WO2004109498A1

WO2004109498A1 - Control scheduler apparatus and method for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations

Info

Publication number: WO2004109498A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/001834
Authority: WO
Inventors: In-Ho Ra
Original assignee: EG SYSTEM Ltd; OCT TELECOM Ltd
Current assignee: EG SYSTEM Ltd; OCT TELECOM Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-10
Filing date: 2003-09-05
Publication date: 2004-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2005-12-10
Also published as: AU2003260977A1; KR20040106990A; AU2003260977A8

Abstract

The present invention provides a control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations. The control scheduler apparatus includes a media editing unit including text, graphic, sound and moving picture editors for executing presentations. A scenario producing unit receives the various multimedia data output from the media editing unit and constructs a presentation scenario by temporally and spatially composing the multimedia data. A network synchronizing unit synchronizes respective media data to allow the user to execute presentations using the various multimedia data through the scenario producing unit. A presentation control unit outputs a control signal to allow the user to precisely execute the presentations based on a defined scenario depending on given temporal and spatial relationships. An output synchronizing unit synchronizes presentation data based on a requested presentation output time and a network transmission delay to precisely execute the presentations depending on the scenario.

Description

CONTROL SCHEDULER APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR

SYNCHRONOUSLY OUTPUTTING PRESENTATION DATA FOR

MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONS

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a control scheduler apparatus and method for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, and more particularly to a control scheduler apparatus and method for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, which can temporally and spatially control and operate a multimedia presentation using multimedia data, such as text, graphic, sound and moving picture data.

Background Art

Generally, multimedia authoring tools are classified into two types: tools for authoring a single integrated static document by inserting multimedia data into a static document, and multimedia presentation authoring tools for constructing a multimedia scenario through the temporal and spatial composition of respective multimedia data, and supporting the execution of presentations to a plurality of users by the multimedia scenario.

For example, PowerPoint, the famous presentation software of Microsoft Corporation of the United States, is a representative presentation authoring tool currently used. An authoring and presentation method applied to this software is implemented in such a way that a user records presentation data in every card and then progresses through a presentation by explaining each screen as if the user turns over the pages of a book. This authoring and presentation method is frequently utilized for presentations at various seminars and conferences. Further, in the above-described authoring and presentation method, most multimedia sources for a presentation utilize text and graphic data. In this case, the animation of the multimedia source, such as the movement of the multimedia source, can be performed by issuing a command using a user's manipulation of a keyboard or mouse within each page. However, a close temporal relationship for an entire presentation procedure is not taken into consideration.

Further, Flash, the software of Macromedia Corporation of the United States, is a multimedia authoring tool capable of Internet-based multimedia presentations, which can be used to author and present animation using a vector- based image, with the variable and band-limited characteristics of a network, such as the Internet, taken into consideration.

That is, in such a software authoring method, a presentation scenario is produced by defining times when various media data will be presented, and designating positions in spaces in which the media data will be displayed on screens. Further, Flash of Macromedia Corporation provides a low capacity and high speed execution environment, and acquires a large number of user groups due to its easy usage. However, since Flash is based on a network of the Internet, and uses only a vector image processing method so as to obtain low capacity data and a fast execution time, it is difficult to efficiently utilize existing text or image data stored on a disk. Especially, Flash is disadvantageous in that it is impossible to utilize images, such as moving picture data, for a presentation.

As described above, there are two respective tools currently used, that is, PowerPoint of Microsoft Corporation and Flash of Macromedia Corporation. The two representative presentation software tools have several problems in that they may limit groups of users and are inconvenient to use. Several problems related to the limitation and inconvenience are described below.

First, in the case where a vector-based presentation progresses, vector- based image processing guarantees low capacity data, but it cannot express various types of presentation effects due to low capacity data. Especially, it is difficult to utilize media data, such as moving picture data, for a presentation.

Second, an authoring and presentation software tool, such as PowerPoint having a book format storage type, can utilize various types of data, but it adopts an authoring type and a presentation method similar to the utilization of a book- format card. Therefore, the authoring and presentation tool is problematic in that it is difficult to closely combine all presentation procedures, and the control of a presenter is required.

