Method and apparatus for zooming in and out on timeline, and electronic device and medium

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and apparatus for zooming in and out on a timeline, and an electronic device and a medium. The method comprises: presenting on an application interface scales in a timeline at first time intervals, wherein the first time interval indicates a unit time length between two adjacent scales in the timeline. The method further comprises: receiving an adjustment of the unit time length between two adjacent scales. The method further comprises: when the adjustment is received, presenting on the application interface scales in the timeline at different second time intervals, and keeping an interface display distance between two adjacent scales unchanged. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when a timeline is zoomed in / out, the display distance of each scale in the timeline is kept unchanged by means of changing the time represented by each time scale, and thus precise control of time during the zooming in / out of a timeline can be achieved; moreover, the visual stability of the whole application interface can also be maintained when zooming in / out, thereby improving the user experience.

Description

Method, device, electronic device, and medium for scaling a timeline

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese invention patent application with application number 202311085094.2, entitled "Method, device, electronic device and medium for scaling timeline" and filing date August 25, 2023, and the entire application is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of computer technology, and more particularly, to a method, apparatus, electronic device, and medium for zooming a timeline. Background Art

[0004] A timeline is a recording system that links events together in chronological order. Because it systematizes, completes, and accurately captures information, it can be applied to various fields. For example, a timeline can categorize and sort items based on time. In the popular short video field, a timeline can be used to record life, study, and other content at different time points. When editing short videos, users can create short videos that capture their beautiful lives using short video editing tools and the timeline by moving the timeline and inserting different materials. During the creation of short videos, users can manage their materials through the timeline.

[0005] By embedding a timeline in various editing applications, users can locate a specific timeline node, mark it, and insert videos, subtitles, or other types of materials. Users can also insert video content that spans a specific time period. With the timeline, users can easily understand the duration of the inserted content on the timeline, making it easier to manage materials flexibly.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, apparatus, electronic device, and medium for scaling a timeline.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a method for scaling a timeline is provided. The method includes presenting a scale in the timeline on an application interface at a first time interval, wherein the first time interval represents a unit time length between two adjacent scales in the timeline. The method also includes receiving an adjustment to the unit time length between two adjacent scales. The method also includes, in response to the adjustment, presenting the scale in the timeline on the application interface at a second time interval, while maintaining an interface display distance between the two adjacent scales unchanged, wherein the second time interval represents a unit time length different from the first time interval.

[0009] In a second aspect of the disclosure, a device for scaling a timeline is provided. The device includes a first presentation module configured to present a scale in the timeline on an application interface at a first time interval, wherein the first time interval represents the unit time length between two adjacent scales in the timeline. The device also includes an adjustment receiving module configured to receive an adjustment to the unit time length between two adjacent scales. The device also includes a second presentation module configured to present the scale in the timeline on the application interface at a second time interval in response to the adjustment, while maintaining the interface display distance between the two adjacent scales unchanged, wherein the second time interval represents a unit time length different from the first time interval.

[0010] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory has instructions stored therein, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the electronic device executes the method according to the first aspect.

[0011] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor to implement the method according to the first aspect.

[0012] This summary is intended to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. It is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The above and other features, advantages and aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements, wherein:

[0014] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing an example interface of an editing application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG2 shows a flow chart of a method for scaling a timeline according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] 3A-3B are schematic diagrams showing increasing the unit time length in the time axis according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] 4A-4D are schematic diagrams showing a method of reducing a unit time length in a time axis according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG5 shows a flow chart of a method for determining a predetermined unit time length range according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG6 shows a block diagram of a device for scaling a timeline according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0020] FIG7 shows a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although certain embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of the present disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0022] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "including" and similar terms should be understood as open inclusion, that is, "including but not limited to". The term "based on" should be understood as "based at least in part on". The term "one embodiment" or "the embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc. can refer to different or the same objects, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Other explicit and implicit definitions may also be included below.

[0023] As mentioned above, the timeline allows users to insert different types of items at desired points on the timeline as needed. With the development of mobile internet technology, the carriers for timeline technology are gradually shifting from "large screens" such as computers and workstations to "small screens" such as smartphones and tablets. To help users accurately insert different materials into the timeline on different carriers and display interfaces of different sizes, various timeline scaling technologies have emerged.

