Method and apparatus for providing a video editor

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to digital video recording systems and in particular, to a method and apparatus for editing video images in digital video recording systems.

[0004] 2. Description of Art Related to the Invention

[0005] The process of video post production involves the editing and post processing of recorded video material to provide finished programs. Techniques and facilities for postproduction are highly developed and typically involves the use of sophisticated and specialized studio equipment. Such equipment typically includes dedicated, analog hardware, which is expensive and susceptible to noise.

[0006] One recent development in the field of video post production involves the use of a personal computer (PC) program, which facilitates video editing. The use of such a program requires the installation of a hardware interface, in the form of a PC card, into the computer. Video data from a video camera recorder (VCR) is first transferred from the VCR to memory located on the card. The video data is then transferred to the computer, where post production processing is performed. Upon completion of the post production processing, the video data is then transferred back to the VCR via the interface card. Examples of such a PC program and the associated hardware include that marketed by Adobe Systems Inc. of San Jose, Calif., under the trade name “Premier” and that marketed by Miro Computer Products of Germany, under the trade name “Miro Video”.

[0007] The use of such conventional PC programs present a number of significant disadvantages. First, such a technique of post production processing is inherently slow, because of the need to read the video data from the VCR into the memory of the PC via the interface card. Second, such post production processing involves the use of analog devices, which introduce noise to the video images, thus degrading the image quality of the resulting product.

[0008] Moreover, there is a growing demand for entertainment systems working in conjunction with various types of broadcasting systems. One such entertainment system includes a broadcast satellite system; namely, a digital satellite system (DSS). A DSS typically comprises an antenna, an integrated receiver decoder (IRD) and a television receiver (TV). In addition, the DSS includes an analog video cassette recorder (VCR) that receives analog data for recording purposes. Along with the growing demand for such entertainment systems, there is an increased need for a simple method and apparatus of providing video editing, which provides a high quality image.

[0009] Accordingly, there is a need in the technology for a video editor that is simple and convenient to use and which provides editing without degrading image quality.

[0010] An apparatus and method for editing at least one video frames stored on a digital video disk is disclosed. The apparatus executes instruction sequences located in a memory in a processor-based system, and comprises a memory for storing instruction sequences by which the processor-based system is processed. The apparatus further comprises a digital video disk configured to store at least one video frame and a processor configured to edit the at least one video frame by executing the stored instruction sequences. The stored instruction sequences include process steps to cause the processor to: (a) retrieve the at least one video frame; (b) receive an instruction to select an adjustment parameter of the at least one video frame; and (c) process the at least one video frame in accordance with said instruction.

[0011] The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in combination with the figures listed below.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an entertainment system which implements the teachings of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary processing system 200 which implements the processes of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a display page with menu items provided for editing video frames, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a display page with sub menu items, provided for editing video frames, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a display page with a dialog box, provided for editing video frames, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a display page with a dialog box, provided for editing video frames, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a display page with palette sub menu items, provided for editing video frames, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 8A illustrates one embodiment of a display page with a single video frame.

[0020] FIG. 8B illustrates one embodiment of a display page with “edit” submenu items, provided for editing a single video frame, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 8C illustrates one embodiment of a display page with “color” submenu items, provided for editing a single video frame, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 8D illustrates one embodiment of a display page with “palette” submenu items, provided for editing a single video frame, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 8E illustrates one embodiment of a display page with “pattern” submenu items, provided for editing a single video frame, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 8F illustrates one embodiment of a display page with a dialog box, provided for editing a plurality of selected video frames based on a single edited video frame, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0025] The present invention relates to a system and method for editing video frames stored on a digital video disk (DVD). In one embodiment, editing of the video frames is performed using processes supported by a processing system such as a computer. While certain illustrative embodiments are set forth to describe the invention, such embodiments should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an entertainment system which implements the teachings of the present invention. The entertainment system 100 includes an analog or digital device 110, and/or at least one digital-input peripheral device 120. The device 110 may include, but is not limited or restricted to a standard analog television receiver, a standard digital television receiver or a digital camcorder. The digital-input peripheral device 120 may include, but is not limited or restricted to, a digital video disk (DVD) player, a DVD recorder or a digital camcorder.

[0027] The present invention provides an apparatus and method for editing video images or data that is stored on a DVD 130, using a process supported by a processing system 140, such as a personal computer, that has a read and write DVD drive for reading from and writing to the DVD 130. In one embodiment, the DVD 130 is a read and write DVD. One example of such a DVD 130 is the DVD-RAM disk as manufactured by Matsushita Electric industries, Inc. One example of the read and write DVD drive is the DVD-RAM disk drive manufactured by Matsushita Electric Industries, Inc. In one embodiment, the instruction sequences implemented for performing the process may be written using the C++ programming language. In one embodiment, the processing system 140 supports the Microsoft Windows™ programming environment. It is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that any other programming language and/or programming environment may be used to implement the principles of the present invention. Once editing is completed, the DVD 130 may be inserted in the peripheral device 120 for viewing.

[0028] The present embodiment is described in reference to a processing system 200 installed on the processor system 140. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary processing system 200 which implements the processes of the present invention. The processing system 200 comprises a CPU 212 and a memory module 214. The memory module 214 includes random access memory (RAM) 216 and read-only memory (ROM) 218. In one embodiment, the memory module 214 also includes a main memory or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The CPU 212 and memory module 214 are coupled to a system bus 220. The processor system 200 also includes a DVD drive 222 that is coupled along an I/O bus 224. The I/O bus 224 is coupled to the system bus 220 via a bus bridge 226. The processor system 200 may also include various I/O and peripheral modules (MISC I/O #1, #2, . . . #N) which are coupled along the I/O bus 224. Examples of the peripheral modules include a display screen, a keyboard, a printer, and a mouse.

[0029] Upon inserting the DVD disk 130 (FIG. 1) into the DVD drive 222 (FIG. 2) of the processing system 200, the CPU 212 executes instruction sequences stored in memory 214 to display a display page such as that shown in FIG. 3 as display page 300. The display page 300 enables the user to view a plurality of video frames, as well as to edit the video frames and/or provide audio samples corresponding to the video frames. In one embodiment, the display page 300 comprises a header or a banner 310 which displays a plurality of menu items 310₁-310_m, such as file, save, edit, view, insert and/or format. For example, under the “file” menu item 310₁, the user may elect to open a new file, save an existing file or retrieve an existing file. Under the “save” menu item 310₂, the user may elect to save the currently displayed file. Under the “edit” menu item 310₃, the user may elect to cut, paste or otherwise edit text or graphics from the currently displayed video frame(s). Under the “view” menu item 310₄, the user may elect to view the currently displayed file in a number of formats, such as an enlarged or reduced format. In addition, the user may view one of the plurality of displayed frames, or other specified frames. Under the “insert” menu item 310₅, the user may insert various features or text into a single or a plurality of frames. Under the “format” menu item 310₆, the user may elect to edit and/or view a single or a plurality of video frames. The display page 300 also comprises a body 320 which displays a plurality of video frames 320₁-320_n. In one embodiment, the body 320 includes two rows of five video frames. A vertical scrolling bar 330 facilitates vertical scrolling of the body 320 so that additional rows of the video frames 320₁-320_nmay be displayed. A footer 340 includes a frame number section 350 and a horizontal scrolling bar 360. The frame number section 350 illustrates the frame numbers of the currently displayed video frames. The horizontal scrolling bar 360 facilitates the horizontal scrolling of the body 320 so that additional columns of video frames may be displayed.

[0030] Selection of the menu items 310₁-310_mmay be accomplished using a mouse (not shown) or by depressing certain coded keys as determined by the programmer. In addition, scrolling through the use of the vertical scrolling bar 330 or the horizontal scrolling bar 360 may be performed through the use of a mouse and/or through the use of the arrow keys on a keyboard. The frame number section 350 will be updated upon scrolling of the body 320 either vertically or horizontally, so as to indicated the currently displayed video frames.

[0031] Upon selection of any one of the menu items 310₁-310_m, such as file, save, edit, view, insert and/or format, additional sub-items are displayed in the header 310. For example, if the “edit” menu item 310₃is selected, the header 310 will be updated to display a plurality of sub items 370₁-370_ksuch as title, text, graphics, palette, and/or audio as shown in FIG. 4. The body 320 will continue to display the plurality of video frames 320₁-320_n. Upon selection of one of the sub-items 370₁-370_k, a dialog box 500 such as that shown in FIG. 5 will be displayed. In one embodiment, the dialog box 500 is overlaid on the body 320 of the display page 300. For example, if the “title” sub item 370₁(FIG. 4) was selected, a dialog box 500 which prompts the user to enter the title and the corresponding frame numbers (for which insertion of the title is required), is displayed. Upon entering the required information, the corresponding edits are performed.

[0032] In another example, if the “audio” sub item 370₅is selected, a dialog box 600 as shown in FIG. 6, which prompts the user to enter the audio file and the corresponding frame numbers (for which selection of the audio file is required), is displayed. Upon entering the required information, the corresponding audio file is synchronized for audio playback when the associated video frames are visually displayed.

[0033] In a further example, if the “color” sub item 370₄(see FIG. 4) is selected, the header 310 is updated to display a further “color” submenu 700, as shown in FIG. 7. In one embodiment, the “color” submenu 700 comprises “color” sub menu items 700₁-700_j, such as palette, pattern, tone, brightness and/or frames. Upon selection of any one of the “color” sub menu items 700₁-700_j, a further sub menu may be displayed.

[0034] In another embodiment, a single video frame or portions thereof, may be edited, as shown in FIGS. 8A-F. Such a feature may be selected by choosing the “format” menu item 310₆as shown in FIG. 3, and specifying that editing of a single frame is desired. The edited single video frame may then be used as a bit map for other user-specified video frames for which editing is desired. In this embodiment, the display page 800 (see FIG. 8A) comprises a header or a banner 810 which displays a plurality of menu items 810₁-810_m, such as file, save, edit, view, insert and/or format. The display page 800 also comprises a body 820 which displays a single video frame. A vertical scrolling bar 830 facilitates vertical scrolling of the body 320. A footer 840 includes a frame number section 350 and a horizontal scrolling bar 360. The frame number section 850 illustrates the frame number of the currently displayed video frame. The horizontal scrolling bar 860 facilitates the horizontal scrolling of the body 820.

[0035] Selection of the menu items 810₁-810_mmay be accomplished using a mouse (not shown) or by depressing certain coded keys as determined by the programmer. In addition, scrolling through the use of the vertical scrolling bar 830 or the horizontal scrolling bar 860 may be performed through the use of a mouse and/or through the use of the arrow keys on a keyboard. The frame number section 850 will be updated upon scrolling of the body 820 either vertically or horizontally, so as to indicated the currently displayed video frames.

[0036] Upon selection of any one of the menu items 810₁-810_m, such as file, save, edit, view, insert and/or format, additional sub-items are displayed in the header 810. For example, if the “edit” menu item 810₃is selected, the header 810 will be updated to display a plurality of sub items 870₁-870_ksuch as title, text, graphics, palette, and/or audio as shown in FIG. 8B. The body 820 will continue to display the single video frame. Operation for the various menu and sub-menu items in the single video frame format is the same as that in the multiple video frame format described above.

[0037] Although the color selection process as provided by selecting the “color” submenu item 370₄(FIG. 4) or 870₄(FIG. 8B) may be performed for either a multiple frame format (FIG. 4) or a single frame format (FIG. 8B), for viewing purposes, it is easier to perform this task using a single frame. Thus while the following description is applicable for operations in either formats, for present purposes, the color selection process will be described with reference to a single frame format. Upon selection of one of the “color” sub-item 870₄(as shown in FIG. 8B), the header 810 is updated to display a “palette” submenu item 890₁, a “pattern” submenu item 890₂and a “frames” submenu item 890₃, as shown in FIG. 8C. In addition, a paintbrush 895 appears on the body 820 of the display page 800. The user may move the paintbrush using a mouse (not shown) to any enclosed region of the video frame, for example, regions 900₁, 900₂or 900₃.

[0038] If the user desires to alter the color of a selected region, for example, region 900₂, he may click on a button of the mouse (to select the region of interest) and then move the paintbrush up to the header 810, whereupon the paintbrush will be replaced by an arrow for selection of any one of the submenu items 890₁, 890₂or 890₃. To alter or to add a color to the selected region 900₂, the user may point the arrow at the “palette” submenu item 890₁and depress (and continue to hold down) the button on the mouse, whereupon a series of submenu items representing a selection of colors, is displayed (see FIG. 8D). The desired color may thus be selected by moving to the desired palette and then releasing the button on the mouse.

[0039] To alter or to add a pattern to a selected region, the user may point the arrow at the “pattern” submenu item 890₂, the user may depress (and continue to hold down) the button on the mouse, whereupon a series of submenu items representing a selection of patterns, is displayed (see FIG. 8E). The desired pattern may then be selected by moving to the desired pattern and then releasing the button on the mouse. Once color editing is complete, the user may select the “frames” submenu item 890₃, whereupon a dialog box 910 is displayed to facilitate color editing for the specified number of frames based on the single frame that had been previously edited. Thus, the single video frame is processed as a bitmap to overlay appropriate grids forming the specified video frames.

[0040] The present invention thus provides a video editor for video frames stored on a digital video disk, that is simple and convenient to use and which provides editing without degrading image quality.

[0041] The present invention described herein may be designed in many different embodiments and using many different configurations. While the present invention has been described in terms of various embodiments, other embodiments may come to mind to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The invention should, therefore, be measured in terms of the claims which follow.