PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8839111-B2
Application Number: US-98057107-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Media editing and creating interface

Abstract:
A computer readable medium containing media creating application code which implements the following procedures, generating in a user interface an application window having a window frame the window frame defining a pane, displaying a theme in the pane, displaying a plurality of buttons on the frame; and displaying a status indicator on the frame.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a computer configured to:
 present a window that defines an area; 
 detect that a user has dragged and dropped one or more media files onto the area; 
 display the media files within said area as icons, each icon corresponding to one media file; 
 present a preview control element; 
 detect that a user has activated the preview control element; 
 responsive to the activation of the preview control element, cause the content of a selected media file in the defined area to be presented; 
 present a control element in the window including a plurality of selectable themes; 
 detect an activation of the control element by a user, including a selection of one of the displayed plurality of selectable themes; and 
 responsive to the activation of the control element by the user, 
 display the selected one of the plurality of selectable themes in the area, the selected theme comprising at least one of a particular color and texture displayed in the area, and replace an icon of the icons with a selectable icon in which a shape of the selectable icon is dependent upon the selected theme; 
 present a recording control element; and 
 responsive to an activation of the recording control element:
 record the content of the media files in said defined area on a removable storage medium, and 
 configure the removable storage medium to display an index of the recorded media files, the index having an appearance corresponding to the selected theme. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said preview control element and said recording control element are displayed on said window. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said window includes said control element which, when activated by a user, causes a folder icon to be displayed in said defined area onto which the user can drag and drop data files to be recorded on a removable storage medium. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein said window includes said control element which, when activated by a user, causes a slideshow icon to be displayed in said defined area onto which the user can drag and drop image files to be recorded on a removable storage medium in the format of a slideshow to be presented on a media feedback device. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein said defined area and said icons are displayed with features that correspond to a given theme, and said control element is displayed on said window to enable a user to select from among the plurality of selectable themes for the display of said defined area and icons contained therein. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5  wherein the shape of said icons is determined by the selected theme. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6  wherein said defined area is displayed with a background image that is determined by the selected theme. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  wherein said removable storage medium is a digital versatile disk (DVD), and said recording control element causes the files in said defined area to be burned onto the disk. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1  wherein said removable storage medium is a compact disk (CD), and said recording control element causes the files in said defined area to be burned onto the disk. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1  further including a playback control module that is displayed when the user activates said preview control element, said playback control module containing control elements that enable the user to control the reproduction of said content.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 09/757,006, filed Jan. 8, 2001 now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to graphical user interfaces for computer application programs, more specifically the present invention relates to a graphical user interface for editing and creating Recordable Digital Versatile Discs (DVDR&#39;s) on a personal computer or similar device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Graphical user interfaces for editing and creating recordable or rewritable compact discs (CDR and CDRW) and recordable DVD&#39;s (DVDR) are well known. Recently many hardware and software manufacturers have released applications that contain a graphical interface that allows a user to record computer files and/or media files onto a CDR or CDRW and in the case of DVDR, full length motion pictures. Many of these graphical interfaces require a user to read a complex training manual or undergo complex tutorials before a user is able to create their first CDR, CDRW or DVDR. Usually, after many unsuccessful attempts, and wasted media a user will successfully create a disc. 
     Many of these programs will create a computer generated image that may include an index of the disc. Though, the index is no more than a listing of the contents of the disc. 
     Therefore there is a need to provide a program that provides the user with a graphical user interface that allows a user to easily create a DVDR. Additionally, there is a further need to provide a user with the ability to preview the contents of the disc prior to creation, thereby eliminating the possibility of creating unusable discs. Furthermore, there is a need to provide a disc index as graphical user interface. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention there is provided a computer readable media containing media recording application code which implements the procedures of generating in a user interface application window having a window frame and a pane, displaying in the pane a theme correlated to the index of the disc and selectable icons correlated to the contents of the disc, and displaying buttons on the window frame. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a user selectable theme button may be displayed on the frame such that the user may generate a second graphical display window having a frame defining a pane, wherein a slider and pull down menu are disposed on the frame thereby allowing a user to select a theme for the disc index. A feature of this embodiment is that after selecting a theme the theme is instantly displayed to the user. 
     In addition to the theme button above, additional buttons displayed on the frame allow a user to add a file folder or a slide show to the disc to be recorded. A selectable icon is generated in the pane illustrating an image of the user&#39;s selection. 
     For example by selecting to generate a slide show, a selectable icon is placed on the pane, whereby a user may drag and drop images and arrange the order and timing of the slide show utilizing the editing features of the present invention. 
     If the user chose to create a file folder, he/she may drag and drop files from another source into the newly created folder. 
     Still further, the user may choose to drag and drop media files, such a movies onto the pane whereby a selectable icon is generated for the file. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a user may choose to generate their own index theme by selecting a previously created theme or generating a new theme using the editing features provided by the present invention. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a graphical user interface for a computer program for editing and creating recordable DVD&#39;s. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a graphical user interface for a computer program that allows a user to preview the contents of a disc prior to recording. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a graphical user interface for a computer program that automatically generates a layout of DVD menus. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the following Description of the Exemplary Preferred Embodiments when read in conjunction with the attached Drawings and appended Claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration representative of the graphic user interface of the editing and creation software of the present invention showing a window having a frame, a pane, a theme displayed on said pane and a media file. 
         FIG. 2  is a representative graphic user interface of the editing and creating interface showing theme selection. 
         FIG. 3  is a representative graphic user interface illustrating the editing features of the slideshow. 
         FIG. 4  is a representative graphic user interface illustrating the changes in the icons displayed on the pane in response to a change in the theme. 
         FIG. 5  is a representative graphic user interface illustrating movie icons, folder icons, and slideshow icons as displayed on the pane. 
         FIG. 6  is a representative graphic illustrating the preview features of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a functional flow diagram illustrating a method of use of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a personal computer. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  there is shown an application window  10  having frame  20 , pane  30 , buttons  40 - 50 , and selectable icon  60 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, window  10  may be generated in a user interface, such as a monitor  14  of a computer  12  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Computer  12  contains a computer readable medium, such as disk  16 , which contains application code, such as an editing and creating program. The code, when executed, would then generate the application window  10  and implement the following described procedures. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , selectable icon  60  is displayed on pane  30 . Selectable icon  60  is correlated to a media file that has been placed on pane  30  by dragging and dropping a media file from another application window (not shown). A user may add additional media files, such as motion pictures, by simply dragging the file from another application window (not shown) and dropping the file onto the graphical user interface. If the user desires to remove a file that has been placed on the user interface, the user would drag the file from pane  30  to a “trash” icon disposed on the desktop of the operating system. 
     Additionally, a title  62  for media file may also be displayed on pane  30 . Title  62  may be associated with the media file or alternatively the program may search a database for the title of media file. Slider  61  associated with media file  63  is also displayed in pane  30 . Slider  61  is displayed by selecting selectable icon  60 . For example a user may select selectable icon  60  by utilizing a user interface and clicking on the selectable icon  60  with a device such as a mouse  13  as shown in  FIG. 8 . It is to be understood that the term ‘user interface’ as used herein may also include a keyboard  15  or mouse  13 , as best seen in  FIG. 8 . Slider  61  visually indicates time information correlated to the graphic (not shown) displayed from the media file  63  in the selectable icon  60 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , theme  102 A is displayed in pane  30 . The shape of selectable icon  60  is correlated to theme  102 A. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the selected theme.  102 A is “Chalkboard” thus, the color and texture represented in the pane would be similar to that of a traditional chalkboard, also the shape of selectable icon  60  is such that it represents a box drawn with chalk. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  there is shown the application window as shown in  FIG. 1  and described in detail above, further showing a second application window  100  having a window frame  105 , slider  110 , pull-down menu  120  and pane  125 . Within pane  125  there is displayed additional themes  102 A through  102 F. Themes  102 A through  102 F are graphical images that a user may select utilizing a user interface. Slider  110  may be biased to illustrate the various themes that are available. Additionally, pull-down menu  120  allows a user to select themes that may be stored in a different location, such as disk  16  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Still further, pull-down menu  120  allows a user to create a theme. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  there is shown an application window  300  having frame  310 , having pane  330 , pull-down menu  340  and  350 , selection box  360 , and return button  370 . Also shown in  FIG. 3  are image files  320 A through  320 D. Image files, such as  320 A through  320 D may be added to pane  330  by dragging an image file from another application window (not shown) and dropping the file onto pane  330 . As shown, image files  320 A through  320 D are displayed having a numerical order, this numerical order is the order in which the images will be displayed in the slideshow. Additionally, an image file  322 A-D may be displayed for each image file as shown, as well as the title and location of the image file. 
