US20110145743A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20110145743A1
Application number: US12/972,416
Authority: US
Inventors: Ron Brinkmann; Dan Candela; Eric Larsen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-11
Filing date: 2010-12-17
Publication date: 2011-06-16
Also published as: US7873917B2; US20070113183A1

Abstract

Some embodiments provide a method for locking in a mathematical relationship between a set of at least two parameters in a computer program. The method selects a first parameter. The method defines a mathematical relationship that ties the value of the first parameter to the value of a second parameter. In some embodiments, the mathematical relationship can be a mathematical function, a Boolean function, or a lookup table. The relationship could be directly entered by the user, or the computer program itself could derive it from the user's actions. In some embodiments, the first parameter can be locked to the mathematical relationship. The lock prevents the value of that parameter from being changed, except by changing the value of the second parameter. Some embodiments implement this method by using a GUI with an intuitive set of controls.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many computer applications and operating systems have user adjustable parameters. These parameters are often adjustable without regard to other parameters. They can be adjusted despite the fact that an adjustment to one parameter may make an adjustment to a second parameter desirable or necessary.

For instance, a Graphical User Interface (“GUI”) may allow a user to make adjustments to large numbers of parameters. These could include locations, timing, orientations, colors and effects. The user may set each parameter independently. This could take a great deal of time.

In existing computer programs, often a change in the value of one parameter makes it necessary to change the values of several other parameters. The user of such a program may find that a particular relationship between two or more values (e.g. the values of speed and blur effect) is optimum. The difficulty arises when the user later needs to change one of the variables. For instance, the user might change the value of the first variable, (e.g. speed), and this change would destroy the optimum relationship between the first variable and the second variable (e.g. blur effect). The user would then have to change the second variable to compensate. Thus, every change in one variable requires the user to go back and change the other accordingly.

The problem becomes even worse when more than two variables are related to each other. For example, in a video compositing application, the optimum blur effect and the optimum virtual camera position may both depend on speed. In such a case, a change in the speed would make a change in blur effect necessary. The change in speed would also make a change in virtual camera position necessary. So, in this example, the user must change three separate parameters in order to implement a decision to change the speed.

Most computer applications do not provide a good set of tools for maintaining optimum relationships among parameters. Thus, there is a need for a method of locking in relationships between two or more parameters of a computer operating system or application. There is also a need for a GUI to allow a user to practice the method in an intuitive manner. Ideally, such a GUI will enable the user to quickly and easily adjust multiple parameters.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several features of some embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the following figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of a GUI of some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates the results of changing the value of a parameter by a GUI slider.

FIG. 3 illustrates the results of changing the values of two parameters by dragging an object in the GUI.

FIG. 4 illustrates the results of changing the value of a parameter by entering a new value.

FIG. 5 illustrates the results of entering a mathematical formula for a parameter.

FIG. 6 illustrates a dependent parameter changed as a result of changing an independent parameter.

FIG. 7 illustrates the lack of protection for the mathematical formula of an unlocked parameter.

FIG. 8, shows the mathematical formula re-entered and a lock-in option selected.

FIG. 9 shows the results of changing an independent parameter when a mathematical formula is locked in for a dependent parameter.

FIG. 10 illustrates that an individual control can be disabled with respect to a locked parameter, but not disabled with respect to an unlocked parameter.

FIG. 11 shows a chain of dependencies of parameters.

FIG. 12 shows two parameters locked to functions of one independent parameter.

FIG. 13 shows a parameter depending on two different independent parameters.

FIG. 14 shows two separate sets of mathematical relationships among parameters.

FIG. 15 illustrates a parameter of a first object, locked to a mathematical formula that depends on a parameter from a separate object.

FIG. 16 illustrates the parameters of the separate object.

FIG. 17 demonstrates that a change in the value of a parameter of the separate object, can cause a change in the value of a parameter of the first object.

FIG. 18, shows the parameters of the first object after the change.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the steps a user might take when using a GUI representing one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous details are set forth for purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention may be practiced without the use of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the description of the invention with unnecessary detail.

The invention can be embodied in many different ways. The descriptions that follow merely illustrate some embodiments. For the sake of clarity, some actions taken with respect to the embodiments described below are in some chronological order. The orders in which these actions are performed are not necessarily the only orders in which such actions could be performed.

