Granted Patent for Collaborative Editing in Final Cut Pro

Apple has received a major Granted Patent relating to a system for collaborative media editing in a networked environment. Specifically the patent primarily relates to Final Cut Pro and collaborative editing in real-time.

Apple's granted patent for Final Cut Pro relates to technologies relating to collaboration on media production. In one example, one or more media projects are produced through the collaborative efforts of at least one originator (or "the originator") and one or more collaborators (or "the collaborator"). A collaboration environment can be created such that the originator can communicate in real-time with the collaborator over a communication network. Further, the originator can communicate through an originator interface provided by a collaborative software application installed, e.g., on the originator's computer system. At least one item of media content associated with the media project can be shared with the collaborator over the communication network. In addition, one or more source files associated with the media project can be identified by the collaborative software application and shared with the collaborator. Depending on an assigned privilege level, the collaborator can review, provide feedback, edit and/or otherwise manipulate the media project.

Real-Time Collaboration

In one aspect a computer-implemented method for collaborative media editing includes presenting, to an originator, an originator interface including multiple media panes. A connection with a collaborator is established. A selection indicating an item of media content associated with at least one of the multiple media panes is received from the originator. The selected item of media content is transmitted to the collaborator. Inter-user communication relating to the selected item of media content in the originator interface with the collaborator is enabled.

This and other aspects can include one or more of the following features. One or more source files associated with the item of media content that are not stored at the collaborator can be identified. The one or more source files can be transmitted to the collaborator. Transmitting the one or more source files can be performed automatically upon identifying the one or more source files. The selected item of media content can be presented in a collaborator interface including at least one media pane. A privilege level for manipulating the item of media content can be assigned to the collaborator. The inter-user communication can be performed in real-time. A connection with a second collaborator can be established. The selected item of media content can be transmitted to the second collaborator. Inter-user communication relating to the selected item of media content in the originator interface with the second collaborator can be enabled. The item of media content can be revised to generate a revised item of media content. A message to a notification service identifying the revised item of media content can be transmitted. Transmitting to the collaborator the selected item of media content can include transmitting a copy of the selected item of media content.

Potential Advantages

Particular implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. For example, multiple remote users can simultaneously collaborate on a media project in real-time over a communication network. In addition, multiple remote users can collaborate on a media project asynchronously over a communication network. Moreover, an originator can assign varying privilege levels to a collaborator for collaborating on the media project. For example, depending on the assigned privilege level, the collaborator can review, provide feedback, edit and/or otherwise manipulate various portions of the media project. Additionally, multiple items of media content can be presented, or displayed, in multiple media panes of an originator interface, which can be provided by a collaborative software application. Further, the collaborative software application can enable the originator to selectively share items of media content with the collaborator. For example, the originator can select to share a media project script (or "storyboard") of the media project with the collaborator. In addition, the originator interface can be configured to integrate remote communication with collaborative media manipulation.

Similarly, the multiple items of media content can be presented in at least one media pane of a collaborator interface. The collaborator interface also can be configured to integrate remote communication with collaborative media manipulation. Moreover, one or more source files of the media project associated with the originator's system can be identified by the collaborative software application and shared with the collaborator. For example, the source files can include video clips, audio clips, transitions, text or titles. Sharing the one or more source files with the collaborator can ensure that the collaborator has access to all the files comprising the media project. Additionally, the source files can be automatically shared upon establishing a connection with the collaborator. For example, the source files can be synched and transferred automatically upon the collaborative software application establishing the connection between the originator and the collaborator.

Potential for Cloud Based Collaboration

In addition, the media project can be stored on the originator's local computer system in which the collaborative software application is installed and shared over the communication network with at least the collaborator. Alternatively, the media project can be stored on a remote server such that it is accessible to the originator and one or more collaborators. For example, the media project can be stored on a shared computing system such that the collaborating users can access the media project simultaneously without requiring the items of media content to be shared in a live datastream. Further, the collaborator can receive a notification from the originator notifying the collaborator that the media project is available. For example, a publish/subscribe communication model can be used to notify the collaborator whenever an update to a subscribed media project is available. Alternatively, updates to a media project can be provided using an RSS feed. Similarly, the originator can receive a notification from the collaborator indicating that a particular media project has been accessed, reviewed, edited, or otherwise manipulated.

Moreover, collaboration on the media project can be performed even when the collaborator does not have access to the collaborative software application used by the originator. For example, the collaborator can collaborate with the originator through a chat application installed, e.g., on the collaborator's computer system. In addition, pre-edited and post-edited versions of the media project can be accessed by the originator and the collaborator. Further, changes to the media project can be emphasized. For example, the media project can be presented such that changes are highlighted, colored, projected larger, outlined or otherwise enhanced. Additionally, the collaborative software application can notify users of editing conflicts and facilitate resolving such conflicts. For example, if the collaborating users make disparate edits to the same portion of the media project, the collaborative software application can notify the collaborating users of the editing conflict. In addition, collaboration can occur dynamically in real-time without requiring the media project to first be recorded on a writable medium.

While the terminology of "cloud" initiatives wasn't being used in 2008, it's clear from Apple's description noted above that this is where this was headed. It will be interesting to see how Apple develops this over time.

Exemplary Communication System for Enabling Final Cut Media Collaboration

Apple's patent FIG. 1 shown below illustrates an exemplary communication system for enabling media collaboration.

Apple's patent describes the communication system 100 which includes a network 110. The network can be any communication network, such as a public communication network, e.g., the Internet, a private communication network, such as a local area network, or a combination of public and private networks.

The network enables multiform communications between remote network participants. The network participants can collaborate to produce a media project. Such collaboration can include: reviewing a media project; providing feedback relating to a media project; editing a media project; processing a media project; or otherwise manipulating a media project. The media project can include media content, such as, video clips, audio clips, transitions, text, titles or other such media content. For example, the video clips can be entire video segments or portions of video segments saved in a storage device operatively coupled to a computer system on which a collaborative software application is installed.

The network participants can include an originator and one or more collaborators, each operating a computer system connected to the network. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, an originator computer 120 can be connected to one or more collaborator computers 130, 140, and 150 through the network. In some implementations, the originator can be a creator of the media project. In other implementations, the originator can be an editor, a distributor, a producer, a director, an owner, or otherwise be responsible for the media project. In some implementations, the originator can retain editorial control of the media project.

The originator can collaborate with the collaborator on the media project. Such collaboration includes reviewing, providing feedback, editing or otherwise manipulating the media project. Hence, in some implementations, the collaborator can be an editor of the media project. In other implementations, the collaborator can be a reviewer, a commentator, or a manipulator of the media project. In some implementations, the collaborator can be more than one collaborator. In such implementations, the originator can collaborate on the media project with the one or more collaborators over the network. Additionally, the one or more collaborators can be permitted to collaborate with one another over the network.

The media project can be presented, or displayed, in an originator interface 122 generated by the collaborative software application installed, e.g., on the originator's computer system. Such an implementation is shown as the originator computer 120 in FIG. 1. The originator can present, edit, process or otherwise manipulate the media project in the originator interface. The originator interface can include one or more media panes. In some implementations, an item of media content can be presented in each of multiple media panes. Further, the media project can be presented in a single media pane or in multiple media panes.

In some implementations, the media project can be presented in a collaborator interface 132 provided by a collaborative software application installed, e.g., on the collaborator's computer system. Such an implementation is shown as the collaborator computer 130 in FIG. 1. In some implementations, the collaborator can present, edit, process or otherwise manipulate the media project in the collaborator interface . The collaborator interface also can include one or more media panes. Further, the media project can be played in the collaborator interface. In some implementations, the media project can be played in the originator interface and the collaborator interface simultaneously. Additionally, the collaborative software application installed on the collaborator computer 130 can be configured to perform operations similar to those performed by the collaborative software application installed on the originator computer 120.

The media project also can be presented in a limited collaborator interface associated with a chat application installed, e.g., on a collaborator's computer system. The chat application can be configured to include text, audio and/or video chat. Such an implementation is shown with respect to the collaborator computer 140 in FIG. 1. The media project also can be presented in a limited collaborator interface 142 associated with a communication application installed, e.g., on a collaborator's computer system. The limited collaborator interface can permit the collaborator to review the media project and collaborate with the originator and one or more other collaborators, but not edit, process or otherwise manipulate the media project.

For example, the limited collaborator interface can be associated with Apple's iChat program (now FaceTime). The messaging program can be configured to permit the exchange of text, audio, and/or video messages with one or more other parties. In such an implementation, the collaborator using the collaborator computer 140 can present the media project in the limited collaborator interface. Additionally, the collaborator using the collaborator computer can provide feedback about the media project through a communication channel provided by the associated messaging program. Further, the limited collaborator interface includes at least one media pane, in which the media project can be presented.

Apple credits Mike Marinkovich, Gregory Lindley, Alan Cannistraro, Evan Doll and Gary Johnston as the inventors of this granted patent which was originally filed in Q3 2008. For those wanting to explore this patent further can do so here.

Notice

Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of granted patents with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each Granted Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any Granted Patent should be read in its entirety for full details. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments. 

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