[0024] However, there are some problems with traditional timeline zooming technology. For example, in common video editing scenarios, when users edit longer videos, the zooming speed of the timeline is not flexible enough, especially in the "small screen" era, users need to press the screen for a long time to traverse the entire material. Secondly, even when editing materials on a traditional "big screen", the zoom display of the timeline may be over-compressed or magnified, and the visual presentation can easily become confusing. It is impossible to accurately locate a specific time point during the timeline zooming process, making accurate material insertion difficult to achieve. For users who want to add corresponding materials to the materials that have already been edited in the editor, the traditional timeline is often not detailed enough. In addition, the time length of the materials is not consistent in different scenes, and the traditional timeline zooming technology does not provide a good user experience.

[0025] Alternatively, the zoom range of the video axis is determined by capturing touch signals from a user's touch operation on the touchscreen of a mobile device, collecting the coordinate data of each touch point, and the duration of the touch signal on the touchscreen. However, this method requires the user to precisely touch the screen and properly control the touch duration to achieve accurate positioning of the time axis. In actual use, users often cannot precisely control the time axis, and zoom accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

[0026] To this end, this solution proposes a new method for precisely scaling a timeline. According to the method in an embodiment of the present disclosure, when scaling a timeline, the unit time length is changed while maintaining the interface display distance between adjacent timeline ticks unchanged. The unit time length on the timeline remains consistent with the per-tick value selected by the user in the timeline scaling control, but the distance between adjacent timeline ticks on the interface display remains unchanged.

[0027] By only changing the unit time length without changing the interface display distance between adjacent scales on the timeline, the timeline will not appear over-stretched or squeezed during zooming, making it easier for users to manage and edit materials. In addition, this method can also help users accurately locate time nodes. Since the interface display distance between adjacent scales on the timeline remains unchanged, no matter how small each scale on the timeline zoom control is reduced, the timeline will not be over-squeezed, greatly improving the accuracy of material insertion.

[0028] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of the interface of the editing application 100 of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 , for example, the editing application 100 can be a video editor, and by zooming in and out of the timeline, the user can accurately insert the required material on the video editor. The editing application 100 may include a timeline zoom control 102, which may include upper and lower limits of the zoom value pre-set for the timeline. According to the user's sliding on the timeline zoom control 102, the specific value of each unit time length is set. The example editing application 100 also includes a timeline 104, and the interface display distance between adjacent scales of the timeline 104 remains fixed during the zooming process of the timeline, and the adjacent scales can be subdivided into 10 smaller intervals. Below the timeline 104, according to the needs of video editing, the material part may include video material 106, audio material 108, subtitle material 114, and sticker material 116. Each material part can be further subdivided into more subcategories as needed. For example, the audio material part 108 can be further subdivided into vocal material 110 and music material 112, and the sticker material can be further subdivided into bubble special effect material 118 and gold coin special effect material 120. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the type and quantity of materials.

[0029] In some embodiments, the materials under the timeline 104 may include primary and secondary categories. For example, the primary category may include video materials 106, audio materials 108, subtitle materials 114, and sticker materials 116. The secondary category may include more specific vocal materials 110 and music materials 112 under the audio category. Stickers may include dynamic bubble special effects materials 118 or gold coin special effects materials 120. Alternatively, materials may be added or deleted based on user needs, and new secondary categories or more detailed tertiary categories may also be added.

[0030] The time length of the material portion is customized according to user needs and is presented below the timeline in the form of an interactive object block 122. The starting point of the interactive object block 122 is the start time node of the material portion, and the end point is the end time node of the material portion. The length of the interactive object block 122 on the timeline is the duration of the material. The corresponding starting position, end position and time length of the interactive object block 122 will be adjusted accordingly as the timeline is scaled. In order to accurately determine the start time and end time of the interactive object block of the material, the example editing application 100 may also include an alignment line 124. The alignment line 124 is used to accurately determine the time nodes, including the start and end time nodes of the inserted material interactive object block, as well as the specific time nodes of the material interactive object block that the user newly inserts as needed.

