WO2014165645A1 - Retrieving and reviewing depositions, trial transcripts, exhibits, videos, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on a mobile computing device in a user friendly manner - Google Patents

Abstract

[0054] A method for allowing a user to retrieve and review depositions, trial transcripts, exhibits, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on the user's mobile computing device in a user friendly manner. A selection of a transcript is received from a user of a mobile computing device. The selected transcript is then displayed to the user of the mobile computing device. A selection of a portion of text in the transcript is later received from the user. A start time code and an end time code is then identified corresponding to the selected portion of text in the transcript. A video clip, corresponding to the start and end time codes, is then retrieved and downloaded to the user of the mobile computing device.

Description

RETRIEVING AND REVIEWING DEPOSITIONS, TRIAL TRANSCRIPTS, EXHIBITS, VIDEOS, DOCUMENTS, IMAGES, AUDIO RECORDINGS AND OTHER MEDIA ON A

MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE IN A USER FRIENDLY MANNER

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/8080,055, "Retrieving and Reviewing Depositions, Trial Transcripts, Exhibits, Videos, Documents, Images, Audio Recordings and Other Media on a Mobile Computing Device in User Friendly Manner," filed on April 3, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to legal software, and more particularly to allowing a user to retrieve and review depositions, deposition transcripts, trial transcripts, exhibits, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on the user's mobile computing device in a user friendly manner.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Currently, conventional legal software for deposition management and trial presentation is exceedingly difficult to use and does not work well on mobile computing devices (e.g., smartphone, tablet computer). For example, deposition and trial transcripts, videos and exhibits are currently delivered in a piecemeal fashion: the video is mailed on a DVD, a CD, or a USB drive; the transcript is emailed; the exhibits are mailed on a DVD, CD or USB drive; the transcript is hosted on a vendor^'s website; or some awkward combination of the above. The end user is left with a hodgepodge of materials and no easy way to retrieve and review the entire deposition or trial transcript, videos, exhibits and other media on his or her convputer or mobile device, much less create video clips and exhibit annotations or markups and present the material to an audience. Most attorneys sti ll rely on loading physical media into expensive and cumbersome desktop trial software. Even when deposition and trial tra scripts and exhibits are delivered electronically, they are often printed for review'. This is an inefficient, outdated process that needs to be replaced. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for allowing a user to retrieve and review depositions, trial transcripts, exhibits, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on the user's mobile computing device in a user friendly manner comprises receiving a selection of a transcript from a user of a mobile computing device. The method further comprises retrieving the selected transcript. The method additionally comprises displaying the selected transcript to the user of the mobile computing device. Furthermore, the method comprises receiving a selection of a portion of text in the transcript from the user of the mobile computing device. Additionally, the method comprises identifying a start time code and an end time code corresponding to the selected portion of text in the transcript. In addition, the method comprises retrieving a video clip corresponding to the start and end time codes. Furthermore, the method comprises downloading the video clip corresponding to the start and end time codes to the user of the mobile device.

[0005] The foregoing has outlined rather generally the features and technical advantages of one or more embodiments of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the present invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be described hereinafter which may form the subject of the claims of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0007] A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0008] Figure 1 illustrates a communication system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 illustrates a user selecting ranges of time encoded (a.k.a time-stamped) text from a transcript where a corresponding video clip is streamed and/or downloaded to the user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 3 illustrates a hardware configuration of the processing server in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for retrieving and reviewing depositions, deposition transcripts, trial transcripts, exhibits, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on a user's mobile computing device in a user friendly manner in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 5 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating creating an account in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 6 is a screenshot of the user's web browser illustrating uploading a transcript and corresponding video and exhibits in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 7 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the user of the mobile computing device viewing the transcript in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 8 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the user of the mobile computing device selecting text from the transcript in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0016] Figure 9 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the web server downloading a video clip to the user of the mobile computing device in response to the user selecting to play the video clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 10 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the user of the mobile computing device receiving a video stream or a video clip for the time range requested in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018] Figure 11 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the capability of copying the selected transcript and corresponding video and exhibits, documents and other media to the user's presentation for later presentation or review in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits have been shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. For the most part, details considering timing considerations and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention and are within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

