Digital Slate

• US 20100042650A1
• Filed: 08/15/2008
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Vasta, Patrick, Devore, Douglas, Roenning, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 8,819,014 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: N/A
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/70 of video data
• 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: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8244 involving the use of subcodes

Abstract

Some embodiments provide a method performed by a digital slate. The method receives input of a first set of metadata for a particular video clip from a user. The method receives a second set of metadata for the particular video clip from a camera as the camera films the particular video clip. The method embeds the first and second sets of metadata in a data storage structure. The method transmits the data structure for later use in matching the first and second sets of metadata with the particular video clip. Some embodiments display at least a portion of the stored metadata about the particular video clip in front of a camera at the start of the particular video clip.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

a) receiving input of a first set of metadata for a particular video clip from a user;

b) receiving a second set of metadata for the particular video clip from a camera as the camera films the particular video clip;

c) embedding the first and second sets of metadata in a data storage structure; and

d) transmitting the data structure for later use in matching the first and second sets of metadata with the particular video clip.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first set of metadata comprises receiving input through a touchscreen.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the touchscreen presents a nested hierarchy of menu options.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular video clip is for a particular take of a particular scene of a film project.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first set of metadata comprises the take number and scene number.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first set of metadata comprises camera information for the particular take.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the first set of metadata comprises sound information for the particular take.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of metadata comprises timecode information for the particular video clip.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the timecode information comprises a starting timecode and an ending timecode for the particular video clip.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the data storage structure is an XML file.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the data structure comprises e-mailing the data structure.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is for a first handheld device, the method further comprising receiving a third set of metadata from a second handheld device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is for a first handheld device, the method further comprising transmitting metadata from the first set of metadata to a second handheld device.

14. A method comprising:

a) receiving a set of metadata from a handheld device, the metadata pertaining to a set of video clips;

b) receiving the set of video clips;

c) without user intervention, identifying (1) a first subset of the metadata that pertains to a particular video clip and (2) the particular video clip to which the first subset of metadata pertains; and

c) creating an association between the first subset of the metadata and the particular video clip.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein identifying the particular video clip to which the first subset of metadata pertains comprises:

a) extracting timecode information from the first subset of metadata; and

b) identifying the particular video clip based on the extracted timecode information.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the set of video clips are received from a digital tape.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein identifying the particular video clip to which the first subset of metadata pertains comprises:

a) extracting a file name from the first subset of metadata; and

b) identifying the particular video clip based on the extracted file name.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the set of video clips are received from a hard disk of a video camera.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the method is a method for a non-linear editor.

20. A handheld device comprising:

a) a storage for storing metadata about a particular video clip; and

b) a screen for displaying at least a portion of the stored metadata about the particular video clip in front of a camera at the start of the particular video clip.

21. The handheld device of claim 20, wherein the portion of the stored metadata comprises a plurality of pieces of metadata, wherein each of the pieces of metadata is displayed individually.

22. The handheld device of claim 20, wherein the metadata comprises a scene number of the particular video clip.

23. The handheld device of claim 20, wherein the metadata comprises a take number of the particular video clip.

24. The handheld device of claim 20, wherein the metadata comprises director information about the particular video clip.

25. The handheld device of claim 20, wherein the screen is further for displaying a digital synchronization mark, the handheld device further comprising a speaker for emitting a sound as the screen displays the digital synchronization mark.

26. The handheld device of claim 20, wherein the screen is a touchscreen for receiving input of at least a portion of the metadata.

27. A handheld device comprising:

a) a tilt-detecting circuit for detecting the angle of rotation of the handheld device;

b) a display for displaying the angle of rotation of the handheld when the handheld is positioned on top of a camera; and

c) a storage for storing the detected angle as metadata associated with a particular set of video content from the camera.

28. The handheld device of claim 27, wherein the tilt-detecting circuit is an accelerometer.

29. The handheld device of claim 27, wherein the device is a portable phone.

30. The handheld device of claim 27, wherein the device is a portable multimedia player.

31. The handheld device of claim 27, wherein the storage is also for storing other metadata associated with the particular set of video content.

32. A handheld device comprising:

a) a flat surface for laying on the top of a camera;

b) a tilt-detecting circuit for detecting the angle of the camera when the device is laid on top of the camera; and

c) a display for displaying the angle of rotation of the camera.

33. The handheld device of claim 32, wherein the tilt-detecting circuit is an accelerometer.

34. The handheld device of claim 32, wherein the angle of rotation of the camera is associated with a particular video clip filmed by the camera.