FIELD

Various example embodiments relate to publishing graphics to air as part of a media event. An example embodiment relates to publishing graphics to air as part of a live media event. An example embodiment relates to generating graphics to be aired as part of a live media event before the beginning of the media event.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, when producing a media production, a producer or editor relies on a specialized graphics operator to create screen graphics for broadcasting as part of the media production. Shortcomings of this process may be especially apparent during production of a live media production, such as a live sporting event and/or the like. For example, the specialized graphics operator would need to create sporting event appropriate graphics (e.g., with the correct team colors and/or logo) with current statistics for the sporting event in real time during the live production by identifying the pathname, file name, file path, and/or the like (referred to as a pathname herein) for the various graphic elements, correctly typing real time and/or near real time statistics, and/or the like. This process is inefficient and can lead to errors in the graphics played live to air.

Therefore, a need exists for improved methods, apparatus, systems, computer program products, computing devices, computing entities, and/or the like for producing, generating, publishing, and/or rendering graphics for broadcasting as part of a media production.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Various example embodiments provide systems, methods, computing entities, apparatuses, computer program products and/or the like for providing a user-friendly graphics building interface (GBI) and corresponding graphics building platform for quickly and efficiently generating graphics to be aired as part of a media event. Various example embodiments provide systems, methods, computing entities, apparatuses, computer program products and/or the like for providing a user-friendly GBI and corresponding graphics building platform for quickly and efficiently generating graphics to be aired as part of a live media event before the live media event starts and/or during the live media event. For example, in various embodiments, user selection of a template may cause the generation of a graphics object encoding a graphic having predetermined structural information/data and a predetermined set of fields. In an example embodiment, the fields may be text fields or content fields. In an example embodiment, the content fields may comprise pathnames and/or file paths to one or more content items. The content items may comprise graphical content (e.g., logos, photographs, images, and/or the like) and non-graphical content (e.g., statistics, background information/data, and/or the like). Further, user selection of a single user-selection may cause two or more fields of the graphic object to be populated. For example, the two or more fields may be populated with text, a pathname and/or file path identifying a file and/or a location within the file storing a content item, and/or the like. Various embodiments allow a user to generate one or more graphics prior to the beginning of a media event and export the graphics to a file that is moderately-sized (e.g., flat file). For example, one or more graphics may be exported to a single file that is in the kilobyte size range rather than the Megabyte size range. The moderately-sized file may then be emailed and/or otherwise transmitted to one or more other users. The pre-generated graphic may then be rendered, published, and/or the like based on the moderately-sized file, in an example embodiment. In an example embodiment, when the pre-generated graphics are rendered, published, and/or the like based on the moderately-sized file, it may be determined if the content items referenced by the pathnames and/or file paths in the moderately-sized file are the most current version of those content items. In an example embodiment, if one or more of the content items have been updated since the generation of the moderately-sized file, the graphic may be automatically rendered, published, and/or the like with the current version of the content item. For example, the pre-generated graphic may be rendered, published, and/or the like with real time and/or near real time accurate statistics, logos, and/or other content items.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for generating a digital graphic is provided. In an example embodiment, the method comprises providing a graphics building interface to be displayed by and interacted with via a user computing entity; generating a graphics object, the graphics object being a data structure comprising a predetermined set of fields and predetermined structure information; receiving an indication of user input selecting a first selectable option from a plurality of selectable options, the user input received via the graphics building interface; identifying at least one pathname corresponding to the first selectable option; and updating the graphics object based on the at least one pathname and the first selectable option. The updating of the graphics object comprises updating two or more fields of the predetermined set of fields. At least one of the two or more fields is populated with the at least one pathname. The at least one pathname indicates one of (a) a file, (b) a location within the file, or (c) both where a content item corresponding to the first selectable option is stored.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for generating a digital graphic is provided. In an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one processor, a network interface configured to communicate via at least one network, and a memory storing computer-executable code portions. The computer-executable code portions are configured to, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least cause a graphics building interface to be displayed by a user computing entity and configured for user interaction via the user computing entity; generate a graphics object, the graphics object being a data structure comprising a predetermined set of fields and predetermined structure information; receive an indication of user input selecting a first selectable option from a plurality of selectable options, the user input received via the graphics building interface; identify at least one pathname corresponding to the first selectable option; and update the graphics object based on the at least one pathname and the first selectable option. The updating of the graphics object comprises updating two or more fields of the predetermined set of fields. At least one of the two or more fields is populated with the at least one pathname. The at least one pathname indicates one of (a) a file, (b) a location within the file, or (c) both where a content item corresponding to the first selectable option is stored.