I. Overview

Some embodiments provide a method for locking in a mathematical relationship between a set of at least two parameters in a computer program. The method selects a first parameter. The method defines a mathematical relationship that ties the value of the first parameter to the value of a second parameter. The relationship could be directly entered by the user, or the computer program itself could derive it from the user's actions. In some embodiments, the first parameter can be locked to the mathematical relationship. The lock prevents the value of that parameter from being changed, except by changing the value of the second parameter.

Once a mathematical relationship is set up, and locked in, the computer program automatically makes adjustments to the value of the second adjustable parameter, in response to changes in the value of the first adjustable parameter. These adjustments maintain the mathematical relationship between the value of the first adjustable parameter and the value of the second adjustable parameter. Because the second adjustable parameter is locked, the value of that parameter is constrained to follow the mathematical formula on which it depends, and only that formula. In other words, controls that would otherwise directly change the value of the parameter have no effect while the parameter is locked.

Some embodiments implement this method by using a GUI with an intuitive set of controls. Such a GUI's intuitive controls allow a user to easily set up mathematical relationships between the values of two or more parameters and to lock parameters. The mathematical relationship makes the value of one parameter (the dependent parameter) dependent on the value of at least one other parameter (the independent parameter). Consequently, when the user changes the value of the independent parameter or parameters, the GUI changes the value of the dependent parameter in order to maintain the mathematical relationship between the parameters.

In some embodiments, most or all parameters have GUI controls associated with them (e.g. sliders, data entry boxes, etc.). Normally using a GUI control directly affects the value of its associated parameter. However, when a parameter is locked, the value of that parameter cannot be directly changed by using its associated controls.

While the direct controls are locked out, the GUI changes the value of the dependent parameter only in response to changes to the value of the independent parameter. These changes maintain the specified mathematical relationship between the parameters.

II. GUI of Video Editing Applications

FIGS. 1-18 illustrate one example of such a GUI. The picturedGUI100 is the GUI of a video editing application. As used in this document, “video editing application” broadly and generically refers to any software application that allows the user to modify, composite, generate or otherwise edit digital images and/or video clips. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that these figures illustrate merely some possible embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that other embodiments could be used in any type of computer application or operating system.

TheGUI100 of the video editing application allows various visual and audio effects to be applied to video clips and individual images. The video editing application has a large number of adjustable parameters. TheGUI100 provides intuitive tools that allow the user to relate nearly any parameter to nearly any other parameter via a mathematical relationship. Some parameters that can be related to each other are: time, x-coordinate, y-coordinate, a z-coordinate, a rotation of the object about an axis, a radius of an object, a blue color setting of an object, a green color setting of an object, a red color setting of an object, an alpha of an object, a reflectivity of an object, a transparency of an object, an intensity of an object, a blur feature of an object, a speed of an object, a height of an object, a width of an object, a falloff radius of an object, an opacity of an object, a resolution of an object, an angular speed of an object, a pitch of a part of a sound file, a volume of a part of a sound file, a beat of a part of a sound file, a size of a checkerboard pattern, a brightness of the object, or the amount of warping of an object. The above list is a sample, and is not comprehensive. Various embodiments may include, but are not limited to, any, all, or none of the parameters on the list.

A. Overview of the GUI

As described above, theGUI100 allows the user to associate the value of one parameter with the value of another, through a mathematical relationship. TheGUI100 also allows the user to lock the first parameter. Before those features are described, some general features of theGUI100 will be described by reference toFIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 1 is a screen capture ofGUI100. This screen capture illustrates that theGUI100 contains aparameter control area101 and adisplay area102.Display area102 shows the effects of the video editing on a frame of video clip.Display area102 can contain a number of objects. In this figure,display area102 contains a single circular shape,object130.Parameter control area101 provides the user access to a number of parameters that affect objects in thedisplay area102. Each parameter shown inparameter control area101 has multiple GUI controls that can directly affect the value of that parameter. Many of these controls also act as indicators of the value of the parameter. For example,display box114 shows the value of a parameter,xCenter110, and can also be used to directly enter a new value for that parameter.

InFIG. 1,Parameter control area101 containsparameters defining object130. Parameters inparameter control area101 includexCenter110, andyCenter120.XCenter110 andyCenter120 determine the horizontal and vertical position, respectively, ofobject130. Changing the value ofxCenter110 causes object130 to be repositioned horizontally. Changing the value ofyCenter120 causes object130 to be repositioned vertically.

