US6204840B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Non-timeline, non-linear digital multimedia composition method and system
Assignee: Adeia Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1998-04-08
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Granted: 2001-03-20
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Expires: 2018-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for digital multimedia composition including selecting multimedia data segments, arranging the selected multimedia data segments on a single storyline strip, inserting transitions between adjacent multimedia data segments on the storyline strip, and combining the selected multimedia data segments based on their arrangement on the storyline strip and based on the inserted transitions, to produce a multimedia output file from the storyline strip. A system is also described and claimed.
Inventors
- 👤 Ihor Petelycky
- 👤 Michael Harris
- 👤 Scott Northmore
- 👤 Graeme Elliot
- 👤 Daniel Staheli
- 👤 Jeff Smith
- 👤 Alan Page
- 👤 Prasad Maruvada
- 👤 Yongjian Zhai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:09
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: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for non-timeline, non-linear digital multimedia composition comprising: representing multimedia materials stored in memory as objects; retrieving one or more of said multimedia materials from said memory for display on a composition console; dynamically viewing and editing said one or more multimedia materials on said composition console; placing the objects representing said one or more multimedia materials on a non-frame based storyline strip of said composition console to create a storyline that is viewable on said composition console, said storyline strip including object viewing and object transition positions; and producing a multimedia output file from objects and transitions on said storyline.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for non-timeline, non-linear digital multimedia composition comprising: representing multimedia materials stored in memory as objects; retrieving one or more of said multimedia materials from said memory for display on a composition console; dynamically viewing and editing said one or more multimedia materials on said composition console; placing the objects representing said one or more multimedia materials on a non-frame based storyline strip of said composition console to create a storyline that is viewable on said composition console, said storyline strip including object viewing and object transition positions; and producing a multimedia output file from objects and transitions on said storyline.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising editing said storyline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said editing said storyline includes reorganizing objects thereon and dynamically viewing and editing said objects on said composition console.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said multimedia materials includes image, video, audio, and text materials.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for non-timeline, non-linear digital multimedia composition, the system comprising: means for representing multimedia materials stored in memory as objects; means for retrieving one or more of said multimedia materials from said memory for display on a composition console; means for dynamically viewing and editing said one or more multimedia materials on said composition console; means for placing the objects representing said one or more multimedia materials on a non-frame based storyline strip of said composition console to create a storyline that is viewable on said composition console, said storyline strip including object viewing and object transition positions; and means for producing a multimedia output file from objects and transitions on said storyline.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for non-timeline, non-linear digital multimedia composition, the system comprising: means for representing multimedia materials stored in memory as objects; means for retrieving one or more of said multimedia materials from said memory for display on a composition console; means for dynamically viewing and editing said one or more multimedia materials on said composition console; means for placing the objects representing said one or more multimedia materials on a non-frame based storyline strip of said composition console to create a storyline that is viewable on said composition console, said storyline strip including object viewing and object transition positions; and means for producing a multimedia output file from objects and transitions on said storyline.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 5 further comprising means for editing said storyline.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 6 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 7 wherein said multimedia materials includes image, video, audio, and text materials.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 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 and represented by objects comprising: means for retrieving one or more of said multimedia materials from said memory for display on a composition console; means for dynamically viewing and editing said one or more multimedia materials on said composition console; means for placing the objects representing said one or more multimedia materials on a non-frame based storyline strip of said composition console to create a storyline that is viewable on said composition console, said storyline strip including object viewing and object transition positions; and means for producing a multimedia output file from objects and transitions on said storyline.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
120 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 and represented by objects comprising: means for retrieving one or more of said multimedia materials from said memory for display on a composition console; means for dynamically viewing and editing said one or more multimedia materials on said composition console; means for placing the objects representing said one or more multimedia materials on a non-frame based storyline strip of said composition console to create a storyline that is viewable on said composition console, said storyline strip including object viewing and object transition positions; and means for producing a multimedia output file from objects and transitions on said storyline.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for producing a multimedia composition comprising: providing a user interface having a source material object window and a non-frame based storyline strip, said storyline strip having object viewing and object transition positions; associating individual identifiers in said window with time varying dynamic multimedia source material objects; choosing one of said identifiers in said window to retrieve a selected source material object; dragging said chosen identifier across said interface to one of said object viewing positions on said storyline strip; repeating said choosing and dragging to organize a multi-object multimedia composition in a desired order; and generating a multimedia output file based on chosen identifiers and transitions organized on said storyline strip.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for producing a multimedia composition comprising: providing a user interface having a source material object window and a non-frame based storyline strip, said storyline strip having object viewing and object transition positions; associating individual identifiers in said window with time varying dynamic multimedia source material objects; choosing one of said identifiers in said window to retrieve a selected source material object; dragging said chosen identifier across said interface to one of said object viewing positions on said storyline strip; repeating said choosing and dragging to organize a multi-object multimedia composition in a desired order; and generating a multimedia output file based on chosen identifiers and transitions organized on said storyline strip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said source material objects include video objects, audio objects and combined audio-visual objects.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising moving said chosen identifier from a first object viewing position to a second object viewing position on said storyline strip to organize said composition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said multimedia output file is presented on an audio-visual display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said multimedia output file is stored in external memory.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said multimedia output file is stored via a tape device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said source material objects are retrieved from a remote source.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for creating a multimedia composition from multimedia source material objects, the system comprising: a user interface comprising: a tool bar for accessing system functions; a source library window for accessing multimedia source material objects; a console for previewing and editing said multimedia source material objects to create output objects; and a non-frame based storyline strip for assembling said output objects and transitions therebetween to form a multimedia output file, said storyline strip including object viewing and object transition positions; a processor for editing said source material objects and creating said multimedia output file in response to user input entered via said user interface; and a display for displaying said multimedia output file on said console.