Hierarchical processing apparatus and hierarchical processing method for ...

(54) HIERARCHICAL PROCESSING APPARATUS AND HIERARCHICAL PROCESSING METHOD FOR VIDEO AND AUDIO DATA

(75) Inventors: Akihiko Tao; Shigeki Takeuchi; Shina Ueno; Yoko Komori, all of Kanagawa (JP)

(73) Assignee: Sony Corporation, Tokyo (JP)

( * ) Notice: This patent issued on a continued prosecution application filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C. 154(a)(2).

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 20 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 08/978,846

(22) Filed: Nov. 26, 1997

(30) Foreign Application Priority Data

Nov. 28, 1996 (JP) 8-332927

(51) Int. C I. G09G 5/00

(52) U.S. CI 345/723; 725/47

(58) Field of Search 345/328, 326,

345/327, 329, 333, 302, 716-723, 733, 835; 386/95, 109, 124; 348/8-9; 725/109-153,

37-61

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

5,404,316 A * 4/1995 Klingler et al 345/328

5,649,171 A * 7/1997 Craven et al 703/23

5,680,619 A * 10/1997 Gudmundson et al 717/1

5,752,029 A * 5/1998 Wissner 707/104

5,774,583 A * 6/1998 Sasaki et al 382/190

5,861,880 A * 1/1999 Shimizu et al 345/302

5,892,535 A * 4/1999 Allen et al 348/9

6,009,234 A * 12/1999 Taira et al 386/95

* cited by examiner

Primary Examiner—Raymond J. Bayerl
Assistant Examiner—Tadesse Hailu

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Frommer Lawrence & Haug LLP; William S. Frommer; Gordon Kessler

(57) ABSTRACT

A hierarchical processing apparatus and method for video and audio data for producing, modifying or deleting a playlist formed from information of reproduction times, channels and so forth of programs in the form of video and audio data is disclosed. The hierarchical processing apparatus includes an image of a first hierarchy for displaying a plurality of playlists formed from a plurality of clips which are video and audio data and additional information corresponding to the clips in a list and selecting one of the playlists to determine a playlist of an object of modification or a playlist of an object of deletion, and an image of a second hierarchy for selecting one of the plurality of clips and adding, to the selected clip, corresponding additional information to produce or modify the playlist. The image of the first hierarchy and the image of the second hierarchy allow transition therebetween in a series of operations. Further, they allow reproduction of the video and audio data of a clip included in the selected playlist at any time. Consequently, while a result of a work is confirmed, editing of a playlist can be performed, thereby improving the efficiency in editing.

14 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets