Methods and systems for effecting video transitions represented by bitmaps

• US 20020097258A1
• Filed: 12/06/2000
• Published: 07/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Miller, Daniel J., Maymudes, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,287,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/723
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/40 Scaling of whole images or parts thereof, e.g. expanding or contracting
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D

Abstract

Multi-media project editing methods and systems are described. In one embodiment, a project editing system comprises a multi-media editing application that is configured to enable a user to combine multiple different video clips into a video project. A bitmap processor coupled with the multi-media editing application receives a first bitmap that can be used to render a transition between video clips and automatically processes the first bitmap to provide a different transition between video clips. Processing of the first bitmap can include, without limitation, using the first bitmap to provide an entirely new and different second bitmap, or processing the first bitmap in a manner which renders a transition that is different from the transition defined by the first bitmap. In one embodiment, a user is able to enter one or more parameters, through a user interface (UI), with the parameters then being used to manipulate the first bitmap to provide the different transition. Processing of the first bitmap can include many different operations, among which can be included one or more of: stretching, shrinking, replication, and offsetting. In addition, the first bitmap can be processed to include, in the transition it defines, a border that is not otherwise defined by the first bitmap.

Claims

1. A software-implemented video rendering system comprising:

a video application configured to enable a user to combine multiple different video clips; and

a bitmap processor operatively coupled with the video application and configured to receive a first bitmap that can be used to render a transition between video clips and automatically process the first bitmap to provide a different transition between video clips.

2. The software-implemented video rendering system of claim 1, wherein the bitmap processor is configured to process the first bitmap to provide a second bitmap that is different from the first bitmap, the second bitmap being configured to render the different transition.

3. The software-implemented video rendering system of claim 1, wherein the bitmap processor comprises multiple modules each of which being configured to operate upon the first bitmap to provide either or both of (1) a different bitmap or (2) a transition that is different from the transition provided by the first bitmap.

4. The software-implemented video rendering system of claim 3, wherein one of the modules comprises a shrinking/stretching module that is configured to shrink or stretch, respectively, the first bitmap.

5. The software-implemented video rendering system of claim 3, wherein one of the modules comprises a replication module that is configured to replicate the first bitmap.

6. The software-implemented video rendering system of claim 3, wherein one of the modules comprises an offset module that is configured to provide a transition that is offset from a transition provided by the first bitmap.

7. The software-implemented video rendering system of claim 3, wherein one of the modules comprises a border module that is configured to provide a border in a transition defined by the first bitmap.

8. The software-implemented video rendering system of claim 3, wherein the one or more modules comprise modules selected from a group consisting of:

a shrinking/stretching module that is configured to shrink or stretch, respectively, the first bitmap;

a replication module that is configured to replicate the first bitmap;

an offset module that is configured to provide a transition that is offset from a transition provided by the first bitmap; and

a border module that is configured to provide a border in a transition defined by the first bitmap.

9. The software-implemented video rendering system of claim 1, wherein the bitmap processor is configured to receive one or more parameters provided by a user and use those parameters to process the first bitmap.

10. The software-implemented video rendering system of claim 9, wherein the bitmap processor is configured to use the one or more parameters to change the structure of the first bitmap.

11. Computer-readable media having software code that implements the video rendering system of claim 1.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said operating comprises providing a second bitmap that is different from the first-mentioned bitmap.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said operating comprises stretching the first-mentioned bitmap.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said operating comprises shrinking the first-mentioned bitmap.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said operating comprises at least one of stretching and shrinking the first-mentioned bitmap.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said operating comprises replicating the first-mentioned bitmap.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein said operating comprises offsetting the first-mentioned bitmap.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein said operating comprises providing a border that is used in connection with the first-mentioned bitmap to effect the second transition.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein said operating comprises one or more of:

stretching the first-mentioned bitmap;

shrinking the first-mentioned bitmap;

replicating the first-mentioned bitmap;

offsetting the first-mentioned bitmap; and

providing a border that is used in connection with the first-mentioned bitmap to effect the second transition.

21. A video application that is programmed to implement the method of claim 12.

22. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, implement the method of claim 12.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said operating comprises providing a second bitmap that is different from the first-mentioned bitmap.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said operating comprises one or more of:

stretching the first-mentioned bitmap, shrinking the first-mentioned bitmap, replicating the first-mentioned bitmap, offsetting the first-mentioned bitmap, and providing a border that is used in connection with the first-mentioned bitmap to effect the second transition.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein said receiving comprises receiving parameters that define a range that, in turn, defines a border thickness of a border that is used in connection with the first-mentioned bitmap to effect the second transition.

