JPH09182007A - Editing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain the editing operations in the midst of storage of the moving image video signals supplied from a signal source and to attain a quick editing Job by displaying images almost concurrently with storage of those video signals into a RAM, etc. SOLUTION: A reproducing VTR (P-VTR) 20 reproduces the material video signals recorded on a video tape and outputs them to a monitor picture receiver 45 via a system controller. A recording VTR (R-VTR) 25 records the edited video signals and also outputs them to a monitor picture receiver 40. A storage 35 consisting of a RAM, etc., stores the video signals of cuts as the digital signals unaer true control or a controller no and then reads out and outputs these signals. Then the receiver 45 displays a graphical user interface consisting of a button, a log card, an icon, etc., necessary for a user to perform an editing job by means of a mouse 50 and via the controller 10 in addition to the images that are reproduced by the P-VTR 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an editing system which edits a video signal of a moving picture composed of a voice signal and a video signal. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for reproducing a moving image while storing a video signal in a memory in an editing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Editing of moving images is performed in various environments from full-scale editing at a television broadcasting station to editing at a general home. Various editing systems have been provided, from those having higher performance than the conventional ones to so-called popular types. In editing this moving image, the editor can select a necessary scene from a videotape on which a material composed of an audio signal and a video signal is recorded, and rearrange these scenes to create a completed video in a short time. It goes without saying that an editing system is desired.

Production of news programs is mentioned as an example where such promptness is desired. In a news program, unedited material is usually recorded on a video tape just before the actual broadcast. Editors must hurryly select scenes and rearrange the selected scenes to create a complete program for broadcast.

[0004] Generally, the material is a material recorded on a video tape or a raw material sent from a video camera in real time. Here, by storing the material recorded on the video tape as a digital signal in a randomly accessible storage medium such as a magnetic disk or a RAM, the editing efficiency can be significantly improved.

[0005]

By the way, for example, a video signal recorded as an analog signal on a video tape is stored in a random accessible storage medium as described above.
Storing as a digital signal takes time.
Therefore, for example, the production of the news program mentioned above,
The valuable time is spent at the editing site where quick editing is required.

Therefore, according to the present invention, while a video signal is being stored from a recording medium such as a video tape to a storage medium such as a magnetic disk or RAM, the user can perform other processing such as editing on the video. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an editing system capable of performing.

[0007]

An editing system according to the present invention displays at least one signal source for outputting a material consisting of a video signal, storage means for storing the video signal, and an image based on the video signal. Display means, and a control means connected to the signal source, the storage means and the display means, for storing the video signal supplied from the signal source in the storage means at substantially the same time as displaying an image based on the video signal on the display means. Equipped with.

As a result, in this system, while storing the video signal supplied from the signal source, at the same time, an image based on the video signal is displayed and various editing is performed.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an editing system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

An editing system to which the present invention is applied is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a reproducing video tape recorder (hereinafter, P-V) for reproducing a video signal recorded on a video tape.
Call TR. ) 20 and a recording video tape recorder (hereinafter, R) for recording the edited video signal on a video tape.
-VTR. ) 25, a controller 10 that controls the entire system, a video camera 30 that supplies a real-time video signal to the system controller 10, a storage device 35 that stores the video signal as a digital signal, a video being edited and an edit screen. Monitor receivers 40, 4 to display
5 and a mouse 50 for the user to perform a desired operation on the editing system.

The controller 10 receives a signal from the mouse 50 and, for example, P-VTR20, R-VTR2.
5, the storage device 35 and the like are controlled to reproduce the video signals stored therein, and the images based on the video signals are displayed on the monitor receivers 40 and 45. The controller 10 also performs control for editing a video signal from another signal source such as a video camera 30 that outputs a real-time video.

As described above, this editing system uses P-
Although it has a signal source that reproduces a video signal from the VTR 20, the R-VTR 25, the storage device 35, etc., when editing a video signal from another type of signal source, these signal sources are connected to the controller 10. It can also be controlled by the mouse 50 via the mouse.

In this editing system, a playback VTR
The P-VTR 20, which is the above, sequentially supplies the video signals recorded on the video tape to the controller 10. Normally, the video signal reproduced by the P-VTR 20 is supplied to the monitor image receiver 45 as the video signal O2, but it may be supplied to the monitor image receiver 40. In addition to the P-VTR 20, the R-VTR 25, and the storage device 35 as described above, the raw video signal I from the video camera 30
2 is also supplied to the controller 10.

The storage device 35 is composed of various storage devices such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a non-volatile memory, etc. Under the control of the controller 10, the video signal is stored as a digital signal, and the stored digital signal is stored. The signal is read out at random and output.

When the video signal is edited, the edited video signal is recorded mainly by the R-VTR 25 which is a VTR for recording. An image based on the edited video signal recorded by the R-VTR 25 is normally displayed on the monitor receiver 40.
However, it can be displayed by switching to the monitor receiver 45.

In this editing system, the monitor receiver 45 displays a graphical user interface (hereinafter referred to as GUI) for the user to operate the controller 10 and perform various editing operations. The GUI and its associated functions of the editing system will be described in detail later. In the editing system shown in FIG. 1, the controller 10 controls the GUI displayed on the monitor receiver 45 and the functions related thereto. Specifically, the controller 10 is composed of a general-purpose computer, generates a GUI, and executes codes that realize various functions. Here, the details of the actual execution code are omitted and the function executed by the code is described. However, the details of the code will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of this function.

The present invention can be used not only for editing normal video signals, but also for editing computer-generated animations and computer graphics, for example. Further, instead of the mouse 50 shown in this editing system, another input device such as a keyboard can be used. Furthermore, in the description of the video of this editing system, it is assumed that the reproduction, storage, and editing are performed for the video and the corresponding audio.

The editing system shown in FIG. 1 is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is obvious that the present invention can be applied to other types of editing systems. For example, the present invention can be applied to an editing system to which a digital video signal is input. An editing system obtained by modifying the editing system shown in FIG. 1 is within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the editing system shown in FIG. 2, a general-purpose computer 210 such as a personal computer is used.
Has the same function as the controller 10 shown in FIG. The device controller 220 is the computer 2
10 receives the control signal from the P-VTR 230 and R-
It controls the playback and recording operations of the VTR 240. Also, the computer 210 uses the random access control circuit 250.
To control access to the disk array 260.

As shown in FIG. 2, various modifications can be made to the editing system to which the present invention is applied, but the present invention will be described below using the editing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the GUI 300 generated by the controller 10 and displayed on the monitor receiver 40. The GUI 300 shown in FIG. 3 is a Microsoft Windows (M
icrosoftWindows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. ), But may be compliant with other GUI operating systems.

As shown in FIG. 3, the GUI 300 has a viewer area 305, a log event area 310, and a timeline area 315. Whether these areas are treated as one window or separate windows depends on the conforming GUI operation system.

The viewer area 305 has, as a sub area, a reproducing area 320 for displaying the video signal I1 reproduced by the P-VTR 20 shown in FIG. 1 and supplied to the controller 10. The user can play this playback area 32
The video recorded on the video tape is previewed by 0, and the optimum video used for editing is searched. Also, as will be described later, the playback area 32 of the viewer area 305.
0 is used to display a log card image in the log event area 310 and an image based on a video signal corresponding to an event occurring on the timeline 305. That is, the user can display and check the video necessary in the viewer area 305 during the editing work.

The playback speed and playback of the video displayed in the playback area 320 are controlled by the rewind button 322, the playback button 324, and the fast forward button 3 in the viewer area 305.
26, using the pause button 328. Further, the user can use the scroll bar 329 to perform frame forward / frame reverse. Such control can be performed by the user operating a button provided on the P-VTR 20, for example.
In this editing system, when the user clicks or drags the above-described button in the viewer area 305 with the mouse, the controller 10 causes the P-VT to operate.
A control signal is sent to R20 so that the P-VTR20 can be controlled. Specifically, in this GUI 300, the pointer 303 is displayed overlaid on the window, and the user drags the pointer 303 on the scroll bar 329 with the mouse 50 to correspond to the distance moved by the pointer 303. It is possible to reproduce the video signal recorded on the video tape in the forward direction or the reverse direction at the speed.

Further, in the viewer area 305, the user can create a cut which is a video signal obtained by cutting the entire video from a certain time point to a certain time point.
A cut is specified by an in point, which is the frame at the start of the scene, and an out point, which is the frame at the end. The user uses the in-point button 330, the out-point button 332, and the mouse 50 to specify the in-point and out-point. Of course, in addition to this, for example, a mechanism for designating an in point and an out point may be provided on the P-VTR 20.

In this editing system, when the IN point is specified by the user during the selection of the cut, the image of the frame corresponding to the IN point is displayed in the IN point area 334. When the OUT point is designated, the image of the frame corresponding to the OUT point is displayed in the OUT point area 336. This allows the user to easily know the information regarding the cut. When this IN point and OUT point are specified, the duration of the cut is displayed in the time display area 3
It is displayed in 37.

Log button 338 and timeline button 3
Reference numeral 40 is for performing the function of displaying the displayed current cut as a log card described later in the log event area 310 and the function of moving the cut directly to the timeline area 315.

Buttons 342, 344, 346, 348
Is provided for the user to select the input device and the output device of the video signal. Further, the time code area 350 displays a time code corresponding to the video displayed in the reproduction area 320.

Automatic storage button 352, automatic log button 3
54 and the viewer alignment button 356 perform an automatic storage function, an automatic log function, and a viewer alignment function, respectively.

The icon 363 indicates by a symbol whether the signal source of the image currently displayed is the P-VTR 20 or the storage device 35, for example.

Further, as will be described in more detail below, the edit buttons 358, 360, 362 are provided for the user to overwrite or insert the cut displayed in the reproduction area 320 directly into the timeline and arrange it. It is a thing.

The log event area 310 displays the log card corresponding to the cut created by the user. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the log event area 310
Is composed of a plurality of log cards 370 created by the user. These log cards 370 are, for example, P-
This corresponds to the cut created by the user while the video signal reproduced by the VTR 20 is stored in the storage device 35. With these log cards 370, the user can visually confirm the cut created by himself. In addition, each log card 370 has data for identifying the device of the signal source from which the cut video signal is reproduced, and the controller 10 uses the data, for example, from the storage device 35 as necessary. The video signal corresponding to the log card is searched and read into the controller 10.

Although various formats of this log card are conceivable, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the log card 3 is used.
Reference numeral 70 shows an image of one frame in the cut. Alternatively, for example, two frame images showing a frame image corresponding to the cut-in point and a frame image corresponding to the cut-out point may be displayed in the log card. Using this log card 370, the user can visually confirm the content of the cut, control the input device corresponding to it, and edit and output the cut.

The log card 370, as shown in FIG.
A frame display area 372, a log number 374, a source device icon 376, and a time code area 37
8 is provided. The frame display area 372 displays an image corresponding to one frame in the cut corresponding to the log card 370. Normally, the frame display area 372
Displays either the image of the frame corresponding to the IN point or the OUT point, but may display the image of the other frame.

The log number 374 is a log card number attached to the log card 370. The log card number is displayed on the timeline described later and is used to identify each cut arranged on the timeline 400.

The source device icon 376 is for identifying the device of the signal source of the video signal corresponding to the log card. For example, if the recording medium is a VTR, VT
A symbol representing the shape of R is displayed.

The time code area 378 provides time code information regarding cuts. This GU
In the I300, the time code area 378 displays the cut duration, but the start point time code and the end point time code may be displayed here.

The log event toolbar 380 is provided with buttons that can be operated by the user using the mouse 50. For example, the edit buttons 382, 384, 386
This corresponds to the edit buttons 358, 360, 362 provided on the toolbar 359 of the viewer area 305. When the edit button 382 is clicked, the selected log card is inserted in the timeline area 315. The edit buttons 386 and 384 perform overwriting in the timeline area 315 of the selected log card and overwriting in which the oldest one has priority in the portion where the data overlaps.

In the insert function, the cut of the selected log card is inserted between the cuts already arranged on the timeline, and the other cuts are moved so as to match the inserted cut. In the overwrite editing function, the cuts are overlapped on the overlapping portion or the entire cuts already arranged on the timeline. The overlapped portion of the previous cut below it is deleted and the corresponding log card is updated.

The delete button 388 is for deleting the selected log card from the log event area 310, and the store button 390 is for displaying the video signal corresponding to the selected log card as an analog signal on, for example, a video tape. When it is recorded, it is converted into a digital signal and stored in the storage device 35. The view selection button 392 is for the user to select the format of the log card, and the user selects the image displayed in the frame display area 372 of the selected log card as the image of the frame corresponding to the IN point. Or the image of the frame corresponding to the OUT point can be selected.

The timeline area 315 is an area where the user connects the cuts in a desired order to complete the program, and the user can cut on the timeline toolbar 395 and the time axis for executing various editing functions described later. A timeline 400 having at least one track for placing The user can visually edit while controlling them on this screen without directly operating various input devices such as the P-VTR 20, the video camera 30, the storage device 35 and the like. Specifically, as described below, the user can create a program in which cuts are connected by simply dragging or moving the selected log card to the timeline area 315.

When the log card is moved to the timeline area 315, a length corresponding to the log card and a length corresponding to the cut duration is displayed on the track having the length corresponding to the time in the timeline 400. A rectangular box with is displayed. The cuts arranged on the track which is the time axis in this way are hereinafter referred to as events.

The timeline toolbar 395 is provided with a plurality of icons for instructing functions such as high-speed access normally required for editing by the user. In this timeline area 315, icons for operating main functions are registered by default, and the user can delete them from the timeline toolbar 395 or add icons for operating other functions. it can.
The functions required for these edits are easily performed by the user clicking an icon with the mouse.
Alternatively, the function can be executed by using a function key corresponding to such a function or other selecting means.

As described above, this editing system allows the user to customize the editing function provided in the toolbar. Furthermore, in this editing system,
An edit data recording list (hereinafter referred to as EDL: Edit Decision List) in which database information necessary for editing an actual video signal executed by a remote editing device is recorded is created and obtained by this EDL or another method. The EDL may be used to repeat the same procedure at the remote editing device.

An example of the editing function provided in the GUI 300 shown in FIG. 3 will be briefly described below.

The zoom-out icon 402 and the zoom-in icon 404 change the time scale of the displayed timeline 400. The zoom-out icon 402 reduces the scale and the zoom-in icon 404 enlarges the scale. This scale can be changed almost continuously until a predetermined limit is reached.

The scale setting icon 406 is provided in order to more quickly set the scale desired by the user. For example, the pointer 303 is moved onto the scale setting icon 406 and the mouse 50 is left-clicked. By doing so, it is possible to restore the scale used immediately before, or right-click to open a menu box, which makes it possible to select and set a desired scale from several scales.

When the mini audio icon 408 is clicked, an audio editing window (not shown) opens on the right side of the timeline. This allows the user to perform various audio-related edits such as recording audio in accordance with video.

The ripple on / off icon 410 is displayed on the timeline 400 such as trimming, deleting and moving.
It selects the mode of operation performed above. For example, in the ripple-on mode, the cut is automatically moved to the state needed to show the editing function.

When the trim icon 412 is clicked, the slide mode and the trim mode in the timeline 400 are switched. The slide mode and trim mode will be described later.

The match cut icon 414 is for dividing one event to create separate events. The current line 434 shows the frame of the image currently displayed in the reproduction area 320.
Moves to the right as playback progresses. Delete icon 4
Reference numeral 16 is for deleting the selected event. The preview icon 418 is for displaying an image corresponding to an event arranged on the timeline 400 in the reproduction area 320. This preview icon 418
When is clicked, the reproduction is started from the position of the current line 434. The record icon 420 reproduces a video signal corresponding to an event arranged on a track, and is, for example, an R-VT.
The data is recorded on a recording device such as R25. The all-stop icon 422 is, for example, the P-VTR 20,
It has a function of stopping all operations of devices related to editing such as the R-VTR 25 and the storage device 35.

The OK icon 424 is for confirming the operation performed by the user. This is used, for example, when the user approves that the result of the edit is reflected in the record when the record and the edit are simultaneously performed.

The toolbar 395 also includes a scroll bar 42 for the user to scroll the current line 434.
Eight. Specifically, while pressing the left scroll button 430 provided on the scroll bar 428,
The current line 434 continuously moves to the left. When the current line 434 reaches the in-point of the first event, the current line 434 stops there. Similarly, while the right scroll button 432 is being pressed, the current line 434 continuously moves to the right and stops at a position where one frame has elapsed from the OUT point of the last event. The same effect can be obtained by directly dragging the knob of the scroll bar 428 to move it to the right or left. The scroll bar 428 allows the user to specify a desired position on the track and display the image of the corresponding frame in the reproduction area 320, for example.

The timeline 400 has a video track 440, a first audio track 442 and a second audio track 444 corresponding to a video signal and two audio signals reproduced in synchronization. When a cut is copied to a track, that cut's video track,
The first audio track and the second audio track are selectively arranged. Here, the cut is always the video track 440, the first audio track 442, the second
It is not necessary to have signals corresponding to all of the audio tracks 444 of the first audio track 4 only.
42 may be supported.

The track selection button 446 arranged on the left side of the timeline 400 indicates that the cut is in the viewer area 3.
No. 05 or the log event area 310 to the timeline area 315 determines which track is writable. By default,
Video track 440, first audio track 44
2. All of the second audio tracks 444 are writable, and if a cut is moved on a track in this state, it corresponds to a box of the same length on all tracks, that is, the duration of the selected cut. A box with the length to be displayed is displayed. In the actual editing work, the actual editing points on each track are often separated for each cut by using the trim, slide, and slip functions described later.

As described above, the GUI 300 uses two tracks as audio tracks, but this audio track may be further added.
For example, it is possible to allocate two stereo audio signals at the same time by adding the third and fourth audio tracks.

In the GUI 300 shown in FIG. 3, a video track 440 corresponding to the video signals of events E4, E6 and E5 and a first audio track 442 and a second audio track corresponding to the sounds of events E4, E6 and E5. 444 is shown. The position and length of the event on the track of the timeline represent the order of occurrence and duration of each event. Here, the event E4 occurs first, and then the events E6 and E5 occur. Event E5 is the longest cut, and event E6 is the shortest cut.

The editing system shown in FIG. 1 and G shown in FIG.
An editing procedure performed using the UI will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S450, the user uses the mouse 50 to select a scene to be the content of the cut, and the controller 10 accordingly selects, for example, the P-VTR 20.
Control the playback device such as. In step S455,
A log card according to the user's selection is created in the log event area 310. In step S460, the user edits the created log card in the timeline 4 for editing.
Move to 00. Alternatively, the cut specified in the viewer area 305 can be moved directly to the timeline 400. In this case, the log card will be created automatically.

In step S465, the user can edit the event arranged in the timeline 400 by using various editing icons in the displayed timeline area 315, and the event can be handled as necessary. It is possible to reproduce the cut and display the video of the edited track in the reproduction area 320 in the viewer area 305 for previewing.

Then, in step S470, the user records the event arranged on the timeline 400 on a recording medium such as a video tape to complete the work. Alternatively, the event arranged on the timeline 400 may be directly output to an output device or the like for broadcasting.
This recording work is preferably performed after the editing is completed, but may be performed during the editing. In this case, the controller 10 updates the once recorded data as needed according to the editing.

Here, the creation of a log card will be described. The user can select a normal mode or an automatic log mode for creating a log card, as shown in FIG.

The default mode is step S510.
The normal mode is shown in. The user takes the step S
At 520, the controller 300 is operated by the GUI 300.
Through the playback device such as the P-VTR 20 to play, fast forward or rewind, and find the scene to be cut. Specifically, the user uses the mouse 50 to check the image displayed in the reproduction area 320 of the viewer area 305 in the GUI 300 displayed on the monitor receiver 45, as described above, and the controller 1
Control 0.

When the user finds the start scene of the cut, the user sets an IN point in step S530. Specifically, the user clicks the IN point button 330 in the viewer area 305 to set the IN point. At this time, the in-point area 334 displays the image of the in-point frame and the time code.

In step S540, the user sets the cut out point. Specifically, the user clicks the out button 332 in the viewer area 305 to set the out point. When the out point is set,
The out-point frame and time code are displayed in the out-point area 336.

When the in-point and the out-point are set, the user creates a log card in step S550. Specifically, when the user clicks the log button 338, the log card 370 corresponding to the cut specified by the user setting the in point and the out point is created in the log event area 310.

Alternatively, the user may move the cut directly to the timeline 400. Specifically, the user clicks the timeline button 340 to move the cut to the timeline 400. Alternatively, the playback area 320 may be dragged to the timeline 400.
Whichever method is used, the log card 370 is created in the log event area 310 at the same time as the cut is moved to the timeline 400. By directly moving the cut to the timeline 400 in this way, the user can immediately edit the moved cut.

In step S555, the user selects whether to reproduce the video signal from the input device or the signal source device to create a log card or to move to the edit mode. Typically, the user will create multiple required log cards before moving to edit mode. Here, the user can preview the video corresponding to the log card by simply dragging the log card to the reproduction area 320. That is, the controller 10 controls, for example, the P-VTR 20 or the like in response to this drag to reproduce the image corresponding to the cut, and displays it in the reproduction area 320.

On the other hand, the user can also select the automatic log mode in step S560. The automatic log mode is a mode in which the user automatically creates a log card only by specifying the video cut in point. This automatic log mode is selected by the user clicking the automatic log button 354. When the automatic log mode is selected, the color tone of the in-point button 330 changes, and the out-point button 332 becomes gray and cannot be used. The user can confirm that the current mode is the automatic log mode by this. In the automatic log mode, step S5
At 70, when the in-point button 330 is clicked, a log card is automatically created. The user takes the step S
At 580, it is further determined whether to create a log card or move to edit mode.

As described above, the cut editing work for completing a combination of events such as news programs
It is performed in the timeline area 315. An example of this editing work will be described below with reference to FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 6 is merely an example of the editing work, and various modifications are possible.

In order to start the editing work, at least one log card or one cut must be placed on the timeline 400 as an event. For example, in step S605, the user selects the target log card with the mouse 50 and drags it to the timeline 400. The user may also use other methods here. For example, as described above, by selecting the automatic editing function in step S610,
5. Use the mouse 5 to cut the cut displayed in the playback area 320.
You can also use 0 to drag directly to the timeline 400 for editing. Alternatively, log event area 3
10 and edit buttons 358, 360, 362 arranged in the viewer area 305, or edit buttons 382, 384, 386 arranged in the log event area 310.
Can be used to perform insertion, overwriting, and overwriting with priority over the old one.

When a cut is placed on the timeline 400, the controller 10 responds to this by a rectangular box in the user-specified timeline 400, eg,
The box 393 shown in FIG. 3 is formed. The length of the box corresponds to the duration of the cut. The number in each box is an event number, and this event number corresponds to the log number 374 of the log card in the log event area 310. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the order of cuts currently arranged on the timeline 400 and the length of each cut.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the timeline 400
As shown above, the reproduction is performed in the order of the event E4, the event E6, and the event E5. As described below, the user changes the cut order, timing, start / end points, and duration to complete the desired program. In step S620, the user selects whether to continue adding cuts to the timeline 400 or to start the editing function. Normally, it is desirable to start the editing function after placing the necessary cuts once as events on the timeline 400. Although not shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to add a cut at any time while using the editing function.

One of the basic editing functions is to change the order of events on the timeline 400. this is,
For example, by using the mouse 50, a box representing a cut is selected and dragged to another position on the timeline 400. Alternatively, the editing functions of insert, overwrite, and replace can be used.

In order to edit a specific event, the desired event is selected using the mouse 50 in step S625. For example, corresponding to the event to be edited,
An event is selected by clicking once on the box 393 shown in FIG. And the controller 10
Accesses the storage device 35, searches for a video signal which also starts from the IN point, and reproduces it.

When an event is selected, step S63
At 0, the box corresponding to the event, for example box 393, is displayed as a graphic edit box. The graphic edit box will be described later with reference to FIG. In step S635, an edit function is selected using this graphic edit box, and the trim function is executed in step S640, the slip function is executed in step S645, and the slide function is executed in step S650 according to the selected edit function. . These functions will be described later.

In step S655, the user selects whether to continue editing or to finish editing. To continue editing, the process returns to step S625. When the editing is completed, the track edited in step S670 is recorded on, for example, a tape. Although this recording is made at the end of editing here, this recording can be made at any time during the editing work.

FIG. 7A shows a part of the track including the events E4, 6, and 5. The event E4 corresponds to the box 805, the event E6 corresponds to the box 807, and the event E5 corresponds to the box 809. FIG. 7B shows the graphic edit box 810 displayed when the box 805 of FIG. 7A is selected. The box 810 has a plurality of mini buttons 815, 820, 825, 830 along the inner circumference of the box 810.
have. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the size and shape of the minibuttons, their position within the box, and their number can be varied.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the mini button 82
By clicking 0, 825, 830, a slip mode, a trim mode, a slide mode, etc., which will be described later, are selected. In this embodiment, the mini button 8
15 does not have a specific function. This mini button 81
In addition to the functions described below, the user can assign further editing functions to 5.

The user uses the mouse 50 to move the pointer to the corresponding mini button and clicks the mini button to select a specific editing function. For example, when the mini button 825 is clicked, a slip mode in which the in point and the out point are simultaneously shifted while maintaining the cut duration corresponding to the box 810 is selected. In this slip mode, the in and out points of the cut are changed, but since the position and length of the box 810 are not changed, the front and rear boxes or the corresponding cuts are not affected.

Mini button 820 and mini button 830
Selects the trim mode or slide mode for the OUT point and IN point, respectively. Whether the trim mode or the slide mode is selected when the mini buttons 820 and 830 are clicked,
It is determined by the trim icon 412 shown in FIG. That is, each time the trim icon is clicked, the trim mode and the slide mode are switched (toggle).

The trim mode and slide mode are indicated by the shapes of mini buttons in the graphic edit box. For example, when the trim mode is selected for the OUT point, a triangular trim out icon 822 is displayed as shown in FIG. 7C. When the slide mode is selected for the OUT point, a diamond-shaped slide-out icon 824 is displayed as shown in FIG. 7D.

The slide mode will be described first.

When the slide mode is selected by the user clicking the trim icon 412 shown in FIG. 3 and the mini button 820 shown in FIG. 7B, the OUT point of the selected cut can be moved.

Therefore, the length of the box, that is, the duration of the cut increases or decreases depending on the direction in which the OUT point moves. The out point is changed by dragging the slide out icon 824 to a desired position with the mouse 50. The video corresponding to the frame of the OUT point moved here is displayed in, for example, the playback area 320, and the user can proceed with editing while checking the video.

The slide mode will be further described with reference to FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (e). FIG. 8A shows that the slide mode is selected for the OUT point of the selected event E4. The user controls the pointer 905 with the mouse 50 shown in FIG. 1, and as shown in FIG. 8B, a diamond-shaped slide-out icon 910 indicating the slide-out mode.
Move the cursor up and slide out icon 910
Drag to the desired position. When the user drags the slide out icon 910, the video corresponding to the changed position of the out point is displayed in the play area 32 shown in FIG.
Displayed as 0.

At this time, at the same time, an adjacent cut, for example, an image of the adjacent IN point of the event E6 is displayed on another reproduction area or display device, for example, another monitor image receiver or a part of the reproduction area 320. Shown. This allows the user to immediately confirm how the slide-out operation affects the edited cut and the adjacent cut. When the user completes the drag, the cut-out point is changed, and the video obtained as a result of the change is displayed in, for example, the playback area 320.

As a result of the OUT point moving to the left, the length of the cut 4 becomes short as shown in FIG. 8 (c). Since the in point of cut 6 is not affected by the movement of the out point of cut 4, a space where no video exists is formed.

Further, as shown in (d) and (e) of FIG. 8, when the OUT point moves to the right, the length of the cut becomes long and overlaps the adjacent cut 6.

The reproduction area 320 displays changes in the out point of cut 4 and the in point of cut 6. When dragging is complete, the total duration of the events on the timeline 400 is the same, but cut 4 is longer and cut 6 is shorter.

Next, the trim mode will be described. Similar to the slide mode, the trim mode is selected by the trim icon 412 shown in FIG. 3 and the mini button 820 shown in FIG. 7. This trim mode differs from the slide mode in that, for example, if the Out point moves to the right or left, the In points of adjacent cuts will not be affected, but the total duration of the cut will increase or decrease.

When the trim mode is selected for the OUT point, a triangular slide-out icon 1010 as shown in FIG. 9A is displayed in the graphic edit box. When this slide-out icon 1010 is dragged to the left as shown in FIG. 9B, the OUT point of the event E4 is shifted, and as a result, FIG. 7C is displayed.
Event E4 is shortened as shown in FIG. In the trim mode, when the OUT point is shifted, the events existing after the slide are shifted together while keeping the length. Therefore, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 9C, from the IN point of the event E4 to the event E5. The total length to the Out point is also shortened.

Similarly, when the slide-out icon 1010 is dragged to the right as shown in FIG. 9D, the event E4 becomes longer, and as a result, as shown in FIG. It will also be long.

The mini button 830 shown in FIG. 7 selects the slide mode or trim mode for the in point. The influence of the slide mode and trim mode of the in point on the event being edited and the event existing before it is the same as the description of the out point, and therefore will be omitted.

As described above, while the user is performing various editing operations, a video image of a cut or a part of the cut is displayed in the playback area 320 shown in FIG. 3, for example. At this time, the video signal corresponding to the cut is, for example, a magnetic disk or RA.
Since it is stored as a digital signal in a storage device such as M, it is possible to quickly display an image and perform an editing process.

For example, the editing system shown in FIG. 1 has a storage device 35 for storing a cut video signal as a digital signal, and similarly, the editing system shown in FIG. 2 has a random access control circuit 250 and a disk array 260. It is provided. Furthermore, by clicking the store button 390 of the GUI 300 shown in FIG. 3, the user can convert the designated cut into a digital signal and store it as data in the storage device 35 or the like.

In the above description, the analog signal recorded on the video tape is converted into the digital signal and stored in the disc or the like, but the source signal or the stored signal is most suitable for the editing system. A different format may be selected, and the signal may be compressed using an image compression technique such as MPEG. In this specification, the step of storing the signals generated by these compression techniques is also simply storage on disk.

Further, this editing system has an automatic storage mode. As a result, the cut image is
For example, it is automatically stored as a digital signal in the storage device 35 or the like. This automatic storage mode is selected using a function key or a specific button on the display, such as the automatic storage button 352 shown in FIG.

Generally, in the process of finding a scene to be cut, the user performs fast forward, rewind or shuttle reproduction until the position of the desired scene is found. The automatic storage mode is a mode in which the storage of the video signal in the storage device 35 is stopped while the user is searching for a scene, and the video signal is automatically stored in the storage device 35 when the user selects normal reproduction.

When the user creates a log card,
The information of the log card including the time code and the information for identifying the in and out points of the cut is stored in the storage device 35 together with the cut. At this time, the storage device 35 may store the video signal longer than the actual cut by exceeding the in and out points of the actually specified cut. As a result, when the IN point and the OUT point are changed in the process of editing described later, the video signal of the changed portion can be quickly accessed.

As described above, this editing system records in a manner that is easy for the user to understand, and the user
Various editing operations can be performed without waiting for the end of the video recording operation. This is possible in an editing system such as the one described with reference to FIGS.
The process of editing while recording this video will be described in detail with reference to the editing system shown in FIG.

In this editing system, as shown in FIG. 10, a real-time video signal I2 is sent to the controller 111.
5, and a P-VTR 1110 for supplying the controller 1115 with the video signal I1 already recorded on the video tape. Video signals from the live source 1105 and the P-VTR 1110 are respectively supplied to the controller 1115 via the input terminals.

The controller 1115 is controlled by a control circuit such as the controller 10 shown in FIG. Or
The controller 1115 is included in the random access control circuit 250 of FIG. 2 and is controlled by the computer 210. The video signal supplied to the controller 1115 is converted into a digital signal by the storage processing circuit 1120 and stored in the storage buffer memory 1125.
The disk controller 1130 uses the disk array 11
35 to access the write area, supply the signal stored in the storage buffer memory 1125 to the disk array 1135, and store it.

The disk controller 1130 processes writing and reading in parallel, whereby writing and reading are executed simultaneously and at high speed.

Further, the disk controller 1130 is
If necessary, the area of the disk array 1135 in which the signal is stored is accessed, and the signal is supplied to and stored in the reproduction buffer memory 1140. Reproduction processing circuit 1145
Retrieves the signal corresponding to the video to be reproduced from the signal stored in the reproduction buffer memory 1140, and
50 is output as a video signal O2.

Further, this controller 1115 is similar to that shown in FIG.
As shown in 0, the signal 1150 input from the video inputs I1 and I2 is output as it is as the video signal O1. The video signals O1 and O2 may be supplied to different monitor receivers and displayed separately, or may be switched and displayed by a single monitor receiver.

The editing operation of this editing system will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is an example of the actual operation, and various modifications are possible.

First, in step S1205 of FIG. 11, the user sends the video tape of the P-VTR 1110 to a desired position, normal reproduction is performed in step S1210, and the reproduced video signal is converted into a digital signal in step S1215. Disk array 11
Record at 35. At this time, this disk array 113
5 stores the video signal for a certain length of time both before the designated IN point and after the designated OUT point.
This is to promptly access the video signal when the user shifts the IN point or the OUT point in the trim mode or the like to be described later.

Alternatively, the user may proceed to step S1220.
In, the automatic storage mode described above can be selected. In step S1225, the user operates the P-VTR 11 in which the source video signal is recorded at the desired position.
The video tape 10 is sent, and normal reproduction is performed in step S1230. In the automatic storage mode, as described above, in step S1235, the disk array 113
The video signal is automatically stored in S5. If the source image is a live image supplied from the live source 1105, in step S1240,
The video signal is stored in the disk array 1135.

Next, in step S1245, the user transmits the video signal to be the source to the disk array 1135.
The video can be reproduced and displayed on a display device such as a monitor image receiver while being stored in. This is effective, for example, when the user creates a log card and wants to rewind to preview the corresponding video.

In step S1250, the user
Specify in and out points of the cut, and step S12
At 55, the cut can be moved directly to the timeline 400. Alternatively, after creating the log card in step S1260, the log card may be moved onto the timeline 400 in step S1265.

In step S1270, the user
The cuts arranged on the timeline 400 can be previewed. This is the disk array 1135
Is performed by accessing the video signal stored in. In addition, the user can perform various kinds of editing on the timeline 400 as described above in step S1275.

When the editing is completed in step S1280, the storage of the video signal in the disk array 1135 is stopped. Then, in step S1285, the timeline is recorded on the tape.

In the example shown here, the storage of the signal of the disk array 1135 is stopped before the recording from the disk array 1135 to the video tape or the like, but the input image is stored in the disk array 1135. It is also possible to record the timeline from disk to tape while storing the signal.

Further, while the storage in the disk array 1135 is being performed by using the image obtained from the P-VTR 1110, the user needs to reproduce a different portion of the video tape of the P-VTR 1110. When the operation is performed, a control unit (not shown in FIG. 10) corresponding to, for example, the controller 10 shown in FIG. 1 stores the operation and suspends the function until the P-VTR 1110 playback device becomes available. You can Alternatively, temporarily stop storing the video signal in the disk array 1135,
It is also possible to resume the storage on the disc again after making the reproducing device reproduce the portion corresponding to the user's operation.

Many modifications can be made to the editing system and editing process described above. For example, the auto-store button 352, which selects the auto-store mode, can be switched on with a single click, which remains on until the user selects another input source, but switch the input source. Regardless of whether the user has
The automatic storage mode ON state may be maintained until 2 is clicked again. In addition, when the auto-save mode is on and the input source is a live video source, the user toggles the auto-save button to the off state, unlike when recording video recorded on a videotape, or Until the input source is switched
Live video is recorded.

Regarding the automatic storage mode, GUI3
00 may be provided with a button for locking the automatic storage mode. When this button is clicked, the memory operation is locked. Therefore, the device for reproducing the video tape is maintained in the normal reproduction state, and the video signal of the video tape is stored in the magnetic disk or the like until the lock is released.
This state is maintained even when the user switches the input device, which allows the user to edit the image from another input device while storing the video signal from the video tape to the magnetic disk.

Although the present invention has been described using several embodiments, as noted above, various alternatives, modifications,
Changes and the like will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a video editing system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another video editing system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a GUI for a user to perform an editing function.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a process of log card creation and timeline operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a log card creation process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a timeline operation process.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a graphical editing function of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a slide-out function of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a timeout function according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of an editing system that enables simultaneous recording and reproduction of video.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a simultaneous video recording / playback process.

Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Oliver Frederick Morgan California, USA 95129 San Jose Blackford Avenue 4623

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An editing system for editing a moving image, comprising: at least one signal source for outputting a material consisting of a video signal; storage means for storing the video signal; and display means for displaying an image based on the video signal. A control connected to the signal source, the storage means and the display means, and storing the video signal supplied from the signal source in the storage means at the same time as displaying an image based on the video signal on the display means. An editing system comprising means and.