Sony Corporation of America

Ted E Langford

Michael T MacKay

Robert W Duffy

Donald E Morgan

David Wheeler

Robert J Berger

Jon Graham

Dave Wheeler

Doug Kuper

Andrew Leary

A post production offline editing system for storing unedited video takes in a random access memory (which is preferably a set of laser video disk players), displaying selected takes (or individual frames from selected takes), and generating an edit list which defines an edited video program. The system includes a computer programmed with software providing an integrated software environment which enables a user conveniently to log unedited takes into the system, and to generate an edit list suitable for use in a subsequent online editing operation. The system software provides global access to a variety of video post production environments at any point during an offline editing operation. The system software presents menus to the user including icons or mnemonic text in windows which may be conveniently selected by the user using a mouse. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a video special effects unit capable of processing the stored takes to simulate various video transitions between scenes (such as dissolves, fades, and wipes), to enable the user to view a show defined by an edit list which specifies such transitions. The user interface includes a convenient means for jogging (and shuttling) the laser disk players using a mouse.

Offline editing system with user interface for controlling edit list

A post production offline editing system including a processor programmed to display an initial menu prompting a user to select a multiple camera editing mode (in which the user selects edits while simultaneously viewing scenes from two or more sources), a single camera editing mode, a display edit information mode, or a scene take management mode. Preferably in the single camera edit mode, the user may select a splice (or transition) between two edits by selecting a sequence of items from sequentially displayed transition menus. For example, a first pulldown transition menu prompts the user to select a general transition type such as a 'dissolve' or 'wipe,' and a second pulldown transition menu then prompts the user to select one of several versions of the selected general transition type. In the multiple camera editing mode, the user may select either a set-up mode or an execute mode. In the edit list management mode, the user may select a variety of modes, including a rehearse mode, a list management mode, and a reformat mode. In the display edit information mode, the invention preferably displays a partial edit list and a highlight icon, respectively, in first and second areas of a monitor screen. When a user selects a region of the highlight icon corresponding to a selected edit, the system highlights the selected edit from the displayed list and displays information about the selected edit in a third area of the monitor screen.

Offline editing system

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a multi-dimensional user interface for use in audio visual production. A display system including a central processing unit (CPU) is coupled through appropriate input/output (I/O) circuitry to input devices, such as a keyboard, digital pad and/or track ball as well as a display device. The CPU is further coupled to a hard disk drive for the storage of programs and data, and is also coupled to a network through which the CPU may communicate with a variety of system resource devices such as editors, music synthesizers, graphics generators, scheduling resources, audio enhancement resources, etc. A user viewing the interface on the display may utilize one of the input devices, such as by way of example, the keyboard, to select, incorporate or otherwise integrate the various system resources to develop a unified multi-media production. The user interface of the present invention includes a control frame which in practice substantially fills all of the display screen of the display and is consistent for all user applications. The control frame is comprised of control panels which surround a variety of subwindows and acts as a consistent control area for all users of the interface. Once defined, elements may be selectively placed on an event horizon bar in the control frame. The placement of an element on the event horizon results in the display of timing data for the element, relative to other elements on the event horizon.

Multi-dimensional user interface

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Fremont, CA, United States of America

Ted E Langford