Parameter setting superimposed upon an image

• US 8,453,072 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2011
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Breglio, Melissa Erin
• Primary Examiner(s): PITARO, RYAN F
• Application Number:
  US13/110,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20110219329A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 715/833, 715/763, 715/810
• US Class Current: 715/833
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• 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 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6027 Correction or control of colour gradation or colour contrast H04N1/6058 takes precedence

Abstract

Tools and techniques allow visual media to be edited by superimposing a parameter adjusting mechanism on the visual media itself and adjusting parameter settings based on user input detected by the parameter adjusting mechanism. In a visual media editing application, the parameter adjusting mechanism is superimposed on visual media so that the user can keep his eyes on the visual media and so that the visual media itself is not obscured by other user interface controls and windows as the user edits it. The user sets control points on the visual media that act as a fixed reference points for subsequent user input. The parameter adjusting mechanism detects subsequent user input calculates new parameter settings based on that input.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

causing a visual media item to be displayed on a display;

determining a reference point on the display of the visual media item in response to commencement of particular user input relative to the visual media item;

in response to commencement of the particular user input, beginning to display a slider control superimposed on the visual media item;

receiving first input indicating an adjustment to be made to a visual parameter of the visual media item,

in response to receiving the first input, determining a new value for the visual parameter of the visual media item based at least in part on the first input relative to the reference point and reflecting the new value in the slider control;

causing the display of the visual media item to be updated in accordance with the new value for the visual parameter; and

ceasing to display the slider control in response to cessation of the particular user input;

wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference point is located, on the display of the visual media item at a variable position that is determined only in response to the commencement of the particular user input.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to determining the reference point, receiving second input that selects the visual parameter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first input includes input that indicates a new location; and

an adjustment value is calculated based on the distance between the new location and the reference point.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising visually indicating, with a non-verbal icon that is included in a parameter setting control, which visual parameter of a plurality of visual parameters is being modified.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the parameter setting control indicates a current value for the visual parameter.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to determining the reference point, causing an adjustments window that includes a plurality of controls to be displayed, wherein each control of the plurality of controls corresponds to a different visual parameter of a plurality of visual parameters; and

prior to receiving the first input, causing the adjustments window to be hidden from view.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference point is established at a variable location that is based on a current position of a cursor at a moment at which the particular user input commences, and represents a current value of the visual parameter;

wherein the commencement of the particular user input comprises a depressing of a mouse button; and

wherein the cessation of the particular user input comprises a release of the mouse button.

9. A method of editing a visual media item in a visual media editing application, the method comprising:

receiving first input that selects a parameter, wherein the parameter has a current value;

after the first input is received, selecting a reference point on the visual media item to be a current position of a pointer at a time that a particular button is depressed, regardless of where the pointer is within the visual media item at the time that the particular button is depressed;

after determining the reference point, continuously receiving second input that indicates an adjustment to the current value of the parameter for as long as the particular button remains depressed;

in response to receiving the second input, continuously determining, based at least in part on the second input relative to the reference point, and only for as long as the particular button remains depressed, a new value for the parameter that is different than the current value; and

continuously causing a display of the visual media item to change in accordance with the new value for the parameter for as long as the particular button remains depressed and without displaying any control for adjusting the parameter;

wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the reference point is at a variable location on the visual media item that is determined only in response to the depressing of the particular button.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the second input includes input that indicates a new location; and

an adjustment value is calculated based on the distance between the new location and the reference point.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

prior to receiving the first input, causing an adjustments window that includes a plurality of controls to be displayed, wherein each control of the plurality of controls corresponds to a different parameter of a plurality of parameters; and

prior to receiving the second input, causing the adjustments window to be hidden from view.

13. A computer-readable memory storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause:

causing a visual media item to be displayed on a display;

determining a reference point on the display of the visual media item in response to commencement of particular user input relative to the visual media item;

in response to commencement of the particular user input, beginning to display a slider control superimposed on the visual media item;

receiving first input indicating an adjustment to be made to a visual parameter of the visual media item;

in response to receiving the first input, determining a new value for the visual parameter of the visual media item based at least in part on the first input relative to the reference point and reflecting the new value in the slider control;

causing the display of the visual media item to be updated in accordance with the new value for the visual parameter; and

ceasing to display the slider control in response to cessation of the particular user input.

14. The computer-readable memory of claim 13, wherein the reference point is located, on the display of the visual media item, at a variable position that is determined only in response to the commencement of the particular user input.

15. The one or more storage media computer-readable memory of claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:

prior to determining the reference point, receiving second input that selects the visual parameter.

16. The computer-readable memory of claim 13, wherein:

the first input includes input that indicates a new location; and

an adjustment value is calculated based on the distance between the new location and the reference point.

17. The computer-readable memory of claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause visually indicating, with a non-verbal icon that is included in a parameter setting control, which visual parameter of a plurality of visual parameters is being modified.

18. The computer-readable memory of claim 17, wherein the parameter setting control indicates a current value for the visual parameter.

19. The computer-readable memory of claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:

prior to receiving the first input, causing an adjustments window that includes a plurality of controls to be displayed, wherein each control of the plurality of controls corresponds to a different visual parameter of a plurality of visual parameters; and

prior to receiving the first input, causing the adjustments window to be hidden from view.

20. The computer-readable memory of claim 13, wherein the reference point is established at a variable location that is based on a current position of a cursor at a moment at which the particular user input commences, and represents a current value of the visual parameter;

wherein the commencement of the particular user input comprises a depressing of a mouse button; and

wherein the cessation of the particular user input comprises a release of the mouse button.

21. A computer-readable memory storing instructions for editing a visual media item in a visual media editing application, wherein the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause:

receiving first input that selects a parameter, wherein the parameter has a current value;

after the first input is received, selecting a reference point on the visual media item to be a current position of a pointer at a time that a particular button is depressed, regardless of where the pointer is within the visual media item at the time that the particular button is depressed;

after determining the reference point, continuously receiving second input that indicates an adjustment to the current value of the parameter for as long as the particular button remains depressed;

in response to receiving the second input, continuously determining, based at least in part on the second input relative to the reference point, and only for as long as the particular button remains depressed, a new value for the parameter that is different than the current value; and

continuously causing a display of the visual media item to change in accordance with the new value for the parameter for as long as the particular button remains depressed and without displaying any control for adjusting the parameter.

22. The computer-readable memory of claim 21, wherein the reference point is at a variable location on the visual media item that is determined only in response to the depressing of the particular button.

23. The computer-readable memory of claim 21, wherein:

the second input includes input that indicates a new location; and

an adjustment value is calculated based on the distance between the new location and the reference point.

24. The computer-readable memory of claim 21, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:

prior to receiving the first input, causing an adjustments window that includes a plurality of controls to be displayed, wherein each control of the plurality of controls corresponds to a different parameter of a plurality of parameters; and

prior to receiving the second input, causing the adjustments window to be hidden from view.