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer program product for generating a digital graphic is provided. In an example embodiment, the computer program product comprises at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein. The computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions configured to cause a graphics building interface to be displayed by a user computing entity and configured for user interaction via the user computing entity; generate a graphics object, the graphics object being a data structure comprising a predetermined set of fields and predetermined structure information; receive an indication of user input selecting a first selectable option from a plurality of selectable options, the user input received via the graphics building interface; identify at least one pathname corresponding to the first selectable option; and update the graphics object based on the at least one pathname and the first selectable option. The updating of the graphics object comprises updating two or more fields of the predetermined set of fields. At least one of the two or more fields is populated with the at least one pathname. The at least one pathname indicates one of (a) a file, (b) a location within the file, or (c) both where a content item corresponding to the first selectable option is stored.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method for generating a graphic is provided. In an example embodiment, the method comprises providing a graphics building interface to be displayed by and interacted with via a user computing entity; and receiving user input selecting a template from a plurality of templates. The template comprises a predetermined set of fields and predetermined graphics structure information and the user input is received via the graphics building interface. The method further comprises receiving user input selecting a graphic context. The graphic context comprises predetermined style information and the user input received via the graphics building interface. The method further comprises generating a graphics object comprising the predetermined set of fields, the predetermined graphics structure information, and the predetermined style information based on the selected graphic context and the selected template; and updating the graphics building interface to provide one or more content selectors based on the predetermined set of fields.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for generating a digital graphic is provided. In an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one processor, a network interface configured to communicate via at least one network, and a memory storing computer-executable code portions. The computer-executable code portions are configured to, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least cause a graphics building interface to be displayed by a user computing entity and configured for user interaction via the user computing entity and receive an indication of user input selecting a template from a plurality of templates. The template comprising a predetermined set of fields and predetermined graphics structure information and the user input received via the graphics building interface. The computer-executable code portions are further configured to, when executed by the at least one processor, configured to cause the apparatus to at least receive an indication of user input selecting a graphic context. The graphic context comprising predetermined style information and the user input received via the graphics building interface. The computer-executable code portions are further configured to, when executed by the at least one processor, configured to cause the apparatus to at least generate a graphics object comprising the predetermined set of fields, the predetermined graphics structure information, and the predetermined style information based on the selected graphic context and the selected template; and cause the graphics building interface to be updated to provide one or more content selectors based on the predetermined set of fields.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer program product for generating a digital graphic is provided. In an example embodiment, the computer program product comprises at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein. The computer-executable program code instructions comprise program code instructions configured to cause a graphics building interface to be displayed by a user computing entity and configured for user interaction via the user computing entity and receive an indication of user input selecting a template from a plurality of templates. The template comprising a predetermined set of fields and predetermined graphics structure information and the user input received via the graphics building interface. The computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to receive an indication of user input selecting a graphic context. The graphic context comprising predetermined style information and the user input received via the graphics building interface. The computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to generate a graphics object comprising the predetermined set of fields, the predetermined graphics structure information, and the predetermined style information based on the selected graphic context and the selected template; and cause the graphics building interface to be updated to provide one or more content selectors based on the predetermined set of fields.