Changes to the value ofxCenter110 andyCenter120 can be implemented by use of their parameter controls. Several such controls are found inparameter control area101. Controls inparameter control area101 includedisplay box114,slider116,slider track118,display box124,slider126, andslider track128.

The value ofxCenter110 can be changed by: (1) directly entering a new value or formula indisplay box114, (2) clicking and draggingslider116, (3) clicking on slider-track118, or (4) draggingobject130 horizontally with a dragging tool (not shown).

As mentioned above, several controls in this GUI are also indicators of the value of the corresponding parameter. Indicators ofxCenter110 includedisplay box114,slider116, and the horizontal position ofobject130. These will hereafter be called, collectively, “xCenter indicators”. Similarly, indicators ofyCenter120 includedisplay box124,slider126, and the vertical position ofobject130. These will hereafter be called, collectively, “yCenter indicators”.

The next few figures illustrate changes, in the values ofxCenter110 andyCenter120, caused by using various controls.FIG. 2 illustrates the results of changing the value ofyCenter120 by clicking and draggingslider126. The yCenter indicators have changed to reflect the new value ofyCenter120.

FIG. 3 illustrates the results of changing both the value ofxCenter110 and the value ofyCenter120. These changes were caused by the user clicking and dragging adragging tool340. The xCenter indicators have changed to reflect the new value ofxCenter110. The yCenter indicators have changed to reflect the new value ofyCenter120.

FIG. 4 illustrates the results of changing the value ofyCenter120 by entering a new numerical value, specifically “100”, indisplay box124. The yCenter indicators have changed to reflect the new value ofyCenter120.

B. Mathematical Formulas Relating Parameters

TheGUI100 provides an option for the user to set up a mathematical relationship between two or more parameters.FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the effects of mathematical formulas on unlocked parameters. The formulas in the figures described below were chosen for demonstration purposes. They are not the only possible formulas. Any formula, including but not limited to, a mathematical function, a Boolean expression or a look-up table would be within the scope of the invention.

To set up a mathematical relationship foryCenter120, the user would enter a formula indisplay box124. As seen inFIG. 5, after a formula is entered, anew display box525 opens to display the formula, anddisplay box124 resumes showing the value ofyCenter120. Once entered, a formula will determine the value ofyCenter120 until the formula is changed or deleted. In this example, the formula is:

289−pow(xCenter−200,2)/150,

where “pow(x,2)” means x-squared. This formula represents a parabola with the point at the top of the parabola. The value ofyCenter120 is now the value calculated by the formula. The formula is a function ofxCenter110, so the value ofyCenter120 depends on the value ofxCenter110.

Because the mathematical relationship has been set up, changing the value ofxCenter110, on which the relationship depends, will change the value ofyCenter120.FIG. 6 illustrates the results of changing the value ofxCenter110 by movingslider116. The value ofyCenter120 has changed in accord with the formula indisplay box525. The xCenter indicators have changed to reflect the new value ofxCenter110. Similarly, the yCenter indicators have changed to reflect the new value ofyCenter120.

The GUI inFIGS. 5-6 changed the value ofyCenter120 in accord with the mathematical formula, but as the following figure will show, the mathematical formula is unprotected.

FIG. 7 illustrates this lack of protection. Specifically, this figure shows the result of using a control of a parameter,yCenter120, which has a mathematical formula, but is not locked. The figure shows the results of movingslider126 whileyCenter120 is not locked. Movingslider126 caused the value ofyCenter120 to change. The change is in accord withslider126, and without regard for the mathematical formula. Movingslider126 also caused the mathematical formula in display box525 (not shown) to be deleted.

As demonstrated above, movingslider126 deletes the mathematical formula. However, the slider is not the only control that has that effect. In fact, had any control foryCenter120 been used, the use of that control would have caused the deletion of the mathematical formula.

C. Effects of Locking a Parameter

The departure of a parameter from its mathematical formula is sometimes unwanted. Preventing the unwanted departure of parameters from their mathematical formulas is one aim of some embodiments. This aim is accomplished by use of a lock-in option. In the GUI of this video editing application, the lock-in option is activated for a parameter by selecting a lock-in toggle corresponding to that parameter. The lock-in toggle can also optionally be de-activated. While a lock-in toggle is activated, the corresponding parameter may be described as “locked” or “locked to a mathematical formula”. While a lock-in is de-activated, the corresponding parameter may be described as “unlocked”.