29. A multi-media project editing application programmed to implement the method of claim 28.

12. A method of displaying a video comprising:

selecting a bitmap that defines a first transition that can be used to transition between video clips;

operating upon the bitmap to provide a second transition that is different from the first transition by using one or more parameters that are provided by a user, the parameters being used to operate upon the bitmap; and

effecting the second transition between video clips.

23. A method of displaying a multi-media editing project comprising:

receiving one or more parameters from a user, the parameters being associated with a multi-media editing project and relating to a transition that can be applied between two video clips in the project;

selecting a bitmap that defines a first transition that can be used to transition between the video clips;

operating upon the bitmap to provide a second transition that is different from the first transition by using the one or more parameters; and

effecting the second transition between video clips.

27. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

select a first bitmap associated with a transition that can be applied between two video clips in a video editing project;

operate upon the first bitmap to provide a second bitmap that is different from the first bitmap by using one or more parameters that are provided by a user, the first bitmap being operated upon by operations comprising one or more of the following operations;

stretching, shrinking, replicating, and offsetting; and

use the second bitmap in a transition between at least two videos.

28. A software-implemented method of displaying a multi-media editing project comprising:

providing a user interface (UI) through which a user can enter one or more parameters that can be used to manipulate a bitmap-defined transition;

receiving one or more parameters that are entered by a user via the UI;

selecting a first bitmap associated with the one or more parameters entered by the user;

automatically operating upon the bitmap to provide a second bitmap that is different from the first bitmap by using the one or more parameters that are provided by a user, said operating comprising performing one or more of the following operations on the first bitmap;

stretching, shrinking, replicating, and offsetting; and

using the second bitmap in a transition between at least two videos.

30. A multi-media project editing system comprising:

a software implemented bitmap processor configured for use in connection with a multi-media editing application to effect a transition between different videos, the bitmap processor being configured to;

receive one or more parameters from a user;

select a first bitmap that is to be used to render a first transition between two videos;

operate upon the first bitmap in accordance with the one or more parameters to provide a second transition that is different from the first transition; and

apply the transition between two videos.

31. The multi-media project editing system of claim 30, wherein the bitmap processor operates upon the first bitmap to provide a second bitmap that defines the second transition.

32. The multi-media project editing system of claim 31, wherein the bitmap processor is configured to rescale the second bitmap so that it contains a predetermined number of gray scale values.

33. The multi-media project editing system of claim 31, wherein the bitmap processor can operate upon the first bitmap by stretching the first bitmap.

34. The multi-media project editing system of claim 31, wherein the bitmap processor can operate upon the first bitmap by shrinking the first bitmap.

35. The multi-media project editing system of claim 31, wherein the bitmap processor can operate upon the first bitmap by stretching or shrinking the first bitmap.

36. The multi-media project editing system of claim 31, wherein the bitmap processor can operate upon the first bitmap by replicating the first bitmap.

37. The multi-media project editing system of claim 31, wherein the bitmap processor can operate upon the first bitmap by offsetting the first bitmap.

38. The multi-media project editing system of claim 30, wherein the bitmap processor can operate upon the first bitmap to provide a border within a transition that is defined by the first bitmap.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising receiving one or more parameters specified by a user.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein said operating comprises stretching the selected bitmap.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein said operating comprises shrinking the selected bitmap.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein said operating comprises at least one of stretching or shrinking the selected bitmap.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein said operating comprises replicating the selected bitmap.

45. The method of claim 39, wherein said operating comprises offsetting the selected bitmap.

46. The method of claim 39, wherein said operating comprises one or more of:

stretching the selected bitmap, shrinking the selected bitmap, replicating the selected bitmap, and offsetting the selected bitmap.

47. A multi-media project editing application programmed to implement the method of claim 39.

39. A method of displaying a multi-media editing project comprising:

selecting a bitmap comprising multiple pixels, each pixel being capable of having one of a number of predetermined of gray scale values, the bitmap being configured for use in effecting a transition between two videos in a multi-media editing project;

operating upon the selected bitmap to provide a second bitmap that is different from the first bitmap by using one or more parameters that are provided by a user;

resealing the second bitmap to ensure that pixels of the second bit map have, collectively, all of the predetermined gray scale values; and

using the second bitmap in a transition between at least two videos.

48. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, implement the method of claim 39.