Persistent annotation of objects in a user interface

Abstract

A system providing a user interface to annotate different items in a media production system such as in a digital non-linear post production system. Parts of the production, such as clips, frames and layers, that have an associated annotation are provided with a visual annotation marker. The annotation marker can use shape, color or animation to convey source, urgency, status or other information. Annotations can be text, freehand drawing, audio, or other. Annotations can be automatically generated. Annotations can be compiled into records, searched and transferred. A state of an application program can be stored and transferred to a remote system. The remote system attempts to recreate the original state of the application program. If the remote system is unable to do so, an image of the state of the application program is obtained, instead. Assignment of control to various functions of an application program is achieved by associating a function (i.e., modifying a parameter) with a user control at a remote location.

1 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for displaying a persistent item in a user interface, the method comprising:
 displaying an item on a display in a first view; and   accepting a signal from a user input device to designate the item as a persistent item, so that the persistent item remains displayed in one or more subsequent views when it otherwise would not remain displayed.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 ,
 wherein the item includes an annotation; and   wherein the designation is provided by the selection and application of a persistence tool.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the persistent item includes a text annotation box. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the annotation includes an audio annotation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein accepting a signal from a user input device to designate the items as a persistent item comprises:
 accepting a signal from the user input device to select a persistence tool; and   accepting a signal from the user input device to apply the persistence tool to the item.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the user interface is a user interface of an application program operating in a media production system. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the persistent item is characterized by a display priority value relative to one or more other items visible in the one or more subsequent views. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the display priority value is assigned to the peristent item according to a signal accepted from the the user input device. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the display priority value operates to keep the persistent item on top of at least one of the one or more other items in the one or more subsequent views. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the designation of the item renders the persistent item at least partially transparent. 
     
     
         24 . A processor-readable non-transitory storage device including one or more instructions executable by a processor for:
 displaying an item on a display in a first view; and   accepting a signal from a user input device to designate the   item as a persistent item, so that the persistent item remains displayed in one or more subsequent views when it otherwise would not remain displayed.   
     
     
         25 . An apparatus comprising:
 a processor; and   a processor-readable storage device including one or more instructions executable by the processor for:   displaying an item on a display in a first view; and   accepting a signal from a user input device to designate the item as a persistent item, so that the persistent item remains displayed in one or more subsequent views when it otherwise would not remain displayed.