Abstract:
A system and method for displaying information about video/audio clips that are being edited. When two different clips are being matched, or when one clip is being used to replace another clip, the first clip is shown on a first timeline in a normal form. The other clip is arranged in a separate timeline to overlap with the first clip. The user is provided with the ability to easily move both clips with an input device. For individual frames that overlap, one frame is at least partially transparent so that user can see both frames at the same time.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to systems for editing video segments. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems for matching and/or replacing at least two different streams of video.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In recent years, both hardware and software technology has increased significantly, providing consumers with the ability to perform an increasing number of tasks with multimedia applications. As a result of these advances in technology, tasks that could previously only be performed by professionals in the media industry with advanced equipment can now be performed by ordinary consumers with little or no previous experience in multimedia applications using standard, over-the-counter consumer electronics and software.  
         [0003]     Of the various multimedia applications now available to the consumer, applications involving video streaming and video editing have become particularly common. In addition to cropping, shading, and otherwise modifying the picture in a video stream, end users often desire to “combine” separate video clips, where one video clip is appended to another clip. In video editing, appending video clips to each other in order to create a single, seamless clip, requires that the user have the ability to locate, frame by frame, a location on the first video segment where a transition to the second video segment is occurring. This ability is used to maintain a focus point in a certain portion of the image and to maintain the continuity of the moving image. This searching ability requires the ability to control two video sources separately, as the ability to view both sources together.  
         [0004]     Unfortunately, the simultaneous use and superimposition of two video streams is particularly problematic with small screens and with minimal input devices, such as those that are commonly used on devices such as mobile telephones and personal digital assistants (PDA&#39;s). Because these devices have small displays and very limited user interfaces when compared to personal computers, new problems arise it is attempted to view and edit two sets of video clips simultaneously.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention provides a system and method for providing a user with information about audio/video clips that are being edited. When two different clips have to be matched, or when one clip has to replace another clip, the first clip is shown on horizontal timeline in a “normal” format. The second clip is arranged in a vertical timeline. A user has the ability to quickly and easily move both clips with a single joystick or other input device. When the input device is moved to the left or right, then the clip on the horizontal timeline is moved. When the input device is moved up and down, the clip on the vertical timeline is moved. One of the two clips is at least partially transparent so that the user can view both clips at the same time.  
         [0006]     The present invention provides for a number of advantages over conventional systems. The system and method of the present invention allow a user to quickly and easily locate the correct position for the synchronization of timelines or for locating a cutting point between clips. Information is easily handled by the available limited user interfaces, and more information can be shown on a small screen than is the case for conventional systems.  
         [0007]     These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mobile telephone that can be used in the implementation of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of the telephone circuitry of the mobile telephone of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a representation of a superimposition of two separate video clips according to a first embodiment of the second invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a representation of a superimposition of two separate video clips according to a second embodiment of the second invention; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart depicting the implementation of the present invention on an electronic device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]     The present invention provides for a system and method for a user to quickly and easily view two different video clips simultaneously for video editing purposes.  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a representative mobile telephone  12  within which the principles of the present can be implemented. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not intended to be limited to one particular type of mobile telephone  12  or other electronic device. The present invention can also be incorporated into devices such as personal digital assistants, handheld personal computers, and many other devices. The mobile telephone  12  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  includes a housing  30 , a display  32  in the form of a liquid crystal display, a keypad  34 , a microphone  36 , an ear-piece  38 , a battery  40 , an infrared port  42 , an antenna  44 , a smart card  46  in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) according to one embodiment of the invention, a card reader  48 , and mobile telephone circuitry  50 . The mobile telephone circuitry  50  includes radio interface circuitry  52 , coder circuitry  54 , a controller  56  and a memory  58 . Individual circuits and elements are all of a type well known in the art, for example in the Nokia range of mobile telephones.  
         [0014]     In the system and method of the present invention, an appending point of two separate video streams can be searched frame by frame by showing the both streams at the same time, with one frame being transparent on the other such that both frames are visible. The video streams are presented as film strips containing the series of images. The present invention can be saved in the form of a computer software program in the memory  58  of the device.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of the present invention, where a first video stream  100  and a second video stream  110  are simultaneously displayed on a screen. In this embodiment of the invention, the first video stream  100  is presented horizontally, and the second video stream  110  is presented vertically. The first and second video streams  100  and  110  are presented so that they cross each other and overlap on one image area  120 . In this embodiment of the invention, leading frames  130  and trailing frames  140  are also shown for both the first video stream  100  and the second video stream. The first video stream  100  and the second video stream  110  also include frame graphics  150  similar in appearance to conventional film in order to aid the user in understanding the context of the first and second video streams  100  and  110 .  
         [0016]     The control of the first and second video streams can be mapped to simple control, which has a possibility for pointing to at least four directions. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the first video stream  100  is controlled in the horizontal direction and the second video stream  110  is controlled in vertical direction. A wide variety of input devices can be used move among frames in the first and second video streams  100  and  110 . For example, the keypad  34  of the mobile telephone of  FIG. 1  can be used to move the respective streams, with individual buttons of the keypad  34  performing different functions. Alternatively, a computer mouse could also be used to move the respective streams, or a stylus  33  could interact directly with the display  32 . Other input devices known in the art, such as switches, a 5-way rocker, a joystick, or a cursor key could also be used.  
         [0017]     Additionally, a variety of input devices on the electronic device can serve as a “rotator” to further manipulate the respective video streams. For example, virtually any type of input device can be used to rotate either the first video stream  100  or the second video stream  110  in any direction, enabling a user to change the position or orientation of either steam as necessary. For devices that include a keypad, for example, the actuation of a “shift” key in combination with the actuation of the rotator can enable the user to capture a particular video stream for subsequent movement. Capacitive slide sensors can also be used to aid in moving, reorienting and/or manipulating the respective video streams.  
         [0018]     Using the appropriate input device, a user can move both the first video stream  100  to the left and right, and can move the second video stream  110  up and down, changing the overlapping image area  120 . This system provides the user with the ability to select a particular frame in both the first video stream  100  and the second video stream  110  for use in clipping and/or combining both streams. Additionally, the user can view the leading frames  130  and trailing frames  140  and use them as a guide in finding an optimal frames for in the overlapping image area  120 . Once a particular overlapping image area  120  is selected, the user can provide a variety of mechanisms to transition from one stream to the other. These options include directly cutting both the first and second video streams  100  and  110  (for example, cutting all trailing frames  140  after the overlapping image area  120  for the first video stream  100  and all leading frames  130  before the overlapping image area  120  for the second video stream  110 ), cross-fading the streams, wiping the streams, or another method. A single, combined video stream can then be saved to the memory of the device.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , except for the fact that much smaller portions of the leading frames  130  and trailing frames  140  are not shown. It is also possible to not include leading frames  130  and/or trailing frames  140  at all. The more limited use of leading frames  130  and trailing frames  140  can be particularly useful if the display upon which the first and second video streams  100  and  110  are displayed is very small, as the inclusion of leading frames  130  and trailing frames  140  reduces the size of the overlapping image area. Additionally, by including only the single, overlapping image area  120 , the user is provided with more flexibility in scaling and sizing the overlapping image area  120  as he or she sees fit, which can aid in observing the image quality.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing one potential implementation of the present invention. At step  500 , the first video stream  100  is displayed. At step  510 , the second video stream  110 , creating the overlapping image area  120 . It should be noted that steps  500  and  510  could occur simultaneously, or one step could occur before the other step. At step  520 , the user moves the frames on the first video stream  100  to the left and right, as necessary or desired. At step  530 , the user moves the frame on the second video stream  110  up and down, as necessary or desired. Steps  520  and  530  could occur simultaneously, or one step could occur before the other step. At step  540 , when a user finds appropriate frames for the first video stream  100  and the second video stream  110  within the overlapping image area  120 , the user selects the overlapping image area  120  for editing. As mentioned above, this step can take the form of cutting the first video stream  100  and the second video stream  110 , cross-fading, wiping, or some other function. At step  550 , a combined video stream is formed, which can then be saved, transmitted, or further edited as desired.  
         [0021]     In another embodiment of the invention, the user is also provided with the ability to change the speed at which the user browses the respective video streams. For example, by modifying the amount of pressure applied to an input device, or by twisting a particular input device, the user can speed up or slow down the rate at which individual frames are viewed in either the first video stream  100  or the second video stream  110 . Other methods for modifying the browsing speed could also be used.  
         [0022]     In addition to the above, an electronic device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention can also include a recognition program so that a user can better manage the blending of multiple video streams. For example, a recognition program can be used to identify hot spots, human figures, or other pertinent objects in both the first and second video streams  100  and  110 . The user can use this information to help locate an optimal position for combining the first and second video streams by observing how drastic a transition would be if the first and second video streams  100  and  110  were combined at a particular point.  
         [0023]     While several embodiments have been shown and described herein, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. For example, but without limitation, the present invention could be incorporated into a wide variety of electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, and other devices. Various features of the invention are defined in the following Claims.