FR2630572A1 - Device for laying out picture and/or sound elements and device for implementation thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and device for laying out, on a continuous monotonic timescale, picture and/or sound elements available in a bank 2 of coded elements. The operator scrolls at least one series of elements on a suitable reproduction means 7, in order to constitute documents, and effects the recording, in a memory 18, of codes for referencing the documents. The operator allocates each document a particular index which he selects from a group of predetermined indices and effects the recording in a memory 18 of the index of each document in correspondence with its referencing code, graphical representations appearing on a screen 25 in correspondence with the said continuous monotonic timescale. The operator positions the documents respectively at places which he selects along the said scale and effects the recording, in a memory 20, of linking codes connecting the documents respectively to the continuous monotonic timescale. The operator delimits extracts from the documents linked to the continuous monotonic timescale and effects the recording, in a memory 21, of address codes associated with these extracts. The set of extracts constitutes a layout of pictures and/or sounds, which can be reproduced or copied.

Description

METHOD FOR MOUNTING ELEMENTS OF IMAGES AND / OR SOUNDS
AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING IT
The present invention relates to a method for mounting on a continuous monotonous time scale elements such as film images, video images, signals corresponding to sounds, as well as a device for implementing this method.

 In the field of the production of cinematographic, televisual or phonic products, to carry out an assembly, with a view in particular to diffusion, consists in taking pre-recorded images and / or sounds, to select them and to assemble the parts selected by example following one another, by superimposing them, making them overlap at least partially, possibly modifying them, so as to obtain a product capable of being copied, reproduced or disseminated.

 A well-known technique for mounting films or video or magnetic tapes consists of cutting these films or tapes in desired locations so as to extract portions which the operator places end to end, in the order of his choice, in order to constitute a montage. Another technique consists in carrying out assemblies by means of a computer which the operator controls by means of keyboards. These known techniques are cumbersome for the operator because he must make a significant intellectual effort in order to follow the various assembly operations which he performs and to remember the assembly operations which he has previously carried out.

 The aim of the present invention is to propose an assembly method which considerably facilitates the work of the operator and which is particularly well suited so that his attention is essentially concentrated on his assembly work proper.

 An object of the present invention therefore relates to a method of mounting on a continuous monotonous time scale elements such as film images, video images, signals corresponding to sounds, or any other necessary signals, in the purpose of obtaining montages of images and / or sounds, in particular to distribute copies or reproductions of the latter, the aforementioned elements being available in a bank of elements comprising at least one series of elements which each include a identification code.

 The method according to the present invention is such that, in a first step, the operator scrolls on a reproduction means suitable for at least said series of elements so as to be able to constitute documents each comprising at least one element from this series, generally several elements in succession, and it causes registration codes to be stored in a memory, such as the respective identification codes for the start and end of the documents or the identification codes for the documents respective start elements of the documents and the length or number of elements of the documents.

 In a second step, the operator assigns a specific index to each document which he selects from a group of predetermined indexes and causes the index of each document to be saved in a memory so that these indexes are saved respectively in correspondence with document tracking codes, graphic representations such as bands corresponding to documents appearing on a screen, the monotonous time scale continues.

 In a third step, the operator respectively positions the documents in places which he selects along this scale and causes the recording, in a memory, of attachment codes respectively linking the documents to the continuous monotonous time scale .

 In a fourth step, the operator delimits extracts from the documents hung on the continuous monotonous time scale and causes the recording, in a memory, of address codes such as the respective identification codes of the start and end elements of the extractions or the identification codes of the respective start elements of the extractions and the length or the number of elements of these extractions.

 The set of extractions that the operator has just carried out constitutes an assembly capable of being reproduced or copied.

 The operator may wish to subdivide some of the documents he previously created. For this, in accordance with the present invention. The operator then scrolls, on the aforementioned reproduction means, the recalled document so as to constitute at least one subdocument formed of a part of this document, and causes the recording, in a memory, of the tracking code of this sub-document, these locating modes can be defined like those of documents in the aforementioned manner. Then the operator assigns to each sub-document a specific index and causes the index of each sub-document to be saved in a memory so that these indexes are recorded respectively in correspondence with the tracking codes of the sub-documents Thus, the operator can perform extractions in documents and / or sub-documents linked to the continuous monotonous time scale.

