Video browser data magnifier

• US 20010033302A1
• Filed: 01/26/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kowald, Julie Rae, Lloyd-Jones, Daniel John
• Granted Patent: US 7,073,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/853
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/957 Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation

Abstract

A method of conceptually magnifying video browser data, the data being organised hierarchically in one or more levels (304, 312) is disclosed. The method comprises firstly selecting a parent level (304), the parent level selection making visible a first key frame (340) associated with the parent level (304). A magnification mode is also selected, being either a parent-only, or a parent-children magnification mode. Conceptual magnification is then performed, which displays, in the parent-only mode, the first key frame (340) associated with the parent level (304), and other frames (300, 302) which are also associated with the parent level. The conceptual magnification displays, in the parent-children mode, the first key frame (340) associated with the parent level (304), and second key frames (324) associated with an associated child level (312).

Claims

1. A method of conceptually magnifying video browser data, said data being organised hierarchically in one or more levels, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a parent level, said parent level selection making visible a first key frame associated with said parent level;

choosing one of a parent-only and a parent-children magnification mode; and

performing conceptual magnification;

said conceptual magnification displaying, in the parent-only mode, the first key frame associated with said parent level and other frames which are also associated with said parent level; and

said conceptual magnification displaying, in the parent-children mode, the first key frame associated with said parent level and second key frames associated with an associated children level.

2. A method according to

claim 1

;

wherein in the parent-only mode said conceptual magnification performing step is accompanied by a further step of;

displaying a first area of the GUI adjacent to said first key frame, and first corresponding areas of the GUI adjacent to said other frames; and

wherein in the parent-children mode, said conceptual magnification performing step is accompanied by a further step of;

displaying a second area of the GUI adjacent to said first key frame, and second corresponding areas of the GUI adjacent to said second key frames.

3. A method according to

claim 1

;

wherein in the parent-only mode, said conceptual magnification performing step comprises sub-steps of;

displaying the first key frame associated with said parent level for a first time interval; and

displaying the other frames which are also associated with said parent level for a second time interval; and

wherein in the parent-children mode, said performing step comprises sub-steps of;

displaying the first key frame associated with said parent level for a third time interval; and

displaying said second key frames associated with said associated children level for a fourth time interval.

4. A method according to

claim 1

, wherein said first and second key frames, and said other frames, comprise one or more of text and image data.

5. An apparatus for conceptually magnifying video browser data, said data being organised hierarchically in one or more levels, the apparatus comprising:

parent level selection means for selecting a parent level, said parent level selection making visible a first key frame associated with said parent level;

magnification mode selection means for choosing one of a parent-only and a parent-children magnification mode;

conceptual magnification means for performing conceptual magnification; and

display means, for displaying, in the parent-only mode, the first key frame associated with said parent level and other frames which are also associated with said parent level; and

for displaying, in the parent-children mode, the first key frame associated with said parent level and second key frames associated with an associated children level.

6. An apparatus according to

claim 5

;

wherein;

said display means is adapted, in the parent-only mode, for displaying a first area of the GUI adjacent to said first key fame, and first corresponding areas of the GUI adjacent to said other frames; and

wherein;

in the parent-children mode, said display means is adapted for displaying a second area of the GUI adjacent to said first key frame, and second corresponding areas of the GUI adjacent to said second key frames.

7. An apparatus according to

claim 5

, wherein representations of the hierarchically organised video data levels are spatially disposed in relation to selection means, which selection means comprises a radially adjustable pointer whose radial orientation relative to the representations is indicative of the hierarchical level to be selected.

8. An apparatus according to

claim 7

, further comprising an adjustable scrolling means which is adapted, in response to an adjustment of said adjustable scrolling means, to linearly translate the representations of the hierarchically organised video data levels in relation to the selection means, thereby effecting a change in the radial orientation of the selection means relative to the representations, said changed radial orientation relative to the representations being indicative of the hierarchical level to be selected.

9. A computer program product comprising a computer program for apparatus for conceptually magnifying video browser data, said data being organised hierarchically in one or more levels, the program comprising:

code for a selecting step for selecting a parent level, said parent level selection making visible a first key frame associated with said parent level;

code for a magnification mode selection step for choosing one of a parent-only and a parent-children magnification mode; and

code for a conceptual magnification step for performing conceptual magnification;

said conceptual magnification displaying, in the parent-only mode, the first key frame associated with said parent level and other frames which are also associated with said parent level; and

said conceptual magnification displaying, in the parent-children mode, the first key frame associated with said parent level and second key frames associated with an associated children level.

10. A computer program according to

claim 9

;

wherein in the parent-only mode said code for said conceptual magnification performing step is accompanied by code for a further step of;

displaying a first area of the GUI adjacent to said first key frame, and first corresponding areas of the GUI adjacent to said other frames; and

wherein in the parent-children mode, said code for said conceptual magnification performing step is accompanied by code for a further step of;

displaying a second area of the GUI adjacent to said first key frame, and second corresponding areas of the GUI adjacent to said second key frames.

11. A computer program product according to

claim 9

;

wherein in the parent-only mode, said code for the conceptual magnification step comprises code for sub-steps of;

displaying the first key frame associated with said parent level for a first time interval; and

displaying the other frames which are also associated with said parent level for a second time interval; and

wherein in the parent-children mode, said code for the conceptual magnification step comprises code for sub-steps of;

displaying the first key frame associated with said parent level for a third time interval; and

displaying said second key frames associated with said associated children level for a fourth time interval.

12. A computer program product according to

claim 9

, wherein said first and second key frames, and said other frames, comprise one or more of text and image data.