the form of coded icons on the motion picture film prior to conversion of said film to tape, means for reading said information from said film and converting said information with video signals representing film images, adding other video information signals to form further icons in said video signals, said icons being located adjacent the edges of the video images, and means for reading and said icons and displaying the information they represent.  
     
     
         33 . Apparatus as in  claim 30  including means for storing the edited signals in a means selected from the group consisting of: digital signal storage means; analog video tape storage means; and video-to-film conversion means.  
     
     
         34 . Apparatus as in  claim 30  including means for deleting said information-bearing zones after said motion picture has been edited.  
     
     
         35 . Apparatus as in  claim 30  in which said information-bearing zones are formed by signals having code elements, said editing equipment including a decoder for detecting said code elements and indicating the information they represent.  
     
     
         36 . Apparatus as in  claim 30  in which said information-bearing zones are formed by signals having code elements, said code elements having a luminance at one of a predetermined number of gray scale values, said editing equipment including a decoder for detecting said code elements and indicating the information they represent.  
     
     
         37 . Apparatus as in  claim 35  including a display for displaying said information.