US6137484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for identifying user-selectable regions within multiple display frames
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1997-09-30
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Granted: 2000-10-24
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Expires: 2017-09-30
Abstract
Abstract The method and apparatus determine a specific position of a user-selectable region at a particular point in time within a sequence of display frames. The method and apparatus first interpolate between a first matrix representing the user-selectable region at a first point in time and a second matrix representing the user-selectable region at a second point in time. In one embodiment, the matrix generated by this interpolation is then applied to a region definition for the user-selectable region to determine the specific area occupied by the region at the particular point in time. According to one embodiment, the first matrix and the second matrix are both stored within the same sample of a container track. This sample corresponds to one or more frames of the sequence of display frames. In an alternate embodiment, the first matrix and the second matrix are stored in two separate samples of the container track.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Peter Hoddie
- 👤 Sean D. Allen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/80; H04N21/85; H04N21/858; H04N21/8583; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04842; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/234; H04N21/2343; H04N21/234318; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/4302; H04N21/4307; H04N21/43072; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/4722; H04N21/4725; H04N21/83; H04N21/845; H04N21/8455
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An article comprising: a storage medium; and the storage medium having stored thereon a container track having a plurality of samples that include, a key sample that includes information to initially define a user-selectable region of a corresponding track, wherein the region is selectable by a user during playback of the corresponding track and such selection does not modify the corresponding track, and an override sample that includes information to modify the region definition of the key sample.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An article comprising: a storage medium; and the storage medium having stored thereon a container track having a plurality of samples that include, a key sample that includes information to initially define a user-selectable region of a corresponding track, wherein the region is selectable by a user during playback of the corresponding track and such selection does not modify the corresponding track, and an override sample that includes information to modify the region definition of the key sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
The article of claim 1, wherein the information of the key sample includes one or more of a region definition that provides an outline of the user-selectable region, a beginning transformation function that maps the region definition to a first location of a display at a first time, an ending transformation function that maps the region definition to a second location of the display at a second time subsequent to the first time, a code indicator that identifies an action to be performed if the region is selected, and a layer indicator that identifies the depth of the region relative to other user-selectable regions being displayed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article of claim 2, wherein the information of the key sample includes each of the region definition, the beginning transformation function, the ending transformation function, the code indicator, and the layer indicator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
The article of claim 1, wherein the information of the override sample includes one or more of a region definition that provides an outline of the user-selectable region, a beginning transformation function that maps the region definition to a first location of a display at a first time, an ending transformation function that maps the region definition to a second location of the display at a second time subsequent to the first time, a code indicator that identifies an action to be performed if the region is selected, and a layer indicator that identifies the depth of the region relative to other user-selectable regions being displayed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article of claim 4, wherein the information of the override sample includes each of the region definition, the beginning transformation function, the ending transformation function, the code indicator, and the layer indicator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The article of claim 1, wherein the information in the override sample replaces at least a portion of the information in the key sample.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 1, wherein the information in the override sample augments the information in the key sample.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of claim 1, wherein the storage medium also has stored thereon the corresponding track.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article of claim 1, wherein the corresponding track comprises a video track.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The article of claim 1, wherein the storage medium also has stored thereon a key sample table to determine, for each of the plurality of samples, whether the sample is a key sample or an override sample.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The article of claim 1, wherein the container track further includes a second sample of the plurality of samples that includes information to define a second user-selectable region based at least in part on the information from at least one of the key sample and the override sample.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
124 words
A method comprising: receiving an indication of a user selection; determining whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a key sample alone or the key sample in combination with an override sample; merging information from the key sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition and a current transformation function if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, otherwise using the information from the key sample alone to determine the region definition and the current transformation function; and determining a location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition and the current transformation function.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
124 words
A method comprising: receiving an indication of a user selection; determining whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a key sample alone or the key sample in combination with an override sample; merging information from the key sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition and a current transformation function if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, otherwise using the information from the key sample alone to determine the region definition and the current transformation function; and determining a location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition and the current transformation function.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising: comparing a location on a display of the user selection with the location of the user-selectable region at the time the user selection is made; and determining whether the user selection is a selection of the user-selectable region based on the comparing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the merging further comprises interpolating between a beginning transformation function and an ending transformation function to determine the current transformation function.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the beginning transformation function is stored in the key sample and the ending transformation function is stored in the override sample.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14, wherein both the beginning transformation function and the ending transformation function are stored in the override sample.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising determining, based on both the key sample and the override sample, an action to be taken in response to the user selection if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, otherwise determining, based on the key sample alone, the action to be taken in response to the user selection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
142 words
A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a series of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: receive an indication of a user selection; determine whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a key sample alone or the key sample in combination with an override sample; merge information from the key sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition and a current transformation function if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, and otherwise use the information from the key sample alone to determine the region definition and the current transformation function; and determine a location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition and the current transformation function.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
142 words