Third, the authoring and presentation software tools have insufficient effects in a presentation. That is, when a presenter progresses through a presentation, the presenter must utilize media data in various formats to efficiently communicate required information, and facilitate the communication by expressing effects in required format. However, the authoring and presentation software tools are problematic in that, since they utilize only several simple effects for a presentation, the utilization thereof does not various effects.

Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control scheduler apparatus and method for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, which allows a user desiring a presentation to produce a preset scenario based on a predetermined time, and execute a presentation by spatially synchronizing multimedia data, such as text, graphic, sound, and moving picture data, at the predetermined time, thus expressing various multimedia presentation effects, and enabling the control scheduler apparatus and method to be widely applied to a variety of applications related to presentations (for example, outdoor electric bulletin board, etc.).

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, comprising a media editing unit including text, graphic, sound and moving picture editors for executing presentations to author various multimedia data corresponding to a desired scenario so as to allow a user to construct the desired scenario, a scenario producing unit for receiving the various multimedia data output from the media editing unit and constructing a presentation scenario by temporally and spatially composing the multimedia data to allow the user to execute various presentations, a network synchronizing unit for synchronizing respective media data to allow the user to execute presentations using the various multimedia data through the scenario producing unit, a presentation control unit for outputting a control signal to allow the user to precisely execute the presentations based on a defined scenario depending on given temporal and spatial relationships when the user constructs the defined scenario through the scenario producing unit, and an output synchronizing unit for synchronizing presentation data based on a requested presentation output time and a network transmission delay to precisely execute the presentations depending on the scenario given by the scenario producing unit.

Further, the present invention provides a control scheduler method of synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, comprising the steps of determining whether a user will edit various media data, such as text, graphic, sound and moving picture data, through a media editing unit, determining whether the user will produce a scenario to preset through a scenario producing unit if the user will not edit media data through the media editing unit at the media data edition determining step, determining whether the user will execute a presentation if the user will not produce a scenario through the scenario producing unit at the scenario production determining step, ending the control scheduler method if the user will not execute a presentation at the presentation execution determining step, while preparing a presentation using the media data prestored to enable the user to execute a desired presentation by a presentation control unit if the user will execute a presentation at the presentation execution determining step, determining by the presentation control unit whether any of a plurality of events, such as pause, reverse execution or search, has occurred by a control of the user, and progressing through the presentation if any event has not occurred at the event occurrence determining step, while analyzing an event occurred by the control of the user and then progressing through the presentation by the presentation control unit if any event has occurred at the event occurrence determining step.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a control scheduler method of synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a graphic edit screen in the control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a sound edit screen in the control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a video edit screen in the control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations according to the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a presentation screen in the control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations according to the embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Hereinafter, a control scheduler apparatus and method for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a control scheduler method of synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, and FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a graphic edit screen in the control . scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations.

Further, FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a sound edit screen in the control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a video edit screen in the control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, and FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a presentation screen in the control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control scheduler apparatus includes a media editing unit 100, a scenario producing unit 200, a network synchronizing unit 300, a presentation control unit 400, and an output synchronizing unit 500. The media editing unit 100 is comprised of text, graphic, sound and moving picture editors for executing presentations, and authors various multimedia data corresponding to a user's desired scenario so as to allow the user to construct the desired scenario. The scenario producing unit 200 receives the various multimedia data output from the media editing unit 100 and constructs a presentation scenario by temporally and spatially composing the multimedia data to allow the user to execute various presentations. The network synchronizing unit 300 synchronizes respective media data to allow the user to execute presentations using the various multimedia data through the scenario producing unit 200.

The presentation control unit 400 outputs a control signal to allow the user to precisely execute the presentations based on a defined scenario depending on given temporal and spatial relationships when the user constructs the defined scenario through the scenario producing unit 200.

Further, the output synchronizing unit 500 synchronizes presentation data based on a requested presentation output time and a network transmission delay to precisely execute the presentation depending on the scenario given by the scenario producing unit 200.

Hereinafter, an operation of the control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, having the above construction, will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, an integrated system for executing real-time multimedia presentations and authoring contents includes the media editing unit 100, the scenario producing unit 200, the network synchronizing unit 300, the presentation control unit 400, and the output synchronizing unit 500. In order to allow the user to execute a desired presentation, various multimedia contents are authored through the media editing unit 100 comprised of text, graphic, sound and moving picture editors.

