Methods and apparatus for editing content

• US 7,546,532 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2006
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adobe Inc.
• Original Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated (Adobe Inc.)
• Inventors: Nichols, Jonathan L., Davey, Matthew E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; Kieu D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Riegler; Patrick F
• Application Number:
  US11/357,235
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 715/716, 715723-726, 715/731, 715/833, 715/976, 715/37
• US Class Current: 715/716
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/976 3-D Icon

Abstract

A respective user modifies (e.g., selects, drags, and drops) either one or both of a first visual representation of a first video clip segment and second visual representation of a second video clip segment to overlap with each other in order to create a so-called transition region while in an editing phase. In response to creating the overlap, a respective video editor application herein splices respective ends of the first visual representation and the second visual representation to indicate where respective first and second content overlap with each other. For example, to more clearly depict the spliced ends of content on a respective display screen, the video editor application initiates display of an overlapping content region to include a first region in which the first content appears to be overlaid on the second content and a second region in which the second content appears to be overlaid on the first content.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

initiating display of a first content region and a second content region on an editing track;

initiating display of a transition region between the first content region and the second content region, the transition region including portions of the first content region and the second content region overlaid with respect to each other to represent a transition effect to be applied during successive presentation of content associated with the first content region and the second content region;

wherein initiating display of the transition region includes;

displaying a first selection element in a first region of the transition region for purposes of enabling an edit operation associated with the first content region and to indicate a boundary of the first content region;

displaying a second selection element in a second region of the transition region for purposes of enabling an edit operation associated with the second content region and to indicate a boundary of the second content region;

initiating automatic movement of the second selection element with respect to the first selection element on a respective display screen such that the first selection element and the second selection element appear to move an equal amount and in opposite direction with respect to each other during selection and dragging of the first selection element; and

the automatic movement enabling a respective user to modify a size of the transition region between first content associated with the first content region and second content associated with the second content region.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein initiating display of the transition region includes i) utilizing a first region of the transition region to display a portion of the first content region in lieu of displaying a portion of the second content region, and ii) utilizing a second region of the transition region to display a portion of the second content region in lieu of displaying a portion of the first content region.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein initiating display of the transition region occurs in response to receiving input with respect to at least one of the first content region and the second content region;

and

wherein receiving the input includes, from a selection tool, receiving a command to at least partially overlap the first content region and the second content region with respect to each other on the editing track for purposes of displaying the first content region and the second content region as overlapping time-based content.

4. A method as in claim 2, wherein initiating display of the transition region includes:

displaying a time-based boundary associated with the first content region in the first region of the transition region; and

displaying a time-based boundary associated with the second content in the second region of the transition region.

5. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:

initiating display of a timeline with respect to the editing track to enable measuring of the transition region.

6. A method as in claim 1 further comprising receiving a command indicating a specified type of visual transition to associate with the transition region;

storing an indication of the specified type of transition; and

initiating the specified type of transition during playback of respective content associated with the transition region on a respective media player.

7. A method as in claim 2, wherein initiating display of the transition region includes:

displaying a first element in the first region of the transition region to indicate a time-based boundary associated with the first content region; and

displaying a second element in the second region of the transition region to indicate a time-based boundary associated with the second content region.

8. A method as in claim 1, further comprising:

enabling selective display of a visual aid for measuring the transition region.

9. A method as in claim 3 further comprising:

prior to receiving the input;

displaying the first content region and the second content region as selectable non-overlapping time-based content on a respective display screen;

displaying the first content region to include a corresponding first selection element for purposes of enabling an edit operation associated with the first content region and corresponding first content; and

displaying the second content region to include a corresponding second selection element for purposes of enabling an edit operation associated with the second content region and corresponding second content.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein initiating display of the at least partially overlapping region includes:

after receiving the input;

displaying part but not all of the first selection element in the first display region to indicate where the first content region ends with respect to a timeline; and

displaying part but not all of the second selection element in the second display region to indicate where the second content region begins with respect to the timeline.

11. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a first boundary marker at an opposite end of the first content region as the first selection element;

during a drag and drop operation with respect to the first selection element of the first content region, initiating movement of the first boundary marker such that the first boundary marker and the first selection element of the first content region are maintained at a fixed length with respect to each other;

displaying a second boundary marker at an opposite end of the second content region as the second selection element; and

during a drag and drop operation with respect to the second handle of the second content region, initiating movement of the second boundary marker such that the second boundary marker and the second selection element of the second content region are maintained at a fixed length with respect to each other.

12. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a head selector in the second region of the transition region to identify a respective beginning of the second content region with respect to the timeline; and

displaying a tail selector associated with the second content region at an opposite end of the second content region as the head selector to identify a respective ending of the second content region with respect to the timeline.

13. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:

selectively displaying respective elements associated with the first content region and second content region depending on a selected mode setting of an editor application initiating display of the first content region and the second content region, the elements being used to edit the first content region and the second content region.

14. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:

generating an audible signal in response to detecting that a user attempts to enlarge one of the first content region and the second content region beyond a respective threshold value.

18. A method as in claim 1, wherein initiating display of the transition region includes splicing respective ends of the first content region and the second content region in the transition region such that a portion of an end of the first content region in the transition region appears to be cut out for purposes of displaying a portion of the second content region and an end of the second content region in the transition region appears to be cut out for purposes of displaying a portion of the first content region.

30. A method as in claim 1, wherein initiating display of the transition region includes:

displaying a first region of the transition region to appear as though the first content region is partially overlaid on the second content region; and

displaying a second region of the transition region to appear as though the second content region is partially overlaid on the first content region.

15. A method comprising:

initiating display of a first content region and a second content region on an editing track;

initiating display of a transition region between the first content region and the second content region, the transition region including portions of the first content region and the second content region overlaid with respect to each other to represent a transition effect to be applied during successive presentation of content associated with the first content region and the second content region;

receiving a command to trim a respective end of at least one of the first content region and second content region in the transition region; and

in response to receiving the command, initiating trimming of respective ends of both the first content region and the second content region in the transition region such that a midpoint between the respective ends remains fixed with respect to a position on a corresponding timeline associated with the editing track.

16. A method comprising:

initiating display of a first content region and a second content region on an editing track;

initiating display of a transition region between the first content region and the second content region, the transition region including portions of the first content region and the second content region overlaid with respect to each other to represent a transition effect to be applied during successive presentation of content associated with the first content region and the second content region;

enabling selection and trimming of respective ends of the first content region and the second content region with respect to a corresponding timeline associated with the editing track;

and receiving a first command indicating selection of a set of at least one of the respective ends;

and in response to receiving a second command to modify one of the respective ends in the set, applying the second command to each respective end in the set such that all respective ends in the set move in the same direction and equal amount as the respective end in the set being moved about a respective display screen while other respective ends not part of the set remain at a fixed location relative to the timeline.

17. A method as in claim 16 further comprising:

providing a visual indication to distinguish respective ends that are included in the set with respective ends not included in the set.

29. A method as in claim 16 wherein a portion of master content, as represented by the first and second content region, presented during playback, is increased.

19. A computer program product including a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for processing data information, such that the instructions, when carried out by a processing device, enable the processing device to perform the operations of:

initiating display of a first content region and a second content region on an editing track;

initiating display of a transition region between the first content region and the second content region, the transition region including portions of the first content region and the second content region overlaid with respect to each other to represent a transition effect to be applied during successive presentation of content associated with the first content region and the second content region and initiating display of the transition region includes displaying a first region of the transition region to appear as though the first content region is partially overlaid on the second content region and displaying a second region of the transition region to appear as though the second content region is partially overlaid on the first content region;

displaying a tail selector in the first region of the transition region to identify a respective ending of the first content region with respect to a timeline associated with the editing track;

displaying a head selector associated with the first content region at an opposite end of the first content region as the tail selector to identify a respective beginning of the first content region with respect to the timeline; and

wherein initiating display of the transition region includes;

displaying a first selection element in a first region of the transition region for purposes of enabling an edit operation associated with the first content region and to indicate a boundary of the first content region;

displaying a second selection element in a second region of the transition region for purposes of enabling an edit operation associated with the second content region and to indicate a boundary of the second content region;

initiating automatic movement of the second selection element with respect to the first selection element on a respective display screen such that the first selection element and the second selection element appear to move an equal amount and in opposite direction with respect to each other during selection and dragging of the first selection element; and

the automatic movement enabling a respective user to modify a size of the transition region between first content associated with the first content region and second content associated with the second content region.

20. A computer program product as in claim 19, wherein initiating display of the transition region includes i) utilizing a first region of the transition region to display a portion of the first content region in lieu of displaying a portion of the second content region, and ii) utilizing a second region of the transition region to display a portion of the second content region in lieu of displaying a portion of the first content region;

and

wherein initiating display of the transition region includes;

displaying a time-based boundary associated with the first content region in the first region of the transition region; and

displaying a time-based boundary associated with the second content in the second region of the transition region.

21. A computer program product as in claim 20 further supporting operations of:

initiating display of a visual aid in a substantially horizontal manner to indicate a separation between a portion of the first content region and a portion of the second content region displayed in the transition region.

22. A computer program product as in claim 21, wherein initiating display of the transition region includes:

displaying a first element in the first region of the transition region to indicate a time-based boundary associated with the first content region; and

displaying a second element in the second region of the transition region to indicate a time-based boundary associated with the second content region.