When a parameter is locked, controls that would otherwise change the value of that parameter are made inoperative. Such inoperative controls may be referred to as “deactivated” or “locked out”. In the following figures, various parameters are locked. Various other parameters are unlocked.

FIG. 8 illustrates the effects of lockingyCenter120 to a mathematical function ofxCenter110. The mathematical formula that was previously used inFIG. 5:

289−pow(xCenter−200,2)/150,

has once again been entered indisplay box124. The formula is again shown indisplay box525. But this time, lock-toggle822 has been selected, lockingparameter yCenter120. The locked status ofyCenter120 is illustrated by a change in the appearance of lock-toggle822. As shown in the figure, lock-toggle822 is now a picture of a dark lock on a light background rather than a light lock on a dark background. The selection is further illustrated bydisplay box124, which is highlighted as a result of the locking.

In the GUI, lockingyCenter120 locks out the controls that directly change the value ofyCenter120. Locked out controls includeslider126,display box124, anddisplay box525. In addition, draggingobject130 in the vertical direction no longer has any effect. Hence, attempting to use any of those controls results in no change to the value ofyCenter120. Nor does such an attempt delete the mathematical formula. These results stand in contrast to the results shown in the case of an unlocked parameter as previously illustrated inFIG. 7.

Any direct changes to the value ofyCenter120 are prevented by the lock. However,yCenter120 is locked to the mathematical formula indisplay box525, not to some particular value. If the value determined by the formula changes, the value ofyCenter120 changes along with it. The mathematical formula is a function ofxCenter110, so if the value ofxCenter110 changes, the value of the formula changes. The lock-toggle812 forxCenter110 is not active, soparameter xCenter110 is not locked. Consequently the value ofxCenter110 can be changed by using the usual controls forxCenter110.

FIG. 9 demonstrates the fact that the value ofyCenter120 can be changed by changing the value ofxCenter110. The figure shows the results of changing the value ofxCenter110, whileyCenter120 is locked to the mathematical function ofxCenter110. The value ofxCenter110 has been directly changed. The value ofyCenter120 has changed in accord with the formula indisplay box525. The yCenter indicators have changed to reflect the new value ofyCenter120.

The previously described controls are each capable of affecting the value of only one parameter. However, in this GUI, some controls can affect more than one parameter. Locking a parameter can lock out the effects that control would have on the locked parameter, while leaving the effects of the control on unlocked parameters unchanged. InFIG. 10,yCenter120 is locked, butxCenter110 is not. Draggingtool340 ordinarily affects bothxCenter110 andyCenter120. The figure shows the effects of draggingobject130 in the horizontal direction using thedragging tool340.Object130 has moved in the horizontal direction, indicating a change in the value ofxCenter110.

As well as moving horizontally,Object130 has moved vertically. This motion demonstrates a change in the value ofyCenter120. This does not contradict the described effects of the lock. Rather, the change in the value ofyCenter120 is a result of the change in the value ofxCenter110. The only direct effect of thedragging tool340 was to change the value ofxCenter110. The change in the value ofyCenter120 was an automatic change by theGUI100. The change kept the value ofyCenter120 consistent with the mathematical formula shown indisplay box525.

D. Relationships with More than Two Parameters

Previous figures illustrated mathematical functions relating a single dependent parameter to a single independent parameter. Some embodiments allow relationships involving more than two parameters.

So far, only two parameters have been introduced. So, in order to illustrate relationships with more than two parameters, some previously unmentioned parameters must be introduced. One parameter is time. InFIG. 11, time is shown ontime scale1150. Note that in these embodiments each increment oftime1152 ontime scale1150 represents one frame of video. The value of time for this figure is represented by the position ofindicator1154. Another parameter, first shown inFIG. 12, isradius1260.Radius1260 determines the radius ofobject130. The larger the value ofradius1260, the larger the radius ofobject130.

1. Chain of Dependencies

The GUI allows a chain of dependencies. In a chain of dependencies, one parameter depends on another, which depends on a third, and so on for whatever number of parameters the user needs.FIG. 11 illustrates a chain of dependencies with three parameters. In the figure are: (1) one independent parameter, time, (2) a first dependent parameter,xCenter110, which depends on time, and (3) a second dependent parameter,yCenter120, which in turn depends onxCenter110.

The last two parameters in the chain are locked.Parameter xCenter110 is locked to the formula, “time*400/75”, shown indisplay box1115. This formula is a function of time.Parameter yCenter120 is locked to the formula, “256−pow((xCenter−200)/12.5,2)”, shown indisplay box525. This formula is a function ofxCenter110.

In this embodiment, all controls that would otherwise affect the value ofxCenter110 are locked out. Likewise, all controls that would otherwise affect the values ofyCenter120 are locked out. Because of the locks, the only way to affect the values of eitherxCenter110 oryCenter120 is by changing the values of their respective formulas. The only way to do that is to change the value of the parameter at the beginning of the chain, time.

The net result of this chain of dependencies is that as the time index increases,object130 follows a parabolic path across the screen. This result holds for this embodiment and with these example formulas. This is not a general feature of such chains of dependency.

2. Multiple Dependent Parameters, One Independent Parameter

Another relationship with more than two parameters is one in which multiple parameters depend on a single parameter.FIG. 12 illustrates such a relationship. InFIG. 12 two parameters depend on a single other parameter. Specifically,xCenter110 andradius1260 each depend on time.

Each of the two dependent parameters is locked to its own formula. In this figure, the value ofxCenter110 is determined by the function of time, “time*400/75”, shown indisplay box1115.Parameter xCenter110 is locked to this mathematical formula. The value ofradius1260 is determined by the function of time, “time+10”, shown indisplay box1265. As shown in this figure, lock-toggle1262 ofradius1260 has been selected, lockingradius1260 to its mathematical formula.

Because of the given formulas, object130 would move to the right and grow larger as time increases.

3. Multiple Independent Parameters, One Dependent Parameter

Another relationship of more than two parameters is one in which one parameter depends on multiple other parameters.FIG. 13 illustrates this type of relationship. In the figure, one parameter is dependent on the value of two other parameters.

InFIG. 13,radius1260 is locked to a function dependent onxCenter110 andyCenter120. The function, “xCenter*yCenter/1000”, ofxCenter110 andyCenter120 that determines the value ofradius1260 is shown indisplay box1265. In this figure,xCenter110 andyCenter120 are unlocked,radius1260 is locked.

With the given formula, the radius ofobject130 increases when the value ofxCenter110 increases. Similarly, the radius ofobject130 also increases when the value ofyCenter120 increases.

4. Multiple Independent Parameters, Multiple Dependent Parameters

Still another relationship of more than two parameters is one in which there are multiple sets of relationships between parameters.FIG. 14 illustrates this type of relationship. In the figure, one parameter is dependent on the value of a second parameter and a third parameter is dependent on the value of a fourth parameter.

InFIG. 14,radius1260 is locked to a function dependent on time. Also,yCenter120 is locked to a function dependent onxCenter110. The parameters in the first relationship areradius1260 and time. The parameters in the second relationship arexCenter110 andyCenter120. No parameter from the first relationship is found in the second relationship. No parameter from the second relationship is found in the first relationship. This demonstrates the ability of some embodiments to set several mutually independent relationships among parameters. Then, once the relationships are set, to lock-in the relationships.

E. Relationships Among Parameters from Different Objects

Previous examples of the use of theGUI100 only used a single object and its parameters. Some embodiments, including theGUI100, are not limited to a single object. In theGUI100 multiple objects can be used in the same video editing session. TheGUI100 allows the values of parameters that define one object to depend on the values of parameters that define another object. In other words, a parameter can be locked to a mathematical relationship that depends on a parameter from a separate object.

FIGS. 15-18, demonstrate this option ofGUI100.

FIG. 15 illustrates two objects and a parameter of the first object that depends on a parameter of the second object. In the figure, there are two objects indisplay area102,object1535 andobject130. The parameters ofobject1535 are not shown in this figure. The parameters displayed inparameter control area101 apply to object130. Inparameter control area1535,radius1260 is locked to the formula indisplay box1265.

This formula is a different from those in the previous figures. In the previous figures, the independent parameters referred to in the formulas were all parameters of thesame object130. Here, the independent parameter is a parameter ofobject1535. The formula is:

RGrad2.xCenter/3

Part of the formula is in front of a period. In theGUI100, that part of the formula indicates that the independent parameter is a parameter of a different object. In this case,object1535. TheGUI100 calls that object “RGrad2”. Because of the reference to RGrad2, the “xCenter” after the period refers to the xCenter parameter of RGrad2 (object1535), not to the xCenter110 (not shown) ofobject130.

