Novel media file access and storage solution for multi-workstation/multi-platform non-linear video editing systems

• US 20060184673A1
• Filed: 04/12/2006
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EditShare LLC
• Original Assignee: Andrew Liebman
• Inventors: Liebman, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 8,266,283 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/173 using an interconnection network, e.g. matrix, shuffle, pyramid, star, snowflake
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/51 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• 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

A novel system, method and computer program product for accessing digital media files stored in a media storage device via a server device in communication with the media storage device. The method includes providing, via the server, a file virtualization scheme that permits that enables a server to permit multiple non-linear editing workstations and other devices to see and access the same media files (video, audio, graphics, etc.) stored in the media storage device while keeping each workstation and other devices isolated from the others (i.e., unaware that the others exist). In this manner, workstation crash and project file corruption is avoided when multiple users access each other'"'"'s projects. There is additionally provided a tool for managing the digital media storage system particularly enabling media and corresponding virtual files to be automatically manipulated, e.g., deleted, removed, transferred and synchronized, in response to user requests, all the while automatically retaining the file virtualization features as described. There is additionally provided a tool for allowing multiple non-linear editing systems to safely open up and work from and collaborate on the same “Project”. The tool manages ownership and permissions over different editors'"'"' contributions to shared Projects and implements “symbolic links” to create a virtual file and folder structure that creates an “optimized view” of the Project for each editor, that keeps work organized so that it is clear which editor is editing what and that allows each editor to maintain his/her own settings for the Project.

Claims

1. A method for storing digital audio and video media files in a system having a computer server that is in communication with a means for storing said media files, and that is in communication with one or more independent users, said method comprising:

creating a directory structure on said storage means for hierarchically organizing said digital media and other data files;

generating in said directory structure a User Directory that corresponds to each independent user that is capable of accessing said media files, and through which an independent user can store actual digital media files;

moving actual stored digital media files from a User Directory to a Shared Directory location that is separate from said User Directory where the files are not directly accessible to any independent user;

creating, for each digital media file moved into the Shared Directory, a corresponding link to the actual digital media file for one or more individual independent users, and placing said links inside each said corresponding User Directory,

whereby, via said links, a user is permitted indirect access to all actual digital media files that are stored in the Shared Directory on said storage means, while preventing direct access to the actual digital media files.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein two or more independent users may access said server via their own corresponding User Directories for manipulating of said actual digital media files stored on said storage means in a manner such that said actual digital media files may be manipulated without interfering with other users manipulating of said files.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein two or more independent users may access said server via a single User Directory for manipulating of said actual digital media files stored on said storage means such that said two or more users may manipulate said actual digital media files without risk of deleting said actual digital media files.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said manipulating of said digital media comprises one or more of:

capturing, adding to, editing, viewing, transcoding, encoding and decoding said digital media.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

refreshing media by comparing the file names in a User Directory to the filenames in the Shared Directory; and

creating a link for each actual digital media file in the Shared Directory that does not have a corresponding link in the User Directory and placing that link inside said corresponding User Directory.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

configuring said media storage means as one or more workspaces, each workspace having an associated directory location in said directory structure, a workspace logically separating the media files for different projects on the media storage means.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein each different user has an associated User Directory for that workspace.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the user directories are visible on a network.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the user directories are visible on a network such that users only see their own corresponding directories without the distraction of seeing other user directories.

10. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said step of configuring said media storage means as one or more workspaces further comprises a step of:

specifying a limit on how much media storage space can be occupied in a given workspace.

11. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said step of configuring said media storage means as one or more workspaces further comprises a step of:

creating a Shared Directory in said directory structure logically located within the workspace.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the step of:

relocating actual media files from a User Directory logically located within a particular workspace to said Shared Directory logically located within the same workspace; and

creating, for each digital media file moved into the Shared Directory, a corresponding link to the actual digital media file.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

refreshing media by comparing the file names in a User Directory logically located within a particular workspace to the filenames in the shared directory that is logically located within that same workspace; and

,

creating a link for each actual digital media file in the Shared Directory that does not have a corresponding link in the User Directory and placing that link inside said corresponding User Directory.

14. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

enabling a user to delete a media file by removing a link to the corresponding actual media file in that user'"'"'s directory, whereby the actual media file is preserved.

15. A system for managing access to digital media files stored on a media storage means via the intermediary of a server device, said server device operatively coupled via a network connection with at least two independent users, said system comprising:

means for creating a directory structure on said storage means for hierarchically organizing said digital media and other data files;

means for generating in said directory structure a User Directory that corresponds to each independent user that is capable of accessing said media files, and through which an independent user can store actual digital media files;

means for moving actual stored digital media files from a User Directory to a Shared Directory location that is separate from said User Directory where the files are not directly accessible to any independent user;

means for creating, for each digital media file moved into the Shared Directory, a corresponding link to the actual digital media file for one or more individual independent users, and placing said link inside each said corresponding User Directory,

whereby, via said links, an independent user device is permitted indirect access to all actual digital media files that are stored in the Shared Directory on said storage means, while preventing direct access to the actual digital media files.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein two or more independent users may access said server device via their own corresponding User Directories for manipulating of said actual digital media files stored on said storage means in a manner such that said actual digital media files may be manipulated without risk of deleting said files or interfering with other users manipulating of said files.

17. The system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:

means for refreshing media by comparing the file names in a User Directory to the filenames in the Shared Directory;

said creating means further creating a link for each actual digital media file in the Shared Directory that does not have a corresponding link in the User Directory and placing that link inside said corresponding User Directory.

18. The system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:

means for configuring said media storage means as one or more workspaces, each workspace having an associated directory location in said directory structure, a workspace logically separating the media files for different projects on the media storage means, wherein a different user has an associated User Directory for that workspace that is visible on said network such that users only see their own corresponding directories without the distraction of seeing other user directories.

19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said configuring means further comprises:

means for specifying a limit on how much media storage space can be occupied in a given workspace.

20. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said configuring means further creates said Shared Directory location in said directory structure logically located within the workspace.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20, further comprising:

means for enabling a user to relocate actual media files from a User Directory logically located within a particular workspace to said Shared Directory logically located within the same workspace;

said creating means further creating, for each digital media file moved into the Shared Directory, a corresponding link to the actual digital media file.

22. The system as claimed in claim 21, further comprising:

means for enabling a user to initiate a media refresh by comparing the file names in a User Directory logically located within a particular workspace to the filenames in the Shared directory that is logically located within that same workspace;

said creating means further creating a link for each actual digital media file in the Shared Directory that does not have a corresponding link in the User Directory and placing that link inside said corresponding User Directory.

23. The system as claimed in claim 18, further comprising:

means for enabling a user to delete a media file by removing a link to the corresponding actual media file in that user'"'"'s directory, whereby the actual media file is preserved.

24. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for storing digital audio and video media files in a system having a computer server that is in communication with a means for storing said media files, and that is in communication with one or more independent users, said method steps comprising:

creating a directory structure on said storage means for hierarchically organizing said digital media and other data files;

generating in said directory structure a User Directory that corresponds to each independent user that is capable of accessing said media files, and through which an independent user can store actual digital media files;

moving actual stored digital media files from a User Directory to a Shared Directory location that is separate from said User Directory where the files are not directly accessible to any independent user;

creating, for each digital media file moved into the Shared Directory, a corresponding link to the actual digital media file for one or more individual independent users, and placing said links inside each said corresponding User Directory,

whereby, via said links, a user is permitted indirect access to all actual digital media files that are stored in the Shared Directory on said storage means, while preventing direct access to the actual digital media files.

25. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein two or more independent users may access said server via their own corresponding User Directories for manipulating of said actual digital media files stored on said storage means in a manner such that said actual digital media files may be manipulated without interfering with other users manipulating of said files and, without risk of deleting said actual digital media files.

26. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein said method steps further comprise:

refreshing media by comparing the file names in a User Directory to the filenames in the Shared Directory; and

creating a link for each actual digital media file in the Shared Directory that does not have a corresponding link in the User Directory and placing that link inside said corresponding User Directory.

27. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein said method steps further comprise:

configuring said media storage means as one or more workspaces, each workspace having an associated directory location in said directory structure, a workspace logically separating the media files for different projects on the media storage means, wherein a different user has an associated User Directory for that workspace that is visible on said network such that users only see their own corresponding directories without the distraction of seeing other user directories.

28. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 27, wherein said step of configuring said media storage means as one or more workspaces further comprises a step of:

specifying a limit on how much media storage space can be occupied in a given workspace.

29. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 27, wherein said step of configuring said media storage means as one or more workspaces further comprises a step of:

creating a Shared Directory in said directory structure logically located within the workspace.

30. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 29, wherein said method steps further comprise:

relocating actual media files from a User Directory logically located within a particular workspace to said Shared Directory logically located within the same workspace; and

creating, for each digital media file moved into the Shared Directory, a corresponding link to the actual digital media file.

31. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 29, wherein said method steps further comprise:

refreshing media by comparing the file names in a User Directory logically located within a particular workspace to the filenames in the shared directory that is logically located within that same workspace; and

,

creating a link for each actual digital media file in the Shared Directory that does not have a corresponding link in the User Directory and placing that link inside said corresponding User Directory.

32. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

enabling a user to delete a media file by removing a link to the corresponding actual media file in that user'"'"'s directory, whereby the actual media file is preserved.

33. A system for enabling one or more editors running a non-linear video editing (NLE) program to collaborate on a single video editing Project while protecting each individual editor'"'"'s work, said Project comprising metadata that points to media files, said system comprising:

means for establishing a shared Project including establishing a Shared Project space within a computer-accessible storage device, said means establishing one or more shared Projects within said Project space for collaboration by one or more editors;

means for automatically creating a file and directory structure for each editor in each said established shared Project, said creating means setting up a User Folder within each shared Project for each editor who is a member of a shared Project space; and

,

means for automatically setting ownership and permissions on each User Folder such that the contents of each User Folder can be read by all Users but can only be created, modified or deleted by the User who corresponds to the User Folder.