[0020] While the following discusses the present invention in connection with retrieving and reviewing depositions, deposition transcripts, trial transcripts, exhibits, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on a user's mobile computing device in a user friendly manner, the principles of the present invention may be applied to non-mobile computing devices, such as desktop computers. A person of ordinary skill in the art would be capable of applying the principles of the present invention to such implementations. Further, embodiments applying the principles of the present invention to such implementations would fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0021] Referring now to the Figures in detail, Figure 1 illustrates communication system 100 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Communication system 100 includes a mobile computing device 101 (e.g., portable computing unit, personal digital assistant (PDA), smartphone, laptop computer, mobile phone, navigation device, game console, Internet appliance and the like) connected to a server 102 (e.g., web server) via a network 103. Network 103 may be, for example, a local area network, a wide area network, a wireless wide area network, a circuit-switched telephone network, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) network, a WiFi network, an IEEE 802.11 standards network, various combinations thereof, etc. Other networks, whose descriptions are omitted here for brevity, may also be used in conjunction with system 100 of Figure 1 without departing from the scope of the present invention. [0022] Web server 102 is configured to deliver the web content to a user of mobile device 101, such as the content directed to retrieving depositions, deposition transcripts, trial transcripts, exhibits, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on the user's mobile computing device 101 as discussed in greater detail below. A description of the hardware configuration of web server 102 is provided below in connection with Figure 3.

[0023] System 100 further includes a processing server 104 connected to web server 102 configured to process requests from the user of mobile device 101, such as requests for a video clip of a section from a deposition or trial transcript. Processing server 104 is further configured to handle other requests from the user of mobile device 101, such as accessing trial and deposition transcripts, videos and exhibits stored in a database 105 on behalf of the user. In one embodiment, processing server 104 is configured to retrieve a deposition or trial video requested by the user of mobile device 101 from database 105 and stream the retrieved deposition or trial video to the user of mobile device 101. In one embodiment, processing server 104 is configured to retrieve a video clip of a section from a deposition or trial transcript selected by the user of mobile device 101 as well as retrieve any exhibits referenced in the selected deposition or trial transcript. In one embodiment, processing server 104 provides the user of mobile device 101 the capability of performing keyword searching of the entire transcript as well as allowing the user to highlight, callout, redact and draw on exhibits, where such highlights, callouts, redacts and edits to the exhibits are stored in database 105 to be later retrieved by the user of mobile device 101. Furthermore, processing server 104 provides the capability of what is referred to herein as the "Presentation" feature, which allows the user of mobile device 101 to create and edit slides of videos, transcripts and exhibits. The "Presentation" gives the user the capability of copying the selected transcript and corresponding video and exhibits, documents and other media to the user's presentation for later presentation or review in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The "Presentation" also enables the user to create and edit blank slides for presentation or review in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] In one embodiment, web server 102 and processing server 104 may be a single server, where the functionality of web server 102 is embodied in software. A description of the hardware configuration of processing server 104 is provided below in connection with Figure 3. [0025] Referring to Figure 1, a user from a desktop computer 106A, 106B may interact with both web server 102, processing server 104. Desktop computers 106A, 106B may collectively or individually be referred to as desktop computers 106 or desktop computer 106, respectively. In one embodiment, a user from desktop computer 106, such as desktop computer 106B, sends video files and transcripts to processing server 104. Alternatively, a user from desktop 106 may send the video files and transcripts to processing server 104 via web server 102 (e.g., web portal). At that time, processing server 104 strips out the audio and sends the files and transcripts to a timestamping alignment engine 107. In one embodiment, time stamping engine 107 is configured to encode time information on the transcript, such as a section of testimony in the transcript, with a range of time (e.g., range of time in the video file) that corresponds to that section of testimony. For example, a section of testimony in the transcript, such as testimony on page 4, lines 4-10, may be encoded with time information that indicates that section of testimony corresponds to the 5th and 6th minutes of testimony recorded in the video file (with audio). In this manner, when the user of mobile device 101 selects a portion of testimony in a deposition/transcript so as to retrieve the corresponding video (with audio), processing server 104 is able to retrieve the appropriate video (with audio) for the user to review as discussed in further detail below.

[0026] In one embodiment, after timestamping alignment engine 107 completes encoding the transcript, it is sent to web server 102 for sending to the user of mobile device 101 via an application programming interface. A description of the user of mobile device 101 retrieving video corresponding to a selected portion of a transcription is discussed below in connection with Figure 2.

[0027] Figure 2 illustrates a user selecting ranges of time encoded text from a transcript where a corresponding video clip is downloaded to the user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Referring to Figure 2, the user of mobile device 101 selects a range of time encoded text from a transcript. Upon selecting the range of time encoded text from the transcript, mobile device 101 calls web server 102 via an application programming interface for either a time specific stream from an arbitrary section of a video file or a downloadable clip from that same section. These clips can be used for review or presentation.

[0029] Referring now to Figure 3, Figure 3 illustrates a hardware configuration of web server 102, processing server 104 (Figure 1) which is representative of a hardware environment for practicing the present invention. Server 102, 104 has a processor 301 coupled to various other components by system bus 302. An operating system 303 runs on processor 301 and provides control and coordinates the functions of the various components of Figure 3. An application 304 in accordance with the principles of the present invention runs in conjunction with operating system 303 and provides calls to operating system 303 where the calls implement the various functions or services to be performed by application 304. Application 304 of processing server 104 may include, for example, an application for allowing a user to retrieve and review depositions, deposition transcripts, trial transcripts, exhibits, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on the user's mobile computing device in a user friendly manner as discussed further below in association with Figures 4-11.

[0030] Referring again to Figure 3, read-only memory ("ROM") 305 is coupled to system bus 302 and includes a basic input/output system ("BIOS") that controls certain basic functions of server 102, 104. Random access memory ("RAM") 306 and disk adapter 307 are also coupled to system bus 302. It should be noted that software components including operating system 303 and application 304 may be loaded into RAM 306, which may be server's 102, 104 main memory for execution. Disk adapter 307 may be an integrated drive electronics ("IDE") adapter that communicates with a disk unit 308, e.g., disk drive. It is noted that the application for allowing a user to retrieve and review depositions, deposition transcripts, trial transcripts, exhibits, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on the user's mobile computing device in a user friendly manner, as discussed further below in association with Figures 4-11, may reside in disk unit 308 or in application 304.

[0031] Server 102, 104 may further include a communications adapter 309 coupled to bus 302. Communications adapter 309 interconnects bus 302 with an outside network (e.g., network 103 of Figure 1) thereby enabling server 102, 104 to communicate with other client devices 101. [0032] The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

[0033] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non- exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

[0034] Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device. [0035] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

[0036] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

[0037] These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[0038] The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[0039] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0040] As stated in the Background section, currently, conventional legai software for deposition management and trial presentation is exceedingly difficult to use and does not work well on mobile computing devices (e.g., smartphcme, tablet computer). For example, deposition and trial transcripts, videos and exhibits are currently delivered in a piecemeal fashion: the video is mailed on a DVD, a CD, or a USB drive; the transcript is emailed; the exhibits are mailed on a DVD, CD or USB drive; the transcript is hosted on a vendor's website; or some awkward combination of the above. The end user is left with a hodgepodge of materials and no easy way to retrieve and review the entire deposition or trial transcript, videos and exhibits on his or her computer or mobile device, much less create video clips and exhibit annotations or markups and present the material to an audience. Most attorneys still rely on loading physical media into expensive and cumbersome desktop trial software. Even when deposition and trial transcripts and exhibits are delivered electronically, they are often printed for review. This is an inefficient, outdated process that needs to be replaced.

