Method and apparatus for annotating a screenplay

Abstract

To facilitate the use of audio files for annotation purposes, an audio file format, which includes audio data for playback purposes, is augmented with a parallel data channel of line identifiers, or with a map associating time codes for the audio data with line numbers on the original document. The line number-time code information in the audio file is used to navigate within the audio file, and also to associate bookmark links and captured audio annotation files with line numbers of the original text document. An annotation device may provide an output document wherein links to audio and/or text annotation files are embedded at corresponding line numbers. Also, a navigation index may be generated, having links to annotation files and associated document line numbers, as well as bookmark links to selected document line numbers.

1 . A method implemented by a smart device for annotating a screenplay comprising the steps of:
 said smart device communicating a request to a server via a network for an applet comprising computer readable code for configuring said smart device as a screenplay annotation device,   said smart device receiving said applet via said network;   said smart device running said applet to configure said smart device as a screenplay annotation device;   said screenplay annotation device communicating a request to a server via said a network for a screenplay;   said screenplay annotation device receiving said screenplay via said network in response to said request;   said screenplay annotation device beginning playback of audio representing said screenplay;   said screenplay annotation device receiving a first annotation voice command via a first user interface of said smart device;   said screenplay annotation device pausing said playback after receiving said first annotation command at a first location of said document;   said screenplay annotation device receiving a first annotation via an audio input interface of said smart device;   said screenplay annotation device resuming said playback after receiving said first annotation;   said screenplay annotation device transmitting said first annotation and said first location to a server via said network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said smart device comprises a touch screen. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said smart device comprises a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said screenplay received via said network comprises text. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of said screenplay annotation device generating said audio representing said screenplay from said text. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of resuming said playback after receiving said first annotation comprises receiving an end annotation command prior to resuming said playback. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said end annotation command is received by said screenplay annotation device via said first user interface. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of resuming said playback after receiving said first annotation comprises automatically resuming said playback after a passage of a period of time. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of transmitting said first annotation and said first location via said network comprises converting said first annotation to a first text annotation prior to transmitting said first annotation via said network. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first user interface comprises said audio input interface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said first user interface comprises said touch screen.