 In accordance with the present invention, the operator can recall at least certain documents or sub-documents which he has previously created to display their graphic representation on said screen and cause them to link to the continuous monotonic time scale.

 Of course, the operator can repeat any of the above steps or operations several times and in the order that best suits the assembly he wishes to obtain.

 In order to facilitate his work, the operator can, in accordance with the present invention, associate at least two extractions as defined above, so as to constitute a mounting part and then attribute to this mounting part a particular index in order to obtain a new document or a new sub-document, which he can use to carry out the editing he wishes. In this case, the operator can possibly cause a copy of said mounting part to be made so that this copy is available in the aforementioned item bank.

In accordance with the present invention, in order to be able to
modify the content of at least some of the said documents and / or
said sub-documents, the operator may recall these
last, modify them as he wishes. He attributes
then to the modified documents and / or sub-documents, respecti
specific indexes and causes the recording in
a memory of these indexes so that they are
registered in correspondence with respective tracking codes
of these amended documents or subdocuments which constitute
then new documents or sub-documents that the operator
can also be used to perform the aforementioned extractions.

The mounting method according to the present invention
can also consist of attributing to the non-coded elements of
the bank of elements of the respective identification codes.

According to the present invention, said codes
identification are preferably time codes and
ordered.

 In a variant according to the present invention, the graphic screen representations, such as tapes, documents 5 and / or sub-documents recalled, are preferably of different structures and are such that, when these documents and / or sub-documents documents overlap on the continuous monotonous time scale, these overlaps can be identified on the screen. In particular, the graphic screen representations, such as tapes, documents or sub-documents recalled can be of different colors so that the operator can see the overlapping parts by the color change that occurs at the location of these overlaps on the continuous monotonous time scale.

 Still so that the operator can properly follow the work he performs, the method according to the invention can advantageously consist of showing on the screen particular screen signs when documents and / or sub-documents are, on the time scale. monotonous continues, linked together.

 For the same purpose, the method according to the present invention can also consist in highlighting or sublining on the screen said extractions in coincidence with the documents or subdocuments from which they are extracted.

 According to the present invention, said indexes are preferably graphic codes or screen codes readable or controlled by a manually actuable means. In addition, the operations of the process caused by the operator can advantageously be controlled by specific function indices formed by graphic or screen codes controlled by the manually actuable means.

 In a variant which is easy to use for the operator, said indexes are bar codes readable by means of a bar code reader means which can be actuated manually, these bar codes being preferably arranged on at least one sheet of paper or other support. equivalent, in front of which are provided writing spaces on which the operator can indicate the content of the documents and / or sub-documents it constitutes.

 The present invention also relates to a device for implementing the above method.

 This device comprises means for reading said elements stored in said bank of elements, comprising in particular a screen and / or a transducer, and means for reading said identification codes of said elements; indexes that can be read or controlled by means that can be actuated manually, these indexes being formed by bar codes written on a sheet of paper or other equivalent support having, in front of these indexes, writing spaces; as well as a computer connected to said means for reading said identification codes to the means for controlling said means for reading elements stored by means of an automatic control circuit and to said means for reading said indexes by means of a generator of control instructions, a generator of said continuous monotonous time scale, a generator of said graphical representations and of memories for recording the location codes, said indexes, said hooking codes, and said address codes and a screen on which the continuous monotonic time scale and said graphical representations appear, possibly on several lines in temporal correspondence.

 This device may further comprise a generator of codes for identifying the elements of the series of non-coded elements and means for storing these codes.

the present invention will be better understood on studying a mounting device and its operating mode, described by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated by the drawing in which:
- Figure 1 shows the simplified electronic diagram of the device according to the present invention
- Figure 2 shows a sheet of paper with indexes formed by bar codes-s
- And Figures 3 to 5 show graphical representations appearing on a screen of the aforementioned device.

