Partitioned editing method for a collection of video still pictures

Claim 1

An editing method divided into separate levels for organizing a predetermined sequence of prerecorded video pictures into an electronic picture file having a modified display sequence, the video pictures being prerecorded on a plurality of video disks arranged in a predetermined order in a removable magazine disposed in a video player, said picture organization being (1) distinct from the pictures in a memory appended to the magazine, and (2) dependent upon different types of picture-related data that identify such characteristics as subject-matter category, picture display order and picture description, said editing method comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of mutually independent editing levels, each level devoted to specifying at least one particular type of picture-related data; selecting a first editing level; transferring a disk from the magazine into the player; displaying a prerecorded picture from the disk; generating picture-related data defining the corresponding characteristic for the displayed picture; storing said picture-related data in the memory appended to the magazine; and replacing the disk in the magazine according to the predetermined order whereby the picture on the disk is prepared for display according to the organization dictated by said picture-related data stored in the memory.