34. The system as claimed in claim 33, further comprising:

means for automatically creating for each editor who is a member of the shared Project space a set of symbolic links to each said User Folder; and

means for organizing, for each User, said symbolic links to each said User Folder,

whereby, via said organized symbolic links, said system making available to each editor a unique virtual view of each shared Project.

35. The system as claimed in claim 34, further comprising:

means for automatically creating an “

Other Users”

folder for each User for each shared Project,

wherein, with the exception of each User'"'"'s symbolic link to that User'"'"'s own User Folder for each shared Project, all other symbolic links to other User Folders for each shared Project are automatically placed inside the “

Other Users”

folder for each User for each shared Project.

36. The system as claimed in claim 35, wherein, in each User'"'"'s own virtual view of each shared Project, the symbolic link to the User'"'"'s own User Folder is generated for display at a top of a folder hierarchy inside the shared Project and the symbolic links to all other User Folders is generated for display inside the “

Other Users”

folder.

37. The system as claimed in claim 33, further comprising means for providing a graphic user interface in which a user is enabled to specify a Shared Project space within a computer-accessible storage device, and, to specify addition of said one or more editors for collaboration on a shared Project within said Shared Project space.

38. The system as claimed in claim 34, wherein a Project comprises metadata that includes a Bin having contents including clips and sequences of clips that all refer to media files, each editor enabled to view the Bins inside each User folder.

39. The system as claimed in claim 38, wherein an editor creates a new Bin outside the Shared Project directory structure, wherein access to contents included in this Bin is initially enabled only for that editor.

40. The system as claimed in claim 38, wherein said ownership and permissions enable an editor to cause a Bin into to be placed in that editor'"'"'s User Folder, said means for setting permissions enabling other editors working on the Shared Project to open the Bin while being prevented from modifying any Bin contents from that editor'"'"'s User Folder.

41. The system as claimed in claim 38, wherein an editor causes a bin to be placed outside of a Shared Project directory structure such that the Bin and any Bin contents are will not be seen in other editor'"'"'s virtual view of the Project.

42. The system as claimed in claim 38, further comprising:

a means for generating an Unprotected Bins folder set up for the Shared Project, whereby any editor places a bin in the Unprotected Bins folder from that editor'"'"'s own User Folder, or places a bin in the Unprotected Bins folder from outside the Shared Project directory structure.

43. The system as claimed in claim 38, further comprising:

means for allowing each User to maintain a Trash folder into which Bins are deposited when they are deleted.

44. The system as claimed in claim 38, further comprising:

means for allowing each User to maintain a Settings file for maintaining that User'"'"'s customized NLE program configuration information determining how the NLE program operates.

45. The system as claimed in claim 34, wherein said means for establishing a shared Project including establishing a Shared Project space includes means for converting a non-collaborative NLE video editing project into a Shared Project, said converting means causing for display for an editor at that editors workstation one or more unshared Projects and initiate creation of a file and folder structure to provide each said one or more editor with said virtual view of the Shared Project.

46. A method for enabling one or more editors running a non-linear video editing (NLE) program to collaborate on a single video editing Project while protecting each individual editor'"'"'s work, said Project comprising metadata that points to media files, said method comprising:

establishing a Shared Project space within a computer-accessible storage device and establishing one or more shared Projects within said Project space for collaboration by one or more editors;

automatically creating a file and directory structure for each editor in each said established shared Project, said creating including setting up a User Folder within each shared Project for each editor who is a member of a shared Project space; and

,

automatically setting ownership and permissions on each User Folder such that the contents of each User Folder can be read by all Users but can only be created, modified or deleted by the User who corresponds to the User Folder.

47. The method as claimed in claim 46, further comprising:

automatically creating for each editor who is a member of the shared Project space a set of symbolic links to each said User Folder; and

organizing, for each User, said symbolic links to each said User Folder,

whereby, via said organized symbolic links, each editor is provided with a unique virtual view of each shared Project.

48. The method as claimed in claim 47, further comprising:

automatically creating an “

Other Users”

folder for each User for each shared Project, wherein, with the exception each User'"'"'s symbolic link to that user'"'"'s own User Folder for each shared Project, automatically placing all other symbolic links to other User Folders for each shared Project inside the “

Other Users”

folder for each User for each shared Project.

49. The method as claimed in claim 48, further including generating for display, in each User'"'"'s own virtual view of each shared Project, the symbolic link to the User'"'"'s own User Folder at the top of a folder hierarchy inside the shared Project and generating for display the symbolic links to all other User Folders inside the “

Other Users”

folder.

50. A program storage device tangibly embodying software instructions which are adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method for enabling one or more editors running a non-linear video editing (NLE) program to collaborate on a single video editing Project while protecting each individual editor'"'"'s work according to claim 46.