 The mounting device generally identified by the reference 1 and shown in Figures 1 and 2, from which is described below an example of the above mounting method, comprises on the one hand a bank of elements identified by generally by the reference 2, a computer generally identified by the reference 3, as well as a sheet of paper 4 carrying bar codes which are readable thanks to a bar code reader 5 which is held at hand and which is connected to computer 3 in the example by a wire 6.

 Referring to FIG. 1, in the example, the element bank 2 comprises two image players 7 and 8, for example of films, video tapes or video discs which respectively comprise manual control members 9 and 10 as well as two phonic players 11 and 12 for example of films, videotapes which are provided with manual control members 13 and 14. The image readers 7 and 8 are connected to an image screen 15 and the players phonics II and 12 are connected to a listening loudspeaker 16. Of course, an image screen could be provided by image reader, the same for phonic players.

 The image readers 7 and 8 are intended to receive image carriers of which each image constitutes an element and includes an identification code and the phonic readers 11 and 12 are intended to receive phonic carriers whose sounds are subdivided into successive elements which each include an identification code. The readers 7, 8, 11 and 12 comprise means for reading these identification codes to send these codes, when the aforementioned readers are in the reading position, on a transmission line 17.

 The computer 3 comprises a memory 18 of document tracking codes, a memory 19 of sub-document tracking codes, a memory 20 of hanging codes and a memory 21 of address or extraction codes, these memories 18, 19, 20 and 21 being connected to the transmission line 17 by means of a buffer memory 22 and to the readers 7, 8, 11 and 12, with a view to the automatic control of the latter, by the through a control circuit 23.

 The computer 3 also includes a generator of graphic representations 24 connected to the memories 18, 19, 20 and 21 and its output is connected to a screen 25.

 The computer 3 furthermore comprises an attachment code generator 26 connected to the attachment code memory 20 as well as a generator 27 which generates a continuous monotonic time scale ETM1C and which is connected to the generator 24 of graphic representations thus than to the memory 20 for hooking codes, to the memory 21 for address codes, to the control circuit 23 and to the generator for hooking codes 26.

 In addition, the bar code reader 5 is connected to the memories 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 as well as to the control circuit 23 by means of a control instruction generator Sa.

Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the sheet 4 carries on its right part an index column formed by bar codes placed one below the other and numbered II to
In and on its left side an index column formed by bar codes placed below each other and numbered there in. To the right of the indexes il to in and to the left of the indexes Il to In are provided horizontal writing zones which the operator can use as will be seen below.

 In its lower part, the sheet 4 also carries function indexes formed by bar codes which are arranged one next to the other and numbered F1 to Flo.

Barcode reader 5 is capable of reading
the aforementioned indexes written on sheet 4 and the ins generator
command tructions Sa is capable of interpreting these indexes to carry out the commands of the computer 3 in the manner which will emerge from the example below.

We will now describe how an operator can edit images and sounds using the sheet of paper 4, the barcode reader 5, the computer 3 and
readers 7, 8, 11 and 12 in which it has previously placed image and sound carriers, the elements of which are coded as seen above.

 Before that, the following definitions should be given. For the operator, a document consists of an element or a chronological succession of elements or all of the elements available in one of the readers of element bank 2. A sub-document consists of 'at least one element or of a chronological succession of elements available in one of the readers of the element bank 2 but contained in one of the aforementioned documents. A hung document or sub-document is a recalled document linked to the continuous time scale. An extraction consists of a document and / or a sub-document or a part of one of these linked to The continuous monotonic time scale to form, with other extractions, a montage.

On screen 19 will appear graphic representations formed, in one example, by horizontal bands carried on one or more horizontal lines which correspond according to the continuous monotonic time scale which is the time scale of the assembly. These bands will correspond respectively to the recalled documents and sub-documents. The extractions will respectively be represented by sublining or horizontal highlighting associated respectively with said horizontal bands.

