Apple patent is for media editing, creating interface

Posted by Dennis Sellers Apr 24, 2008 at 4:26am

An Apple patent (number 20080098320) for a media editing and creating interface has appeared at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. The 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’s) on a personal computer or similar device.

According to Apple it involves 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.

Here’s Apple’s summary of the invention: “Graphical user interfaces for editing and creating recordable or rewritable compact discs (CDR and CDRW) and recordable DVD’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.

“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’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’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.”

The inventors are Freddie Geier and Stefan Bauer-Schwan. The graphic below 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.

Advanced Search

Article Information

Comment on this Article Print this Article Email this Article Digg This

Contributor

Recent Articles