Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-19
2001-02-20
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2773)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S473000, C345S163000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06191784
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to user interface devices. More particularly, the invention relates to interface devices for controlling temporal digital media including video, audio and animation.
2. Related Art
In current advanced computer-based, time-based media editing systems, inputs from a pair of devices are used to edit and control graphical objects contained within temporal digital media (e.g., audio, video and animation). Typically one of the devices is controlled by the dominant hand and the other by the non-dominant hand of the user. The device controlled by the non-dominant hand, the “manipulator” device, may be a six degree of freedom pointing device that is used to control the translation and rotation of a particular graphical object. The device controlled by the dominant hand is typically a locator device. This “pointing” device (e.g., mouse or stylus) is used to edit characteristics of the graphical object. In combination, this pair of devices allows a user to control and edit graphical objects appearing in a single graphical window for a specific time unit (e.g., frame).
As part of an overall editing process, the visually demanding task of manipulating objects in a single frame is magnified when working with a sequence of frames in video and animation. Moreover, the presentation of the frame is meaningful only in the context of a sequence of frames that portray virtual motion in video and animation. Accordingly, the editing of a graphical object, whose virtual movement spans multiple frames, represents an iterative process. This iterative process requires the editing of frames whose effect is continually scrutinized during video playback.
In known systems, the temporal control of the video playback is accomplished through a variety of devices and techniques. In one system, a “jog-shuttle” or “scrub wheel” is implemented as a dedicated, specialized transducer for issuing time commands. This device exists as a physical knob that controls video playback according to the knob's position along the one dimension of rotational freedom. In the combined editing and playback process, a user must relinquish control of one of the pointing devices to initiate and control the playback.
In other systems, graphical icons are used to represent the analogous VCR commands. These graphical icons not only require a break in the user's visual and mental concentration on the video playback but also consume valuable screen real estate. Still further some systems map the temporal controls to a set of function keys. This technique proves unsatisfactory because (1) the function mapping is not intuitively obvious to the user and (2) the binary nature (on/off) of the keys restricts playback options.
Finally, some systems implement Marking Menus. Marking Menus, which appear as a circular or “pie” menu centered around the current cursor position, are not visible until the mouse/pen dwells for a period of time. Whether visible or not, making an angular mark selects a pie wedge which then executes a command. This system is disadvantageous because it requires action by the dominant hand to activate a temporal control. The Marking Menu solution does not allow one to simultaneously edit graphical objects and issue transport commands.
Therefore, what is needed is an integrated mapping of temporal control features within the existing framework of time-based media editing systems that allows a user to efficiently edit graphical objects within the iterative process of video playback.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention satisfies the above mentioned needs by providing a system and method that maps temporal control (or transport) features into a six degree of freedom pointing device that is also used for the translational-rotational control (or view) of graphical objects. Toggling between these two modes is accomplished through the user's control of the buttons on the six degree of freedom pointing device. Accordingly, both transport and view control is accomplished through the user's manipulation of a “cap” that moves in any of the six degrees of freedom (i.e., linearly in the X, Y and Z directions and rotationally in the A, B and C directions).
Specifically, with regard to linear movement (positive and negative directions) in the X, Y and Z direction and rotational movement (positive and negative directions) in the A, B and C directions, the following mappings are implemented: (1) movement in the positive and negative “X” direction moves the display to the last frame and first frame, respectively; (2) movement in the negative “Y” direction stops the video playback; (3) movement in the positive and negative “Z” direction marks and unmarks keyframes, respectively; (4) rotation in the positive and negative “A” direction decrements and increments the keyframes, respectively; (5) rotation in the positive and negative “B” direction decrements and increments a frame (or frames), respectively; and (6) rotation in the positive and negative “C” direction plays the video backward and forward, respectively.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5469191 (1995-11-01), Smith, III et al.
patent: 5513306 (1996-04-01), Mills et al.
patent: 5530455 (1996-06-01), Gillick et al.
patent: 5790769 (1998-08-01), Buxton et al.
patent: 5828371 (1998-10-01), Cline et al.
patent: 6018337 (2000-01-01), Peters et al.
Buxton William Arthur Stewart
Fitzmaurice George William
Bayerl Raymond J.
Luu Sy D.
Silicon Graphics Inc.
Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox PLLC
LandOfFree
User interface system and method for controlling playback... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with User interface system and method for controlling playback..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and User interface system and method for controlling playback... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2571122