This being stated, the operator activates the reader 7 by the control member 9 so as to scroll on the image screen 15 the series of images it contains. The operator identifies in the series of images which scroll the start image and the end image of a document D1 which interests him. When drive 7 is
fixed on the start image, the operator causes the recording
in the buffer 22 of the identification code of this image
start of document by passing the barcode reader 5
on the function index F1 provided on sheet 4 and it causes
recording in the buffer memory 22 of the identification code
of this end image by passing the barcode reader 5
on the function index F2 provided on sheet 4, these id codes
tification being provided by reader 7 and available on the
transmission line 17.

The operator attributes to this document D1 that it comes
to build an index which he chooses from the indes # x Il to In planned
on sheet 4, for example the index II. It passes the barcode reader 5 over this index Il and thus causes the corresponding recording, in memory 20, of this index Il and of the identification codes of the above start and end images available in the buffer memory 22. The document D1 is thus located - in the computer 3 by the identification codes of its start element and its end element which constitute its identification code and by the index II. On the writing space adjacent to the index II, the operator can give brief indications of the content of this document D1.

 After recording the index II and the identification code of the document D1 in the memory 18, the graphical representation generator 24 shows on a horizontal line L1 of the screen 25 a horizontal band whose length coincides with the length of the document D1 on the continuous monotonic time scale generated by the generator 27.

 This strip representative of the document D1 is placed on the screen 25 so that the element which is in position.

of reader in reader 7 is located on a vertical line of abscissa 25a situated for example in the middle of the screen 25. As the operator previously stopped reader 7 on the last element of document D1, the representative strip of this latter is in the position visible in Figure 3, to the right of the abscissa 25a and on line L1. If of course, the scale of the screen does not allow it, the left part of the strip representative of the document
D1 does not appear, this being the case also on the right.

The operator switches the barcode reader 5 to the function index F6. The generator 26 then generates an attachment code which is stored in the attachment memory 20 at the same time as the start and end identification codes of the document D1, which are supplied to it by the device, are stored in this memory. memory 18. This attachment code associated with the document
D1 ensures the link of this document to the continuous monotonic time scale generated by the generator 27. A snap sign can then appear on the screen 25. For example, the representative strip is hatched.

 Henceforth, by passing the barcode reader 5 over the function index F3 or over the function index F4, the operator can cause, by means of the control circuit 23, the advance or the retreat of the reader 7 during that at the same time the continuous monotonic time scale generated by the generator 27 advances on the screen 25, for example towards the left, or recedes in the other direction, carrying with it on the line L1 the band representative of the document D1 which is linked.

 The operator then repeats the aforementioned documentation operations so as to create a document D2 to which he assigns the index 12, again from the series of images contained in the reader 7.

 As previously, appears on the screen 25 on a horizontal line L2, preferably different from the horizontal line supporting the strip representative of the document D1.

The operator passes the barcode reader 5 to the function index F6 so as to cause, as before, the attachment of this document D2 to the continuous monotonous time scale. In this example, the representative strips of the documents
D1 and D2 overlap slightly as shown in Figure 3, the end of document D1 coinciding with the start of document D2.

Henceforth by passing the barcode reader over the function index F3 or over the function index F4, it can move forward or backward, -simultaneously because they are linked to the continuous monotonic time scale, the representative bands documents D1 and D2, at the same time as he can see on the screen image 15 the successive images of these documents whose representations are coincident with the abscissa 25a.
The operator again begins the aforementioned documentation operations so as to create a document D3 to which he assigns for example the index 13, from the series of images contained in the reader 8, a strip representative of this document
D3 appearing on a line L3 of the screen 25 as shown in FIG. 5. The operator decides for example not to hang this document D3 on the continuous monotonous time scale but decides to create two sub-documents dl and d2 at from this document
D3. The representative strip of document D2 therefore remains unhatched as seen in FIG. 3.

