Icon bar display for video editing system

An apparatus for editing video sequences, such apparatus comprising:

• means for providing a display with a plurality of audio/visual sequences depicted on the display where each audio/visual sequence of the plurality of audio visual sequences is displayed as a timeline parallel to a first axis and where each position along the timeline corresponds to a temporal location of audio/visual information within the audio/visual sequence and where the plurality of audio/visual sequences overlap along the first axis;
• means for providing a scrubhead line that extends across the plurality of timelines and that is adapted to be moved relative to the timelines of the plurality of audio/visual sequences;
• and
• means for simultaneously displaying audio/visual information from each of the plurality of audio/visual sequences within a respective window of the audio/visual sequences where the displayed information corresponds to a location of the scrubhead line along the respective timeline of the plurality of audio/visual sequences.

An apparatus for editing video sequences, such apparatus comprising:

• a display provided with a plurality of audio/visual sequences depicted on the display where each audio/visual sequence of the plurality of audio visual sequences is displayed as a timeline parallel to a first axis and where each position along the timeline corresponds to a temporal location of audio/visual information within the audio/visual sequence and where the plurality of audio/visual sequences overlap along the first axis;
• a scrubhead line that extends across the plurality of timelines and that is adapted to be moved relative to the timelines of the plurality of audio/visual sequences;
• and
• an icon bar that simultaneously displays audio/visual information from each of the plurality of audio/visual sequences within a respective window of the audio/visual sequences where the displayed information corresponds to a location of the scrubhead line along the respective timeline of the plurality of audio/visual sequences.

A method of editing video sequences comprising of the following steps:

• on a monitor displaying a time rectangle with a plurality of temporally overlapping parallel timelines, an icon bar and a scrubhead extending across the plurality of timeslines;
• representing a first video sequence as a first timeline of the plurality of timelines;
• displaying a version of a video frame corresponding to the first video sequence within the icon bar at a time indicated by a scrubhead location on the first timeline;
• representing a second video sequence as a second timeline of the plurality of timelines;
• simultaneously displaying a media frame from the second media sequence in the icon bar in a manner that is substantially identical to the display of the first video sequence, where the second media sequence is different than the first media sequence and where the displayed media frames of the first and second video sequences are selected from a single point in time among the timelines that is identified by a location of the scrubhead;
• and
• editing the video sequences based upon the simultaneously displayed media frames within the icon Bar.

A method of editing audio sequences comprising of the following steps:

• on a monitor displaying a time rectangle with a plurality of temporally overlapping parallel timelines, an icon bar and a scrubhead extending across the timelines;
• representing an audio sequence on a timeline of the plurality of timelines;
• displaying a version of an audio frame corresponding to the audio sequence at the time indicated by the scrubhead location;
• simultaneously displaying media frames from additional media sequences on additional timelines of the plurality of timelines where the additional media sequences are different than the audio sequence but all originate from a single point in time;
• and
• editing sequences based upon the simultaneously displayed media frames on the icon bar.

A method of editing graphics comprising:

• on a monitor displaying a time rectangle with a plurality of temporally overlapping parallel timelines, an icon bar and a scrubhead extending across the plurality of timelines;
• representing a first graphic sequence as a first timeline of the plurality of timelines;
• displaying a version of a graphics frame corresponding to the first graphic sequence at the time indicated by the Scrubhead location;
• simultaneously displaying a media frame from additional media sequences on additional timelines of the plurality of timelines and where the additional media sequences are different than the first graphic sequence and where the displayed graphic frame and displayed media frames are selected from a single point in time among the timelines that is identified by a location of the scrubhead;
• and
• editing at least one of the graphic sequence and media sequences based upon the simultaneously displayed audible and media frames on the icon bar.

A method of editing titles comprising:

• on a monitor displaying a time rectangle with a plurality of temporally overlapping timelines, an icon bar and a scrubhead extending across the plurality of timelines;
• representing a title sequence on a timeline of the plurality of timelines;
• displaying a version of a title frame corresponding to the title sequence at the time indicated by a location of the Scrubhead on the timeline of the title sequence;
• simultaneously displaying a media frame from additional media sequences on additional timelines of the plurality of timelines, where the additional media sequences are different than the title sequence and where the displayed frames are selected from a single point in time that is identified by a location of the scrubhead;
• and
• editing the title frame based upon the simultaneously displayed media frames on the icon bar.

A method of editing virtual clips comprising:

• on a monitor displaying a time rectangle with a plurality of temporally overlapping parallel timelines;
• representing a virtual clip on a timeline of the plurality of timelines;
• displaying a version of a place holder frame corresponding to the virtual clip at the time indicated by a temporal location of the scrubhead;
• simultaneously displaying a media frame from additional media sequences on additional timelines of the plurality of timeliness where the virtual clip and additional media sequences are all different and where the displayed frames are selected from a single point in time identified by the scrubhead;
• and
• editing the virtual clip based upon the simultaneously displayed media frames on the icon bar.

A method of editing media sequences comprising:

• on a monitor displaying a time rectangle with a plurality of temporally overlapping parallel timeliness an icon bar and a scrubhead extending across the plurality of timelines;
• representing a clip as a timeline;
• displaying metadata corresponding to the clip at the time indicated by a temporal location of the Scrubhead location on the timeline of the clip;
• simultaneously displaying a media frame from additional media sequences on additional timelines of the plurality of timelines, where the clip and additional media sequences are all different and where the displayed metadata and frames are selected from a single point in time among the timelines that is identified by a location of the scrubhead;
• and
• editing the metadata clip based upon the simultaneously displayed media frames on the icon bar.

A method of computer editing a plurality of media clips comprising:

• on a monitor displaying a time rectangle with a plurality of temporally overlapping parallel timelines where each timeline represents a media clip of the plurality of media clips, an icon bar and a scrubhead extending across the plurality of timelines;
• simultaneously displaying a media frame from each of the plurality of media sequences within the icon bar, where the plurality of media sequences are all different and where the displayed frames are selected from a single point in time identified by a location of the scrubhead;
• a playback timeline of the plurality of timelines;
• and
• editing the playback timeline based upon the simultaneously displayed media frames on the icon bar.

A method of editing video sequences, such method comprising:

• providing a display with a plurality of audio/visual sequences depicted on the display and where each audio/visual sequence of the plurality of audio visual sequences is displayed as a timeline along a first axis and where each position along the timeline corresponds to a temporal location of audio/visual information within the audio/visual sequence and where the plurality of audio/visual sequences overlap along the first axis;
• providing a vertical line adapted to be dragged along a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis over the timelines of the plurality of audio/visual sequences;
• and
• simultaneously displaying audio/visual information from each of the plurality of audio visual/visual sequences on the display where the displayed information corresponds to a location of the vertical line along the audio/visual sequence.