In this case, the graphic editor of the media editing unit 100 is described below. The graphic editor produces and edits graphic data, such as Bit Map

(BMP) and Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format data, using an editor, as shown in FIG. 3. The graphic editor integrates an object-oriented processing function and an image processing function for drawing.

Further, the moving picture editor functions to move, delete and insert video data by the frame using a method of defining a block between frames with respect to the same video data or different video data. That is, the modification of an image for a single moving picture frame is processed using the graphic editor, and the modified image can be stored as an independent graphic file. Further, the user can execute an arbitrary part of frames by specifying start and end frames, reversely execute the frames, and execute the frames by jumping to another frame while maintaining a certain distance.

Through these various functions of the media editor, the control scheduler apparatus is designed so that a user constructs a new scenario for executing his or her desired presentation and easily changes an existing scenario through an additional manipulation. Various types of multimedia contents (sound, video, etc.) can be authored, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Then, the scenario producing unit 200 receives various multimedia data output from the media editing unit 100 and a video camera and constructs a presentation scenario by temporally and spatially composing the various multimedia data so as to allow the user to execute a presentation. That is, the scenario producing unit 200 is described in detail below. In order to present multimedia data, temporal and spatial relationships of respective media data are defined to compose the media data into one multimedia element.

For example, an action of temporally and spatially composing media data is called multimedia composition, which is classified into temporal composition and spatial composition. The temporal composition defines a temporal relationship between media data to be included in a presentation, and the spatial composition defines a position and type in which the respective media data are output in a display space.

Meanwhile, the network synchronizing unit 300 synchronizes respective media data to allow the user to execute a presentation using various multimedia data through the scenario producing unit 200.

That is, in order to provide a high quality service to the user by processing various multimedia data and transmitting the various multimedia data to the user, the respective media data must be synchronously transmitted to a receiving system depending the temporal and spatial relationships defined in the scenario over a network.

Further, consecutive media data can be continuously displayed without a break, only when output synchronization allowing the transmitted media data to be output at an exact time must be performed.

Then, the presentation control unit 400 outputs to the media editing unit

100, the scenario producing unit 200 and the network synchronizing unit 300 a control signal to allow the user to precisely execute a presentation based on a defined scenario depending on given temporal and spatial relationships when the user constructs the defined scenario through the scenario producing unit 200.

In the meantime, when the output synchronizing unit 500 synchronously outputs presentation data based on a requested presentation output time and a network transmission delay to execute a precise presentation depending on the scenario given by the scenario producing unit 200, the presentation data are displayed on a corresponding monitor, as shown in FIG. 6.

That is, the output synchronizing unit 500 is described in detail. In order to execute a precise presentation depending on the given scenario, multimedia synchronization based on the requested presentation output time and the network transmission delay must be performed. In this case, the output synchronization means that various buffered data are presented at an exact time using a single time pulse, in which each object is operated as an independent thread and is processed in parallel with another object.

Then, in order to control the parallel processing of respective media output threads, the execution of all threads are controlled by a common variable operated and controlled depending on the single time pulse, and a presentation is executed in such a way that respective objects are output in parallel along a time axis as the time of the common variable elapses.

Hereinafter, a control scheduler method of synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations is described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. It is determined whether the user will edit various media data, such as text, graphic, sound and moving picture data, through the media editing unit 100 at step S100.

In this case, if it is determined that the user will not edit the media data through the media editing unit 100 at step S100, it is determined whether the user will produce a scenario to present through the scenario producing unit 200 at step S200.

Thereafter, if it is determined that the user will not produce a scenario through the scenario producing unit 200 at step S200, it is determined whether the user will execute a presentation at step S300.

Further, if the user will not execute a presentation at step S300, the control scheduler method ends, while if the user will execute a presentation, the presentation control unit 400 prepares a presentation using media data prestored to enable the user to execute his or her desired presentation at step S400. Further, the presentation control unit 400 determines whether any of the several events, such as pause, reverse execution or search, has occurred by the control of the user at step S500. If it is determined that no event has occurred at step S500, the presentation control unit 400 continues to progress through the presentation at step S600, while if it is determined that any event has occurred at step S500, the presentation control unit 400 analyzes the event occurred by the control of the user, and then progresses through the presentation at step S700.