 To do this, using the control member 10, it holds the reader 7 on the start image of this document dl which it wants to create and causes the identification code to be stored in the buffer memory 22 of this image by passing the barcode reader 5 over the function index F1 then it wedges the reader 7 on the end image of the sub-document dl and causes the registration in the buffer memory 22 of the code identification of this image by passing the barcode reader 5 over the function index F2.

 The operator then assigns to this sub-document dl that he has just constituted an index which he chooses from the indexes he to in provided on the sheet 4, for example the index il. It passes the barcode reader 5 over this index il and thus causes the corresponding recording, in memory 19, of this index il and of the identification codes of the above start and end images available in the buffer memory 22. The sub-document dl is thus located in the computer 3 by the identification codes of its start element and of its end element which constitute its location code and by the index il.

 As before, the generator of graphic representations 24 shows, on a horizontal line L4 of the screen 25, a strip representative of the sub-document dl.

The operator proceeds as above to create the sub-document d2 to which it assigns the index i2, a band represented
sentative of this subdocument appearing on an L5 line as
shown in Figure 5.

On the writing spaces adjacent to the indexes there
and i2, the operator may give brief information on the
contents of dl d2 subdocuments and connect with arrows these
indications to the indications which he had previously entered in correspondence with index 13 of document D3.

The operator wishes to have the dl sub-document
behind the document D1 previously hung on the time scale
monotonous continues. It moves the continuous monotonous time scale
with documents D1 and D2 as previously described so
to bring the end of document D1 to coincide with the start of
subdocument dl. The operator passes the barcode reader
5 on the function index F6. The generator 26 then generates a
hooking code which is saved in the hooking memory
20 at the same time as the codes are recorded in this memory
identification of beginning and end of this sub-document d1 which
are provided to it by memory 19. This associated hooking code
to the sub-document dl ensures the link of this sub-document to the scale
continuous monotonic time generated by generator 27 at the location
above as shown in Figure 4.

The operator wishing to place the D2 document at the
continuation of the dl sub-document, he takes down this document D2 from the scale
monotonic time continues by scanning the barcode reader
5 on index II. It causes the document to advance simultaneously
and the dl subdocument by scanning the barcode reader
on function index F3> the representative strip of the document
D2 remains stationary. When the end of the representative strip
of the subdocument dl superimposes with the end of
the representative strip of document D2, the operator passes the reader
of barcodes 5 on function code F5 so as to stop
the aforementioned advance, then passes the barcode reader
on the function key F6 so as to cause the hooking
of document D2 on the monotonous time scale continues in
this position. The operator proceeds in the same way to for
example place the sub-document d2 after the document D2, the
end of document D2 coinciding with the start of sub-document 'd2.

 The representative bands of document D1, of sub-document dl, of document D2 and of sub-document d2 are then in the position visible in FIG. 4.

 Document D1, sub-document d1, document D2 and sub-document d2 are therefore hooked to the continuous monotonic time scale in this order, their graphic representations being hatched. By passing the barcode reader over the function keys F3 or F4, the operator can scroll on the screen 15 the successive images of this sequence, at the same time as the corresponding representative bands move.

 Of course, the operator could continue the operations described above to assemble documents and / or sub-documents while progressing on the continuous monotonous time scale.

 By proceeding in the same way as for the creation of documents or sub-documents from the series of images contained in readers 7 and 8, the operator can create documents and / or sub-documents from the series of elements contained in the readers 11 and 12. He can proceed to the hanging of these documents and / or sub-documents on the monotonous continuous time scale at the places which he wishes, in superposition with the documents and sub-document previously hooked.

We assume that the operator creates and hangs a document
D4 and a sub-document d3 from the series contained in readers 11 and 12 respectively, the beginning of document d2, coming from a document D5, superimposed, on the continuous monotonous time scale, on the final part of document D4. The set of graphic representations that the operator can see on the screen 25 is represented in FIG. 5.