[0031] According to the method for accurately scaling the timeline in an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the user wants to adjust the timeline, he or she can select a larger scale value on the timeline scaling control 102, such as 250ms, and then the unit time length of the timeline 104 will change to 2.5s in response to the value, while the interface display distance between adjacent scales remains unchanged. The starting time node and the ending time node of the material interactive object block 122 below the timeline 104 do not change, but since the unit time length becomes 2.5s, the display length of the interactive object block 122 will also be adjusted accordingly. It should be noted that the above examples are only used to describe the present invention. The embodiments of the present disclosure can also be used in professional film editing commercial software, and the scaling scale can be extended to 1h. It can also be used in free short video editing software for personal use, and the upper limit of the scaling scale can also be set to only 500ms.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a flow chart of a method 200 for zooming a timeline according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the timeline zooming method 200 may be executed by the editing application 100 shown in Figure 1 , and the method 200 may be implemented on various hardware devices, including but not limited to computers, smartphones, tablet computers, and the like.

[0033] At block 202, the timeline scale is presented on the application interface at a first time interval, where the first time interval represents the unit time length between two adjacent time scales on the timeline. For example, the current interval between two adjacent time scales on the timeline 104 in the editing application 100 can be defined as the first time interval. In FIG1 , the interval between the 0th scale and the 2.5th scale on the timeline 104 is defined as the first time interval, i.e., the first time interval is 2.5 seconds. In some embodiments, the first time interval can be the initial default time interval in the editing application. In other embodiments, the first time interval can also be a time interval previously set by the user.

[0034] At block 204, an adjustment to the unit time length between two adjacent scale marks is received. For example, the user may slide the time axis zoom control 102 and set a specific zoom value (e.g., 200ms). Accordingly, the time interval is adjusted according to the value of the time axis zoom control. For example, if the time axis zoom value is set to 200ms, the time interval value is 2s.

[0035] At block 206, upon receiving the adjustment, the scales in the timeline are presented on the application interface at different second time intervals, while maintaining the interface display distance between adjacent scales unchanged. After adjusting the interval, the adjusted time interval (e.g., 2 seconds) becomes the second time interval, and the adjusted second time interval is presented on the display interface. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, after the time scale is scaled according to the zoom value set by the timeline zoom control, the display distance between adjacent scales presented on the display interface remains unchanged.

[0036] According to the method 200 of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the zoom function of the time axis is realized based on the method of not changing the interface display distance between adjacent time scales and adjusting the unit time length. While changing the unit time length of the time axis, the distance between adjacent scales of the time axis remains unchanged, and the user can select a wider range of zoom values. At the same time, since the display distance between the scales remains unchanged, the visual stability of the embodiment of the present disclosure is higher. Therefore, the method of not changing the display distance between the scales also makes the time axis display clearer, avoids the time axis squeezing caused by over-scaling, and can better provide a zoom visual interaction effect.

[0037] The following describes a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in detail with reference to Figures 3A to 7. Figures 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams of a method for increasing the unit time length in a timeline according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are schematic diagrams of a method for decreasing the unit time length in a timeline according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 5 shows a flowchart for determining a timeline scaling value interval according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG3A is a schematic diagram 300 before the zoom time axis is changed, and FIG3B is a time axis interface display diagram after the unit time length is increased from 250 ms per scale to 300 ms per scale. Alternatively, the time axis zoom can also be any value greater than 250 ms. As shown in FIG3A , the time axis zoom amplitude in the current value 302 in the time axis zoom control is set to 250 ms per scale. Under this zoom value setting, the time interval in the time axis 304 is presented at a scale of 2.5 s. Under this zoom value, the interactive object block 306 corresponding to the material maintains the same starting time point and ending time point as the interactive object block 106 in FIG1 . The starting point of the scale on the time axis presentation interface can be set to a value of 0. Alternatively, the time axis starting scale can also be set to a required value according to user needs.

[0039] In some embodiments, the time intervals on the timeline can be set as needed. In FIG3A , there are a total of five complete time intervals. After the fifth time interval has passed, the user can continue to add more time intervals as needed. The total number of time intervals in the video editing application can be based on the total length of the video. This method improves the scalability of the timeline and the content of the materials under the timeline. Materials can be added as needed after the timeline is extended, which is beneficial for users to expand and recreate content based on existing videos.

[0040] Figure 3B shows a schematic diagram 320 of increasing the unit time length in a timeline, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The value in the current value 322 in the timeline zoom control increases from 250ms to 300ms, and the unit time interval in timeline 324 is correspondingly adjusted to 3s, while the distance between adjacent scale marks in timeline 324 remains unchanged. The interactive object block 326 corresponding to the material is correspondingly smaller than the interactive object block 306 in Figure 3A.

