PALISADES, N.Y.—The Video Call Center has been granted a patent for its caller queue process, which TV shows can use to help manage people calling into TV and video programs via smartphones.

U.S. Patent No. 10,904,386 covers VCC’s technology that manages participants using IP-based video calling from smartphones or other devices in the production of TV shows. This is designed to help TV shows, and other video productions, navigate pre-screened smartphone participants.

The technology is integrated in the VCC product Caller Queue. With it, producers can virtually invite unlimited numbers of viewers from anywhere to participate in live TV production; create a branded, virtual green room to retain guests prior to air, from which they watch the show or sign legal releases; sort, filter and prioritize available video callers; and communicate with callers to screen and prepare them prior to going on-air.

“Anyone can put one video caller on air, but only the VCC makes it possible to manage dozens, even hundreds of participants under all the pressures of live television production,” said VCC CEO Larry Thaler. “The VCC set out to make audience participation as easy and flexible for TV as radio call-in shows have had it for decades. We are delighted that the U.S. patent office recognizes what our broadcast and web customers already know—that the VCC is unique in its understanding of the systems and methods needed to turn billions of smartphones into highly capable production tools that expand creative, financial, and audience engagement options.”

VCC says that TV shows from Discovery Channel, TLC, Food Network and NBCUniversal are already using the technology.

This is the third patent that VCC has been granted.

For more information, visit www.thevcc.tv.  

PALISADES, N.Y.—The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has awarded the Video Call Center (VCC) a federal contract for access to VCC’s platform to create interactive video chat-driven TV programs and social video programs, the company announced today.

The government agency will use VCC’s HAT automation system and Caller Queue technology as well as consulting and production support services to create TV and video streaming programs in which audiences participate on camera.

“The VCC is proud to support the USAGM as it explores new techniques to engage with audiences around the world,” said Larry Thaler, CEO of the VCC. “This is a remarkable opportunity that showcases how the comprehensive video-call based production techniques pioneered at the VCC are valued by USAGM to expand the tools it has to interact with audiences.”

The government contract, the first awarded to VCC, will allow USAGM to develop a series of new TV and video productions. Audience members and guests will have the ability to participate in a show in a manner similar to call-in radio but with broadcast-quality video of all participants, the company said.

Under the contract, USAGM will have access to efficient workflows leveraging automation to reduce the number of technical crew members to a minimum. The VCC system includes Caller Queue, which provides the agency with cloud-based waiting rooms branded to each show where callers wait till it’s their turn to appear, it said.

With the system, show producers can see who is waiting, understand what a caller wishes to discuss, prioritize callers, talk to them and select callers to appear on air, the company said.

The contract also gives USAGM access to HVCC’s HAT system that automates tasks typically done by a technical director, audio mixer and graphics operator. Using HAT, a show host or single non-technical producer can produce a program without distraction while the show is on the air. Production teams can be located virtually anywhere around the world, the company said.

HAT uses contextual information about who is speaking to react automatically and switch professional on-air looks, including shot selection, crosstalk boxes, graphics, pacing, dissolves and cuts.

USAGM, formerly called the Broadcast Board of Governors, oversees Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Office of Cuba Broadcasting Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.

More information is available on the VCC website.

PALISADES, N.Y.—The video call-in is a key part of many types of TV shows these days, and Video Call Center has a new tool to help productions address its needs. Call Queue, which VCC has dubbed “Green Room in the Cloud,” allows producers to manage a large number of video callers and the ability to determine when they can be added to the live program.

With Caller Queue, viewers or guests can get access to the virtual Green Room courtesy of apps on their smartphones. The tool then allows for screening and preparation, including correct lighting, audio level and camera angle, while still being able to watch the live show until it is their turn, reportedly eliminating a busy signal. Producers can either automatically or manually prioritize information from callers. The VCC product can work with existing control rooms, or it can be operated without the overhead of a production control room, according to VCC’s press release.

VCC reports that Caller Queue is compatible with all smartphones.

Caller Queue is now available as a stand-alone Cloud service or as part of a complete production package from VCC.