Patent Description:
Film and/or video productions are created on video editing systems typically by assembling the project from a collection of constituent elements. Video editing systems allow these constituent elements-which include video clips, audiovisual clips, audio clips and associated metadata-to be separately imported and edited before being merged into the final production. Modern video editing systems (and particularly those used professionally in the film and television industry) include sophisticated video editing software applications. The video editing system known as DaVinci Resolve® is an example of a modern video editing system that is extensively used in the professional environment. The total functionality of DaVinci Resolve® is divided into a number of separate pages (each having their own graphical user interface) that are organized in the order of a typical workflow. The DaVinci Resolve® pages include: Media (for media management and clip organization); Edit (a non-linear video editor); Cut (an alternative non-linear video editor); Color (for color correction and grading); Sound (a digital audio workstation); Delivery (for final rendering or output); and Fusion (for applying video effects).

In common with other non-linear video editors, the user interface of the Edit and Cut pages of DaVinci Resolve® includes a timeline that is a graphical representation of the project being edited. The timeline includes a plurality of linearly spaced timecode markings that extend typically in a horizontal direction along the length of the user interface window. The timeline allows the constituent elements of the project to be arranged into the desired temporal order by alignment with the timeline's temporal markings. Once placed in the timeline, elements can be edited by launching editing tools to perform operations such as trimming, splitting, inserting, merging, and moving of clips to a desired location.

The present disclosure aims to provide a video editing system that, at least in preferred embodiments, provides users with a more optimized video editing workflow environment.

Document <CIT> (<NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>) presents a video editing interface, wherein by actuating one button, all media elements in a media bin are concatenated and presented in a visualisation window, wherein the user can browse at different speed the concatenated content, to enable selection of media items of the media bin to be included on the timeline of the editing workflow.

The claimed invention is defined by means of the method according to appended claim <NUM> and the system according to appended claim <NUM>. Advantageous aspects of the invention are defined in the appended dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

Further aspects of the present disclosure and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

A user interface <NUM> for a video editing software application is shown in <FIG>. The video editing software allows for the creation of projects from constituent media elements that are imported into the video editing software application and displayed in a media bin area <NUM> for example as described in the Applicant's co-pending international patent application <CIT>.

In the illustrated embodiment, there is a single bin of media elements named `Master,' however those skilled in the art will realize that any number of media bins can be created and media elements placed therein to provide a framework for organizing the project.

In the illustrated embodiment, the user has imported twelve constituent media elements in the project, six of which are shown in <FIG>. The remaining media elements can be made viewable by operating the scroll bar located on the right hand side of the media bin area <NUM>. The six visible constituent elements comprise an audio track 102A and five audio-visual clips 102B-102F (namely video clips, each with a recorded audio track). As understood by skilled users, the video editing software application also stores and manages metadata for each constituent media element, as well as for the overall project.

User interface <NUM> also includes a viewer window <NUM> for viewing a selected video or audio-visual clip, a first timeline <NUM>, and second timeline <NUM> lying parallel and above first timeline <NUM>. The operation of the two timelines is described in the Applicant's co-pending international patent application <CIT>.

Timelines <NUM> and <NUM> allows users to create projects by inserting constituent media elements into the timelines and performing editing and arrangement operations. In this regard, the individual source media elements 102B-102F can be dragged or otherwise inserted into one of the timelines <NUM>, <NUM> from media bin area <NUM> or viewer window <NUM>. Once in a timeline, the constituent media elements can be suitably edited and arranged.

User interface <NUM> is streamlined by only displaying a subset of the usual user interface elements that are displayed on the Cut page of DaVinci Resolve®. For example, user interface <NUM> does not include a separate viewer window for viewing video and audio-visual clips in the media bin area <NUM>. The streamlined user interface displays the core tools that are needed for certain projects, for example to import media, edit, trim, add transitions and titles, automatically match color, and mix audio.

Although only six constituent media elements are illustrated, it is not unusual for dozens or even hundreds of constituent media elements to be imported for potential use in a project. This can lead to difficulties in locating the desired clip from within all of the files present in the media bin area <NUM>.