[0041] In some embodiments, the lengths of interactive object blocks 326 within a material item may change. For example, if a video interactive object block 326 occupies 3 seconds, after the timeline 324 is scaled to 300 milliseconds, the time length represented by the interactive object block 326 remains unchanged. However, visually, the length of the video interactive object block 326 is shortened to the same as the first time interval. The start and end time node values ​​of the remaining interactive object blocks remain unchanged, but their corresponding scales are adjusted accordingly, and the length of the interactive object block 326 is shortened, thus achieving the zoom-out function of the timeline 324 and the interactive object block 326.

[0042] Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D show schematic diagrams of a method for reducing the unit time length in a timeline according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, including schematic diagram 4A before scaling and schematic diagram 4B of reducing the time scaling control value from 250ms per scale to 200ms per scale, as well as schematic diagram 4C of reducing the timeline scale from 20ms to 10ms, and Figure 4D of reducing the timeline scale to 10ms. Alternatively, the timeline scaling can also be any value less than 250ms. Figure 4C is a schematic diagram of the current value 432 of the timeline scaling control adjusted to 20ms, which serves as a reference image for comparison with Figure 4D. Figure 4D is the image after scaling Figure 4C. By scaling from 250ms to 200ms, and then from 20ms to 10ms, the schematic diagram can show that when the timeline is scaled to a very small scale, the stability and accuracy of the interface presentation can also be maintained.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4A, the current value of the time zoom control is 250ms per scale. In some embodiments, in Figure 4B, by moving the time axis zoom control, the zoom value 442 is moved from 250ms to 200ms, and the unit time interval on the time axis is adjusted accordingly. In this case, the time interval is adjusted to 2s, and the display length between adjacent scales does not change. Figure 4C shows that the current value in the time axis zoom control is 20ms, and Figure 4D shows that the current value in the time axis zoom control is 10ms. Compared with Figure 4C, the display distance of the material in Figure 4D has increased by two times.

[0044] In some embodiments, the lengths of interactive object blocks 406, 426, 436, and 446 under the material item may change. For example, if the duration of video interactive object block 406 is 3 seconds, after the timeline is scaled to 200ms, the duration represented by interactive object block 426 does not change. However, in visual presentation, the length of video interactive object block 426 is expanded to 1.5 times the first time interval. The start and end time node values ​​of the remaining interactive object blocks 426 do not change, but their corresponding scales are adjusted accordingly, and the length of interactive object block 426 is extended, thus achieving the zoom function of timelines 404, 424, 434, and 444 and interactive object block 406.

[0045] In some embodiments, the timeline in the video editing application can be further reduced to 10ms. When the traditional timeline scaling method reduces the time scale to 10ms, the timeline will appear over-stretched. In this embodiment, the distance between adjacent scales remains unchanged, and the user can use the alignment line 124 to align the interactive object blocks in the material with the time scale, which can be precisely positioned to 1ms per scale. The traditional timeline multiple scaling method cannot achieve the function of accurately positioning to 1ms. Alternatively, the user can further scale the scale to 1ms as needed, and the alignment line 124 can align the interactive object block 406 of the material to even 0.1ms.

[0046] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a method 500 for determining a predetermined unit time length range according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In block 502, the total length of the imported video to be edited is obtained. In block 504, the unit time length of the timeline is determined based on the total length of the video to be edited. The upper and lower limits can be dynamically adjusted based on the length of the video. In some embodiments, only the upper limit can be dynamically adjusted, while the lower limit remains fixed. If the total length of the imported video is shorter, the unit time length is correspondingly shortened; if the total length of the imported video is longer, the unit time length is correspondingly extended. In block 506, the lower limit of the timeline zoom control is determined based on the total length of the imported video, for example, set to 0. Preferably, the default display value of the timeline zoom control can be dynamically adjusted based on the length of the imported video. In block 508, the upper limit of the timeline zoom control is determined based on the total length of the video. Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure can dynamically adjust the length range of the timeline zoom control, thereby dynamically selecting the unit time length based on the different imported videos, thereby improving the accuracy of user material insertion.

[0047] Therefore, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the timeline zoom scale value required for the current video editing can be obtained, and the materials (such as video, audio, stickers, etc.) that need to be added to the video editing can be determined, wherein the material part can be limited to specific content as needed, and the video zoom value required by the user can be determined, and the distance between the time scales is kept unchanged and displayed during the zooming process, thereby avoiding the problems of poor accuracy and poor visual effects of the timeline due to zooming in the original video zooming process. In addition, the timeline zooming method that does not change the distance between the time scales can be applied to any scene using the timeline, and the timeline zoom control can set the zoom range according to the user's specific scene needs, thereby avoiding the timeline zoom being only applicable to scenes with short video clips. Through the user's customized setting of the zoom value in the timeline zoom control, the adjustment range of the timeline can be further increased. Through the embodiments of the present disclosure, by changing the time scale and keeping the distance between the time scales unchanged, the time scale can be accurately positioned and the visual presentation effect of the timeline and material zooming can be made clearer.

[0048] Figure 6 shows a block diagram of an apparatus 600 for scaling a timeline according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the apparatus 600 includes a first presentation module 602, which is configured to present the scales in the timeline at a first time interval on the application interface, wherein the first time interval represents the unit time length between two adjacent scales in the timeline. The apparatus 600 also includes an adjustment receiving module 604, which is configured to receive an adjustment to the unit time length between two adjacent scales. The apparatus 600 also includes a second presentation module 606, which is configured to present the scales in the timeline at a second time interval on the application interface in response to the unit time length adjustment, while keeping the interface display distance between two adjacent scales unchanged, wherein the second time interval represents a unit time length different from the first time interval.

[0049] 7 shows a block diagram of an electronic device 700 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, and the device 700 may be the device or apparatus described in the embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7 , the device 700 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU) 702, which can perform various appropriate actions and processes according to computer program instructions stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 704 or computer program instructions loaded from a storage unit 716 into a random access memory (RAM) 706. In RAM 706, various programs and data required for the operation of the device 700 can also be stored. CPU / GPU 702, ROM 704, and RAM 706 are connected to each other via a bus 708. An input / output (I / O) interface 710 is also connected to the bus 708. Although not shown in FIG7 , the device 700 may also include a coprocessor.

[0050] Various components in device 700 are connected to I / O interface 710, including an input unit 712, such as a keyboard, mouse, etc.; an output unit 714, such as various types of displays, speakers, etc.; a storage unit 716, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.; and a communication unit 718, such as a network card, modem, wireless communication transceiver, etc. Communication unit 718 allows device 700 to exchange information / data with other devices via a computer network such as the Internet and / or various telecommunication networks.

[0051] The various methods or processes described above may be performed by the CPU / GPU 702. For example, in some embodiments, the methods may be implemented as a computer software program that is tangibly embodied in a machine-readable medium, such as the storage unit 716. In some embodiments, part or all of the computer program may be loaded and / or installed onto the device 700 via the ROM 704 and / or the communication unit 718. When the computer program is loaded into the RAM 706 and executed by the CPU / GPU 702, one or more steps or actions in the methods or processes described above may be performed.

[0052] In some embodiments, the methods and processes described above may be implemented as a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium carrying computer-readable program instructions for executing various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0053] Computer-readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can keep and store the instructions used by the instruction execution device.Computer-readable storage medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device or any suitable combination thereof.More specific examples (non-exhaustive list) of computer-readable storage medium include: a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanical encoding device, for example, a punch card or a convex structure in a groove having instructions stored thereon, and any suitable combination thereof.Computer-readable storage medium used herein is not interpreted as a transient signal itself, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagated by waveguides or other transmission media (for example, light pulses by fiber optic cables), or electrical signals transmitted by wires.

[0054] The computer-readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to each computing / processing device, or downloaded to an external computer or external storage device via a network, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and / or a wireless network. The network can include copper transmission cables, fiber optic transmission, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and / or edge servers. The network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives the computer-readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer-readable program instructions to be stored in the computer-readable storage medium in each computing / processing device.