23. A computer program product as in claim 19, wherein initiating display of the transition region occurs in response to receiving input with respect to at least one of the first content region and the second content region, the computer program product further supporting operations of:

prior to receiving the input;

displaying the first content region and the second content region as selectable non-overlapping time-based content on a respective display screen;

displaying the first content region to include a corresponding first selection element for purposes of enabling an edit operation associated with a tail end of the first content region; and

displaying the second content region to include a corresponding second selection element for purposes of enabling an edit operation associated with a head end of the second content region.

24. A computer program product as in claim 23, wherein initiating display of the transition region includes:

after receiving the input;

displaying part but not all of the first selection element at the tail end of the first content region to continue to indicate where the first content region ends with respect to a timeline; and

displaying part but not all of the second selection element at the head end of the second content region to continue to indicate where the second content region begins with respect to the timeline.

25. A computer program product as in claim 19, wherein initiating display of the transition region includes:

displaying a first region of the transition region to appear as though the first content region is partially overlaid on the second content region; and

displaying a second region of the transition region to appear as though the second content region is partially overlaid on the first content region.

26. A computer program product as in claim 25 further supporting operations of:

displaying a tail selector in the first region of the transition region to identify a respective ending of the first content region with respect to a timeline associated with the editing track;

displaying a head selector associated with the first content region at an opposite end of the first content region as the tail selector to identify a respective beginning of the first content region with respect to the timeline;

displaying a head selector in the second region of the transition region to identify a respective beginning of the second content region with respect to the timeline; and

displaying a tail selector associated with the second content region at an opposite end of the second content region as the head selector to identify a respective ending of the second content region with respect to the timeline.

27. A computer program product including a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for processing data information, such that the instructions, when carried out by a processing device, enable the processing device to perform the operations of:

initiating display of a first content region and a second content region on an editing track;

initiating display of a transition region between the first content region and the second content region, the transition region including portions of the first content region and the second content region overlaid with respect to each other to represent a transition effect to be applied during successive presentation of content associated with the first content region and the second content region;

receiving a command to trim a respective end of at least one of the first content region and second content region in the transition region; and

in response to receiving the command, initiating trimming of respective ends of both the first content region and the second content region in the overlapping region such that a midpoint between the respective ends remains fixed with respect to a position on a corresponding timeline associated with the editing track.

28. A computer system that supports selection and paste operations, the computer system comprising:

a processor;

a memory unit that stores instructions associated with an application executed by the processor; and

an interconnect coupling the processor and the memory unit, enabling the computer system to execute the application and perform operations of;

initiating display of a first content region and a second content region on an editing track;

initiating display of a transition region between the first content region and the second content region, the transition region including portions of the first content region and the second content region overlaid with respect to each other to represent a transition effect to be applied during successive presentation of content associated with the first content region followed by the second content region and initiating display of the transition region includes displaying a first region of the transition region to appear as though the first content region is partially overlaid on the second content region and displaying a second region of the transition region to appear as though the second content region is partially overlaid on the first content region;

displaying a tail selector in the first region of the transition region to identify a respective ending of the first content region with respect to a timeline associated with the editing track;

displaying a head selector associated with the first content region at an opposite end of the first content region as the tail selector to identify a respective beginning of the first content region with respect to the timeline; and

receiving a command to trim a respective end of at least one of the first content region and second content region in the transition region; and

in response to receiving the command, initiating trimming of respective ends of both the first content region and the second content region in the overlapping region such that a midpoint between the respective ends remains fixed with respect to a position on a corresponding timeline associated with the editing track.

31. A computer system that supports selection and paste operations, the computer system comprising:

a processor;

a memory unit that stores instructions associated with an application executed by the processor; and

an interconnect coupling the processor and the memory unit, enabling the computer system to execute the application and perform operations of;

initiating display of a first content region and a second content region on an editing track;

initiating display of a transition region between the first content region and the second content region, the transition region including portions of the first content region and the second content region overlaid with respect to each other to represent a transition effect to be applied during successive presentation of content associated with the first content region and the second content region;

wherein initiating display of the transition region includes;

displaying a first selection element in a first region of the transition region for purposes of enabling an edit operation associated with the first content region and to indicate a boundary of the first content region;

displaying a second selection element in a second region of the transition region for purposes of enabling an edit operation associated with the second content region and to indicate a boundary of the second content region;

initiating automatic movement of the second selection element with respect to the first selection element on a respective display screen such that the first selection element and the second selection element appear to move an equal amount and in opposite direction with respect to each other during selection and dragging of the first selection element; and

the automatic movement enabling a respective user to modify a size of the transition region between first content associated with the first content region and second content associated with the second content region.