To address this issue, user interface <NUM> further includes a concatenator object, which in the example of <FIG> is in the form of a button <NUM>. Button <NUM> can be suitably actuated by a user, typically in a single action such as by clicking with a mouse or other pointer device, or performing a suitable gesture on a touchscreen, or by entering a keyboard shortcut linked to the button. In response to actuating the concatenator object, user interface <NUM> concatenates each of the media elements present in the media bin area <NUM> into a single media element and loads the created single media element into the viewer window <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> displays the total number of media elements comprised in the single media element (in this case <NUM>) and displays the name of the media bin that contains the media element currently being viewed in the viewer window <NUM> (in this case 'Master'). In the particular example shown, the display of the total number of media elements and the name of the media bin are combined into a single item of display, which in this case is "<NUM> Clips - Master" displayed in a header of the viewer window <NUM>. The total length of the single media element is also displayed in the user interface <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the element number, media bin identifier, and length are displayed in the area above the viewer window; however, this data could readily be displayed in other locations of the user interface <NUM>.

When there are multiple bins created and displayed in the media bin area <NUM>, the concatenation action can be performed to produce a single media element from the media elements present in a selected one of the bins, or from the content of multiple bins. In a preferred form actuation of the concatenator element <NUM> causes the whole of each of the media elements in the (selected or all) media bin(s) <NUM> to be concatenated into the single media element.

A graphical display object <NUM> is located underneath viewer window <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire single media element is depicted in graphical display object <NUM> including an audio waveform. In this depiction, users can easily identify particular clips, for example by inspecting the trough regions of the audio waveform, which indicate clips with low or zero volume.

The graphical display object <NUM> appears as a strip representing the concatenation of its constituent elements. The boundaries between the constituent media elements are indicated in graphical display object <NUM> by vertical lines of a contrasting color (such as white).

Other depictions of the single media element in the graphical display object <NUM> can also be used, such as schematically illustrating the constituent media elements using simple geometric shapes such as rectangles. The constituent media elements can be distinguished in graphical display object <NUM>, for example by using different colors for the schematic illustrations.

Having a single media element comprised of all of the media elements present in the media bin area allows the user to scrub through the single media element (at high speed if necessary) and easily locate the required constituent media element. High-speed scrubbing can be performed by manipulating a playhead <NUM>, located in graphical display object <NUM>. Other operations (including high-speed scrubbing) can be performed using viewer window controls <NUM> that are, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, located below graphical display object <NUM>.

Once located, the required media element can readily be inserted into one of the timelines <NUM> and <NUM>, such as by dragging and dropping from the viewer window <NUM> or from graphical display object <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> is configured to only insert into the timeline the individual media element currently being viewed in the viewer window <NUM>, rather than inserting the entire single media element.

The order of the constituent media elements within the created single media elements corresponds with the ordering of the constituent media elements in the originating media bin. However, the ordering of the individual source media elements within the created single media element can also be defined by the user and need not follow the ordering of the media elements within a media bin.

Graphical display object <NUM> is configured to receive user input (such as a keyboard input, mouse click, or touch-screen display contact) and in response thereto, define start points and/or end points within the single media element while it is in the process of being played in the viewer window <NUM>. Any new clips that are defined in this way (namely by the definition of a start point and a corresponding end point) are automatically loaded into one or both of the timelines <NUM> and <NUM>. In the graphical display object <NUM>, a plurality of start points and/or end points can be defined to add multiple clips defined by pairs of start and end points into the timelines <NUM> and <NUM>. By presenting a concatenation of all the constituent media objects into a single media element and allowing multiple clips to be thus defined, the user workflow can be improved as it is no longer necessary to load individual clips into the timeline.

Once the multiple clips are present in the timelines <NUM> and <NUM>, the boundaries thereof can be suitably edited, such as by trimming and/or extending. This functionality allows use of the graphical display object <NUM> to create clips with approximate boundaries, which can then be refined using the editing tools of the timelines.

The concatenation of a plurality of media elements into a single media element effectively removes the start and end points that the individual elements inherently defined prior to the concatenation operation. This opens up the possibility of creating new media elements (namely by defining start and end points in the created single media element) that contain content from more than one of the original source media elements. Transition effects can then be readily inserted between the newly-created media elements.

