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EP0871177A2
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A non-timeline, non-linear digital multimedia composition method and system
Assignee: Sonic Solutions LLC
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Filing: 1998-04-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2018-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A non-temporal, non-linear multimedia composition method and software system used in producing digital composition sequences. The method treats all digital signals and information, including video, audio, image, documents source materials, as common data types for composition and creation purposes, The invention employs a spatial, non-temporal, non-linear story line method for displaying and manipulating digital source material objects for composition purposes. The method utilizes content specific, dynamic pictorial objects to denote digital source materials stored in computer readable format to facilitate ease of operation in performing non-linear, non-timeline multimedia composition operations. Methods are provided for dynamic previewing and manipulation of images, video, audio, three dimensional objects and animation sequences denoted by dynamic pictorial objects representing digital source materials stored in computer readable format. The method of the present invention employs a function-specific software console metaphor in which all composition elements are displayed within a single, integrated console environment, including a dynamic story line display facility, video editor, special effects editor, transitions editor, video animation editor, audio studio, plug-in editor, digital capture and output editor. The present invention includes a method for visually denoting the active status of one or more composition editors as applied to a specific composition segment or sequence. Methods for facilitating dynamic image capture from digital video sources are employed in the present invention. The system and method utilizes animated multistage three dimensional pictorial icons with associated properties as controls for the purpose of initiating specific computing commands and composition process related tasks.
Inventors
- 👤 Ihor Petelycky
- 👤 Michael Harris
- 👤 Scott Northmore
- 👤 Graeme Elliot
- 👤 Daniel Staheli
- 👤 Jeff Smith
- 👤 Alan Page
- 👤 Prasad Maruvada
- 👤 Yongjiam Zhai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/234; H04N21/23412; G; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/02; G11B27/031; G11B27/034; G11B27/10; G11B27/34; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/44; H04N21/44012; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/40; G11B2220/41
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for non-timeline, non-linear digital multimedia composition
comprising the steps of: a) representing multimedia materials stored in memory as objects; b) retrieving one or more of said objects from said memory for display on
a composition console; c) dynamically viewing and editing said one or more objects on said
composition console to produce edited objects; and d) placing said edited objects on a storyline area of said composition
console to create a storyline, said storyline being viewable on said
composition console.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of editing said storyline
and producing a final composition from objects on said storyline.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of storing said final
composition as an object in said memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said step of editing said storyline includes
steps of reorganizing objects thereon and dynamically viewing and editing said
objects on said composition console.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said multimedia materials includes image,
video, audio, and text materials.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
89 words
A system for non-timeline, non-linear digital multimedia composition, the
system comprising: a) means for representing multimedia materials stored in memory as
objects; b) means for retrieving one or more of said objects from said memory for
display on a composition console; c) means for dynamically viewing and editing said one or more objects on
said composition console to produce edited objects; and d) means for placing said edited objects on a storyline area of said
composition console to create a storyline, said storyline being viewable
on said composition console.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 6 further comprising means for editing said storyline and
producing a final composition from objects on said storyline.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 7 further comprising means for storing said final
composition as an object in said memory.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said means for editing said storyline includes
means for reorganizing edited objects thereon and means for dynamically viewing and
editing said edited objects on said composition console.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said multimedia materials includes image,
video, audio, and text materials.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
A computer readable media encoded with a computer program for creating
non-timeline, non-linear digital multimedia compositions from multimedia materials
stored in memory as objects comprising: a) means for retrieving one or more of said objects from said memory for
display on a composition console; b) means for dynamically viewing and editing said one or more objects on
said composition console to produce edited objects; and c) means for placing said edited objects on a storyline area of said
composition console to create a storyline, said storyline being viewable
on said composition console.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for producing a multimedia composition comprising the steps of: a) providing a user interface having a source material object window and
a storyline strip, said storyline strip having a plurality of positions; b) associating individual identifiers in said window with time varying
dynamic multimedia source material objects; c) choosing one of said identifiers in said window to retrieve a selected
object; d) dragging said chosen identifier across said interface to one of said
positions on said storyline strip; e) repeating steps (c) and (d) to organize a multi-object, multimedia
composition in a desired order; and f) generating an output composition from selected objects organized on
said storyline strip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said positions include object viewing frame
positions and transition frame positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said source material objects include video
objects, audio objects and combined audio-visual objects.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of moving said chosen
identifier from a first position to a second position on said storyline strip to organize
said composition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said output composition is presented on an
audio-visual display.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said output composition is stored in external
memory.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said output composition is stored via a tape
device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said source material objects are retrieved
from a remote source.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for creating a multimedia composition from multimedia source
material objects, the system comprising: a) a user interface having: i) a tool bar for accessing system functions; ii) a source library window for accessing multimedia source
material objects; iii) a console for previewing and editing said multimedia source
material objects to create output objects; and iv) a storyline for assembling said output objects to form an output
composition; b) a processor for editing said source material objects and creating and
organizing said output composition in response to user input entered in
a said user interface; and c) a display for displaying said output composition on said console.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said processor is operable to output said
output composition to an output device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said output device is a memory storage
medium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said console includes a preview area, and a
plurality of editing tool activators corresponding to a plurality of editing tools
selectable to edit said multimedia source material objects.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the activation of a selected one of said editing
tool activators causes said console to display the controls of said corresponding
editing tool.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said tool bar includes a plurality of two
dimensional iconic activators, said iconic activators transforming into three
dimensional activators in response to movement of a pointing device in close
proximity.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said tool bar contains a plurality of two
dimensional activators, said activators being conditioned to exhibit three dimensional
rotation when activated to signal that the operation corresponding to said activator has
been initialized.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for producing a multimedia composition, the system comprising: a) means for generating a user interface having a source material object
window and a storyline strip, said storyline strip having a plurality of
positions; b) means for associating individual identifiers in said window with time
varying dynamic multimedia source material objects; c) means for choosing one of said identifiers in said window to retrieve a
selected object; d) means for placing said chosen identifier at one of said positions on said
storyline strip; e) means for organizing a multi-object, multimedia composition in a
desired order; and f) means for generating an output composition from selected objects
organized on said storyline strip.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said positions include object viewing frame
positions and transition frame positions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said source material objects include video
objects, audio objects and combined audio-visual objects.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said means for organizing includes means for
moving said chosen identifier from a first position to a second position on said
storyline strip to organize said composition.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
131 words
A computer readable media encoded with a computer program for producing a
multimedia composition from multimedia materials stored in memory as source
material objects comprising: a) means for generating a user interface having a source material object
window and a storyline strip, said storyline strip having a plurality of
positions; b) means for associating individual identifiers in said window with time
varying dynamic multimedia source material objects; c) means for choosing one of said identifiers in said window to retrieve a
selected source method object from memory; d) means for placement of one or more selected said identifiers to selected
positions on said storyline strip to organize a multi-object, multimedia
composition in a desired order; and e) means for generating an output composition from selected objects
organized on said storyline strip.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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