[0055] The computer program instructions for performing the disclosed operation can be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-related instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data or source code or the object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, programming languages ​​include object-oriented programming languages, and conventional procedural programming languages.Computer-readable program instructions can be performed completely on a user's computer, partially on a user's computer, performed as an independent software package, partly on a user's computer and partly on a remote computer, or performed completely on a remote computer or server. In the case of a remote computer, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer by any type of network-including local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), or can be connected to an external computer (such as utilizing an internet service provider to connect by the internet). In certain embodiments, by utilizing the state information of computer-readable program instructions to carry out personalized customization electronic circuits, such as programmable logic circuits, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or programmable logic arrays (PLA), this electronic circuit can perform computer-readable program instructions, thereby realizing various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0056] These computer-readable program instructions can be provided to a processing unit of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, thereby producing a machine, so that when these instructions are executed by the processing unit of the computer or other programmable data processing device, a device is generated that implements the functions / actions specified in one or more blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram. These computer-readable program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, where these instructions cause the computer, programmable data processing device, and / or other device to operate in a specific manner. Thus, the computer-readable medium storing the instructions comprises an article of manufacture that includes instructions for implementing various aspects of the functions / actions specified in one or more blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0057] Computer-readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device, so that a series of operational steps are performed on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby causing the instructions executed on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to implement the functions / actions specified in one or more boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0058] The flow charts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings show the possible architecture, functions and operations of the devices, methods and computer program products according to multiple embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each box in the flow chart or block diagram can represent a part of a module, program segment or instruction, and the part of the module, program segment or instruction contains one or more executable instructions for realizing the prescribed logical function. In some alternative implementations, the functions marked in the box can also occur in a sequence different from that marked in the accompanying drawings. For example, two consecutive boxes can actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they can sometimes be executed in the opposite order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each box in the block diagram and / or flow chart, and the combination of the boxes in the block diagram and / or flow chart, can be implemented by a special hardware-based system that performs the prescribed function or action, or can be implemented by a combination of special hardware and computer instructions.

[0059] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. The above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is selected to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or technical improvements to existing technologies, or to enable other persons skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0060] Some example implementations of the present disclosure are listed below.

[0061] Example 1. A method for scaling a timeline, comprising:

[0062] Presenting the scales in the time axis at a first time interval on the application interface, wherein the first time interval represents a unit time length between two adjacent scales in the time axis;

[0063] Receive adjustment of the unit time length between two adjacent scales;

[0064] In response to the corresponding adjustment, the scales in the time axis are presented on the application interface at a second time interval, while the interface display distance between two adjacent scales remains unchanged, wherein the second time interval represents a unit time length different from the first time interval.

[0065] Example 2. The method of Example 1, wherein receiving an adjustment to a unit time length between two adjacent scale marks comprises:

[0066] receiving the adjustment on a timeline zoom control, the timeline zoom control having a predetermined unit time length range;

[0067] In response to the adjustment, the current unit time length is displayed on the timeline zoom control.

[0068] Example 3. The method of any one of Examples 1-2, wherein presenting the scale in the timeline at the second time interval on the application interface comprises:

[0069] Obtaining the adjusted value of the unit time length; and

[0070] Based on the value of the unit time length, the time represented by each scale in the time axis is presented on the application interface.

[0071] Example 4. The method of any one of Examples 1-3, wherein the application interface is an interface of a video editing application, the method further comprising:

[0072] Obtaining the total length of the video imported into the video editing application; and

[0073] The predetermined unit time length range of the time axis zoom control is determined based on the total length.

[0074] Example 5. The method of any one of Examples 1-4, wherein determining the predetermined unit time length range of the timeline zoom control comprises:

[0075] Setting the lower limit of the predetermined unit time length range as a default value; and

[0076] An upper limit of the predetermined unit time length range is determined based on the total length.

[0077] Example 6. The method of any one of Examples 1-5, further comprising:

[0078] Obtaining a time range of a first material in the video editing application, where the first material includes any one of the following: video, audio, subtitles, or stickers; and

[0079] A display distance range of the first material is determined based on the adjusted scale in the timeline.

[0080] Example 7. The method of any one of Examples 1-6, further comprising:

[0081] Get the time of the alignment line indicating the current positioning time point; and

[0082] In response to the adjustment, a display position of the alignment line is adjusted on the application interface.

[0083] Example 8. The method of any one of Examples 1-7, wherein presenting the scale in the timeline at the second time interval on the application interface comprises:

[0084] In response to the adjustment instruction, the unit time length is increased and the length of the time axis is reduced; and

[0085] In response to the adjustment instruction to reduce the unit time length, the length of the time axis is increased.

[0086] Example 9. The method of any one of Examples 1-8, wherein receiving an adjustment to a unit time length between two adjacent tick marks comprises:

[0087] receiving a target value input by a user; and

[0088] The target value is determined as the adjusted unit time length.

[0089] Example 10. An apparatus for scaling a timeline, comprising:

[0090] A first presentation module is configured to present the scales in the time axis at a first time interval on the application interface, where the first time interval represents a unit time length between two adjacent scales in the time axis;

[0091] an adjustment receiving module configured to receive an adjustment to a unit time length between two adjacent scale marks; and

[0092] The second presentation module is configured to present the scales in the time axis at a second time interval on the application interface in response to the adjustment, while keeping the interface display distance between two adjacent scales unchanged, wherein the second time interval represents a unit time length different from the first time interval.

[0093] Example 11. The apparatus of Example 10, wherein the adjustment receiving module comprises:

[0094] a control adjustment module configured to receive the adjustment on a time axis zoom control, the time axis zoom control having a predetermined unit time length range; and

[0095] The time length display module is configured to display the current unit time length on the time axis zoom control in response to the adjustment.

[0096] Example 12. The apparatus of any of Examples 10-11, wherein the second rendering module comprises:

[0097] A value acquisition module is configured to obtain the value of the adjusted unit time length

[0098] The time length display module is configured to present the time represented by each scale in the time axis on the application interface.

[0099] Example 13. The apparatus of any of Examples 10-12, wherein the application interface is an interface of a video editing application, the apparatus further comprising:

[0100] a total length acquisition module configured to acquire the total length of the video imported into the video editing application; and

[0101] The unit time length range determination module is configured to determine the predetermined unit time length range of the time axis zoom control based on the total length.

[0102] Example 14. The apparatus of any one of Examples 10-13, wherein the unit time length range determination module comprises:

[0103] a lower limit determination module configured to set the lower limit of the predetermined unit time length range as a default value; and

[0104] The upper limit determination module is configured to determine an upper limit of the predetermined unit time length range based on the total length.

[0105] Example 15. The apparatus of any of Examples 10-14, further comprising:

[0106] a material time range acquisition module, configured to acquire a time range of a first material in the video editing application, where the first material includes any one of the following: video, audio, subtitles, or stickers; and

[0107] The material display distance range determination module is configured to determine the display distance range of the first material based on the adjusted scale in the timeline.

[0108] Example 16. The apparatus of any of Examples 10-15, further comprising:

[0109] an alignment line time acquisition module configured to acquire the time of the alignment line indicating the current positioning time point; and

[0110] The alignment line position adjustment module is configured to adjust the display position of the alignment line on the application interface in response to the adjustment.

[0111] Example 17. The apparatus of any of Examples 10-16, wherein the second rendering module comprises:

[0112] a length reduction module configured to increase the unit time length and reduce the length of the time axis in response to the adjustment instruction; and

[0113] The length increasing module is configured to reduce the unit time length in response to the adjustment instruction and increase the length of the time axis.

[0114] Example 18. The apparatus of any of Examples 10-17, wherein the adjustment receiving module comprises:

[0115] a target value receiving module configured to receive a target value input by a user; and

[0116] The target value adjustment module is configured to determine the target value as the adjusted unit time length.

[0117] Example 19. An electronic device comprising:

[0118] processor; and

[0119] A memory coupled to the processor, the memory having instructions stored therein, wherein when the instructions are executed by the processor, the electronic device performs actions, the actions comprising:

[0120] Presenting the scales in the time axis at a first time interval on the application interface, where the first time interval represents a unit time length between two adjacent scales in the time axis;

[0121] Receive an adjustment to the unit time length between two adjacent scales; and

[0122] In response to the adjustment, the scales in the time axis are presented on the application interface at a second time interval, while keeping the interface display distance between two adjacent scales unchanged, and the second time interval represents a unit time length different from the first time interval.

[0123] Example 20. The apparatus of Example 19, wherein receiving an adjustment to a unit time length between two adjacent tick marks comprises:

[0124] receiving the adjustment on a timeline zoom control, the timeline zoom control having a predetermined unit time length range;

[0125] In response to the adjustment, the current unit time length is displayed on the timeline zoom control.

[0126] Example 21. The device of any of Examples 19-20, wherein presenting a scale in the timeline at a second time interval on the application interface comprises:

[0127] Obtaining the adjusted value of the unit time length; and

[0128] Based on the value of the unit time length, the time represented by each scale in the time axis is presented on the application interface.

[0129] Example 22. The device of any of Examples 19-21, wherein the application interface is an interface of a video editing application, the method further comprising:

[0130] Obtaining the total length of the video imported into the video editing application; and

[0131] The predetermined unit time length range of the time axis zoom control is determined based on the total length.

