Patent ID: 7139466

Claim:
A computing system comprising: one or more processors; one or more computer-readable media; and 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: defining a first data structure that represents a user-defined multi-media editing project; providing a software-implemented matrix switch that is programmable to route multiple switch inputs to multiple switch outputs, at least two of the inputs being capable of competing for a single output during a common time period, the single output being configured to provide a data stream defined by the multi-media editing project; processing the first data structure to provide a second data structure that contains data that can be used to program the matrix switch so that multiple switch inputs are routed to multiple switch outputs; and operating on the second data structure so that no two inputs are routed to said single output during a common time period, wherein said providing of the software-implemented matrix switch comprises providing a switch having virtual input pins and virtual output pins, the virtual input pins being configured to receive individual data streams, the virtual output pins being configured to provide individual data streams.