In the meantime, if the user has edited media data through the media editing unit 100 at step S100, the media editing unit 100 edits user's desired media data and then stores the edited media data at step SI 10. Further, if the user has produced a scenario through the scenario producing unit 200 at step S200, the scenario producing unit 200 registers an object according to the production of the scenario at step S210. Thereafter, the scenario producing unit 200 determines whether the registered object is to be edited according to attributes at step S220. At this time, if it is determined that the object registered as the scenario is not to be edited according to attributes at step S220, the scenario producing unit 200 determines whether the scenario is to be tested using the registered object at step S230. If it is determined that the scenario corresponding to the registered object is not to be tested at step S230, the control scheduler method ends, while if it is determined that the scenario is to be tested, the scenario producing unit 200 tests the scenario to present using the registered object at step S240.

Meanwhile, if it is determined that the object registered as the scenario is to be edited according to attributes at step S220, the scenario producing unit 200 edits the registered object according to attributes at step S221.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, the present invention provides a control scheduler apparatus and method for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, which allows a user desiring a presentation to produce a preset scenario based on a predetermined time, and execute a presentation by spatially synchronizing multimedia data, such as text, graphic, sound, and moving picture data, at the predetermined time, thus expressing various multimedia presentation effects, and enabling the control scheduler apparatus and method to be widely applied to a variety of applications related to presentations (for example, outdoor electric bulletin board, etc.).

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A control scheduler apparatus for synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, comprising: a media editing unit including text, graphic, sound and moving picture editors for executing presentations to author various multimedia data corresponding to a desired scenario so as to allow a user to construct the desired scenario; a scenario producing unit for receiving the various multimedia data output from the media editing unit and constructing a presentation scenario by temporally and spatially composing the multimedia data to allow the user to execute various presentations; a network synchronizing unit for synchronizing respective media data to allow the user to execute presentations using the various multimedia data through the scenario producing unit; a presentation control unit for outputting a control signal to allow the user to precisely execute the presentations based on a defined scenario depending on given temporal and spatial relationships when the user constructs the defined scenario through the scenario producing unit; and an output synchronizing unit for synchronizing presentation data based on a requested presentation output time and a network transmission delay to precisely execute the presentations depending on the scenario given by the scenario producing unit.

2. A control scheduler method of synchronously outputting presentation data for multimedia presentations, comprising the steps of: determining whether a user will edit various media data, such as text, graphic, sound and moving picture data, through a media editing unit; determining whether the user will produce a scenario to preset through a scenario producing unit if the user will not edit media data through the media editing unit at the media data edition determining step; determining whether the user will execute a presentation if the user will not produce a scenario through the scenario producing unit at the scenario production determining step; ending the control scheduler method if the user will not execute a presentation at the presentation execution determining step, while preparing a presentation using the media data prestored to enable the user to execute a desired presentation by a presentation control unit if the user will execute a presentation at the presentation execution determining step; determining by the presentation control unit whether any of a plurality of events, such as pause, reverse execution or search, has occurred by a control of the user; and progressing through the presentation if any event has not occurred at the event occurrence determining step, while analyzing an event occurred by the control of the user and then progressing through the presentation by the presentation control unit if any event has occurred at the event occurrence determining step.

3. The control scheduler method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of: editing media data required by the user and then storing the edited media data by the media editing unit if the user will edit the media data through the media editing unit at the media data edition determining step.

4. The control scheduler method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of: registering an object according to production of a scenario by the scenario producing unit if the user will produce a scenario through the scenario producing unit at the scenario production determining step; determining by the scenario producing unit whether the registered object is to be edited according to attributes; determining by the scenario producing unit whether the scenario is to be tested using the registered object if it is determined that the object registered as the scenario is not to be edited according to attributes at the attribute edition determining step; and ending the control scheduler method if it is determined that the scenario corresponding to the registered object is not to be tested at the scenario test determining step, while testing the scenario to present using the registered object by the scenario producing unit if it is determined that the scenario is to be tested at the scenario test determining step.

5. The control scheduler method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of: editing the registered object according to attributes by the scenario producing unit if it is determined that the object registered as the scenario is to be edited according to attributes at the attribute edition determining step.