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method preparing a graphic to be aired as part of a media production prior to the beginning of the media production is provided. In an example embodiment, the method comprises generating, by a user apparatus comprising a processor, a memory, and a user interface, a graphic object encoding the graphic based on user input received via a graphics building interface provided via the user interface. The graphic object comprises at least one pathname indicating one of (a) a file, (b) a location within the file, or (c) both where a content item of the graphic is stored in a content database stored by the memory. The method further comprises receiving, by the user apparatus, user input via the graphics building interface requesting the encoding of the graphic in a graphic document; generating, by the user apparatus, a graphic document comprising the graphic object; and storing, by the user apparatus, the graphic document in the memory. The graphic encoded in the graphic document is configured to be provided during the airing of a media production. The graphic document is generated prior to the beginning of the media production.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for preparing a graphic to be aired as part of a media production prior to the beginning of the media production is provided. In an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one processor, a network interface configured to communicate via at least one network, and a memory storing computer-executable code portions. The computer-executable code portions are configured to, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least generate a graphic object encoding the graphic based on user input received via a graphics building interface provided via the user interface. The graphic object comprises at least one pathname indicating one of (a) a file, (b) a location within the file, or (c) both where a content item of the graphic is stored in a content database stored by the memory. The computer-executable code portions are further configured to, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive user input via the graphics building interface requesting the encoding of the graphic in a graphic document; generate a graphic document comprising the graphic object; and store the graphic document in the memory. The graphic encoded in the graphic document is configured to be provided during the airing of a media production and the graphic document is generated prior to the beginning of the media production.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer program product for preparing a graphic to be aired as part of a media production prior to the beginning of the media production is provided. In an example embodiment, the computer program product comprises at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein. The computer-executable program code instructions comprise program code instructions configured to generate a graphic object encoding the graphic based on user input received via a graphics building interface provided via the user interface. The graphic object comprises at least one pathname indicating one of (a) a file, (b) a location within the file, or (c) both where a content item of the graphic is stored in a content database stored by the memory. The computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to receive user input via the graphics building interface requesting the encoding of the graphic in a graphic document; generate a graphic document comprising the graphic object; and store the graphic document in the memory. The graphic encoded in the graphic document is configured to be provided during the airing of a media production and the graphic document is generated prior to the beginning of the media production.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method for rendering a graphic based on pre-generated graphic is provided. In an example embodiment, the method comprises reading a graphic object from a graphic document comprising the graphic object. The graphic object (a) encodes the pre-generated graphic and (b) comprises (i) structure information and (ii) one or more fields corresponding to one or more content items of the pre-generated graphic. The method further comprises accessing the one or more content items from a local content database, the one or more content items referenced in the graphic object by a pathname; rendering a graphic comprising the content items corresponding to the one or more fields by arranging the one or more content items in accordance with the structure information; and causing display of the graphic via a user interface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for rendering a graphic based on a pre-generated graphic is provided. In an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one processor, a network interface configured to communicate via at least one network, and a memory storing computer-executable code portions. The computer-executable code portions are configured to, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least read a graphic object from a graphic document comprising the graphic object. The graphic object (a) encoding the pre-generated graphic and (b) comprising (i) structure information and (ii) one or more fields corresponding to one or more content items of the pre-generated graphic. The computer-executable code portions are further configured to, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least access the one or more content items from a local content database, the one or more content items referenced in the graphic object by a pathname; render a graphic comprising the content items corresponding to the one or more fields by arranging the one or more content items in accordance with the structure information; and cause display of the graphic via a user interface.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer program product for rendering a graphic based on a pre-generated graphic is provided. In an example embodiment, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein. The computer-executable program code instructions comprise program code instructions configured to read a graphic object from a graphic document comprising the graphic object. The graphic object (a) encoding the pre-generated graphic and (b) comprising (i) structure information and (ii) one or more fields corresponding to one or more content items of the pre-generated graphic. The computer-executable program code instructions further comprise program code instructions configured to access the one or more content items from a local content database, the one or more content items referenced in the graphic object by a pathname; render a graphic comprising the content items corresponding to the one or more fields by arranging the one or more content items in accordance with the structure information; and cause display of the graphic via a user interface.