<FIG> illustrate a further embodiment of a user interface <NUM> for a video editing software application, such as a non-linear editor. The embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> is similar to that of <FIG>, and common elements from <FIG> having reference numerals between <NUM> and <NUM> have been numbered with numerals ranging from <NUM> to <NUM> such that an element in <FIG> with reference numeral 1XX will be illustrated with reference numeral 2XX in <FIG> - such corresponding elements have the same function in each embodiment, unless otherwise noted.

Turning to <FIG>, the video editing software allows for the creation of projects from constituent media elements that are imported into the video editing software application and displayed in a media bin area <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, there is a single bin of media elements named `Master,' however those skilled in the art will realize that any number of media bins can be created and media elements placed therein to provide a framework for organizing the project.

In the illustrated embodiment, the user has imported <NUM> constituent media elements in the project, <NUM> of which are shown in <FIG>. The remaining media elements can be made viewable by operating the scroll bar <NUM> located on the right-hand side of the media bin area <NUM>. The <NUM> visible constituent media elements comprise seven audio-visual clips 202A. <NUM> to 202A. <NUM> represented by icons in a first row, five audio-visual clips 202B. <NUM> to 202B. <NUM> represented by icons in a second row, audio-visual clips 202C represented by an icon in the third row, and six audio-visual clips 202D. <NUM> to 202D. <NUM> represented by icons in a fourth row. As understood by skilled users, the video editing software application also stores and manages metadata for each constituent element, as well as for the overall project. <FIG> shows a second view of the interface with the media elements visible as clips or film strips. Other views of the clips (e.g., as a list, folder) are also possible.

User interface <NUM> also includes a viewer window <NUM> for viewing a selected video or audio-visual clip, a first timeline <NUM>, and second timeline <NUM> lying parallel and above first timeline <NUM>. The operation of the two timelines is described in the Applicant's co-pending PCT patent application <CIT>.

Timelines <NUM> and <NUM> allows users to create projects by inserting constituent media elements into either of the timelines and performing editing and arrangement operations. Insertion of a media element into either one of the timelines <NUM>, <NUM> causes the same media element to be displayed in a corresponding position in the other of the timelines. In this regard, the individual source media elements 202A. <NUM> (or any of the extra media elements present in the media bin, but not visible in the present view) can be dragged or otherwise inserted into one of the timelines <NUM> or <NUM> from media bin area <NUM> or viewer window <NUM>. Once in a timeline, the constituent media elements can be suitably edited and arranged.

Although only <NUM> constituent media elements are illustrated in <FIG>, the present example has <NUM> clips loaded in the bin. However, it is not unusual for hundreds of constituent media elements to be imported for potential use in a project. This can lead to difficulties in locating and managing the desired clip(s) from within all of the files present in the media bin area <NUM>, even when using a concatenator element as described in connection with <FIG>. Accordingly, the present embodiment presents an enhanced mechanism for locating and managing media.

The present user interface <NUM> further includes a concatenator object, which in the example of <FIG> is in the form of a button <NUM>. Button <NUM> can be suitably actuated by a user, typically in a single action such as by clicking with a mouse or other pointer device, or performing a suitable gesture on a touchscreen, or by entering a keyboard shortcut linked to the button. In response to actuating the concatenator object, user interface <NUM> concatenates each of the media elements present in media bin area <NUM> into a single media element and loads the created media element into the viewer window <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> displays the total number of media elements (<NUM>) comprised in the single media element (<NUM>) and the media bin name (<NUM>) of the media bin that contains the media element currently being viewed in the viewer window <NUM> (in this case 'Master'). The total length of the single media element (<NUM>) is also displayed in the user interface <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the media element count (<NUM>), media bin name or identifier (<NUM>), and length of the single media element (<NUM>) formed by concatenation, are displayed in the area above the viewer window; however, this data could readily be displayed in other locations of the user interface <NUM>.

When there are multiple bins created and displayed in the media bin area <NUM>, the concatenation action can be performed to produce a single media element from the media elements present in a selected one of the bins, or from the content of multiple bins.

