Remote encoder system and method for capturing the live presentation of video multiplexed with images

Abstract

A system for use with a speaker providing audio and video in conjunction with images being provided by a podium computer responsive to the speaker as part of a live multimedia presentation. A device provides video signals and audio signals wherein the video signals correspond to the video provided by the speaker and the audio signals correspond to the audio provided by the speaker. A transmitter transmits a signal corresponding to a timing of images occurring simultaneously with the video and audio. A receiver receives the transmitted signal. A video channel converts the video signal into a digital video signal. An audio channel converts the audio signal into a digital audio signal. A receiver channel responsive to the receiver provides a timing signal corresponding to the transmitted signal and representing a timing of the images relative to the video and the audio. A media stream multiplexer multiplexes the digital video signal, the digital audio signal and the timing signal into an ISM (immediately stream-able media) format.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
   
   
       27 . A media converter for providing multiplexed video, audio and events indicated by a transmitted signal comprising:
 a media compressor generating compressed media data the video, the audio and the events in an immediately stream-able media (ISM) format from a digitized media input of the video and audio and from the transmitted signal; and   a computer interface, coupled to the compressor, to receive the media data in the ISM format and transmit it to a computer using a communications protocol;   the ISM format being a media format needing no format modifications by the computer for the compressed media data in such format to be transmitted over a network coupled to the computer and to be viewed by a streaming media player.   
   
   
       28 . A converter as recited in  claim 27  further comprising a media analog/digital (A/D) converter coupled to media compressor for sending digitized media to the compressor and logic coupled to the media compressor for sending a timing signal representing a timing of the events relative to the video and the audio to the compressor. 
   
   
       29 . A converter as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the ISM format of the compressed media data is in Advanced Streaming Format. 
   
   
       30 . A converter as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the ISM format of the compressed media data is in Windows Media format. 
   
   
       31 . A media conversion method for providing multiplexed video, audio and events indicated by a transmitted signal comprising:
 compressing digital media corresponding to the video, the audio and the events into compressed media data in an immediately stream-able media (ISM) format, and   sending the compressed media data in the ISM format to a computer by using a communications protocol over a communications protocol interface;   transmitting to a streaming media player, over a network coupled to the computer, the compressed media data in the ISM format without any format modifications by the computer.   
   
   
       32 . A method as recited in  claim 31  further comprising converting analog media into digital media for compressing and converting events into a timing signal representing a timing of the events relative to the analog media. 
   
   
       33 . A method as recited in  claim 31 , wherein the ISM format of the compressed media data is in Advanced Streaming Format. 
   
   
       34 . A method as recited in  claim 31 , wherein the ISM format of the compressed media data is in Windows Media Format. 
   
   
       35 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs the method as recited in  claim 31 . 
   
   
       36 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs the method comprising:
 a media compressor generating compressed media data in an immediately stream-able media (ISM) format from a digitized media input; and   a computer interface, coupled to the compressor, to receive the media data in the ISM format and transmit it to a computer using a communications protocol;   the ISM format being a media format needing no format modifications by the computer for the compressed media data in such format to be transmitted over a network coupled to the computer and to be viewed by a streaming media player.   
   
   
       37 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 36  further comprising a media analog/digital (A/D) converter coupled to media compressor for sending digitized media to the compressor. 
   
   
       38 . A converter as recited in  claim 27  wherein each event is a display of one of a sequence of images and wherein the transmitted signal indicates when the display changes from a former image to a subsequent image. 
   
   
       39 . A converter as recited in  claim 38  wherein the display is provided by a podium computer which sequentially displays the images in response to an indication from a user. 
   
   
       40 . A converter as recited in  claim 39  wherein the podium computer includes a mouse and wherein the indication is a mouse click. 
   
   
       41 . A method as recited in  claim 31  wherein each event is a display of one of a sequence of images and wherein the transmitted signal indicates when the display changes from a former image to a subsequent image. 
   
   
       42 . A method as recited in  claim 41  wherein the display is provided by a podium computer which sequentially displays the images in response to an indication from a user. 
   
   
       43 . A method as recited in  claim 42  wherein the podium computer includes a mouse and wherein the indication is a mouse click. 
   
   
       44 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 36  wherein each event is a display of one of a sequence of images and wherein the transmitted signal indicates when the display changes from a former image to a subsequent image. 
   
   
       45 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 44  wherein the display is provided by a podium computer which sequentially displays the images in response to an indication from a user. 
   
   
       46 . A computer-readable medium as recited in  claim 45  wherein the podium computer includes a mouse and wherein the indication is a mouse click.