US6501853B1 — Apparatus and method for processing video data

Claim 1

Independent Claim 188 words

A computer system for processing a video image, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a data record having a plurality of elements representing a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, the data record being accessible by the CPU; a boundary definer for establishing first and second areas of the matrix in response to operator input identifying the first and second areas, the boundary definer also for inserting into the data record, codes which indicate whether the pixels associated with the elements that follow reside in the first or second area; a locator operably engaged with the boundary definer for determining, for at least some of the pixels, which of the pixels are located in the first area and which of the pixels are located in the second area; and a pixel processor operably engaged with the locator for processing the elements representing the pixels in a row order of the matrix such that elements representing pixels in the first area are processed in accordance with a first processing scheme and elements representing the pixels in the second area are processed in accordance with a second processing scheme.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 188 words

A computer system for processing a video image, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a data record having a plurality of elements representing a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, the data record being accessible by the CPU; a boundary definer for establishing first and second areas of the matrix in response to operator input identifying the first and second areas, the boundary definer also for inserting into the data record, codes which indicate whether the pixels associated with the elements that follow reside in the first or second area; a locator operably engaged with the boundary definer for determining, for at least some of the pixels, which of the pixels are located in the first area and which of the pixels are located in the second area; and a pixel processor operably engaged with the locator for processing the elements representing the pixels in a row order of the matrix such that elements representing pixels in the first area are processed in accordance with a first processing scheme and elements representing the pixels in the second area are processed in accordance with a second processing scheme.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 1 , wherein the pixel processor generates a bit stream representative of the pixels in the row order and the area of each pixel.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 2 , further comprising an I/O device for selectively causing the bit stream to be stored or transmitted.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 3 , wherein the bit stream representing the pixels in the first area is compressed relative to the number of pixels in the first area.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 67 words

The system of claim 1 , wherein a video program defines a sampling cycle, and the system further comprises a timer for establishing a sampling interval threshold longer than the sampling cycle and the pixel processor processes the elements representing the pixels in the second area each sampling cycle, and the pixel processor processes the elements representing the pixels in the first area each sampling interval threshold.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 34 words

The system of claim 5 , wherein each pixel defines a corresponding variable value, and the boundary definer establishes the first and second areas in response to variations in the values of the pixels.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 129 words

An apparatus for processing a matrix of data elements representing an image, comprising: means for establishing first and second areas of the image; means for receiving input from an operator indicating which of the elements are located in the first area and which of the elements are located in the second area; means responsive to the input received from the operator for inserting into the matrix of data elements, codes which indicate in which area the pixels represented by the data elements that follow reside; and means for processing the elements in a row order of the matrix such that elements in the first area are processed in accordance with a first processing scheme and elements in the second area are processed in accordance with a second processing scheme.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 129 words

An apparatus for processing a matrix of data elements representing an image, comprising: means for establishing first and second areas of the image; means for receiving input from an operator indicating which of the elements are located in the first area and which of the elements are located in the second area; means responsive to the input received from the operator for inserting into the matrix of data elements, codes which indicate in which area the pixels represented by the data elements that follow reside; and means for processing the elements in a row order of the matrix such that elements in the first area are processed in accordance with a first processing scheme and elements in the second area are processed in accordance with a second processing scheme.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 67 words

The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the means for processing generates a bit stream representative of the elements in the row order and the area of each, the apparatus further comprises means for selectively causing the bit stream to be stored or transmitted, and the bit stream representing the elements in the first area is compressed relative to the number of elements in the first area.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 61 words

The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising means for establishing a sampling cycle and a sampling interval threshold, wherein the sampling interval threshold is longer than the sampling cycle and the means for processing processes the elements in the first area each sampling cycle, and the means for processing processes the elements in the second area each sampling interval threshold.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each element defines a corresponding variable value, and the means for establishing establishes the first and second areas in response to variations in the values of the elements.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 120 words

A method for processing data representing pixels arranged in a matrix, comprising the steps of: (a) defining at least first and second areas within the matrix; (b) determining which pixels are within the first area and which pixels are within the second area in response to operator input; (c) inserting into the data representing the pixels, codes which indicate in which area the pixels represented by the data that follows reside; (d) processing the data representing pixels in the first area in accordance with a first processing scheme; (e) processing the data representing pixels in the second area in accordance with a second processing scheme; and (f) performing steps (d) and (e) according to a row order of the matrix.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 120 words