[0041] The principles of the present invention provides a means for providing an efficient process that allows the user to retrieve and review depositions, deposition transcripts, trial transcripts, exhibits, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on the user's mobile computing device in a user friendly manner as discussed further below in association with Figures 4-11. Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for retrieving and reviewing depositions, trial transcripts, exhibits, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on a user's mobile computing device in a user friendly manner. Figure 5 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating creating an account. Figure 6 is a screenshot of the user's browser illustrating uploading a transcript and corresponding video. Figure 7 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the user of the mobile computing device viewing the transcript. Figure 8 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the user of the mobile computing device selecting text from the transcript. Figure 9 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the web server downloading a video clip to the user of the mobile computing device in response to the user selecting to play the video clip. Figure 10 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the user of the mobile computing device receiving a video stream or a video clip for the time range requested. Figure 11 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the capability of copying the selected transcript and corresponding video to the "Presentation" for later presentation or review.

[0042] As stated above, Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method 400 for retrieving and reviewing depositions, deposition transcripts, trial transcripts, exhibits, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on a user's mobile computing device in a user friendly manner in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0043] Referring to Figure 4, in conjunction with Figures 1-3, in step 401, the user of mobile computing device 101 creates an account as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating creating an account in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] In step 402, the user of mobile computing device 101 selects the transcript and corresponding video to be uploaded by processing server 104 from database 105 as shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 is a screenshot of the user's browser illustrating uploading a transcript and corresponding video in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] In step 403, the user of mobile computing device 101 views the selected transcript as shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the user of the mobile computing device viewing the transcript in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] In step 404, the user of mobile computing device 101 selects a portion of the text from the transcript as shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the user of the mobile computing device selecting text from the transcript in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] In step 405, processing server 104 identifies the start and end time codes in the selected text.

[0048] In step 406, processing server 104 presents options to the user of mobile computing device 101, such as the options for playing the video of the transcript or playing the video clip corresponding to the selected text as shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the web server downloading a video clip to the user of the mobile computing device in response to the user selecting to play the video clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] In step 407, processing server 104 sends the start and end time codes to web server 102 in response to the user selecting play the video clip. [0050] In step 408, web server 102 retrieves the video stream (if user selected to play the video stream) or the video clip (if the user selected to play the video clip) to be displayed to the mobile computing device 101 as shown in Figure 10. Figure 10 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the user of the mobile computing device receiving a video stream or a video clip for the time range requested in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the video clip that is displayed to the mobile computing device 101 is for the time range requested. In one embodiment, web server 102 had previously received the encoded transcript from time-stamping alignment engine 107. In one embodiment, the corresponding video clip is retrieved from database 105. In one embodiment, the video of the entire transcript is retrieved from database 105.

[0051] In step 409, processing server 104 copies the transcript and corresponding video or video clip to the "Presentation" in response to the user selecting the option to copy the transcript and corresponding video or video clip to the "Presentation" as shown in Figure 11. Figure 11 is a screenshot of the user's mobile application illustrating the capability of copying the selected transcript and corresponding video to the "Presentation" for later presentation or review in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] In some implementations, method 400 may include other and/or additional steps that, for clarity, are not depicted. Further, in some implementations, method 400 may be executed in a different order presented. Additionally, in some implementations, certain steps in method 300 may be executed in a substantially simultaneous manner or may be omitted.

[0053] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for allowing a user to retrieve and review depositions, trial transcripts, exhibits, documents, images, audio recordings and other media on the user's mobile computing device in a user friendly manner, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of a transcript from a user of a mobile computing device;

retrieving said selected transcript;

displaying said selected transcript to said user of said mobile computing device;

receiving a selection of a portion of text in said transcript from said user of said mobile computing device;

identifying a start time code and an end time code corresponding to said selected portion of text in said transcript;

retrieving a video clip corresponding to said start and end time codes; and

downloading said video clip corresponding to said start and end time codes to said user of said mobile computing device.