Collaborative computer-based production system including annotation, versioning and remote interaction

• US 7,930,418 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2004
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hall, Steven, Samra, Sukendeep, van den Bergen, Mark A., Dyson, Stephen, Peterson, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Coulter; Kenneth R
• Application Number:
  US10/807,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20040181592A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,584 Days
• Field of Search: 709/231, 715/512, 715/231, 715/230
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/169 Annotation, e.g. comment data or footnotes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/031 Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals
• 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: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems

Abstract

A system providing a user interface to annotate different items in a media production system such as in a digital non-linear post production system. Parts of the production, such as clips, frames and layers, that have an associated annotation are provided with a visual annotation marker. The annotation marker can use shape, color or animation to convey source, urgency, status or other information. Annotations can be text, freehand drawing, audio, or other. Annotations can be automatically generated. Annotations can be compiled into records, searched and transferred. A state of an application program can be stored and transferred to a remote system. The remote system attempts to recreate the original state of the application program. If the remote system is unable to do so, an image of the state of the application program is obtained, instead. Assignment of control to various functions of an application program is achieved by associating a function (i.e., modifying a parameter) with a user control at a remote location.

Claims

1. A method for annotating an item in a user interface of a media production system, the method comprising

accepting signals from a user input device to select a frame in a plurality of frames of a production being processed by the media production system;

creating annotation information and an annotation marker; and

storing the annotation information in association with the selected frame of the production, wherein the annotation marker is displayed with the frame when the frame is displayed during playback of the plurality of frames in the production, the annotation marker showing a visual relationship of the annotation information'"'"'s relevance to the frame.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising

accepting signals form a user input device to create the annotation information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the annotation information includes text information.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the annotation information includes capture of drawing information.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the annotation information includes audio information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the annotation information is automatically generated by a process executing on a digital system.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising

wherein the annotation information is automatically generated at a predetermined time.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising

wherein the annotation information is automatically generated upon the occurrence a predetermined event.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the annotation marker is stored as part of the frame in the production.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the annotation marker is displayed in the frame being displayed.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the annotation marker indicates one or more additional frames that are relevant to the annotation information.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the annotation marker is associated with an action that is performed when the annotation marker is selected.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the action comprises displaying the annotation information.

14. A method for displaying a production in a user interface of a media production system, the method comprising

during playback of the production, wherein the production includes a plurality of frames, determining when an annotation marker is associated with a frame in the plurality of frames;

displaying the frame with the annotation marker, wherein the annotation marker shows a visual relationship of annotation information'"'"'s relevance to the frame;

receiving an input selecting the annotation marker; and

performing an action with the annotation information in response to the selecting of the annotation marker.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the action comprises displaying the annotation information.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the annotation marker indicates one or more additional frames that are relevant to the annotation marker.