A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a series of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: receive an indication of a user selection; determine whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a key sample alone or the key sample in combination with an override sample; merge information from the key sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition and a current transformation function if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, and otherwise use the information from the key sample alone to determine the region definition and the current transformation function; and determine a location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition and the current transformation function.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the series of instructions further cause the processor to: compare a location on a display of the user selection with the location of the user-selectable region at the time the user selection is made; and determine whether the user selection is a selection of the user-selectable region based on the comparing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the instructions that cause the processor to merge information from the key sample with information from the override sample further comprise instructions that cause the processor to interpolate between a beginning transformation function and an ending transformation function to determine the current transformation function.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the beginning transformation function is stored in the key sample and the ending transformation function is stored in the override sample.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 20, wherein both the beginning transformation function and the ending transformation function are stored in the override sample.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
77 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the series of instructions further cause the processor to determine, based on both the key sample and the override sample, an action to be taken in response to the user selection if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, and otherwise determine, based on the key sample alone, the action to be taken in response to the user selection.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus comprising: logic embodied in computer program code on a computer-readable medium to receive an indication of a user selection; logic embodied in computer program code on the computer-readable medium to determine whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a key sample alone or the key sample in combination with an override sample; logic embodied in computer program code on the computer-readable medium to merge information from the key sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition and a current transformation function if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, and otherwise to use the information from the key sample alone to determine the region definition and the current transformation function; and logic embodied in computer program code on the computer-readable medium to determine a location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition and the current transformation function.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus comprising: logic embodied in computer program code on a computer-readable medium to receive an indication of a user selection; logic embodied in computer program code on the computer-readable medium to determine whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a key sample alone or the key sample in combination with an override sample; logic embodied in computer program code on the computer-readable medium to merge information from the key sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition and a current transformation function if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, and otherwise to use the information from the key sample alone to determine the region definition and the current transformation function; and logic embodied in computer program code on the computer-readable medium to determine a location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition and the current transformation function.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising logic embodied in computer program code on the computer-readable medium to determine, based on both the key sample and the override sample, an action to be taken in response to the user selection if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, and otherwise to determine, based on the key sample alone, the action to be taken in response to the user selection.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus comprising: first logic embodied in computer program code on a computer-readable medium for receiving an indication of a user selection and determining whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a key sample alone or the key sample in combination with an override sample; second logic embodied in computer program code on the computer-readable medium for merging information from the key sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition and a current transformation function if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, and otherwise for using the information from the key sample alone to determine the region definition and the current transformation function; and third logic embodied in computer program code on the computer-readable medium for determining a location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition and the current transformation function.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus comprising: first logic embodied in computer program code on a computer-readable medium for receiving an indication of a user selection and determining whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a key sample alone or the key sample in combination with an override sample; second logic embodied in computer program code on the computer-readable medium for merging information from the key sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition and a current transformation function if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, and otherwise for using the information from the key sample alone to determine the region definition and the current transformation function; and third logic embodied in computer program code on the computer-readable medium for determining a location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition and the current transformation function.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the third logic is further for determining, based on both the key sample and the override sample, an action to be taken in response to the user selection if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, and otherwise for determining, based on the key sample alone, the action to be taken in response to the user selection.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus comprising: means for receiving an indication of a user selection; means for determining whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a key sample alone or the key sample in combination with an override sample; means for merging information from the key sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition and a current transformation function if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, otherwise using the information from the key sample alone to determine the region definition and the current transformation function; and means for determining a location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition and the current transformation function.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus comprising: means for receiving an indication of a user selection; means for determining whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a key sample alone or the key sample in combination with an override sample; means for merging information from the key sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition and a current transformation function if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, otherwise using the information from the key sample alone to determine the region definition and the current transformation function; and means for determining a location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition and the current transformation function.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising: means for comparing a location on a display of the user selection with the location of the user-selectable region at the time the user selection is made; and means for determining whether the user selection is a selection of the user-selectable region based on the comparing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for merging comprises means for interpolating between a beginning transformation function and an ending transformation function to determine the current transformation function.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising means for determining, based on both the key sample and the override sample, an action to be taken in response to the user selection if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the key sample in combination with the override sample, otherwise determining, based on the key sample alone, the action to be taken in response to the user selection.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-24 | 2004-04-24 | 2004-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-24 | 2008-04-24 | 2008-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-24 | 2012-04-24 | 2012-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |