Collapsed Audio Timeline with Overlapping Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital video production tools have complex user interfaces that occupy a large display area, making them difficult to understand and interact with effectively.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that includes accessing production data for a video production, displaying a collapsed audio timeline with overlapping audio timing indicators, and providing user interfaces for creating and editing digital video productions, allowing for efficient management and timing adjustments of audio and visual elements within a reduced display space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional video production tools are used, then comprehensive audio editing functionality is provided, but the user interface becomes complex and occupies large display area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the audio timeline from the traditional complex video production interface and presents it as a separate, simplified collapsed audio timeline. This extraction allows the audio editing functionality to be maintained while removing it from the cluttered traditional interface, thereby simplifying the overall user interface without losing comprehensive audio editing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the traditional linear audio timeline into a collapsed audio timeline that uses vertical stacking (ranks) to represent multiple audio elements. This dimensional change from a single horizontal timeline to a multi-rank vertical structure allows more audio elements to be displayed in a compact space, reducing the display area required while maintaining full functionality.
2Productivity
If multiple audio elements are displayed on the timeline, then complete audio editing capability is maintained, but the display area required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vertical stacking to arrange multiple audio elements across different ranks, transforming the horizontal space requirement into vertical space utilization. This allows multiple audio elements to be displayed in a compact horizontal footprint while maintaining their individual editing capabilities, thereby improving audio editing efficiency without proportionally increasing the display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple audio elements into a collapsed timeline structure where overlapping elements are vertically stacked rather than horizontally separated. This merging approach maintains the ability to edit each audio element individually while presenting them in a unified, space-efficient view that improves productivity by reducing the space needed to access and edit multiple audio tracks.
3Loss of information
If overlapping audio elements are displayed with full height, then each element is clearly visible, but the timeline becomes cluttered and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different display heights to different audio elements based on their rank position, with the first audio element receiving full height for optimal visibility and subsequent overlapping elements receiving reduced heights. This local differentiation ensures that the primary audio element remains clearly visible while secondary elements are still visible but do not create visual clutter, thereby maintaining both information visibility and timeline navigability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an asymmetric visual hierarchy in the collapsed audio timeline by displaying the first audio element with full height and subsequent overlapping elements with progressively reduced heights. This asymmetric arrangement establishes a clear visual hierarchy that improves navigability by making it easy to identify the primary audio element while still allowing access to overlapping elements, preventing the timeline from becoming cluttered.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein is a computer implemented method. The method includes accessing production data which definiens a first audio element and a second audio element and displaying, on a display, a collapsed audio timeline including a first audio timing indicator corresponding to the first audio element and a second audio timing indicator corresponding to the second audio element. The first audio timing indicator has a first indicator start displayed at a horizontal position that corresponds to a first element start time, a first indicator end displayed at a horizontal position that corresponds to a first element end time, and a first indicator display height. The second audio timing indicator has a second indicator start displayed at a horizontal position that corresponds to a second element start time, a second indicator end displayed at a horizontal position that corresponds to a second element end time. The first audio timing indicator and the second audio timing indicator are both displayed on a first rank such that they vertically overlap, the second audio timing indicator is displayed in front of the first audio timing indicator, and the second indicator display height is less than the first indicator display height.