Video Thumbnail Drag-and-Drop Across Clip Boundaries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current video editing software lacks intuitive methods for selecting and manipulating video clips across clip boundaries, making it difficult for users to efficiently edit and synchronize audio, video, and transitions within a timeline.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that displays video clips as thumbnails, allowing users to select and drag segments across clip boundaries, with features like previewing frames, scrubbing, and anchoring overlay content, enabling precise editing and synchronization without requiring explicit clicking, and automatically adjusting thumbnail display based on user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional video editing software is used, then video clips can be edited, but the selection and manipulation of segments across clip boundaries is non-intuitive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintuitiveness of segment selectionVSAvoidtime required for editing operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The video timeline is segmented into discrete clip boundaries and segments that can be independently selected and manipulated. Users can select individual segments between clips or ranges of clips, enabling precise control over which portions of the timeline are edited without affecting the entire video sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A graphical user interface serves as an intermediary between the user and the video editing process. The interface displays clip boundaries and segments visually, allowing users to select and manipulate video segments through intuitive graphical interactions rather than complex command sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If explicit clicking is required for selection, then precision can be maintained, but the editing process becomes tedious and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveediting efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of required user actions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple user actions are merged into a single drag-and-drop operation. Users can select multiple segments or ranges of clips by dragging a selection marker across the timeline, combining what would traditionally require multiple separate clicks or selections into one intuitive action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares the timeline for editing by pre-displaying clip boundaries and segments in a structured manner. Users can see all available segments before making selections, allowing them to plan and execute edits more efficiently without needing to perform multiple sequential actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If overlay content is added without anchoring, then flexibility is maintained, but synchronization between overlay content and video clips cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization of overlay contentVSAvoidanchoring mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback to users as they add overlay content, displaying the overlay elements on the timeline alongside the video clips. This feedback mechanism allows users to see the relationship between overlay content and video segments, making it easier to achieve and verify synchronization without complex manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The timeline interface treats overlay content and video clips as equal elements that can be positioned and synchronized using the same tools and mechanisms. Users can anchor overlay content to specific clip boundaries or segments using the same drag-and-drop and selection operations, creating a unified and intuitive editing experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Data Source

PatentUS9335892B2Select drag and drop operations on video thumbnails across clip boundaries
Publication Date: 2016.05.10 APPLE INC
  • US9335892B2 patent drawing
  • US9335892B2 patent drawing
  • US9335892B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer-implemented method includes displaying, within a user interface in a digital media system, a media pane, and a project pane, displaying, within the media pane, a thumbnail group representing a media item, the thumbnail group comprising one or more thumbnails, enabling a user to select, from the thumbnail group, a segment of the media item, and enabling a user to transfer the selected segment to the project pane.