Methods and systems for managing multiple inputs and methods and systems for processing media content

• US 20050117874A1
• Filed: 10/15/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Rudolph, Eric H., Miller, Daniel J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,228,056 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/278
• 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

Methods and systems for managing multiple inputs that are capable of competing or contending for a particular or primary output are described. In one embodiment, the multiple inputs are managed through the use of a software-implemented matrix switch object, and an associated data structure that is used to program the switch object and resolve contention issues between the inputs. The matrix switch object can process the multiple inputs to provide a primary output. One implementation of the switch object uses virtual input and output pins to receive and provide data streams. One specific embodiment is used in connection with multi-media editing software that enables users build or define their own editing multi-media editing projects that incorporate multiple different user-selected clips, in the form of digital data streams, into an integrated project. Each clip can be defined in terms of one or more digital data streams, e.g. video and audio streams. One implementation method defines a first data structure that represents an editing project and processes the data structure to provide a second data structure that contains data that can be used to program the matrix switch object so that multiple switch inputs are routed to multiple switch outputs and contentions between the inputs for a primary output are resolved.

Claims

1. A data stream processing method comprising:

receiving at least one digital data stream using a software-implemented matrix switch having a primary output and at least one other output;

routing said at least one digital data stream to said at least one other output;

outputting said at least one digital data stream at said at least one other output;

processing said at least one digital data stream to provide a different digital data stream;

inputting the different digital data stream into the matrix switch; and

routing the input different digital data stream to the matrix switch'"'"'s primary output.

2. The data stream processing method of claim 1, wherein said receiving comprises receiving multiple streams and routing multiple streams to individual other switch outputs.

3. The data stream processing method of claim 2, wherein at least some of the multiple streams comprise video streams.

4. The data stream processing method of claim 2, wherein at least some of the multiple streams comprise audio streams.

5. The data stream processing method of claim 1, wherein said processing comprises transitioning from one stream to another stream.

6. The data stream processing method of claim 1, wherein said processing comprises using two video data streams to provide a video data stream containing portions of both video data streams.

7. The data stream processing method of claim 1, wherein said processing comprises applying an effect on said at least one digital data stream.

8. The data stream processing method of claim 1, wherein said processing comprises mixing multiple digital data streams.

9. The data stream processing method of claim 1, wherein said processing comprises mixing multiple audio or video digital data streams.

10. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, implement the method of claim 1.

11. A data stream processing method comprising:

receiving at least one digital data stream using a software-implemented matrix switch object, the matrix switch object being configured to receive one or more digital data streams and output at least one digital data stream, individual digital data streams comprising portions of a user-defined multi-media editing project comprising one or more of video data streams and audio data streams;

outputting, from the matrix switch object, at least one digital data stream;

receiving, with another object, the output digital data stream;

processing the received digital data stream to provide a different digital data stream;

receiving the different digital data stream with the matrix switch object; and

outputting the received different digital data stream as a primary output stream that represents the user-defined multi-media editing project.

12. A system comprising:

one or more computer-readable media;

one or more processors;

computer-readable instructions on the one or more computer-readable media which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement a method comprising;

receiving at least one digital data stream using a software-implemented matrix switch having a primary output and at least one other output;

routing said at least one digital data stream to said at least one other output;

outputting said at least one digital data stream at said at least one other output;

processing said at least one digital data-stream to provide a different digital data stream;

inputting the different digital data stream into the matrix switch; and

routing the input different digital data stream to the matrix switch'"'"'s primary output.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said receiving comprises receiving multiple streams and routing multiple streams to individual other switch outputs.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein at least some of the multiple streams comprise video streams.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein at least some of the multiple streams comprise audio streams.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein said processing comprises transitioning from one stream to another stream.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein said processing comprises using two video data streams to provide a video data stream containing portions of both video data streams.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein said processing comprises applying an effect on said at least one digital data stream.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein said processing comprises mixing multiple digital data streams.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein said processing comprises mixing multiple audio or video digital data streams.