Patents by Inventor Christopher B. Lea

Christopher B. Lea has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6948128
    Abstract: A nonlinear editing system for audio, video and/or other source materials comprises a system to define at least one time line representing the edit, the time line being represented in the editing system as an operator graph. The operator graph includes operators, representing sources and time-based effects, and time varying connections therebetween. For each period of the defined time line wherein the connections do not change, a expression tree comprising a simplified representation of the operators and the connections required to render that portion of the time line is extracted. Each expression tree can be examined to ensure that all of the required sources and/or connections are available to render that portion of the time line in real time and, if this is not the case, a determination can be made of which portions of the expression tree can be pre-rendered to an intermediate result, the intermediate result being substituted into expression tree to provide real time rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Ibrahim, Christopher B. Lea, Adam D. Barr, Raymond Hill
  • Publication number: 20040117730
    Abstract: A nonlinear editing system for audio, video and/or other source materials comprises a system to define at least one time line representing the edit, the time line being represented in the editing system as an operator graph. The operator graph includes operators, representing sources and time-based effects, and time varying connections therebetween. For each period of the defined time line wherein the connections do not change, a expression tree comprising a simplified representation of the operators and the connections required to render that portion of the time line is extracted. Each expression tree can be examined to ensure that all of the required sources and/or connections are available to render that portion of the time line in real time and, if this is not the case, a determination can be made of which portions of the expression tree can be pre-rendered to an intermediate result, the intermediate result being substituted into expression tree to provide real time rendering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Ibrahim, Christopher B. Lea, Adam D. Barr, Raymond Hill
  • Patent number: 6664966
    Abstract: A nonlinear editing system for audio, video and/or other source materials comprises a system to define at least one time line representing the edit, the time line being represented in the editing system as an operator graph. The operator graph includes operators, representing sources and time-based effects, and time varying connections therebetween. For each period of the defined time line wherein the connections do not change, a expression tree comprising a simplified representation of the operators and the connections required to render that portion of the time line is extracted. Each expression tree can be examined to ensure that all of the required sources and/or connections are available to render that portion of the time line in real time and, if this is not the case, a determination can be made of which portions of the expression tree can be pre-rendered to an intermediate result, the intermediate result being substituted into expression tree to provide real time rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Ibrahim, Christopher B. Lea, Adam D. Barr, Raymond Hill
  • Patent number: 6160548
    Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing modules associated with audiovisual devices, generally for use with a digital non-linear editor. A logical clock communicates information, including time and state (clock operating mode) information, to hardware and software modules through a synchronization port. The synchronization ports convert the time information into values recognizable by the module, and offset the time as needed to maintain synchronization. The state information may effect module commands for controlling audiovisual devices, such as rewind, playback and capture commands to tape players, timed such that various devices having different preparatory timing requirements are synchronized. State information, such as information indicating that a device is ready, may be returned by the modules. Video editing features such as scrubbing, looping and frame-stepping are supported by the mode information that is communicated between the clock and the synchronization ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Christopher B. Lea, Raymond Hill, Adam D. Barr