     Pull-down menu  340  allows a user to select through a user interface the size of the image file  322 A-D that may be displayed in pane  330 . Pull-down menu  350 , allows a user to select through a user interface how the slide show will be presented. For example, within pull-down menu  350  a user may be given the choice of a time duration that an image will be displayed for before the slideshow displays the next image. Selection box  360  allows a user to select through a user interface whether forward  362  and backward  364  selectable arrows should be displayed on the slideshow image. If the user chooses to display the forward  362  and backward  364  arrows on the image, during playback of the slideshow a user, through a graphical interface could then select either arrow for manual control of the slideshow images. 
     As also seen in  FIG. 3 , selectable return button is also disposed upon frame  310  of window  300 . Selecting return button  370  through a user interface closes application window  300  and toggles the display to window  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4  there is shown window  10  and window  100 . Referring now to window  10 , specifically pane  30  and theme  102 D. As shown in  FIG. 4 , after selecting theme  102 D in window  100 , theme  102 D is displayed in pane  30  of window  100 . Additionally, the shape of selectable icons  60 A through  60 D as shown in  FIG. 4  have changed in response to the changing of the theme from  102 A to  102 D. Within the present invention as a user selects a different theme to display in pane  30 , the selectable icons  60 A- 60 D will change shape accordingly. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown window  10  illustrating selectable icons  60 A through  60 F, slider  61 F, theme  102 D and buttons  40  through  50 . In accordance with the present invention, a folder button  42 , selectable through the user interface. Selecting folder button  42  places a selectable icon, illustrated as  60 E in  FIG. 5  on pane  30 . After selectable icon  60 E is placed on pane  30  as shown, a user may then drag and drop (not shown) at least one file into the folder created on the recordable media. Though the actions of dragging and dropping files a user can easily add or remove files to the DVD prior to creation of the disc. Thus the graphical interface as shown eliminates the need for complicated user inputs to add or remove files from the DVD prior to recording. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown window  10  illustrating selectable icons  60 A through  60 F, slider  61 F, theme  102 D and buttons  40  through  50 . In accordance with the present invention, a slide show button  44 , selectable through the user interface. Selecting the folder button places a selectable icon, illustrated as  60 F in  FIG. 5  on pane  30 . After selectable icon  60 F is placed on pane  30  as shown, a user may then drag and drop (not shown) at least one file into the folder created on the recordable media to create a slideshow which may be played back with a media playback device. Additional, a user may utilize the editing features of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 6  to create a slide show having multiple images. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown window  10  illustrating selectable icons  60 A through  60 F, slider  61 F, theme  102 D and buttons  40  through  50 . In accordance with the present invention, a status indicating button  46  is displayed on frame  20 . Status indicating button  46  displays time information of the available space remaining on the recordable media device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , there is shown window  10  illustrating selectable icons  60 A through  60 F, slider  61 F, theme  102 D and buttons  40  through  50 . In accordance with the present invention, a preview button  48  is displayed on frame  20 . Preview button  48 , when selected allows a user to preview any of the media files to be recorded onto recordable media. 
     As also seen in  FIG. 5 , user selectable burn DVD button  50  may also be displayed on frame  20 . Selection of burn DVD button  50  through the user interface initiates a further procedure allowing media files, computer files and slideshows as displayed on pane  30  to be recorded onto a DVD, or compact disc. Burn DVD button may be the same button which changes states and icons in accordance with the DVD burning process, as described in commonly owned, copending application Ser. No. 09/757,109 filed on Jan. 8, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6  there is shown application window  600  which is toggled by selecting preview button  48 . Window  600  includes a plurality of selectable buttons  610  that may be selected through a user interface for control of playback of the selected media file. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , window  600  is displayed in response to a users selection of button  48 . Window  600  contains buttons  610  for playback of the media file, indicated by selectable icon  60 , having title  62 . For example, if a user wishes to play the media file correlated with the selectable icon  60 , then they would select the play button  610  through a user interface. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a functional flow diagram illustrating a method of use of the present invention. 
     At BOX  710  a user “launches” the editing and creating application of the present invention by selecting the program through a users interface. For example, the program may be displayed on a graphical interface whereby a user launches the program by selecting the appropriate icon by clicking on the icon with a mouse  13  as shown in  FIG. 8 . In response to the users input, the code when executed, would then generate the application window  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  and described in detail above. 
     At BOX  720  a media file, such as a motion picture, may be dragged, either from the desktop or another application window, onto the pane  30  of application window  10  as described above. 
     At BOX  730 , a slideshow may be added to the DVD prior to burning by selecting the appropriate button on the frame through a user interface. After selecting the appropriate button, an icon will be placed on pane  30 . 
     At BOX  740 , image files may be added and arranged within the slideshow by dragging and dropping image files onto the icon placed on pane  30 . 
     At BOX  750 , a folder for storing files may be also added to the DVD by selecting the appropriate button on the frame, whereby an icon will be placed on pane  30 . 
     At BOX  760 , files may be added to the folder icon by dragging and dropping the files from another location such as the desktop or from a second application window. 
     At BOX  770 , the contents of any of the icons above may be previewed prior to burning the DVD by selecting the icon and selecting the preview button. For example, a user has placed a media file that contains a motion picture onto pane  30 . The contents of the media file may be previewed by selecting the file and selecting the preview button which will then launch an additional application window containing controls for a media playback program. Each of the above mentioned icons may be previewed prior to final burning of the DVD. 
     At Diamond  775  it is determined whether the user chooses to burn the DVD having the format as shown in the pre-view box  770 . If the user chooses the burn the DVD as previewed then BOX  780  is performed as described in detail below. If the user chooses to change files on the DVD then Diamond  776  is performed as described below. 
     At BOX  780 , a user selects the burn DVD button on frame  20  whereby the files placed on pane  30  are stored to a DVD. After creation of the DVD the user is provided with a DVD that may be played back in any compatible player. For example, the user may insert the disc into a DVD drive on a personal computer for playback, or alternatively, the user may insert the disc into a standalone player, such as a DVD player designed for home use. Devices such as these as well as other compatible devices may be utilized for playback of the DVD&#39;s created by the user interface and program described herein. Furthermore, the DVD&#39;s created utilizing the program application and methods disclosed herein may be utilized to produce DVD-VIDEO discs, that is DVD&#39;s that contain motion pictures and similar media files, as well as create DVD-ROM discs, that is discs that may be utilized to store computer readable files and multimedia files. Additionally, discs having both DVD-VIDEO and DVD-ROM files may be created. 
     Still further, the discs created by the program application and methods disclosed herein may contain information and software such as that described in commonly owned, copending application Ser. No. 09/755,627 filed on Jan. 4, 2001 having title “Embedded Access Information For Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) Independent of DVD Player Software”, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     At Diamond  776  it is determined whether files are to be added to the DVD. If files are to be added to the DVD prior to burning, the process returns to BOX  720  and the steps described above and shown in  FIG. 7  are repeated as desired. If it is determined that files are not to be added then Diamond  777  is performed. 
     At Diamond  777 , it is determined whether files are to be removed from the DVD prior to burning. If files are not to be removed then the process returns to BOX  770  and the contents of the disc may be previewed again prior to burning. If it is determined that files are to be removed before burning then BOX  779  is performed. 
     At BOX  779 , a user drags files from pane  30  as and drops the files into an appropriate waste or trash folder icon disposed on graphical interface, thereby removing the file from the disc and the disc directory prior to creation of the disc. After BOX  779  is performed, the process returns to BOX  770  where the contents of the disk may be previewed again prior to burning. 
     There has been described hereinabove exemplary preferred embodiments of a graphic user interface for a editing and creating interface. Those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses of, and departures from, the hereinabove described exemplary preferred embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Accordingly, the present invention is to be described solely by the scope of the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20071031
Publication Date: 20140916
Grant Date: 20140916
Priority Date: 20010108
Inventors: GEIER FREDDIE
BAUER-SCHWAN STEFAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/0481", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B19/022", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0481", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B19/022", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 25045971