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for creating a multimedia composition from multimedia source material objects, the system comprising: a user interface comprising: a tool bar for accessing system functions; a source library window for accessing multimedia source material objects; a console for previewing and editing said multimedia source material objects to create output objects; and a non-frame based storyline strip for assembling said output objects and transitions therebetween to form a multimedia output file, said storyline strip including object viewing and object transition positions; a processor for editing said source material objects and creating said multimedia output file in response to user input entered via said user interface; and a display for displaying said multimedia output file on said console.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said processor is operable to output said multimedia output file to an output device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said output device is a memory storage medium.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 17 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 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 20 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 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 17 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 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 17 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 29
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for producing a multimedia composition, the system comprising: means for generating a user interface having a source material object window and a non-frame based storyline strip, said storyline strip having object viewing and object transition positions; means for associating individual identifiers in said window with time varying dynamic multimedia source material objects; means for choosing one of said identifiers in said window to retrieve a selected object; means for placing said chosen identifier at one of said object viewing positions on said storyline strip to organize a multi-object, multimedia composition in a desired order; and means for generating a multimedia output file based on chosen identifiers and transitions organized on said storyline strip.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for producing a multimedia composition, the system comprising: means for generating a user interface having a source material object window and a non-frame based storyline strip, said storyline strip having object viewing and object transition positions; means for associating individual identifiers in said window with time varying dynamic multimedia source material objects; means for choosing one of said identifiers in said window to retrieve a selected object; means for placing said chosen identifier at one of said object viewing positions on said storyline strip to organize a multi-object, multimedia composition in a desired order; and means for generating a multimedia output file based on chosen identifiers and transitions organized on said storyline strip.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said source material objects include video objects, audio objects and combined audio-visual objects.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said means for organizing includes means for moving said chosen identifier from a first object viewing position to a second object viewing position on said storyline strip to organize said composition.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
133 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: means for generating a user interface having a source material object window and a non-frame based storyline strip, said storyline strip having object viewing and object transition positions; means for associating individual identifiers in said window with time varying dynamic multimedia source material objects; means for choosing one of said identifiers in said window to retrieve a selected source material object from memory; means for placement of one or more chosen identifiers at selected positions on said storyline strip to organize a multi-object, multimedia composition in a desired order; and means for generating a multimedia output file based on chosen identifiers and transitions organized on said storyline strip.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
133 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: means for generating a user interface having a source material object window and a non-frame based storyline strip, said storyline strip having object viewing and object transition positions; means for associating individual identifiers in said window with time varying dynamic multimedia source material objects; means for choosing one of said identifiers in said window to retrieve a selected source material object from memory; means for placement of one or more chosen identifiers at selected positions on said storyline strip to organize a multi-object, multimedia composition in a desired order; and means for generating a multimedia output file based on chosen identifiers and transitions organized on said storyline strip.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for digital multimedia composition comprising: selecting multimedia data segments; arranging the selected multimedia data segments on a single non-frame based storyline strip; inserting transitions between adjacent multimedia data segments on the storyline strip; and combining the selected multimedia data segments based on their arrangement on the storyline strip and based on the inserted transitions, to produce a multimedia output file from the storyline strip.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for digital multimedia composition comprising: selecting multimedia data segments; arranging the selected multimedia data segments on a single non-frame based storyline strip; inserting transitions between adjacent multimedia data segments on the storyline strip; and combining the selected multimedia data segments based on their arrangement on the storyline strip and based on the inserted transitions, to produce a multimedia output file from the storyline strip.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 28 wherein during said selecting multimedia data segments are selected from the group consisting of audio, video, image and text.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising editing at least one of the selected multimedia data segments.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said arranging comprises synchronizing selected multimedia data segments.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the multimedia output file is an AVI file.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the multimedia output file is an MPEG file.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
74 words
A digital multimedia composition system comprising: a user interface for selecting multimedia data segments, for arranging the selected multimedia data segments on a single non-frame based storyline strip, and for inserting transitions between adjacent multimedia data segments on the storyline strip; and a processor combining the selected multimedia data segments based on their arrangement on the storyline strip and based on the inserted transitions, to produce a multimedia output file from the storyline strip.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
74 words
A digital multimedia composition system comprising: a user interface for selecting multimedia data segments, for arranging the selected multimedia data segments on a single non-frame based storyline strip, and for inserting transitions between adjacent multimedia data segments on the storyline strip; and a processor combining the selected multimedia data segments based on their arrangement on the storyline strip and based on the inserted transitions, to produce a multimedia output file from the storyline strip.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The digital multimedia composition system of claim 34 wherein the multimedia data segments are selected from the group consisting of audio, video, image and text.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The digital multimedia composition system of claim 34 further comprising a multimedia editor for editing at least one of the selected multimedia data segments.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The digital multimedia composition system of claim 34 wherein the user interface is used for synchronizing selected multimedia data segments.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The digital multimedia composition system of claim 34 wherein the multimedia output file is an AVI file.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The digital multimedia composition system of claim 34 wherein the multimedia output file is an MPEG file.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-03-19 | 2004-09-18 | 2005-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-19 | 2008-09-18 | 2009-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-19 | 2012-09-18 | 2013-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |