Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reissue Patent
1999-01-14
2001-10-23
Huynh, Ba (Department: 2722)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S473000, C345S215000, C345S215000, C713S500000
Reissue Patent
active
RE037418
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
This patent application is related to the patent application entitled Object Oriented Framework System, by Debra L. Orton, David B. Goldsmith, Christopher P. Moeller, and Andrew G. Heninger, filed 12/23/92, and assigned to Taligent, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to improvements in computer systems and more particularly to a system for synchronizing the timing of various visual events.
2. Background of the Invention
Multimedia is perhaps the fastest growing application for computer systems. Increasingly, users are employing computers to present graphic, sound and imaging information to end users. Users are increasingly demanding ergonomic interfaces for managing multimedia presentations. In the past, the system clock was often used to commence a sound playback at a certain time, or present information on a computer display at a specific time. However, tools for synchronizing the presentation of music or sound with the display of information as a multimedia presentation unfolded
was not possible
were not available
.
Examples of current multimedia systems that do not have the synchronization capability of the subject invention are Apple's Quicktime and Microsoft's Video for Windows as described in the March issue of NEWMEDIA, “It's Showtime”, pp. 36-42 (1993). The importance of obtaining a solution to the synchronization problem encountered in the prior art is discussed in the March issue of IEEE Spectrum, “Interactive Multimedia”, pp. 22-31 (1993); and “The Technology Framework”, IEEE Spectrum, pp. 32-39 (1993). The articles point out the importance of multimedia interoperability which is only effectively presented with the synchronization capability of the subject invention. In particular, audio data must be properly synchronized with other multimedia events to create an aesthetic presentation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a system and method for synchronizing various multimedia events, including visual information, throughout the course of a multimedia presentation using a computer with a storage and a display. Clock objects are defined in the storage and associated with an internal or external source of current time. The clock objects are able to be displayed on the display, but
can
are able to
be hidden once their linkages are defined. One or more multimedia objects representative of audio, visual, MIDI or other multimedia events are defined and linked to a particular clock object or clock objects. Then, a processor synchronizes the multimedia objects with the associated clock object or objects. The multimedia objects, including the visual information, may include external multimedia sources managed by the computer system.
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Blakowski et al., “Tool Support for the Synchronization and Presentation of Distributed Multimedia”, Computer Communications, V.15(10), pp. 611-618, Dec. 1992.*
Horn et al., “On programming and Supporting Multimedia Objecct Synchronization”, Computer journal, V36(1),pp4-18, Dec. 1992.
Denman Matthew L.
Tindell James Michael
Huynh Ba
Morgan & Finnegan , LLP
Object Technology Licensing Corp.
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