Avid Technology Limited

Peter J Fasciano

Eric C Peters

Stanley Rabinowitz

Herbert R Jacobs

Morton H Tarr

James A McKain

Jeffrey D Kurtze

Harry Der

Stephen M DiSciullo

Paul H Greaves

Garth Allen Dickie

Alex Vasilevsky

Katherine H Cornog

Randy M Fayan

Lawrence A Bodony

James J Ricotta

Craig R Frink

Robert A Gonsalves

Mark A Sprague

Raymond William Imblum

Alan Denny

Robert F Deal

Curt A Rawley

Michael D Laird

Paul D Garmon

Jim McKain

Jeffrey L Bedell

Richard Baker Gillett, Jr

Jeffrey Wayne Mincy

Mackenzie Leathurby

Thomas R Hegg

James A Ravan, Jr

Multiple applications request data from multiple storage units over a computer network. The data is divided into segments and each segment is distributed randomly on one of several storage units, independent of the storage units on which other segments of the media data are stored. At least one additional copy of each segment also is distributed randomly over the storage units, such that each segment is stored on at least two storage units. This random distribution of multiple copies of segments of data improves both scalability and reliability. When an application requests a selected segment of data, the request is processed by the storage unit with the shortest queue of requests. Random fluctuations in the load applied by multiple applications on multiple storage units are balanced nearly equally over all of the storage units. This combination of techniques results in a system which can transfer multiple, independent high-bandwidth streams of data in a scalable manner in both directions between multiple applications and multiple storage units.

Computer system and process for transferring multiple high bandwidth streams of data between multiple storage units and multiple applications in a scalable and reliable manner

Multiple applications request data from multiple storage units over a computer network. The data is divided into segments and each segment is distributed randomly on one of several storage units, independent of the storage units on which other segments of the media data are stored. At least one additional copy of each segment also is distributed randomly over the storage units, such that each segment is stored on at least two storage units. When an application requests a selected segment of data, the request is processed by the storage unit with the shortest queue of requests. Random fluctuations in the load applied by multiple applications on multiple storage units are balanced nearly equally over all storage units. These techniques result in a system which can transfer multiple, independent high-bandwidth streams of data in a scalable and reliable manner in both directions between multiple applications and multiple storage units.

A moving picture recording device includes a random-access, computer-readable and writable storage medium to provide non-linear access to recorded clips. The device provides digital capture of both video and audio information. Multiple data paths are provided to allow recording to and playback from the storage medium. Lists are maintained to manage recorded clips and edited events. An outtake list of deleted clips is also maintained. An event list includes a list of video events including clips from the storage medium as well as other video sources including a camera or external video. With switching circuitry, recorded clips can be viewed during editing while live images are output to a program output. An editing interface includes dedicated keys for performing standard recording functions as well as a display with associated input keys having adaptive functions. The textual display indicates the function currently associated with the input key. This display provides a simple interface for editing video without a mouse or other external input device or complex graphical user interface. The interface also may allow a user to input a value, stored as an attribute of a clip, that represents the merit of the clip. These attributes may be used to rank and/or select clips.

Combined editing system and digital moving picture recording system

A digital media recorder including a video camera digitizing circuitry and a digital computer readable and writable random access medium, such as magnetic or optical disk, in which sequences of digital still images are stored directly on the recording medium. Audio recording capabilities may also be provided. This system eliminates the need for video tape for recording video information, thereby providing the capability for a purely digital video system for capture, editing and playback.

Motion picture recording device using digital, computer-readable non-linear media

Two images are analyzed to compute a set of motion vectors that describes motion between the first and second images. A motion vector is computed for each pixel in an image at a time between the first and second images. This set of motion vectors may be defined at any time between the first and second images, such as the midpoint. The motion vectors may be computed using any of several techniques. An example technique is based on the constant brightness constraint, also referred to as optical flow. Each vector is specified at a pixel center in an image defined at the time between the first and second images. The vectors may point to points in the first and second images that are not on pixel centers. The motion vectors are used to warp the first and second images to a point in time of an output image between the first and second images using a factor that represents the time between the first and second image at which the output image occurs. The warped images are then blended using this factor to obtain the output image at the desired point in time between the first and second images. The point in time at which the output image occurs may be different from the time at which the motion vectors are determined. The same motion vectors may be used to determine two or more output images at different times between the first and second images. The images may be warped using a technique in which many small triangles are defined in an image corresponding in time to the point in time between the first and second images at which the motion vectors are determined. A transform for each small triangle from the point in time at which the motion vectors are determined to the desired interpolated image time is determined, e.g., the triangle is warped using the motion vectors associated with its vertices. For each pixel in each triangle in the output image, corresponding points in the first and second images are determined, and the first and second images are spatially sampled at these points. These samples for each pixel are combined to produce a value for that pixel in the output image.

Interpolation of a sequence of images using motion analysis

A non-linear editor is connected to video processing equipment through a serial digital video interface to edit high definition (HD) television video data. The non-linear editor includes a randomly accessible, computer-readable and re-writeable storage medium that stores a plurality of sequences of HD digital images representing a frame or field of HD motion video data. The non-linear editor provides a configuration control signal to identify processing to be performed on the HD video data and defines a video program to be rendered using the stored HD digital images. An input serial digital interface and an output serial digital interface in the non-linear editor provide the HD video data to be edited. A multiformat video router controls the HD video data sent between the non-linear editor and the video processing equipment. The router is video interconnected to the video processing equipment and to the serial digital interfaces of the non-linear editor.

Editing system with router for connection to HDTV circuitry

A portable moving picture recording device includes switching control to enable multiple data flow configurations. Two output encoders receive either composite or component digital video signals. The component video signals can come from one of three sources: decoded composite video, component video, and a random-access storage device. Inputs to a composite video analog-to-digital converter and a genlock decoder may be switched between at least two outputs, including a camera video and external video sources. The digital component signal may also be recorded onto the random access recording medium. These data paths are provided in a portable moving picture recording device, in combination with some editing capability.

Portable moving picture recording device including switching control for multiple data flow configurations

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Natick, MA, United States of America

Peter J Fasciano