The parameters ofobject1535 are shown inFIG. 16. InFIG. 16,parameter control area101 has been switched from displaying the parameters ofobject130 to displaying the parameters ofobject1535. In this figure,parameter control area101 shows that object1535 has its own position co-ordinates, one of which isxCenter1670. The value ofxCenter1670 is displayed indisplay box1674. The value ofxCenter1670 can be changed by movingslider1676.

As shown in the description ofFIG. 15, the value ofradius1260 depends on the value ofxCenter1670. Because of this dependency, changing the value ofxCenter1670 would change the radius ofobject130.

FIG. 17 demonstrates that a change in the value ofxCenter1670 changes the radius ofobject130. BecausexCenter1670 is the horizontal position parameter ofobject1535, changing the value ofxCenter1670 has changed the horizontal position ofobject1535. Because of the mathematical formula in display box1265 (not shown), changing the value ofxCenter1670 has also changed the radius ofobject130. Note that the value ofxCenter1670, shown indisplay box1674 is now “633”.

The agreement of the value ofradius1260 with its mathematical formula is shown inFIG. 18. In this figure,parameter control area101 has been switched back to showing the parameters ofobject130. The formula indisplay box1265, “RGrad2.xCenter/3”, takes the value of xCenter1670 (as noted previously, “633”) and divides it by 3 to determine the value ofradius1260. In this example the formula determines “633/3=211”. The value ofradius1260, shown in display box1264, is now “211”.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the steps a user might take when using a method that represents one embodiment.

Inbox1910, an object is selected. The object has adjustable parameters. In box1920 a parameter is chosen. This parameter will be a dependent parameter.

Inbox1930 the program accepts a mathematical formula. The mathematical formula will set the value of the dependent parameter. The mathematical formula is based on the value of at least one other parameter. The formula will set values for the dependent parameter based on the formula and the values of those other parameters.

Inbox1940, the lock option for the parameter is selected. Note that in many embodiments the user has the option of locking the parameter at any time. It doesn't have to be locked immediately after the formula is entered. Once the parameter is locked, at least some of the controls are deactivated.

Indiamond1950, the user decides whether to set another formula for another parameter. Note that in many embodiments, the user has the option of going back at any time to set up new mathematical relationships, and to change the old ones.

Inbox1960 the parameters on which the mathematical formulas depend are changed. This changes the values of the locked parameters. This does not change the formulas of the locked parameters.

F. Types of Parameters

Some embodiments, including theGUI100 make no distinction among types of parameters for the purpose of setting up mathematical relationships. The previously described figures show relationships among several types of parameters.

FIGS. 5-6 and8-10 show mathematical relationships between parameters of similar type to each other, specifically xCenter110 andyCenter120. Both parameters are location coordinates. The parameters measure distance along two different axes. Those embodiments allow a relationship between those two parameters. That demonstrates that the embodiments could relate parameters that are of similar type to each other.

FIGS. 11-12 show mathematical relationships between parameters of different types from each other, specificallyxCenter110,radius1260, and time.Parameter xCenter110 is a location coordinate. Parameter time is a video frame index.Parameter radius1260 is determines the size of an object. These parameters measure three different types of units. Those embodiments allow relationships among these three parameters.

III. Description of Features of some Possible Alternate Embodiments

A. Formulas Active for some Values of Independent Parameters, but not all Values of Independent Parameters

Some embodiments may have limitations on the allowable values of the parameters. In the use of some of those embodiments, the user may choose a dependent parameter. The user may set a mathematical formula for the dependent parameter. The user may lock the dependent parameter to the mathematical formula. Then the dependent parameter will remain consistent with the mathematical formula, but with some exceptions.

Such an exception might be that the value of the dependent parameter is fixed at some limit. The limit could be a design limitation. For example, the program might not allow the value of a co-ordinate to exceed the maximum or minimum values of the on screen display.

The limit could also be an inherent limit of the program. An example of such limit would be where the mathematical formula returns a number larger than the program can handle.

In some embodiments, if the value generated by the mathematical formula exceeds one of these limits the parameter will not be equal to the value of the formula. Instead, the value of the parameter will be set by the program as the value of the limit. In some other embodiments, the program will set the parameter at a null value when the value generated by the mathematical formula exceeds the limit.

Other embodiments may round or truncate the result of a formula to some number of decimal places or significant figures.

These embodiments are still consistent with the invention, so long as the lock-in sets the value of the locked parameter to, or close to, the result of the formula for at least some given values of the parameter or parameters on which it depends.

B. Lock-ins of Formulas

The toggles in the previously described embodiments are options related to the individual parameters. Other embodiments are also possible. In some other embodiments, there may be a separate area in which to enter mathematical formulas. With the lock-in option being related to the formulas rather than parameters. Whether the lock-in is characterized as locking the parameter or locking the formula, those embodiments are still embodiments of the invention. Locking the formula is equivalent to locking the parameter.

C. Multiple Windows

The GUI embodiments illustrated above all demonstrate the invention using one window with multiple sub-areas. This is not a requirement of the invention. Some other embodiments may involve multiple windows. Some of those embodiments may have parameters in one window being referred to in another window. Some other embodiments of the invention may involve a full screen. Some other embodiments of the invention may involve a text box. Still further embodiments may use parameters that are not displayed at all. One example of such an embodiment would be where an independent parameter and its values are contained in an object or file that the user refers to, but does not open. Still other embodiments may involve more or fewer sub-areas.

D. Computer Generated Formulas

The examples provided above involved user determined mathematical relationships, however some embodiments allow the computer program to work out a relationship based on indirect determination of the user's intention. For instance, a user could enter a few points on a hypothetical path and the computer could work out the mathematical relationship necessary to take an object smoothly along that path.

E. Inequalitites

All of the above examples allow the user to set the value of a parameter equal to a particular mathematical relationship. Other possible embodiments could allow the user to constrain parameters to be greater than a particular mathematical function, less than a particular function, between two or more functions, or outside of a region between two or more functions. Such embodiments would allow the locked parameter to be changed by its controls, but only within the specified limits.

F. Disabling Controls

TheGUI100 described above manifests deactivated controls by ignoring attempts to use the controls. However, deactivated controls, which can interchangeably described as “inactive”, “deactivated”, “cannot be activated”, or “locked out” controls, may manifest in other ways in other GUIs. Another way of making the controls inoperative would be to remove them from the GUI while the parameter is locked. Still another way of making the parameters inoperative would be to allow the controls to change the value temporarily while the control is being actively manipulated, but revert to the locked in mathematical relationship once the control is no longer being actively manipulated. Yet another way of making the controls inoperative would be to allow the control itself to be moved freely, but not have that move affect the value of its corresponding parameter. All of these ways, along with any other way of deactivating the controls, are within the scope of the present invention.

While embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1-32. (canceled)

33. A method for locking at least two parameters in a mathematical relationship using a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer program executing on a computing device, the method comprising:

defining a mathematical relationship between a value of a first parameter controlled by a first user adjustable user interface (UI) control and a value of a second parameter controlled by a second user adjustable UI control;

in response to each adjustment of the first UI control that is before an adjustment of the second UI control, adjusting the first parameter's value, and based on the mathematical relationship between the first and second parameter values, adjusting the second parameter's value; and

in response to an adjustment of the second UI control, adjusting the second parameter's value and discarding the defined mathematical relationship between the values of the first and second parameters.

34. The method ofclaim 33, wherein the first user adjustable UI control comprises a first slider control for adjusting the first parameter value, wherein the second user adjustable UI control comprises a second slider control for adjusting the second parameter value.

35. The method ofclaim 33, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are coordinate parameters.

36. The method ofclaim 33 further comprising displaying the mathematical relationship in a third UI control, wherein discarding the defined mathematical relationship comprises removing the mathematical relationship from the third UI control so that the mathematical relationship is no longer displayed in the third UI control.

37. The method ofclaim 33, wherein, after discarding the mathematical relationship, each adjustment to the first UI control adjusts the first parameter's value but does not adjust the second parameter's value.

38. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising sets of instructions for generating a graphical user interface (GUI), said GUI comprising:

a first GUI tool for adjusting a first value of a first user adjustable parameter;

a second GUI tool for adjusting a second value of a second user adjustable parameter, said second GUI tool adjusting the second value independently of the first value; and

a lock tool that, when activated, prevents the second GUI tool from adjusting the second value but locks the second value to the first value so that adjustments to the first GUI tool adjust the first value and in turn the second value.

39. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 38, wherein the lock tool, when activated, prevents the second GUI tool from adjusting the second value by disabling the second GUI tool so that adjustments to the second GUI tool do not adjust the second value of the second user adjustable parameter.

40. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 38, wherein the lock tool is a first lock tool, the GUI further comprising:

a third GUI tool for adjusting a third value of a third user adjustable parameter, said third GUI tool adjusting the third value independently of the first and second values; and

a second lock tool that, when activated, prevents the third GUI tool from adjusting the third value but locks the second and third values together so that (i) adjustments to the second GUI tool adjust the second value and in turn the third value, and (ii) when the first lock tool is activated, adjustments to the first GUI tool adjust the first value and in turn the second value and in turn the third value.

41. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 38, wherein the first GUI tool comprises a first slider control for adjusting the first value of the first user adjustable parameter, wherein the second GUI tool comprises a second slider control for adjusting the second value of the second user adjustable parameter.

42. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 38, wherein said first GUI tool comprises a first textbox tool for receiving values to adjust the first value of the first user adjustable parameter, wherein said second GUI tool comprises a second textbox tool for receiving values to adjust the second value of the second user adjustable parameter.

43. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 38, the GUI further comprising a display area for displaying a draggable object that adjusts the first and second values of the first and second user adjustable parameters by dragging the draggable object in the display area, wherein the lock tool, when activated, further prevents the draggable object from adjusting the second value of the second user adjustable parameter except to an extent that dragging the draggable object adjusts the first value of the first user adjustable parameter and in turn adjusts the second value of the second user adjustable parameter.

44. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program which when executed by at least one processing unit provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for locking at least two parameters in a mathematical relationship, the computer program comprising sets of instructions for:

adjusting, in response to each adjustment of the first UI control that is before an adjustment of the second UI control, the first parameter's value, and based on the mathematical relationship between the first and second parameter values, adjusting the second parameter's value; and

adjusting, in response to an adjustment of the second UI control, the second parameter's value and discarding the defined mathematical relationship between the values of the first and second parameters.

45. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 44, wherein the first user adjustable UI control comprises a first slider control for adjusting the first parameter value, wherein the second user adjustable UI control comprises a second slider control for adjusting the second parameter value.

46. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 44, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are coordinate parameters.

47. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 44, wherein said computer program further comprises a set of instructions for:

displaying the mathematical relationship in a third UI control, wherein the set of instructions for discarding the defined mathematical relationship comprises a set of instructions for removing the mathematical relationship from the third UI control so that the mathematical relationship is no longer displayed in the third UI control.

48. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 44, wherein, after discarding the mathematical relationship, each adjustment to the first UI control adjusts the first parameter's value but does not adjust the second parameter's value.

49. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising sets of instructions for generating a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI comprising:

a first user-adjustable GUI control for adjusting a first value of a first parameter;

a second user-adjustable GUI control for adjusting a second value of a second parameter independently of adjustments to the first value;

a third GUI control for defining a mathematical inequality relationship relating the first value to the second value; and

a lock control for locking the second value to the mathematical inequality relationship (i) to prevent adjustments to the second user-adjustable GUI control from adjusting the second value that violate the defined mathematical inequality relationship between the first and second values, but (ii) to allow adjustments to the second user-adjustable GUI control to adjust the second value so long as the second value after the adjustment does not violate the defined mathematical inequality relationship between the first and second values.

50. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 49, wherein the first user-adjustable GUI control comprises a first slider control for adjusting the first value of the first parameter, wherein the second user-adjustable GUI control comprises a second slider control for adjusting the second value of the second parameter.

51. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 49, wherein the mathematical inequality relationship is selected from a group composed of:

a) greater than;

b) less than;

c) greater than or equal to;

d) less than or equal to; and

e) not equal to.

52. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 49, wherein said mathematical inequality relationship comprises multiple mathematical relationships.

53. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 49, wherein the first value and the second value are constrained to be in a region between a first mathematical function and a second mathematical function.

54. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 49, wherein the first value and the second value are constrained to be outside of a region between a first mathematical function and a second mathematical function.

55. A method of implementing a graphical user interface (GUI) of a video editing program executing on a computing device, said method comprising:

providing a display area for displaying effects of video editing on a video clip, said display area comprising at least one object that is displayed at multiple instances in time in the video clip;

providing a GUI tool for adjusting a value of a first parameter that affects the object; and

providing a lock tool for (i) disabling the GUI tool for adjusting the value of the first parameter and (ii) defining a mathematical relationship relating the value of the first parameter to a value of a second parameter associated with time during playback of the video clip.

56. The method ofclaim 55, wherein the GUI tool is a slider control.

57. The method ofclaim 55, wherein the lock tool is further for preventing manipulation of the object in the display area in a manner that adjusts the value of the first parameter.