As the documents D1, dl, D2, d3 and in parallel the documents D4 and d3 are hung on the monotonous continuous time scale, the operator can see on the screen 15 and listen on the speaker 16 to the picture elements and the elements sound which pass on the abscissa 25a, and this by passing the barcode reader 5 on the function indexes F2 or F4 in advance or in reverse
of the continuous monotonic time scale, all of the bands
representative above moving to the left or to the right at the same time as the readers 7, 8, 11 and 12 read the corresponding elements.

 From the example above, the operator can perform an assembly by extracting documents and sub-documents attached to the monotonous continuous time scale.

For this, the operator passes the barcode reader 5 to the function key F7, moves the documents and subdocuments attached to the monotonous continuous time scale using the function index F3 or the function index F4 , the representative bands of the hung documents and sub-documents
moving on the screen 25 and the operator seeing on the screen 15 the images scroll and hearing on the speaker 16 the sounds.

When the operator sees on screen 15 the first element of document D1 which he wishes to keep in the extraction of this document, this element being in coincidence with the abscissa 25a, he passes the bar code reader 5 to the index F1, thereby causing the identification code of this first element to be stored in the buffer memory 22. He then advances the continuous monotonic time scale and the documents and subdocuments attached to him until he sees on screen 15 the last element of the document D1 which he wishes to keep in the extraction and passes the barcode reader on the 'index
F2 so as to cause the identification code of the latter element to be stored in the buffer memory 22.

 This being done, the operator passes the barcode reader to the function index F8 so as to validate this extraction E1. In doing so, the identification codes of the start and end elements of this extraction E1, available in the buffer memory 22, are recorded in the extraction memory 21 at the same time as is recorded in this memory, in correspondence , the attachment code of the document D1 supplied by the attachment memory 20. These codes recorded in the memory 21 constitute the extraction address code E1. At the same time, appears on screen 25, a representation of this extraction E1 which, for example, is formed by a highlighting of the document D1 which we see in FIG. 5, the length of which corresponds on the monotonous time scale continues to the length of the extraction.

 The operator proceeds in the same way to carry out the extractions E2, E3 and E4 from the documents dl, D2 and d2.

The operator also constitutes an extraction
E5 from the audio document D4 and an extraction E6 from the document d3. For example, these extractions appear on screen 25 by sublining documents D4 and d3, the length of which, on the continuous monotonic time scale, corresponds to the length of these extractions.

As before, the operator can simultaneously see on the screen 15 the image montage he has created, and hear through the loudspeaker 16 the sound montage he has produced, the operator composing for this the index of function F3 or the function index
F4 and the control circuit 23 automatically controlling the readers 7, 8, 11 and 12 as a function of the abovementioned extractions, the graphic representations moving at the same time on the screen 25.

 The operator can then make a copy of the above arrangement. For this, the device 1 comprises a copier 28, for example a video recorder, the inputs of which are connected to the "image" outputs of the players 7 and 8 and to the "sound" outputs of the players 11 and 12.

 The operator actuates the copying input 29 of the control circuit 23. This control circuit 23 then controls the readers 7, 8, 11 and 12, in accordance with the address codes which it receives from the extraction memory 21, from so as to scroll through these readers in accordance with the aforementioned extractions linked to the continuous monotonous time scale, the copier 28 simultaneously recording the images and the sounds supplied to it.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the device 1 also comprises a memory 30 connected to the other memories, to the control circuit 23, to the generator 24 of graphic representations and to the generator of control instructions Sa, in which can be recorded. the location codes and associated indexes of documents or sub-documents whose content
has been modified by the operator, these modified documents or sub-documents being available in the same way as documents
or previous sub-documents to be hung on the continuous monotonous time scale and to extract extractions
that the operator will use for mounting.

The device 1 also includes a sub-editing copier 31 which is, in the example shown, an image sub-editing copier. A sound sub-editing copier could also be provided. The operator can use this copier 31 so as to be able to have in the bank of elements 2 a new series of elements which he would have constituted from a series of documents or sub-documents which he would have documented and which would
identified in the attachment memory 20. In the example which has been described previously, the operator may wish to perform a
copying of ~ documents D1 and d1 attached to the continuous monotonous time scale It passes the barcode reader 5 on the function index Fg for sub-assembly, composes the indices F1 and
F2 respectively when the start element of document D1 and
the end element of element d2 coincides with the abscissa 25a and causes copying by composing the function index F10 using the barcode reader 5, the control member 23 controlling automatically readers 7 and 8 and copier 31 so as to carry out the copying considered.

 It can obviously happen that the operator needs to have a support of images or sounds in one of the readers 7, 8, 11 or 12 whose elements are not coded. The device 1 comprises a memory 32 of identification codes which is connected to these readers as well as to the generator 27 of the continuous monotonous time scale. By acting on an input 33 of the memory 32 and by scrolling the non-coded medium in the reader into which it is introduced, the operator causes an encoding of the series of non-coded elements by memorization in the memory 32 of time codes and control associated respectively with the elements of the series. The codes recorded in this memory 32, in connection with the reader into which the non-coded support is introduced, are then available to be used in all the previously described steps of documentation of attachment. and extraction.

 Furthermore, it may happen that for example two image and / or sound carriers respectively having elements recorded beforehand synchronously are arranged in two of the readers 7, 8, 11 and 12. When this is the case, the identification codes of their elements are in temporal correspondence. When the operator creates documents or sub-documents from these synchronous series, these synchronous documents or sub-documents can only be hung on the continuous monotonous time scale in time correspondence and the generator of graphical representations 24 generates on the screen 25 a particular graphic representation for the latter. For example, their representative bands are more illuminated.

 It may seem advantageous that the generator of graphic representations 24 generates particular signs on the screen 25 when representative bands of documents or sub-documents of images or sounds coincide on the continuous monotonous time scale. In particular, the representative bands can be of different colors and change color when two representative bands are in coincidence on the continuous monotonous time scale.

 The identification codes provided by the generator 27 to the memory 32 of identification codes are preferably creation time codes and, in a particularly advantageous manner, the identification codes of the elements of the series of elements that the readers read. 7, 8, 11 and 12 are also creation time codes. The attachment codes supplied by the generator 26 to the memory 20 can also be creation time codes.

 In addition, so that the operator can find the correspondence between the representative bands of the documents and sub-documents which he has created with the indications which he has entered on the index sheet 4, he appears on the screen 25 marks associated respectively with the graphic representations of the documents or sub-documents. These marks can for example be formed by the numbers of the indexes carried on the sheet 4 and possibly the number of the sheet which would be represented by an additional index that the operator would record, in the event that he needed several sheets 4.

 The present invention is not limited to the examples described above. The different stages described and the different operations that. the operator can cause using the computer 3, indexes which are carried on the sheet 4 and the barcode reader 5 can be combined at will, in the order that the operator decides, without limitation. In addition, the indexes and the barcode reader could be replaced by manually actuable means acting on codes carried on a screen connected to the computer, the index sheet 4 then being replaced by a screen page. Many alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims (18)

 1. Method for mounting on a continuous monotonic time scale (ETMC) of elements such as film images, video images, signals corresponding to sounds, available in a bank (2) of elements comprising at least one series of elements which each comprise an identification code, characterized by the fact that the operator scrolls on a suitable reproduction means (7) at least said series of elements so as to be able to constitute documents (dl) each comprising at at least one element and that it causes registration, in a memory (18), of locating codes, such as the respective identification codes for the start and end of the documents or the identification codes for the respective beginning elements of documents and the length or number of elements of the documents, - that the operator assigns to each document a particular index (I1) which he selects from a group of predetermined indexes and which it causes recording in a memory ( 18) of the index of each document so that these indexes are recorded respectively in correspondence with the document tracking codes, graphical representations appearing on a screen (25) in correspondence with said continuous monotonous time scale (ETMC), - that the operator positions respectively the documents in places which it selects along this scale and causes the recording, in a memory (20), of attachment codes respectively linking the documents to the continuous monotonic time scale (ETMC), - and that the operator delimits extractions (E1) from the documents hung on the continuous monotonous time scale and causes the recording, in a memory (21), of address codes such as the respective identification codes of the start elements and end of extractions or the identification codes of the respective start elements of the extractions and the length or the number of elements of these extractions, the set of s extractions constituting a montage capable of being reproduced or copied.  2. Assembly method according to claim 1, characterized in that - the operator then scrolls the document (D3) so as to be able to constitute at least one sub-document (d1) and that it causes the recording, in a memory ( 19), of the code for locating this sub-document, - and that the operator assigns to each sub-document a specific index (it) and causes the recording, in a memory (19), of 1 tinde of each sub -document so that these indexes are saved respectively in correspondence with the codes for locating the subdocuments, .  3. Method according to # one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operator can recall at least some of the documents and / or sub-documents which he has previously constituted in order to display their graphic representations on said screen (25 ) and cause their binding to the continuous monotonous time scale.  4. Mounting method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operator can associate at least two extractions so as to constitute a mounting part and then assigns to this mounting part a particular index in order to get a new document or subdocument.  5. The mounting method according to claim 4, characterized in that the operator can cause a copy (31) of said mounting part to be produced so that this copy is available in the element bank.  6. Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operator can modify the content of at least some of said documents and / or said sub-documents which he recalls and then attributes to the documents and / or to the modified sub-documents, respectively, of the specific indexes and causes the recording in a memory (30) of these indexes so that the latter are recorded in correspondence with respective tracking codes of these documents or of these sub - documents modified.  7. Mounting method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists in assigning to the non-coded elements of the element bank respective identification codes (32).  8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said identification codes are creation time codes.  9. Mounting method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the graphic screen representations, such as tapes, documents and / or sub-documents recalled are of different structures and are such that, when these documents and / or sub-documents overlap on the continuous monotonous time scale, these overlaps can be identified on the screen.  10. Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the graphic screen representations, such as tapes, documents or sub-documents recalled are of different colors so that the operator can see the overlapping parts by the color change at the location of these overlaps on the continuous monotonous time scale.  11. A mounting method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists in making appear on the screen (25) particular screen signs when documents and / or sub-documents are, on the continuous monotonic time scale, linked to each other or synchronous.  12. Assembly method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists in highlighting or sublining on the screen said extractions (E1) in coincidence with the documents or the sub-documents of which they are extracted.  13. A mounting method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said indexes are graphic codes or screen codes readable or controlled by a manually operable means (5).  14. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the operations of the method are controlled by particular function indices formed by graphic or screen codes controlled by the manually actuable means (5).  15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the said indexes (fol, it) are bar codes readable by means of a bar code reader means which can be actuated manually,  16. The method of claim 15, characterized in that said bar codes are arranged on at least one sheet of paper (4) or other equivalent support, in front of which are provided writing spaces.  i7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists in causing a reference point associated with each graphic representation of each to appear on the screen. document or sub-document, this reference corresponding: in particular to the index of this document or sub-document on said sheet (4).  18. Device for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises - reading means (7, 8, 11, 12) of said elements stored in said bank (2) of elements, in particular comprising a screen (15) and / or a transducer (16), and means for reading said identification codes of said elements, - indexes (I1, il) readable or controllable by manually actuable means ( 5), these indexes being formed by bar codes written on a sheet of paper (4) or other equivalent support having, in front of these indexes, writing spaces, - a computer (3) connected to said reading means said identification codes, said means for controlling said means for reading elements stored by means of an automatic control circuit (23) and said means for reading said indexes by means of a generator of instruction instructions ordered  (5a) and comprising a generator of said snap codes (26), a generator of said continuous monotonic time scale (27), a generator of said graphical representations (24) and memories (18, 19, 20, 21) for the recording of the tracking codes, of said indexes, of said hanging codes, and of said address codes, and a screen (25) on which the continuous monotonous time scale and said graphical representations appear, possibly on several lines in # temporal correspondence.  19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises a generator of identification codes (27) of the elements of the series of non-coded elements and storage means (32) of these codes.