As in <FIG>, a graphical display object <NUM> is located underneath viewer window <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire single media element is depicted in graphical display object <NUM> including an audio waveform. In this depiction, users can easily identify particular clips, for example by inspecting the trough regions of the audio waveform, which indicate clips with low or zero volume. The temporal boundaries (i.e., edges) of the constituent media elements are indicated in graphical display object <NUM> by vertical lines, e.g., <NUM> and <NUM> of a contrasting color (such as white) to aid a user in determining the length of the constituent media element relative to the length of the entire single media object.

Other depictions of the single media element can also be used, such as schematically illustrating the constituent media elements using simple geometric shapes such as rectangles. The constituent media elements can be distinguished in graphical display object <NUM> for example by using different colors for the schematic illustrations.

Having a single media element comprised of all of the media elements present in the media bin area allows the user to scrub through the single media element (at high speed if necessary) and easily locate the required constituent media element. High-speed scrubbing can be performed by manipulating a playhead <NUM>, located in graphical display object <NUM>. Other operations (including high-speed scrubbing) can be performed using viewer window controls <NUM> that are located below graphical display object <NUM>.

The order of the constituent media elements within the created single media elements corresponds with the ordering of the constituent media elements in the originating media bin. However, the ordering of the individual source media elements within the created single media element can also be defined by the user and need not follow the ordering of the elements within a media bin. In the present embodiment, the media elements 202A. <NUM> to 202D. <NUM> are shown in the media bin <NUM> sorted by date of import. The media elements are arranged in groups by date of import. In order to set this sorting, the user interface according to this embodiment, includes a sort element <NUM>. When actuated, the sort element <NUM> causes the media elements in the media bin <NUM> to be displayed in an order according to a predetermined sorting scheme. The sorting scheme can be user defined or user selected. <FIG> illustrates an example sort element. This sort element <NUM> is actuated by selecting an interface button and then the user selecting the sorting scheme to be used. The sorting scheme can comprise sorting the media elements according to one or a combination of predefined metadata fields. A list of possible metadata fields is illustrated in the sort scheme list <NUM> of <FIG>. Once a sort scheme is selected the order of the media elements in the bin is shown in the new sort order. The display of the bin can also group media elements according to the appropriate metadata for the sorting scheme. In this regard, <FIG> illustrates the media elements illustrated in the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> sorted by scene name. A first group of media elements 202D. <NUM>, 202D. <NUM> and 202D. <NUM> are grouped as part of "Scene <NUM>" <NUM> as they share metadata reflecting that they relate to this scene. A second group of media elements 202C, 202D. <NUM>, 202D. <NUM> and 202D. <NUM> are grouped as part of "Scene <NUM>" <NUM> as they share metadata reflecting that they relate to this scene. A third group of media elements 202A. 1are grouped as belonging to "Scene <NUM>" <NUM> as they share metadata reflecting that they relate to this scene.

As will be appreciated, media elements can be stored in data or file formats containing a range of different metadata fields, and any one or more metadata fields can be used for sorting the media elements. The grouping in the display can be performed based on matching metadata in a field or fields set by the sorting scheme, or metadata falling within a range of values in one or more metadata fields set by the sorting scheme. Convenient metadata fields can include one or more of: Timecode; Camera or camera type on which media was captured; Date; Time; Clip name; Scene; Shot; Clip color; Date modified; Date imported; and/or Bin.

Returning to <FIG>, as can be seen the media elements in the media bin <NUM> are grouped differently than the grouping of <FIG> and <FIG>. This allows a user to see the grouping of media elements that they find most useful for their editing workflow and task. However, when working with a multitude of media elements this can still be difficult.

In this embodiment, the user interface <NUM> also includes a focus element which can be used to reduce the current set of media elements that the user is working with at any one time, which may simplify and speed up operation. The focus element is used to reduce the number of elements in the group of media elements that form the single media element. In this embodiment, this involves only concatenating those media elements in the media bin that share certain metadata attributes into a modified single media element, that can be displayed as described above.

The grouping of clips can be defined based on the clip currently displayed in the viewer window <NUM> and its associated metadata. For example, all media elements with metadata related to the presently displayed media element can be included in the focused single media element. The related metadata can include common metadata, similar metadata, or metadata within a defined range of values. In some embodiments, the focused single media element concatenates only those media elements present in the media bin that are grouped together by the presently active sorting scheme.