[0132] Example 23. The apparatus of any of Examples 19-22, wherein determining the predetermined unit time length range of the timeline zoom control comprises:

[0133] Setting the lower limit of the predetermined unit time length range as a default value; and

[0134] An upper limit of the predetermined unit time length range is determined based on the total length.

[0135] Example 24. The apparatus of any one of Examples 19-23, wherein a time range of a first material in the video editing application is obtained, the first material comprising any of the following: video, audio, subtitles, or stickers; and

[0136] A display distance range of the first material is determined based on the adjusted scale in the timeline.

[0137] Example 25. The apparatus of any of Examples 19-24, wherein the actions further comprise:

[0138] Get the time of the alignment line indicating the current positioning time point; and

[0139] In response to the adjustment, a display position of the alignment line is adjusted on the application interface.

[0140] Example 26. The device of any of Examples 19-25, wherein presenting a scale in the timeline at a second time interval on the application interface comprises:

[0141] In response to the adjustment instruction, the unit time length is increased and the length of the time axis is reduced; and

[0142] In response to the adjustment instruction to reduce the unit time length, the length of the time axis is increased.

[0143] Example 27. The apparatus of any of Examples 19-26, wherein receiving an adjustment to a unit time length between two adjacent tick marks comprises:

[0144] receiving a target value input by a user; and

[0145] The target value is determined as the adjusted unit time length.

[0146] Example 28. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, wherein the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor to implement the method according to any one of Examples 1 to 9.

[0147] Example 29. A computer program product tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium and comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the method of any one of Examples 1 to 9.

[0148] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological logical acts, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are merely example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A method for scaling a timeline, comprising: Presenting the scales in the time axis at a first time interval on the application interface, where the first time interval represents the unit time length between two adjacent scales in the time axis; Receive adjustment of the unit time length between two adjacent scales; as well as In response to the adjustment, the scales in the time axis are presented on the application interface at a second time interval, while keeping the interface display distance between two adjacent scales unchanged, and the second time interval represents a unit time length different from the first time interval.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving an adjustment to the unit time length between two adjacent scales comprises: receiving the adjustment on a timeline zoom control, the timeline zoom control having a predetermined range of unit time lengths; as well as In response to the adjustment, the current unit time length is displayed on the timeline zoom control.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein presenting the scale in the time axis at the second time interval on the application interface comprises: Get the adjusted value of unit time length; as well as Based on the value of the unit time length, the time represented by each scale in the timeline is presented on the application interface.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the application interface is an interface of a video editing application, the method further comprising: Obtaining the total length of the video imported into the video editing application; as well as Based on the total length, the predetermined unit time length range of the timeline zoom control is determined.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein determining the predetermined unit time length range of the time axis zoom control comprises: Setting the lower limit of the predetermined unit time length range as a default value; as well as Based on the total length, an upper limit of the predetermined unit time length range is determined.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: Obtaining a time range of a first material in the video editing application, where the first material includes any one of the following: video, audio, subtitle, or sticker; as well as Based on the adjusted scale in the timeline, a display distance range of the first material is determined.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: Get the time of the alignment line indicating the current positioning time point; as well as In response to the adjustment, a display position of the alignment line is adjusted on the application interface.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein presenting the scale in the timeline at the second time interval on the application interface comprises: In response to the adjustment instruction, increase the unit time length and reduce the length of the time axis; as well as In response to the adjustment indicating a decrease in the unit time length, the length of the time axis is increased.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving an adjustment to the unit time length between two adjacent scales comprises: Receive the target value input by the user; as well as The target value is determined as the adjusted unit time length.

10. A device for scaling a time axis, comprising: A first presentation module is configured to present the scales in the time axis at a first time interval on the application interface, where the first time interval represents a unit time length between two adjacent scales in the time axis; An adjustment receiving module is configured to receive an adjustment of a unit time length between two adjacent scales; as well as The second presentation module is configured to present the scales in the time axis at a second time interval on the application interface in response to the adjustment, while keeping the interface display distance between two adjacent scales unchanged, wherein the second time interval represents a difference from the first time interval. Different unit time lengths.

11. An electronic device, comprising: processor; as well as A memory coupled to the processor, the memory having instructions stored therein, wherein when the instructions are executed by the processor, the electronic device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, wherein the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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