A method for processing data representing pixels arranged in a matrix, comprising the steps of: (a) defining at least first and second areas within the matrix; (b) determining which pixels are within the first area and which pixels are within the second area in response to operator input; (c) inserting into the data representing the pixels, codes which indicate in which area the pixels represented by the data that follows reside; (d) processing the data representing pixels in the first area in accordance with a first processing scheme; (e) processing the data representing pixels in the second area in accordance with a second processing scheme; and (f) performing steps (d) and (e) according to a row order of the matrix.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 54 words

The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of: (f) establishing a sampling cycle and a sampling interval threshold longer than the sampling cycle; and (g) processing the data representing pixels in the second area each sampling cycle and processing the data representing pixels in the first area each sampling interval threshold.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 12 , wherein each pixel defines a corresponding variable value, and the method further includes establishing the first and second areas in response to variations in the values of the pixels.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 114 words

A system for processing pixels of a video image defining a sampling cycle, comprising: a data record including a matrix of pixels representing an image, the matrix being defined by at least first and second areas, the data record further including codes inserted in the matrix of pixels in response to operator input to indicate in which area the pixels that follow reside; a timer for establishing a sampling interval threshold longer than the sampling cycle; a pixel processor for processing the pixels in a row order of the matrix, in which pixels in the first area are processed each sampling cycle and pixels in the second area are processed each sampling interval threshold.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 114 words

A system for processing pixels of a video image defining a sampling cycle, comprising: a data record including a matrix of pixels representing an image, the matrix being defined by at least first and second areas, the data record further including codes inserted in the matrix of pixels in response to operator input to indicate in which area the pixels that follow reside; a timer for establishing a sampling interval threshold longer than the sampling cycle; a pixel processor for processing the pixels in a row order of the matrix, in which pixels in the first area are processed each sampling cycle and pixels in the second area are processed each sampling interval threshold.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 39 words

The system of claim 14 , wherein each pixel defines a corresponding variable value, and the system further comprises a boundary definer for establishing the first and second areas in response to variations in the values of the pixels.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 98 words

A method for processing pixels, comprising: (a) providing a data record including a matrix of pixels in row order representing an image, the matrix being defined by at least first and second areas and having codes inserted therein in response to operator input to indicate in which area the pixels that follow reside; (b) establishing a sampling cycle and a sampling interval threshold, wherein the sampling interval threshold is longer than the sampling cycle; (c) processing the pixels in the first area each sampling cycle; and (d) processing the pixels in the second area each sampling interval threshold.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 98 words

A method for processing pixels, comprising: (a) providing a data record including a matrix of pixels in row order representing an image, the matrix being defined by at least first and second areas and having codes inserted therein in response to operator input to indicate in which area the pixels that follow reside; (b) establishing a sampling cycle and a sampling interval threshold, wherein the sampling interval threshold is longer than the sampling cycle; (c) processing the pixels in the first area each sampling cycle; and (d) processing the pixels in the second area each sampling interval threshold.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 16 , wherein each pixel defines a corresponding variable value, and the method further comprises: (e) establishing the first and second areas in response to variations in the values of the pixels.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 111 words

A method for processing pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, comprising: establishing first and second areas of the matrix; receiving operator input to indicate which of the pixels are located in the first area and which of the pixels are located in the second area; inserting into the matrix, codes that indicate in which area the pixels that follow reside, in response to the input received from the operator; and processing the pixels in a row order of the matrix such that pixels in the first area are processed in accordance with a first processing scheme and pixels in the second area are processed in accordance with a second processing scheme.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 111 words

A method for processing pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, comprising: establishing first and second areas of the matrix; receiving operator input to indicate which of the pixels are located in the first area and which of the pixels are located in the second area; inserting into the matrix, codes that indicate in which area the pixels that follow reside, in response to the input received from the operator; and processing the pixels in a row order of the matrix such that pixels in the first area are processed in accordance with a first processing scheme and pixels in the second area are processed in accordance with a second processing scheme.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method of claim 18 , further comprising: generating a bit stream representative of the pixels in the row order and the area of each pixel; selectively causing the bit stream to be stored or transmitted; and compressing the bit stream representing the pixels in the first area.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of claim 19 , further comprising: establishing a sampling cycle and a sampling interval threshold longer than the sampling cycle; processing the pixels in the second area each sampling cycle; and processing the pixels in the first area each sampling interval threshold.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 20 , wherein each pixel defines a corresponding variable value, and the first and second areas are established in response to variations in the values of the pixels.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-12-30	2006-07-01	2006-12-31	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-12-30	2010-07-01	2010-12-31	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-12-30	2014-07-01	2014-12-31	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus and method for processing video data

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