Thus, in <FIG>, media element 202D. <NUM> is actively displayed in the viewer window <NUM> (this can be seen by the pronounced outline <NUM> in the interface around the icon of media element 202D. <NUM> in the media bin <NUM>). When the user activates the focus element (button) <NUM>, the single media element is modified, and the user interface is transitioned to the view of <FIG>.

In other examples the concatenator element and the focus element are distinct. For example, the button <NUM> may be a dedicated concatenator element and another button may operate as the focus element. <FIG> provides an illustration of such a user interface <NUM>. The user interface of <FIG> only differs from the embodiment of <FIG> in that the user interface <NUM> of <FIG> includes a dedicated focus element in the form of a button <NUM>. All other elements are as for <FIG> and share reference numerals therewith. The focus element, button <NUM>, can be suitably actuated by a user, typically in a single action such as by clicking with a mouse or other pointer device, or performing a suitable gesture on a touchscreen, or by entering a keyboard shortcut linked to the button. Upon actuation of the focus element <NUM> the single media element is modified, as noted in relation the operation of the focus element in <FIG>, and the user interface is transitioned to the view of <FIG>. The user interface of <FIG> (and also <FIG>) may also be adapted to include a dedicated focus element, for example, as per <FIG>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the modified single media element (graphical display object) illustrated at <NUM> only includes four clips. In addition, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the media bin <NUM> is modified. In particular, the only clips remaining visible in the media bin <NUM> are the four clips included in the modified single media element illustrated at <NUM>. In this example, the four remaining clips share the "Scene <NUM>" metadata with clip 202D. The new, modified single media element, called the focused single media element, can be used as described above.

In the example of <FIG>, the concatenator element and focus element are activated by use of the same visual element, button <NUM>, on the user interface. This button <NUM> operates in a context sensitive manner in which the button operates as the concatenator element in a first context (in this case when the "source tape" bin mode is inactive - i.e., no single media element is active) and operates as the focus element in a second context (in this case when the "source tape" mode is active - i.e., a single media element is active).

The user interface <NUM> of any of the above embodiments can include a reversion element, whereby if a focused single media element is active, responsive to a user actuating said reversion element, the single media element again includes all media elements present in the media bin and loads the single media element into the viewing window. That is, actuation of the reversion element undoes the action of the focus element, and returns the interface to the first context, in which the single media element includes all media elements in the active bin (e.g. the state of <FIG> and <FIG>). The reversion element can be a physical or GUI defined button. Conveniently this can be the "Escape" key on a keyboard. It can also comprise a further mode of operation of a context sensitive user interface element, for example the button <NUM>.

In embodiments that include a dedicated focus element, for example the embodiments described with reference to <FIG>, either or both of the focus element <NUM> or concatenator element <NUM> can act as the reversion element in the context in which the focused single media element is active.

As described in connection with <FIG>, once located either in the single media element or focused single media element, the required media element can readily be inserted into one of the timelines <NUM> and <NUM>, such as by dragging and dropping from the viewer window <NUM> or from graphical display object <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> is configured to only insert into the timeline the individual media element currently being viewed in the viewer window <NUM>, rather than inserting the entire single media element or the entire focused single media element.

Graphical display object <NUM> is configured to receive user input (such as a keyboard input, mouse click, or touch-screen display contact) and in response thereto, define start points and/or end points within the single media element or focused single media element while it is played in the viewer window <NUM>. Any new clips that are defined in this way (namely by the definition of a start point and a corresponding end point) are automatically loaded into one or both of the timelines <NUM> and <NUM>. In the graphical display object <NUM>, a plurality of start points and/or end points can be defined to add multiple clips defined by pairs of start and end points into the timelines <NUM> and <NUM>. Once the multiple clips are present in the timelines <NUM> and <NUM>, the boundaries thereof can be suitably edited, such as by trimming and/or extending. This functionality allows use of the graphical display object <NUM> to create clips with approximate boundaries, which can then be refined using the editing tools of the timelines.

By presenting a concatenation of all the constituent media objects into a single media element and also enabling focusing of that single media element on a subset of media elements with common attributes, as defined by metadata for example, the user workflow can be improved. In addition to avoiding the need to load individual clips into the timeline, a user can selectively narrow the number of simultaneously visible clips to aid their navigation though the multitude of clips that can be present in complex projects.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are also concerned with an advantageous playback methodology that is performed on the created single media element. According to the methodology, the playback speed of the single media element is varied by reference to the properties of the individual source media elements that comprise the single media elements. The methodology is implemented by retaining information about the properties of the source media elements (for example duration) after those elements have been concatenated into the single media element. The retained property information is then used to control the playback of the single media element.

One example of the playback methodology involves playing source media elements of a duration below a threshold value at their normal speed and playing source media elements of a duration above the threshold value at an increased speed. The increased playback speed can be the same irrespective of the durations of the requisite source media elements or can be varied in accordance with the individual durations of those source media elements.

Other playback-control methodologies can be defined using the present disclosure. For example, source media elements of a duration less than a threshold value can be ignored and the playback speed of the remaining elements varied. In other examples, a playback speed of the created media object at a given point may be determined by a function of the length of the source media element corresponding to that given point.

<FIG> provides a block diagram that illustrates one example of a computer system <NUM> upon which embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented. Hardware processor <NUM> may be, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor, a graphics processing unit, other type of processing unit, or combinations thereof.

Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage media accessible to processor <NUM>, render computer system <NUM> into a special-purpose machine that is customized and configured to perform the operations specified in the instructions.

Computer system <NUM> may further include a read only memory (ROM) <NUM> or other static storage device coupled to bus <NUM> for storing static information and instructions for processor <NUM>. A storage device <NUM>, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, may be provided and coupled to bus <NUM> for storing information and instructions including the video editing software application described above.

The computer system <NUM> may be coupled via bus <NUM> to a display <NUM> (such as an LCD, LED, touch screen display, or other display) for displaying information to a computer user, such as the graphical user interface described and illustrated above. An input device <NUM>, including alphanumeric and other keys, may be coupled to the bus <NUM> for communicating information and command selections to processor <NUM>.

According to at least one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by computer system <NUM> in response to processor <NUM> executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory <NUM>. Such instructions may be read into main memory <NUM> from another storage medium, such as a remote database.

The terms "storage media" or "storage medium" as used herein refers to any non-transitory media that stores data and/or instructions that cause a machine to operate in a specific fashion.

Computer system <NUM> may also include a communication interface <NUM> coupled to bus <NUM>. Communication interface <NUM> provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link <NUM> that is connected to communication network <NUM>. For example, communication interface <NUM> may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, etc. As another example, communication interface <NUM> may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN.

<FIG> illustrates a flow chart of a method <NUM> for providing a graphical user interface for a video editing system, for example the graphical user interface described with reference to <FIG>. In some embodiments the method <NUM> is implemented based on instructions in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, for example the ROM <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes displaying a graphical user interface including media elements. In some embodiments step <NUM> includes displaying a media bin displaying a plurality of media elements imported into the video editing system. In some embodiments step <NUM> includes displaying a viewing window for viewing a selected one of the media elements. In some embodiments step <NUM> includes displaying a timeline. In some embodiments step <NUM> includes displaying a concatenator element. In some embodiments step <NUM> includes displaying a focus element.

In step <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes, responsive to a user actuating the concatenator element, concatenating the media elements present in the media bin together into a single media element and loading the single media element into the viewing window.

In step <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes, responsive to a user actuating the focus element, modifying the single media element to form a focused single media element that concatenates only those media elements present in the media bin with related metadata and loading the focused single media element into the viewing window.

In some embodiments step <NUM> includes concatenating only those media elements present in the media bin that share attributes defined by the related metadata when the focus element is actuated. In some embodiments the related metadata includes common metadata, similar metadata, or metadata within a defined range of values.

In some embodiments the focused single media element concatenates only those media elements present in the media bin that share attributes defined by the one or a combination of predefined metadata fields corresponding to a currently-applied sorting scheme (e.g. see the method described with reference to <FIG>).

In some embodiments the metadata is selected from: Timecode; Camera or camera type on which media was captured; Date; Time; Clip name; Scene; Shot; Clip color; Date modified; Date imported; and/or Bin.

In some embodiments the concatenator element and the focus element comprise different modes of operation of a context sensitive user interface element, for example the context user interface sensitive element operating as the concatenator element in a first context, and operating as the focus element in a second context. The method <NUM> may include entering the second context once the single media element has been formed by concatenation of the media elements present in the media bin. The context sensitive user interface element may operate as a reversion element in a third context, wherein reversion element reverses the operation of the focus element such that a single media element is again formed which concatenates the all of the media elements present in the media bin together into a single media element and loads the single media element into the viewing window.

<FIG> illustrates a flow chart of a method <NUM> for providing a graphical user interface for a video editing system, for example the graphical user interface described with reference to <FIG>. In some embodiments the method <NUM> is performed in conjunction with the method <NUM>. In some embodiments the method <NUM> is implemented based on instructions in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, for example the ROM <NUM>.

In step <NUM> the method <NUM> includes displaying a graphical user interface including media elements. Step <NUM> may include displaying a sort element, for example as described in relation to step <NUM>. Step <NUM> may include displaying one or more other elements, for example the other elements described in step <NUM>. In step <NUM>, the method includes, responsive to a user actuating the sort element, displaying the media elements, which may be in a media bin, ordered according to a predetermined sorting scheme.

In some embodiments the predetermined sorting scheme is user defined or user selected. In some embodiments the predetermined sorting scheme comprises sorting the media elements according to one or a combination of predefined metadata fields.

In step <NUM>, the method includes, responsive to a user action, displaying a focused single media element that concatenates those media elements related by the sorting scheme, for example by sharing metadata attributes used for sorting. In some embodiments step <NUM> is a part of step <NUM> in method <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a flow chart of a method <NUM> for providing a graphical user interface for a video editing system, for example the graphical user interface described with reference to <FIG>. In some embodiments the method <NUM> is performed in conjunction with the method <NUM> or the method <NUM>. In some embodiments the method <NUM> is implemented based on instructions in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, for example the ROM <NUM>.

In step <NUM> the method <NUM> includes displaying a graphical user interface including media elements. Step <NUM> includes displaying a viewing window for viewing a selected one of the media elements and displaying a timeline. Step <NUM> may include displaying one or more other elements, for example the other elements described in step <NUM> and/or step <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes, responsive to a user input, inserting one of the media elements into the timeline. The media element inserted into the timeline is the media element that corresponds to the part of the single media element or focused single media element (see herein above) currently being viewed in the viewing window.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the disclosure.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

In general, the present disclosure is concerned with a software product including a computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, displays a graphical user interface for a video editing system, the user interface including: a media bin displaying a plurality of media elements imported into the video editing system; a viewing window for viewing a selected one of the media elements; a timeline; a concatenator element; and a focus element; responsive to a user actuating the concatenator element, concatenating the media elements present in the media bin together into a single media element and loading the single media element into the viewing window; and responsive to a user actuating said focus element, modifying the single media element to form a focused single media element that concatenates only those media elements present in the media bin with related metadata and loading the focused single media element into the viewing window.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) for providing a graphical user interface (<NUM>; <NUM>) for a video editing system, the method comprising:
displaying (<NUM>) a graphical user interface (<NUM>; <NUM>) including:
a media bin (<NUM>; <NUM>) displaying a plurality of media elements (102A-F; 202A.<NUM>-D.<NUM>) imported into the video editing system;
a viewing window (<NUM>; <NUM>) for viewing a selected one of the media elements (102A-F; 202A.<NUM>-D.<NUM>);
a timeline (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>);
a concatenator element (<NUM>); and
a focus element;
responsive to a user actuating the concatenator element (<NUM>), concatenating (<NUM>) the media elements (102A-F; 202A.<NUM>-D.<NUM>) present in the media bin (<NUM>; <NUM>) together into a single media element and loading the single media element into the viewing window (<NUM>; <NUM>); and
responsive to a user actuating said focus element, once the single media element has been formed, modifying (<NUM>) the single media element to form a focused single media element that concatenates only those media elements (102A-F; 202A.<NUM>-D.<NUM>) present in the media bin (<NUM>; <NUM>) with related metadata and loading the focused single media element into the viewing window (<NUM>; <NUM>).